Vise and dog questions

[gwyneth]

Here's a vise question I haven't seen addressed in any of the workbench books* or here.

Some benches have the front Record-type vise on the outer side of the trestle, some on the inner. What would be the pros and cons of each?

To me it seems logical to put it as close to the left (for r. handers) edge as possible, so I don't understand why it would be on the inner side of the trestle.

I'm also curious about why so many of the benches pictured with that kind of front vise--quick release and up/down dog on the front jaw--do not have dog holes going across the bench perpendicular to the front. (That is, so the up/down dog on the front jaw of the front vise could be used with a dog on the bench.)

Yet some pictures of that kind of front vise show a row of dog holes down the length of the bench--even when there's no tail vise. ????

Of the few pictures I've seen showing holes in line with the front vise (i.e., front to back), several have two rows of holes going that direction. Is this for a three point grip? (Two bench dogs, one up/down dog on the vise jaw).

As always, any input is interesting. Thanks!

[Red88chevy]

Can't answer most of your questions, but I've seen some old books/drawings where they had dog holes in a bench with no vise. Seems like they used the dogs with wedges to hold the wood tight.

[gmack5]

DOg hole answers.

With regard to your First Question: The location of the Vise (inside or outside of Trestle) is owner's choice. I know of no other reason.

Second Question: Again as to exsistance and location of Dog Holes, it would be Owners' Choice.

Third Question: One thing that could be done with Dog holes and no vise is to use a clamping wedge instead of a Vise.

Fourth Question: It would make since that if there's two rows of dog holes that it would give you 3 point clamping.

[Russianwolf]

Answer to why some benches have a up/dog on the vise but no dog holes on the bench.

The vise was likely added to an existing bench (meaning the bench wasn't designed with that particular vise in mind).

Another reason for dog holes down both sides is so that you can get to both sides of a board without having to flip it, you just scoot it across the bench and walk around. I do this in my shop as I have 7.3 foot ceilings and a pole that constantly gets in the way.

[gwyneth]

I do this in my shop as I have 7.3 foot ceilings and a pole that constantly gets in the way.

Mike, with those low ceilings it sounds like a perfect setup for a go-bar.

[Russianwolf]

If you mean a go-go bar, no thanks. A certain person may show up and show off his BT3 thong with a performance.......

Other than that, I've no clue what a go-bar is.

[gwyneth]

From the French goberge, a go-bar is a springy pole placed between the workpiece and the ceiling to hold down the work. Very cheap, very easy, very effective.

These days, the concept survives mostly in lutherie, where guitar makers frequently use a smaller version with a box, a deck for the workpiece, and little rods between the workpiece and the inner top of the box.

[scorrpio]

A vise inside the trestle sits within bench footprint. A vise outside is cantilevered. Unless your bench is sufficiently long and heavy, a cantilever is a subject to wobble. And unless bench top is thick and stiff, it can be subject to flex and sag.

Some benches are of 'add your own vise' variety and come with dog holes. Work can be secured between two dogs with spacers and wedges, making tail vise somewhat optional, but many will add a front vise for holding small pieces. On many front vises, btw, the pop up dog is hardly suitable - it is metal and gouges wood unless you pad it.