Wilton Vise base mount flanges

[ddcguy]

Wondering why the base of my Wilton vise has a slightly wider set of mounting flanges on one end? I assume that the wider of the mounts go towards the front to give a better distribution of force across the work bench. Any thoughts or comments are appreciated...

 

[autopts]

You hit it right on the head. Since most or the working weight will be clamped towards the front, Wilton compensated with better base leverage in front. Properly mounted, that bolted base is almost indestructable. Alone its fragil. If you were to take that base off and drop it on the floor, chances are it would break somehwere. Same for the vise.