Anyone have any feedback on the Milwaukee tripod chain Vise vs the RIDGID Tripod Chain vise? These seem to be the most popular out there and wanted to see what people thought before buying one for the crew.
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Tripod Chain Vises
- Thread starter Kentc
- Start date
Always used a rigid and they are readily available used in decent shape for about $125.
Edit: Never seen a Milwaukee but just looked a plumbing supply website where they had 6 reviews of it and 3 said they broke the aluminum casting of the table.
Edit: Never seen a Milwaukee but just looked a plumbing supply website where they had 6 reviews of it and 3 said they broke the aluminum casting of the table.
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Beerhippie
Well-known member
I've been using a Ridgid Tristand for over thirty years--and it's gotta be twenty years older than that,
Tristands are the only thing I've ever seen on a jobsite.
Tristands are the only thing I've ever seen on a jobsite.
KnurledNut
Well-known member
I have no input on the Milwaukee but I am not a fan of the brand in general, so to be completely honest, I wouldn’t even consider it. But I am in the minority here.
I do have a well used Tristand designed for use with their 300 power pipe threader. Since it’s a flat top, I use it as a multipurpose portable stand with various attachments like a chain vise, yoke pipe vise, bench vise, even a bench grinder. It’s been hammered on, pried against and kicked around and has held up well to use its not intended for. It’s hard to go wrong with Ridgid’s industrial line.
I do have a well used Tristand designed for use with their 300 power pipe threader. Since it’s a flat top, I use it as a multipurpose portable stand with various attachments like a chain vise, yoke pipe vise, bench vise, even a bench grinder. It’s been hammered on, pried against and kicked around and has held up well to use its not intended for. It’s hard to go wrong with Ridgid’s industrial line.
TheRealZeus
Well-known member
Only ever used the Ridgid. Very solid.
Sold three used Ridgid pipe vises with tripods on marketplace, and never had any returned.
Sold three used Ridgid pipe vises with tripods on marketplace, and never had any returned.
Sportsman762
Well-known member
I have not used the Milwaukee tripod so these are more my observations. Which Ridgid are you looking at? The Ridgid 460-6 is the industry standard.
The Milwaukee 48-22-8690 advantages are a larger flat work surface, built in carry handle, and folds flat. It is 50 lbs has two tool hanging slots and is made in china.
The Ridgid 36273 460-6 advantages are built in bottom tray, pipe benders, feet you can bolt down, ability to jack against ceiling to prevent tipping. It is 48 lbs has 3 tool hanging slots and is made in the USA.
I would buy the Ridgid hands down. There is a reason that it is the industry standard. I have spent lots of time with a Ridgid 460 threading 4" and 6" well casing. If your really needing to torque on the pipe I would put a 36" wrench on the top of the pipe and let it press against the tristand as I was installing couplers. I use my tristands for all other uses such as holding hydraulic cylinders when rebuilding and even have used it to hold 2x4's to cut. If your doing some major work you can put a piece of 3/4" (might be 1") pipe on the Ridgid's jack and screw it so it wedges the tristand between the ceiling and the floor. Makes it almost impossible to tip over the tristand.
If your working with 2.5" or smaller pipe I find the 40A with the clamp yoke to be nicer to use as it holds the pipe more securely. When threading 1" drop pipe I would put a 40A on one end and a 460-6 on the other. The 40A kept the pipe from spinning and the 460 would hold it in place.
The Milwaukee 48-22-8690 advantages are a larger flat work surface, built in carry handle, and folds flat. It is 50 lbs has two tool hanging slots and is made in china.
The Ridgid 36273 460-6 advantages are built in bottom tray, pipe benders, feet you can bolt down, ability to jack against ceiling to prevent tipping. It is 48 lbs has 3 tool hanging slots and is made in the USA.
I would buy the Ridgid hands down. There is a reason that it is the industry standard. I have spent lots of time with a Ridgid 460 threading 4" and 6" well casing. If your really needing to torque on the pipe I would put a 36" wrench on the top of the pipe and let it press against the tristand as I was installing couplers. I use my tristands for all other uses such as holding hydraulic cylinders when rebuilding and even have used it to hold 2x4's to cut. If your doing some major work you can put a piece of 3/4" (might be 1") pipe on the Ridgid's jack and screw it so it wedges the tristand between the ceiling and the floor. Makes it almost impossible to tip over the tristand.
If your working with 2.5" or smaller pipe I find the 40A with the clamp yoke to be nicer to use as it holds the pipe more securely. When threading 1" drop pipe I would put a 40A on one end and a 460-6 on the other. The 40A kept the pipe from spinning and the 460 would hold it in place.
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redwrench60
Well-known member
We have a couple in the fleet. They are nice and the younger guys seemed to be pretty excited about them at first but as time has passed I notice they seem to be reaching for the Ridgid Tristands again. I like the Milwaukees larger table area and a few more features but I really think the Ridgid is the more durable, simpler and stronger option. There’s a reason they are an industry standard.
dr_clyde
Well-known member
I have not used the Milwaukee, but I have a LOT of hours on a Rigid, and I own two.
You'd have to make a pretty incredible tool to make me want to switch.
The leveling leg being standard instead of an expensive option would be handy. I used to have to use shims and wedges to level my stand when doing a large pipe weldment but other than that I can't see a reason to go with the Mkee.
You'd have to make a pretty incredible tool to make me want to switch.
The leveling leg being standard instead of an expensive option would be handy. I used to have to use shims and wedges to level my stand when doing a large pipe weldment but other than that I can't see a reason to go with the Mkee.
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danski0224
Well-known member
Lots of bad reviews on the Milwaukee version.
Personally own a Ridgid, nothing wrong with it, and certainly wouldn't buy the Milwaukee to "try it out".
Personally own a Ridgid, nothing wrong with it, and certainly wouldn't buy the Milwaukee to "try it out".
Ridgid makes top quality pipe tooling. Milwaukee seems to make fairly mediocre tools outside of power tools. Without having used a milwaukee chain vise, I'd recommend the ridgid in a heartbeat and guarantee you wouldn't be unhappy.
Sportsman762
Well-known member
The leg opposite of the chain or yoke should have a thumb screw on it. You can loosen it and adjust the leg to level the tristand. Well sites are never level it seems and I have used this feature lots. I have contemplated putting a bolt with a knob or something to replace the thumb screw, but have not got around to it.leveling leg being standard instead of an expensive option would be handy