shop bench vise

Anonymous-0 · Dec 3, 2008

Looking at building a new shop bench out of plate steel and putting a vise on the bench. what should a guy look for when buying a vise. It will be used in some heavier applications and all repairs around the farm. Any pointers? I know they arent cheep but how good does a guy need for farm repairs? Thanks.

Anonymous-0 · Dec 3, 2008

I would recommend the sturdiest one you can find !! If you want a new one , Go with Columbian. If it was me , I'd be hittin' the swap meets and farm auctions and buy the biggest old vise I could find. Avoid the Harbor Freight Cast iron vises , or any foreign mfd vise. They crack easily. The old American Brands are drop forged steel , and are nearly indestructable.

Mike M · Dec 3, 2008

Search for a used Wilton.

bruster · Dec 3, 2008

Dale B is right I bought a vice that was used in my old high school for 45 years for $30.00. It opens 6" and has a 4" X 4" anvil area, and have used it to replace big truck "U" joints
Drop forged steel beats cheap cast any day

thurlow · Dec 3, 2008

For 'serious' use, I'd look for a machinest vise, as opposed to a bench vise; a good (new) one will cost several hundred dollars, but you can leave it to your grandkids in your will. If you don't have to have it 'tomorrow', you can probably eventually find one on e-bay, craigslist, at a yard sale, etc.

Dusty MI · Dec 3, 2008

A few years ago I bought a nice Wilton for my shop and my son in law goes WOW. It hasn't given me any trouble.
A couple years ago I wanted a vice for my new welding bench in another part of the shop. I didn't want to get an expensive one that would be holding things while they were being welded. I was in Menards, they had some Irvin vices on sale so I took one home. A few weeks it broke, and I wasn't using a cheater, nor am I Mr. Hercules. Menards did replace it, and I haven't broken this one yet.

Dusty

RickB · Dec 4, 2008

I have a Wilton from Lowe's on the back of the service truck. Not a bad vise, but Chinese. I once bought replacement jaws from Sears. They came with Wilton paperwork, had Columbian on the bag, and fit a Craftsman vise perfectly. Hard to beat an older Wilton or Columbian though. It's just gotta be older than the 'world economy' concept.

El Toro · Dec 4, 2008

I have a heavy duty Parker vise that I bought from a government auction. I don't why they even sold it since it looked new. I've had it about 30 years. I have a smaller craftsman vise. Both are on my work bench. Hal

shop bench vise

Anonymous-0

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Anonymous-0

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Mike M

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bruster

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thurlow

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Dusty MI

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RickB

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El Toro

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