Need a good bench vise...Is Wilton the only option?

[Skyline]

Like the title says....I know Wilton are good to excellent, (depending on the particular model), but are there any other brands I should be on the lookout for?

I've been trying to find one on eBay or Craigs list.

[LoneGunman]

Tons of old great vices out there and for little money usually. Old Columbian, Reed, pretty much any old US made vice is going to be high quality. What size vice are you looking for? I regulalry turn down 6" plus vices for $30 at the local fleamarket, if you don't mind paying shipping I can look for you. Most anything old is not going to be pretty so if you need pretty spray paint it.


I picked up the Reed in the pic below for $20

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y149/brintiff/P1010206-1.jpg

And this 3 1/2" columbian for $15, a little lightweight for my use but the thing was like brand new.

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y149/brintiff/P1010189-1.jpg

[Joe B.]

I picked up this Colombian for $60. I see small vises for sale all the time. In this part of the country, every old house has one on a bench in the basement. So, there is one at every estate sale.
http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o57/joe_birmingham/DSCN1726.jpg

[Uncle Buck]

And this 3 1/2" columbian for $15, a little lightweight for my use but the thing was like brand new.

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y149/brintiff/P1010189-1.jpg


Look closely at the larger vise, the Reed, then look at the smaller vise, the Columbian. The most important thing to notice about the two is the Reed is a machinists vise and the Columbian is a mechanics or general purpose type of vise. The machinist type vise (in this case the Reed) is a vastly superior vise to a mechanics type of vise (in this case the Columbian)

Differences you will notice between a machinists vise and a general purpose/mechanic vise are quite noticeable and the appearance is just the beginning.

1) Machinists vises are always heavier (this means better with vises) by heavier I mean if you take a machinist vise and set it next to a regular old mechanics vise and the overall size of each vise is the same, the machinist vise will weigh more than the general purpose vise.
2) Machinist vises have less slop and play when you open and close them
3) machinist vises are always considerably more expensive than the general purpose mechanics vises, at least when purchased new.

In case you cannot tell I like machinists vises. Some of the better brands of machinist vises I can think of are Rigid, Yost, Reed, Wilton, Columbian, Starrett, and there are several whose names escape me at the moment.

[Joe B.]

hholmberg, which of my Colombian vises is better? The one posted above or the one that I bought at Home Depot a couple of years ago below. I paid about the same amount for both of them. :lol_hitti
http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o57/joe_birmingham/DSCN1742.jpg

[garfunkle24]

Look closely at the larger vise, the Reed, then look at the smaller vise, the Columbian. The most important thing to notice about the two is the Reed is a machinists vise and the Columbian is a mechanics or general purpose type of vise. The machinist type vise (in this case the Reed) is a vastly superior vise to a mechanics type of vise (in this case the Columbian)

Differences you will notice between a machinists vise and a general purpose/mechanic vise are quite noticeable and the appearance is just the beginning.

1) Machinists vises are always heavier (this means better with vises)
2) Machinist vises have less slop and play when you open and close them
3) machinist vises are always considerably more expensive than the general purpose mechanics vises, at least when purchased new.

In case you cannot tell I like machinists vises. Some of the better brands of machinist vises I can think of are Rigid, Yost, Reed, Wilton, Columbian, Starrett, and there are several whose names escape me at the moment.

How do you feel about forged vs cast? The best vises I've used much are Records (England ones) and I'm thinking of getting either a Ridgid (75 000psi) or Wilton forged vise.

[Skyline]

Look closely at the larger vise, the Reed, then look at the smaller vise, the Columbian. The most important thing to notice about the two is the Reed is a machinists vise and the Columbian is a mechanics or general purpose type of vise. The machinist type vise (in this case the Reed) is a vastly superior vise to a mechanics type of vise (in this case the Columbian)

Differences you will notice between a machinists vise and a general purpose/mechanic vise are quite noticeable and the appearance is just the beginning.

1) Machinists vises are always heavier (this means better with vises) by heavier I mean if you take a machinist vise and set it next to a regular old mechanics vise and the overall size of each vise is the same, the machinist vise will weigh more than the general purpose vise.
2) Machinist vises have less slop and play when you open and close them
3) machinist vises are always considerably more expensive than the general purpose mechanics vises, at least when purchased new.

In case you cannot tell I like machinists vises. Some of the better brands of machinist vises I can think of are Rigid, Yost, Reed, Wilton, Columbian, Starrett, and there are several whose names escape me at the moment.


Great info!

[Uncle Buck]

I picked up this Colombian for $60. I see small vises for sale all the time. In this part of the country, every old house has one on a bench in the basement. So, there is one at every estate sale.
http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o57/joe_birmingham/DSCN1726.jpg

Damned good price for that vise. I hope the jaws are in good shape, you cannot get those old T shaped jaws anymore; they were discontinued a few years back. FYI If you ever want to remove those jaws look for 3 small pins on the top of the vise that fit flush to the surface of the vise. The pins are what hold the jaws in and must be driven out to remove the jaws! :wtf:

(Bet ya didn't know that, did ya! :pimpflash)

[LoneGunman]

No question, the older one


hholmberg, which of my Colombian vises is better? The one posted above or the one that I bought at Home Depot a couple of years ago below. I paid about the same amount for both of them. :lol_hitti
http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o57/joe_birmingham/DSCN1742.jpg

[Uncle Buck]

hholmberg, which of my Colombian vises is better? The one posted above or the one that I bought at Home Depot a couple of years ago below. I paid about the same amount for both of them. :lol_hitti
http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o57/joe_birmingham/DSCN1742.jpg

You know the answer to that one now don't you? The oldie is a machinist vise, and the nice new one is a mechanics vise (likely an import too) I gave away a decent newer mechanics vise when I got my old Columbian machinists vise (mine looks the same as the one you showed, except mine is a swivel base) :thumbup:

[Uncle Buck]

How do you feel about forged vs cast? The best vises I've used much are Records (England ones) and I'm thinking of getting either a Ridgid (75 000psi) or Wilton forged vise.

To be honest, I never gave much thought to cast VS forged, I am sure one is superior to the other, but I could not tell you which one is best. Both the brands you mentioned are premium brands.

My rule of thumb with vises has been very simple I look for USA made, and machinists vises. You just cannot seem to go wrong with any of the old ones unless they are too badly damaged or something.

[Joe B.]

You know the answer to that one now don't you? The oldie is a machinist vise, and the nice new one is a mechanics vise (likely an import too) I gave away a decent newer mechanics vise when I got my old Columbian machinists vise (mine looks the same as the one you showed, except mine is a swivel base) :thumbup:

Yeah, I was just being silly. The new little one came from China. I'm kind of ashamed of it now. :) It is kind of strange that they are both the same brand. I sure wish my old one had a swivel base.

[Uncle Buck]

I forgot, old Craftsman machinists vises from the day were actually made by Columbian, so do not pass on them if they are found for good money!

These days many of the old good name brands can be found on cheap import POS vises, so watch out it is easy to get stung. Unfortunately when it comes to good quality machinist type vises you really only have a couple of choices. Either spend a BUNCH of money ie several hundred dollars to buy one new, or find an old ugly one in decent shape for a hundred or less like the one shown above. The safe part of buying one like above is almost all of them were USA made in the day!

[KLars1]

1) Machinists vises are always heavier (this means better with vises) by heavier I mean if you take a machinist vise and set it next to a regular old mechanics vise and the overall size of each vise is the same, the machinist vise will weigh more than the general purpose vise.
2) Machinist vises have less slop and play when you open and close them
3) machinist vises are always considerably more expensive than the general purpose mechanics vises, at least when purchased new.

In case you cannot tell I like machinists vises. Some of the better brands of machinist vises I can think of are Rigid, Yost, Reed, Wilton, Columbian, Starrett, and there are several whose names escape me at the moment.


Great info, thanks!! How could you tell this from the picture posted since #1 and #2 need you to be in person to check out? :beer:

[Lookin4'67Galaxieconv]

What makes the Wilton Vises top of the line? Engineering tolerances? Materials? I've never seen one in person...but I get the impression that if I did, I would instantly know?

[LoneGunman]

UPPER end Wilton vises are top of the line, them like most of the others sold out and started producing their lower lines overseas, I'm sure their better vises will probably follow.

I don't think Wilton is better than any other quality US made vise manufacturer. Quality vises have less slop in the handle, are usually much heavier than their less expensive counterparts, less flex when really cranking on it and usually forged.

I used a 4' cheater bar trying to remove an FN Fal barrel from it's receiver, the receiver was held in an action wrench which was held by that Reed vice I posted, I pulled the bench thats pictured away from the wall, that bench was anchored with 3/8" lags into the studs. As you can probaby see I bent the vise handle but the vice held. I broke 5 or 6 cheap vises before I found that Reed.

[dfndr]

Does anyone know how the forged German vises(Ridgid, Brockhaus, Heuer) compare with the bigger new American ones(Wilton, Yost)?

[eschoendorff]

Look closely at the larger vise, the Reed, then look at the smaller vise, the Columbian. The most important thing to notice about the two is the Reed is a machinists vise and the Columbian is a mechanics or general purpose type of vise. The machinist type vise (in this case the Reed) is a vastly superior vise to a mechanics type of vise (in this case the Columbian)

Differences you will notice between a machinists vise and a general purpose/mechanic vise are quite noticeable and the appearance is just the beginning.

1) Machinists vises are always heavier (this means better with vises) by heavier I mean if you take a machinist vise and set it next to a regular old mechanics vise and the overall size of each vise is the same, the machinist vise will weigh more than the general purpose vise.
2) Machinist vises have less slop and play when you open and close them
3) machinist vises are always considerably more expensive than the general purpose mechanics vises, at least when purchased new.

In case you cannot tell I like machinists vises. Some of the better brands of machinist vises I can think of are Rigid, Yost, Reed, Wilton, Columbian, Starrett, and there are several whose names escape me at the moment.

Hey, you're still posting! :pimpflash

So, I take it you use a separate anvil?

[rocco]

I love my 1950's Reed unit

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v391/tuned20v/viseII002.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v391/tuned20v/viseII003.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v391/tuned20v/viseII001.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v391/tuned20v/viseII004.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v391/tuned20v/vise.jpg

The best part! - Free from my fatrher.

[Uncle Buck]

Great info, thanks!! How could you tell this from the picture posted since #1 and #2 need you to be in person to check out? :beer:

When you look at machinists vises and compare them to a general purpose/mechanics type vise you will always find the attributes I mentioned prove out. Just the nature of the design and manufacture of each type of vise. Actually you do not need to be there and lift each one or anything of the sort to know which will be heavier, or of better quality.

ALL YOU NEED TO KNOW IS WHAT TYPE OF VISE YOU ARE LOOKING AT AND YOU WILL AUTOMATICALLY KNOW WHICH ONE IS THE BETTER QUALITY VISE! :thumbup:

[Uncle Buck]

Hey, you're still posting! :pimpflash

So, I take it you use a separate anvil?

I can't resist if I find a thread like this one. :thumbup:

[Uncle Buck]

I love my 1950's Reed unit

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v391/tuned20v/viseII002.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v391/tuned20v/viseII003.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v391/tuned20v/viseII001.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v391/tuned20v/viseII004.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v391/tuned20v/vise.jpg

The best part! - Free from my fatrher.

So I guess I cannot convince you to part company with the old girl eh? :drool:

[marrt]

I wonder if someone might be able to post a picture of the bottom of one of these Reed swivel vises? I purchased one today and noticed, when I got it home, that it looks to be missing a "bolt" that holds the vise to the swivel plate. This bolt would go up through the center of the plate into the vise, allowing the vise to swivel around the plate. This is separate from the locking mechanism that locks the vise to the plate. If its just a bolt, and no other parts are missing, I can probably determine the size and pick one up from McMaster Carr.

[Todd.Brock]

http://cincinnati.craigslist.org/tls/1339850100.html

Anyone know anything about these? I have never heard of Buffalo??

[SpiderGearsMan]

I picked up this Colombian for $60. I see small vises for sale all the time. In this part of the country, every old house has one on a bench in the basement. So, there is one at every estate sale.
http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o57/joe_birmingham/DSCN1726.jpg

you didn't have that shipped ?

[Bolster]

Differences you will notice between a machinists vise and a general purpose/mechanic vise are quite noticeable and the appearance is just the beginning.

1) Machinists vises are always heavier (this means better with vises) by heavier I mean if you take a machinist vise and set it next to a regular old mechanics vise and the overall size of each vise is the same, the machinist vise will weigh more than the general purpose vise.
2) Machinist vises have less slop and play when you open and close them
3) machinist vises are always considerably more expensive than the general purpose mechanics vises, at least when purchased new.

HEY NOW wait a second. Everyone is saying this is great advice, I say it's a good start...but how does this help me spot a machinist's vise at a swap meet? (1) I can't compare it in weight to a similar size vise (2) Not sure how to compare slop when I've nothing to compare it to; and (3) I can't use price as a guide at a swap meet.

Buck, please reach back into the recesses of your fertile mind and give me a little more guidance here...is there a particular design feature that distinguishes the two? Say, more machined surfaces on the machinist's, or something?

[Zorro13]

Does anyone know how the forged German vises(Ridgid, Brockhaus, Heuer) compare with the bigger new American ones(Wilton, Yost)?

The german high quality vises have usually a much better spindle quality and very little slope. Some have a butterfly guide which allows you not only to readjust the spindle play but also the jaw play (left to right). Can't compare this with most of the US vises in my opinion. Look for a Durlach, Magnat, Heuer, Peddinghaus or an italian Leinen.

Problem is: They are pretty expensive (several hunderd Euro range) and none of these brands is available in the common US tool shops.

[Thedroid]

I have seen several old Columbians, and have one myself. I don't think they come anywhere near the Wiltons in quality. For one, the screw is sealed to keep crap from getting in there. No play to speak of, and doesn't go crooked when you bite something off center. Have yet to see any other vice that comes close. I was spoiled at my last job, we had a brand new 8" Wilton bolted down to a 1" steel table. It's been 2 yrs, and I still miss that vise and table.
http://www.mile-x.com/images/products/detail/800S.jpg

[Uncle Buck]

HEY NOW wait a second. Everyone is saying this is great advice, I say it's a good start...but how does this help me spot a machinist's vise at a swap meet? (1) I can't compare it in weight to a similar size vise (2) Not sure how to compare slop when I've nothing to compare it to; and (3) I can't use price as a guide at a swap meet.

Buck, please reach back into the recesses of your fertile mind and give me a little more guidance here...is there a particular design feature that distinguishes the two? Say, more machined surfaces on the machinist's, or something?

Bolster, read below, I tried to give you a little more, really most machinist vises seem to generally favor each other in overall appearance, and the fact that there is generally not a lot of slop in a good one that is working well, certainly not so much as you would find in a regular old mechanics vise. Also, more times than not, if the vise has pipe jaws it will be a general purpose, or mechanics type of vise. The fastest education you can get is to locate a well stocked industrial supply store that stocks and sells both type of vises. Go visit the store and compare one of each type vise, ideally in roughly the same size, the differences will become evident immediately. Once you learn the difference it becomes much easier to tell one type from the other, look at enough of them long enough used and you will even be able to tell the imports without even picking them up!



Bolster, look at the general shape of the smaller vise, notice the horn on the back side, generally mechanics vises seem to have a very rough finish on the castings instead of a casting that is smoother in finish. Compare the large and small vises side by side below, notice the rough finish of the small vise compared to the smoother finish of the larger machinist vise? Now look at the pic of Joe B's vise second pic down, while unfinished steel, and semi rusty, notice the appearance of the steel looks considerably smoother than the casting parts in the small mechanics vise in picture one. The rough casting look seems to be one of the tells of the cheaper and lighter mechanics vises as compared to the machinists vises, I generally take it as one of the basic differences in the level of quality.
http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y149/brintiff/P1010189-1.jpg

I picked up this Colombian for $60. I see small vises for sale all the time. In this part of the country, every old house has one on a bench in the basement. So, there is one at every estate sale.
http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o57/joe_birmingham/DSCN1726.jpg

I have seen several old Columbians, and have one myself. I don't think they come anywhere near the Wiltons in quality. For one, the screw is sealed to keep crap from getting in there. No play to speak of, and doesn't go crooked when you bite something off center. Have yet to see any other vice that comes close. I was spoiled at my last job, we had a brand new 8" Wilton bolted down to a 1" steel table. It's been 2 yrs, and I still miss that vise and table.
http://www.mile-x.com/images/products/detail/800S.jpg

I would have to agree with quite a bit of this, in particular the fact that a Wilton is really just the best there is in the way of high quality vises, the problem with Wilton vises is that everyone seems to know they are about the top of the line, though I doubt I would turn down a high quality Reed or even a Yost either. No one seems to mention Yost brand much. But I digress, old Columbians, Craftsman, Starrett, Reed and many other brands that may not be quite as nice as a Wilton can be bought for a third of the cost of a Wilton new, or used, and you will be able to work them just as hard as the Wilton brand. Many good old vises to find out there if you keep looking. There is a reason that the vise you are looking at is older than grandpa and still looks and feels like it is in great shape; that is because they were and still are great products.

[Lookin4'67Galaxieconv]

I would have to agree with quite a bit of this, in particular the fact that a Wilton is really just the best there is in the way of high quality vises, the problem with Wilton vises is that everyone seems to know they are about the top of the line, though I doubt I would turn down a high quality Reed or even a Yost either. No one seems to mention Yost brand much. But I digress, old Columbians, Craftsman, Starrett, Reed and many other brands that may not be quite as nice as a Wilton can be bought for a third of the cost of a Wilton new, or used, and you will be able to work them just as hard as the Wilton brand. Many good old vises to find out there if you keep looking. There is a reason that the vise you are looking at is older than grandpa and still looks and feels like it is in great shape; that is because they were and still are great products.

Here's a stinkin' Yost for ya! :lol_hitti

http://i336.photobucket.com/albums/n345/comet_man_1965/black_vise.jpg


I have four vises, but still would like to pick up an old Wilton.

[usmc_noma]

http://images.craigslist.org/3k73mf3of5O15S55Rf98m1d1fd38e494017a9.jpg

does anyone know how old this type of craftsman vise is?

[Uncle Buck]

http://images.craigslist.org/3k73mf3of5O15S55Rf98m1d1fd38e494017a9.jpg

does anyone know how old this type of craftsman vise is?

My bet is 1960's -70's I bet if you turn it over you find Japan cast into the bottom of the base. (I hope not, but I have one like that)

[usmc_noma]

so yours has japan cast into it? what's the quality of it if it is that old?

[Uncle Buck]

so yours has japan cast into it? what's the quality of it if it is that old?

I got to admit, I never mounted the vise. I have not used it. Your vise is a general purpose, or mechanics type of vise and not the higher quality machinist vises spoken of earlier in this thread.

Regardless, if it is the only vise you have I would say mount it and use it.

[usmc_noma]

i actually don't have one yet. i'm thinking of taking a look at the craftsman i put up or this one below. i'm just waiting on some more info on size, etc on it.

http://images.craigslist.org/3n63k53m15P75S65Re986e9055850d3111607.jpg

[kevncar]

Found a Yost 32c for sale for $50...is that a fair price? Needs cleaned up, but what else should a guy watch out for? Is there anything on a vise that tends to wear out?

Thanks...sorry to OPer for highjacking.

[bgott]

Found a Yost 32c for sale for $50...is that a fair price? Needs cleaned up, but what else should a guy watch out for? Is there anything on a vise that tends to wear out?


http://www.yostvises.com/heavyduty2.htm

Being that the Yost 32C is $625 new, I think $50 would be a pretty good price!

[Lookin4'67Galaxieconv]

Found a Yost 32c for sale for $50...is that a fair price? Needs cleaned up, but what else should a guy watch out for? Is there anything on a vise that tends to wear out?

Thanks...sorry to OPer for highjacking.

Just inspect it closely, check that it works properly, there's not a lot of slop, etc.

That wasn't highjacking, it was bringing back from the dead! :wtf: :spit:

[Dan in Pasadena]

Found a Yost 32c for sale for $50...is that a fair price? Needs cleaned up...

Sheesh, I thought I got a great deal yesterday. You may or may not have seen it on another thread here but I picked up a Wilton 746, 6" in OSHA Safety yellow for only $60. Online shows it retails for $249, so I thought I did good.
You STOLE that Yost. Congrats!:bowdown:

Here's mine:

[BanjoSavesTheDay]

One other thing I didn't see anyone mention is to look at the quality of the jaws. First, make sure they're there, I guess. lol But also make sure they're not terribly marred or cracked. Replacement jaws can be had, but it can be a pain. Also see if they look originial, because they may not be as good of quality and you'll be able to get a better deal if they are someone elses homemade jaws.

[Keep]

Up here its Record that seems to pop up the most. In the last couple months I have picked up a #5 for $50 and a #4 for $30.

For some silly reason I keep looking for them. I have no where else to put them!!