Are there any decent and affordable bench vices out there now?

[A930Rocket]

Are there any decent and affordable bench vices out there? I broke my 30 year old Stanley vice yesterday putting too much pressure on the jaws. Looking at Lowe’s, Home Depot, Harbor Freight, they have a variety of prices, with some cheap others several hundred dollars.

I’ve looked on craigslist and FBM, and found a Parker vice on FBM, but have not heard back from the guy.

I think the buy once, buy right saying comes to mind with one of these.

So, any thoughts on the new bikes and where are you want one?

[Shaun @ Tru6]

might be something in here

[Paul T]

Might not be the cheapest, but I've found Wilton vices to be excellent quality. Check Grainger, Northern Tool, etc...

[A930Rocket]

Thanks, Shaun. I remember watching his video when he built his vice.

Seems the common fatigue point are the threads and the crossbar on the swivel base. I’m surprise the jaws did not break off, but nowadays they’re probably making it thicker cast iron.

[wdfifteen]

Thanks for the video Shaun. The vices that looked the beefiest weren't necessarily the strongest. In terms of actual usefulness I like the blue one that swiveled horizontally and vertically. It was fairly strong, and the dual swivel function really increases its versatility.

[Cairo94507]

That was very interesting- thanks for posting Shaun.

[A930Rocket]

Originally Posted by wdfifteen

Thanks for the video Shaun. The vices that looked the beefiest weren't necessarily the strongest. In terms of actual usefulness I like the blue one that swiveled horizontally and vertically. It was fairly strong, and the dual swivel function really increases its versatility.

I think that was the Irwin multi-purpose advice. If I didn’t need one today, I think I would get that one.

I did find this vice a couple hours away. It’s an old Parker vice for $150. Provided it works decently and needs a little cleaning/TLC, is it worth $150?

It looks like a fixed base so I think that’s a positive. And I really don’t need one that pivots/swivels.

[GH85Carrera]

The vice I have in my garage is kinda small, and I think of getting a better one. Then I look at it, and remember using it at my mom's parents house in grandpa's garage as a kid in the 6th grade. It is the only tool I have from that side of the family. I use it often, and I think of Grandpa every-time I use it. I have had it now for over 40 years now and I can't even guess how many projects I have fixed with it.

Nope, not gonna replace it.

[KFC911]

Reminds me of the old Doobie Brothers album....

"What were once vices, are still vices...."

Or something like that

[pwd72s]

Originally Posted by Paul T

Might not be the cheapest, but I've found Wilton vices to be excellent quality. Check Grainger, Northern Tool, etc...

Dittos on the Wilton. One sits on my workbench. It was my dad's. Didn't have a clue what I had until Tony Standen was here. His eyes got big as he said: "My God, that's a Wilton" He then asked me to leave it to him in my will. Alas, I outlived Tony. My Dad's old bullet Wilton was probably made in the 1940's..

You might search the usual places to find a used one. Their "Bullet" line is the best of the best, according to my departed friend.

https://wiltontools.com/bench-vises/bullet/

(edit) My problem with the youtube break 'em videos is that only a fool would force a tool to that far beyond it's limits...so other factors than that enter into my choice. Of course, in the case of my vise...it was dad's. His good choice, not mine. I might have balked at the Wilton price.

Mine is similar to this one, but in "before" state. Dad must have really beat on it, yet it still functions perfectly.

[Paul T]

Originally Posted by pwd72s

Dittos on the Wilton. One sits on my workbench. It was my dad's. Didn't have a clue what I had until Tony Standen was here. His eyes got big as he said: "My God, that's a Wilton" He then asked me to leave it to him in my will. Alas, I outlived Tony. My Dad's old bullet Wilton was probably made in the 1940's..

You might search the usual places to find a used one. Their "Bullet" line is the best of the best.

https://wiltontools.com/bench-vises/bullet/

Good story Paul, and while the new Wiltons no doubt are good, I'm sure the one you have is designed to last many lifetimes. My Dad is still with me, but it always feels special to use any tools that he's handed down to me. Lots of childhood memories wrenching in the garage together.

[A930Rocket]

I ended up buying his Wilton vise, which was his personal tool for decades, since he bought an older Starrett vice recently. The Wilton feels solid and smooth... he took care of it.

He also had some micrometers in a set I bought.

$150 for the vice and $75 for the micrometers.

He threw in a knurling tool for free if anybody wants it.

He’s retired and tinkers in the shop doing wood work and clock repair. Very interesting fellow with lots of hand working tools he was selling.

[A930Rocket]

[masraum]

You're killin' me here! Drop me off at his shop for a few days. I'd be like a kid at the North Pole before Christmas!

I'd love the wooden braces and bits on the wooden panel in the first pic.
I'd probably grab a couple of his other braces, and I'm sure some of his other tools. That old cast iron lathe is fantastic!

And once I got done with the tools... I'd move onto the clocks! In the last pic, I see what looks like a 24hr ships clock in a black bakelite case. I'm sure I'd want to grab a couple/few/several other clocks too.

[masraum]

Great score on the vise and mikes, by the way.

[pwd72s]

"My God, that's a WILTON!"

Great finds...

Think kindly of the previous owner every time you use one...

[A930Rocket]

Originally Posted by pwd72s

"My God, that's a WILTON!"

Great finds...

Think kindly of the previous owner every time you use one...

On the FBM picture, the Wilton looked rusted out, so was thinking no thanks. He actually wanted to show it to me first, as it was a better vice than the Parker. Glad I bought it! I’ll give it clean up and leave as is.

He still uses the treadle lathe, as well as the other ones.

If your ever in Charleston, SC you need to visit him. I have his contact info.

[gtc]

One thing to note about wiltons - replacement parts are available for their nicer stuff, but there are some less expensive models that do not have parts support.

Originally Posted by Paul T

Might not be the cheapest, but I've found Wilton vices to be excellent quality. Check Grainger, Northern Tool, etc...

[herr_oberst]

[JavaBrewer]

I inherited two Wilton vice from my Dad while he was still alive. Sadly the biggest and best I lost on the sale of our previous home. Move out day was incredibly stressful and I didn't have time to remove the vice from my workbench before the new owners moved in. I asked the new homeowners to allow me to exchange with a different vice, family heirloom and all, and they told me to pound sand...

Here is the smaller one on my current workbench. Picture makes it look terrible but in person it's pretty nice. Damn I need to finally change out the mounting bolts for proper fitting ones on all 4 holes, just added to my hardware list once I get back to the store. It's backed with solid 3/4 plywood under the workbench. Good enough for what I use it for.



Edit - I really need to clean it up regardless of how it looks in person. I will hand down to my son in 15 or so years.