I've been looking for a vise for my shop, I finally found one in one of my dads sheds. It is a craftsman 506-51801. The thing about it is, there is no swivel base it is bolted to a plate with one bolt right in the middle. I'm going to mount it on a stand I am building. Will it hold up if I bolt it on a piece of plate using the one center hole and maybe a nut and bolt in the hole were the swivel nut was. I'm not planning on using the vise for show. I will beat on it and abuse it, but I don't want it to break and fall off.
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Vise on a stand question
- Thread starter Lyrch
- Start date
454ragtop
Well-known member
I did something similar with a beat up Reed I found that was missing the swivel base. I just drilled another hole on the side opposite the lock bolt and mounted it with 2 bolts, works fine.
JoeFin
Well-known member
Sure
But better to tack weld a couple 1" strips on the sides to keep it stationary
But better to tack weld a couple 1" strips on the sides to keep it stationary
csp
Well-known member
Honestly it is no different than having that one bolt holding it to a swivel base. The effect on the vise is the same if it's on a swivel base or a piece of plate.
actually I think you will find that bolting it down solid with 2 bolts and no rotating base feels a lot more solid than with the original rotating base. Next thing you know, you will be looking for a fixed-base vise. Thats all I use these days...
Thanks for all the help. I was actually looking for a fixed base vise. I think being on the stand instead of my work bench, it will be ok. I haven't ever had luck with swivel bases. That said, I've never had a quality vise either. Mix that with the fact that I abuse them a little too bad, and they all broke at the swivel base.