Stump Vice - are they all created equal?

[Vintage Engine Repairs]

Looking to grab a stump vice. Genuine stihl is roughly 60 Australian dollars, aftermarket is 14 Australian dollars.

Am I just paying extra for the brand name? Have you used both and have experience?

Thanks

 

[EchoRomeoCharlie]

Looking to grab a stump vice. Genuine stihl is roughly 60 Australian dollars, aftermarket is 14 Australian dollars.

Am I just paying extra for the brand name? Have you used both and have experience?

Thanks

I bought a cheap one on Amazon because I had some points to use, so it was free....I think it was $18...so not bottom of the barrel in terms of price, but not top of the line either. If I don't like the way it works...I'll give it away and grab something nicer. I haven't used it yet, but it looks good to me. Not much to them really...it's a cast base with a threaded hole and a thumb screw.

 

[Allar]

Essentially it's just a vice.. I would grab the cheapest out there. 60 aussie dollars is just plain scam.

 

[ammoaddict]

I have a cheap aftermarket one from eBay. Have only used it a couple of times, works fine so far. I looked at a Stihl brand one on Amazon, it said made in China on the package.

Sent from my Moto G (4) using Tapatalk

 

[user 122190]

I think mine is a Husqvarna. I do most of my sharpening in the garage, but have used it once or twice in the field. There's not much to it, so I doubt you would notice anything different. Of course everybody here is all about weight savings as they have to hike deep into the wilderness and cut trails for lost hikers to follow, so get the lightest one you can.

 

[EchoRomeoCharlie]

I bet a guy could easily cast one of these out of aluminum from beer cans with a quick home made charcoal forge and some sand.

Could be a fun weekend project for me and the kids.....off to drink enough beer before the weekend!


EDIT: obviously the aluminum won't stand up to being pounded on with a steel axe...so you'd have to be nice to it...

 

[TheDarkLordChinChin]

I just lean my bar up against a small log and straddle the powerhead while kneeling down. Works fine for me because I file quickly but it's uncomfortable.

 

[holeycow]

Lap "vise"

or stump without the vise

or tailgate

or just on the ground

or some such thing..

as long as it cuts good..

 

[holeycow]

It's a vice. Even the Chinese can make a vice (along with anything else made anywhere).

PS, to answer your question, I have used neither and, frankly, see no need of one whatsoever. Even when my saws are on the bench in the shop right beside one of the vises it doesn't even occur to me to put the bar in a vise. Well it did; once (prompted by comments on this site). That didn't last very long. I guess it has to do with what you become used to. And how many crutches you feel you need..

 

[merc_man]

I got a cheap one that works great. Also have a homemade one i like better.

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[Bob Hedgecutter]

Never owned one- have thought of owning one, but never found the absolute need to own one.
In the field you will always find a way of getting by, learn a few tricks like boring the bar tip through a skinny limb, push the bar through to the powerhead and shut off the saw, or sit the saw on a log with the tip of the bar supported by a section of limb, block of wood, or strap the back handle of the saw to a log........... there are ways and means.

Bet one could be made fairly easily with a 4"G clamp, coach screw and a couple of welds?

 

[holeycow]

"G" clamp



they are "C" clamps around here.

you upside-down guys are hilarious!

even though they do look more like "G's".

 

[user 122190]

Never owned one- have thought of owning one, but never found the absolute need to own one.
In the field you will always find a way of getting by, learn a few tricks like boring the bar tip through a skinny limb, push the bar through to the powerhead and shut off the saw, or sit the saw on a log with the tip of the bar supported by a section of limb, block of wood, or strap the back handle of the saw to a log........... there are ways and means.

Bet one could be made fairly easily with a 4"G clamp, coach screw and a couple of welds?

I have done that as often. These "Stump Vises" need a stump to use. Not always is there a stump large enough to support the powerhead and the vise. It is a tool that is a nice convenience in some cases, not all. The better solution is to carry an extra chain.

 

[holeycow]

Or just sharpen the one that's on the saw without a bunch of hoopla and drama.

 

[Ted Jenkins]

I make about one new every year when I think about it. So I have one in just about every vehicle and then some. I use 3/4'' steel plate with a lag bolt welded to the bottom. I like to screw the vise into a stump or log. The ones that are driven into a piece of wood with a hammer are OK, but I like the bolt type better. Thanks

 

[Bob Hedgecutter]

"G" clamp



they are "C" clamps around here.

you upside-down guys are hilarious!

even though they do look more like "G's".

See we are more educated- we include the threaded section of the "C" to call it a "G".......... but an F clamp is still an F clamp..... right?
You Northern folk...... Lagbolt........ it is a Coachscrew dude!

 

[holeycow]

Wtf is a coachscrew?

oh, I see. A LAGbolt.

 

[Del_]

I've had this stump vice for almost 30 years. I believe they are well worth the asking price. For the past 5 years it's been doing service as my indoor 55 gallon plastic barrel on the chainsaw chain sharpening vice. Works like a charm.

 

[Jhenderson]

I have done that as often. These "Stump Vises" need a stump to use. Not always is there a stump large enough to support the powerhead and the vise. It is a tool that is a nice convenience in some cases, not all. The better solution is to carry an extra chain.

If you work in the woods for a living a stump vise is wonderful. It holds the saw for a lot more than just sharpening. A 2 ft long 2x12 works well to drive the vise into. It lives right beside the fuel tank/tool box in the pickup. I prefer the forester pro. It’s about $20, is a heavier casting and has a large knob on the vise screw which allows old fingers a good grip.

 

[holeycow]

All I can say is that it's nice to see a saw on here that looks like it gets used..

I've had this stump vice for almost 30 years. I believe they are well worth the asking price. For the past 5 years it's been doing service as my indoor 55 gallon plastic barrel on the chainsaw chain sharpening vice. Works like a charm.

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