Vacuum-mount hobby vices?

December 24, 2019, 11:56 AM

Pipe Smoker

I’ve often needed one of the neat vacuum-mount hobby vices for a multitude of tasks. I’d be mounting it on a granite counter. There are several offered on Amazon. I’d like to know which of them has the best jaws – precision alignment with parallel jaw faces. And has smooth operation.

The PanaVise seems to be the original that others have copied (and is the most expensive at $52).

www.amazon.com/dp/B000B63276/r..._api_i_GBKaEbAD8Y0X9

Bessey BVVB $32.99.

www.amazon.com/dp/B0057PUR88/r..._api_i_L5KaEbNH6WXJA

Yost V-275 $27.80.

www.amazon.com/dp/B00MX140FU/r..._api_i_v8KaEb0TRA19X

POWERTEC 71016 $20.62.

www.amazon.com/dp/B00NIZUSJ2/r..._api_i_E-KaEb267RANH

Does anyone have experience with these, or others?

December 24, 2019, 12:22 PM

sigfreund

Only the PanaVise, but I’ve had it for decades and after getting it wished I had discovered it years earlier. Of course, I have no idea what current production specimens are like, but am completely happy with mine. I also recommend the different jaws, at least metal and plastic/nylon/PTFE.

It appears that the others have rubber covers for the jaws and therefore don’t require switching the jaws entirely for different purposes. Doing that with the PanaVise is a little less fast and easy, but I believe it’s still preferable for some jobs.

December 24, 2019, 12:49 PM

PHPaul

May I ask what you plan to do with it?

Even under ideal mounting conditions, there's a limit to the amount of torque a vacuum mount can withstand.

In any event, it's hard to go wrong with a Panavise in my experience.

December 24, 2019, 12:50 PM

haul_n_horses2

quote:
Originally posted by sigfreund:
Only the PanaVise, but I’ve had it for decades and after getting it wished I had discovered it years earlier. Of course, I have no idea what current production specimens are like, but am completely happy with mine. I also recommend the different jaws, at least metal and plastic/nylon/PTFE.

It appears that the others have rubber covers for the jaws and therefore don’t require switching the jaws entirely for different purposes. Doing that with the PanaVise is a little less fast and easy, but I believe it’s still preferable for some jobs.

PanaVise Corporate History Current ownership seems dedicated to continued manufacturing in Reno, Nevada. No idea what the source of their content is but they seem dedicated to the USA.

December 24, 2019, 01:00 PM

sigfreund

Just as we need different guns for different purposes, it's good to have different vises for different purposes. I use my PanaVise countless more times than the large one I have.

December 24, 2019, 01:08 PM

GaryBF

I don't have a vacuum mount, but another vote for PanaVise. They have a wide variety of options and accessories.

December 24, 2019, 01:19 PM

Tinyman

Bought one @ Lowes -- works great secured to the top of my toolbox. Had it awhile so can't remember how much I paid -- sorrty.

Tinyman

December 24, 2019, 01:46 PM

YooperSigs

Panavise is excellent but I use a small one with a clamp that tightens to the table where I work on projects. I dont worry about vacuum failure. Mine is made by Irwin and Lowes sells them,

June 20, 2020, 12:05 PM

Pipe Smoker

I just bought the vacuum base PanaVise 381. I should’ve bought it when I started this thread: $52 on Amazon then, now $67.49.

I’ll mount it on my granite counter as a “third hand” tool that can be easily put away when I don’t need it. I won’t ask it to hold heavy objects. It appears to be US made - at least the company is headquartered in Reno, Nevada.

June 20, 2020, 01:23 PM

architect

I lusted for a Panavise when I was younger, but bought a similar Craftsman model instead. I wish I'd held out for a Panavise.