Wilton WS6 vise - offshore import?

[iSpark]

Hi.
I purchased a cheap $130 WS6 (china made?) wilton vise. I'm not impressed with it at all. Still debating on sending it back for refund.

My biggest complaint is the vise chatter while opening and closing the jaw. It's crazy loud and even vibrates the bench.

Is there an easy way to fix the chatter before I send it back?
Thanks

 

[jayemm]

Years back I bought a WS4 vise.Strictly homeowner grade and was lousy at that.Mine was a piece of trash and I returned it to Grainger.The spindle was bowed so the moveable jaw would wobble from side to side.The main vise nut (that the spindle screws into) was retained with a cap screw that kept coming loose.The final straw was the chrome on the handle started peeling and cut my hand.When I returned it, the guy at Grainger said they were going to destroy it.Product liability? I don't know.

Oh yeah, a few years later the company I worked for bought some WS6's.The machinery assemblers gave them a good workout and every handle was really bent from trying to keep a grip on the parts.The jaws didn't grip enough.Seemed kind of scary to me having those vises in an industrial setting.As far as I know they were cast iron (and only 25K-30KPSI tensile strength) and cast iron can fracture violently.The better vises are made from ductile iron (60KPSI minimum) which gives warning by bending when overloaded.
New Wilton Tradesman vises were then purchased.

Didn't intend to write a book but just giving you my experience.There are definitely better vises out there.Check out the Yost ADI vises and the vise test on youtube (Fireball Tools or something like that). Good luck.

 

[iSpark]

Thanks for the info.
I found that video, interesting to watch.

 

[1982fxr]

Those Vises are ****. They should be on a Walmart shelf for $59.99.

 

[shawhite]

What do you really expect for $130.

 

[iSpark]

What do you really expect for $130. Even at scrap prices (5.25 a lb). A decent 6in vise (60lbs) would go for $300.

What do I expect?
I expect a $130 vise marked down from $244, to perform better than a cheap Harbor Freight vise.

 

[iSpark]

Those Vises are ****. They should be on a Walmart shelf for $59.99.

I'm inclined to agree.

 

[shawhite]

Essentially it was made to compete with the lower line vises on the market ie hf vises. There are very few things in life the adage you get what you pay for does not apply. I believe garage journal has done vise buyers a disservice showing all these estate sale vises for pennys. The reality in most parts of the country these are hard to find so you end up buying new. The problem is you go out looking for a new vise in an unrealistic price range. $130 for a 6in vise would be a red flag for me. I mean a 6in tradesman is in the $600 range and a 6in machinist is in the $1500 range.

 

[iSpark]

Essentially it was made to compete with the lower line vises on the market ie hf vises. There are very few things in life the adage you get what you pay for does not apply. I believe garage journal has done vise buyers a disservice showing all these estate sale vises for pennys. The reality in most parts of the country these are hard to find so you end up buying new. The problem is you go out looking for a new vise in an unrealistic price range. $130 for a 6in vise would be a red flag for me. I mean a 6in tradesman is in the $600 range and a 6in machinist is in the $1500 range.

I can agree with that assessment.
But also you would think a name like Wilton would carry a little more weight.

I may have to break down and get something comparable to the old school vises, was hoping this one would hold me over until then.

 

[shawhite]

Yeah unfortunately when Wilton was purchased by Jet they started their downhill slide and began offshoring more products.

 

[1982fxr]

What do I expect?
I expect a $130 vise marked down from $244, to perform better than a cheap Harbor Freight vise.

It is a world better than any hf vise. Rest assured.

 

[M635_Guy]

I have a MiC Yost 750 Di, and it's a great vise. It was $185 or so at the time, and I didn't find much for under that $$ that seemed as versatile and well-rated. I'd return the Wilton and spend some extra dough.

 

[Shiftless]

I’m in the “buy an American Classic” camp.

Return that crappy Wilton whatever you do.

Post something in the GJ wanted thread. There might just be somebody within an hour or 2 of you who can spare a workable vise for you in exchange for $100-200 or an interesting trade. I would, but I’m on the west coast.

Post your location and maybe somebody reading this has a lead.

 

[justtools]

I’m in the “buy an American Classic” camp.

Return that crappy Wilton whatever you do.

I agree completely. Return the vise and look for a usa made used vise for the same money. You will be much happier.

 

[justtools]

My friends wonder why I buy nice tools. Spend good money on wilton vises, snap on wrenches, baldor bench grinders, Fluke usa made meters. But wont spend 10 dollars a drink at the club. I wonder how they can spend so much money at the clubs and get nothing for it. Then do their work with **** tools.

 

[Shiftless]

My friends wonder why I buy nice tools. Spend good money on wilton vises, snap on wrenches, baldor bench grinders, Fluke usa made meters. But wont spend 10 dollars a drink at the club. I wonder how they can spend so much money at the clubs and get nothing for it. Then do their work with **** tools.

I 99% agree with that with the notable exception of lumping all Wilton vises into your statement. Their top of the line models like the C series and the machinist bullets are still great but wildly expensive. Those are still made in the U.S.A. I have quite a few vises. My user is a Wilton C1 but I bought it 2nd hand.

shawhite is correct when he says that the once mighty Wilton name has been diluted. Don’t buy a vise based on that brand name alone. Look for an old Wilton bullet (if you like the style and willing to pay more) or Reed, Rock Island, Athol, Prentiss or 5-10 other vintage vises.

My advice to iSpark again is to return the Wilton and if you need a vise right away, to buy a $50 vise from Harbor Freight (don’t forget your 20% off coupon) to use while you keep your eye out for a classic. You can then demote the HF vise to your welding table or quickly sell it for half of what you paid for a minimum dollar loss.

 

[justtools]

I 99% agree with that with the notable exception of lumping all Wilton vises into your statement. Their top of the line models like the C series and the machinist bullets are still great but wildly expensive. Those are still made in the U.S.A. I have quite a few vises. My user is a Wilton C1 but I bought it 2nd hand.

shawhite is correct when he says that the once mighty Wilton name has been diluted. Don’t buy a vise based on that brand name alone. Look for an old Wilton bullet (if you like the style and willing to pay more) or Reed, Rock Island, Athol, Prentiss or 5-10 other vintage vises.

My advice to iSpark again is to return the Wilton and if you need a vise right away, to buy a $50 vise from Harbor Freight (don’t forget your 20% off coupon) to use while you keep your eye out for a classic. You can then demote the HF vise to your welding table or quickly sell it for half of what you paid for a minimum dollar loss.

you are correct about the vises. Everything I have is in the bullet lineup and made in USA.

 

[Shiftless]

you are correct about the vises. Everything I have is in the bullet lineup and made in USA.

 

[toolchaser]

Pickens, S.C. flea market is good hunting ground for quality vises. A friend has found several at decent prices. Obviously, a crusty, but undamaged U.S.A. or European is the goal, as unrestored will be considerably cheaper. I got a Chas. Parker 954 & a 5" Columbian for $50 & $30 respectively at my flea, so their out there. I picked up a double dart Craftsman 3 1/2" N.I.B. for $25, they come in waves sometimes...

 

[iSpark]

Pickens, S.C. flea market is good hunting ground for quality vises.

Sounds like I need to do a day trip/road trip!



...and on the other note. The China-Wilton is boxed up and waiting on UPS pick-up and a new Yost ADI-5 from Taiwan is on the way.