Comments on: New Crisscross Hardware – Very Excited!

By: Moontoad

Moontoad — Tue, 18 Dec 2012 13:46:49 +0000

I can see a whole new line of tools once Chris’ bench idea catches on. Imagine a table saw with two blades, each running in opposite directions. No more walking around the saw to use it, and SO convenient when teaching or working with others!

By: metalworkingdude

metalworkingdude — Sat, 15 Dec 2012 17:08:27 +0000

So by eliminating the pin from the vise you’ve put it on the bench?

By: willworkforarn

willworkforarn — Sat, 15 Dec 2012 03:51:01 +0000

Chris,
Speaking of legs vises, you are going to want to check out this new design for keeping the leg vise jaws parallel during use without the use of a pin.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M1z_sVZsxug
I found this on the oowm site in the woodworking forum.
Rhett

By: Adam Cherubini

Adam Cherubini — Fri, 14 Dec 2012 17:22:53 +0000

I’m curious…I had a leg vise on my German bench for many many years. I can probably count on one hand the number of times I repositioned the peg. Now the tongue was just 3″ off the floor (the chop sat on the floor)so the angular change at the top was slight when a new hole was chosen. And most of the time, I was working thin-2″ stock.

So I have a few questions:
1) Did you adjust your vise often?
2) Were you often clamping very thick things (like drawers) in your vise?

Just one comment from me- I have nothing against this design (tho I’ve never held or beheld one), and I REALLY don’t want to sound like a curmudgeon but it looks like a solution to a problem I never had. Is it retrofittable? Can guys try a tongue first and add this later if they find they don’t like the tongue and peg? As you may know, I like very simple benches. I keep taking things off my benches and tend to prefer them with less and less stuff.

Really appreciate your exploration tho, Chris.

By: Christopher Schwarz

Christopher Schwarz — Wed, 12 Dec 2012 21:39:41 +0000

Yes. Someone added a “d” — dangit. I am very EXCITE.

By: artagain

artagain — Wed, 12 Dec 2012 16:29:43 +0000

I hear ya marl. Most of my machines are from craigslist, hand tools from yard sales and flea markets. Have a number of Lie-Nielson’s too – the best do last a long time…

By: bonobo6000

bonobo6000 — Wed, 12 Dec 2012 00:28:36 +0000

…oops. here’s the link: http://cgi.ebay.fr/n-1-OUTIL-ANCIEN-etau-en-bois-de-menuisier-art-populaire-deco-collection–/370697788375?pt=FR_JG_Art_Objets_XIX&hash=item564f4f5bd7#ht_520wt_685

By: bonobo6000

bonobo6000 — Wed, 12 Dec 2012 00:27:49 +0000

There’s a cute repositional “Milkmans’ Cross” vise currently on ebay.fr.

By: Danny H.

Danny H. — Tue, 11 Dec 2012 22:19:37 +0000

Man, You are getting me all excited. I just recently finished what I though was my dream workbench and now I want to build another ! I just finished reading your blog on the different solutions to not having to stoop down and use a pin, including the chain one. I’m with you Chris. I like this BenchCrafted Crisscross the best. I’m going to have to sell another machine tool and do some reorganization to fit another bench in my shop though. Maybe I could talk the wife into putting the other bench in the garage! Honey…..

By: andrae

andrae — Tue, 11 Dec 2012 18:57:34 +0000

Ah you beat me to it, daddy mac.