What is the advantage of a leg vise?
The biggest advantage to the leg vise is the deep throat of the vise. The throat is the distance from the top of the bench to the screw. The large throat allows wide boards to be secured so the edges may be worked. Very long boards can be secured if a board jack is used to support the un-clamped end.
How deep should a leg vise be?
For hardwoods you want at least 1.5″ thick and for soft woods I would not go less than 2.5″. Make it as long as your bench top to a few inches off the ground.
Why do blacksmiths use leg vise?
What makes a leg vice special? One is that they are forgings, not cast iron or ductile iron. The second is the leg which provides support to the floor or from a sunken post. The leaf spring is a critical part of the vice, as it enables you to work quickly when securing your work.
Why do blacksmiths use a post vise?
What is exactly the why/use/purpose of a post vise? Good question! A blacksmith’s post vise or “leg vise” is designed to be hammered on, unlike most bench-mounted machinist vises. The long leg transmits the energy from hammer blows all the way from the massive fixed jaw to the floor.
How wide is a leg vise?
Additional information
| Weight | 10 lbs |
|---|---|
| Dimensions | 24 × 7 × 7 in |
What is a blacksmith leg vise?
A blacksmith’s post vise or “leg vise” is designed to be hammered on, unlike most bench-mounted machinist vises. The long leg transmits the energy from hammer blows all the way from the massive fixed jaw to the floor. Hot iron is secured in the vise and then shaped as needed by hammer blows.
What is the advantage of a post vise?
A post vise is made of steel or wrought iron with a leg that reaches all the way to the floor. The leg helps to channel heavy blows to the ground and prevent them from damaging the workbench the vise is mounted to.
Do I need a sliding Deadman?
After finishing installing the leg vise, it was time to give it a helping hand by adding a sliding deadman (sometimes called a board jack). The deadman helps support longer workpieces and that comes in especially useful when hand planing the edges of long boards.
What is the origin of the black in blacksmith?
The “black” in “blacksmith” refers to the black firescale, a layer of oxides that forms on the surface of the metal during heating. The origin of “smith” is debated. It may come from the old English word “smythe” meaning “to strike” or it may have originated from the Proto-German “smithaz” meaning “skilled worker.”