Vise Advice

[Codejack]

So, I've been looking for a vise; it's on my list, but not really at the top since you can do most things without one, or at worst, with a big C-clamp.

This Wilton set in particular had caught my eye:

$135 for a good vise and a nice hammer... you can never have too many hammers.

But I was cleaning out Grandad's shop today, and found this sitting under an old belt sander, never been opened:

So, a 30-40-year-old Taiwanese vise; not the most promising attributes, but while "Quality" is one thing, "Free" is something else altogether

At any rate, I need to mount it, and would like some advice. I have that big work table it is sitting on, and I was thinking about drilling through it with this position (so it can hang stuff off the side or front) and alignment:

...and then bolting it down through the other side against some big washers.

The table top is about 1-7/8" thick:

So, questions:

1. Is this vise any good, at all? I imagine that I will find out...

2. Are washers enough to hold it, or should I get a piece of sheet metal to use as a bottom bracket?

3. Is that alignment/position (on the front right corner) ideal, or am I going to regret locating it there?

 

[ganymede]

So, a 30-40-year-old Taiwanese vise; not the most promising attributes, but while "Quality" is one thing, "Free" is something else altogether

At any rate, I need to mount it, and would like some advice. I have that big work table it is sitting on, and I was thinking about drilling through it with this position (so it can hang stuff off the side or front) and alignment:

...and then bolting it down through the other side against some big washers.

The table top is about 1-7/8" thick:



So, questions:

1. Is this vise any good, at all? I imagine that I will find out...

2. Are washers enough to hold it, or should I get a piece of sheet metal to use as a bottom bracket?

3. Is that alignment/position (on the front right corner) ideal, or am I going to regret locating it there?

1. It says all steel on the package. How bad could it be.?
2 Washers should be fine especially if they're kinda thick. Sheet metal is overkill with all that wood.
3. I'd mount it with the round part of the base facing the corner.

 

[Djarum69]

I've had that exact same Taiwanese vice for 30 years and it's a workhorse. I did just supplement it with an even older Wilton, but it was something I wanted rather than needed.


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[3baygarage]

The Wilton color looks nice, but at that price you would probably be trading one imported vise for another imported vise, if that makes any sense.

Maybe someone who owns that Wilton will chime in with a review.

Don't beat on the black vise or use it as a shop press, and it may serve you just fine.

 

[Codejack]

1. It says all steel on the package. How bad could it be.?

...maybe I'd better go check and make sure that a magnet sticks to it

2 Washers should be fine especially if they're kinda thick. Sheet metal is overkill with all that wood.

That was what I was thinking.

3. I'd mount it with the round part of the base facing the corner.

I thought of that, but:

Putting the round edge in the corner pulls the inner jaw back over the table, and I've always found it convenient to be able to hang things over the edge.

I can see that the corner is the weakest part, but then, it should be under the least strain, shouldn't it?

 

[Codejack]

I've had that exact same Taiwanese vice for 30 years and it's a workhorse. I did just supplement it with an even older Wilton, but it was something I wanted rather than needed.

Oh, excellent! I guess I really lucked out, huh?

That being said, I've been researching it, and it looks like this is the same as the Jorgensen 4" vise:

Jorgensen and Pony Tools being the successors of Adjustable Clamp Company, and I think they shut down production last year.

 

[JimNC]

Consider if you really think you'll need the swivel. I don't know about this vise, but it is a weak point on many modestly priced import vises in my experience. Eliminating it will make the whole thing more rigid, you'll like it.

 

[redvalkyrie]

Free versus $135...hard choice.

 

[exmaxima1]

That Wilton vise is a POS. Nice hammer though.

 

[Michael_in_DE]

I used lag screws with mine. and with that much wood and the 2x6 underneath, would think lags would be find for you.

once you have it installed, you'll wonder how you ever got along without one.

 

[1982fxr]

The old USA version of that Wilton is waaay better. Forget the new one.

That other vise is lower level, just don't put a pipe in the handle or abuse it and it should be fine. Don't use it as a press!

I'm right handed and like mine mounted in the spot you picked, far right front corner of the bench.