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Harbor Freight offers several tools worth considering; among them is the Doyle 6-inch swivel vise with anvil and pipe jaws, which is recommended for those requiring a robust vise.
The price at Harbor Freight is set at $199.99, whether you choose to buy in-store or online. The online checkout for my location in northeast Oklahoma provides two delivery options: standard shipping adds $23.94 and takes five to seven days, whereas express shipping delivers the 68-pound Doyle vise to my doorstep in two to four days for $99.55.
Harbor Freight frequently displays competitor pricing for reference, suggesting that the Wilton 1765 vise retails for $1,187.45, making it $987 more than the Doyle. Although we can find the Wilton Tradesman 1765 for as low as $790.49 on various platforms, including Amazon with free shipping, it still remains over $500 pricier than the Doyle vise at Harbor Freight, particularly when flat rate shipping is factored in. If opting for Harbor Freight’s express shipping, the price gap closes to $490.
While we advise against selecting home improvement tools purely based on the lowest price, the Doyle vise has garnered a remarkable 4.9-star rating from 383 customer reviews at the time of writing, with 99% of users recommending it.
A Look at Doyle vs. Wilton Vises
The Doyle 6-inch swivel vise, celebrated among Harbor Freight tools, boasts replaceable hardened-steel jaws that measure 6.5 inches wide (6 1/2-inch indicated on the vise body) with a maximum jaw opening advertised at 6.5 inches. However, we recommend caution when using the jaws for clamping items nearing 6 inches, as there may be insufficient threads engaging the spindle nut at that length. The construction of the Doyle vise uses 60,000 PSI ductile cast iron, offering a clamping force of up to 9,900 pounds.
For installation, the Doyle vise has four mounting holes surrounding the base. It allows for a full 360-degree rotation by loosening the two securing handles without needing to completely remove them. An integrated anvil measuring 3.6 by 4.5 inches is situated atop the vise’s body.
The Doyle’s specifications also provide a 4.25-inch throat depth, accommodating pipe and round stock up to 6 inches in diameter with its pipe jaws, which can secure items as small as 1 inch in diameter.
Although Wilton’s documentation lacks the detail found in Harbor Freight’s information, the Wilton Tradesman 1765 lists a jaw width of 6.5 inches, a maximum opening of 6 inches, and a throat depth of 4 inches.
The Wilton 1765 also includes mounting and rotation features similar to those of the Doyle, and specifications from authorized retailers indicate it is constructed from the same 60,000 PSI ductile iron. Both vises come with a lifetime warranty and are designed with enclosed spindle nuts to prevent contamination and lubricant loss in the rotation mechanism.
