WranglerX
Super Member
Stay away from cast iron vices... The material is brittle, go with a cast steel vice....
rScotty
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How do you tell one from the other?
OP
gsganzer
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Agree. The choices are cast iron (brittle and cheap), ductile iron (2x stronger than cast iron, but mid-price) and steel (most expensive).
OP
gsganzer
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I'm looking at these Olsa forged steel vices. 90,000 psi strength. They seem to be a moderately priced vise. I'll see what's also available locally, but by the time you add your time and miles, probably just as cheap to order one of these.
My original was a swivel head, but like some others have said, they never seem to hold a part secure enough if you really need to get hammering on it. I really only use the swivel function for positioning parts for welding, so I think I'll just get a swivel base and not the swivel head style. I can always come up with a way to position a part for welding.
Olsa Forged Steel Vise
My original was a swivel head, but like some others have said, they never seem to hold a part secure enough if you really need to get hammering on it. I really only use the swivel function for positioning parts for welding, so I think I'll just get a swivel base and not the swivel head style. I can always come up with a way to position a part for welding.
Olsa Forged Steel Vise
scootr
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Plus 1 on the old Craftsman. It's my oldest vice. I've had it for 35 yrs and I used to beat hell out of it in my youth.
Found an old Wilton in a yard sale... by them used, good ones don't wear out and many have replaceable jaws.
I keep one with smooth jaws for certain work.
Found an old Wilton in a yard sale... by them used, good ones don't wear out and many have replaceable jaws.
I keep one with smooth jaws for certain work.
Fireball tool has a 5” vise 160.00. I bought one 2 years ago it’s a great vise.
ruffdog
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There are plenty of vintage vises on CL near me like Wilton, Columbian, Craftman etc. and many are <$100.
Fuddyduddy1952
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I'm thinking older is better (with a vise 
) that green 6" Craftsman 5183 my Grandfather bought I'm thinking in '50s and we all have beat the snot out of it with a sledgehammer & had very long cheater bars on it...it works great and opens 9". The red Craftsman 6" & 4" I'm thinking from late '70s aren't that good.
I use copper bent like 2" angle iron if I need soft jaws.
) that green 6" Craftsman 5183 my Grandfather bought I'm thinking in '50s and we all have beat the snot out of it with a sledgehammer & had very long cheater bars on it...it works great and opens 9". The red Craftsman 6" & 4" I'm thinking from late '70s aren't that good.I use copper bent like 2" angle iron if I need soft jaws.