Old school vise is pretty handy

[sprucegum]

When I built my bench I ordered a screw and built a leg vise, mostly because I wanted the challenge of doing it. I really didn't think that it would get much use because I have 2 really good modern quick release vises. I sanded a little cutting board this morning and found that with 9" of clearance above the screw that it worked great for edge sanding. I also used an old screw that I had kicking around to make a tail vise, I thought that would see a lot of use and am finding more uses for it every day.

 

[SENC]

Very jealous. I did my dovetail work yesterday on a bench top mounted metal vise - can't wait to build a real bench with a woodworking vise or two.

 

[JonathanH]

The vices look great and it's good to know how useful you are finding them to be. It was really cool following along with your workbench build from beginning to first uses of it. Nice job documenting the process!

@sprucegum

 

[sprucegum]

Very jealous. I did my dovetail work yesterday on a bench top mounted metal vise - can't wait to build a real bench with a woodworking vise or two.

I've never tried hand dovetail joints, I may have to give it a try, the combo of a split top bench and leg vise should work great. The split top gives you many clamping options. I want to build a old school tool chest to store the antique tools that I've acquired over the years. It will probably be Eastern White pine because it's a traditional use in this area. That would probably make a good project to learn on.