Vise ID: USA or Charlie Chan?

Bull · May 27, 2011

I have a bad feeling about it, but am not fluent in these matters.

I got this for free today from what was once service station, then an HVAC/heating oil shop. As soon as I saw it, I grabbed it, as I was sure, in that quick original moment, that it was USA made.

But, I can't find any stampings on it, and there is just a faint aura about it that suggests offshore beginnings. Don't get me wrong, it moves smoothly, isn't loose, the jaws meet squarely, it's heavy. Maybe I'm wrong about it.

I am hoping that these pics will allow you experts to set the record straight.

hammergodthor · May 27, 2011

Harbor Freight. $80

http://www.harborfreight.com/5-inch-multi-purpose-vise-67415.html

Bull · May 27, 2011

hammergodthor said:
Harbor Freight. $80

http://www.harborfreight.com/5-inch-multi-purpose-vise-67415.html

I'm not saying that's impossible. What I am saying is that the vise looks older than what I would expect to see from HF. I will also say that, having felt and used HF tools, this vise does not have that sloppy, crappy feel.

But without any stampings, maybe it is HF or similar after all? What can I look at for definitive evidence?

MrMark · May 27, 2011

Chinese. I have never seen a US vise of that style. That was and is a common Chinese factory product. Sold under many different names for years.

MrMark · May 27, 2011

You already have one of the best vises ever made, just add that one to the land fill or use it as an anvil.

Bull · May 27, 2011

Goddammit! That's two votes for Chinese. Thank goodness I didn't pay for it, but I had initially been so stoked about another USA vise score. Plus, I thought it might come in handy to have a vise that can hold tubing.

Anyway, I wont throw it out. I know one or two younger guys that will be able to use it until they move up to a USA piece. I'll pay it forward to them.

american lockpicker · May 27, 2011

Speaking of used vices where do you find them at? Here I can only find new chinese ones at local stores.

Bull · May 27, 2011

american lockpicker said:
Speaking of used vices where do you find them at? Here I can only find new chinese ones at local stores.

The family of a friend of mine is cleaning out the old service station/HVAC business I mentioned above. What is left in the space, they are allowing me to take stuff from. No tools, really. At least I don't think so. I will be going back for a metal multi-drawer organizer, a heavy and large work bench made from square tubing, and hopefully some other stuff.

hammergodthor · May 27, 2011

Bull said:
I'm not saying that's impossible. What I am saying is that the vise looks older than what I would expect to see from HF. I will also say that, having felt and used HF tools, this vise does not have that sloppy, crappy feel.

But without any stampings, maybe it is HF or similar after all? What can I look at for definitive evidence?

Many people forget that HF has been around for 40 years. If I were you, I'd keep it for a beater vise or whatever. :thumbup:

SCscoutguy · May 27, 2011

Yea that is a common import vise that many people have been selling for probably 30+ years. I have one that my father bought in the 70's and it is actually a "decent" vise for what it is.

claymont · May 27, 2011

Place around me used to sell a lot of offshore stuff and the vises they had like that were made in India.

Bull · May 27, 2011

You guys are killing me!

Honestly, I don't ever think about HF being around, churning out tools for four decades. I need to bear that in mind.

I already sent a message to the young fellow (a member on here) to whom I will be offering this thing, gratis. He's in a maritime academy. Maybe one of the ships he's on could use an anchor, or some extra ballast?

Truth be told, though, it does not feel like a piece of **** vise at all. I just like to avoid non-USA stuff when possible, and when it comes to vises, that is definitely possible.

mjozefow · May 27, 2011

Those were fairly heavy Chinese/Taiwanese vises. For free it is a good thing to have! I would use it on a welding bench where a good vise would just get slagged up. How does it stack up to the Monarch? :lol:

And Bull, why the picture of the wolf??? :dunno:

MrMark · May 27, 2011

If you go in Lowes, as an example, and play with their "Bessey" vises, and then compare the feel of the movement of the jaws to your Columbian you will just laugh.

Underdog · May 27, 2011

Bull said:
I have a bad feeling about it, but am not fluent in these matters.

I got this for free today from what was once service station, then an HVAC/heating oil shop. As soon as I saw it, I grabbed it, as I was sure, in that quick original moment, that it was USA made.

But, I can't find any stampings on it, and there is just a faint aura about it that suggests offshore beginnings. Don't get me wrong, it moves smoothly, isn't loose, the jaws meet squarely, it's heavy. Maybe I'm wrong about it.

I am hoping that these pics will allow you experts to set the record straight.

Bull, thats Chinese. Bought one back in the late 70's Mine is green.
Tell tale sign is the red bondo under the paint you see picture two left side. Mine was super smooth when new and I wondered how they cast it so well. Well they bondo'ed it up then sanded it down , shot some paint on it, presto "China".

Greatbear · May 27, 2011

Chineeeeeese...

I know, because I've had the same one for about 25 years, dark green in color, complete with the bondo and the smooth finish. But ya know what? I've beat the living daylights out of that thing all this time and it's still working well. At the time I did not have the money for a high-buck Wilton, so I bought it as a stopgap, figuring it would break like all the other China/Taiwan vises before. It proved me quite wrong. I have a nice old USA Columbian that has been waiting for some TLC and paint. it's been waiting for, oh, at least a dozen years, but I'll get to it soon, since the shop is expanding.

Give that old beast some attention and a coat of paint and use it. The swiveling feature is handy, the pipe jaws come in handy for fabricating. Forget that it floated over here.

domain · May 27, 2011

+1 for CHINESE. I have seen those from old to new and they all have been chinese... my .02 :thumbup:

Bull · May 28, 2011

mjozefow said:
Those were fairly heavy Chinese/Taiwanese vises. For free it is a good thing to have! I would use it on a welding bench where a good vise would just get slagged up. How does it stack up to the Monarch?

And Bull, why the picture of the wolf???

The Monarch has nothing to fear! :lol:

As for the avatar: my screen name has a story behind it, but my personality is not like that of a bull. I identify more with ol' shaggy there.

bl00 · May 28, 2011

MrMark said:
I have never seen a US vise of that style.

Now you have...

bl00 · May 28, 2011

Oh, and it's not mine. I copied the pics from this e-bay post from not too long ago.

Maybe this was the original that started it all or maybe the Chinese factory cast USA in the side. :dunno:

It does have some characteristics of the old USA made vises such as the square bolt heads and handle to loosen the swivel base..

Vise ID: USA or Charlie Chan?

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