bench vise

[Irvingj76]

I'm starting to look for a bench vise, any suggestions? would like to stay under $150.

[pelligrini]

A lot of it depends on what type you want and where you are going to mount it.

The HF quick release vise is pretty decent for the money. I have a similar one from Big lots, but I ended up using a pair of older Wiltons a friend gave me. I also put a leg vise on my bench too.

There's a lot of options. You can buy hardware and make your own chops, go with modern quick releases, etc.

[worknhard]

I like the cast iron bolt-on vises... I've had 2 of them on my large work bench for many years and they've met my needs... perhaps a couple times they didn't open wide enough, but I can usually overcome that by using bench dogs in combination with the pop-up dog on the vise. I also have a smaller work bench that hangs off my shop wall... The intent was to have a work station where the bench table could fold down out of the way when I needed more space... anyway I use a portable Zyliss vise on that set-up. Some woodworkers scoff at using this vise in the workshop but frankly I love em... they are surprisingly strong/sturdy given their weight and portability... and they are extremely versatile. I'm not sure that I could pay the normal retail price however, but you find them on CL from time-to-time much cheaper.

[dbhost]

I have the HF quick release vise. It works, but the quick release sometimes gets out of adjustment and jams. I have to readjust it and make it happy again to get my quick release back... It would be fine if HF would have used, or if I would have added a dab of loctite to the screw threads that hold the quick release plate to the bottom of the vise. Thermal changes / expansion / contraction make the screws back out, and the adjustment goes to pot. I need to just get up off my butt and get this done...

The rear face isn't milled exactly square, but the jaws rack just enough to take up for that slack... If it ever gets to be a problem, I will just take it back to HF for an exchange... (this is technically a hand tool and carries the lifetime warranty...)

I have heard excellent things about the Groz 9" Rapid Action vise. That one goes for about $115.00

Wilton vises are really nice, but a good sized quick release model will cost you more than your budget...