Woodworking Vise Recommendations

[thunderchunky]

Hi All,

I'm wrapping up building the Asa Christiana workbench from http://www.startwoodworking.com/sites/startwoodworking.com/files/free-workbench-plan.pdf.

He recommends the 7 in Groz Rapid Action woodworking vise, but I can't seem to find this in production anymore. What do you guys recommend as a similar quality vise?

Thanks!

 

[NY_treeguy]

Jorgensen or find a used one. If used, Record, Jorgensen, Wilton, and Wilcox are all good.

 

[Vvmvbb]

I like my Yost a lot.

 

[drivesitfar]

I just picked up a newer woodworking bench with a nice old school Wilton vise on it.

 

[RivennHewn]

Shop Fox makes a pretty nice woodworking vise

 

[TerryH]

Jorgensen or find a used one. If used, Record, Jorgensen, Wilton, and Wilcox are all good.

^^^ This ^^^

I love, love love, my Jorgensen but any of the older vises metntioned would be great also if you can find one.

 

[exmaxima]

He recommends the 7 in Groz Rapid Action woodworking vise, but I can't seem to find this in production anymore. What do you guys recommend as a similar quality vise?

I've owned numerous woodworking vises over the years, and the keepers have been the old-style quick acting with the slot in the threaded screw. There are numerous brands that made them, and I currently have a Morgan 200A like this:

http://www.admcity.com/shop/p2.cgi?pn=121188226549

If I were to buy a modern vise, I would get the Wilton 63144 with the swivel jaw. It is quick acting (important) and the threads are protected from dust (nice feature):

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00062NEKK/?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[thunderchunky]

Thanks for all the recommendations, guys. I'm leaning towards the Wilton 63144 at this point as it has the right mix of features at a good price. Thanks all!

 

[carterbeauford]

http://www.woodcraft.com/Product/20...d-Acting-Bench-Vise-4-x-7-Face-9-Opening.aspx

I have this one and am happy with it. Lee Valley makes some sweet vises but I wouldn't put one on an MDF top bench.

 

[thunderchunky]

http://www.woodcraft.com/Product/20...d-Acting-Bench-Vise-4-x-7-Face-9-Opening.aspx

I have this one and am happy with it. Lee Valley makes some sweet vises but I wouldn't put one on an MDF top bench.

Agreed - I do not like the MDF bench top suggestion from those workplans. I'm going to go with a double 3/4" plywood top for strength and durability. I think MDF might have been chose to be cost conscious, but I'm not big on MDF.

 

[carterbeauford]

1 1/2" oak plywood top would be sweet. I'd be worried about the dog holes in MDF.

 

[drivesitfar]

i'm using some 2 inch thick 8.5 x 3 foot commercial fire rated wood doors for a new bench top that will be sitting on a bank of wood cabinets. sometimes you can pick these up pretty reasonable on Craigs or stop by a commercial building that is doing some demo on a space and ask if you can buy one or maybe they are throwing them in a dumpster. Be ready to have something to haul them away and UHaul trailers that are open and 5 x 9 only rent for $20 per day if you or your friend has a trailer hitch.

the plywood options mentioned also make a nice bench.

good luck and maybe add pictures to this thread when you do build something and put your vise on it.

 

[thunderchunky]

Hey guys, finally ordered my vise and got it attached. I went with the Wilton 7" quick release. Fantastic so far.

Attached are a few pics as well as pics of the remaining benches I built in the garage a few years ago.

Thanks again for the recommendations!