Thread box and tap for wood screws?

[eyekode]

The bench I am working on will have a leg vise. My current metal vise has taken a bite out of my chisel, dented the handle of my mallet, and put black marks on lots of work pieces. Ok, alright I might have had something to do with that .

But my next vise I would prefer a wood screw. Does anyone local have a way to make a 1 1/2" (or larger) wood screw?

If I am going to buy one I have it narrowed down to:
http://www.highlandwoodworking.com/manualwoodthreader1-126tpi.aspx
Or the 1 1/2" Beall:
http://www.bealltool.com/products/threading/bigthreader.php

I have heard the Beall does a better job, but I have also heard the classic approach used in the first link does fine.

Really this would be ideal: http://www.bigwoodvise.com/Classic.cfm
But they are not taking orders, ~145$ seems a little steep and I like the idea of being able to make my own screws (this looks like a cool project: http://blog.woodworking-magazine.com/blog/Declaring+Victory+With+The+Doublescrew+Vise.aspx)

Thanks!
Salem

 

[toolferone]

I have the Beall 1-1/2" kit you can borrow if you like.

 

[eyekode]

I have the Beall 1-1/2" kit you can borrow if you like.

Sweet! Off to send you a PM .

 

[eyekode]

I picked up the thread box from Tom today an got a shop tour. Nice space! Even more impressive how little was contracted out.
I swung by Klingspor's on the way out but unfortunately they don't have 1 1/2" dowels. It looks like WoodCraft has them though. I will post back when I have some screws .
Salem

 

[tjgreen]

If you want to get creative, Roy did a show a few years back on making a screw box using an old file:
http://www.pbs.org/woodwrightsshop/video/2700/2704.html

 

[eyekode]

I think I have seen that show. Pretty cool and it would let me make a 2" thick 2-tpi thread (which seems like the common vise thread by the most recommended wood screws).

But how to make the tap?!?

 

[tjgreen]

A 2" tap might be hard to come by, and even harder to cut with. I have a better idea - you could buy a lathe and learn to chase threads. I'm just full of good ideas today.

 

[eyekode]

Tim,
I can't argue with that. It would be very cool to learn to do this. But it is a 1k solution to a 100$ problem .

However I do plan on learning to turn this year. Just not this month .
Salem

 

[wghatcher]

Just an FYI, if Big Wood Vise.com is not taking orders you can try www.lakeerietoolworks.com if creating your own does not work out. Price is the same. I am planning to build a similar workbench (you might remember my post on that topic), but I am a little bit behind you.

I am interested in how things are going with that QSWO. If you check some of the tables in the Schwarz book, QSWO compares favorably to hard maple in stiffness, hardness, and weight.

Greg

 

[eyekode]

Thanks for the tip Greg. I have been following Schwarz' build and that is one nice looking bench. And the hardware for the leg vice is sweet.

No progress yet on my WB. I still have to finalize some design details. I also have one project ahead of it which is getting my TS on a mobile base. I know I could just buy one but what fun is that?
Salem