Which vise to keep?

[journey333]

Hi guys, long-time lurker here, first post.

So in the past week I have bought 3 vises, and need to get rid of one of them. The only problem is, I am unsure which one to let go.

The leg vise is out of the question, as I am in process of setting up a blacksmith shop and need it. Here is a pic of it, just for shits and giggles:

That leaves me with a Wilton 5 1/2" that I got for $40 at a swap meet

or the Craftsman 4 1/2" that I got when I bought this welding table.

I jumped at the chance to get a Wilton, but the Craftsman is bulkier and has more style. However, the jaws are smaller. So you might see my dilemma here. Style and bulk or larger jaws?

 

[USMCdodge]

keep the smoother of the 2... I have a 1930s or 40s cman thats smoother than any other vice i have ever encountered. which ever is better made... why cant you keep them both???

 

[ajchien]

I would keep the blacksmith post vise and the craftsman machinist vise. I'd sell the Wilton. That's just me though.

 

[balane]

I would definitely keep that Craftsman vise. No contest for me.

 

[softailgarage]

Send me the Craftsman....and welcome to the Garage Journal

 

[MrMark]

That Wilton isn't anything special, the Craftsman is.

 

[journey333]

Thanks, guys. I was thinking the same thing. Keep the Craftsman, get rid of the Wilton.

keep the smoother of the 2... I have a 1930s or 40s cman thats smoother than any other vice i have ever encountered. which ever is better made... why cant you keep them both???

I just don't have the space to keep all of them, otherwise I would.

 

[Flatland Dave]

just curious as to where you live in Oregon, I spent a bit of time there.

 

[bigcaddy]

The Craftsman is a very well built vise. I just posted one my dad finished in the Vise thread and i want that thing for myself. You can just flick the handle with your fingers and it will spin 3-4 rotations easily. I've never seen another vise move that smoothly.

 

[5lima30]

I would keep the blacksmith post vise and the craftsman machinist vise. I'd sell the Wilton. That's just me though.

+1 exactly my thoughts!

 

[bczygan]

You only have 3 vises and you want to get rid of one?...............I don't understand the question!!!

 

[whelenfan]

that craftsman looks perfect on the welding table, keep it!

 

[Mario]

You only have 3 vises and you want to get rid of one?...............I don't understand the question!!!

X2!

 

[TreePointer]

The wife takes up more space than a third vise. Just sayin....

 

[franzdom]

The wife takes up more space than a third vise. Just sayin....

Now I have to clean my computer screen, thanks for that

 

[bczygan]

The third one isn't a vise.....it's a place to keep your mail or bills:

Or clamp an empty beer can in the jaws and put some water and daisies in it.....it's a centerpiece for the dining table.

Or clamp a flashlight in it.....it's a nightlight next to the bed.

I like to think of them as art objects and just place them here and there, all over the house.

 

[BD1]

Like said before, You never have enough vices !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

set the bench up with receiver hitch for one vise; then make a free standing base for the other.

 

[journey333]

After some digging around here on GJ, I am pretty sure my Craftsman vise is a 1957 Machinists' 99 C 05197. I can barely read the number stamped on the handle end.

You guys are starting to make more sense...Keep all three vises. To add to my other vices, now I have a vise vice. And, I do like the idea of putting the Wilton on a receiver hitch.

Flatland Dave, I live in Central Oregon--Bend to be exact, at the base of the Cascade Mountains. But I used to be a flatlander from Illinois.