rock river vise

[rmsg0040]

Anybody heard of rock river vises?

They look to be a Fastenal "brand" and are very similar to wilton vises.

http://www.fastenal.com/web/products/tools-equipment/clamping-and-holding/vises-and-accessories/rock-river/_/Navigation?term=&termca=&termpx=&sortby=webrank&sortdir=descending&searchmode=productSearch&zipcode=&filterByStore=&filterByVendingMachine=&r=~|categoryl1:"600241 Tools 9and Equipment"|~ ~|categoryl2:"600446 Clamping and Holding"|~ ~|categoryl3:"600449 Vises and Accessories"|~ ~|manufacturer:^"Rock River"$|~

Here's a pic of a rock river vise, no COO stamp, looks almost exactly like a wilton bullet

 

[Mr. Brooks]

Doesn't look like a traditional bullet but instead a wilton tradesman vise, which are nice. Might be a clone might be a licensed product or design. Tradesmans are made in the US.

 

[franzdom]

I respectfully disagree, it looks like the machinist type, no pipe jaws that I can see.

 

[rmsg0040]

I asked the guy who is selling, he said he couldn't find a COO, he's asking 200

 

[1950mercury]

You can buy a real wilton fkr that or less id PASS

 

[Filson]

I'd pass too. I'm unfamiliar with the brand, and would look for a stronger style vise with a known name (Reed, Parker, Prentiss, etc).

 

[drivesitfar]

for a brand new vise $200 seems like a pretty decent deal especially if you need a vise. i'm pretty sure Wilton makes these and then usually puts a sticker on them like they do with Snap On's, John Deere's and other company's they make vises for.

only way to tell if it's a machinist or a tradesman is to open up the vise and see if there are pipe jaws because they are usually not very big on those models. it's a good vise in any case and probably made in China unless it says made in USA on the side.

or is there a town in China named USA?

 

[4xdog]

The Rock River vises shown on the Fastenal website don't look like that one.

Here's a 4½ vise for $130

http://www.fastenal.com/web/products/details/0269149

 

[rmsg0040]

I usually browse local ads daily and saw this, it caught my eye cause it looks a wilton.

Maybe my curiosity will get the best of me and will check it out.

I already have 2 Record vises, both made in England, a Record #5 and a Record R40S

BTW a wilton locally is slim to none and I have searched for years, a guy has one posted but for $850 and that ad has been up for a long time.

 

[bobcatdan]

I think it is a Wilton clone. Althou it looks like a tradesman, tradesman would have pipe jaws. A machinist vise looks kinda like a tradesman, but they are pretty different when you know what to look for. I have never know the fastenal house line of tools to be anything but middle of the road import at best.

 

[drivesitfar]

that is the way wilton packed their new vises with the plastic on the grease that is on the bare metal areas of the vise so he might have the original box too.

i bought a new in the box Wilton made in China vise that might have been 5 or even 10 years old a few years ago and I would still have it mounted on my bench if i hadn't joined GJ and wanted every 150 pound plus or rare vise that was made. Wilton makes good vises and i'm about 100% sure they made that one.

have you checked Wilton's web site and checked to see what their new version of this vise sells for and how much is it to buy one?

 

[rmsg0040]

Newer comparable versions might be in the 500-600 range, he's asking 200

 

[franzdom]

What size and weight is this?

 

[rmsg0040]

I found this thread about Craftsman Professional (Imported Wilton) 4 1/2" Vise Restoration:

http://garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=126958

 

[rmsg0040]

What size and weight is this?

6.5", weight unknown

 

[drivesitfar]

if the Rock River vise's jaws are 6.5 inches wide all the better. can you see where the Craftsman vise you posted a link to has a squared off nose on the bottom side? that's how they got around Wilton's patent.

i couldn't find much on Rock River on Google, but i still think it was made by Wilton and if it's over 50 pounds it's worth the $200.

i'd probably buy it if it were near me and i don't need another Wilton, but never seen one with that style with another name cast in it. i guess it "could" be a fake or a cheap copy, but the pictures tell me it's a keeper so you'll have to see it in person and let us know what you think.

if you have a couple English made Record vises you know quality so pull out the dynamic jaw all the way on the RR and don't drop it and see if a date is stamped on the bottom of the slide which Wilton usually does. also does it look like it's well made?

 

[rmsg0040]

I don't know if I feel like making the drive out to see it, dropped $700 few hours ago

If anybody wants it, go get it:

http://www.kijiji.ca/v-tool-other/o...bench-vise-with-pipe-jaws-brand-new/599439709

 

[Burgerkong]

Unfortunately, seller knows what he has (sorta) so he probably won't budge much on price, not everyday on kijiji you see guys list what type and quality of iron a vise is made out of.

 

[Mr. Brooks]

Says it has pipe jaws, tradesman clone or made by wilton...

 

[drivesitfar]

I bet he got that information off the box and unless it's a real good copy that is a helluva deal at $200 for a new Wilton 6.5 inch Tradesman even if it was made in China.

looks like it's up for grabs to somebody in Ontario.

 

[Outlawmws]

Google is your Friend:

http://www.fastenal.com/web/products/details/0269153?searchMode=productSearch&zipcode=&filterByStore=&filterByVendingMachine=

Rock river is a "Fastenal Approved vendor" And clearly a Wilton ripoff.

Product Details
Compliance: Restricted Product
Capacity:1/4 - 3-1/2"
Clearance Item:On Clearance. While Supplies Last!
Contents:Anvil, Steel Pipe Jaw, Slide Handle, Swivel Base
Jaw Opening:6-1/2"Jaw Width:6-1/2"
Mount Type:Swivel BaseStyle:Combination Pipe and Bench
Throat Depth:102mm
Type:Vise Product
Weight: 68.3432 lbs.
Applications:
Plant Maintenance, Oil Field Service, Mechanical Trades
Notes: Professional Grade All Weather Combination Vise
60,000psi Ductile Iron Body,Extra ***********, all weather vis, Swivel Base '
Compliance: This item is not available for sale within the United States; possible alternative is Fastenal part 0269148

 

[drivesitfar]

Nice find Outlaw and your Google is your friend because it didn't come up that way on Google for me.

so IYHO is it worth a couple Benjamins? especially since Wilton vises are rare in Ontario and maybe all of Canada?

 

[Burgerkong]

Nice find Outlaw and your Google is your friend because it didn't come up that way on Google for me.

so IYHO is it worth a couple Benjamins? especially since Wilton vises are rare in Ontario and maybe all of Canada?

Nope. Get a Record (plenty here, along with their clones), or a Chas Parker/Athol/etc. I got mine for $25 IIRC.

 

[rmsg0040]

Good find on the info, clears it up for me

 

[Outlawmws]

No COO that I found, but 68 lbs on a vise with 6-1/2" jaws seems light to me...

$550 give or take list? And its discontinued? I think not...

 

[bobcatdan]

No COO that I found, but 68 lbs on a vise with 6-1/2" jaws seems light to me...

$550 give or take list? And its discontinued? I think not...

What I found online, a 6 1/2" tradesman is 71 lbs.

 

[Outlawmws]

Well, my 6" Parker tips the scales at 175...

 

[Outlawmws]

And my 4" Wilton 400S bullet is 57 lbs...