Zyliss Vice

[tjdux]

Hey sorry if this already has a topic started. Just curious how old this zyliss vice is and what guys use them for most.

As a wood worker i can easily find uses for it and i am keeping it. Are they rare?

I found this one with my grandpas stuff and it came in orignal box (ruined sadly) and had a booklet that was more sales than instructions but i think is ment to be instructions...

Anyways here it is.

Its really cool because this book doesn't have english first. Maybe im young and spoiled but still cool.

Sent from my SM-G900V using Tapatalk

 

[Rileysan]

I happen to like these, but they are really just a hobby vise. Being made with aluminum, you can't apply too much pressure lest your risk breaking the jaws. Stick with simple woodworking projects and it will serve you well. Never use it to hold something you intend to hammer on, else it will fail miserably.

Brian

 

[PelicanPines]

I remember those... was on a kick to get one once or twice... always way over priced on eBay. Good luck with it...

 

[tjdux]

I happen to like these, but they are really just a hobby vise. Being made with aluminum, you can't apply too much pressure lest your risk breaking the jaws. Stick with simple woodworking projects and it will serve you well. Never use it to hold something you intend to hammer on, else it will fail miserably.

Brian

Yeah they seem soild enough to use as a glue up clamp and thats about it. I doubt i will use it much.

Sent from my SM-G900V using Tapatalk

 

[tjdux]

I remember those... was on a kick to get one once or twice... always way over priced on eBay. Good luck with it...

Yeah i looked it up on ebay, seems they are asking a lot but none are really selling.

Sent from my SM-G900V using Tapatalk

 

[Cope]

It was interesting to watch a sales rep demonstrate them at woodworking shows. They are neat, but with limited use.

 

[Roberts210]

I still have one on the shelf I bought back in the 1980's. Never used it much and finally stuck it on the shelf.

 

[tjdux]

I still have one on the shelf I bought back in the 1980's. Never used it much and finally stuck it on the shelf.

Yeah i knew grandpas was up on the shelf for a couple years and ive had the same thought of using it some time...just bever have lol. Quick clamps are just as handy

Sent from my SM-G900V using Tapatalk

 

[tjdux]

It was interesting to watch a sales rep demonstrate them at woodworking shows. They are neat, but with limited use.

I agree it is neat but i never seem to use it.

Sent from my SM-G900V using Tapatalk

 

[Kenwc]

I have one and use it often. They're still sold but under a different name (which I can't recall)

 

[tjdux]

I have one and use it often. They're still sold but under a different name (which I can't recall)

Neat if you can snap a pic next time you use it and post it here

Sent from my SM-G900V using Tapatalk

 

[notlob]

IIRC, the Zyliss vise was demonstrated and pitched in a big way at home shows and such during the '70s. My dad bought one, and was pretty excited about it at the time. I think he may have used it once. I still have it new or virtually new in the box. If anyone wants it, send me a PM and I'll try to figure out a price.

Here's a demo video of appears to be the same vise:

 

[drivesitfar]

TJ: yep i bought one of those Zyliss vices at a HOME SHOW back in the mid 80's when i bought the house we live in now. i had a Wilton bullet in the garage and needed a vice i could use for small jobs in the shed which it did ok, but where it really excells is out in the yard when you are doing projects cause you can clamp it to a sawhorse, 2x4 screwed to a deck, a deck railing or a fence you are building. i still use it occasionally and i know in my fence and deck building i'll bring it out again and i think i found another one in my travels that is like new that i kept cause i bought maybe 5 as gifts for a lot less than the first one i bought new.

keep it and use it and like Riley says don't BEAT ON IT, but you really shouldn't beat on any vise even a 250 pounder too hard cause they will all break. for proof look at the Vise repair 101 thread.

about the only negative i recall off hand was the tightening and loosening handle, but maybe they've improved that. also there are many YouTube videos showing how to use it so have fun with it.

cheers

 

[tjdux]

IIRC, the Zyliss vise was demonstrated and pitched in a big way at home shows and such during the '70s. My dad bought one, and was pretty excited about it at the time. I think he may have used it once. I still have it new or virtually new in the box. If anyone wants it, send me a PM and I'll try to figure out a price.

Here's a demo video of appears to be the same vise:

Hey that video is great. Way better than the 1970s_80s instructions mine came with. Actually a little inspiring for more ways to actually use the vice. Thanks.

Sent from my SM-G900V using Tapatalk

 

[tjdux]

TJ: yep i bought one of those Zyliss vices at a HOME SHOW back in the mid 80's when i bought the house we live in now. i had a Wilton bullet in the garage and needed a vice i could use for small jobs in the shed which it did ok, but where it really excells is out in the yard when you are doing projects cause you can clamp it to a sawhorse, 2x4 screwed to a deck, a deck railing or a fence you are building. i still use it occasionally and i know in my fence and deck building i'll bring it out again and i think i found another one in my travels that is like new that i kept cause i bought maybe 5 as gifts for a lot less than the first one i bought new.

keep it and use it and like Riley says don't BEAT ON IT, but you really shouldn't beat on any vise even a 250 pounder too hard cause they will all break. for proof look at the Vise repair 101 thread.

about the only negative i recall off hand was the tightening and loosening handle, but maybe they've improved that. also there are many YouTube videos showing how to use it so have fun with it.

cheers

Yeah i figured i would for sure keep it. After watching the video using it for long stock will be great because i don't have bench dogs on any of my tables.

Yeah the tight/loose handle is a little wonky but from that new promo video it seems they put a quick release on the current model that makes it much handier.

Yeah i almost never beat much on anything. I rarely have luck fixing much that way. If I ever do need to beat on something that hard i take it to the driveway and put some plywood on the concrete driveway and go that route.

I have browsed the vice showcase thread. My dad has an old vice at his farm that i need to get some fixing advice for that the vice repair thread is likely going to be very helpful. All in good time. Thanks.

Sent from my SM-G900V using Tapatalk

 

[Theruse]

I still use mine. I was lucky. I ordered one from a home show and they sent me a blender (with the metal not glass canister). Great mixer for drinks. When I called and told them they sent me the wrong product, they told me I could keep the blender. This was around 1978. The device is very flexible. You can reverse the vice and with the attachments I can paint a 10ft board (both sides(with just the bullet grips holding the edge of a 1x10 board. Not for heavy use, but simple woodworking on large pieces it is great.