Bench Vise

[Asithappens 974]

Need (want) about a 5 or 6 inch bench vise. 

Nothing too cheap, but don't need anything over probably $150.

Any advice?

[davidg 4,038]

Wilton 1116 at Northern Tool

https://m.northerntool.com/shop/tools/product_200711733_200711733?cm_mmc=Google-pla&utm_source=Google_PLA&utm_medium=Hand%20Tools%20%3E%20Vises%20%2B%20Clamps&utm_campaign=Wilton&utm_content=64965&gclid=Cj0KCQjwhuvlBRCeARIsAM720HrVSlbnnJqs8V5sd2cnejnpuwwv8V9PiY2Wh57ne0xFR9WzZLQUXMQaAt8yEALw_wcB

[Asithappens 974]

That's exactly the one I was looking at. 

Thanks.

[Gil Bang 26,020]

something like a vice just screams "Harbor Freight" to me. 

[El Diablo 4,232]

9 hours ago, Gil Bang said:

something like a vice just screams "Harbor Freight" to me. 

Port city? Miami rub and tug black market ornamentals?

[Sam Lin 3,561]

Can never go wrong with Wilton.

[Asithappens 974]

16 hours ago, Gil Bang said:

something like a vice just screams "Harbor Freight" to me. 

You need to start going to better stores, my friend.

[Jkwellborn 6,741]

I got one from amazon. It was the deal of the dal a while back. I know it was cheap but it’s worked when I’ve needed it

[Steel Shank 9,432]

@Asithappens

I believe today's Wiltons are Chinese made. If I were you, I'd check on Ebay and find an older American made vise. 5-6" is pretty big.

Here's a 4".

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Vintage-SCOUT-4-inch-Anvil-Style-Bench-Vise-with-Swivel-Base-Made-in-USA/123732373605?hash=item1ccf063065%3Ag%3AI9wAAOSwqExcr93l%3Asc%3AUSPSPriority!78739!US!-1&LH_ItemCondition=4

 

 

 

Edited April 21, 2019 by Steel Shank

[Nueces River Rat 5,539]

On 4/20/2019 at 4:24 PM, Gil Bang said:

something like a vice just screams "Harbor Freight" to me. 

I bet 99% of the stuff in a Harbor Freight Store is made in China.  The other 1% split between Mexico and Taiwan.  

[Gil Bang 26,020]

1 hour ago, Nueces River Rat said:

I bet 99% of the stuff in a Harbor Freight Store is made in China.  The other 1% split between Mexico and Taiwan.  

So is the shit in Home Depot or Lowes. 

[Jkwellborn 6,741]

Yeah, unless you get an old ass one or spend some coin, it’s probably an import.

[drt 640]

Vintage is the price friendly way to go.  I bought an old Craftsman that was made in Japan from a retiree for $20, it's probably close to twice my age.  There are a few options still made in North America like Veritas but you'll pay through the nose for them.

[Bat Guano 359]

I got a Harbor Freight one a few years ago. Seems to work fine.

[Jkwellborn 6,741]

I got one from amazon. It was the deal of the dal a while back. I know it was cheap but it’s worked when I’ve needed it

I just checked mine. It’s a Yost. Claims it’s made in the USA

[Dewey 3,293]

I have the vise in the first link, a wood working vise and a bone crushing, steel bending vise my grand pappy left me. I love them all.

[Steel Shank 9,432]

Here's a Wilton 5" made in the USA for half of the Chinese vise:

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Wilton-5-Jaw-Width-Swivel-Vise-USA/173873804758?hash=item287bafb5d6%3Ag%3AnF4AAOSwGNFcsSCb&LH_BIN=1&LH_ItemCondition=4

[William_Cannon 86]

You’ll use a bench vise more than you think.

I was in your same shoes and ended up just getting a craftsman or kobalt (can recall which) on sale for $40.

[Errestaurants 2,570]

On 4/22/2019 at 3:16 PM, Steel Shank said:

Here's a Wilton 5" made in the USA for half of the Chinese vise:

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Wilton-5-Jaw-Width-Swivel-Vise-USA/173873804758?hash=item287bafb5d6%3Ag%3AnF4AAOSwGNFcsSCb&LH_BIN=1&LH_ItemCondition=4

I just bought this one. Thanks.

[Steel Shank 9,432]

7 hours ago, Errestaurants said:

I just bought this one. Thanks.

@Asithappens, ^ See?

[Steel Shank 9,432]

Bought this 4" Athol off EBay and restored it. I think I paid $80.

[Loco 3,754]

 

[Dewey 3,293]

That video is quite admirable

[Loco 3,754]

yeah, but you have to have a vice to fix your vice.  Dude is handy, I'll give him that.

[wd40 1,976]

here's a Chas Parker I got for free from my dad who bought it for $5 at a garage sale in FL with the intention of making a few bucks off it at the scrap yard.  it has not been restored, but the beer has been opened.  works perfectly. 

here's a Scout 4 1/2 holding up a piece of 2x2'  1/4" plate to go on my square firebox.  got it off eBay for about 30 bucks.

 

Thanks for turning me into a vice nerd, Shank.

 

[Steel Shank 9,432]

here's a Chas Parker I got for free from my dad who bought it for $5 at a garage sale in FL with the intention of making a few bucks off it at the scrap yard.  it has not been restored, but the beer has been opened.  works perfectly. 

here's a Scout 4 1/2 holding up a piece of 2x2'  1/4" plate to go on my square firebox.  got it off eBay for about 30 bucks.

 
Thanks for turning me into a vice nerd, Shank.
 

It's a slippery slope. I have two vices mounted, a few I've given away, and fe more sitting around. Restoring a vise is a good thing.

[Okie State 3,848]

I need one. Will look for something on eBay or in the local online marketplace. Glad I didn't buy some piece of shit before seeing this thread. I do not enjoy wasting money on shit.

 

So vintage Wilton, Scout, Chas Parker...4-5"...anything else?

[pops 7,006]

Craigslist that shit. You will come out miles ahead. 

Also search for vice, because. 

Edited April 29, 2019 by pops

[Steel Shank 9,432]

The website Garage Journal has a wealth of info on vises. Here is a link to a 3500 page thread just on vises.

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

Here is another that talks about the different types of vises and the parts. This will help you more than the one above.

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

In addition to the Athol above, I have these as well:

 

[Steel Shank 9,432]

[Steel Shank 9,432]

The top one cam with a workbench I bought on CL for $35.

The Wilton I restored and it's mt daily use. The Wiltons marked "Chicago" are older than the "Schiller Park". Factory moved sometime back in the 40s or 50s.

The last one was my first vintage vise. I think it was made in the late 30s or 40s.

Old American made vises are so much cooler than more expensive Chinese vises you can buy new today. It's no contest. Be a man and buy an old vise, fix it up, and y'all start a new life together.

[Steel Shank 9,432]

@Okie State Ideally, if you can check out the vise inperson, you'll get a better feel how it operates. If you do buy off Ebay, make sure the seller accepts returns in case the vise doesn't function the way you want. Estate sales are also a good way to find old vises at a good price.

Also, 3-4" is plenty big unless you a blacksmith or welder. Over 4" starts getting very big, very heavy and more expensive.

Edited April 29, 2019 by Steel Shank

[Okie State 3,848]

Thanks for the info. I'll start my search.

[Steel Shank 9,432]

Enjoy. I'm no expert but I can try and answer any questions. When you find something post some pics.

[Dewey 3,293]

I dig Steel's Wilton, they are all vises of beauty, but man that is beautiful. I have my grand pappy's workbench and two of his vises, as said before. Put the the workbench on casters so I can use both vises for any situation.

[Steel Shank 9,432]

Nice work, Dewey. Hopefully you'll be able to pass those vises on to your children. They can last for centuries..

[Dewey 3,293]

Amen, Steel, I encourage everyone to clean up and fix up old tools. The older the tool, the more it was made to last. A bench vise is the perfect example of that, forget buying new, buy old and fix it up, they last, as you stated, for centuries.

[Steel Shank 9,432]

Amen to that.

[Gil Bang 26,020]

now you assholes have me searching craigslist for old vices

[Loco 3,754]

18 minutes ago, Gil Bang said:

now you assholes have me searching craigslist for old vices

same...  my harbor freight vise has worked fine...  but it's days are numbered

[Errestaurants 2,570]

Just delivered. Looks to be in good shape. Thanks again.

Sent from my SM-G950U using Tapatalk

[RMac5 1,551]

This is a great thread!

I have been on an anvil mission, those older anvils are crazy expensive.

[Steel Shank 9,432]

I have my grandfather's. One of my son's will get it eventually.

[luke duke 6,414]

Except grandpa probably drank Schlitz

[luke duke 6,414]

My grandfather’s old vise on my workbench.

[Okie State 3,848]

I need a bench grinder too.

[Steel Shank 9,432]

@Okie State When you do, make one of these. They work great. This video doesn't really show it, but once you're done, if you turn your grinder around, it's much safer to sharpen with the wheel turning away from you. Other videos will show how it's done.

 

Edited April 30, 2019 by Steel Shank

[Steel Shank 9,432]

Here's a workbench with a bench grinder, wood vise and a regular vise for $100.

https://austin.craigslist.org/tls/d/austin-workbench-with-vice-and-grinder/6876860424.html

 

[Okie State 3,848]

Well that's genius.

[Dewey 3,293]

Anvil talk got me curious, I dont have one, my vises are enough for me, the work I do is mostly woodwork. Did some shopping around and have a friend with a birthday coming in the next week or two. He's more on the mechanic side, metal on metal violence, and a proper anvil is expensive, so I got him this here. Hell I might get me one as well, I like how it can be used as a guide/rest (see Steels video)