Bench machinist vise recommendations?

[John Kananis]

For a machinest vise I have a mediocre old craftsman that does what i need (I'd take a wilton any day though). On my main bench, I use the older Jorgensen quick release and it's been great for decades of use (but I don't know if it's manufactured any longer and if it is, what the current build quality is) - my smaller bench is a C Christensen worth wooden screws...meh. I purchased the LV front quick release vise and the tail vise about 3 years ago to build another bench but just haven't had the time to implement. That said, by inspection only, they seem very high quality and I can't wait to "make the time" to create the new bench and install them. GL

[Bruce Page]

Stephen, the Charles Parker vise looks stout as hell and very similar to my 4” Columbian vise with its rectangle slide.

[Cameron Wood]

I cleaned up and sold this one for $300- probably could have gotten more...

It weighed 56 lbs.


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[Rich Markiewicz]

I have a Heinrich 4" I like. The quick release is handy

[mike stenson]

I cleaned up and sold this one for $300- probably could have gotten more...

It weighed 56 lbs.


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$300, that's a score. Very nice.

Those are a grand locally, at least.

[Patty Hann]

I have a Wilton multipurpose 4" Wilton Vise

I like that you can turn it sideways.
I also bought the Magna Jaws for it and I think some soft jaws (They're in a box somewhere ...)

[Phil Gaudio]

I'd pick up an American made vise on craigslist: they are widely available. I would not pass up a Record made in England. These will be far better than a modern vise made in china.

Here's a Craftsman that I restored a couple of years ago: these are very common on craigslist:

[Tom M King]

The big used ones are usually pretty beat up but still functional for when you need one that big. I also like having a small one that's in good shape, so fortunately the new small ones are not as expensive as new big ones. I keep the small one bolted to a piece of plywood that can be fastened down with a C-clamp in lots of places.

[mike stenson]

Yeah, I have a 300mm Heuer on some plywood for "light" use. I often secure it with a clamp and a holdfast. Also a solid choice. I also have a craftsman from the Columbian era.

[Kyle Stiefel]

I have a Wilton but just for kicks and giggles, check this monster out. His videos are awesome, this is THE industrial, haha

https://fireballtool.com/products/fi...-hardtail-vise


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[Jim Becker]

Kyle, that looks something like the monster that Matt Cremona bought for his metalworking stuff. "Yuge"...

[Kyle Stiefel]

Kyle, that looks something like the monster that Matt Cremona bought for his metalworking stuff. "Yuge"...

I will have to check it out. I didn't realize he was into that as well. You can also purchase the made in the USA version for over 3k, crazy stuff but those things are no joke.

[Jim Becker]

Yea, I believe he got it within the last year and he's put it to good work when fixing his mini skid steer and replacing bearings, etc. I think you practically need a mini skid steer to lift the contraption!!

[Cameron Wood]

Bigger isn't necessarily better. My behemoth Columbian is great for pounding, but the long handle & it's large arc are a bother for smaller, more precise work.

For the really delicate stuff, there's this:

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