Favorite Bench Vise?

GaTrapper · March 08, 2016, 11:48:57 AM

Hey Y'all,

I'm in the market for a good, American made bench vise.

What are y'alls recommendations?

Larry · March 08, 2016, 03:14:43 PM

For metal work Reed or Wilton. I think for woodworking the standard vise seen in schools is the Jorgenson 4" X 10" quick release. It has been made by a bunch of different companies but I think Jorgenson is the last. I have a old Desmond that gets regular use by kids in my shop class.

There are a bunch of specialty vises that are also good. I've been on the lookout for a Emmert for 20 years...plenty out there but not in my price range.

Kbeitz · March 08, 2016, 06:51:40 PM

There is a few good ones. I like Wilton the best but it's big $$$...
If you have a few weeks to read up on Vises then this is the place to go.

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=44782&highlight=vise

I'm also a vise collector. I got some really neat ones.
If your interested I'll post some pictures.

LaneC · March 08, 2016, 09:05:11 PM

Jorgenson 41012. Awesome.

sawguy21 · March 08, 2016, 10:04:18 PM

I have a 6" Record machinists vise I am very pleased with especially since it was free. You are wise, I have been scared watching what some guys do on the cheap knockoffs.

RCBS · March 09, 2016, 05:14:02 AM

Ridgid F series forged steel.

https://www.ridgid.com/us/en/f-series-vises

Sixacresand · March 09, 2016, 10:11:23 AM

I inherited a very heavy vise that I got to use as a child in my Granddad's and Dad's Shop. That was one of the first thing I chose when we divided up my Mom and Dad's stuff up.

coxy · March 10, 2016, 07:13:47 AM

Quote from: Kbeitz on March 08, 2016, 06:51:40 PM
There is a few good ones. I like Wilton the best but it's big $$$...
If you have a few weeks to read up on Vises then this is the place to go.

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=44782&highlight=vise

I'm also a vise collector. I got some really neat ones.
If your interested I'll post some pictures.

please post some pics

coxy · March 10, 2016, 07:16:44 AM

is there different grades of wilton vise I got one from a store and it was junk

RCBS · March 10, 2016, 10:25:08 AM

Quote from: coxy on March 10, 2016, 07:16:44 AM
is there different grades of wilton vise I got one from a store and it was junk

Yes.

coxy · March 10, 2016, 02:35:46 PM

so tell me what one to get :D

Kbeitz · March 10, 2016, 05:28:13 PM

Quote from: coxy on March 10, 2016, 02:35:46 PM
so tell me what one to get :D

The bullet...

Kbeitz · March 10, 2016, 05:39:31 PM

I like this one a lot...

Never seen another like this one...

This one started my collection...

Larry · March 10, 2016, 07:36:54 PM

My restored Desmond holding a 2" baby Wilton bullet vise mounted on a Wilton Pow-R-Arm. The big Reed vise on another bench gets all the heavy work.

Both Wilton and Reed used to be made in the USA quality products. Today its buyer beware and sometimes its hard to figure out.

Lot of other made in the USA quality vises out there. The used market is where to shop...I think a new Reed vise with swivel base is around $1,500.

Kbeitz · March 10, 2016, 11:06:03 PM

Neat... I have the same little 2" baby Wilton bullet vise mounted on a Wilton Pow-R-Arm.
I'll post a picture tommorow.

Here is your twinn...

Kbeitz · March 11, 2016, 06:34:00 AM

Here is a few small ones I have...

coxy · March 11, 2016, 06:53:48 AM

I wouldn't mind spending 5-8 hundred but not 1500

I need one that will open 8-10in

Kbeitz · March 11, 2016, 10:37:52 AM

The newest biggest one made by Wilton that I know of cost $5800.00.
This is what i was told by the person that owns this one.
It's hard to see but I put a penny on the anvil part of the vise to show the size.

RCBS · March 11, 2016, 12:11:45 PM

Quote from: coxy on March 10, 2016, 02:35:46 PM
so tell me what one to get :D

Any of the ones that say USA on them should be good to go.

Dave Shepard · March 11, 2016, 02:11:17 PM

My father had a like new 8" Chas. Parker. I'd have to have to replace it.

Kbeitz · March 11, 2016, 06:17:15 PM

Quote from: Dave Shepard on March 11, 2016, 02:11:17 PM
My father had a like new 8" Chas. Parker. I'd have to have to replace it.

Me and my brother ended up with 150 Chas. Parker vises. We was buying machines out of Scrantion Lace
when it closed up. I was buying tools and I was told that the vises was for sale. So I bought half and my brother
bought half. I think I only have around 3 of them left. We sold them for 5 times what we paid for them...

Kbeitz · March 11, 2016, 06:18:57 PM

This is my biggest...

Kbeitz · March 11, 2016, 06:23:09 PM

A few of my odd balls...

Dave Shepard · March 11, 2016, 07:08:35 PM

Nice collection. The one my father has is very tall. If you put it on a normal bench, you would need a step ladder to use it.

Kbeitz · March 12, 2016, 03:30:15 AM

The oldest one i have i found in my barn. Thinking and hopeing that it was my grandfathers.
All wood. Even the screw part. It's not the best picture but it's in a tough spot to get a better one.