Possible quality vise but a really long drive!

[evintho]

I'm constantly on the lookout for a quality 6" or larger so anything that looks even remotely promising, I check into. Saw a CL ad and this was the description......................


Large size vise, for all large automotive jobs. $40.00



Emailed the seller some basic questions and got this back.......................

Jaws are 6-1/2 inches. Brand name Wilton. It's made in the USA. The vise
is in good condition it hasn't been used alot. I don't know how to
post a picture on the computer sorry about that.


The seller is female which is always a plus! Probably doesn't have a clue what she's got! Now the problem is it's a 200 mile round trip and it could be a newer Wilton or maybe one of their cheaper versions. I'd hate to drive all that way only to find out it's not the quality I'm looking for. What to do, what to do?

 

[evintho]

Just got another email from her. She says it's 15, maybe 20 years old with no marring on the metal at all. Says it's hardly been used. $40. I'm thinking...........road trip!

 

[tonydanzah]

good luck

 

[oldtools]

Are you sure she know what she is talking about.

 

[sickboi55]

unless youve some pressing things to do, hell yeah road trip.

 

[alex71]

ask her if the *** end is rounded (the vise, not her). if the answer is yes, go for a drive.

 

[mjozefow]

ask her if the *** end is rounded (the vise, not her). if the answer is yes, go for a drive.

+1

If it is an enclosed slide it is worth the drive.

 

[737mechanic]

Can't you ask her to snap a quick picture and send to you.

 

[Sukh]

At the same time, get her to send a pic of the vice

 

[leftyz]

yeah, even the grandparents know how to send a picture message on the phone..

 

[autopts71045]

Hers's a tip,, if that Wilton had no numbers on it anywhere that she could give you, its not worth the trip. If its red with an open channel, don't bother chances are its Chinese made.

 

[Underdog]

Sounds too good to be true. If it is a Wilton 6.5" jaws it would of been gone by then. But on CL you just never know, long drive though.

My Wilton CL chase this week, "Wilton vise 8.5" jaws $75 OBO." Called the guy he's 12 miles away, said vise is in excellent shape, add show vise but nothing to size it by. I said I'm leaving now and hold it for me, calls back and says he made a mistake on the price. The guy now says the vise sells for 2K new which I already know! Wants $200 now, I offer $150 and he bites.
Now a Wilton 8.5 machinist vise weighs about 235# so when I drive in his driveway out he come carrying the vise. Not a good sign.

Turns out it's a Wilton 4.5" jaw machinist vise not a 8.5" He thought it was 8.5" throat opening which is about right. I offer my original $75 but he declines, The vise sells new for around $400, but I've got several 4" vise's already, Oh Well.

http://treasure.craigslist.org/tls/1791369270.html

 

[leftyz]

Sounds too good to be true. If it is a Wilton 6.5" jaws it would of been gone by then. But on CL you just never know, long drive though.

My Wilton CL chase this week, "Wilton vise 8.5" jaws $75 OBO." Called the guy he's 12 miles away, said vise is in excellent shape, add show vise but nothing to size it by. I said I'm leaving now and hold it for me, calls back and says he made a mistake on the price. The guy now says the vise sells for 2K new which I already know! Wants $200 now, I offer $150 and he bites.
Now a Wilton 8.5 machinist vise weighs about 235# so when I drive in his driveway out he come carrying the vise. Not a good sign.

Turns out it's a Wilton 4.5" jaw machinist vise not a 8.5" He thought it was 8.5" throat opening which is about right. I offer my original $75 but he declines, The vise sells new for around $400, but I've got several 4" vise's already, Oh Well.

http://treasure.craigslist.org/tls/1791369270.html

Yeah, that sounds about right as far as my craigslist adventures have gone

 

[Moose-LandTran]

Go buy it!

I went 415 miles round trip for a toolbox. Made a day out of it, it was fun.

 

[evintho]

UPDATE:
I sent the seller a pic of a 6" Wilton bullet vise. She emailed me back with this response:

the vise we have is not as heavy duty as what is shown in your
photo. You are looking for a vise that is industrial size, ours is
good size but not close to what is in your photo.

She promised to try and send me a pic but I won't hold my breath! Oh well, I'll just keep lookin'!

 

[mjozefow]

yeah, even the grandparents know how to send a picture message on the phone..

My Parker was bought on a "you won't be disappointed"

I figured since the guy was a diesel mechanic he was a good source. I was right.


Evintho-

Did you send her a pic of like a 400n or did you send a pic of a C-3?

 

[Adam McLaughlin]

Hey I wanna see it when you bring it home; my mother lives down the road from you and with my dad in Afghanistan, this would make a nice reason to stop on by.

Adam

 

[jay50]

Go For it.
You might even find that she is attractive....and make a gf on the side..

 

[evintho]

Well, she finally emailed me a pic of the vise.....................

Wilton mechanics vise. Probably worth $40 although I want a 6" or larger machinists vise. Does that look like a 6" to you guys?

 

[tonydanzah]

looks like a chinese wilton

 

[Slip_Kid]

I would pass on this one, wounder who took a hammer to the swivel handle.