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Bench Vise

Discussion in 'The Tool Shed' started by colojeepguy, Aug 5, 2020.

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  1. Aug 5, 2020
    colojeepguy

    colojeepguy Colorado Springs

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    I need a new bench vise. I like the type with the rotating head. Obviously, it has to be high quality and cheap :lol:
    Recommendations?
     
    colojeepguy, Aug 5, 2020
    #1
  2. Aug 5, 2020
    Dave Deyton

    Dave Deyton Member

    Fuquay-Varina, NC
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    I see a lot of them at flea markets and yard sales, but boy do they want a lot for the good ones.
    Got some old Columbia vises that are heavy duty. Wilton makes a good vise also.
    Get an idea of what they are going for and price used ones accordingly. Northern Tool has some Wilton vises on their site.
    At the cabin, the previous owner left an import knock off on a home built work table. I use it but haven't put any real strain on it.

    I usually wire brush old used vises and lube them up to make them work. After I wire brush them, I coat them with Penatrol Flood and it keeps the patina and keeps them from rusting. I usually end up burning off the paint anyway heating stuff up.

    Dave
     
    Dave Deyton, Aug 5, 2020
    #2
    Dave B likes this.
  3. Aug 5, 2020
    Dave B

    Dave B Frankenjeep '67

    Northern Minnesota
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    Old rotating head Colombian with 5 inch jaws which opens 7 inches mounted on heavy bench corner. Also, old 3-1/2" jaw Littlestown which opens only to 3-1/2" on small welding table. Both have really stood the test of time.
     
    Dave B, Aug 5, 2020
    #3
  4. Aug 5, 2020
    timgr

    timgr We stand on the shoulders of giants. 2022 Sponsor

    Medford Mass USA
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    Last edited: Aug 5, 2020
    timgr, Aug 5, 2020
    #4
  5. Aug 5, 2020
    PeteL

    PeteL If it wasn't for physics, and law enforcement... 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Hills of NH
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    Wilton is a wicked-excellent brand, if you can find an affordable used one. I have a small one on a ball-and-socket base, which is handy.

    OTH, do you really need excellence, or just something you can beat up? I have a number of cheapos and they do a lot of work for not much money. The type that rotate in two planes can be very convenient.

    The most I ever paid (used) was less than $100.
     
    Last edited: Aug 5, 2020
    PeteL, Aug 5, 2020
    #5
  6. Aug 5, 2020
    timgr

    timgr We stand on the shoulders of giants. 2022 Sponsor

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    Wilton? Winton? One of those. I have one that's stranded in CA at my brother's place.

    Winton is the car maker. Wilton.
     
    timgr, Aug 5, 2020
    #6
  7. Aug 5, 2020
    PeteL

    PeteL If it wasn't for physics, and law enforcement... 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

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    I hate to be the one to tell you but Winton hasn't made a car since before WWII.
     
    PeteL, Aug 5, 2020
    #7
  8. Aug 5, 2020
    timgr

    timgr We stand on the shoulders of giants. 2022 Sponsor

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    Uh huh. Aware. I could change that to "were?" :coffee:
     
    timgr, Aug 5, 2020
    #8
  9. Aug 5, 2020
    Warloch

    Warloch Did you say Flattie??? Staff Member

    Falcon, CO
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    Took me almost a year to find a good used Wilton vice around here. I 'stole' the one I have mounted on the work bench as I had set a price in my head and finally got someone who was moving willing to sell for less than they are really worth. It's actually bigger than I planned, but now that I've used it for years, I wouldn't have it any other way. They are not cheap, but rebuild-able and worth every penny IMOP.
    [​IMG]
    I have an old Wilton I want to rebuild - it's been in the family for at least 3 generations and abused VERY hard. I also have a smaller Craftsman that I got from my uncle, haven't even mounted it yet and it may go to the 'gun' room in the end.
    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]
     
    Last edited: Aug 5, 2020
    Warloch, Aug 5, 2020
    #9
  10. Aug 5, 2020
    timgr

    timgr We stand on the shoulders of giants. 2022 Sponsor

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    Sorry for the obvious association -



    I was going to link "Rotating Head" but this is better.
     
    Last edited: Aug 5, 2020
    timgr, Aug 5, 2020
    #10
  11. Aug 5, 2020
    47v6

    47v6 junk wrecker! 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

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    I want the ones that Chuck has, but i can't afford it. New ones are like 1500.00! My present vise is some old Reed one. I got it free. It seems that people want 100 bucks for one in similar condition and i think they're nuts. I see vises all day on FB marketplace that are, to me, super over priced.
     
    47v6, Aug 5, 2020
    #11
  12. Aug 5, 2020
    Warloch

    Warloch Did you say Flattie??? Staff Member

    Falcon, CO
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    Should I say that I paid $200 for that top vice :cool: told you I stole it :sneak: Right place at the right time as he was loading up the place and moving in the morning.
     
    Warloch, Aug 5, 2020
    #12
    47v6 likes this.
  13. Aug 5, 2020
    Steve's 70-5

    Steve's 70-5 Active Member

    Louisville, Ky
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    Steve's 70-5, Aug 5, 2020
    #13
  14. Aug 5, 2020
    timgr

    timgr We stand on the shoulders of giants. 2022 Sponsor

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    <never mind>
     
    timgr, Aug 5, 2020
    #14
  15. Aug 5, 2020
    Focker

    Focker That's a terrible idea...What time? Staff Member

    WA
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    No name on mine, but I like it and the pipe clamp teeth things.

    [​IMG]
     
    Focker, Aug 5, 2020
    #15
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  16. Aug 5, 2020
    Focker

    Focker That's a terrible idea...What time? Staff Member

    WA
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    Wow... Didn't know I had problem? :oops:

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]
     
    Focker, Aug 5, 2020
    #16
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  17. Aug 5, 2020
    Warloch

    Warloch Did you say Flattie??? Staff Member

    Falcon, CO
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    As I said before - I know Wilton and it will outlast most people. Don't know the other brand. I've had better luck with the 'tub' design over the years, they hold odd shapes better.

    Guess it depends on how hard you are on your vice - I'm brutal to mine and I know it. Just ask Fino after spending a day in the shop with me doing fabrication work.
     
    Warloch, Aug 5, 2020
    #17
    colojeepguy likes this.
  18. Aug 6, 2020
    Dave Deyton

    Dave Deyton Member

    Fuquay-Varina, NC
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    Got one old Columbia vise that is huge. Someone used the back to beat on some hot metal, but it doesn't hurt it. Got it years ago for $25.
    Probably can open 10 or more inches,
    Another smaller Columbia and the base rotates. I use that all the time.
    Lots of smaller vises I haven't mounted yet. If I was at home, I'd attach pics.
    I'm amazed at the people asking $100 or more for abused, worn out vises.

    I would not pay half the price of a new one for one used, they will last a lifetime. Divide the price by the years of usefulness and the price seems better.


    Dave
     
    Dave Deyton, Aug 6, 2020
    #18
  19. Aug 6, 2020
    Twin2

    Twin2 not him 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

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    I'll play vise.JPG vise 2.JPG
    maybe another two small ones laying around
     
    Twin2, Aug 6, 2020
    #19
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  20. Aug 8, 2020
    colojeepguy

    colojeepguy Colorado Springs

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    Well, I got this one-

    20200808_192001.jpg

    The best part is the price....free!
    Dad got it for me for my birthday:)
     
    colojeepguy, Aug 8, 2020
    #20
    Steve's 70-5, 47v6, homersdog and 3 others like this.
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