Concrete Anchor Bolts

[N3BP]

Fellas, I have this bench vice stand a friend fabbed for me a while back. I've been mulling around where to install it for four years now. I hate the idea of having to drill through my concrete floor. The best place for it where it isn't in my way and still functional is right next to the two-post lift anchor point.

My question/concern is drilling a new hole in proximity to an existing anchor wedge. I'd like to install the stand such that the distance between the new hole I have to drill is 4 1/2'' center to center of the existing wedge anchor. The two post lift anchor is 1/2'' diameter, and the vice stand will be 5/8'' diameter. The slab is supposed to be 6'' thick in this area.

Am I worrying for nothing, or is there a concern with the concrete cracking between the two holes because they are too close?

Thanks!

 

[85Hokie]

This may sound crazy - unless you are going to be beating the hell out of something IN THAT vise - find an old rim, 15" 17" or whatever, drill some holes in the plate below and mount on the rim.

Stable base - easily moved too.

Even if you have a time mounted on the rim - it will still work well.

Just a thought.

 

[chim]

I'd use drop-in anchors and not worry.

https://www.menards.com/main/p-1642874302976862.htm?utm_source=google&utm_medium=organic-shopping&utm_content=2327998&utm_campaign=Red+Head

 

[Sawdust&Shavings]

Fellas, I have this bench vice stand a friend fabbed for me a while back. I've been mulling around where to install it for four years now. I hate the idea of having to drill through my concrete floor. The best place for it where it isn't in my way and still functional is right next to the two-post lift anchor point.

My question/concern is drilling a new hole in proximity to an existing anchor wedge. I'd like to install the stand such that the distance between the new hole I have to drill is 4 1/2'' center to center of the existing wedge anchor. The two post lift anchor is 1/2'' diameter, and the vice stand will be 5/8'' diameter. The slab is supposed to be 6'' thick in this area.

Am I worrying for nothing, or is there a concern with the concrete cracking between the two holes because they are too close?

Thanks!

In my shop EVERYTHING is on a mobile base…to include my vise…as I buy more tools my layout significantly changes. If your tool base is big enough and your casters are double lock the tool never moves. I make bases out of two 3/4” layers of plywood with casters from ROCKLER or LEE VALLEY and I couldn’t be happier.., my wood shop is 960 sqft but without casters on every tool I’d need at least 1600sqft to fit all the tools I own today and by tomorrow I’d run out it space.
He who dies with the most tools and clamps wins

 

[Ping]

Or, you could pull the 2 nuts from the 2 post lift closest to the vise base and add a plate on top of the post lift base bridging across to the vise base. Just another thought to keep from drilling more holes in the concrete.

 

[GeoHorn]

Your concern is real and I would not want another stressed-hole that close,. Certainly not within 5’ or so.

The idea of mounting it on an old truck-wheel/rim is a good one. I used a discarded 18-wheeler or heavy-equiptment “split-ring” wheel-rim (also called “widowmakers”).

Old tractor wheels are also good candidates.

They are usually Very Heavy…. and cheap throw-aways…and can be found in 20” and much larger sizes that will give you the stability you desire….while still allowing you to move it to anyplace more convenient for certain tasks (instead of being stuck with the location you might drill-and-anchor it.)

 

[jyoutz]

This may sound crazy - unless you are going to be beating the hell out of something IN THAT vise - find an old rim, 15" 17" or whatever, drill some holes in the plate below and mount on the rim.

Stable base - easily moved too.

Even if you have a time mounted on the rim - it will still work well.

Just a thought.

View attachment 170428

Yep I did that for my bench grinder. It doesn’t move at all.

 

[bird dogger]

I have my big vise mounted atop a heavy brake drum from a semi truck/trailer. It's heavy and stout. It takes a little effort to tilt and roll for moving it, but stays put in any location. Watch your toes when you tilt it back up in place!!

I have a few from a former owner/operator that used to rent space from me. But I'd guess you could easily pick some up from a truck repair shop for next to nothing or a six pack of their favorite beverage!

 

[Runs With Scissors]

I am with @Ping and @GeoHorn on this.

My initial thought was to "weld on” an extension to your plate, and use the existing hoist bolts as the rear anchor points.

Then you could most likely “safely drill” 1 (maybe 2) holes for the front of your base plate.


Full disclosure: I am not a “concrete expert” nor a “structural engingeer” but drilling more holes that close to a lift that will be hold 4,000 to 10,000 lbs above my head, does NOT give me a “warm and fuzzy” feeling…..Call me crazy I guess


I do like the “big wheel” mounting ideas too



EDIT: BTW….I love your “bullet” Wilton vise…..I’m jealous

 

[GreensvilleJay]

My 1st concern is the damaged nut folding down your hoist ! It looked 'odd', so I copied and zoomed it up, that nut does appear to be sliced, somehow.

2. if that is the best place for the vice, make some kind of 'post' for it, and bolt to the hoist upright. I'd grab a section of 1/4by6by6 as the 'post' then somehow secure to the upright.

 

[Old Machinist]

I know you want to use the stand your friend made but I have always found the best place for a vise is on the corner of a bench. That gives me a area to rest something long on while clamping one end if I need to.

I eliminated top tool boxes and only have the chest type now. The two main boxes are bolted together and the corner behind where my vise is mounted is anchored to the wall. I find I need to lean on my vise handle at times that would overcome any movable mount.

 

[chim]

.........................unless you are going to be beating the hell out of something IN THAT vise..............

In which case, the base will end up like the one pictured below.

Drilling for anchors where you wanted them carries the same risk as drilling an 1/8" hole in your ROPS

 

[Old Machinist]

In which case, the base will end up like the one pictured below.

Drilling for anchors where you wanted them carries the same risk as drilling an 1/8" hole in your ROPS

I've seen that in some reviews on the newer cheap vises.

I have beat the living shit out of a 40 year old Craftsman vise and even used it as a press with a jack handle stuck on the handle for leverage. Nary a crack!

 

[N3BP]

Thanks everyone for the replies and advise. Based on the feedback, I'm going to give the tractor rim method a try. I made a cardboard template of the base this morning. I'll take it to the local tractor yard where they have hundreds of rims to see which one fit's the best. I have three spare 50LB suitcase weights I figure I can throw in the rim if I need additional base support. The base of the vice is cast and definitely the weakest part. I plan on using it good, but not to the point of bustin something. Keeping it mobile is a big plus as like to move it near the garage door when grinding.

I'll snap off some pics after I'm finished. Again, thanks for the input and advise!

 

[imarobot]

Hope this works for you but I agree with one of the post for a work bench mount for the reasons mentioned, and also I find when I want to clamp something in the vice and bend it having a bench mount attachment works. No matter how hard I pull I can't move my bench but could move a tire rim
The above-mentioned mounts may work fine for you and allow you to use the stand your friend made for you, very cool!

 

[chim]

I've seen that in some reviews on the newer cheap vises.

I have beat the living shit out of a 40 year old Craftsman vise and even used it as a press with a jack handle stuck on the handle for leverage. Nary a crack!

This is an old Wilton bullet vise. It had tolerated a lot but I whaled it a bit too hard removing a bend in a plate. Here's a "before" picture of it holding a 6' rear blade mounted on my welding table. It's been replaced at least temporarily. The corner mount on the table with the swivel base is a handy spot.