Morgan Chicago 150 Vise - $200 Too Steep?

[Sheriff Roscoe]

Hi gang. First post here.

I'm looking for a relatively heavy-duty vise and came across this Morgan Chicago 150. $200 seems a bit steep to me though. What say you?

 

[Davefr]

It's not a "you ****" price. However if you want a big old USA vise to put to work sometimes you have to pay the current market price or invest lots of time searching. (it's a trade off).

It does look to be in decent shape.

I'd think $150 would be fair. (If it were mine I wouldn't sell it for less then $150.)

Welcome to the forum.

 

[Filson]

It's not a "you ****" price. However if you want a big old USA vise to put to work sometimes you have to pay the current market price or invest lots of time searching. (it's a trade off).

It does look to be in decent shape.

I'd think $150 would be fair. (If it were mine I wouldn't sell it for less then $150.)

Welcome to the forum.

Agreed.

 

[Packard V8]

How wide are the jaws on a Morgan 150? How much does it weigh? Those are the quick iterators of relative value.

jack vines

 

[Sheriff Roscoe]

Thanks for the responses guys.

How wide are the jaws on a Morgan 150? How much does it weigh? Those are the quick iterators of relative value.

jack vines

The 150 has 5" jaws and weighs 72lbs.

 

[Filson]

Thanks for the responses guys.



The 150 has 5" jaws and weighs 72lbs.

I was thinking it was a 6"... I'd shoot for the $125-150 ballpark.

 

[Packard V8]

Thanks for the info.

The going rate in most areas is a max of $2 a pound for good jaws and nothing broken. That would make this a $150 vise.

Your opinions and results may vary.

jack vines

 

[EOC_Jason]

I bought one that was pretty much NOS for $150... Just had surface rust on the exposed metal areas... $200 is pretty steep unless you needed a good vise today.

$125 - $150 is an honest price for a vise that size.

 

[balane]

That's a great vise which looks to be in very nice condition. I can't tell you what price you'll be comfortable paying but I can tell you that you'll enjoy owning and using that vise for a very long time. Whatever you pay for it will dissipate in your mind quickly. In fact, you'll need to figure out who you want to pass that on to because it's going to outlive its owner. Morgan makes outstanding vises and that one is a real beaut.

 

[bobcatdan]

Would I pay $200, probably not, but considering any USA vise that size is at least triple that, I'd at least call on it, try to haggle and worst case, I'd pay $200. At least in my area, USA vises don't rain from the sky and the few that do are often listed by dealers who want crazy prices for them.

 

[sparky7]

to much money

 

[oldldh]

I like $ 150.00...

Nice vise if you can get it at the right price...

 

[BDT/NWMN]

Compared to some of the battered, worn out junk, and foreign off brands and rebrands that appear on Craig's List; That Morgan Chicago would be something worth paying a little extra for... $200 for that vise would not be a stupid deal if you only have to drive three miles down the road to look it over... Gas isn't free, and I wouldn't want to pay the postage on that one.
Location does enter into the cost??

The guy appears to be no dummy as to knowing the quality and condition of the vise.... $200 is his starting point???? Might go home with you for $150??
Let us know how it turns out.

 

[Jamiep]

I personally stick to the $1/lb for good to excellent condition vises and it has worked out well. A few years ago got my Morgan Milwaukee 160 6" jaws with swivel base for $150 and it was in excellent condition came out of a Navy base and is painted dark grey/black right over the factory blue.

 

[Sheriff Roscoe]

Thanks again guys. I'm pretty clueless when it comes to vices but do appreciate stuff made in the USA for a few different reasons. I broke my $60 China-made vice last year...never again.

Hoping to link up with the seller tomorrow. Sounds like only 5 miles or so away.

As a side note; some of you are serious about old vices! That's good to see. I have a few "vintage" items so can appreciate the allure relative to history and/or restoration.