____To RESTORE or NOT to restore?????_____

[XFIRE]

I have 2 or 3 Chas. Parker & Columbia vises that I won't be needing.
I am thinking of blasting them and either painting or powder-coating.
I wonder if that would be worth the time and effort and would increase the value enough to do the work. I have looked around and am finding a wide ranging selling price for various model vises. I would think this is one of the better sites to determine value.

 

[scootro]

a little paint can't hurt

 

[pipsters]

Wire wheel will do the most. Followed by a proper paint job. Not spray bombing the whole thing including the slide, handle, jaws, etc.

 

[nine4gmc]

Don't put a lot of time/effort into it, you will probably not see a return on the investment. Some people like them natural, some people like them fresh painted...but what color?

 

[colt zantop]

restore it.....

 

[rusty65]

Personally I would just wire wheel the major rust areas and keep the rest as found I mean its a vise they get beat on grinded so no reason to put a fancy paint job on them when they look fine now and aren't beat up and destroyed looking.

 

[XFIRE]

Now I just have to come up with some values pre or post restoration ????

 

[I van putski]

I think if I was a buyer looking for a Parker, I'd want it unrestored. I wouldn't want one that somebody halfassed and painted over every single part of it.

If it was a craftsman I'd say restore it.

 

[dirtydogintex]

leave 'em be.

the only thing worse than a halfarssed 'restore'/'refurb' is one where details were blasted/brushed away....

 

[DekeT]

When I look at a quick restore on any equipment I alway ask myself "what are they trying to hide?". Deflates the value in my opinion, but that's just me.

 

[bob15]

leave 'em be.

the only thing worse than a halfarssed 'restore'/'refurb' is one where details were blasted/brushed away....

When I look at a quick restore on any equipment I alway ask myself "what are they trying to hide?". Deflates the value in my opinion, but that's just me.

What they said x2.

Leave it alone and it will still sell quick.

bob

 

[larry_g]

If I had that vise I would at least take some solvent and clean off the dry rust showing and then clean the slide and screw and relube things so that when the prospective buyer gives it a 'test' it would move smooth and have a nice feel to the works.

lg
no neat sig line

 

[dirtydogintex]

If I had that vise I would at least take some solvent and clean off the dry rust showing and then clean the slide and screw and relube things so that when the prospective buyer gives it a 'test' it would move smooth and have a nice feel to the works.

+1 that way it's a vise you just took outta service - not one that's been outside holding a tarp down.
Might also consider then wiping it down w/ATF, PB Blaster, 30yo gear oil
depending on what smells good to you so
all you have to do is run the slide in and out occasionally!



What is on the right? a Columbian 604?

 

[Tucko]

I have 2 or 3 Chas. Parker & Columbia vises that I won't be needing.
I am thinking of blasting them and either painting or powder-coating.
I wonder if that would be worth the time and effort and would increase the value enough to do the work. I have looked around and am finding a wide ranging selling price for various model vises. I would think this is one of the better sites to determine value.

Well, the solution is obvious to me. You need to get another one. One can be resored and given a place of honor in your living room or den, and the other left in its natural state in your garage. Win/ win!

 

[1982fxr]

If your prices are not too crazy they will sell either way. If you're not set up for cleaning them up it probably is not worth the investment given the return you will see...

 

[pilotman81]

I recommend to leave them as they sit.