I have looked at many cheap vices, obviously made in the Far East, and they have all been - to say the least - er, rough. This one however, is different.

It is made from good quality cast iron, and is ground (not just milled) on all the important surfaces. The finish is very good, and they are no burrs or sharp edges. The fit and motion of the moving jaw is also very good. In addition, I have also done some alignment checks on it, and the accuracy is very good too.

(The vice I received is not exactly as illustrated, as it has a stationary jaw that extends along the axis of the vice in a channel formation, as though it is intended to mount on its end face. The end face though, is painted. I set the vice up accurately and machined off the paint, to find an accurately machined surface underneath. Why its painted, I dunno, but I now have another accurate mounting face.)

As delivered, the vice can be accurately mounted on its bottom, and on both side faces, to drill rectangular or round material (there are horizontal and vertical vee grooves in the stationary jaw, and the jaw plates are removable.) With the mod described above, it can also be mounted on the end face.

All-in-all, an excellent vice and incredible value for money. It would be a bargain at twice the price. Buy one! (No, buy two!)

Jon Laughton | Olney, England | April 2015