Yost ADI review

[seber]

I ordered the Yost FSV-5 a few weeks ago and received the ADI. I was going to return it but found out the FSV has not been available for a while so I went ahead and mounted it. First, the clamping force is much greater than my Wilton machinist 5". In addition, there is virtually no slop in the jaw. The nut on the other hand has about 20 degrees slop. Not a big deal but the spindle clamp adds another 30 degrees. Still not a functional problem, just a little annoying. There is however, a very big functional problem with the handle. The rubber stoppers at each end simply slip over the end and into a wide groove. They also slip back off quite easily. In fact, if you let the handle drop from vertical, they come right off and the handle hits the floor. Major flaw. I will have to fix this somehow. I'm thinking thread the ends and attache a nut then tack weld. Without a lathe, there is no really good way. Other than those two things the vise seems to be superior to the Wilton in all other ways. Overall, I'm happy with it and considering the price it is a really great deal.

 

[tarbellb]

I use split shaft collars on my new vise handle, works great.

 

[jayemm]

I posted my solution (with pictures) in "yost ADI-5 vise tweaks" a while back.I couldn't copy the link but you can do a search.Also using an o-ring to take the slop out of the spindle screw.

 

[seber]

Thanks jayemm. Here is the link. https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=422638
I have an e-ring and an o-ring assortment kits. I'll give that a try before I go off the deep end with complicated solutions.

 

[tarbellb]

Cheap and super easy to install.

https://www.mcmaster.com/shaft-collars

 

[seber]

The E-rings worked well and disappear. Great solution at least until the rubber gets old and hard. The o-ring not so much. All that did was make the handle hard to turn. I wound up using a .035 arbor shim instead. I also greased the thread while I had it out. Nice that it is plated but grease is still the gold standard. Eventually I'll make a proper handle.

 

[jayemm]

I must have got lucky and got the right size oring, so easy turn and no binding with very little slop.i think I gave the measurement of the bore and the installed oring O.D..Yea, a new handle (if one can make one) is best.Still is a great vise though.Have you seen the youtube video where the guy tries to destroy a bunch of vises.It took sledgehammer blows to break the swivel locking plate in the base.Worth a look to see how various vises fared against definite abuse.

 

[General Geoff]

I bought an FSV-5 a few years ago before they were deprecated in favor of the ADI series, while the ADI series is advertised as even stronger than the FSVs they replace, has anyone actually done a comparison test between the two?

 

[Rabid Badger]

I bought an FSV-5 a few years ago before they were deprecated in favor of the ADI series, while the ADI series is advertised as even stronger than the FSVs they replace, has anyone actually done a comparison test between the two?

I haven't seen a direct comparison. Fireball Tool did a couple videos that might give some relevant info. One is for their own branded vise that is a version of the FSV-4 with a different base:

And the other is a comparison of many vises being tested to destruction, including an ADI-5:

If you don't want to watch the videos, here are the numbers for the two and a just for fun I threw in a $550 Heuer:

Max clamping force by hand

FSV-4 - 4759 lbs

ADI-5 - 8669 lbs

Heuer - 8019 lbs

Clamping force @ failure

FSV-4 - 11,000 lbs
Failure: Broken weld on dynamic jaw.

ADI-5 - 16,963 lbs
Failure: Snapped spindle.

Heuer - 9,000 lbs/18,845 lbs
Failure: Bent slide/Completely fucked.

It's amazing how well the ADI stood up to the failure test. That casting looked like it was in perfect condition. Either should be fine as long as you don't use a 6 foot cheater bar.

 

[General Geoff]

I haven't seen a direct comparison. Fireball Tool did a couple videos that might give some relevant info. One is for their own branded vise that is a version of the FSV-4 with a different base:

And the other is a comparison of many vises being tested to destruction, including an ADI-5:

If you don't want to watch the videos, here are the numbers for the two and a just for fun I threw in a $550 Heuer:

Max clamping force by hand

FSV-4 - 4759 lbs

ADI-5 - 8669 lbs

Heuer - 8019 lbs

Clamping force @ failure

FSV-4 - 11,000 lbs
Failure: Broken weld on dynamic jaw.

ADI-5 - 16,963 lbs
Failure: Snapped spindle.

Heuer - 9,000 lbs/18,845 lbs
Failure: Bent slide/Completely fucked.

It's amazing how well the ADI stood up to the failure test. That casting looked like it was in perfect condition. Either should be fine as long as you don't use a 6 foot cheater bar.

Thanks! I imagine the FSV-5 would be closer to the ADI-5 in terms of max clamping force due to larger/thicker body and welds, and a slightly longer handle.

 

[Rabid Badger]

Thanks! I imagine the FSV-5 would be closer to the ADI-5 in terms of max clamping force due to larger/thicker body and welds, and a slightly longer handle.

The FSV-5 would definitely be stronger than the FSV-4. Honestly, given the choice I would go with an FSV; they just seem to have better fit and finish. Those ADI castings are absurdly strong, though.