Should I buy a 3" or a 5" vise?

G

Gary Ranson

Joined
Jun 12, 1999
Messages
68
Hi all,

I want to try my hand at knifemaking this winter and planned to start with files and a vise.

Would a 4" (Jaw Width) vise be large enough or should I go with the 5"?

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Gary Ranson

[This message has been edited by Gary Ranson (edited 11-19-2000).]
 
Or try a VersaVise. You can get those through the Brownell cataglog. Best vise I have used for knife work. Would not want to do the bend test using one but excellent for everything else.
jf
 
I agree with Indian George. Bigger is better in this case. By Bigger, I don't necessarily mean more inches - I mean more mass. Big chunky vices resist vibration and movement. While you are at it get a set of magnetic jaw pads so the jaws aren't always damaging your work.

Enjoy the journey.

Rob!



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Rob Ridley
Ranger Original Handcrafted Knives
 
Thanks for the responses.

Where can I find info on the VersaVise?

I was looking at a couple of vises from Record (I heard they were one of the best) and they seen to have 4,5 and 6" models with and without swivel bases. Even the 4" though seems to a heavy duty unit (weight =?) and at $58 seems like a good value. The 5" is $85.

Should I stay away from the swivel?

I could get either but thought if the 4" had the required mass, then I could use the extra $ for files etc.

I'll try and find out the weights.

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Gary Ranson

[This message has been edited by Gary Ranson (edited 11-19-2000).]
 
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