Looking for ad-VISE... Is my vise too big?

[bbrages]

I have recently bought (not yet installed) a Newage Pro 7-piece set. The workbench on this set is 56" x 24".

The vise I have had for a few years is a Harbor Freight "Central Forge" 5 inch multi-purpose vise. Multi-purpose means it have the 360 degree swiveling jaws. Here's a link - I think the current HF model is a little different, at least a different color: https://www.amazon.com/Central-Forge-5-Multi-Purpose-Vise/dp/B006ZBD20S?tag=atomicindus08-20

I'm wondering if this vise is going to be annoying me by being too big on the workbench.

I'd love to have an eight foot or more workbench, but I have a pretty small garage. I also have a 52" rolling toolbox with a wood top. I don't have anything mounted to that.

I work on cars and bicycles in my garage. Previously, I had the vise mounted to a receiver hitch mount on some shelves in the garage - this was not a good setup.

 

[bdbecker]

Only way to tell is to put it on there and see how it goes. Instead of bolting it down, I'd suggest clamping it to your workbench top with some c-clamps. That way you can work around it for awhile to see if you like it or not without having to drill holes.

 

[RTM]

Only way to tell is to put it on there and see how it goes. Instead of bolting it down, I'd suggest clamping it to your workbench top with some c-clamps. That way you can work around it for awhile to see if you like it or not without having to drill holes.

I like this answer. Without knowing your particular details, it will also let you check if it's a proper height for you and your work. I have a 3-1/2" on my bench, and at <6 ft wide, I would not want more real estate lost. If it's too short for fine work, I can clamp a board in the jaws, and put a smaller vise higher up

 

[Cyclotronguy]

Once you experience a proper "chipping", "railroad" or "foundry" vise it's hard to conceive of a vise ever being big enough, let alone too big.

As for height is you are going to swing a hammer wrist high is about right. Filing and sawing elbow height seems to be a good start point.
Inspection, chest height works out pretty well.

 

[toolmiser]

As long as it's usable I've never had one too big. By that I mean if the jaws aren't deteriorated and it works nice.

 

[Jswain]

This is GJ buddy...the vise is never too big, only the workbench can be too small. Once you extend the shop, you will have all sorts of room for a larger workbench, for your now too small vise.