Angled Leg Vise For The WIN!

[@danfreed41]

RC - I have been thinking about building a leg vise for a few years.... I never liked the solutions for the guide board at the bottom. Thanks for a couple new things to consider. I do love the way the Horvarter vise mechanism works, but plan to stick with a wood screw from Lake Erie. However, I like the chain idea from Ancora Yacht Service, not to mention his custom boats! Question - Why did you go with the chain and not the X LInk from Horvarter? It looks like the X LInk may take a little more time to do the mortise work, but I like the way it disappears and eliminates the guide board. Comments appreciated - Dan RC - and there is the answer - in the video.... I also had the same thought about all the digging needed for the mortise. Horvarter - WOW! I will need to find another place to try it. But, will have the chance to contemplate every time I turn my wood screw. Thanks for sharing.

[@themountaintopjoinersshop8422]

I talked about the X-link in the video by one of its other names (criss-cross) and, likewise, explained why I didn't go with it starting at 6:38.

[@themountaintopjoinersshop8422]

The Ancora Yacht Service chain guide is also as easy as drilling 4 holes, as opposed to excavating a bunch of giant mortises (which I would've had to borrow a router for at the time I built the vise. I have zero desire to do mortises that large entirely by hand.).

[@pgfollett]

I was aware of the Hovarter mechanism but teaming it with the pinless parallel guide ... just genius! What a great setup

[@tommoeller7149]

I already had the Hovarter tail vise and love it. So I decided to upgrade my leg vise screw to match. Then I saw this video and was captivated by the Ancora yacht chain device. Long story short, I installed both and they work like a dream! I'm still having trouble fully understanding the physics of the chain parallel guide but it works. :) This video is the only place I have ever seen this. I'm quite surprised it isn't more popular, especially since it is both easier to install and less costly than some of those x-links. Anyway, thanks again for the inspiration. Tom

[@bridgetl.303]

This is the most comprehensive and most informative video on leg vises I’ve yet viewed. It seems you have paired the two best devices to construct a leg vise with the quick release and the chain mechanisms. Thank you for such a great and entertaining video!

[@DanBetta]

Yo! I know Jim Ritter from Sag Harbor, NY! Small world. Thanks to your video, my next work bench is going to have an angled vise and hardboard from Jim and your vise company...cheers!

[@TheSMEAC]

I run a Hovarter Leg and Wagon vise too 👍. It’s not often I bump into someone else with them. I originally went with Len’s design as a way of supporting a small maker/innovator. I do run a 24’ twin Veritas on the other side too, but then my bench is in the center of the west bay in my shop and can be worked on from all sides. Thanks for the content 👍

[@jcsrst]

Beautiful bench and vise! Love that it's something different!

[@deezynar]

Excellent design choices.

[@Musicpins]

I LIKE 👍 I built an absolutely massive bench with a vertical vice. From recycled wood only. Im sure my next one will be a moravian or something even smaller. I am a fan of the vice parallel chain mechanism, but I never liked the wheel style screws. Matter of taste.

[@grayskwerl4973]

That is just slick as owl p o o ! You have sold me on the angle vise. Really elegant hardware and woodwork. + Well presented information. + Thanks for the video.

[@themountaintopjoinersshop8422]

Glad you like it!

[@snaboulsi1]

Very cool! Have you ever thought about adding a kick plate for the sake of ergonomics? Something extending a little bit laterally down at the bottom of the vise would allow you to more easily kick it straight on-- which would remove the need for that external hip rotation and use the larger muscles in the leg. You certainly don't seem to be struggling but I wonder if it might be more comfortable (and reduce wear on the joint in the long run).

[@themountaintopjoinersshop8422]

It takes so little effort to close it the way I do, I do it without conscious thought at this point.

[@arvana]

Amazing -- I've been planning a build of an angled leg vise on my next workbench, and I also wanted to pair it with a Hovarter mechanism. I couldn't believe my eyes when I saw this video. The one concern I had was whether the x-brace would work well at an angle, and you've answered that question for me as well. Thank you very much for posting this! You've earned yourself a new subscriber (and commenter). 😄

[@themountaintopjoinersshop8422]

Excellent! Glad you got something out of it.

[@ureasmith3049]

Brilliant! Thanks for sharing.

[@garymay5524]

Especially good exposition and especially helpful for me, as I set out to build a leg vice. Thanks ever so! ♥

[@waltlosure4243]

Great video and perfect timing. I will be building at least one bench this winter, and really want an angled leg with a vise but hadn't figured out a good way to make it work. This helps - a lot.

[@themountaintopjoinersshop8422]

Glad it was helpful!

[@hmrcustomwoodcraft1560]

Very informative video and as a fellow KZbin 'new guy' also very well shot. Hovarter is based and made in my hometown. Such a cool system. When I get around to my hand tool bench build it will be my choice in clamping system for sure.

[@thomashverring9484]

Damn, these are some great videos! And I like the vise a lot! Great mechanisms. I knew about the chain mechanism but hadn't seen the Hovarter mechanism before. That was just amazing!

[@EngineerMikeF]

You had me at "low drag coefficient". I have to hand it to ya, that's a sweetly elegant vise with the chain parallel guide. I like the foot operation, the off centerline vertical work clamping, frankly all if it. One thing that mystifies me: why is the upper lip of the chop not flush with the bench top?

[@themountaintopjoinersshop8422]

That was actually a happy accident. I screwed something up while making the vise chop, and just left it, thinking I would remake the chop if that bothered me. It's actually really nice. It gives me finger clearance while using joinery planes- or any plane with a fence on it. Now, if I ever made another leg vise chop I'd do it that way on purpose.

[@danielgeng2306]

Well I haven’t seen a video you did I didn’t like, so I guess I don’t have to keep to myself, right pal? Lol in my retirement I’m planning on building a European bench with a shoulder vise similar to what Frank Klausz and Rob Cosman use, that said wood and shop has a Moravian style bench that is portable and uses the angled vise, that’s on my list as well. Now I just need to live long enough to get it done! Outstanding bench my friend!

[@brucecomerford]

That’s fantastic mate.

[@fernandomattossantanabatis7831]

Great vídeo, full of relevant details. Thank for sharing those, made my own angled leg vise more possible to make in the future

[@themountaintopjoinersshop8422]

Glad it was helpful!

[@walterrider9600]

thank you

[@rodpotts2666]

Im on board, Looks to be the best way to do it.

[@jason.b896]

I've been planning on upgrading the face vise on my Cosman style work bench, but have been wavering on what type to install. I think you just helped me make my mind up! Definetly a leg vise with the hovarter vise mechanism and Anchora chain parallel (with moxon for Dovetailing), not sure i can do an angled leg vise with my current set up, but I'm going to put some thought imto it.

[@SuperMrGiraffe]

Love this idea and I think I’ll be going this route! Thanks. Can you go into some greater detail on your bench? Like the sliding deadman and it’s integration with the aluminum track.

[@themountaintopjoinersshop8422]

Sure can! I got a whole video on it planned, with enough detail to make non-woodworker's eyes glaze over.

[@RagedContinuum]

nice vise

[@scottchezwada]

Just perfect - but could I pair the chain system with a traditional wooden screw instead of the hovarter? Thanks !!

[@themountaintopjoinersshop8422]

I don't see why not, but I'd run it by Len at Hovarter and see what he says.

[@uriel-heavensguardian8949]

Awesome beauty

[@nelsondog100]

Well for f*%#sakes, I guess I gotta build one of these now. After quite a few years out of the hobby I’m once again starting to set up a new shop. I’m finding I’m building more tools, jigs and helpful equipment than making the stuff I really want to make! Hahaha Best vice set-up I’ve ever seen! Great content, keep up the good work 😊

[@dpmeyer4867]

thanks

[@configuremakeinstall]

Woa game changer alert. I’m wondering if there’s a way to make this work with Will Myers’ moravian workbench.

[@donniewillis2926]

Hi, fantastic bench and chop! Quick question, if you had a single bottom leg brace and mounted the parallel guide such that the top of the parallel guide bar was riding the bottom of the leg brace and the top of parallel guide bar could not move past the bottom of the leg brace, thereby keeping everything in parallel, couldn't that work and possibly avoid buying another expensive (albeit ingenious part in the chain guide) component? I am a new woodworker and I don't know nothing, so please excuse my ignorance. Your channel is now on the watch list!

[@themountaintopjoinersshop8422]

I think such a setup would prevent a smooth opening and closing of the chop. It wouldn't hold it in parallel either. The only tried and true options I'm aware of are a removable pin at the parallel bar (easily the cheapest most simple option), a criss-cross, or a chain.

[@dufftime]

I was set on the Benchcrafted criss-cross but this feels like a better solution. And even with the chain it's more economical. Thanks again.

[@themountaintopjoinersshop8422]

The chain way easier to install too.

[@dblarney8201]

Just saw this. Fantastic design that maximizes functionality and is good looking to boot. Thank you for sharing. One question - do the angled bench legs have any impact on the efficiency and positive feedback you get when using a chisel and mallet to chop out mortises, dovetails, etc. ? I like to chop out stuff in a position directly over the bench leg (not angled) because of the solid feel of each blow with the mallet. I’m wondering if the splayed legs still provide that feeling. Thanks again!

[@themountaintopjoinersshop8422]

I've pretty much never chopped over the angled legs, favoring instead the vertical legs on the opposite end of the bench for that reason, not to mention that I like chopping from a seated position and the leg vise would be in the way.

[@cnew4682]

great video. doesn't make sense to not build angled. I always wondered why there were not more built in the past. I know there were some, but why not 90%?? What are the cons? not many.

[@terrilallyn411]

Ordered vise and chain mechanism to remake my old work bench like your angled vise. How did you connect the legs to the top? I'm sure I could attach them somehow but thought I'd ask. Noticed legs didn't protrude the top which I kind of like the look of. Thanks, Terry

[@themountaintopjoinersshop8422]

Mine are very large mortise and tenon joints that are unglued because it's a knock-down design.

[@markkulyas2418]

👍

[@TravisSkinner-u1m]

How far below the top of the bench is your screw vice mounted?

[@themountaintopjoinersshop8422]

Right about 7.5" or 19cm.

[@rollingstone3017]

I’m looking at the Hovarter vise and was wondering if you could answer a couple of questions for me? How long is the shaft from the back of your chop? And how far down from the bench top did you place it?

[@themountaintopjoinersshop8422]

The clamping shaft is roughly 19" minus the thickness of the vise chop (you really should get this info from Hovarter's website because it may have changed in the years since I got mine) and it's about 7.5" from bench top to top of clamping shaft.

[@rollingstone3017]

@@themountaintopjoinersshop8422 Cool. Thanks for the info. I'm going for the VX21 after much agonizing over the various leg vises out there. The quick release in and out is what sold me.

[@MrDaneBrammage]

If it were angled the other way, it could be right at the end of the bench top for easier cross-cutting.

[@themountaintopjoinersshop8422]

That could work, but it'd effectively make it a left handed vise, which would take some getting used to for me.

[@bowarpowerd]

With no thread on the shaft, how does turning the wheel tighten it?

[@themountaintopjoinersshop8422]

Elf magic? I honestly have no idea. That question would be better posed to Len at Hovarter (see link in the description). It works great though.

[@randallcrisp3266]

There goes my vise budget 😅

[@themountaintopjoinersshop8422]

To be fair, this set up was a fair bit less expensive at the time than the Benchcrafted vise and criss cross hardware you see everywhere else.

[@randallcrisp3266]

@@themountaintopjoinersshop8422 I'm busy with my leg assembly right now and I'm tempted to go angled on the left side now🤔

[@terrilallyn411]

Thanks