Are 3 jaw / swivel bench vices practical?

[JOEPRO]

Spotted something similar to @GraemeVW vice below for sale an hour away £150



(That is Graemes above)

Fortis vice.

Are these more of a collectors item than useful?

I like they have quick release and anvil but in general use if you try to clamp something tight near the edge I presume they don't work very well?

What are they good at clamping? Must be a very limited use....

 

[MattF]

Any swivel jaw vice is a slight compromise on holding ability, occasionally. In certain cases, however, they're invaluable.

 

[GraemeVW]

Use them for round stuff, and occasional odd shaped stuff.
I wouldn't have one as my only vice. I'm not beating ball joints out of A arms in one, or clamping some 5mm steel plate and smashing it over 90° with a club hammer!

They are occasional use, but handy to have, and cool.
I sold that one, but I have another 3 jaw that is better than the fortis so didn't need them both.

In maybe 3 years (2 years, I don't know) of 3 jaw vice ownership I've probable only used it twice, but that says more about what I fix/make than the vices ability.

If you want one, and don't immediately know it's going to serve a good purpose, then just admit you want one because it's cool/rare and buy it anyway.

The fortis ones are steel, and they are strong, so they aren't gimmicky.
Although the French (noveto?) Ones seem to break quite frequently.

What make is the one you have found?

 

[JOEPRO]

It's a Fortis just like your green one was.

Seller looking £150 it's too rich for a collectors vice not for me. I have a no 2 record in my front garage. I'm impressed by how good and tight that vice is.

My back garage has a Stanley vice which is loose and rattly. I'll look for a record vice with quick release etc

 

[Fazerruss]

look up fractal vice. The are very good at holding irregular shape objects.

 

[GraemeVW]

It's a Fortis just like your green one was.

Seller looking £150 it's too rich for a collectors vice not for me. I have a no 2 record in my front garage. I'm impressed by how good and tight that vice is.

My back garage has a Stanley vice which is loose and rattly. I'll look for a record vice with quick release etc

They aren't really a replacement for a good, standard, bench vice.

 

[JOEPRO]

 

[GraemeVW]

look up fractal vice. The are very good at holding irregular shape objects.

If you have a mill.
Not really bench vices though.
Oh, and 10x the cost of the fortis!

Would LOVE one though!

 

[GraemeVW]

View attachment 424044

Looks nice. £150 is about right in my opinion. A year ago when folk were less stressed about money, it would have been considered quite cheap.

They are very cool. I'd say buy it anyway. But I'm a bad influence.