Columbian Vice

[jbosh44x]

Hi guys, New posting to the board, but have been reading advice and suggestions for awhile. I am looking at purchasing a vice and found one on Craigslist. Sandblasted and repainted. The Vice is a Columbian 505M3. The seller started very high(around 300 dollars) and due to lack of interest Im guessing has been dropping the price. He has said he would sell for 60 dollars. I was just wanting to get opinions on if this was a good deal, or if I would be better off waiting. Appreciate any feedback. I posted the link below if you wanted to look at the pictures.

https://indianapolis.craigslist.org/tls/5992985841.html

 

[Maui]

I'd be surprised if it opens and closes smoothly since the slide is painted (normally they are left bare metal). The thickness of the paint could produce interference problems. Painting can hide a lot of flaws. Inspect this vise closely for cracks or repairs. Note that the removable jaws are missing. If you can source or make a set of jaws, then $60 is a good deal for that vise.

 

[Bill Ramsey]

It appears there are no jaw inserts.

 

[WWShop]

I would pass. There are better vises out there, with jaw inserts, for $60. Just my opinion though.

 

[Tonellin]

You're gonna end up paying more just for new jaw inserts

 

[atikovi]

Columbian but made in USA? Maybe the title of the thread should be Miami Vice.

 

[IndyGarage]

Looks about like an old Columbian I have which I use frequently.

It also looks pretty worn like mine is. Mine is a 6 inch and opens to about a 12 inch opening. The problem is that it's real loose and just doesn't grab the way I like a vise to. You can lean on the handle real hard and it will hold tight, but then you put a lot of pressure on whatever you are grabbing. I'm not sure if it's the brand or the particular vise I have.

I have a Parker 4 1/2 inch of the same vintage that came out of the same factory that is a much better vise. Perhaps it didn't get the same use or abuse, but I personally would hold out for a Parker or a Reed. They come up periodically in Indy.

I also use my Jawhorse way more than any bench vise these days.

 

[Scout3918]

IndyGarage: I also use my Jawhorse way more than any bench vise these days.

sorry newb here. What is Jawhorse?

 

[IndyGarage]

old jawhorse review

http://www.toolsnob.com/archives/2009/01/rockwell_jawhorse_review.php

 

[jbosh44x]

Thanks!! Appreciate all of the input. I will probably pass and continue looking!

 

[exmaxima1]

It appears there are no jaw inserts.

I saw that too, but figured the seller had them off for painting. But then I saw the handle was painted as well----spray bomb. Run away.

 

[Scout3918]

old jawhorse review

http://www.toolsnob.com/archives/2009/01/rockwell_jawhorse_review.php

thank you

 

[Madrona]

When "pimp my vise" goes wrong...

 

[G-ManBart]

This Reed 104R is a much nicer vise, and is easily worth the $40 they're asking. The ad is old, but it says if the ad is up, the vise is for sale.

https://indianapolis.craigslist.org/tls/5992375585.html

 

[jbosh44x]

This Reed 104R is a much nicer vise, and is easily worth the $40 they're asking. The ad is old, but it says if the ad is up, the vise is for sale.

https://indianapolis.craigslist.org/tls/5992375585.html

I actually just emailed on that one. Thanks!

 

[IndyGarage]

I saw that too, but figured the seller had them off for painting. But then I saw the handle was painted as well----spray bomb. Run away.

You can't really damage it with paint - I wouldn't "run away" because of that.

 

[Maui]

Buy the Reed instead if it's in good working condition.

 

[exmaxima1]

You can't really damage it with paint - I wouldn't "run away" because of that.

Anyone that paints the handle just ruins it for me. And you have to think that it was all rusty if he was covering it all up with paint. If he provided before & after pics I would reconsider, like some ebay sellers do.

FWIW, a local seller had a Wilton that he spray bombed and it sat on CL for months. Later he wire wheeled it to bare metal and it sold in days.

 

[IndyGarage]

Anyone that paints the handle just ruins it for me. And you have to think that it was all rusty if he was covering it all up with paint. If he provided before & after pics I would reconsider, like some ebay sellers do.

FWIW, a local seller had a Wilton that he spray bombed and it sat on CL for months. Later he wire wheeled it to bare metal and it sold in days.

To each his own.

My vise isn't in a beauty contest, it gets used - that includes wire brushes hitting it, hammers bouncing off of it. sparks hitting it from a grinder, and all kinds of other regular beatings. When it looks real bad, I will wire wheel it off tape off the parts I don't want painted and shoot it with some Rustoleum Satin - then beat it again. It's been treated that way for 80 years and still going strong.

 

[1982fxr]

That handle also looks bent on the Columbian. And the top part of the slide looks like it's been through hell (under the paint). Looks darn well used overall.

I had that exact vise but better shape, cleaned and properly painted got $300 for it.

They are a good vise if not beat to ****...