I'm not a fan of tail vises, wagon vises, end vises, or what have you. I think for the most part they are too much trouble to install and too little used once installed. Now for the eating crow part. I've been looking at the wagon vise Will Myers has developed for his Moravian workbenches and I may change my mind. I've ordered one for the next build.
Here is a link: Will Myers wagon vise
ken
I think wagon vises are good if you initially learned how to with one. I think that they are versatile and handy to have. I use mine about as much as I use the face vise. I haven't used round dogs before but just from looking I would hesitate to use them.
ReplyDeleteRalph,
DeleteI have had a wagon vise and have used both round and square dogs. In my experience, in use, there is little difference between the two. Round are a order of magnitude easier to install and you can put 'em where you want 'em when you need 'em. I can see no advantage to square dogs.
BTW, if you couldn't tell, I'm planing and buying material for the next bench build. I already have a Bench Crafted Classic screw and 14" crisscross on the shelf and once the tail vise hardware arrives I'll start the search for base and slab wood.
ken
The Will Meyers wagon vise design simplicity is just elegant.
ReplyDeleteIt seems very easy to install.
I would verify that the dog-tube is smooth and will not scratch the traveling slot. I would wax the traveling slot.
Although, looking at Will Meyers slot picture, I am probably overthinking this.
Sylvain
Sylvain,
DeleteThat is what sold me, simple and the install looks to be a piece of cake. My other experience with wagon vises has been not worth the effort/cost needed to install for the amount of use.
ken
I'm with you, never been really fond of tail vises, seem to be more trouble than they're worth and while BC hardware is beautiful and works really well I'm not sold on their wagon vise. I've considered putting Moxon type hardware on the end (not BC hardware) but the Myers hardware has me intrigued.
ReplyDeleteRalph,
DeleteI had a BC wagon vise on one of my Roubo benches. Almost never used it and it was a PITA to install. Was not worth the cost or effort. Will's looks to be in the sweet spot so even if it isn't used much it will still pay for itself.
ken