Multi Purpose Vises

[Recoil Rob]

Looking to purchase one of these style vises to be mounted on a hitch when needed at a jobsite.

HF makes a 5", I got one good review of it on here, has lasted a few years.

HD sells the 5" Irwin Brand, had 9 reviews and 6 say the jaws broke.

Lowes sells the5" Bessemer brand, good reviews, no reports of breakage.

The above are all made in China, weigh about 35#'s and sell for $80.00 but can get 20% of with coupons, $64.

Wilton makes a 5"one, also from China, best I can find that is $160 but it weighs 46lbs, and has a lifetime warranty

They all look amazingly similar, any recommendations?

 

[Outlawmws]

Buy a used one for $15; it will already be broken in too! (Rusty)

 

[Joe B.]

They are all from the same place, there are just different sizes. If you looked around you could find another dozen brands and a whole rainbow of colors. The general consensus is that these are to be avoided unless you really need the rotating head or are not going to use it very hard.

I would just pick the color/price combo you like best.

 

[Recoil Rob]

Turns out it's just about perfect for my application, I'd need two other vises for what it will do and only one will fit the hitch.

Only consideration I have is the 5" Wilton weighs about 30% more than the other 5" vises, has to be a beefier model, and has the lifetime warranty. Twice the price though.

 

[bobcatdan]

Anyone you buy will perform as good as the other. I do not know of one of these ever being made on this side of the world. Do you want it because the head swivles or because of the pipe jaws? Most vises have pipe jaws in them right below the main jaw. The thing is with regularn vise, unless you spend big bucks, everything new is chicom just like the style you're looking at.

 

[Outlawmws]

Wilton makes a 5"one, also from China, best I can find that is $160 but it weighs 46lbs, and has a lifetime warranty

They all look amazingly similar, any recommendations?

If you break just one of the smaller Non Wilton ChiCom vises, then the Wilton will have paid for itself. (And I've see a LOT of these broken in my travels)

So if you insist on new, that would be my vote.

 

[bigcaddy]

What exactly are you looking to do with your vise? Do you need the pipe jaws or would the standard jaws work for you?

If you are interested, i have freshly refinished 1960-70s Wilton C1 with 4 1/2" jaws for sale. It doesn't have the pipe jaws but a new set can be had for 89.00 at toolbarn.com or a number of other tool supply houses.

Its not the prettiest vise and does have wear but should be much more durable then any thing made by the chi-coms. PM me for some pictures or check the "Vises of Garage Journal" Its the red C1 on page 189

 

[5lima30]

I have had the Irwin 5" model for over a year. I routinely bend horseshoes with mine and have not babied it. So far it has held up well and BTW it has a lifetime warranty. I am still looking for a good deal on an older Record or Columbia.

 

[Recoil Rob]

I work on Steam Generators and having the regular vise and the pipe jaws that swivel 90˚ really nails what I need. I often find myself having to remove close 1" ******* from parts and that can't be held with regular pipe jaws.

I am fortunate in that i have a HF, a HD and a Lowes all within 1 mile of each other so I took a ride over today to taker a look.

HD was out of stock on the 5" but I looked over the other modles to get a general idea of the quality. What you would expect form an $80 vice but the downside is the 90 day warranty.(OTOH they were having a sidwalk sale so I got a dented top chest to the 26" set for $50!)

I ran over to Lowes and looked at the Bessey model they sell. First box I opened one of the mounting ears was cracked off. The second one was intact and looked to be better made than the HF ones I saw. Lowes website and the box exterior both stated it had a limited lifetime warranty. Unfortunately there was nothing to back that up. The guy at Lowes said we give a 30 day warranty then it's covered by the manufacturer but they had no info. Bessy has a bad website, could find any info.

Finally went over to the HD and looked at the Irwin. This vise has had some bad reviews, on HD's page I believe 6 of the 9 reviews said the jaw had cracked off. I thought this very unusual until I took a close look. The dynamic jaw is cast and is hollow. That's right, hollow. Under the jaw there in opening that you can hide contraband in. It's no wonder they crack. 5lima30, does yours have the hollow jaw?

Anyway, looks like I'll spend the money for the Wilton. Lifettime warranty, all they want is a picture of the handle to make sure it's not bent, evidence of abuse.

 

[Larwyn]

I considered this Harbor Freight model to be disposable when I got it about 10 years ago. It is my beater vise and surprisingly enough it has stood up to several years of abuse. That short handled hammer hanging there is a 6 pounder and is used relatively often on objects held in that vise.

 

[Recoil Rob]

Makes me wonder if their quality has changed since you got yours, they don't look like the same vice.

 

[Outlawmws]

Someone just got a bigger version of that pattern than the Wilton:

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=141392

 

[pdxgearhead]

I have the same Wilton vise you posted a pic of, but in a 4". I think I paid $60 from Home Depot. I've had it a few years, no issues. It works fine for a homeowner.