BottomLineReviews
Well-known member
I want a vise, and workbench that are reasonably priced, but do what they're supposed to and will last at least 10 years. What can I expect to pay, and what are some suggestions?
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Inexpensive vise, and workbench.
- Thread starter BottomLineReviews
- Start date
drivesitfar
Well-known member
BLR: as little as nothing if one happens to show up at a garage or moving sale and the owner needs it gone. the sky is the limit for new because a new Gladiator work bench and a new Wilton bullet C1 is about $2,000.
my guess is if you want new there are other options for less maybe the $500 range for both and if you have time to search for used you might get a lot better quality vise and bench for that same price or less. maybe mention a few more of your needs and what you plan on doing in your garage/shop. i'd say a good 4 or if budget allows a 5 inch wide old US or English made vise will work for 95% of the guys and gals in the world.
if you want to go in your GJ profile and put in your location you might be surprised what a member like me might have to offer you if you are close to us.
check out the vises of garage journal thread to see a few of the vises some of our members have and if you want to learn more about them and what issues some of the older ones might have check out the vise repair 101 thread.
good luck
my guess is if you want new there are other options for less maybe the $500 range for both and if you have time to search for used you might get a lot better quality vise and bench for that same price or less. maybe mention a few more of your needs and what you plan on doing in your garage/shop. i'd say a good 4 or if budget allows a 5 inch wide old US or English made vise will work for 95% of the guys and gals in the world.
if you want to go in your GJ profile and put in your location you might be surprised what a member like me might have to offer you if you are close to us.
check out the vises of garage journal thread to see a few of the vises some of our members have and if you want to learn more about them and what issues some of the older ones might have check out the vise repair 101 thread.
good luck
Tough to answer as asked. Vices will probably vary from $50 to hundreds depending on availability, age, condition, etc. Building your bench or buying assembled? How big? Wood or metal? What will it be used for? Guys have probably put together benches on the cheap with some favors and elbow grease, or you could drop a ton of cash on a bench built by a skilled craftsman.
If I was putting one together I'd probably spend a few hundred for what I need.
If I was putting one together I'd probably spend a few hundred for what I need.
What do you want to do with your bench and vise? If you don't know the answer to that you aren't ready to choose a bench that will last you that long.
A bench good for woodworking looks a lot different than a bench good for rebuilding a lawnmower engine. Same with vises.
Just my opinion.
A bench good for woodworking looks a lot different than a bench good for rebuilding a lawnmower engine. Same with vises.
Just my opinion.
OP
BottomLineReviews
Well-known member
I'm just a beginner, and have a basic knowledge of woodworking, and basic woodworking tools. Would it be better for me to just make one? I'm looking to spend around 250$ for a vise and a bench. I plan on using it as a DIYer so it doesn't have to be super heavy duty.
AceofSpad3s
Well-known member
- Joined
- Oct 1, 2014
- Messages
- 1,808
For a good vise I would say a $100 would work if you find a nice used one, less if you are lucky,I got my wilton 9400 for $50. I built my benches out of cull from hd so they only cost my about $10 a bench, took about 9 2x4's and a 4x2 piece of mdf.They work fine but I would screw them into some studs too since they can move around if you a thrashing on them. I was using my sawzall to cut some bolts off and the benches moved a bit.
Last edited:
MoparTrucks
Well-known member
I just saw a Bessy 5" multi-purpose vice at a feed store for $90 and I'm sorely tempted to ****** it up for myself even though I don't really need another one and you can never discount what you can sometimes find on CL or yard sales.
As for the bench, build it yourself and you will get the satisfaction out of it. One of my benches I built in HS off of old plans from Popular Mechanics in the early 70s and its followed me around all these years and has a patina all its own.
As for the bench, build it yourself and you will get the satisfaction out of it. One of my benches I built in HS off of old plans from Popular Mechanics in the early 70s and its followed me around all these years and has a patina all its own.
drivesitfar
Well-known member
BLR: a couple options for you for the wood bench are to check out the Free section in Craigslist because there are nice big wood benches on there occasionally. another option is to stop in at a commercial building that is making tenant improvements and either get a big commercial door for free or offer the contractor $50-$100 for one and you'll have a 2 inch thick bench top.
buying used vises is easy in some areas to find a good 4 or 5 inch vise for under $150 and other areas it might cost you twice that much or none available. where are you located if you don't want to put it in your profile?
good luck
buying used vises is easy in some areas to find a good 4 or 5 inch vise for under $150 and other areas it might cost you twice that much or none available. where are you located if you don't want to put it in your profile?
good luck
OP
BottomLineReviews
Well-known member
Dayton, Ohio I'll get around to putting in my profile eventually.