Taiwan All-Steel "Mechanist" Vise, 8-inch ... Review
I recently went to (PHM's fave warehouse) on D.Tuazon Avenue in Quezon City
and finally purchased a bench-vise that I'd been eyeing and inquiring-about, over
the phone (with a very patient Miss M.G.) for half a year.
It was advertised as a "Taiwan All-Steel Mechanist(?) Vise".
The designation is perversely appropriate, as the vise combines the features and
the limitations of a mechanics' vise and a machinists' vise. I got the 200mm (8")
jaw model. The vise is of the dynamic-frontjaw type, with a double-dogged, triple-
mounting-bolt, 360-degree swivelbase. Free of the double-box and plastic wrap,
there was this:
It cost me P4,750.00 (US$113.00) out the door. Ms. M.G. et al were helpful
and tried to answer all my questions, although she admitted that her dad could
have told me more about the vise's origins: packaging and parts-diagram aside,
the vise bears no intrinsic markings. All that there is, is two red stickers stating
a 10-year warranty, its Taiwanese manufacture, and its "unbreakable" all-steel
construction.
Based on appearance and specs, the unit seems to be a CT-102 (8") made by
Chu Power Tools of Taiwan. The parts-diagram included in the box specifically
identifies the vise as a "CT-102", without naming a brand.
It seems the CT-102 vise is exported from ROC by Chu Power, or Round Light
Industry, or Sfon, or other companies. Thence, it's apparently rebranded abroad
as a "Yost All Steel Utility Vise", "S-Ks All Steel Vise", "Neiko HD All-Steel Vise",
"ProForge All-Steel Vise", "K-Tool Int'l Steel Vise", "TopTul All Cast-Steel Vise",
or one of many other (re)designations.
The packaging dimensions match those published by Round Light and by Yost:
560 x 254 x 254mm (22"x 10"x 10") lwh. However, the vise itself measures
483 x 200 x 200mm (19"x 8"x 8") lwh. On a bathroom scale, it tales 19+ kg (or
43 lbs), without the weight of packaging/crating. No mounting bolts or nuts
included.
The bottom half of the box showed water damage and stains from the vise
base, which itself had some surface rust. I should've asked for a discount.
The vise dogs tighten a flat bar up against the underlip of the base and arrest
the swivel very well, even under crosswise chipping applications (sorry, no pics
in-action. Only have two hands.)
If mounting this vise to a countertop (w/ backjaw face correctly in-plane with
the counter's edge) the counter has to be at least 390mm (15 3/8") deep to
the backwall, to allow for swing.
The location of the mounting holes of the swivel base is awkward, as in a lot of
swivelbase vises these days: a Y-array with two holes meant for location toward
the worktable's edge, and one at the opposite end. Mounted close enough to
the worktable's edge to allow upright clamping of a long piece, the two forward
holes are tearout-close to said edge (assuming a wooden worktable). It's thus
useful to skew the base for mounting:
The CT-102 is touted as all-steel, specifically (JIS) SC37, which has a potential
yield strength (.2% elongation) of 1030 MPa or 150ksi, compared to 65 ksi of
some ductile irons, and 20-odd ksi of cast gray/white. Of course, ksi is rather
meaningless if you don't consider sectional area, and the sections in the CT-102
can be quite thin indeed: as little as 10mm. Nevertheless the vise is at minimum,
suitable for medium duty in home/utility tasking, as all its vendors indicate. If we
eliminate the factor of CYA legalese/hedging, and based on my tasking of it so
far, this vise seems capable of taking on medium to even heavy-duty work, at
home-utility frequency.
Disassembly involves opening up the jaws until the bar slides out of the static
body. Driving a locking pin out of the leadscrew's head allows removal of the
leadscrew from the dynamic jaw and bar. Completely loosening the base dogs
uninstalls the swivel base.
The bar is 8mm steel plate, cold-forged into a strong U-channel, with top and
sides machined square, but not smooth. The bar covers and thus spares the
20mm (3/4") acme-thread lead-screw from swarf/dirt.
The static body is cast (SC37 steel), and features a 95mm (3 3/4") square anvil
face comprised of a 10mm plate, supported only at the edges by the uprights
of the static body. It should be suitable only for light duty, the sort deserving a
smoother surface than provided: the machining marks demand a redressing by
the user. The anvil's tiny, squat horn is merely ornamental, a visual clue to what
the adjacent flat's function is.
(cont'd)
Re: Taiwan All-Steel "Mechanist" Vise, 8-inch: a Review
The front jaw is a cast-steel semi-boxform. The 'semi-box' tightly fits over the
forward end of the bar, to which it's secured by a total of 5 full-length welds:
a pair of laps on the sides, two butts along the bottom, and a corner on top.
The steel jawplates are 204x20x10mm (8"x 25/32"x 3/8"), which Chu Power
and Round Light describe as 25~30 HRC steel. Deeply-serrated, the plates are
fastened to each jaw by a pair of screws, plateface inward. The jaws close
well, although there is 1-3mm play along all axes as the front jaw moves: not
unexpected in this type of design.
Otherwise, actuating the vise is easy. No sticky spots or backlash. For each turn
of the handle, the front jaw moves 5mm (or about 5 turns per inch of opening).
The handle slips freely in the heavy-chromed leadscrew-head, and consists of a
240mm (9 1/2") long, 15mm (5/8") diameter chromed round bar, with rubber
stops at its ends: the rubber means all you get is a dull thud, not a clang, when
the handle slips down, due to gravity, after a turn.
Although Chu Power, Round Light (and Yost) claim a jaw opening of 8", the bar
is fully supported only out to 7 1/4". The problem is that the bar is not guided by
the entire length of the static body's guide channel, but only by small tabs at the
guide channel's forward and rear mouths. Let me repeat: the guide tabs are
only found on the lips of the rear and front mouths of the guide channel:
If the jaws open beyond 7 1/4", the bar loses support from the rear guide-tabs,
and will fishtail. Worse, when you try to close the jaws again, the rear end of the
bar can jam against said rear guide-tabs, and then you'll have a LOT of fun, trying
to wiggle that heavy bar so that it clears the rear guide-tabs.
This is a serious design flaw, weld-fixable since the vise is steel, not cast-iron.
More on that, later.
Published specs (from Chu Power, Round Light, and Yost) of a 3 1/2" throat are
factual. The pipe jaws seem to be steel plate, welded in and painted over. As is
published, they can grip pipe from 3/4" to 2 1/4" diameter.
Most of the vise is finished in a wrinkled black paint which is ugly and haphazardly
applied. I don't like it and I furthermore don't get it: The manufacturer went the
extra mile making it all-steel, but painted it to look like cast iron!
While I don't very often care about looks on a working tool, the finish is a heck of
a dirt trap and will shred most cleaning rags you might try to use on it. Photos do
not accurately convey how rough and rasplike the finish can be in certain parts.
Expect amounts of black paint-dust or flakes to crumb out in the first week of use,
and some skin to come off your knuckles and fingertips as well.
Summary:
That regrettable guide-tab issue aside, as a work-holder for sawing, cutting, or
grinding/chipping of metals, the CT-102 (8") has worked well, over a few days
of use. I hammered at forge-red 10mm square stock in it without problems or
signs that the jaws had become misaligned or deformed. Sorry, no pictures in-
action. Again, I only have two hands.
At over 22.5 kg or ~50 lbs, the vise has the mass to help keep your work still
(even with its swivel-base) while you get all kinds of kinetic around it.
However, this is a vise marketed for home/utility use: If you are planning to go
caveman and cold-bend heavy sections in its grip, you will probably be less than
happy. Using a cheater pipe is also not a good idea, for vises in general.
Off-axis mounting of the swivel base (as depicted earlier) will allow safe, proper
installation of the vise with backjaw coplanar to a worktable's edge
In my opinion the user has to put some sweat into the following remedies:
- General deburring of certain edges and corners; and especially the removal
of excess paint. Indeed, outright removal of all paint, and replacing it with a
finish friendlier to cleaning rags and your knuckles, would be ideal.
- Redressing of the anvil to get it flat and smooth. 15 minutes with 180 and
then 240 grit (on a sanding block) should do wonders.
- 140mm-long pieces of 8mm thick stock can be used as filler for the problem
gaps between the forward and rear guide-tabs, giving uninterrupted support
to the sliding bar. A few spot-welds should be enough to install the filler bars.
After filing off any protrusions (or you could just epoxy the filler bars in place
for quick profit), the filler-bars should eliminate a lot of slop/play, thus allowing
the jaws to open fully and close with no problem. Obviously, this modification
will make the vise a bit heavier, and that isn't a bad thing.
Should you buy this vise?
If you need a heavy vise, the CT-102 is certainly worth consideration.
It's cheap enough not to worry constantly about damaging, and tough enough
to withstand middling amounts of abuse. It's all-steel, and so less prone to the
sort of cracking failures you'll risk with cast-gray/white. The fact that it's all-steel
also makes welded modifications feasible... and who doesn't like weld-modding?
This is 8" of all-steel vise jaw, for 1/5 the price of a Ridgid 4 1/2" dropforged
(Philippine prices), so maybe one oughtn't be nitpicky. If one has the time/tools
for some tweaking, and isn't looking to go all-caveman on it, this Taiwanese vise
can be a good bargain.
JM2, YMMV, TANSTAAFL
h.
-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
I hope to post the remedied/modded version of this vise, but that'll probably
have to wait until after flood season and then the Christmas rush are over.
Re: Taiwan All-Steel "Mechanist" Vise, 8-inch: a Review
@ horge,
Nice review bro of this Taiwan made heavy duty table vise and I am glad you are satisfied with its quality. Likewise with mine which I have been using since 2005, only mine is the 6" steel vise and purchased it from Hans Tools under S-KS All Steel Vise brand at a much lesser price of 2.5K hehehe, well di pa natin alam kasi shop ni Ms Mimi nuon.:whistle::rofl:
Well this may be a Taiwan made vise, but its all steel, thick steel, tough enough and just right for my intended DIY metal projects and other heavy clamping usage. :cool01: The pic above shows I have installed a 3/8" thick flat base where I can install it on one end my welding table ones it gets finish.
CIGWELD Weldskill 250 amp Mig Welder
AHP Alpha-TIG 200X welder
HITRONIC 300 Amp DC Inverter IGBT Welder
YAMATO 300 amp AC Stick Welder
YAMATO 200 amp DC Inverter IGBT Welder
DeWALT Chopsaw
HOBART and ESAB Welding Helmets
cloned STIHLs
MS 044 chainsaw
MS 070 chainsaw
Re: Taiwan All-Steel "Mechanist" Vise, 8-inch: a Review
@ horge,
Nice review bro of this Taiwan made heavy duty table vise and I am glad you are satisfied with its quality. Likewise with mine which I have been using since 2005, only mine is the 6" steel vise and purchased it from Hans Tools under S-KS All Steel Vise brand at a much lesser price of 2.5K hehehe, well di pa natin alam kasi shop ni Ms Mimi nuon.
🙂
Right now an S-Ks 6" from Han's Infinite costs P6,154.00
The exact same thing (except S-Ks sticker) from Ms. M.G. costs only P3,700.00.
Suerte ka, bossing. I actually think the sweet spot in this line of vises ends at 6".
For that length of jaw, the steel is still relatively thick. The 8" and 10" versions
seem to sport the same thickness, but just like two persons having the same
wasitline, but different heights... one will end up looking thinner.
I'm happy with my 8" vise, but I'll be even happier after I've done some mods
to make it better for my needs.
😉
Re: Taiwan All-Steel "Mechanist" Vise, 8-inch: a Review
thanks for the comprehensive review sir 🙂
It's nice that you have included the price and seeing that you even know the price other models (from Han's) tells us that you've compared prices and this vise is the best bang for our money 🙂
FOR DIY Projects, tips and tricks, please visit [COLOR="Red"]http://yesyoucanarchie.blogspot.com/
Re: Taiwan All-Steel "Mechanist" Vise, 8-inch: a Review
NIce one Horge, me thinks I'll get one at MIMI G's.:naughty2::bat:
Re: Taiwan All-Steel "Mechanist" Vise, 8-inch: a Review
nice review sir horge!
napansin ko lang, ang ganda na ng pera natin pala? parang macau at singapore style 🙂 (OT)
[COLOR="Blue"]Putting two pieces of metal together so they stay together - Bigote
[COLOR="DarkOrange"]Use the right tool for the right job!
Re: Taiwan All-Steel "Mechanist" Vise, 8-inch: a Review
thanks for the comprehensive review sir 🙂
It's nice that you have included the price and seeing that you even know the price other models (from Han's) tells us that you've compared prices and this vise is the best bang for our money
NIce one Horge, me thinks I'll get one at MIMI G's.:naughty2::bat:
nice review sir horge!
Thanks, guys ! 🙂
I just realized: at least two of the three 'modifications' I proposed will void the warranty
on the vise. The OEM offers a whopping 10 years on it, and Ms. M.G. is backing it for at
least 5. She was offhand assuring me that the thing had a five-year warranty, before the
outer freight box had been opened and the inner box's "10 year warranty" blurb was
revealed.
So, if you wish to retain warranty coverage against deformation or other structural failure...
- I 'guess' light deburring/dehorning would be okay, including a very light scrub of the
paint finish with medium-fine grit: not enough to strip paint, but just to make it rag-
friendly
- Redressing the anvil-flat should also be okay.
- Instead of welding in some filler stock between the front and rear guide-channel tabs,
8mm plate could simply be glued in: it's just there to help guide the vise's bar, not to
take any hard loads. In case of having to use the warranty, you can just remove the
plate and its glue before you bring the vise in.
Re: Taiwan All-Steel "Mechanist" Vise, 8-inch: a Review
Just out of curiosity, have you tried the Records?
click my signature and it will take you there........
Re: Taiwan All-Steel "Mechanist" Vise, 8-inch: a Review
Threadstarter: enjoy d vise and may it serve you well =). I have no idea who among the many, modern brands offer the better vise.
Timb, are there still record vises that are of english make and under 5k? Price of admission is often an issue, didnt think i,d shell out more than that when i was in the market for one.
Re: Taiwan All-Steel "Mechanist" Vise, 8-inch: a Review
Timb, are there still record vises that are of english make and under 5k? Price of admission is often an issue, didnt think i,d shell out more than that when i was in the market for one.
If I am not mistaken I believe I purchased the last 2 pcs 5 inch Swivel Base QR Records at Panda for under 5K. However they still have some 8" engineers vise for a whooping 12K something.
Owyn will not shell 5K for a Record but was powerless to resist against the mighty Wilton Bullet Vise. Most probably I too would have been given a good deal like the one he found for a NOS.
Millermatic 180 Autoset Mig Welder
Miller Spoolmate 100 Spool Gun
Victor Firepower 350 Oxy Ace Outfit
3M Speedglas 9002X AD Helmet
Makita LC1230 Dry Cut Saw
Ingersoll Rand Air Tools
Snap On Tools
Metabo Power Tools
Norseman Drill Cutting Tools
Bosch Power Tools
3M PPS
Re: Taiwan All-Steel "Mechanist" Vise, 8-inch: a Review
^ Hoarder! =). ..There's this funny sig quote in GJ that goes like "Hoarding? I don't hoard, i maintain an inventory." 2 vises... included into rest of the fold.
I believe i would have been more than happy with a record. Too bad then that locally available ones are now about extinct. It's an easy recommendation to anyone. Back then, there's enough you can even get one at hans shangrila.
---------
@JAyl, I've seen a beige acura legend at honda QC dealership before and it turns out that they sold a few units here back in the 90's. (Talked to a guy who used to handle one corporate account that procured one.) Even after all these years it looks sooo nice. Such a nice comfy cruiser of a coupe it must be. You gotta love anything that's made well, has a measure of beauty, and is still doing it after years of use.
Re: Taiwan All-Steel "Mechanist" Vise, 8-inch: a Review
OT : Yes Owyn those upper range Hondas are really great specially the handling. I once owned a new Gen5 ( 1998 ) Honda Prelude and it's so much fun to use. I mod it full race till my wallet was almost in the verge of suicide. I was younger then thus I enjoyed such vehicles. In the end I sold it instead of bringing it back home to the Philippines. I don't regret losing money in it .... the ride times was worth it. You're still young. Go out for one Legend. We only live once.
Millermatic 180 Autoset Mig Welder
Miller Spoolmate 100 Spool Gun
Victor Firepower 350 Oxy Ace Outfit
3M Speedglas 9002X AD Helmet
Makita LC1230 Dry Cut Saw
Ingersoll Rand Air Tools
Snap On Tools
Metabo Power Tools
Norseman Drill Cutting Tools
Bosch Power Tools
3M PPS
Re: Taiwan All-Steel "Mechanist" Vise, 8-inch: a Review
Going back to the Vise.
I wonder how much stronger the steel vise is compared to iron considering both are cast. I believe vise makers measure it in terms of psi.
Millermatic 180 Autoset Mig Welder
Miller Spoolmate 100 Spool Gun
Victor Firepower 350 Oxy Ace Outfit
3M Speedglas 9002X AD Helmet
Makita LC1230 Dry Cut Saw
Ingersoll Rand Air Tools
Snap On Tools
Metabo Power Tools
Norseman Drill Cutting Tools
Bosch Power Tools
3M PPS
Re: Taiwan All-Steel "Mechanist" Vise, 8-inch: a Review
Are NICHOLSONS brand vise good enough for a shop. I ones saw a vise of this brand a few months back, just not so sure if it was a 6" or an 8" vise in a mall hardware and priced at 5K plus. Yes the construction/built was ok and looks heavy duty as I was inspecting it but the square flat anvil surface I noticed seem to have some or several hammer dent marks, I guess it has been used as a sample hammering anvil. 😮 😡
I was thinking, parang malambot ang pagka bakal na ginamit dito, because of those dent marks, my question is, is it worth buying that brand, could it be possible that its quality have been compromised since it is probably already made maybe in China or is it still US brand ?? Do correct me if I am wrong.
TIA
CIGWELD Weldskill 250 amp Mig Welder
AHP Alpha-TIG 200X welder
HITRONIC 300 Amp DC Inverter IGBT Welder
YAMATO 300 amp AC Stick Welder
YAMATO 200 amp DC Inverter IGBT Welder
DeWALT Chopsaw
HOBART and ESAB Welding Helmets
cloned STIHLs
MS 044 chainsaw
MS 070 chainsaw
