Vice or Vise?

Rebate or Rabbet, Pins vs Tails, Plane on the Sole or the Side? It’s human nature, but these never ending “discussions” don’t achieve anything of merit. Real thoughts we have are, do I have the time this week to get into the shop? Do I base my design on something tried and true or come up with something unique to my situation? Can I afford some nice stock this time or will a painted piece suffice, etc?

I’ve fallen into the category of “do it this way” at times, after all I’m human! But one thing I’ve learned from the more connected world we inhabit is there are many, many different approaches. As long as your language, references and practices allow for good safe progress then you’re fine. As long as you derive satisfaction from your process and your finished piece is good, in my book your fine.

I could pick on Jim (see image above) but that would be unfair, even cruel . Perhaps I did, perhaps I am picking on him? I don’t know him and I wish him all the best. What Jim demonstrates here is something I’ve been guilty of, thinking you’re so right that you need to say it with vigour. We all just say and do things a little different, I say vigour you say vigor!

Anyway, Vice or Vise? Vice is a spelling adopted in the UK, Vise in the US.

I like my sturdy cast vice, I’m not sure how old it is but it could easily be 80 years old if not more and it meets my needs perfectly. They can still be had for very little money here in the UK, nothing seems to of changed that fact over the past 10 years. Postage can be pricey but a good Record or Woden like mine can be had for around £50. I’ve tried other work holding methods and been impressed with some but nothing fits me like this Vice.

Does this mean it’s the right one for you? Well, you could do worse, but there are options out there. My only advice is that avoid anything that makes you stoop down to adjust a pin or kick a wedge, those things died out for a reason! Leg vice? Sure, they can be made cheaply but I don’t see the attraction. I had access to one for years and it didn’t suit me or my work. You might find different. That’s the benefit of doing something for a while, you move past concerns about “What’s the best vice”, you just get on with the work.

The metal vice has had a hard time of it in recent years and I don’t understand. Perhaps the aesthetic doesn’t cut it (I love it), people report “racking” (jaws going out of parallel). I have never found issue with it. That said there are some superb alternatives but I don’t know if they’re better. But better can be subjective. Just because I like this version to grip my work you should use whatever you want and hopefully, and most importantly make something!