Frustrated with Search on a HIT Vice

[MoparTrucks]

Okay, I have tried the forum search, Google search etc and can not find much of anything on HIT vises.

I was given a new 5" HIT heavy duty mechanics vise (person now deceased) and have been pretty happy with it for the last few years and was thinking of getting another one but I cant find any reviews on them or even where to buy them other than from the factory (and the factory site wants you to call for a quote).

I also have a huge old Rock Island vise awaiting restoration so I understand this HIT vise isn't of the caliber of the older vises but for a homeowner type it fits the bill pretty nicely.

Anyone have any comments on them or can point me in the right direction?

 

[drivesitfar]

Mopar: I've never heard of the HIT vise so maybe a few pictures might help me (us) help you. also are the HIT all capitals so maybe initials. what is the company's name that you are calling and where are they located?

good luck

 

[MoparTrucks]

I knew I would get called out on the Pics! Sorry for the quality, I just ran out and took them with my iPhone.

Here is the link to the company and I have zero experience with them other than getting this vise from a good friend as a birthday gift about 4 years ago. I have used the **** out of it.

http://www.hittools.com/catalog/itemlist.asp?catid=234&parentid=106

 

[Zrexxer]

Just another generic imported vise, but if one were to really want to order a new one, you can do so here:

http://www.koblicksupply.com/americanpresto14-mv5h.html

 

[sgs236]

Looks to me like a copy of the Home Depot 5" Olympia Vise.

http://www.homedepot.com/p/OLYMPIA-5-in-Mechanic-s-Bench-Vise-38-615/205149974

 

[drivesitfar]

Mopar: Wilton and Columbian that is owned by Wilton makes a vise similar that is also imported. if yours isn't hammered on or used as a press it probably will last for a very long time and if it was a gift from a friend and using it will remind you of him then don't move it and keep using it.

as far as buying another one i'd restore that big old Rock Island first and see how you like it. if it's in decent shape i'll tell you that you'll like using it a lot better than the HIT vise.

any pictures of your Rock Island vise and maybe some details or model #'s?

 

[MoparTrucks]

Thanks guys. It looks like it gets re-branded a lot, its shown as American Presto on the Koblick site, and it does look like an Olympia at HD.

Also looks like its made in India so god knows what kind of casting quality but its help up good so far. The price for the one on the Koblick site is over a C-note but the Olympia is about 60 bucks delivered so it looks like a no brainer.

Thanks for all the help.

 

[sselander]

notice the company name that makes the vise - American Presto
(Won't fool everyone )

here is some info on the company:
http://www.hittools.com/template/contactus.asp

Lots of different HIT vises in their catalog:
http://www.hittools.com/catalog/default.asp?parentid=106

 

[MoparTrucks]

Mopar: Wilton and Columbian that is owned by Wilton makes a vise similar that is also imported. if yours isn't hammered on or used as a press it probably will last for a very long time and if it was a gift from a friend and using it will remind you of him then don't move it and keep using it.

as far as buying another one i'd restore that big old Rock Island first and see how you like it. if it's in decent shape i'll tell you that you'll like using it a lot better than the HIT vise.

any pictures of your Rock Island vise and maybe some details or model #'s?

Here is the Rock Island. Its not seized but this beast is definitely a work in progress.

 

[Zrexxer]

Thanks guys. It looks like it gets re-branded a lot, its shown as American Presto on the Koblick site

Their website says that HITtools is a division of the American Presto company.

 

[drivesitfar]

Mopar: if you need a second vise in your shop i'd pull the dynamic out of the Rock Island and start wire wheeling off the rust or set up an electrolysis tank to set it in for a few days. the only thing i see damaged is the bent handle which is a fairly easy fix if you have a press or even a BFH and some RR track to get it straight. all the Rock Island vises I've worked on so far they are just a matter of taking a small set screw out of a sleeve that holds the main screw in the dynamic so you can get the vise apart.

to get the vise nut out of the static jaw there is usually a pin holding it in that you can use a punch and hit it from below and it should pop out and your vise will be ready to clean, then paint or just grease and put back together. hopefully nothing is broken inside the vise.

how wide are the jaws? looks like a 4 or 4.5 incher which is a good solid vise for about 90% of the garages and shops.

here is a great thread on how to set up an electrolysis tank if you don't already know how. if you have any questions about restoring or just making the Rock Island vise work better just ask on the Vise Repair 101 thread and i or one of the many vise guys will hopefully see it and help you.

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=237752&highlight=homemade+electrolysis

good luck

 

[bigcaddy]

Thanks guys. It looks like it gets re-branded a lot, its shown as American Presto on the Koblick site, and it does look like an Olympia at HD.

Also looks like its made in India so god knows what kind of casting quality but its help up good so far. The price for the one on the Koblick site is over a C-note but the Olympia is about 60 bucks delivered so it looks like a no brainer.

Thanks for all the help.

I would save the money for now and do some shopping on CL. I found a decent selection of USA made vises for decent prices on there. I even spotted a Athol 5" fixed base for just a bit over 100 bucks near St Louis. I would go american because if you ever decide to sell it, it will do better then the flood of cheap imports on the market. That's just my .02.

 

[arz71]

I would save the money for now and do some shopping on CL. I found a decent selection of USA made vises for decent prices on there. I even spotted a Athol 5" fixed base for just a bit over 100 bucks near St Louis. I would go american because if you ever decide to sell it, it will do better then the flood of cheap imports on the market. That's just my .02.

The USA made ones have the 60,000 PSI ductile iron, the cheap imports are 30,000PSI (doubt it) with the infamous CHINA quality control.