I ask this question out of ignorance, as I've never used a leg vise before. But- I've have a Lee Valley Vise Screw sitting in my garage for 4-5 years now. I bought it from the restore for $5. I didn't really need it, but for $5….it was coming home with me. I've considerd adding a leg vise to one of my benches, but never took the plunge. I suppose I don't feel the need since my conventional metal vises have always met all my workholding needs.
However, I've been re-visiting the idea. Mainly just for kicks. But the more I look at pictures of a leg vise, the more skeptical I become of their practicality. Having to bend over and adjust the position of the lower pin seems like a hassle. And it also seems as if you need to plan the whoile workbench around a leg vise. A metal vise, on the other hand, can be easily retrofitted or incorparated on most any workbench. And I can't imagine that a leg vise has THAT much more holding power (or does it?).
So with that said- why a leg vise? Maybe its a hand tool thing?
However, I've been re-visiting the idea. Mainly just for kicks. But the more I look at pictures of a leg vise, the more skeptical I become of their practicality. Having to bend over and adjust the position of the lower pin seems like a hassle. And it also seems as if you need to plan the whoile workbench around a leg vise. A metal vise, on the other hand, can be easily retrofitted or incorparated on most any workbench. And I can't imagine that a leg vise has THAT much more holding power (or does it?).
So with that said- why a leg vise? Maybe its a hand tool thing?