Good Bench Vise Recommendations

[GManBart]

You gotta watch that though. I bought a cast one this summer that I was tickled about for 25 bucks. It was welded in one spot but that didn't bother me.
I mounted it on a receiver hitch plate to use where I needed it.
First time I went to really use it, it wouldn't get tight. Then I noticed the weld opening slowly as I cranked down on it.
So I'm still watching for a good one but per reading here and elsewhere, I'm going to get some 7018 rod, take it apart, grind out the old weld and V it and put to in the BBQ Grill to preheat as hot as I can get it and then reweld it.
After that if it breaks again, It'll probably become a boat anchor or trot line weight. Or go into a ballast box project eventually.

Welding cast/ductile iron with 7018 pretty much guarantees it will break again. Lincoln Tech-Rod 55 will work, and you don't have to pre-heat or slow cool if you go slowly and do short sections at a time. I'm in the middle of fixing a large Reed that somebody welded a cracked slide with 7018. The local supply house didn't have the Tech-Rod 55, but they had an equally good Crown Alloys Royal 260 rod and it's working nicely so far (doing it a little at a time).

 

[ultrarunner]

I use my cracked vise for my welding vise... mostly just to hold stuff so pressure isn't a big deal... it was that or boat anchor.

 

[lennyzx11]

Welding cast/ductile iron with 7018 pretty much guarantees it will break again. Lincoln Tech-Rod 55 will work, and you don't have to pre-heat or slow cool if you go slowly and do short sections at a time. I'm in the middle of fixing a large Reed that somebody welded a cracked slide with 7018. The local supply house didn't have the Tech-Rod 55, but they had an equally good Crown Alloys Royal 260 rod and it's working nicely so far (doing it a little at a time).

Thanks for the tips! I'll try to find some of those rods. This'll be my first attempt at anything to do on cast iron and welcome the info. Going to be using an Lincoln AC/DC tombstone for the repair.

 

[Sawyer Rob]

Personally, I would be brazing it!

SR

 

[powerscol]

Well thanks to ZORO.com and their 20% off coupon I have my soon to be delivered Wilton 63200A Special Edition 1755 Tradesman. Prices out there are bouncing around from $326 plus $$ shipping to $399 and free shipping. Some well over $400. The one on amazon that I was going to get, changed prices overnight and Zoro just dropped their standard price to the $399 mark making theirs the best deal yet with the coupon. I did the same thing ordering my fuel pump from them - watched prices.

Thanks for all the help

 

[DFB]

If you're looking on CL you need to know what you're looking for and take your time....lots of people with crazy prices on their vises, and more than a few with damage that is either ignored, or hidden. I just finished a restoration on this 105lb 5.5" jaw Athol and if I'm lucky I might get something like $175 for it. If it was a 5" Wilton bullet, it would be worth at least twice that, even though this Athol is more massive, and stronger in probably every way. The only downside to the Athol is the jaws aren't replaceable....but they're still there after 100 years.

Nice refinish. I still haven't re-painted my $40 flea mkt find of an 613 1/2 yet. Mine shows traces of an old green paint. I like the color you chose...what did you use?

 

[powerscol]

Well - its here - bigger and heavier than I thought, but looks good. Ill try and get a picture. The free hammer is the perfect size for some of my projects.

 

[GManBart]

Nice refinish. I still haven't re-painted my $40 flea mkt find of an 613 1/2 yet. Mine shows traces of an old green paint. I like the color you chose...what did you use?

View attachment 477694

Rust-Oleum Satin Moss Green

 

[GManBart]

Another CL garage sale find....big 8" monster American Scale that weighed 237lbs!

 

[ultrarunner]

What a monster...

Was in the hardware store last night and saw a Wilton priced at $499 that was much smaller... asked how many they sold and the clerk said it has been there as long as he has worked there.