I've been debating building a better workbench for my shop. I've gotten far enough along to do a swag estimate on material costs, which includes quality vise mechanisms. It is ~$800.
Rockler is running a good price on a Ramia Diamond Beech 71" Workbench with lower cabinet for ~$1,350, tax included. As much as I enjoy my woodworking, for $500 more to get a complete bench set up in my shop in about 3 hours instead of 2 months gathering materials and building it myself seems like a no-brainer.
My current bench is a lightweight cheap bench with a vise that racks badly whenever any working piece isn't centered over the screw, which is why I'm ready to upgrade. My only hesitation in buying the Ramia is the quality of the vise mechanisms. Does anyone use one of these benches, or have you seen one and can vouch that the vises will hold something tightly when clamping on one end of the vise face? Also, is it heavy enough to stay stationary under pressure from planing hardwood or screwing force?
Rockler is running a good price on a Ramia Diamond Beech 71" Workbench with lower cabinet for ~$1,350, tax included. As much as I enjoy my woodworking, for $500 more to get a complete bench set up in my shop in about 3 hours instead of 2 months gathering materials and building it myself seems like a no-brainer.
My current bench is a lightweight cheap bench with a vise that racks badly whenever any working piece isn't centered over the screw, which is why I'm ready to upgrade. My only hesitation in buying the Ramia is the quality of the vise mechanisms. Does anyone use one of these benches, or have you seen one and can vouch that the vises will hold something tightly when clamping on one end of the vise face? Also, is it heavy enough to stay stationary under pressure from planing hardwood or screwing force?