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Which Ski Vise to Buy?

post #1 of 9
3/7/06 at 3:54pm
Thread Starter 
Ok, I search the web and found several different vises on the market. Your recommendations, Please.

1. Tools4board
They offer 3 different vises: Pro 500, Ski/Snowboard and 3 point all metal
2. Swix
3. Toro
4. FK Tools
5. Ski Man
6. BEAST

The cheaper one for sale on Ebay is the Tools4board (except all metal variety which is over $120).

What do you think? Also, do you advise to buy a matching bench?
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post #2 of 9
3/7/06 at 4:25pm
The all metal Swix and Ski Man are the same vise. When I bought my Swix vise last fall the best price I found was at artechski.com. It is excellent, providing a very stable platform for doing precision work on edge bevels. If you don't use it for that kind of work, a less expensive plastic vise will suffice, but for what you get, a good quality all metal one is worth the extra money. I clamp my vise to a generic work bench which is solidly built into my work area. You need a stable bench to do accurate work.
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post #3 of 9
3/7/06 at 4:25pm
The same vise is often sold under different brand names. There are a couple variants of the Skiman vise which are painted different colors and called Swix, Toko or whatnot.

There are a few different versions of the straightforward Skiman design, all of which have the same (or similar) end supports and a center clamp of varying size.

Artech sells the basic Skiman (branded as Swix) for $80, which is a good buy. The version with the bigger center clamp is $105. Personally, I think the basic one is fine, but others swear by the bigger center clamp, so take your choice.

The Beast is a similar design, so far as I can tell, and probably a good choice too.

I have no idea what Toos4Board might be.
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post #4 of 9
3/7/06 at 4:32pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by jackwan1
Also, do you advise to buy a matching bench?
If you already have a bench or sturdy table, no.

If you don't, you need a bench. If you want to be able to pack it up and take it with you on the road, there are some semi-portable variants. There's a Holmenkol-branded one that looks pretty nifty and has been discussed here. You can either buy it for a pretty good price, or not. See prior threads for more.
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post #5 of 9
3/7/06 at 4:36pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by jackwan1
Ok, I search the web and found several different vises on the market. Your recommendations, Please.

1. Tools4board
They offer 3 different vises: Pro 500, Ski/Snowboard and 3 point all metal
2. Swix
3. Toro
4. FK Tools
5. Ski Man
6. BEAST

The cheaper one for sale on Ebay is the Tools4board (except all metal variety which is over $120).

What do you think? Also, do you advise to buy a matching bench?
I just got a work bench from Lowe's, and it works GREAT. I can use it for a bunch of stuff too. It has the sliding/locking bench part, with all kinds of vice attachments. It cost $79 or $89. The only problem is it would be hard to travel with. I always take my tuning kit and vices, esp. if I'm up for longer than three days, but most of the time I can never find a place to attach them. Same goes for when I'm at home, so I had to use a work bench anyway. Now, I have the work bench with the vices already built in.
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post #6 of 9
3/7/06 at 4:39pm
I purchased the Skimann Pro here on Epic last fall. Check out Angus7. He cut me a very good deal on great vice, including shipping to Canada. I was unable to touch the price elsewhere.

This was my first vice so I don't have anything to cmpare it to. All I know is it works, and when I am traveling with my junior racer, the other ski dads and racers comment on the quality of the vice.
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post #7 of 9
3/7/06 at 4:58pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by jackwan1
Ok, I search the web and found several different vises on the market. Your recommendations, Please.

1. Tools4board
They offer 3 different vises: Pro 500, Ski/Snowboard and 3 point all metal
2. Swix
3. Toro
4. FK Tools
5. Ski Man
6. BEAST

The cheaper one for sale on Ebay is the Tools4board (except all metal variety which is over $120).

What do you think? Also, do you advise to buy a matching bench?
I use the first one on this page. 2yrs, no problems.http://www.tognar.com/vises_benches_...snowboard.html

I made a table with a 1/2 or 3/4 inch piece of old plywood and folding legs that I got at the hardware store. it fits in the trunk of the camry or the back of the 4runner and is easy to carry. The vice and all my tuning equipment fit in a tool box.
Mark
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post #8 of 9
3/7/06 at 6:16pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by sjjohnston
The same vise is often sold under different brand names. There are a couple variants of the Skiman vise which are painted different colors and called Swix, Toko or whatnot.

There are a few different versions of the straightforward Skiman design, all of which have the same (or similar) end supports and a center clamp of varying size.

Artech sells the basic Skiman (branded as Swix) for $80, which is a good buy. The version with the bigger center clamp is $105. Personally, I think the basic one is fine, but others swear by the bigger center clamp, so take your choice.

The Beast is a similar design, so far as I can tell, and probably a good choice too.

I have no idea what Toos4Board might be.
I will be selling the ski man compact that is cited above for $105; my price is $95. I can get any other vise at a discount for you. I just sold a Ski Man Pro for $130.

The "vises" page isn't up on my site yet, I need a day or 2.

Thanks.
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post #9 of 9
3/8/06 at 5:15pm
I bought the Skiman Pro years ago for my daughter and when she went off to college with her entire tuning setup, I brought myself another. Seems to be able to grab the ski more sturdily due to the wide center vise.

I also got the same bench, it is not lightweight, but feels as sturdy as they come. It is clearly something anyone but me could make with parts from Home Depot, but I am not handy. This thing is rock solid.

Artech Tuning Bench, item 6101, $115.
https://www.artechski.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=A&Product_Code =6101&Category_Code=038
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