Good bench vise?
Senior User
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 131
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From: Williamsburg, VA
Originally Posted by apropos
I need a good bench vise, about 5-6".
Is there anything still made in US, like Craftsman? I would prefer domestic if possible.
Is there anything still made in US, like Craftsman? I would prefer domestic if possible.
Posting Guru
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 1,437
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From: Oak Harbor WA
Try finding one at a garage or estate sale. I got a nice one off my grandpa's estate, all steel made in USA and dated 1945. Works great.
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Joined: Mar 2007
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From: Rome, GA
I got one that was my great uncles, I dont know what kind it is but I know its old and it has a 4 cast in the side of it. I had to clean it up where it had started rusting but it works fine since I cleaned it up. The jaws are 4 inches wide and it will open about 6 inches. It has some wear in the threads and is a little sloppy, but, that doesnt effect the holding capability. That is some thing you have to look out for with used vises make sure of the operating condition. You can clean up a rusty vise, but its hard to overcome to much wear and slop in the threads.
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Cargo Master
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 3,476
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From: Frequently frozen MN
I checked around, and I see that Record vises are made by Irwin, Has this always been the case?
Other Irwin stuff I've seen has been 'OK', but not fabulous. Just hoping that this isn't another takeover that might cause a lower quality product.
thanks,
ford2go
Other Irwin stuff I've seen has been 'OK', but not fabulous. Just hoping that this isn't another takeover that might cause a lower quality product.
thanks,
ford2go
Junior User
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 63
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Originally Posted by ford2go
I checked around, and I see that Record vises are made by Irwin, Has this always been the case?
Other Irwin stuff I've seen has been 'OK', but not fabulous. Just hoping that this isn't another takeover that might cause a lower quality product.
thanks,
ford2go
Other Irwin stuff I've seen has been 'OK', but not fabulous. Just hoping that this isn't another takeover that might cause a lower quality product.
thanks,
ford2go
1985 American Tool Companies, Inc. is formed by the Petersen family and acquires Petersen Manufacturing
1993 American Tool acquires The IRWIN Tool Company, a revered manufacturer of power tool accessories and cutting tools
2002 Newell Rubbermaid acquires American Tool
2003 American Tool name officially changes to IRWIN Industrial Tool Company
The quality of the new products doesn't seem to be as good so i would try and source a good old one.
Logistics Pro
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 3,550
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From: Lancaster County PA
Originally Posted by Colossus
Try finding one at a garage or estate sale. I got a nice one off my grandpa's estate, all steel made in USA and dated 1945. Works great.
Senior User
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 204
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From: Qld Australia
Record vices are the go. I thought they were English made though. Irwin certainly seems to be buying out other tool companies. I bought a cheap hammer drill a couple of weeks ago for $64, and the Irwin 18mm masonry bit cost me $49!!! That bit is made by Joran, very good Denmark made part.
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Joined: Sep 2006
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wilton tradesman, 6" will be around $400 from Macmastercarr or msc Prentice, ifyou really want to spend some money. I've got 2 wiltons at work the tradesman line a 6" and a 10" they both see a lot of heat and abuse on a daliy bases. and thats in a industrial machine shop.