Athol Vises No. 502-1/4: Is this a particularly rare vise?

[yates american]

Hey folks, I recently was given a few vises by a friend, and one of the three was an Athol Vises no. 502-1/4 quick release clamp on bench vise with the classic patented Simpson quick release feature. The jaws are about 2-1/4” wide. Searches through the interwebs have yielded examples of two other 502-1/4’s, one sold on eBay in 2020 for $380. The 502-1/4 is fairly similar to the Athol no. 1/no. 2 (one of the main differences is in the knob for the bolt that clamps it to the bench, I prefer this decorative knob to the open thumbscrew style seen on the no. 1/no. 2 etc.). It’s also fairly similar another rare, but more commonly seen model, which is the No. 102-1/4, however it seems like the 502-1/4 was a little jewelers vise model that they didn’t make a lot of. Anyways, if there’s anyone out there that could shed more light on the subject, any light would be greatly appreciated. The main goal is to determine the value of the vise, as I have many lovely vises of varying sizes already, and really don’t need to keep this one, especially if it’s particularly valuable and desirable. Thanks for reading, hope the weather is nice wherever you’re at.

 

[genog]

Hey folks, I recently was given a few vises by a friend, ........ one sold on eBay in 2020 for $380......

The main goal is to determine the value of the vise....

Put it on eBay
Meanwhile, I'll start the bidding off at....20 bucks

 

[yates american]

Put it on eBay
Meanwhile, I'll start the bidding off at....20 bucks

Haha, thanks for the reply, eBay is where it may very well end up. Quite honestly, I’m thinking more along the lines of $750-$1000 given that finding another one, especially one with the original paint, would original everything else, no cracks, crisp threads, and jaws that are not wracked, would be extremely hard to do. Maybe I’m off, but unless someone has literature or some other information about other Athol 502-1/4 vises out there, as best I can tell this vise is about as rare as hens teeth.

 

[paulsomlo]

Haha, thanks for the reply, eBay is where it may very well end up. Quite honestly, I’m thinking more along the lines of $750-$1000 given that finding another one, especially one with the original paint, would original everything else, no cracks, crisp threads, and jaws that are not wracked, would be extremely hard to do. Maybe I’m off, but unless someone has literature or some other information about other Athol 502-1/4 vises out there, as best I can tell this vise is about as rare as hens teeth.

Rare and valuable - two different things.

 

[yates american]

Rare and valuable - two different things.

Fair enough. However, given the fact that one of the two other known examples of this vise sold for $380 on eBay in 2020, and given that going and finding another one for a better price would be impossible, I don’t think the numbers I have in mind are all that far-fetched. Have you ever seen another? We all see the clearly apparent and readily displayed search results that show the desirability of the Athol. No. 0/No. 1 (etc) Simpson patent quick release vises. Not even Jim Bode tools has managed to find and sell one. Anyways, enjoy your day, I’m sticking with my numbers for now.

 

[RTM]

Have you ever seen another?

Vise Info Thread

Woden 186 E/8 Waiting on spec:s. Here is a 1957 catalog showing the specs of the Woden 186E/8. Jaw width is 5-1/4 inch, jaw depth 3-3/4, opens 7 inches, weighs 81 lbs. Lettering it the table is a bit blurred but I checked the numbers in a 1958 page but that was missing its weight.

www.garagejournal.com

 

[yates american]

Vise Info Thread

Woden 186 E/8 Waiting on spec:s. Here is a 1957 catalog showing the specs of the Woden 186E/8. Jaw width is 5-1/4 inch, jaw depth 3-3/4, opens 7 inches, weighs 81 lbs. Lettering it the table is a bit blurred but I checked the numbers in a 1958 page but that was missing its weight.

www.garagejournal.com

Nice work, however you found one of the other two examples that I’ve found that exist anywhere on the internet. It’s also not confirmed whether or not the one from that photo is the same one that sold on EBay in 2020.

 

[larry_g]

One could also use the argument that it is worthless given the fact that the previous owner gave it away... setting the value at zero.

 

[Shiftless]

eBay is where it may very well end up. Quite honestly, I’m thinking more along the lines of $750-$1000

If a friend of mine gave me something and then I sold it for a grand, am I obligated to share the $$$?

 

[yates american]

One could also use the argument that it is worthless given the fact that the previous owner gave it away... setting the value at zero.

There’s a fair bit of assumption in there. Fact of the matter is that the friend who gave the vise to me is a timberframer and contractor, and he was clearing out a barn that’s slated to be taken down and restored. The vise came from that barn, and the actual previous owner of the vise passed away a few years ago. The friend who gave it to me very much opted not to bring it to the scrap yard and knew I would be able to figure out more about it. I have every intention of sharing with said friend any and all of the money from the sale of this vise.

 

[yates american]

If a friend of mine gave me something and then I sold it for a grand, am I obligated to share the $$$?

The answer to that question is absolutely. I have known this friend since just about forever, and have every intention of splitting with him any money that’s made from selling this vise. The buddy that gave it to me did so with the knowledge/trust that if it was anything special, I’d let him know.

 

[gatewaysysop]

The main goal is to determine the value of the vise, as I have many lovely vises of varying sizes already, and really don’t need to keep this one, especially if it’s particularly valuable and desirable.

Welcome and nice pics of a cool vise.

That said, kind of an odd first post, since GJ isn't really an appraisal service. As others have suggested, your best bet is probably to toss it up on eBay for what you already seem convinced that it's worth. The market might very well vindicate your valuation, but not a bunch of folks on a tool forum (even though a number of us are vise collectors, some probably to an unhealthy degree ).

 

[yates american]

Welcome and nice pics of a cool vise.

That said, kind of an odd first post, since GJ isn't really an appraisal service. As others have suggested, your best bet is probably to toss it up on eBay for what you already seem convinced that it's worth. The market might very well vindicate your valuation, but not a bunch of folks on a tool forum (even though a number of us are vise collectors, some probably to an unhealthy degree ).

Thanks for the reply and the welcome, I’ve been silently perusing the forums of this site for some time now, figured it was finally time to up and make a profile. I’m not here to die on any hills, and my mind remains open. I do apologize if I’ve broken any rules in regard to posting and appraisal and such. Your make a fair point as far as the lot of vintage tool fanatics found on this site and asking for appraisal opinions goes. But also, as we all know, truly rare vises both can and will command some serious premiums, I’m just curious as to whether this odd little vise falls into such a category. I may very well hang on to it for a while, put it somewhere nice in my shop, and absentmindedly gaze upon it when the evening sun comes through the windows and catches it just right. In a truly ideal world, somebody with a mean Athol Vises dirty paper collection makes their way out of the woodwork and sheds some light on the matter.

 

[Oregon rock crusher]

Here is a little more information that will expand your search results yates american. The old Athol number for a 502 1/4 was a No. 2. A search of the No. 2 will turn up quite a few examples. Different number but same lift the dynamic jaw quick release vise. On edit I see you did notice the similarities in your first post between the two model numbers. The chart just proves why that is. Ed.

 

[paulsomlo]

Here is a little more information that will expand your search results yates american. The old Athol number for a 502 1/4 was a No. 2. A search of the No. 2 will turn up quite a few examples. Different number but same lift the dynamic jaw quick release vise. On edit I see you did notice the similarities in your first post between the two model numbers. The chart just proves why that is. Ed.

Looks like there's more than two of them out there - this one went for $37.50, which is about what a 2 1/4" clamp on vise is worth: https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/threads/athol-2.321832/

 

[RoninB4]

-The bidding now stands at $37.50 for this item and I hope the clamp feature works.

 

[yates american]

Looks like there's more than two of them out there - this one went for $37.50, which is about what a 2 1/4" clamp on vise is worth: https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/threads/athol-2.321832/

This vise is not a No. 2, otherwise I would’ve never posted anything, given the amount of info and imagery there is out there for the No. 2. If this vise is a no. 2, than what is the Athol 102-1/4 the same as? Answer? The 102-1/4 is uniquely itself, as is the 502-1/4. If you don’t know the answer, just say so! Don’t go around making absurd claims and being stupid, it’s not very becoming.

 

[crguy]

I think you'll find that collectible vise prices are down from previous years. Put it on Ebay and let it run, you have nothing to lose.

 

[four.cycle]

one of the other two examples that I’ve found that exist anywhere on the internet

That may or may not mean anything at all.
"The internet" isn't necessarily a true reflection of what's out there in private collections.
Crazy old men who collect vises don't all have their collections posted online.
For that matter, I don't believe I've ever seen any of Carl Weathers' collection.
I have all kinds of very rare and very hard-to-find items here which have never been posted on the web. Some of them I would never post on any public forum - I'm too easy to find and somebody would try to rob me.

And as noted: we can't do "appraisals" here - only thing you can do is peruse ebay "sold" listings and try to get a rough idea of "market value", but even that doesn't always reflect the real world on the ground. That unit that sold for $380 was probably the subject of a frenetic last-minute bidding war - BTDT - and paid crazy money for a little NOS ratchet.

Ergo: your "market value" - as things stand at the moment without evidence to the contrary - is somewhere between $380.00 and $37.50.

 

[RoninB4]

Don’t go around making absurd claims and being stupid, it’s not very becoming.

-Neither is being surly with people volunteering their time attempting to help with YOUR post seeking appraisal/evaluation to confirm your hopes of a jackpot sale. It's not very becoming.

 

[Dave Mc]

I came across this one today and couldn’t leave it behind.

 

[genog]

Haha........eBay is where it may very well end up. Quite honestly, I’m thinking more along the lines of $750-$1000..... as best I can tell this vise is about as rare as hens teeth.

I came across this one today and couldn’t leave it behind.

I hope you didn't pay a Grand for it

 

[Dave Mc]

I hope you didn't pay a Grand for it

It was fill a bag for $10. I got a 2 liter bottle of windex, a craftsman wrench, a bottle of pledge, a Stanley 12’ tape measure a Christmas decoration, a few 1/4 socket drivers, an old utica 12” adjustable wrench , some tiny billings monkey wrench and the vise. The lady didn’t look in the bag. She was just happy I bought a Christmas decoration.

 

[paulsomlo]

It was fill a bag for $10. I got a 2 liter bottle of windex, a craftsman wrench, a bottle of pledge, a Stanley 12’ tape measure a Christmas decoration, a few 1/4 socket drivers, an old utica 12” adjustable wrench , some tiny billings monkey wrench and the vise. The lady didn’t look in the bag. She was just happy I bought a Christmas decoration.

I think you got your money's worth.