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  1. #1
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    Default "good" bench vice screw?

    Hello forumites,

    I'm building two Roubo benches. Yes, two.

    First one is going against the wall and is a "little" one. Its only 1200 long. It won't have the wagon/tail vice.

    My question is where to get a good vice screw. I found one on McJing which advertises here and I'm happy to support advertisers (McJING Tools Online at the top) but is this a "good" one?

    I can't quantify what I mean by this, but I suppose it could mean smooth thread, sufficient size, meaty threads, longevity, resistance to idiocy, not made of Chinese "metal" etc.

    I saw the benchcrafted ones and they are drool worthy, but perhaps later when I'm a billionaire.

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  3. #2
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    Looks exactly like the one I got at carbetec. Not fancy but does the job quite well. They are made in china(like most things) and while the frame shows casting marks the thread is well cut and smooth to turn. I can spin it with one finger.
    A pic of how mine turned out.

    Regards
    John
    Attached Images Attached Images

  4. #3
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    The Mcjing vices are the same generic chinese vices as sold elsewhere under other paint jobs, so they won't meet your "no chinese metal" criterion.

    Like most things how well and long they work for you depends on type and extent of use. I've had 3 of these cheap vices since 2006 - I got them on special back then for around half the current prices. The one I've used as a front bench vice started out OK but is now so worn and sloppy to the point of needing to be replaced. The smaller side and shoulder bench vices hardly get used so are still OK.

  5. #4
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    BobL,
    Mine is still new so not showing signs of ware yet. When you say sloppy is it the arm holes or the thread that has worn.
    Regards
    John

  6. #5
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    I should clarify. What I mean by "Chinese metal" is I've encountered a few thing made of "steel" and"iron" that must have been the result of a neighbourhood cleanup. Pots, pans, spoons, tin soldiers and anything that didn't burn off in the furnace.

    It was terrible. I had some bandsaw guides that broke in my fingers, screws where the heads twisted off with zero effort and cast iron so full of inclusions it looked like pumice.

    If I'm going to buy a vice it's getting daily use. I woodwork for joy, not frustration, so quality counts for me.

  7. #6
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    Quote Originally Posted by orraloon View Post
    BobL,
    Mine is still new so not showing signs of ware yet. When you say sloppy is it the arm holes or the thread that has worn.
    Regards
    John
    The thread is OK, its the holes the arms slide through and hole where the vice screw passes through the front jaw mount that are worn. I've probably not lubed it that often and not used my anti racking stops enough. Also used mine for all sorts of non-woodworking things like holding chainsaws which would not have helped. The wear doesn't effect the holding power but it means the amount of vertical and side racking is much greater than when it was new.

  8. #7
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    Cheap not = Quality.

    How many times do you want to buy it? (the second time hurts, but the third causes real pain)
    Regards, FenceFurniture

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  9. #8
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    Quote Originally Posted by Evanism View Post
    I should clarify. What I mean by "Chinese metal" is I've encountered a few thing made of "steel" and"iron" that must have been the result of a neighbourhood cleanup. Pots, pans, spoons, tin soldiers and anything that didn't burn off in the furnace. It was terrible. I had some bandsaw guides that broke in my fingers, screws where the heads twisted off with zero effort and cast iron so full of inclusions it looked like pumice. If I'm going to buy a vice it's getting daily use. I woodwork for joy, not frustration, so quality counts for me.
    Well I wouldn't quite put the vice in that category of metal. The arm holes look like a basic cast iron. I have hit things held in that vice quite hard so the metal casting has some strength but maybe its not that resistant to wear.

  10. #9
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    Have a look at the vises that Lee Valley make, but be aware that you may also pick up a few vices, like Lee Valley/Veritas gadget addiction.

    For example:
    Veritas® Quick-Release Front Vise - Lee Valley Tools

    Veritas® Quick-Release Sliding Tail Vise - Lee Valley Tools

    Veritas® Twin-Screw Vise - Lee Valley Tools

    Damn, just started drooling again.......

  11. #10
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    Have a look through this thread - we tried to include all vises known to mankind.
    Regards, FenceFurniture

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  12. #11
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    Quote Originally Posted by bsrlee View Post
    Have a look at the vises that Lee Valley make, but be aware that you may also pick up a few vices, like Lee Valley/Veritas gadget addiction.

    For example:
    Veritas® Quick-Release Front Vise - Lee Valley Tools

    Veritas® Quick-Release Sliding Tail Vise - Lee Valley Tools

    Veritas® Twin-Screw Vise - Lee Valley Tools

    Damn, just started drooling again.......
    I almost bought my teenage daughter a car that cost less than these two vices!

  13. #12
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    If you want quality and dont have a lot of $ then look for an old Record or Dawn vice. Bit of tlc and they scrub up nice.
    Now that I am warned about the ware problem with the chineese one I'll try and keep it lubed to keep things going. I still reckon it will see out my woodworking days.
    Regards
    John

  14. #13
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    Regards, FenceFurniture

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