Hey, Scott! Long time, no see! The word for which you have been searching (instead of "clamp") is "fixture"! I'm loving this vice! I never knew HF had these, especially at such low prices! I've had two small clamp-on vices forever, but neither has any kind of rotation or swivel functionality. Wow! My first thought is to make this vice as tool-less as possible. Towards that end, creating a set of knobs to secure various saws to the bar studs might be a way to eliminate bar nuts and required wrenches altogether. In other words, think outside the box of the usual method of connecting a chainsaw bar to a saw with nuts - only because they are necessary to reduce the space taken up by fasteners in that area. Choice of knob material is pretty important, so although everyone's first thought is probably plastic or wood, I think machining out of aluminum or steel stock would be much better. If I had a lathe I'd probably start there and then finish on the drill press and bench grinder. Machining out of metal would allow having shanks included to accommodate various saws or bars. I also think a knob is what is needed to replace the sliding rod to lock the rotating action. At 7:48 we get our clearest view of that space and although it's pretty small, a knob of the right dimensions might work in that tight area and still give you enough torque to lock it down. The knob I have in mind would be round with 4 half-circle cutouts around the perimeter into which your fingers can lock and hold without much effort, rather than an actual round knob which would take more finger strength to operate adequately. If the knob needs to be larger than the allowed space, then possibly grinding off at least part of the bolt hole in the base underneath for more clearance might work - if you can still get enough vice holding power from the other two bolt holes. Also possibly a spacer to elevate the vice off the workbench enough to allow a larger diameter knob to fit. Also possibly a knob that is dished/relieved to clear the base mounting hole. (It's tough without having the vice in front of me to get measurements!) The design of the knob attachment to the locking screw could be any one of several different methods, including threading the end of the locking screw to fit into threads in the knob, with a hole drilled and tapped into the end to accept a hex screw or countersunk machine screw. I thought about a cross-drilled hole to accept a roll pin as another alternative, as well as a machine screw with the head cut off and slotted to accept a flat-blade screwdriver. Also possibly one or two grub screws. Including another commenter's idea of dimpled recesses, but without a spring-loaded pin - adding those dimples around the slotted perimeter would allow the knob concept to lock into place without nearly as much force, so the knob could be smaller to fit the existing space.
Good to see you in the comments. I've completed one vise that will stay at home and have bought another to mod for work. I've addressed the rotating "knob", created another rotation so any angle can be achieved, and painted it. I'll have a video soon(ish). Like you I've given some thought to toolless bar nuts and I think I might try using the knob from an actual toolless chainsaw setup. Makes sense to me. Thanks for the input and ideas!
I developed chainsaw vise envy the first time I saw one of these, but the cost was too much for a DIYer. So a few months ago I decided to make my own as well. Got some ideas from a few forums and came up with my own design. Panavise 400, 1" iron pipe, cut down a damaged Stihl bar, drilled some holes in the bar and pipe, attached then together, then mounted in the vise. It ain't pretty, but it holds an old heavy Jonsered 910 87cc saw without issue and I have 360° movement.
Great idea I might try a full bar for sharpening chains, keep up the vids you're learning a new guy here. Husqvarna460 owner so always watching for those videos too
First, Merry Christmas! Second... and overthinking/over complicating, but *IF* you're thinking of reworking the base with additional pipe, I think I would make TWO pipes on a flat base; one would be horizontal and the other would be vertical so that the saw could be rotated on each axis allowing the starter side to be facing the ceiling. Sure not finding fault with your idea; I love it!!
Handle on the bottom: Make a new one, longer, put a L bend on it so one end is more like a crank. (Think grabbing the loose end and bending it straight to you, but if do that as it is you'll lose leverage. ) Unless you can score a 10mmx1.25 with a T27 head since that's always going to be handy. Or a kipp handle for easy indexing. You're probably spot on adding a spacer on the saw side of your vice-bar. If you whack off the bottom of the spacer where the peg for the bar adjusters usually are, it'll be one less thing to line up.
Thanks for the input. I've finished the project and will post a video of the results soon. Of course those results will be open for discussion and improvement.
A shorter bolt for the spin feature, with a L or T for tool less adjustment, after a couple of uses it will imprint the cast iron at the most used positions, which you can drill to make a easily accessible ridged lock. If twice the bar works, I would think that would be the solution, or two or three washers tacked on to each side to shim the bar and reduce the amount of threads needed to secure the saw. Definitely start by bolting the base down, flopping vises suck. Rigid essential.😊
I use the vise at home right now. If I made one for work it would have to be removable because that lift table is used for other types of equipment. Besides, the slam has kinda become a trademark :-)
Great Idea! I'm not sure what positions you think it should lock into? I have some ideas on how one could have indexed positions that the vertical axis could lock into. To change to a different position, you would pull on a spring-loaded pin that when released would snap into the next position. Not sure if this is the type of improvement you're looking for.
That is something I've considered for a vertical lift from the base. I'm working on another idea now that positions the saw in the video with the starter facing up.
Great start. Like how you are making it common. Too many do things that require welders and lathes. Maybe shorter bolts and crescent wrench. Sometimes nice to move to another table. Going to be hard to find the vise now. lol. Thanks for the Christmas present. Merry Christmas.
Great idea; it would definitely work, & especially on a budget. I've considered building a saw stand for years.....but in addition to the movements your vise allows, I'd also want the ability to rotate side-to-side (hard to specify, but think of replacing a crank seal, behind the flywheel or the clutch). I think Treemonkey makes/sells something similar. It's not really the cost of materials, as much as the time it'll take to build it. Thanks & Merry Christmas!
Best thing I ever did for myself and chainsaw builds was to build a Ball Swivel chainsaw vise. Get it up at chest height not down low and you’ll find things are so much easier plus it doesn’t take such a toll on your body. I’ve seen the results of guys working at benches that are too low after 30 years and it’s not pretty. Your neck, back and shoulders will thank you.
Agreed. My bench at work is on a winch and moves from the floor to over my head and I can get just the right height. This vise will be for a lower bench at home.
If you go to Leon's chainsaw parts & repair videos he has a nice homemade saw stand. It sits on the right side and it's yellow. He is not using it, but you can see it in the video from a month ago. It is made of box tubing and aluminum angle iron.
Cut all the locking bolts and weld on the same nut as the nut that threads onto the chainsaw studs so you don’t have to bring more tools over to the vice.
Thats not a bad idea. I was also thinking about a quicker way to bolt the saw and am considering a toolless bar nut like found on small saws or battery equipment.
Try using the original "T" clamping post (you are unscrewing it at the 3-minute mark) but cut off everything that is not threaded, and weld a nut onto it. It would be much shorter ( ie ) closer to the vice body and you could get it much tighter.
Maybe use a set screw for your pivot bolt OR cut the little sliding handle in half, mash the end flat to retain it and slot a socket to use with your impact driver or screw gun. No more toolless tightening. 🥴👍🍺
No ill intent but I'm not so sure I think that vise is a good idea. It seems that it might slow things down. Every time I'm working on something I'm flipping it around quite a bit and it seems that having to unlock and locking the vise would get tiresome. I'm not sold on it yet but I'll keep watching and see what you come up with. You did come up with a great carb stand so my fingers are crossed. The only time I use a vise is to sharpen or sometimes, carburetor removal.
Its certainly not for every job and I have no intent on adding one to my bench at work. There are situations though that it would be handy. I figure if I keep it on a budget and make it portable (get it out of the way when not needed) it might be alright. Speeding up the clamping process is also a goal. Thanks for your input!
@@TheGreasyShopRag You've got my curiosity up on this one. You've been in this field far longer than I have so you're obviously trying to better certain repair situations like you did with the Carburetor stand. I'm very curious to see this vise in action and how it will help. I love what you post, you're one of about 4 channels I watch on a regular basis and you have helped me a lot since I've found this new "hobby" since I was forced into retirement.
@@TheGreasyShopRag Not really, sometimes I'll sell one so I can afford parts for the next in line. What I get given to me usually needs a lot of work but it's fun bringing it back to life. For most people they would be too far gone but I always see it as a challenge. Sometimes I get my money back sometime I don't. Parts can be expensive!!
The wimpy retainer bolt attached to the base can be changed to, say an Allen drive bolt which would be nearly flush & then simply use the appropriate Allen wrench ez pz ..
That would certainly work and be plenty strong but I've noticed something about the few nicer units I've seen. They all brag about how quick their locking mechanism is. Toolless quick turn by hand.
@TheGreasyShopRag I've seen quite a few videos recently about diy bike maintenance stand of various configurations depending on author . There's several based upon gas/black (or galvanized pipe. I believe with a bit of head scratching one could simply adjust the jaws/clamp to match a wide variety of regularly serviced mechanical items... ?
@@John-b8d8p I've done some cleaning recently and the amount of cool stuff I have laying around for projects isn't what it used to be. I'm about to go sniffin around in the garage attic and see whats up there.
Hey, Scott! Long time, no see!
The word for which you have been searching (instead of "clamp") is "fixture"!
I'm loving this vice! I never knew HF had these, especially at such low prices! I've had two small clamp-on vices forever, but neither has any kind of rotation or swivel functionality. Wow!
My first thought is to make this vice as tool-less as possible. Towards that end, creating a set of knobs to secure various saws to the bar studs might be a way to eliminate bar nuts and required wrenches altogether. In other words, think outside the box of the usual method of connecting a chainsaw bar to a saw with nuts - only because they are necessary to reduce the space taken up by fasteners in that area.
Choice of knob material is pretty important, so although everyone's first thought is probably plastic or wood, I think machining out of aluminum or steel stock would be much better. If I had a lathe I'd probably start there and then finish on the drill press and bench grinder. Machining out of metal would allow having shanks included to accommodate various saws or bars.
I also think a knob is what is needed to replace the sliding rod to lock the rotating action. At 7:48 we get our clearest view of that space and although it's pretty small, a knob of the right dimensions might work in that tight area and still give you enough torque to lock it down.
The knob I have in mind would be round with 4 half-circle cutouts around the perimeter into which your fingers can lock and hold without much effort, rather than an actual round knob which would take more finger strength to operate adequately.
If the knob needs to be larger than the allowed space, then possibly grinding off at least part of the bolt hole in the base underneath for more clearance might work - if you can still get enough vice holding power from the other two bolt holes. Also possibly a spacer to elevate the vice off the workbench enough to allow a larger diameter knob to fit. Also possibly a knob that is dished/relieved to clear the base mounting hole. (It's tough without having the vice in front of me to get measurements!)
The design of the knob attachment to the locking screw could be any one of several different methods, including threading the end of the locking screw to fit into threads in the knob, with a hole drilled and tapped into the end to accept a hex screw or countersunk machine screw. I thought about a cross-drilled hole to accept a roll pin as another alternative, as well as a machine screw with the head cut off and slotted to accept a flat-blade screwdriver. Also possibly one or two grub screws.
Including another commenter's idea of dimpled recesses, but without a spring-loaded pin - adding those dimples around the slotted perimeter would allow the knob concept to lock into place without nearly as much force, so the knob could be smaller to fit the existing space.
Good to see you in the comments. I've completed one vise that will stay at home and have bought another to mod for work. I've addressed the rotating "knob", created another rotation so any angle can be achieved, and painted it. I'll have a video soon(ish). Like you I've given some thought to toolless bar nuts and I think I might try using the knob from an actual toolless chainsaw setup. Makes sense to me. Thanks for the input and ideas!
Great idea! Awesome video! Try cutting a slot in the original swivel bolt, you can use your scrench or flat tip screwdriver to tighten it.
I developed chainsaw vise envy the first time I saw one of these, but the cost was too much for a DIYer. So a few months ago I decided to make my own as well. Got some ideas from a few forums and came up with my own design. Panavise 400, 1" iron pipe, cut down a damaged Stihl bar, drilled some holes in the bar and pipe, attached then together, then mounted in the vise. It ain't pretty, but it holds an old heavy Jonsered 910 87cc saw without issue and I have 360° movement.
Very nice. Its a good feeling when you can build something useful and save money.
That is a great idea! Thanks for sharing. Will be interesting to see how many different variations on this idea will be forthcoming.
Awesome vise! What to get a repairman who has everything? Man, that's cool 😎
Thanks for watching!
That's nice to improve work conditions 👍 i used to do all sorts of when working at a paint factory. It's more free time when tool's are mint.
Yes, its all about efficiency.
Great idea I might try a full bar for sharpening chains, keep up the vids you're learning a new guy here. Husqvarna460 owner so always watching for those videos too
Thanks for watching!
Seems like a good idea to me
It can be handy for certain situations.
First, Merry Christmas! Second... and overthinking/over complicating, but *IF* you're thinking of reworking the base with additional pipe, I think I would make TWO pipes on a flat base; one would be horizontal and the other would be vertical so that the saw could be rotated on each axis allowing the starter side to be facing the ceiling. Sure not finding fault with your idea; I love it!!
ARE YOU SPYING ON ME?!! I was just addressing that same issue and made the exact same comment about the starter facing up. I'm in the twilight zone!
@@TheGreasyShopRag You keep making the Carb Stands and *I'LL* start making tinfoil hats!!
@@HayChaffandSawdust1. Start? I could swear that you were a proponent of them all along 😂
@@wrstew1272 You're right, but I never got into the custom mass manufacture!! 😉😉😂😂
Handle on the bottom: Make a new one, longer, put a L bend on it so one end is more like a crank. (Think grabbing the loose end and bending it straight to you, but if do that as it is you'll lose leverage. ) Unless you can score a 10mmx1.25 with a T27 head since that's always going to be handy. Or a kipp handle for easy indexing.
You're probably spot on adding a spacer on the saw side of your vice-bar. If you whack off the bottom of the spacer where the peg for the bar adjusters usually are, it'll be one less thing to line up.
Thanks for the input. I've finished the project and will post a video of the results soon. Of course those results will be open for discussion and improvement.
A shorter bolt for the spin feature, with a L or T for tool less adjustment, after a couple of uses it will imprint the cast iron at the most used positions, which you can drill to make a easily accessible ridged lock. If twice the bar works, I would think that would be the solution, or two or three washers tacked on to each side to shim the bar and reduce the amount of threads needed to secure the saw. Definitely start by bolting the base down, flopping vises suck. Rigid essential.😊
Thanks for the ideas!
Really cool idea. Thanks for sharing this
You're welcome.
Also, Happy Holidays Scott! Thanks for the great content!
Thanks!
Scott kunz , tree monkey makes a nice saw vise !!
Ya he does. If I could get this one to work half as well as his I'd be happy.
Interesting and adaptable! Hopefully the vise doesn't replace the beginning and ending saw drop... Have fun and drive on!
I use the vise at home right now. If I made one for work it would have to be removable because that lift table is used for other types of equipment. Besides, the slam has kinda become a trademark :-)
You just gave me an idea when it comes to sharpening the chain and Merry Christmas
Thats what its all about. Merry Christmas!
Looks like it will work. You may change it after you use it some bolting base down is a must.
Bolting the base wouls sure sturdy it up.
Great Idea! I'm not sure what positions you think it should lock into? I have some ideas on how one could have indexed positions that the vertical axis could lock into. To change to a different position, you would pull on a spring-loaded pin that when released would snap into the next position. Not sure if this is the type of improvement you're looking for.
That is something I've considered for a vertical lift from the base. I'm working on another idea now that positions the saw in the video with the starter facing up.
Merry Christmas Scott and great video
Thanks, Merry Christmas!
Table extension on a hinge to allow access to the saw sides (up). Simple barrel latch to lock in each position for stabilty.
The table extension is a good idea I will probably adapt.
G’day Scott. How good is that 👍🏼. You have done a fantastic job making that up. Very inventive, friend. Merry Christmas 🎅🏻
Merry Christmas!
Thumbs-up great viseo,improvements to the workbench is always good
Agreed. Thanks for watching!
Great start. Like how you are making it common. Too many do things that require welders and lathes. Maybe shorter bolts and crescent wrench. Sometimes nice to move to another table. Going to be hard to find the vise now. lol. Thanks for the Christmas present. Merry Christmas.
Ah, you caught that little gift offering. Thanks for supporting the channel and Merry Christmas!
The extended pipe is exactly what I was thinking as well
Yes I think I need to explore that idea more.
Others have already expressed better solutions than mine. Have a nice Christmas holiday Scott.
Merry Christmas!
To clamp device tight use an Allen wrench type bolt. That way you can get away with a shorter bolt.
Thats not a bad idea Hank. Thanks!
Great idea; it would definitely work, & especially on a budget. I've considered building a saw stand for years.....but in addition to the movements your vise allows, I'd also want the ability to rotate side-to-side (hard to specify, but think of replacing a crank seal, behind the flywheel or the clutch).
I think Treemonkey makes/sells something similar.
It's not really the cost of materials, as much as the time it'll take to build it.
Thanks & Merry Christmas!
I'm working on that. This was kinda the low cost entry level version. I'll make something that has more movement and still keep the cost down.
I would use the original tapered bolt, remove the bar and then put a nice thick a lot of a bit Flat blade screw driver.
Another good idea!
Merry Christmas Scott 😀👍🏼
Merry Christmas!
Great idea sir! Merry Christmas and happy new year!
Merry Christmas!
Best thing I ever did for myself and chainsaw builds was to build a Ball Swivel chainsaw vise. Get it up at chest height not down low and you’ll find things are so much easier plus it doesn’t take such a toll on your body. I’ve seen the results of guys working at benches that are too low after 30 years and it’s not pretty. Your neck, back and shoulders will thank you.
Agreed. My bench at work is on a winch and moves from the floor to over my head and I can get just the right height. This vise will be for a lower bench at home.
Make a homemade clevis pin out of a Bolt, merry Christmas, Scott MacGyver to everybody else I really enjoy all your videos. Thanks again.
Thanks, Merry Christmas!
If you go to Leon's chainsaw parts & repair videos he has a nice homemade saw stand. It sits on the right side and it's yellow. He is not using it, but you can see it in the video from a month ago. It is made of box tubing and aluminum angle iron.
Thanks, I'll go check that out right now.
@@TheGreasyShopRag Leon just posted a video on 1/4/25, using the saw holder. You can see how it works in action. If that is what you are looking for.
@@Ron-0417 Thanks, I want to see that in action.
Cut all the locking bolts and weld on the same nut as the nut that threads onto the chainsaw studs so you don’t have to bring more tools over to the vice.
Thats a great idea but I've taken another approach as you'll see in an upcoming video.
Make a 6” t handle that has a pipe stem with the bar nut welded on with a spacer on it for quickly mounting power heads on a bar while clamped up
Thats not a bad idea. I was also thinking about a quicker way to bolt the saw and am considering a toolless bar nut like found on small saws or battery equipment.
Can you use a cam lock for anti-rotation? Similar to a bicycle seat cam lock? 1/4 turn and she’s stiff.
I'll have to take a closer look at a bicycle. Haven't actually sat on one in a while.
Try using the original "T" clamping post (you are unscrewing it at the 3-minute mark) but cut off everything that is not threaded, and weld a nut onto it. It would be much shorter ( ie ) closer to the vice body and you could get it much tighter.
I'll take a closer look at that. Thanks!
@@TheGreasyShopRag I just don't know the correct word to describe it is all. Good Luck JeffinMaine
Might have to put my think'n cap on; sturdiness may be an issue.
I should have pointed out that the top of that bench has a thin slice of foam material and is why it flexed so bad.
Maybe use a set screw for your pivot bolt OR cut the little sliding handle in half, mash the end flat to retain it and slot a socket to use with your impact driver or screw gun.
No more toolless tightening. 🥴👍🍺
That could work. Thanks for your contribution!
No ill intent but I'm not so sure I think that vise is a good idea. It seems that it might slow things down. Every time I'm working on something I'm flipping it around quite a bit and it seems that having to unlock and locking the vise would get tiresome. I'm not sold on it yet but I'll keep watching and see what you come up with. You did come up with a great carb stand so my fingers are crossed. The only time I use a vise is to sharpen or sometimes, carburetor removal.
Its certainly not for every job and I have no intent on adding one to my bench at work. There are situations though that it would be handy. I figure if I keep it on a budget and make it portable (get it out of the way when not needed) it might be alright. Speeding up the clamping process is also a goal. Thanks for your input!
@@TheGreasyShopRag You've got my curiosity up on this one. You've been in this field far longer than I have so you're obviously trying to better certain repair situations like you did with the Carburetor stand. I'm very curious to see this vise in action and how it will help. I love what you post, you're one of about 4 channels I watch on a regular basis and you have helped me a lot since I've found this new "hobby" since I was forced into retirement.
@@thomasfrost6993 Thanks for that. I'll try to get something posted soon. Is this new "hobby" generating beer money or food money?
@@TheGreasyShopRag Not really, sometimes I'll sell one so I can afford parts for the next in line. What I get given to me usually needs a lot of work but it's fun bringing it back to life. For most people they would be too far gone but I always see it as a challenge. Sometimes I get my money back sometime I don't. Parts can be expensive!!
@@thomasfrost6993 I like that. Good job bringing those old saws back to life.
The wimpy retainer bolt attached to the base can be changed to, say an Allen drive bolt which would be nearly flush & then simply use the appropriate Allen wrench ez pz ..
That would certainly work and be plenty strong but I've noticed something about the few nicer units I've seen. They all brag about how quick their locking mechanism is. Toolless quick turn by hand.
@TheGreasyShopRag I've seen quite a few videos recently about diy bike maintenance stand of various configurations depending on author . There's several based upon gas/black (or galvanized pipe. I believe with a bit of head scratching one could simply adjust the jaws/clamp to match a wide variety of regularly serviced mechanical items... ?
@@John-b8d8p I've done some cleaning recently and the amount of cool stuff I have laying around for projects isn't what it used to be. I'm about to go sniffin around in the garage attic and see whats up there.