Columbian 604 M2

[becampn]

Looking at a Columbian 604 M2. Guy claims its in like new condition as well as the jaws. These are the only picks he could send. $100 is the lowest he'll go. He's throwing in the smaller vice too. What are your thoughts?

 

[MayerMR]

Another good deal. Newer Columbian. The toss-in vise isn't worth too much. But you could list it for $20 and it'd be an $80 swiveler.

Congratulations on being infected with the vise sickness. You'll have at least 20 by the end of 2019. There is no cure.

 

[becampn]

Okay thanks MayerMR. How could you tell it was newer? The way its labled or the model? When you say newer would this vise have been made after Wilton purchased Columbian?

 

[1982fxr]

Definitely worth $100

 

[becampn]

Well Picked up the Columbian 604 M2 Swivle base and a Columbian 1035 this evening. Both are in almost perfect condition except the seller thought a fresh coat of primer would up the value of the 604. Doesn't matter as its all coming off. $100 total for both. My daughter is really getting into her wood shop class at school so I will have her clean that one up to use for woodworking. I think I'm done with vises for the time being. Until I buy the next one.

 

[MayerMR]

Okay thanks MayerMR. How could you tell it was newer? The way its labled or the model? When you say newer would this vise have been made after Wilton purchased Columbian?

I could be wrong, but I'm going mainly from just a base-knowledge of the progression of the Columbian vise body shapes. Shotgunning from the hip, I'd guess your first one is somewhere in the 40's where the 604 is somewhere between between the late-'50s into the '60s.

Well Picked up the Columbian 604 M2 Swivle base and a Columbian 1035 this evening. Both are in almost perfect condition except the seller thought a fresh coat of primer would up the value of the 604. Doesn't matter as its all coming off. $100 total for both. My daughter is really getting into her wood shop class at school so I will have her clean that one up to use for woodworking. I think I'm done with vises for the time being. Until I buy the next one.

Nice pick-up, both are nice vises. And you made me chuckle with your "done with vises" comment. Good luck with that.

 

[becampn]

Thanks for the date explication. You guys have all been a big help and I really appreciate everone who has commented. You are all a wealth of knowledge. I love the three vises and have a new hobbie. Didn't need more hobbies/projects but life would be boring without them.

 

[MayerMR]

Thanks for the date explication. You guys have all been a big help and I really appreciate everone who has commented. You are all a wealth of knowledge. I love the three vises and have a new hobbie. Didn't need more hobbies/projects but life would be boring without them.

That's the spirit!

And with that, just the final nail in the coffin, I introduce you to:

The Vises of Garage Journal Mega Thread

VISE REPAIR 101 Thread

The Vise Info Thread

Look forward to seeing you around those threads. And don't worry about that first one having over 3400 pages...it's a safe place for those with the sickness

 

[1982fxr]

On the new one, and I’m guessing too, I think they still made that exact vise until about a year ago...

They had them on the website, which is now almost empty as if they are killing the Colombian line...?

 

[larryq]

Congrats on the Columbian score, looks to be a nice one. I'm sure your daughter will love the little red vise as well.

Next step? Figuring out how to, ah, solve your import bench grinder problem in the rear of photo #3 (paging Dr. block grinder?)

 

[gilbo]

Well Picked up the Columbian 604 M2 Swivle base and a Columbian 1035 this evening. Both are in almost perfect condition except the seller thought a fresh coat of primer would up the value of the 604. Doesn't matter as its all coming off. $100 total for both. My daughter is really getting into her wood shop class at school so I will have her clean that one up to use for woodworking. I think I'm done with vises for the time being. Until I buy the next one.

Nice find, now you can add another back burner project to your long list and strip it down and repaint it.

 

[becampn]

Well she's back to being pretty again. The jaws are like new but they are smooth not diamond cut. Not sure if I will like that. Next up is paint, grease and Linseed oil.

 

[MayerMR]

Well she's back to being pretty again. The jaws are like new but they are smooth not diamond cut. Not sure if I will like that. Next up is paint, grease and Linseed oil.

I think you'll learn that you like the smooth jaws a lot. It looks great btw!

PS, how many vises have you thought about buying since your last post?

 

[becampn]

I won't lie. I've checked Craigslist and Facebook Market place a few times. Just to make sure I didn't miss any new vise postings. I will say that I preferred wire brushing the rusty vise vs the painted vise. The paint melts from the brush and takes quite a long time to brush off.

 

[thin_concrete]

I won't lie. I've checked Craigslist and Facebook Market place a few times. Just to make sure I didn't miss any new vise postings. I will say that I preferred wire brushing the rusty vise vs the painted vise. The paint melts from the brush and takes quite a long time to brush off.

Yeah - I’d take rust over paint any day of the week. What color are you going to paint it?

 

[MayerMR]

I won't lie. I've checked Craigslist and Facebook Market place a few times. Just to make sure I didn't miss any new vise postings. I will say that I preferred wire brushing the rusty vise vs the painted vise. The paint melts from the brush and takes quite a long time to brush off.

Next time drop it in a bucket of Pinesol overnight and the paint will come up with a wire brush pretty easily.

 

[becampn]

Finished product.

 

[ken w.]

Nice job on those.

 

[MayerMR]

Finished product.

Looks great. Love the color.

 

[thin_concrete]

Looks good!

 

[rsw81]

Beautiful vises, daughter is one lucky girl. Where does one find the M marking on a Columbian vise? I'm looking at a 604 1/2 and the seller says there are no M markings on it (not sure that's good or bad.)