Vise Stand - Options??

[mdlbldrmatt135]

OK,  Don't really have a bench in the shop, I generally use the table saw with a sheet of hardboard on it, when I need a large flat surface.  I don't really want to mount the vise to the toolbox, so I'm planning a stand that I could move around as needed. My driveway is a mix of really old asphalt and gravel....

I have 2 ideas:

A) A $5/10 junkyard special rim/tire filled with concrete (it'd be about 30" in dia and 9" tall)

B) try to find a Steel Budd wheel or Brake drum from a big truck and do the same. (this would be 17" to 24" in dia. and about 7-8" tall)

Thoughts???

[highland512]

Brake drum works well for bench grinders and such.... Never had a vice on one. I would guess as long as you don't have anything heavier than the drum in the vice you would be fine.

[mdlbldrmatt135]

Brake drum works well for bench grinders and such.... Never had a vice on one. I would guess as long as you don't have anything heavier than the drum in the vice you would be fine.

That's where I'm at....   In a way the bigger diameter would be more stable, and allow me to add sandbags or whatever for weight, but at the same time, it'll likely get in the way.    I don't have to wrench or reef on stuff too often, but there is a need to occasionally!!!  at this point I'm only doing light fab work, but who  knows what I'll get into later on....

[highland512]

Your shop area have a concrete floor? Fab a stand with a plate on the bottom and anchor it into the floor. There are some concrete anchors that are removable if that's a concern.

[mdlbldrmatt135]

It dies, but I'm not crazy about doing occasional welding inside the garage, where it's mostly woodworking tools....  kinda why I was leaning toward a 'movable' one....

[goodfellow]

Brake drum works well for bench grinders and such.... Never had a vice on one. I would guess as long as you don't have anything heavier than the drum in the vice you would be fine.

I've tried that, and the only drums that are stable enough for heavy work are the HD truck drums --mid-sized or semi trucks. I also bolted the drums into the floor to be able to apply lateral torque on the vise. Worked well enough for many years. The good thing was that you had plenty of room around the vise stand, vs. a vise mounted in a workbench.

[highland512]

I've tried that, and the only drums that are stable enough for heavy work are the HD truck drums --mid-sized or semi trucks. I also bolted the drums into the floor to be able to apply lateral torque on the vise. Worked well enough for many years. The good thing was that you had plenty of room around the vise stand, vs. a vise mounted in a workbench.

The problem I would have with not having the stand secured is many items I put into a vice involve stuck fasteners. Which often involve cheater bars I mean engineered torque multiplication devices, hammers, heat wrench, and bad words. Not having the vice mounted rock solid would only result in more bad words. Even with a semi brake drum I would think this would be a problem.

[mdlbldrmatt135]

I've tried that, and the only drums that are stable enough for heavy work are the HD truck drums --mid-sized or semi trucks. I also bolted the drums into the floor to be able to apply lateral torque on the vise. Worked well enough for many years. The good thing was that you had plenty of room around the vise stand, vs. a vise mounted in a workbench.

The problem I would have with not having the stand secured is many items I put into a vice involve stuck fasteners. Which often involve cheater bars I mean engineered torque multiplication devices, hammers, heat wrench, and bad words. Not having the vice mounted rock solid would only result in more bad words. Even with a semi brake drum I would think this would be a problem.

This is where I'm stuck...  I'd love a big bench outside, or something to mount it to out there...  but replacing the driveway is wayyyy out of the budget.   That's why i was leaning to the rim/tire or big rim options...  I could possibly add sandbags when I had to.   Even trying to find a hunk of Plate steel to set in area in font of the garage would be nice, but I can't seem to find "road plate" or much above 3/16" thick steel without them wanting a damn premium for it!

[highland512]

you could anchor a semi drum flange to your floor the weld the stand to the drum.

[mdlbldrmatt135]

you could anchor a semi drum flange to your floor the weld the stand to the drum.

That's the option for inside, but if I'm cutting or grinding, I'm wanting to do it outside, as (saw)dust collection only does so much......   Guess I'll keep an eye on Marketplace...  Maybe someone will post something to anchor it to outside....

[slip knot]

just cement a piece of pipe in the ground outside and bolt your vise to it. Thats what I did.

[goodfellow]

you could anchor a semi drum flange to your floor the weld the stand to the drum.

I fastened mine to the coincrte floor

I've tried that, and the only drums that are stable enough for heavy work are the HD truck drums --mid-sized or semi trucks. I also bolted the drums into the floor to be able to apply lateral torque on the vise. Worked well enough for many years. The good thing was that you had plenty of room around the vise stand, vs. a vise mounted in a workbench.

The problem I would have with not having the stand secured is many items I put into a vice involve stuck fasteners. Which often involve cheater bars I mean engineered torque multiplication devices, hammers, heat wrench, and bad words. Not having the vice mounted rock solid would only result in more bad words. Even with a semi brake drum I would think this would be a problem.

As I said, I sunk bolts into the concrete floor and fastened the drum to those bolts. the pedestal was 6" pipe and the vise would not move when applying lateral torque with a breaker or cheater bar.

[Uncle Buck]

I don't know if it would work for your application,  but you can always mount a vise to a receiver hitch insert and work off the back end of a truck.

[Uncle Buck]

just cement a piece of pipe in the ground outside and bolt your vise to it. Thats what I did.

Agreed, could design as quickly and easily removed too.

[mdlbldrmatt135]

I don't know if it would work for your application,  but you can always mount a vise to a receiver hitch insert and work off the back end of a truck.

Working height and grinding/welding near a vehicle are the concerns there....   

I guess I shall concentrate on getting the other *crap* organized, IE the file cabinets all painted and mounted on Casters... then re-evaluate the indoor/outdoor situation.  (or keep an eye out for a decent second vise to mount outside permanently)