I.D. this Vise?
- Thread starter mbruffey
- Start date
3baygarage
Well-known member
Generic import swivel vise. No idea on brand
neophyte
Well-known member
As 3baygarage pointed out, it’s an Asian clone of the the standard double swivel vise.
The origin of this vise type was the USA made Sawyer Nutyp vise, that was designed around 100 years ago.
At some point, the design wound up in China, were it was copied, and extensively made, so practically all similar vises found in the USA of that type nowadays are the Asian clones.
That is the better type of clone, with separate steel pope jaws that more closely matches the original Sawyer design, but probably cast out of grey iron, (and possibly cast poorly).
Plenty of older examples of these that were Asian made have apparently held up well, so I wouldn’t worry too much about the casting.
Value isn’t high, because the vises frequently turn up, and a brand new version, cast from a more durable ductile iron can be purchased gor $200 or less under the Doyle name at Harbor Freight, or by Yost or Capri.
I presume the general GJ estimate on value would be somewhere between $50-$100.
The origin of this vise type was the USA made Sawyer Nutyp vise, that was designed around 100 years ago.
At some point, the design wound up in China, were it was copied, and extensively made, so practically all similar vises found in the USA of that type nowadays are the Asian clones.
That is the better type of clone, with separate steel pope jaws that more closely matches the original Sawyer design, but probably cast out of grey iron, (and possibly cast poorly).
Plenty of older examples of these that were Asian made have apparently held up well, so I wouldn’t worry too much about the casting.
Value isn’t high, because the vises frequently turn up, and a brand new version, cast from a more durable ductile iron can be purchased gor $200 or less under the Doyle name at Harbor Freight, or by Yost or Capri.
I presume the general GJ estimate on value would be somewhere between $50-$100.
slowtwitch73
Well-known member
The 'good' versions of the Asian copies command pretty good money actually.
That's a good vise.. I'd take it over many other vises regardless of origin.
That's a good vise.. I'd take it over many other vises regardless of origin.
RTM
Well-known member
That might be a slightly better version of the vise neophyte mentioned, as it appears to have a lock on the rotation, vs other that lock alll motion with the main handle. Mine is a wingnut on the opposite side from your pic. I believe this is a "better" one as slowtwitch said
Here's mine, labeled by DiamondBrand multi- Purpose Vise, supposedly from 1980s, 76#
Here's mine, labeled by DiamondBrand multi- Purpose Vise, supposedly from 1980s, 76#
Beerhippie
Well-known member
I think this is not one of the "good" ones, but I've gotten decades of use and abuse out of it and it just keeps on truckin'.
Mine locks with the main lever. Having the separate lock for the swivel jaws would be real nice.
Mine locks with the main lever. Having the separate lock for the swivel jaws would be real nice.
RTM
Well-known member
Which vise are you talking about, mine or his? here's mine, just in case. Diamond Brand Multi-Purpose Bench Vise- Type SH82 120mm (4.75") Made in Shanghai China (Chinese characters say Made in Shanghai China also)
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Beerhippie
Well-known member
I've seen pictures of them both with and without (like mine) rotation locks. I've seen pictures of different types--ones with a DP lock style like the OP's picture, some with a simple bolt threaded in the static barrel, with or without a shoe.
I'm tempted to drill and tap mine for a simple lock. It's not often, but occasionally I want to hold something at an angle without crushing it.
RTM
Well-known member
Guy that I bought it from said it was left from when the house was built, or remodeled, in either 1974 or 81, wasn’t sure which. Some guy passed on it when he saw the Made in China. I had a 90% guess it was Chinese, so made sure he saw the label. For the price I could not leave it behind.
I have one like that that was branded as a Wilton... I picked it up in a pawn shop for $20 because it was rusty...
As I disassembled it, I realized that it had never been used... the QC stickers were still on it, and the jaws were still coated in cosmoline.
Whatever paint (or powdercoat?) they used on it was peeling badly in places... but where it was still bonded, I couldn't get it to come off. I tried everything... finally, out of desperation, I soaked it in DOT 3 brake fluid for a few days...
That worked pretty well...
After a thorough brake fluid strip followed by a de-rusting, I primed and painted it, then reassembled...
It's definitely better than it was...
-Bear
As I disassembled it, I realized that it had never been used... the QC stickers were still on it, and the jaws were still coated in cosmoline.
Whatever paint (or powdercoat?) they used on it was peeling badly in places... but where it was still bonded, I couldn't get it to come off. I tried everything... finally, out of desperation, I soaked it in DOT 3 brake fluid for a few days...
That worked pretty well...
After a thorough brake fluid strip followed by a de-rusting, I primed and painted it, then reassembled...
It's definitely better than it was...
-Bear
Nessism
Well-known member
I also have a version of that vice. Bought it at a DYI warehouse store in 1994. Rock solid. Minimal play in the jaws, and the rotation feature is super handy. Mine has a skim coat of bondo on the casting. Heavily abused, and working just fine...
Your exact version of that vise is the only one I've ever seen. I mean literally exact, not a generalization.Guy that I bought it from said it was left from when the house was built, or remodeled, in either 1974 or 81, wasn’t sure which. Some guy passed on it when he saw the Made in China. I had a 90% guess it was Chinese, so made sure he saw the label. For the price I could not leave it behind.