Best vice for around $100-200?
- Thread starter Slythy
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tool_scrounge
Well-known member
You might want to list your location. The recommendation may change depending where in the world you are located.
redragoon
Well-known member
I'd recommend the 4.5" Forward model if you want a new vise. The ductile iron is better than the cast gray iron models sold at the lower price points.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07G57P2QL/ref=twister_B07RV9D1HN?_encoding=UTF8&th=1
Otherwise I would look for a good used example to clean up.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07G57P2QL/ref=twister_B07RV9D1HN?_encoding=UTF8&th=1
Otherwise I would look for a good used example to clean up.
Maui
Well-known member
Buy an old used pre-1980 American built bench vise with 4” wide jaws or bigger. You should be able to find one within your price range that will last a lifetime. Inspect it carefully for signs of abuse like bent handles, cracks, missing jaws, repairs, etc. Pretty much anything from Reed, Rock Island, Hollands, etc. should be very good quality.
I am in Indiana.
Do you think its worth while getting the larger one? you can get the 6.5 for $7 more.
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Gotcha640
Well-known member
Do you need it now, or can you wait for an estate sale/Craigslist/good deal to come along?
What sort of size are you looking for?
How big is the bench you're attaching it to (weight more important than dimensions)?
If you need now (for a project in progress, not just to look at it) harbor freight or northern tool are probably the only answers. Maybe the great deal is on Craigslist now, but if not, you're buying a new cheapo.
If you can wait, let your family and friends know you're looking. Know anyone who goes to lots of garage/estate sales? Get them to call you if they see something. Put your own want to buy ads on whatever site.
As to the last a lifetime part, how hard on your tools are you? I have my dad's first vise from when he was 15, pony 4 inch, it was never a wilton bullet, but it holds a piece of wood while I cut it, or a piece of metal to grind it. If I started using it to bend axles in half, I'd break it pretty quickly, but I won't be surprised if it's on the workmate in my daughter's apartment in 10 years, or in her basement with her kids using it in 25.
What sort of size are you looking for?
How big is the bench you're attaching it to (weight more important than dimensions)?
If you need now (for a project in progress, not just to look at it) harbor freight or northern tool are probably the only answers. Maybe the great deal is on Craigslist now, but if not, you're buying a new cheapo.
If you can wait, let your family and friends know you're looking. Know anyone who goes to lots of garage/estate sales? Get them to call you if they see something. Put your own want to buy ads on whatever site.
As to the last a lifetime part, how hard on your tools are you? I have my dad's first vise from when he was 15, pony 4 inch, it was never a wilton bullet, but it holds a piece of wood while I cut it, or a piece of metal to grind it. If I started using it to bend axles in half, I'd break it pretty quickly, but I won't be surprised if it's on the workmate in my daughter's apartment in 10 years, or in her basement with her kids using it in 25.
Gotcha640
Well-known member
Also, on the older ones, do you have any metal repair skills? A restored bullet might be $500+, but with a cracked ear or chipped or abused jaws, could be next to nothing. If you can braze/weld/otherwise repair, you can get much more for your money.
I need it nowish. I need to rebuild forks on my race bikes. I dont foresee it being abused. The bench it will go onto is large with a 1/2 board on it. Really general use.
Yost adi 5" $175 nice vise I like mine alot
https://www.homedepot.com/p/Yost-5-in-Austempered-Ductile-Iron-ADI-Vise-ADI-5/205192406
https://www.homedepot.com/p/Yost-5-in-Austempered-Ductile-Iron-ADI-Vise-ADI-5/205192406
For general mechanic work those rotating vises can be very handy. No need to spend so much on one either. Menards has them for around $80
https://www.menards.com/main/tools/...06-c-9135.htm?tid=-1481971771641966679&ipos=2
https://www.menards.com/main/tools/...06-c-9135.htm?tid=-1481971771641966679&ipos=2
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matt_i
Well-known member
Wilton Mechanics vise # 746
Slightly out of the top of your price range. Can drop back to the 5".
I have one ~25 yo now and its been thru a lot and doesn't complain. I can't say its 100% equivalent as what design hasn't changed in 25 years....but assuming its close I'd recommend it.
Slightly out of the top of your price range. Can drop back to the 5".
I have one ~25 yo now and its been thru a lot and doesn't complain. I can't say its 100% equivalent as what design hasn't changed in 25 years....but assuming its close I'd recommend it.
Crabman
Well-known member
I would check local CL before ordering or going to the store.
Shiftless
Well-known member
What city are you in or nearby?
Realize that the less expensive new vises make wider jaws just by forming a big T shaped jaw. The T shape really isn’t very strong and tends to break off.
Post a less general location than just “Indiana” and maybe one of us vise enthusiasts can either offer you one of their extras or point you toward a decent deal on Craigslist.
Look again at post #4 by Maui. He knows his way around vises.
Shiftless
Well-known member
Good advice. But realize that not every body wants to spend all the time diving into the rabbit hole of quality vintage USA made bench vises and just wants something solid to use next week.
I’m a collector and have sold several of my vises to neighbors and to fellow GJ members who have been pleased with the quality and the price they payed.
txlonghorn1989
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What Maui and Shiftless said. There are a lot of good folks here on GJ, especially the vise guys. Tell them your location and hopefully someone will offer you a Reed or Rock Island or something along those lines at a likely more than fair price and you will NEVER regret it. FYI, this is kind of an IQ test. Good luck. Let us know what you get.
Im south side of Indianapolis.
bwringer
Well-known member
I use a swiveling vise like that (basically a Chinese cheapo, but it works perfectly well) with the pipe jaws for working on motorcycle forks. I have a few pieces of thick, stiff leather I use to hang on to the fork tubes without marring. I have it mounted on the very edge of my bench so the tubes can hang down.
You DEFINITELY want the pipe jaws.
Hey, I'm on the north side! Howdy, neighbor!
I think you'll just need to buy new. I can't recall ever seeing a decent CrackList deal on a used vise around here. There are lots of vise hoarders around, and the only used vises that pop up are broken or trashed and wanting huge money.
Honestly, I'd just hit Menards or Home Despot today for a swiveling pivoting vise with pipe jaws.
This one at Home Despot seems about right and in stock:
https://www.homedepot.com/p/BESSEY-...Bench-Vise-with-Swivel-Base-BV-MPV5/205023076
Make or buy some aluminum and plastic soft jaws, too -- very handy. There are aluminum soft jaws with holes for clamping shock shafts and such that are mandatory for rear suspension work.
Or pony up 2.2X the money for a Wilton if you're the snooty type...
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07V5RNZV8/?tag=atomicindus08-20
Yost for $100:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00SIQ1DHM/?tag=atomicindus08-20
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Agree. A step down from that (but still beefy) would be the Capri 4".
I love the idea of a vintage MiUSA vise. For me, the closest offer (which is was very grateful for) was a good 3 hours away, so I wound up with a Yost 750 di. It's not small, but I have to say it's been extremely handy to have a multi-jaw rotating vise.
I searched for a while to find a USA bench vise. I gave up and bought a 5" swivel Jaw Dewalt for $100 new. Recently, I did find a 4" Wilton Bullet vise that only needed a good cleaning for $50. If you wait to find a deal, it may take a long time.
Shiftless
Well-known member
_Riddle
Well-known member
I've been very happy with my Yost 865-D2.
I expect you are an honest and reputable guy. My point isn't that you are not going to treat him fairly, you will, but from a collectors standpoint. It is that there will surely be a collectors premium with anything bought from a collector. Additionally, collectors are keeping the best in their collection. It may be difficult to impossible to find a good one in private hands at a bargain but it is more likely the bargain will come from a private sale and not a collectors sale items.
I would second this vise. I bought one recently with the intention of putting it on a service pickup since it is a sealed design and I didn't want to put an expensive Wilton bullet vise outside. Initial impressions is that for a China vise, it isn't bad. Casting and machining seems acceptable and if the specs are correct and it holds up (which I won't know that until it is used some), it does look like a decent deal for what it costs. Certainly better than many of the cheap vises in that price range. I think it would be a good stop-gap for an adequate vise to use until a nice old vise can be found.
Witchkingofangmar
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Opinions on the Fireball Tool vise? $160 for the 5 inch. https://fireballtool.com/forged-bench-vise/
here couple more forward option at 75 to 130 bucks (5.5" & 8")
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08NJHF8WR/?tag=atomicindus08-20
BLUE72CAMARO
Well-known member
I will second that.
Yost ADI-5. It'll have a way more precise slide than anything USA vintage and is extremely durable. See the torture test on YouTube.
The fireball above looks like the old Yost FSV-5 and the Capri. I would get something with a geared base, the FSV-5 is smooth. Not sure about the Fireball as it's slightly different.
The fireball above looks like the old Yost FSV-5 and the Capri. I would get something with a geared base, the FSV-5 is smooth. Not sure about the Fireball as it's slightly different.
TailGunner3000
Well-known member
You would think so, right? : https://www.ebay.com/itm/1647057933...-53200-19255-0&campid=5338722076&toolid=10001
Legacyruss
Member
I love my Yost 750 DI. Fantastic vise. I got mine for under $150 new.
Shiftless
Well-known member
There is a Reed 104 listed on eBay now with a BIN of $85. (I have no connection to the seller)
In Indianapolis with no shipping pick up only.
4 inch wide jaws and it weighs over 40 pounds.
Reeds are very solid top shelf vises.
If that deal was in my town, I’d buy it at that price.
In Indianapolis with no shipping pick up only.
4 inch wide jaws and it weighs over 40 pounds.
Reeds are very solid top shelf vises.
If that deal was in my town, I’d buy it at that price.
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txlonghorn1989
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I think it's falling on deaf ears.
Shiftless
Well-known member
I’m afraid you’re right.
Some guys seem to prefer new stuff, and/or are reluctant to deal with strangers and are nervous about being able to recognize damage to old vises that more experienced fellows would see right away. I’ve missed damaged parts once or twice and I’ve been in the game for over 5 years.
That’s OK with me.
tool_scrounge
Well-known member
That would be a pretty sturdy vise for the money.
This-
I’m afraid you’re right.
Some guys seem to prefer new stuff, and/or are reluctant to deal with strangers and are nervous about being able to recognize damage to old vises that more experienced fellows would see right away. I’ve missed damaged parts once or twice and I’ve been in the game for over 5 years.
That’s OK with me.
Its not that I prefer new stuff. I have no issues buying and fixing up an older vice and will keep my eyes open for a good one. The issue I have is I dont need a mega strong one but a large set of Jaws. The damper tubes I have to hold are 3" diameter in machined blocks and they have to drop below so their needs to be lots of clearance below the jaws for it it fit. Also I need something for this weekend
Shiftless
Well-known member
That’s the perfect reason to buy a new one that fits your immediate needs. 
If you can spare an hour, why not get that $85 Reed 104 on eBay?
If you check “sold” listings, another 104 sold for $185.
Check it out when you get there for damage or hidden repairs like welds.
If you can spare an hour, why not get that $85 Reed 104 on eBay?
If you check “sold” listings, another 104 sold for $185.
Check it out when you get there for damage or hidden repairs like welds.
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nicks78camaro
Well-known member
Thread is a few years old. Any updated info on best value lower priced vise I can buy in store? I have no desire to deal with older vises/buying used/etc. This would be for occasional homeowner use.
inphx
Well-known member
google: facebook marketplace vice pittsburgh