If the best addition to my shop was my workbench then the best addition to the workbench has to be the new criss-cross from "Benchcrafted". Anyone who has the leg vise with the pin at the bottom to adjust to whatever thickness that you clamp should not walk but run to your computer (or phone) and order this update from
Jameel. If you are looking to buy vises to build your next bench then
Benchcrafted is the place to go.
Above you see the old leg vise assembly. Below you see the retro kit with what they send to you. It is pretty straight forward and they offer really good instructions and a video to make it very doable.
Be careful lying the bench over to mortise out the leg. I did this alone and the 300 lb. bench came down faster than I wanted. I had help picking it back up. No harm done, just woke me up.
Here is the leg mortised with the cross installed. Careful measuring makes this easy along with a good router and fence system. Love those dusty, noisy routers!
You do have to replace the chop since it has to be bigger to house the other cross piece. You can drill most of it out on the drill press which makes the routing quicker and easier.
Here is the finished leg vise and it work fantastic with no adjustments. I just have to get some more leather and I'm back in business.
My good friend Pete Wiens came over and turned this bowl on my new Jet lathe. This is the biggest bowl I can turn on this lathe and Pete is getting me set up to turn things like this. This is nothing like turning chair legs and I have lots to learn but wow what fun. Now I just need to start carving spoons.
Anyone who knows me knows I have a problem with collecting drawknives. The problem is I can't stop. This is my newest addition. "Barr's" chair makers drawknife designed by my friend Curtis Buchanan. I had Barr make it as a bevel up knife. After some final honing and slightly bending the handles this guy really sings through wood. Well now I have an improved bench vise and a new drawknife. I guess I need to make some more chairs.
Greg - please provide the advantages for having the drawknife designed bevelup. Thanks for sharing
ReplyDeleteGreat question Robert, For what I do which is following the grain of spindles and chair backs, arms, etc. I like having the flat of the back of the drawknife to help follow the fibers. Naturally a curved surface would benefit from using the bevel down knife. It's also a personal feel and some use a bevel down for flat surfaces too. Hope that makes since.
ReplyDeleteGreg
Greg - You stated that the chop has to be larger, why is that? Do you mean in thickness, if so how thick does it need to be?
ReplyDeleteFantastic Greg. That's how its supposed to work alright!
ReplyDeleteRay, my chop had to be longer to allow for the scissor and it has to be at least 2.5 inches thick to allow enough strength for the mortise.
ReplyDeleteThanks Jameel, I might be more excited about this vise update than I was with the bench.
Greg
Greg - thanks and I see what you are talking about. I am seriously considering a change to the St. Peters Cross. I have been reading your entire site off and on for the last few days. Great blog!
ReplyDeleteThanks Ray.
ReplyDeleteGreg