What would you pay for this Parker vise?

[datsbooksleia]

What would you pay for this Parker vise? I will be making a decision on buying it or not. If you can give just an idea of what you would pay for it. It does have an 1/8" side to side play. Thanks in advance

 

[I van putski]

That looks weird for a Parker. It looks like a newer cheaper vise.

 

[rusty65]

Highest I would pay would be 90-100 depending on how bad I wanted/needed a good vise and that one is from when parker was bought out in the 40s or so.

 

[Packard V8]

Doesn't look like any Parker I've ever seen.

jack vines

 

[datsbooksleia]

I have a picture of the side where it states that it is made in the USA in Connecticut. I tried to upload it but to big of a file

 

[wrenchguy]

its a union-parker, probably from the 60's, like my 975b. I seen a's, b's, not a g like urs before. i wonder if the letters mean year manufactured? i been kinda wanting to know what the letters mean. does look abused in the jaw area.
thanks 4 posting.

 

[datsbooksleia]

Please everybody give me dollar value idea with your post. I know nothing about vises and would like to start collecting them

 

[Davefr]

Maybe $25-30 given that the static jaw looks like a homemade replacement.

 

[Packard V8]

Union-Parker - Learn something every day. Were there Union vises also?

Please everybody give me dollar value idea with your post. I know nothing about vises and would like to start collecting them

JMHO, but if one is buying to collect as opposed to using or flipping for profit, buy only complete, excellent condition examples. Used, abused, broken, missing parts are not "collectable." As to pricing, is it also missing one of the swivel base locks as well as the fixed jaw? If so, again, it's not really a collectable. Agree, not more than $1 a pound in good condition.

jack vines

 

[rsanter]

Made in the USA....$50 to $60
Made overseas....$25

Bob

 

[EOC_Jason]

Hmmm... a "G" revision... interesting...

Things I can tell different from earlier versions:

1. Missing the friction screw in the middle of the handle nut.
2. The way the base tightens down has been changed (kind of cheaper looking design).
3. Cheaper style jaw inserts, not the older style that overlap across the top and held in with pins.

I guess as time went on they made slight modifications to help reduce costs.

I'm leery about the jaws... One looks like a piece of aluminum. The other looks like they did a repair on the bottom corner.

I would probably pass... Otherwise MAX I would pay is maybe $40...

 

[datsbooksleia]

I don't know if "collecting" is the right word for why I want to buy it. I guess maybe to say that i have a piece of history specially when something like that is not made anymore. I prize anything that was built in the beginning of the century when manufacturers made quality items instead of to look good on the store shelf but also i don't want to make an emotional decision.

 

[EOC_Jason]

Here's a few pics of my Parker before I stripped off the paint and got to work on it. Notice the subtle difference in features.

I would inspect the jaws first-hand. See if someone really futzed it up or if you think you can fix it right. That's the real determining factor if it's worth buying or not. Everything else on the vise looks solid.

 

[ajchien]

I agree, the jaws look "revised". Still looks like it'll work though. Remaking the jaws back to original will cost you more than you'll pay for it.

I think $50 is okay. Less than $40 is a good deal. Higher than $75 would be a tough sell. But i would still buy this over a box store vise.

I probably wouldn't buy it as a collectible though. I'd have buyers remorse after I thought about the non original jaws for the 1000th time.

 

[datsbooksleia]

What are the jaws supposed to look like? Rectangle or like the one on the orange vise above?

 

[wrenchguy]

go for a older parker, athol or reed. they were old school made when old school was in session. i'm sure there are others. that 974 1/2 is modern. the jaws should look somelike the red one. that one looks like the jaws are face screwed on. educated yourself by reading pages here to know whats going on with old vices and prices. i'm on page 250 as i started messing with 'em a month ago. good luck.

I don't know if "collecting" is the right word for why I want to buy it. I guess maybe to say that i have a piece of history specially when something like that is not made anymore. I prize anything that was built in the beginning of the century when manufacturers made quality items instead of to look good on the store shelf but also i don't want to make an emotional decision.

 

[datsbooksleia]

go for a older parker, athol or reed. they were old school made when old school was in session. i'm sure there are others. that 974 1/2 is modern. the jaws should look like the red one. educated yourself by reading pages here to know whats going on with old vices and prices. i'm on page 250 as i started messing with 'em a month ago. good luck.

Page 250 of what thread?

 

[wrenchguy]

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=44782

 

[ajchien]

@OP, post your location. You find that GJ members tend to scour Craigslist often for random personal amusement. and people will occasionally post alternatives in your area for you to consider.

 

[datsbooksleia]

I am located in Fort Worth Texas

 

[Farmall450]

Maybe $25-30 given that the static jaw looks like a homemade replacement.

Certainly not the $100 some say.

 

[Danglerb]

OK for using, not a good choice for collecting unless the statement you want to make is I don't know anything about vises.

 

[PugetDude]

$50-60 if it's Made In America
$30-40 if it's Made in Asia.
YMMV

 

[EOC_Jason]

If he's firm at $75 I would be real iffy. It looks like someone was beating on the top and broke the casting under one of the jaws. If that is the case, it's not worth near $75...

I've seen some decent vises popup in DFW area, just be patient...

 

[datsbooksleia]

Do you think the original jaws are rectangle or they go over the top?

 

[wrenchguy]

its posted here that its unknown about a g series. the 1 jaw LOOKS correct. i posted it looks tobe a screwed on jaw, not pinned like the parkers we seen here so far. u know where its at, go look at the friggen thing.

 

[datsbooksleia]

its posted here that its unknown about a g series. the 1 jaw LOOKS correct. i posted it looks tobe a screwed on jaw, not pinned like the parkers we seen here so far. u know where its at, go look at the friggen thing.

Hey dude, u seem to have an anger problem. The question was not directed to you alone but to anyone that has an opinion not an attitude.

 

[EOC_Jason]

Do you think the original jaws are rectangle or they go over the top?

I don't think they are supposed to go over the top because I can't see the holes where the pins would go through.

It makes sense if it's a later model and they were trying to cut costs to compete with chinese stuff. The classic Parker jaws are pretty labor intensive with the curves and angles and such. Changing to a rectangular block makes it much easier to produce.

 

[datsbooksleia]

I don't think they are supposed to go over the top because I can't see the holes where the pins would go through.

It makes sense if it's a later model and they were trying to cut costs to compete with chinese stuff. The classic Parker jaws are pretty labor intensive with the curves and angles and such. Changing to a rectangular block makes it much easier to produce.

That make sense!

Thank you to all that contributed to this thread and to help me understand what to look for and watnot. I will be meeting the seller and the vise tomorrow to look at it and make a decision.

 

[EOC_Jason]

If you are willing to drive, there is a 5" Reed in east Texas. He's asking $150 obo... It's missing the swivel base though.

http://easttexas.craigslist.org/tls/3792102672.html

 

[datsbooksleia]

If you are willing to drive, there is a 5" Reed in east Texas. He's asking $150 obo... It's missing the swivel base though.

http://easttexas.craigslist.org/tls/3792102672.html

Would that be a better vise for the price over the Parker?

 

[EOC_Jason]

Would that be a better vise for the price over the Parker?

Well, it's bigger than the Parker, but it doesn't have a swivel base. It depends on what you are looking for to meet your needs.

That clump on the end of the parker underneath the jaw inserts just has me worried. It could be nothing, or there could be a massive repair on the bottom side that you can't see. Since it's local I would at least go check it out, worst thing is you can walk away.

Don't let the dingy paint on the Reed fool you. A little wire wheel and a re-spray will make it look as good as new. They are very tough vises. According to an old ad I have, that model without the swivel base weighs in at 74lbs. I would drop $100 on that vise in a heartbeat as long as there wasn't anything broken or missing. Maybe even $125...

 

[datsbooksleia]

Well, it's bigger than the Parker, but it doesn't have a swivel base. It depends on what you are looking for to meet your needs.

That clump on the end of the parker underneath the jaw inserts just has me worried. It could be nothing, or there could be a massive repair on the bottom side that you can't see. Since it's local I would at least go check it out, worst thing is you can walk away.

Don't let the dingy paint on the Reed fool you. A little wire wheel and a re-spray will make it look as good as new. They are very tough vises. According to an old ad I have, that model without the swivel base weighs in at 74lbs. I would drop $100 on that vise in a heartbeat as long as there wasn't anything broken or missing. Maybe even $125...

ok. I will meeting the Parker vise and it's owner tomorrow to look at it and make an offer. I will also contact the ad owner of the Reed and offer him $100.
I will keep all of you posted. Thanks for the heads up!

 

[datsbooksleia]

Don't let the dingy paint on the Reed fool you.

LOL.....That paint sure is pretty Dingy

 

[datsbooksleia]

BIG THANK YOU to all of you who educated me through your expertise. Without your opinions i would have paid the asking price of $75 thinking i snatched a deal. I ended up paying $50. I can't wait to start working on it. I will be grinding that ugly weld under the jaw to look square. The story behind the vise is that the seller works for the NAVY and the NAVY decided to throw away their old tools including this vise and he asked if he can have it and they gave it to him. He never used it and he didn't know what to do with it. Now the next step is to find a nice set of jaws or i might just make my own.

 

[EOC_Jason]

Cool story, maybe paint it battleship gray (Rustoleum Hammered Gray looks good) to honor its place in history. Be careful with that sticker so you don't loose it or paint over it!

Yeah, my guess is someone was beating downwards... bam, bam, bam, crack, oops...

You can probably grind it smooth and blend it in. I've used JB Weld as kind of "vise bondo" if you want to do any touch-up of little dents or holes.

You can contact the guy @ http://wiltonviseparts.net/ to see about making a new set of proper jaws. I forgot his username here on the forum. They aren't cheap but they will be better than new.

Alternatively if you want softer jaws you can make your own from Aluminum, Brass, or Bronze...

 

[datsbooksleia]

Battleship gray to honor its place in history is certainly a great idea. I still can't believe that companies including the branch of the military would just throw them away. Think about for each one that was saved how many went to the bottom of the sea or the scrap yard.