Bench Vise Recommendations

4904 Views 23 Replies 16 Participants Last post by Portland ORado, Dec 11, 2014

hmmbagodden

Discussion Starter · Nov 2, 2014 (Edited)

Out of all the tools I have, I do not have a bench vise for two reasons. First, I need to build a proper work bench... but that can easily be fixed. Second, there are a ton of vise options...

So what vises do you guys recommend? And why? Certain features? Lower cost? Ease of use?

1 - 20 of 24 Posts

08Canyon

· #2 · Nov 2, 2014

Re: Bench Vice Recommendations

I've got one of the bigger options from Harbor Freight. I did break it, but I wasn't using it properly either. It has a good jaw on it. Opens wide. One end is a typical jaw, the other is meant to clamp round objects. It's HEAVY. And has a good anvil to it as well. There are 3 holes for securing it to your bench.

rshadd

· #3 · Nov 2, 2014 (Edited)

Re: Bench Vice Recommendations

Get on Craig's List in try to find an older made in the USA vise. They guys on Garage Journal rave about the older Wilton bullet machinist vises, so that's would be my vise of desire. There are lots of great old made in the USA vises that are for sale for a fraction of what they cost new.

Here's a thread worth looking at...
http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=44782&highlight=vise

The Craftsman Professional 4-1/2" Bench Vise is a real nice choice for $150.
http://www.sears.com/craftsman-4-1-2-inch-bench-vise/p-00951888000P

A good vise will last a lifetime and then some.

BTW... it's VISE (a tool) not vice (moral depravity).

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FixxxerKH202

· #4 · Nov 2, 2014

Re: Bench Vice Recommendations

Kurt makes good quality vices. They have a few that are meant for metal workers and have a few features on the back which come in handy for hammering sheet metal. They also make the screws so they can hold up to strong hammer blows.

BigR

· #5 · Nov 2, 2014

Re: Bench Vice Recommendations

There are a few things you have to ask yourself before choosing a vise. (1) what type of vice do you want or need. Here is a explanation page Using Different Kinds of Vises | DoItYourself.com. (2) opening size. (3) swivel or fixed.

Once you make your choice than go for what is available. Of course made in America is best but are hard to find. Even if it is an American company it may be made in China.

Mine is from Lowe's it's a Bessey bench vise 6" that swivels and has an area on the bach to hammer stings. Also get some soft jaws too, it will keep from scratching things that are soft. Here is a couple pics.

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kerad11

· #6 · Nov 2, 2014

Re: Bench Vice Recommendations

I have those rubber pieces too. They rock. So usefull for hilding small things too.

rshadd

· #7 · Nov 2, 2014

Re: Bench Vice Recommendations

Copper Jaw Caps work great too.

hmmbagodden

Discussion Starter · #8 · Nov 2, 2014

Re: Bench Vice Recommendations

rshadd said:
BTW... it's VISE (a tool) not vice (moral depravity).

Thanks for the correction, i didn't even notice that mistake in reading my post before clicking the 'Post' button.

Thanks all for the advice thus far.

brakenit

· #9 · Nov 3, 2014

I have a non swivel 4" Wilton Bullet. I gave about $175 shipped for it on eBay, which is about 1/2 of new cost. It was advertised as having "shelf wear", which I didn't understand as to why anyone would care about for a vise. :lol:

Not mine but it looks like this:

I also have another 4" Wilton Bullet with the swivel base that I bought used, if I remember right it was manufactured in the 60's and the screw is still as tight as my new one.

Not mine again but the swivel one looks about like this, maybe cleaner:

Personally I've also had the cheaper made in china vises and I will never own another. The swivel on them moves too easily when you're trying to use the vise for something, the handles bend easily, and the screws are sloppy. I don't think you can go wrong with a Wilton as long as it wasn't overly abused. Wilton is also selling a cheaper line of "Mechanics" vises that are made overseas as well, I don't know if the quality of those is as good as the Bullet "machinist" vise.

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xseler

· #10 · Nov 3, 2014

I've also got an older Wilton vise.......great piece of equipment!

1BADI5

· #11 · Nov 3, 2014

I have the Craftsman Professional one that @rshadd mentioned.

I have on a rolling cart but not bolted down; I move it to the floor for when I need to hammer the hell out something.

I use it for everything from metal fab, pressing bushings to painting parts

blk2006

· #12 · Nov 3, 2014

I have a wilton bullet too, i broke it once trying to seat wheel studs that were too big into an aftermarket axle.(with a 6ft bar) I ground both ends down to fill with a weld, and its still holding up to this day.

Lnhiv

· #13 · Nov 3, 2014

Wilton or Kurt for sure. At my various jobs I've always gone Kurt for machining and Wilton when welding (both specialized vices). For general use, either make amazing products.

I got rid of my Wilton a while back when downsizing during moving...wish I would've kept it. I have a 4" bessey that I bolted to a mini pallet holding an old transmission. It gets the job done for hammering bolts and such, but I really miss my big one.

hmmbagodden

Discussion Starter · #14 · Nov 3, 2014

Cool. My intention is to use it for maintaining the fleet (truck, wife's car, snow machines, and side x side) and for house projects.

I'm tired of C clamping items and not having the finesse I'd like at times.

1BADI5

· #15 · Nov 3, 2014

I got my Craftsmen Professional one on sale for $75 about 3 years back

onelow1ton

· #16 · Nov 3, 2014

I got a cheap one from one of the big stores but I really would like to upgrade to an old wilton

ahelm3

· #17 · Nov 7, 2014

Just dug this guy out of an old garage on my aunt's property yesterday. Its an old Reed model 204. Made in Erie, just a couple hours from me. Gonna tear it down, hit it with a wire wheel and bring it back to life. It's missing the swivel base, but that's ok. I'll keep my eyes peeled for the missing parts.

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ahelm3

· #18 · Dec 11, 2014

Ta da!
Still not the prettiest, but it's got loads of charachter. I like it.

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rshadd

· #19 · Dec 11, 2014

Hey thats nice!

1BADI5

· #20 · Dec 11, 2014

Well done Alex

1 - 20 of 24 Posts

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