Fixed base vise

[dmaxfireman]

What companies are making a decent fixed base vise. Looking to replace an old fixed base vise. I put enough shock load on it to blow the fix jaw off the top mine this morning. I was looking at the Yost ADI line but am not a fan of swivel bases.

 

[1982fxr]

Milwaukee Morgan is one.

Does it need pipe jaw?

 

[dr_clyde]

Wilton 600N

 

[Shiftless]

This is a fine old one that looks well taken care of. It’s an old listing so throw them a lowball offer and negotiate from there.

If it’s too far away, start checking Craigslist for an old one from one of the premier companies.

Or put a wanted ad on Garage Journal.

BTW, the 600N is a fine vise. I have its smaller brother, a 500N...Amazon will send you a 600N for $1800 with free shipping.

 

[neophyte]

What companies are making a decent fixed base vise. Looking to replace an old fixed base vise. I put enough shock load on it to blow the fix jaw off the top mine this morning. I was looking at the Yost ADI line but am not a fan of swivel bases.

A number of swivel based vises are designed so that the swivel base can be left off the vise, and the fixed upper vise can be bolted directly to a workbench without the swivel base.
Some “Swivel base vises” are actually just designed as a fixed base vise, with a separate round swivel base that can be added if you want to seivel the vise on the workbench.

The Snap-On Blue Point Spanish Made Vises are like this, and in Spain and Europe, may be sold with the Swivrl base separately. The vises are cast steel.
https://shop.snapon.com/categories/682746

The Ridgid forged steel bench vises are like this as well I believe. If you want to mount the Ridgid bench vises to a lift like Ridgid sells in Europe, the seicel base gets removed and the vise mounted directly to the lift.

The Yost and Bessey forged steel vises are likely made this way as well, since the vises seem to be based on Spanish or German made vises by the companies that originated the Ridgid and Blue Point vises.

 

[dmaxfireman]

I do not need pipe jaws. The Wilton looks great but I will not be spending that much on it. I'll **** it up and overbuild something before I spend that kind of money. Will the Yost ADI line bolt down to the bench without the swivel base and survive real use? Looking for a minimum 5in jaw.

 

[MileHighRover]

...I'll **** it up and overbuild something before I spend that kind of money...

You need this. I need this. Who DOESN'T need this?

 

[dr_clyde]

I guess without knowing your budget and size requirements anything we recommend will be guesswork.

Edit, I see you’re looking for 5 inch. I would look at used old USA iron if you don’t want to spring for new.

 

[zkling]

Milhoff, 4.5" jaws with pipe jaws, welded steel, so you can't crack it. ~2/5 the cost of a wilton 600 and more stiffness.

 

[Shiftless]

on the Milhoff recommendation.

I have a 4 1/2 inch version. Is there a 5? They are amazing vises. The speed handle is convenient.

If you’d rather have a conventional looking vise, keep looking for a classic vintage USA vise. Starrett Athol, Reed, Rock Island etc. Wiltons bring higher prices because of collectors, not because they are vastly superior. The bullet machinist vises are better than some and inferior to others.

 

[BD1]

If you want you can beat on, get a blacksmith post vise. These are quick opening and closing. The center one is the post vise.
This could be in addition to your machine vises . Not my cheap lousy beer either [emoji23]
Neighbors.





Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[seber]

Just take the base off the Yost and bolt it down. By the way, the Yost vise hase a very positive locking system but the bar it uses is junk. I put in a solid steel replacement and beat the hell out of it.

 

[Maui]

What companies are making a decent fixed base vise. Looking to replace an old fixed base vise. I put enough shock load on it to blow the fix jaw off the top mine this morning. I was looking at the Yost ADI line but am not a fan of swivel bases.

What exactly were you doing with your vise where this was the result? Can you provide some photos?

 

[matt_i]

The first vise I ever got was a Wilton Mechanic's vise. They have changed the design some from 1993 but its been a capable thing and has had more than its share of beating and bending. Eventually bigger dogs started filtering in but the old Wilton is still hanging around.