I received one of these this week. Overall I'm pleased with the quality and materials but function as delivered leaves a bit to be desired. I had seen the linked video below that addresses the issues noted with the unit when researching it and the video is very well done. Several video's with reviews can be seen there as well. I assembled the unit and noted a couple of the problems addressed in the video were present with my unit. In particular, the uprights were not as solid when tightened as I wanted and a couple of the knobs were actually too tight (most were in a good level of tightness and none were loose). However, these issues are relatively easily fixed. All knobs are adjustable for tension and retention of the uprights in a locked position can be greatly improved. I did the modifications to improve function suggested on the linked video and with about 30 to 45 minutes of work the unit now functions very well. Below is the link to the very good video or you can search "Tipton Ultra Gun Vise" on youtube to find this video and other reviews. Overall, I believe it is a very good medium duty unit with a bit of work.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XsE3UsQ4W7Y
Modifications to improve function greatly-
1-Adjust tightness of knobs. Easily done by removing the "Tipton" black center caps on the maroon colored knobs and tighten or loosen the allen head screw inside to adjust knob tension to your preference. Very simple and can be done to each knob individually as needed. The caps are a medium soft material and can be pried out with a small screw driver. Do so with a bit of care as there are 3 retaining prongs under the caps that could be damaged unless a bit of finesse is used. They easily press back to place after any needed adjustment is done.
2-Sand (or file and dremel in my case) 3 different areas to improve retention of the uprights. These areas are the small adjustment pads inside the tower bases that attach to the adjusting knobs, the opposing inner surface of the tower bases that are opposite the adjustment pad, and the 4 narrow sides of the uprights. In stock configuration the adjustment pads are a bit textured and the sides of the uprights as well as the opposing inner surface of the bottom towers are less than flat with lots of high spots and waves in all of the engaging surfaces. This results in a lower surface area for contact when the adjustment is tightened. Flattening all these surfaces increases surface area contact and retention greatly. I used a sanding drum on a dremel on very low speed to knock down the high center ridges you will see in the upright sides and the very highest spots I could feel on all the surfaces. I then used a coarse file to flatten all the surfaces. When starting, the file would rock across the center of the upright sides so contact was just in the center. File these surfaces until flat and smooth and upright retention will be increased dramatically. One thing I did as well that isn't noted in the video was to very lightly file the corners and 45 degree angle surfaces on the tower bases directly opposite the face of the adjustment pad. Possibly not needed but I thought that any contact there with the angled areas on the uprights might lessen the "pinching" pressure between the adjustment pad and the flattened opposite surface of the tower bases that hold the uprights in position.
All the above took at most 45 minutes and now the uprights stay in place very well when tightened and all knobs hold as expected and are easy to turn. Distance between the feet of the unit (individually adjustable for stability) is 24" with an overall length of about 30". Width of feet is about 9". Construction of this unit is mostly heavy polymer (bottom rails are metal) so it is not for firearm barrel changes and other such high torque service but with the above work the unit should function very well for most firearm and any air gun work.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XsE3UsQ4W7Y
Modifications to improve function greatly-
1-Adjust tightness of knobs. Easily done by removing the "Tipton" black center caps on the maroon colored knobs and tighten or loosen the allen head screw inside to adjust knob tension to your preference. Very simple and can be done to each knob individually as needed. The caps are a medium soft material and can be pried out with a small screw driver. Do so with a bit of care as there are 3 retaining prongs under the caps that could be damaged unless a bit of finesse is used. They easily press back to place after any needed adjustment is done.
2-Sand (or file and dremel in my case) 3 different areas to improve retention of the uprights. These areas are the small adjustment pads inside the tower bases that attach to the adjusting knobs, the opposing inner surface of the tower bases that are opposite the adjustment pad, and the 4 narrow sides of the uprights. In stock configuration the adjustment pads are a bit textured and the sides of the uprights as well as the opposing inner surface of the bottom towers are less than flat with lots of high spots and waves in all of the engaging surfaces. This results in a lower surface area for contact when the adjustment is tightened. Flattening all these surfaces increases surface area contact and retention greatly. I used a sanding drum on a dremel on very low speed to knock down the high center ridges you will see in the upright sides and the very highest spots I could feel on all the surfaces. I then used a coarse file to flatten all the surfaces. When starting, the file would rock across the center of the upright sides so contact was just in the center. File these surfaces until flat and smooth and upright retention will be increased dramatically. One thing I did as well that isn't noted in the video was to very lightly file the corners and 45 degree angle surfaces on the tower bases directly opposite the face of the adjustment pad. Possibly not needed but I thought that any contact there with the angled areas on the uprights might lessen the "pinching" pressure between the adjustment pad and the flattened opposite surface of the tower bases that hold the uprights in position.
All the above took at most 45 minutes and now the uprights stay in place very well when tightened and all knobs hold as expected and are easy to turn. Distance between the feet of the unit (individually adjustable for stability) is 24" with an overall length of about 30". Width of feet is about 9". Construction of this unit is mostly heavy polymer (bottom rails are metal) so it is not for firearm barrel changes and other such high torque service but with the above work the unit should function very well for most firearm and any air gun work.
