Est. 1998 — 27 years of woodworking knowledge
vise screw garter
Jack Guzman from Maine
>I'm building a dovetailing vise similar to the one Joel Seaman made that's featured on page 134 of the Workbench book by Landis.There's a piece of wood that stops the screw in the front jaw they call a garter. I can't figure out what holds the garter into the jaw. From the picture it appears that it could drop right out.I guess I could make it a tight fit and drive it in but how do you get it out if you need to later?---Jack
Re: vise screw garter
Patrick Gibbons, Houston
>Jack, I looked at the vise you're talking about and it is unclear about the garter. I would suppose a friction fit would work but I would fear that the garters would work themselves out. Personally I would install them permanently by glueing them into the slots. I don't see a situation where I would want to remove them. If you're worried about them breaking, use metal instead of wood for the garters. I hope somebody answers who has actually done this. Otherwise, just do it and if you're wrong you'll find out soon enough.
Re: vise screw garter
Warren in Lancaster, PA
>I used a hard maple pin about 9/16 in diameter for the garter. I did not glue it and I let it stick out about an inch on the side of the vise in case I wanted to remove it. I have a dogwood screw and wear has not been a problem. I don't think it has ever moved or been taken out. I would suggest a friction fit. Possibly you could have the pin ride in the slot and go all the way through the vise so you could knock it through for removal. If it is loose I would use just enough glue to hold it- its always nice to be able to take things apart.
Re: vise screw garter
alan womack
>Photo Available?
My version
Jack Guzman from Maine
>I need this appliance for I when do DT demos at the Willowbrook museum . They have a good solid bench but it has no vises(well,there is a large metalworking vise but I find that unworkable).So when I saw the picture I new that it was just what I needed.I already had a 7/8 screw box and tap.This works fine without a garter but I may use Warren's pin idea because it will make it easier to use.
The screws are walnut and the vise is red oak.It still needs to be prettied up a bit but it is totally functional.Easy Saturday morning project.---Jack
Re: vise screw garter
Mike Hamilton
>Try making the garter tapered (a wedge) in the thinnest dimension. Tap it in just far enough to keep it tight. I think I've seen a leg vise with garters entering from both sides. Both tapered - kind of like the wedges you use to remove a ball joint.
Regards,
Mike Hamilton
Plainfield, IN