vise

[junkyardwarrior]

My shop is a multi-purpose shop. I work with lawn mowers, some wood work stuff on a few occasions, and cars/trucks. Mostly mechanical stuff. Cutting, welding, u-joints, etc.

I don't have a vise. I'm probably going to need a 6" or similarly sized vise. I looked at the "vises of garage journal" thread and I see pics of expensive and hard to find vises. I want something decent quality but I ain't spending $300 and up, and thus far that's all I've found. Ebay has a few but shipping a 50+ lb vise gets expensive. What are my other options for a good all-around vise? Love to have an old Wilton or Colombian but it's outside what I can afford. The Craftsman one I had my eye on is no longer available apparently

 

[billyjp2]

There are several listed at any given time on local craigslists. I've also had very nice luck at tag sales and flea markets. What you're looking for in a vise and in your price range doesn't seem outrageous at all.

 

[Packard V8]

You don't need a big 6" vise for most of your work. A 4" jaw will hold most of what you describe.

If you watch craigslist, you should find a good one for $50 or less eventually.

jack vines

 

[ken w.]

I buy and restore vises here and there. CL is defiantly the place to find a good vise for $ 50.00 and under. You need to watch it a few times a day. The Tool section and the Farm & Garden section both have them listed.

 

[Filson]

junkyardwarrior - what's your local CL? I'd avoid Ebay for the most part... Most of my finds have been from yard sales. Whenever I see anything tool-related, I always ask if they happen to have a vise they'd sell (or whatever else I may be looking for).

My wife and I brought home a 5" old Reed and a 6" Parker one day when we stopped by a few yards sales. For both of them combined, we paid just shy of $80 bucks. There have been people on here that have come across even better deals. If you have a bit of time, just be patient and you'll find a quality old vise for a good price.

As for the 6" vise itself, that is a pretty massive vise that you more than likely don't "need". Personally, I think a 4 1/2" vise is about the perfect medicine for a typical home shop bench.

 

[zkling]

Look for a fixed base in the 4-4.5" range with easily replaceable jaws.

 

[Engine]

This Bessey should be descent quality, and the price is about $80 at Home Depot. If you're looking for USA made, you'll have to step up a few notches in the price range.


BESSEY 6 in. Heavy Duty Bench Vise with Swivel Base
Model # BV-HD60
Internet # 205023093
Store SKU # 1000041192

 

[oldldh]

Brand new Craftsman Professional Vises are available for less than $ 125.00...

A Chinese copy of the Wilton 1745, they'll do your job just fine...

Search on the GJ Tool Forum and you'll find all the info you'll need...

 

[CNGsaves]

OP . . . . what country are you in ??

Update GJ Profile with City/State/Country.

You've just missed recent opportunity to purchase new Craftsman Professional vise that is is very good - - - - 4 1/2" jaws & swivel base and under $100 after discounts. These sold out at Sears, but likely now available re-sold on Ebay for more money.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/NEW-4-1-2-C...764?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item1c4f79b9c4

Another nice new vise is Palmgren 6" vise still available on Amazon for $214 that is very similar to above Craftsman vise but bigger.
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00KO16SKG/?tag=atomicindus08-20

Here's an affordable 5" jaw Craftsman vise that's been buffed up and clear coated (made in USA vise) for $125
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Vintage-5-C...416?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item4193a7af70

Plenty of vises available for immediate purchase if you don't have much pop up your local CL or garage/estate sales.

 

[seagullplayer]

I have had good luck with my Harbor Freight vise.

I work on everything from motorcycles to washing machines.

 

[Fretters]

Buy the Harbor freight with the rotating head. It is the most versatile vise and unless you're an absolute fool you won't break it.
For your use and the use of ninety nine plus percent of people, it's perfect.

Never thought I'd hear myself say this, but I have to agree with Ducksface. For simplicity, versatility and cheapness of price, you really can't go far wrong. I know one tends to hear stories of Asian import vices breaking occasionally, but you have to remember that for each one broken, there are 1000's still performing faultlessly, and I'm guessing that most of the breakages aren't due to vice quality as much as user abuse.

Treat any vice well and it'll do what you want. Treat it like ****, and you could break anything with enough effort.

 

[Fretters]

You don't need a big 6" vise for most of your work. A 4" jaw will hold most of what you describe.

As for the 6" vise itself, that is a pretty massive vise that you more than likely don't "need". Personally, I think a 4 1/2" vise is about the perfect medicine for a typical home shop bench.

Look for a fixed base in the 4-4.5" range with easily replaceable jaws.

I'm with Jack, Filson and Zkling on this thinking. 4" to 5" is perfect for most work. Even if you did go for a 6", it doesn't mean it's any more capable than a smaller vice. There is a lot more than just jaw width to consider with any vice. Build size and robustness vary greatly, so jaw size is generally nothing more than an indicator. You can find wide jaws on pathetically small vices, and conversely narrow jaws on something which might dwarf a larger jaw vice. A good 6" vice is stupidly large and heavy.