Unusual Babco vise

SanfordI · Sep 19, 2020

Hello all. First time poster.

My son-in-law asked for a vise for his birthday. I wouldn't have been happy buying him a new Chinese vise and he appreciates old rust. I found this Babco on facebook and picked it up today ($80). I (and the previous owner) have done extensive searches and have come up with nothing. The jaw width is 5" and it opens to 6"

Is anyone familiar with this vise and know its value/quality? Thanks for any help.

3baygarage · Sep 19, 2020

I’m thinking that could be an import vise by the look of it, the handles. If it works though, it works. $80 may have been a bit on the high side of things.

ducksface · Sep 19, 2020

60 to 80 new.
I think Yost even has a version of it now.
They're my favorite user.
The bench swivel is seldom used but the head swivel is often used.

Quality?
It's a vise until it breaks.
There are few vises broken because of poor quality.
Ham fists break pricey vises almost as readily inexpensive vises.

davethorik · Sep 19, 2020

Chinese or taiwanese rotating vise. Made by a few different companies and relabeled for many brands. HF has one. I believe the American NuTyp rotating vises are what these were copied from.

SanfordI · Sep 19, 2020

Ugh. Exactly what I wanted to avoid. I hoped it was old enough to be made in the USA. The handles did give me pause but I was convinced I found an old gem. Oh well, it will serve my SIL well and he'll love it.

Thanks for the information and feedback. Much appreciated!

Unusual Babco vise

SanfordI

New member

3baygarage

Well-known member

ducksface

Banned

davethorik

Well-known member

SanfordI

New member