[TheForge] Plate for my post vise

[xlch58 at swbell.net]

martin paietta wrote:
> Hi Ries,
>
> I know the optimal is to bolt it down to something sold like a table or
> wall, but I have limited space. I also end up moving it all around to meet
> my needs.
>
> Cheers
> Martin 
>
>   
The problem is that it all depends.   For work hammered down against the 
jaws, i.e. upset, the weight of the base is not really critical, just 
enough to stabalize the vise is all that is needed.   For bending you 
need more weight.  If all you are working is half inch bar hot, bending 
won't require much weight.  If you are bending 3/4 inch, then you start 
needing more weight.  The roughest is twisting operations. Twisting 
heavy sections tends to pull the vise over, so you need more weight in 
the base.   It also tends to make the vise turn with you which makes it 
less useful.  The degree that it resists this will be a product of the 
weight and the coefficient of friction between the base and your 
flooring.   Steel does not present a lot of friction in this instance.   
Concrete has a higher degree of friction.   I have considered making 
stands out of an old tire filled with concrete with a 4x4 thick wall 
tube stuck into it.  Easy to roll,  good weight, high friction and 
cheap.    Personally, I would save the money on the steel plate, or use 
it for something else.

Charles