Should I buy a small vice?

GoodEnough · Dec 22, 2013

I got a thread chaser kit, and realize people tend to use them with a vice.

I have a small detached garage, and don't really have a workbench. I have nowhere to really secure a vice. Can I keep one on the floor? Maybe secure it with my foot or something? I have seen someone say they bolted one to their toolbox, which could be an option.

But, can someone suggest a cheap HF vice that might be worth considering? I might never even use it, as I've gotten this far without one.

http://www.harborfreight.com/catalogsearch/result/index/?dir=asc&limit=60&order=Sort+Price,t&q=vice

Vvmvbb · Dec 22, 2013

How can you live without a workbench?
Get a bench then bolt a vice to that.

Bigplum · Dec 22, 2013

If the garage is really small , get a half shaft from a rear axle , drill a hole into the floor the same size as the spline and cement or epoxy the shaft in, then bolt a vice to the flange , it might ring a bit if you start beating on it but it'd be plenty strong enough .

dirtydogintex · Dec 22, 2013

Be sure your new work bench is large enough for a small vice.... and a medium sized one.... and a ginormous one.... for starters!!

Farmall450 · Dec 22, 2013

Vvmvbb said:
How can you live without a workbench?
Get a bench then bolt a vice to that.

Exactly!

Keyword vise too!

1982fxr · Dec 22, 2013

pretty much any old American made vise (and many imports) you find on craigslist will be better than harbor freight. But if it's not gonna see heavy use, or even medium use, any of those $40-60 cheapies will do.

Can probably find some kind of a used bench on craigslist for free or very cheap. Lots of times people just want them gone...

tgb · Dec 22, 2013

Everyone is giving you the business for no bench. I understand not having one, what I did was build one that is folding. I mounted it on the wall with a piano hinge and folding legs 30 seconds to setup and takedown, and small enough against the wall you can still open the car door when it is folded down.

F-Bobby · Dec 22, 2013

I'm in the same boat. I dont have any place to keep a work bench set up. I was looking into collapsable ones for bolting a small vice to. The most i'm gonna be using the vice for is freeing up stuck brake caliper slides or maybe removing/installing Pulleys onto PS pumps and stuff of that sort.

devoncoolman · Dec 22, 2013

Honestly even a small bench some 4x4's with a ply wood top is better then nothing cost u $20-$30 to build and get a cheapy vice from hf or sears there ya go. If your not going to beat the **** out of it. Any vice will do u. Youve gptten this far with out it so anything is an upgrade. You will wonder why you didnt build a bench and buy a vice years ago. Honestly surfing cl and local flea markets are your best bet to find a vice and maybe even a work bench.

scaron · Dec 22, 2013

i lived for many years in rentals and never had a work bench (except when one came left behind with the property) because i didn't want to worry about trying to move it when the lease was up. it sucked, but what can you do... i was able to get pretty much everything done that i wanted to, only a bit dirtier, from grubbing around on the floor all the time, LOL. that said, now that i've got my first real house here, the first thing i did was construct a few benches and i'll concur, it makes things SO much easier (and cleaner). benches are easy and quick to build; even if you don't have much room, you can do 2'x4' for less than $50 in lumber and screws with maybe an hour of work.

460Rustang · Dec 22, 2013

1982fxr said:
pretty much any old american made vise (and many imports) you find on craigslist will be better than harbor freight. But if it's not gonna see heavy use, or even medium use, any of those $40-60 cheapies will do.

Can probably find some kind of a used bench on craigslist for free or very cheap. Lots of times people just want them gone...

agreed,..................

retrobuilder · Dec 22, 2013

Just Use a c clamp- ..or portable drill press vise

Outlander · Dec 22, 2013

My Dad had a vise bolted onto a thick piece of wood that he clamped into a Black and Decker Workmate. A used vise is also a fun project!

GoodEnough · Dec 22, 2013

I pretty much have just enough room to walk around the car, and about 2 feet in front of the car. There I have a 5 level shelf for my toolboxes, tires, spray cans, etc....and my floor jack, compressor, and a cinderblock. No real room for a workbench.

It's sort of like this, but picture a car parked in there.
Not much room

1%20car%20garage%20option1-final_01%20new.jpg

GoodEnough · Dec 22, 2013

F-Bobby said:
I'm in the same boat. I dont have any place to keep a work bench set up. I was looking into collapsable ones for bolting a small vice to. The most i'm gonna be using the vice for is freeing up stuck brake caliper slides or maybe removing/installing Pulleys onto PS pumps and stuff of that sort.

Same here. I just do light basic automotive. I have never needed a vice, but got the idea when I wanted to put a die into a vice to screw a bolt through it. It's not worth making a whole thing over it, but if I had something like a barstool as a small platform, that took up little room, that might be all I need.

GoodEnough · Dec 22, 2013

retrobuilder said:
Just Use a c clamp- ..or portable drill press vise

Good idea!
I think this a good stopgap measure.
Sitting on the floor with the clamp in my lap.

CNGsaves · Dec 22, 2013

The insanity just keeps getting worse for OP:

a) can't drive down to HD to buy a few bolts
b) never heard of Ace / True Value Hardware
c) lives in neverland that can't be told to GJers
d) asks how to buy first set of tools ever
e) critical of operation of ratcheting wreches but never has owned them
f) NOW asks Why anyone would need a Vise ??
. . . . Yes, the word is VISE . . . so likely OP isn't anywhere in North America !!

/ FUTILITY . . . . might be powder puff forum somewhere for this guy !! :lol_hitti

redware · Dec 22, 2013

CNGsaves said:
FUTILITY . . . . might be powder puff forum somewhere for this guy !!

Excepting the possibility that he's just some guy jerking chains.....We all start somewhere.

TheGr8erG00d · Dec 22, 2013

We all pay for our vices someday...

But a small vise is totally worth investing in.

thebeekeeper1 · Dec 22, 2013

GoodEnough said:
I pretty much have just enough room to walk around the car, and about 2 feet in front of the car. There I have a 5 level shelf for my toolboxes, tires, spray cans, etc....and my floor jack, compressor, and a cinderblock. No real room for a workbench.

It's sort of like this, but picture a car parked in there.
Not much room

Surely you have kitchen counters--bolt one on there. You'll be surprised how many uses you find for it. :rocker:

RECox286 · Dec 22, 2013

I can't imagine not having a vise, and more so not

having a workbench. How do you manage to do

anything in the way of projects ?

Uncle Bob

CNGsaves · Dec 22, 2013

Yeah, this is a Goosechase for sure. Someone can reverse image that "garage" he's shown as that for sure is NOT his . . . guaranteed !!

See his other threads on Helicoils and bright light is coming on!! 1st thread he wanted to buy bolts over internet, rather than in person. Now wants to learn about helicoils. But first, oooooh yeeeees, have to learn about a VISE !!! :eyecrazy:

Bottom line is he's buggered up some threads on something but won't tell anyone what it's for . . . . may not even be car related. :eyecrazy:

OP, hope you've got a neighbor or friend/family that can help you out. Phantom questions on GJ and tip toeing around your problem won't ever get it solved.

/futility

Farmall450 · Dec 22, 2013

RECox286 said:
I can't imagine not having a vise, and more so not

having a workbench. How do you manage to do

anything in the way of projects ?

Uncle Bob

Same here. I can't imagine spelling vise "vice" either! (sorry to point it out twice in the same thread)

DieselSaves · Dec 22, 2013

I have seen vises bolted to a bit of receiver tube to be used on the trailer hitch of a vehicle. If you have a tow hitch on even a car, it could be used as needed. Store the vise til you need it, then put it in the hitch and use it.

GoodEnough · Dec 22, 2013

DieselSaves said:
I have seen vises bolted to a bit of receiver tube to be used on the trailer hitch of a vehicle. If you have a tow hitch on even a car, it could be used as needed. Store the vise til you need it, then put it in the hitch and use it.

No hitch, but good idea.

A vise or vice (see American and British English spelling differences) is a mechanical screw apparatus used for holding or clamping a work piece to allow work to be performed on it

GoodEnough · Dec 22, 2013

RECox286 said:
I can't imagine not having a vise, and more so not

having a workbench. How do you manage to do

anything in the way of projects ?

Uncle Bob

I only do light automotive maintenance.
It's not a real workshop.

PCO6 · Dec 22, 2013

I'm not sure how any one can get much work done without a vise or a vice but just to clarify one thing ... In Canada the correct spelling is "vice".

Zeke · Dec 22, 2013

1982fxr said:
pretty much any old American made vise (and many imports) you find on craigslist will be better than harbor freight. But if it's not gonna see heavy use, or even medium use, any of those $40-60 cheapies will do.

Can probably find some kind of a used bench on craigslist for free or very cheap. Lots of times people just want them gone...

One thing about HF that I do believe is that their vises are crude.

But so are my vices.

Nick Danger · Dec 22, 2013

Build a fold-up workbench on the wall. Buy a small clamp-on hobbyist vise an store it in your drawers. Even a small vise will make a lot of jobs easier.

CNGsaves · Dec 22, 2013

GoodEnough said:
I only do light automotive maintenance.
It's not a real workshop.

Put up PICS of buggered up thread hole you're trying to fix.

What does this "magic bolt" go into??

Let's see PICS of this "part" you have that is needing bolt, helicoil, and now "vice" that you've never owned in your life !!! :bounce:

drivesitfar · Dec 22, 2013

I didn't see anyone mention an old wheel with a post welded to it with a plate on top to mount your new vise to. I am going to sell a couple because no longer need and I've seen several on Craigslist over the years. HF also sells a cheap version you can mount a vise or grinder to for about $30. that way you can set in a corner and pull out when you need to use it.

I do like the workbench that can fold up against the wall when you are not using it so you can pull your car inside the garage.

English or US made old vises would be first choice if you can find a deal on Craigs or estate/garage sales, but some of the Chinese ones seem to do fine for some.

uart · Dec 22, 2013

Outlander said:
My Dad had a vise bolted onto a thick piece of wood that he clamped into a Black and Decker Workmate.

+1 on this.

Hi Goodenough. This in my opinion is definitely what you should do. You'll find a small foldable work bench like the BD workmate (or similar) to be really useful.

Without a permanent solid workbench you won't be able to make *full* use of any large or expensive vise anyway, so in this particular situation I'd say just grab a cheap 4" swivel base one like this: http://www.harborfreight.com/4-inch-swivel-vise-with-anvil-67035.html.

CNGsaves said:
/ FUTILITY . . . . might be powder puff forum somewhere for this guy !!

Jeez CNG, give Goodenough a break. Having him here on these forums makes me feel like less of a noob.

GoodEnough · Dec 22, 2013

http://www.ebay.com/bhp/folding-workbench
http://www.harborfreight.com/folding-clamping-workbench-with-movable-pegs-47844.html

A wheel is going to take up too much space. I think a foldable workbench is perfect for my cramped space and light-duty needs. What are those cranks for? Do they move the 2 planks of wood. Why do you need a space between them?

Nick Danger · Dec 22, 2013

The whole bench top is a vise. One of the pieces of wood is the static jaw, and the other is the dynamic jaw.

GoodEnough · Dec 22, 2013

Stupid question, but for what use is a vise like table-top?

uart · Dec 22, 2013

GoodEnough said:
http://www.ebay.com/bhp/folding-workbench
http://www.harborfreight.com/folding-clamping-workbench-with-movable-pegs-47844.html

Yeah, those all look ok. Take a look at a few "in person" if you can, get a feel of the weight and how solid it feels before buying.

What are those cranks for? Do they move the 2 planks of wood.

It makes it like a basic woodworking vise. You'd still want a little 4" machinist style vise though, for the stuff you want to do.

uart · Dec 22, 2013

GoodEnough said:
Stupid question, but for what use is a vise like table-top?

Clamping and holding wood mostly. See above.

xSoFx · Dec 22, 2013

Honestly, get a workbench. Folding or solid. Nonetheless, harbor freight also sells a universal tool stand that you could put the vice on.

sberry · Dec 22, 2013

you need a table with vise

sberry · Dec 22, 2013

3 xxxxx,, good idea

Should I buy a small vice?

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