Columbian Vise - any good?

[Purist]

I’ve had this front vise installed on my workbench for years, but now that I’ve taken the bench apart in preparation for selling it, I decided to do some research on the vise. I’ve seen some people restore similar Columbian vises, but I’m not sure if I have anything unique or special here, or if it’s simply “just another” vise. Anyone have any input?

 

[454ragtop]

You've had it installed on your bench for years and you're asking us if it's any good? Strange.

 

[ReggieR]

It sho is a purty one........

 

[wyattstihl]

Ive got a Columbian bench vise, IMO its a complete piece of garbage. Shame its stamped “Made in USA”. I dont know about yours.



Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Leaflessshadetree]

Any good? It's the best part of that whole bench.
That style is nice for woodworking. I haven't seen many with handles like that.

 

[jonshonda]

Ive got a Columbian bench vise, IMO its a complete piece of garbage. Shame its stamped “Made in USA”. I dont know about yours.

You simply cannot mount a vise using that kind of hardware and in the same breath talk about its' poor quality.

 

[wyattstihl]

You simply cannot mount a vise using that kind of hardware and in the same breath talk about its' poor quality.

Its not the mounting hardware thats the problem, at all. Its the screw to stop its spinning that strips under ANY load, and the wobble all around from the base to the rotating head.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Yukon Joe]

You simply cannot mount a vise using that kind of hardware and in the same breath talk about its' poor quality.

I've got the same vise, mounted with 1/2" hardware. Still experience the same issues identified about. The mechanism used to keep the vice from rotation easily stripped. The vise is practically useless since it will swivel with as little force used to hacksaw a piece of plastic.

Sent from my SM-G965U using Tapatalk

 

[Purist]

You've had it installed on your bench for years and you're asking us if it's any good? Strange.

Correct. I haven't had any real reasons to use it. I don't work with wood, I'm not the handiest guy. I do work on the vehicles in my household, but haven't needed a vice in the automotive-realm in the time I've had the bench/vise.

 

[Purist]

It sho is a purty one........

Agreed! Just not sure if it's something that has any value or if it's even worth refinishing.

Again, I probably won't use it all that often, but would still like some educated opinions.

 

[Purist]

Any good? It's the best part of that whole bench.
That style is nice for woodworking. I haven't seen many with handles like that.

Don't knock the bench! It may not look great, but it's pretty goddamn solid. Came from a high school wood shop where my father-in-law works.

And the Milwaukee ratchet is a damn useful tool. Wish I would have purchased it long before I did. I am continually finding any excuse to use it!

 

[Purist]

You've had it installed on your bench for years and you're asking us if it's any good? Strange.

Additionally, when I was asking if it was any good, I was alluding to the quality/value of it. Obviously I know if it works well or not, having used it a few times for various tasks. I want to know if it's something that has value and that people might be willing to pay for assuming I decide to sell it.

Sorry if that wasn't clear enough in my original post.

 

[larryq]

Additionally, when I was asking if it was any good, I was alluding to the quality/value of it. Obviously I know if it works well or not, having used it a few times for various tasks. I want to know if it's something that has value and that people might be willing to pay for assuming I decide to sell it.

Sorry if that wasn't clear enough in my original post.

That Columbian is a classic, a very nicely made woodworking vise and well worth keeping.

 

[knobby]

You simply cannot mount a vise using that kind of hardware and in the same breath talk about its' poor quality.

Never mind that it is mounted way deep.
Conventional wisdom would have a vise mounted so that a item like a vertical pipe would clear the bench. JS.

 

[1982fxr]

Ive got a Columbian bench vise, IMO its a complete piece of garbage. Shame its stamped “Made in USA”. I dont know about yours.



Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Where is it stamped Made in USA?

 

[wyattstihl]

Where is it stamped Made in USA?

Not a stamp but you get what im trying to say.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[1982fxr]

Yeah. I’m surprised I thought the small base crappy versions of those were all china. That style Colombian channel vise used to be pretty decent but they cheaped it out until it became garbage. Then obviously shipped production to China.

 

[Yukon Joe]

Yeah. I’m surprised I thought the small base crappy versions of those were all china. That style Colombian channel vise used to be pretty decent but they cheaped it out until it became garbage. Then obviously shipped production to China.

The stamp was probably made in China too!

I need a suitable replacement that won't brake the bank, I'm in a rental, and it will probably stay when I leave. Any suggestions?

Sent from my SM-G965U using Tapatalk

 

[1982fxr]

What’s your location?

Members all over the country, someone might be near with a spare...

Too many good ol brands to list

 

[MayerMR]

Additionally, when I was asking if it was any good, I was alluding to the quality/value of it. Obviously I know if it works well or not, having used it a few times for various tasks. I want to know if it's something that has value and that people might be willing to pay for assuming I decide to sell it.

Sorry if that wasn't clear enough in my original post.

I've actually been looking for one of those older columbian woodworking vises. Let me know if you'd be interested in trading for a nice old Prentiss Bulldog or Desmond-Simplex benchtop vise.

 

[Yukon Joe]

What’s your location?

Members all over the country, someone might be near with a spare...

Too many good ol brands to list

North Carolina, wilmington

Sent from my SM-G965U using Tapatalk

 

[1982fxr]

I would say start a thread call it looking for a vise in (whichever) part of NC that is in.

Anything on Craigslist ?

 

[Purist]

I've actually been looking for one of those older columbian woodworking vises. Let me know if you'd be interested in trading for a nice old Prentiss Bulldog or Desmond-Simplex benchtop vise.

PM'd you!