3-1/2" vs 5-1/2" vise- which is better?

[dumper]

I have too many vises- something has to go. Which vise would you pick between the 2 I already have- an old Morgan Chicago, or a newer made-in-Usa Craftsman. How important is jaw width alone, if both vises are relatively of the same duty rating? Thanks.

 

[emeraldcoupe]

bye-bye craftsman

 

[gtrotter]

I would keep the morgan. The jaws look stronger, and it seems to have a little more "character."

 

[davesnothere]

Seems like a no-brainer, keep the morgan.

 

[Catalyze]

For Sale: 1 Craftsman

I didn't even have to Google anything to figure that out.
Craig

 

[DandDMachine]

For me jaw width isnt as important as how far they will open. I have owned that exact same Craftsman vise, its a good vise but my guess it will be worn or broke before the Morgan. Not to mention that Morgan is way cooler. I would sell the Craftsman.

 

[ajchien]

Keep the Morgan

 

[BWS]

It should be obvious to most to off the newer,if the older unit is up to the task....but.

It depends on a cpl other factors for me.IF and thats a biggin,for example the older pce has some rediculous amt of cash worth?Sometimes old hand tools & equip can get into 4 figures....and when you combine that with the fact that as "preserver's",we shouldn't be muckin up really nice examples of toolmaker's art.....Well,I'd consider selling,reinvesting money into tooling more suited or more profitable?

We have old historic equip here thats too nice to use.Oh we still use it,but its got to be babbied.

 

[BD1]

You can never have enough vices !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
But yea, there goes the craftsman.

 

[TreePointer]

Keep the Morgan.

You can readily find a Craftsman like that if you have regrets. Not so with the Morgan.

 

[franzdom]

Depth is important to some, how far it can open is most important to me, and look, the pipe jaws are a LOT wider on the narrower vise, so it depends what you are doing with it also. Generally speaking the width doesn't gain you nearly as much as it is an indicator of how robust the vise is. I am happier with a 4.5" machinist vise than a 6" tradesman vise.

 

[rlitman]

Generally speaking the width doesn't gain you nearly as much as it is an indicator of how robust the vise is.

Meh. That may be so with a quality American vise. The Craftsman isn't an import, but to me, it looks like the jaws are oversized for that body (just like you see on most Chinese vises).
Goodbye Craftsman.

Can you see a common theme going here?

 

[franzdom]

Meh. That may be so with a quality American vise. The Craftsman isn't an import, but to me, it looks like the jaws are oversized for that body (just like you see on most Chinese vises).
Goodbye Craftsman.

Can you see a common theme going here?

I totally agree to ditch the Craftsman. I don't think my point about width was clear, what I meant to say was that it is fairly meaningless and what is important is the robustness, much more so than the width of the jaws.

 

[rlitman]

Exactly. Within a series of vises from a single manufacturer, you can compare jaw width, but my 4" Wilton is double the weight of a 6" Chinese vise (not even taking into account that it's cast steel, and not cast iron).

 

[DaleK]

Put the Craftsman away until you have a bigger shop.

Can't believe anyone would consider selling a vise short of needing to pay for a kidney transplant or something

 

[Slip_Kid]

Bye bye C-Man...................Keep the Morgan

 

[autopts]

I say sell the Morgan..To one of us!!

 

[Catalyze]

It's not a Wilton so settle down Autopts.
Craig