Why this Thing?

I needed a portable bench with a dog and tail vise system for off-site hand planing etc. I decided to make it very strong regardless of how much material went into it. It's mostly printed in PETG for maximum toughness. PLA has been used on sliding surfaces. I designed my own thread which is rectangular in profile. Its bulky but hopefully will not deform under load. The project is ongoing as to assembly of the components - but the whole thing is there, every part. I will make the Freecad models available at some point, i need to refine the model trees but I'm stuck for time.

The critical part design is mainly split parts sliced centrally to allow for clean threads with minimal supports.

Revision B - 19/06/2026 @ 08:10

Added new model files :-

1. Tail-Vice-Spigot-Jig.stl

2. Bench-Face Jig.stl

Usage of the Bench Face Jig. This is a simple layout jig to assist in setting out the side face notch for the Bering Carrier it is positioned upon the bench and the cut out is placed on your layout C/L, there are alignment marks to assist this. The short side has start marks and a C/L notch to help position the side limits for the top carriage slot. There is a picture showing how i envisaged using the jig to mark the cut outs on the dummy bench which now also shows a cut-out for the first bench dog.

Dimensions from the side face of the start of the carriage slot are as follows:- From the bench end, side to the start of the cut-out is 45 mm From the bench end side to the End Spigot fix face of the cut-out is 288 mm The actual carriage slot length is 243 mm. I suggest that the Bering Carrier material depth is kept full contact at 45 mm thick from the side face.

Usage of the Spigot Jig. Position the jig on the carriage end face, see pic. The location hole in the jig is 5mm diameter. Drill a hole say 5mm deep into the fix face. There is a corresponding hole in the back of the End Spigot also 5mm diameter. Place the End Spigot over the drilled hole, align both of the holes and use a small screw to hold the spigot firmly, i suggest that you cant the
End Spigot fix holes at 45 deg to the C/L rather than vertically, as there's not enough material with any one hole close to the top face.

Using both these jigs will greatly assist in a good installation. I suggest that the front side wall of the bench be removable, this will help fix the tracks and aid in assembly and future maintenance / replacement of damaged parts

Revision A - 18/06/2026 @ 11:48

I have changed the Bering carrier design from the actual 3D print version seen in the video and the pics. Once i started on the assembly in Freecad it was obviously incorrect. The assembly views have now been added - the generic workbench has been added to show the part locations. I will create a couple of location jigs to allow for the bench cut-outs to be positioned in relation to the parts fixing for the rear spigot and the bearing carrier assembly as well as the overall slot limits.

The following parts are of a clam shell design and the quantities for printing are as listed below:-

1 x Tail-Vice-Clam-Part-A.stl

1 x Tail-Vice-Clam-Part-B.stl

1 x Tail-Vice-Bering-Carrier-Upper-Half.stl

1 x Tail-Vice-Bering-Carrier-Lower-Half.stl

Also :-

2 x Tail-Vice-Guide-Track.stl

You will need some fasteners too, but its simple stuff:-

Note: '+' denotes any length over the given length.

10 x 3.5 mm Diameter Plasterboard (drywall) screws 25 + mm long will be fine ( 5 per Guide track)

4 x No. 10 x 35 + mm long CSK Head woodscrews for the end spigot, fixing to bench backstop.

4 x No. 8 x 35 + mm long CSK Head woodscrews for the bearing carrier fixing to bench face. I reduced the diameter, as its close to the clearance opening and could crack the timber. I recommend pilot holes here.

4 x M8 Button-head ( i can make it Cap-head if requested) x 70 mm long Machine screw /bolt (Dog block)

4 x M8 shallow hex nuts (Dog block recess).

2 x M6 Cap Head x 45 mm long Machine screw /bolt ( Bearing carrier rear fixings)

2 x M6 Cap Head x 65 mm long Machine screw /bolt ( Bearing carrier forward fixings)

4 x M6 Plain hex nuts (Bearing carrier).

1 x 6 mm Diameter dowel pin Approx. 90 mm long. I haven't looked at this part at the moment i was just going to cut a mild steel bar i had in stock to the length and chamfer the edges. This is the holding pin for the Handle Boss to fix to the Driver Shaft.

I have only published for the novel idea of the thing - it needs testing at some point and i have no ideas how it will perform - i have already fully printed 2 full sets with minimal issues.

I Used Geeetech PETG filament at 225 Deg C, nozzle temp and 80 Deg C, bed temp.

Cura Settings:-

I used rafts throughout with 2mm Z Axis offset with line supports spaced at 3 mm intervals, to float the parts off my build plate, i find the first layer of my prints heat damaged and glass like, so i have lifted them - you can sit them on the bed if you so desire.

I had distortion on the drive screw for my trials until i found it was due to my bed temp been too cool at 75 Deg C.

There are tabs on the guide tracks, they will need to be removed i had to add them as the PLA i used lifted off the bed.

I printed the 2 Thrust Bearings from PLA.

The Thrust Bearings will need fettling to get the hole in the Handle Boss to align with the hole in the Driving Shaft, its straightforward.

I will add to this listing as i get issues or additional ideas.

Here's a link to a YouTube video Showing the Printed Parts and my basic explanation :-

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pk2KCU48y9Q

As of 19/06/2026 @ 9:50 am all parts listed have been physically printed by myself and assembly into a test bench will be next with my own testing and a report of any issues. I cant say when this will happen as there are many irons on the fire right now.

More Things to follow

A Large Solid Ball Vise will be next.