Need a vise

[Steve_S]

Where can I find a good deal on a nice US-made vise? The one I have now is similar to those Harbort Freight / OSH deals where the whole thing swivels and rotates. I really love the rotate feature and I would keep this vise but it's a pile of flexible ****... to put it politely. It's the right size but I just want something more solid.

Here's a photo from the Harbor Freight site and this one looks identical to mine, except that I bought mine for $30 at OSH about 8 years ago.

 

[bmwpower]

The more axis movement you introduce, the more a pile of flexible **** a vise will be. I would avoid going with a new vise like you've pictured for that reason. For something USA made, the upper-end Wilton's are hard to beat, but will be a closer to 10x the amount you paid for your vise.

 

[wythors]

If you want to drive 1500 miles or so, I'll give you a very nice, old, overbuilt Rock Island vise that belonged to my father-in-law for free.

 

[stimpy]

I say spend the money on a wilton vise ,I Know they are made in america ( in chicago (actually schiller park plant ) to be exact) how do I know I used to deliver the raw castings and pick up the finished product when I drove a box truck . and it doesn't take many of them to make a full load ...

 

[Canadian Charlie]

I have an English made vice called RECORD its supperior to any vice I have ever used

 

[330Scott]

Fwiw, the Wilton vices that I have seen on the shelves at Northern Tool are all made in China. However, I have heard others state, as did bmwpower, that some of the more expensive Wilton vices are still USA made.

 

[Elroy]

I have an English made vice called RECORD its supperior to any vice I have ever used

For wood working that is probably a true statement.

Elroy prefers his "kurt". But then again they're on all my mills.

For a "Bench Vise" Wilton is about the last game in town. Columbia brand used to be a player but most of this stuff is now made over seas. Which would you rather have: A high tensile steel casting or gray cast iron ? If you said Steel then Wilton it is.

The last Wilton vise Elroy got was in trade for a 12 Ga. Pump. I took the gun in on payment for an old debt. The gun was in real good shape and shot well, it was just real plain and you could only shot it a few times and the stock would come loose. It had a cast aluminum lower receiver and where the stock bolted up it was burred up. No real good way to fix it so I was looking to get rid of it. There was an older guy at work that was flat ate up with "Guns". He must have had a thousand. I was only asking a $125 for the gun and this guy would only go $60. Told him no thanks I'll keep it for that.

About a month later I mentioned to him I was looking for a new vise and noticed how expensive a goog Wilton was. He spoke right up and said he would trade me a nice older Wilton for the 12 Gauge. The trade was made and Elroy got a real nice 6" wide Wilton for a piece of **** shot gun I had $100 in. The vise is dated 1938.

 

[MarkH]

In this order the High End Wilton still made in USA at my last check. I have seen some Wrights that had Made in USA on them. Looked like the Morgans we have. Would buy either.

Records are not bad but find the made in England ones. Just like US manufacturers they have gone off shore for product in the last few years and the same potential issues.

There a couple German and Japanese ones I have seen, but they are priced to make high end Wiltons look like they are sold at Dollar General.

Other than that hit e-bay, USA Wiltons go high, but there are Morgans, Columbians, etc that are reasonably priced. A good vise is worth what you pay for it.

The oldest one we used for farm use that has survived unbelievable use for over 70 years. Like putting something in the vise and winding up on it with at least a 12lb sledge routinely. As we expanded I bought a couple vises that were the low end type that are sold in most stores today. ie your standard Horrible Freight vise. Broke 8 of them in 1 year before I decided to spend the money to get good ones. Twenty years later have not broken any of them. In 8 months we had 8 handles bent at 45 degrees or more angles,5 front jaws broken off, 2 back ends cracked in half, and one base shattered before I switched. I think this episode is where my look at place of manufacture for tools and pay for quality tools stage of life started.

 

[krooser]

I've broken two gray iron imports just doing u-joint replacements...it's not much fun when you give a piece of steel a good whack with a 3lb mall only to have the damned vice break and land on your foot...the doctor's bill will easily be more than the price of a vice.

I have two OLD vices bought at flea markets and yards sales...I think I paid about $20.00 each...but that was about 10 years ago.

If you have to have new...buy a Wilton. Otherwise be a little patient and check ebay and your local paper.

Or send Wythors some $$$ and talk him into shipping that old Rock Island....

 

[Steve_S]

If you want to drive 1500 miles or so, I'll give you a very nice, old, overbuilt Rock Island vise that belonged to my father-in-law for free.

How many stamps should I send you to put on the package? LOL! Too bad you're so far away or I would take it.

Thanks for all the suggestions. I guess I'll keep my eye out for a deal on a Wilton or older used vise.

 

[kartracer55]

Wilton and Columbian are both owned by the WMH (WHM?) tool group. They also own JET and Powermatic, two high end brands. My dads vise is a Columbian, USA made, its a beast. You can still find USA made wiltons, but they are expensive. Older ones were USA made. As for the Kurt Vise Elroy mentioned, I think they only make vises for mills and the like, as I havent seen any bench vises... they are heavy duty and then some. I had to carry one once when they were getting ready to move the mill and ******** its heavy... I was tired after words and it was only a 4 or 5 inch vise. They are pretty expensive too.

Check this out... right now its about 100$

http://cgi.ebay.com/Rigid-6-Bench-V...581361590QQcategoryZ53237QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

Jim

 

[bmwpower]

Hey Jim, you have any infomation or good site that I could use to find out about a Wilton 9300? It's an old one, but I'd like to find more info out about it (strength, date range, etc).

 

[bmwpower]

Check this out... right now its about 100$

http://cgi.ebay.com/Rigid-6-Bench-V...581361590QQcategoryZ53237QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

Jim

I'm not totally sold on the design of these. I would think the enclosed vises (like the upper Wiltons) would be stronger.

 

[MarkH]

The design is similar to the Morgan, Reed and Wrights I have used. Not as strong as the enclosed Wiltons, but we have never broken one. Frequently wind up on large pieces of metal with 3-12 lb hammers and watch everything jump. We have an old Erie we have done that with for over 70 years.

We broke 8 of what is the standard vise sold today in 9 months so it should be tough enough. That is what started my trend to look at where and how something is made, I found I had to avoid anvil, vise and now tool shaped objects if I am to get my work done.

Use this one as an example, it does have the advantage of a pivoting base. I have usually been able to get them for slightly less but it is so far within the ballpark.

 

[kartracer55]

BMW... Ive never had a problem with the open ones... That is the style the old metal shop used to have too. As long as its high quality, what can go wrong? Its nice, because I can use air and blow out metal shavings and stuff, then lube it up.

As far as the old wilton vise, I dont know off hand, but If you can post a picture I can link a few guys who might know to the thread.

Jim

 

[bmwpower]

BMW... Ive never had a problem with the open ones... That is the style the old metal shop used to have too. As long as its high quality, what can go wrong? Its nice, because I can use air and blow out metal shavings and stuff, then lube it up.

As far as the old wilton vise, I dont know off hand, but If you can post a picture I can link a few guys who might know to the thread.

Jim

Here ya go... .. . thanks!

 

[krooser]

How many stamps should I send you to put on the package? LOL! Too bad you're so far away or I would take it.

Thanks for all the suggestions. I guess I'll keep my eye out for a deal on a Wilton or older used vise.

Heck, for $30.00 in shipping your vice problems would be solved....

 

[Steve_S]

Heck, for $30.00 in shipping your vice problems would be solved....

Is that all? Have a photo you can email? web sim at pacbell dot net

 

[wythors]

This thing must weigh 75 pounds. I don't think I could find a box that would hold it.

 

[l_bilyk]

I have an English made vice called RECORD its supperior to any vice I have ever used

We have a few english made vices at the shop. Best vices i have ever used

 

[Uncle Buck]

I think you will find that a machinist type vice vs a mechanics type vice will be your best bet. The high end Wiltons are machinist type vices, high end Columbians are also machinist type vices. The machinist vices are not as sloppy, and weigh more than a regular old mechanics vice. Even sears used to have a good high end machinist vice, many moons ago, not today. The Wilton name has more recognition, hence higher resale value than Columdians. Starett has always produced a good machinist vice if you could find one. I own a Columbian machinists with a swivel base, I have put mine through an insane amount of punishment and it has never failed to perform flawlessly.

 

[wythors]

Word.

Vice: 1. A bad habit. 2. Prostitution and gambling.

Vise: A clamping device, usually mounted to a workbench or table, used to hold an item for a mechanic, woodworker or machinist.

 

[stimpy]

Wythors I know several machinists that have vices for there vises .... as for the 9300 did you see where it was made??? thats the type they where making back in the late 80's-early 90's when I was p/d ing them . I should have made my self clearer in the begining as I know that wilton does import alot of goods like the smaller vices and some of there cookware , there main office is in woodridge ill , not to far from my house , they have a big sale twice a year .

 

[330Scott]

I was in Northern Tool again today & checked out all of their on-display vices, which are only Wilton's. Even their most expensive Wilton, $120, is made in China (to Wilton's specifications). Sorry to say, but I can't justify spending anywhere near $120 for a bench vise for my shop when I already have one at home in my basement shop. The global marketplace may be forcing me to spend my $50 or $60 on that "Made in China" vice. Especially when that vice has a lifetime warranty. Sorry guys, but that's the way it is looking.

 

[Uncle Buck]

If I only had $50-$60 to spend on a new vice it would be the grey one that sears sells for that amount on sale from time to time, not too bad a vice for the money.

 

[eschoendorff]

If I only had $50-$60 to spend on a new vice it would be the grey one that sears sells for that amount on sale from time to time, not too bad a vice for the money.

The last time I went to Sears - I kid you not - each of the three vises they had out on display had bent turning handles... and I don't mean a little bent, I mean bent! Tragic coincidence or bad omen? I'm not sure, but I leftthe store laughing about it. Nice thing is that if this happens on a Sears vise, they'll probably make it good for the customer.

 

[bmwpower]

I thought I saw a couple of nice vices at Lowes before... blue if I remember correctly. Not sure of the brand (probably Kobalt) but they were under $100 I think.

 

[330Scott]

The last time I went to Sears - I kid you not - each of the three vises they had out on display had bent turning handles... and I don't mean a little bent, I mean bent! Tragic coincidence or bad omen? I'm not sure, but I leftthe store laughing about it. Nice thing is that if this happens on a Sears vise, they'll probably make it good for the customer.

Yeah, for one year. I did check out the Sears' website and their Craftsman vices only have a one year warranty.

 

[jstbecauz]

I have owned several vices and none of them have held up to the beating that I put on them. I bought one last year from SnapOn and it has passed the test of time and durability. I am not sure who makes their vices but they are built to last. I think that it was about $470 or so but it is well worth it for me.

 

[W-Cummins]

My buddy ran a welding/fab shop in Oregon and had the bigest vice I have even seen. I think it's about 80-90 years old and weighs in at around 375-400lbs. About 5 years ago he closed the doors and $300 later I now have it. here is a picture of it I have not mounted it on the bench yet BTW that's a 20oz pop bottle for scale

 

[Uncle Buck]

That Is One Big *** Vice!

 

[BOSS351C]

My dad has a smaller version of that vise! he got it for free with some scrap steel. The screw to open the jaws doesn't work. I should get it and see if I can fix it since my 6" chineese has developed some issues after a recent beating session

 

[Uncle Buck]

Boss: If your damaged vice is an old Wilton, Reed, or Columbian, replacement parts are prolly available. I got my 5' Columbian minus the swivel base right and bought the base to complete the package, that was the best appx $100 I ever spent!

 

[tom.jelly]

I've got a 140 lb wilton machinist vise up on ebay right now. check out

http://search.ebay.com/_W0QQfgtpZ1QQfrppZ25QQsassZtomQ2ejelly

tom

 

[Steve_S]

I can't imagine what shipping would be on that vise!

 

[bmwpower]

I've got a 140 lb wilton machinist vise up on ebay right now. check out

http://search.ebay.com/_W0QQfgtpZ1QQfrppZ25QQsassZtomQ2ejelly

tom

That vice looks nice... I assume you repainted it?

How old is it?

 

[jsackin]

Wilton - Import and American Made

Wilton actually has two different lines of vises.
Imports & American made.
Here are the prices for both.

Imports:

4" - 33 lbs. swivel
opens 4 1/2" w/ pipe jaws
Wilton import............................ #744....... $79.00 ea

5" - 50 lbs - opens 5 1/4"
w/ pipe jaws - Wilton Import.... #745....... $133.40 ea

6" - 64 lbs - opens 5 3/4"
w/ pipe jaws - Wilton import.... #746....... $160.90 ea

USA:

4" - 33 lbs. swivel - USA
opens 4 1/2" w/ pipe jaws....... #744....... $146.50 ea

5" - 49 lbs. swivel
opens 5" w/ pipe jaws
(capacity 1/4 - 3 pipe)
3 year guarantee.................. #1755......... $303.55 ea

6" - 70 lbs. swivel
opens 6 1/2" w/ pipe jaws
(capacity 1/4 - 3 1/2" pipe)
3 year guarantee.................. #1765......... $386.05 ea

8" - 105 lbs. swivel
opens 7 1/2" w/ pipe
jaws (1/4" - 3 1/2" pipe)
3 year guarantee................. #1780A...... $503.05 ea

www.harryepstein.com/vises.htm

Jori
HJE

 

[123Go]

Anyone find it strange that WILTON dont post clamping force specs on tradesman vises but do on others? I wrote asking them but no reply in 3 days?

 

[Maui]

As far as shipping a 70 lb vise goes, those plastic milk crates are perfect as long as the vise can fit inside it.

Maui