retDAC
Well-known member
Actual list begins at Post #2, but some terms are defined below.
Common Asian is used to designate Chinese, Taiwanese, and/or maybe Indian which, as far as I can tell, are either identical or quite similar to what I typically see at:
HF
HD (except for the quick release)
Lowe's
TSC
and/or Sears (except for Craftsman Pro)
These styles seem to be copies of (old) US/English economy models plus the ubiquitous rotators. Their swivels don't positively lock as for example the way the Ken-Tool models do. Neither did most of the US/English economy models. Per Mohawk Dave at #29 below, Jiangsu (a Chinese company) makes the majority of the most common economy styles.
Mostly ComAs designates there is at least one additional size/style NOT usually seen at HF, HD, Lowe's, TSC, and Sears.
Of course Turkey is in Asia, but it's noted separately.
Recently decided I needed a new bench vise. Older used US made models seldom come up for sale around here. I decided to look at what's available new. Out of curiosity eventually looked at every brand I could find using mostly Google searches. Found quite a few surprises.
I concentrated on general purpose bolt-on metalworking bench vises with at least 4 inch steel jaws such as:
machinist's vises
mechanic's vises
utility? vises (this is what some are called)
multi-purpose (rotating jaws) vises. I simply refer to these as 'rotators'.
To make the list, a brand had to have at least one vise like any of those in its line.
Was NOT looking for:
woodworking vises
milling machine (mill) vises
drill press vises
pipe vises
clamp-on style vises
Some of the below brands have one or more of this second group in their lineups but that's not the purpose of this list. Including drill press and mill vises, I actually did run into each of those listed as bench vises.
I read many of the vise threads on GJ as well as reading a lot elsewhere. By the way, an excellent thread by mjozefow: http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=62716
Another excellent thread by Drivesitfar: http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=252830
For the vises I was looking at, there are four types of metal for the main vise body parts:
Grey (gray) iron in either 20k, 25k, or 30k psi tensile strength.
Ductile iron in 60k or 65k psi tensile strength.
Cast steel type SC37. No psi rating given that I can recall.
Forged steel in 75k or 90k psi tensile strength.
The 90k psi rating is for some Asian vises. 90k psi Asian? That's what is claimed.
Turkey is in Asia and here's one:
http://www.grainger.com/Grainger/WESTWARD-Bench-Vise-24Z092?Pid=search
Only four remaining US manufacturers: Milwaukee; Reed; Wilton; and Yost. Of these, Milwaukee is the sole claimant that every one of their vises is completely US made. Reed's single high line of vises now appear to be rebranded Columbian Combo Pipe & Bench Vises made by Wilton who bought Columbian in the 1980s.
Canadian brands are Gray Tools and Westward. Both import their vises from several countries.
Technically the only Euopean makes are Gressel from Switzerland and Heuer from Germany by Brockhaus. If you want to count it, Ridgid vises are also made in Germany by Pettinghaus which Ridgid owns.
A sole Mexican make: Urrea.
Eclipse is an English brand, but the vises appear to be Asian.
As complete a list as I could get it; alphabetically by brand on the following pages.
Common Asian is used to designate Chinese, Taiwanese, and/or maybe Indian which, as far as I can tell, are either identical or quite similar to what I typically see at:
HF
HD (except for the quick release)
Lowe's
TSC
and/or Sears (except for Craftsman Pro)
These styles seem to be copies of (old) US/English economy models plus the ubiquitous rotators. Their swivels don't positively lock as for example the way the Ken-Tool models do. Neither did most of the US/English economy models. Per Mohawk Dave at #29 below, Jiangsu (a Chinese company) makes the majority of the most common economy styles.
Mostly ComAs designates there is at least one additional size/style NOT usually seen at HF, HD, Lowe's, TSC, and Sears.
Of course Turkey is in Asia, but it's noted separately.
Recently decided I needed a new bench vise. Older used US made models seldom come up for sale around here. I decided to look at what's available new. Out of curiosity eventually looked at every brand I could find using mostly Google searches. Found quite a few surprises.
I concentrated on general purpose bolt-on metalworking bench vises with at least 4 inch steel jaws such as:
machinist's vises
mechanic's vises
utility? vises (this is what some are called)
multi-purpose (rotating jaws) vises. I simply refer to these as 'rotators'.
To make the list, a brand had to have at least one vise like any of those in its line.
Was NOT looking for:
woodworking vises
milling machine (mill) vises
drill press vises
pipe vises
clamp-on style vises
Some of the below brands have one or more of this second group in their lineups but that's not the purpose of this list. Including drill press and mill vises, I actually did run into each of those listed as bench vises.
I read many of the vise threads on GJ as well as reading a lot elsewhere. By the way, an excellent thread by mjozefow: http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=62716
Another excellent thread by Drivesitfar: http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=252830
For the vises I was looking at, there are four types of metal for the main vise body parts:
Grey (gray) iron in either 20k, 25k, or 30k psi tensile strength.
Ductile iron in 60k or 65k psi tensile strength.
Cast steel type SC37. No psi rating given that I can recall.
Forged steel in 75k or 90k psi tensile strength.
The 90k psi rating is for some Asian vises. 90k psi Asian? That's what is claimed.
Turkey is in Asia and here's one: http://www.grainger.com/Grainger/WESTWARD-Bench-Vise-24Z092?Pid=search
Only four remaining US manufacturers: Milwaukee; Reed; Wilton; and Yost. Of these, Milwaukee is the sole claimant that every one of their vises is completely US made. Reed's single high line of vises now appear to be rebranded Columbian Combo Pipe & Bench Vises made by Wilton who bought Columbian in the 1980s.
Canadian brands are Gray Tools and Westward. Both import their vises from several countries.
Technically the only Euopean makes are Gressel from Switzerland and Heuer from Germany by Brockhaus. If you want to count it, Ridgid vises are also made in Germany by Pettinghaus which Ridgid owns.
A sole Mexican make: Urrea.
Eclipse is an English brand, but the vises appear to be Asian.
As complete a list as I could get it; alphabetically by brand on the following pages.
Last edited:
</o
