Abstract: An open top rotating vise for use in breaking joints in a drillstring has a cradle with two side plates and two end plates secured to one another and semi-circular bearing surfaces carried by and extending outboard from the side plates. A stand with side frame members extending parallel to the cradle side plates has anti-friction rollers carried by and extending inboardly from the side frame members. The rollers are arranged on a radius concentric with the radius of the cradle semi-circular bearing surface and positioned to engage the cradle bearing surface. Oppositely facing jaw members are carried by the cradle intermediate the cradle side plates.