Originally Posted by
TiHabanero
New replacement screw is about 200 bucks. Still available from Wilton. Yes, 3 inch, not man sized at all. Tough as nails through the years, but thoroughly abused by the shop since the 70's. Gotta say, even in the machine shop on board ship, only one vice was larger than 3 inch, and we worked on some very big stuff!! Not sure a bike shop or home mechanic needs something larger than that.
Glad to hear Wilton still makes em! $200 is a big chunk of change though.
And you're right, a 3" machinist vise is enough for almost everything a home mechanic might do. A secure attachment to an immobile bench or table (preferably bolted to the floor and wall) is far more important than the size of the vise, past a certain point.