If I was getting new there was one in a shootout I would look at. Wasnt the strongest but I dont need to use it as an anvil but I like a swivel with a rotator. I have this in a 5, would be the ultimate in a 6.
That same money would buy you a real nice used vice. I picked up that Ohio Forge 5" that weighs a good 85bs for $150.
Last edited by Freebirdwelds; 07-17-2022 at 07:51 PM.
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i'm pretty certain whtbaron could break the dynamic jaw AND the swivel base without trying.
but only $230 so i guess you get what you pay for.
Well the good news is that the cheap Chinese vise has a new base (even if it doesn't swivel) and I found my missing Snap On socket in the bag of lag screws (it's a long story) but ... win, win!
250 amp Miller DialArc AC/DC Stick
F-225 amp Forney AC Stick
230 amp Sears AC Stick
Lincoln 180C MIG
Vevor MIG 200A
Victor Medalist 350 O/A
Vevor Cut 50 Plasma
Les
Looks like a Harbor Freight vise without the base.
Dave
Originally Posted by whtbaron
Well the good news is that the cheap Chinese vise has a new base (even if it doesn't swivel) and I found my missing Snap On socket in the bag of lag screws (it's a long story) but ... win, win!
Well the good news is that the cheap Chinese vise has a new base (even if it doesn't swivel) and I found my missing Snap On socket in the bag of lag screws (it's a long story) but ... win, win!
Is that thing bolted to 1" plate? Aren't you worried about it bending?
Also - interesting idea mounting a vise to your grill. Not sure why you'd need it there and not sure what you're doing with all those tools on the grill, but I respect the creativity!https://images.platforum.cloud/uploads/202...2a93071b44.jpg
Looks like a Harbor Freight vise without the base.
Dave
Yea... same quality. I bought it at Princess Auto (Canadian version of HF) about 30 yrs ago when you could get them on sale for $30. Not great quality, but in all fairness, because it was the "cheap" vise, it's taken the brunt of the worst beatings. It has some war wounds, and I just broke the swivel base a couple weeks ago bending 1 1/4" flat iron cold.
52 Ford.... The mount welded to the table is 2" square tubing and 3/8" plate that the original swivel base (and a tall Canadian vise before that) were bolted to. The spacer you are looking at is actually 1 1/2" wood that was required to get the back of the vise up over the "grille". My welding table started out as an odd shaped piece of steel 2" thick (there's some pics of the build in the welding table thread back a couple yrs ago) so the slats got built into one corner for cutting metal.
Last edited by whtbaron; 07-18-2022 at 09:52 AM.
250 amp Miller DialArc AC/DC Stick
F-225 amp Forney AC Stick
230 amp Sears AC Stick
Lincoln 180C MIG
Vevor MIG 200A
Victor Medalist 350 O/A
Vevor Cut 50 Plasma
Les
I have 5" hf and base looks week.
Now I know it is week.
Dave
Originally Posted by whtbaron
Yea... same quality. I bought it at Princess Auto (Canadian version of HF) about 30 yrs ago when you could get them on sale for $30. Not great quality, but in all fairness, because it was the "cheap" vise, it's taken the brunt of the worst beatings. It has some war wounds, and I just broke the swivel base a couple weeks ago bending 1 1/4" flat iron cold.
52 Ford.... The mount welded to the table is 2" square tubing and 3/8" plate that the original swivel base (and a tall Canadian vise before that) were bolted to. The spacer you are looking at is actually 1 1/2" wood that was required to get the back of the vise up over the "grille". My welding table started out as an odd shaped piece of steel 2" thick (there's some pics of the build in the welding table thread back a couple yrs ago) so the slats got built into one corner for cutting metal.
I look at Princess Auto is a lot better than Harbor Freight closer to Tractor Supply Company.
Dave
Originally Posted by whtbaron
Yea... same quality. I bought it at Princess Auto (Canadian version of HF) about 30 yrs ago when you could get them on sale for $30. Not great quality, but in all fairness, because it was the "cheap" vise, it's taken the brunt of the worst beatings. It has some war wounds, and I just broke the swivel base a couple weeks ago bending 1 1/4" flat iron cold.
52 Ford.... The mount welded to the table is 2" square tubing and 3/8" plate that the original swivel base (and a tall Canadian vise before that) were bolted to. The spacer you are looking at is actually 1 1/2" wood that was required to get the back of the vise up over the "grille". My welding table started out as an odd shaped piece of steel 2" thick (there's some pics of the build in the welding table thread back a couple yrs ago) so the slats got built into one corner for cutting metal.
Yes, I got to remind myself that I have something else to pound on. On occasion we all got to beat on something. Its not a lot anymore. Complicated fab jobs seem to be less but what we do a LOT is what I guess might be called bracket work. Most of the bench work just a simple piece to another or a hole or 2, small welds and then some right on equipment. I did one 10 hr job last week, all simple whack hand cut plasma and seal weld sheet at 10A too hot. Nothing accurate, no exotic finish although we scuffed the rust, wash and secretary brush painted it.
I mention earlier, the thickness of material has went down. Back in the day it was constant work with factory structural shapes and so much more light5 sheet today and can punch a lot of it with a self drilling screw. Back then we thought 10 ga was light,,,, ha The vise work is about drilling and grinding as much as real welding. I use it and the edge of a bench for most stuff.
Tjhere is so much free stuff out there I really rarely got to form or bend a lot in that traditional sense, I usually find it ready, cut it out or salvage etc. You cant get it all like that but I am surprised if I stop and work it thru before I start to build.
Yes, I got to remind myself that I have something else to pound on. On occasion we all got to beat on something. Its not a lot anymore...
Hmmm....now you have me rethinking what I need for flat iron bending. The vice really isn't the best since they can be oddly fragile and they often don't allow you to make the bend where you want it. I was leaning towards an attachment for the press, but it would have to be very adjustable and the press can limit what fits and where you can bend. It might end up being something as simple as 2 rails that bolt together back to back... or maybe one thick strap that bolts to a rail. The strap to hold the flatiron in place and the rail to provide the 90. An ironworker would alleviate so much pounding though...
Might have to take a longer look at Brooklyn's 40 ton brake too....
Last edited by whtbaron; 07-19-2022 at 05:04 PM.
250 amp Miller DialArc AC/DC Stick
F-225 amp Forney AC Stick
230 amp Sears AC Stick
Lincoln 180C MIG
Vevor MIG 200A
Victor Medalist 350 O/A
Vevor Cut 50 Plasma
Les
For going to pound town (lol)- These datys I just have a stump type setup with a hardy hole in the middle.
The simple "attachments":
half inch plate 12"x12", one corner supported completely by the "stump" and the other with a little overhang
a solid steel rod 2" with the end tapered
A bench block about 4"x4"x6"
If I have to bend something That I should be heating/using a press for, I will weld it to the plate and bust out the sledge.
Works great for what I use it for, and the amount I use it (more often than you'd think). Can take some serious sledgehammer abuse, and my wallet doesn't cry if it gets beat up.
I know we're starting to stray a little here (sooo unlike us) but on the topic of NOT breaking your new $230 vise, I've been using the 12 ton tubing bender a lot more for straightening tubing than bending it. I made a straight die for the bottom out of concave combine rub bar material and use the rollers on top. Had a harrow section off a cultivator that wasn't going in the press without a lot of dismantling.
Far from perfect, but perfect from afar... it's good enough to drag over the rocks again...
250 amp Miller DialArc AC/DC Stick
F-225 amp Forney AC Stick
230 amp Sears AC Stick
Lincoln 180C MIG
Vevor MIG 200A
Victor Medalist 350 O/A
Vevor Cut 50 Plasma
Les
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Originally Posted by SlowBlues
New(ish) harbor freight vise.
Master Welder
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