Matco Vise?

[Zwiser]

Are these matco vises any good? thinking about buying one but dont want a POS.

http://www.matcotools.com/catalog/product/MV6B/6-1-2-MECHANICS-BENCH-VISE/

 

[MrMark]

Looks like a POS, especially for the money. It is a cheap Wilton, not sure of the origin; most likely China.

 

[NCCheesehead]

Pretty sure they are made by Wilton

http://www.wiltontools.com/us/manufacturing/en/wilton/product.html?node=4546&product=273833

 

[toomanytoyzz]

If you are looking to spend even half that kind of money find a vintage one which is three times as durable as that re-badged China POS. Check out the vises of GJ thread. You will make up your mind which style you want after reading that thread.

 

[Roots]

I have that same vice in my garage, still in the box on a shelf as I haven't had a chance to build a bench to mount it on. It seems pretty nice to me or at least worth the price from momentarily handling it. Although it did arrive with a slightly bent handle due to some rough shipping. FWIW it is apparently a relabeled Wilton, but apparently Matco hasn't updated their pricing, as it's actually cheaper from Matco than the original Wilton vise from Amazon, MSC, or Fastenal.

 

[Fordman7795]

Get a real vise

 

[RKA]

If you're willing to consider a 4.5" model, look at the craftsman professional. I believe it's also made by wilton (made in china) and uses 60,000 psi casting. It comes on sale frequently for a little more than $100 and the only real complaint is the paint chips off.

Look at the proportions of the neck relative to the jaw width. If the neck is fairly narrow (like the Matco you pictured), I would be highly suspect.

http://www.sears.com/craftsman-professional-4-1-2-in-bench-vise/p-00951888000P

 

[emeraldcoupe]

i have first hand experience with that vise and it *****. crank it down and it doesn't hold and it's sloppy. handle is real small dia and bends easy. i'd pass and find a good old used one. btw, this was a new vise right off the truck.

 

[bobcatdan]

I own that exact vise. As the other have said, it is a chicom general purpose wilton vise. I bought it new off the truck for way less this list, I think the dealer wanted it gone. For normal use in a home shop it has done everything I wanted it to do. It has held fine. I bought it long before I checked CL six times a day is better then most new offerings without buying a good wilton or a yost. If I don't find a beast used first. I plan on buying a monster yost in the next couplr of years when I upgrade my benches.

 

[larryq]

I've heard very good things about the Craftsman vise RKA posted above. If you're on a budget and want new, that's the one to get.

I'd prefer buying a used Reed/Wilton/Columbian/Athol on CL myself and repainting it, but if you need something right now the Craftsman is fine.