On Thu, 28 Oct 2010 14:25:59 -0700 (PDT), whit3rd wrote:

To get better working distance, the old solution was the 'leg vise'
which had a hinge at the bottom (and didn't strictly keep the jaws
parallel).

Ah, the correct name! I just wasted ten minutes searching for "hinged vise" and
"wooden vise". My dad built one back in the 70s. Worked great on large flat
stuff which is what made it was for. Not worth a durn as a substitute for a
bench vice though.
--
William