Tool Talk

General Category => General Discussion => Topic started by: Bill Houghton on August 12, 2018, 09:38:15 PM

Title: Metalworking Vise ID?
Post by: Bill Houghton on August 12, 2018, 09:38:15 PM

Picked up the odd vise below yesterday; jaws are about 5". Anyone recognize the logo (dykem's been added to the logo area to highlight it)?

The rear jaw moves, on dovetailed ways with an adjusting gib, the same sort of design some woodworking jointers use.

Title: Re: Metalworking Vise ID?
Post by: mikeswrenches on August 13, 2018, 08:30:44 AM

Bill, most of those, maybe all, are made in Poland. Generally considered to be an excellent vise. I had one several years ago and I remember it primarily because it was extremely heavy and it had adjustable gibs on the dovetail slide.

Mike

Title: Re: Metalworking Vise ID?
Post by: Bill Houghton on August 13, 2018, 09:00:04 AM

Thanks.  Over on Old Woodworking Machines, it was identified as Polish, and I found a bunch of them on eBay.

I'm curious: what did you like/not like about it, besides the heft?

Title: Re: Metalworking Vise ID?
Post by: Yadda on August 13, 2018, 09:09:40 AM

That look like one beast of a vise. How much does it weigh?

Title: Re: Metalworking Vise ID?
Post by: kwoswalt99 on August 13, 2018, 02:04:57 PM

It’s FPU Bison.

Title: Re: Metalworking Vise ID?
Post by: wrenchguy on August 14, 2018, 07:19:24 AM

it opens weirdly, the rear jaw travels away from u and can't chuck anything up that drops below edge of bench.  they r hell4stout.

Title: Re: Metalworking Vise ID?
Post by: mikeswrenches on August 14, 2018, 10:00:33 AM

Quote from: Bill Houghton on August 13, 2018, 09:00:04 AM

Thanks.  Over on Old Woodworking Machines, it was identified as Polish, and I found a bunch of them on eBay.

I'm curious: what did you like/not like about it, besides the heft?

As wrenchguy said, the movable rear jaw is too unwieldy. Also the shallow jaw depth is another issue. I use an old Prentiss coach makers vise myself because I like the smooth jaws and the deep throat. Plus the rear jaw stays put and doesn’t move.

Mike

Title: Re: Metalworking Vise ID?
Post by: Bill Houghton on August 14, 2018, 11:05:30 AM

But they sell for fairly big money on That Auction Site, particularly so considering that freight is $50 and up; so there must be folks who find them the right vise (as opposed to the right vice, which is, of course, tool gathering).

Title: Re: Metalworking Vise ID?
Post by: wrenchguy on August 17, 2018, 07:01:44 AM

Quote from: Bill Houghton on August 14, 2018, 11:05:30 AM

But they sell for fairly big money on That Auction Site, particularly so considering that freight is $50 and up; so there must be folks who find them the right vise (as opposed to the right vice, which is, of course, tool gathering).

Precisely made,  definitely has a place on the bench when u know its advantages and limitations. i got several 6"ers, as well as parts 1's.