Simple/cheap bench vise any good?

[GaryMc]

Kid next door is starting to get into woodworking, mostly small carved items so far.  After seeing how he tried to clamp down objects, I volunteered to build him a small workbench, using a prefinished ash butcher block slab (22" X 28") for the top and legs/skirt/etc. from an old (100+ YO) barn timber.  I am trying to help him with selecting a vise appropriate for his budget (very small) and talents (beginner).  He has been crawling all over eBay but I saw nothing that didn't either look in poor condition or with a ridiculous price.  I suggested he look at this $81 one from Amazon:

https://www.amazon.com/Yost-Woodworking-...0c00c&th=1

Looks to be a close knockoff of the Records which I have on my bench.  Most of the negative reviews are from several years ago or are obviously from people who do not know how a bench vise is supposed to be mounted or how it works.  My thought is to order it and if the form, fit, and function is not good, just return it (free).

Comments or other ideas, anyone?

[JosephP]

Not that it is a top of the line brand...but Yost has been around a while.  So I'd trust that more than a completely unheard of name.  I think that's a good option if you cannot find a used Record.

[GaryMc]

Not that it is a top of the line brand...but Yost has been around a while.  So I'd trust that more than a completely unheard of name.  I think that's a good option if you cannot find a used Record.

Problem solved.  He said he was willing to spend a little more so we settled for the one from the local Woodcraft for about $150.  So tonight he picked it up and we are now figuring out how to mount it with lag screws (instead of bolts so as to not mar the prefinished bench top).  It turns out the mounting holes are just shy of 1/2" (maybe 12 mm.?) so a 1/2" lag screw is a quite-tight fit. Trip to the hardware store found one screw of the correct length out of the whole lot that fit, and one just a teench too large.  A little filing on the threads and Bazinga! we were in business.  Tomorrow should finish the process, after milling the (5/8"approximately) shim between the vise and top and install face boards on the jaws.

He is learning some tricks of the trade (including the necessary trips to the hardware store and a little jiggering when necessary).  It is good to have a youngster excited about the craft and eager to learn about the processes.  Sure wish there were more like him these days!  Will post a pic when completed.

[FrankAtl]

Good for you on helping this kid out. Having a mentor should keep him from getting frustrated and giving up.