DIY Bench Wood Vise

Measure and cut two 1-inch thick pieces of hardwood to form blocks 6 inches tall by 9 inches wide. Measure the diameter of the wooden vise screw you will be using and select a drill bit that is slightly larger than this diameter. Place the blocks on top of each other so they line up. Drill a hole through the middle of the blocks.

Screw the wooden vise screw through one of the blocks. Slide the screw garter onto the screw. Fasten the garter to the wooden block. Mark where the holes for the wood screws are to be attached with a piece of chalk. Unscrew the vise screw and the garter. Drill pilot holes where you marked. Reattach the vise screw and garter. Screw the garter in place with wood screws.

Place the second wooden block on the side of the bench where the vise is to be housed. Mark the position of the screw hole in the block on the bench. Remove the block. Drill a long enough hole in the bench to accommodate the wood screw when the vise is fully closed. Screw the wooden block to the bench so the hole in the block lines up with the hole in the bench.

Drill a hole through the end of the vise screw nearest the wooden block it is attached to. Slide the handle into the screw though the hole. Slide the other end of the screw into the bench through the second wooden block. Turn the screw clockwise to close the vise.