Wobbly vise stand

[David Ragan]

Please look at my top-heavy vise.

It wobbles. That is, of course, a problem (for years)

How about I take a 3/4 plywood and bolt it to that?

Any advise?

Maybe countersink some bolts from underneath the plywood?

DSCN0449.JPG

[John Lanciani]

Looks like a broken foot waiting to happen. Bolt it down before you have an accident.

[glenn bradley]

I'd bolt it down as well. Sinkers are easy to install. If the location isn't permanent, you have the same problem I do. I bolted mine to a block of wood that I clamp in my woodworking bench vise but, the vise is so heavy I find I seldom use it. Still searching for a solution myself as I do not have the room for a stand for a vise I only use a few times a year. I saw a rig where the vise slid out on a drawer-like assembly with casters on the floor in the front and drawer glides on the side. It was interesting but, didn't look like it would take the torque that one puts on things when using a vise of that size. This Woodsmith idea looked interesting but, I'm still not sold on the fact that I would use a lighter weight vise for the things I use that sort of vise for.

swivel vise.JPG

[David Ragan]

John, you're absolutely correct.

I jumped right on that-after years of letting it go:

DSCN0451.JPG

that's 1.25" of BB with 3" concrete screws.

2 3/4" lag bolts from stand to BB

I calculate now it would withstand about 2K lb lateral force.

Lets hear it for HF hammer drill I haven't used in years, and how it pays to have a lot of bolts/screws/washers, etc in stock

I really abhor having to leave to go to the hdwe store in the middle of something.

Now, I'm just waiting for the next thing to feel dumb about

[John Lanciani]

Much better, nicely done. Now you'll be able to use that vise up to its potential.

[David Ragan]

I'd bolt it down as well. Sinkers are easy to install. If the location isn't permanent, you have the same problem I do. I bolted mine to a block of wood that I clamp in my woodworking bench vise but, the vise is so heavy I find I seldom use it. Still searching for a solution myself as I do not have the room for a stand for a vise I only use a few times a year. I saw a rig where the vise slid out on a drawer-like assembly with casters on the floor in the front and drawer glides on the side. It was interesting but, didn't look like it would take the torque that one puts on things when using a vise of that size. This Woodsmith idea looked interesting but, I'm still not sold on the fact that I would use a lighter weight vise for the things I use that sort of vise for.

swivel vise.JPG

Yes, Glenn, that is a sweet vise. I plan to build it "someday"....have already been looking @ ball hitches.

[Rick Potter]

I see you fixed it already, but thought I would give my solution.

I had the same problem, and a mechanic gave me a brake drum off a fire truck. It seems they are not ground and reused. It must weigh 80#, and is about 20" across. It also comes with handy bolt holes to bolt a stand to it. Made a really nice, moveable stand.

I use mine to hold a pair of grinders.

Wouldn't be surprised if you could get a drum cheap from a big rig mechanic shop.

[David Ragan]

I see you fixed it already, but thought I would give my solution.

I had the same problem, and a mechanic gave me a brake drum off a fire truck. It seems they are not ground and reused. It must weigh 80#, and is about 20" across. It also comes with handy bolt holes to bolt a stand to it. Made a really nice, moveable stand.

I use mine to hold a pair of grinders.

Wouldn't be surprised if you could get a drum cheap from a big rig mechanic shop.

that is an excellent idea!

I had to go in and fix my concrete screws cause two of them wiggled loose w me stressing the rig some. I'm done stressing it now.