if it works and its yours, who cares. I would love to see a pic though!
The only thing I would consider "bad" about cutting down your vise is the fact that you mentioned what you had done here on this forum.
It was your vise. You bought it with your own money. That give you the right to do whatever you want with it. There's nothing wrong with that.
The fact that it worked out well for you in the end is always welcome news. It may have even helped out a few guys here to know that cutting down a vice is doable.
I get alot of apposing responses to my post on other forums when I modify one of my military surplus firearms. Some folks are just purists. There's nothing wrong with that either.
The important thing is that you're happy with the results.
MetalShavings
if it works and its yours, who cares. I would love to see a pic though!