Consulting Woodworker

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 Lee Valley

Inset Vice

Lee Valley sent me their new Inset Vice to test out, and I am reviewing it for you here.

This is a small, well made vice that is designed to be "let-in" or inset into your bench top to clamp against bench dogs.

Since I already have a tail vice on my workbench, I wanted to mount this vice on a portable system for working around my home or on the jobsite.

The vice is conveniently sized so that it can be inset into the wide face of a 2x4. Since my sawhorses are designed to hold 2x4s on edge, I cut a quick mount for the vice.

I simply plowed out a stepped groove in a piece of 2x4, then notched that mount onto the end of a 6 foot section on edge.

The vice was attached flush with the mount, and dog holes were drilled every 8" along the 6 foot 2x4. (the vice has an 9" throw, so 8" spacing allows for full reach.)

I now have a very handy little vice that allows me to easily clamp parts when working away from my bench.

Roarockit Thin Air Press

Vacuum Veneering for the home shop

I have been using vacuum for veneering and glue1ups for a long time in professional shops.

I wanted one for my own shop, but simply do not use one often enough to justify the expense, until now.

The Roarockit Thin Air Press uses a hand pump instead of and electric or air powered pump to create the vacuum pressure.

Does a hand pump have what it takes to provide adequate vacuum? Does the bag seal well enough to keep you from having to pump endlessly?

I was very pleasantly surprised at how well this system works.

Download the PDF to read my full review. In it you will find out how the system works and the mistakes I made along the way.