SB

"Steve B"

23/11/2006 9:43 AM

Whoa!

We worked as election workers last election day. Our polling place was the
local firehouse.

They had an 8" Milton vise on the bench.

I thought I wanted one. I looked it up on Google.

Whoa! I think I will look for a used one, or another knockoff.

I'm glad they use my tax dollars to buy good stuff. That thing looks like
it would last 200 years.

Steve


This topic has 22 replies

b

in reply to "Steve B" on 23/11/2006 9:43 AM

23/11/2006 10:33 AM


Steve B wrote:
> We worked as election workers last election day. Our polling place was the
> local firehouse.
>
> They had an 8" Milton vise on the bench.
>
> I thought I wanted one. I looked it up on Google.
>
> Whoa! I think I will look for a used one, or another knockoff.
>
> I'm glad they use my tax dollars to buy good stuff. That thing looks like
> it would last 200 years.
>
> Steve


yah.

I was hoping I'd inherit one or something. I did end up with a
blacksmith's post vise... in some ways better. meanwhile I'm making do
with a chinese swivel header like this:
<http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=5655>
which is very useable for not too much money.

Rd

"Robatoy"

in reply to "Steve B" on 23/11/2006 9:43 AM

23/11/2006 6:47 PM



On Nov 23, 12:43 pm, "Steve B" <[email protected]> wrote:
> We worked as election workers last election day. Our polling place was the
> local firehouse.
>
> They had an 8" Milton vise on the bench.
>
Wilton or Milton? I'm not trying to correct you, but I get nothing
searching Milton... not in 8" anyway.
Lots of hits on Wilton though...

r

e

in reply to "Steve B" on 23/11/2006 9:43 AM

24/11/2006 10:35 AM

Yep, for an 8" vise it seems pretty darn cheap to me too:

http://www1.mscdirect.com/CGI/NNSRIT?PMPXNO=1797156&PMT4NO=0

Ed Bennett
[email protected]
http://www.ts-aligner.com


Locutus wrote:

> http://www.amazon.com/Wilton-Columbian-Vise-Bench-Mount/dp/B0000AXCR8/sr=1-19/qid=1164379905/ref=sr_1_19/104-0810142-4354354?ie=UTF8&s=hi
>
> $120 for a good bench vice seems pretty reasonable to me...

Rd

"Robatoy"

in reply to "Steve B" on 23/11/2006 9:43 AM

24/11/2006 1:39 PM


[email protected] wrote:
> Yep, for an 8" vise it seems pretty darn cheap to me too:
>
> http://www1.mscdirect.com/CGI/NNSRIT?PMPXNO=1797156&PMT4NO=0
>
> Ed Bennett
> [email protected]
> http://www.ts-aligner.com
>

fugettaboutit.. I'll see your 8" and raise you an

AngLock 10"
$ 2500.00
300#

Must be for goverment use...

http://www1.mscdirect.com/CGI/NNPDFF?PMPAGE=1485&PMITEM=09215088&PMCTLG=00

LOL..man-o-man...that and a $4000 smoothing plane.

r

e

in reply to "Steve B" on 23/11/2006 9:43 AM

25/11/2006 11:15 AM

Hi Andy,

I think Kurt held the original patent for the "angle lock" mechanism.
Now that the patent has expired, there are dozens of clones. Kurt
still sets the standard for milling machine vises. There are some
better but they are still based on the Kurt design.

I have a 6" Kurt and a bunch of 6" clones. The Kurt is definitely more
accurate and operates much more smoothly. They all hold parts tightly,
but the real key to a milling machine vise is its ability to hold parts
in a very exact location. From part to part, the Kurt can repeat the
location to within a few tenthousandths. The fixed jaw on the clones
tends to flex a bit, so they can only repeat to within a few
thousandths. The steel and cast iron on the Kurt is also much better
and more accurately ground. The beds and jaws on the clones aren't
nearly as flat.

The Kurt is worth it if you need the accuracy and reliability. Mine is
more than 10 years old and is still more accurate than any of the
clones. If the parts aren't so critical, then the clones are just fine
(especially at less than half the price!).

Ed Bennett
[email protected]
http://www.ts-aligner.com


Andrew Barss wrote:
> Just out of curiosity, what makes this (or doesn't) worth the
> price? What does one get in this that you wouldn't in
> a knockoff?
>
> -- Andy Barss

e

in reply to "Steve B" on 23/11/2006 9:43 AM

25/11/2006 11:19 AM

Nope, just about every machine shop that does work with milling
machines will have vises like this. Some cheaper (clones) and some
more expensive (also clones). Kurt came up with a vise which
revolutionized the industry and just about every shop in the world has
one (or a clone). I have one Kurt 6" and a bunch of 6" clones.

Ed Bennett
[email protected]
http://www.ts-aligner.com

Robatoy wrote:
> fugettaboutit.. I'll see your 8" and raise you an
>
> AngLock 10"
> $ 2500.00
> 300#
>
> Must be for goverment use...
>
> http://www1.mscdirect.com/CGI/NNPDFF?PMPAGE=1485&PMITEM=09215088&PMCTLG=00
>
> LOL..man-o-man...that and a $4000 smoothing plane.
>
> r

e

in reply to "Steve B" on 23/11/2006 9:43 AM

25/11/2006 11:25 AM

Hi Chris,

The dimensions are pretty important. A milling machine vise is not
just responsible for holding parts tightly. It also accurately locate
the parts.

Looks like a typo. The MSC catalog has over half a million items in
it. More than likely, it's left over from the description of another
model (with 7.5" opening). You see a lot of these in big catalogs
where the data entry is being done by non-technical people.

Ed Bennett
[email protected]
http://www.ts-aligner.com

Chris Friesen wrote:
>
> I love that they give the vise dimensions to three decimal places in the
> catalog.
>
> Hmm...how does a jaw opening of 10.0000 decimal inches correspond to 7
> 1/2 inches?
>
> Chris

CF

Chris Friesen

in reply to "Steve B" on 23/11/2006 9:43 AM

24/11/2006 4:11 PM

[email protected] wrote:
> Yep, for an 8" vise it seems pretty darn cheap to me too:
>
> http://www1.mscdirect.com/CGI/NNSRIT?PMPXNO=1797156&PMT4NO=0

I love that they give the vise dimensions to three decimal places in the
catalog.

Hmm...how does a jaw opening of 10.0000 decimal inches correspond to 7
1/2 inches?

Chris

Ll

"Locutus"

in reply to "Steve B" on 23/11/2006 9:43 AM

24/11/2006 9:54 AM


"Steve B" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> We worked as election workers last election day. Our polling place was
> the local firehouse.
>
> They had an 8" Milton vise on the bench.
>
> I thought I wanted one. I looked it up on Google.
>
> Whoa! I think I will look for a used one, or another knockoff.
>
> I'm glad they use my tax dollars to buy good stuff. That thing looks like
> it would last 200 years.
>
> Steve

http://www.amazon.com/Wilton-Columbian-Vise-Bench-Mount/dp/B0000AXCR8/sr=1-19/qid=1164379905/ref=sr_1_19/104-0810142-4354354?ie=UTF8&s=hi

$120 for a good bench vice seems pretty reasonable to me...

SB

"Steve B"

in reply to "Steve B" on 23/11/2006 9:43 AM

23/11/2006 6:59 PM


"Robatoy" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
>
>
> On Nov 23, 12:43 pm, "Steve B" <[email protected]> wrote:
>> We worked as election workers last election day. Our polling place was
>> the
>> local firehouse.
>>
>> They had an 8" Milton vise on the bench.
>>
> Wilton or Milton? I'm not trying to correct you, but I get nothing
> searching Milton... not in 8" anyway.
> Lots of hits on Wilton though...
>
> r
>

Yeah. Wilton. Stupid keyboard!

LH

Lew Hodgett

in reply to "Steve B" on 23/11/2006 9:43 AM

24/11/2006 6:09 PM

Lew Hodgett wrote:

> If you want to drool, check out Yost Manufacturing, Holland, Michigan.
>
> Try <www.yostvices.com>

Should read:

http://www.yostvises.com

Lew

Pp

Prometheus

in reply to "Steve B" on 23/11/2006 9:43 AM

26/11/2006 7:25 AM

On Sun, 26 Nov 2006 02:31:24 +0000 (UTC), Andrew Barss
<[email protected]> wrote:

>[email protected] wrote:
>: Hi Andy,
>
>
>: I have a 6" Kurt and a bunch of 6" clones. The Kurt is definitely more
>: accurate and operates much more smoothly. They all hold parts tightly,
>: but the real key to a milling machine vise is its ability to hold parts
>: in a very exact location. From part to part, the Kurt can repeat the
>: location to within a few tenthousandths.
>
>That's the bit I was unaware of -- I have no metalworking or milling
>experience, and didn't know the vise is used to locate parts.

Yep, but not in the case of the Wilton bench vise that started the
tread- those are a different beast.

I'd imagine the big cost difference comes with the quality of the
casting- most bench vises have an anvil surface for pounding on, and a
cheap one is liable to have voids that could break the whole thing the
first time you use it.

But a cast-iron *anything* that size for $120 is a pretty good price,
IMO.

LH

Lew Hodgett

in reply to "Steve B" on 23/11/2006 9:43 AM

24/11/2006 6:03 PM

Steve wrote:

> The one I saw had "MADE IN USA" in the casting. I don't think those
> fireboys use anything but American products.


If you want to drool, check out Yost Manufacturing, Holland, Michigan.

Try <www.yostvices.com>

Lew

Cc

"CW"

in reply to "Steve B" on 23/11/2006 9:43 AM

24/11/2006 3:37 PM

Columbian is there "made in who the hell knows were but it's cheap" line.
The original heavy Wilton vises are much more expensive and much higher
quality.

"Locutus" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
>
> "Steve B" <[email protected]> wrote in message
> news:[email protected]...
> > We worked as election workers last election day. Our polling place was
> > the local firehouse.
> >
> > They had an 8" Milton vise on the bench.
> >
> > I thought I wanted one. I looked it up on Google.
> >
> > Whoa! I think I will look for a used one, or another knockoff.
> >
> > I'm glad they use my tax dollars to buy good stuff. That thing looks
like
> > it would last 200 years.
> >
> > Steve
>
>
http://www.amazon.com/Wilton-Columbian-Vise-Bench-Mount/dp/B0000AXCR8/sr=1-19/qid=1164379905/ref=sr_1_19/104-0810142-4354354?ie=UTF8&s=hi
>
> $120 for a good bench vice seems pretty reasonable to me...
>
>

Cc

"CW"

in reply to "Steve B" on 23/11/2006 9:43 AM

25/11/2006 3:54 PM

Accuracy, quality castings and components. Many knockoffs have neither.
Kurts are top of the line and are the most copied in the world.

"Andrew Barss" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> [email protected] wrote:
> : Yep, for an 8" vise it seems pretty darn cheap to me too:
>
> : http://www1.mscdirect.com/CGI/NNSRIT?PMPXNO=1797156&PMT4NO=0
>
> : Ed Bennett
> : [email protected]
> : http://www.ts-aligner.com
>
>
>
> Just out of curiosity, what makes this (or doesn't) worth the
> price? What does one get in this that you wouldn't in
> a knockoff?
>
> -- Andy Barss
>

SB

"Steve B"

in reply to "Steve B" on 23/11/2006 9:43 AM

24/11/2006 9:36 AM


"Locutus" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
>
> "Steve B" <[email protected]> wrote in message
> news:[email protected]...
>> We worked as election workers last election day. Our polling place was
>> the local firehouse.
>>
>> They had an 8" Milton vise on the bench.
>>
>> I thought I wanted one. I looked it up on Google.
>>
>> Whoa! I think I will look for a used one, or another knockoff.
>>
>> I'm glad they use my tax dollars to buy good stuff. That thing looks
>> like it would last 200 years.
>>
>> Steve
>
> http://www.amazon.com/Wilton-Columbian-Vise-Bench-Mount/dp/B0000AXCR8/sr=1-19/qid=1164379905/ref=sr_1_19/104-0810142-4354354?ie=UTF8&s=hi
>
> $120 for a good bench vice seems pretty reasonable to me...
>

The one I saw had "MADE IN USA" in the casting. I don't think those
fireboys use anything but American products.

Steve

AB

Andrew Barss

in reply to "Steve B" on 23/11/2006 9:43 AM

25/11/2006 2:44 AM

Chris Friesen <[email protected]> wrote:

: Hmm...how does a jaw opening of 10.0000 decimal inches correspond to 7
: 1/2 inches?

I blame it on the French, who invented the accursed metric system.


-- Andy Barss

AB

Andrew Barss

in reply to "Steve B" on 23/11/2006 9:43 AM

25/11/2006 2:45 AM

[email protected] wrote:
: Yep, for an 8" vise it seems pretty darn cheap to me too:

: http://www1.mscdirect.com/CGI/NNSRIT?PMPXNO=1797156&PMT4NO=0

: Ed Bennett
: [email protected]
: http://www.ts-aligner.com



Just out of curiosity, what makes this (or doesn't) worth the
price? What does one get in this that you wouldn't in
a knockoff?

-- Andy Barss

AB

Andrew Barss

in reply to "Steve B" on 23/11/2006 9:43 AM

26/11/2006 2:31 AM

[email protected] wrote:
: Hi Andy,


: I have a 6" Kurt and a bunch of 6" clones. The Kurt is definitely more
: accurate and operates much more smoothly. They all hold parts tightly,
: but the real key to a milling machine vise is its ability to hold parts
: in a very exact location. From part to part, the Kurt can repeat the
: location to within a few tenthousandths.

That's the bit I was unaware of -- I have no metalworking or milling
experience, and didn't know the vise is used to locate parts.
Thanks for the info!

-- Andy

GS

George Shouse

in reply to "Steve B" on 23/11/2006 9:43 AM

02/12/2006 7:11 PM

On Fri, 24 Nov 2006 18:03:23 GMT, Lew Hodgett
<[email protected]> wrote:

>Steve wrote:
>
> > The one I saw had "MADE IN USA" in the casting. I don't think those
> > fireboys use anything but American products.
>
>
>If you want to drool, check out Yost Manufacturing, Holland, Michigan.
>
>Try <www.yostvices.com>
>
http://www.yostvises.com/

BA

B A R R Y

in reply to "Steve B" on 23/11/2006 9:43 AM

24/11/2006 12:36 PM

On Thu, 23 Nov 2006 09:43:31 -0800, "Steve B" <[email protected]>
wrote:

>
>I'm glad they use my tax dollars to buy good stuff. That thing looks like
>it would last 200 years.

It might be there 200 years. <G>

I've seen desks and workbenches from the 20's, still in use in phone
co. buildings, railroad shops, municipal garages, and firehouses.

One of my local live-in firehouses, built in 1898, has a "duty desk"
in the garage area that we believe came with the building. It's been
measured by historians several times.

SB

"Steve B"

in reply to "Steve B" on 23/11/2006 9:43 AM

24/11/2006 10:37 PM


"Andrew Barss" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> [email protected] wrote:
> : Yep, for an 8" vise it seems pretty darn cheap to me too:
>
> : http://www1.mscdirect.com/CGI/NNSRIT?PMPXNO=1797156&PMT4NO=0
>
> : Ed Bennett
> : [email protected]
> : http://www.ts-aligner.com
>
>
>
> Just out of curiosity, what makes this (or doesn't) worth the
> price? What does one get in this that you wouldn't in
> a knockoff?
>
> -- Andy Barss

The ability to open the jaws and use it in ten years and feel like you are
doing it for the first time.

Steve


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