looking for a new bench vise

[brett14]

i previously had a Grizzly G7062 and it held up damn good for what i used it for. but eventually broke. i used it for everything from holding material to forming material to using it as a press...

i am in love with the columbian autocrat 415 vise, just cant find one anywhere. it would fit all my needs.

def looking for a good ol american vise. i really dont need swivel functions. 4" + jaws and pipe jaws are my top needs...maybe something that isnt impossible to find

 

[HanShotFirst]

Your old Grizzly looks just like my Wilton import vise. I needed the rotating head far more than I needed a super strong vise.

Sounds like it's time for US made; Columbian, Yost, or Wilton.
The purchase will hurt a bit, but you won't regret buying the best.

 

[notlob]

Where are you located? I have a couple vises that would fit your needs, including a Wilton that looks a lot like the Autocrat, and I know that many other GJ members have 1 or 2 (more like 10 or 20) nice old US-made extras laying around....

 

[exmaxima1]

I love my German-made Heuer 100mm (4") bench vise. I think you can still get them for about $130 shipped.

Looks like it's now $150 plus shipping.

 

[General Geoff]

If you don't need a swivel base, you can probably get a great deal on an old stationary vise. Or find a swivel vise with a broken swivel base, and just bolt the vise itself right down onto the bench.

 

[Tennessee Cattleman]

Might want to check out the U.S.A. made Yost vises. The Bay has some good prices on new Yosts.

 

[Ign]

Around here used vises are like hens teeth. If I were needing one I'd just go Wilton Tradesman and buy new. Relatively affordable and quality is good to great IMO. I own one, and yes, I bought it new 8 or 9 years ago.

 

[Dr Stan]

Use Search Tempest to find one in your area. I bought a new 6" Wilson for 1/2 price.

 

[exmaxima1]

I just checked, $131.27 shipped.

Where did you look? I thought that Jens Putzier was the only US source.

 

[Parrothead]

As far as import vises go...check your local Sears, they might have the Craftsman Professional tucked under a shelf somewhere, but if not pass and look on Craigslist.

*Cripe has them on eBay for $145 shipped.

 

[Shiftless]

Where are you located? I have a couple vises that would fit your needs, including a Wilton that looks a lot like the Autocrat, and I know that many other GJ members have 1 or 2 (more like 10 or 20) nice old US-made extras laying around....

brett:
Just as notlob said, add your location to your avatar, hop on over to the main vise pages and tell your story. No exaggeration, many of us have at least 10 "extra" vises that would fill your needs quite well. If you are near SFO, PM me and I can "hook you up"

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=44782&page=2718

 

[Ign]

As far as import vises go...check your local Sears, they might have the Craftsman Professional tucked under a shelf somewhere, but if not pass and look on Craigslist.

*Cripe has them on eBay for $145 shipped.

I was gonna suggest that as well but then I remembered OP said he was looking for an American vise.

 

[Parrothead]

I was gonna suggest that as well but then I remembered OP said he was looking for an American vise.

I really need to read whole post.

 

[bczygan]

i previously had a Grizzly G7062 and it held up damn good for what i used it for. but eventually broke. i used it for everything from holding material to forming material to using it as a press...

i am in love with the columbian autocrat 415 vise, just cant find one anywhere. it would fit all my needs.

def looking for a good ol american vise. i really dont need swivel functions. 4" + jaws and pipe jaws are my top needs...maybe something that isnt impossible to find

You don't use a vise as a press.

Is that how it broke?

Bill

 

[General Geoff]

I don't see why you can't use a stout vise as a light press, as long as you're not putting a cheater pipe on the handle.

 

[G-ManBart]

I don't see why you can't use a stout vise as a light press, as long as you're not putting a cheater pipe on the handle.

A stout vise as a light press...sure, but you can break one without a cheater bar as well.

I just bought a 20T HF Press for $139 out the door so I don't have to worry about it...and I've got a few pretty stout vises.

 

[General Geoff]

A stout vise as a light press...sure, but you can break one without a cheater bar as well.

I just bought a 20T HF Press for $139 out the door so I don't have to worry about it...and I've got a few pretty stout vises.

I have the 12T HF press and have used it for things that actually need a press. But for stuff like getting poly bushings into sleeves or similar, a vise is a lot more stable and controllable due to the larger pressing surfaces.

 

[rlitman]

I don't see why you can't use a stout vise as a light press, as long as you're not putting a cheater pipe on the handle.

Well, unlike a press, a vise is at its weakest when the jaws are most spread apart. You can expect to get full clamping pressure on something small, but the more you open it up, the more you risk breaking things.

Yes, a cheater pipe is the surest way to cause trouble.

 

[General Geoff]

Fun fact, I've actually seen installation instructions for a short throw shift kit that tell you to use a bench vise and three sockets to press-bend a linkage shaft for proper fitment

 

[brett14]

The vise never broke. Just the handle bent. I didn't use it for any severe pressing. Just a few things. As above poster said. Vice with a deep socket to press various things for cars. Going to make a new thread in section that was recommended. Thanks all

 

[Cope]

...and I've got a few pretty stout vises.

You're the master of understatement!

 

[G-ManBart]

You're the master of understatement!

Compared to some here I don't even have "a few"

 

[Cope]

Fun fact, I've actually seen installation instructions for a short throw shift kit that tell you to use a bench vise and three sockets to press-bend a linkage shaft for proper fitment

Snap-on used to sell a U-Joint kit that required a vise with minimum 7" opening. I did one set with it using my Columbian 505, but I got a dedicated U-Joint press as well as an OTC BJ press.

 

[Cope]

Compared to some here I don't even have "a few"

Maybe, but yours sure look nice while you have them.

 

[WittHay]

The Columbian Autocrat 415 that the OP is looking for is a cool looking vise. I was wondering what years they were made?

I have always used a Record type vise for pressing in U-joint cups. If you are using that much pressure, that you need a cheater pipe on a 6" 70 lb. vise something is wrong.