I am not entirely sure they wear out. I have a Parker (yes the same Parker that built Parker shotguns), that is still in service in a heavy equipment construction yard, that was built between 1866 and 1882. I have 2 older Wilton vises (USA) that I used in my heavy equipment business for 30 plus years that still mechanically new though cosmetic damage has occurred in their life.
I need a bench vice.
- Thread starter gregintenn
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V1 Rotate
Member
You should never, ever, need to buy a cheap Chinese made vise, even one with a reputable tool company's name on it like Wilton, unless you are working on your car in the Pep Boys parking lot and that's what they have on the shelves. Ever.
Get on ebay or craigslist, or start hitting local auctions or garage sales, and find a good, American made one. Doesn't matter if the maker is around or not. I have 100 year old Reed and Parker vises in daily use. I have over 20 vises including milling machine vises and x-y vises and machinist vises from 2 to 5 inch sizes. They will be working for someone long after I'm gone.
To make a vise last:
Don't weld on one you want to keep.
Don't put a cheater bar over the handle; get a bigger vise or put it in the vise more intelligently.
Don't EVER hammer on the vise, except for light sheet metal. An anvil on the vise is for light duty work. Get a real anvil if you need to hammer that bad.
This is how vises get Bubba'ed, and if you do these things to them you are a Bubba too.
Get the impression I like vises?
Bill S
Like V1 ROTATE, I use and collect antique vises. His rules for proper care are the gold standard for long life. Must add one rule he forgot but am sure he knows. Rule #5 When done using vise, close jaws and leave loose. Constant pressure on a vise when not in use will cause the jaws to develop a "set" and wont properly close in the future.
Big Cholla
Member
About 20 yrs. ago, Grizzly Tool was selling a vise made in Taiwan that opened 5" and had standard jaws and pipe jaws that rotated 360 deg. It was pretty darn well made. I think the price was about $50. Today, the China version sold by Harbor Freight cost about $80 and isn't nearly as well made.
I purchased the Taiwan version and started rebuilding it into the Gunsmith Vise to end all. I removed all the jaw faces, squared up the remaining surfaces in my mill, replaced the standard jaws with precision ground 1/2"x2 1/2"x5" steel bar, replaced the pipe jaws with Brownell's gunsmith neoprene surfaced aluminum backed vice jaws. I spent a lot of time machining the jaw mounting points to make the two jaws sets to close on the same plane. Turned out that was a waste of time because I have never had to use that feature in 20 years. I replaced the handle with a piece of precision ground 1/2"dia. round rod that was a little longer than the original. In this process the vise had been totally disassembled. I smoothed up the screw bar in my lathe by draw filing while turning it slowly. All the mating surfaces were flat sanded smooth on a surface plate with wet/dry sandpaper. I then painted it flat black with exhaust pipe paint. I have had fellow gunsmiths try to purchase my vise from me several times. I had a Key Shop owner that I gunsmithed for demand that I make him one regardless of cost . I made him one and charged him $375 for it and didn't make all that fired much per hour. About every five years I mount the vise intact on my mill bed and dress up the three edges of the precision ground bar jaws with slight cuts. I keep the screw bar lubed with automotive grease. It still works perfectly and two or three times a year someone sees it and tries to purchase it.
I needed a second vise similar to this one in my present larger shop. I purchased a China made version from Harbor Freight. I took it apart and put it back together and then into the next garage sale we had without ever clamping anything in it. I guess I am going to have to start watching eBay for an older Wilton or American made Craftsman. .................... Big Cholla
I purchased the Taiwan version and started rebuilding it into the Gunsmith Vise to end all. I removed all the jaw faces, squared up the remaining surfaces in my mill, replaced the standard jaws with precision ground 1/2"x2 1/2"x5" steel bar, replaced the pipe jaws with Brownell's gunsmith neoprene surfaced aluminum backed vice jaws. I spent a lot of time machining the jaw mounting points to make the two jaws sets to close on the same plane. Turned out that was a waste of time because I have never had to use that feature in 20 years. I replaced the handle with a piece of precision ground 1/2"dia. round rod that was a little longer than the original. In this process the vise had been totally disassembled. I smoothed up the screw bar in my lathe by draw filing while turning it slowly. All the mating surfaces were flat sanded smooth on a surface plate with wet/dry sandpaper. I then painted it flat black with exhaust pipe paint. I have had fellow gunsmiths try to purchase my vise from me several times. I had a Key Shop owner that I gunsmithed for demand that I make him one regardless of cost . I made him one and charged him $375 for it and didn't make all that fired much per hour. About every five years I mount the vise intact on my mill bed and dress up the three edges of the precision ground bar jaws with slight cuts. I keep the screw bar lubed with automotive grease. It still works perfectly and two or three times a year someone sees it and tries to purchase it.
I needed a second vise similar to this one in my present larger shop. I purchased a China made version from Harbor Freight. I took it apart and put it back together and then into the next garage sale we had without ever clamping anything in it. I guess I am going to have to start watching eBay for an older Wilton or American made Craftsman. .................... Big Cholla
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I bought a Wilton 745 about 30 years ago (USA made) and use it many times a week. It is an EXCELLENT vise although I do believe that the newer ones now are made overseas. I used to have a Yost vise and that was also very good. Some of the Yost models are still made here if memory serves.
I have not babied the Wilton and I would buy another in a heart beat if I needed another one.
PS: in the photo you will see a piece of RR track that I use as an anvil sometimes when I need a slightly rounded shape as opposed to the flat anvil section on the Wilton.
A few buying tips:
*Buy a vise with replaceable jaws - in fact get a replacement set when you buy the vise just in case they aren't available of you ever break the originals.
* Get a vise (like my Wilton below) that has pipe jaws it it as well. Very useful for round pipes and other things.
* Get a vise that swivels - makes a difference when you are working on very long items.
* Get a model with a build in anvil - like the one above. Use for light work.
* I personally like the Wilton's DOUBLE swivel locks. The vise will never turn unintentionally.
* NEVER NEVER EVER buy one from Harbor Freight - pure rubbish!
I have not babied the Wilton and I would buy another in a heart beat if I needed another one.
PS: in the photo you will see a piece of RR track that I use as an anvil sometimes when I need a slightly rounded shape as opposed to the flat anvil section on the Wilton.
A few buying tips:
*Buy a vise with replaceable jaws - in fact get a replacement set when you buy the vise just in case they aren't available of you ever break the originals.
* Get a vise (like my Wilton below) that has pipe jaws it it as well. Very useful for round pipes and other things.
* Get a vise that swivels - makes a difference when you are working on very long items.
* Get a model with a build in anvil - like the one above. Use for light work.
* I personally like the Wilton's DOUBLE swivel locks. The vise will never turn unintentionally.
* NEVER NEVER EVER buy one from Harbor Freight - pure rubbish!
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Just did some checking and yes there are still a bunch of Yost American made vises but they are QUITE PRICY to say the least. For a 5" model they list for just under $1100.00. While I almost always buy American if available, most can't or won't be able to justify it in this case when you can get a 5" Wilton #745 for around $250. The tensile strength of the Yost is about double of the Wilton, but the 35,000 PSI of the Wilton is more than enough for most of us. Hey, if you can or are willing to go for the American made Yost it will last 10 lifetimes!
There are still Wilton Trademan 5 1/2" "bullet vises" MADE IN USA at around $600 list. Both USA brands can be found discounted on the net.
You also might consider buying a used American made Wilton, Yost, Athol, etc on Fleebay. Other than chipped paint which is easily restored, most of the older vises have survived quite nicely and can be gotten at great prices. As of this moment there are some very good buys listed on vintage USA made models.
Of all the imported vises, Wilton is more than likely the best of the bunch. I purchased mine 30 years ago (made in USA back then) so I am not sure just when they started to have them made where ever they are now days.
There are still Wilton Trademan 5 1/2" "bullet vises" MADE IN USA at around $600 list. Both USA brands can be found discounted on the net.
You also might consider buying a used American made Wilton, Yost, Athol, etc on Fleebay. Other than chipped paint which is easily restored, most of the older vises have survived quite nicely and can be gotten at great prices. As of this moment there are some very good buys listed on vintage USA made models.
Of all the imported vises, Wilton is more than likely the best of the bunch. I purchased mine 30 years ago (made in USA back then) so I am not sure just when they started to have them made where ever they are now days.
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jag312
Member
I have a 3" Wilton. Don't know the model. I didn't pay a cent for it. It was given to me because the owner didn't want any old, ugly tools and wanted to buy a new, pretty vice.
On both sides it is marked "WILTON" and CHICAGO USA" on two lines. On one side it is marked "930MC" or "930MO". On the other side is "No-5". It probably is at least 50 years old, but it works just fine, and free is the right price.
On both sides it is marked "WILTON" and CHICAGO USA" on two lines. On one side it is marked "930MC" or "930MO". On the other side is "No-5". It probably is at least 50 years old, but it works just fine, and free is the right price.
Nice one Phil.
boatme99
Member
Radar, I have those photos of the Vegas trip.
I'm thinking I could use a vacation about now.
What can I afford?
crsides
US Veteran, SWCA Member, Absent Comrade
Just took an inventory ... I been hitting the auctions lately.
Old 4" Wilton from my Dad. Jaws don't meet squarely, but it was Dad's.
Probably from maintenance shop in cotton mill.
Auction - 5" craftsman marked japan on bottom. Looks like a nice quality vise in like new condition. Anybody use a Japan craftsman?
True tested 3 1/2" marked taiwan. Looks cheap.
Charlie
Old 4" Wilton from my Dad. Jaws don't meet squarely, but it was Dad's.
Probably from maintenance shop in cotton mill.
Auction - 5" craftsman marked japan on bottom. Looks like a nice quality vise in like new condition. Anybody use a Japan craftsman?
True tested 3 1/2" marked taiwan. Looks cheap.
Charlie
YogiBear
Absent Comrade
Bench for Vice
Aloha,
I have my Dad's old vice.
I have no idea what it is.
It's still going strong.
All I can add is to make sure the bench/table that you will be putting it on
can handle everything that you're going to put the vice thru.
Strong and overbuilt comes to mind.
Aloha,
I have my Dad's old vice.
I have no idea what it is.
It's still going strong.
All I can add is to make sure the bench/table that you will be putting it on
can handle everything that you're going to put the vice thru.
Strong and overbuilt comes to mind.
Rastoff
US Veteran
I have never heard of a bench vise being worn out before this thread. Unless you seriously abuse one, I still don't think it can be done.
vonn
US Veteran
I have broken a couple of Harbor freight el cheapo types very poor castings. Poor quality.
bought mine at a flee market it also has the pipe holder and a flat part to beat on stuff like the blue pictured earlyer except mine is red bolted down good so i can beat stuff pretty good
IF you can find one...
IF you can find one, buy American. Years ago before the net I couldn't find one and settle on a chinese job. Still have it and it's crappy and makes me sick to look at it.
IF you can find one, buy American. Years ago before the net I couldn't find one and settle on a chinese job. Still have it and it's crappy and makes me sick to look at it.
OP
gregintenn
Member
Mine is one my grandfather had. it had been broken and brazed. I broke it again recently, ath the spot where it had been repaired. I tried rewelding it, and soon broke it again there. Time to get a new one.
Thanks for all the replies. I've been watching ebay, and see a couple of possibilities. Shipping is a killer, however, on something so heavy and awkward.
OP
gregintenn
Member
Thanks again for the help. Good or bad, I have a vintage 4" Wilton enroute from ebay. I'd rather have old stuff for the most part.
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