10-05-2016, 09:20 AM
How large of a vise you get should be determined by how strong the support might be. On a rickety bench I wouldn't fasten an 8", and on a really solid bench it would be a waste to limit yourself to a 4" vise.
There are many good names in the US to look for, Wilton is but one. Also look for Prentiss, Columbia, Starrett, Athol Tool to name a few. I have an "Anchor" brand, which I'd never heard of until I bought it. Darren can verify it's a BEAST of a vise but most of them ended up sold to government contracts.
Also consider whether you want a machinist vise or a combination vise. I like having pipe jaws below the main.
One thing to watch out for is the import copies of the Wilton "Bullet" vise. I had one and you couldn't beat on anything very hard without the vise rotating down or around. My dad did his best to improve it, all for naught. I sold it for $40 or $50 and was happy to get it.
There are many good names in the US to look for, Wilton is but one. Also look for Prentiss, Columbia, Starrett, Athol Tool to name a few. I have an "Anchor" brand, which I'd never heard of until I bought it. Darren can verify it's a BEAST of a vise but most of them ended up sold to government contracts.
Also consider whether you want a machinist vise or a combination vise. I like having pipe jaws below the main.
One thing to watch out for is the import copies of the Wilton "Bullet" vise. I had one and you couldn't beat on anything very hard without the vise rotating down or around. My dad did his best to improve it, all for naught. I sold it for $40 or $50 and was happy to get it.