Advise on workbench vice

[muncybob]

My workbench is not a big as I would like. I cannot permanently secure my bench vice as it takes up precious real estate. I would like to drill some holes in my bench top which would allow me to thread some bolts down through the vice for temporary attachment. I want the bench top itself to remain smooth with nothing protruding. Is a hurricane nut installed from under the benchtop what I need or is there a better method?

 

[begreen]

Mine is thru bolted. If removed there would only be the holes in the benchtop. Is that an option for your install?

 

[Dobish]

thru bolt or install a t-nut on the back side of the bench. With a T-Nut and a counter sink, you can screw in a flat head screw to leave it flush.

 

[EatenByLimestone]

Well, what kind of vise do you have? A woodworking vise is flush to the top. If you need a metal working vise mount it to wood and thenbold it in the other vise.

 

[muncybob]

T-nut...that's what I need. I knew I had the wrong nut in mind...thanx.

 

[blades]

Got room to make a separate frame up just for the vise? Some how a bench mounted vise always seem to have the bench in the way. Unless it is a woodworking type vise

 

[muncybob]

So I went to the local hardware store for t-nuts...got some other type of nuts instead(damn if I can remember what they are called). They are tubes that are threaded both inside(to accept the bolt) and outside(to screw into the bench). I installed some 2X4's for added bracing from under the bench, drilled some 1" holes thru the bench and into the bracing, screwed these tubular nuts in and done! Bench top has 3 holes to drop the bolts down into these nuts, 9/16 nut driver onto the drill and vice is secured in just a few seconds. Easy removal too so bench area is clear and there is nothing protruding above the bench top. Have to straighten out the handle on our hose reel today so vice will be put to the test.

 

[Dobish]

Possibly a keensert or a helical insert. I use them in metal all the time, but not often in wood.

 

[semipro]

I found that attaching my workbench to my wall helps a lot with vice related working.

 

[EatenByLimestone]

If you need to add mass, its hard to beat a wall. I went with a 3.5" thick top on a several hundred lb base. My vise weighs 95lbs alone.

 

[Buzz Saw]

For quick mount I would try using a Reese hitch. Mount the vice to a plate that is welded to a 2" tube. Mount a receiver to the bottom side of the workbench.

I've never done this with a workbench but it works pretty decent on a truck.