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First vise - 4 options, help me choose?

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OSULemon

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I'm going to see a guy on Craigslist who is selling four different vises. From looking at the links below, which vise or combination of vises would be a decent deal? If I can get away with just one, that would be great. But since I'm on vacation, and there's no vises for sale where I live, if the consesus is that I should pick up two or even three...?

Yes, I read the vise threads and guides first.

Reed 3":
http://minneapolis.craigslist.org/hnp/tls/3982168640.html

Wilton 4":
http://minneapolis.craigslist.org/hnp/tls/3982148241.html

Morgan 5":
http://minneapolis.craigslist.org/hnp/tls/3981745995.html

Columbian 6"
http://minneapolis.craigslist.org/hnp/tls/3981678134.html


Seems like the Wilton would be a good value (especially for the "wilton" premium). I love that Columbian, but I feel like over $2.00/lb is too much, even for that condition.

Thoughts?
 
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CNGsaves

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+1 that the Wilton is sweet spot on price and functionality at $75 for 4" swivel vise.

That price on 6" Columbian at $250 (that is WITHOUT the swivel base) is just plain crazy . . . .
. . . . CL seller's been smoking too much MaryJane!! :willy_nil
 
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purplezr2

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That seller wants to much in my opinion. Did you see that nice 75 dollar Wilton that sold yesterday. Missed it by minutes.
 
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OSULemon

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Davefr

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OSULemon

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Davefr said:
The Wilton looks like a good usable vise with decent jaws and a swivel base. It's not overpriced IMHO.



No way. It has more holes in it then a piece of swiss cheese!!
Click to expand...

Oh wow, how did I miss that?

I think the Wilton is a good enough price for me to go ahead and snag it. That way I'll at least have a vise, and I can figure out what I might want in the future.
 
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1982fxr

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Best "deal" looks like the Wilton. Try to get that and the Reed for $100, or try to get him down to 60 on the Wilton. How heavy of stuff are you working on?
 
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OSULemon

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1982fxr said:
Best "deal" looks like the Wilton. Try to get that and the Reed for $100, or try to get him down to 60 on the Wilton. How heavy of stuff are you working on?
Click to expand...

Right now? Motorcycle stuff. Not really heavy. Future? Trying to build a small dune buggy/sand rail/desert kart out of 1.5" DOM tubing. Might have to upgrade when I get going on that.
 
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Flatland Dave

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OSULemon said:
Right now? Motorcycle stuff. Not really heavy. Future? Trying to build a small dune buggy/sand rail/desert kart out of 1.5" DOM tubing. Might have to upgrade when I get going on that.
Click to expand...

You won't have to upgrade then.

The Wilton looks to be the best value of the ones you list.
 
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1982fxr

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OSULemon said:
Right now? Motorcycle stuff. Not really heavy. Future? Trying to build a small dune buggy/sand rail/desert kart out of 1.5" DOM tubing. Might have to upgrade when I get going on that.
Click to expand...

ok then, just grab the Wilton and be done with it. It's not a spectacular vise, but it will serve your needs. The cast in pipe jaws and anvil are nice to have, even if you rarely needs them. Still try to get him down to 60:beer:
 
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EOC_Jason

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The 6" Columbian looks pretty well used. It would probably be too big to use for everyday stuff. If you could talk them down to $175-$200 range it might be a keeper. It looks like someone did a custom swivel pin thing on the bottom. It does have 3 mounting holes so you could just remove that center pin or grind it off...

The 5" morgan looks iffy around and the end of the slide / dynamic jaw area. I know it says no repairs or welds but it just looks like something bad is hiding underneath the paint. But 5" is a good working size...

The first reed has a broken slide... pass

The 3" Reed is supposed to have the hole in the side of the slide (to oil it) and in the end of the dynamic jaw (to oil the handle). But for $110 it is way overpriced.

The 4" wilton is just a regular shop vise. It is probably the one I would pick out of the bunch too if I needed a vise for general use.
 
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OSULemon

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EOC_Jason said:
The 6" Columbian looks pretty well used. It would probably be too big to use for everyday stuff. If you could talk them down to $175-$200 range it might be a keeper. It looks like someone did a custom swivel pin thing on the bottom. It does have 3 mounting holes so you could just remove that center pin or grind it off...

The 5" morgan looks iffy around and the end of the slide / dynamic jaw area. I know it says no repairs or welds but it just looks like something bad is hiding underneath the paint. But 5" is a good working size...

The first reed has a broken slide... pass

The 3" Reed is supposed to have the hole in the side of the slide (to oil it) and in the end of the dynamic jaw (to oil the handle). But for $110 it is way overpriced.

The 4" wilton is just a regular shop vise. It is probably the one I would pick out of the bunch too if I needed a vise for general use.
Click to expand...

It was also the one I was most surprised not to be overpriced.
 
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Zrexxer

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The Reed has a broken slide. Pass.

The Wilton is one of their economy models, before they offshored them. It's not the Wilton that they made their name on. In fact, I suspect that model is cast iron rather than ductile iron.

The Morgan is the best of the lot, but overpriced.

And the Columbian is a beast, but WAY overpriced.
 
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Nick_Wa

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There is a Wilton bullit style on there for 75$, buy that! Search for "Vise" on Duluth craigslist and it will be the one for $75 in w. St. Paul. I'd grab it if I could!

Sent from a Galaxy Nexus in Canada.
 
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1982fxr

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don't know your budget, and this is a chinese wilton but not a bad vise if only for light/medium use. Just throwing it out there because none of the vises listed are very good deals imo

http://www.toolorbit.com/Wilton/Wilton-69999.html?gclid=CM7D46uM-7gCFeV7Qgod5Q4ASg

or just buy the old wilton, use it, wait til something better comes along, ****** it up and unload the ol wilton for $40-75, maybe $100 if you do a nice refurb on it...
 
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EOC_Jason

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OSULemon said:
It was also the one I was most surprised not to be overpriced.
Click to expand...

It's not a Wilton "Bullet" (aka their high-end machinist vise). I would equate it closer to the common Craftsman garage vises that you see so many of. Those are usually the $20 garage sale finds that the lucky few manage to get.

I would still try to talk them down from that price though... ;)
 
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OSULemon

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cclfn

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OSULemon said:
It's sold. ****.
Click to expand...

That is too bad but I would pass on all three of the other vises you were looking at. You could get a older USA Craftsman that would be better than the import Wilson for a lot less money.

I would do that and keep an eye out to upgrade to a nice old American while using the cheap USA craftsman.

That's my 2/10 of a $
 
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OSULemon

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cclfn said:
That is too bad but I would pass on all three of the other vises you were looking at. You could get a older USA Craftsman that would be better than the import Wilson for a lot less money.

I would do that and keep an eye out to upgrade to a nice old American while using the cheap USA craftsman.

That's my 2/10 of a $
Click to expand...

I appreciate it. I don't have an immediate need for a vise, so I've got time to keep looking.
 
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