re: A vintage Wheel drive for the leg vise

The only issue I've had with it was this: One day I was in a bit of a hurry trying to finish a project. I cut a piece of 5/4 oak and had a cut off about 12-16" long that i didn't need so I just set it in front of the bench. I needed to put the remainder in the bench vise and I had a habit of grabbing the handle and giving it about a 1/4 turn and letting gravity carry it where it needs to go. Well, not today because today I was in a rush, so I grabbed the handle with the intend of doing about two full, fast turns. BUT......i had set that piece of oak against the wheel, so with about a 1/4 full force "got to get it done in a hurry" turn, my fingers became between the handle, the momentum of a somewhat heavy fly wheel and that piece of immovable 5/4 oak. I then did about 3 or 5 laps around the shop spewing profanity and not knowing if i should cry, pass out or pee my pants. To be honest, i think i did all three. I have never set anything in front of that wheel since.