I did some large blocks recently which required a second vise. Wondering how people who have two vises have down them. Want to maximize open space for odd jobs but also provide for good holding on large pieces. I’m thinking of putting a vise all the way to the origin then skip enough space to put the tool setter, then the other vise up against it. Photo of these huge blocks as bait for input.
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I have two SMW modvises. They are both at the far sides of the work table. The center section is clear, and my tool setter is off the front right corner of the table. The machine can travel farther than the table Y, so there is no reason not to put the tool setter off of the table instead of losing some machineable space.
Here is a photo showing how I did that with the tool setter. The triangular plate has 3 screws to level and support the tool setter against the concrete bed. I can adjust them using an 8mm wrench from underneath.
The second photo is from a project last year where I modified a Harbor Freight trailer hitch. You can see the relative location of both vises, and my 4th axis in the middle between them (that is often removed to get space back). You can also see that I have a different tool setter now.
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This is what i need… Great idea!
I made a long single T-clamp to put my vises as close together as possible. I did this so my 10" pallets slightly overhang the sides of the vice so I can machine all the way around them. But it most definitely opens up more table space. I could still move them another 2" to the left which would leave about half of the table open for other setups.
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Flip them around and have the back of the vise hang off the front. Even more space and your back will thank you.