The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area The Tool Chest Decent Bench Vise Advice

My friend and I are putting together an auto restoration shop and we are looking for a really nice (REALLY nice) bench vise. The new ones that we have seen so far are crap. There is a huge difference in quality. The cheaper ones are rated at 35,000psi and the more expensive are rated at 65,000. One weighs about 20 pounds, the other about 65-70 pounds minimum. One costs about $50, the other about $700. The good vintage ones sell for around $200 or so on ebay when you can find them. Thanks!

Deve
www.speedprint.com/Deves50

Your title asks for advice but your post was a wanted ad. I deleted the want ad and moved you to tools.

Of all the bench vises I have seen, either at a store or in someones shop, the ones made by WILTON are far superior to all the rest.
Heavy duty, nice tight screw handle. Nice casting. They hold the work piece tightly without loosening while you work. They ARE a bit pricey, but well worth the money.
We have an 12" throat Wilton vise in our shop (older model) and it gets abused, beat on, you name it and we have tried it with our vise, never let us down. Just my two cents. Brian and Grant

There are some good used vices out there Wilton is one of them. I've passed on a few, because I get by with the cheapo I've got. Biggest problem is the slop in the screw to close the jaws. Interchangeable jaws are nice, but a piece of copper pipe split will smooth the jaws out. I'd look for more than one, 5-7 in. Jaws, 3-5 Jaws, drill press, and one for the layout table. 8]

Larry

i would recommend Wilson as well, i have one that belonged to my grandpa, is well over 100 years old and still works like a brand new one and still holds the item in place securely. if you come across one at a yard sale/garage sale or true garage sale (you know, a man's garage sale, cars, parts, etc.), don't let it get by, those vises are built so well that your garage will have completely rotted around it and your great,great,great,(to the third power)grandkids will still be using it

I pulled a 5" jaw Wilton out of a trash dumpster at work and purchased a new set of jaws....well, actually I called Wilton and they sent me a set of new jaw's. Its been abused quite a bit to and it is still working although it is showing wear. I'm doing as mentioned. Watching sales and auctins in hopes of finding another one. I figure another 35 years will get me to the finish line

is it wilson or wilton? i can't remember.

nevermind, i see it now.

If you were only closer, I have a vintage No. 3 Charles Parker for sale.....well under the $200 price too.

Found one my partner was happy with. A Desmond Simplex 41S vintage 4 inch jaw, 13 inch handle, really NICELY done referb. Turns out this guy does this for a hobby. Do a craigslist search in Tuscon for Vintage Bench Vise and you wont be disappointed. As a restorer of old trucks, I am very appreciative of good work. He even sent it to Kansas without any problems. Woohoo!

...and tell us, what is the "price range" on something like this? We promise not to tell anyone!

the new wilton vise i got a year or so ago was made overseas! i bought several used ones at one auction years ago and sold them for about $50 each, wish i had one of them back now.

Wilton sells a less expensive vise line that is made overseas. Their good vises are still made in the USA...

Mike B

too bad they are not made anymore, Record Vises out of England....

I've got a 5" Larin and have been very pleased with it. Seems much better constructed than some I've owned.

Go to an old farm auction and buy one. 99% of what is out there now is just Chinese crap.