Purchasing first Vise : any recommendations?

[Sdot]

Hey GJ!

Need some help/advise on a bench-table vise for my home garage. Majority of work is automotive. Specifically need a table vise to use when working on suspension bits like shocks, struts, and dampers.

Won’t be the only use, am learning how valuable a vise is in general. Am a big supporter of USA quality tools quality where they exist, but often not readily available to purchase IE; Wilton, Columbia, etc. Also, have NO idea even browsing retail selections what size would be appropriate.

TIA!

 

[1982fxr]

If you're open to used, what's your location?

Do you need pipe jaws?

If not any of the old 4"+ USA rectangle slide vises are hard to beat. Reed, Rock island, athol etc etc, plus there's always Wilton.

 

[CafeTools]

I got a bessey from home depot. Proably the best one I have seen from a local store. Not USA though.

 

[Sdot]

If you're open to used, what's your location?

Do you need pipe jaws?

If not any of the old 4"+ USA rectangle slide vises are hard to beat. Reed, Rock island, athol etc etc, plus there's always Wilton.

Yea, nothing against used besides locating something within a 2 week time frame that I will be needing. Forgive my lack on vise knowledge, but not sure I need pipe jaws & how are rectangle slide styles more useful?

I got a bessey from home depot. Proably the best one I have seen from a local store. Not USA though.

Nice, thats a start.

Really have no idea peoples experience dealing with off the shelf retail vise's like YOST, DEWALT, even saw Tekton has a vise now. Bessey looks like it has some good feedback, though not sure I can rely on only recommendations from store's websites.

Keep the info rolling appreciate it!

 

[seber]

Pretty hard to beat the Yost vises for value.

 

[bargainhuntingking]

Due to the vise hoarders on this forum, any available old American quality steel has been snatched up and is collecting dust in someone’s display cabinet at the moment. So if you’re in a bind and really need a vise for an immediate project, don’t feel bad getting a temporary vise made in China. Contrary to what you may discover reading here, some of these vices can actually be practical and not fall apart when you sneeze on them.

I got this 4 inch model as my first vise as I needed it immediately for a task and just went to my closest hardware store and grabbed it off the shelf. It works great for what I use it for on my portable workbench and it’s probably my most used vise.

I have a old Colombian and a Chas Parker as well that I use for heavier duty stuff on my other bench, but lesser quality vises like the one below can get the job done.

Brand new, after mounting it:

 

[decableguy2000]

Get what you can afford. Old US iron is great, but an import vise has held up to many us on here just fine. My Harbor Freight has done me well for at least 10 years. I have upgraded to a Wilton, but it took a long time of searching.
As far as the size goes, a 5" is good for most things.

 

[Rabid Badger]

The Yost ADI series are incredibly strong and don't take up a ton of bench space:

https://www.amazon.com/Yost-ADI-5-Austempered-360-Degree-superseding/dp/B00E8ITETS

 

[bluebolt]

As asked before, what is your location?

If you need to buy new because of a lack of good used USA vises in your area I would suggest the Yost 750DI. It's the only Chinese vise I would consider and have been tempted on several occasions to get a new one. It's made of 65,000 PSI ductile iron, not the 30,000 PSI gray iron most low end vises are made of. Here is the best price I could currently find. https://trendywiks.com/product/yost...8FHo2gtop9JM9czY0beszXQ5qkJZJXExoCKVcQAvD_BwE

 

[Shiftless]

Sdot

Post your location. I bet there is a decent old vise on C/L not too far away. If not right now, keep checking every day.
If you were close, I’d be happy to sell you one of my extras for a fair price.

Yes, I do have some collecting dust, but some of those I rescued from places like a muddy back yard or a dumpster one day away from a pickup and a one way trip to the smelter.
Here is a classic...Althol...it was stuck and the old paint was in horrible shape. Cleaning, greasing, and new paint and it’s ready to go back to work someday.

Don’t be afraid of a little hard work. You can find these “fixer uppers” at swap meets, antique stores in the back room, garage and estate sales, even eBay. Look on eBay for listings near enough for you to do in person pick up. High shipping costs for vises usually keep many buyers away. I have bought at least 6 vises that way.

 

[plinker]

For a good vise, I'd look at the Yost/Capri forged vises (made in Taiwan). IIRC, Amazon had some decent deals on Yost vises last black friday.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B015NI29BG/ref=sspa_dk_detail_3?psc=1&spLa=ZW5jcnlwdGVkUXVhbGlmaWVyPUEyWlhPSFRVMFlMTVA3JmVuY3J5cHRlZElkPUEwMzY1MDEzMzNMQzdSTEZYR04zUiZlbmNyeXB0ZWRBZElkPUEwOTcxNDM3M01CRTQ5QjhWREpJTiZ3aWRnZXROYW1lPXNwX2RldGFpbDImYWN0aW9uPWNsaWNrUmVkaXJlY3QmZG9Ob3RMb2dDbGljaz10cnVl
https://www.amazon.com/Yost-ADI-5-Austempered-360-Degree-superseding/dp/B00E8ITETS?tag=vglnkc3018-20

An older used vise would be a good choice too. Less expensive vises such as Irwin, for instance, can get the job done too, but IME are not the best for beating on.

 

[paulsomlo]

My recommendation? Stay away from the "Vises of Garage Journal" thread - before you know it, you'll become an addict and need to purchase a warehouse to keep them in.

 

[Shiftless]

My recommendation? Stay away from the "Vises of Garage Journal" thread - before you know it, you'll become an addict and need to purchase a warehouse to keep them in.

I am living proof of what happens if you ignore that warning!

 

[Shadowdog500]

Since this is the GJ we have to think big. Get the Wilton 800S. It’s indestructible, you will be the envy of everyone on this forum, and it’s currently on sale at amazon for $3,599 with free delivery!, Wilton 10036 800S 8-Inch Jaw Width by 12-Inch Opening Machinist Swivel Base Vise https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0008JF9NG/?tag=atomicindus08-20

If you want to be more realistic this Dewalt 6” vise is only $79.99 with free shipping from Amazon. It gets good reviews and will probably last the rest of your life.
DeWalt DXCMWSV6 6 In. Heavy-Duty WORKSHOP Bench Vise https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07BSWQB7L/?tag=atomicindus08-20

I have had a MIT 4” vise on my bench for about 20 years and like it. MIT don’t sell vises any more but this $103 Wilton vise is a dead ringer (it’s the same vise). Wilton 11106 Wilton Bench Vise, Jaw Width 6-Inch, Jaw Opening 6-Inch https://www.amazon.com/dp/B001022GRM/?tag=atomicindus08-20

Here is a video of an auto repair I made using the vise. Bigger is fine, but a 6” vise is all you probably need.

 

[DFB]

Plenty of used old American vises still out there I usually come across 4 or 5 worthy ones at my flea mkt each summer. Most are quite serviceable though often the jaw faces are pretty worn and handles bent.

Most have been under a $100 Highest I ever paid was $75 for a 923 Starrett machinist vise sans swivel base.

That said I have a 6" YOST AS series vise (AS is for all steel) Taiwan import, higher psi rating than the usual cast iron from others) They also have smaller 4" 5" versions and make up to an 8" Pricing should be found under a buck and half for even the largest.

 

[Professional Tool User]

If there are any used vices that are not made in a third world country available on your local classifieds for $50-$100, go buy it. I have a lightly used, Made in England, Record no. 3 swivel vice I bought off craigslist for $40.

If not, get one of the new options that others have suggested.

 

[Sdot]

Contrary to what you may discover reading here, some of these vices can actually be practical and not fall apart when you sneeze on them.

That's legit hilarious, and exactly why I wanted to start this thread after much reading on here

Get what you can afford. Old US iron is great, but an import vise has held up to many us on here just fine. My Harbor Freight has done me well for at least 10 years. I have upgraded to a Wilton, but it took a long time of searching.
As far as the size goes, a 5" is good for most things.

Awesome I appreciate the advise, though couldn't get myself to buy a HF vise despite looking @ them the last time. Would probably work just fine for my purpose though.

As asked before, what is your location?

If you need to buy new because of a lack of good used USA vises in your area I would suggest the Yost 750DI. It's the only Chinese vise I would consider and have been tempted on several occasions to get a new one. It's made of 65,000 PSI ductile iron, not the 30,000 PSI gray iron most low end vises are made of. Here is the best price I could currently find.

That YOST 750DI - price of $189.99 is on the top end of what I'm ready to spend right now. Actually had hopes of getting one right at the $100 mark - but that may, or may not end up biting me in the rear in the short run.

Sdot

Post your location. I bet there is a decent old vise on C/L not too far away. If not right now, keep checking every day.
If you were close, I’d be happy to sell you one of my extras for a fair price.

Yes, I do have some collecting dust, but some of those I rescued from places like a muddy back yard or a dumpster one day away from a pickup and a one way trip to the smelter.
Here is a classic...Althol...it was stuck and the old paint was in horrible shape. Cleaning, greasing, and new paint and it’s ready to go back to work someday.

Don’t be afraid of a little hard work. You can find these “fixer uppers” at swap meets, antique stores in the back room, garage and estate sales, even eBay. Look on eBay for listings near enough for you to do in person pick up. High shipping costs for vises usually keep many buyers away. I have bought at least 6 vises that way.

Appreciate it. I am located in PHX AZ - truthfully not looking to get into a vise restoration project at this current moment. Just want to buy one, new or used and ready for battle! Have a suspension job ill need it for in 2 weeks time. May do as others have suggested, and pick up one of the recommended here to use and hunt for a fixer-upper or project USA vise when one comes around.

For a good vise, I'd look at the Yost/Capri forged vises (made in Taiwan). IIRC, Amazon had some decent deals on Yost vises last black friday.

An older used vise would be a good choice too. Less expensive vises such as Irwin, for instance, can get the job done too, but IME are not the best for beating on.

Always solid advise thank you. Are all of the YOST made in Taiwan?

My recommendation? Stay away from the "Vises of Garage Journal" thread - before you know it, you'll become an addict and need to purchase a warehouse to keep them in.

That said I have a 6" YOST AS series vise (AS is for all steel) Taiwan import, higher psi rating than the usual cast iron from others) They also have smaller 4" 5" versions and make up to an 8" Pricing should be found under a buck and half for even the largest.

Awesome, another good recommendation for YOST.

 

[Shiftless]

Ok
I know it’s 100 miles away but this is a good deal on a very well made vise. (Eron) $60 asking price. Probably made in Japan as a clone of the also very highly regarded (made in the UK) Record vise.

https://tucson.craigslist.org/tls/d/tucson-bench-vise/6990728811.html

 

[MileHighRover]

Take a look at this. It may change your opinion on some vises.

How strong are these bench vises?

 

[joshmodelskidoo]

Dad had an old mit brand vice we beat on for years till it broke. I had a no name china vice for several years till I broke it. Broke down and bought a used wilton bullet vice. I believe Menards have some masterforce vices that look ok

 

[ClappedOutBport]

Big. Avoid swivels for automotive work, few hold tight enough.

Also I should comment that while rarer and much more expensive, I tend to use a swivel jaw frequently in automotive work since car parts are never square. Example. This A-arm could not be held at all without crushing it, it would just pivot due to the tiny clamping area in a normal vise. Remove the pin, swivel the rear jaw about two degrees and it's locked up extremely tight. Torque spec was something like 140 ft-lbs, so it needed to be secure.

 

[DFB]

I have had a MIT 5” vise on my bench for about 20 years and like it. MIT don’t sell vises any more but this $103 Wilton vise is a dead ringer (it’s the same vise). Wilton 11106 Wilton Bench Vise, Jaw Width 6-Inch, Jaw Opening 6-Inch https://www.amazon.com/dp/B001022GRM/?tag=atomicindus08-20

MIT or Michigan Industrial Tools an abbreviation once fondly known to many as Made in Taiwan

Just as an FYI for this thread those same vise are still there just labeled under the Tekton name now


Texton also badges an 8 malleable steel in their lineup as well and identical to the 8"YOST AS

https://www.amazon.com/TEKTON-6-Inch-Swivel-Bench-54006/dp/B00FJXYKE0/ref=asc_df_B00FJXYKE0/?tag=bingshoppinga-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid={creative}&hvpos={adposition}&hvnetw=o&hvrand={random}&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=e&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl={devicemodel}&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=&hvtargid=pla-4583932699680568&psc=1

 

[DFB]

Take a look at this. It may change your opinion on some vises.

How strong are these bench vises?

Enjoyed that

 

[Shadowdog500]

MIT or Michigan Industrial Tools an abbreviation once fondly known to many as Made in Taiwan

Just as an FYI for this thread those same vise are still there just labeled under the Tekton name now


Texton also badges an 8 malleable steel in their lineup as well and identical to the 8"YOST AS

https://www.amazon.com/TEKTON-6-Inch-Swivel-Bench-54006/dp/B00FJXYKE0/ref=asc_df_B00FJXYKE0/?tag=bingshoppinga-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid={creative}&hvpos={adposition}&hvnetw=o&hvrand={random}&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=e&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl={devicemodel}&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=&hvtargid=pla-4583932699680568&psc=1

Not sure I would buy it from Texton since the same vise sold as a Wilton is $3 less and you can tell people you bought a Wilton
.

 

[DFB]

Not sure I would buy it from Texton since the same vise sold as a Wilton is $3 less and you can tell people you bought a Wilton
.

After watching that video link don't know why you would

 

[may0naise]

If you are just looking for a decent normal home use vise I would recommend the yost RAV 5. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B015KP2KI4/?tag=atomicindus08-20 It is made of ductile Iron, and has a larger opening width than most vises it's size (7" vs the 5ish that most have). plus I like the quick release chuck. I picked one up super cheap (about $35) and for a sub $50 vise I think this is the BEST option available. I even ground a hex on it so I could use a cheater bar and it has not broke yet.




Another one you can try is the Yost 855-D2 reversible jaw vise https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00YS405Z4/?tag=atomicindus08-20 which is $135. also ductile iron and it has pipe jaws and can be reversed for a 9-3/4" jaw opening. I really like the idea of this style, though have never used one. If I was buying a first vise again I would probably buy one of these.

and going up in price there is the yost ADI series of vises https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00E8IWTHC/?tag=atomicindus08-20 I have an ADI 6 at work and that thing is a beast

 

[MileHighRover]

Enjoyed that

Pretty eye opening, especially the results of the Wilton Tradesman.