columbian vise a good deal or no

[usmc_noma]

there's a combination pipe/straight jaw vise for $40 local. it's heavy duty with a swivel base and rotating head. here's a pic of it.

http://images.craigslist.org/3m33o33l25Ob5T15R49anc73ebc7e98ae13a3.jpg

is it worth the $40 or should i pass? looks to be in good shape to me. it's listed as a 6inch. tia.

[Underdog]

I'm not familiar with the new Columbian vises but it sure looks like a China Import that I have?:headscrat

[krusty the clown]

i'd all over it......

[bmwpower]

If you're strapped for cash and you just need a vise and won't be pushing it too much, it might be ok. It's not built with heft in mind like some of the older US makes. I've never needed to clamp something at weird angles that this vise would allow, so it would be a waste in my garage. I'd rather have a heavy duty, swivel made by an old US company, but that will likely cost you around $100 or more.

This is undoubtedly an import Columbian.

[bgott]

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=98187

Commodity vise, everybody sells a version. O.K. general purpose vise, can be broken fairly easily if you get creative while using it.

[alex71]

I broke one of those a few years ago. Now happy with my Wilton 1765 :D

[usmc_noma]

well from the general consensus here i guess i'll be passing on this vise. i'll have to keep an eye out for something else. thanks for the comments.

[scottg1952]

I'd probably take it
The imports I have seen were all smaller than this and whats worse, very short beams, didn't open very far. I bet this one does 7-8" from the look of it.
I broke an import model, but it was my own fault. I was pressing a stubborn bearing with it, and using a cheater!
This one looks better. Columbian used to be a pretty respected name. I don't see 1332 cheap imports listed by the same name/size. Could be real and worth a second look for a good filing/grinding/finer work vise to keep around even after you get your big Parker or Wilton.
yours Scott