Front Vise advise

[autobodyman]

I built my bench quite a while ago, had always planned to put a front vise on it. (I'd post a picture but both my hosting site and imageshack aren't working for me at the moment).

Ah think it's working again:




The end is 30½" wide 96" long, I just wanted the vise to assist in clamping stuff, picture frames, glue ups etc... I've been looking at these:
www.grizzly.com/products/h7788
This one from woodcraft seems to be the same only more money:
www.woodcraft.com/Product/2004875/7534/WoodRiver-Large-Front-Vise.aspx

This one is bigger, which I assume would be better, but also more expensive. The one review on it isn't all that good.
www.woodcraft.com/Product/2000309/10401/Quick-Release-Front-Vise.aspx

This one from Rockler appears to be the same as the one from woodcraft but less money especially with the 20% discount going on.
www.rockler.com/product.cfm?page=17385&Max=999
Odd thing if it's the same vise the reviews on Rockler are a lot better for this vise.

I'd be using ¾" round dogs as I have no good way to make square holes. My table top is 2¼" thick, 2 sheets ¾" BB birch plywood with 1 sheet of ¾" MDF on top clear coated.

Do any of you have a front vise, do you use it much?

Any recommendations?

How far apart should the dog holes be (perpendicular to the vise)?

Thanks ~Mike

[beagles]

Mike...

I have the large vise from Wood River (except mine is black) and I'm not sure if it was Wood River. I did get it from Woodcraft.

I do use it -- more than the end vise. That and clamping things to the top are my main ways of making things immobile.

Given the overhang of your top, you'd have to build out the front apron to mount this vise, but i expect that is not a huge deal.

The bench dog holes in line with my end vice are about 5 inches apart. I do not have any in line with the front vice.

[sawduster]

I have a leg vise for a front vise on my bench, so can't say much for the ones you referenced. Cheap quick release vises tend to give you what you pay for. They're not that complex, but they do require very good fit and finish or they will cause you problems. Non quick release vises are not so finicky, but make sure it has Acme Threads.

As far as spacing for dog holes, that will depend on the total throw of the vise. You'll need some a little less than the throw of the vise as a maximum distance between rows. You might go with 1/2 that distance as long as you can keep something around 4" of wood between rows.