What sort of vice is this?

Jonboy · Jun 30, 2018

Hi guys N girls,
I have just picked up a few very cheap vices and what you know what one of them is.
It has no identification marks on it, no maker mark, but it is big and heavy.
Any ideas?
Thanks all.

454ragtop · Jun 30, 2018

The infamous CWV, Chinese wonder vise.

tool_scrounge · Jun 30, 2018

1) cheap Asian import
2) looks like a Record or a copy, but need a side view

Jonboy · Jun 30, 2018

And I have just found two Allen headed bots that unscrew and it turns the whole thing upside down!

Jonboy · Jun 30, 2018

Picture of it’s side

Larryjones · Jun 30, 2018

Look on the bottom or inside the swivel for info.

Fretters · Jun 30, 2018

Jonboy said:
Picture of it’s side

He was referring to the vice in the 4th photo.

Jonboy · Jun 30, 2018

All of the pictures are of the same vice, just different angles.
There is no stamp markings on it anywhere.
When I take it apart and degrease it, maybe a name will be lurking somewhere.

I wonder should I repaint or leave the patina?

Thanks for your input so far.

kythri · Jun 30, 2018

Jonboy said:
All of the pictures are of the same vice, just different angles.

The 4th picture in the OP is not the same vise as the one in the first three. The tail shaft of the vise in the first 3 is round/cylindrical, and the 4th is square/rectangular, nor does it have the anvil that the first 3 show.

Aaron_W · Jun 30, 2018

I think I've got the same vise but in like new condition and it is painted red. Only branding I can find is a big chrome sticker that says Multi-Purpose Vise 4" Made in China.

Seems like a decent enough general use vise. I got it for free so the price was right.

AceofSpad3s · Jun 30, 2018

Eh it's a import vise, just beat it like a rented mule until it gives or you find a new one.
I don't really care for painting things or restorations in general, not worth the bother especially on a import vise.
At the end of the day a tool is a means to the end, being pretty isn't going to make it work better,it's ugly because it was used.
If I ever get around to repairing the cracked columbian vise I got, then I'd respray it since it was damaged, but like the wilton 400s I got, paid $50 and it's fine. Paint isn't great but its a 60 year old chunk of iron, never going to be new again and if I make it too pretty I'd be afraid to use the thing.

jagwinn · Jun 30, 2018

Restoration video of your vice.

Jonboy · Jul 1, 2018

Opps , yes the 4th picture was a different vice, it’s a record no 4. Picked them both up at the same place, but clicked the wrong photo when uploading.
Paid €40 or $45 for both, so not to worried that one is an import, the record no 4 makes it for it.
I only gave bench room for one though, so which one to keep is the question?

Ps how on earth did you find that YouTube video??

Mohawk Dave · Jul 1, 2018

I like those chinese wonder vises. Beat the snot out of them...who cares. On tabe in backyard getting wet...who cares. Have to use a hot torch to loosen or melt stuff in vise, who cares. It's nice to rotate when working on long vertical stuff.

I have super nice Wilton bullets in the shop, but the CWV definitely is a keeper.

tool_scrounge · Jul 1, 2018

Keep the Record. It is a better quality vise presuming they are in similar condition

neophyte · Jul 1, 2018

It’s an Asian copy of the Sawyer Nutype Fulton rotating vise.
The originals were manufactured in the USA, but were clearly marked.
The Asian clones might have just had a label.
The Asian clones apparently might have had questionable iron castings from some past photos posted of one, but in most cases they seem to have been sturdy, and people who use them really like them.
Currently Yost sells a ductile iron version as the model 750-DI that may be the better current version. It costs about $200. Grey Iron versions are also available and less expensive, but possibly not as well made as the older ones.
Someone else was also selling a ductile iron version.
If you want more history on the vise, there have been past threads on GJ that have patent info, history of the company and inventor, as well as original examples.

jumbojak · Jul 1, 2018

ecotec said:
People who have these vises love them.

They are very good vises in my experience. The swivelocity on the slide seems silly until you actually use one. It can give you angles that aren't possible with other vises. I'd love to have one.

Jonboy · Jul 2, 2018

Is “swivelocity” a word?

My shed is a wooded one with a wooden floor, any suggestions on how to mount a vice so the floor survives?
I was thinking about cutting a hole in the floor and sinking a metal I beam ( girder) into the ground and mounting the vice on that.

Any better ideas?

Thanks all for your help

Michael_in_DE · Jul 2, 2018

I have one and love it. I have nicer older reeds and even a newer Chinese wilton, but this Chinese vice is damn versatile. And while there some wiggle on the dynamic jaw, it's not terrible. Super handy vice.

2oolhound · Jul 4, 2018

FWIW here are a couple of more modern versions. Your vise looks much older than these and better built. I bought the Larin for my welding bench but found it awkward to clamp heavy work pieces and tighten both the swivel and the jaws while keeping the position of the work piece in place. After pinching my fingers a few times in the narrow space between the rotating lower jaw and the body I got rid of it. It rusted very easily too. The Torin I picked up cheap in a big trade deal and I didn't keep it.

The 1st is a Larin with the name cast into the base.

The 2nd is a Torin with no markings on it.

Here is a shot of the box which reads Torin vise co out of Long Beach, California but above that it says "Made In China"

Aaron_W · Jul 4, 2018

Jonboy said:
Is “swivelocity” a word?

My shed is a wooded one with a wooden floor, any suggestions on how to mount a vice so the floor survives?
I was thinking about cutting a hole in the floor and sinking a metal I beam ( girder) into the ground and mounting the vice on that.

Any better ideas?

Thanks all for your help

Are you not planning to mount it to a bench then?

I've seen people make a pedestal using a large pipe or girder welded to a steel plate or truck wheel.

Personally I wouldn't be enthusiastic about cutting a hole in the floor, but I suppose that would work if you don't mind a hole in your floor.

TTLLOGIC · Jul 4, 2018

I love my CWV, it’s the Olympian version. It’s honestly my go to lol.

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What sort of vice is this?

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