Need a new bench vise. Recommendations?

[wahoowad]

I recently discovered my 4" Sears bench vise is broken where the upper assembly connects to the fixed base. This area is what allows the upper assembly to rotate and lock back down. I guess I whaled on it one time too many or put too much torque on it while bending something.

I have a welder but the pieces are cast and I don't think the necessary clearances need for the rotating areas would work with beads and reinforcement it would need if I repaired it.

Any recs for a better quality replacement, preferably between $50 and $100? I probably want an all steel model, or perhaps a heavier grade cast one if that is where my budget is keeping me. For any more $$ I'd probably just get the next size larger standard Sears/Lowes one and hope I get another 8 years out of it. I don't do as much metal work as I used to so the next one won't see as much abuse.

 

[Fifelaker]

If you have a set of torches braze it. You can weld it also but a pro only gives you a 50/50 chance of it working. If you weld it there are a few important steps you need to do.
1.drill a hole at each end of the crack to stop it from cracking more.
2. U-grove the crack as a V grove will probably crack again. pre heat to 450°-500° a temple stick will tell you when you are there. You can get these at a welding supply store. Buy some high nickel rods while your there.
3. weld in 1-1.5 inch welds and hand peen as soon as you are done. Skip around so you don't over heat the piece.
4. Slow cool it by placing it in a metal bucket with some dry sand on the bottom and then cover it with more dry sand and then look at it the next day and hope you are in the good 50%.
You really do not need to over weld much of anything as the leg of the weld should be the same as the thickness of the base metal. Too much weld can be worse than not enough.
It can be welded with an acetylene using some old piston rings for filler if you are GOOD with a torch. I have done both and have had mixed results some worked and some cracked when I pulled them from the sand. I have had better luck with brazing.

 

[lindnova]

I have a Northern tool one and it has held up fine for me for over 10 years, but is is larger than I really need. It is a rotating one for pipes or square holding. I would think any Harbor Freight or Northern tool one would hold up fine for a long time if you don't want to spend over $100. Harbor Freight has 5" & 6" for under $100. The pro models cost more.

 

[kevin j]

Craigs list or garage sale or auctions for old usa wiltons

 

[jeff_t]

Craigs list or garage sale or auctions for old usa wiltons

When I worked in a screw machine shop, we had six of them. Two were bench mounted, two were mounted on really heavy duty carts, and two were mounted on stands made of 4"square tubing. Those were anchored to the floor with concrete anchors next to a drill press, and near a lathe and mill. They were indestructible.

 

[bassJAM]

I'm currently searching Craigslist for a vise that was made back when my grandpa was still in the work force, back when bench vises weren't disposable.

 

[Ashful]

I'm a very big fan of the vintage Parker brand vises. You cannot buy anything of remotely equal quality today. You can pick them up for $100 on ebay, and use as-is or fab new jaws, as they all have pinned jaws. Shipping is a killer on an 80 lb. vise, so try to shop local.