Athol 613 - good deal?

[Lombie]

Hello,

First post!

I have the opportunity to purchase a non-swiveling Athol 613 for $60. I haven't seen it in person, but the current owner claims it's in very good condition and operates smoothly.

Based on the paint, I'm thinking it's been refurbished at some point, but the owner doesn't know.

What are your thoughts. Assuming it operates smoothly, whether it's been refurbished or not, is it a decent deal?

I've done a fair amount of searching on the forum and have read several great posts about things to look for when I do see it, but is there anything specific to Athol that I should be aware of? For example, I know the jaws can't be replaced, so perhaps something that's not obvious (like a crack, chip, or poor contact), but a good indicator of the overall condition of the jaws? Are there any red flags that more experienced eyes see from the few photos I have that I could be missing?

Thanks in advance, not just for any help to me, but for all the great information in the Forum!

-Lombie

 

[KMScott]

Welcome to the forum, Athol is a good ol USA made vise. the 3" jaws do not look to bad from the pictures, the support under the dynamic jaw is not broke so it does not look abused. Maybe see how wore the threads are when you flip over the dynamic jaw support, this will tell you how much it was opened and closed with no lubricant. I would buy it for $60.

 

[Outlawmws]

This:

Based on the paint, I'm thinking it's been refurbished at some point.

But I call BS on this:

but the owner doesn't know.

It has clearly been repainted and there is some grey overspray on the slide. Handle and screw head have been polished on a wire wheel at least.

I wouldn't call it "refurbished" just cleaned up and painted, as under the paint looks rough. paint can hide cracks, and even welds, so inspect closely for hidden damage and crank it down pretty good to see if anything shows, flex or paint movement.

If it is an good shape, Athol is a great vise, but remember Starrett bought Athol so that one is very old. I would expect the screw to have some backlash but that is likely at the screw head to where it goes through the dynamic jaw, so watch for it at the head as a gap that grows or shrinks under the head. shimming the head is easy. A lot of backlash on the threads, not so easy...

 

[1982fxr]

If there is nothing wrong with it it is stronger than any 60 dollar new vise on the market

 

[bluebolt]

When you look at it screw the dyamic jaw all the way out and check the Acme thread for condition. Use a flashlight to check the main nut for damage. I learned this the hard way, one vise the screw was severly rusted, the other the main nut was broken and worn out.

 

[drivesitfar]

$60 seems like a very fair price for an old US made vise. since it is mounted very nicely on the table I wouldn't be too worried about the vise being abused by the current owner, but i'm pretty certain this isn't the original owner by the age so the inspections mentioned by the other members would be wise.

maybe if the vise checks out the owner will let you take the table it's mounted on if you have a space for it?

good luck

 

[Steevo]

Look very closely at the area circled in my copy of your picture below when you go to see the vise.
It appears to be repaired.

Here is a shot of my Athol of the same vintage:

Note that there is a well-defined line where the angle changes as the jaw merges into the slide. The one you posted appears to have a rough finish there.

 

[Zeke]

60 is not a bad price if you are looking to buy an antique and an antique it is because that vise is over 100 years old.

 

[KMScott]

I agree with you Steevo, after looking more closely, if repaired then good for parts only or very light duty.

 

[Outlawmws]

I think Steevo may be onto something there:

A closer look:

 

[drivesitfar]

Steevo you might be correct, but since it's 100 year old vise could it maybe be a bad casting? if he pulled out the dynamic jaw out all the way and shined a bright light on the inside of that area where the screw is wouldn't he be able to see if repaired/welded or if it is just a flaw in the original casting?

I'd still go to check it out to see if it was a repair or not because $60 for 100 year old US vises don't come up everyday. i'm surprised that it isn't already gone while we are talking about it if it's on Craigs or is this a private party deal?

 

[Steevo]

Steevo you might be correct, but since it's 100 year old vise could it maybe be a bad casting? if he pulled out the dynamic jaw out all the way and shined a bright light on the inside of that area where the screw is wouldn't he be able to see if repaired/welded or if it is just a flaw in the original casting?

I'd still go to check it out to see if it was a repair or not because $60 for 100 year old US vises don't come up everyday. i'm surprised that it isn't already gone while we are talking about it if it's on Craigs or is this a private party deal?

Yes, that was my point. Take the slide out and inspect for old repair.
If repaired by welding in that area, it isn't a vise, it is a clamp.

 

[drivesitfar]

Agreed

 

[Lombie]

Look very closely at the area circled in my copy of your picture below when you go to see the vise.
It appears to be repaired.

Here is a shot of my Athol of the same vintage:

Note that there is a well-defined line where the angle changes as the jaw merges into the slide. The one you posted appears to have a rough finish there.

What an eye, Steevo! Nice catch. :thumb up: The vise had been previously welded from a through-and-through break where the dynamic jaw meets the slide.

If I understand correctly, even a great weld renders this vise useless, correct?

-Lombie

 

[bluebolt]

What an eye, Steevo! Nice catch. :thumb up: The vise had been previously welded from a through-and-through break where the dynamic jaw meets the slide.

If I understand correctly, even a great weld renders this vise useless, correct?

-Lombie

It's not useless but greatly hurts the value. A true collector is not really interested and I would have to be careful using that vise. Probably still stronger than a chinese vise. I would probably pay $20 for that vise tops.

 

[Outlawmws]

Am I seeing the colors right, and that is brazing? (Brass Filler)

As to usefulness, depends on how well it was repaired. Is it worth what an unbroken un-repaired vise is? no way; can you expect it to have the same strength, even with a good repair? No.

Is it useless? if the repair was done well no, not totally, but not a great deal more that what Steevo said: Its a clamp, maybe a bit more, but not more than a vise shaped object. (and priced accordingly)