We all have vices but the ones I want to talk about are made of iron and are bolted to your work bench... . What manufacture of bench vice do you have? I used to have one of those 6" costco specials made in China and all's I can say is never again! Was planing on buying one from ACE made by Wilton. It looked pretty well made but before I could get around to picking one up, they stopped carrying them. The ones they have now look to be about as good as that costco POS. Any recommendations?
Matt
Last edited by MikeOneSix on Thu Feb 23, 2012 12:02 pm, edited 1 time in total.
Never underestimate the power of stupid people in large groups
The ones around my shop are Wilton, they are old ones and well used and abused. I'm sure that they were made in USA and not in China. I think that the new Wilton's are made in China.
Paul in Janesville, Wisconsin
1953 m37 parts truck
1961 m37b1 finally going together and turning green
and a bunch of other green trucks that are taking over my driveway
MVPA and MVPG member
Northern Tool has the Wilton vises on their website. I have one of these at work http://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/ ... _200334217. I paid a few dollars less than that for it a few years ago at Home Depot I think. It's a decent vise, probably made in china but not bad for the money. I have a smaller wilton at home. It's pure junk. I think it was in the $50 range. I think you definitely get what you pay for in vises. I'm currently keeping my eyes open for a good deal on an older, higher quality, used vice.
Don't remember the name of the one I brought from costco but it cracked along the base of the jaw (cast part) where it extends away from the base itself.
Brett
I remember that vise (in the link) but I think it was at ACE where I saw it. We're coming up on "yardsale season" so I'll keep my eyes peeled and it probably wouldn't hurt to check out a few of those "old junk shops" as you never can tell what you'll find there (bagged a '60s vintage Gerry can for $5.00 from one of those places).
Matt
Never underestimate the power of stupid people in large groups
Replaced a pre-civil war dated one (really) I was using with this one I found at a yard sale several years ago, $25 IIRC. Chinese but have had no trouble so far. Still have the very old one, just unmounted.
Carter
Life Member:
Delta, Peach Bottom Fish & Game Assn.
You have to look carefully when searching for a good vice. A machinist's vice is always the better ones. Even the old name brands like Wilton and Columbian offer some total junk these days, so don't just buy according to the name.
YOST is a good brand also. Wilton and Columbian along with Yost still offer top quality machinist vices like were common years ago; however for a decent sized new one of these, you can expect to pay in the $500 - $800 range. Even more if you need a really large one.
MSeriesRebuild wrote:You have to look carefully when searching for a good vice. A machinist's vice is always the better ones. Even the old name brands like Wilton and Columbian offer some total junk these days, so don't just buy according to the name. Although I'm aware of this, they're good points worth mentioning
YOST is a good brand also. Wilton and Columbian along with Yost still offer top quality machinist vices like were common years ago; however for a decent sized new one of these, you can expect to pay in the $500 - $800 range. Even more if you need a really large one.
I guess it's like anything in that if you want something quality,it'll cost 'ya. I'll have to keep my eyes peeled for a used one...
Matt
Never underestimate the power of stupid people in large groups
MSeriesRebuild wrote:You have to look carefully when searching for a good vice. A machinist's vice is always the better ones. Even the old name brands like Wilton and Columbian offer some total junk these days, so don't just buy according to the name. Although I'm aware of this, they're good points worth mentioning
YOST is a good brand also. Wilton and Columbian along with Yost still offer top quality machinist vices like were common years ago; however for a decent sized new one of these, you can expect to pay in the $500 - $800 range. Even more if you need a really large one.
I guess it's like anything in that if you want something quality,it'll cost 'ya. I'll have to keep my eyes peeled for a used one...
You are right, anything of quality says so in cost. I bought one of my best vices for $25 from a retired garage owner back in the mid 80's; it's a Columbian; we still use it strong today. Never spent a dime on it except for some new jaw faces and pins. I expect it is between 60 and 75 years old now.
Here is my Chas Parker vise model 2X. Best I can tell it was made before the turn of the LAST century.
I disassembled, cleaned and lubed it and it's great. I think I paid $75 at a fea market.
-John
Member of Dixie Division MVC
1953 USAF M37 wow, restored
1962 M151 Ford Production, on the rotisserie now
1953 USMC M37 w/w -in storage
1942 M6 Bomb Service Truck (sold to UK collector)
1967 M116A1 Pioneer Trailer
1968 M101A1 Trailer
S-89 Comm box
The best thing I did was mount the vise to a free standing petestal - a 5" pipe welded onto a 20" truck rim. Most times a good big vise mounted on the edge of a bench is no stronger than the bench.
www.snakeriver4x4.com
M-37's - WC-51 - M-29C - WC-25 cc - CCKW
M-274 - M-101 - G-527 Water Buffalo
G-7117 Chevy
I built my bench from steel plate, it weighs about 500lbs. I have yet to move the table while wrenching on something.
-John
Member of Dixie Division MVC
1953 USAF M37 wow, restored
1962 M151 Ford Production, on the rotisserie now
1953 USMC M37 w/w -in storage
1942 M6 Bomb Service Truck (sold to UK collector)
1967 M116A1 Pioneer Trailer
1968 M101A1 Trailer
S-89 Comm box
Home
. What manufacture of bench vice do you have? I used to have one of those 6" costco specials made in China and all's I can say is never again! Was planing on buying one from ACE made by Wilton. It looked pretty well made but before I could get around to picking one up, they stopped carrying them. The ones they have now look to be about as good as that costco POS. Any recommendations?
