First vise - How'd I do?

[drummingpariah]

On my small workbench is a sad old 2.5" vise that's been ogre-welded together enough times that you can't see the original surface around the base any more. It was given to me, so I can't really complain, but I've been looking for a real vise for awhile.

Today I happened to be poking around on craigslist and saw one for sale for "make an offer" so I did, then picked it up for $75. I'm probably going to clean it up a bit to get rid of the surface rust and repaint, and I thought there was a vise restoration thread somewhere ... but I can't find it now. Anyone have it bookmarked or know where to look?

It's not a fancy American or English like you guys have, but it seems pretty solid for a Chinese vise. It functions well (opens and closes smoothly, and swivels and locks securely) and weighs a fair amount (I'd estimate 50lbs?). Did I get a reasonable deal? Overpaid? I don't imagine it's worth a lot, but being able to trust that my vise will hold a piece of metal securely is worth the $75 alone.

 

[3xpendable]

I feel you over paid.

For a Chinese vice.
http://www.harborfreight.com/2-1-2-half-inch-table-swivel-vise-97160.html

Closer to what you paid
http://www.harborfreight.com/5-inch-multi-purpose-vise-67415.html

Sorry

 

[Pumpman1968]

I wouldn't have paid $75 for it, but, if it works and you use it on a regular basis then who cares what you paid for it. Besides, it will always have some value.........I bought a new car and it lost 30% of its value in a little over a month (and I paid a HELL of a lot more than $75 for it)

 

[bigcaddy]

Everybody has to pay for their education

You spent a bit much for that thing but if you needed a vise, it will do until another comes along

 

[Davefr]

Yes, that price was high but you bought yourself some time.

Now you have something that you can put to use while you start a gradual search for a quality USA vise. Contrary to some of the threads here, it can take a long time to score good quality tools/machinery at a good price.

 

[Junkman]

In life, there is happiness, and money. If you have lots of one, you don't have a lot of the other. Enjoy your life...........

 

[LG63]

I have that same vise with the exact same paint/plaster coating. I bought it 25 years ago at one of the original Sams Club stores. I think I gave $50 which is probably like $100 today and I have no regrets. You may have left a couple dollars on the table but I've paid more for less, so I say mount it up and don't look back.

 

[Zeke]

HF has those for $70 but with any sales tax and shipping....

You're covered but not by much.

 

[dmeadow]

I've got one exactly like that I bought at harbor freight about 15 years ago. I think I paid about $35 at that time.

The good news is that I've beat the snot out of it and it has lasted just fine. The bad news is that it is so crude and sloppy that I curse it every time I use it. I guess that means that it has lasted this long is really bad news because I can't justify replacing it 'till it breaks.

 

[G_P]

Hate to tell you but you overpaid big time.
Cummins comes around my town selling tools out of the back of a semi-trailer at the VFW post every year. I've gone there and they are tools that make Harbor Freight look like snap on.

 

[BFBOB]

Yep. There is a Cummins store here, and I went in eagerly only to find the only resemblance between them and the diesel engines is the name. 95% utter ****. BUT- if you looked the vise over and it looked good, you got the 5%. If it works well and does what you need, it's a good vise. Yeah, you probably could have gotten it for less, but now it's yours. Get to work!

 

[skinnymoose]

You over paid. Personally I don't mind over paying sometimes on a quality tool, because long after I forgot what I paid for it I still have a great tool. Chinese tools on the other hand..... I`ve regretted every purchase because long after I`ve forgotten how little I paid for it I still have a POS....Buy Quality Tools.

 

[70C-10]

I bought an 5" Olympia that looks the same & paid $27. I didn't get a great deal by any means but needed something

 

[countrytech]

Now what you do is take that sticker off, spray the whole thing with a coat of cheap paint and put it back on Craigslist for $150. And you'll double your money.

 

[drummingpariah]

I feel you over paid.

For a Chinese vice.
http://www.harborfreight.com/2-1-2-half-inch-table-swivel-vise-97160.html

Closer to what you paid
http://www.harborfreight.com/5-inch-multi-purpose-vise-67415.html

Sorry

Nah, I'm ok with having overpaid. A 5 minute drive is LOT more convenient than a two-hour trip to Harbor Freight, and that looks like the EXACT same vise externally.

Yes, that price was high but you bought yourself some time.

Now you have something that you can put to use while you start a gradual search for a quality USA vise. Contrary to some of the threads here, it can take a long time to score good quality tools/machinery at a good price.

That's essentially what I've seen. Everybody seems to get really excited about the 'barn finds' that come up every now and again, but I've been looking for a killer deal on a great solid American vise for awhile. So far, no success, so I had to pick up something that works for now.

Hate to tell you but you overpaid big time.
Cummins comes around my town selling tools out of the back of a semi-trailer at the VFW post every year. I've gone there and they are tools that make Harbor Freight look like snap on.

Based on what I've seen from the Harbor Freight vises I've handled, this is probably the same design, if not the same maker. I'm not blown away by it, but the jaws move smoothly and I haven't been able to find anything this big for less than $125 in the area.

So in summary, I have no regrets. I overpaid, and that's just how it is. Now I have a vise, and the three projects that were on hold because my old vise wasn't big/strong enough can continue. Like several of you have said, this buys me time, at the very least. I've found that there are some tools that you can get away with not having for awhile, and there are other tools where you need a stand-in at the very least. Given how the past year's projects have gone, I'd say a vise is one of the latter.

 

[drummingpariah]

I forgot (because it took so long to get to me) - I also got this for $30 ... but it isn't nearly as big as that Cummins ... so maybe I just need another workbench for this little guy. A rolling workbench might be nice. Overall less useful, but probably a much better investment.

 

[1982fxr]

you overpaid a little, $50 would have been better. But now it's out of the way, and that can be a nice feeling. There are different versions of that vise that have been made through the years...I think I've had all but the Yost (the good one).

Contrary to what others are saying, your vise is NOT the same as the current hf offering. The hf version of that vise is the biggest ************* I have seen. Notice how yours has fully cast 'feet', where the bolts go through...some of them have less material (even the Wilton version)

your is rare too because it has the pipe jaws still, lol. It's a very handy style of vise to have around, even if it is chinese. Use the hell out of it and sell it to get your money back when you find something better.

I always keep one of these on hand. Current one is a "King" brand, and a little newer I think? It's about the beefiest one I've seen yet...

 

[Outlawmws]

I wouldn't spend too much effort on re-finishing it. there is a lot of Bondo and/or some special extra thick paint on that Chicom vise to get it to look smooth.

The Columbian on the other hand is a decent shop vise. It's not a big machinist vise, but its also not an exposed screw homeowners vise... That's the one you can spend some effort on and not feel like it was a waste of time...

Use the Chicom as a beater and the Columbian where its handy for most ordinary use.

 

[drummingpariah]

you overpaid a little, $50 would have been better. But now it's out of the way, and that can be a nice feeling. There are different versions of that vise that have been made through the years...I think I've had all but the Yost (the good one).

Contrary to what others are saying, your vise is NOT the same as the current hf offering. The hf version of that vise is the biggest ************* I have seen. Notice how yours has fully cast 'feet', where the bolts go through...some of them have less material (even the Wilton version)

your is rare too because it has the pipe jaws still, lol. It's a very handy style of vise to have around, even if it is chinese. Use the hell out of it and sell it to get your money back when you find something better.

I always keep one of these on hand. Current one is a "King" brand, and a little newer I think? It's about the beefiest one I've seen yet...

I like that it swivels, and that it weighs about as much as one of my transmissions does. Looking at it in detail, it's certainly not a work of fine art like a lot of others' vises are, but I see it as being my go-to workhorse that I don't have to feel bad about breaking corners off of.

I wouldn't spend too much effort on re-finishing it. there is a lot of Bondo and/or some special extra thick paint on that Chicom vise to get it to looks smooth.

The Columbian on the other hand is a decent shop vise. It's not a big machinist vise, but its also not an exposed screw homeowners vise... That's the one you can spend some effort on and not feel like it was a waste of time...

Use the Chicom as a beater and the Columbian where its handy for most ordinary use.

You aren't kidding about bondo/paint. The coating on this must be 5mm thick in some places. I'm going to take my time cleaning up the Columbian, but right now I've got the cheapo Chicom torn apart and slap it back together with some wrinkle black paint on it (that stuff is REALLY easy to touch-up when I inevitably gouge some off). It's already been really informative tearing it down, and I'll feel a lot better about cleaning up the Columbian after I have my initial hack-job out of the way.

 

[1982fxr]

this last one I bought ( the 'King" I mentioned before)...like new condition on craig's for $30, and it is the heavy duty version of this style vise...

I get there, give the handle a few turns, operates smooth so I pay the guys. 2 Dudes met me at the house when i arrived, late on a Sunday night. As soon as I pay them they take off.

Couple weeks later i go to use it and the screw only has about an inch of movement--you couldn't open or close it all the way. There was some rust on the slide but no too bad. I popped it apart, wire wheeled the rust away and re-assembled. Worked fine. not sure what I did that fixed it?

Looking back though, these guys obviously knew something was wrong with it and probably thought they were burning me, and it would have been my fault for not checking it more carefully. I bet that wasn't even their house we met at, probably an unsuspecting relative or something!! In the end persistence pays off...

 

[sasquatch12]

I bought one of those vises maybe 25 years ago. My son uses it still in his repair garage, the thing has been beat on pretty good at times and still works fine.

 

[kythri]

Contrary to what others are saying, your vise is NOT the same as the current hf offering. The hf version of that vise is the biggest ************* I have seen. Notice how yours has fully cast 'feet', where the bolts go through...some of them have less material (even the Wilton version)

Can you describe this better for me? I don't really NEED it, but I've thought a similar style of vise would be handy for some jobs, and I really can't see any differences between the OP's vise and the one listed here:

http://www.harborfreight.com/5-inch-multi-purpose-vise-67415.html?hftref=cj

Honestly interested in the differences you're talking about.

 

[1982fxr]

Can you describe this better for me? I don't really NEED it, but I've thought a similar style of vise would be handy for some jobs, and I really can't see any differences between the OP's vise and the one listed here:

http://www.harborfreight.com/5-inch-multi-purpose-vise-67415.html?hftref=cj

Honestly interested in the differences you're talking about.

Look where the bolts go through the base on the OP's vise, then look at this link---see how there is less material?

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B004Q0KMOE/?tag=atomicindus08-20

IMO, not counting the Yost, which I have never seen in person, the hf version is the biggest piece of **** out there. It's just a sloppy piece of junk. The Wilton seems to have the nicest machining and be the overall best quality...and the ones like the op's are the middle of the road...

edit: also, it looks like the hf version has cast in pipe jaws? Given the overall cheapness of it, I would guess these are just begging to be broken...

This type of vise is very handy to have for light-moderate work. IMO the hf version is worth about $10, if that. As far as overall quality I think it is just junk. It makes the middle of the road, bondo filled versions like the OP's seem like a top of the line vintage USA made monster...If you physically pick up one like the OP has and then go physically handle the hf vise, you will see the difference.

I'm not old enough to remember the 80's or what hf sold back when, I don't doubt they sold that exact vise back in the day, I'm just saying that the op's is not the same as the hf current offering.

 

[1982fxr]

I see on Amazon the Wilton has the fully formed bolt hole areas. the 2 that I've had did not, and either does this one locally for sale...

http://phoenix.craigslist.org/evl/tls/4191312087.html

 

[LG63]

Can you describe this better for me? I don't really NEED it, but I've thought a similar style of vise would be handy for some jobs, and I really can't see any differences between the OP's vise and the one listed here:

http://www.harborfreight.com/5-inch-multi-purpose-vise-67415.html?hftref=cj

Honestly interested in the differences you're talking about.

If you believe Amazon's listing info, the Wilton & Bessey versions weight 44 lbs. The Yost 63 lbs. I suspect the HF is the 44 lb. version.

My old vice (like the OP's) weighs at least 60 lbs.

 

[sector9]

I'm also looking for my first vise. Is $0.60/pound still what you guys think is a good price?

This one has been listed for $80 on the local CL. It's only 52 pounds according to some other threads I've found http://lubbock.craigslist.org/tls/4124154530.html
So would $30 be about the most you guys would recommend spending on it?

I figure I can talk down the seller some as it has been listed for a month but I don't know if he'll come down that much (he told me it's still available)

 

[1982fxr]

I'm also looking for my first vise. Is $0.60/pound still what you guys think is a good price?

This one has been listed for $80 on the local CL. It's only 52 pounds according to some other threads I've found http://lubbock.craigslist.org/tls/4124154530.html
So would $30 be about the most you guys would recommend spending on it?

I figure I can talk down the seller some as it has been listed for a month but I don't know if he'll come down that much (he told me it's still available)

I would say forget about the whole price per pound on vises. There just aren't enough out there (at least in many areas of the country) for us as buyers to apply that. just mho...

Pretend that Morgan didn't have the crack. Jaws may only be 4.5" wide (?), but it is waaaay stronger than the bigger 6" vises at Lowe's, HD, etc. And those new 6"ers are about $80 out the door. Wide jaws on the new vises are just a marketing gimmick---something to make you think it's bigger than it is, so you break it and come back to buy another one.

If they are hard to find where you are maybe contact a welding shop and see how much it would be to get that repaired before making an offer. Availability and budget are the two main things.

Also when you mention price per pound some sellers clam up because they think they are being taken somehow...like you have a secret way to make more than the rest of the world selling scrap. Just one of those things. Like when I've offered $300 on a 150 pound anvil and they get concerned that I might scrap it!!!!!! Buying at $2 per pound and I'm gonna scrap it??????? yeah right

 

[Outlawmws]

I'm also looking for my first vise. Is $0.60/pound still what you guys think is a good price?

This one has been listed for $80 on the local CL. It's only 52 pounds according to some other threads I've found http://lubbock.craigslist.org/tls/4124154530.html
So would $30 be about the most you guys would recommend spending on it?

I figure I can talk down the seller some as it has been listed for a month but I don't know if he'll come down that much (he told me it's still available)

Agree, justifying price per pound is useless these days on vises. prices are area dependent, and looking on Eprey is no help, as it's an artificial market. someone on CL cannot expect to get the same $$ (partly dependent on area)
I have no clue what the market is in Lubbock.

@ 52 lbs, with a swivel base, I'd guess that vise to be 4"? You found a thread on it, what width jaw was a 140?

Around here, without the crack, the price would be decent. with the crack (and assuming no other damage) maybe 50? YMMV.

 

[drummingpariah]

Can you describe this better for me? I don't really NEED it, but I've thought a similar style of vise would be handy for some jobs, and I really can't see any differences between the OP's vise and the one listed here:

http://www.harborfreight.com/5-inch-multi-purpose-vise-67415.html?hftref=cj

Honestly interested in the differences you're talking about.

I'm interested in the specifics too. I have it all pulled apart right now, I'll be sure to snap a few photos of the individual components (I've already found a few spots that look like major design flaws to me).

 

[sector9]

I would say forget about the whole price per pound on vises. There just aren't enough out there (at least in many areas of the country) for us as buyers to apply that. just mho...

Pretend that Morgan didn't have the crack. Jaws may only be 4.5" wide (?), but it is waaaay stronger than the bigger 6" vises at Lowe's, HD, etc. And those new 6"ers are about $80 out the door. Wide jaws on the new vises are just a marketing gimmick---something to make you think it's bigger than it is, so you break it and come back to buy another one.

If they are hard to find where you are maybe contact a welding shop and see how much it would be to get that repaired before making an offer. Availability and budget are the two main things.

Also when you mention price per pound some sellers clam up because they think they are being taken somehow...like you have a secret way to make more than the rest of the world selling scrap. Just one of those things. Like when I've offered $300 on a 150 pound anvil and they get concerned that I might scrap it!!!!!! Buying at $2 per pound and I'm gonna scrap it??????? yeah right

Agree, justifying price per pound is useless these days on vises. prices are area dependent, and looking on Eprey is no help, as it's an artificial market. someone on CL cannot expect to get the same $$ (partly dependent on area)
I have no clue what the market is in Lubbock.

@ 52 lbs, with a swivel base, I'd guess that vise to be 4"? You found a thread on it, what width jaw was a 140?

Around here, without the crack, the price would be decent. with the crack (and assuming no other damage) maybe 50? YMMV.

OK thanks for the comments guys. I ended up getting it for $20 actually. I think that that's what the guy paid for it and he wanted to just get rid of it after he found out that the jaws only open up to about 4 1/2" before it starts binding (due to the crack on the back of the slide). I figured I can file the slide down and have a nice useable vise for $20 though!

After looking over it more carefully, the base is actually welded back together as well, so the whole thing isn't in perfect condition. Also, I think it is supposed to be a swiveling base vise but the handle part was replaced with just a normal nut

ETA: Forgot to answer the question about the jaw size. They're 4"

 

[Outlawmws]

First just get the rust off the slide, rust can "swell" a part so it's effectively ******...

Is that a weld line I see on the dynamic jaw? and you say the base is also welded?

It the nut will allow the swivel to lock and unlock, making a handle from an all thread, coupler nut is easy. cross drill a hole in the top of it and get a long bolt and use that as the handle for the lock. Bottom out a jam nut to the bottom of the threads on the bolt, (after threading it through the coupler nut) and hack saw the excess threads off, and peen it. if you want to get fancy you can grind the points of the hex at each end.

 

[sector9]

First just get the rust off the slide, rust can "swell" a part so it's effectively ******...

Is that a weld line I see on the dynamic jaw? and you say the base is also welded?

It the nut will allow the swivel to lock and unlock, making a handle from an all thread, coupler nut is easy. cross drill a hole in the top of it and get a long bolt and use that as the handle for the lock. Bottom out a jam nut to the bottom of the threads on the bolt, (after threading it through the coupler nut) and hack saw the excess threads off, and peen it. if you want to get fancy you can grind the points of the hex at each end.

Haha I followed maybe half of that but I think I have the general idea! I need to check to see if turning that nut will unlock the swivel. I would really like it to swivel if I can manage it

Fortunately, the dynamic jaw doesn't have a weld line. I think I know what you are seeing on the picture though. You can see it much clearer on this cleaned up picture from an old thread on here by the user catalyst
View media item 8361Original thread here http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=94825

 

[drummingpariah]

I didn't get any photos, but I started wire wheeling that big Cummins vise today. What a piece of ****. The filler is almost 1/2" thick in some places, there are holes all over the casting, I don't trust the allen bolts that secure the handle at all ... but it still works, so that's something.

I had an old Cleveland that had been repaired given to me, but the welds broke pretty quickly after I got it. I figured I'd throw some more boogers on it and see how long I can keep it limping along (not long, based on the quality of my welds).

 

[1982fxr]

could you post a pic of the bondo vise now that it's down to bare metal? never seen that style vise stripped down...curious to see the ugliness...

 

[drummingpariah]

could you post a pic of the bondo vise now that it's down to bare metal? never seen that style vise stripped down...curious to see the ugliness...

I'll happily snap some photos of it. It's assembled right now, because I had to have a vise to weld up a welding cart (now that I have a real MIG that can actually weld stuff), but I'm hoping to disassemble it again tonight, finish wire wheeling, and cover it with paint.

 

[drummingpariah]

could you post a pic of the bondo vise now that it's down to bare metal? never seen that style vise stripped down...curious to see the ugliness...

I've been busy putting some metal together with lumpy welds into a general box-ish shape to call a 'welding cart' ... so I haven't finished stripping it yet. In fact, it's seen a lot of use this week. However, there are some really gross design elements that I'll point out.

At a glance, it's a vise like almost any other.

Flip it over, and you can see just how much quality control these things lack.

I'm not sure what it's called, but this is the worst piece of the vise. It secures the screw part to the vise body. The screw holes aren't completely covered.

The casting is ****.

Overall, even with the serious shortcomings of this vise, I have no regrets. I've already gotten my money's worth out of it, and I haven't even bolted it to the bench yet!

 

[drummingpariah]

Some more grinding, and you get a better view of the crappy casting.

The pipe jaw troughs aren't even close to straight, either.

I threw some primer on it, and should have another update tomorrow or Saturday after paint.

 

[Zeke]

Whoa, that thing is pretty bad. That might set the bench mark for poor quality. This is pretty good education.

 

[Outlawmws]

I just saved a link to this thread, so when people wonder why I keep saying "don't buy that vise" they can SEE it. Unbelievable... and this is the same vise I keep seeing people try to pedal on CL as "heavy duty" for anywhere from full current price new, to 2X...

 

[stage20]

is that columbian vise pictured a quality unit? i was given a red painted 5" with chrome handle. it doesnt have any grease on it and opens and closes very freely. i havent had a chance to mount it and put it to use. ive got a little 4" wilton i have been using. an inch is a lot she says.