Two Vintage Vises - Please Help Me Choose!

[pcar964]

Hi all I've been lurking for a while and I've learned a lot from the collective knowledge on this great forum! I bought a used vise, spent a long time restoring it, then literally broke it in half the first time I used it. So began my education in quality vs junk vises, and so also began many hours spent enjoying the "Vises of garage journal" thread (and many others).

Long story short, I have recently acquired two vintage vises and I would appreciate your help in choosing which one to keep and use, the other I will probably sell or give away as a gift. The intended use is as a general purpose home garage vise to be mounted on my workbench. It will get only occasional use, however I want it to be reliable and last a long time of course.

Vise 1 - Columbian D 43 1/2 M3
Unrestored, but seems to be in excellent shape with little to no wear on the main screw or jaws. Appears to be all original with a nice "aged" look. Made in USA.




Vise 2 - Craftsman 391.5180 NEW IN BOX. This was new old stock and has never been used, it's the made in Japan model (391 prefix vs the older 506 USA version). Everything I've read says that these are fairly high quality vises.




These are both 3 1/2 inch vises, but that's all I need at this time. The question is, which vise should I keep? Is the Columbian better because it's made in the USA? Is the Craftsman a better bet since it's never been used before? I know neither of these is probably very rare, but which in your opinion is more desirable? Is one more valuable or rare than the other? Any advice would be appreciated! (Also, should the Columbian be restored or left as-is?)

Thanks!

 

[Lump]

There is not really much difference in the quality of those two units, as near as I can tell. IF the Craftsman piece is marked "made in China," then I would choose the Colombian. If not, then I would probably keep the Craftsman. But that's just my preferences. Good luck!

 

[jakemac]

I'd say that they're both equal in terms of quality. The Craftsman might be worth a tad more because its still in NOS condition, it's only in that condition once. Neither are top quality, but both are good quality. Better than what's being offered from China today.

The Cman has more pizazz due to the styling, so may sell faster and to the right buyer could fetch more money. Both should be good vises for your needs.

 

[larry_g]

Which one is heavier? That would be one thing I would judge them by. Also look at the thickness of the base and bottom flange of the vise. Is the Columbian a bit thicker? Wiggle the movable jaw while extended out a ways, which is the least slop?

It's a judgement call. As others have said those two are close to equal, so it's up to you to check fit and finish and decide.

lg
no neat sig line

 

[pcar964]

Thanks Lump, Jake. The Craftsman is made in Japan. Are these made from the same type of metal as the top quality vises from Wilton, Reed, Parker, etc? Are these just thinner-walled designs, or is the cast iron itself a different alloy?

 

[pcar964]

Which one is heavier? That would be one thing I would judge them by. Also look at the thickness of the base and bottom flange of the vise. Is the Columbian a bit thicker? Wiggle the movable jaw while extended out a ways, which is the least slop?

It's a judgement call. As others have said those two are close to equal, so it's up to you to check fit and finish and decide.

lg
no neat sig line

Thanks Larry! The Columbian arrived today but the Craftsman will be delivered in a day or two. Once they're side by side I'll post up a comparison the thickness and weight of each.

 

[pcar964]

Any opinions on whether the Columbian is better restored or left as-is? Does anyone know the original color of a Columbian D 43 1/2 M3?

Also is there any way to tell what year each vise was made? Or does anyone know a ballpark year for each?

 

[jakemac]

The age on both is likely in the late 50's to mid 60's.
The original color on the Columbian is close to what you see. A medium or vintage (dark) fire engine red.

 

[thehorse13]

I would keep the Columbian and restore it. Both vises are considered light duty so it really boils down to preference.

I can tell you that I had the 506 USA made Craftsman vise for decades and it did the intended light duty work without fail. I sold it after 35 years of ownership to a young guy who looked about 20 years old. He told me that he rebuilds diesel motor components and needed a small shop vise. Now my old late 60s Craftsman vise has a reset on life again.

 

[pcar964]

The age on both is likely in the late 50's to mid 60's.

The original color on the Columbian is close to what you see. A medium or vintage (dark) fire engine red.

I didn't realize they were that old!

 

[pcar964]

I would keep the Columbian and restore it. Both vises are considered light duty so it really boils down to preference.

I can tell you that I had the 506 USA made Craftsman vise for decades and it did the intended light duty work without fail. I sold it after 35 years of ownership to a young guy who looked about 20 years old. He told me that he rebuilds diesel motor components and needed a small shop vise. Now my old late 60s Craftsman vise has a reset on life again.

Well the consensus seems to be that there's little between these two vises and they're both perfectly fine for my purposes. Thanks everyone!

 

[1982fxr]

There is not really much difference in the quality of those two units, as near as I can tell. IF the Craftsman piece is marked "made in China," then I would choose the Colombian. If not, then I would probably keep the Craftsman. But that's just my preferences. Good luck!

I don't think that style c-man was ever made in china, just USA and Japan.

OP, think I read on here that style cman was made throughout the 70's...i think.

 

[pcar964]

If I keep the craftsman, it appears to me that the "factory finish" isn't what I would call perfect. It's clearly brand new, but there's a bit of overspray here and there, and there are some imperfections in the paint. I also suspect that sitting in a box all those years, it might need to be taken apart to lubricate at least. Any suggestions? Should I leave the paint as-is?

 

[scooternut]

The craftsman will probably say "JAPAN BF" on the bottom of the swivel. If it were USA, it would say "MADE IN USA" under the model number on the static tower. It is a fine hobbyist type vise, I have had a few.

 

[pcar964]

Well I have played with them both, they're both excellent in terms of smoothness and frankly neither needs anything to be done. I think I'll keep the craftsman and sell the Columbian. Any idea if the Columbian is worth more restored or unrestored?

 

[1982fxr]

should bring $30 or 40ish. as is. not worth much more restored, it's too small.

 

[pcar964]

should bring $30 or 40ish. as is. not worth much more restored, it's too small.

Well as much as I would enjoy restoring it to keep, that's too much work to justify if that's all it's worth. Thanks for the input!

 

[bczygan]

So the true GJ answer is to keep them both and always be on the lookout for bigger ones.

Actually, I would keep the Columbian as a user, and put the NOS Craftsman back in the box and save it.

Bill

 

[ZRX61]

Well I have played with them both, they're both excellent in terms of smoothness and frankly neither needs anything to be done. I think I'll keep the craftsman and sell the Columbian. Any idea if the Columbian is worth more restored or unrestored?

I see Columbians like that at swap meets all the time for $10-$15, maybe $20 if restored.

 

[pcar964]

So the true GJ answer is to keep them both and always be on the lookout for bigger ones.

Actually, I would keep the Columbian as a user, and put the NOS Craftsman back in the box and save it.

Bill

Bill is that because you expect it to increase in value?

 

[pcar964]

Does anyone think I should hang on to the craftsman and keep it in NOS/never used condition in hopes of future appreciation? I can't imagine there are too many in that condition.

 

[jakemac]

That's what I would do, but then again, I'm a hoarder.

 

[pcar964]

Ok I figured I'd give an update for those who are interested. I decided to finally try the electrolysis tank for paint and rust removal and I can't believe how well it worked - down to the bare metal with very little effort. I did some very light wire brushing on each part, including every screw and bolt. It came out great I think. I was going to paint it but decided the bare metal looked so good I would leave it for now. Just put a generous coating of wd40 all over to prevent rust. New grease for the main screw and swivel base. Now I really don't know which to keep

 

[thehorse13]

That looks great.

You chose wisely in keeping the Columbian.