p12nash
Active member
Im looking for an affordable vice for my new workbench in my garage remodel. Is there a particular brand or model that I should be looking for? I plan to mount in with a double trailer hitch receiver.
Best Affordable Vice
- Thread starter p12nash
- Start date
balane
Well-known member
Are you opposed to a used vise? Definitely the best deals sometimes involve finding a good old USA made vise for sale in a place like Craig's List, Garage/estate sales and sometimes eBay if the shipping is reasonable. I once found an excellent old 4" Columbian for $10 on CL. It may take a little cleaning and possibly some paint to make it nice but it's a fun project and well worth it in the long run. Just look for a USA stamp on it, chances are if it isn't stamped USA then it wasn't made here.
The only what-I-would-call affordable new vises are usually Chinese junk from the big box stores. I learned my lesson and avoid them now. New USA made quality vises are pretty spendy everywhere unless you get lucky and find a nice clearance sale.
Good luck.
The only what-I-would-call affordable new vises are usually Chinese junk from the big box stores. I learned my lesson and avoid them now. New USA made quality vises are pretty spendy everywhere unless you get lucky and find a nice clearance sale.
Good luck.
Underdog
Well-known member
+1
Craig's List, You want US Iron only, search vise threads, If you need a vise now!. Buy china junk at big box store then chuck when you find a CL vise.
balane
Well-known member
Just wanted to add that when shopping for a used vise check for these things;
1.) All the parts are present. (Often times the swivel base is missing, make sure it's there if you need it to swivel. You can usually mount a swivel vise with a missing base but obviously it won't turn.)
2.) No cracks or welds anywhere. (Cracked or repaired vises should be avoided.)
3.) Make sure the jaws line up square and tight.
4.) Be sure to test that the vise screws all the way in and out smoothly and no binding.
Dirty, old, greasy, ugly paint and even mild surface rust is easy to fix. Physical damage is not.
1.) All the parts are present. (Often times the swivel base is missing, make sure it's there if you need it to swivel. You can usually mount a swivel vise with a missing base but obviously it won't turn.)
2.) No cracks or welds anywhere. (Cracked or repaired vises should be avoided.)
3.) Make sure the jaws line up square and tight.
4.) Be sure to test that the vise screws all the way in and out smoothly and no binding.
Dirty, old, greasy, ugly paint and even mild surface rust is easy to fix. Physical damage is not.
balane
Well-known member
There's many, many good ones to look for, long list. Wilton (People go crazy for Wiltons and they tend to be expensive even used but you can still find a good deal.), Yost, Prentiss, Columbian, American Scale, Morgan, Reed, older Craftsman (Make sure the Craftsman says USA for sure. Japan seems to be all right.), Parker, Sawyer, Athol, Rock Island, etc. I really don't know any US made vises to avoid, maybe somebody else does.
There are even some import vises that are good too; Record from England, Dawn from Australia are a couple of nice vises.
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There are even some import vises that are good too; Record from England, Dawn from Australia are a couple of nice vises.
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balane
Well-known member
How wide are the jaws? Is it big enough for you? If it works well that's a super nice vise. I think that one may have been made by Columbian.
there's no info on the craigslist posting, it just says "really old craftsman vice." I think it should be fine especially for the time being. The workbench I'm building has to fold up against the wall in order to maintain the ability to fit two cars in the garage so I doubt I could even use a large vice to its potential.
balane
Well-known member
Well if the vise is in solid mechanical shape and the size/function works for you then it seems like a good deal to me. I know that I certainly wouldn't mind using it. Be sure to post some before/after pics in the vise thread if you restore it.
I've got a cheap HF 6" unit that was heavily discounted because one of the two securing levers for the rotation of the housing was missing. It has sat out in the weather for probably five years and has a bunch of surface rust. It still does what I need well enough, though the anvil section is far more dented than it should be relative to its usage.
I did have to take it apart and lubricate it when I finally got the garage to keep it in. As for lack of antirotation lock on one side, it hasn't been a problem for what I use it for.
I suggest getting something cheap for now. Once you establish what you need, then put the cheap one on the outdoor workbench and buy what you really need for inside. That's what I plan to do some day.
I did have to take it apart and lubricate it when I finally got the garage to keep it in. As for lack of antirotation lock on one side, it hasn't been a problem for what I use it for.
I suggest getting something cheap for now. Once you establish what you need, then put the cheap one on the outdoor workbench and buy what you really need for inside. That's what I plan to do some day.
Outlawmws
Well-known member
Looks to be a good vise, but definitely check for cracks or other unacceptable damage. if the lead screw is loose (takes a turn or so to start movement... that can usually be shimmed but can also be used as a negotiation point.
Run the screw ALL the way out and make sure there is no internal damage.
Run the screw ALL the way out and make sure there is no internal damage.
It's tough to tell for sure from the pictures, but the front jaw looks like it's bent downwards relative to the stationary jaw. That's a sure sign of abuse and a vise that's close to the end of its useable lifetime. If the front jaw is sprung like this, I'd say you should pass and look for another vise in better shape. If you go to look at it, be sure the jaws meet up properly when the vise is closed before you buy.
balane
Well-known member
I agree with that upon giving a second look at the photos. Make sure that the slide is relatively tight and the jaws square up when it's closed.
I found this old ebay auction, looks like the same vise you're looking at and the jaws seem to square up evenly on it. This one went for over a hundred bucks!! Seems like it might be a 4" vise.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Vintage-Cra...l-Base-Model-5169-/250871950092#ht_500wt_1413
I found this old ebay auction, looks like the same vise you're looking at and the jaws seem to square up evenly on it. This one went for over a hundred bucks!! Seems like it might be a 4" vise.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Vintage-Cra...l-Base-Model-5169-/250871950092#ht_500wt_1413
lwlobo
Well-known member
If you want a vise, and for $25, go for it, unless its really damaged in some way. You can always upgrade later if you want to.
You can't buy a crappy china vise for $25, even at HF. Offer $20, pay $25 if necessary.
You can't buy a crappy china vise for $25, even at HF. Offer $20, pay $25 if necessary.
Gtamazing
Banned
Marijuana.
A vise on the other hand is a different story.
A vise on the other hand is a different story.
Ric in Richmond
Well-known member
I found one of the chinese clones for $20.00 at a garage sale.
http://www.use-enco.com/CGI/INSRIT?PMAKA=619-3296&PMPXNO=16721018&PARTPG=INLMK3
I like it...even though it is chinese.
http://www.use-enco.com/CGI/INSRIT?PMAKA=619-3296&PMPXNO=16721018&PARTPG=INLMK3
I like it...even though it is chinese.
Swan
Well-known member
Find a used Wilton bullet vise on Craigslist or at an estate sale. There is nothing as good being produced today.
gatewaysysop
Well-known member
how does this old craftsman look? I have no problems with taking it apart and sanding, painting, and greasing it. Its only $25.
I actually have one just like this, got it off flea-bay for about double the price you're looking at for this one. Mine was in better shape, but not that much better.
I find it to be a very stout vise for it's size (3.5" I think). It is built like a tank and weighs around 30 pounds. It's a very nice piece and for that price I would pick it up just to have it. I don't believe they are too common.
Outlawmws
Well-known member
Dunlap tools were made for Sears by many companies, just as Craftsman is. Both of them, as well as Companion are/were Sears TM.
Lump
Well-known member
Another vote for used USA or European vise. And now that we see Gateway's photo of his similar old Craftsman vise, it seems to be shaped the same way. So maybe that other C-man vise really ISN'T tweaked? Go check it out, and if it is not damaged, you've got a winner.
I have several older USA-made vises. I buy them whenever I find them cheap locally. They are easy to find, until you get up into the really large sizes.
Good luck!
I have several older USA-made vises. I buy them whenever I find them cheap locally. They are easy to find, until you get up into the really large sizes.
Good luck!
Lump
Well-known member
Where are you located, P12 Nash? Used vises seem to be more readily available in some parts of the country.
gatewaysysop
Well-known member
Those weren't mine, but since it came up, here's a couple pics of the one I got. I believe it just "is that way" with regards to how the jaw sits, nothing is broken.
Enjoy!
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Simple Sam
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- Aug 24, 2011
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I think a 3 inch machinists vise with a swivel base is a great value for a medium duty vise. They sell for around $50 to $75 on Ebay for ones in decent shape and they ship for $15 in a flat rate box. They are not usually beat up like the larger sizes are, are not as collectible as the larger sizes, and fit well on a small work bench.
