I bought a post vise this weekend. It's missing a bracket for mounting, and a spring. It came with a 1/4" thick strip of plate, bent into a strap, so I'm using that, lag bolted to a 4x4 piece of lumber, horizontally. I'm using a wood wedge between the vise and 4x4 to tighten everything up.
Here's a photo:
This is a pretty crappy setup. It works in a pinch, but it's impossible to get enough clamping force from soft pine lumber, across grain like this. The wood just crushes and eventually the vise loosens up.
I read about the various types of clamps these vises came with, originally, and I think I'd like to fabricate a u-bolt style clamp. Anyone have any idea where I can get some appropriately sized u-bolts?
Also, if anyone is selling an original mounting bracket, I'm interested.
I tried a first attempt at forging my own replacement spring this past weekend from mild steel. It's not great, but I think it'll do for now. :)