Real Avid for the regular range guy like me, works great! For the Ferrari Owners go with a Howard. I Do all my gun work on the Real Avid Vise. It’s attached to my AR building bench/Toolbox.
I have the pattern maker's vise and if clamping on one side of the jaws they pivot. I understand your saying about something falling out if clamped when the jaws pivot. I have had that issue and found two solutions, A. make a block of wood to put in the other side of the jaws to keep them gripping the item. B) for long items like gripping a stock near the action I made an adjustable support with a quick clamp. Additionally, that long bolt is there if you want to mount it to a heavy woodworker's bench with a thick top. In your situation, you can cut that bolt to a length that works for you. I am a gunsmith and have been for some time. No one vise works for every task. I have a total of 4 and watched this video, thank you by the way, to see if either of the others you reviewed would help.
I just purchased the “total vise system” couple weeks ago just as you said multiple hobby ( wood working, rifle and bow ). It also can be put onto a track to slide things out of the way quickly if needed. Looking forward to using it in my new workshop.
I love the Pattern Makers vice, especially with my limited space. Because it is a single hole mount, I can mount it easily and then remove it when done. I not like the Real Avid vice, not only can you get grease on you and your cloths, but dirt, shavings, etc can fall into it and create a nightmare. I also don't like all the pins. Too easy to get lost. Don't care for the Total vice either. Seems that the fancier the product is, the more that can go wrong. I mounted my barrel vice to a Inline Fab quick change plate so that I could mount and remove very easily. You cannot beat the stability of the Inline Fab bases. Also have a 4" vice on a plate for it as well. Thanks for sharing John.
Thank you!!! My choices were down to these 3 vises before I found your video. This really helped me understand the pros & cons of each. Great review and explanations. Also - beautiful stock!!! I wonder if you can rig the Pattern Maker vise to fit into he base of the Howard's Total Vise. Then you'd have better jaws, easier clamping and the swivel/tilt you get with the Total Vise (?) FYI - If you want to mount your barrel clamp to the Howard's Total Vise, they sell several different size & shaped mounting plates for the base. You could probably find one your barrel clamp fits on (I'm not promoting - just saw those on their website). edit: Doh! I see you already did both of those in another video. That's what I get for not paying attention to the dates. Still a great video & thanks for that.
You’re welcome and I’m glad the video helped. As for the barrel vice he actually is now going to make a barrel vice plate and I’m testing it as we speak. I’ll be doing a few more videos soon on other accessories he has. Great system and very modular.
Also, here’s a video I did using his pattern makers vice mounting plate. Howard's Total Vise combined with a pattern maker vise ua-cam.com/video/lhyLXH3CPJQ/v-deo.html
Nice review. I have a pattern makers vice which works fine for me. My reloading/cleaning room is a narrow galley so I have it mounted away from the edge of the bench to keep the walkway clear. The tightening screw is easily reached under the bench.
Informative and well done video as always, thank you. Even the last comment was a little wake up because every once in a while beating on a vise is exactly what I needed to do with one, shape some metal or whatever. I think Inline Fabrication may get another order to be able to hold more than one vise in the same spot.
I can see that Howard's vise being mounted on the side of a work bench just below the top freeing up bench space , and making another mounting piece with just a round tube and flat bar stock welded to one end with two holes for mounting your barrel vise to for a quick change top.
Yep exactly. If I had more room on the side I would totally do that and try it out. Unfortunately I only have about two inches and it wouldn’t be great.
I’m a little late to the party…but… I think the Howard vise is intended to be tightened and loosed by the third handle (not the two lead screw knobs. IE set gross adjustment and angle with two hand screws…then cinch with the big lower knob (that also generates more leverage). ✌️
I appreciate the feedback and others have commented on it as well. I talked to Jeff about this back when I made the video and he said he didn't really design it that way but of course you can do it that way. I will tell you that in practical application (at least in my case) I don't like doing it that way and never feel like it's tight enough so I just use the two upper wheels. I suppose based on the need, use or past experience it can be used either way successfully.
@@rload4374 agreed but still pretty cool. I think there is definitely a segment of people who have a real use for something like this but like I always say there are different tools for different people for different needs.
Great review!! I have been holding on buying a vise hoping that someone would give a review vid like this & I could see a range of options. Often when you Google something nowadays, you get results that are paid for in ranking. The results won't show all the possible companies or options making the product. It's irritating and wastes so much time & money. Thank you, for taking the time & money to do this for the shooting world. Without folks like you we'd certainly be lost and ramp up time in the shooting sports would be sooooo much longer.
What’s a good vice for someone like me who lives in an apartment with no workbench? Am I just better off bringing it to a gunsmith whenever I want to install a barrel?
If all you want to do is change barrels then grab a barrel vise, install it on a board and clap it to a counter when you want to use it. If you're looking for something to hold a gun but not necessarily change a barrel then the Real Avid bolted to a board and clamped down would be good for a small place. If you want the most multipurpose vise with lots of options grab Howards Total Vise and do the clamping trick to it.
Awesome review. Just found your channel, and I'm definitely a tool snob lol. Have u seen the Orange vice company w the area 419 jaws. It's really nice but it's like 1or 1500 bucks I forget.
Nice Job! Great review showing all the features. I was wondering, is the Real Avid body parts made of poly or aluminum? Its not really clear. Other than that, you showed everything I could think of. Thanks for a great comparison.
Thank you. I honestly don't know exactly which parts are what kind of metal but the body of it looks like aluminum but I'm sure some of the parts are hardened steel as well.
I got excited with the Howards because I think is the only one I can bolt to one of my Inline Fabrication plates but after I saw the price in the website mehhh, makes no sense to sell my rifle so I can afford the vise just to clean a rifle
Completely agree. The Howard looks nice but not trying to spend 5k to get all the adapters. The Avid looks plenty strong to do 99% of what you need to do at 20% of the cost.
Perhaps for a cake baker. Many serious shooters find the tools and pricing to be a fair trade. Do you have a better solution that is cheaper or possibly free?
@@tinfoilsombrero1439I don’t think the pricing is outrageous honestly, most people don’t realize good tools cost money, hell junk costs money these days. I have been using an old Palmgreen Machinist Tilting Vise and had Jaws made to suite my needs. What ever works right!
You just saved a lot of people a ton of time and money with your honest input on these different vices. Thank you for sharing sir!
Thank you. I appreciate the support.
Real Avid for the regular range guy like me, works great! For the Ferrari Owners go with a Howard. I Do all my gun work on the Real Avid Vise. It’s attached to my AR building bench/Toolbox.
Howards Vise is made in Montana, Real Avid is made in China. You get what you pay for. Thanks for the video
best review on real avid. better than manufacturer's video lol
Glad you enjoyed it and that it helped.
I have the pattern maker's vise and if clamping on one side of the jaws they pivot. I understand your saying about something falling out if clamped when the jaws pivot. I have had that issue and found two solutions, A. make a block of wood to put in the other side of the jaws to keep them gripping the item. B) for long items like gripping a stock near the action I made an adjustable support with a quick clamp. Additionally, that long bolt is there if you want to mount it to a heavy woodworker's bench with a thick top. In your situation, you can cut that bolt to a length that works for you.
I am a gunsmith and have been for some time. No one vise works for every task. I have a total of 4 and watched this video, thank you by the way, to see if either of the others you reviewed would help.
I just purchased the “total vise system” couple weeks ago just as you said multiple hobby ( wood working, rifle and bow ). It also can be put onto a track to slide things out of the way quickly if needed. Looking forward to using it in my new workshop.
For shooters who are not immersed in tooling and accessories, this information is invaluable. I appreciate it greatly.
You’re certainly welcome.
Real Avid Vise and Real Avid Armorers Master Kit - AR15 & buy headspace gauges and your set for anything AR15 and (AR10 mostly).
To be honest, you'll have grease on all three units since the clamps are attached to a screw and those should stay greased for longevity.
John, they do make adapters that you can buy and just modify or cut and weld a plate to so you’re Barrel Vice can be used
Also interested in the functionality/value of the Orange vice/area419 system
If it ever makes sense for me to buy one and test I will.
I love the Pattern Makers vice, especially with my limited space. Because it is a single hole mount, I can mount it easily and then remove it when done.
I not like the Real Avid vice, not only can you get grease on you and your cloths, but dirt, shavings, etc can fall into it and create a nightmare. I also don't like all the pins. Too easy to get lost.
Don't care for the Total vice either. Seems that the fancier the product is, the more that can go wrong.
I mounted my barrel vice to a Inline Fab quick change plate so that I could mount and remove very easily. You cannot beat the stability of the Inline Fab bases. Also have a 4" vice on a plate for it as well.
Thanks for sharing John.
Thank you!!!
My choices were down to these 3 vises before I found your video. This really helped me understand the pros & cons of each. Great review and explanations. Also - beautiful stock!!!
I wonder if you can rig the Pattern Maker vise to fit into he base of the Howard's Total Vise. Then you'd have better jaws, easier clamping and the swivel/tilt you get with the Total Vise (?)
FYI - If you want to mount your barrel clamp to the Howard's Total Vise, they sell several different size & shaped mounting plates for the base. You could probably find one your barrel clamp fits on (I'm not promoting - just saw those on their website).
edit: Doh! I see you already did both of those in another video. That's what I get for not paying attention to the dates.
Still a great video & thanks for that.
You’re welcome and I’m glad the video helped. As for the barrel vice he actually is now going to make a barrel vice plate and I’m testing it as we speak. I’ll be doing a few more videos soon on other accessories he has. Great system and very modular.
Also, here’s a video I did using his pattern makers vice mounting plate. Howard's Total Vise combined with a pattern maker vise
ua-cam.com/video/lhyLXH3CPJQ/v-deo.html
Nice review. I have a pattern makers vice which works fine for me. My reloading/cleaning room is a narrow galley so I have it mounted away from the edge of the bench to keep the walkway clear. The tightening screw is easily reached under the bench.
Great to hear and I think they're a great buy for the money.
Good catch✌️
Thank you. That would’ve sucked. 😬
I knew as soon as you set the stock leaning against the bench you were going to end up knocking it over. Goid save catching it
Informative and well done video as always, thank you. Even the last comment was a little wake up because every once in a while beating on a vise is exactly what I needed to do with one, shape some metal or whatever. I think Inline Fabrication may get another order to be able to hold more than one vise in the same spot.
Thank you, I'm glad it was helpful.
Great video, i have been stuck between the 2, total and real for a while. Im still stuck but i think the Real Avid will work. Thanks
One of these days I sure will be investing in something of this sort and really appreciate your input.
I can see that Howard's vise being mounted on the side of a work bench just below the top freeing up bench space , and making another mounting piece with just a round tube and flat bar stock welded to one end with two holes for mounting your barrel vise to for a quick change top.
Yep exactly. If I had more room on the side I would totally do that and try it out. Unfortunately I only have about two inches and it wouldn’t be great.
superb video!
I’m a little late to the party…but…
I think the Howard vise is intended to be tightened and loosed by the third handle (not the two lead screw knobs.
IE set gross adjustment and angle with two hand screws…then cinch with the big lower knob (that also generates more leverage).
✌️
I appreciate the feedback and others have commented on it as well. I talked to Jeff about this back when I made the video and he said he didn't really design it that way but of course you can do it that way. I will tell you that in practical application (at least in my case) I don't like doing it that way and never feel like it's tight enough so I just use the two upper wheels. I suppose based on the need, use or past experience it can be used either way successfully.
Great review! Did you saw the orange bench vise from area 419?
Yep and if it works out in the future for me to buy one and test I will.
👍 it looks really nice and sturdy, i think it’s an vise that will last more than a lifetime but to be honest it is a lot of money for just a vise
@@rload4374 agreed but still pretty cool. I think there is definitely a segment of people who have a real use for something like this but like I always say there are different tools for different people for different needs.
Thanks for your knowledge.
Great review!! I have been holding on buying a vise hoping that someone would give a review vid like this & I could see a range of options. Often when you Google something nowadays, you get results that are paid for in ranking. The results won't show all the possible companies or options making the product. It's irritating and wastes so much time & money. Thank you, for taking the time & money to do this for the shooting world. Without folks like you we'd certainly be lost and ramp up time in the shooting sports would be sooooo much longer.
Thank you, I do my best.
Great video.
Thank you
Great review and comparison! Thanks!
Excelent reviews - thankyou.
What is the diameter of the post on the Howard’s?
great review
Looks like real avid’s design might be the best for my needs
get rid of the grease and use a evaporate dry teflon spray.
Thank you. 👍👍
What’s a good vice for someone like me who lives in an apartment with no workbench? Am I just better off bringing it to a gunsmith whenever I want to install a barrel?
If all you want to do is change barrels then grab a barrel vise, install it on a board and clap it to a counter when you want to use it. If you're looking for something to hold a gun but not necessarily change a barrel then the Real Avid bolted to a board and clamped down would be good for a small place. If you want the most multipurpose vise with lots of options grab Howards Total Vise and do the clamping trick to it.
@@FClassJohn I will look into those options. Thank you! My first AR-15 build is almost done. Just need the barrel torqued to spec.
Awesome review. Just found your channel, and I'm definitely a tool snob lol. Have u seen the Orange vice company w the area 419 jaws. It's really nice but it's like 1or 1500 bucks I forget.
Nice Job! Great review showing all the features. I was wondering, is the Real Avid body parts made of poly or aluminum? Its not really clear. Other than that, you showed everything I could think of. Thanks for a great comparison.
Thank you. I honestly don't know exactly which parts are what kind of metal but the body of it looks like aluminum but I'm sure some of the parts are hardened steel as well.
Just saying: the three footed base on your guitar vice, works much better on bottom of table
Great review. Thanks
Thanks for watching!
Where did you get the wood countertops please sir?
You can find butcher block tops like this at Home Depot and Lowes. I got these off Craigslist but I've seen them at various stores in the past.
The Real Avid gun vise is clearly the best gun vise on the market today.
Real Avid is my go-to brand.
I'd love to see a barrel vise review.
Easy enough to do. I'll get one put together soon. Thanks for the suggestion.
Hmm..... I think your bench might benefit from some InLine Fabrication Quick change goodness for the vises, trimmers and such. I know a guy....😁
Definitely. I have about 10 of them now and they're awesome.
easy fix for the ball joint/grease,
keep a stack of
cheap coffee cup lids
near by for custom covers.
problem solved!
So which ones still on the bench?
Video coming this week and it's not technically any of the three.....🤗
Well we all have our VICES
The real avid grease ball is going to catch all kinds of filings and trash in there..
Change the foam to leather..
Keep your workspace clean, your tools clean and serviced…no problems.
Have you taken a look at the new Area 419 Orange Vise? I would like to see your thoughts on that vise? Thanks
If I get the chance to get one and test it out I will.
I got excited with the Howards because I think is the only one I can bolt to one of my Inline Fabrication plates but after I saw the price in the website mehhh, makes no sense to sell my rifle so I can afford the vise just to clean a rifle
Completely agree. The Howard looks nice but not trying to spend 5k to get all the adapters. The Avid looks plenty strong to do 99% of what you need to do at 20% of the cost.
I loved your review and you sold me on getting the real avid vise for my guns
Looks like its gonna work best for me.
Awesome. Glad it helped you.
What about the one that area 419 sells you know only 1000$+ lol 🤣
I didn't know they were making those and they sold out in about 20 minutes from what I heard. Maybe if they do it again I'll get one just to test out.
$1300 now with the jaws…
Complete outrageous pricing
Perhaps for a cake baker. Many serious shooters find the tools and pricing to be a fair trade. Do you have a better solution that is cheaper or possibly free?
@@tinfoilsombrero1439I don’t think the pricing is outrageous honestly, most people don’t realize good tools cost money, hell junk costs money these days. I have been using an old Palmgreen Machinist Tilting Vise and had Jaws made to suite my needs. What ever works right!
yep...I think I will stay with my old Wilton.
Looks like vices are your vice..... sorry couldn't help myself....
😂
You need to clamp down on that urge. 😂
@@o2wow 🤣
But that's Chinese grease.
🙄
Thanks for the review.And video.
My pleasure