Vise type poll

[ganymede]

I've always preferred swivel base vises but until several months ago had never used a fixed base model . Now that I've used a fixed base vise I wonder what everyone who's used both types opinion is . Do you prefer swivel or fixed base?

 

[91bronc300]

I prefer fixed

 

[ganymede]

I prefer fixed

Is it for rigidity ?
I'm gonna guess you hammer and bend stuff more than filing or drilling.

 

[drivesitfar]

Both types if you have the room on your bench or have a couple benches.

 

[RatchetMan]

I have a swivel base on the vise I normally work with but I never swivel the thing. That being said, I guess I don't see much need for a swivel base. And those little bars attached to the swivels on most vises are a pain. If they tighten too closely to the body of the vise you sometimes have to use a screwdriver to pry them away so you can loosen them.

 

[Mohawk Dave]

I do a lot of filing, so I like the swivel for that. But I have many vises mounted on different work stations, and the big old Rock Islands and Columbians and Athols that get beat on mostly fixed. I got em all and like it.

 

[Craptain]

Until about 25 years ago I had not used a swivel base vise. Since then I have only had swivel's and found them strong enough for all my needs. IF.... I ever needed a really big heavy vise I would be back to a fixed vise for that particular area of my shop, but for now I am good.

 

[Filson]

It depends a little, but pretty much lean towards swivel.

View media item 33213
If it has two swivel locks and they are stout, like in the pic of my Reed above - than a swivel all the way. The swivel lock handles are around 7" long and they tighten down the big locks well beyond what I could ever physically push it to.

View media item 33215
This Hollands on the other hand, only has one swivel lock, and it feels no where near as secure as the Reed.

View media item 32581
This Parker is a smaller 6" like the Hollands, but it has two swivel locks. Each swivel lock is smaller than what the Hollands has, but feels decidedly more secure.

From my experience, if it only has one swivel lock, I'd probably prefer a stationary. Dual locks? The two locks holding it from swiveling is just about as strong as the 4 bolts holding it on the bench, so it's not much of a concern for me. Swivel all the way!

 

[91bronc300]

Is it for rigidity ?
I'm gonna guess you hammer and bend stuff more than filing or drilling.

To be honest, I haven't used swivel bench vises since moving out of my parent's house (ergo, my dad's shop). I don't really remember having an problems with my dad's swivel base, even though I know I banged and pried on it pretty hard. I just didn't see the point of not having a tool like a bench vise not rigidly bolted down. As far as my experience goes I haven't suffered by having all my bench vises be fixed base, I just figure out the best orientation to bolt them down in. I mean, you CAN'T have a swivel base end vise and that's never been a problem either.

 

[ganymede]

Had a long winded reply all typed up and...
"We detect suspicious activity from your network" or something blah blah
"Contact an administrator".
Drat.

Anyway,
The little Reed I'm using now has one lock and it's fine but some one before me really cranked it down and bent it.
Used vises are often missing the lock bar and I bet it's because folks bend and then remove them to stick a longer bar in .

 

[Barnabas]

Mine swivels, but I never do. I took a hack saw and cut off the handle that tightens the swivel, because it kept getting in the way. Then I lined up the vice with the workbench and tightened the swivel as tight as I could. It hasn't moved in thirty-some years.

 

[Cadillac fan]

This is from someone who is in the market for a vise.

I would prefer one that swivels as I would mount it onto a metal stand and put it against a wall. It would be great to move the vise around so that I can access other parts of the workpiece without having to open the vise jaws.

 

[Bobf]

I have a Chicago Morgan 140 (swivel) mounted on a 4" pipe/plate welded to a car wheel secured to the floor with anchors. Used to hold small to unusually large items at odd angles.
Also have a 3 1/2" old USA CM on my bench but seldom use it. Now that I think about it maybe because there's usually too much **** on my bench

 

[2oolhound]

I have a very small shop so the swivel is a must. I'm always having to angle it so I can work with long things in my crowed space. I currently have 2 swivels and one regular mounted on different benches but the main work bench has a swivel.

 

[PCO6]

I have both but generally prefer my bench mounted fixed base Record No. 6. I have a few other Records and they're all fixed base too. I also have a mass produced Asian cheapie that is mounted to a post. It swivels, spins, twirls and takes a good beating and heating. It's actually pretty handy to have.

 

[RRmech]

My work bench is tucked into an awkward corner of my garage.
So have three vises that swivel, is just about mandatory in a situation like that.
Especially, with the big Simplex vise.