Wards Master Quality Bench Vise

[thewoodlands]

Going to look at one tonight, not sure of the size but were these a good vise.


zap

 

[Beetle-Kill]

Sorry Zap, I've never had one of those. I just looked at a pair on E-bay for $65.00. The castings looked good, looked pretty solid. Check for any cracks, solid jaws- minimal wiggle, obvious abuse, bent handle (Yeah, just whack that sucker with a hammer, she'll tighten right up!) stuff like that.

 

[thewoodlands]

Sorry Zap, I've never had one of those. I just looked at a pair on E-bay for $65.00. The castings looked good, looked pretty solid. Check for any cracks, solid jaws- minimal wiggle, obvious abuse, bent handle (Yeah, just whack that sucker with a hammer, she'll tighten right up!) stuff like that.

It has a bent handle but the man said everything else looks good and the swivel works, he also has a front mount vise that came from a man that worked on clocks so I'll look at both.

I can't see spending the money for a ridgid for the amount of time I'll be working on it.

zap

 

[Beetle-Kill]

I'd guess the front mount will be pretty light duty. The other one, since the handle is bent, run the vice closed and see how the jaws align. if you end up with one side tight, and a gap on the other, I'd pass unless it's pretty cheap. Imagine holding a bolt in the vise, but only clamped on the end of the jaws. Then smack the handle enough to bend it. How much torque and side loading can those castings take? I've broken cheap 8" pipe vices like that, split the castings in half. On this one, really look hard for hairline cracks starting. Bring a light.

 

[thewoodlands]

I'd guess the front mount will be pretty light duty. The other one, since the handle is bent, run the vice closed and see how the jaws align. if you end up with one side tight, and a gap on the other, I'd pass unless it's pretty cheap. Imagine holding a bolt in the vise, but only clamped on the end of the jaws. Then smack the handle enough to bend it. How much torque and side loading can those castings take? I've broken cheap 8" pipe vices like that, split the castings in half. On this one, really look hard for hairline cracks starting. Bring a light.

The vise was not in good shape so I left without making a purchase; talked with my neighbor and he said he has a couple of vises so he will dig them out and I'll see them on Thursday.


zap

 

[JustWood]

I was at HD awhile back and they had a good selection of vises $40- $100
Unless your doing alot of heavy metal work a cheapy should make do.