Cracked Slide on Vise

[Southern Forester]

I've got a guy offering me a 5" Yost (It's an older American and I'm looking for something for my son,l who'se 12) and it's in great overall shape, no bends, welds, or repairs. But, it has a crack down the center of the slide at the end that runs perhaps two inches. I've seen it from time to time on vises. How does that affect the value of a vise? I know it would likely make removing the slide tough and probably as a result reduces how far out you can run it.

Or, lacking a monetary answer as I haven't any photos to share, how does that crack effect the desirability of such a vise?

 

[jimreed2160]

Welcome to GJ--AKA, Viseland. If you search for "cracked slide" you can read the results for days. Check out the Vise Repair thread. The short version is that unless it wiggles, the crack is probably stable and does not pose a threat to use. It is probably the result of abuse. A cracked slide will affect price--good if you are a buyer and bad if you are a seller.

As said, there are many posts on repairs. JB Weld gives you a cosmetic repair--welding gives you a permanent fix. One is easy and the other is not.

If the price is right, then turn your 12 yo loose with this thing. If nothing else, it will be a good learning tool. Be sure to teach him shop safety.

 

[jakemac]

Whether you repair the slide or not, you should drill a small hole just past the end of the crack to make sure it doesn't continue. It may be stable now, but that could change later.

A crack in the slide doesn't always mean the vise was abused. Drastic temperature swings in a vise with a minor flaw in the cast can also result in a crack. Some brands, like Prentiss, are prone to cracked slides, simply due to the construction and design.

If you decide to do a repair, brazing would be better than welding. With either method, the part should be pre-heated in an oven first.

 

[G-ManBart]

I've had good luck welding slides, and so have other folks, so don't be afraid to go that route if you're less familiar with brazing.

As far as value goes, any significant damage really ruins the value of the vise. I got a Reed 105 with a cracked slide for about $10 (bundled it with another vise and a grinder stand) that was in good condition other than the crack.

I know location and supply drives local vise prices, but generally speaking, something like a 5" Yost with a cracked slide wouldn't bring $50 around here.

Here's a recent post with a good description of a crack repair done really well.
http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showpost.php?p=6419545&postcount=4242

 

[1982fxr]

A crack like that kills the price...

 

[Farmall450]

It's not a big deal IMO. As others have mentioned it shouldn't pose a threat and they're relatively easy to repair. I'll post some pictures when I weld up a reed in similar condition.

 

[BrettJ74]

I was going to reference A repair I recently did but Bart beat me to it, thanks for the praise as well . I was apprehensive at first but the repair went really well and fairly straightforward. I say "just do it"

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