Good Bench Vise?

desert_gypsy

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Joined
Jul 26, 2014
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183
Location
Stillwater, OK
Hey guys, I'm gonna build by workbench this weekend and I'm still in need of a good bench vise. a 4 or 4.5" jaw length and throw should be sufficient, but I may go bigger if you guys have some good suggestions. I'd like to be able to attach different jaws (aluminum, UHMV) and it needs an anvil. I was looking at some of the cheaper Wilton vises but apparently they're made in China out of shitty pot metal and I saw a few pictures of some catastrophic failures. My budget is $300 but I won't hesitate to spend less than that if you guys have found some solid lower-priced units. Thanks in advance.
 
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Wilton made in China now?
I've got three 4" Wilton machinist vises in my shop. Older US made. They are bullet proof.
I don't change jaws. I cut some structural 2X2 angle to the jaw length for soft jaws. For really soft jaws, glue some rubber on another set.
Craftsman used to sell a really nice vise that was real iron, not pot metal. Has the anvil on the back end that your looking for.
Check out auctions in your area. There are a lot of older iron vises out there. Might be able to pick one up pretty cheap.
 
Only the cheaper (they're a bright blue color) Wilton's are made in China. The rest are made in CONUS, but most of them start at about the $300 mark. Thanks for the info, Dennis. I'll peruse craigslist and try to find some craftsman units to consider.
 
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