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Browse 13 questions
Browse 13 questions
and 84 answers
Why did you choose this?
Rockler Store
becaUSE
george w
on Sep 11, 2017
I needed a good woodworking vise. My regular vise would tear up my wood.
Nathan M
on Jul 15, 2017
becaUSE
george w
on Sep 11, 2017
Built a work bench for a friend using this vise. Works great. Building another bench so I am installing another.
LAWRENCE H
on Sep 8, 2017
Built a work bench for a friend using this vise. Works great. Building another bench so I am installing another.
LAWRENCE H
on Sep 8, 2017
Used it at a workshop, simple , no frills, effective, just what I need
Bruce B
on Jul 7, 2017
What size and gauge of bolts are needed to install wooden jaws? It seems to have threaded bolt hole a on the cast iron jaws.
BEST ANSWER: The threaded holes for mounting wooden pads to the jaw faces are 5/16" - 18 TPI. These mounting holes are located 1" down from the top of the jaws and centered 6-3/4" apart.
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- Corwin D on Jul 30, 2016
- Purchased on Jul 7, 2016
Where was this manufactured?
I bought this vise yesterday. Is is possible to disassemble it so you can install it by drilling holes for the guide bars in your apron? There is a little pin in the back of the rear jaw but it doesn't really budge. Before I do anything I would like to see if anyone else has installed by drilling out holes in the apron of the table.
BEST ANSWER: I disassembled the stationary jaw thinking it would be easier to mount it to the bench. Wrong... No one at rockler can tell me if the spring of the spring set goes against the thread or not. The brocken view shows the spring set and the spring on the wrong side of the special nut. What is the best way to put it back together or is there a place for me to send it to be put back together. Thank you John 01/02/2016
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- john s on Jan 2, 2016
Is this vise installed under bench top?
BEST ANSWER: The simple answer is, yes. The only problem I had was that I did not install the vise when I built my bench and had to trim about 1/4" from the underside of the bench to raise the vise enough so the pop-up dog would be high enough to use properly. I had to do this while laying on my back and using my router over my head. Not a lot of fun. Other than that self generated problem, the vise is great! Don't know why I waited so long or how I ever got along without it.
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- Blake W. on Jan 8, 2016
- Purchased on Mar 24, 2015
I've had this vice for about 4-1/2 years, and I mounted it as a front vice on my workbench with no problem. Initially the QR would "stick" occasionally and I'd have to remove the workpiece from the vice and then screw it all the way in, at which point the QR could finally backup and then "release" (with a loud pop). When I went back to Rockler to return it, I was told that was not uncommon with this vice, and that the vice would "wear in" (break in) after a little use. That problem did go away after about 4 months of use. But about 18 months ago the QR began "popping open" completely (occasionally at first but now about 98% of the time) completely releasing the piece I'm working on - usually when I'm tightening the screw, and almost always if I'm sanding or sawing a piece in the vice (anything with rhythmic vibration seems to do it). At ths point the vice is essentially a useless piece.
Did I get a lemon or is there an easy fix? (and yes, my gut feeling is that I should have insisted on returning it in the first place, but I let myself get talked out of it). I don't think a vice like this should wear out quite so quickly - my other bench vice is over 20 years old and has never given me a single problem.
Did I get a lemon or is there an easy fix? (and yes, my gut feeling is that I should have insisted on returning it in the first place, but I let myself get talked out of it). I don't think a vice like this should wear out quite so quickly - my other bench vice is over 20 years old and has never given me a single problem.
BEST ANSWER: Installed easily and holding power is great it is even on pressure and I like the slip drive .
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- Chris C on Mar 1, 2016
- Purchased on Mar 5, 2015
what does quick release mean?
BEST ANSWER: Once you’re ready to un-clamp the vice, instead of fully unscrewing the vice to release what is clamped in the jaws, you only have to turn the handle a quarter to a half of a turn to engage the quick release mechanism. Then you just pull the handle to separate the vice’s jaws, hence “quick release”. It works great!
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- Mark P on May 4, 2016
- Purchased on Mar 19, 2015
Does it work for bench 2 and 3/4 inch thick?
BEST ANSWER: it's designed to be used on benches up to 2-1/4" thick....however, an extra 1/2" is no big deal...just make your wooden inserts extend up that extra 1/2" to stay flush with your benchtop...
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- Michael G on Jul 4, 2017
- Purchased on Jul 6, 2015
How big of a wood piece can I put on the front yaw realistically? Are there any guide lines when it comes to how long the hardwood piece should be? Same question goes for the thickness. Since there already is a bench dog on the front jaw the wood doesn't have to be 2 inch thick...or should it still be rather thick?
BEST ANSWER: I am not aware of any guidelines ,but would limit the overhang to no more than 2 inches on each side, The faces don't have to be very thick, I stuck with 3/4 inch oak faces and it works well.
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- Robert S on Dec 31, 2015
- Purchased on Mar 22, 2015
I recently made a jig for bending steamed wood with the vise. The first attempt worked well. Each subsequent attempt ended in failure as the vice kept "slipping" and wouldn't allow me to apply enough pressure to bend the wood. Is there a way to "tighten" up the vise so it doesn't slip as you tighten it? Is this typical of quick release vices?
BEST ANSWER: I'm guessing that your first attemp required tightening the vise several turns of the handle, but subsiquent attempts only required snuggling it up because you didn't open it much to release the first piece, my guess is the pawl on the threaded shaft didn't get engaged enough to bite. I'd try opening the vice and then close it with the handle.
My guess.
My guess.
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- Bill H on May 31, 2016
- Purchased on Apr 2, 2015
Can you buy parts for this vice. ?My quick release is worn out. The special nut is stripped.
BEST ANSWER: You stripped out the cast iron piece? Are you sure it does not just need a little oil? It seems to me the holding mechanism would not work either if it were stripped... Call rockler if you are sure that is the problem. ...might be cranking too hard if you really did strip it out though
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- BRYAN W on Feb 27, 2017
- Purchased on Feb 19, 2017
I just installed this vise into my bench, but it doesn't "engage". In other words I can't clamp anything. Can someone tell me what's wrong?
BEST ANSWER: When I turn the handle clockwise it automatically engages the clamping mechanism. continue turning to clap it down.
to release, turm counter clockwise a full turn & it releases the clamping mechanism the you can pull the jaws all the way open. hope this helps.
to release, turm counter clockwise a full turn & it releases the clamping mechanism the you can pull the jaws all the way open. hope this helps.
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- Kenneth F on Oct 9, 2015
- Purchased on Mar 1, 2015
I have built a sturdy workbench, but the bench top is 3/4" plywood. Is this thick enough to mount the 9" bench vise? Can I mount it by building up the thickness from underneath?
Jack
Jack
BEST ANSWER: My bench is 1 1/2" Thick ( 2x4). I had to add 3/4" plywood under the vise. That put the top of the vise about 1/8" below the table height. It works perfect for me.
Hope this helps.
Hope this helps.
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- Inaccurate
- Kenneth F on Jul 12, 2016
- Purchased on Mar 1, 2015
Reviews
4.5 / 5.0
45 Reviews
Great vise. For years I have...
Great vise. For years I have looked for a vise with the large wooden handle just like tyhe ones I used in woodshop in high school. The diameter of the handle is more comfortable to use. The vise is sturdy and well made. Instructions for mounting would have helped. Locating the mounting screws is done easily by placing a piece of paper on the mounting plate and rubbing a pencil along the edges of the plate and the holes. Take the paper and place it under your bench top and transfer the markings. I'm designing a new bench an I'm having a problem with designing the legs and frame to support the top. The vise extends under the bench top and interfers with the frame supports for the top. Again, I think instructions with measurements for clearence requirements would be helpful. Once you get past the mounting issues I believe this vise will be working in my shop for years.
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April 5, 2008
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Not what I was looking for.
I was looking for a nice quick release bench vise. Unfortunately once I got it I realized that the quick release mechanism wasn't what I wanted. The quick release on this is engaged by loosening the vise 1/2 turn, then you can push it in or pull it out freely. So to disengage your workpiece you turn the handle and pull it out. I was looking for a vise that I could back off with the handle, rather than only using the quick release.
I had the vise for 2 months trying to convince myself to get used to it. During the 2 months the mechanism slipped as I was tightening it 2-3 times, but re-engaged the threads and worked fine.
Overall it's not a bad vise if you are looking for this type of quick release. Had I known this I wouldn't have gotten this one. It seemed sturdy and well made, just not for me. I'll go with a record type vise.
I had the vise for 2 months trying to convince myself to get used to it. During the 2 months the mechanism slipped as I was tightening it 2-3 times, but re-engaged the threads and worked fine.
Overall it's not a bad vise if you are looking for this type of quick release. Had I known this I wouldn't have gotten this one. It seemed sturdy and well made, just not for me. I'll go with a record type vise.
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So far could not be more pleased
I reviewed what was out there in woodworker vises and for size, features and price I choose to purchase the Rockler vise.
It was an easy install, though I did struggle a bit lining up the clearance holes to installed the wood liners. But I got that done.
The vise works great and I am very pleased with the purchase
It was an easy install, though I did struggle a bit lining up the clearance holes to installed the wood liners. But I got that done.
The vise works great and I am very pleased with the purchase
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Bench vice
The vice seems to be well made. I just have one complaint. The mechanism that disengages the threads for quick adjustment doesn't reengage when the screw is turned. I have to reach under the vice and manipulate the device to get it to engage.
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Awesome!
Best you will find in its price range. Solid buy for the money. The "racking" that is often talked about in a vise is not present when it is locked down. Not a single complaint here.
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Excellent vise
It is a little heavy when installing it but it works as advertised. I took a bit to get used to it since this is my first vise, but now I do not know how I got by without it.
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More than I expected
This is a great heavy duty vise! It really is overkill for woodworking. Just need to learn how to use the quick release when tightening, loosing is no problem.
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Got a Grip
Actually, this was given as a gift so all I can say is that he was thrilled to get it.
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Great tool!
I have very little experience as a woodworker. This vise will really help me tackle new projects. Installion was fairly simple and I really like the quick release. I also bought some bench dogs to make the vise even more useful. I highly recommend the vise!
Ready for use!
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March 1,2015 I paid 129.99.
This is a very good vise for the money. Installs easily
I would buy it again.
I would buy it again.
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