MD, I know exactly what you mean and for the most part feel the same way. I really wanted a reverse vise because I like working in Y+ rather than Y-, although not enough to deal with the hassle I likely now have. I also really wanted a 6" vise, but yeah, going the proven Tormach route certainly has it's pluses. If I end up returning/selling this one, I will likely go the 5" Tormach route.
GLCarlson, I am considering doing that, but I feel like it limits the use of the mill by putting it in line with the x axis. For example, say you have a piece of stock that is 8" long, if you were to put that in the vise in line with X, you would have enough travel to do almost any cut on the piece, but you could not face it and still be able to run the entire face mill completely off the piece.
MikeSr, I should have bought that one from the start, regretting my lack of research on this. I could have sworn I read a few posts saying people were using this vise on the Tormach and I was excited for a reverse vise.
One other thought I have is to buy something like these:
8 x 3 x 1" Extended Length Steel Jaws Fits 6" Kurt Vises Set of 2 Jaw 6MJV831S | eBay
I would only use 1 as to not turn it into a 4" vise, but I think if I put this on the fixed end, I would have enough room to mill anything before hitting the way cover on the Z axis, need to measure more. This may not be a great idea however as it could introduce more error into the vise.
I am definitely not modifying it, I will eat the shipping losses before doing that.