Lie-Nielsen TOOLWORKS Tail Wise User manual
T V
Installation Instructions
(revised 6/18/2019)
3
T C
A Y T V
P L
. P Y B T
. M V J
. I U R
. P L R -
. I S A
. M V J
. I L R
. I V S
F A A
. E P D
. V J: D H S
. V J: F C
. V J: S C
. B M D
Q
C U -- • @-.
L-N T V I
3
Over the years we have built many workbenches and installed several dierent styles of tail vises. We’ve
learned a lot about them and our experience has led us to design what we believe to be the most eective
system for a Tail Vise.
e Lie-Nielsen Tail Vise gives you simplicity of design and function with the ruggedness needed for a hard-
working vise. It is based on traditional, European-style tail vises, but we made some modications to make it
function in a simpler, more ecient fashion. Machined from Cold Rolled Steel bar stock, the sliding mecha-
nism is a three piece construction. We also eliminated the traditional L-block from the vise.
A Y T V
Tail Vise Installation Time: Up to 8 hours (including making your own Vise Jaw)
Total Travel Distance: 6 inches
An Installation Kit is available through Lie-Nielsen Toolworks for $45, returnable for credit.
is kit includes the following tools:
Please call 1-800-327-2520 or visit www.lie-nielsen.com for more information.
Drills
Taps
Center Punches
Allen Wrenches
Hex Drivers
F, ⁄"
⁄ -18, ⅜-16
⅜", ⁄"
⅛", ⁄", ⁄", ¼"
⁄", ⁄", ¼"
IMPORTANT
• Read these instructions thoroughly before cutting into your bench and starting the installation.
• Do not proceed without the vise parts and hardware in your possession.
• Always clean any rough edges or debris before proceeding to the next step.
• Do not overtighten the bolts.
NOTE: Our Tail Vise is made to t a 4" bench top, but can also be mounted on a thicker top by centering the
hardware on your jaw and bench. Simply adjust the position of the slide assembly and jaw mortises accordingly.
If your bench is less than 4" thick, additional blocking may be necessary.
4 5
T V P L
Part #7
R B ()
Part #2
L R ()
Part #1
U R ()
Part #8
L R S S ()
Part #3
L R S
(used for set-up only)
Part #9
S A B
(4 button head, 1 at head)
Part #4
S A ()
Part #6
A N ()
Part #5
V S ()
Part #10
V S F B ()
Specs: ⁄-16 x 2"
Specs: ¼-20 x ½"
Specs: ⁄-18 x 1-½"
Specs: ⁄-18 x 1-¼"
5
Before installing your new Tail Vise, you
need to cut a notch, mortise, and dado in
your bench top.
First, cut a notch in the end of your
bench to t the Vise Jaw. e notch must
be 5 ½" in from the side of the bench and
15 ¾" in from the end of the bench.
Be sure that the edges are square to the
top and square to each other.
S : P Y B T
Next, cut the mortise for the Slide
Assembly.* e mortise must be 2" from
the end of the bench and be 11-¾" long
x 1-¾" wide x ⁄" deep. e top of the
mortise should be 1-⁄" from the top
of the bench. It is vital that this cut is
parallel to the bench top.
*IMPORTANT: Before cutting the mor-
tise, you must drill four holes to provide
clearance for the stand-o bolts of the
Slide Assembly. Refer to the Diagram 5
on page 19 for a detailed illustration.
You will also need to cut a dado into
the bottom of your bench to access
the bolts of the Lower Rail. The dado
should be 6" from the end of the bench,
with dimensions of 9" long x 2" wide x
¾" deep.
2" 6"
9"
2"
1-⁄"
15-¾"
⁄" D
M
5-½"
( )
( )
6 7
S : M V J
Drill a 1-½" diameter hole for the Vise Screw. e
center point of the hole should be 2-⅛" from the
top and 1-¼" from the inside edge of the Jaw.
Next, mortise the slots and pockets that will house
the vise hardware. Use whatever milling method
that you are most comfortable with. Refer to Dia-
grams 3 and 4 on pages 17 and 18 for details.
NOTE: e corners of these mortises do not need
to be square. Make sure to clean up any rough edges.
e dimensions of the Vise Jaw are 15-¾" long x 4"
high x 5-½" wide.
Begin with two pieces, each measuring 16" long x
4" high x 2-¾" wide. Mill out your dog holes on the
outer piece, if desired. Refer to the Diagram 2 on
page 16 for details.
Glue and clamp these pieces together and make
sure they are ush with each other. Once the glue
has set, trim the Jaw to 15-¾" long and make sure
that the ends are square.
15-¾"
4"
5-½"
1-¼"
2-⅛"
7
Once the holes are marked, remove the Upper
Rail and drill them 1-½" deep with a size F
drill bit. Next, thread the holes using a ⁄ – 18
tap. Be sure to drill and tap square.
Aer the holes are drilled and tapped, clean
out any debris and make sure the holes are
ush with the mounting surface.
Place the Upper Rail (Part #1) ush against the top of the cut out area of the Vise Jaw. Position it
1-½" from the end of the Jaw as shown. Make sure it is parallel with the top of the Vise Jaw.
Install the Upper Rail to the Vise Jaw using
the bolts (Part #7) and a ¼" hex driver. You
may use a power drill to drive the bolts
most of the way in, then nish by hand. Be
careful not to overtighten.
Mark the center points of each hole in the
Upper Rail using a ⁄" transfer punch.
S : I U R
1-½"
8 9
Mark the position of the Lower Rail (Part
#2) by using a square against the edge of
the Upper Rail. e inside edge of the
square marks the end position of the
Lower Rail.
Position the Slide Assembly so that the
standos are closest to the vise screw hole.
Angle the Slide Assembly to t the stand-
os through the notch in the Jaw.
Maneuver it into the mortise in the Jaw
so that the upper edge ts into slot of the
Upper Rail.
Slide it all the way down until it is ush
with the end of the Upper Rail.
S : P L R
9
Place the installation shims (Part #3) into
the slot of the Lower Rail and allow them to
project slightly on either end of the rail.
Fit the Lower Rail along the lower edge of the
Slide Assembly.
Align the end of the Lower Rail with your
reference mark from the Upper Rail. Make
sure everything is ush end to end.
Clamp the assembly together, making sure
the clamps do not obstruct access to the three
mounting holes on the lower rail. Use a ⁄"
transfer punch to mark the centers of the
holes.
Aer the holes are marked, remove the
clamps, Slide Assembly, and Lower Rail. Drill
the holes 1-½" deep using a size F drill bit.
en thread them using a ⁄ - 18 tap.
Make sure everything is clean
of debris and the holes are
ush with the mounting
surface.
DO NOT mount the Lower
Rail to the Jaw yet.
10 11
S : I S A
( )
(
)
Place the Slide Assembly (Part
#4) into the mortise you cut in
your bench. Position it so that the
standos are facing towards the
end of the bench. Make sure that
it is parallel to your bench top.
Use a ⅜" transfer punch to mark
the centers of the ve holes. en
remove the Slide Assembly and
drill the holes 2" deep with a size
⁄" drill bit. read the holes us-
ing a ⅜-16 tap.
Mount the Slide Assembly in
the mortise and install the bolts
(Part #9) as shown using a ⁄"
hex driver.
Note that the at head bolt goes
in the hole between the standos.
11
S : M V J
Angle the Jaw and t the notch over the rst
stando on the Slide Assembly, as shown.
Once you have bypassed the standos, tilt
the Jaw forward to engage the Upper Rail
with the top of the Slide Assembly.
en slide the Jaw forward until it is closed.
Li the Jaw up and forward to guide the
second stando through the notch and into
the Jaw pocket.
12 13
S : I L R
Place the Lower Rail (Part #2) under the Slide
Assembly and align it with the holes drilled and
tapped earlier.
Extend the Vise Jaw far enough to access the outer
mounting hole, and install the rst bolt (Part #7)
with a ¼" hex driver. Tighten the bolt so it is snug
but not fully tight.
Slide the Jaw over to access the remaining holes of
the Lower Rail through the dado you cut on the
bottom of your bench top. Install the rest of the
bolts. Go back and fully tighten all bolts.
e Vise Jaw should now slide smoothly over the
Slide Assembly.
e set screws (Part #8) along the bottom of the
Lower Rail allow you to reduce or eliminate any up
and down movement of the Vise Jaw.
To adjust, insert one set screw per hole, tighten all the
way with a ⅛" allen wrench, then back o ⁄ turn.
13
e next step is to mount the Vise Screw
into the Jaw. is is the nal step to
completing your new Tail Vise!
Before you install the Vise Screw, you
must mark, drill, and tap mounting
holes for the ange.
Insert the Vise Screw (Part #5) into the
Jaw hole and through the Slide Assembly
standos, until the ange is ush with
the Jaw.
Position the ange at an angle for the
mounting holes. Use a ⁄" transfer
punch to mark the centers of the holes.
Remove the Vise Screw. Drill the holes
1-½" deep with a size F drill bit, then
thread them with a ⁄ – 18 tap.
Now you are ready to install the Vise
Screw. Start by aligning the opening on
the bottom of the Jaw with the standos
on the Slide Assembly. Slide the Acme
Nut (Part #6) into the opening and in
between the standos.
Now thread the Vise Screw through the
Acme Nut until the Vise is closed.
Install each of the ange screws
(Part #10) with a ⁄" hex driver.
S : I V S
14 15
We suggest that you run the vise in and out a few times to check for any unwanted movement before using it.
You can make nal adjustments of the set screws on the bottom rail to correct this, but do not tighten them
too much or your vise’s travel will be restricted. You may use graphite to provide extra lubrication, if needed.
Now you can ush the Vise Jaw to your bench and you are ready to use it.
We hope that you enjoy your new Tail Vise!
If you have any questions, suggestions, or feedback, please contact
F A A
We also oer bench dogs, vise handles, and holdfasts. For details or to place an order, please visit the
Workbench Hardware section of our website at www.lie-nielsen.com.
W
B D M
B D
W V H H
15
D .
T V E D
Part # Part Name
U R
L R
L R S ( - , )
S A
V S
A N
R B
L R S S ( )
S A B
V S F B
1
2
6
7
4
5
10
9
7
16 17
D .
V J: D H S
T V
S V
D V
(Vise
Screw end)
(Top of Jaw)
(Vise
Screw end) (Inside face of Jaw)
(Inside face of Jaw)
(Top of Jaw)
17
1-⅛"
2-⁄"
⁄"
3" 2-½"
7-½"
1-½"
15-¾"
3-¾"
4"
D .
V J: F C
(Top of Jaw)
(Vise Screw
end)
(Bottom of Jaw)
Mortise the blue shaded area to a depth of 2-½".
Note that the corners of the mortise do not need to be square.
5-½"
(Inside face of Jaw)
18 19
D .
V J: S C
½"
3-½"
14-¼"
1-½"
15-¾"
Mortise the green shaded area to a depth of ¾".
Note that the corners of the mortise do not need to be square.
(Top of Jaw)
(Vise Screw end)
(Bottom of Jaw)
⅝"
19
D .
B M D
4" thick bench top
Note: Locate and drill the four .257" holes before mortising the side assembly.
e F (.257" diameter) drill bit and the ⁄" center punch are included in the “Tail Vise Installation Kit” if purchased.
Use the ⁄" center punch
to locate the center of the holes.
Drill each hole with an F drill bit
(.257" diameter) to a depth of ⁄".
A
Refer to page 5.
Step 1: Prepare your bench top.
This manual suits for next models
1
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