How to install a Quick Release Vise

A quick video on how I installed a 10-1/2" Quick Release Vise on my workbench top
10-1/2" Quick Release Vise (Lee Valley)

[@DIYwithDennis]

Hi Folks, thanks for watching and let me know what you think of the video in the comments. below. If you liked what you saw, consider giving a 'thumbs up' and subscribing to the channel - Thanks! Dennis

[@jonathanm9436]

I really enjoyed your very clear approach. Too many videos show pretty awful methods. I am about to install my first vice too (right after I build my work bench, which I am about to cut the timber for in the next hour!!). I needed to know a good way of installing the vice before I finalised the bench design. You have yours cantilevered past the leg, which is what I am intending to do. Your video helped a lot. Thanks for posting.

[@DIYwithDennis]

Thanks Jonathan! I appreciate the feedback and am glad the video was helpful. I love having a vise (finally) .... good luck with your project!

[@SpringRubber]

Great, concise install video! I see you got several questions about the mounting hardware. In case it helps anyone, when I mounted my smaller 7-inch version under an adjustable height worktable, I used a combination of 2 carriage bolts for the rear slots and 2 lag screws for the front holes. The heads of the bolts are buried between the spacer blocking and worktable -- and I used square-hole anti-turn washers to ensure the carriage bolts won't ever spin. Not that that was a big concern for me as my local hardware store now stocks those washers (because our code now requires them for through-bolts in deck construction) I figured what the heck. A combination of bolts and screws makes it uber secure.

[@DIYwithDennis]

@SpringRubber Thanks for that feedback - it's helpful to hear how others have addressed the install as well - much appreciated! Dennis

[@junirissancho8834]

Great job - short, sweet and to the point. thxx

[@DIYwithDennis]

thanks Juniris! Glad you enjoyed it! Happy Woodworking!

[@jerrykooyman]

Im looking for a vice for my new workspace, but can you tell me if the mechanism of a quick release is solid and durable?

[@DIYwithDennis]

Hi Jerry! I had purchased that vise years ago and it was laying my garage until I build my workbench. So I used what I had at the time. That said, I've had it now as part of the bench for about a year and I've been totally satisfied with it. It's solid and has done everything I needed it to do. Paul Sellars uses a similar vise and has for years and seems to be satisfied as well. Here is a link to one of his blogs where he talks about it a bit paulsellers.com/2016/06/on-vises-part-i/ But there are so many vises out there and so many opinions. Here is a good video from Rob Cosman who talks about his choice for a vise. Granted he is selling them, but I respect his opinion, so I would check it out kzbin.info/www/bejne/fZK7l4R6ds-AhpI Good luck with your search!! - Dennis

[@sergio_leone_]

2 years pass. What is your feedback about this vise? Any problem?

[@DIYwithDennis]

Hi Sergio - no complaints - I use it all the time - no problems since installed - Dennis

[@petersanford3674]

Have you had any issues with the quick release? I have the same vise and I can’t get the clutch to engage (clamp)

[@DIYwithDennis]

Hi Peter, Sorry to hear that - No, I haven't had any issues with the vise since installed - Dennis

[@SpringRubber]

Just a thought: as the clamping nut works by gravity the vise does need to be fairly level for it to engage. I recall that when I had mine out of the box but prior to mounting it I couldn't get it to work.

[@petersanford3674]

@@SpringRubberLV is sending me a new nut. out of curiosity, is the flat part supposed to face up or down? I can't tell easily by any of the instruction manuals, or from your video (which is the best video of this vice in action).

[@JP-gv4vg]

What sized lag screws did you use? (length and diameter) Would 3/8" x 2in work?

[@DIYwithDennis]

So, much will depend on the thickness of the bench-top that the vise is made for. My bench-top is 2" so I had to make a platform between the vise and the underside of the bench-top. In MY CASE, the platform that I built was 1-3/4" thick, To that I had to add the thickness of the vise plate that connects the vise to the underside of the bench-top - that was another 5/8" thick so that totaled 2-3/8" to the bottom of the bench-top. So based on that, the best I can tell is that I used 3/8" x 3-1/2" lag screws which meant the lag screws went into the bench-top about 1-1/8". The instructions that come with the vise should tell you what size thickness the vise was made for and they you'll have to make up any difference as I did, but that thickness will vary based on the thickness of your bench-top. Depending on the results, you'll be able to determine the right size lag screws to use - hope that helps! Dennis

[@P0D1894]

Okay. Great. My workbench isn't 3" either. My bench+ the support will be a combined 2 1/16". The vise base looks like 0.5". So that's 2 9/16". I'm thinking a 3/8" x 2" lag screw should work. Do you think that would work?

[@DIYwithDennis]

@@P0D1894 how thick is your bench-top?

[@DIYwithDennis]

This may help with respect to the length of the lag screws and how much of the lag screw should enter the bench-top. I actually found the original instructions and was able to take some additional measurements so a little different than above. My vise was made for a 3-1/2" bench-top. My bench is 2". So I had to make a 1-1/2" pad. Add to that the 1/2" for the bottom of the vise which is the support where screws will be inserted. The instructions in MY CASE called for a lag screw size of 7/16" x 3-1/2". So in my case it's looking for 1-1/2" of the lag screw to enter the bench-top and that's what I ended up with. So you want to make sure you get your lag screws nice and deep into the bench-top. The vise, in my case is the 10-1'2" version and it is heavy! Your version may not be the same size so definitely check your instructions if the vise came with them and see what their recommendations are for installation - good luck!!

[@JP-gv4vg]

@@DIYwithDennis my bench is 2 1/16". Basically 2". I have the exact same Lee Valley vise as you, except mine is the smaller 7" version. I bought it used so I don't have the instructions. To clarify, the instructions for yours said to use a 7/16" (diameter) x 3.5" (length) lag screw? that thick?