What's a Big Enough Vise?

redsquid2

redsquid2

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Knifemaker / Craftsman / Service Provider
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I see a lot of nice looking old vises on ebay and craigslist that are 3.5" swivel vises. I don't currently own a vise, but I want one that is sturdy enough for hand-filing bevels, and profiling with an angle grinder.

I want to get a little workbench set up as soon as possible

Is 3.5" big enough?

As usual, I appreciate your comments.

--the squid
 
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Thats a bit of a loaded question. Uhm id say 3.5 in jaws would be fine but the bigger and heavier the vise the more stable it will be. Most swivel vise dont fit that unfortunately. I mounted a 5 in vise on the side of my workbench so i could do horizontal work and another on the table upright. If your going with a swivel though invest in a quality one as the cheapos tend to wear out somewhat rapidly (especially in the base mechanism)
 
Sorry, no such thing. ;)

There is also no such thing as "enough vises".

I've got a big old Record No 7 machinist vise that weighs over 100lbs, a 6" post vise that's well north of 100lbs, and a 4"er that's not that heavy or good. Oh and an old wilton bench swivel that's got 3.5 or 4" jaws. That sounds like a lot, but I'd really love another bigger post vise to keep next to the anvil, for beating on, and put the other outside for angle grinding billets.

I've got the big Record mounted on my welding table, but id love another on the bench for heavy filing, in good light. Swivel vises are a nice convenience for small stuff, but the smaller ones in my experience won't stay still long enough for heavy filing, grinding, or cutting.

Personally I would make finding a 5" heavy post vise your top priority. Buy or build a heavy stand that you can bolt down, and you'll never find yourself cursing it's inadequacies. You'll probably end up wanting more of them, but the post vise is the most versatile and useful to knifemakers imho, even if you're just doing stock removal. Shop local, flea markets often yield old vises and usually much cheaper than ebay. You should be able to find a big post vise for around $100 with luck.
 
You can get by with a 3.5" vise in about the same way you can get by with a bicycle on the freeway. There's a fair chance it will get you where you want to go, but...

The main problem with small and/or inexpensive vises isn't just their size limitations, but their cheap construction. I've broken the cast bases of two vises just by tightening them down so they'd stay in place.
 
Check out harbor freight. They sell large vises that will do the job for your purposes. My rule on vises and anvils is that bigger usually works better. A 5-6" vise will do much better than a 3.5" vise. You want to make sure the base plate is thick and strong. While swivel and rotating vises can have their uses, the less things that move, besides the jaws, the sturdier the vise will be.
 
I found a 375lb anvil/vise and am trying to find a way to mount it somewhere...It it huge, ridiculous, obnoxious....But i love it. It has 12" wide jaws and an anvil easily as big as my Peter Wright....And it is hardened....Best thing is...was found at a swap meet for $30. Check Craigslist...Deals are out there.
 
I hate you Mike! :eek: :p :D

Always get a bigger vise than you think you need. ;) And more of them.... I have 8 bench vises and 3 post vises. :)

Most 3.5" vises I wouldn't be bothered with. BUT, if you come across a TRUE Wilton in that size range, it will be hell for stout even in a small package.

I have a 50ish year old Wilton 6" that weighs something like 185 pounds... I LOVE working with it because it is so solid. There is nothing hoaky, cheapy, of flimsy about it. I have a Rigid that is over 200# but I don't use it as much.

And it's hard to go wrong with a post/leg vise in GOOD SHAPE (spring is there and in shape, jaws come together tight/square, screw isn't broken, no cracks in body).

I hate to admit it, but my most used vise, is one I bought from Harbor Freight when I was 18. It's the rotating head type with square jaws and pipe jaws. It's not anywhere near the quality of the others, but the rotating head is what makes it so useful.

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Mike, that vise/anvil was stolen from my shop by some kids.
If you will wrap it in plain brown paper and mail it back, I won't press charges:)
 
Awesome score brother!!! I need some pics Mike.


Mike Davis said:
I found a 375lb anvil/vise and am trying to find a way to mount it somewhere...It it huge, ridiculous, obnoxious....But i love it. It has 12" wide jaws and an anvil easily as big as my Peter Wright....And it is hardened....Best thing is...was found at a swap meet for $30. Check Craigslist...Deals are out there.
Click to expand...
 
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