Making something with bare hands is a fantastic feeling.
That’s why craftsmanship never goes out of fashion. If you have ever performed changes on some object or made it from the scratch, you have encountered a dilemma what to use to secure objects to stand firm.
Sure, this was an important question if you are concerned about the quality of your project. And so you began your search. If you have helpful and knowledgeable friends they may have mentioned a use of a bench vise.
But what is a bench vise and when should you use it?
We have done a research to help you answer that question. Simply said, a bench vise is a mechanical apparatus helping you to fix an object to the surface so you can work on it.
However, we bring you the story of bench vise more complex than that.
What Do You Need Before To Start
Having a job done well requires proper equipment. In addition, to get things moving you have to get prepared and informed.
So let’s start with that. In general, there are several types of vises.
The division into categories is based on the type of the material that we work with and a manner of use. Vises that we use for holding metal firmly with jaws while cutting or filling are called Machinist’ vises. Then there are machine vises and vacuum vises.
Former are mostly used for smaller works, such as securing model airplanes, circuit boards etc. Machine vises, however, have more complex use on drill presses, grinding machines and milling machines.
A bench vise has gotten its name because it is normally attached to a workbench. In the majority of cases, we use this type of vise when we are working with wood. This is why sometimes bench vises can be found under the name of woodworking vises.
However, a bench vise isn’t necessarily only a wood vise and you can use it for performing work on many materials. A bench vise consists of 4 components: two parallel jaws, a screw, and a lever. Parts of the bench vise that hold an object securely fixed are named jaws.
There are two of them, one is fixed and the other is made to move parallel. Jaws can be made from a number of materials, including wood, metal, or plastic. Once they are worn out, they can be replaced without a need to buy a whole new bench vise.
When it comes to the use of bench vise, the choice is rather wide. The versatility of this mechanical tool makes it a necessary accessory to different types of work. Use of bench vise during work contributes to overall stability and precision needed.
To guide you through the variety of possible uses, we will start with the ones that are most common.
Drilling
Drilling is a type of process that requires extreme attention because precision is a need. Not even a slightest move must be made in order to perform the cut precisely.
Here is where a use of bench vise is quite handy. By holding your workpiece tightly, it gives you all stability you need so you can make precise cuts.
Sawing
When it comes to sawing, the need for having a fixed object is even stronger. This is due to the nature of sawing process itself. A constant force is applied by hand, or automatically, in order to cut desired shapes.
A use of bench vise allows you freedom in choosing the intensity of pressure, in accordance with your need and gives you a luxury of not worrying whether your object will move during the cutting process.
Gluing
If you ever had to assemble something using glue, you know how difficult it is to find something to hold your object firmly while the glue dries completely.
Having your object stable in bench vise’s jaws allows it to dry properly and retain desired structure.
Sanding and Final Preparations
Once you have cut your wooden workpiece into the desired shape and finished all other steps, it’s time to give a final touch. This is usually done by using sandpaper to make all surfaces even and prepare them for primer and color.
This is where having a bench vise is a big advantage. As you progress with sanding, you can position your object as you prefer, and make sure that you have reached even the remotest spots.
With a bench vise, entire crafting process, including final preparations is easier, and safer, because you prevent the possibility of injury by holding your object firmly.
List Of Steps
After this mini guide where we have tried to present some of the most common bench vise uses, we progress now to a bench vise mounting. There are two ways you can set a bench vise and in this guide, we will present a list of steps you need to follow to mount a bench vise the simple way.
Before you begin, there are two factors that you need to take in consideration.
Firstly, where do you want to place your vise?
If you buy more expensive version, your vise will be attached both to the face and to the end of the bench. However, more affordable version usually allows only one type of installation: face vise or end vise.
Depending on your needs, if you choose to install a face vise place it on the front of the bench and if an end vise is your choice place it on the end.
Second, are you right handed or left handed person? This is important to settle because left-handers have to mount a face vise at the far right of the bench’s front edge and an end vise on the on the end of the bench at the foremost left-hand corner. Right-handed individuals should do the opposite.
To mount a bench vise follow these steps:
Step 1 : Make spacer blocks
This is done in order to set the tops of the metal jaws below the bench surface while screwing the vise to the underside of a bench.
Step 2 : Drilling
You will have to drill a row of dog holes into your benchtop because the majority of the bench vises has an integral dog. You will drill dog holes spacers.
Step 3 : Fixing spacers
Do this by using screws or glue. Afterward, attach the vise to the top.
Step 4 : Assemble
Return the connecting bracket, washer, and roll pin. After turning the benchtop upright, grind the tops of the wooden cheeks to the benchtop level.
Conclusion
There aren’t many tools whose use is as wide as it is the case with a bench wise. Therefore, after having your bench vise installed, begin enjoying the world of craftsmanship. With a tool this versatile, you can do almost anything.
