The parallel guide for the bottom of the leg vise is 1/2"x3"x17" and needs to be strong stuff, since the pin placed in one of the holes will exert a lot of force when the vise is tightened. I cut this from some of the thick oak.
Ripping the oak to 3" width.
More planing stop action! Jointing the ripped edge while the piece is still thick for easy handling.
Marking out the 1/2" width for resawing.
Resawing to thickness. I stayed well away from the line since I needed to flip the piece side to side and end for end to complete the cut. Making everything meet perfectly in the middle gets difficult, so you need to allow some slop.
Another use of the planing stop, final thicknessing of the resawn board, with a thin batten to restrain it on the side. You can see the distinctive triangular/diamond pattern where all the cuts meet in the middle.
Planing down to final thickness, until it slid easily in the slot. This took the rough face to satiny smoothness in no time. Then I cut it to length, trimmed the corners of the loose end, and chamfered all the edges.
Chopping the mortise in the bottom of the leg vise. Oops! I realized partway through that it shouldn't go all the way to the edge, so I simply left that part partially mortised.
Drilling the offset rows of holes for the adjustable pin. I added a third row in the middle to provide additional positions.
Pre-drilling the holes for cross-pegging the guide in place in the mortise.
The guide is attached to the vise slab and slides freely in the slot in the leg. This all has to line up properly to allow free movement without binding. To ensure this alignment, I seated the guide end in the mortise, slid it into the slot, and threaded the vise up tight against the leg. With everything in position, I followed the pre-drilled holes to drill the holes in the guide, then drove the pegs. If I had drilled and pegged it with the vise out on the bench, chances are something would not have lined up right once I installed it.
Following the pre-drilled holes. I seem to have gotten a few chips on my sleeve!
Driving the pegs to secure the end of the guide. No glue, in case I ever need to replace the guide.
Trimming the ends flush.
Drilling the pilot holes for securing the screw plate to the vise.
I screwed the plate on and installed the vise on the leg. Next I'll make a decent handle for it.
(Continue to part 12)
Posts
nice blog, nice bench to be! I did the same as you , as for the location of the guide and on my next bench it will be above the stretcher so it makes it easier to change the pin position!!
ReplyDeleteRealy like the pics.
Thank you.
David
Congratulations. Nice work. Nice bench. Good summary. Thanks for sharing...
ReplyDelete