Yost 750-DI Vise Recommendation

ZeBraNutZ · May 17, 2013

I'm considering purchasing the Yost 750-DI. The 750-DI is upgraded version from 750. The DI means it made out of Ductile Iron. I like the fact it's made out of Ductile Iron. However, I verified with the Yost company that the vise is made in China. I'm not too thrilled about that. Does anyone have any experience with this vise and could give me some feedback.

I am also open to some other recommendations other than the Yost brand. This is what I'm looking for:

1. Made in USA
2. Made out of Ductile Iron
3. Rotating base.
4. Rotating jaw
5. Around 5" jaw width
6. Multi-fuction vise style similar to the 750-DI

bobcatdan · May 17, 2013

I do not know of any USA made vises in that style as that style seems to be one china invented. Yost has USA made vise as well as Wilton, reed, and Morgan/ Milwaukee. Ridge has some nice European vise offering.

neophyte · May 17, 2013

ZeBraNutZ said:
I'm considering purchasing the Yost 750-DI. The 750-DI is upgraded version from 750. The DI means it made out of Ductile Iron. I like the fact it's made out of Ductile Iron. However, I verified with the Yost company that the vise is made in China. I'm not too thrilled about that. Does anyone have any experience with this vise and could give me some feedback.

I am also open to some other recommendations other than the Yost brand. This is what I'm looking for:

1. Made in USA
2. Made out of Ductile Iron
3. Rotating base.
4. Rotating jaw
5. Around 5" jaw width
6. Multi-fuction vise style similar to the 750-DI

There are older versions of that vise that were manufactured in the USA. I believe the USA is were the design actually originated. They were sold as the Atlas Nutyp vise/vice and manufactured by Fulton Machine and vise company. To purchase one you'd have to find an antique one, then likely restore it, and it still might be manufactured from regular grey iron.

The best version of that type of vise, currently manufactured, is made in England by Swindens. The design isn't exactly the same. The fixed/static section of the vise/vice with the anvil is cast steel and uses a split design, unlike the Chinese versions. Swindens makes the vices in 8", 6", 4", and 2", sizes. They also make Non-Magnetic and Non sparking versions. According to their website, the 4" version can exert 4000lbs. of clamping force without damage. The company also doesn't list prices which makes me believe they may be astronomically expensive. I believe the company may only sell direct. This is the website for Swindens.

http://www.swindens-vices.co.uk/swindens-8inch-204mm.html

ZeBraNutZ · May 18, 2013

Thank you for the outstanding information! I'm not really looking to restore an antique. I checked out prices for a Swinden. New was 1500 dollars so unless I hit the powerball, that's out of the question.

I like the flexibility of a rotating jaw. I'm going to try out the Yost even though it's manufactured in China. I hope it doesn't end up being a waste of money. If anyone out there owns one please let me know what you think of it.

retDAC · May 19, 2013

While I don't have a 750-DI or it's predecessor the 750, I have looked at a lot of rotators (my term) and comments/reviews for same. Surprising how many people claim good service in hard use from this type of vise while others show broken jaw pix. Cheater pipes aside, this makes me suspect not only are the castings necessarily thin but there is a greater frequency of defective castings in this design. Yet there are good ones to be had.

There are at least three to four sizes of rotators. Some are advertised as heavy duty - a relative term to be sure - yet at least some of those actually are thicker/bigger and do seem stronger than the cheapest style.

You have probably noticed this in the description of the 750:

"Vise intended for general purpose use since it is made from grey iron. Vise is not designed or intended for industrial / heavy duty demand applications. For increased demand applications use Model 865-DI, 65C, or 32C. Contact factory as needed."

Yost seems to be stating the 750 is a light duty vise (it's easy to break?) whereas the 750-DI is "Made of Heavy Duty Ductile Iron".

Here's something in the 750-DI description that is important to me on any vise with a swivel: "Vise body rotates 360° using interlocking V-grooved swivel base (emphasis added) and (2) two lockdowns to lock at any position".

If that means the swivel positively locks with gear type teeth like the US made conventional Yosts, then this 750-DI may be the only current rotator that does that, aside from possibly Swinden.

Amazon advertises the 750-DI for $275 shipped: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00CBL62HQ/?tag=atomicindus08-20

FWIW, if I didn't already have a Charles Parker rotator (sheer luck I ran into that locally), I would get the 750-DI.

Best of luck to you. Please report back.

ZeBraNutZ · May 22, 2013

I received the 750-DI. I haven't put it through a torture test so I can only report back on my initial impression. It is a smooth operating vise. I can open and close the jaws with 1 finger. It is smooth when opening and closing. There is no grittiness where a metal bur might exist. It did not come greased, but it did have a light coating of oil over all moving parts and exposed metal.

There isn't any sloppiness in the jaws. It is tightly put together. The rotating jaw is smooth also. You pull the pin out and can turn the jaw with one hand. The pin snaps back into place as it is spring loaded. The pin concerns me as 1 slip of the hammer will bend it. However, it makes the vise very easy to rotate. I'm guessing it's a cheap fix if anything were to every happen to the pin. The hardened jaw inserts and pipe fittings look nicely machined. As I haven't put a lot of stress on it yet, I can't speak to their strength.

The rotating base does have an interlocking V-grooved swivel base. It can be locked in any position 360 degrees. The 2 mounting screws work as expected. It has 3 mounting holes and was easy to mount to the bench.

The main screw handle could use some more meat to it. It looked a little small compared to the rest of the vise. It also had the rubber washers on it that just seem annoying as they don't stay in place.

Give me some time to put this thing through some abuse and I'll report back if it's still in 1 piece.

bobcatdan · May 22, 2013

It is good to hear it is a good vise. All the ones that style I have used were cheap pieces of junk. I would hope even being an import, Yost made sure it was a good vise to put their name on. I could see times where the rotate function could be nice and if this is a good option, it is good to get the word out on it for others looking.

ZeBraNutZ · May 22, 2013

Thanks for everyone's comments and expertise. I posted some close up pics if you would like to see the vise from all angles.

https://plus.google.com/photos/1017...ms/5880978876186809921?authkey=CM3A4cyamdiaKQ

retDAC · May 28, 2013

Thanks much for the pix. Please report back on how well or poorly the vise works.

Packard V8 · May 28, 2013

There's no reason the Chicoms can't make a good vise. It's the most simple machine in the shop.

What is the street price for the Yost-branded Chicom?

jack vines

retDAC · May 28, 2013

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00CBL62HQ/?tag=atomicindus08-20

http://www.autotoolworld.com/Yost-V...ing-Combination-Pipe-Bench-Vise_p_199722.html

cablebandit · Oct 15, 2013

Any update on this one? The picture link seems to be bad now.

MrBreeze · May 22, 2015

Any update from the OP or others with the Yost 750 DI vise?

ZeBraNutZ · May 26, 2015

So I've had my Yost 750-DI for about 2 years now. Haven't had any issues with it. I'm extremely happy with it. The only maintenance I've done it adding a light coating of oil to the exposed metal. The fact that it swivels in 2 directions really helps out. I also find myself using the lower jaws more than I thought I would.

While I use it mainly for general purpose things, I have had to torque down on it a few times. It seems very solid. If I had to change one thing with it, I would change the handle. It flexes a little when a lot of pressure is applied. I would like it to be a little heavier duty. All it all, I am happy with it and would recommend it.

nohji · May 14, 2017

I have this vise, been using it for a year so far. This vise is definitely heavier and thicker than the usual vises of the type. what really drew me to this vise were the nicely formed and floating pipe jaws. Vise was installed in a building engineers shop and I find myself with many a situation in clamping pipe. the typical rotating vises have cast in afterthoughts for jaws. Its pretty low slop for its design and works smoothly. this vise also has a pin and detent for locating hand holding the vises rotation in 30 degree increments, which is nice.

the only drawbacks are chrome plated vise jaws, which I don't like. I want my jaws grippy, the chrome makes things more slippery. and the Q&A / fit and finish could be better. the first one I recieved the pin did not locate at zero degrees. with the pin engaged the vise was off 5 degrees or so. Yost was pretty quick with a replacement and the customer service was actually pretty impressive. So at least there is that.

Ed in Maine · Dec 11, 2017

My brother's widow in North Carolina wants to sell the vise in the photos to a friend. She can't find any identification on it. It looks a little like the Yost 750 but she tells me that it has 6" jaws instead of the 5" for the Yost and it's 21" long. I'm sure it weighs lots more than the 63 lb Yost. I haven't found a look-alike on the internet ,which is where I found this thread. I'm thinking that it's an older US predecessor to the Yost. It looks well-made to me but I'm definitely an amateur on this subject. If possible I'd like to be able to identify the manufacturer and tell her whether it's a collector's item or just another vise. Any clues ?

Packard V8 · Dec 11, 2017

I don't see anything which makes me thing "older US".

jack vines

Shredwagon · Dec 12, 2017

I've had the 750 DI for 2.5 years. Beat on it, bent steel plate and torqued on it. No problems so far. I would buy another just for the adjustability. Recommend one, especially for the price.

exmaxima1 · Dec 12, 2017

Ed in Maine said:
My brother's widow in North Carolina wants to sell the vise in the photos to a friend....I'm thinking that it's an older US predecessor to the Yost....Any clues ?

One clue are the chrome plated lever handles---they scream Asian-made

1982fxr · Dec 12, 2017

Ed in Maine said:
My brother's widow in North Carolina wants to sell the vise in the photos to a friend. She can't find any identification on it. It looks a little like the Yost 750 but she tells me that it has 6" jaws instead of the 5" for the Yost and it's 21" long. I'm sure it weighs lots more than the 63 lb Yost. I haven't found a look-alike on the internet ,which is where I found this thread. I'm thinking that it's an older US predecessor to the Yost. It looks well-made to me but I'm definitely an amateur on this subject. If possible I'd like to be able to identify the manufacturer and tell her whether it's a collector's item or just another vise. Any clues ?

That’s Chinese. Some of the older ones were pretty heavy. That has the side lock down which is nice to have. Worth around $40.

Brand would have been on a side badge but doesn’t matter the same vise was rebadged but many different names.

Ed in Maine · Dec 15, 2017

Thank you all for your observations from the photos in post #16.
I just came across a 2010 Northern Tool catalog I forgot I had. The photo of one vise in the catalog looked very much like my brother's vise except for the head rotation lock lever. No manufacturer's name was given. The title line said " Massive .........vise".The dimensions were given in inches and fractions I've never seen used by US companies. The description didn't say US made either. The description did say it was cast steel ! ??? The 6" had a shipping weight of 101 lbs and sold new for $ 159.99. Searching the Northern Tool website now for item # 15336-1101 shows the same photo and indicates it's discontinued.
As you observed, this vise is nothing special. Thanks again for setting me straight .

9t8z28 · Mar 30, 2018

Sorry if I am resurecting a very old thread but I too have a Yost 750-DI vise. I've had it for about five years. It's has takin everything that I have asked it to do and then some ! If I had to do it again I would buy another. I kinda sorta actually did. My dad got it for me and he liked it so much that I bought another 750-DI for him! I also got another Yost vise but the 465 model. Its also a great vise and it actually gets more abuse than the 750 just due to the fact of where it is located in the machine shop. I recommend both of them

Yost 750-DI Vise Recommendation

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