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Grizzly is selling a new parrot vise. Looks very versatile. I'm thinking of getting one. Has anyone here purchased one? And if so how is the quality of it. What do they think of it. Parrot Vise

I liked my first one so much I bought a second. I now have two and like them both ...equally

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Dave Bland

remember...

"If it doesn't play in tune...it's just pretty wood"

I like mine, but not long after I got it the retaining clip in the front jaw pulled out with the leadscrew and now the front jaw does not retract on its own. Hmmm did I say that right. It will loosen, but Ihave to pull it wide open. I guess I could fix it, haven't tried very hard to. Other then that it works well. Oh, I also got the pivotting jaws for it. they did not fit all all, I had to file off quite a bit for them to slip in place. I hope I don't think of anything else, I might start to not like it..
Mike

I bought the same or similar vise from Woodcraft over two years ago. So far, it's worked like a charm.

I made my own pivoting jaws out of plywood scrap. Actually you only need one. Very easy to make. Just plane a curve into the back of the jaw. Also, I highly recommend that you scrounge up some scrap leather and cut out peices to wrap the vise's jaws in. Save another piece for the pivoting jaw too. Here's a pic of mine. The leather sleeves slip right off for the occasion when I prefer using the metal faces (not very often).



Best,

Michael

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Live to Play, Play to Live

Thanks guy's

this is an overseas copy of the old american made versa vise, which was a quality, albeit expensive, and excellent tool(ca. $160 about ten years ago when i bought mine). the maker is apparently now defunct. the comments above reflect on the variable quality of the foreign made beast.

but as someone mentioned here a few weeks ago there is again an american made version available from brownell's for about $260.

you makes your choice, pays your money,and lives with the results.

crazymanmichael38885.4372337963

One more thing to add re: the versa-vise. You can keep your eyes peeled over at eBay. I've seen them come up for bid there from time to time.

Also, versa-vise made a model with tall jaws. I know a fellow who has one. I would like to add one of those to my collection some day.

The story I heard regarding the demise of the Versa Vise was that the company who bought them out some years ago still carries the product line on their books, but has no interest in producing it anymore. Maybe Brownells was able to light a fire under 'em -- for the right price.

Best,

Michael

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Live to Play, Play to Live

Michael I seen the one you are talking about with the tall jaws on ebay a few mounths back. I bid but I lost the auction. I have been keepin my eyes open on ebay for them.

I have a Grizzly parror vise. I love the thing... In fact I was caught trying to dance with it just yesterday, after reading a bit of verse I wrote for it...it went a little something like this:

The irridating blueness of your shaply form
The way you can hold so tightly, yet swivel when I want
The value I get from you, my sweet, is not the norm
And the perfect steel you have, yet do not flaunt

I can turn you on the side, and yet you still grip
Your handle spins so freely, unencumbered by strife
I would call you old ironsides if you were a ship
Without you my dear I would not want to traverse life


Whew ok....back to reality.... it's a solid vise, and a good bargin.John Mayes38887.0793402778

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John Mayes
http://www.mayesluthier.com

One thing I did not care for on the Parrot is the fact that it won't hold still until you tighten the jaws. I added a screw knob to fix that by drilling and tapping a hole in the back. I feel that the ultimate vise would be a combination of the Parrot and the instrument makers vise sold by StewMac. The pivoting jaws on the StewMac work great. Oh, I would also like this hybrid vise mounted on a ball swivel.
Nelson

I've got a parrot too. I like it.
I've also got a Veritas "Tucker Vise" that I couldn't work without.
http://www.fine-tools.com/G307962.htm
-C

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