new vise

[quad shop]

im looking to get a new vise for myself for x-mas and was looking to spend 75-150. I know everyone is going to say to craigslist and what not but Ive truly exhausted that option. either they are the same amount as to buy a new one or are reasonably priced but 150-300 miles away and drives the cost way up. I would love to have a old bullet but just cant find one. so I was looking at a yost 455 5 1/2" . im just a hobby mechanic and diy guy I really don't have a need for a 5-600$ vice nor the money. so whats your opinion and are there better vises out there for the price

 

[justanengineer]

Not sure how your nearby area is, but Ive noticed in my travels that the hippies in the Seattle and NW coastal areas make for an abundance of antique shops, so Id check in some of them. I scored a suitcase full of tools during two weeks out there last summer.

 

[neophyte]

You might try the Yost 900 series vises. The vises are imported, but they're welded and cast steel instead of iron which woud make repair easier if anything went wrong. My understanding is the design used to be produced in the USA by Yost. The vises are available in a black finish or a high visibility yellow finish. The vises also seem to fit directly into your price range. The specs from the Yost catalog.

All Steel Utility Vises are economically priced for various less demanding applications. The entire vise body is constructed using structural cast steel. The bar covers the continuous rolled main screw. Each vise is equipped with replaceable hardened steel serrated jaws and built-in pipe jaws. The 360 degree swivel base features two (2) lock downs.
-Made of 50,000 PSI structural cast steel (SC37)
-Replaceable Hardened Steel Serrated Top Jaws
-All Steel Vise features Full 360 Degree Swivel Base With 2 Lockdowns
-Permanent Pipe Jaws and a Large Reinforced Anvil
-No Pinch Main Screw Handle


The Black finish vises are models 904-AS, 905-AS, 906-AS, 908-AS, and 910-AS. The last number is the jaw width and openning.

The Yellow finish vises are models 904-HV-AS, 905-HV-AS, 906-HV-AS, 908-HV-AS, and 910-HV-AS.


Yost also has a sells asteel vise that is forged unlike the previous ones that use cast steel parts. They offer a few different sizes. The only one that would fit your budget is the 4" size, model FSV-4. The specs from yost for the SV series vises.

The Yost Forged Steel Vise series is the latest in the Yost line of vises. This series is constructed out of 90,000 PSI Tensile Strength (54,000 PSI Yield Strength). This line is the only forged steel vise line to come with replaceable machinist and pipe jaws. Adjustable hardened guide rails provide smooth, precise operation. The durable powder coat finish provides a professional finish that helps prevent damage from weather. The forged steel base features two lockdowns for a tight grip.

-90,000 PSI Tensile Strength (54,000 PSI Yield Strength) Forged Steel Casting (S45C)
-Black Oxide Main Handle for increased corrosion resistance
-Replaceable Black Oxide Machinist and Pipe Jaws
-Large anvil work surface
-Adjustable guide rails for smooth operation
-360° Swivel Base with two lockdowns
-Forged steel base with three mounting holes

 

[toomanytoyzz]

What size vise are you looking for? I might have one or two vintage ones in good shape I'd let go shipped to your door for $75. Not going to be a monster in that price range, but a 3.5"-4" vise. Let me know.

 

[quad shop]

seattle is to far and seems to expensive well at least craigslist is. really liking the sfv-4 right on the edge of my price though especially now that amazon charges tax
toomanytoyzz since this will be my first and hopefully last (yeah right we all know every man needs atleat 3: ) i was looking for 5-6" but what do u have

 

[toomanytoyzz]

I have a bullet I'd let got for $110 shipped. It has the original sticker (what is left of it anyway) still on it. Here are a couple pics. It's in great shape just needs one new jaw insert. It looks like the PO put a different sized one on it.

 

[quad shop]

does anyone remember who was on here selling jaw inserts or was that a different forum

 

[jakemac]

You want to talk to KMScott.

He has two websites for vise parts :

http://wiltonviseparts.net/
and
http://www.benchvisejaws.com/

 

[autopts]

I think Ebay is a haven for USA made vises of almost any price category you want. I picked up this Parker 433 1/2 combo and with shipping, it was less then $150.