Bench Vise?

Oh, sweet jumping Jesus, nooooooooooooooo!!!

James Watriss

>No, No, No. Put the groz down.

Groz has been generally unimpressive as far as, well, almost everything I've seen that they've put out.

Go to ebay. Look for Record, or Jorgensen quick release vises. If you're just getting into hand tool stuff, a 7" vise should do you fine. 9" if you're feeling froggy. If you really must settle for less, look at something that's at least Chinese made, from Rockler or someplace like that. Groz is made in India... Chinese stuff is still chinese made stuff, but at least they've had a couple decades more worth of experience under their belt. I've got a chinese made knockoff of a record vise that I bought at Rockler, and I haven't been very nice to it. Still, it's held up pretty decently.

James in on the right track... *LINK*

Scott Burr in Ben Lomond CA

>Stay away from the Chinese ones.

As said I’d look for an old one. If it doesn’t pan out I’d probably get one of these…


Lie Nielsen quick release vice

Re: Bench Vise?

Tom in Tipp

>Bill,

If you're going to the dark side, jump right in:

Tom

Re: Bench Vise?

Bill Grumbine (Kutztown PA)

>Thanks guys

I was in Woodcraft to look at that German made vise hardware, the one where you have to make wooden jaws and there are no metal jaws at all. I came close, but I ended up buying - wait till you hear this - a LN low angle block plane. I was planing away with my cheesy Chinese block plane when the thing just fell apart and I could not make it work right again. I am in the middle of something where I could really use a plane, and this one called out to me. I figure if I am at the top end with my power tools, I might as well be at the top end with hand tools too, right?

Tomorrow morning I am going to a super secret location where a guy sells old tools - well, its not that secret, but it ain't on the main road either. I am hoping he has a vise or two for me to look at. He didn't last time I was there, but that was a while ago.

Tom, I would love to make my own wood screws, but right not I do not even have the time to get my big twin screw vise on the bench the way it needs to be, since it needs so serious work on the jaws.

Bill

Re: Bench Vise?

Tom in Tipp

>Bill,

Howard Card of Crystal Creek Mills made those. I got 'em in about 2 weeks of placing the order.

Tom

Re: Gröz Quality?

William Duffield, on the Cohansey

>This Gröz vise (photo taken while I was installing it on a new bench top several months ago) works just fine. I haven't found any problems whatsoever with the quality or the operation. The label on it says "Made in Czech Republic".

Mounting method is the same as the Record, as described and illustrated in The Workbench Book.

I still prefer a Record, and would recommend trying to find one used if you can, because I think the design of the quick release mechanism is a lot more efficient than all the others (except the Lee Valley Tucker). If you are doing a lot of repetitive operations at the vise, the Record is a lot easier on the wrist, elbow and shoulder than any of the others with the "quarter turn and yank to open" quick release mechanism, and that includes the Gröz, Jorgensen, Wilton, etc. Still, if you are doing lots of different kinds of work at the vise, any functional quick release is more efficient than a vise without a quick release.

Re: Bench Vise?

Frank Mutchler in Colorado Springs

>Tom, what size & pitch are the screws?

Re: Oh, sweet jumping Jesus, nooooooooooooooo!!!

paul womack

>Hmm. AFAIK, their planes are pretty poor, but their engineering stuff is good enough for the (considered quite pernickity) David Charlesworth.

If you look closely at the photographs in his books, most of the squares, machine vises etc. have GROZ nicely etched.

If they're good enough for him (Holtey owner), I guess they're "good enough".

BugBear

Re: Bench Vise?

Tom in Tipp

>Frank,

I don't know that information, (the screws are 1-3/4" dia, 17" long, 2-1/2 tpi-?) although I could find out more for you if you need it. I called the maker, explained what I was going to use them for and he recommended these. If you have a specific question on that item, the phone # is: 315-446-1229. This is listed in FWW #153 on page 74.

Tom

Wood Screws-Howard Card *LINK*

Jim Shaver, Oakville Ontario

>Hi,

I also used Howard Card's fine work in my bench, see the link.

Take care,

Jim


Shop Shot of My Bench