Pipe Vise

Operating in essentially the same manner as a pipe clamp, this vise is straightforward and inexpensive yet remarkably adaptable. It consists of two main components: a head, which attaches to a length of 3/4" black gas-pipe that you supply, and in place of the usual pipe-clamp tail piece, it has a base fixture that mounts on the underside of a benchtop or other wooden surface. One of the virtues of this design is that you can mount additional bases (available separately) in alternative locations, so a single head and pipe assembly can serve as a front vise, a tail vise or even a jobsite vise mounted on a portable surface. And because the head can rotate to any orientation, it can be used to clamp against a bench stop for horizontal clamping or against the bench skirt for vertical applications.