Hitch-mounted Vise

[The Critic]

I didn’t realize these existed until I saw the HF ad.

Anyway, it appears that Wilton makes one, but the pricing is 3x the HF Doyle. I’m guessing that none of these are truly meant for any serious work, so perhaps HF is the better choice here?

https://www.harborfreight.com/6-in-hitch-vise-58880.html

https://m.northerntool.com/shop/tools/product_200920029_200920029

 

[AZjeff]

Do you have a use in mind that you'd need that enough to buy one?

 

[The Critic]

Do you have a use in mind that you'd need that enough to buy one?

I do not have a vise at home. This is due to lack of space for a workbench. So, having any vise would be nice.

 

[4WD]

aside from the hitch part - I find this style of vise to be more versatile

 

[supton]

My first thought? My bike rack has a nut in the pin area, it's a bolt that you stick through and tighten down, so it doesn't rattle. A vice that you might need to stay put, would the slop in the receiver be annoying? That little "click" as it moves around on you, regardless of how tight the jaws are.

Next up, with enough force it's the truck that it's installed in that will be doing the moving...

This setup might work for you, but if I think outside of the box for a moment: you're presuming you will have the truck handy for whenever you need this vice, right? Could you take a piece of 1 or 2" thick MDF, stick it onto some 2x4 "feet", and make a small workbench that sits in the bed of the truck? MDF might not be the right substance (don't get it wet!) but it might be cheap enough to try. If not MDF, then could you make a bench that sits in the bed and is somehow tucked out of the way when not in use?

Weren't you just looking into rolling drawer/cabinets? big chunk of MDF bolted to a top of those would make a good spot for a vice.

Don't do what I did and mount a vice too close to anything else, it makes access around the vice too hard. I didn't have a choice (pre-existing holes) but rare is the time I don't think about moving it someplace better.

 

[jhellwig]

I have used the Wilton one before and it is meh. They are a compromise but would be fine for occasional use.

 

[D60]

This style sucks. Too low.

I built one, bending sq tube so the mounting plate was near the height of a tailgate. Still, I never used it and actually just hauled it to the scrap yard. It just had a basic HF vise on it so no big loss.

If you did a lot of mobile work it could have been useful, but I try not to work in the field anymore.

If you want to mount it in a receiver on a workbench, ok.....it'll do....but I'd shop for a decent Wilton and find a way to mount it permanently.

 

[The Critic]

My first thought? My bike rack has a nut in the pin area, it's a bolt that you stick through and tighten down, so it doesn't rattle. A vice that you might need to stay put, would the slop in the receiver be annoying? That little "click" as it moves around on you, regardless of how tight the jaws are.

Next up, with enough force it's the truck that it's installed in that will be doing the moving...

This setup might work for you, but if I think outside of the box for a moment: you're presuming you will have the truck handy for whenever you need this vice, right? Could you take a piece of 1 or 2" thick MDF, stick it onto some 2x4 "feet", and make a small workbench that sits in the bed of the truck? MDF might not be the right substance (don't get it wet!) but it might be cheap enough to try. If not MDF, then could you make a bench that sits in the bed and is somehow tucked out of the way when not in use?

Weren't you just looking into rolling drawer/cabinets? big chunk of MDF bolted to a top of those would make a good spot for a vice.

Don't do what I did and mount a vice too close to anything else, it makes access around the vice too hard. I didn't have a choice (pre-existing holes) but rare is the time I don't think about moving it someplace better.

This style sucks. Too low.

I built one, bending sq tube so the mounting plate was near the height of a tailgate. Still, I never used it and actually just hauled it to the scrap yard. It just had a basic HF vise on it so no big loss.

If you did a lot of mobile work it could have been useful, but I try not to work in the field anymore.

If you want to mount it in a receiver on a workbench, ok.....it'll do....but I'd shop for a decent Wilton and find a way to mount it permanently.

I do not have a permanent workbench in my home garage. Therefore, no place to mount a vise. Although it is rarely used, it would be nice to have one available, hence this idea.

 

[Trav]

If you have no room for a big vise and only do light stuff then I see no problems with it. It is better than the alternative.

 

[D60]

I do not have a permanent workbench in my home garage. Therefore, no place to mount a vise. Although it is rarely used, it would be nice to have one available, hence this idea.

Sure. I've never touched one so I'm not sure of the action, if they clamp square, etc.

If a vise on a receiver is the goal you can just as easily obtain any vise you want and build a plate on which to mount it welded to some 2" sq tube. If you can't weld just mock up what you want and throw a 6 pack at someone with a welder.

My Park bike stand goes in a receiver in my work bench.....

 

[RyanY]

@The Critic I am in the same situation. I have a cabinet/countertop in the garage but no good place for a permanent vise. As a workaround, I mounted a medium-size vise to 1" plywood base (two 1/2" pieces stacked and glued) about 12" x 6" that has holes to hang on hooks in the side of the cabinet. When I need a vise I clamp the base to the cabinet, and then remove it when I finish.

That said, the high vise would be useful at a worksite or other outdoor location.

 

[Boomer]

I have an old Black and Decker portable workbench with the top that opens and closes as you turn two handles. I mounted my vice on a piece of 1" wood and when I need to use it, I just use the top of the workbench to anchor it in place. When done, the workbench folds up and leans against the wall and the mounted vice goes on a shelf.

 

[JHZR2]

Mount one to your new toolbox.

Drill it through the top, should be fine. I have this setup in one of my garages and it works well…

 

[Trav]

I would make a heavy vise stand, mounting a heavy vise to a tool box is not a great idea if you really get into beating on something.

 

[Speedbird001]

Good reason to upgrade; I got an “open box” (return) HF Yukon 48” tool cart / bench with wood top for like $250. I added an additional layer of plywood under the top and mounted a COSTCO Vice to that. Works very well. You can get creative with hinges or a plate with nuts for easy removal if you think a vice will be in the way more often than not.

 

[Speedbird001]

I would make a heavy vise stand, mounting a heavy vise to a tool box is not a great idea if you really get into beating on something.

Good point. I purposely keep mine on the heavy side. Actually have 50lbs or so of old weight plates in the bottom drawers for stability and make sure the wheels are locked.

 

[The Critic]

Mount one to your new toolbox.

Drill it through the top, should be fine. I have this setup in one of my garages and it works well…

I would make a heavy vise stand, mounting a heavy vise to a tool box is not a great idea if you really get into beating on something.

My box probably weighs between 1500-2000 lbs (total) with a decent amount of heavy items in the lower drawers, but I can't stomach the idea of drilling holes thru the top.

 

[JHZR2]

I would make a heavy vise stand, mounting a heavy vise to a tool box is not a great idea if you really get into beating on something.

That stand is going to have to be pretty big to be stable. Especially if bearing on it.

My box probably weighs between 1500-2000 lbs (total) with a decent amount of heavy items in the lower drawers, but I can't stomach the idea of drilling holes thru the top.

It’s meant for work. You got a good deal, right? Put some 3/4 plywood either above or below the surface and it will stiffen up nicely. Nobody will care if there are four 3/8” holes when you go to sell.

 

[D60]

I've personally never understood stand alone vise stands unless they're bolted down. I've always bolted vises to custom steel workbenches that were bolted to the floor. Of course I also built axle housing holders and have been known to put 15' cheaters on hex keys to remove D60 king pins. With that kind of leverage even most heavy workbenches will scoot a bit unless solidly attached to the floor.