Awesome Vise Speed Handle Deal - Made in USA

[ttabbal]

I was initially thinking I might add a bearing etc.. But after using it, I don't think it would add much. The quality is impressive, particularly for the price.

 

[JRaut]

Yup, just got mine delivered today as well.

Really nice bit of kit.

I'd be equally happy with it if I paid double the price.

** wink wink, hint hint --- raise your prices @rgetso! **

 

[Parlo]

I wanted to share my experience with an awesome vise speed handle I recently received. I am new to the hobby and found a round column mill locally off Craigslist for a decent price. I needed a vise and since money IS an object, I bought a 4" import vise off Amazon. It is no Kurt, but the price was right and its accuracy meshes well with my skill level. The handle for it is terrible and is extremely inconvenient to use if I have to make more than a few turns.

I was looking around for a speed handle but my vise has an oddball size so most of the import versions would not fit. I stumbled across this listing and found that the seller, Richard Getso from McAllen Texas, offered to make custom sizes. He asks that buyers measure the flats on the nut and send them to him. Mine measured 0.4635", so he made one to fit 0.465". He CNC machines these in his garage to order and sells them for $25 - including shipping!

The speed handle arrived about four days after I ordered it on a Saturday and man am I impressed. The fit is snug - I filed a few little burrs on the end of the nut to make it slip on. It is easy to remove, but does not try to wander off while in use. The finish is beautiful and he engraves his logo and the size on the vise. I wish the logo was on the other side as you can't see it when the handle is on the vise. He even machined a test nut to my specifications to test the fit and sent it along with the handle.

All of us in this hobby would love to buy Made in USA gear, but we are generally put off by the price or availability. This awesome maker brings this opportunity home and I, for one, and grateful for his service. I almost feel guilty for paying so little!

Here is the listing: https://www.ebay.com/itm/325103291231?hash=item4bb1aa8b5f:g:GygAAOSwcmRh8jRY

Looks a well made job, I use a hex socket on my impact wrench to quickly move the jaw, it clamps well too.

 

[Tomzo]

I am glad that many of you were able to support this HM member who makes a great product at an unbelievable price. The non-swivel aspect of the handle is no big deal - while it is called a "speed handle" the press fit handle not an impediment to it fulfilling its function. When I am backing my lathe carriage out of the way I need a swivel handle, but on my vise on the mill I just don't want a floppy crappy handle like the one that came with my import vise.

 

[Tomzo]

Very nice indeed. Received mine as well.

The cursive handwriting made me thing he was a retiree, but he is not. I know my kids can't write in cursive to save their souls, so it is a nostalgic touch to get a cursive note from someone younger than me.

 

[finsruskw]

Can one order direct from this fellow and at least save him the e-bay fees?

 

[sdavilla]

Ordered one, got it in two days, I'm a happy camper. Very nice fit and finish (12mm) fit and the perfect cursive handwriting note was a nice touch. My cursive abilities left the building long ago.

 

[jmkasunich]

I ordered two, one for my 4" Kurt (9/16" hex) and one for my 6" no-name vise (3/4" hex). They arrived incredibly fast and work great.

 

[rgetso]

The cursive handwriting made me thing he was a retiree, but he is not. I know my kids can't write in cursive to save their souls, so it is a nostalgic touch to get a cursive note from someone younger than me.

I made an effort to improve my handwriting a few years ago so I could write letters to a special lady friend. I found out it takes a lot more effort than I imagined and the writing takes a while, too. Those little notes in the white boxes serve a dual purpose. Most importantly, they say thank you in a way most people rarely, if ever, receive. And they keep me in some sort of practice even though I write them too fast and it gets sloppy.

I have redesigned and made the handles beefier so the 3/4" ones have a little more meat. I will post new pictures after Easter when I get be back in town to machine more projects. As an aside, a customer had very limited space (2.125") between his vise handle and y-axis crank on his benchtop mill. Together we came up with a handle I dubbed the Osteg mini. He seemed to like it a lot which is a win. What an odd solution to an obscure problem.



While I am away for Easter, I will look into incorporating a bearing of some sort into a future design.

 

[extropic]

@rgetso

I've been following all the good press you're getting here. Your product has certainly made a splash.

Your willingness to discuss "special" features (along with your workmanship and great price) makes you a very attractive option. Thank you.

Since you've mentioned "incorporating a bearing of some sort", I'll throw in my $.02. I want a rotating handle and the design I would select is to simply thread the handle 3/8-16 and use a shoulder screw (length TBD) as an arbor for a custom turned handle. No "bearings" per se. The cost of the shoulder screw and handle turning will increase the price, but it's what I want.