Performance Tool MV4 Hammer Tough 4-Inch Machinist Vise

Okay, when I bought this I knew I wasn't getting anything in the line of a machinist tool, I mean I only wanted to use it on my $57.00 8 inch Harbor Freight bench top drill press. But this vise didn't make the grade of a $4.00 Dollar Store item, really! I've spent better than an hour already reworking things on it just to get it to some standard of use. The screwed on jaw faces would not tighten up, even though the screws were tighten down, seems the poorly job on making the holes in the jaw plates (tampered) let the screw heads contact the jaw frame before actually drawing down on the plates. I had to cut off the eyelet end of 4 electronic wire connectors to use as spacers under the screw heads, then that left two screw needing the heads filed off to be flush with the jaw plates. Then on the under side there is a piece of metal plate screwed to the bottom of the moving jaw that acts as two things, one it holds the jaw into the frame of the vise, and it acts as a glide, well it needed shimmed, but NOPE! they tightened up the screws and just bent the plate, then backed the screws off a tad so the jaw would move, leaving the screws lose. I re-worked that by flattening out the little plate then finding some little washers to use for shims and then put blue loc-tite on the screw threads. The metal plate had been stamped out with jagged sharp edges facing upward to dig into the vise frame, I turned it over so the smooth side would better glide on the vise frame.This is as bad of a buy as I've came across in a long time. Now that said here is the good side of it, the 2-1/2" vise is perfect size for the 8 inch bench top drill press. So, I don't see anything else on Amazon at present to buy to replace it, so, I'll keep it, but I am looking for replacement. For this item I'd suggest looking for a better one and I'm not being picky. NOT A DEAL AT ANY PRICE!

I was looking for a small vise for my small drill press. I was not looking for machinist precision as I have a milling machine for that, but better quality than the flimsy vises I saw in the hardware store (and on Amazon). I was also looking for a vise with center clearance so I don't have to worry about drilling into the base or spindle for through holes. This one seemed to meet these requirements. I carefully read all the reviews here (Thank you for taking the time) and expected to do some reworking to finish the vise. However, I was disappointed when I received it. The bottom bracket was lose and the screws could not be tightened, as a result the vise has too much play. It would require re-drilling / threading and new screws to fix. The surface finish of the brackets is bad, it would require milling the surface. I debated myself and finally decided to spend my time on my projects rather than on fixing bad tools. I just returned it and ordered a machinist vise for significantly more money. This vise could be really good, definitely better than hardware store vises selling at similar price, but assembly and finish would need to be improved.

Wanted a small vise for a small workbench that wouldn't consume too much real estate. This little clamper fit the bill. As others have described it's a little rough as shipped. I used high temp grease and hit all the friction surfaces including the screw, then worked it open/closed a few times and it slicked right up. Bolted it to the bench with 1/2 inch hardware. I can personally attest that it provides enough holding power to torque a tube to 30+ ft/lbs repeatedly when held in a fixture... beyond that I cannot vouchsafe. The only thing that would improve it would be another 1/2 - 1 inch of jaw opening. I'm sure it would do a fine job on a drill press. I wouldn't call it industrial quality but it's solid as a rock and cast iron so the potential for a lifetime of use is there.

Easy to mount on the steel table I made. Strange that the rotating locks did not have a bar to tighten or loosen the bolts, but this is better. Use a old 18 mm box wrench and just leave it on the bolts to adjust. The quick adjust function is great and works smooth. Kind of small anvil pad to work with but is there and does the job. The hammer tone paint is alot stronger than I thought it would be, hasn't chipped yet. The jaws open alot farther than they are wide, bonus. the rear jaw sits out past the edge of my table, another bonus. Good grip with little pressure applied to vise jaws. Good buy so far.

Much more robust then I expected for this price. This will make an great general purpose household vice.Where it says hammer tough I do believe that to be true. Made of very heavy Iron/steel a little tough to open and close at first, gets easier after a few tries. I can see using this vice for many years and for many jobs. Only reason I gave 4 and not 5 is because 5 stars means perfection to me and few things reach that. Good working tool that fits into my tool box. Jaws are 2-3/4' wide, opens to 2-1/2', base clamp opens to slightly wider then 1 3/4' so would mount to standard 2' lumber.

Rugged but not precision. The sliding jaw is very wobbly and really doesn't have any sort of machined sliding fit to the base (e.g. a "T" or "tapered way" like you will find in a real drill press vise.) It will clamp a piece bar stock or a piece you wish to drill or work, but not very precisely because of the wobbly jaws. So, you can't achieve really precise positioning of the work piece like you could if the sliding jaw was more constrained. I wasn't expecting too much for $17, and didn't get it. It's not my main drill press vise, I needed it for a special purpose fixture I am building and it will sort of fill the bill for that. I like to call these kind of make-believe tools "mock products". They appear to be the product they purport to be, but lack essential characteristics of the real thing. In this case that would be some modicum of precision. What did I expect from China, anyway?

The set screw when tightened on the inset binds the jaws. I can set on an extension location. I think that will work. I haven't used them in practice though. The slots are the right size for me though. All the others I looked at were about the same price and I figure their quality is about the same. If I need better I would have to look for a professional grade which means much more money.

I wanted a smallish vice that I can use in a workroom and a diy room for sanding, soldering and sawingThis is perfect, makes life so simple, and I have cut 1.5" alloy bar in this vice with no problem

Good

Purchased this originally last March. Lasted 3 months before the front jaw literally almost fell off while I was clamping a drive shaft. The front jaw completely broke off. But they warrantied no problem. Have had this vice since june, and now the solid mounted jaw( or main jaw) is cracked on both sides. And will require replacement. Would be an okay vice for light duty work but not for a shop vice where you actually use it.

This vise is perfect for my needs can do anything from holding wood to pressing u joints, perfect all around vise.

Solide, facile d'utilisation et de bonne dimension pour ce que je vais en faire... fabrication de petits meubles.