BP

Since I don't have a "show" trailer, and some shows/festivals won't allow vehicles/trailers in the vendor's area, I needed a portable vise.

3 major parts, (the wedge, nuts, and bolts don't count), assembles and breaks down with only a small Crescent wrench and small hammer.

Base is 1/2" thick plate from the scrapyard, upright is the shaft from an old warehouse fan, (the base of which is well on it's way to becoming my portable 24" dia. forge.

That looks good but I was wondering why you unbolt the vice mounting instead of just knocking out those wedges. Then the only tool needed would be your small hammer. May make your set-up and tear-down faster.
Rob

Since I don't have a "show" trailer, and some shows/festivals won't allow vehicles/trailers in the vendor's area, I needed a portable vise.

3 major parts, (the wedge, nuts, and bolts don't count), assembles and breaks down with only a small Crescent wrench and small hammer.

Base is 1/2" thick plate from the scrapyard, upright is the shaft from an old warehouse fan, (the base of which is well on it's way to becoming my portable 24" dia. forge.

How stable is that setup?

I'm building a vise stand currently, but it's a lot beefier. That said, since I'm a university student and need to move around a fair bit, the easier to transport the better. If this is stable enough to use as a full-time stand, that'd be great!

That looks good but I was wondering why you unbolt the vice mounting instead of just knocking out those wedges. Then the only tool needed would be your small hammer. May make your set-up and tear-down faster.
Rob

The vise leg is slightly longer than the upright from the base allowing the two forward bolts to "tension" the unit by trying to pull the mounting column "up" while pushing the "leg" down. It'd disassemble easy enough, but getting it back together would still require at least loosening the two forward bolts.

How stable is that setup?

I'm building a vise stand currently, but it's a lot beefier. That said, since I'm a university student and need to move around a fair bit, the easier to transport the better. If this is stable enough to use as a full-time stand, that'd be great!

Depends on what kind of "work" you're planning on doing. Since most of the "stability" comes from you standing on the base plate it's stable enough for making twists and bends in smaller stock or holding pieces for grinding. I won't be twisting and 1" stock at shows anyway, so this will suit my purpose.

If in your moving around you wind up with a concrete pad to work on you can always drill holes in the corners and install Hilti or Red Head anchors in the concrete. 1/2' lead shield anchors and lags would also probably be good enough, and when you move on there will only be 4 small holes as any sign you were ever there.

The vise leg is slightly longer than the upright from the base allowing the two forward bolts to "tension" the unit by trying to pull the mounting column "up" while pushing the "leg" down. It'd disassemble easy enough, but getting it back together would still require at least loosening the two forward bolts.

Try tightening the bottom wedge last then.

Neat set up.
Phil

Nice idea! I like this set up. I have rebuilt a leg vise and this looks like a great idea for my shop. Thanks for posting.



Mitch

Try tightening the bottom wedge last then.

Neat set up.
Phil

Good idea, but my "target" on the off side would totally disappear.

After some use and wear in that's probably what I'll do, (if there's enough wear in), but it only takes a couple of minutes to tighten three bolts. Besides, with the vise off I can mount a small bench grinder or my hand crank grinder if I don't have access to 120AC.

My hand crank grinder has been on a 2x4 that I just clamp in the vise when I need it...

Phil