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Monday, July 28, 2014

La Forge Royale Miter Jack Hardware Kits



The La Forge Royale miter jack drawing is just about done. I've spent the last couple weeks taking it apart piece by piece and accurately measuring every part, to the nearest 1/64". This vise was very carefully crafted, and even after about 100 years or so (that's a wild guess, but probably fairly close) the things functions sweetly.

We've decided we're going to make a short run of hardware for this vise. If you think you'd like one, post a comment below (please don't email us, use the comment form) It will help us gauge how many to make.

When we get the first batch of bits together, we'll build the first one and document our construction sequence. We won't produce measured 2d drawings for the vise, but simply post the Sketchup drawing when its ready, in a week or two. If you don't know how to pull dimensions and move things around in Sketchup yet, you might want to learn. It's easy. We recommend Bob Lang's Popular Woodworking video course. It's excellent. 

Here's what will be included in the hardware kit:

- Hardwood screw and tapped nut block. The nut block will be milled to final thickness, but oversize in length and width. You'll take it to final size, and cut the joinery. We'll likely use hard maple since its widely available. But we might use beech too, like the original. Thick beech is available, you just have to look harder.

- Brass ferrule and garter, steel garter pin, cross pin. The ferrule, screw tenon and steel garter pin will be pre-drilled to accept the cross pin. We'll provide instruction on how to assemble it, since you'll have to assemble these parts after the entire vise is built. Once the garter is in place, the screw can't be removed from the nut block without driving the pin back out.

- Steel Hook. This is the part that engages the half miter block and allows it to move in tandem with the moving jaw.

- Screws. These will be flat head, slotted, and likely unplated to fit with original.

Our version will be slightly different than the original. Here's how.

- The original jaws are fingerjointed. We didn't include this in the drawing. If you want to fingerjoint them, nothing wrong with that. But it's probably not necessary. I think an excellently prepared and glued lamination will hold up just fine. In fact, both fingerjointed surfaces in the original are loose.

- The screw pitch in the original is 5tpi, 1-1/8" dia. We'll try and duplicate this. But to keep costs reasonable we're going to source stock brass tubing for the ferrule. This may dictate that we alter the size of the screw a bit. It won't matter to you, since all the threading and tapping will be done.






83 comments:

  1. I'd be interested in a kit when they are ready.

    Mike

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  2. Looks very nice, I'd like a kit when available.

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  3. Definitely interested in one of the kits

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  4. Count me in for one too, Jameel. Thanks!

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  5. Yup, I'm interested as well.

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  6. Hi Jameel: I definitely want one! David (Brisbane, Australia). Thank you.

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  7. Jameel

    Thank you in advance for this. I definitely want one.

    Thanks,
    Freddy Roman

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  8. I am interested

    Thanks,
    Daryl Poortinga

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  9. I'd be interested too. Thanks for making this available.

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  10. Jameel,

    Put me down for one. Thanks.

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  11. Count me in.
    -Christian

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  12. I used one at the WoodWright's School and have been contemplating how to build one. I'd love a kit.
    Thanks,
    Joel Stanfill

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  13. Jameel, I would like one. Roger Green

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  14. Jameel great project and yes put me down for one.

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  15. I would be interested in a complete one, but if only available in a kit that would work as well.

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  16. Joe McMahon Count me in

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  17. Hi Jameel,
    Put me down for one thanks mate.
    Cheers

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  18. Is there a projected price on the kit? I didn't notice one in the post.

    Cliff

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  19. Jameel, put me down for one. absolutely love my holdfast.

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  20. PLEASE make one for me!
    Kim-Erik

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  21. Interested, but need price info to know if I can commit.
    -Matthew H

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  22. Hello Jameel my friend!

    I'm in!
    Take it easy.

    Michael

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  23. I would definitely be interested in one.

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  24. I would like one.

    Thanks

    Doug

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  25. Sign me up as well.
    Wesley

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  26. Count me in as well.

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  27. Thanks for this
    I'm in!!

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  28. A stamped "Benchcrafted" Medallion would be a really fine finishing touch.

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    Replies
    1. I was thinking etched, but we'll have to do something.

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    2. Probably less costly as stamping would require a die.

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  29. I am interested in purchasing a kit as well.

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  30. Very interested.

    Chris Walker

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    Replies
    1. I am interested too. Joe Stankus

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  31. 3 August 2014 at 1830

    I will sign up for one

    John Dixon

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  32. I'd be interested.

    Tom Flanagan

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  33. Well duh! Of course I'm interested after that post on the original earlier. Sign me up!

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  34. Just what I need! I have been wanting to build one for years.

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  35. I'm very interested!

    Alex Wilson

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  36. Definitely want one of these!

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  37. i'm up for one for sure

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  38. Jameel, I'm interested as well..

    - Matt

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  39. I will definitely want one! Thanks for making this available.
    Joe

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  40. rick Lucier
    I would be interested in buying a kit.

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  41. Please sign me up. I am interested in the kit.
    Mike

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  42. would be intrested

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  43. Yes, I'd like one

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  44. Count me in, too good to miss out on!

    Craig

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  45. I would like one of the MJ kits.

    nclayton29@yahoo.com

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  46. Yes, I would be interested in one. I also have some questions on some additional vise hardware, but your "contact" links don't appear to be working on the Benchcrafted website. I also can't find your email address.

    Pete
    Briley Woodworks

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  47. Jameel, looks like you're going to make quite a few. Count me in.

    Dave
    dvreedy@cinci.rr.com

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  48. Very interested. Thanks for your hard work on behalf of the woodworking community.

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  49. I am also interested . . .

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  50. Jameel If we say we are in are we going to get an auto paypal upon production? Or can we pre pay as a subscription to production?

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    Replies
    1. We're not sure how we'll handle payment yet. Stay tuned. Don't worry though, we'll make enough to cover everyone who's said they're interested, whether they end up buying one or not.

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  51. I am definitely interested. You guys always make great stuff - how could I pass this up!

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  52. I'd love one. Looking forward to when they go on sale.

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  53. I would be interested

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  54. I am intersted in one of the kits. I don't know how to leave a comment with my name or connection info. Rich

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  55. I am definitely interested in a kit.

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  56. Hook me up with that sweet vice action!

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