I need help buying a vise!

[ZombieAchilles]

I'm brand new here and stumbled across this website while looking for my first vise. I am going to be using it for building AR-15's but I don't want to buy some cheap chinese vise that will MAYBE work once or twice. I've found a Craftsman (Columbia?) 506-51840 vise for sale for $100 near me but don't know if that's a deal. I know very little and need some guidance.

 

[bluebolt]

First off where are you at?

Does the vise look like this? http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=195982

Does it have a swivel base?

That's a 4.5" wide jaw vise and a decent vise
Check it over carefully $100 is a little high but not terrible if you want one now.

 

[jakemac]

For gunsmithing you might want to look at a rotating vise. (sorry, I don't have a picture)
Outlawmws should chime in on this one. I think he tinkers with guns on his bench.

 

[Youngguns]

First off, what does a vise used for building AR15's have to do? In all reality, a Chinese vise would probably be enough. That said, I would hit up yard sales and flea markets looking for a nice, cheap, USA option.

 

[Shadowdog500]

If you are getting it to work on your guns, you may want look into getting a gunsmith vise. They range from $50 to $400 depending on what you need or want to spend.

Chris

 

[shockwave]

Look at a Wilton tradesman vice the pipe jaws might be to your benefit you should be able to find a 4 1/2 for fairly cheap I don't think you need bigger for gun smithing

 

[ZombieAchilles]

First off where are you at?

Does the vise look like this? http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=195982

Does it have a swivel base?

That's a 4.5" wide jaw vise and a decent vise
Check it over carefully $100 is a little high but not terrible if you want one now.

It's pretty much exactly like that one with a swivel base. It has a little rust but that's it. I would prefer one with a pipe clamp in the ~5 inch jaw range. I want to spend under 150 and it seems like new ones on that range will be trash and there's no point in buying that anyway.

 

[jrobb316]

You're looking for a Wilton tradesman, or if you're willing to accept a 4.5" jaw you could find a Reed 2C, or an old Parker or Morgan combo vise. Once you hit a 5" jaw in a Reed, Parker, or Morgan your price starts going up very fast. I picked up a Reed 2C for $70, which was literally a steal, and it goes in the 80 lb range. I have no doubt something like that would give you a lifetime of happy service. And yes, anything you're looking to spend new at the store today in that price range is complete trash. A new 5" combo vise from a US manufacturer runs in the $1K neighborhood (except a tradesman).

 

[ZombieAchilles]

You're looking for a Wilton tradesman, or if you're willing to accept a 4.5" jaw you could find a Reed 2C, or an old Parker or Morgan combo vise. Once you hit a 5" jaw in a Reed, Parker, or Morgan your price starts going up very fast. I picked up a Reed 2C for $70, which was literally a steal, and it goes in the 80 lb range. I have no doubt something like that would give you a lifetime of happy service. And yes, anything you're looking to spend new at the store today in that price range is complete trash. A new 5" combo vise from a US manufacturer runs in the $1K neighborhood (except a tradesman).

Even eBay seems kind of high. Especially after shipping. I'll keep these names in mind at the flea markets and yard sales I'll be attending.

 

[FJ 432]

This may be a good deal on a well made British vise.

https://www.etsy.com/listing/232882334/good-shape-vintage-186b-woden-england-4?ref=favs_view_14

 

[ZombieAchilles]

First off, what does a vise used for building AR15's have to do? In all reality, a Chinese vise would probably be enough. That said, I would hit up yard sales and flea markets looking for a nice, cheap, USA option.

It needs to be able to hold an upper reciever block steady while torquing a barrel up to 80ft/lbs. Not sure how much, (or how little) vice it would take for this. I enjoy DUY building and modding and refuse to buy junk. I'll need a quality vice sooner or later anyway.

 

[Fretters]

It needs to be able to hold an upper reciever block steady while torquing a barrel up to 80ft/lbs. Not sure how much, (or how little) vice it would take for this. I enjoy DUY building and modding and refuse to buy junk. I'll need a quality vice sooner or later anyway.

For those of us who've no idea about guns, an upper receiver block is...?

There's nowt wrong with buying a lesser vice than you want as a permanent one initially, btw. Needs must, and having something you can use for the interim period at least gets you up and running and allows for you to find what you really want at your leisure.

 

[jrobb316]

eBay is not your place. You will have better luck on craigslist. Unless you're in the boondocks you should have decent luck. eBay for local pickup sometimes pans out though, so keep that in mind.

 

[ZombieAchilles]

http://ammoland.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/Changing-An-AR-15-Barrel.jpg

For those of us who've no idea about guns, an upper receiver block is...?

There's nowt wrong with buying a lesser vice than you want as a permanent one initially, btw. Needs must, and having something you can use for the interim period at least gets you up and running and allows for you to find what you really want at your leisure.

http://ammoland.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/Changing-An-AR-15-Barrel.jpg

This is what I need it to do. Hold steady while applying torque to a barrel nut.

 

[bluebolt]

It's pretty much exactly like that one with a swivel base. It has a little rust but that's it. I would prefer one with a pipe clamp in the ~5 inch jaw range. I want to spend under 150 and it seems like new ones on that range will be trash and there's no point in buying that anyway.

It might not have pipe jaws but it sounds like a decent vise.

If you get a rotating head vise the only new one I would consider is the Yost 750-DI it is made out of 60,000 PSI ductile iron like a proper vise should be. It is made in China though. You can get them for about $200 with shipping with a little careful shopping.

 

[yaidunno]

A 3-1/2, 4, or 4-1/2 Wilton Machinist vise would get my vote. Add a set of brass jaws and you'd be up and running.

 

[ZombieAchilles]

A 3-1/2, 4, or 4-1/2 Wilton Machinist vise would get my vote. Add a set of brass jaws and you'd be up and running.

Any more specifics on this search? What price tag am I looking at?

 

[zkling]

Not much, especially if you are just assembling kits. Pipe jaw vise is a horrible idea, if you are going to be gripping round pieces, especially barrels and actions you will need proper fitting action vise. You'd probably be well served by one of the "cleaning stands" that tipton? makes and the proper wrenches. Unless you are making your own parts, even then, scratch prevention is paramount. And yes I've done extensive gun work, although I'm not much of a black rifle guy. A wood vise can be very handy, large flat gripping area.

 

[Trey T]

I gave up on finding Wilton bullet. Instead I got the Craftsman pro vise that looks like the Wilton Tradesman. There are a lot of great reviews on this board. Got it on sale for $100

 

[ZombieAchilles]

Not much, especially if you are just assembling kits. Pipe jaw vise is a horrible idea, if you are going to be gripping round pieces, especially barrels and actions you will need proper fitting action vise. You'd probably be well served by one of the "cleaning stands" that tipton? makes and the proper wrenches. Unless you are making your own parts, even then, scratch prevention is paramount. And yes I've done extensive gun work, although I'm not much of a black rifle guy. A wood vise can be very handy, large flat gripping area.

The pipe jaw was for using a reaction rod tool not for use on actual barrels cringe. I just figure if I'm going to buy one, I might as well buy once cry once and get something of quality. Doesn't need to be large and now I have a lot of things to look into after this thread .

 

[becker_atc]

Lol...I have built 4 ARs so far. 3 of which had to torque the barrels on. I used something about like this. Clamped to a wood bench and then screwed in from the front.

http://www.yostvises.com/specialty-vises/clamp-on-vise/2-1-2-clamp-on-vise.html

Not my exact one but I bet they were cast in the same place. It worked. Would I recomend it? NO! But the three I set did all shoot sub MOA. It's what I had at the time and can't work on stuff like that at work.

My other option at the time was to use blocks and clamps to hold the upper clamshell to the bench.

 

[yaidunno]

Any more specifics on this search? What price tag am I looking at?

http://www.wiltontools.com/us/en/c/bench-vises-usa-bullet/W120?Series=machvise&reset=true

Depending on where you get it, $450-650 new (with swivel base). I picked up a new 400S for just under $400 on ebay, so deals can be had. It is a large up front investment, but it will be the last vise you will need to buy. Also, don't be fooled by the "small" jaw sizes. The things are built like a brick **** house, and are very precise.

The tradesman series can be had for a little less money. They range in size from 4-1/2 to 8"

 

[Marv's Shop]

http://www.wiltontools.com/us/en/c/bench-vises-usa-bullet/W120?Series=machvise&reset=true

Depending on where you get it, $450-650 new (with swivel base). I picked up a new 400S for just under $400 on ebay, so deals can be had. It is a large up front investment, but it will be the last vise you will need to buy. Also, don't be fooled by the "small" jaw sizes. The things are built like a brick **** house, and are very precise.

The tradesman series can be had for a little less money. They range in size from 4-1/2 to 8"

Other than some differences in the max opening and throat depth. What are the differences between the Tradesman and the Combo Pipe and Bench vise? They're both From the USA made bullet series just was wondering why such a big price difference. I can find the 5.5" tradesman (63200) on Amazon or Home Depot for $419. While the 5" Combo Pipe and Bench vise ( 10250) is about $1000-$1200 online.

Thanks

 

[jrobb316]

I don't own any Wilton's, but I have other quality vintage brands. It is my understanding that the tradesman is more of a medium duty vise while the others are true machinist vises and heavy duty. They are built to MIL spec and use better materials. For what it's worth, a snap on vise is a rebranded tradesman, and they are not exactly little guys either. I think tradesmans are a good value, you may get lucky finding a bullet on the used circuit but even there they go for $$$

 

[yaidunno]

Other than some differences in the max opening and throat depth. What are the differences between the Tradesman and the Combo Pipe and Bench vise? They're both From the USA made bullet series just was wondering why such a big price difference. I can find the 5.5" tradesman (63200) on Amazon or Home Depot for $419. While the 5" Combo Pipe and Bench vise ( 10250) is about $1000-$1200 online.

Thanks

Again, take the specs online with a grain of salt. The physical size of the 10250 (C2) will absolutely dwarf the 5-1/2” tradesman vise. Take a look at the weight between the two to put it in perspective. The C2 comes it at 100 lbs while the 5-1/2” tradesman is just a fuzz over 50 lbs. I have an older C2 sitting in my kitchen at home that I picked up for $50 (yes, $50). It is a beast, and more than most normal users including myself, will ever need.

 

[ZombieAchilles]

Can anyone identify this columian? Its for sale for $45
http://imgur.com/qh1xmHk

 

[jakemac]

Can anyone identify this columian? Its for sale for $45
http://imgur.com/qh1xmHk

It might be a model 43, 43-1/2, or 44 (depending on jaw width). It looks like it's missing the base and locking hardware. BUT, it has the pipe jaws that tend to go missing. $25-$30 would be a better price. Exposed screw vises usually go for less than their enclosed screw cousins.
This ad is from 1928.