bench vise for gunsmithing?

fieldgrade

fieldgrade

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I’m finally getting around to setting up a small shop in my garage for my own smithing (such as it is), after selling my last house and the shop with it.

I’m looking hard at this rotating bench vise. https://www.amazon.com/Yost-750E-Ro...7MX978KTHCE&psc=1&refRID=Y5P5Q6MSK7MX978KTHCE

Everything else I’ve seen at Brownells, Midway, etc, seems to get poor reviews, or unavailable. I don’t intent to spend hundreds on this when I think a hundred will probably get what I need.

It will be used primarily for occasional pistol smithing.

Any comments or suggestions?
 
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Should be fine, just about any vise will do, just get or make some "soft" jaws.

One minor complaint about my HF vise, and something to look out for especially on low end vises, would be jaws that aren't parallel. Tight enough to damage things on one end can be loose enough to move on the other.
 
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I have that or a very similar one under a different name, with magnetic attach soft jaws. More than sufficient for gunsmithing use. Mine is used for that and for much heavier duty chores as well. I have had it for close to 5 years with no issues.

Get one, mount it on the corner of your bench, and enjoy.

Might as well go ahead and get at least a set of AR receiver vise blocks as well.
 
JimP42 said:
I have that or a very similar one under a different name, with magnetic attach soft jaws. More than sufficient for gunsmithing use. Mine is used for that and for much heavier duty chores as well. I have had it for close to 5 years with no issues.

Get one, mount it on the corner of your bench, and enjoy.

Might as well go ahead and get at least a set of AR receiver vise blocks as well.
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I had garden variety bench vises in my last two shops at my last two houses. I figured I’d get one purposed for what I do most now.
 
Just looked at mine. It is a Bessey (they make lots of clamps too) so it probably retailed for a lot more but I got it on clearance for a great price.
 
fieldgrade said:
Just ordered the vise and JCL jaws. Just need to conjure up some lighting to hang over the Husky bench that is on the way.
I could have built another bench but I wanted one I could move, that’s adjustable for height, (and is square, level, and plum :))
https://www.homedepot.com/p/Husky-6-ft-Solid-Wood-Top-Workbench-G7200S-US/206288247
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Sams has those kinds of benches significantly cheaper. I have 2.

https://www.samsclub.com/p/ultra-heavy-duty-workbench/prod1490086?xid=plp_product_1_5

Adjustable height is same price.
 
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I use a vise I got for free for helping my friend's uncle clean out an old building and move it. I think that was about 1991 maybe. Still works :). No idea what brand it is. It was old long before I got it.
 
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Harbor freight or Northern Tool for a decent affordable vice.

I have those vice blocks. Very handy for delicate work...
 
I like vintage vices... my Versa Vice is a classic, and I added leather covers.

here's the original Versa Vice in new manufacture:

image-asset.jpeg
 
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Vise arrived today. It was almost still in the box.

Heavy mothertrucker.

7A571F69-2D5A-4FA2-B3FB-116B05946223.jpeg
D273C551-67EA-4C19-B268-9921FF8AA6BB.jpeg

It survived the Amazon/UPS drop test.
Multiple times.

Chipped the paint, but I’ll do worse. Jaws line up good and it seems fully functional. Bench arrives tomorrow and I’ll mount it.
929977C0-6FE7-4A10-8AFE-7F0641B86723_1_201_a.jpeg
 
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It’s bigger and a lot heavier than I expected.
If more is good, a lot more is gooder.

CE51131A-EFE4-41F7-A8BF-021B14D2C521_1_201_a.jpeg
 
fieldgrade said:
It’s bigger and a lot heavier than I expected.
If more is good, a lot more is gooder.

View attachment 176192
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Yeah, I honestly thought it was a bit overkill when you first posted it, but I'll never talk a man out of going big. Heck, probably over half of my tools are overkill. Without counting I'd say I have at least 6 vise(s) in the garage now and have had 3 times that many over the years.
Plus, if you're a buy once cry once guy, that's a great vise and will definitely be a good one for you.

ETA Now that I think about it, another poster in this thread now owns 2 of my previous vise(s)
 
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LizardKing said:
Yeah, I honestly thought it was a bit overkill when you first posted it, but I'll never talk a man out of going big. Heck, probably over half of my tools are overkill. Without counting I'd say I have at least 6 vise(s) in the garage now and have had 3 times that many over the years.
Plus, if you're a buy once cry once guy, that's a great vise and will definitely be a good one for you.

ETA Now that I think about it, another poster in this thread now owns 2 of my previous vise(s)
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I just wanted one to rotate so I can checker a 1911 frame. LOL

But seriously, this is the first house I’ve bought in the past 25 years that didn’t already have a shop and a workbench from the previous owner, and for $90 shipped, I’m happy. :D
 
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Windini said:
However, your UPS guy is gonna break every other package of your for a year just to get even! :) I can hear him grumbling up here...



but it is a sweet vise.
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I bought bulk ammo today at the LGS , instead of ordering on line for JUST that reason. LOL
 
georgel said:
I have many vices. :D

But, this one is pretty cool. I have a receiver adapter on the back of my tractor as well and this could come in handy. Or alternately, I could weld one together... hmmm...
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HF has a hitch that instead of a ball mount, it has a plate for vices. Mount any vice you want.
 
Friday said:
HF has a hitch that instead of a ball mount, it has a plate for vices. Mount any vice you want.
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I looked at them and considered or building something but they would end up being heavier and bigger for storage with a normal vice in the vehicle was my only concern with them. I haven’t picked up either yet but liked how The macs was compact and pretty stout if they were putting in Ujoints with it. Both have there pros and cons.
 
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This was a blank spot on the wall in front of my wife’s car yesterday. That’s what’s left from when I sold my last house and gave away most of what was in my walkout basement shop two years ago.

I guess I’ll start filing on that 1911 over the holidays.

65A1DE7B-63E0-4F9F-B04D-778FFA0E35EB.jpeg
 
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Looks like a good set up. I'm diggin' the two vintage Craftsman boxes. Especially the crown logo tombstone.
 
LizardKing said:
Looks like a good set up. I'm diggin' the two vintage Craftsman boxes. Especially the crown logo tombstone.
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That was in my FIL’s carport like new when I found it 20 years ago. It’s the box I put in the truck when I need more than a Leatherman for property management.

The other one I bought new in 1979 when I moved out and still have the receipt.
 
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fieldgrade said:
This was a blank spot on the wall in front of my wife’s car yesterday. That’s what’s left from when I sold my last house and gave away most of what was in my walkout basement shop two years ago.
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It's all like..organized and everything.

What's wrong with you?
 
Friday said:
It's all like..organized and everything.

What's wrong with you?
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I had just hung all that crap up to make some shelf space for my limited shop area.

Those two small chests are still full.
 
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