Irwin 5” Multi-Purpose Vise; Anybody Here Own One? (Fireball Tool Video)

[crazycaseys53]

So, I was all ready to plop down $400-500 on either a 5-1/2” Tradesman or a 6-1/2” Mechanics Pro Wilton until a Garage Journal thread steered me towards that Fireball Tool YouTube video where he tests-to-failure a bunch of buses, and neither of those United fared very well.

What shocked me was how well the 5” Irwin Multi-Purpose Vise (P/N: 4935505) performed. It was one of the few vices that didn’t fail the “hammer test”, had mid-pack clamping pressure, and it’s over-torque failure point was one of the highest tested. All of that with the versatility of the double swivel, and a price tag of $100 makes it hard to justify spending 3-4x for something that, while much more nicely constructed, isn’t really any more durable.

The problem, however, is that when I went to Lowe’s to look at this 5” Multi-Purpose Vise, it just felt so darn cheap. I don’t even think it weighed 40 lbs, and the casting on the swivel base is insanely thin. This has always been an import vise, but I can’t help but wonder if it’s being made even more cheaply today than it was two years ago when Fireball Tool tested it.

Does anybody here own one and care to weigh in.

I was also considering a 6” Capri Forged Vise, and a 6” Yost ADI Vise, but, again, they are 3x the price, not as versatile, and the Yost (anyway) didn’t really test that much better than the Irwin in terms of strength…in fact you could argue it didn’t perform as well…

Thanks,

Casey

 

[Mgdoug3]

I have that vise rebranded as a Dewalt. It's a good cheap vise but I have replaced it two USA made vises. I plan on building a welding table and using the Dewalt as my welding and torch vise. It's a good price for the money.

 

[crazycaseys53]

I have that vise rebranded as a Dewalt. It's a good cheap vise but I have replaced it two USA made vises. I plan on building a welding table and using the Dewalt as my welding and torch vise. It's a good price for the money.

Thanks for the feedback. It looks like the Dewalt version isn’t being sold anymore. A vintage USA Craftsman in good shape popped up on my local Craigslist, so I’m going to go grab that today, but I’m still curious about one of these fancy multi-purpose vises. You can never have too many vises, right!?

 

[Mgdoug3]

Having two vises is definitely better than one. I have 4 that I could use but at the moment just two are being used at the moment.

 

[crazycaseys53]

Having two vises is definitely better than one. I have 4 that I could use but at the moment just two are being used at the moment.

I guess, technically I have 4 as well…if you count the mill vise. Which has my wondering now if 5 is too many.

I can see this turning into an obsession/collection…

 

[Paul_The_Builder]

I had the exact same reaction when watching Fireball Tool's vise video. The rotating vise was just as strong as the regular ones, so it seemed like it had lots of advantages and few downsides.

I ended up purchasing the Wilton version. Its more expensive than the Yost or Irwin versions, but it is well built, and I'm very happy with it. Even though its Wilton, its not made in the USA. I think its made in Taiwan. I bought it 3 years ago before COVID for $175.

 

[Leaflessshadetree]

I've seen a lot of different brands of vises that all look like that. Many are probably the same other than color.
I have one I bought over 20 years ago. Still works fine. (Mine doesn't feel "cheap", it moves smoothly, clamps solid and nothing rattles. It is bolted to a heavy bench but if I recall 40lbs sounds about right).