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What kinda vises are you guys using??

Discussion in 'The Hokey Ass Message Board' started by StayGold54, Dec 27, 2012.

  1. gerry miller
    Joined: Feb 3, 2012
    Posts: 108

    gerry miller
    Member

    I have an old Wilton I bought at a farm auction for $120 and thought I paid too much
    Got home and looked it up. $1800 for one like it. Thing weighs at least 200 pounds.
    One guy I buy parts keeps wanting to buy it every time he stops by.Sanded it down and polished it. Looks like chrome but I have to paint it. Starts getting rusty heating and quenching small parts and getting it wet.

    Gerry
     
  2. 56premiere
    Joined: Mar 8, 2011
    Posts: 1,445

    56premiere
    Member
    from oregon

    I have 3,4,8".The 3 is craftsman,was my dads,+50years old,4" is Japan 1978,8" isnt marked,probably china,but it takes a beating pretty good.weighs 98 #.I don't like a bench mount ,seems that you always need the space or the part won't hang down without hitting the bench. I do have my 3 mounted at my bench for small stuff,but I mounted it to a 2x6,24" long ,then mounted the 2x6 with one bolt in the center rear.That way it swings out to work,back out of the way.When I had my ranch,I mounted my 4"to a 1"plate.That had a 2"sq. tube like a trailer hitch pointed down.I had a reciever in the top of my flatbed it dropped into for field use as well as could go into hitch if tat was best.I really like the one at the bench that goes back out of the way,thought about doing the same with the 4, but mounted to 1' plate for heavier work.
     
  3. Merlin
    Joined: Apr 9, 2005
    Posts: 2,545

    Merlin
    Member
    from Inman, SC

    Currently i have a Wilton. It's been around only about 5 years and has been put through a lot but it's still working like a champ.
     
  4. speed-kings
    Joined: Apr 10, 2007
    Posts: 447

    speed-kings
    Member

  5. 19Fordy
    Joined: May 17, 2003
    Posts: 8,025

    19Fordy
    Member

    Lots of high school industrial arts programs are closing down so check out the public auctions of surplus school equipment in your city or county school system. Start here:
    http://www.publicsurplus.com/
     
  6. slowmotion
    Joined: Nov 21, 2011
    Posts: 3,330

    slowmotion
    Member

    Got a 20+ yr old Wilton the missus bought me when we were first married. One of the perks of her work envoirnment is great gift idea's from heavy machinery techs!
     
    Last edited: Dec 28, 2012
  7. Country Gent
    Joined: Feb 22, 2010
    Posts: 562

    Country Gent
    BANNED

    I guess the answer to finding a GOOD VISE is to keep an eye open at flea markets,estate sales,yard sales. My area is loaded with retired couples. The old man might have been a machinist, mechanic or just a tinkerer, passes away and the wife has to have a yard sale. Sounds like you pretty much know your vises, so be patient and hit the bricks on the weekends. It's fun.
     
  8. dirty old man
    Joined: Feb 2, 2008
    Posts: 8,910

    dirty old man
    Member Emeritus

    Sorry, I gotta disagree on this one. I have one of those and I now have it shoved up under a workbench outta the way. Worst vise I've ever owned as far as being able to grip stuff firmly and for staying put after you swivel it and lock it down, then proceed to hammer or pull hard on the part you have in the vise.
    It's better than nothing, but not by much.
     
    Last edited: Dec 28, 2012
  9. fsae0607
    Joined: Apr 3, 2012
    Posts: 872

    fsae0607
    Member

    Right now I have a Harbor Freight 6" and an old no-namer 3" that my grandfather had. The HF'er works good so far.
     
  10. zibo
    Joined: Mar 17, 2002
    Posts: 2,361

    zibo
    Member
    from dago ca

    There's a Holland on craigslist down here by SDSU.
    Sounds pricey but it looks like a better investment.
    TP
     
  11. Zeke
    Joined: Mar 4, 2001
    Posts: 1,716

    Zeke
    Member

    [​IMG]

    I love this thing. Found it cleaning Mom's garage. :D
     
  12. chaos10meter
    Joined: Feb 21, 2007
    Posts: 2,191

    chaos10meter
    Member
    from PA.

    Two big old Monarchs
     
  13. salf100
    Joined: Oct 13, 2009
    Posts: 431

    salf100
    Member

    I'm using a 4" craftsman and a 6" bessey from lowes. The base in the craftsman one cracked where the center bolt holds the top to the base. Repaired it with a no name one I had. The Bessey is pretty stout. I use the clamps too with great success.


    Posted from the TJJ App for iPhone & iPad
     
  14. StayGold54
    Joined: Jan 19, 2012
    Posts: 140

    StayGold54
    Member

    Zibo,
    I saw that one, but I looked up the 23 model, and it looks to be on the small side.. Which is weird because the pics make it look like it would be a good size. Thanks for the heads up man!


    Posted from the TJJ App for iPhone & iPad
     
  15. RFH1931
    Joined: Aug 14, 2006
    Posts: 323

    RFH1931
    Member

    I used the newer junk for years.Finally got a real old Wilton vise from my father in law.It's hard to believe the difference in quality.
    I'll have and use the Wilton for as long as I'm around.
     
  16. There are a couple Wiltons on CL Seattle $75-150 one is from 1945 or so. Not sure how much shipping would be.

    I have a craftsman 5 1/2 it's been real good except for the handle, but that was my fault lol My other is a HD made in tawain.

    Thx for the tip on the bolt & or pipe
     
  17. Beau
    Joined: Jul 2, 2009
    Posts: 1,884

    Beau
    Member

    That's an old post vise for blacksmiths. I love those.
     
  18. 1931modela
    Joined: Nov 4, 2011
    Posts: 262

    1931modela
    Member
    from montana

    I suggest using the type of vise that holds things. Hey u asked.
     
  19. 50dodge4x4
    Joined: Aug 7, 2004
    Posts: 3,534

    50dodge4x4
    Member

    When I opened my welding shop in 94, I ended up buying a cheap 6" vice from Menards. That one lasted 17 years before it got to the point I couldn't hold things tight enough to put a lot of torque on. Still looks good, maybe I should sell it to someone.....its laying under the bench right now.

    I replaced it with a Jordan I bought at Farm & Fleet last Christmas on sale for just over $100. It is an 8" model. So far it seems to be working OK, time will tell.

    My biggest complaint about vices with replaceable jaws is keeping the screws the hold the jaws in place tight. It was an issue with the old vice, and I've already had to re tighten the screws on the new vice. Locktight works until I have to heat something to bend it or loosen it, then it doesn't work any more. Anyone have any fixes for this issue? Gene
     
  20. Zeke
    Joined: Mar 4, 2001
    Posts: 1,716

    Zeke
    Member

    Yep. No issues with it and the curves make for nice dollys
     
  21. bathcollector
    Joined: Jul 8, 2006
    Posts: 291

    bathcollector
    Member

    Record No. 4 made in England. Very good vice, built strong. Wind in, wind out, no swivel shit to move when you don't want it to.
     
  22. Deuce Roadster
    Joined: Sep 8, 2002
    Posts: 9,519

    Deuce Roadster
    Member Emeritus

    I have a 6" Wilton BULLET model. It is OLD ... :)
    I do not know how old but my Father had it for 25+ years. He got it used ... and it was old then. :D

    Works great.
    I check Craigslist every so often for a tool I do not have yet ... and Wiltons show up every now and then.

    GOOD LUCK and keep looking until you find a oldie.

    .
     
  23. pdq67
    Joined: Feb 12, 2007
    Posts: 787

    pdq67
    Member

    Hunt up an old fashioned real Blacksmith post vice and be done with it.

    Even a smaller 4 to 5 inch wide jaw jobber can be beat on with 10 pound sledge!

    Heck, and to round everything out, find a post drill to go with it! Hook up a 1/4 hp electric motor using a v-belt on it's flywheel and go bore some 1" holes in cold-rolled steel plate!

    pdq67
     
  24. StayGold54
    Joined: Jan 19, 2012
    Posts: 140

    StayGold54
    Member

    You mean something like this?
    [​IMG]
     
  25. Beware of the "value priced" Wilton vises. They are Chinese junk, just like HF, etc. Ask me how I know...
     
  26. Here is mine.

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]
     
  27. fury9
    Joined: Oct 20, 2012
    Posts: 55

    fury9
    Member

  28. StayGold54
    Joined: Jan 19, 2012
    Posts: 140

    StayGold54
    Member

    Kiwi Kev...damn!!! That is quite the setup you got there! Would love to have something like that!!


    Posted from the TJJ App for iPhone & iPad
     
  29. StayGold54
    Joined: Jan 19, 2012
    Posts: 140

    StayGold54
    Member

    Fury9...I stumbled upon that thread online a couple of days ago, and couldn't believe how many people love to collect vises!! Pretty cool.


    Posted from the TJJ App for iPhone & iPad
     
  30. MeanGene427
    Joined: Dec 15, 2010
    Posts: 2,307

    MeanGene427
    Member
    from Napa

    I did the same thing with a truck drum, but instead of cutting a round plate, I just used a pickup disc brake rotor for an "adapter" from the drum to the 4" pipe- worked sweet, the OD of the rotor was just inside the edge of the drum's flange
     

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