Vise location

[Uncle Alvah]

I have a new bench put together for my first build, 2'x8'.
I also have a new 6-1/2" bench vise to attach to it.
Should I attach it in the usual left end location or, for this particular purpose, locate it differently?

[conquerordie]

I have a couple holes in my bench so I can move the vise depending on where I need it to be. Usually it sits on the left hand side though.
Greg

[Ky-Flinter]

The available space past the bench on either end could have a bearing on locating the vice on the end of the bench. 

For gun building I like the vice in the middle so I can clamp the breech area of the stock in the vice with the stock pointing in either direction as needed, with supports under the forestock, of course.

-Ron

[David Rase]

I am with Ron, I like my vise in the middle.
David

[b bogart]

I have a vise at both ends, and a free standing support to get in the way while I work. It works for me.

[PPatch]

For a dedicated gun bench the middle position sounds good to me. I use my bench for other woodworking projects so my vices are on the left front and right end.

dave

[B.Habermehl]

I use my gunstockers horse, for 90 percent of my stock work. I only use my bench vises for file work and breaching barrels. BTW my vises are on the right corner of my benches, with me facing the bench.  BJH
P.S. I am right handed

[Mike Brooks]

Middle

[PPatch]

I use my gunstockers horse, for 90 percent of my stock work. I only use my bench vises for file work and breaching barrels. BTW my vises are on the right corner of my benches, with me facing the bench.  BJH

We found the lefty guys... 

dp

[Smoketown]

I use my gunstockers horse, for 90 percent of my stock work. I only use my bench vises for file work and breaching barrels. BTW my vises are on the right corner of my benches, with me facing the bench.  BJH

We found the lefty guys... 

dp

Looking at my bench,

Metalworking - On the right.

Woodworking - On the left.

And,  I happen to be right-handed. 

Cheers,
Smoketown

[Bill of the 45th]

On top of the bench, what ever works for you. You may have to try different positions to find you sweet spot.  There is no one absolute spot.  I have two benches, center mounted, and a free standing vise wit a catch/tool tray.  Center mounted allows for supports at both ends.

Bill

[kutter]

I;ve always had the vise mtd on the left end of the bench w/ a little room to spare so it's not at the extreme end, I'm right handed.
 I can't seem to find it comfortable to have the work hanging out of the vise pointing to the left and try to do too much on it.

I just built another bench in my upstairs workshop. A smaller bench, less room around it and I placed the vise a little more towards the center,,but not much. That was  because of the lack of room to the left of the vise,,I wanted to allow for some room to slide the longer stocks and bbls through.
Putting it in the middle just throws me all off!,,I need that room to work and make a big hill of tools;

The 2 gun  factorys and several gun shops I've worked in doing repair all had the vise mounted on the left end of the benches. Probably where I got the reinforcement for it from. But one guy in the last shop I worked insisted on having his moved to the right end of his bench.

No real correct answer,,just whatever is comfortable for you.