Budget Vice advice

[DIY Rookie]

Looking for a new vice. I'm not a heavy mechanic or anything like that. I do basic work on my Harley. Looking for a budget friendly vice that's pretty solid. At least 5 inch preferably 6. What specs should I be looking for? I'd like to stay away from HF if possible but if they're decent I can take a look at them. If u don't mind post some links to what u recommend. Thanks for any help

 

[Jackfre]

Check out your local Re-store. I pick up mostly hand saws and miter boxes from them but see the occasional vise. I also have a local tool store and the guy sellls an assortment of new and used tools. He generally has several vices on hand. Perhaps there is such a place near you.

 

[DIY Rookie]

Check out your local Re-store. I pick up mostly hand saws and miter boxes from them but see the occasional vise. I also have a local tool store and the guy sellls an assortment of new and used tools. He generally has several vices on hand. Perhaps there is such a place near you.

Ty

 

[Mr. Wonderful]

If you don't have time or the ability to scour the secondary market, I would suggest the Amazon Warehouse. I bought the smallest wilton they make for over half off because of a damaged box. If you really stay on top of CL and the other sites deals can be had but you need to strike fast or they'll be gone.

 

[brownbagg]

i bought a yost, I really like it, it replaced a china made cheapie that i broke, the china made was thirty years old and I beat on it daily, so if you can live with a 30 year vice, just buy a $50 cheapie

 

[Bretny]

$100-150 buys you a prety nice vintage vise. Even the smoothness of operation is worth a bit extra over a crappy import one that's new.

 

[NUTTSGT]

On Youtube, Fireball did a test on some vises commonly available. I was surprised that a couple didn't last as well as I would have thought they should have and others did better than I thought they would.

I was pleasantly surprised at the Irwin vise hanging in.

https://www.lowes.com/pd/IRWIN-5-in-Cast-Iron-Multi-purpose-Vise/1003167708

IRWIN 5-in Cast Iron Multi-purpose Vise​

Item #552526Model #4935505

Coupled with a military discount, it's not a bad deal. I considered this vise but ended up buying a Masterforce with rebates.

 

[engineer2]

Menards has a pretty good selection of cheap vises.
I got the 5" Multi-Purpose Vise With Swivel Base on sale for $70 a few years ago. No complaints.
It's a popular made in China design sold by many including HF, Irwin, Bessey, etc.
I got this after I broke my 4" Chinese Wilton vise, a common problem with them.

 

[Forgottonia]

Looking for a new vice. I'm not a heavy mechanic or anything like that. I do basic work on my Harley. Looking for a budget friendly vice that's pretty solid. At least 5 inch preferably 6. What specs should I be looking for? I'd like to stay away from HF if possible but if they're decent I can take a look at them. If u don't mind post some links to what u recommend. Thanks for any help

Vise.

If you're anything like the rest of us you already have plenty of vices.

 

[wreckdiver1321]

Both Forward and Yost make pretty solid entry-level vises. I personally have this one: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B081VBSYC7/?tag=atomicindus08-20

It's a super-solid piece and plenty big to handle every project I've thrown at it so far. Turns nice and smooth. It's ductile iron, so it's tougher as a vise material than most cast ones you'll find. At only $106, it's an absolute steal.

 

[slowtwitch73]

Internet ****.

 

[DIY Rookie]

$100-150 buys you a prety nice vintage vise. Even the smoothness of operation is worth a bit extra over a crappy import one that's new.

What do u mean by a vintage vice?

 

[brownbagg]

What do u mean by a vintage vice? one that was found in a trash pile and repainted

 

[liliysdad]

There is not a new "budget" vise on the market I would buy when there are quality used vises in garages and barns all over the country.

 

[Shiftless]

DIY Rookie:

Your location shows you live near Detroit, once a major manufacturing center. There should be plenty of quality old vises being sold off from the home workshops of retired guys who worked with their hands. Estate sales can be gold mines.

 

[liliysdad]

DIY Rookie:

Your location shows you live near Detroit, once a major manufacturing center. There should be plenty of quality old vises being sold off from the home workshops of retired guys who worked with their hands. Estate sales can be gold mines.

One of my favorite vises to watch for are the Japanese Craftsmans. They are fantastic pieces of gear, and often go cheaply because folks overlook them due to country of origin.

 

[Shiftless]

Right!
The Japanese made Craftsmans that look just like this one are fine. I had one for a daily driver for many years until I joined GJ and got into fine quality vintage vises.
Here is a USA made Craftsman (made by Columbian) I found on C/L Detroit.
They are popular on eBay and cleaned up ones go for around $100
Easy to resell if the O.P. someday wants a bigger vise.

 

[liliysdad]

Perfect!

 

[engineer2]

I've had a Craftsman vise for 40 years. It's now in my shed, but still as good as new.

 

[banjopete]

I think if we're being honest, any vise will be more than adequate at nearly any price point for a, used sometimes, on the end of the bench kind of thing. There are always deals to be had on the buy and sell locally. Save your money for fancier tools that matter, and just get something you like. Vises have very simple jobs, hold stuff. All the fancy you'll see here is mostly just that, they look good, have some made in america part that some like, but really, they're just big heavy things that hold stuff.

 

[liliysdad]

I think if we're being honest, any vise will be more than adequate at nearly any price point for a, used sometimes, on the end of the bench kind of thing. There are always deals to be had on the buy and sell locally. Save your money for fancier tools that matter, and just get something you like. Vises have very simple jobs, hold stuff. All the fancy you'll see here is mostly just that, they look good, have some made in america part that some like, but really, they're just big heavy things that hold stuff.

A good vise and a junk vise are worlds apart.

 

[evintho]

Here's some vintage vises in your area. All are older but high quality. IMHO, 4" is the minimum you should have. Minor cleanup and they'll probably outlast you!

5" CRAFTSMAN HEAVY DUTY SWIVEL VISE - tools - by owner - sale

5" CRAFTSMAN HEAVY DUTY SWIVEL VISE

detroit.craigslist.org

4" COLUMBIAN USA MADE SWIVEL VISE - tools - by owner - sale

4" COLUMBIAN USA MADE HEAVY DUTY SWIVEL VISE

detroit.craigslist.org

vise - tools - by owner - sale

Wilton Torco Vise, 4 inch jaws,swivel base. USA No Email!!!Text or Call only. 810 240 six 8 six 1 Gaines Michigan $100.

flint.craigslist.org

Large Bench Vise - tools - by owner - sale

Vise is in good condition, no issues. Meet in Davison, MI.

flint.craigslist.org

 

[Bretny]

What do u mean by a vintage vice?

I mean an old vise that is quality made. Many see very little use and people dont want them. $100 can buy you a very nice old vise.

 

[Renegade1LI]

It seems like every garage sale has a vise for sale, so good some priced more than new. But once in a while you can get a good vise for a fair price.

 

[exmaxima1]

Here's some vintage vises in your area. All are older but high quality. IMHO, 4" is the minimum you should have. Minor cleanup and they'll probably outlast you!

5" CRAFTSMAN HEAVY DUTY SWIVEL VISE - tools - by owner - sale

5" CRAFTSMAN HEAVY DUTY SWIVEL VISE

detroit.craigslist.org

I would agree on that 5-inch Craftsman (made by Columbian), but I'd offer $60 tops...

 

[banjopete]

A good vise and a junk vise are worlds apart.

Agreed.

My point was just that in the "I need a vise for basic motorbike maintenance" world of things, most any vise is better than none.

 

[sz0k30]

"Budget" and "HF" go together like P.B. & jelly.

 

[ecotec]

"Budget" and "HF" go together like P.B. & jelly.

That is depressing as hell.

For the cost of a Harbor Freight vise, you can find a badass vise that is a joy to live and work with. I need one, have 2 (plus 4 little ones), and want to find a giant one (like stupid big).

 

[matt_i]

I've posted it before but the biggest gain of function imo is removing and storing the hard knurled jaws and replacing with soft jaws which could be aluminum, copper or brass...that hold but don't scar the part you are working on.