I need a bench vise.

[ARCHIVED THREAD] - I need a bench vise.

Posted: 10/22/2016 9:24:01 PM EDT

It will be used for a mix of home projects, firearm related work, and maybe some automotive stuff.

In general conversation, some friends have suggested that I try to find something American made on the used market, but they didn't get too specific beyond that. I don't go to many garage sales or auctions, and the sort of stores that carry old stuff tend to ask an amusing premium. A place I stopped at today was asking $100 for an old vice that was missing the nut that makes the whole thing work.

I haven't done much research yet, but I figure Arfcom is way ahead of me on this one. If you had to start over and get a general purpose vice to mount on your workbench, what would you get and/or how would you source it?

Posted: 10/22/2016 9:37:37 PM EDT

[#1]

Wilton makes a great vise but they are pricey, a lot of others you will find are made in China crap. Start going to yard sales or look on Craigs List and try to find one made 50-60 years ago when a quality product didn't mean made in China cast crap.

Posted: 10/22/2016 9:47:56 PM EDT

[#2]

Craigs list always seems to have some at reasonable prices.

Whenever I type in "ANVIL",

up pop a couple dozen vices; with anvil....

I picked up what appears to be either an unmarked 4" Wilton, or an exact clone, for $10 at a pawn shop , still has good paint. It's identical to my neighbors Wilton, but lacks the raised name on the right side, just has a rectangle that looks like a sticker belongs in it.

Craigs list, flea markets, antique/junk stores is where I would search.

Posted: 10/22/2016 9:48:59 PM EDT

[#3]

Wilton new or used, don't buy Chinese shit.

Craigslist, pawn shops and garage sales, any rural areas you can usually find vices.

Posted: 10/22/2016 9:50:50 PM EDT

[#4]

Wilton

Posted: 10/22/2016 9:52:52 PM EDT

[#5]

Woot.com right now, read reviews on Amazon of same models.

5$ shipping.

Posted: 10/22/2016 9:55:14 PM EDT

[#6]

Where in Missouri are you? I'll give a quick look for one.

Posted: 10/22/2016 9:57:32 PM EDT

[#7]

Quote History

Quoted:

Where in Missouri are you? I'll give a quick look for one.

View Quote

KC Metro area

Posted: 10/22/2016 9:57:52 PM EDT

[#8]

These are very hard to come by and this one will probably be gone by tomorrow(model has been discontinued). Check it out at Garage Journal, then hurry up and buy it before it's gone! This is a rebranded Wilton 1745 that sells for about $400.
CRAFTSMAN 60,000 PSI VISE

N/M-That didn't take long, I see it already sold.

Posted: 10/22/2016 9:59:52 PM EDT

[#9]

Columbian....

...or Morgan?

Posted: 10/22/2016 10:05:18 PM EDT

[#10]

Meh, I've actually got a large one I bought at harbor freight over 10 years ago...Made in India... it's been great. I think it was around $60

Posted: 10/22/2016 10:05:59 PM EDT

[#11]

I got a 4" Craftsman (Made in Japan in the 1960's-80's according to the model) at an auction for $25 about a month ago. Very nice upgrade from my $60 generic vice that I've used for the last 6 years.

Posted: 10/22/2016 10:08:42 PM EDT

[#12]

Just go to Harbor Freight.

Posted: 10/22/2016 10:09:03 PM EDT

[#13]

Quote History

Quoted:
Woot.com right now, read reviews on Amazon of same models.

5$ shipping.

View Quote

"Taiwan. USA recognizes Taiwan as a TAA (Trade Act Agreement) Compliant country. Labors in Taiwan cost more due to stringent labor laws set up to protect workers and guarantee a safe work place. Labor laws are lax in China so companies exploit such and hire cheap, less skilled and less knowledgeable workers. Result is less consistency in quality in Made in China products. Taiwan's quality is superior to China's quality see less
By Yost Vises SELLER on June 16, 2014"

I guess it's an option...

Posted: 10/22/2016 10:15:21 PM EDT

[#14]

join the twentifirst century OP

$134.99 from 50+ stores

Posted: 10/22/2016 10:21:55 PM EDT

[#15]

ARFCOM Bench Vise Thread

Posted: 10/22/2016 10:22:31 PM EDT

[#16]

Used Wilton, rigid, or Fulton

Posted: 10/22/2016 10:23:56 PM EDT

[#17]

Quote History

Quoted:
http://toolguyd.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/Rockwell-Jawhorse-SheetMaster-RK9002-Clamping-Full-Sheet-of-Plywood.jpg

https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/G/01/th/aplus/positec/jawhorse_footclamp_web.png

http://professional-power-tool-guide.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/Jawhorse-welding-7.jpg

join the twentifirst century OP

$134.99 from 50+ stores

View Quote

That looks like it would get wrecked by dead blow

Posted: 10/22/2016 10:30:38 PM EDT

[#18]

People overthink this. It's just a vise for your garage. An American made rusted piece of shit you find at a flea market is still a rusted piece of shit.

http://www.harborfreight.com/5-in-swivel-vise-with-anvil-61551.html

Posted: 10/22/2016 10:34:01 PM EDT

[#19]

I have several vises. Some are Japanese, some Chinese, and a couple of US made ones. Two months ago I bought a vise from my Snap On man. It is a rebranded Wilton 1755, which is a 5.5" bullet style vise.

I love it, and it is way smoother than any of my other vises.

Posted: 10/22/2016 10:36:42 PM EDT

[#20]

Go to garage sales and buy an old rusted one.

Fix that bitch up and give it a good paint job.

Posted: 10/22/2016 10:51:09 PM EDT

[#21]

There's a few interesting vises on your local Craigslist. The Athol is an awesome old school American vise. Of course there's a Wilton that someone wants top dollar for. Then there's a $150 Reed "vice" with a 5" jaw. It's not a steal of a deal but I'd call it fair. It's really hard to beat a Reed. They have unusually hard jaws. This is all pretty typical of Craigslist.

Now... If you want a real steal you need to dig a bit deeper. Check out kansascityauctions.net and other such auction sites. Here's a beautiful vise that you could probably pick up for under $50 on Oct 29th. Can't tell exactly what it is but to my eye it has all the features of a veeery desirable tool. Image 44.

http://kansasauctions.net/sebree/10/29/

Here's a nice looking Wilton coming up for auction on Nov 5th and it's unlabeled. So hopefully it won't get a lot of attention and you could grab it cheap. Image 63.

http://kansasauctions.net/kuiken/11/05/

Look for local auctions and estate sales. That's where the deals are.
Happy hunting.

Posted: 10/22/2016 10:55:28 PM EDT

[#22]

Wilton

Posted: 10/22/2016 10:55:58 PM EDT

[#23]

Quote History

Quoted:
People overthink this. It's just a vise for your garage. An American made rusted piece of shit you find at a flea market is still a rusted piece of shit.

http://www.harborfreight.com/5-in-swivel-vise-with-anvil-61551.html

View Quote

LOL

Posted: 10/22/2016 11:05:41 PM EDT

[#24]

Well, you could check ebay. The pictures can be deceiving though when trying to determine the size. When I was looking for one on ebay, I would check out the weight to verify it was a big vise(that is if you want a big heavy vise).
Some of the newer vises do have the ability to swivel the angel of the jaws, but I have no experience using one of those.
Looks like some of the old vises had jaws that swivel too and not just the new ones.

Easy replaceable jaws that aren't worn out are a plus too when looking at a used one.

Most of the old vises where I work are old Columbian vises so I know they are built well. I ended up getting an old Columbian off of ebay and bolted it to my welding table. They aren't exaclty cheap and they aren't cheap to ship, but Columbian makes a good vise.

There are other good brands too though.

Posted: 10/22/2016 11:07:54 PM EDT

[#25]

N/M.

Posted: 10/22/2016 11:08:29 PM EDT

[#26]

just scour craigs. It took me 2 months but I found a deal on a columbian D6 and a wilton machine vice for $100.

Posted: 10/22/2016 11:08:42 PM EDT

[#27]

I got an Olympia tools 6" one a few years ago and still works ok, but it's not exactly top tier by any means. I'd buy something better if I did it again.

Posted: 10/22/2016 11:41:21 PM EDT

[#28]

I have developed a bit of a fetish for old USA made vises but when I went looking for one for the workshop I needed one that swiveled and rotated. Not US made but pretty impressive and can be had delivered to your door for under $180.00 if you keep your eye on Amazon.

https://www.amazon.com/Yost-Heavy-Duty-Multi-Jaw-Combination-360-Degree/dp/B00CBL62HQ

Posted: 10/22/2016 11:42:44 PM EDT

[#29]

I have a Wilton vice that was made in China.

Other than the paint chipping off, it's been solid for 15 years now.

Posted: 10/22/2016 11:58:00 PM EDT

[#30]

Quote History

Quoted:
People overthink this. It's just a vise for your garage. An American made rusted piece of shit you find at a flea market is still a rusted piece of shit.

http://www.harborfreight.com/5-in-swivel-vise-with-anvil-61551.html

View Quote

For most of us, this will be sufficient.

Posted: 10/23/2016 11:42:10 AM EDT

[#31]

I bought a big one from lowes. It works just fine. Costs $70 something I think

Posted: 10/23/2016 1:21:24 PM EDT

[#32]

Quote History

Quoted:
Wilton makes a great vise but they are pricey, a lot of others you will find are made in China crap. Start going to yard sales or look on Craigs List and try to find one made 50-60 years ago when a quality product didn't mean made in China cast crap.

View Quote

At work I just replaced a cheap chinese vise with a 6" Wilton.
Cost on the Wilton was $1392

There is nothing better in my opinion.

Posted: 10/24/2016 1:21:17 PM EDT

[#33]

Quote History

Quoted:
People overthink this. It's just a vise for your garage. An American made rusted piece of shit you find at a flea market is still a rusted piece of shit.

http://www.harborfreight.com/5-in-swivel-vise-with-anvil-61551.html

View Quote

I guess metallurgy is for suckers.

http://imgur.com/gallery/JcG3B

Posted: 10/24/2016 3:07:42 PM EDT

[#34]

Quote History

Quoted:

At work I just replaced a cheap chinese vise with a 6" Wilton.
Cost on the Wilton was $1392

There is nothing better in my opinion.

http://i1169.photobucket.com/albums/r504/yullose/IMG_7940_zpsbt9vhlaa.jpg
http://i1169.photobucket.com/albums/r504/yullose/IMG_7941_zpsbr9gtyao.jpg

View Quote View All Quotes

View All Quotes

Quote History

Quoted:

Quoted:
Wilton makes a great vise but they are pricey, a lot of others you will find are made in China crap. Start going to yard sales or look on Craigs List and try to find one made 50-60 years ago when a quality product didn't mean made in China cast crap.

At work I just replaced a cheap chinese vise with a 6" Wilton.
Cost on the Wilton was $1392

There is nothing better in my opinion.

http://i1169.photobucket.com/albums/r504/yullose/IMG_7940_zpsbt9vhlaa.jpg
http://i1169.photobucket.com/albums/r504/yullose/IMG_7941_zpsbr9gtyao.jpg

Yours has the brand name cast into the body.

Beware ones with a pinned metal label...

Posted: 10/24/2016 3:28:37 PM EDT

[#35]

Wilton and Parker are good ones. I have a Starrett that's nice too but it only has 4" jaws.

Picked up an old Wilton bullet vise not too long ago, but its jaws are missing completely. Fortunately, there are companies that make new jaws and other parts for the old Wilton vises.

Posted: 10/24/2016 3:39:27 PM EDT

[#36]

I bought this 5" one today for an inside the house rifle build bench I'm making.
Nothing fancy, but it is decent for the price $75.00
Irwin 5"

Posted: 10/24/2016 4:03:34 PM EDT

[#37]

Frequently goes on sale for $60 IIRC

http://www.sears.com/craftsman-6-in-bench-vise/p-00951856000P

Posted: 10/24/2016 4:03:51 PM EDT

[#38]

Used old American steel vise from Craigslist. New CHICOM ones will just crack.

Any of these: (caution vise pron)

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=44782

All you ever wanted to know about vises:

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=62716

Posted: 10/24/2016 4:08:48 PM EDT

[#39]

I have broken 4 Wiltons at my old shop. In under 10 years 2 Were American , 2 were not , the last time they gave me a 1 step larger vise . I have 2 older American vises at home . Used does appear to be better than new in this case

Posted: 10/24/2016 4:18:12 PM EDT

[#40]

Quote History

Quoted:
I have broken 4 Wiltons at my old shop. In under 10 years 2 Were American , 2 were not , the last time they gave me a 1 step larger vise . I have 2 older American vises at home . Used does appear to be better than new in this case

View Quote

Im sure you push the limits of your shop-work vises further than OP ever will... They are the best bang for the buck.

Posted: 10/24/2016 4:25:41 PM EDT

[#41]

I bought a Wilton a couple of months ago. Talk about a tier-one vice, the thing so much nicer than my China Freight one was.

I got the 5 1/2" special edition that came with a 4 pound sledgehammer for a little less than $350. USA made with a lifetime guarantee, and so far I think it's worth every penny.

Posted: 10/24/2016 4:32:59 PM EDT

[#42]

Quote History

Quoted:

For most of us, this will be sufficient.

View Quote View All Quotes

View All Quotes

Quote History

Quoted:

Quoted:
People overthink this. It's just a vise for your garage. An American made rusted piece of shit you find at a flea market is still a rusted piece of shit.

http://www.harborfreight.com/5-in-swivel-vise-with-anvil-61551.html

For most of us, this will be sufficient.

That's what I ended up getting. A bolt broke on it after a couple uses, which basically rendered it inoperable. I'm sure Harbor freight would've exchanged it no questions asked, but it was easier for me to spend about $1.50 in hardware and fix it myself.

Posted: 10/24/2016 7:11:27 PM EDT

[#43]

Quote History

Quoted:
Frequently goes on sale for $60 IIRC

http://www.sears.com/craftsman-6-in-bench-vise/p-00951856000P

View Quote

Unfortunately I have one of these at home and it's complete garbage.

[ARCHIVED THREAD] - I need a bench vise.

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