Review on Panavise 8103 PanaVise Standard Head by Marcus Braunstein

I just bought the standard base, this vise head and a weighted electronics base. I would say the purchase was worth it, but the workmanship leaves a lot to be desired. Mine also had numerous dents and a slit in the front of the grip/cap (and there was a large dent in the grip at the base). Not cool. Firstly, you can greatly improve this vise head (and base) by disassembling, cleaning and lubricating it. I wiped my 99% iso down to remove any metal residue (which seems to be pretty much all over the place on this thing) and then oiled it up well, putting a healthy dose on all moving parts, threads and rods. You will immediately notice a significant improvement. Some might prefer lube, but since I don't have one I used good old 3-in-1 oil and it worked great. At first it was like metal grinding against metal. Now it basically slides when I turn the handle. I would prefer a longer handle in the grip as my finger slips off so I can make a new longer one. No deal breaker. It's just a little annoying and something to be aware of. Perhaps for those who have delicate hands, this is suitable. The plastic is fine. I would have preferred something softer but it will do the job I need and doesn't feel stiff enough to hurt anything unless you pinch it like a gorilla. Now by moving the vise head you can make the top of the base. I have a weighted base that greatly improves this. If you want to completely prevent tipping, screw it to the bench/table even if you have a weighted base. I also added a weighted base to make the vise even taller. However, given the different angles you can position this at, you should be able to find one that works. Obviously the most durable side up. In any case, unless you're trying to go crazy, I'd recommend some sort of extra base. Once the vise is tight they appear nice and strong to me, that's the whole point. I might not notice some blemishes because it does what I need it to do - hold things steady and not damage them. I certainly wouldn't use it for heavy work, but that's not what it's made for. I don't even know why people complain about it. If you must saw wood, use a suitable heavy metal vise or a screeching saw. For electronics and similar light loads I think that's normal. I know these aren't the best vise but since they are so widely available and recommended I expect better build quality and don't end up with a dented and slotted tool. I bought half a dozen other new tools for my project and none of them were excellent or looked perfect, even if it only cost me a few dollars.