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Wed Mar 03, 2021 4:45 am

In the market for a new bench vise, any recommendations ? No flea markets or swap meets up here, so that route is out. Would prefer Made in USA. Thanks.

Wed Mar 03, 2021 7:20 am

calvinater wrote: In the market for a new bench vise, any recommendations ? No flea markets or swap meets up here, so that route is out. Would prefer Made in USA. Thanks.

I got my latest one from a Craigslist ad, was on my way home too. Like $25 for 5" vintage Craftsman unit, in perfect condition.

Maybe some of these for made in USA
https://www.amazon.com/bench-vise-made-usa/s?k=bench+vise+made+in+usa

Wed Mar 03, 2021 9:10 am

https://www.ebay.com/itm/284091995003?chn=ps&n...QlEALw_wcB

I like this one. The V-shaped jaws can hold tubes easily, and the rotating head helps position stuff in a way that is easier to work with. My only complaint would be the base swivel isn't very smooth, you really have to loosen it quite a bit to swivel it.

Wed Mar 03, 2021 12:10 pm

Mounting is important. I found mine at a yard sale for $25.00 and they threw in a small anvil. Here is one like mine.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/254737998416?chn=ps&n...R6EALw_wcB

Wed Mar 03, 2021 1:21 pm

gt1953 wrote: Mounting is important.

As for bench vises, I mount that to my workbench. And I mount my bench grinder to a 2x4, then mount that 2x4 into my bench vise as a handy "mounted" bench grinder when I need to use that !

Wed Mar 03, 2021 6:50 pm

Been using this American made vise for at least 25 years and it was used when I got it.

There is a metal plate under the workbench which acts as a stiffener so the load is carried over a large area not just the two mounting bolts.

This is the one to have if you have time to wait for right one to come along. http://sdwike.smugmug.com/photos/i-SfSbS9P/0/L/i-SfSbS9P-L.jpg

It’s the Wilton bullet and they came in different sizes. The Wilton story goes back to WW2. The govt wanted a vise that was idiot proof and indestructible. This is it and they went to all the defense contractors and military. At wars end they hit the scrap heap and were auctioned off for pennies. Wilton then started selling to public as well so there are still shit loads of these in use. Each one is date coded and you can find them cheap if you look. I’d also look for Reed brand and Anthol. Craigslist and eBay and Etsy Facebook marketplace. Etc. https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&url=https%3A%2...AdAAAAABAD

So reading this you’d think these fucking things are made of gold. People know what they are and they do bring a little more however I bought one a few year ago for 45 dollars, that’s a steal. Beat the bushes they are out there.

Wed Mar 03, 2021 6:50 pm

Buy a GOOD vise
OR, get a cheap import one but get it two sizes bigger than you need.
Both good ideas.

Wed Mar 03, 2021 7:50 pm

New Wiltons are like $600 and up!

Wed Mar 03, 2021 9:13 pm

So don’t buy new, find the one for 45 bucks

Thu Mar 04, 2021 9:42 am

Do a search under Peddinghaus / Matador. Made in Germany. Forged and the guide has adjustment. It will never wobble L to R when closing the jaws. They usually have wider jaws compared to American vises and are a lot lighter . Top-notch design and around for decades. Some even have flip-up pipe holder jaws. I will try to post a picture later on. They are also sold under different names, Homedepot shows some under the name Ridgid. Appears to be the same manufacture.

Thu Mar 04, 2021 10:43 am

Get an old Wilton.

Or anything old...

Thu Mar 04, 2021 10:52 am

You guys have given great advice , would love an old school one, but do not forget, no flea markets / swap meets up here. At the mercy of the interwebs.

Gonna keep looking.

Shanks.

Thu Mar 04, 2021 11:30 am

Google "Vermont flea markets" it'll show a bunch all over the state.

Not saying they're all open but, it's worth a check. :wink:

Steven

Thu Mar 04, 2021 11:35 am

calvinater wrote: You guys have given great advice , would love an old school one, but do not forget, no flea markets / swap meets up here. At the mercy of the interwebs.

Gonna keep looking.

Shanks.
Try craigslist, offerup, facebook marketplace. Also you can just ask around and talk to locals/neighbors and see who has a bunch of junk they might be trying to sell. You may just get lucky... it happens :wink:

Thu Mar 04, 2021 12:32 pm

http://www.swapmadness.com/search/vermont-swap-meets/all/

https://www.ebay.com/itm/VINTAGE-COLUMBIAN-D44-M2-...3916130829

This listing looks like the one https://hudsonvalley.craigslist.org/tls/d/saugerties-bench-vises-approx-80-in/7278625949.html

Vermont is also home to Hemmings Motor News. They are all things auto and tool related. A very underused resource especially for VW people but if you look there’s a fair amount of goods and services available there. I once bought a W deck lid from a man so drunk he could barely speak for 45 dollars and that included shipping. Since then I’ve been a subscriber 😀

Fri Mar 05, 2021 5:44 am

Thanks for the links Z.

Fri Mar 05, 2021 8:25 am

calvinater wrote: You guys have given great advice , would love an old school one, but do not forget, no flea markets / swap meets up here. At the mercy of the interwebs.

Gonna keep looking.

Shanks.

just let your friends in Far Western VT, area code 518 , what you need and we will hook you up, or grip your vice, or whatever you like.

Fri Mar 05, 2021 9:29 am

Wilton. Also old Irwin USA ones are nice too. And old Craftsman. I would suggest eBay but I’m sure shipping would be outrageous. Also on my other forum called Garage Journal they have a for sale section sometimes someone will post one in there too. :)

Fri Mar 05, 2021 11:09 am

I’ve got a theory that most of these vises not scrapped during the metal drives of WW2 or used for boat anchors are still taking up space. You don’t have to pay a premium for these things.

So versatile a tool I use mine to build the crankshafts and then short blocks. I can do cylinder heads, and a range of smaller items. I also opted for the copper jaws so I don’t leave tool marks :D

Fri Mar 05, 2021 3:20 pm

I will build a vice befor I will pay what morons are charging for them nowdays... but I have plenty of them any way. I think the one I paid about $30 or less for now would sell for about $300, and I bought it new.
I seen probably more busted and welded up "good old american vices" than the china shit....I have seen a few of those that were broke in half too. Im not sure why some people get so stupid and drive the prices up for everybody else.