freestanding vise stand

[metalmagpie]

Some time ago I ran across a 165 pound bench vise made by Record many years ago. It was originally a combination vise with removable pipe jaws but the pipe jaws were long gone when I got the vise. I cleaned the vise up and painted it and made a new handle with anti-pinch washers. I knew with a vise this tall it could never go on my benches, which are made to be a comfortable working height for me. So I figured out a freestanding base for it. I used a scrap truck brake drum (free from a local business) and cut up some scrap steel and punched a few holes and did a small amount of welding and painting. Then I turned the base upside down, bolted in some reinforcing steel strap, and filled the base full of concrete. Today I turned the stand right side up, moved it into the shop and bolted the vise onto it. I was pleased to see that the 200 pounds of concrete made the vise feel very stable, even with the jaw open 12". Have a look - metalmagpie

 

[64Trvlr]

Looks great, nice work!

 

[PowerDubs]

Awesome

 

[vekster]

Nice job!


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[Always_Thinkin]

Hey, that is one good looking setup! Nice job.

 

[humanbeingexpert]

we need more pics, looks incredible...should have made a diy video, i have a couple of vises that are in that size range too

 

[bmwpower]

Nice work. Love the color!

 

[machine_punk]

Duuude...that's a vise you could conquer the world with...very cool. Great job.

Kev

 

[metalmagpie]

I have pictures. What in particular do you want pictures of? - metalmagpie

 

[Monkey Milk]

It looks great and I thought of doing mine (smaller of course#125) the same way but if you put any real weight on the top, is it going to be top heavy or wobbly with the jaw open to one side plus what ever your holding. It looks a little to high or I'm just under judging it?

 

[Spareparts]

I cut down a large Walnut tree and was going to use a large piece to mount my vise on(100lb.) but I couldn't get it cut square enough, then it was to short to be practical. Guess I better fine an old brake drum and get busy. Nice job and thanks for sharing.

 

[Benji]

Nice

 

[metalmagpie]

I understand the concern about being top heavy. That's why I bolted some scrap steel strap into the base

and then poured in about 200 pounds of concrete. Note the shims to level it up. I had big concerns about that upside down base tipping over, which would have been disastrous.

To test it, assembled, I opened the vise jaw fully and put about a 75 lb weight next to the movable jaw (max lever arm) and then tried to tip the vise. Still very solid. Also, if you notice, the column is scooted as far back on the base plate as I could get it, and the vise plate is scooted back as far as I could get it on the column as well. It's still subject to the laws of physics, of course, but this is the best practical solution I could come up with short of bolting it down to the shop floor which would have been a big problem in my small shop.

metalmagpie

 

[RickP]

I like it! Very solid, nice looking base.

 

[metalmagpie]

Saw a comment above that someone thinks the vise is too tall. The top of the jaws are about at kitchen counter height. Time will tell. It's easy to cut an I-beam shorter and weld it back together if I need to. - metalmagpie

 

[NUTTSGT]

I don't think anybody is easily going to walk off with it, if they break in. Well built !

 

[kavisiegel]

Nice! How much force does it take before it tries to tip?

 

[Mustangmike66]

That Sir, is the nicest stand I have ever seen. As a matter of fact the grabber blue(ish) color matches my Shelby. I would set that next to my car any day, and not worry about it tipping into her.

 

[Krokodil]

Very nice!

 

[toolmaniac]

Nice work METALMAGPIE. I made something very similar to my vise. I welded an 1.5 inch heavy wall pipe to a steel rim, I had laying around, and filled it with 60-70 lbs of concrete. It turned out very solid, and the only thing left to do is to add a couple of wheels to roll it around (much like a hand truck).

 

[djjsr]

Anyone that's interested in a nice heavy base for a vise, anvil, welding table, etc., have I got a deal for you!

I just happen to have a 55 gallon drum full of concrete and it's yours for free. All you have to do is come and get it. And bring help, it's definitely heavy. I moved it once several years ago and I think it changed my voice. I have no desire to move it again.

If you're near east central Illinois and you want it, it's yours. PM me.

(No, I will not ship it)

 

[whitechevy]

I made a free stand about 6 months ago. I like it! To say it's sturdy is an understatement. The round stock lip is great. It's origional design was to keep items from rolling off the table. It proves more useful for holding the grinder. I need to make a porta-band holder.