Sjobergs SJO-33274 Woodworking Portable Smart Vise with Superior Clamping Power Wherever You Need It

First of all let me start by saying I am reviewing this vise. there is another oner one but that is the pro version and you will pay more for that one. This vise is absolutely perfect for those of us that have limited space or work out of our garages and have to have things picked up and put away so the wife can still put her car in. The is vise does come in pieces however assembly is very easy and takes just a few minutes. A Torx driver is included but I highly suggest you use one of your own. Also when you receive the vise after opening it you will want to pay special attention to how the parts are oriented in the box because they will be assembled in this order as well. I only say that because after removing the pieces from the box I turned the middle section around and almost installed it backwards.... This vise also comes with what I call 'bench pups' the are shorter versions of the bench dogs but work just as well. these bench pups are not spring loaded as the ones included with the pro version but they work just as well. The top is just as it shows in the picture veneer covered MDF. The top is extremely durable and I have had no issues with it even after several projects with it. The most recent project was cutting a series of dovetailed drawers to replace all of my kitchen drawers with. As a special bonus I also have the Kreg Project center. The only modification I made for this vise was to replace the bottom with another piece that was 6 inches wider. Just use the current bottom as a pattern for where to drill the holes and cut and rabbet a new one but make it wider. the reason why you make it wider is so that you can clamp it to the top of the project center with ease. All of the Kreg bench dogs and other dog hole accessories that fit the project center will also fit in this vise. To cut and mount the new bottom to this vise took less than an hour... All in all this vise is a perfect solution for the small shop and is easy stored. Highly recommended and I look forward to purchasing another one.

I bought this 10 years ago when my “workshop” consisted of half of a two car garage and space was at a premium and many tools had to be stored out of the way to preserve bench space. Fast forward to today with my new larger workshop with a dedicated woodworking bench and I was wondering whether to keep it. Then it happened…..I needed to do some woodworking at my daughter’s house to modify a kitchen cabinet. I took the Sjobergs with me, clamped it to the kitchen counter and had a woodworking vise on site. Needless to say, I shall be keeping this tool.

This is a great addition to my workbench. I've always wanted to have a workbench with this type of vice built-in but the majority of my equipment is mobile so a dedicated location for a vice is hard to have. So far this has worked VERY well. I think one nice addition to this would be some weight to the opposite end of the vice. I don't always get a change to clamp it down to the table and I have had it try to pitch off the workbench a few times.

I needed a solution to my limited workspace in my garage (no room for permanent heavy workbench). Pros: Appears to be sturdily constructed. The vise mechanism operates smoothly. Cons: Sjobergs insists on packing this vise with the base (part that attaches to work surface) attached to the rods and threaded shaft upside down. Several reviewers have mentioned this. There is nothing in the "Ikea-like" instructions warning you of this fact. This vise is only as stable as its attachment to the work surface and therein lies a problem from its design. The instructions and video show that it may be affixed to a work surface using C-clamps. This won't work unless you attach the vise to a corner of your work surface in a manner that allows clamping at the far end from the handle. Otherwise clamping near the handle allows the unit to lift up when applying downward force on your work piece such as when you are attempting to plane it. (I suppose one could search for and buy a set of C-clamps that have a very long horizontal reach). In addition, the instructions and video show that alternatively, you may screw down the unit to a work surface. Unfortunately, the holes pre-drilled for that purpose are completely vertical which means that unless you use a tiny screw, it will bind against the edge of the top lip. The channel where one is to clamp or screw down the unit is only 1.25" in height. Because I don't have a work surface corner where I can clamp this unit securely, I depend on being able to screw it down each time I use it and have resorted to re-drilling the holes to allow me to "toenail" the screws in.

Comes in pieces, but assembly is easy. Diagrams are included, but no detailed instructions. It requires gluing the inner jaw of the vise to the top piece, then using two pegs and ten large screws to assemble the larger part of it. Two small screws attach the leadscrew to the outer jaw and two more attach the knobs to the vise handle. Two large pegs are then pressed into the bottom, so that it catches on the edge of a table like a bench hook. Glue for the inner jaw and an allen wrench for the large screws are included. A t20 torx driver is required for the small screws - that is not included, you'll need one, preferably one with a long shaft or skinny handle for clearance when attaching the outer jaw to the leadscrew mounting plate. Four tiny stick-on rubber feet are included. I might replace them with better feet. When I get around to it, I'll probably make better dogs too. I didn't realize when I ordered that the top work surface piece is fiberboard, printed with a wood grain pattern. It's a pretty substantial piece, and I think it will hold up well enough, but plywood or solid hardwood would have been nicer. Still, I like it. It'll be useful for all sorts of things.

Well made, good finish

Das Produkt ist sehr gut und hochwertig verarbeitet. Die Lieferung erfolgt in Einzelteilen und das Ganze muss zunächst zusammen gebaut werden. Dies ist aber mit der beiliegenden Anleitung kein Problem. Unter den richtigen Randbedingungen lässt sich das Produkt für kleinere Abmessungen sehr gut nutzen, wenn keine Hobelbank angeschafft werden soll: Der Einsatz des "Smart Vise" setzt natürlich voraus, dass man einen stabilen Untergrund hat, an den man das Ganze befestigen kann. Dies habe ich durch eine Eigenkonstruktion, die verdübelt ist gelöst. Mit diesem Ansatz kann man auch die begrenzte Größe der Arbeitsfläche nach hinten selber erweitern. Die mitgelieferten Bankhaken haben den Standard 19mm Durchmesser sind aber aus Holz gefertigt. Hiervon kann man natürlich keine Wunder erwarten, klemmen aber ausreichend fest. Fazit: Wer gelegentlich Holzarbeiten durchführt und etwas improvisieren muss, einen mobilen Einsatz benötigt oder sonst wie Teile flach spannen will ist mit dem Produkt gut beraten. Man sollte sich aber im Klaren darüber sein, hier keinen vollwertigen Hobelbank-Ersatz zu erhalten.

Tough one to rate. On the one hand, a nice unit when it's put together and very functional. On the other hand, the receiving holes for one of the parts were drilled in the wrong place and not at all aligned. Luckily, I ha a drill press and was able to compensate for that snafu but for those who don't, it may have been a problem.

A really great solution for a portable work holder. Very solid and well made.

optimal für meine Zwecke, habe mir diesen Schraubstock für kleinere Arbeiten geleistet - funktioniert auch am Gartentisch super. Inzwischen ist er Teil meiner selbst gebauten Werkbank.