Which vise should I buy?

Depends on your needs and budget. I am building a new bench for hand-tool work (planes, chisels, dovetails, etc.), and decided I actually need two vises … a front and a tail.

I wound up with two Groz vises … a 9” quick-release (Rockler $89), and a 7” front (Woodcraft $49) ... picked them both up while they were on sale.

On the QR vises, do a Google search for any reviews on models you are considering. Some guys report slippage problems wiith some of the QR vises.

-- The only place success comes before work is in the dictionary. -- Vincent T. Lombardi

The main problem with front vises is known as “racking”.....Twin screw vises like this have solved the problem:

-- Francisco Luna, San Francisco Bay Area.

The type of vise you get will also depend on the dimentions of the bench you have. If it’s possible, you can get the hardware and make a vise, if the bench can support it that is. My father purchased a patternmakers vise (http://www.woodcraft.com/product.aspx?ProductID=128748&FamilyID=3516) when he rebuild his shop. It allows you to clamp just about any shape item and can be tilted up or rotated, and the jaws can be angled for better grip. He really likes it.

-- "At its best, life is completely unpredictable." - Christopher Walken

Check out the latest Fine Woodworking magazine. June 2009 issue has a review of vise hardware.

-- Jim, www.greenteawoodworking.com