The Humble Woodworking Vice: A Crucial Companion for Your Craft
As an experienced woodworker and craftsman, I’ve had the pleasure of installing and working with a wide variety of vices over the years. From the sturdy simplicity of a single wooden screw to the smooth precision of a cast-iron quick-release model, each type of vice offers its own unique advantages and considerations. In this comprehensive guide, I’ll share my insights on selecting the right vice for your workbench, drawing from decades of hands-on experience in the workshop.
The face vice is the unsung hero of any well-equipped woodworking setup. It’s the workhorse that holds your work securely in place, allowing you to tackle a wide range of tasks with confidence and efficiency. Whether you’re planing, sawing, or crafting intricate joinery, the right vice can make all the difference in the world.
Wooden Screw Vices: A Traditional Delight
When it comes to vices, I’m an unabashed traditionalist at heart. There’s just something about the smooth, effortless operation of a well-made wooden screw that captures my imagination. These time-honored workhorses have a sense of history and craftsmanship that resonates with me on a deeper level.
The key to a truly exceptional wooden screw vice is the diameter of the thread. Ideally, you’re looking for a robust 2-2.5 inch (50-64mm) wooden dowel that’s been carefully hand-threaded. The large diameter provides a wonderfully smooth and stable grip, while the coarse thread offers lightning-fast clamping and release. It’s a blend of old-world charm and modern functionality that I find utterly irresistible.
“Once you’ve used a wooden screw, you always have a wooden screw.”
Building a vice around a handcrafted wooden screw is, in my opinion, one of the most rewarding woodworking projects you can undertake. It’s a true test of your skills, and the end result is a bespoke tool that will serve you faithfully for years to come. I’ve documented the process in detail in our Workbench Vice build video, and I encourage any aspiring woodworkers out there to give it a try.
Of course, the challenge with wooden screws is that they can be tricky and time-consuming to produce. The tooling required is surprisingly expensive, and getting the threads just right takes patience and persistence. That’s why, sadly, we at The English Woodworker are no longer offering our own handcrafted wooden screws for sale.
Thankfully, there are still some excellent alternatives out there. Lake Erie Toolworks, for example, produce high-quality wooden screws that are both accurate and well-distributed. While they may lack the personal touch of a homemade screw, they’re still a fantastic option for those seeking the timeless charm of a wooden vice.
Cast-Iron Vices: A Robust and Reliable Solution
If the wooden screw route isn’t quite your cup of tea, then a good old-fashioned cast-iron vice is a rock-solid alternative. These sturdy workhorses have been a staple in workshops for generations, and for good reason.
When selecting a cast-iron vice, I tend to gravitate towards the larger, heavier-duty models. A nice big 9 or 10 inch vice will provide the kind of solid grip and support that’s essential for serious woodworking. And while the quick-release mechanism is a nice-to-have feature, I find that the traditional single-screw design offers a delightful simplicity and reliability that’s hard to beat.
One of the beauties of these cast-iron vices is that they’ve been around forever. The older, well-used models often have a wonderfully smooth, well-worn feel that’s simply unattainable with newer, mass-produced versions. Brands like Record and York have long been respected for their quality and durability, and with a bit of elbow grease, you can often find fantastic deals on pre-owned gems on the secondhand market.
That said, if you do opt for a brand-new cast-iron vice, I’d recommend looking at the York range. In my experience, they’ve maintained the high standards of the old-school Record vices, making them a great modern alternative.
Installing Your Vice: Attention to Detail is Key
Regardless of whether you choose a wooden screw or a cast-iron model, the installation process is crucial to ensuring your vice operates at its best. Taking the time to properly secure and align your vice will pay dividends in the long run, saving you from frustration and headaches down the line.
When it comes to mounting your vice, the key is to create a solid, stable foundation. For a thick, hardwood workbench top, you can simply use lag screws to secure the vice. Just make sure they’re high-quality, stainless-steel fasteners that won’t snap under pressure.
On thinner benchtops, you’ll want to go with through-bolts instead, making sure to pack out the underside to provide a solid, level surface for the vice to sit on. And don’t forget to incorporate some timber strips between the vice runners and the benchtop – this simple addition can make a world of difference in preventing unwanted racking or sagging.
Another important consideration is the positioning of the vice. I generally prefer to have the back jaw of the vice flush with the front edge of the workbench, with a wooden face jaw added to the front. This allows you to clamp work securely all the way to the edge, without having to contend with the metal jaws getting in the way.
“A face vice should be strong, dependable and quick to use. Fancy often means temperamental, so I’d say simple is the best route.”
Getting the alignment just right is crucial, too. You want the vice to open and close smoothly, without any binding or sticking. Take your time during the installation process, and don’t be afraid to make adjustments until you’ve got it dialed in perfectly.
The Joys of Vice Rack (Yes, Vice Rack!)
One aspect of vices that often gets a bad rap is the dreaded “vice rack” – the slight sideways movement that can occur as you tighten the jaws. In the world of hand-tool woodworking, however, I’m here to tell you that a bit of vice rack is actually your friend.
The key is to embrace the natural give and flex of the system, rather than trying to fight against it. A little bit of give in the vice can actually help you achieve a more secure grip on your workpiece, without having to overtighten to the point of damage.
Of course, this doesn’t mean you should be pounding away on your work with reckless abandon. Moderation is the name of the game. A light touch and a bit of suede lining in the vice jaws will go a long way towards ensuring a rock-solid hold without any risk of marring your precious work.
The Elegant Simplicity of the Leg Vice
While the face vice may be the workhorse of the workshop, I must confess a particular fondness for the leg vice. There’s just something about the elegant simplicity of this timeless design that captures my heart.
Similar in construction to the face vice, the leg vice incorporates that same large, wooden screw that I find so delightful to use. But instead of being mounted to the front of the workbench, the leg vice is integrated directly into one of the bench’s legs. This not only adds a touch of visual flair, but also provides a wonderfully stable and supportive platform for your work.
The only real downside to the leg vice, in my opinion, is the need to maintain a tight tolerance in the mechanism to prevent racking and binding. That delightfully loose, “limbered up” feel of a well-worn face vice can be a bit harder to achieve with a leg vice. But for those who are willing to put in the time and effort, the result is a truly stunning and functional addition to your workbench.
Choosing the Right Vice for Your Needs
Ultimately, the decision of which vice to choose for your workbench comes down to a matter of personal preference and the specific demands of your woodworking practice. Do you value the smooth, responsive feel of a wooden screw? Or are you drawn to the brute strength and durability of a cast-iron model?
Whichever route you decide to take, the most important thing is to select a vice that will serve you well and stand the test of time. After all, this is a tool that you’ll be relying on day in and day out, so it’s worth taking the time to find the perfect match for your needs and working style.
And remember, the vice is just one piece of the puzzle. A well-designed, thoughtfully crafted workbench is the true foundation for any successful woodworking endeavor. If you’re in the market for a new bench, be sure to check out our Woodcraftparts.net for a wide range of high-quality components and hardware to bring your vision to life.
Happy woodworking, my friends! I look forward to seeing the incredible projects you’ll create with the perfect vice at your side.
