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Gunsmithing Bench vise suggestions, recommendations

normbal

normbal

CPT USA (ret)
Full Member
Minuteman
Aug 18, 2006
119
14
Silver Spring, MD
www.scribd.com
#1
Preferably American-made.

About 3-4 times a year I work on a project where I can really use a good bench vise. Mostly I wing it using c-clamps and/or a drill-press table vise. That said, I've built a dozen F'N-FALs, about half as many ARs, rebuilt a dozen or so 1911s and S&W wheelguns. But there are times a vise would make a big difference in setup, prep, etc.

So. Started looking around online, reading reviews. Don't want Chinese. Don't need a $500 model. Looking at maybe a 5-6", replaceable jaw pads, swivel base, American-made, around $150.

I'd put up a poll on brands but I'm writing this on my iPhone while SWMBO and daughter are shoe shopping so I don't know how much time I have to write.

Thanks in advance.
 
#4
Re: Bench vise suggestions, recommendations

I like my Wilton 6". If I was buying a new vice I'd try to get a more versatile one that moves on 2 or 3 axis and has pipe clamping provisions. Also, a vice should last multiple lifetimes so take that into consideration when purchasing one.
 
#5
Re: Bench vise suggestions, recommendations

I think you can find a new lower-end Wilton in that price range.

Also keep your eyes open at garage and estate sales - this type of item shows up all the time, and is a pretty low-risk purchase on the used market
wink.gif
 
#11
Re: Bench vise suggestions, recommendations

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: GLOWWORM</div><div class="ubbcode-body">DAM ROSCOE...thats like the Holy Grale of Show Vices ! ! ! ! ! </div></div>

There are those that cost less and a guy can get bent pretty quick if he doesn’t look around. The 400S is around $800 at MSC, considerably less at the listed vendor. The 400S is what I use and I like it a lot. MSC will honor the lower price BTW
wink.gif


With soft jaws from Brownells I can hold any rifle or stock I want and not be concerned about it hitting the floor. Quality jobs/projects start with quality tools and equipment, every time. I use the 400S on every rifle I build, it's as solid as they come.

One thing I hate is cheap quality in tools. Rifle clients deserve and expect no less than our very best effort. I recommended the 400S because of it's quality.
 
#15
Re: Bench vise suggestions, recommendations

The best place I have found to buy a quality vise is Craig's List. We picked up a 165lb 6" Morgan Milwaukee for $150 locally a few weeks ago.

A good condition used vise is on average of $1 per pound.

vise2.jpg

 
#17
Re: Bench vise suggestions, recommendations

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: normbal</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Gotta do more yard sales.</div></div>

If you're smooth, this also counts as quality time with the wife
wink.gif
 
#19
Re: Bench vise suggestions, recommendations

normbal said:
So. Started looking around online, reading reviews. Don't want Chinese. Don't need a $500 model. Looking at maybe a 5-6", replaceable jaw pads, swivel base, <span style="color: #FF0000">American-made, around $150.[/</span>quote]

good luck. to meet your requirements, you will need to find used.
Click to expand...
 
#20
Re: Bench vise suggestions, recommendations

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Eric Bryant</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: normbal</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Gotta do more yard sales.</div></div>

If you're smooth, this also counts as quality time with the wife
wink.gif
</div></div>

Or my teenage daughter, who's looking for another desk.
 
#21
Re: Bench vise suggestions, recommendations

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: 300sniper</div><div class="ubbcode-body">
normbal said:
So. Started looking around online, reading reviews. Don't want Chinese. Don't need a $500 model. Looking at maybe a 5-6", replaceable jaw pads, swivel base, <span style="color: #FF0000">American-made, around $150.[/</span>quote]

good luck. to meet your requirements, you will need to find used.</div></div>

Yeah, probably. I've got time. Thanks.
Click to expand...
 
#22
Re: Bench vise suggestions, recommendations

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: seanh</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Yard sales will get you junk from the hardware store, some type of farm/agg sale is great.</div></div>

Depends on who you have for neighbors
wink.gif
"Yard sales" in my area have everything up to and including ag equipment.
 
#23
Re: Bench vise suggestions, recommendations

Found this on eBay. Wilton Model 8400, date inside is 6-50. I sandblasted, manganese parkerized it and refinished it in Brownell's Alumahyde. Left the handle pakerized as it'll get a lot of use and wear. Not bad for $222.22. Pretty much what I was looking for.

338989c6.jpg
 
#25
Re: Bench vise suggestions, recommendations

yeah, me too. I thought they were symmetric. I looked at it after I'd reassembled it and said the hell with it. I was home today with a head cold/virus and just ran out of energy after parkerizing/assembling. I'll get around to switching them around sooner or later.

Person I bought it from also included a nice pair of LEAD jaw inserts, just some big, clunky V-shaped pieces that look like they were commercially made. Found someone on eBay who makes custom-fit aluminum v-channel pieces too and will order some of them soon.

Thanks for the tips, hints, suggestions. Wilton is what I wanted, just not at $500.

I'm sure my grandchildren will get some use out of this someday too.
 
#27
Re: Bench vise suggestions, recommendations

I actually managed to score a Wilton for a good price a couple years back. I've used it more than I expected including some AR-15 and AR-10 projects. I don't count as a gunsmith by a long shot bu it's true about buying good tools: you only have to buy them once and if you need to pass them along they hold their value.

I don't want to derail the thread but there's something I've been wondering. Is a good bench vice with proper jaws is generally sufficient to change a barrel on a custom bolt gun. I understand factory actions may require more persuasive methods to remove the original barrel. However if one were to have a nice custom built could he use a Wilton to safely do barrel changes between two or three barrels that have been previously fit and torqued by a competent smith?
 
#28
Re: Bench vise suggestions, recommendations

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: mkmckinley</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I actually managed to score a Wilton for a good price a couple years back. I've used it more than I expected including some AR-15 and AR-10 projects. I don't count as a gunsmith by a long shot bu it's true about buying good tools: you only have to buy them once and if you need to pass them along they hold their value.

I don't want to derail the thread but there's something I've been wondering. Is a good bench vice with proper jaws is generally sufficient to change a barrel on a custom bolt gun. I understand factory actions may require more persuasive methods to remove the original barrel. However if one were to have a nice custom built could he use a Wilton to safely do barrel changes between two or three barrels that have been previously fit and torqued by a competent smith?</div></div>

I havent' ever used a bench-mounted vise for barrel changes, but a friend of mine uses his for this in his shop.

What I HAVE done in the past while building FN-FALs is mount a barrel vise in the middle of a four foot length of 2x6 pressure-treated lumber. With the barrel clamped down, and a 4-foot length of steel pipe placed on a breaker bar inserted in a receiver clamp, I'd STAND on the board and torque up the barrel (shaving it where necessary to get it to line up).

I should have taken pictures.

YMMV.
 
#29
Re: Bench vise suggestions, recommendations

My dad sold me a Wilton 6" he had in the garage. $135 got a more vise then I needed, but it is old, quality, and made in America. He even threw in some new jaws he had ordered. Not two weeks later I found a Comlumbian 3" model buried at a yard sale which I picked up for $10. These things will still be around with the cockroaches when the world ends.
 
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