Instructions
Classic Leg Vise
BACKGROUND
Beginning in the 19th century, vocational schools and commercial shops in France and its colonies were outfitted with Roubo's famous Plate 11-style bench, but featuring metallic leg vise hardware instead of the wooden screws and forged fittings of Plate 11. French leg vise hardware of this type is typically made entirely of metal, whereas hardware from Britain and America usually features a screw with a T-shaped iron casting through which a sliding wooden handle passes. We designed ours around the French model for better function and looks. Researching extant vises and benches, we discovered a number of features that have all but disappeared from modern vise manufacture. We’ve incorporated these, plus a few of our own, into the design of the Classic Leg Vise.
INSTANT CLASSIC
The Classic Leg Vise offers all the workholding capabilities of our flagship Glide Leg Vise. Here's how it differs. First, the traditional look will appeal to those looking for a more classic style. Second, the sliding handle and hub are lighter in weight than the Glide, so there is a bit more feedback when operating the Classic. The Glide does more of the clamping work "on its own" whereas one feels a bit more involved in the clamping process with the Classic. Both are excellent performers. Use aesthetics and cost as your deciding factors.
Double-lead Thread
Most modern vises use a single lead acme thread. Depending on pitch, these can function slowly, but with precision and control, or more quickly. We've found the sweet spot. Face vises are generally used for a relatively narrow range of thicknesses, but when used in more open positions, the convenience of opening the jaws quickly and efficiently is a plus. The Classic uses the same double-lead acme screw as our Glide Leg Vise and moves as fast as typical wooden vise screws, ½” of travel per turn.
Radiused Hub and Flange
The mating surfaces of the flange and hub are machined to a 5” radius. This allows the parts to nest together and distribute clamping pressure over a wider area, especially when holding slightly non-parallel work.
Balanced Handle
The sliding handle is machined with a v-groove detent centered along its length. This detent engages with a stainless steel spring plunger in the center of the hub, allowing one to quickly center the handle and thus balance it to spin rapidly for quick, gross adjustments. In most cases, one can leave the handle centered after holding your workpiece. The spring plunger tension is adjustable. A tighter setting makes it easier and quicker to center up the handle, but may inhibit the handle from sliding as freely. There is a sweet spot that allows quick engaging with the spring plunger, and free sliding simultaneously. The plunger can be completely disengaged if desired. The spring plunger also allows repositioning of the handle so it’s not interfering with your work or your body. Leather shock washers further refine the handle’s function.
Finishes
The Classic Leg Vise is made from machined steel and finished to echo the look of darkly patinated forged hardware. To achieve this we use both traditional black oxide process and Parkerizing. Both finishes yield a dark black finish. Black oxide components will have a bit more sheen than parkerized ones. As we transition entirely to black oxide for our black components you may receive a mix of black oxide and Parkerized components. A rub down with fine steel wood or maroon Scotch-brite followed by a coat of light oil helps give the parts a more patinated look, which will also happen naturally as you use the vise. See our installation instructions for further details.
Angled Leg Vises
The Classic will work well for angled leg vises, as found on English-style workbenches. Because of the off-vertical forces placed on the Crisscross mechanism, you'll experience a slight reduction in friction-free action. The vise still moves freely in and out, just a bit less than a completely vertical leg vise. We don't recommend building your vise any more than 15 degrees off the vertical axis if using the Classic Crisscross.
The Crisscross
The Classic is designed to be used with the Benchcrafted Crisscross for best function. The Crisscross completely supports the weight of the Classic hardware and a wooden chop while completely eliminating the need to adjust a pin (as in a parallel guide). With proper installation, the Classic with Crisscross operates with virtually zero friction. We also offer the Classic Leg Vise without a Crisscross for those building different types of vises such as a leg vise with parallel guide, angled leg vises, twin screw vises, etc. Please note that we only provide instructions for installing the Classic Leg Vise with a Crisscross.
Video
Specifications
Cast and machined from steel components
Designed and made in the USA
2-3/16” diameter hub with integral spring plunger, black oxide finish
15” handle assembly with central v-groove and leather shock washers, Parkerized finish
3-½” diameter flange, black oxide
Rolled-thread carbon steel double-lead acme screw with 4 tpi pitch for rapid movement & positive clamping pressure - 1/2" travel per revolution.
One-piece acme nut turned and tapped from solid billet cold-rolled steel
Crubber jaw liner for a tenacious, non-marring grip
All hardware needed to build the vise, except wood
Installation Instructions
Installation instructions for all our products are supplied only in PDF format. Please download and review the instructions before using your product.
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