blue dog
Banned
What would a fair price be such a piece? it seemed in good shape, had a movable base, was grey, guessing 5 or 6" in jaws and 75 lbs, but then again, i only looked at it for 30 seconds and had to run.
The VISES of Garage Journal
- Thread starter mjozefow
- Start date
What would a fair price be such a piece? it seemed in good shape, had a movable base, was grey, guessing 5 or 6" in jaws and 75 lbs, but then again, i only looked at it for 30 seconds and had to run.
blue dog
Banned
I'd offer $1/lb. Maybe a bit more in good shape. Prentiss vises are very good.
For piece of mind, if it is bolted to a table, tighten it all of the way and put your full weight on the handle. That is the best down and dirty test you can do on a used vise.
Just a few questions if you don't mind. Is $1 a lb what the going rate for a vise that is in descent shape, i'm talking about a american forged vintage vise. something that needs a little love and paint to bring it back to life. How about a vise that needs to be completely taken apart and put back together, a complete overhaul $ ? i have no clue. Just looking for a little info to go on. at some point i will find a good one to bring back to life, today gave me encouragement.
spongerich
Well-known member
Mechanical soundness is what really counts. A little surface rust, flaking paint, caked on grease, etc don't really detract from the value.
Avoid cracks, big chunks taken off, badly bent handles, and missing pieces (lots of swivel vises seem to have lost their bases over the years). Unless it's a pretty common vise, replacement parts can be extremely hard to find and expensive if you do find them.
Poor and/or missing jaws are the tricky things. If they're just square, then they're fairly easy and inexpensive to replace (assuming they're not forged on) More complex profiles are problematic. I don't like to pay more than $.50/lb for any vise with jaw problems unless it's especially desirable (like the Monarch I picked up last month)
When all is said and done, I wouldn't worry too much about over paying a little for a good solid vise... an extra $10-$20 spent isn't that big a deal when you're buying something that's almost certainly going to outlast you.
Avoid cracks, big chunks taken off, badly bent handles, and missing pieces (lots of swivel vises seem to have lost their bases over the years). Unless it's a pretty common vise, replacement parts can be extremely hard to find and expensive if you do find them.
Poor and/or missing jaws are the tricky things. If they're just square, then they're fairly easy and inexpensive to replace (assuming they're not forged on) More complex profiles are problematic. I don't like to pay more than $.50/lb for any vise with jaw problems unless it's especially desirable (like the Monarch I picked up last month)
When all is said and done, I wouldn't worry too much about over paying a little for a good solid vise... an extra $10-$20 spent isn't that big a deal when you're buying something that's almost certainly going to outlast you.
blue dog
Banned
Thank you to spongerich and mjozefow for taking the time to answer my questions.
Gary Indiana
Well-known member
First, thanks to mjozefow for this great thread.
Second, I want to brag about my best-spent $10 (so far) on a vise.
This morning there was a garage/moving sale in my neighborhood. So I went and picked a few tools for cheap and then asked the owner about any bench vise he might have for sale.
He says, I've got a couple, but they are in the basement of the house and are still attached to the bench. They'll be 10 bucks each if you want to take them out.
So, I go down to the basement and find a nice Ward's Master 4" jaw vise and larger vintage carpenter's vise. The Ward's Master looked familiar to me and very much like Wilton Shop King shown on the first page of this thread.
The jaws were near perfect. Pipe jaw inserts were missing and that little round wire cutting anvil piece was missing, and the turning bar has a few marks from a cheater pipe. The swivel bolt is incomplete. Other than that the vise is just gorgeous.
Second, I want to brag about my best-spent $10 (so far) on a vise.
This morning there was a garage/moving sale in my neighborhood. So I went and picked a few tools for cheap and then asked the owner about any bench vise he might have for sale.
He says, I've got a couple, but they are in the basement of the house and are still attached to the bench. They'll be 10 bucks each if you want to take them out.
So, I go down to the basement and find a nice Ward's Master 4" jaw vise and larger vintage carpenter's vise. The Ward's Master looked familiar to me and very much like Wilton Shop King shown on the first page of this thread.
The jaws were near perfect. Pipe jaw inserts were missing and that little round wire cutting anvil piece was missing, and the turning bar has a few marks from a cheater pipe. The swivel bolt is incomplete. Other than that the vise is just gorgeous.
Attachments
Years ago, Montgomery Wards was such a major player in the market place, they had the power to be able to have major manufactures put Wards names on their products. Wilton was just one of many. All Wards goods were considered top quality back in the 50's
Last edited:
SweetD
Well-known member
It's funny you mention Montgomery Ward...my old bench drill press is a Montgomery Ward "Powr-Kraft" model. It's pretty cool - it's got a very "art-deco" styling to it, typical of the 1950's when I think it was made.
I guess I will add my Prentiss Model 53 1/2 to this thread as well. Got it off eBay a few weeks ago - it also has that same art-deco look, similar to the Ward's / Wilton Shop King:
bad5x8
Well-known member
Thoughts on Bessey vises?
I read that some are made in Canada, that some are the same as Yost...
But what about the cheaper ones at Lowes? I don't they are made in North America for those prices...
Anybody know?
I read that some are made in Canada, that some are the same as Yost...
But what about the cheaper ones at Lowes? I don't they are made in North America for those prices...
Anybody know?
ZRX61
Well-known member
rsieracki
Well-known member
Mancard revocation in order owing to Light beer ...
well if you saw the size of me you understand the cutting of carbs
... i was a bud man for many years, but now im a fat man so im trying to find a happy medium 
blue dog
Banned
there is an Athol on craigslist Los Angeles if anyone is looking
http://losangeles.craigslist.org/sfv/tls/2058402691.html
And the same guy has a mac tools vice for sale as well, have not seen one of these before.
http://losangeles.craigslist.org/sfv/tls/2058453034.html
http://losangeles.craigslist.org/sfv/tls/2058402691.html
And the same guy has a mac tools vice for sale as well, have not seen one of these before.
http://losangeles.craigslist.org/sfv/tls/2058453034.html
wess23
Member
My Rock Island 571, a Craigslist find for 40.00.
Last edited:
BanjoSavesTheDay
Well-known member
Nice vise. What are all those bolts and nuts for?
spongerich
Well-known member
My bad... I'm falling a little behind. In the past few weeks, I've gotten that Monarch, a Record #5 and just yesterday a Parker #100. The Parker is a basket case with a missing jaw and handle retainer place and a broken slide, but I'm hoping that the screw will fit another Parker that I'm de-rusting. Either way, I'm going to have some spares. I think I'll start up a thread for Vise parts exchange.
I keep hoping to come across the flea market or auction that has all of the missing swivel bases... I must have seen 20 vises that are missing theirs in the past year... they must be out there somewhere.
I keep hoping to come across the flea market or auction that has all of the missing swivel bases... I must have seen 20 vises that are missing theirs in the past year... they must be out there somewhere.
Gary Indiana
Well-known member
What would you recommend for de-rusting? And, do you wire-brush after?
I used Evapo-Rust a couple of times and liked it a lot. HF sells it for $20 per gallon, which becomes $16 with their 20% off coupon.
spongerich
Well-known member
I've bead blasted a few smaller ones. Leaves a nice finish, but you need to be careful to rinse all of the grit out when you're done.
By far the best method is electrolysis. In a nutshell, you'll need a plastic tank, an old battery charger or 6-24v DC power supply, and some electrodes. Graphite rods work best, but any scrap steel (NOT stainless) works OK too. After the electrolysis, a quick wire brushing or some scotchbrite pads will do the rest and you're ready for primer.
Search here and you'll find all the details you need.
By far the best method is electrolysis. In a nutshell, you'll need a plastic tank, an old battery charger or 6-24v DC power supply, and some electrodes. Graphite rods work best, but any scrap steel (NOT stainless) works OK too. After the electrolysis, a quick wire brushing or some scotchbrite pads will do the rest and you're ready for primer.
Search here and you'll find all the details you need.
Gary Indiana
Well-known member
I like that a lot
Will give it a try.
I've found a couple of informative GJ threads on electrolysis:
Rust Removal by Electrolysis
Rust Removal by Electrolysis - 5 gallon bath size
And a very informative website on electrolysis:
http://myweb.tiscali.co.uk/andyspatch/rust.htm
Last edited:
BanjoSavesTheDay
Well-known member
Ooooh....I bet you are right. I've never even thought of that.
I was offered a Reed 4" bench vise for $75 (similar to this one from Old Salvage. http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showpost.php?p=606481&postcount=60). It is in good condition. What do you guys think? I am thinking to get it though I have a few bench vises already but not enough bench space.
The guys also has a smaller (3") Rock Island for sale for $50.
The guys also has a smaller (3") Rock Island for sale for $50.
Last edited:
I was offered a Reed 4" bench vise for $75 (similar to this one from Old Savage. http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showpost.php?p=606481&postcount=60). It is in good condition. What do you guys think? I am thinking to get it though I have a few bench vises already but not enough bench space.
The guys also has a smaller (3") Rock Island for sale for $50.
If its a Reed 204R on swivel base and nothings broken, hummmm...Go For It!! Call it "An Investment"
old salvage
Well-known member
I was offered a Reed 4" bench vise for $75 (similar to this one from Old Savage. http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showpost.php?p=606481&postcount=60). It is in good condition. What do you guys think? I am thinking to get it though I have a few bench vises already but not enough bench space.
The guys also has a smaller (3") Rock Island for sale for $50.
That is actually the most I paid for a vise ever ( $70 ). I dont regret it though and I've been using it more n more over my others.
Wow! $70 was the most you've paid? I guess part of the fun is in the hunt and the satisfaction in landing a nice vise reasonably. I rarely pay under $70 for a decent vise anymore. I picked this one up for $35 about 2 years ago and gave it away on Ebay for $75. I though I would have gotton more. I had Flat Rate at only $35.
old salvage
Well-known member
Well you know, pricing varies from region to region. Also most of my vises are on the small side so yes I paid 15 bucks for my Wilton but its the 3" jaw model.
Also your Reed looks great !
apostrophe
New member
I have a Reed 214R and a Parker 974A. Much as I love to look at the Parker, the Reed (With the steel nut and the adjustable screw retainer) is the better vise hands down. Jump on it.
I wish I was young enough to collect them. Almost all that come thru my garage I resell and I've had some beauties thru the years. You get to that age when you start thinking about your own mortality. I don't want to suddenly take a dirt nap and leave a ton of cast steel for my wife to deal with. Both my main vises are Morgans, and one small Littlestown which I actually use quite often.
Now here's one I got cheap. Its my shop Morgan on its own stand. The jaws are excellent and I've had copper liners on right after I got it so they are still untouched. $20 bucks
eddyyy302
Well-known member
I wish I was young enough to collect them. Almost all that come thru my garage I resell and I've had some beauties thru the years. You get to that age when you start thinking about your own mortality. I don't want to suddenly take a dirt nap and leave a ton of cast steel for my wife to deal with. Both my main vises are Morgans, and one small Littlestown which I actually use quite often.
Now here's one I got cheap. Its my shop Morgan on its own stand. The jaws are excellent and I've had copper liners on right after I got it so they are still untouched. $20 bucks
Can you show me the rest of your stand? I have a large restored reed 106 that I would like to put on a similar stand I just can't bear to cement the stand outside and leave the vise out.
Thanks,
Dan
old salvage
Well-known member
Indeed.
I recently have been confronted with the possibility of being homeless.
I would feel awful if I had to reduce all my worldly possessions, tools included to only what I can carry in a backpack.
No matter what they are you cant take em with you to heaven anyway.
Thats a nice beefy lookin Morgan ! Nice job mounting too.
Last edited:
Sure, I have to go to work now but will hunt up the photo when I get home.
BanjoSavesTheDay
Well-known member
Goodness, was that really two years ago?? I remember watching that vise on ebay before I even met you.
Gary Indiana
Well-known member
I got a couple of nice vises off garage sale.
Athol - great vise for a restoration project. 60 lb - according to a bathroom scale.
<img src="http://img541.imageshack.us/img541/7822/athol1.jpg" width="800" height="603">
<img src="http://img209.imageshack.us/img209/2084/athol2.jpg" width="800" height="548">
<img src="http://img602.imageshack.us/img602/8899/athol3.jpg" width="800" height="561">
And a monster (65 lb) vise by Ridge Tool Co. with a 13" long handle. You don't see these often. Great condition, too.
<img src="http://img213.imageshack.us/img213/195/ridge1.jpg" width="800" height="603">
<img src="http://img263.imageshack.us/img263/3359/ridge2.jpg" width="800" height="601">
The three mounting holes allow the vise to be mounted without swivel base (that's probably how the swivel bases often get lost)
<img src="http://img833.imageshack.us/img833/3201/ridge3.jpg" width="800" height="586">
Extra long handle gives this beats a steel crushing power
<img src="http://img577.imageshack.us/img577/771/ridge4.jpg" width="800" height="1506">
Athol - great vise for a restoration project. 60 lb - according to a bathroom scale.
<img src="http://img541.imageshack.us/img541/7822/athol1.jpg" width="800" height="603">
<img src="http://img209.imageshack.us/img209/2084/athol2.jpg" width="800" height="548">
<img src="http://img602.imageshack.us/img602/8899/athol3.jpg" width="800" height="561">
And a monster (65 lb) vise by Ridge Tool Co. with a 13" long handle. You don't see these often. Great condition, too.
<img src="http://img213.imageshack.us/img213/195/ridge1.jpg" width="800" height="603">
<img src="http://img263.imageshack.us/img263/3359/ridge2.jpg" width="800" height="601">
The three mounting holes allow the vise to be mounted without swivel base (that's probably how the swivel bases often get lost)
<img src="http://img833.imageshack.us/img833/3201/ridge3.jpg" width="800" height="586">
Extra long handle gives this beats a steel crushing power
<img src="http://img577.imageshack.us/img577/771/ridge4.jpg" width="800" height="1506">
Last edited:
BanjoSavesTheDay
Well-known member
Nice score! How wide are the jaws on the Ridge vise?
I have a question about my Parker 974 1/2B vises (Union Mfg, Parker Div). I bought 2 of them recently that are identical. I noticed that one was not perfectly flat on the bottom and it actually rocks on the flat swivel base. I thought that someone must have put a tremendous upward force on it to bend down the sides of the vise bottom. After looking closer at the other vise, it was not perfectly flat either. Now I am thinking that it was made that way at the factory. The non-flat bottom surface is not machined, it is a cast surface with a couple high spots ground down with a hand grinder. There are a few other reasons that I won't get into that also make me think it was made that way and not bent. Has anyone else noticed this on this brand/model? I can fix this a couple different ways. One is to machine the bottom flat. The other is to sandblast the bottom and put a good grade of epoxy on it. Then set it down on a flat waxed surface until the epoxy is cured. It would essentially create an epoxy shim to make it flat on the bottom. Since the epoxy would only be in compression and it would rarely be rotated, it should be a permanent fix. It also doesn't require any permanent alteration to the vise. I am surprised that they didn't machine the bottom surface. May have been a cost-cutting move. Other than that, the workmanship on the vise looks good.
Gary Indiana
Well-known member
The Ridge vise jaws are 4 1/2 inch wide, and it feels like about 60+ lb. But I need a scale to confirm that.
Gary Indiana
Well-known member
Nice. I like the flat part in front where you can place your foot.