Extra-wide vice is built (with pictures)

I have built the extra-wide vice which I discussed in several threads here (paint and wooden jaws are still to come). Thanks for your thoughts and sug gestions. Here are the pictures:

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In the end, I decided to use two scissor mechanisms shortly before my leave from work began. I did a few calculations and figured I could fit a sturdy mechanism inside two lengths of channel. I'm pretty pleased with the resul t. Jaw width is 75 cm (30"), so it's as wide as the largest Black & Decker Workmate.

A couple of observations:

- Stiffness and ease of adjustment are great. Clamping asymetrically using half the jaw width is possible with hardly any flexing. Clamping a narrow p iece of wood at the very end of the jaws (with nothing at the other end) ca uses a little flexing, but isn't problematic. The single handle with 1/2" j aw movement per turn allows quick adjustment.

- The downsides are the weight of something like 80 lbs (I might need to ad d a little stiffening to my steel bench frame) and the fact that it can jam at the very end of its travel. It was designed for a 6" jaw opening. Jammi ng occurs beyond an 8" opening, so it works according to my design, but I m ight add some kind of stop to limit the travel. And I haven't lubricated th e scissors yet.

Enjoy the pictures. Comments and questions are welcome.

Best wishes,

Chris

Reply to
Christopher Tidy
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I love pictures and especially videos of vices, the naughty stuff

Reply to
Ignoramus27049

I am not going to clamp you in the vice and make a video of it :-).

Reply to
Christopher Tidy

Is that where you like plus-size women? Oh, I forgot, you're a Brit and oddly spell some words. ;)

Zirks are a good idea for longevity. Good thinking.

I take it that you never expect to hold something deeper than the jaws? There wouldn't be much room to poke something down between those double scissor legs.

A simple rod with stop like a screen door closer uses might work to make an adjustable limit.

More pics when you're done, please.

Reply to
Larry Jaques

I did think about this. It's very rare that I use this facility, so it's not a big sacrifice. Being able to open and close the vice quickly and neatly is much more important. The most important application will be planing longer boards by hand.

Might do this. I think I'll wait until I've lubricated and adjusted the scissors. That might change the situation a little.

Reply to
Christopher Tidy

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