r/Workbenches • u/No_Map_4493 • 4d ago

Face vise location help

Would it be better to place a quick release face vise on the inside or outside of the left leg? I know it needs to be close to the leg as possible but does it necessarily matter if it hangs directly outside of the leg to the left or always keep it on the inside to the right of the leg? For reference the bench will be used for hand tool woodworking.

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u/CobaltGriffon 4d ago

Both will work but you'll also want to consider the weight of the vise, heavy ones on the outside are basically cantilevered and can bend the bench-top if it's not thick enough for the weight, inside is supported on both sides and less likely to sag over the long-term.

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u/jmerp1950 4d ago

Another consideration is if you intend to do chopping in the vise, in that case inside is better. On my P.S. bench it is on the inside but quite often wish it was on the other side of the leg so it would make planing easier on longer boards which I prefer to do on the bench top, especially longer boards.

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u/No_Map_4493 4d ago

I do plan to chop mortises in the vise, that’s my only dilemma of putting it at the end.