Chas Parker Vise - How much is it worth?

[afeef745]

Being offered locally. I am not sure how much this vise is worth, so I can make a reasonable offer on this. Jaw size appears to be about 3.5 or 4 inches. That's pretty much all I know about this vise so far.

Thanks in advance!

P.S: That black area I censored is trying to cover identifiable info from seller.

 

[IndyGarage]

Well it would cost upwards of $500 to get a new one that good, assuming nothing is wrong with it.

I personally prefer the fixed base vises. I have a Parker pretty similar fixed base that is 4 1/2 and I'd probably expect to pay $100 - 125 for that one. They are good vises.

 

[Professional Tool User]

I personally wouldn't pay more than $50-$80 tops for an used 4" or less wide opening vice that isn't made in a third world country. Also, I would see if there are any options besides Chas Parker. As long as there is nothing wrong with vice jaw plates, it is worth considering. Otherwise, the Chas parker vices are one of the ones where replacement vice jaw plates may have to be custom made.

 

[Packard V8]

If the jaws are sound, that's a $125 - 150 vise around here.

FWIW, a 4" Parker is my daily user vise in the basement shop. There are few better.

jack vines

 

[DFB]

What is it a 973?


I have two Charles Parker a 973 and a 953 both were only about $50-60 used. I usually never pay much over that for any of my vises.

The 973 still has most the original paint too.

Does have the wrench which is important. If you really wanted it bad I say $100 tops for a 3.5

If its a 974 in good shape well certainly be worth a bit more and maybe $125 be my top bid

 

[afeef745]

Thanks a lot guys. Appreciate the time and effort!

 

[FMC1959]

What is it a 973?


I have two Charles Parker a 973 and a 953 both were only about $50-60 used. I usually never pay much over that for any of my vises.

The 973 still has most the original paint too.

Does have the wrench which is important. If you really wanted it bad I say $100 tops for a 3.5

If its a 974 in good shape well certainly be worth a bit more and maybe $125 be my top bid

CP had many model lines. The 970 series has a swivel base, the 950 series is a stationary base. The 3 in 973 signifies 3" jaws as a 975 would be 5" jaws.

As stated at the outset, CP had many different lines over the years, previous generations, the last digit was just a model number and did NOT represent the jaw size....so depends the series you are talking about.

 

[FMC1959]

Being offered locally. I am not sure how much this vise is worth, so I can make a reasonable offer on this. Jaw size appears to be about 3.5 or 4 inches. That's pretty much all I know about this vise so far.

Thanks in advance!

P.S: That black area I censored is trying to cover identifiable info from seller.

Depends.....if that is a 4", that is most likely a 974, which is one of the most common sizes. So depending on where you live, how many old vises you can find on Craig's list, and so on, a 974 can be easily had in the $40-$50 range. In other areas (markets) a 974 (or similar Reed 104/204), you would be lucky to find one for under $100.

You will need to do your homework on what the market is like in your are, meaning about a 50-75 mile radius. Sometimes, willing to drive a couple of hours can give you big savings, as well a more choice.

Also to consider is how much you are willing to pay, meaning if this is a desirable vise, how long before you see another quality vise in your immediate area.

Lastly, check eBay, sometimes there can be some decent deals with not so bad shipping.

 

[afeef745]

Depends.....if that is a 4", that is most likely a 974, which is one of the most common sizes. So depending on where you live, how many old vises you can find on Craig's list, and so on, a 974 can be easily had in the $40-$50 range. In other areas (markets) a 974 (or similar Reed 104/204), you would be lucky to find one for under $100.

You will need to do your homework on what the market is like in your are, meaning about a 50-75 mile radius. Sometimes, willing to drive a couple of hours can give you big savings, as well a more choice.

Also to consider is how much you are willing to pay, meaning if this is a desirable vise, how long before you see another quality vise in your immediate area.

Lastly, check eBay, sometimes there can be some decent deals with not so bad shipping.

Thanks for the info. I will look around on Craigslist and similar websites. How does this vise rank among the wide range of vise manufacturers out there? I have couple of Wilton vises and an unmarked old crappy one btw.

 

[DFB]

Thanks for the info. I will look around on Craigslist and similar websites. How does this vise rank among the wide range of vise manufacturers out there? I have couple of Wilton vises and an unmarked old crappy one btw.

I think the Charles Parker are really nice vises I also have several Athols, a Reed, Starrett and a few others


There was no photo of the other side?

 

[afeef745]

I think the Charles Parker are really nice vises I also have several Athols, a Reed, Starrett and a few others


There was no photo of the other side?

Sadly, no. Like 4 pics of the same side.

 

[FMC1959]

Thanks for the info. I will look around on Craigslist and similar websites. How does this vise rank among the wide range of vise manufacturers out there? I have couple of Wilton vises and an unmarked old crappy one btw.

I think the Charles Parker are really nice vises I also have several Athols, a Reed, Starrett and a few others
.....

CP is up there with the better or best vises, in my opinion. The 973 is their "Eclipse" series, which are excellent, but their "Superior" series eclipses the Eclipse ; they are heftier and more solidly built (not by much but enough to make them about the heaviest in any given jaw size of all vises).

DFB mentions 3 vises, Athols, Reed, & Starrett; these could be the 3 best vises for heft, machine tolerances and overall top of the line quality vises ever made in the USA. CP is very close, and some would say as good or better.

If you get the pictured CP, or Reed, Athol, Starrett, as well as a few others like Holland, Prentiss (no crack on the slide), Desmond Stephens/Ridge Tool to name a few and you've got as good a vise as you can get and a great piece of history

 

[ale]

My latest addition.