I just bought the 4 1/2” version of this vise, two days ago, on sale and with a coupon. It’s huge compared to other vises of the same jaw width, and plenty big enough for my needs. I’m very happy with it and the price I paid. That 6 1/2” vise looks like an awesome beast!
Thanks for the review. I was looking at this vise just yesterday. You have helped me make the decision to buy. One tip if I may. If you're still using that bench, consider lag screwing it to the wall. It will do wonders in stabilizing the bench and taking the shakes out, especially when hammering away on something.
Finally a guy commenting on something that is as smart as me! 😊 I totally agree! To get the most of of a vise under the most demanding work, the bench absolutely must be secured to the wall. There are also a few musts regarding the mounting of the vise to the bench, and the top of the bench the vise is mounted to. Everything about the bench and vise should be designed as though a gorilla is the intended user!
I'm really glad I watched your video. I was going to install my bench a little too far from the edge. I wouldn't have been able to clamp onto things that hang below the table level. Thanks!
Thank you for the info. True story about being lazy once you mount your Vice. I’ve had the 4” cheap HF vise mounted to my left corner. Then realized all things like gun barrels, golf shaft, etc are better from a right mounted Vice because the receiver for the firearm, for example, is over the bench with the ejection facing you. It’s a right handed world. Put your Vice right corner like this man. Don’t make my mistake. In years I never moved it from left side 😂
I don't work on guns, nor golf clubs. I think the left or right corner is more of a personal preference than a left or right-handed thing myself. I am 61 and right-handed. My whole life, I have worked with swivel base vises mounted to the left corner of the bench, and not once have I ever found a time where the left corner mount of the vise I was using, first my dad's, than in later years my own vice proved a hindrance or regret for my choice of corner to mount my vise on. I really think that is just personal preference more than a right or wrong choice thing.
@DKNguyen3.1415 In the center of the bench is fine, as long as another is swivel base on the corner. That would be ideal. Of course, some guys hate swivel base vises. I just don't happen to be one of them.
I would definitely recommend getting the largest square footage shop you can. Even if it means you’re gonna have to wait to put electric, insulation, And HVAC. Because it’s something you’re gonna have for a lifetime and you’re always gonna wish you would’ve went larger. My shop is 24’ x 45’ with 9 foot walls and a 12 foot peak and I wish I would’ve went to bigger . So that’s my advice go as big as you can and wait on the rest. Good luck to everyone out there!
Totally right on proper mounting of vise to bench. You are right about that bench too, its a joke! One trick many guys don't consider is mount the vise to a oversized piece of steel plate, then mount the steel plate to the bench. If a guy is smart, he will find a piece of railroad track to keep under the bench to use as a substitute for the vise when possible instead of automatically beating the hell out of the vise. A lot of punishment vises experience is because of poor shop practices and guys that work harder instead of smarter.
Great review! Wow, that's a nice vise. I'm looking for a 6.5 inch vise right now. This Doyle is definitely in the running. Also looking at the Forward brand.
Wow. I gotta tell ya, I have a 6" vice. I am not comparing mine to that, mine s cheap and crappy. I only bring it up to say that it is nowhere NEAR that size. I am tempted to go buy this, just to see if turning that big ass handle makes my ____ grow! Anyway, back to being a little serious...about old school tools. I have all the tools I have ever wanted. That is not to say all that I will ever want, but that's my one thing where I do not skimp. If I become aware of a tool that will be useful to me, I buy it. Even at times where doing so made money a little tight for the week...I'd buy the tool, and just deal with it. Moreover, I retired three years ago and went on a mission to upgrade/replace/but for the first time every tool I can imagine ever needing, in the hopes of finalizing the collection so I can concentrate my money on moving to the coast. Black and Yellow is my brand, and my garage is stocked top to bottom with XR power tools. But in that one little corner, on the bottom of that one shelf sits the one, old school, corded tool that I will never let go. Yes, I have the latest XR power detect circular saw, but that 50 year old Black and Decker that my father used to use when I was a little kid in the 70s...it is still there, and it still works! It gives me comfort to look at it and think "if the world goes to hell, and every DeWalt I own blows up on the same day...THAT old Black and Decker will still be there, and I will still be able to get things done. Now, before any of you young Sprites start screaming, be advised: In the time before time, when I was little and you were not yet born...Black and Decker used to be a serious power tool company. In fact, I would go so far as to say that they were THE power tool company of the 1970s. They decided to change markets later and started making disposable tools, but it was not always this way. If you get your hands on a Black and Decker from the 70s...hold on to it!
Mark You SumGum!!! Nice video, nice vise, decent installation. May I make a suggestion to use washers betwixt the head of the bolt and where it goes down through the holes in the vise. You used them on the bottom, but this will protect the vise, and allow to snug it down really good, which is what’s needed! Get a thicker top! Peace! 👍💪✌🇺🇸
Dude! Next time opening something heavy: (1) Roll the box upside down. (2) Cut the tape on the bottom and fold the 4 cardboard flaps over. (3) Roll the box back over. (4) Lift off the free undamaged box.
Glad you like the 4”. I think either the 4” or the 6” are incredibly a better value than the other options at harbor freight and a good value in general if I’m being honest.
@@EmbarkWithMark Been using it for over a month now. It's solid. It does look like i need to add grease to it thou. And i try to put a towel over it when needed to keep some saw dust outta there.
GM Mark!! ☕️☕️☕️ Nice video review. I do have one EASY question for ya. This review was for a 6 1/2” Vice. Harbor Freight had a 6” one. Could that be the same one you reviewed?? I’ll be checking back with ya sometime. THANKS!!
Hey, good morning to you too! Hope all is well. So I remember something funny about harbor freight calling it a 6” vice on the website but the box and vice it self saying 6 1/2”. I think this is the same vice :).
Had to comment on your statement about this vise not being in the same league as Snap-On, etc. the company I worked for invested heavily in Snap On vices for our repair shops several years ago. These were big, heavy duty vises, 8” if memory serves correct, but when we started receiving them, we found many of them had cracked bases! And I’m talking totally separated, no just a start! The ones we installed that were ok, soon cracked also! Absolute junk! High priced junk!
@@EmbarkWithMark The Snap-on vises are rebranded Wilton bullet vises. They are made in Taiwan. But if the Snap-On ones are crap, then the Wiltons are too. And the Wiltons are regarded as the best in the market. Anything can be damaged in shipping though. It sounds like the previous commenter had a dropped shipment, literally.
Harbor freight has been stepping up their game. It comes down to how much more are you willing to spend to get nicer quality. I’m not going to spend 50% more to get a A marginally nicer product. They are my go to in 2021
Very true! I still think that the name brand is worth the price for specific types of tools. However, I think harbor freight has proved its hand tools and tool boxes to be of very good value. I'm hoping this vise makes it into that category as well. Time will tell. Thank you for watching and leaving a comment!
"Not going to compare it to an old craftsman" Another youtuber did a side-by-side of the Craftsman professional series and the vises were identical. So it is definitely comparable.
Great video. My work bench spans the width of my shed. I know it's going to be a compromise. Any idea how far from right-end I should mount it? Thanks.
Thank you! Depends, how long is the work bench and what’s the biggest thing you typically work on? For your setup I’d mount it so you have enough space to put the largest thing you work in it, but close enough to the edge that your work bench is largely usable.
They really have! I can’t remember the size of the bolt I used. It’s pretty large. I used a local feed store that has a large bolt selection and just found the size that fit the best. Sorry, I wish I could recall exactly what I bought. It’s a pretty big bolt though.
The Harbor Freight manual says to use 7/16" hardened steel bolts, with the length based on your bench thickness. I could not find in the manual however how thick the mounting feet are; I'll add 1" for the feet.
At this point I can not remember. Knowing Harbor Freight, it is most likely china. The vice seems to be built rather well, so I could be wrong with that assumption.
@@EmbarkWithMark Their better quality products usually came from Tiawan. Same with other distributors of imports, Taiwanese is always better than Mainland China.
I wanna see a video of you abusing the vise and show us if it’s truly a tough vise. Like use the anvil by beating on it. Bend steel with it clamped and beat on it to make sure the jaws don’t crack. Press in some bearings and make sure the jaws don’t collapse. I almost bought that same one. For some reason i bought one off Amazon for the same price. Thank you for making the vid. 👌
Ya, another example of a guy that works harder, not smarter here. I am sure if you want to figure out a way to destroy your new vise, goober here is just the man for the job!
