Customer Reviews

Wilton Model WS5 Jaw Width 5-Inch Throat Depth 3-Inch Shop Vise

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I bought this rather nice bench vise to top off the new workbench I built in my new garage. It arrived greased like a hog and wrapped in plastic. This was for rust protection as the iron rusts extremely easy, especially when shipped over seas as this was.

After I cleaned all the grease off with mineral spirits. I spun the handle and realized that its crank wasn't greased at all as it is a different metal and didn't need the rust protection. This is ok, but as I said I removed all the grease from the rest of the unit now it was all in my rag. So I didn't have any grease left and the vise makes a loud vibrating sound. A sound that doesn't sound like it should becoming from this seemingly well machined tool. Im sure the grease will help though.

Make sure you rub this baby down with some fresh motor oil after cleaning it up. I had this thing in my garage for 3 days and it already had a fine rust on the whole thing just from humidity in the air (this was winter time too). And the rubber pinch guards are cracked and ready to fall off.

So, don't make the mistakes I did with this simple tool and you should be fine.

I gave it a 4 because its not the best vise around but a good value and it works. -1 because its pinch guards are cracking off, the handles chrome plating is flaking off, and the screw shaft could have been machined better.

I was setting up a new shop and wanted a new vise, so after looking at Home Depot and Lowe's and all the local stores and researching online, I bought this one. I can't believe the quality for the price. Wilton makes a lot of different vises and most of them are very expensive so I was a little worried that this might not be very good. I shouldn't have worried, fit and finish are great and I couldn't be happier.

The Wilton WS5 Shop Vise is very well made and of solid construction. It is bigger than I expected, and can handle most jobs easily. It also fits nicely on the end of my garage workbench. The vise is cleanly finished. It arrived in excellent condition. A great product for the price.

I would echo what most of the previous reviewers have noted regarding this vise. It came in a timely manner from Amazon with free shipping, which was a plus. Better quality than comparable vises at Harbor Freight, Lowes or Home Depot. It does come covered in heavy grease, so plan on spending some time cleaning it up before use. I waxed down all of the machined surfaces as it's apparent they'll rust easily if you don't protect them. The vise jaw inserts were really torqued down, so much so that I thought I would have to drill out one of the Phillips head screws. I suggest you remove these screws early on and coat them with an anti-seize compound or else you may have a tough time doing so in the future. Otherwise, I'm happy with the quality for the price.

I was suprised with the quality of this vise.Good craftsmanship and a good price,49.99 and free shipping.This vise is all that my shop needs.Wish I had got one sooner.

This 5" vise is a nice piece of workshop equipment that is VERY well made ( it has a MACHINED slide, and is reasonably tight ) compared to ALL other inexpensive vises. I have two of the 4" model, and one of this 5" model. Obviously I like these vises. I bought the 4" models at Lowes for $34 each, but Lowes has changed suppliers, to a poor quality brand now. I bought the 5" model from Amazon.com for $49.99 with free shipping ( vises are heavy to ship ), but that was a very brief Amazon.com sale offer.This very same 5" model Wilton vise now sells here on Amazon.com for $83.84, and is $97.29 with the shipping. There IS good news though. If you can instead use the slightly larger Wilton 6" model, the Amazon.com price for it is currently ( 3-13-05 ) $64.99 with FREE SHIPPING !! That is one smoking good deal for a VERY GOOD VISE !! I just ordered the 6" model myself !!It is simply a deal too good to pass up !!

Not your usual Chinese low quality. The slide, as stated in another review is machined, although it looks as if it was done with a dull fly cutter. The fit and finish however are quite good for this price range. For the money I don't think you can find a better 5" vise.

I was very pleased with this item. It arrived on time and has given the service expected thus far.

Vise has not even been mounted to a work bench yet and the finish started peeling away from the body of the vise revealing a rust colored surface below finish. Makes you wonder if vise was new or a refinished vise. Paint was not bonded to a clean dry surface and as a result chips a starting to peel away starting around the edges of the body. Like I said, I have not mounted vise yet and have not used it yet so I cannot give a review on how well it works. Has anyone else had this problem about the paint/finish not bonded to surface of vise?

Smooth operation with nice finish. The best I could find for the money.