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Old Sep 14, 2007 | 04:51 AM
  #1  
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Shop vise

Has anyone tried the Wilton brand vises that are sold @ Lowe's stores? They have a 6" heavy duty model that sells for around $75. I doubt it's American made at that price, so I wonder about the durability. I trashed one of the el cheapo vises from Harbor Freight and need a new vise. I'm just a hobbyist so I hope the Wilton @ Lowe's is worth that. Thanks for the advice (ad-vise ? maybe??) Steve
 
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Old Sep 14, 2007 | 07:34 AM
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I have a 5 in. Wilton that I have beaten to death pressing in motor mounts. It's still ticking, minus some paint on the front jaw.
 
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Old Oct 1, 2007 | 05:01 PM
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I have a 6" Wilton bullet type vise that was made in 1962 that I came across, it will probably last me the rest of my life and I'm sure my son will still be using it after that. It took breaking several smaller vises before I was willing to pay $250 for a vise like this one, but I've had it for about 14 years now and it shows no sign of wearing out. If you have the time and patience to find something massive like this one, you'll still have it a long time from now...
 
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Old Oct 1, 2007 | 08:53 PM
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I have the one you are looking at and have been happy with it. I use it in a heavy duty situation and it has lasted for several years now. I would buy it again if I had to.
 
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Old Oct 1, 2007 | 09:13 PM
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I've purchased several Wiltons over the past 6 or 7 years for various shops I've been in, as stated the bullett style seems to have a good life span. One of the things some people forget when they get a vise is that it needs a good solid base, the bigger the vise the heavier the base it needs to sit on, and mentioning the base be sure you've got it mounted solid (bolted down). I have seen good vises destroyed by not beinbg mounted correctly. That being said buy a 6" or bigger vise and the Wilton will give you good service, not to mention you can order new Jaws when needed.
 
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Old Oct 1, 2007 | 10:52 PM
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wilton is the standard in all the machine shops i have worked at.
 
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Old Oct 2, 2007 | 09:41 PM
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Maybe theve sold out and thats why the're sold at lowes, but the older wiltons are top of the line vises.
 
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Old Oct 3, 2007 | 10:25 PM
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In the other vise thread, I mentioned that they have two lines. They have the cheapo cast in China line they dump off at Lowe's, and they have a premium forged in USA line you have to order through Grainger, McMaster-Carr, and other industrial supply houses.
 
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Old Oct 4, 2007 | 12:43 AM
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Originally Posted by Ford_Six
In the other vise thread, I mentioned that they have two lines. They have the cheapo cast in China line they dump off at Lowe's, and they have a premium forged in USA line you have to order through Grainger, McMaster-Carr, and other industrial supply houses.
Yes the better quality vises are sold thru the industrial supply houses, besure and request made in U.S.A. for a vise that will last a life time.
 
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Old Oct 11, 2007 | 07:52 AM
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You can't beat a GOOD Wilton!! Someday I'll have another one - sold mine when I moved across country, regretted it ever since!!!

R
 
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Old Oct 11, 2007 | 06:00 PM
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Thanks guys for all the input! Wilton it is! Steve
 
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