Updated May 24th, 2006

Patternmaker Style Vises

Patternmakers vises are considered the holy grail of workbench vises. What makes them unique is that they can rotate in any direction and the jaws pivot. These features are especially important for patternmakers, the highly skilled woodworkers that make incredibly accurate patterns out of wood for use in manufacturing. The Emmert is often considered the best vise ever made. Unfortunately, the Emmert hasn't been made for a long time. But, there are parts available, and sometimes used ones can be found. Today there are only a few patternmakers style vises made: a very expensive new one for the few actual patternmakers out there, the Tucker Vise and an imported one.

The Emmert Vise page
The great classic patternmaker's vise.. Here's a link to original information.

The Iron Hand-Emmert Vise Page
Lots of details on the vise including type studies anatomy, serial number info, many photos, etc. If you're looking for details this site is very helpful.

Mounting an Emmert Vise
An unusual vise has special mounting instructions. Here's the original plans.

The Tucker Vise
Available exclusively through Lee Valley, this is a modern version of the Emmert Vise. This is what I used on my bench. Expensive, but worth it if you want a top quality pattern maker vise.

Used Emmert Vises, parts and more...
William Kerfoot sells used patternmakers vises and will soon manufacture his own. He keeps a dozen or more Emmert  patternmakers vises in stock, ($450-$800), as well as 3 new Kindt-Collins, ($2000). He manufactures replacement parts for Emmerts also. Direct inquiries to: csmachinery@zoominternet.net

Imported Patternmaker's Vise
Available through several suppliers including Woodcraft, this is a less expensive way to go if you can't afford an Emmert of Tucker. The quality seems to be improving all the time. Here's the link.

German Vise Hardware
Toolmaker Lie-Nielsen now offers excellent bench hardware. Yes, it is more expensive, but it is the best. Made in Germany by a small firm that’s been in business since 1882. Heavy castings, large screws, precise machining. For those planning on building their own vises, there's none better.

Quick Release Shoulder Vise A quarter turn releases the vise and it's free to move. A great time saver. Vise has a very large opening.

Chain Drive Shoulder Vise A Heavy duty end vise: Chain drive equalizes clamping pressure. Opens 71⁄4 inches.

Scandanavian Shoulder Vise Screw For a Scandinavian-style Shoulder vise. Can also be used to make a veneer press.

Small Welded Tail Vise Rugged hardware for a traditional tail vise. Use on a small bench. Excellent for using the Nelson method of constructing a tail vise as outlined in the Workbench Book.

Large Welded Tail Vise This is a beautiful piece of hardware for a full-size bench tail vise. It's what I used on my own Workbench 2.0.

Metal Front Vises

Jorgensen 41012 Woodworkers Vise Now that Record has closed it's plant in England while it is moving to Taiwan, this is one the last remaining high quality all metal woodworking vises availabe. This is a very good vise.

Jorgensen 40709A Woodworkers Vise A smaller version of the above vise this is one the last remaining high quality all metal woodworking vises availabe. Also a very good vise.

Wilton Model 79C One of the few large front vises still available. This one has a 13" opening.

Wilton Model 79A Like the above vise, but this one offers a very nice feature-a removable pivot jaw to hold odd shaped pieces of wood. It has a 13" opening.

Wilton Model 78C A slightly smaller version of the above vise with a 10" opening.

Wilton Rapid Acting Vise Obviously rapid opening. A nice feature, for sure. This one opens to 10".

Wilton Pivoting Jaw Vise This one has one of the key features of a patternmaker's vise-a pivoting front jaw that's very handy if your woodworking involves working with odd shaped pieces.

Wilton Columbian A smaller and lower priced vise at 4" x 7" this vise has nicely done castings.

Jet 9" Front Vise
One of the better Taiwanese imported vises, features a quick release very similar to the Records 52 1/2 (though not quite as nicely finished) and it's available at a good price. And, it's red, too.

Jet 7 " Front Vise
A smaller and lower priced similar to the above. Also features a handy quick release.

Anant - Record 53 ED- Quick-Action Bench Vise
One of the best. The famous Record vises are alive and well! This vise features 10 1/2" jaws and a handy quick release mechanism.

Anant - Record 52 1/2 ED- Quick-Action Bench Vise
One of the best. The famous Record vises live! This model features 9" jaws and a handy quick release mechanism.

Anant - Record 52 ED- Quick Action Bench Vise
The famous Record vises live once again! This vise features 7" jaws and a handy quick release mechanism.

Woodcraft has a metal front vise almost identical to the Jet vises above, but are a bit more expensive and finished black.

Morgan Vise Milwaukee Tool offers a metal front vise in two sizes and your choice of two different handles.

Front Vise Hardware

For those that would like to make their own front vises, buying the metal screw mechanisms makes this a much easier job. Also note that the End Vise Hardware below will often work very well for building front vises, too.

Waldmann 68MD Medium End Vise Solid end vise hardware for those that want to make a full width end vise for cabinet style workbenches.

Waldmann 68LG Large End Vise A larger version of the vise hardware above for those making a larger cabinet style workbenches.

Woodcraft has several kinds of front and end vise hardware available.

Shoulder Vise Hardware

WaldMann 68SV Shoulder Vise Screw For those that prefer shoulder vises like on the Shaker benches, this vise is a lot easier then trying to make your own wooden screw hardware.

End Vise Hardware

Waldmann 68MD Medium End Vise Solid end vise hardware for those that want to make a full width end vise for cabinet style workbenches.

Waldmann 68LG Large End Vise A larger version of the vise hardware above for those making a larger cabinet style workbenches.

Tail Vise Hardware

WaldMann 68TV Tail Vise Spindle One if the least expensive ways to build an end vise. Not as easy as buying the complete guide plate and screw set up, though.

WaldMann 68TVP Tail Vise Spindle with Guide Plate A bit more expensive then the above screw, but easier to install. Particularly if you use the Nelson method shown in the Workbench Book.

Bench Dogs and Holdfasts

WaldMann Round Dogs These are the short round dogs that are 3/4" in diameter.

WaldMann Square Dogs A medium size square dogs with a steel spring. This is the one I use on my bench when I need a little more holding power.

Metal Square Dogs A bit larger square dogs wit h a steel spring via Lie-Nielsen. Make sure you match the dog size to your dog holes. In other words, buy the dogs first, then build the bench.

Wooden Dogs You need the strength of metal bench dogs sometimes, but wood dogs are much easier on your tools. Measure carefully.

WaldMann Holdfast A large holdfast that will hold your work piece in place while your working on it. Very handy when chopping out mortises or dovetails.

Various Vise Hardware

Beech Vise Handles Made of beech with oval end caps.

Hickory Vise Handles Made to fit the German bench hardware above. Uses Cherry end caps.

Woodcraft has several kinds of vise hardware available including vises, bench dogs, etc..

Lee Valley also carries lots of vise hardware, including their exclusive line of Veritas hardware and their nicely done twin screw end vise.

Making Your Own Wooden Vises

Jeff Greef's Traditional Wooden Vises
A classic European front vise and endvise all made of wood. Good, clear plans and lots of photos show you how to make your own.