My old LS Starrett vise Athol, Mass

[earthmover1980]

I recently acquired this LS Starrett Vise from a neighbor. I've never seen one like it. What is it worth, and how old is it? It's in good shape. I think he got the thing from his uncle who worked for GM in Saginaw, MI. Might have brought it home in his lunchbox! Opinions?

 

[Musicinabottle]

It looks like it'd do the trick. I happen to really like Starrett tools

 

[bluebolt]

Nice vise! Starrett's are some of the best made vise. That is a swivel jaw, swivel base with I believe 4 1/2" wide jaws. Worth is very subjective around here but if I was putting it on Ebay it would have a $250 starting price.

 

[ALLFAST]

That's a sweetheart of a vise, and he must have had a darn big lunchbox and very beefy arm !

 

[Carla]

I recently acquired this LS Starrett Vise from a neighbor. I've never seen one like it. What is it worth, and how old is it? It's in good shape. I think he got the thing from his uncle who worked for GM in Saginaw, MI. Might have brought it home in his lunchbox! Opinions?

It looks as tho you've 'gotten lucky'......your vise was made under contract for Starretts by the Yost works, and is a 'malleable iron' vise, a stronger material than the generality of iron castings. Its a really best quality tool, with details like the Athol buttress-thread main screw, and a high grade of fit and finish (well, it will look nice again if you restore it, just some cleaning, paintwork, and polishing, that is.)

The 4-1/2" size, swivel base and swivel jaw model was the 'top of the line', a practical size and weight for the generality of small shop work.

Unless your work requires one of the really big vises (6 or 8in. size), you have 'the best there is'.......... : )

cheers

Carla

 

[wasabiboys]

I got a very similar athol vise. Thing is just awesome. so good

 

[torqueman2002]

I have one too. It is one heavy vise. Doesn't have the swivel jaw OP's does, however.

 

[kwoswalt99]

It looks as tho you've 'gotten lucky'......your vise was made under contract for Starretts by the Yost works, and is a 'malleable iron' vise, a stronger material than the generality of iron castings. Its a really best quality tool, with details like the Athol buttress-thread main screw, and a high grade of fit and finish (well, it will look nice again if you restore it, just some cleaning, paintwork, and polishing, that is.)

How do you know which ones are made by Yost?