LumberJocks Woodworking Forum banner
Cancel

Sjobergs Vise - Worth The $$ Money $$ ?

4211 Views 12 Replies 9 Participants Last post by  AlaskaGuy, 
C
I have a standard workbench with 3/4" Birch Plywood top on a flat 2×6 frame glued and screwed under it.
It's sitting on industrial surplus steel bench leg sets (2) and I want to adapt one end of the bench to install a woodworking vise.
I have seen the recommendations from Stumpy Nubs, Rob Cosman, and a couple others that swear the Sjobergs vise is the only way to go but always in reference to heavy duty woodworking vises.
I don't want to buy another vise if I decide to build a nice woodworkers bench such as the Cosman bench but if the price tag of the Sjobergs vise is really worth it I may pull the trigger
Let me know if you have other recommendations.
Thx.
Reply
Save
Like
1 - 13 of 13 Posts
Etto
Just my opinion, but there are lots of good options to choose from, Irwin, Yost etc. A lot more affordable, I have an Irwin and a Yost and they both work just great. Never had an issue.

I think the main concern is how big the vise should be and what features - quick release etc - you want. Another consideration is how easy it is to install and uninstall.
Reply
Save
Like
Etto
Rectangle Wood Table Wood stain Floor


This Irwin vise on my mini workbench is just perfect.

Attachments

See less See more
2
Reply
Save
Like
M
I didn't know anyone recommended Sjoberg vises over other vises! For my money, they're way down the list. I'd check and see if the people recommending Sjobergs over other vises are being sponsored to do so!

If you can find a Record 52 (or 52 1/2, or etc), in good condition, that's where I'd put my money in your situation. A new Eclipse/Irwin will also greatly outperform a Sjoberg in terms of capacity for much less money. For example, https://www.woodcraft.com/products/eclipse-10-quick-release-vise has almost 15" of capacity for 100 dollars less than the Rob Cosman Sjoberg, which has about 5" of capacity or so. After you add in wooden faces to your jaws (as pictured above by Gerald Etto), you'll still have over 13" of capacity.

The Lee Valley Twin Screw is about the same money, but has over twice the capacity as the Sjoberg:
https://www.leevalley.com/en-us/shop/tools/workshop/workbenches/vises/45114-veritas-twin-screw-vise?item=05G1222
with much more advanced features.

Andy Klein's Twin Turbo vise is a bit more money, but light-years beyond what Sjoberg, or anyone else, is offering:
https://www.in-kleind.com/store/Twin-Turbo-Vise-c34750217

So I can't see any situation in which it makes sense to buy a Sjoberg vise. Maybe I'm missing something?
See less See more
Reply
Save
Like
C
I'm not sure I want the quick release feature and I definately want a large handle.
My main concern is racking which will happen on the lower end vises if an irregular piece is put in it.
I suspect Cosman gets a kick back because he sells the Sjoberg vise.
I fear the low end stuff will have poor fitting threads and a lot of slop.
Am I correct?
Reply
Save
Like
R
I m not sure I want the quick release feature and I definately want a large handle.
My main concern is racking which will happen on the lower end vises if an irregular piece is put in it.
I suspect Cosman gets a kick back because he sells the Sjoberg vise.
I fear the low end stuff will have poor fitting threads and a lot of slop.
Am I correct?

- CT Turner
Click to expand...
Yes, Rob Cosman is sponsored by many different vendors. I always take that into consideration when anyone is trying to advise me. I'm not saying he doesn't recommend good products-anyone wanting to protect their reputation will shy away from recommending crappy products-but it will be a factor in what he chooses to push.

And regarding quick release, my old Jorgensen has that feature and I wouldn't be without it. It saves endless cranking. As for the handle, if by large you mean long, you can fashion any length you want yourself. It's just a dowel with end caps.
Reply
Save
Like
woodbutcherbynight
I came across a deal on these two Irwin vises and installed them where I had room. Use them quite often. Not a quick release but they do okay.

Table Wood Floor Flooring Desk

Attachments

See less See more
2
Reply
Save
Like
AlaskaGuy
Reply
Save
Like
S
I have 2 of the Sjoberg vises. For the most part, I like them. However, the issue that I don't like is not necessarily an issue with the Sjoberg brand. I wish I had a vise like a shoulder vise like the one on Rob's bench. Reason I say that is because the way my bench is set up, there's not much room for a wide board to be clamped in the vise vertically (think dovetails on casework).

However, as I know Rob personally, I can tell you that he is sponsored by a lot less companies than you think he is. His "kickback" is the profit he makes on selling certain products, like the Sjoberg vise.
Reply
Save
Like
GrumpyGolfGuy
For what it's worth I bought one of these for my bench. First off it's heavy and hard to handle when mounting by yourself like I did. Took me 4 shots to get it mounted straight. I'm not all that impressed with it overall, I believe I'd have been further ahead getting something like Gerald posted. Prior to the 4th attempt to mount it I dang near sold it. It's a solid vice built very well. But I will say I would have been happier with something much cheaper and more practical for what I do in my shop.

Just my opinion….

Chris
Reply
Save
Like
Foghorn
I have 2 of the Sjoberg vises. For the most part, I like them. However, the issue that I don't like is not necessarily an issue with the Sjoberg brand. I wish I had a vise like a shoulder vise like the one on Rob's bench. Reason I say that is because the way my bench is set up, there's not much room for a wide board to be clamped in the vise vertically (think dovetails on casework).

However, as I know Rob personally, I can tell you that he is sponsored by a lot less companies than you think he is. His "kickback" is the profit he makes on selling certain products, like the Sjoberg vise.

- Smirak
Click to expand...
Woodworking isn't a get rich quick thing. Rob is an excellent woodworker and promotes decent products and even mentions alternatives in his videos. Man has to make a living. Can't say a Sjoberg vise would be my first choice although I've never seen one in the wild. Love my Tucker vise, Veritas twin screw, Record and a few other vises. Can you tell I love vises!
Reply
Save
Like
C
Well I bought a vise from Rockler and it was actually blue painted cheap junk. Sent it back and bought a Wilton from Amazon for $185 shipped.
It was great quality.
I liked it so much I bought a used one on Ebay as well and added a second one to the bench to use in conjunction with the new one for long pieces I work on.
Reply
Save
Like
AlaskaGuy
Well I bought a vise from Rockler and it was actually blue painted cheap junk. Sent it back and bought a Wilton from Amazon for $185 shipped.
It was great quality.
I liked it so much I bought a used one on Ebay as well and added a second one to the bench to use in conjunction with the new one for long pieces I work on.

- CT Turner
Click to expand...
Look at this link and tell me which one did you get/like. Wilton has many models.

https://www.google.com/search?client=firefox-b-1-d&ei=QB3sX_OSJtjh-gTe15XABQ&q=Wilton+wood+vice+from+Amazon&oq=Wilton+wood+vice+from+Amazon&gs_lcp=CgZwc3ktYWIQDDoECAAQR1CNXVifaWCee2gAcAF4AIABgAGIAdcEkgEDMC41mAEAoAEBqgEHZ3dzLXdpesgBCMABAQ&sclient=psy-ab&ved=0ahUKEwjzsu2KifXtAhXYsJ4KHd5rBVgQ4dUDCAw
Reply
Save
Like
1 - 13 of 13 Posts
This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.
LumberJocks Woodworking Forum
A forum community dedicated to professional woodworkers and enthusiasts. Come join the discussion about shop safety, wood, carpentry, lumber, finishing, tools, machinery, woodworking related topics, styles, scales, reviews, accessories, classifieds, and more!
Full Forum Listing
Explore Our Forums
Blogs Power Tools, Hardware and Accessories Woodworking Skill Share Off Topic Coffee Lounge Hand Tools
Top