When I got my new mill a couple months ago, I ordered a cheap import vise with it to get me going. I knew it wouldn't be the greatest, but, budgets are budgets.
The cheap vise had its issues. The ways were unsure enough that oil left circular stains where it collected. The vise jaws are not perpendicular to the magnitude of approx .004 over the 1.200" jaw height. I havw alao noticed that the keyway in the fixed jaw is at least .012" out of being parallel to the jaw face, which means that it is not perpendicular to the ways. This results in the moving jaw having to twist to clamp a part. To say the least, I should have bought a better vise.
Still having a budget, a Kurt was out as well as some of th others like Glacern. I ended up ordering this vise from Little Machine Shop.
http://littlemachineshop.com/products/product_view.php?ProductID=4733&category=1963256912
I had been talking to the guys at LMS amd they said it is awesome and meets the specs shown. I have been looking at this one and the Shars 440V, which seems to be a good deal as well. There are two reasons I chose this one: 1) I have had great experiences with LMS, and 2) it comes with thr swivel base. While I don't plan to use the swivel base all the time, I like the fact that it is included for the same price as just the Shars vise.
I will do a review when I get the vise in. I just wanted to share what I believe to be a great value for the hobby machinist on a budget.
The cheap vise had its issues. The ways were unsure enough that oil left circular stains where it collected. The vise jaws are not perpendicular to the magnitude of approx .004 over the 1.200" jaw height. I havw alao noticed that the keyway in the fixed jaw is at least .012" out of being parallel to the jaw face, which means that it is not perpendicular to the ways. This results in the moving jaw having to twist to clamp a part. To say the least, I should have bought a better vise.
Still having a budget, a Kurt was out as well as some of th others like Glacern. I ended up ordering this vise from Little Machine Shop.
http://littlemachineshop.com/products/product_view.php?ProductID=4733&category=1963256912
I had been talking to the guys at LMS amd they said it is awesome and meets the specs shown. I have been looking at this one and the Shars 440V, which seems to be a good deal as well. There are two reasons I chose this one: 1) I have had great experiences with LMS, and 2) it comes with thr swivel base. While I don't plan to use the swivel base all the time, I like the fact that it is included for the same price as just the Shars vise.
I will do a review when I get the vise in. I just wanted to share what I believe to be a great value for the hobby machinist on a budget.