Yost LV-4 vise - the fix is in.

[Alchymist]

Sears has been running a special on the LV-4, a "homowner's" vise. Well, at $17.95 shipped (with some SYW points), I couldn't resist. I wanted a little bigger vise to replace the 2" one on my small wood lathe bench, so I grabbed one, even though some comments here and other forums said the swivel base didn't lock well.

Sure enough, when tightened down, the vise body would chuck back and forth a little. Didn't take long to see that the body was pivoting on the locking bolt, as the center bolt hole was too big for the bolt that held the vise to the base.

The fix was simple = a strip of .035" steel stock about 1/4" wide wrapped around the shoulder of the center bolt. Locks up tight, no movement whatsoever. (If it wears out, replace the strip. ). Oh yeah, I added a washer under the swivel lock - just because I could!

 

[winlinmac]

It's a pretty good decent vise (as long as you don't apply heavy duty tasks though). Ironically, in spite of being made in china, this vise feels well built compared to the shabby ones sold by HF and 4-inch Craftsman (perhaps due to demand)

I scored one during the holiday season as well through Shop Your Way.

Thanks for your suggestions though in terms of securing the Vise. Will definitely consider it.