New vise recommendation please

[TipsyMcStagger]

New vise recommendation please - EDIT: Bought the old C Parker

I've been looking on CL for a while for a vise for my recently completed work bench. Everything I see looks as if it's either been on the bottom of a canal for six years or the seller thinks its value is equivalent to titanium. I know there's a comprehensive thread here discussing all of the vintage brands and weighing their pros and cons but I can probably study for and pass the bar exam in less time than it would take to soak up all of that info (I never went to law school).

I guess I should just buy a new vise but I don't want junk, nor do I want to spend $500.

Any pointers on finding a decent, quality, new vise that won't break the bank?

Thanks.

Tipsy

 

[retDAC]

If you don't mind Chinese, this KEN TOOL 64055 K55 5-1/2" should be a good one. It's swivel positively locks unlike the big box store lower end vises.

http://www.opentip.com/product_info.php?products_id=3610920&osCsid=v25adehud9tod45v6hqgbq0pq6

I haven't ordered from Opentip before, but when I was looking for a vise last year they had the best price on that one.

No matter what you choose, be sure whoever offers return shipping. Somewhere on this board a member reported getting two defective US made Wiltons in a row from Amazon. Amazon did make good on them though.

 

[bl00]

The craftsman professional vise has received good reviews from users on this forum.
http://www.sears.com/craftsman-professional-4-1-2-in-bench-vise/p-00951888000P

If you want an old American vise in the 4-5" range you should have no problem buying one from ebay and having it delivered to your house for $150 or less.

 

[Davefr]

What's your budget and what size do you need?

Here are a couple suggestions:
1. The CM Professional vise get's pretty good feedback and even though it's Chinese it looks 10X better then those other consumer vises that look like they were made in some Chinaman's back yard.

2. The Ridgid vises are excellent and stronger then Wilton's. (made in Germany). You won't find them at Home Crapo. Go to Amazon or MSC to check them out.

3. Get a Wilton Mechanics vise (1765). Much cheaper then Machinists vises.

4. Go to CL and just pick up anything that's usable and cheap like those Chinese universal vises that are everywhere. This will get you started while you keep on looking for good old USA iron.

5. Go to Ebay. I've sold quality old USA vises in the 3.5-4" range and they're shippable. It's when vises get >4" and >100 lbs that shipping becomes a major issue.

 

[rsanter]

What size vise you want?
Swivel or fixed?

Bob

 

[TipsyMcStagger]

What's your budget and what size do you need?

Not looking to spend much more than $200. As for size...I'd be guessing but about 5".

Swivel or fixed?

I suppose swivel can come in handy. I've seen quite a few on CL that rotate between regualr jaws and pipe jaws. I think that could be very useful.

These are two that have been listed for some time, but each is missing a pipe jaw...and I imagine that would be tough to source.

C Parker $60

Olympia $65

 

[rsanter]

Buy the Parker if it's not broken
The missing pipe jaw is sitting on the back of it if that's the actual picture....
And besides the 'pipe jaw' is nothing but flat bar cut into a notched V so you could just make one

Bob

 

[TipsyMcStagger]

Buy the Parker if it's not broken
The missing pipe jaw is sitting on the back of it if that's the actual picture....
And besides the 'pipe jaw' is nothing but flat bar cut into a notched V so you could just make one

Bob

Didn't realize that. Thanks. I'll go have a look at it.

Quick tips on how to asses its condition?

Tipsy

 

[larryq]

Didn't realize that. Thanks. I'll go have a look at it.

Quick tips on how to asses its condition?

Tipsy

Check for obvious cracks in the slide or vise body, and see that the tab that attaches the leadscrew handle to the vise is ok-- those are a weak point in the Parkers, though certainly manageable and repairable. My CP has an ordinary screw going into a patched tab and I've never had a problem.

The Parkers are tough customers and the one you have in your pic looks to be an excellent candidate.

 

[whyNick?]

In August I bought a 6" Palmgren on Woot for $144 shipped. Although the coo is Taiwan the vice is quite nice; the jaws line up well, the castings appear to be high quality, and the lead screw operates smoothly with minimal slack. Frankly it seems to be a better vise than my USA-made Wilton mechanics vise . You might find someone else selling it for a similar price. I'd guess Woot didn't sell all they had and they'll probably pop up on the site again too.

 

[oldldh]

Go see Autopts or Inspectorhouse on Ebay...

Or there are numerous good American vises all over Ebay...

Or...

Or...

(Bunches of ways to skin that cat...)

 

[LandR]

If you want a second smaller vice, i have a 3.5" rotating craftsman(made by columbian), in great condition for the age and working flawlessly for $40 plus shipping.

 

[Mohawk Dave]

Better get that parker!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[TipsyMcStagger]

Well, for better or for worse, I bought the above pictured C Parker 87 for $45. I didn't even notice until I got it home that apparently, the static jaw has been welded into place. Not much I can do about that.

And I'm not sure how I'd go about removing the static pipe jaws. It appears they have a round-head bolt holding them in.

I'd like to take the entire thing apart and have it sand blasted. Not sure it's worth the effort but it'll be a learning experience.

 

[jakemac]

I think at $45, you still did ok.
Now you know why it was only photo'd from one side.

The frame weld appears to be solid, a little careful grinding and paint will hide it. The pipe-jaw bolt only needs to have the threads ground down so that it can be driven out and replaced. As for the welded jaw, , perhaps KMScott might have some suggestions. He seems to be a wizard when it comes to vises, and he's the guy you want to talk to about getting replacement jaw inserts anyway. Try a sweetly buttered PM to see if he has any ideas.

In any event, keep us updated on how things go.

 

[TipsyMcStagger]

The frame weld appears to be solid, a little careful grinding and paint will hide it.

LOL...I guess I'm pretty clueless about these old vises. Are you seeing a weld/repair other than the jaw being welded in place? If so, I don't know what I'm looking at.

The pipe-jaw bolt only needs to have the threads ground down so that it can be driven out and replaced.

So you're suggesting the bolt holding the pipe jaws in place is in fact not a bolt but simply a pressed pin?

As for the welded jaw, , perhaps KMScott might have some suggestions.

In any event, keep us updated on how things go.

Thanks for the suggestions.

Tipsy

 

[jakemac]

LOL...I guess I'm pretty clueless about these old vises. Are you seeing a weld/repair other than the jaw being welded in place? If so, I don't know what I'm looking at.

It may be my eyes. There is a line just next to where the "No 87" is. I thought that it was a weld, but a closer look makes me think that its just a stain. My mistake.

So you're suggesting the bolt holding the pipe jaws in place is in fact not a bolt but simply a pressed pin?

No, it's a bolt. The nut is missing. It looks like the threads are peened over, holding it in. Carefully grinding them off will allow you to drive the bolt out. Assuming that rust hasn't seized the bolt in place. If so - PB Blaster and a bigger hammer.

 

[TipsyMcStagger]

It may be my eyes. There is a line just next to where the "No 87" is. I thought that it was a weld, but a closer look makes me think that its just a stain. My mistake.

Yeah, that's just run in the paint and some staining.

No, it's a bolt. The nut is missing. It looks like the threads are peened over, holding it in. Carefully grinding them off will allow you to drive the bolt out. Assuming that rust hasn't seized the bolt in place. If so - PB Blaster and a bigger hammer.

Maybe I'm missing something simple but if it's a bolt, it's threaded. How/why would I drive it out? Seems to me doing so would destroy the threads. I might have to use a Dremel to slot the round bolt head and see if I can unscrew it.

The lead screw seems to have a ton a play. Not really sure why.

Tipsy

 

[jakemac]

Maybe someone with first hand experience with Parkers can explain it better than me. I'm just going off the pictures. I have a Reed with no pipe jaws, and my Craftsman has them moulded in.

 

[Mohawk Dave]

Just use a DULL flap disc on a 4.5" grinder and carefully take that weld bead down. Get rid of the nut and bolt that hold the pipe jaws in and buy the right size pin.

It is time consuming, more than you would think, to strip it down, mask, and have media blasted. Then masked again, primed, painted, and polished....but boy! is it worth it. You'll love that thing even more when it is done.

Here's the first one I did. It's by my TV in the living room now. http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?p=2798178