The current shop i work at seems to inexpeierenced , but so am i only 2 years expierience, anyway the guys here always tighten the vise by hand and then use a mallet and wack the handle a coulple times . not on every job but more ofren then not . im not sure if the vises or old and worn and this is necessary now or if there is another solution. Maybe this is what caused the vises to need over tightening ? Is there a way to repair ole loose vises, the movable jaws have alot of play in them ( they wiggle side to side when loose) but i dont think a new vise would? I Would appreciate any help.

Josh,

on the back side of your movable vice jaw there is 3 holes 2 are for monting a jaw the center one will help adjust how the jaw is.