opinion on 2 wilton vices

[derosa]

I'm looking at two vices for the bicycle clinic, the wilton 11106 which is a 6" model and the 11127 which is a 5.5". The most common use for this is to put freewheel tools in so the freewheel can be twisted off the wheel, with a 27" wheel this can put a bit of strain on the vise. Biggest concern is that the rotating base on a lot of vices I've worked with have been messed up. Like disabling the rotating feature with bolts through the bench to keep it from moving.

 

[1982fxr]

Pics?

 

[Pig9r]

If you are worried about the swivel base holding look for one with double lockdowns. Most of your better vises will have two. I personally would be hesitant about buying one that is a fixed base, but it may suit your needs fine. I think 5.5 or 6 inch jaws will be plenty big for what you need. I would look on eBay or Craigslist for a vintage made in USA model. I have a older 111103 which is 5 inch.

 

[Murphy4570]

Just buy a vise without a rotating base. You can find old USA vises on craigslist for cheap. Wilton for some reason has a cult following, and commands higher prices. Reed-Prentice, etc, are all good substitutes.

 

[derosa]

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B001022GRM/?tag=atomicindus08-20

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0008JF9PO/?tag=atomicindus08-20

these are the two I'm looking at.
I should mention that due to my location good used tools don't come up that often without at least an hour's drive.

 

[1982fxr]

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B001022GRM/?tag=atomicindus08-20

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0008JF9PO/?tag=atomicindus08-20

these are the two I'm looking at.
I should mention that due to my location good used tools don't come up that often without at least an hour's drive.

Those are barely get the job done pieces of ****, basically. BUT that may be all you need I read what you need to do just not able to visualize it to give a better answer. I would be sad if I paid new prices for either of those.

 

[1982fxr]

Just buy a vise without a rotating base. You can find old USA vises on craigslist for cheap. Wilton for some reason has a cult following, and commands higher prices. Reed-Prentice, etc, are all good substitutes.

Good advice ^^^^

 

[exmaxima1]

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B001022GRM/?tag=atomicindus08-20

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0008JF9PO/?tag=atomicindus08-20

these are the two I'm looking at.
I should mention that due to my location good used tools don't come up that often without at least an hour's drive.

Both are imports, and that second one is especially crappy. I'd keep looking...

 

[matt_i]

Those are barely get the job done pieces of ****, basically. BUT that may be all you need I read what you need to do just not able to visualize it to give a better answer. I would be sad if I paid new prices for either of those.

I wouldn't be quite so hard on them, its just a vise and will clamp stuff just fine. The first looks like a knockoff of a Record and I have a 25yo sort-of copy of the second one in a 6" width.

The swivel base seems to have issues because they can get to the point where the sliding bar has to stick out at 90 degrees from the body, then someone gets irritated and tries to smash it around another 90 degrees with a hammer.

Imo they would be better off to give an allen-nut and an allen wrench, the wrench could be removed (and lost, lol) but the nice thing is the allen wrench would have a longer arm for better torque anyway. Could also be a socket head screw for some designs...

Obviously there are nicer vises available, but for just clamping a tool....

 

[kwoswalt99]

Both are imports, and that second one is especially crappy. I'd keep looking...

Honestly, the first one is probably worse. Look at how easy it breaks.

 

[Bcom]

Both vises are garbage but if i absolutely had to pick one,i d go with the red one for sure.

 

[oldldh]

Buy an old Craftsman off Ebay...

Or any of the old American made vises...

The ones which you have highlighted are el crapola...

 

[exmaxima1]

Honestly, the first one is probably worse. Look at how easy it breaks.

One of my machinist neighbors has the second one, and uses it exclusively as a clamp for a small part. Everytime I see it on his bench, the jaws are sprung open on one side and he's always retightening it---it is a POS vise.

 

[derosa]

I'll skip these then and keep looking

 

[exmaxima1]

Both vises are garbage but if i absolutely had to pick one,i d go with the red one for sure.

$80 for a Chinese vise with a pressed steel slide is way too much. That should be less than $50....

 

[rsanter]

I have some good used ones......

Bob

 

[drivesitfar]

DEROSA: if you were closer i'd probably have a few old pre 1970's vises that would work well for you in your price range, but since i live in Seattle maybe Joe.Striper (Viceman) has a few for you to choose from in farm fresh or he does a great job spiffing them up too. i know he drives in about a 4 or more state area on business and he loves meeting new members so maybe you can PM or email him and see what he has instead of buying a vise that might not work as well for your needs. here's Joe's GJ profile page:

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/member.php?u=192839

or if you can find an older pre 1970's 4 to 5 inch wide jaw vise on your own either stationary or swivel then buy it if it's not cracked, welded or missing any parts and if it looks like it will do the job.

good luck

 

[G-ManBart]

I'll skip these then and keep looking

Do you have any specific criteria in mind like jaw width, or just something for general use?

If it's just for general use, it shouldn't be too hard to find one if you've got the right folks looking. There's a used tool place near me that had a really nice Morgan 140 (4" jaw with a swivel base, about 55lbs) for something like $100 the last time I was there a week or so ago. Something like that would probably serve most folks well, last a lifetime and not be terribly expensive to ship.