Jigs, Part 1: Quickie Tail Vise

[Tom Miller]

Now that I've figured out how to drill a straight dog hole, my bench top is no longer safe.

I've also come to realize a tail vise would really be nice, but that ain't gonna happen any time soon. I made a home-made version of one of these,



but quickly realized it was not up to the task.

So, I made this:




...to do this:




Here's the details:
The middle portion has a 3/4" dowel that extends almost to the bottom of the doghole. A lag screw up through the bottom of the dowel keeps it secure to the bench, and keeps it from rotating. The middle portion is stationary, and has a threaded hole through it's length (and through the dowel) that the threaded rod passes through. The outer portion slides back and forth to do the clamping.



I was kind of surprised that this works as well as it does -- really secure -- so I thought I'd pass it along.

Regards,
Tom

[BobSch]

What a great design — simple, small enough to store when not in use. You've got a winner there, Tom.

[RodKirby]

WOW! Great stuff, Tom.

How did you cut such a long thread? 3/8" rod?

[Jim-Iowa]

OUT OF THE BOX!
Nice going Tom, thats thinking totally outside the box!

[LCHIEN]

quote:Originally posted by RodKirby

WOW! Great stuff, Tom.

How did you cut such a long thread? 3/8" rod?

you can buy all-thread rod at the hardware store.

AN all-wood version would be interesting...

[final_t]

Okay, first Rod Kirby and now Tom. I'm just going to sit in my corner and enjoy my bottle of envy...

[RodKirby]

quote:Originally posted by LCHIEN

quote:Originally posted by RodKirby

WOW! Great stuff, Tom.

How did you cut such a long thread? 3/8" rod?

you can buy all-thread rod at the hardware store.

AN all-wood version would be interesting...

Sorry - should have read

Q1: How did you cut such a long thread?

Q2: Is it 3/8" rod or 1/2"

[monte]

Nice work Tom!

[boblon]

Great idea and well constructed too.

Gonna have to make one of these. (Don't think I'll be the only one either).

Thanks for sharing.

BobL.

[Tom Miller]

Thanks for the kind comments, guys! Glad to hear someone found this useful.

Rod -- I "threaded" the 3-4" long stationary block with the threaded rod itself. It's 3/8", so IIRC, I drilled a hole 1/32" or so less than that. I put the block in a vise while threading to be sure I didn't blow it out.

This block, as most of the parts, are made out of hard maple, so it should hold its threads pretty well. It really doesn't take much cranking down to hold the workpiece VERY securely.

Regards,
Tom

[WEG]

Hi Tom;

Great jigs and a real nice bench. Nice work !! You and Rod make my woodworking more fun. I always have a challenge to reach. And I have a way to go .

Thanks for sharing with us.

WEG