It’s hard to imagine the workshop of a home craftsman who often works with wood products without such useful device like a carpenter's vice. Using this clamping device, which is easy to make with your own hands, you can perform various technological operations with wooden parts.
The design of a carpenter's vice is not so complicated as to give up the idea of making one yourself
Many people, driven by the desire to save money on purchasing a carpenter's vice, use improvised devices (for example, clamps) to secure wooden parts. However, such universal devices do not allow you to effectively perform many technological operations on wood, and their metal clamping elements are left on soft wooden surfaces unsightly dents.
If the processed wooden parts must differ not only in quality, but also in aesthetic appearance, then you cannot do without a vice specially designed for carpentry work. You can seriously save money on purchasing serial models in a more optimal way - making a carpenter's vice with your own hands.
How a vice works for carpentry work
The design of a vice for carpentry work consists of the following elements:
- a support, which is also a stationary clamping jaw;
- movable clamping jaw;
- two metal guides along which the movable jaw moves;
- a lead screw that ensures movement of the movable jaw;
- a crank through which rotation is imparted to the lead screw.
The fixed support of the carpenter's vice is securely fixed to the surface of the workbench, for which long screws or bolted fasteners are used. Many serial models provide the possibility of using replaceable pads on movable and fixed jaws. Such overlays, which increase the versatility of the carpenter's vice, can be made of metal and polymer materials.
Since bench vices are often used for machining large wooden products, the design of many models includes a spring mechanism that facilitates manipulations. Such a mechanism, which can also be installed on a homemade carpentry vice, provides preliminary clamping of the part (it is finally fixed using a lead screw). If this mechanism is not included in the design of the bench vise, then the carpenter will have to hold it suspended for a long time wooden blank, before the movable clamping jaw is brought to it.
To make a wooden vice intended for carpentry work with your own hands, you need to make a drawing and select the appropriate components. Wooden blocks are used as clamping jaws of such a vice. One of them, serving as a fixed jaw, is fixed on the surface of the workbench and will act as a load-bearing support for the device.
You will also need a threaded screw with a diameter of at least 20mm. The permissible dimensions of the workpiece, which can be fixed in a homemade carpentry vice, depend on the length of this element, which is responsible for moving the movable jaw and, accordingly, for clamping the workpiece. To make a carpenter's vice, you will also need two metal guides, for which you can use any metal pins (the main thing is that they are smooth and their diameter is at least 10 mm).
The guide parts can be made on metalworking machines or you can use struts from the front shock absorbers of a passenger car for them.
Any wooden vice, including homemade ones, is controlled using a crank, the rotation from which is transmitted to the lead screw. As a driver, you can use a long metal strip, which will be inserted into the slot in the head of the lead screw. Such a slot must first be machined to match the thickness of the existing rail. Some home craftsmen use a regular wrench as a lead screw driver. spanner, into which its head is pressed.
To make a homemade bench vise more convenient to use, it is better to mount a full-fledged crank on them. For this you will need welding machine. Welding is necessary in order to weld a nut or washer to the end of the lead screw, into the holes of which the handle-collar will be inserted. By making such a knob, you will greatly simplify the process of controlling a carpenter's vice, and it will be much more convenient to work with them.
As mentioned above, to make the movable and fixed jaws of a carpenter's vice you will need two wooden bars. It is best to choose pine as the material for making such bars: its wood is quite soft and at the same time durable. It is necessary to drill holes of the appropriate diameter in both jaws: two for the guides, one for the lead screw. In order for such holes on the movable and fixed jaws to be positioned exactly relative to each other, it is necessary to drill them simultaneously in two bars. To perform this procedure, the bars can be connected using nails, and after making the holes, separate them again.
After all the preparatory activities have been completed, you can begin assembling a homemade carpentry vice. The first thing to do is to securely fasten the fixed jaw support to the surface of the workbench. After this, guides and a lead screw are inserted into the holes of the support.
The ends of the guides protruding from the rear side of the support must be fixed, for which you can cut threads on them and screw on the nuts. A nut is also screwed onto the protruding end of the screw. In order to ensure that such a nut does not move during operation, it can be placed in a previously prepared recess on the surface of the support, into which it must fit very tightly.
When the fixed support of the carpenter's vice, the screw and the guides are mounted, you can install a movable jaw on them, for which there are already prepared holes in it. On the end of the lead screw protruding above the front surface of the movable jaw, it is necessary to put a washer with a large outer diameter and screw on two nuts, which will act as a locking element.
After fastening all the elements, you can connect the end of the screw to the knob and start using a carpenter's vice. After you start turning the knob, the screw will screw into the nut of the fixed support, thereby attracting the movable clamping jaw to it.
If you decide to equip your own workshop, workbench or work table, you may definitely need homemade vice. This is a relatively simple task, and the completed workbench or workshop will serve you for a long time. You should study in more detail the question of how to make a bench vice with your own hands and what nuances accompany this process.
Double screw joiner
If you are looking for a carpenter's bench vise that is truly powerful, then this is your best bet. two-screw modification of the specified device. M20 towbar bolts provide a force of several tons, which is an excellent option for such a vice. The assembly procedure for such a device is as follows:
- We prepare everything necessary tools;
- We make the appropriate slots and holes;
- Insert bolts and turns;
- We check the vice for strength and performance.
Step-by-step and detailed instructions for assembly and self-creation vices for the workshop and workbench are available on specialized resources and forums in the form of photographs and recommendations.
Very convenient for ready-made desktops make a mini Moxon vice. To begin with you will need following materials and tools:
After the workpiece has been cut, it is necessary to sand the edges using sandpaper. We round the edges of the wheels with a drill and the same sandpaper. To make screws, you need to purchase a long threaded rod and cut metal blanks into two parts.
After this, you need to insert the nuts into the holes. Glue the skin onto the clips and remove all excess. Surface protection is provided by tung oil. It, unlike other wood impregnation agents, polymerizes inside and outside the tree with rapid penetration into the lower layers. After the oil has dried, all that remains is to connect all the resulting parts together - and the vice will be ready for use.
They are also easy to make yourself. First you need to cut the plywood to size. Weld two nuts to the flat panel for the threaded guide and attach them under the table with screws, as this will add stability to the structure in question. It is very important to align everything correctly, otherwise it will not work.
After this, you need to use a chisel to make a recess for the nut. On the outer lock, drill a hole 3 cm deep. Therefore, the thickness of the plywood should be 3 cm.
It is a copy of a regular vice, only made of wood. From metal parts here you should only use a screw 45 cm long and 8 cm thick. Massive pine plywood, well dried, is suitable.
The vise jaws are made from separate blocks, which are subsequently glued together. To give them their final shape, sand their edges with sandpaper. In this case, for one block it is worth choosing a thicker tree. This compensates for the space between the moving and fixed parts. The handle should fit through the head into the hole freely, then add the knob and anvil. When finished, remove the mounting screws, coat the vise elements with two coats of oil-based polyurethane and leave to dry overnight. Bolt the vise to the workbench.
Oak vice
The design of this structure is based on ancient drawings, the body is made of oak sleepers. The jaws can be cut by hand or with a saw. Grooves are punched down on both sides of the base. The brackets add strength to the rear jaw and secure it well to the base.
The top of the tee is on top of the clamping bolt. You will also need a large bolt and a square head that fits into the housing groove at the base of the vise. A steel strip should be added to each side of the base at the bottom to protect the side brackets from wear.
Make a homemade vice, as we see, it turns out, is not so difficult. There are many sites and articles on the Internet that talk in detail about the manufacture of devices for various workbenches and desktops. Making oak vices is very interesting, since solid pine plywood is ideal for them. A steel strip is a good addition as it prevents wear and tear on the brackets and vice in general. Happy work and making homemade workbenches!
The vice is an indispensable device when carrying out the most various works. New tool It is expensive, but it is extremely necessary at home.
The simplest and cheap option, make your own vise from materials that are easy to find. Today we will look at the possibility self-made various types vice.
Materials for bench vices
We will need:
- Channel No. 8P – 1 m.
- Corner No. 4.0 – 1 m.
- M16 hairpin – 1 pc.
- Nuts M16 – 6 pcs.
- Turns for pipes Ø40 mm.
- Metal sheet 240x160x6
- The strip for sponges is 160x40x5, but it is better to make the sponges thicker, for example, 8-10 mm.
Let's start making parts:
Nuts for the movement mechanism
To make the movement mechanism, you need to weld two nuts together. To do this, we screw them onto a pin so that there is a small gap of 0.2-0.5 mm between them.
We scald the nuts
If the nuts are pressed tightly together, the screw will clamp during operation. We weld the nuts in a circle. At this stage you will need two pieces.
Base and movement mechanism
The base of the vice consists of a sheet and two corners welded to it at the edges.
Attention! Remember, to prevent the structure from jamming, it is important for us to maintain the distance between the corners by the width of the channel plus 0.5-1 mm.
Base assembly
Therefore, before welding the corners to the sheet, install a channel in the middle, and along the edges, between the channel and the corner, a piece of cardboard or, if available, several transformer plates.
Movement mechanism
After welding the corners, draw a line in the center of the base and position the prepared nuts. To do this, screw them onto an M16 screw.
You can place regular staples from a stapler under the screw to lift it closer to the middle of the frontal plane.
Look at the photo, everything will become clear. And we make an indent from the edge of the sheet inward by 5 - 6 mm.
Stapling staples
To fill the space between the nut and the base of the vice, you can place a 3-4 mm plate.
Remember! How accurately you set the nuts will determine how well the movement mechanism will work.
After installing the nuts, you can install the cover. The body should look like in the photo.
Housing assembly
At this stage, check the free movement of the channel; if it is very tight, then remove 0.5 -1 mm. from the walls. The walls will then be not 40, but 39 mm.
Checking progress
Next, on one side of the channel, overlapping, we weld a corner and, installing it in the body, mark the place for drilling the hole for the counter nut. We also cook turns to the base. It should look like in the photo.
Housing and movement mechanism assembled
The next step is to weld the remaining turns from the pipes onto the mating part of the vice, cut out and attach the jaws. That's all. We install the pin and fasten it from the inside to the moving part of the vice as in the photo.
Moving mechanism pin
Final stage, paint, dry and put everything together.
The final stage, painting. The product is ready.
Bench vice made from corrugated pipe
In order to make a reliable bench tool yourself, you need a welding machine and the following components:
- Several sections of professional pipe different sizes.
- Hardened steel stud with coarse thread.
- Double height nuts.
Often in life there is a need to use a vice. This is especially true when you have to work with a drill. Cutting with a grinder will be no exception, when you often have to hold the part with your foot and whatever you can. But this is inconvenient, and most importantly unsafe. Make yourself a small vise out of wood that you can easily store in your toolbox and take with you wherever you need it. Such a vice will be small, light, and in general, will become your best friend.
Materials and tools for making a vice:
- wood;
- a threaded rod and nuts for it;
- washers, screws and other small items;
- wood glue;
- varnish;
- dremel();
- drill with svelami ();
- sandpaper;
- chisel;
- clamps;
- screwdriver;
- two metal rods as guides;
- a tool for cutting wood ().
Vise manufacturing process:
Step one. Making the base
First of all, study the diagram and cut the blanks according to it. First of all, the author cuts off two blanks to make the base. Then these two parts are glued together. It’s better, of course, to use solid material, it’s just that the author didn’t have a board of the required width. However, an adhesive connection will cope with this task quite well. Gluing also has its advantages: you can make a base from narrow strips, it will be strong and at the same time light.
Convenient and portable to work with circular saw, but you can cope with this task using hand tools. Lubricate everything thoroughly with glue and clamp with clamps until completely dry.
Step two. Making jaws
The vice jaw, as usual, consists of two jaws. One jaw here acts as a support; it is attached at the very beginning of the vice, that is, there is a handle near it. And the second jaw is movable, they compress when you tighten the screw clockwise.
To make the jaws you will need four blocks. Their author also glues two pieces together. In each pair, one bar is responsible for the guide, and a threaded rod passes through the top ones. When you glue the blocks together and the glue is completely dry, drill holes in them. A hole is drilled in the top two bars of such a diameter that a threaded rod can pass through it.
And in the two lower bars, drill two holes for the guides. It is convenient to work on a drilling machine; you can immediately drill in pairs.
Step three. Insert the nut
Place the nut on the opening of the moving jaw and trace around it with a pen or pencil. Cut out the resulting shape using a sharp chisel. Install and glue the nut into the resulting cavity. It is best to use epoxy glue, but it won’t go anywhere anyway, unless it can crawl out of its place when the jaws open.
Step four. Installing guides
Two steel rods are used as guides. They must be glued into the jaw that is installed statically. Glue it in using epoxy glue. We dilute the resin with the hardener, glue the rods and leave for 24 hours until completely dry. Pre-sand the rods with sandpaper, or better yet, treat them with a grinder for reliable gluing.
Step five. Glue the front jaw
The author attaches the front jaw with glue, but this method is not very reliable. When clamping a vice, you can easily break off the jaw, one way or another, this will happen someday in the future. Instead of glue, or better yet, screw a couple of self-tapping screws on the other side. If using glue, clamp the structure with a clamp until it dries completely.
Step six. Making a pen
To make a handle, select a block of the required size and cut a handle out of it. We drill a hole in the handle to the diameter of the rod and attach it to the rod with epoxy glue. You can also drill another small hole across and secure the handle with a pin, this will make it possible to remove it if necessary.
You will need a lever for the handle; drill a hole of the required diameter for it. The author also makes the lever from wood. We screw washers on both ends with self-tapping screws so that it does not fall out. Install washers between the handle and the stop. The washers need to be lubricated to reduce friction.
Step seven. Homemade sanding
Finally, the author grinds the surface of the vice so that it is smooth. First, this is done with a wire brush, and then using 200-grit sandpaper.
Step eight. Cutting off the excess
It so happened that the author’s guides turned out to be a little longer than necessary. He decided to cut them off and use them for another project. For these purposes, the author used a Dremel with an appropriate attachment. Be sure to smooth out the rough edges of the guides after this.
