I have received many comments and questions about our new wagon vise. This might turn out to be our most popular vise! The dog block for the VX20W vise mechanism simply bolts to the side with four 1/4″ diameter hex head cap screws that are counter-bored into the dog block.
It is designed for a 1-3/4″ thick dog block but a thinner dog block may be used if you substitute shorter bolts (the dog block pictured is 1-3/8″ thick). A dog block thicker than 1-3/4′ simply requires deeper counter-bored holes. The dog block may use round dogs or it can be made to accept a rectangular dog.
When I make new vises I always test them in a small test bench before I put them in an actual bench. This makes it much easier to check the operation and make changes if necessary. I made this test bench out of construction grade lumber which I air dried in my shop for a couple of weeks before milling it. The above picture shows how the vise mounts in a cavity in the bottom of the bench. The dog block protrudes into the slot on the right. For best performance the bench top cavity should reduce the bench top thickness to about 2″ in the area where the vise operates.
The rear bearing mounts to the bottom of the benchtop using this stout bracket. The hole in the bracket allows the slot length to be customized to a shorter length as desired by allowing the shaft to protrude through.
A Delrin bearing screwed to the end cap supports the front of the shaft. The extra large shaft collar and thrust bearings transmit the load. With the VX20W you will have the option of a wooden hub and handle or a small 5″ diameter metal hand wheel that matches the large 8″ metal hand wheel used with the face and leg vises. I don’t yet have the small hand wheel up on the website but I hope to have it done soon.
