gman007
Well-known member
Few years back one of my colleagues at work who knew of my vise obsession, asked me if would be interested in buying a vise from his recently widowed sister for $50!
The back story was that her husband who was a mechanic, at age of 41 had suddenly died from heart attach and left her with two kids. And she had sold many of her late husband’s tools already (unfortunately, it sounded like at fire sale prices) and the vise was the last remaining tool.
I asked him if he has any photos of the vise, as depending on the brand, size and condition, the vise might be worth more or less. He then asked his sister to text me a couple photos. She texted me the first and second photos!!
From the photos I could not tell if this was a 4 1/2” or 6 1/2” Snap-On vise but I told my colleague, this is a valuable vise and specially considering that your sister is a widow, I can not in good conscience buy it for $50. I also do not buy used tools at retail prices, so I would normally offer $100 but I rather cleanup and tidy up the vise and then she can list it for around $450 to $500 and it should sell quick.
He thanked me and said he will discuss this with his sister. The next day he brought the vise to work. It turned out to be the bigger more expensive 6 1/2” model.
https://shop.snapon.com/product/Mechanic's-Vises/Mechanic%26rsquo%3Bs-Vise-(6-1-2%22)/WV1765A
I normally would have stripped the vise to bare metal and painted it etc. But considering the fact that it was a Snap-On branded vise and its relation to Wilton, I thought painting it might raise suspicion as to its authenticity.
So I cleaned up the original paint as best I could, applied a clear coat to prevent rusting and polished all the none painted surfaces and lubricated the vise (third, fourth and fifth photos).
Unfortunately she listed the vise, if I remember correctly, for only around $400 and within a couple of hours someone bought it right away. But she still got a lot more than $50 that she was going to sell it for and that made me happy.
The back story was that her husband who was a mechanic, at age of 41 had suddenly died from heart attach and left her with two kids. And she had sold many of her late husband’s tools already (unfortunately, it sounded like at fire sale prices) and the vise was the last remaining tool.
I asked him if he has any photos of the vise, as depending on the brand, size and condition, the vise might be worth more or less. He then asked his sister to text me a couple photos. She texted me the first and second photos!!
From the photos I could not tell if this was a 4 1/2” or 6 1/2” Snap-On vise but I told my colleague, this is a valuable vise and specially considering that your sister is a widow, I can not in good conscience buy it for $50. I also do not buy used tools at retail prices, so I would normally offer $100 but I rather cleanup and tidy up the vise and then she can list it for around $450 to $500 and it should sell quick.
He thanked me and said he will discuss this with his sister. The next day he brought the vise to work. It turned out to be the bigger more expensive 6 1/2” model.
https://shop.snapon.com/product/Mechanic's-Vises/Mechanic%26rsquo%3Bs-Vise-(6-1-2%22)/WV1765A
I normally would have stripped the vise to bare metal and painted it etc. But considering the fact that it was a Snap-On branded vise and its relation to Wilton, I thought painting it might raise suspicion as to its authenticity.
So I cleaned up the original paint as best I could, applied a clear coat to prevent rusting and polished all the none painted surfaces and lubricated the vise (third, fourth and fifth photos).
Unfortunately she listed the vise, if I remember correctly, for only around $400 and within a couple of hours someone bought it right away. But she still got a lot more than $50 that she was going to sell it for and that made me happy.
Attachments
Last edited:
