Mini portable Vise/work-top

Im really cramped for space and no expansion is allowed by HOA.
Has anyone used one of these? It seems a good size for 'Ukes, but I dont want a 'toy'
https://www.amazon.com/Sjobergs-SJO...009VDQ628/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_product_top?ie=UTF8
There's a video here also.

I've not used one but my question would be: Do you have a solid surface on which to clamp this work-top? if you clamp this to a typical household table it will be skating all over the floor when you try to do any work on it.

Could you find room for something like this?

https://www.canadianwoodworking.com/home-improvement/hobby-shop-walk-closet

And here's a sturdy looking bench design that could fit in a modest space. 27"x 50"

http://www.finewoodworking.com/2016/11/02/a-small-sturdy-workbench

if you don't have room for that then your find seems decent however you want a really solid work surface like a countertop to clamp this to in my opinion.

Those are all neat ideas. You'll need a table for the Sooners gadget, so here's a bench on sale for $129 at Harbor Freight right now.



I have one, and it's easy to put together; all parts cut, and includes hardware to bolt it together with. I'm thinking about a second one to save time with having to build my own. It's stable enough for most luthier work, especially with adding heavier tools and items on the shelf below.

Here's mine...


Here's a hack...
http://lumberjocks.com/topics/61561

Rrgramps said:

Those are all neat ideas. You'll need a table for the Sooners gadget, so here's a bench on sale for $129 at Harbor Freight right now.

View attachment 96598

I have one, and it's easy to put together; all parts cut, and includes hardware to bolt it together with. I'm thinking about a second one to save time with having to build my own. It's stable enough for most luthier work, especially with adding heavier tools and items on the shelf below.

Here's mine...
View attachment 96599View attachment 96602

Here's a hack...
http://lumberjocks.com/topics/61561
View attachment 96601

Click to expand...

Thanks-I have been watching that HFT bench for a while now...Some reviewers claimed it was a little un-stable, but the hacks on that
lumberjocks page seem to strengthen/stabilize it.

SeanB1 said:

I've not used one but my question would be: Do you have a solid surface on which to clamp this work-top? if you clamp this to a typical household table it will be skating all over the floor when you try to do any work on it.

Could you find room for something like this?

https://www.canadianwoodworking.com/home-improvement/hobby-shop-walk-closet

And here's a sturdy looking bench design that could fit in a modest space. 27"x 50"

http://www.finewoodworking.com/2016/11/02/a-small-sturdy-workbench

if you don't have room for that then your find seems decent however you want a really solid work surface like a countertop to clamp this to in my opinion.

Click to expand...

Thanks-some great ideas for small spaces

I have that Sjöbergs portable vise. I use it at the cottage where I mount it to one end of my porch, then I can stand on the ground and work quite comfortably. It is not a toy, the screw is the same as on their benches. One thing that made me a wee bit disappointed was that the wooden top was actually a laminate surface on a fibre board material - still sturdy but not as nice as wood. They have made it with wood also so I don't know how they come now.

I don't know this particular devise. But, in piano rebuilding, I used to work with a far more elaborate Sjorbergs workbench (with three clamping systems similar to this) and it was a superior work station for light to very heavy woodworking. I'd bet the one you link is great.

pahu said:

Im really cramped for space and no expansion is allowed by HOA.
Has anyone used one of these? It seems a good size for 'Ukes, but I dont want a 'toy'
https://www.amazon.com/Sjobergs-SJO...009VDQ628/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_product_top?ie=UTF8
There's a video here also.

Click to expand...

What workbench are you going to use for that? The workbench is your Uke-building foundation for any of the nice vices that have been presented. Have you already got a bench to install one of these vices on to?

EDIT: I really don't expect a finely made, European beech wood bench, or even Sjorberg bench, but at least a layer or two of 3/4" MDF 24x48 sheets laid on sawhorses or something somewhat more rigid. I've read that many luthiers have started on the kitchen table, but you may want something more stable and dedicated to building. I have used a Black and Decker Workmate to build a guitar on.