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Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 277 Likes: 4
Sidelock
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OP
Sidelock
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 277 Likes: 4 |
Gunsmithing vises that is.
What makes a good vise? Or what makes one vise better for gunsmithing than another. For me, Ive got a couple of requirements: They dont break easily, Ive busted a couple of cheap import bench vises, and more than a few import milling machine vises before I wised up.
And for me a bench vise must swivel.
Your thoughts
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Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 2,398 Likes: 16
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 2,398 Likes: 16 |
Smooth closing and opening, mated jaws and little or no slack in the screw. I run my Wiltons with a single index finger.
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Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 121
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 121 |
Deleted
Last edited by Altamaha; 02/02/14 11:21 PM.
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Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 7,463 Likes: 212
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 7,463 Likes: 212 |
Good ways to minimize jaw deflection at different pressures. For a given size, the more mass the better. The bench it's on should be rock solid, maybe not good enough.
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Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 121
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 121 |
Deleted
Last edited by Altamaha; 02/02/14 11:20 PM.
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Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 2,292
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 2,292 |
Mike, I agree with all your stated requirements. I use an old American made 6" swivel base, firmly attached to my bench.....I've had it for at least 40 years and it was used when I got it. I use it for gunsmith work, aircraft repair, auto repair....you name it.....it is a brute for strength and I've never had a problem with it. I've got three other smaller vises around the shop as well, all American made and heavy duty. Every now and then I see some good Wiltons and other older quality American iron for sale on Ebay.
Doug
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Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 277 Likes: 4
Sidelock
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OP
Sidelock
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 277 Likes: 4 |
Just picked up a 6 inch Reed, hope the UPS guy has a lift gate. I was just curious as to what others look for in a vise, jaw width, throat depth etc.
Altamaha, I like that set-up, looks damn stout.
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Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 134 Likes: 3
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 134 Likes: 3 |
A 6" Reed is hard to beat. Is it a 106, 206, 306 or a 4C? I like different ones for different things and have 8 mounted.I use a 1C Reed and a 4" Starrett the most due to their location. I would think an Emmerts patternmakers vise would be great for stock work.
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Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 277 Likes: 4
Sidelock
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OP
Sidelock
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 277 Likes: 4 |
It's a 206 Swivel base.
Bret, you seem to know the Reed vises, what is a 306, 1C and 4C
V/R
Mike
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Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 134 Likes: 3
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 134 Likes: 3 |
Mike, there must have been a period of time when the 200 series became the 300 series, then back to 200's again. They are basically the same swivel base machinist vises, with a few minor changes over the years. I think only businesses buy new ones, because most of us would buy a pretty good gun or two with the money. The Reed C series, 1C,2C,3C & 4C were the combination vises with pipe jaws. If you would like to see a 1979 catalog, PM me your email and I will send it.
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