Customer Reviews

Jet 708569 JWV-9 9-1/2-Inch Woodworking Vise

5 star:		(1)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I own a Record 52 1/2 quick release vise. I would have gladly bought another when I needed an additional bench vise for a new bench, but sadly Record stopped producing woodworking vises. The Jet Vise is not quite as heavy in terms of the castings and rods, nor is it as cleanly finished, but overall, it's decent vise. I like the red color. For the price, the castings ought to be cleaner, the handle more than a rod with end nuts, and the dog made out of phenolic plastic or the like instead of iron so as to be more tool friendly. I would have found the Southeast Asian product a great deal at a price of around $85. As it is, it is sufficient, but a little disappointing especially in comparison to my Record.

This is a reasonable quality vise at a good price, especially given the free shipping on such a heavy item. However, I was disappointed that there was no mounting hardware included in the box, no mounting instructions, no paper template, and not even a list of recommended mounting hardware to buy. So now I have to guess as to what mounting hardware would be best for affixing this to my workbench. Given that the cost of including reasonable instructions or a "go buy this from your local hardware store" list is basically zero, this seems a totally avoidable disappointment.

The box this came in was torn up during shipping. The vise had some missing paint, and this baby is sticky! It feels like some type of hardened grease all over it. I asked Jet for some advise on removing it, but they chose not to answer. The reason I asked their advice is that the red paint seems to rub off on everything it comes in contact with. I wouldn't have expected that from a powder-coated steel item.
The other problem is attaching this to your bench. No instructions or hardware are included. I managed to figure it all out, and it seems to be a competent vise. However, I asked Jet what hole sizes they use on the faceplates (as they are larger than 1/4-20) so that I could attach wooden faces. They declined to comment. Thanks Jet for your awesome customer service!

I agree with the other reviewer that this vice is not a Record, but it certainly is well built. Fortunately, I got this vice for $49.00 so based on that, I'm thrilled with it. I too am dissapointed in the small metal handle but it is sturdy and really, it's only the appearance I don't care for. The quick release works well and I like the fact that I can adjust and secure the height of the dog. I've used it now for a few months and do quite a bit of hand tool work to which a good vise is essential. It will certainly be the tail vise when the new bench is built - It's easily done everything I've asked of it so far. I'm happy and have no intent to upgrade.

The only downside is that it doesn't have the greatest capacity but a mere 12" overhang is enough to install it. I put a 1.75" chop of Maple on it and along with the backing, I only have about 7.5" of capacity left. Since I use it for a tail vise, and have a leg vice, this isn't an issue, but if you need allot of capacity for the opening (over 9"), you might consider one of the Record replicas. The front mounting holes are also close (about 1/2") to the front edge of the bench top which made me nervous, but I trusted the design and it's worked fine.

Edit as of January 2010. I've now used this vise for quite some time and work with hand tools a great deal. It has never let me down and the quick release function still works like the day I got it. Have no fear, this vise is a heavy, well built piece of equipment that I'm sure will serve you very well. I'm just about to finish a new workbench and have the ability to put anything I want on it for a tail vise. This one has worked so well, I'm putting it on the new one.

I've been looking for a vise for several months decided on this one and have not regret my decision ...excellent for professional level wood workers and cheap enough for a weekend warrior. Smooth quick release and heavy duty.

I installed this vise on my shop-built workbench with a 2" thick maple top. I fabricated and installed maple face-plates for the vise. It has been in use now for over 2 years and I like it. One-handed operation of the quick release is smooth and easy. The vise is easy to tighten and loosen plus it remains firmly clamped without creep or parallax slop.

Most people realize that it is necessary to cut a recess in your workbench so as to install a vise like this with its fixed plate flush with the workbench outer edge. One problem I had with this vise is that its mating surface on the back side of the fixed faceplate was not perfectly flat thus resulting is a bit of a non-flush fit against my benchtop. One other minor complaint is the somewhat flimsy black plastic drop-tab (dog?) on the movable faceplate which can be used to clamp larger object between the vice and a bench dog. While I've yet to break that black plastic "dog", I worry about it each time I use it. I should probably replace it with a close-fitting wooden tab.

I'd buy the same vise again.