Thread: Timbecon's Baladonia Vices; Are They Any Good?

I have a couple of their face vices; I rate them as being worth what you pay for them. They rack slightly and are a PITA to install but they hold timber and that’s all I ask of them.

I have one of their QR vices.
It suits my needs, occasionally the QR mechanism clicks a couple of time before engaging when using the winder handle.
That is only after I have used the QR lever to move the jaw, and only occasionally.
But it has always worked well for me.

Thank you verawood and Chief Tiff for your posts; both your experiences have been very useful to me and have tipped the scales for my choices. I've read elsewhere, that the quick release vice, has on occasion for some, been a hassle. It has made me realize now, that the Q.R. version of the vice, takes the standard face vice, with fixed screw (also sold by Timbecon) and makes it more complicated. I'm inclined to believe the Q.R. version would be an adequate choice however. If the fixed version wasn't offered, I'd probably purchase the Q.R. alternative, but it comes down to a question of risk and convenience of both products. The price of the item is not that great to begin with and that significantly increases the risk to build quality (to the Q.R.). I've also noticed in Timbecon's Youtube video series, that makes a bench (Build a Beautiful, Functional Workbench - Part Six -Installing the End Vice - YouTube), that they chose the Baladonia fixed vice version (to use on the end of their bench). I think it says a lot, that they used the standard vice instead. The fixed front vice looks like a simple, straight forward design, with less to go wrong. It's not really a hassle, to wind the screw on the fixed vice anyway. Incidentally, the video series is particularly interesting and worth watching for it's own sake.

I've decided to go with the shoulder vice for the face and the fixed front vice for the end.

i have the "quick release front vice" (this one) in a box on my coffee table, as the bench i plan to attach it to is not yet built. it seems fine fiddling with it unmounted -- although i obviously haven't used it in anger. the quick-release mechanism is really not complex, it's just two parts that scissor around the screw. if it doesn't work reliably it could probably be tweaked with careful application of a shim somewhere

it's worth noting that it does not come with mounting hardware, or any specifications as to what hardware it's designed for, so expect to do some measuring and then make a trip out to the store once it arrives. (i haven't bothered buying hardware, since i'm not ready to install mine yet)

it's very heavy; i'm probably going to enlist a friend for help when i do finally mount it, but ymmv!

@Banana: I like that your Q.R. vice is heavy. That will mean the fixed version will be heavy too; most listed specifications are identical for both.