Athol 630 Swivel Jaw & Base Vise Info Request

[rocket29]

I am new to the Garage Forum. Hopefully the vintage vise experts can help.

I acquired a nice Athol Model 630 vise about 10 years ago at an estate sale. I'm not a collector and had never seen a swivel jaw vise, so I purchased it. I don't remember what I paid for it but it was probably less than $50.00.

I haven't done much with it since then, since I already have two nice Chas. Parker swivel vises in my shop. I recently pulled it from storage and started some research to decide if I will sell it. My internet research on the Athol Model 630 came up with zero info. No discussions, comments or sales. It seems that this may be a rare model having both swivel jaw AND base. I believe Athol vises became Starrett.

I have posted photos below. As you can see, it is in good condition with the original dark finish. It is marked with Athol Mach, and "630". On the movable jaw it is marked "708", The base is marked "PAT SEPT 3 1912". The jaws are 4" wide and opens to approx. 5". It weighs about 55 lbs.

Can anyone offer information on this vise? Age? Is it rare? Current market value? Should I restore or leave in its current unrestored condition?

Thank You, rocket29

 

[rocket29]

Sorry. Photos did not load. Can someone explain how to load photos? I tried "attach files" and "insert image". Is there a file size limit?

Thanks, rocket29

 

[RTM]

Definitely a file size limit. Might be a minimum number of posts required too. But don't create junk posts, will get you in trouble w MGMT

 

[SweetD]

Sent you a PM.

 

[SweetD]

Here are the Athol pics from rocket29.

 

[rocket29]

I was hoping the vise experts could offer some information on my Athol 630 swivel jaw vise. I found some old Athol catalog pages posted on the GF but none mention the Model 630.
Thank You, rocket29

 

[Oregon rock crusher]

I'm not sure this helps much but here is a chart of Athol old model numbers with the new numbers on the right. Low resolution but I believe I see that the old model 644 became the new model 630. The charts....Searching model 644 does get a few hits that look right. Ed.

 

[rocket29]

Oregon rock crusher. Thanks for your post with the Athol Vise info. I found an old Channon Company catalog cut sheet with the dimensions and weight of the Athol 644 and it matches exactly to my model 630. It makes sense that they changed the model numbers but why was the 630 was never shown in a cataloge? We may never know.

Can you take a guess when the 630 was manufactured? Also, I am considering selling this vise. Do you have an idea of the current market value?

Thank You, rocket29

 

[Oregon rock crusher]

I think the old Athol vise numbers were in use at least through the end of WW2. Could even be a bit after that? Probably why the new numbers such as on your Athol are less common. Value is subjective and regional. In my area I have found quite a few swivel jaw vises in the 4"-5" range over the last 15 years or so. The ones I bought averaged about $100-$150. Most I had paid until recently was $225 and it was for a Reed 405-1/2 that was really nice. I find most of my vises at swap meets or on CL. I did see a super clean 4" Rock Island swivel jaw last weekend in a coastal antique shop priced at $250. It's still there. I am sure e-bay brings better prices with their national auctions and that may be driving overall prices higher but that's my experience. Prices in your area may be different.

 

[Roberts210]

Shipping 55 pounds of vise will be expensive. Unfortunately that limits the market for your wonderful vise. Rocket, where are you located? Your location will play a part in the value of your vise. However... if you can ship through Fastenal you can save a bundle. You'll have to build a box for it, and take it to your local Fastenal store. The buyer will have to pick it up at a Fastenal store near him. And there is another glitch--Fastenal has two shipping areas--the West area and the East area. They won't ship between West and East. The Eastern territory is greater than the Western territory. If you look at the Fastenal website it will explain the shipping protocol. I shipped a Milwaukee floor jack that probably weighed 80-90 pounds for very little through Fastenal. Once they accept your box they will put it on a Fastenal truck and route it to whatever Fastenal store you pick. Heavy items are their specialty, but you have to build a good box for it.