Blog

16 Jul

Introducing the VX 20

The VX 20 is the culmination of years of development work to produce a robust, economical quick action leg vise that is also simple to install. This versatile vise mechanism can also be made into a quick action face vise or be used just as you would use a conventional vise screw and nut. The VX 20 is constructed from aircraft grade anodized aluminum, steel and stainless steel to provide a lifetime of service. See Video Here To install the VX [...]

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10 Jul

Forces in a Leg Vise

For as long as I can remember I have always read about the remarkable clamping force generated by leg vises. When I began to design leg vises I found out that this is not necessarily the case. If you think I am going to start bad mouthing leg vises you are wrong. I like leg vises but you need to understand the shortcomings and not overlook their faults. I like to understand all the forces involved in the leg [...]

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02 Jul

Use the (Vise) Force Luke

My youngest son Luke never tires of my use of phrases from Star Wars. “Use the force Luke” is my favorite. I sometimes modify the phrases a little bit to suit the shop environment like, “Use the clamp force Luke.” or “Use the vise force Luke.” Luke doesn’t think a lot about forces generated by the vises in the shop. Do you ever wonder how much force is exerted by a screw operated vise on a work piece? My [...]

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19 Nov

Series 2 Single Handle Face Vise

The new Series 2 single handle vise is identical to the Series 2 twin handle vise except it uses a single handle and has an anodized aluminum flange and cover.  The Single handle vise has all the same features as the twin handle and also comes partially assembled. The order page will be updated soon and for a limited time will be offered at the same price as the original single handle vise. The vise pictured below is a [...]

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23 Oct

Sneak Peak – Wagon Vise Hand Wheel

I have had numerous requests for a metal handwheel for the wagon vise and have experimented with various sizes and materials from 5" to 8" in diameter, from polished aluminum to rough finished cast iron. I have found that the 5" diameter seems to be about the right size and the polished aluminum has a very attractive appearance plus it is relatively corrosion free. What I have finally selected is a 5" diameter dished aluminum handwheel with a highly polished [...]

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11 Oct

NEW! Series 2 Twin Handle Face Vise

  Based on customer feedback we have made some major improvements to the twin handle face vise. The improvements were numerous enough to warrant a new name; Series 2. Most of the improvements relate to ease of assembly and installation and a few improve performance.               The first change is a change to the mounting features of the housings. The series 2 housings have a close fitting hole in one of the front mounting ears and a close fitting slot in [...]

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Hovarter vise on cnc router table
21 Feb

Woodworking in America

We had a great time at WIA. This was our first trade show and it was a very good experience. I had the opportunity to personally meet a lot of the Popular Woodworking staff and Christopher Schwarz who had a booth across the hall from us. The Hovarter Custom Vise is featured in Chris’s book, “The Workbench Design Book”. Chris is a great guy and it was a pleasure to meet him. (more…)

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21 Feb

Mounting an End Cap

Mounting an end cap on the end of a work bench can be challenging. Since the end cap grain direction is perpendicular to the grain direction of the bench top, the bench top must be allowed to move with seasonal humidity changes or it may split where it is restrained. The typical way to handle this situation is to route some slots into the underside of the bench top to accept standard hex nuts. The end cap then has [...]

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