Olympia Tools 6" Quick-Release Bench Vise

[woodstockva]

Hey everybody

I just set up a 2nd vise on my workbench so I can line up longer material with my larger vise & hold everything secure. It is the Olympia Tools 6" Sing Hand Quick-Release Vise.

The vise is much smaller in person that I was expecting out of a 6" vise, coming in at just over 25lbs. It features a "quick release" lever that when engaged will split the main nut in half....allowing the jaws to slide open and closed with only one hand. I figured this would cause them to slip with any pressure at all, but surprisingly it actually holds well (at least new out of the box).

Unlike my larger vise, it does not have any jaws for pipes & even a 1" section of EMT was loose....so for anyone dealing with pipes, this vise cannot help you hold them.

COO = China & it has a "Lifetime Guarantee" from Olympia Tools.

Overall it looks like it has decent quality to it. It is absolutely NOT a "pro vise" by any means. However, for the homeowner or DIYer that is looking for an occasional use vise it may be a good option.

Check out the video to see the vise for yourself & how that mechanism actually works!

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/-BEv8-uh8lU" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

 

[Zeke]

Seems pretty good.

 

[sometoyotaguy]

I'd be worried about the split nut wearing to the point where it pops open when tightened up. The design may take this into account, but it's hard to tell without a teardown. Nice idea though.

 

[rancherbill]

Nut wear would be a concern for me.

I never knew you should use Grade 8 bolts to hold a vise to a wood top. To mount my vise I just big box store Grade 2 bolts, I thought that was an upgrade from the lag screws the guy I bought it from was using.

 

[woodstockva]

Seems pretty good.

Time will tell....If/when I have issues with it, I will definitely post some updates.

I'd be worried about the split nut wearing to the point where it pops open when tightened up. The design may take this into account, but it's hard to tell without a teardown. Nice idea though.

I think that the springs will break long before the nut....it looked fairly long. I would have taken it apart, but thought I would have issues putting everything back together easily.

Excellent vid as usual!

Is the swivel locked by ordinary bolt clamping or does it have 'gear teeth'?

Thanks! The swivel bolts are threaded into a round plate underneath that presses against the base from what I can tell....but I am not a vise expert, so I dont know what that is called. It held better than I was expecting it to.

Nut wear would be a concern for me.

I never knew you should use Grade 8 bolts to hold a vise to a wood top. To mount my vise I just big box store Grade 2 bolts, I thought that was an upgrade from the lag screws the guy I bought it from was using.

I think this is more-so a hobbyist/limited use vise. Not for the pro. As far as grade 8 bolts, in this case they probably are not necessary (I used grade 2)....but with my larger Kobalt vise, I originally mounted it with grade 2 & had them stretch and bend. Now that I switched to grade 8 bolts, there are no more issues. Then again, I prefer grade 8 for everything when possible....I hate junky bolts/nuts.

 

[Trey T]

really good review.