Vise advice- Littco any good?

[JonathanJung]

Hi, have the opportunity to get a Littco #198 for about $30. Has a rear plate and mounting bolts. Are these stiff and strong?

 

[Paul_HKI]

I was speaking with your local Festool dealer and they told me these vises used to be made in Germany, but are now made in China.

;D

For $30, a fine vise.

 

[Michael Kellough]

Are these stiff and strong?”

Diameter of the rods? Width of the front jaw?

Looks like a medium strength bench vise without knowing dimensions can’t judge strength but you can’t go wrong at that price.

My old Desmond W10C has 7/8” rods and a 1-1/4” quick releases screw but on eBay they’re at least $150.

 

[Steve1]

Are these stiff and strong?

A few things to look at:
1) Distance between bearing surfaces on the fixed channel.  Does not look like much in that photo - maybe 4 inches ?
2) How rigidly the rods are mounted to the moving front plate.  I see some bosses cast into the front plate, and longer engagement is better, but strangely, the rods look to be recessed from the front.
3) Rod diameter -  1" would be very good.  3/4" would be just OK.

 

[rmhinden]

Hi, have the opportunity to get a Littco #198 for about $30. Has a rear plate and mounting bolts. Are these stiff and strong?

I used to have one of these on my bench.  It is "stiff and strong".    I sold mine for $49, so I think $30 is a good price.

Bob