Prentiss Vises - How much to offer?

[afeef745]

Recently saw two Prentiss vises online that I might be able to get. Spent some time online but still not sure what the fair value of each of these is. I think I over-paid for the only Prentiss vise I bought few months ago. So dont wanna make the same mistake. Wondering if someone can help out here. Also, if boss / wife only approves one vise purchase, which one should I pull the trigger on keeping in mind the rarity / age / value for a collector.

 

[ssdave]

Those are beat, and I'm cheap. I'd have a hard time paying more than $50 for either of them. For a user, I think I'd take #1. If you want to start a hobby of restoring and painting vises, choose #2.

Unsolicited advice below, stop reading here if you don't want any.

If I had to go to my wife for a sub $100 purchase approval, instead of buying a vise, I think I'd invest my money in (a) bettering my financial circumstances if the buying restriction is really needed OR
(b) counseling to improve my relationship OR
(c) getting my **** together and leaving.

If you have the restraint to spend only money that you have, on things you can afford, you shouldn't have to go to your wife for approval to spend your allowance. And if you don't have the money or can't afford it, you certainly shouldn't be buying relic vises that have very little, if any use, at least after the first one.

 

[IndyGarage]

What are you going to use it for. For me a vise is to be used, and I don't like rotating vises. I've never had one that stays in place when I put a lot of force on the vise.

I'm not sure what's going on with the fixed jaw of #2. I've never seen one built like that. I assume that's original. If not it's not worth much.

Personally I would probably go for #1 for anything less than $100. I like the lines on it better. I've paid less than that for better vises than those, but they've gone up in price probably because of GJ alone!

 

[TailGunner3000]

I'm not sure what's going on with the fixed jaw of #2. I've never seen one built like that. I assume that's original. If not it's not worth much.

Not sure to what you're referring. Looks like a pretty standard Prentiss swivel jaw vise.

 

[TailGunner3000]

Unless you're using it for holding a lot of tapered metal, I'd go with number one as a user.

As a collector, I'd go for number two.

 

[WhoWhatNow]

Vise #1 is a Prentiss 94 which should be a 5” vise. It has the original swivel lock handle and does not appear to have the typical crack down the slide that many Prentiss vises do. The handle appears straight and the jaw supports appear to be in good condition. It is a very nice heaven duty vise. The jaws are a little beat up around the ends.

Viise #2 is a Prentiss #20 Swivel jaw vise. The rear jaw swivels allowing you to hold odd shaped objects. The jaws should be 4-1/2”. It appears to be in very nice shape. The original swivel lock down is there, the handle is straight and that is most likely the original pin in the swivel jaw. This vise is also appears to be devoid of the typical crack in the slide. The back of the swivel jaw also appears to be intact. They are frequently chipped or broken.

I would have no trouble paying $100 for each one. As a collector vise #2 wins hands down.

 

[1982fxr]

In pic #1 of vise #2, is part of the jaw support ledge broken off?

 

[jonshonda]

In pic #1 of vise #2, is part of the jaw support ledge broken off?

No I don't think so, it's got a stepped dynamic support, and if you look at the last few pics you can see it's there.

I have a No 95 and it's a heck of a vise. With the condition that 94 is in, I would say it would be a good vise for outdoors use (outdoor workbenches really come in handy!!).

The No 20 looks to be in good condition other then the years of built up material on top. If you get it for a good price and don't want it, I wouldn't mind you shipping it up to me!

 

[chrisnazzy]

Vise # 2 is the more desirable and collectible vise of the two. As mentioned it's a swivel jaw and the graffiti script Prentiss branding certainly makes it older. It also appears to be in better condition but an in person, thorough inspection is always warranted.

One thing to note that I'm surprised no one else has mentioned, the leadscrew assembly has almost surely been replaced on vise # 2. Prentiss graffiti script vises did not come originally with cylindrical "meatballs".

Chris

Sent from my SM-G965U using Tapatalk

 

[ClappedOutBport]

What are you going to use it for. For me a vise is to be used, and I don't like rotating vises. I've never had one that stays in place when I put a lot of force on the vise.

I'm not sure what's going on with the fixed jaw of #2. I've never seen one built like that. I assume that's original. If not it's not worth much.

Personally I would probably go for #1 for anything less than $100. I like the lines on it better. I've paid less than that for better vises than those, but they've gone up in price probably because of GJ alone!

I don't want to be a douche, but if you're not familiar with swivel jaw vises, should you really be commenting on a Prentiss?

@OP, from a usability standpoint Swivel jaws kick ***. I can't stand to be without one now. Can't speak about collecting, don't collect tools I don't intend to use.

 

[afeef745]

Plenty of information in this thread. Thanks a lot for all the ones who contributed.

Chris brought up a good point about the lead screw assembly on the second vise. I looked on google at other No. 20 swivel jaw vises and they do appear to have a round lead screw rather than cylindrical one.

 

[afeef745]

Vise #1 is a Prentiss 94 which should be a 5” vise. It has the original swivel lock handle and does not appear to have the typical crack down the slide that many Prentiss vises do. The handle appears straight and the jaw supports appear to be in good condition. It is a very nice heaven duty vise. The jaws are a little beat up around the ends.

Viise #2 is a Prentiss #20 Swivel jaw vise. The rear jaw swivels allowing you to hold odd shaped objects. The jaws should be 4-1/2”. It appears to be in very nice shape. The original swivel lock down is there, the handle is straight and that is most likely the original pin in the swivel jaw. This vise is also appears to be devoid of the typical crack in the slide. The back of the swivel jaw also appears to be intact. They are frequently chipped or broken.

I would have no trouble paying $100 for each one. As a collector vise #2 wins hands down.

Thanks a lot. That was very precise and informative response.

 

[afeef745]

I have posted here frequently asking questions. All that info helped me restore the vise # 2 that I posted about. I ended up getting it for $50. Everything on this vise was rusted and not moving. Kept it in electrolysis tank for couple days to get the dynamic jaw moving. Then kept individual parts for few days to get the rust off so I could paint. Also had another Prentiss vise (I think bulldog #59) that had a weld in it. So swapped the nut with that vise so this vise can be in "original" condition. Here is how it looks now. Thanks for all the info in this thread and other threads I have created.

 

[Terry D]

Why is the screw sticking out past the slide. I don't own any Prentiss vises, is that normal

 

[jonshonda]

Why is the screw sticking out past the slide. I don't own any Prentiss vises, is that normal

Nope. Either the slide was cut or the screw is a replacement from a larger vise

 

[Shiftless]

Thanks for the follow up to your post from last year. So often we don’t hear from guys who ask questions like “which one should I buy”. Sometimes the advice old timers like me give out seems to vanish in the wind.

 

[afeef745]

Nope. Either the slide was cut or the screw is a replacement from a larger vise

Forgot to mention the vise I used to get the 'original' screw for this Prentiss vise is about 1.5 inch longer than this vise. I know its not supposed to stick out like that. But I dont have a heart to cut it off. Notice this vise originally came with a different looking screw, and someone mentioned it (thats how I learnt that screw wasnt original to this vise). That screw didnt fit into the 'nut' inside the vise very well either.

 

[afeef745]

Thanks for the follow up to your post from last year. So often we don’t hear from guys who ask questions like “which one should I buy”. Sometimes the advice old timers like me give out seems to vanish in the wind.

Yea I thought I should post pics with this vise restored so others can see their time and effort spent here is not going to waste. Thanks to all the members here who post informative stuff to my questions. This forum is the best one out of all the ones I have encountered in my life so far.

 

[stevenash7381]

I have posted here frequently asking questions. All that info helped me restore the vise # 2 that I posted about. I ended up getting it for $50. Everything on this vise was rusted and not moving. Kept it in electrolysis tank for couple days to get the dynamic jaw moving. Then kept individual parts for few days to get the rust off so I could paint. Also had another Prentiss vise (I think bulldog #59) that had a weld in it. So swapped the nut with that vise so this vise can be in "original" condition. Here is how it looks now. Thanks for all the info in this thread and other threads I have created.

I am looking to buy a good heavy Vise for personal use. If you happen to have anything, give me a holler my name is Steve.