This thread was started because it seemed more appropriate than redirecting Travis Chapin's thread asking about a bench he is considering.
Pam Niedermayer mentioned the bench being considered did not have a shoulder vise even though the description calls it a shoulder vise.
My lack of experience with a shoulder vise makes it difficult to understand why and for what reasons a shoulder vise would be preferred.
In many of my projects, the face vise ends up being removed from the bench to accommodate my work. If there was a shoulder vise, it would necessitate doing this on the other side of the bench.
What am I missing about the advantage of a shoulder vise as compared to other methods of work holding?
For me, when planing a long board it seems my hip would be constantly bumping into a protruding shoulder vise. It would also limit my ability to plane wood that is longer than my bench.
Maybe it is the things being made that makes the shoulder vise more appropriate than a straight through vise.
Any illumination on this would be appreciated. Surely, others with an eye to outfitting or building a bench will also want to know.
jim