Athol and Wilton vise's

[Mt Goat]

I recently bought an Athol 723 1/2 A vise and have looked around the internet to find more info on this vise and cant seem to find much. Can anyone share any info on this vise....

Also I ran into a guy over the weekend that had an older Wilton 400 in near mint contidtion. I asked if he'd be willing to sell it and he threw out a price of $200 on it. I only had $160 on me so i told hom id ne back on saturday......any optinion on the $200 price ??? It was clean and tight and worked perfectly.

 

[Shelbylex]

200 is not a bad price for near mint Wilton - they go for more in great condition on ebay. It all depends, though, if you want a ready made product and you want it now.
You can get better price with some luck: I just missed a nice Wilton bullet vise in a mint condition on Craigslist 2 weeks ago for $100 from Middleton, MA. It was gone within 2 hours (bad luck - shut down the computer, went for a walk, decided to recheck CL in 2 hours and already was late to buy it).

If you have time and desire to make your own - you can save a lot of money at the expense of work and find one you want to restore. Look through several vise posts on GJ - you will be amazed what some of the members are doing during restoration of Wiltons!

 

[exmaxima1]

Depends on what version the Wilton is. I wouldn't want the Pat Pending or early Chicago-made versions, as they are lighter in weight and not as strong. Schiller Park versions are bigger (I have a 70's model on my bench at home), and the latest versions are really sturdy and worth $200.

 

[Mt Goat]

If i could find a good deal on a vise that needs work id buy it...not against a fun project. The guy that owed the Wilton 400 is an old machinist tool guy and the vise is his personal vise, he said its an older but mint like new he was firm firm firm on the price didnt really want to sell it but said he would for the $200 price.

Im putting together a hobby welding and blacksmith shop for me and my two sons so plan on getting a few vises. Got a nice 5 1/2 inch post/leg vise, and the Athol 723 1/2 A , 3 1/2 inch bench vise but plan on buying a couple more. I have a couple welding tables and a work bench so want a vise in each work area.......

Anyway no feed back on the Athol 723 1/2 A ??? I see Athol made several 3 1/2 vises curious how mine compares to other Athol vise etc.... i pick it for $120

 

[KMScott]

If i could find a good deal on a vise that needs work id buy it...not against a fun project. The guy that owed the Wilton 400 is an old machinist tool guy and the vise is his personal vise, he said its an older but mint like new he was firm firm firm on the price didnt really want to sell it but said he would for the $200 price.

Im putting together a hobby welding and blacksmith shop for me and my two sons so plan on getting a few vises. Got a nice 5 1/2 inch post/leg vise, and the Athol 723 1/2 A , 3 1/2 inch bench vise but plan on buying a couple more. I have a couple welding tables and a work bench so want a vise in each work area.......

Anyway no feed back on the Athol 723 1/2 A ??? I see Athol made several 3 1/2 vises curious how mine compares to other Athol vise etc.... i pick it for $120

I would like to see a couple picture's of your Athol. If you could weight it and add the max opening then I can add it to the Spreadsheet. Pretty rare vise.

Scroll below the post you are writing and you will see a Manage Attachments box so you can add the pic:s.

 

[Mt Goat]

Heres some pictures of my Athol 723 1/2 A vise.....ill post more too

 

[MayerMR]

That is a really neat little vise! I've got a 624 1/2 Athol and that ****** is a lot heavier than one would think. I've found the best way to move it is to bend over and lift with my back only, using quick and jerky motions...jkjk ;P

 

[Mt Goat]

Heres more.... the vise actually opened up to 7 inches not 6 1/2.....it has 3 mounting holes, if you notice the handle is mounted to one side only it doesnt slide.

I havent weighed it yet but will.

Over all its a nice tight vise that operates nice and smoothly.

 

[Mt Goat]

Would you guys pay $400 for an Athol 626 6-6

 

[KMScott]

MT, I do not know if you seen these vises work but it has is a ratcheting handle, the handle should be spring loaded so you can position it where you want. I have a couple of them and they are pretty nice vises. Thanks for the spec:s and pic:s.

 

[Mt Goat]

I have an opertunity to buy an Athol 626 6-6 for $400.... im told it weighs 175 lbs , but not sure if thats a good price or still high.... ive seen a couple others priced in the $550-$650 range but let be real some people are pricing high on vises and anvils right now....so not sure if $400 is good price or not ???

 

[Mt Goat]

Heres a picture of the Athol 626 it a super big vise. I offered $350 but hes firm at $400

 

[Mt Goat]

KMScott, yes its spring loaded .....

 

[Maui]

Mt, at $400 that Athol 626 shouldn't have any obvious issues. Since the handle is badly bent, it suggests that somebody probably used a cheater pipe on it. I'd inspect it closely for cracks and damage before offering any amount of money for it.

 

[Mt Goat]

Thanks Maui !!! Other than pictures i havent seen it. The owner told me it in grare share opporates nicely no cracks etc... but i did notice the bent handle too but didnt think much into it but your right someone probably tightened it up pretty tight so looking it over closely would be a must.....all that said if it looks good other than the handle what would you put the value at ?

 

[Mt Goat]

KMScott you had asked about my vises weight too, and i forgot sorry.....anyway heres a photo of the vise on a house scale.....the weight is....35.7 lbs....

 

[KMScott]

KMScott you had asked about my vises weight too, and i forgot sorry.....anyway heres a photo of the vise on a house scale.....the weight is....35.7 lbs....

Thanks MT Goat. Recorded.

 

[Maui]

Mt, If it is not cracked or repaired, the swivel is in good shape, the jaws are in good usable condition, and the only issue is the bent handle (which can easily be corrected) then I would value this vise at $350.00.

Maui