Bench Vise recommendations

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L

Lulu

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Did a search but only found the words mentioned in threads. I have a Lowe's GC from Santa and have been wanting to get a bench vise. In a short amount of time looking I have noticed a wide range in price and pressure capabilities. This is just for a home/FJ repair shop (welder, compressor, grinder, etc not commercial use). How much "grip" do I need? I can't see me needing a super heavy unit, but I ended up with a 180 amp welder and 10 cfm compressor that I "didn't need" either....
What are some got to have features, ie swivels in multiple directions, internal vs external shaft. Like the welder and compressor, is "big as you can afford" the way to go, or can i say, this will do enough?
Any input is appreciated.

Brad :beer:
 
At some point the vise you buy will be stronger than the bench you mount it to. That's about where I would set the limit.
 
That is an excellent point! One I hadn't thought about. I ripped a sheet of 3/4 ply and doubled it up. I think for under a c note it is going to be the width of the jaws that make the decision.

Thank for that insight.
 
Be careful what you buy.
Probably 20+ years ago before the advent of the big box stores and harbor freight I picked up an inexpensive 6 inch vise, heavy cast steel, all the pivots, small anvil on the back, it has been everything I ever needed, worked flawlessly for 20 something years, well I was recently building a minibike frame for a grandkid, I would heat the tube ends where the axles go, and where the all of the joints come together,( its a take off on the old Taco's), and crush them flat in the vise, hammer a bit on the anvil, heat, crush repeat, well the gear portion of the jaw couldnt take the abuse, one of the teeth stretched, now the vise wont hold, so my moral is dont buy cast, get machined steel, you will be able to give it to your grandkids.
I am looking for a nice old machinests vise now in garage sales and swap meets
 
What do you want a Vise for?


I prefer an Old Wilson vise myself.

My big one is mounted outside out of the weather, next to my anvil.

My medium is bolted to the 6' workbench and I use Brass Jaws on it since I use it whne working on equipment.

My other one is a little smaller and is mounted to my outside work bench.

I will get pics when the sun comes up.
 
I so would like a nice vice.

Like most, I have a HF 6inch special. It's been fine but the mystery metal tells me it won't last.

I follow Craigs list and the few time a decent old Wilton comes up, it's long gone.

My dad had a great old Craftsman vice from the 50s that we used the whole time I was growing up and it may still work today. My granddad had a huge old vice from the 30s that I really wish I still had.

If you look around you can find the USA made Wiltons for $500 or so, but that does seem like a lot for non-commercial use.
 
What do you want a Vise for?


I prefer an Old Wilton vise myself.

My big one is mounted outside out of the weather, next to my anvil.

My medium is bolted to the 6' workbench and I use Brass Jaws on it since I use it whne working on equipment.

My other one is a little smaller and is mounted to my outside work bench.

I will get pics when the sun comes up.
 
I just got this one for Christmas. :) Smooth, precision action. Easilly three times as beefy as the Craftsman that it replaced. I chose this model specifically because of it's ability to clamp pipe/tube too. It is now my general purpose garage vise.

Yeah, it's spendy. I've been looking at it for three years now and it wasn't getting any cheaper! Snap on re-brands Wilton vises for it's own line up.

Amazon.com: Wilton 63199 #1745 Tradesman Vise: Home Improvement
 
personally would try to stick with an older used Wilton......IIRC the new Wilton's are fabbed in Mexico and don't know if the quality control is as good as when they were made here........just my 0.02 HTH

Lou
 
I've used many different vises from crapanese to Wilton's USA models. One thing to avoid if you're shopping in the 'affordable' range is a vise with a chrome or zinc plated screw; tends to gall and prevent fine tuning of the jaws tightness.

And whatever vise you get invest in a pair of soft and/or magnetic aluminum jaws for when you have to secure something softer than the steel jaws!
 
I always remembered using a big old heavy vise that my buddy had in his shop growing up. Nothing these days seemed to compare unless I wanted to spend about $500 bucks. I started looking on ebay and craigslist and finally found a big beautiful old school USA made Athol probably from the 40's or 50's. I love that thing. Cost me around $125 w/ shipping on ebay.

If you got kids, I look at a good vise as a family heirloom like my buddy's old vise was.

IMG_1875-vi.jpg


IMG_1876-vi.jpg
 
Great tips, thanks all.
tunnelrat- if I get 20 years out of any of my tools I will be extremely happy. I guess I am young enough that new tools are priced to be replaced, so its hard for me to spend the big bucks.

D'Animal- I can only guess at this point. With the new welder, I was thinking a vise would help with bending steel, rods, strap, etc. Holding specific angles for tacks, things like that.

DKRoth- That is a nice unit, but out of my range right now. I did look at the less pricey units and with what Lou said I should find out where made.

spressomon- thanks for that tip, I don't know if the units in my range will offer that choice, but good advice non the less.

joe- that is massive. That makes me want to call my Dad to see if my granddad passed on anything like that when he passed. My dad doesn't really diy so maybe he has one i can steal.

Thanks all. Guess I will ponder just buying a cheap unit for the time being. With new welder I am learning that the welder itself was the cheap part (according to FJ40Charles)!! What I don't spend on this can go towards tank, gas, wire, other clamps, etc. And oh yeah, the CRUISER!!!
 
D'Animal said:
What do you want a Vise for?


I prefer an Old Wilton vise myself.

My medium is bolted to the 6' workbench and I use Brass Jaws on it since I use it whne working on equipment.

My other one is a little smaller and is mounted to my outside work bench.

I will get pics when the sun comes up.
Click to expand...

My Mediums. :D

As someone stated, Snap-On uses Wilton Vises.
DSCF8387.webp
DSCF8388.webp
 
Well, just got back from Lowes. Was going to go ahead and get a cheap Bessy vise that they sell with the gift card, but sure enough, made in China probably painted with lead paint. DKRoth after looking at that link you posted, that price isn't half bad. If that model is made in US and it looks plenty big for my uses, I may just pony up and get it from Amazon.. Thanks again for that link.
 
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D'Animal said:
My Mediums. :D

As someone stated, Snap-On uses Wilton Vises.
Click to expand...

I have a Wilton similar to the second one in this post. The only difference is it's in a lot newer condition :D and it does not have the rotatable base :frown:. I inherited it from my Stepfather who probably had it since the 50's.

One of the things that sets a vise of this quality apart from the cheaper ones is that I can spin the handle with one finger, there is absolutely no binding of the lead screw. I oil it once in a while, maybe twice a year, other than that I just keep the metal chips brushed off.
 
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