Stanley Quick Clamp Vise

Boys and Girls,

 

Found this “review” sitting on my PC gathering cobwebs…  I compiled it just before LJ’s debacle with reviews under the new regime… so it’s nothing like the Virgin Airlines… never flown before… and it’s not even a plane. 

 

I’ve been using this little gizmo for quite a few years now, however, while working on some sort of presentation of my Mini Office Workbench, use of this item reared its ugly head and I thought I might do a quick review in case some people were ignorant about its existence. 

 

I’ve read/viewed a few reviews online and most canning of the clamp came from tradies that expected a Triton Superjaw performance from this lightweight unit.

After reading a few reviews, most of the complaints was that the jaws didn’t perfectly align.  Mine were passable, however, there are screws/bolts 

that can be shimmed out for that near perfect alignment.

 

Don’t be fooled by the retail adds of balancing solid doors and use in structural framing… that’s total

 

unless used as a lightweight clamp, which is not what they (suppliers) are trying to portray.

 

It is lightweight, made out of rigid plastic, aluminium and steel with rubber pads to soften its serrated metal jaw’s grip…
(and from that description, don’t confuse it with the other small Stanley Angle Base Vise,

).

 

My recommendation is for woodworking and not heavy metalworking.  Though can be suitable for light metalworking but I suggest keep that oxy torch and/or mig welders under control.

 

The clamp/vice jaws can be quick moved in either forward/backward direction by lifting the handle whole bracing the thumb against a thumb hold,  

(or slowly pump the lever to close). Once the jaws contact the work, the handle can be pumped down to exert the pressure.  Doesn’t take too much effort to hold a timber piece solid in the rubber lined jaws.
To release, just lift up the handle,

 

There are 4 screw holes for attaching to a mobile base/workbench,

It has small V grooves to hold metal rods and dowels.  

either vertically or horizontally. Two clamps are supplied,

that can be slid into the channels for benchtop attachment, though with the reach of the clamps I found it easier to use packing timber to minimise the need for extensive twisting,

especially with different thicknessed tabletops.

 

It has an opening capacity of 120mm, however, discretion should be used when choosing your torture victim.  This volunteer was a 19mm steel threaded rod 

held firm enough for me to tackle it with an electron charged Otto hacksaw,

 

Using the 4 pre drilled screw holes, I have mounted mine to a 19mm “Parfed” pine base 

that I then TSO loc-dog to my MFT style benches,

 

Now a Moxon vise might be an enjoyable build, however, it could become quite labour intensive and shekel heavy (which many may ignore to justify the build)… you don’t always need that “Tim the Toolman” power, and find that sometimes less is more.

 

While its holding power exceeded my expectations,  mine is dedicated to lighter duties that permit lifting and holding smaller tasks into my aging focal distance while leaving my two hands operational… even with the dodgy lefty.

 

I have also made a video to extol my views of the virtues of this clamp/vise…

Thanks for the time to look.