Good bench vise - AR15.COM

Armory » Gunsmithing

Site Notices

[ARCHIVED THREAD] - Good bench vise

Posted: 9/10/2017 5:32:30 PM EDT

Looking for a decent bench vise. Any recommendations of ones too look at and ones to stay away from?

Posted: 9/10/2017 6:18:34 PM EDT

[#1]

vise
I have 2 of these, they are great for gunsmithing
I also use them for holding iron that I'm grinding or drilling on
I've been very pleased with them
if I needed anything more heavy duty I'd look at other Irwin vises

Posted: 9/10/2017 11:46:53 PM EDT

[#2]

I would go with the next larger size up. It is what we used in the shop. This vise has both horizontal AND vertical rotation capability. This allows you to hold guns, parts, pipe, lumber and just about anything else in any orientation you may need. Also being heavier duty, you will have better holding ability. The light duty vises are okay for hobbyist work, but this is a buy once, cry once situation atleast for me. Better to have MORE ass in the vise and not need it etc etc. The extra $$ for the step up will pay for itself in the long run. jmtcw

https://www.lowes.com/pd/IRWIN-5-in-Multi-Purpose-Vise/50168505

Posted: 9/11/2017 12:05:48 AM EDT

[#3]

Try and find a Columbian brand vise. They're very well made and can typically be found cheap on the secondary market since they're not as well known as Wilton. I typically see them on Ebay for $50 or so.

ETA: Just looked it up and it looks like Wilton now owns Columbian vises (maybe they always did?)

Posted: 9/12/2017 12:21:18 AM EDT

[#4]

I have the same mounted on an Inline Fabrication quick change. It has worked well for everything I've needed it for.

Quote History

Quoted:
vise
I have 2 of these, they are great for gunsmithing
I also use them for holding iron that I'm grinding or drilling on
I've been very pleased with them
if I needed anything more heavy duty I'd look at other Irwin vises

View Quote

Posted: 9/13/2017 8:00:10 AM EDT

[#5]

Garage sale Wilton.

I don't have a Wilton. I bought a 4" jaw American vise that is old than I am. Now if I can find those miserable bolts and nuts and washers that I bought to bolt it down.

Posted: 9/17/2017 7:29:40 PM EDT

[#6]

... or you can get a really good vice and never experience any of the O-Shit moments you'll suffer with some crapola $79 vise from Harbor Freight or the likes.

Glacern Machine Tool GSV-550

Posted: 9/17/2017 11:07:40 PM EDT

[#7]

Quote History

Quoted:
... or you can get a really good vice and never experience any of the O-Shit moments you'll suffer with some crapola $79 vise from Harbor Freight or the likes.

Glacern Machine Tool GSV-550

View Quote

Not sure I'd want to use a mill vise as a bench vise.

Posted: 9/18/2017 12:36:07 AM EDT

[#8]

Quote History

Quoted:

Not sure I'd want to use a mill vise as a bench vise.

View Quote

Why not? If you're doing it on your milling machine it's handy and they don't slip as they're designed to handle a lot of sideway forces. I use mine for gunsmithing work but I admit I would love it if I could clamp tapered barrel easier.

My milling machine also makes a handy platform for gunsmithing work because it's heavy.

Posted: 9/19/2017 9:09:04 PM EDT

[#9]

Quote History

Quoted:

Not sure I'd want to use a mill vise as a bench vise.

View Quote

What can't it do or how would it be less effective than GP vise? I've been using one for years and haven't found a situation that it couldn't handle.

Posted: 9/20/2017 10:25:40 AM EDT

[#10]

Quote History

Quoted:
Try and find a Columbian brand vise. They're very well made and can typically be found cheap on the secondary market since they're not as well known as Wilton. I typically see them on Ebay for $50 or so.

ETA: Just looked it up and it looks like Wilton now owns Columbian vises (maybe they always did?)

View Quote

Not sure if the same applies to Columbian, but at least some of the Wiltons are now made in China.

Posted: 9/21/2017 12:54:05 PM EDT

[#11]

Quote History

Quoted:
Why not? If you're doing it on your milling machine it's handy and they don't slip as they're designed to handle a lot of sideway forces. I use mine for gunsmithing work but I admit I would love it if I could clamp tapered barrel easier.

My milling machine also makes a handy platform for gunsmithing work because it's heavy.

View Quote View All Quotes

View All Quotes

Quote History

Quoted:
Why not? If you're doing it on your milling machine it's handy and they don't slip as they're designed to handle a lot of sideway forces. I use mine for gunsmithing work but I admit I would love it if I could clamp tapered barrel easier.

My milling machine also makes a handy platform for gunsmithing work because it's heavy.

Since the OP is asking about a bench vise, I assume he's looking for that type of vise for a reason such as not having a mill. Weight shouldn't be a major concern since a bench vise should be bolted to the bench and bench bolted to the floor and/or wall.

Quoted:
What can't it do or how would it be less effective than GP vise? I've been using one for years and haven't found a situation that it couldn't handle.

Biggest reason for me is because they have such shallow throats which limits the part sizes unless you get into special setups or get a massively large mill vise, which I'd imagine would make most homegamers shudder at the price. Other things on a bench vise, like the rear anvil, I use almost daily. Other bench vises have things like swiveling jaws and specialty clamps. I suppose you could just bang on the back of a mill vise for an anvil, but it's not designed to take that kind of force. Moral of the story is use the right tool for the intended job.

Posted: 9/21/2017 1:16:26 PM EDT

[#12]

I'm just looking for a reliable bench vise that will work for gunsmithing and basic home improvement work.

Definitely not going to pay $400 for a vise!

Found a 5" Wilton on Amazon for $63. Not sure if 4" will do or not???

Posted: 9/21/2017 1:54:53 PM EDT

[#13]

Quote History

Quoted:
I'm just looking for a reliable bench vise that will work for gunsmithing and basic home improvement work.

Definitely not going to pay $400 for a vise!

Found a 5" Wilton on Amazon for $63. Not sure if 4" will do or not???

View Quote

A $63 Wilton is definitely going to be Chinese made, but I would hope the factory is held to a higher standard in order to bear the Wilton name (no personal experience, though). If the gunsmithing you're going to be doing is light assembly work (like AR lowers/uppers) and such, then it should be fine. If you plan on really wrenching on it, fabricating/beating parts into submission it will probably eventually break. But it doesn't sound like that's what you're going to be doing. Always get the largest vise that you can handle/have bench space for. You can always get a smaller vise for delicate work.

Posted: 9/21/2017 1:57:59 PM EDT

[#14]

I'd probably go for this 6.5" Yost vise. They have a pretty good reputation for an import vise:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B009AGG4DW/ref=dp_cerb_2?th=1

ETA: When you click that link make sure you go to the "other sellers" part and choose Amazon as they have the best price. If you have Amazon Prime it's even better.

Posted: 9/21/2017 8:05:51 PM EDT

[#15]

You don't have to spend 400 dollars on a milline vise, 100 dollars is about right for a decent quality import vise. Say what you will but they are good enough for most things. Other than the shallower clamping depth they are great for working on gun parts.

Posted: 9/21/2017 9:22:19 PM EDT

[#16]

Quote History

Quoted:
I'd probably go for this 6.5" Yost vise. They have a pretty good reputation for an import vise:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B009AGG4DW/ref=dp_cerb_2?th=1

ETA: When you click that link make sure you go to the "other sellers" part and choose Amazon as they have the best price. If you have Amazon Prime it's even better.

View Quote

Looking at it, thanks! I have a Prime, too, so just under $100.

Would you go Yost over a similar size Walton?

Posted: 9/22/2017 1:08:28 PM EDT

[#17]

I have an old Wilton.

Old enough my grandfather used it for many years.

I also have a fancy metal working vice that tilts, pivots, rotates, spins, etc.

No name marking on it but it is old.

Posted: 9/23/2017 11:51:41 AM EDT

[#18]

Quote History

Quoted:

Looking at it, thanks! I have a Prime, too, so just under $100.

Would you go Yost over a similar size Walton?

View Quote

Hard to say as I've never used either.

[ARCHIVED THREAD] - Good bench vise

Armory » Gunsmithing

Warning

Confirm Action

About AR15.COM

Stay Connected

Newsletter

Contact Us