So I now recognize that a good vise is essential but the availability of a leg vise is limited locally.

With my newfound equipment for welding is it reasonable to make a vise?

I can get the screw hardware from lee valley for $50. 

Then weld up some metal to make the vise and jaws...

Is this workable or am I setting myself up for a lot of work for something non-functional??

There are some drawngs available somewhere on the interweb for a home built leg vice. Someone may have a link they can send you or a quick google may find it. It's certainly doable, is it worth the effort? That all depends on your situation.

 

There are a couple of good threads here on IFI by people who have made vises. In particular, check out this one and this one. (NB: the photos are missing from the initial post in the latter thread, but there are more photos of the finished vise farther down the page.)

6 minutes ago, Smoggy said:

There are some drawngs available somewhere on the interweb for a home built leg vice.

Yeah, but drawings and photos of any kind of vice are inappropriate for a family-friendly forum!

I was wondering who would be the first to spot my deliberate mistake.....Well done JHCC. I'll be posting more in the future, so everyone needs to keep paying attention!

 

1 hour ago, Smoggy said:

There are some drawngs available somewhere on the interweb for a home built leg vice.

We read blacksmith. Second pass we read English, sometimes.

Er.....that one was a genuine typo Glenn, not sure if it's my fingers or the keyboard, I know sometimes the letter '  ' doesn't seem to work!

As a blacksmith, every time I go to confession, I have to tell my priest about my vises.

Those 2 threads are what made me think about making my own.

I'll do some thinking and local research.  See what I can come up with!