$95 · Veritas Carver's Vise

A good carver's vise should be adjustable in all three axes. This one has full rotation in two axes and 3" of height adjustment in the third axis. But more important, it has controlled release; when you relieve the clamping pressure, a combination of internal springs and O-rings provides residual resistance so that your work does not suddenly fall or rotate. You can reposition the work and adjust it exactly to your liking without needing three hands. This feature virtually eliminates accidental damage. The vise can be bolted directly to a bench or clamped in any standard vise; the base has two flats on it. Alternatively, the vise can be side or top mounted through any standard 3/4" dia. dog hole using the auxiliary rod/sleeve/wing-nut assembly, usable on benches from 5/8" to 4" thick. Finally, the body is arched to let work overhang the edge of a bench when top mounted, giving maximum flexibility of use. The body is made from ZA-12 (an alloy as strong as cast iron but less brittle, at only 80% of the weight) with a solid brass hub and a repositionable gyratory locking lever. It has three screw slots with bottom counter-bevels for standard wood screws. Included is a 3 1/2" dia. by 1/2" thick mounting plate with a steel rod.