Need advice on a good US made vice, something for holding mower blades, axe heads, all around type things. What size would be good? I see the name Wilton come up a lot.
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Project farm on YouTube did reviews on them. He’s one of very few reviewers that isn’t bought off by brands.
Thanks I’ll check him out,
I have a 1950's vintage 5 inch Wilton vise that is super strong but takes up a lot of space. I also have a 90's vintage Craftsman vice similar to this one I use most of the time. Mine was made in the US but I don't know where they are made now.
$600+ for an American made Wilton Machinist. I have one. Or something like this FIREBALL TOOL Forged Bench Vise for $130-175. This style is about the best bang for the buck.
This and never buy another one.
Go big or go home…
BTW… originals now fetch $20k or more…
Sirhr
BTW… originals now fetch $20k or more…
Sirhr
These are not American made, but I’ve got one on my bench and it’s done everything I need it to.
The quality is on par with the American made Wiltons that I’ve used. (Some are chicom garbage, gotta watch what you buy)
The quality is on par with the American made Wiltons that I’ve used. (Some are chicom garbage, gotta watch what you buy)
Gotta love the craftsmanship.
Orange Vise Company LLC
An American manufacturer of premium single and dual station CNC machine vises, machinable quick-change soft jaws, and quick-change fixturing solutions.
www.orangevise.com 
Don’t forget the 419 kit for it. I’d love one but can’t justify it.Orange Vise Company LLC
An American manufacturer of premium single and dual station CNC machine vises, machinable quick-change soft jaws, and quick-change fixturing solutions.
Orange Bench Vise Maintenance and Barrel Change - JAW KIT ONLY
THIS IS THE JAW AND BARREL BUSHING KIT ONLY. THERE IS NOT A VISE INCLUDED WITH THIS PURCHASE. FOR THE FULL KIT WITH VISE, GO >> HERE << Since the early days of Area 419 we have been using Orange Vise tools in our vertical and now horizontal milling centers. When we realized about [...]
www.area419.com For 99% in the home garage harbor freight will do just fine.
For what it's worth I have an old Wilton that's been brazed back together after being broken, and a couple Taiwanese made no-name ones that haven't been broken.
A lot of the Wilton's are made in China and Taiwan also. So be prepared to spend $600+ on a US made one.
For what it's worth I have an old Wilton that's been brazed back together after being broken, and a couple Taiwanese made no-name ones that haven't been broken.
A lot of the Wilton's are made in China and Taiwan also. So be prepared to spend $600+ on a US made one.
At least the Fireball is made in Taiwan, or optional up-charge for the U.S. models... Even the Wilton in that "Project Farm" YT vid is made in China.
That at least follows the rule of good cnc machine tools and optics. The best (barring few exceptions) are from places that speak German or Japanese.
New is not necessarily the way to go here. Check out some antique places around you and you should be able to find vintage american hardware that just needs cleaned up for way less dinero. I currently have a 6" craftsman on my bench from the 50's that looked like shit when I bought it for $10. I cleaned the rust off, repainted and it's going to probably be there when I kick the can.
I've bought at least a dozen this way for family n friends over the years, never spent more than $30 and got better than you buy for $300 new.
I've bought at least a dozen this way for family n friends over the years, never spent more than $30 and got better than you buy for $300 new.
I am a firm believer in "you get what you pay for", but spending more than 2k on a vise to hold a ten dollar mower blade while you sharpen it is retarded IMO.
Don't get me wrong I have broken some of the cheap Lowes Chinese vises, but I have no problem buying a new Chicom vise every few years for a couple hundred Washingtons to do the homeowner blade sharping's and random homeowner stuff.
I bought a Wilton with the rotating head as I find it very handy for hanging a rifle vertically when needed for some particular maintence action (e.g. fill bore with solvent to soak).
Not made in USA but I believe none of their vises with rotating heads are made here. And at $250 or so, it was enough to spend on a bench vise for my retired ass.
I’m actually quite happy with it.
Not made in USA but I believe none of their vises with rotating heads are made here. And at $250 or so, it was enough to spend on a bench vise for my retired ass.
I’m actually quite happy with it.
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