Every mechanic with a servcie truck knows the pain. You're working hard, then need to hold something steady. You stride to the back of the truck, and are confronted by... a sloppy, cheaply-made, fixed-in-one-position piece of imported garbage posing as a vise.

This project aims to fix that: It's positionable with a machined swivel base, still allows use of the Kurt hitch, and - most importantly of all - allows you to use a classic, American-made vise of exceptional quality.

No effort was spared. The thinnest piece of material to be found is 1/2" thick, and the bottom-mounted grease fitting allows the swivel base to be lubricated with a standard grease gun. The swivel base and the bolts securing the vise are plug welded into place, making it one heck of a challenge for would-be vise thieves.

The cherry on top is the vise, a restored Columbian. It received a full cleaning, paint job, and a set of custom-made knurled aluminum soft jaws.