vise advise....

DENNIS MIN · Oct 8, 2014

All,

I am looking to get another vise to mount on a trailer, getting tired of un-bolting it from the bench.

What causes a vise to not open unless "pulled"?

I would spend good money to get a good new one versus an old one that I could get frustrated with.

I guess I am asking what to watch out for. I have a need for about a 6 inch opening, jaw to jaw; with about a three inch vertical clearance, I don't know what to call that.

Please endure my ignorance of vise-terminology.

Thanks,

D.

redforlife · Oct 8, 2014

Some vices have a spring that push the jaw out when opening. Some have the moving part threaded and simply the threads litteraly opens the jaw for you as well as tightening up. Unfortunately some vices are just made so that you have to pull the jaw open. You just have to look at how it is made. Sounds like you need a farely small vice. You should be able to buy a really nice one new without spending to much money.

Dalex · Oct 8, 2014

Cheaper vises have a "C" clip at the front of the screw threads,or rarely, a washer and cotter pin. if that's missing , you will have to pull the dynamic jaw out . Some of the old Parker vises had a horseshoe clip, held on with 2 screws, on the front of the jaw riding in a groove that pulls the jaw out .

Dalex · Oct 8, 2014

Most of those shiny inexpensive vises are cast iron from China , and won't take any pounding or much twisting . Look for a good used American brand on Ebay or C/L. Price Wilton or Columbian for new models....

NCWayne · Oct 8, 2014

You don't say what brand vice you've got. That said, the Wiltons have two roll pins driven in from the outside to the inside that catch the internal threaded part that the vices screw threads into. If they get broken you'll have to open the jaws like your describing. If that's what you've got, take it apart and drive what's left of the pins from the outside to the inside, and then drive the pieces left inside the threaded part out. Put it back together, line everything back up, and put some new roll pins in it.

kansas45 · Oct 8, 2014

I needed to replace the broken vise on my welding table. I found one at Harbor Freight. I believe the brand name is "Central Forge". It's painted blue, and has stood up to abuse for about a year now. I don't know how it would work for heavy duty wrenching, but it works great for bending metal and holding welding projects.

Butch(OH) · Oct 9, 2014

"good vise" as used by me only is only applied to a Starrett/Athol or an AMERICAN made Wilton Vise or many older brands that have been out of production for many years. Two things I like about a Starrett/Athol vise. One is the handle will stop anywhere and not flop down. Two is when they come up against a part there is no spring, just tight. The American made Wiltons come very close. Problem is $1000.00 wont cover either one. Even though Starrett has been out of the vise business for a number of years now but there is a surprising number of NOS units still around for $$$$. A model 925 or 926 would do you nicely. Same vise is sold under another name now but it escapes me, they are still $$$!! even without Starrett's name on them. I purchased two used 925 vises last year for less than $200 each by watching Craig's list. There is an NOS Starrett 926 in Ebay right now for $1200,,,,

dr sportster · Oct 9, 2014

I found a large Wilton in a dumptster and reading here on tool talk got it apart . I think I had to spin the round part and drill new pin holes . Once reassembled everything worked fine. So even if a Wilton is 'stuck" it can be fixed. I believe the pins were 1/4" drill rod.

dr sportster · Oct 9, 2014

I had that one . It is imported . It was quite large and only cost 30 bucks. Eventually when I found American made I took it to a tool consignment shop. It could take a beating.

Ian Beale · Oct 10, 2014

I've had to do with 2 Indian made vices.

Puts a whole new and terrifying view on an Indian nuke IMO

vise advise....

DENNIS MIN

Member

redforlife

Well-known Member

Dalex

Well-known Member

Dalex

Well-known Member

NCWayne

Well-known Member

kansas45

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Butch(OH)

Well-known Member

dr sportster

Well-known Member

dr sportster

Well-known Member

Ian Beale

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