- Joined
- Apr 4, 2006
- Messages
- 19,618
- Reaction score
- 31,120
One thing that has always bothered me about a 360º swiveling bench vise is that no matter the brand or size, the lock down handles never line up out of the way or parallel with the vise body. This causes them to always stick out at different angles, be in the way and just look plain ugly.
OK - the solution was to buy 2 ratcheting handles from McMaster -Carr. No matter what position they tighten down to, you just lift up the handle portion and turn it to the direction you want it in, then release. The vise is securely tightened down and the handles are always out of the way. Looks neat too!
They cost me a whopping $11 bucks each (+ freight) and they came the next business day. They do make stainless handles that admittedly would look nicer than the black powder coating, but they were literally 4 times the price! OK - so I cheaped-out.
The bottom line is it made me a happy camper and no matter which direction the handles wind up tightening to, I just lift up the ratcheting handle and straighten it out while the lock down is still tight.
OK - the solution was to buy 2 ratcheting handles from McMaster -Carr. No matter what position they tighten down to, you just lift up the handle portion and turn it to the direction you want it in, then release. The vise is securely tightened down and the handles are always out of the way. Looks neat too!
They cost me a whopping $11 bucks each (+ freight) and they came the next business day. They do make stainless handles that admittedly would look nicer than the black powder coating, but they were literally 4 times the price! OK - so I cheaped-out.
The bottom line is it made me a happy camper and no matter which direction the handles wind up tightening to, I just lift up the ratcheting handle and straighten it out while the lock down is still tight.
...Ben
