gatewaysysop
Well-known member
And so today, after much searching and prayer to the Vise gods, the hunt for big game finally offered up a true trophy buck. 
Picture it... I'm cruising CL this morning in a half-awake-stupor, then I stumble on an ad that mentions, among other things, "huge old vise" but no pics, no brand, no nothing, just a price ($200!!!). I figure maybe because the price is high, it's something decent, so why not check it out?
I call the guy up, he says it's some brand with an "A" in it. I figure Athol and he confirms, reading off the side. I then ask for the number on the other side of the vise, to which, after hearing much grunting and loud clunking of iron-on-concrete as he turns it over, he says, "646, does that mean anything to you?" Does it?!
"The elusive and mammoth 6 inch Athol vise with swivel base AND swivel jaw, rarest of the rare," I say to myself, but respond with "eh...six inch jaw with swivel base, right?" and he confirms. At this point I had to have it, price be damned.
The one and only real issue is that some genius put a bead across one edge of the swivel jaw (front facing) but it was done so poorly it didn't penetrate AND it was already broke free. A few minutes with a grinder and that'll be little more than a bad memory. Suffice to say, I could not throw my money at the guy fast enough, even with two dogs jumping all over me while I looked the vise over like a kid with a new toy.
I have not weighed it yet, but it is insanely heavy. I have a Prentiss #56 and this thing is much heavier, I'm guessing the 140 pound range, at least (anyone got official specs?).
Enjoy the pics, and yes it will be getting a full restoration at some point. Also the weight is approx. 175 - 180lbs.
Edit: More pics added (assembled vise) in post #22, found here.
Picture it... I'm cruising CL this morning in a half-awake-stupor, then I stumble on an ad that mentions, among other things, "huge old vise" but no pics, no brand, no nothing, just a price ($200!!!). I figure maybe because the price is high, it's something decent, so why not check it out?
I call the guy up, he says it's some brand with an "A" in it. I figure Athol and he confirms, reading off the side. I then ask for the number on the other side of the vise, to which, after hearing much grunting and loud clunking of iron-on-concrete as he turns it over, he says, "646, does that mean anything to you?" Does it?!
"The elusive and mammoth 6 inch Athol vise with swivel base AND swivel jaw, rarest of the rare," I say to myself, but respond with "eh...six inch jaw with swivel base, right?" and he confirms. At this point I had to have it, price be damned.
The one and only real issue is that some genius put a bead across one edge of the swivel jaw (front facing) but it was done so poorly it didn't penetrate AND it was already broke free. A few minutes with a grinder and that'll be little more than a bad memory. Suffice to say, I could not throw my money at the guy fast enough, even with two dogs jumping all over me while I looked the vise over like a kid with a new toy.
I have not weighed it yet, but it is insanely heavy. I have a Prentiss #56 and this thing is much heavier, I'm guessing the 140 pound range, at least (anyone got official specs?).
Enjoy the pics, and yes it will be getting a full restoration at some point. Also the weight is approx. 175 - 180lbs.
Edit: More pics added (assembled vise) in post #22, found here.
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