Jorgensen Vise?

[SgtRauksauff]

finally starting to do some work in my own garage, and finding just how handy the vise in my father's shop was.

Locally, I can get a Jorgensen "Professional Bench Vise With Swivel Base" on sale for $100, normally 130.

It's an 8" jaw, which should be beefy enough for anything i'll be throwing at it in the near future.

I did a search on here and didn't really see anyone commenting on their vises, just wondering if those GJers who are Vice Afficionados would have anything to say about it?

Looking around on CL in my area now and again for the past few weeks really hasn't found me much in the used sector, so I think I may as well just buy new.

Here's what they have on their site (adjustableclamp.com)

--sarge

 

[Outlawmws]

An 8" jaw would be ENORMOUS. Is that how wide the jaw opens?

I don't like how thin that handle appears to be for the vise, but if it actually is 8" wide, that could be an optical illusion.

Jorgensen still makes some things in the US but I have serious doubts as to that vise being one of them (if that matter to you)

 

[plinker]

Looks like a nice vise, I doubt it's US made at that price, but doesnt mean it's junk. Is it cast or forged(? I think thats the term)? If I may ask who's got them?

Most of the Jorgenson stuff I've got are C-clamps, pipe clamps& bar clamps all are good quality

I dont see much on CL either, but I did find a nice vintage 4" Craftsman vise at my Dads cousins yard sale (he goes to yards sales & buys stuff to re-sell).

I have a 5" Irwin vise I use most of the time, but I've seen Menards has some Masterforce vises w/ lifetime warranty for a decent price on sale. Sears does have a Craftsman vise (Pro I think, it's red ) thats supoused to be a Wilton clone I think, it is a good vise from whats been said.

 

[SgtRauksauff]

Blain's Farm and Fleet (not to be confused with Fleet Farm) has them locally for the $100.

Farm and Fleet page

Jorgensen is one brand of the Adjustable Clamp Company. They also make the Pony brand of clampers.

Here's AdjustableClampCompany's page for this vise, the "Professional Bench Vise with Swivel Base".

They say that it is a "heavy cold-formed channel beam" and hardened steel jaw faces. Ductile steel casting is the body of the vise.

it is an eight-inch wide jaw, probably at least that if not more in depth, probably closer to a foot. playing with the handle at the store, it didn't seem too small at all, I think it might be an optical illusion. Easy enough to make a bigger/longer one if needed, although I don't think it is.

--sarge

 

[JASTECH]

Coo?

 

[SgtRauksauff]

I'm not sure how to find that out.

 

[Joe B.]

I would lean towards the Craftsman Pro vise if you can't get a used one or spend the dollars for a domestic. It is only 4 1/2" but everyone that has one seems to like them.
http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_00951888000P?prdNo=11&blockNo=86&blockType=G86

 

[autopts]

I would lean towards the Craftsman Pro vise if you can't get a used one or spend the dollars for a domestic. It is only 4 1/2" but everyone that has one seems to like them.


Agreed, the best buy for the money. Look for some Sears Holiday coupons floating around.

 

[scspringer]

I've been in the plant where that vise is made.

It's made in China. It's a good factory but it is made in China nonetheless.

Forgot to add, it is a decent vise. Not a great one but you won't find a great vise that size for $100. And yes, the jaws are 8 inches wide. Definitely a large one.

 

[scspringer]

The Craftsman vise is made in the same factory as the Jorgensen vise. I would get the Craftsman vise if I had the choice.

 

[Outlawmws]

Craftsman weighs in at 42 lbs with 4-1/2" jaws, the Jorg is 45 LBS with 8" jaws.

Jorg has a pressed/welded U-Channel. Craftsman had the Wilton style round shank. (Not sure if it is cast with the dynamic jaw)

Leaving cost aside, I'd also go with the Craftsman as probably the better vise...

 

[bigdaddyisu]

I've got the 5" version of the Jorgenson vise you posted. I don't do anything heavy duty but it certainly suits what light duty uses I have for it.

 

[SgtRauksauff]

I stopped in last night and checked out the box, it says "made in china" right on it.

This was, of course after work, before I checked this board again. I actually bought the Jorgenson, $100 for an 8-inch vise is just a darned good deal. IF I could get the craftsman pro in something bigger than 6", I'd go that route. My father has a 5-inch vise (made in China as well, as it came from Farm and Fleet a few years back) that is just barely too small to fit some things in, so I need something bigger that the 4.5" of the craftsman. That vise does look darned nice, though!

I'll probably just sit on this one for a bit, as I've still got to figure out where i'm going to mount it. Meanwhile, I'll just keep an eye out, and if I run across something better, I'l take the Jorgensen back. I'll post up some real-life (non-catalog) pictures of it too, since I did take it out of the box. It was greased up and wrapped in plastic, which is kinda good, and probably necessary if coming over on a ship...

--sarge

 

[SweetD]

... I actually bought the Jorgenson, $100 for an 8-inch vise is just a darned good deal...

It will be interesting to see how it holds up, if you do end up keeping it.

In my opinion, it's only a "darned good deal" if the vise actually works well and holds up for a long time...could be more of a "you get what you pay for" type-deal...

Let us know - good luck!

Dave