Updated Wrench Handle for my Bench Vise

While there is nothing fundamentally wrong with the plywood handle I made for my garage bench vise, there are a couple of changes that could make it more useful. 

Plywood Handle

The first issue it that the handle extends above the top of the vise when vertical, and has occasionally been limited in use by objects I wants to clamp down that hang over the edge. The second issue is that it doesn't slip off easily.  If it did I could easily overcome the first issue by sliding it off and rotating it 60 or 120 degrees before slipping it back on.   I do this with the wrench handle I made for my CNC low profile vise. 

First thing needed was a CNC file and a piece of wood to make the new handle from.

Render from my Aspire software.

The wood used was a heavy and dense block of white oak.  The nut pocket, shaft hole, end hole, rounded off edges, and perimeter outline were all cut using my CNC.  The bottom side details were finished on my trim router table.  Holes for the pivot pin were drilled out on my drill press. 

When flat the new handle is the same length as the old one. The hinge allows folding the new one out to clear anything hanging over the edge of the vise.

Handle folds out.

This handle was eventually sealed with teak oil to protect the wood. It slides on and slips off easily but stays in place otherwise. 

Iteration is always a worthwhile endeavor.  The initial wrench handle worked, but use of it revealed the flaws that needed fixing.  Should the new handle reveal any new insufficiency a 3rd iteration may be needed.   Time will tell. 

4D