Different!
Any Vise Collectors Here? (2 Viewers)
- Thread starter FARMAN33
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I need to collect a vise for my new to me work bench as the previous owner took theirs. Any suggestion on where to start, what to get? Here's a pic. You can see there was a vise on the front corner, and it looks like maybe another one was in line down a ways. I have no idea about getting a good vise, and I hate crappy tools.
interesting to see those double swivel vises. I'm no expert but it does not look like a great design to me. Seems like there is a split sleeve that is tightened over the rotating barrel. I can't help but wonder how many times you can do without the sleeve cracking somewhere from the repeat stress. Then again maybe it's so rare that you swivel the thing that it doesn't matter in practice...
RUSH55
SILVER Star
What type of vise work do you foresee yourself doing?
RUSH55
SILVER Star
Yeah, I’ve only seen more modern imported vises with the rotating dynamics, usually with a pipe jaw on the bottom side. These must have been an early precursor with the idea of turning the work 90*, since there is no bottom side jaw.
Not sure that I’d actually need one at the average price of $1,200, but I’m sure they’d be fun to play around with.
Some of everything. Basically a jack of all trades. I'd like something solid, big enough to hold larger things but precise enough to hold smaller things. Would like it to have the flat anvil spot as well. I think I would prefer smooth jaws. Any disadvantage to that? I don't mind buying a used one with some character, really don't want the harbor freight special. I just really know nothing about vises, but a know good mechanicals when I work with them. Know idea where to start for a decent quality.
RUSH55
SILVER Star
History
Usability
Longevity
Take-apart-ability
Put-back- together-ility
Leave it patinaed or paintability
Have some fun with the upgradability
RUSH55 won’t shut up about them
- Thread starter
- #349
@e9999 I like to describe them to people unfamiliar as "timeless and simple machines" @jivewalker Find yourself an older Wilton bullet in the 4"-5" jaw width. They are machinist vises and are perfect for your requirements.
@RUSH55 I have only seen imports with the rotating design. Those Parkers are new to me! Love the "two wrench" configuration.
@RUSH55 I have only seen imports with the rotating design. Those Parkers are new to me! Love the "two wrench" configuration.
- Thread starter
- #351
Exit
- Thread starter
- #352
@jivewalker That is a medium/light duty Wilton. It’s a nice vise and priced OK but not really a precision tool. This is what I was referring too. This is a 4.5” Wilton bullet vise I just freshened up for a good friend. The enclosed design is a really good one and it has a small anvil area. A true “lifetime” tool. Look to spend about $250.
Jive, no expert here but I think it's probably fair to say that it's best to avoid vises with an exposed screw up top. Kinda hard to keep abrasive debris off of it so that can't be good for the thread. And typically more lightweight too from what I've seen.
- Thread starter
- #354
@jivewalker How far are you from Hanahan? This looks like a good stout Morgan 4”. He’s a little high but not much. On Facebook marketplace.
- Thread starter
- #355
Also found this 1780 Wilton. 8” jaws with pipe jaws and anvil. Looks like it needs new jaws. $120 new from Wilton. This is a good deal on this vise. In good used condition, these usually trade at about 600. In Pelzer.
one thing that is kinda nice about vises is that the jaws are readily "adjustable" for special needs. I do have some wide stout steel L angle chunks that I just throw on the OEM in a pinch if I need wider, and narrow ones if I need narrower (not that the latter is very often needed admittedly). I also have aluminum ones for softer needs since some of my OEM jaws have a pointy checkering to them (not nice). All that trivially easy enough. One of these days I may even build some with magnets so that they don't move as much but not critical. Plus I have some rod inserts for bending wire, angle bars for bending sheet metal etc. And then I use my bigger vises to hold some smaller pipe vises or milling vises when I need that for something odd to do. Quite versatile really.
RUSH55
SILVER Star
For us who have never heard of a METRO vise, reportedly produced by Morgan at some point.
- Thread starter
- #358
Yeah, looking at it now... the font gives it away as a Morgan. Looks like a good vise.
RUSH55
SILVER Star
Built a new handle for the swivel lock on the Desmond. Used a 1/4” bolt and a lock-nut.
RUSH55
SILVER Star
Been doing some light cleaning on the Desmond too whenever I get a little time.
Here it is after hitting it with some Fluid Film.
Here it is after hitting it with some Fluid Film.