Harbor Freight Vise???

[Kelly in tx]

Stupid, stupid, stupid, I managed to break my old vise. Whaddya think of the $200 Harbor Freight vise? 6 jaws, 6 1/2 opening, 4deep, weighs 68 pounds.

 

[504]

Buy the warranty,if it breaks you will be covered. I looked at a used machinist vice from them and it was junk. There must have been an 1/8 inch play in the guides. I would not be afraid of their bench vices.

 

[old]

How do you break a vise?? I have 3 vises in my shop. One was my grandfathers vise and it is well over 100 years old. I also have an anvil vise and then another one that does have a jaw problem it has the bolt on jaw grips and one is missing

 

[SVcummins]

Vices like most anything else from the last 40 years are not made like they were 100 years ago . I have my great grandpas vice and it has hammer marks all over it Ive had 3 foot Cheater pipe on the handle more than once its a smooth jaw vice but there isnt much it wont hold tight

 

[chvet73]

I had an imported vise. It was not Harbor but similar. It never held anything tight. Sold it for scrap.
Got an older Columbian. It is fantastic. Holds anything tight. I paid $40 about 7-8 years ago
I have several Harbor tools that are very good. But I wouldnt recommend their vice.

 

[Geo-TH,In]

I like to buy things made in USA or assembled in USA.

Irwin 8 Mechanics Vise at Menards
https://www.menards.com/main/tools/hand-tools/...
Sep 04, 2021 This IRWIN Record 8-inch Mechanics Vise has replaceable hardened steel jaws along with a fused-steel handle that bends before the vise can be overstressed for added safety. The vise grip has a machined-steel mainscrew with rolled 2-start acme thread for wear-resistance and smooth operation. IRWIN vise grip is fully machined on all work surfaces. An internal SG nut takes load and

Not sure if Irwin is still made in USA.

Irwin Industrial Tools is an American manufacturer and distributor of hand tools and power tool accessories. It is owned by Stanley Black & Decker. It is best known for producing Vise-Grip locking pliers. Additionally, it produces clamps, drill bits, taps a

Menards is a family owned business. Irwin vise is a good vise.
Menards and HF are about 1/4 mile apart. I like supporting a family business VS HF.

It's your money. Support any business you want.

 

[Geo-TH,In]

I

I gave my boy this printice #5.
It weights over 160#.
Jaw move.

It was made in early 1900s.

 

[Red Dave]

Not being able to see it, I can't say whether it is a good vise or not.

But, be careful of Harbor Freight, and other budget priced vices. They are often cast iron, not cast steel. You can not pound on an inexpensive cast iron vice like you can cast steel, it will break.

They work just fine if it is only used for holding something you are working on, but be very careful with a hammer.

 

[Richard G.]

When my uncle got really old, he gave me a Columbian vise and an old military anvil.
Don't think I could break them.

 

[Steve@Advance]

I think I would put my $200 toward a good name brand preferably USA made vise.

Maybe even an old used one that has proven itself!

 

[Kansas4010]

This is my opinion of newer vises. I bought this one a few years ago and it's never been abused or used hard. It does sit on a workbench outside. It never held very well to begin with. The other one is one that belonged to my dad. No idea how old it is. It's buried in the back of a shed right now. I know it's been used and abused hard.

 

[dr sportster]

Look for used USA made.

 

[retired farmer]

Just checked Harbor Freight web site, don't see any vice like that listed.

 

[K Effective]

Here's a link to the MSC Direct web site, I have had superb service from them. A Wilton brand vise of the same size for less:
https://www.mscdirect.com/product/details/53916987

The Wilton bullet vise of similar size is $1600...

 

[SVcummins]

Thats almost like my vice

 

[Dave BN]

Kelly, tell me how you broke your vice. I'd like to know what not to do.
Dave.

 

[sms]

I have broken a couple good vices. Trying to do the impossible with what I had

 

[Bret4207]

I've broken vise's. I even broke a blacksmiths post vise trying to set Clipper lacing.

If I was looking for a good vise I would be on Craigs List and FB Marketplace a couple times a day and I'd be willing to drive a ways. I'd be watching local auctions too. I just got a 4" Wilton Bullet Vise for $40.00. It you really want sturdy, look for a Cole Vise. I have one, it's a monster!