I meant to post this in my workbench re-tool blog, but I never took all the picture needed to finish that. Oh well. This is a nice way to make the handle that comes stock with a Lee Valley vise a whole lot better.
1. Get rid of the square head screw that it comes with. It looks cool, but needs to be tightened with some regularity and my square head screwdriver is never around when this needs to happen. Also, since it rides above the surface of the head there are situations when it can mar your work. Use a regular Phillips wood screw and counter-bore the thing.
2. Add an O-ring to the handle. It add a nice buffer so the head does not come loose all the time.
That’s it. A few parts you already have on hand and about five minutes of time and you will have a much improved vise.
-- Make furniture that lasts as long as the tree - Ryan
15 comments so far
LeslieC
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152 posts in 3560 days
#1 posted 03-13-2013 04:11 AM
Thanks for the tips.
-- There is nothing like a Grateful Dead concert.
lysdexic
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5353 posts in 4085 days
#2 posted 03-13-2013 04:20 AM
I have read about the O ring trick. Now I’ll need to give it a try. Thanks Ryan.
-- "It's only wood. Use it." - Smitty || Instagram - nobodhi_here
gsuing
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47 posts in 3384 days
#3 posted 03-13-2013 07:26 AM
Thanks, I’m so sick of tightening the square-drive screws. I was ready to make a new handle, but I’ll try your tips first.
Ken90712
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18113 posts in 4651 days
#4 posted 03-13-2013 08:59 AM
Interesting tip thx
-- Ken, "Everyday above ground is a good day!"
Tim Dahn
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1628 posts in 5027 days
#5 posted 03-13-2013 10:14 AM
Thanks! I need to do this too.
-- Good judgement comes from experience and experience comes from poor judgement.
Roger
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21055 posts in 4266 days
#6 posted 03-13-2013 11:44 AM
simple tip. thnx
-- Roger from KY. Work/Play/Travel Safe. Keep your dust collector fed. [email protected]
AnthonyReed
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10196 posts in 3902 days
#7 posted 03-13-2013 01:34 PM
Thank you bud.
-- ~Tony
RGtools
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3372 posts in 4116 days
#8 posted 03-13-2013 04:31 PM
I need to post a few more of these when I get the camera in my shop.
Understanding Camber (a refinement from the original HOYD post)
Reducing cleanup on drawbore joints.
Layout Speed Tip For Squaring Ends.
Quick Glue Spreader
Using a Plow.
Cutting a Sliding DT with a chisel.
...And a few others. Any votes on which ones I do first?
-- Make furniture that lasts as long as the tree - Ryan
AnthonyReed
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10196 posts in 3902 days
#9 posted 03-14-2013 01:35 PM
“Layout Speed Tip For Squaring Ends.” – Sounds intriguing. I often want to see what my p.o.s. shooting board would look like as it hit the cinder block wall. And anything square seems elusive in my woodworking adventures.
-- ~Tony
JesseTutt
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854 posts in 3572 days
#10 posted 03-14-2013 02:12 PM
The o-ring is a good idea. I was thinking of cutting a washer out of 1/16” leather, but I think I will look into the o-ring and save the leather for some other project.
-- Jesse, Saint Louis, Missouri
Richforever
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757 posts in 5182 days
#11 posted 03-14-2013 05:40 PM
Thanks. I need to do this too.
-- Rich, Seattle, WA
RGtools
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3372 posts in 4116 days
#12 posted 03-14-2013 06:04 PM
Will do Tony. The first time I took pictures of this the dialogue I planned did not make sense, so I will make a point of getting this done on my next stock prep session.
Glad people like this one. It has been a real help to me.
-- Make furniture that lasts as long as the tree - Ryan
AnthonyReed
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10196 posts in 3902 days
#13 posted 03-14-2013 06:32 PM
Thanks Ryan.
-- ~Tony
OggieOglethorpe
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1276 posts in 3572 days
#14 posted 03-14-2013 07:56 PM
O rings work great on vise handles.
I prefer the other way with screws. Ditch your phillips drivers, and use square heads everywhere.
Of course, period stuff usually gets straight bladed, but once you ditch phillips, you never look back! ;^)
RGtools
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3372 posts in 4116 days
#15 posted 03-14-2013 10:04 PM
Square drive does get better grip, and I love them when I build a deck, but it just was not working for me here. To each there own. I guess its a matter of which tool you have closer at hand.
I also remember now that I used a much longer screw, the second time (2 1/2 to 3”). The combination of all those factors has kept the knobs from loosening for about a year now.
-- Make furniture that lasts as long as the tree - Ryan
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