Help Me Find A Vise

[wreckdiver1321]

Hey guys,

First off, I know this topic has been beaten to death. Please don't hate me.

I'm outfitting my new shop and I need a good bench vise. I do plenty of automotive work and a little bit of wood work. Not a heavy vise user but I'd like something that will last. Vintage would be great but I can't seem to find a lead on one locally. The main reason for the new thread is I am wondering if anybody could help connect me with a vintage vise, because I'd go that route if I have the option. Finished is great, unfinished is better (one can never have too many projects). I'm in Billings, Montana, so if anybody has a lead for me I would appreciate it immensely.

If I go new, I was looking at the Yost ADI, which did really well in Fireball Tool's video, but leaning a little more towards the Forward HY-30606 6-inch version. Still ductile iron and larger for less money, though I know probably not as durable.

For reference, I've owned a 4" Harbor Freight vise for probably ten years and haven't broken it, so it's unlikely I'll break one that I spend even a modicum of money on.

 

[lardy1]

The local auction house near me has vintage vises almost every week. If you know of a local auction, check them out. Around here they sell far cheaper than some of the numbers I see floating around in these forums.

 

[redragoon]

I'd say either of those vises will probably work. The forged steel on from Capri tools also seems good.

For used, you will probably have to wander estate sales and flea markets early in the weekend mornings.

 

[wreckdiver1321]

The local auction house near me has vintage vises almost every week. If you know of a local auction, check them out. Around here they sell far cheaper than some of the numbers I see floating around in these forums.

I'd say either of those vises will probably work. The forged steel on from Capri tools also seems good.

For used, you will probably have to wander estate sales and flea markets early in the weekend mornings.

You guys are probably right. What I may do is buy the Forward for now and then go on the hunt for some vintage iron. Unless I come across something really cool before ordering the Forward.

 

[65k10]

If you need something now and don't want something too expensive, maybe go to Harbor Freight and check out the new Doyle vises. Spec wise they aren't too bad for a Chinese made vise (seem to be a copy of the Wilton Tradesman) and while new to HF, I think they are the same vise that used to be sold under the Craftsman name and people seemed to like those.

 

[wreckdiver1321]

If you need something now and don't want something too expensive, maybe go to Harbor Freight and check out the new Doyle vises. Spec wise they aren't too bad for a Chinese amde vise (seem to be a copy of the Wilton Tradesman) and while new to HF, I think they are the same vise that used to be sold under the Craftsman name and people seemed to like those.

I did actually look at one of those the other day, and it seemed decent for the price honestly. Not perfect but decent. Squarely between the Yost and the Forward as far as price goes, and bigger than both. Though, for less than that I could get the Forward 8" vise and have a massive chunk of iron on the bench.

The Doyle appears to be a direct copy of the Wilton Tradesman as far as I can tell.

 

[Shiftless]

There’s this one in Boseman
3 inch jaws and weighs 40 pounds
Starrett vises are just about the very best

Starrett Machinest Vise - tools - by owner - sale

This is a 40 lb monster 3"used vise in average condition. It is missing one of the pivot lock-downs but the remaining one holds it in position just fine. The Starrett brand is known for selling the...

bozeman.craigslist.org

 

[wreckdiver1321]

There’s this one in Boseman
3 inch jaws and weighs 40 pounds
Starrett vises are just about the very best

Starrett Machinest Vise - tools - by owner - sale

This is a 40 lb monster 3"used vise in average condition. It is missing one of the pivot lock-downs but the remaining one holds it in position just fine. The Starrett brand is known for selling the...

bozeman.craigslist.org

I had seen that one and I am going to Bozeman next week. I had discounted that as an option because the ad is more than three weeks old. Hmm. I may have to call that guy.

 

[Shiftless]

I had seen that one and I am going to Bozeman next week. I had discounted that as an option because the ad is more than three weeks old. Hmm. I may have to call that guy.

Yeah, call the guy.
Some less knowledgeable people ignore 3 inch wide jaws as indicating a lack of strength.
Anybody with experience with Starrett vises will tell you that they are up to almost any task.
The 40 pound weight of that one is equal to or exceeds the weight of many import 6 inch vises.

If the guy still has the vise maybe a lower offer will work for you.

Let us know how that one works out.

 

[wreckdiver1321]

Yeah, call the guy.
Some less knowledgeable people ignore 3 inch wide jaws as indicating a lack of strength.
Anybody with experience with Starrett vises will tell you that they are up to almost any task.
The 40 pound weight of that one is equal to or exceeds the weight of many import 6 inch vises.

If the guy still has the vise maybe a lower offer will work for you.

Let us know how that one works out.

That's a great point, I'm sure it would be incredibly durable. I worry 3" jaws might be a little on the smaller side for my purposes, but it would be an otherwise solid vise.

I came across a smaller Columbian at the pawn shop the other day for $40, but it wasn't a company I had read about at all. Not that I've done a ton of research on vintage vises. I passed on it because it was relatively unknown to me. Are they anything to write home about?

 

[Shiftless]

That's a great point, I'm sure it would be incredibly durable. I worry 3" jaws might be a little on the smaller side for my purposes, but it would be an otherwise solid vise.

I came across a smaller Columbian at the pawn shop the other day for $40, but it wasn't a company I had read about at all. Not that I've done a ton of research on vintage vises. I passed on it because it was relatively unknown to me. Are they anything to write home about?

Do you remember the brand?
Lots of fellows know Wilton and Reed but there are at least a dozen others lesser known brands that are perfectly fine vises.

 

[wreckdiver1321]

Do you remember the brand?
Lots of fellows know Wilton and Reed but there are at least a dozen others lesser known brands that are perfectly fine vises.

It was Columbian I believe. Probably 3" jaw.

 

[rancherbill]

I'm not a vise expert, but I can't see replacement jaws on the Starrett site. The seller is asking a lot of money for a used vise that might not be able to be brought back to pristine.

 

[Shiftless]

It was Columbian I believe. Probably 3" jaw.

There are good Columbians and not as good Columbians.
I don’t suppose you remember the model number…

 

[wreckdiver1321]

There are good Columbians and not as good Columbians.

I'll have to go back and see if it is still there. Maybe pick off a model number or just throw a low offer to the store. Worst case scenario I get a light duty vise.

I'm not a vise expert, but I can't see replacement jaws on the Starrett site. The seller is asking a lot of money for a used vise that might not be able to be brought back to pristine.

Would they be universal or proprietary?

 

[Dagny]

I bought a yost from home depot the one that swivels and rotates when you pull the pin 200 bucks. I like it.

 

[wreckdiver1321]

I bought a yost from home depot the one that swivels and rotates when you pull the pin 200 bucks. I like it.

I don't even think my Home Depot sells vises.

 

[Shiftless]

I'm not a vise expert, but I can't see replacement jaws on the Starrett site. The seller is asking a lot of money for a used vise that might not be able to be brought back to pristine.

Unless that Starrett has seen a LOT of hard use, I bet the jaw faces are in fine condition and will not need replacing. I have had success in using a wire wheel to clean crud from the grooves in old vise jaw faces.
True, if you need to restore an old vise to original factory condition you generally need to buy or more often fabricate new jaw faces.
Nothing the O.P. said implies that he wants to do a concours restoration.

 

[wreckdiver1321]

Unless that Starrett has seen a LOT of hard use, I bet the jaw faces are in fine condition and will not need replacing. I have had success in using a wire wheel to clean crud from the grooves in old vise jaw faces.
True, if you need to restore an old vise to original factory condition you generally need to buy or more often fabricate new jaw faces.
Nothing the O.P. said implies that he wants to do a concours restoration.

Nope, if I buy a vintage vise it will get cleaned up well, painted nicely, greased properly, and then abused like a rented mule.

 

[Shiftless]

Wreckdiver:

 

[exmaxima1]

There’s this one in Boseman
3 inch jaws and weighs 40 pounds
Starrett vises are just about the very best

Starrett Machinest Vise - tools - by owner - sale

This is a 40 lb monster 3"used vise in average condition. It is missing one of the pivot lock-downs but the remaining one holds it in position just fine. The Starrett brand is known for selling the...

bozeman.craigslist.org

Just to be accurate, that's a Model 923 1/2, so the jaws are 3-1/2" wide. Looks good.

 

[Shiftless]

Thanks for checking on that and correcting my misstatement.

Seems to me that a 3 1/2 inch wide jaw model Starrett would be a perfect fit for wreckdriver.

 

[joshmodelskidoo]

There’s another new vice threat and the capri is mentioned. That looks like a nice vice for sure. That new doyal one from hf looks pretty good to. I have picked up old vices from anywhere $15-$150. Check out EstateSales.net for sales on your area. I picked up one that was priced at $40 for $15 but to tell you the truth it was beat up and I probably could have gotten it for less. The guy didn’t bat an eye when I offered $15

 

[ex-x-fire]

Last flea market I went to had 4-5 good heavy old vises for sale.

 

[wreckdiver1321]

Well, good news/bad news. The good news is that Starrett is not sold just yet. The bad news is he has a guy heading over after work today to pay and pick it up, and I'm not going to Bozeman until next week. Drat. Back on the hunt!

There’s another new vice threat and the capri is mentioned. That looks like a nice vice for sure. That new doyal one from hf looks pretty good to. I have picked up old vices from anywhere $15-$150. Check out EstateSales.net for sales on your area. I picked up one that was priced at $40 for $15 but to tell you the truth it was beat up and I probably could have gotten it for less. The guy didn’t bat an eye when I offered $15

I did actually look at the Capri, which seems to be more or less the same vise as the old Yost FSV, and is also sold badged as a Ridgid. I think Fireball tool sells a version too that is really well priced compared to Capri et al.

Great tip on estatesales.net, I had no idea that even existed! I'm nearing the end of garage sale season with no luck so far, but that might extend my hunt into the fall pretty easily.

Last flea market I went to had 4-5 good heavy old vises for sale.

Unfortunately we don't have flea markets very often here. There's a vintage/reclaimed market happening this weekend that I might try to hit, and the gun show in November that usually has non-gun stuff might be worth looking at too.

 

[joshmodelskidoo]

There’s Estate sales all through out the year so there nice to hit up

 

[wreckdiver1321]

Still on the lookout, and I did post a thread to the Wanted section in the Classifieds just in case someone is nearby. The vintage market local was a bust, everybody was selling mostly overpriced furniture and decor, though there was some interesting stuff there. Just nothing I wanted.

I've been on the lookout for estate sales and garage sales, but nothing so far. The hunt continues.

 

[shawhite]

Probably help to know what you are looking for and plan to do with it

 

[wreckdiver1321]

Probably help to know what you are looking for and plan to do with it

First post states it will be a workshop vise getting a little wood working and general home repair stuff, but mostly automotive work. U-joints, body work, suspension work, etc. Ideally 5" plus jaw opening, around $200 but can be convinced to go higher depending on the vise.

Hope that helps point the direction.

 

[wreckdiver1321]

My buddy has an older vise that he wants me to restore. Is this guy anything special or just a typical no-name vise? It's a heavy sucker. Apparently it survived a fire.



If you look here, there's the remnants of a sticker on the side, so I'm betting this one isn't that old.

 

[tool_scrounge]

Typical no name Asia vise

 

[wreckdiver1321]

Typical no name Asia vise

That's sort of what I figured, but it's still a hefty, solid piece of equipment, so I'll still lavish some attention on it.

 

[tool_scrounge]

That's sort of what I figured, but it's still a hefty, solid piece of equipment, so I'll still lavish some attention on it.

It is a perfect beater vise.

 

[Maui]

I am selling this one, and I can ship it. It is a completely restored vintage Wilton bullet vise that has 3 1/2” wide jaws. PM me if interested.

 

[rd65]

This is what we just bought the boy for his new shop area. I have basically the same thing in a Wilton. The reversible aspect is nice for things like u-joints, etc.

Amazon.com