Grab it and hold on
When it comes to holding things down, the shop vices are the go-to tool. From welding, shaping and grinding to just breaking things loose, that extra pair of heavy-duty hands can be underestimated for its utility and safety.
Toolmaker Wilton has a pair of new offerings, a 6.5 and an eight inch-opening unit with jaws supported by a round channel. This update on the 1941 design toughens things up from previous models.
The fully enclosed channel keeps that centre-member well lubricated and clear of debris. The new vices are made of 60,000 pound per sq. inch ductile iron, making them about twice as tough as grey, cast iron tools. The vice’s anvils are also about double the size of traditional configurations. The spindle nuts are three times longer and twice as thick as well. This ensures smooth movement without rocking. The vices sit on a swivel base.
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Wilton Tradesman XC vises aren’t low-cost tools, with the 6.5 inch listing at US$649 and the eight inch at $999. In Western Canada they can be found at Acklands-Grainger and Princess Auto.
Grind it on the fly
Angle grinders or side-grinders are a go-to tool on most farms. The trouble is the length of the extension cord. Many producers have made their grinders cordless, but this usually only lasts long enough to splice the cord back together.
DeWalt has a new 60-volt that comes without a cord from the factory. The DCG414B is a 2.2 horsepower, 13-amp grinder that can make use of 4.5 to six inch wheels. Like similarly powered routers, the grinder has a brake that brings it to fast halt and a electronic kickback brake that cuts out the power when wheel is stalled or pinched. It has a six amp-hour battery. It costs about $275, although it can be found for less and more. Without the battery it compares well with other high-powered battery tools. The DeWalt 20v/60v batteries will run an additional $200 or so for the six Ah or about $250 for the nine Ah version. These can be found at Home Depot, Acklands-Grainger and NAPA.
