Need Help with Vise Purchase $100

[cturboaddict]

I have a cheap masterforce vise currently in my garage. Its probably the cheapest tool I own, I think I paid $20 for it at Menards because I needed something.

Well, I'm looking to upgrade. And started searching, and boy am I overwhelmed.

So, a bit of guidance is what I'm after.

1. I do more "mechanic/welder fabricator" work than anything. I restore cars as my hobby.

2. I don't have a ton of coin to drop on some $500 vise right now. But I'd like something stout enough to beat on. I'd like to stay in the $100 range or less if possible.

And my questions-

1. What "type" of vise should I be looking for?
2. Is it better to buy used than new?
3. What details should I be looking for in a vise?
4. What brands should I look at?

 

[Davefr]

I have a cheap masterforce vise currently in my garage. Its probably the cheapest tool I own, I think I paid $20 for it at Menards because I needed something.

Well, I'm looking to upgrade. And started searching, and boy am I overwhelmed.

So, a bit of guidance is what I'm after.

1. I do more "mechanic/welder fabricator" work than anything. I restore cars as my hobby.

2. I don't have a ton of coin to drop on some $500 vise right now. But I'd like something stout enough to beat on. I'd like to stay in the $100 range or less if possible.

And my questions-

1. What "type" of vise should I be looking for?
2. Is it better to buy used than new?
3. What details should I be looking for in a vise?
4. What brands should I look at?

With a $100 budget, I'd buy a used USA vise from someone local. Just post a wanted ad on your local CL, Facebook, etc and ask for images and a price.

It's unlikely you'll score a Wilton bullet vise, but there are tons of great old vises out there that are affordable. You'll need to buy local because shipping can get real expensive.

Look for Reed, Parker, Columbian, Rock Island, old Craftsman, etc. You'll probably have to settle for 3-4" jaws and maybe a stationary base. If you want something to beat on, use a chunk of RR track vs a vise.

 

[mike93lx]

I've recommended this elsewhere as I think it is about as good as you can get for the money when buying new. I found it through fireball tool's recent destructive test and have liked it a lot.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07QG3NLRZ/?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[Shelbylex]

Look for an older US made vise on CL, FB etc. If you do not need it immediately, you can find fantastic vices within your range. Look through couple of threads on GJ. If you do not need a new one and do not mind to clean a vice, you will get one.
Look through vices of GJ thread
You are unlikely to find $10 Wilton (hat off to several lucky guys here), but there are plenty other companies like Parker, Athol, older Colombian, etc...
Example: I got a 4” 50 lb Athol for 10, 5” 60lb Columbian with a swivel for 10... sorry, posted them a while ago, no on the phone. If you do big work. Look for 5-6 inch one.
Just make sure there are no cracks - look the vise all over before handing money. You can always restore one and paint it to look like new...
Post what you find and we will be glad to give our 2c worth

 

[M635_Guy]

I'm a car guy also, and have really liked my Yost 750-di rotating vise. It was $180 (now $190), but is ductile iron, replaceable pipe jaws, and overall an upgrade over the 750-e that does fit your budget at $93. Reviews on Amazon seem positive for the 750-e, and it fits your budget, but I spent the extra money on the 750-di, and pretty happy I did. It's a beast!

Rotation is useful in lots of ways - building struts was the most-recent example. With the ductile iron, I'm not going to worry about beating on it.

 

[cturboaddict]

I've recommended this elsewhere as I think it is about as good as you can get for the money when buying new. I found it through fireball tool's recent destructive test and have liked it a lot.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07QG3NLRZ/?tag=atomicindus08-20

That sure looks like it fits the bill!

 

[cturboaddict]

I'm a car guy also, and have really liked my Yost 750-di rotating vise. It was $180 (now $190), but is ductile iron, replaceable pipe jaws, and overall an upgrade over the 750-e that does fit your budget at $93. Reviews on Amazon seem positive for the 750-e, and it fits your budget, but I spent the extra money on the 750-di, and pretty happy I did. It's a beast!

Rotation is useful in lots of ways - building struts was the most-recent example. With the ductile iron, I'm not going to worry about beating on it.

That one as well looks nice.
Does it rock at all seeing that the head swivels? Or does it stay pretty locked on?

 

[mike93lx]

That sure looks like it fits the bill!

The rotating base is maybe its shortfall. It uses two 3/4" nuts on each side and doesn't have build in levers for them, so I keep a wrench nearby. The quick release is nice and I like the raised anvil

 

[DFB]

That Dewalt posted above has a nifty feature slide feature but the Taiwan built 5" Yost 905AS in the Fireball test held up much better thruout all the beatings...I have had a 6 inch version for more than 20 years


https://www.homedepot.com/p/Yost-5-in-All-Steel-Utility-Workshop-Bench-Vise-905-AS/202786363

 

[mike93lx]

A couple of things.
I never understand the 'upgrade' thing about vices. How many times have you broken the one you have?
How isn't it working for you

That Yost is the one. You won't rotate it often.ut if you're holding a panel in it, say a lower rear b panel door curve, you're going to want that vise.

If there is no built in handle on the vise swivels, drill a hole and make one. It's a very basic, maybe too basic task.

So... What does 'upgrade' mean?

You definitely excel in condescension, have to give you that.

 

[cturboaddict]

I could bump my budget to say $150 or so, if it means I'm getting a way better vise.

 

[cturboaddict]

A couple of things.
I never understand the 'upgrade' thing about vises. How many times have you broken the one you have?
How isn't it working for you?

That Yost is the one. You won't rotate it often but if you're holding a panel in it, say a lower rear b panel door curve, you're going to want that vise.


If there is no built in handle on the vise swivels, drill a hole and make one. It's a very basic, maybe too basic, task.

So... What does 'upgrade' mean?

Well, I snapped it loose on a couple times already from the swivel.

It's more of a drill vise that I have now, and has no depth to it at all. Sure, you can open the jaws on this rinky dink thing to say 7 inches or so. But the depth is maybe 1.5".

As for the Yost.... Are you speaking of the cheaper one or the Ductile Iron one.

Let's forget the conversation of "UPGRADE". How about I need a better vise in the sub $150 range.

 

[DFB]

Let's forget the conversation of "UPGRADE". How about I need a better vise in the sub $150 range.

If your talking up that money the ADI FSV has been a choice of many


https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00E8IWTHC/?tag=atomicindus08-20


Or you could get a massive 8" AS
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B003JT0DKQ/?tag=atomicindus08-20


The rotating vises can be handy especially for the odd part but I also I find them a bit of a PITA as the ones I've ever used don't stop rotating until the jaws are clamped down tight. Have a big one at work ALLIED is the branding IIRC was like $75 at the Flea Mkt

https://www.acmetools.com/shop/tool...371261591&utm_content=GS_allied international

 

[seber]

I recently went from a 5" Wilton mechanic vise to the Yost ductile iron. Couldn't be happier. I've had a number of the heavy USA vises in the past and they are good value used but given the choice, I'll stick with the Yost. It is plenty strong, rigid, and sits lower on the bench. It also has more precised alignment on the jaws than any of the older ones. That may change with use though.

 

[Shiftless]

This thread reminds me of another very recent similar thread asking for guidance in spending $300 on a vise. For more opinions look at these 88 postings.

https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?p=8506499#post8506499

 

[cturboaddict]

You lost me at that statement. You need an anvil or railroad iron or such if you want to hammer on it. There is really no vise made that can stand to being beaten on. If you want to use it that way, you're in for a revolving door of broken vises. Vises are made for holding things while you grind, cut, bend, etc. Not for hammering; that chips, cracks, breaks or bends them out of alignment. However, the rotating vise (or similar one, look for the heftiest you can find) referenced below will do the best to stand up to this kind of abuse. And, they're usually under $100, so you can easily afford to replace them periodically as a consumable if you hammer on them and break them.

Your digging too deep. I just mean something sturdy. I'm not physically beating on it like a blacksmith. I dk t care what it looks like, as long as it holds and clamps evenly.

 

[Shiftless]

I think ssdave was responding to your words “Stout enough to beat on ” and taking it with its usual meaning. The suggestion to use a short length of rail is a good one. Personally, I don’t really need a proper blacksmith anvil but I do have a chunk of railroad rail to pound on.

Most of us would like to help you find a decent vise in your price range.

Have you had a chance to read through the thread I referenced earlier?

I see your location is “Illinois”. What major metropolitan area are you near? I have been successful in the past referring GJ guys to local Craigslist Vise ads.

For example... a 4 inch Reed asking $100
It has 4 inch wide jaws, opens up 6 inches and weighs a hefty 43 pounds.

https://chicago.craigslist.org/sox/tls/d/steger-antique-reed-104-bench-vise/7118331388.html

.

 

[M635_Guy]

That one as well looks nice.
Does it rock at all seeing that the head swivels? Or does it stay pretty locked on?

When it's clamped, there's zero play/looseness/etc. I'd return any vise that had slop.

I was just in the garage fiddling around. Imagine this is a strut:

Handy

When I was sharpening this brush cutter, I used a bit of angle to minimize how much vise I had to clear otherwise.

I've used the swivel more than I expected to - lots of little things.

 

[cturboaddict]

I think ssdave was responding to your words “Stout enough to beat on ” and taking it with its usual meaning. The suggestion to use a short length of rail is a good one. Personally, I don’t really need a proper blacksmith anvil but I do have a chunk of railroad rail to pound on.

Most of us would like to help you find a decent vise in your price range.

Have you had a chance to read through the thread I referenced earlier?

I see your location is “Illinois”. What major metropolitan area are you near? I have been successful in the past referring GJ guys to local Craigslist Vise ads.

For example... a 4 inch Reed asking $100
It has 4 inch wide jaws, opens up 6 inches and weighs a hefty 43 pounds.

https://chicago.craigslist.org/sox/tls/d/steger-antique-reed-104-bench-vise/7118331388.html

.

I'm just outside of St Louis, in Southern Illinois. In specific, Collinsville. 62234

And yes just shifted through that thread

 

[cturboaddict]

The suggestion to use a short length of rail is a good one. Personally, I don’t really need a proper blacksmith anvil but I do have a chunk of railroad rail to pound on.


Thank you for the voice of reason.

I thought at the first few words we were headed into that stupid
Anvil Shaped Object
happy horsecrap.

Railroad stock is perfect. Shapes easily if you need a form, drill and tap, mangle... Nothing better at almost any level of expertise for the daily do.

(I have a gj bounty of quite a bit of money for the mythical 'mushroomed' cheap anvil)

I've got I beams that do the trick if a BFH is needed.

 

[Shiftless]

Here’s a great prospect not too far away from you. Asking $125

Reed vises are widely recognized as best of the best among old vise fans. This is an R model incorporating some improvements over the earlier 103 1/2 that has the round meatball nose piece.
Don’t discount 3 1/2 inch wide jaws. This model is built like a tank and weighs as much or more than many new vises with bigger jaws.

https://stlouis.craigslist.org/tls/d/saint-charles-reed-vise/7123374972.html

 

[cturboaddict]

Here’s a great prospect not too far away from you. Asking $125

Reed vises are widely recognized as best of the best among old vise fans. Don’t discount 3 1/2 inch wide jaws. This model is built like a tank and weighs as much or more than many new vises with 5 or 6 inch wide jaws.

https://stlouis.craigslist.org/tls/d/saint-charles-reed-vise/7123374972.html

Curious. Would this be a better direction vs some of the other alternates listed that swivel/rotate?
I'll message regardless, I think I just seen this on FB Marketplace this morning.

Message sent to check it out.

 

[Shiftless]

Lots of guys insist on having a swivel base but rarely if ever use that feature. The advantage of fixed base models is that naturally it will NEVER twist out of position on your bench when you are applying side forces. Most swivel vises have lockdowns that work most of the time but are known to rotate to some degree even when the lock down bolts are tight.
Fixed base is one of the reasons that Reed is priced relatively low.

Top quality Reed swivel base models like the C series (C1, C2, C3, and C4) are priced at several multiples of your budget.

If that Reed 103 1/2 R is not damaged I would buy it. The asking price is fair (at least around where I live)

If you find another vise you like better a few years from now, you can either keep this one or sell it and probably get most or ALL of your money back.

 

[Shiftless]

For reference, this one brought a high bid of $137.50 on that big online auction site.
It is a 103 so the one you’re considering has jaws 1/2 inch wider. Plus heavier.

 

[Shiftless]

ducksface has a good point. For guys that have a swivel base vise that rotates when they don’t want it to, just drill a few holes straight through and drop in a steel rod to lock that thing DOWN!

 

[cturboaddict]

ducksface has a good point. For guys that have a swivel base vise that rotates when they don’t want it to, just drill a few holes straight through and drop in a steel rod to lock that thing DOWN!

I'm meeting them in a half hour for the reed.

 

[Shiftless]

I'm meeting them in a half hour for the reed.

Glad to hear it. I’m glad I could help. Don’t risk spoiling a good deal by trying to save a few bucks.

Just look it over for cracks or past repairs. Crank it in and out all the way to check for problems.

In the mean time get goin’

 

[Vise]

I'm meeting them in a half hour for the reed.

Nice. Double check it for cracks and welds. There is a little grit and grime around the dynamic of that vise, from what I can see in the pictures. Make sure there aren't any welds under there or elsewhere. Otherwise, that should be a great vise. Good luck.

 

[cturboaddict]

Glad to hear it. I’m glad I could help. Don’t risk spoiling a good deal by trying to save a few bucks.

Just look it over for cracks or past repairs. Crank it in and out all the way to check for problems.

In the mean time get goin’

Reed.
Bought it for $70

 

[Shiftless]

Is it in your hands?
That deal is almost too good.

Hint: Whenever I’m buying in that situation, I always ask if he has any more tools or stuff he wants to sell. Often I leave with more than one good deal.

CONGRATS!


.

 

[M635_Guy]

Here’s a great prospect not too far away from you. Asking $125

Reed vises are widely recognized as best of the best among old vise fans. This is an R model incorporating some improvements over the earlier 103 1/2 that has the round meatball nose piece.
Don’t discount 3 1/2 inch wide jaws. This model is built like a tank and weighs as much or more than many new vises with bigger jaws.

https://stlouis.craigslist.org/tls/d/saint-charles-reed-vise/7123374972.html

That's awesome - if it were near me I'd buy it just to have it until I could figure out where to mount it.

 

[cturboaddict]

Is it in your hands?
That deal is almost too good.

Hint: Whenever I’m buying in that situation, I always ask if he has any more tools or stuff he wants to sell. Often I leave with more than one good deal.

CONGRATS!



.

Yes in my hands. They had it listed on FB Marketplace for $80. We got to chatting and while his wife was stern on the price he accepted it as soon as she denied it.

They weren't much in for "come look at my other stuff" due to the pandemic.

All in all, its a slightly smaller vise, but if you're telling me at $120 it was a good deal. I figure $70 should be just fine. Looks like it'll do its purpose wayyyyyyy better than what I have. Just hot home, gonna mount it.

THEN BEAT ON IT. Just kidding. Lol

 

[Shiftless]

Another happy vise buyer...glad I could help.

You got an excellent deal. If you someday find it unneeded, just pack it into a flat rate box and send it to me. I’d be happy to pay you that $70 plus postage.

 

[cturboaddict]

Another happy vise buyer...glad I could help.

You got an excellent deal. If you someday find it unneeded, just pack it into a flat rate box and send it to me. I’d be happy to pay you that $70 plus postage.

I'll keep you in mind!
Appreciate everyone's help.
Got her mounted, cleaned and regreased.

Even stayed in the original budget. So, now more tools!