Where to look for a shop vise

bareass172 · Feb 4, 2014

Hello everyone, long time reader but not a big poster. :willy_nil

Had a buddy over to the place this past weekend and while working on a project I made the mistake of turning my back on him. He was snugging my 5" bench vise down using a gigantic 18" crescent wrench as a cheater. Just as I tried to stop him the casting on the jaw gave way.

Now this was not a high-end, expensive vise but I've had it for many years, abused it quite a bit, and it's worked quite well for me in all that time. So, now I need to replace it with something and I really hate to buy garbage. I build custom bikes for a living and I really use the thing a lot. Reading reviews on what's out there isn't that encouraging, and (honestly) I can't afford to drop a huge bunch of coin on what I'd like. I read through the almost 650 page "show me your vise" thread here, skimmed eBay, craigslist and the usual suspects outside of just brand new.

I see a lot of you guys finding really great vintage vises for seemingly insane prices. Any recommendations on finding these besides the places I already mentioned? Do you guys frequent flea markets or junk sales or something? I would absolutely LOVE to get my hands on a nice vintage piece, that way I could work with a little bit of Americana each day.

Any and all suggestions are appreciated. :thumbup:

Davefr · Feb 4, 2014

bareass172 said:
So, now I need to replace it with something and I really hate to buy garbage.

Something's wrong with this picture. He ruins your vise but won't replace it??

It sounds like you'll need a replacement soon. The odds of finding a quick "you ****" deal on a great old big USA vise is pretty small.

All you can do is patiently search CL, Ebay and maybe post a wanted ad here. Make sure you search "vise" and "vice".

It might make sense to pick up a el cheapo Chinese vise to give you something to use in the short term while you patiently search for something better. That will buy you some time.

honcho · Feb 4, 2014

It's Time vs. Money.

1. Decide upon size and style of vise you want/need
2. Determine How much you're willing to pay
3. Religiously check Craigslist, Yard / Estate Sales, Local Auctions, Garage Journal classified ads and Ebay until you find what you want within your budget
4. If you don't find what you want used at a price you can afford, **** it up and buy something new that either isn't what you want or end up spending more than you planned.

Alternatively, buy something cheap to tide you over as you look for the vise you want at the price you want to pay. Then you have the cheap vise to sell or use for backup/secondary duty.

bareass172 · Feb 4, 2014

I really appreciate the feedback, what you're telling me is pretty much what I figured but I always like to confirm my suspicions with other experienced people.

As for him not replacing it, well that's slightly complicated. Technically he was "helping" me (or trying to) with something I was working on and my initial reaction was that it wasn't a big deal. After I had time to think about it and I realized how poor the quality was on the China made stuff is when it started to bother me. I'm not gonna go make a stink about it now because, ultimately, the guy is on hard times right now and I know he can't afford to replace it with even a cheap vise.

I'm hoping to find a deal soon, I use the thing a lot!

Thanks again. :thumbup:

larryq · Feb 4, 2014

If you can live with a 4 1/2" size, the Craftsman Professional vise has had great reviews here. About $135 at Sears now. Chinese but thought of very highly on the board.

dogdad · Feb 4, 2014

See you're from N'awlins...welcome neighbor

oldldh · Feb 4, 2014

If you want another 5" bench vise, you're looking at vises that weigh from 40 to over 100 pounds...more is better than less... :drool:

USA "Classic Iron" (I prefer Classic to old/antique/etc), in the form of Reed, Starrett, Wilton, Columbian, Rock Island, etc in the 5", or bigger, range ain't being given away, any more...

An 80+ pounder, in solid restorable shape, is going to start around $ 125.00 (if you're lucky) and go up to over $ 500.00 plus... :shocking:

New USA vises, in that size range, like a 500S Wilton, have prices with commas in them!!! :scared:

Good luck on your vise hunt...patience and perseverance are requirements of the "eternal search for our elusive prey"!!! :thumbup:

Keep us informed... :3gears:

bareass172 · Feb 4, 2014

larryq said:
If you can live with a 4 1/2" size, the Craftsman Professional vise has had great reviews here. About $135 at Sears now. Chinese but thought of very highly on the board.

Look at the Craftsman website I only see a 4, 5 and 6" version - no 4.5". :headscrat

Have they been discontinued perhaps?

dogdad said:
See you're from N'awlins...welcome neighbor

I'm actually from Metairie and moved to Slidell about 4 years ago, but I find most people don't know where these places are so it's just faster and easier to say New Orleans.

oldldh said:
Good luck on your vise hunt...patience and perseverance are requirements of the "eternal search for our elusive prey"!!!

Thanks so much for the pointers, for all my experience with other things I've never done a lot of research on vises. I grew up using my dad's and when I moved into my first house I started using the one that was left behind there - the one that just broke!

I love to learn about this stuff from those who know, and it informs me for future searching. I go to estate sales when I visit my folks, maybe I'll get lucky at one of those. In the meantime, if there are any other suggestions about what to buy as a "for now" vise, that may be the way I have to go.

I read that Harbor Freight are junk. I read that Irwin are the same as HF, but at least they warranty them. I was shying away from most of what's "new" because I get the impression that they're all made in China and therefore poor quality...

The search will continue! :thumbup:

71goldss · Feb 4, 2014

bareass172 said:
Look at the Craftsman website I only see a 4, 5 and 6" version - no 4.5".
Have they been discontinued perhaps?

For some unknown reason the Craftsman Professional vise is no longer listed on Sears' website, but ARE still available in many of the Sears stores. I just saw one last week at my local Sears and I also purchased one a couple of months ago at my local Orchard Supply Hardware here in Calif. Also, many GJ members have recently reported seeing them in their Sears stores around the country.

EOC_Jason · Feb 4, 2014

There are a couple forum members you could PM and see if they have anything for sale that are "somewhat" local to you:

nine4gmc - Baton Rouge
bluebolt - Benton

But yeah, otherwise I would search sites like Craigslist (and not just your town, search adjacent ones too), ebayclassifieds.com, ebay, etc, etc...

What is your price range and / or what size are you looking for? I'm in Houston so shipping to you probably wouldn't be too bad.

wmartin · Feb 4, 2014

larryq said:
If you can live with a 4 1/2" size, the Craftsman Professional vise has had great reviews here. About $135 at Sears now. Chinese but thought of very highly on the board.

Do you happen to have a link to that?

EOC_Jason · Feb 4, 2014

ducksface said:
Someone here has a nicely restored wilton tradesman for $40 plus shipping.
Someone better at searches than I will post a link for you.
It's been available for months.

The only one I saw was this little Shop King for $40... Is that what you were thinking of?

If someone was selling a tradesman for $40 I would think it would be sold within seconds of it being posted!

I sent the OP a PM to see if I could help him out. I've got a Yost 32C that I think might be a good fit.

drivesitfar · Feb 4, 2014

Tektontools.com are Chineses made vises with a lifetime warranty that they stand by as one member on GJ found out to his surprise.

Good luck in your search

gpgab97 · Feb 4, 2014

Try finding a Re-Tool store. We have 3 of them where I'm at in PA and they always have great deals on stuff like used Vices. Some are top quality machinst grade and well cared for and others have seen hell on the back of a rail service truck, but they always have a couple.

ganymede · Feb 4, 2014

You mentioned flea markets and that's where most of my best deals have been from. Estate sales too. Go to craigslist, click on garage sales and type 'vise' in the search bar. Try both spellings too.

oldldh · Feb 5, 2014

There's a Starrett 924 1/2 on the Chicago Craigslist for an asking price of $ 175.00...I'd offer him about $ 125.00 and see what happens...this listing is 24 days old...

http://chicago.craigslist.org/chc/tls/4283927728.html

I've got a Starrett 925 (5"), the one is Chicago is a 4 1/2" jaw width and about 65 lbs, I think...

That vise would be a keeper, if it was restored... :thumbup:

justanengineer · Feb 5, 2014

bareass172 said:
Do you guys frequent flea markets or junk sales or something?

Yup, but I find auctions and estate sales are the best, and prices get better the farther out in the sticks you go. If youre having problems finding a deal, ASK. Vises are heavy, so theyre typically first on the list of tools that sellers dont want to drag out to the fleas/yard sale/etc, and being attached to benches or posts only complicates the matter even more. Anytime you see old tools for sale, ask the seller if they dont happen to have a vise attached to a bench theyd want to part with. Anytime you see a pile of rusted junk sitting in a hedgerow or backlot, ask the owner if he's got any vises kicking around the scrap pile. Anytime youre in another shop for any reason, ask the owner if anything's for sale or they might know someone who has some junk for sale. Quite often rusty vises mounted on old benches = PITA for the seller to remove = lower price, be polite but haggle and be ready to buy a bench with the vise, you can always sell/scrap it later. Try not to get carried away with the telephone number prices guys on here pay, many of them dont get out much. I stick with a solid rule of thumb of $0.50/lb weight up to 100 lbs weight for vises, 100+ lbs is ~$1/lb.

JoeMA · Feb 5, 2014

http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B001VXW490?vs=1

If you can't wait to find a good, old vise, I would check out Ridgid. Made in Germany and an excellent value. The 5 inch jaw version is $282 at Amazon.

Coolabah · Feb 5, 2014

yeh , I've struggled with the same thing before- a friend offers to help out ( for free) and they cost you more than if you'd just done it all yourself ! Personally, I guess I wouldn't expect them to replace the item , and I would refuse any offer to do so. On the other hand , if I am helping someone for free, I sure as heck don't expect a letter from their lawyer if things don't end up as planned !

bareass172 · Feb 5, 2014

You guys are really great with the advice and opinions, I really appreciate them all. I run my own forum for motorcycle stuff and I'm usually the one answering questions not getting answers, so it's really nice.

I wouldn't mind the Sears one, but I think for that price I can find a vintage one on eBay. If it needs restoring, well that's right up my alley. The Ridgid mentioned was one I considered, but I came to the same conclusion about the price. The Shop King that was mentioned is nice, but I really think I want one with a swivel base. That's what I had and I think I'd miss not having that. I actually just watched a Shop King go on eBay tonight for ~$30. The Tekton really, really has my interest peaked - lifetime warranty for really cheap prices... Their design looks almost identical to what I'm replacing too. Definitely high on my list for consideration.

Here's my only hangup, some of my friend's call me cheap but I just try to be smart with my money. I have zero problem dropping money on good tools, and I'd rather spend $100 ONCE than $25 four times. I get attached to my tools and when one breaks and needs replacing I almost hate to see it go. I think about all the projects we did together... :wtf:

lol...

But seriously, one of you nice guys made me an offer on a Yost 32C and I'm going to explore that. It's a really nice offer. I didn't think to mention my needs or a price range up front since I was mostly just looking for advice on finding one, but since you guys asked I am replacing a 5" swivel vise with a 4" square anvil on the back. Nothing fancy, you can see in the pic I attached. I'd like something comparable, I think it's been a good mix of size vs function. Price was dependent entirely on what was good, like I said I'll spend what's necessary.

Thanks again for all the valuable input, keep it coming! :thumbup:

oldldh · Feb 5, 2014

The Yost 32C or the Chicago (if you can get him to ship it...) Starrett 924 1/2 will provide premium clamping services (keep your Buddy away from them), forever...

Either would be a major clamping upgrade, over what you had...

Good luck on your search...keep us posted, we love a good search!!!

Filson · Feb 5, 2014

bareass172 said:
Here's my only hangup, some of my friend's call me cheap but I just try to be smart with my money. I have zero problem dropping money on good tools, and I'd rather spend $100 ONCE than $25 four times. I get attached to my tools and when one breaks and needs replacing I almost hate to see it go. I think about all the projects we did together...

As the saying goes "I'm too broke to be cheap." Buy quality, buy it once, and it will both outperform and outlast other cheaper options (and ultimately, save you money).

The Yost 32C is a great vise, I have a nearly new-condition one myself and I like it a lot. There are a lot of great deals out there to be found. There has been quite a few of us on here that have scored some great buys. But many of us that do are pretty proactive about it. I myself routinely check CL for vises (or "vice") in my local listing as well as some of the neighboring listings probably around 8-10 times a day. Back when I lived in the puget sound and CL seemed to be more 'active' around where I lived, I'd say I probably checked it over 30 times a day. I know of a few people on here that do much more than that. I also post wanted adds on CL. (My Yost 32C I mentioned was a $60 dollar score on CL)

Ebay - I don't check as much as I *should* maybe once a day.

Yard sales - During the "season" from late spring to late fall, my wife and I probably hit an average of 40-75 yard sales a weekend, every weekend.

Thrift stores/pawnshops/etc - I'll usually swing by the local shops at least once a week to see if they have any new goodies.

Having said that, my wife and I also nearly match my annual income, with our proceeds from buying stuff from these sources and re-selling, so we pursue this stuff a lot more than the average guy would.

But, I went from owning 1 vise to over 30 in the course of about 4-5 months this last summer. They're out there, and more readily available than you might think... Quite a few near-free scores have been made by a few guys on here by checking the local scrap yards (something I haven't done yet).

Having said all that... When you don't have a vise, and you need one for work, you can't exactly wait around to find what you need. I think Ebay would be your best bet, in finding a quality vise for a fairly descent price that you can obtain in a more timely manner.

If you have the luxury of time a bit though, start hitting the places above and I bet you'll find something! Good luck.

bluebolt · Feb 5, 2014

EOC_Jason said:
There are a couple forum members you could PM and see if they have anything for sale that are "somewhat" local to you:

nine4gmc - Baton Rouge
bluebolt - Benton

But yeah, otherwise I would search sites like Craigslist (and not just your town, search adjacent ones too), ebayclassifieds.com, ebay, etc, etc...

What is your price range and / or what size are you looking for? I'm in Houston so shipping to you probably wouldn't be too bad.

nine4GMC is alot closer, I think Houston is closer to him as well! I do have a Wilton 1750 Tradesman to sell though.

EOC_Jason · Feb 5, 2014

Here's some pics for you of the 32C if you are interested. I never got around to cleaning it up yet. It's not really high on my list as this isn't really a "vintage" vise. I would think at oldest it was made in the 80's, but it's probably even newer than that. The guy I got it from bought it in a lot from military surplus stuff.

Overall it's in great shape, it hasn't been beat to death like some vises. Mostly just some surface rust and paint scratched off. The only issues with it are there is a slight bend in handle. I can straighten it out in my shop press real easy, the picture actually looks more bent than it really is. I've dealt with much worse. Second, there is a cut in the slide (check last two pictures) where someone got a little overzealous with a cutting wheel it looks like. It's not really *that* bad, the deepest part isn't as deep as the adjacent non-milled area of the casting, I'm sure it is still plenty thick. I just wanted to mention these for full disclosure.

I've got to go to the dentist soon, but when I get back I'll look it over better to make sure everything else is in order.

I had no real plans for this vise, it was just going to be a beater or sell it if someone I knew ever needed a good vise cheap.

EOC_Jason · Feb 5, 2014

One last picture of the bottom...

Oh yeah, my suggestion if you want an "anvil" to beat on stuff. Keep that old half of the vise and use it. Most vintage vises don't have an anvil area, and other ones that do you really don't want to put that stress on them anyhow.

EOC_Jason · Feb 5, 2014

Okay, I took it apart, wire-wheeled the slide to get that surface rust off. Removed the screw (holy cow that set-screw inside was in there GOOD). Took off the swivel base, etc...

I kid you not, the top part of the slide is a solid 3/4" THICK! It also arches so there is substantial material along the top/sides too. I tried to get a picture but my camera wouldn't focus right.

I cleaned off the old grease on the screw, it wasn't even rusted any. I straightened out the handle a little, it's better but not perfect. Cleaned off all the old grease on everything else just with some rags, not 100%, but most of it. Re-greased everything and put it back together.

You can open & close it with one finger. It has one or two spots you can feel a little resistance (using one finger keep in mind). I think it's because I didn't clean the surfaces with a brush or anything on the inside of the static and so the slide rubs some. When I sprayed WD40 on the slide and went in & out a few more times it loosed up some. I might pull it apart again and brush the milled spots with a brass brush to get the crud off. It was enough of a pain to do a few steps, wash hands good, take pictures... do a few steps, wash hands, take pictures.... lol.

Took a couple comparison pictures too for scale. There is the classic 3.5" craftsman everyone knows. The other is a Reed 3C 5" combo that weighs a beefy 120lbs....

Beefbuzz · Feb 5, 2014

Regarding that craigslist Starret...Wow the jaws are perfect, looks barely used. Straighten the handle, brush of a little rust and work it till you die.

bareass172 · Feb 6, 2014

Man, you guys are the best. A wealth of information and a deal on another vise to boot. I'm going to keep looking like you guys mentioned, but I think that Yost is going to be sitting on my bench soon. I just know that I'm going to need it too much and too soon to pass it up. I can always find some vintage iron later, but I can use that Yost as a mule until then. :thumbup:

Thanks again to everyone, I really learned a lot. :beer:

bobcatdan · Feb 6, 2014

In my endless farting around on the old internet, I have come to the conclusion, northern tool has the best price on new USA vises.

bareass172 · Feb 6, 2014

I have to admit that the ones linked from Tekton Tools are quite intriguing since they offer a lifetime, no hassle warranty. I expected they'd be much more expensive than they are given the warranty.

Tejaas · Feb 8, 2014

The advice I got was great.

As your out driving around town doing errands on Saturday/Sunday morning, keep an eye out for the open garage door with a little old elderly guy working on something in his garage...

They don't use Craigslist and Ebay like the younger folks, and that "vise I picked up back in '64" may mean something entirely different than just dollar signs when he is confronted politely by an interested fellow machinist in passing...

"You Ain't Done Wild & Reckless, Till You've Done It In Texas!"

~Tejaas~

Outlander · Feb 8, 2014

So a dude comes on here with a sad story about his vise being broken, other dudes give advice where to find a replacement, and finally a dude pulls one out of a drawer explains it limitations, cleans it up and makes it ready for the original dude.

This is the GJ way!

Great thread guys, and show us a pic of your new vise in it's new home.

MillerMav · Feb 8, 2014

I have a couple little shops around mid Michigan that sell second hand tools. I recently found my mid 50's Simplex 4.5" at one of them for $100! Maybe see if there is a place like that around you.

Rarely am I not posting from my phone....

bareass172 · Feb 9, 2014

Outlander said:
So a dude comes on here with a sad story about his vise being broken, other dudes give advice where to find a replacement, and finally a dude pulls one out of a drawer explains it limitations, cleans it up and makes it ready for the original dude.

This is the GJ way!

Great thread guys, and show us a pic of your new vise in it's new home.

On top of that, I'm shipping the broken one to another member for use on a project he's working on. :rocker:

Outlander · Feb 9, 2014

bareass172 said:
On top of that, I'm shipping the broken one to another member for use on a project he's working on.

You drove my point right on home!

:beer:

PCMusicGuy · Feb 9, 2014

If I would have been 5 minutes earlier into an estate sale yesterday I would have walked away with e 4.5" jaw wilton swivel (USA) for $25. Garage sales and estate sales can net you really good vices, but it takes time to come across the right one.

Outlawmws · Feb 9, 2014

PCMusicGuy said:
If I would have been 5 minutes earlier into an estate sale yesterday I would have walked away with e 4.5" jaw wilton swivel (USA) for $25. Garage sales and estate sales can net you really good vices, but it takes time to come across the right one.

And if you keep after it, you might wind up with a whole herd of them :ninja:

oldldh · Feb 9, 2014

Outlawmws said:
And if you keep after it, you might wind up with a whole herd of them

If you get a herd, the food bill will kill you!!! :sad:

Not to mention the manure problem!!! :scared:

deltaphisig · Feb 9, 2014

Watch CL. We are neighbors, and deals come up every once in a while. I picked up a Craftsman vise made by Rock Island for $40 in the Marigny.

Mooniac · Feb 9, 2014

I'll add to keep an eye out for company surplus sales/auctions if you have any industry nearby. Years ago I got a steel work bench with a Wilton bullet for $150 from Boeing Wichita surplus. Unfortunately that outlet closed last year.

Where to look for a shop vise

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