CK5
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Looking for a Vice

The choices of vises out there are VAST. There are soooo many different brands and types. Thats a decent basic utility vise that has options. And it's a Wilton. Not sure if it's made in America anymore. Don't know if thats a must for you. I would only buy an American made vise myself.
 
If its not urgent, you might check flea markets and estate sales.
There have been a lot of great vises made over the years, and most of them are still out there.
And some of that old iron is tough. In most cases much heavier and more rugged than what is being made today.

My cousin, baitfish2, brought a large old vise over to my farm a couple of years back.
He said that when he was little he and his father went to an estate sale and bought it for $5.
Said his father was delighted to get such a big vise for that money.
It moved with his father over the years, and later with him after his father died.
His new house's workshop did not have a bench big enough for that vise, so he figured he would put in on mine.

My cousin said that the reason it was so cheap, was because the handle only worked one way.
You could tighten the jaws up strong enough to hold anything, but when you reversed the handle to open them, the screw just slid out the front of the vise.

It was not a big problem, you just grabbed the jaw and pulled it out to where you wanted it......

I stared at him for a few minutes. He is something of a practical joker, and I figured he thought I was stupid enough to fall for that one.

When I realized he was serious, I came really close to not saying anything. But I knew I was going to be using it too, so...........

I flipped the vise over, found the big "E" clip embedded in some old grease where it had popped off.
Straightened it, squeezed it a little more shut, and snapped it on the screw just inside the jaw.

Since I had some vise-grips in my pocket, it took all of about 45 seconds.

Then the jaw moved in and out with the screw just fine.

I looked over at my cousin. He was just staring. Finally, he said that he and his father had been pulling that jaw out for almost 50 years........

I felt so bad for him, I didn't even say.....Dumb*ss, like I normally would have.....
 
You want either a Machinist or a Tradesman vise made by Wilton. Those are the 2 best vises made by Wilton as far as design goes. I personally have a Wilton Tradesman vise in my garage and used to have the Machinist vise at my old shop. I believe the only difference between the Machinist and Tradesman vise is that the Tradesman vise has a pipe grip in the throat whereas the Machinist vise does not.
 
I wish I could remember the name of em but I used a vice made in germany and it was so very nice.

Remember Wilton makes many grades of vices. So be careful which one you choose if its the bottom of the line many of the chain store vices are very similar
 
I'd look on CL for an American/old vise.
 
I wish I could remember the name of em but I used a vice made in germany and it was so very nice.

Remember Wilton makes many grades of vices. So be careful which one you choose if its the bottom of the line many of the chain store vices are very similar

That is why I posted this for him.
You want either a Machinist or a Tradesman vise made by Wilton. Those are the 2 best vises made by Wilton as far as design goes
 
Fordum is right. Hit up garage sales, flea markets, etc for a pre 80s vice. I have a gigantic Columbia vice made in the usa. Got it for $90 at the flea market and Id bet it would be north of $400 new today.
 
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I had an old one that must have been turn of the 20th century. Really pissed when it froze and cracked. I did not leave it loose.

I needed one that day. So off to harbor freight.:doah: bought the biggest one they had. Removed the swivel bottom and tossed it. Bolted the top section down to the bench. Beat the crap out of that thing for 6 years while looking for a good old one. Never found one. It is still on the bench. No issues.

I am surprised though.
 
Fordum is right. Hit up garage sales, flea markets, etc for a pre 80s vice. I have a gigantic Columbia vice made in the usa. Got it for $90 at the flea market and Id bet it would be north of $400 new today.

Yup exactly what I was going to say.

Once I clicked the thread and read what type of vise you meant. Mine comes in a cold 16oz tallboy. :D
 
the trick is to buy that **** from someone that doesnt know what they have lol.

I can only imagine what mines worth now...

EXACTLY!!! I changed u joints in a driveshaft on a guys truck, and instead of cash he asked if I wanted to trade the work for this vise his older brother gave him. He said I have no need for it, so I said sure, I'd been needing one anyways. I go to his house to pick it up, and its a YOST VISE!!! I kept my mouth shut and walked away with a model #34C 6'' swivel base vise for changing 2 u joints! Them things ain't cheap at all and made in the USA!
 

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