Customer Reviews

Columbian 33153 153 3-Inch Jaw Width by 6-Inch Opening Swivel Base Clamp-On Bench Vise

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The swivel base on this vise may seem like it would be a useful feature, but in fact it renders the vise useless for clamping anything that you need to apply any torque to. The locking lever simply screws a threaded pin down onto a smooth bottom plate, providing a weak friction fitting that slips easily. You would think the locking pin would fit into a set of holes or slots (seems like a no-brainer, doesn't it?). You'd be wrong. I had a project to complete, so, rather than returning this vise and buying a better one, I modified it by drilling a hole partway through the bottom plate and was able to get the job done. But I shouldn't have had to do that.

Other than that, it's a pretty hefty little vise for the money---too bad it's spoiled by such a simple design flaw. The manufacturer says it's portable and compact, which it is (watch the grease, though), and that it's for "light work." Emphasize "light."