The Argument for a Traditional Tail Vise

Joel - I agree. If you do any small work, odd work or toolmaking work, they are infinitely more useful.

There are plenty of other ways to secure work to the surface of a bench without using a wagon vise.

The wagon vises are nice, but they would be even nicer if they were a third of the way up the bench and had a detachable wheel that faced out of the front of the bench perpendicular to the travel of the vise.

My bench is very similar, but my complaint is that my vice does sag and I have to remember to tighten the mounting screws often.
You mentioned that your mechanism is wood. "Wood" you point me in the direction that I may go to re-do my vice in wood? (after the Christmas rush of course) Thanks

You've got me wanting to see more photos of your work space. I see your grinder out there, near the window. Where do you keep your stones?

Matt

Joel this is interesting, with the rage of twinscrew vise and wagon vise, I find that a "thrue" tail vise make a lot of sens! Can you show us more oof the mecanisim of your tail vise, I like the idea of all wood, that said, I allways hear that tail vises sag a lot!?!? Do you have or had any problems with yours?
Thank you
David

From talking to a lot of people, I've come to the conclusion that making a traditional bench is viewed as difficult and the wagon vises or twin screw end vises are, like round bench dogs, easier. The numerous times I've found myself having to work on benches lacking traditional tail vises with the square bench dogs I've felt incredibly handicapped by the limitations of those benches.

I find that I rarely use my traditional "L" shaped tail vise - though I have missused it from time to time. I did add a Leg vise to my last bench which has proven to be my favorite. For the most part, I think most serious woodworkers assume traditional means solid/proven/great and most novice woodworkers assume tradional means before electricity and want every new gadget out there. Lee Valley knows how to market to the later more so than the former.

Finally...someone is sticking up for at least one aspect of the traditional European bench. With the recent infatuation with Roubo and Nicholson, one would have thought that woodworking bench development came to a standstill in the late 1700s.

Nice to see another left handed bench. Nicely done too. I have an end vise styled on Michael Fortune's (straight, not L shaped). For what I've been making, tables, boxes, bed, etc., I find I rarely need a face vice and haven't reinstalled mine (quick release) since I moved it last (about 15 yrs now). Curious about what the perceived benefits/ advantages of the L style. I also have my Uncles's bench. It is based on Tage Frid's and is the L shape. It doesn't appear to any more rigid. It is right handed so I don't use it but they are of a comparable age.

so what is the L part of the tail vise for?
L meaning the part of the vise on the end of the bench not the front you show the board in

Dave,

On a traditional tail vise it's not really an "L", it's a frame but part of it is under the bench top. One side of that rectangular frame is the top of the vise and it provides resistance to racking. It's actually a pretty rigid and strong structure.

I'm afraid I can't comment on the tail vise because, like many others I slapped a quick release on the tail and live with all of the many weaknesses it presents(which is to say that I don't use it very much). However, I find that--dare I say the current fad--for Roubo or twin screw face vises--doesn't make a lot of sense to me. They're too low for most dovetailing and too slow for most day to day clamping. The bench on bench makes so much more sense for dovetailing. Combined with a quick release front vise it offers great front vise functionality.

Thank you Larry
that makes sense

I can't argue that! I've an old Ulmia bench, replete with tail vise. The tail vise is used frequently, even more so than the face vise. I faced it years ago with what we used to call masonite. When the face gets scored, it gets sanded smooth. When it gets worn out, it gets replaced.

These old style end vises make sense for their simplicity and usefulness.

Gary

Finally, a photo explaining how these things actually work. Thanks Joel!! Just one question though. The guide that runs parallel to the screw obviously braces the one leg of the vise. I've seen others without this brace and assume the mechanism uses metal plates to keep the vise from racking. I'm wondering just how far toward the screw that guide can be placed to gain some clear space on the end without losing too much strength and risk racking the vise should it be tightened down too much.