Harbor Freight's 6" Doyle Vise is a Bigger Deal Than You Think

[@EcoMouseChannel]

I personally buy Yost vises, and I can say this Doyle version is actually pretty decent, and after messing with it, I wouldn't hesitate buying one.

[@wadereynoldsgm]

I've had mine for a couple months now and so far, so good. I have beat on it a bit and it is sturdy. My old Central Forge vise is junk but this BIG, HEAVY Doyle vise seems like the real deal. It's operates smoothly, the jaws are tough and are 6.5 inches wide. I like the 4-bolt design over the 3-bolt that most vises have.

[@19672701]

I'm a vise-a-holic,and I'm planning on getting one,I bought a 72"toolbox and saw these and really like how they are built.

[@terrystewart2070]

I've got one of the old blue Central machinery ones, must be close to 25 years old now, still fine. But all my heavy work is done in a much bigger (maybe 8"? I don't know offhand) heavier vise from HF that's about the same vintage. One of the handle ends escaped many moons ago, and got replaced with a hose clamp and duct tape. One of the base rotation locking bolts failed, also eons ago, but just one bolt there is usually not too big of an ass pain. Waiting for breakage to replace either.....still.....waiting.....LOL

[@pauldiesel4582]

Finally, a real import industrial vise! Looks to have a large anvil. If I hadn’t inherited a 1949 Wilton vise from my Grand dad I would considered this one for sure. You wouldn’t find even a used Wilton vise in this size for anything close to this price!

[@k4kfh]

I'm seriously looking at buying the 4" one. I'd prefer to buy a used USA vise, but like you said, people are insane with used vice pricing these days. Hopefully Harbor Freight forces the used vise market back down to reasonable prices.

[@Sparkman61]

I bought one about 6 month ago and I am very pleased with it. I think I paid like $140 or so. I must have had a coupon or it was on sale. Same thing, I shopped for 2 years looking for a good used vise but couldn't stomach the prices people are getting for them. It really is a nice vice and comparable to the new style Wiltons I see locally at over half the cost. Highly recommend.

[@zandergarrett5959]

I finally was able to get one after waiting 6 weeks for the local Harbor Freight store to get them back in stock. I received a rain check when I tried to use the 20% off coupon the first of December. Kudos to the manager and staff at the Shawnee, Kansas Harbor freight for honoring the rain check even after the 30 day use limit had passed. Now all I need to do is find something heavy enough to bolt it down on. I can't imagine there's anything I use it for it won't be able to handle.

[@dhm7815]

Big thanks. I got a Central Forge sitting in my garage. I have been stalling about mounting it to a table in a way that I could easily unbolt it when I needed the whole table surface flat. I knew from you that I could never get tough with the Central Forge or it would break. Maybe a pawn shop will give me $5 for the Central Forge.

[@JonpMathewsdxt]

It’s a great vice. Was pleasantly surprised when I got home and seen it was 6 1/2 inches. Box says 6 inches. Seems to be stout and beefy built. Used to dads old USA made vice but it truly does seem worth it when you start looking at the prices of comparable items. Don’t think you could go wrong.

[@ecleveland1]

I just found the vise I've been looking for, Thank!!!!!!!!!! Finally a decent vise that doesn't cost an arm and a leg. Vises are way over priced for what they are. The designs and the material, ductile iron, have been around forever and they are incredibly simple designs at that, yet for some unknown reason people don't question anything these days. I prefer to buy Made in America products and don't mind paying a little more but there is a limit and I have to use just a tiny amount of common sense when spending money.

[@steverayrapp]

Yes, a USA made YOST 8" vise cost me a hair over $500. It's awesome. I have to say that vise from HF looks like a decent tool for the money.

[@MikeBrown-ii3pt]

If I was in the market for a D.I.Y. quality bench vise, I'd buy this one over the blue one simply because it's that much taller. I like to get my work as high as reasonably possible. I also like that it has 2 swivel locks. I've had vises in the past that only had 1 lock and they never seemed to stay where I wanted them.

[@twitchtwitch9006]

i love these videos where you use /test the products. thank you!

[@corin164]

I have the 4"version and I am completely happy. Woulf have gotten the "6"" version but I had some space limitations.

[@AERuffy]

I bought the 4" when it was on sale. Only reason I went with the 4" is the 6" was out of stock. Its still massive and incredibly well built, happy with the purchase.

[@manunava1776]

Bought my 6-inch Doyle at the end of April '22 with a 25% 'no exclusions' coupon when the original regular price was only $199.99! Mounted it on my 56" HF tool cart (on top of 1-inch shellacked MDF with a thin aluminum plate to keep the weight of the vise from digging into the MDF. The thing is a beast and has served me well thus far for general home use and working on our cars. The tolerances have stayed nice and tight so far.

[@我是我-k2r]

$229 now.

[@kenabi]

may have gotten lucky, but i've got a 4 inch blue model.. in the ~5years i've had it, i've beat it to crap and back, still hasn't failed. will eventually get one of these though, i think. just not in a hurry to.

[@fazmanicg]

I bought one today based on this video. WOW! - My back hurts after carrying it down to my workshop. By far the nicest Vise I have ever used.

[@piercehawke8021]

You too? My back cussed me out as well, lifting that 68 lb Doyle

[@wadeprice9291]

I actually bought this vise over the 5 inch since it was beefyer. Plus I got sent a 25% coupon so for 129 bucks can’t beat it. I love this vise for home use

[@Robde84]

looks mighty nice. I own an SP tools brand 4.5 inch in the exact same style. They used to sell an 8 inch but it was discontinued. I missed out.

[@rrich8371]

Thanks, Bear! Been waiting to see what you thought. I have been pretty happy with both the Doyle and Quinn lines. I think HF saw a need for reliable and functional tools. Affordable replacements for Power Kraft, Craftsman and Snap-on. When I am able to snag a 10-20% off on anything Doyle.... this is my first pick. Thanks again Bear.... safe travels to the south.

[@basshead8555]

Been very happy with the Doyle and icon tools they offer. I saw one video of a guy comparing the Doyle to Cornwall tools. They look identical. And let’s be real, how many factories in the world are there to make these tools. If you look at craftsman and husky screw drivers and see A stamp in the handle “WF” that is a marking by the company western forge. They make screw drivers for at least those two brands. A lot of factories are making many things with different badges and labels. Rights and ownerships of brands also frequently change hands. I suspect some of harbor freights higher quality line is being pushed out by manufacturers making other brands of tools as well.

[@cbmech2563]

I was looking at the Doyle this afternoon. Really looks and feels good. If I didn't have my dad's Wilton I'd be getting ready to buy it

[@dash8465]

I have a 10 year old Craftsman 4 1/2” that looks very similar.

[@DMNKLR_official]

Price is up to $230 at HF now, ridiculous. Still considering it, but that's a lot to ponder.

[@jvsmeds]

So glad you made a good recovery from that damn Covid Jeff! Stay healthy my friend and keep those reviews coming

[@BuildALotAcres]

For the money I agree it looks pretty nice. 4" and 5" used vises are fairly affordable and easy to locate. Once you step into the 6" class they are much harder to find, and often priced very high. Often beat to snots to boot. 8" vises, forget about it.

[@TalkingHands308]

Cleaning out my garage, several people have lived here so there are random stuff from other people collecting dust in my garage, and found 2 made in USA vises in there, lol. Not large ones like those, but still, not bad for free...

[@TwoFeatherChannel]

It looks good to me, I like it I have the Harbor Freight 5" Multi-purpose vise, got it several years ago black friday deal the turntable gets loose a lot, shaft is rusting. the turntable locks are thin and they bend easy

[@TheSprinterVan]

Jeff thanks for the first look been interested in these vices since I saw them if Harbor Freight did his good job with this Vice as they do with their Jacks it would be a phenomenal deal please keep us posted as you use this Vice

[@beaugibson2951]

I've had the doyle for a few months, it's held up. I took it apart when I got it and cleaned out the metal pieces and packed it full of grease. For $199 its a fair deal especially if you need a decent vice quick.

[@pville5548]

I bought the Yost Vise ADI-6 6" Heavy-Duty 130,000 PSI Austempered Ductile Iron Bench Vise with 360-Degree Swivel Base from Amazon for $184.74 including tax when they occasionally drop the price. I waited on a vise until this deal came along.

[@johnmccrea8106]

Thank you big bear. It is a big vise looks very sturdy.

[@davidb.7223]

Great review and observations. I love it when you talk to me in person. You do really well on camera. Thank you for sharing.

[@jimbrown9885]

your audio quality is great. good review too! i enjoy using other Doyle products, so this is on my wish list.

[@troyeager8877]

I bought a Cummings tool vice. It looked heavy duty. But with some hammering on something. The casing was pot metal. Fell a part. I will pay for durability.

[@rcmike09]

Wish you has shown the underside where the rotate locks are.

[@oldguy2082]

This looks promising; I have an old Columbian D44 but I need something larger. Something HF that I actually might want to buy; who knew!

[@fisherman1353]

Funny I’m watching at this video days after I bought a vintage big Wilton vise for just 25$ in really good condition I just had to paint it,nice after all this years ,mine was built on 1947

[@siriustraveler7083]

You got very lucky

[@pebear]

I have the Central Forge swivel Vise and it's worked out OK so far but I have not done any harsh work with it. I'm thinking about getting the Doyle so I can do harsh work and beat on it.

[@anthonylawrence9307]

I might if I didn't have more vices than I need. All mine are 50 to 150 years old. I am always changing jaws to keep them fresh.

[@hondaphan4172]

I've had the 5" for a little less than a year and I bought the 4" on 12/26 with a no-exclusion 20% coupon along with a $50 HF gift card my daughter gave me for Christmas. After sales tax I paid $77 for it. They're the best I've ever owned.....so smooth without any slop.

[@donaldmcgregor8152]

Will replace my broken hf blue vise with one of these! Didn’t even get 6 months out of that thing before the bolts stripped☹️

[@Code_Exodus]

It's very close to the old craftsman professional vises Sears use have before their tool division got sold off to Black&Decker. Lot of the parts look like they came out from the same old molds, been trying to get my hands on one for months but the only 4-1/2" vise near me is a 100 plus mile drive away in another state. As much I want one, I ain't having Wyomings state highway patrol ripping my car apart for having Colorado plates, I'll just have to cross my fingers someday this year they restock the darn things.

[@siriustraveler7083]

I got one, I haven’t mounted it up yet but I think it’s a keeper 👍

[@Graceharris7467]

I didn't know the central forge vices were bad. I use mine a ton. It's been great for years... The Doyle looks good, but not enough to upgrade. Guess I got a good one too.

[@denoftools]

I've had two and never had a problem, some people get them and they break the first day. It's that hit or miss quality of the old HF stuff.

[@mikeingeorgia1]

How often does HF send out the 20% no exclusions coupons? Does that include all items, or is there a whole paragraph of items excluded?

[@zakartv]

I got mine in December with a now rare 20% off coupon. It is worth every penny at $160. Take care and don’t be stupid with it and it’ll last longer than you.

[@dougthiel754]

Spoke to the product manager for this product at the SEMA show and he developed this product for HF. He also was a product manager for Wilton for 15 years. His words on this was....is it as good as a Wilton...no.... but honestly it's 95% as good for a fraction of the price.

[@dvig3261]

The filled voids you referred to is very common in heavy castings..they fill them with something akin to bondo. I once refinished an old brodgeport mill and found a bondo-like filler, beneath the paint. It had zero effect on the stability of the machine, because of the sheer bulk and weight (approximately 2000 lbs.)

[@andystoolbox]

I paid 200 bux for my Wilton 3 1/2'' bullet vice circa 1940 with a noticeable chip off under one of the jaws. It has served me well and will continue to. That said this is a good looking vice I would pay $200 for in a minute. I guess this is where just having vintage usable tools can be appreciated and detested at the same time.Lol thanks for the heads up on the great new tools.

[@Hamchuck112]

Why cannot I not find the Facebook group? Was I banned without any notice? Can't be for any good reason. What a great group of guys.

[@jamisonlm3]

Did you see where your vise was made on the box? The new multi purpose vise looks exactly like the Capri 10518. They could be both be made by them.

[@mikehenthorn1778]

I have one of the old ones and have not had it break on me yet when it does how definitely be upgrading

[@phillipvansickle4220]

I have one. Seems to be a close copy of a Wlton Tradesman vise (also made overseas). I t's solidly constructed and is a great value for the advanced DIYer.

[@stevenfuchs2548]

It looks to have a little Wilton lineage. looks like it could take a beating!

[@robertlehnert4148]

I just got the 5" Doyle and pleased with it so far

[@JohnSmith-yl6dn]

It’s about identical to a 2008 vintage Craftsman.

[@deanfirnatine7814]

I will probably end up getting one but will wait until a sale price or coupon

[@TheBowdoc1]

I need one. I’ll be watching for the coupon and get one soon.

[@johnnyramirez9082]

It’s a good looking vise. I bought one from John Deer and honestly that HF vise is more impressive to me in my opinion

[@grantensrud9185]

I am a vice snob and I got to have both the 6 and the 4" in this new vice. I in fact wish they made it in another size smaller as the 4" is a little bulky for my reloading bench where I am wanting the smaller of the two.

[@thebubbacontinuum2645]

Yost sells a 6" austempered vise with a tensile strength twice as high. It's $280 on Amazon.

[@boosted2.4_sky]

I have the 5-inch with the pipe jaws on the other side at that turns 240° (I believe )..it is a nice vise... I like it for under two hundred bucks

[@TheSprinterVan]

would love to hear from some Tradesmen that maybe have used this on the job? that would be the true test

[@daviddenman7479]

Do you know anything about the new titanium 65A plasma cutter coming out? I would think we should start seeing the 45A plasma cutter on sale….(clearance)

[@iSparkFU]

Looks like a solid vise bear! It has to be better than the chinese wilton crap, that stuff sucks. Before I would purchase this one though, I'd have to see one in the store, the slop when it's not closed is a turn off.

[@Lookin4Things]

I ordered the 450$ wilton 8" reversible, but I also purchased this 183$ after a 20%. I haven't beat on it yet, I can only assume it's soft, but we'll see. It's a keeper either way and it's machined tight with that round slide. I bet it will compete with the Taiwanese manufactured wilton. And it won't be as sloppy as the square slide on the wilton.

[@DevinBauer]

Picked one up recently and gotta say, really impressive vise for the money, my Yost abomination in Ductile Iron was $200 7 years ago and this is a larger and seemingly stouter vice with way tighter fit. Seems to be a no brainer buy for me unless you want to step up over $1000 for a “real” vise. Old iron has not been lucky for me around here, mostly stuff that is due for the scrap pile and only 3-4” vises at that, almost never a 6”, never mind one that isn’t better than two pieces of scrap iron with a bungie cord. My impressions so far is this wipes the floor of the cheaper import Wiltons without any trouble. Work has one in hi-vis green of allegedly the same size with anorexic jaws and support structure and sloppy fit

[@joewest1972]

Thanks for your reviews! Could you tell me the bolt spacing dimensions?

[@piercehawke8021]

From what I've noticed about Doyle; their products are 'Snap-On' quality, for less than half the price. And I flat forgot about the prior H-F vise product line, just that I had a sketchy vibe about it. Before of the end of 2022, I'll have a Doyle on my bench, although the 6 Incher 'may' be overkill for my purposes. :)

[@piercehawke8021]

And said 68 lb Doyle vise is sitting in my shop, will mount it soon on a work bench

[@likeaboss882]

It looks very similar to my japanese craftsman vice. I paid $60 for it at a pawn shop and couldn’t be happier.

[@jackphillips3512]

Probably pick one up. I need a light work vise.

[@TheSprinterVan]

if a coupon comes up that will work for this Vice please let us know

[@f.d.windisch8303]

Not a very pointed appraisel for any vise. A) The first element of vise quality is fit of body to slide. Wilton Bullets and this 6.5 Doyle have clear evidence of intentional machining to (minimal) clearance. B) In reality, an anvil is used to shape heated materials. The flats included on many vises are mere ornaments, best suited to cold flattening of small items. Serious hammering will deform the cylindrical bore, leaving jaw difficult to open or close. C) Good test of parallel jaws; lightly clamp two small equal pieces at ends, each should have close to same pressure. If it can't do lightly, probably also not under heavier amounts. D) Rubber washers aren't noise dampers, but help avoid getting web of hand or fingertips pinched between ball and hole through the screw. E) Price is subjective, a large new Yost or Wilton can go $1300+. The attraction to Wilton Bullets centers on fitting mentioned above, to the point resellers capitalize on that as if it is unique, along with steampunk buyers focused on 'cool looks' without a shred of how it's made. F) There's a reason old vises cost, at 50, 70 or 100 years old, still being operative as when they were made. Used market has those general 6 inchers between ~$100 to $600, $225 a dang good deal. Not driving cross county or arriving to find already been sold. In mounting a vise mind two details to start. Don't use Gr2 bolts. Clamp 2 objects, position the solid jaw directly above edge of bench using those as guide. In that location make sure the doubled or nondeforming washers have clearance underneath on solid material. Same as not getting a wrench inside the bench leg IYKWIM.

[@scottlandb6579]

Done deal getting it tomorrow. And agree not sure when this video was done, but fb market place and craigspist still outrageous prices on anything older made in USofA. Hate giving my money else where. But I don’t have the cheese for anything else.

[@nelsonbrum8496]

That 9' Dewalt tape measure is on my belt all day every day. So handy.

[@denoftools]

It's easily my favorite tape measure

[@trekzilladmc]

I looked at the 5" Doyle multi-purpose vise in the store and it looks dead identical to the Capri vise.

[@NoWr2Run]

Capri are very good vise's.

[@trekzilladmc]

@@NoWr2Run I have their 6" multi-purpose model.

[@NoWr2Run]

@@trekzilladmc Very nice, I'm thinking about pulling the trigger on a 6 or 7" Capri Vice myself. My 4" Very Old Craftsman just does not cut it anymore.

[@zed9746]

I will surely get one of these when the coupon comes out for it. I don't think it is a bad price at $199. but it is not a good price for me on a limited budget.

[@G34RH34D]

I was going to buy a Central Forge vise long time ago, but then I was looking at Tekton's vises. I heard they weren't that good either. I may consider Doyle.

[@danterosales9392]

Yknow it looks a SUSPICIOUS amount alike to my Wilton 1765 Tradesman vise. Almost a direct copy, but hey if its of at least comparable quality thatd be a steal for those of us on a budget. Im just lucky i found mine on facebook for the same price lol!

[@jimpawlak7806]

gee...thanks for the ad VICE mr bear...

[@radzj93]

I have one. Yes its 6.5 ". It's a beast.

[@toddfraisure1747]

I've been looking for a reasonably priced vice for months now. Pisses me off how much they go for.

[@snap-off5383]

Not until I find a cast steel one. I need to learn more.

[@Eggsr2bcrushed]

Sure looks like the ancient Wiltons we have at work.

[@gypsydildopunks7083]

Does it do the spinny-spin?

[@michaelwooda9444]

The central tools vise is actually pretty food for the money.i have been telling everyone the doyle is the best vise for the money.especially at 20% off.

[@rdm1]

This vise is modeled after the King of Vises…. WILTON !! Looks good

[@mikemerc74]

I don’t know $200 for a vise? I have an 4” Olympia $60 HD special 5 yrs now still kicking

[@37yearsofanythingisenough39]

A magnet will not tell you if there is a void in an iron casting.

[@denoftools]

It won't tell you if there's a void deep inside the casting but it will tell you if there was one at surface level that was then filled with a polymer filling

[@jameswagoner3309]

I'm getting one, Jeff.

[@jameswagoner3309]

I bought one, I bought the convertible that the jaw flips upside down to clamp pipes, and round stock for threading.

[@UndreamedFool17]

I bought a 1972 Wilton bullet vise off Facebook market place for $200. I had been watching for one for several years amd didn't want to pay the standard $500 asking price. I do think that vise is a good looking vise. Would love to see how it holds up im a torcher test.

[@waylandjennings4073]

seems like everything under the Doyle brand is good stuff!

[@danletter9357]

The length is “jaw opening” not jaw width.

[@CollideFan1]

Bought it today for 149 thanks to their sidewalk sale

[@chrisb9478]

It should be nice for $200! 😁 I bought a 5.5” Yost for $96, it’s been great so far.

[@willb3018]

Amen to that..

[@Mark-sn6kh]

That's not much for a solid vise. You can easily get into the thousands for very precise machinist vises. Not what this is, but point being it's a good starting step into a decent vise.

[@denoftools]

Did you see how much you would pay for a Wilton and that's not even the made in US stuff.

[@cudawebber]

there is one of the blue harbor freight vice like the one you have and it is at 22 dollars at the moment plus15 percent buyers premium at an auction local to me .they are not much more in the store

[@JLCPazaran]

holy poop, im glad i took the tekton vise for $60 at walmart

[@btrswt35]

Take it apart and show the internal construction.