Choosing a Vise - Please advise! (Update: I think I have a "winner"!)

ALTEREGO · Mar 19, 2020

Hello Everyone,

I’m looking to replace my made in China vise and I would like to ask some help picking a replacement. I’m in no hurry to buy so I would rather wait for a really great deal on a very good vise.

I will mostly use the Vise for working on hydraulic jacks and light automotive repairs (both as hobbies) as well as random home maintenance. Budget is tight and I usually go for the-best-bang-for-your-buck type of deals.

I have six options nearby, haven’t contacted any of the sellers, hopefully ‘the chosen one’ is still available.

Here is what I think of them:

1.- I like that is made in the USA. Price seems high for the condition, not sure if the damage is just cosmetic.
2.- Also like the fact that it was made in USA as well as the condition. Smaller than what I would like.
3.- I like the combination feature. Wish it was made in the USA.
4.- USA made. It seems like the usual price for a vintage USA vise that size so not sure is a great deal.
5.- Nice condition and good price. It looks a lot like my current made in China vise so not sure about the quality.
6.- Looks like a strong vintage vise. Wish it was made in the USA.

Please let me know what you guys think. Should I wait for a different/better vise? If so which ones do you recommend? Thank you in advance for your time and help!

1.- Columbian $70

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2.- Wilton 3 1/2 inches $45

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3.- No Brand Combination Vise $40

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4.- Columbian $45

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5.- Bessey 5inch $30

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6.- No Brand Name 4 1/5 inches $45

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davethorik · Mar 19, 2020

I would recommend pic #1, the $70 Columbian. What size jaws? Looks like 4" or 4.5", definitely the most heavy duty of those listed. That price isn't bad, in my opinion, as long as it isn't 3.5" or smaller.

What damage do you speak of? It just looks like a dirty, used vise. However it looks like the teeth are in decent shape on the jaws, potentially indicating a low-use vise.

thehorse13 · Mar 19, 2020

Not even a choice. The Columbian hits every one of your requirements. I'd even buy it at that price. Go get it before it's gone.

twertsy · Mar 19, 2020

ALTEREGO said:
Hello Everyone,

I’m looking to replace my made in China vise and I would like to ask some help picking a replacement. I’m in no hurry to buy so I would rather wait for a really great deal on a very good vise.

I will mostly use the Vise for working on hydraulic jacks and light automotive repairs (both as hobbies) as well as random home maintenance. Budget is tight and I usually go for the-best-bang-for-your-buck type of deals.

I have six options nearby, haven’t contacted any of the sellers, hopefully ‘the chosen one’ is still available.

Here is what I think of them:

1.- I like that is made in the USA. Price seems high for the condition, not sure if the damage is just cosmetic.
2.- Also like the fact that it was made in USA as well as the condition. Smaller than what I would like.
3.- I like the combination feature. Wish it was made in the USA.
4.- USA made. It seems like the usual price for a vintage USA vise that size so not sure is a great deal.
5.- Nice condition and good price. It looks a lot like my current made in China vise so not sure about the quality.
6.- Looks like a strong vintage vise. Wish it was made in the USA.

Please let me know what you guys think. Should I wait for a different/better vise? If so which ones do you recommend? Thank you in advance for your time and help!

1.- Columbian $70

View media item 101755
2.- Wilton 3 1/2 inches $45

View media item 101754
3.- No Brand Combination Vise $40

View media item 101753
4.- Columbian $45

View media item 101752
5.- Bessey 5inch $30

View media item 101751
6.- No Brand Name 4 1/5 inches $45

View media item 101749

Try the link to an article about choosing a vise on my Vises page: http://toolarchives.com/vises

Maui · Mar 19, 2020

The $70 Columbian is the vise you want to buy from that group.

LNKMK8 · Mar 19, 2020

#1 hands down! Go buy it. I've bought a few Columbians in that style, they are a great value.

RTM · Mar 19, 2020

I would skip the bottom 3 due to the exposed screws, as you can do better.

At this distance, the #1 looks best, just a bit of cleanup required. Tho a bit pricier, the difference in quality is worth the small price difference.

ALTEREGO · Mar 19, 2020

Thank you everyone for taking the time to comment and advise.

During my search, I found two or three Wilton Bullet vises for sale (not sure if still available), the cheapest one was $280 and the most expensive one was $400. Are those vises 4-6 times better than the Columbian Vise in the pictures? Is the price just a reflection of how rare the Wilton Bullet vise is or is it really a much superior vise?

Here are more pictures of the #1 Columbian Vise for $70. Are the jaws replaceable?

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MattT · Mar 19, 2020

Maui said:
The $70 Columbian is the vise you want to buy from that group.

Only vise worth buying in that group. If the OPs current "chinese vise" is one of the English pattern type he'd be better keeping it than replacing it with any of those others.

Packard V8 · Mar 19, 2020

Just keep in mind you're not marrying or legally adopting a vise or any tool. It can be sold just as easily as bought. Buy it, try it, keep it or send it along to another user.

jack vines

Cleave · Mar 19, 2020

Get the #1, keep your Chinese vise. Good to have them multiple places sometimes.

exmaxima1 · Mar 19, 2020

ALTEREGO said:
Here are more pictures of the #1 Columbian Vise for $70. Are the jaws replaceable?[/COLOR][/SIZE][/FONT]

They are replaceable jaws, but nothing wrong with the current ones. If the chips on the top bother you, grind it down until you are just above the casting.

Shiftless · Mar 19, 2020

It’s unanimous...buy the Columbian.

Here’s an idea. Why not put in your actual location rather than “home”. ?

Maybe a fellow member has an “extra” vise he’d like to sell. If you do a lot of work on hydraulic cylinders, a vise with taller jaw towers might be handy sometimes.

BTW, the Wilton bullet pricing is high because there is a collector market. As far a pure usefulness, that Columbian is just as good.

ALTEREGO · Mar 19, 2020

MattT said:
Only vise worth buying in that group. If the OPs current "chinese vise" is one of the English pattern type he'd be better keeping it than replacing it with any of those others.

Hi MattT,

This is my current vise not sure what style is it.

That's great advise I'll keep it for sure is just that reading the posts on this forum on vintage vise restorations made me want one!

View media item 101760

MattT · Mar 19, 2020

ALTEREGO said:
Hi MattT,

This is my current vise not sure what style is it.

That's what I'd call an American homeowner pattern. Not good vises IME, regardless of where they're made.

One other thought is you might also find a pipe vise useful for your hydraulic work. Work much better on round workpieces than the pipe jaws on a bench vise.

ALTEREGO · Mar 19, 2020

MattT said:
That's what I'd call an American homeowner pattern. Not good vises IME, regardless of where they're made.

One other thought is you might also find a pipe vise useful for your hydraulic work. Work much better on round workpieces than the pipe jaws on a bench vise.

Thanks again MattT.

I thought about a pipe vise but surprisingly I won't use it much working on the small vintage floor jacks that I have.

What would be the best vise pattern in your experience?

ALTEREGO · Mar 19, 2020

Shiftless said:
It’s unanimous...buy the Columbian.

Here’s an idea. Why not put in your actual location rather than “home”. ?

Maybe a fellow member has an “extra” vise he’d like to sell. If you do a lot of work on hydraulic cylinders, a vise with taller jaw towers might be handy sometimes.

BTW, the Wilton bullet pricing is high because there is a collector market. As far a pure usefulness, that Columbian is just as good.

Thanks for the advise, I'll feel terrible haggling over dollars with a fellow forum member; specially since they would probably be offering me a great deal and I won't even realize it! I would rather not.

Thanks for clarifying the Wilton bullet prices, it does look very unique, I just didn't see the extra efficiencies to warrant the higher price. I appreciate your advise!

ALTEREGO · Mar 19, 2020

exmaxima1 said:
They are replaceable jaws, but nothing wrong with the current ones. If the chips on the top bother you, grind it down until you are just above the casting.

Replaceable jaws, great!

I think they would work fine as they are, no need to grind it for now but good too know that is an option.

Thank you!

ALTEREGO · Mar 19, 2020

Packard V8 said:
Just keep in mind you're not marrying or legally adopting a vise or any tool. It can be sold just as easily as bought. Buy it, try it, keep it or send it along to another user.

jack vines

Hey there Jack! I believe that is part of my problem, not sure if it happens to anyone else here (wouldn't be surprised if it does).

Once I put the time and effort into something, it is really hard for me to get rid of it.

Also, I over research things... a lot.

But you are absolutely right, I have to keep your advise in mind and what is hardest, put it to practice.

Thank you for you help!

Rileysan · Mar 19, 2020

ALTEREGO said:
Thank you everyone for taking the time to comment and advise.

During my search, I found two or three Wilton Bullet vises for sale (not sure if still available), the cheapest one was $280 and the most expensive one was $400. Are those vises 4-6 times better than the Columbian Vise in the pictures? Is the price just a reflection of how rare the Wilton Bullet vise is or is it really a much superior vise?

To answer the question you asked (I made it bold print)

NO! Not even close. Ignore the bullet and buy the Columbian. It will last the rest of your life, and beyond ...

Brian

ALTEREGO · Mar 19, 2020

Rileysan said:
To answer the question you asked (I made it bold print)

NO! Not even close. Ignore the bullet and buy the Columbian. It will last the rest of your life, and beyond ...

Brian

I'm going for the Columbian, thank you for the advise Brian! Wish me luck!

thehorse13 · Mar 20, 2020

Make sure you post your vise pictures here once you get the Columbian home.

ALTEREGO · Mar 20, 2020

thehorse13 said:
Make sure you post your vise pictures here once you get the Columbian home.

Will do for sure!

ALTEREGO · Apr 3, 2020

I haven’t been able to get the Columbian vise yet (seller not responding, understandable with all that is going on).

From the pictures it looks like the vise is missing the (sorry, not sure what the correct name is) original parts that lock the swivel base in the desired place. Are those parts hard to procure? Expensive? Would that be a dealbreaker for the price?

What do you guys think?

ALTEREGO · Apr 4, 2020

ssdave said:
I have two of those Columbians, and I would be tempted to buy that one at that price still. I think the condition is pretty good, and I think I could make the swivel lock parts. I also have a bullet Wilton, and a Tradesman Wilton, and I consider the 4" columbian machinist vise to be the equal of the Wilton 4" for usability, not collectibility.

I would also consider your #3 chinesium vise if I just wanted a user. I had one before I got my first Columbian. When I moved, I sold it and kept the Columbian, intending to buy another one new when I settled in and built a new shop. At that time, they were about $50 new, and I sold my used one for $40. I never did buy another, and somewhat regretted it after that. The Chinesium rotating double jaw one I had was very useful, worked well, and was extremely tough. I hammered on it, used it for bending stuff by brute force, etc and it held up. I would not do that to a vise I owned today, I don't think either the bullet or Columbians I own would stand up to that abuse. It also had incredible clamping power. I'd examine it, and see how well it worked, and if it had very little lash and appeared to have good workmanship, I think it'd do well for a person to use. I've also seen poor quality ones, with poor fit, lots of slop, and poor castings. So, the examination of it would be the deciding point for me.

Thank you SSDave. I don’t have a way to make the missing parts, are the Swivel lock parts available for sale? Are they expensive?

I’m glad to hear you found the rotating double jaw vise useful. I do like the double jaw feature on the other vise, it looks very convenient. I’ll see if it is still available as well.

I agree with you in regards of examination, unfortunately this is the second vise I would be ever buying in my whole life. The Chinese Craftsman I own (I bought like 4 years ago and just took out of the box a couple months ago and have not even properly install it yet) I only got it because it was on sale for very, very cheap.
I’m probably the worst person to examine a vise but oh well there is no other way to learn I guess...

garfunkle24 · Apr 4, 2020

FYI, the jaws don't have screws in the face because they are t shaped and pinned from the top. Wilton owns Columbian now. I think this is the part you need, pretty pricey: https://parts.wiltontools.com/SearchResults.aspx?s=10203S51

Wouldn't be a deal-breaker for me. For the times I need to swivel a vise (rarely) the nut probably works fine.

Lookin4'67Galaxieconv · Apr 4, 2020

thehorse13 said:
Not even a choice. The Columbian hits every one of your requirements. I'd even buy it at that price. Go get it before it's gone.

Maui said:
The $70 Columbian is the vise you want to buy from that group.

And boom goes the dynamite! :pimpflash

ALTEREGO · Apr 4, 2020

garfunkle24 said:
FYI, the jaws don't have screws in the face because they are t shaped and pinned from the top. Wilton owns Columbian now. I think this is the part you need, pretty pricey: https://parts.wiltontools.com/SearchResults.aspx?s=10203S51

Wouldn't be a deal-breaker for me. For the times I need to swivel a vise (rarely) the nut probably works fine.

Thanks for the response and the link GF24. I didn’t think it would be that expensive!

I guess the nut (perhaps an acorn nut so it looks nicer?) will have to do for me... if I’m able to get it.

Shiftless · Apr 4, 2020

That’s a no brainer as far as I’m concerned. No way I’d buy that part for close to $150.

Go with the acorn nut or even just a regular nut if you can’t get to the store. In a way, an acorn nut is better than a lock down handle anyway. The handles sticking out on the side of a vise sometimes get in the way. How often do you need to swivel a vise anyway? Keep a spare box end wrench hanging nearby and you're good to go.

Here’s a Wilton C1 I redid without the swivel handles but with stainless steel acorn nuts.

ALTEREGO · Apr 4, 2020

Lookin4'67Galaxieconv said:
And boom goes the dynamite!

Hi Lookin4,

I’m afraid I don’t quite understand your comment, do you mean I shouldn’t consider the double jaw vise as previously suggested?

ALTEREGO · Apr 4, 2020

Shiftless said:
That’s a no brainer as far as I’m concerned. No way I’d buy that part for close to $150.

Go with the acorn nut or even just a regular nut if you can’t get to the store. In a way, an acorn nut is better than a lock down handle anyway. The handles sticking out on the side of a vise sometimes get in the way. How often do you need to swivel a vise anyway? Keep a spare box end wrench hanging nearby and you're good to go.

Here’s a Wilton C1 I redid without the swivel handles but with stainless steel acorn nuts.

Shiftless,

That’s a great point, I guess a nut can have its advantages.

Thank you for sharing the picture of your vise, the acorn nut looks amazing, like it was meant to be there but I guess almost anything would look good on such a cool vise!

Shiftless · Apr 4, 2020

Thanks!
It didn’t look like that when I got it.
The previous owner evidently lost or discarded the handles and replaced them with a regular nut as you can see in this photo.

The stainless steel acorn nuts only cost a couple of bucks. They’ll stay shiny and never rust. Back in the old days, when you could actually go out to stores, I bought 2 at my local old timey hardware store where they have hundreds of little drawers full of various fasteners.

exmaxima1 · Apr 4, 2020

ALTEREGO said:
Thanks for the response and the link GF24. I didn’t think it would be that expensive!

I guess the nut (perhaps an acorn nut so it looks nicer?) will have to do for me... if I’m able to get it.

The stud assembly with the clamp block is the difficult thing to source, or make without some machines, and you should already have that. The missing handle is pretty standard. You just need to measure the stud diameter and pitch. There's a bunch of nuts available at most any hardware store, or (worst case) McMaster-Carr

ALTEREGO · Apr 6, 2020

I regret to inform you that the seller didn’t reply and the Ad has been marked as “Sold”. I feel I somehow wasted the time of very helpful people even though it was not my intention. I’m sorry.

I’ll keep looking and ask your advise again, hopefully some of you won’t mind the risk of wasting your time again.

I appreciate everyone’s help, thank you.

Shelbylex · Apr 8, 2020

Do not worry - a better deal is waiting for you.
The first small vise I bought (before GJ) was a $30 Bessey. Still use it. Since then I got some deals as they came: 4” jaw 50lb Athol for $10, 5” Columbia’s with rotting jaws (like #3 in your post (also $10), couple of smaller vintage Craftsman and Colombian for less, etc... First two need cleaning and repaint, but work great.
Wait and great things will come!

... Was trying to find Wilton Bullet as seems like half the people on GJ have one. However, after reading about the deals people get decided to wait till I find one for a good price
Collecting and restoring tools is like a road: you can spend money and get most of what you want fast, but then you miss all the scenery and encounters of the journey...

Shiftless · Apr 8, 2020

Right!
There are still lots of good old vises to be found. Keep looking. Ask around some of the old timers you know and tell them what you’re looking for.

Also, you could post your actual location and put a wanted ad in the GJ classified section.

Rileysan · Apr 8, 2020

ALTEREGO said:
I regret to inform you that the seller didn’t reply and the Ad has been marked as “Sold”. I feel I somehow wasted the time of very helpful people even though it was not my intention. I’m sorry.

I’ll keep looking and ask your advise again, hopefully some of you won’t mind the risk of wasting your time again.

I appreciate everyone’s help, thank you.

You didn't waste anybody's time, imo. This was a good learning experience for you and anyone else who might be considering their options for buying a vise. Best of luck!

Brian

thehorse13 · Apr 8, 2020

Every single person who replied to you has been in your shoes. I go through the silent seller situation about 3 times a month on average.

There are millions of vintage vises around. The right one will surface. Keep looking and don't feel bad about posting questions and pictures of what you're after.

That said, good deals usually don't last long so don't sit around thinking otherwise you're going to miss out.

Shiftless · Apr 8, 2020

“That said, good deals usually don't last long so don't sit around thinking otherwise you're going to miss out.”

That’s REALLY good advice. (That I forgot to include in my earlier post) Thank you thehorse13.

Try to salt away some 5s 10s and 20s to total maybe $100 or a bit more depending on your financial situation. Keep that money separate from your regular pocket money so that when a good deal pops up you won’t have to waste time going to an ATM or worse than that, wait until payday. And that little part of your mind that feels guilty spending money on something other than food and rent won’t bother you so much as you’re heading out to score a great deal on a fine old vise.

ClappedOutBport · Apr 8, 2020

ALTEREGO said:
During my search, I found two or three Wilton Bullet vises for sale (not sure if still available), the cheapest one was $280 and the most expensive one was $400. Are those vises 4-6 times better than the Columbian Vise in the pictures? Is the price just a reflection of how rare the Wilton Bullet vise is or is it really a much superior vise?

No. It's arguably not superior at all. Or rare. Wiltons are like the Belairs of 50s cars. They command a lot of money cuz they look good. Folks will disagree and rave about them for days, but they're really nothing exceptional. Swivel lock is pretty good. Jaws are relatively soft, ram area moment of inertia is sorta low especially on C3s. Anvil gets dented the moment you use it.

That Columbian was quite nice and in really good shape. The jaw teeth are your indicator there. The surface rust is of no consequence.

Choosing a Vise - Please advise! (Update: I think I have a "winner"!)

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