Main Vise Garter and Parallel Guide

2010.02.22

Today I started working on the main vise, using the same methods I described in more detail for the sliding vise.  I made the vise screw garter, and sawed the tenon for the parallel guide.

Vise garter for main vise
Parallel guide tenon for main vise

2010.04.04

After marking the tenon outline on the vise chop, I chopped the mortise.  My mortise chisel really took a beating and required significant resharpening.

Marking mortise location on main vise chop
Mortise chisel needs resharpening after chopping mortise in white oak

I pounded and persuaded the parallel guide into the vise chop.  I did a better job of making everything square this time, compared to the sliding vise.  The tenon is quite snug, it will be difficult to pull it apart, but it’s doable.  I assembled the main vise onto the bench.

Main vise chop with parallel guide
Main and sliding vises in place on workbench

I still need to make pins for the parallel guides, and chamfer the edges of the chops.