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The Bench Maker’s Package includes the detailed measured drawings for building the Benchcrafted design Split Top
Roubo bench, plus the Tail Vise and Glide Leg Vise as well as all necessary assembly hardware (everything you need
except the wood).

Full construction notes for the bench & instructions for installing all vises can be downloaded(PDF) at the bottom of the page.

Tail Vise

The

Tail Vise

is the original flagship of the award-winning Benchcrafted line of
workbench hardware. Besides being extremely robust with absolutely precise machining, the original tail vise’s real claim to fame lies in its incredibly smooth and effortless operation.
Apply a modest spin to the handle and marvel as the vise action first accelerates and then slowly coasts to a stop. This is the way every tool should feel in response to a craftsman’s
touch. It uses a 5″ cast iron handwheel with a wooden knob.

Now, Benchcrafted offers the

Classic

version of their tail vise. It has the same smooth operation of the original tail vise,
but has a 9″ steel sliding handle assembly with a black Parkerized finish (like on the Classic leg vise). It makes it easier to torque down on the vise, but you
won’t be able to do that fun spinning thing.

Leg Vises

All Benchcrafted leg vises use roll threaded steel acme screws with a 4 tpi pitch and a one piece acme nut milled
from cold-rolled steel. The vises generate about 1/2″ of vise movement per handle revolution.

• The

  Glide Leg Vise

  has an 8″ cast iron handwheel with three knobs.

• The

  Classic Leg Vise

  has a steel
  15″ sliding handle assembly. It has a black “Parkerized” finish.

Crisscross Mechanism

The Crisscross mechanism helps support the weight of the chop
(the front leg jaw that moves). It eliminates the need for a parallel guide and helps the leg vise move smoothly throughout its range.

Benchcrafted Crisscross hardware comes
three versions.

• The
  
  Solo Crisscross
  
  mechanism is for installation in new bench construction. It is made from cast iron and powder coated in a matte black finish.
• The
  
  Retro Crisscross
  
  mechanism is almost the same as the Solo version, but includes mounting brackets which make it easier to install when retrofitting
  an existing bench. The Retro can be used on new benches and is actually easier to install. It is made from cast iron and powder coated in a matte black finish.
• The
  
  Crisscross 14
  
  is a smaller version of the Solo Crisscross mechanism for use on benches shorter than 30″. The mortise required is only 14-1/4″
  long – compared to 19-1/2″ for the Solo & Retro. It is made from cold rolled steel. It
  
  can
  
  be used on taller benches, but is pptimized for benches with a front
  vise jaw (the chop) that is under 30″ in length.

Which Crisscross should you choose?

If you can put your
bench leg on a drill press to drill the mounting hole, get the Solo. If not, get the Retro.

Handwheels

Benchcrafted offers two options for the handwheels of the
Glide Leg Vise and Tail Vise. Both are completely designed and manufactured in the USA.

• 
  Polished
  
  Machined and polished cast iron handwheels have aluminum knobs with a black wrinkle finish.
• 
  Cast
  
  Retro-look rough iron handwheels have aluminum knobs with a black wrinkle finish.

Packages Include:

• Leg Vise with Crisscross Mechanism
• Tail Vise
• Hardware Pack
• Set of Four Barrel Bolts
• Set of Two End Cap Barrel Bolts
• Four Spax Lag Screws
• Printed Plans
• 
  The Benchmaker’s Package DOES NOT include the wooden part of the bench or any of the wood
  required to make the wooden part of the bench.
  

Important Note – Crisscross Design Change

In February 2025, Benchcrafted released a new version of the Crisscross Solo and Retro.

The length of the Crisscross arms (the two main parts of the mechanism) were shortened by
1-1/2″. This allows the Crisscross to be fit into a wider variety of workbench heights and
allows for a greater variety of vise installation positions without affecting performance. The
mortise for the V2 Crisscross arm is now 18″ long, the previous version being 19-1/2″ long.
All other aspects of the Crisscross Solo and Retro remain unchanged.

Updated instructions can be downloaded below or on the Benchcrafted website.

Additional Information

Tail Vise Installation

M or C Tail Vise installation instructions.

PDF

Classic Tail Vise installation instructions.

PDF

Glide Leg Vise Installation

Benchcrafted Glide M or Glide C Vise Installation Instructions 2022.

PDF

Benchcrafted Glide M or Glide C Vise Installation Instructions 2025.

PDF

Benchcrafted Glide M or Glide C Vise with Crisscross 14 Installation Instructions 2021.

PDF

Benchcrafted Glide M or Glide C Vise with Crisscross 14 Installation Instructions 2025.

Classic Vise Installation

Benchcrafted Classic Leg Vise Installation Instructions – 2022.

PDF

Benchcrafted Classic Leg Vise Installation Instructions – 2025.

PDF

Construction Notes

Full construction notes for building the bench.

PDF

Benchcrafted Split Top Roubo Contruction Notes 2025

Benchcrafted Split Top Roubo Workbench Crisscross Addendum 2025

.