Columbian vice should I get it
- Thread starter Macduf
- Start date
jakemac
Well-known member
It will get the job done for light duty or hobby work, but don't expect it to stand up to heavy beating on metalwork. Another issue is the exposed screw. Dirt and debris can collect on it and potentially damage the threads or the main nut. This type of vise was made as an affordable option for light homeowner work.
If it's cheap enough, $25 or less, then it might be worth it to have your first vise on the bench until you find a sturdier built vise. If you intend to do heavy work, then you may want to wait for something else.
If it's cheap enough, $25 or less, then it might be worth it to have your first vise on the bench until you find a sturdier built vise. If you intend to do heavy work, then you may want to wait for something else.
Rileysan
Well-known member
You didn't mention the price nor what you would like to use it for. As Jake stated, the exposed screw makes this vise less desirable. If used for light duty projects around home, it will be fine. But it won't hold up to much else.
Brian
Brian
thickhead
Well-known member
I thought everyone here buys every vise they see?
The vise vice.
The vise vice.
jakemac
Well-known member
Of course we do, but there are some vise's that we're too ashamed of to make public knowledge. We keep them in a dark corner as our dirty little secrets. 
Rileysan
Well-known member
We have a reputation to uphold! The only vises (vices) that get posted here by the vise junkies are best of the best. The rest are dirty little secrets ...
Mark in Indiana
Well-known member
I agree with the other posts. If you're going to use it for hobby, home owner or as a back-up vise, and you can get it for <20$, go for it. However, be patient. You can get a beast of a vise for a reasonable price.
BTW: For most needs, an open screw vise is fine. They don't sell for as much as a covered screw, but they still do the job. You just have to keep the screw clean. Just look at how many vintage open screw vises are still out there.
BTW: For most needs, an open screw vise is fine. They don't sell for as much as a covered screw, but they still do the job. You just have to keep the screw clean. Just look at how many vintage open screw vises are still out there.
At $20 your getting a very useful tool. I have one of those and it is probably the second most used vise in the shop. I also have a big 6" Wilton, 4"reed and a 4" Prentice and a few other vises. Perfectly good vise for a lot of stuff. If it's in the shop as your only vise it's better than what you have and if a 'wonderful' vise comes along than you can always get your $20 back from the next owner. Once you make that first buy, you will find them falling out of trees.
lg
no neat sig line
lg
no neat sig line
Mark in Indiana
Well-known member
I'm going to guess that that vise was made in the US, in the 1940s. IMO: 20$ is a fair price, if you're buying it to keep. However, offer the seller less?
jakemac
Well-known member
At $20, don't let our vices about vises deter you from picking it up.
As has been pointed out, if your bench is currently empty it will do the job until you find something else. While using it you will be able to determine whether this is the right size for the work you're doing, or if you need something larger. A lesson learned cheaper than if you spend more on another vise, just to learn that it's too big or too small for your needs at a greater price.
In the end you gain better insight, have a working vise to get by with, and can resell it for the same price that you paid. A net win.
ken w.
Well-known member
I would buy it for $20.00. If it's not right for you , you could always sell it for more that $20.00. You should be able to find a really nice bigger vise in the $ 50.00 range.
I don't think that vise would fetch more than $10 in the Chicago area. One just like it just sold on the auction site for $11 (search Columbian 1035)
Attachments
Last edited:
Cope
Well-known member
Buy it. When you're ready for a larger vise you can mount in on a tool box. I had a smaller version of that vise mounted for several years, and it was handy for all sorts of small jobs.
thickhead
Well-known member
Of course we do, but there are some vise's that we're too ashamed of to make public knowledge. We keep them in a dark corner as our dirty little secrets.
That is funny.
And to the OP, just buy it. You'll love it forever as your first and you need to have a vise.
Last edited:
redmondjp
Well-known member
As stated already, just buy it. It's 1000% better than no vise at all, and you'll probably end up using it for 95% of your needs anyways. My primary vise is similar but has a gimmicky four half-round rotating insert feature in the jaws so you can clamp onto a round object. It works for me.
bubinga
Well-known member
did y'a get it?