Help with a Columbian

[Doc_Hollywood]

The other day I snatched up a D44 M2 Columbian vise (Here's a picture of the same model:http://goo.gl/M1WwX) from a buddy of mine, formerly his father's, but was passed down to him. He decided he didn't need it, so for a cheap 12 pack and a pack of smokes he gave it to me. Quite a lucky find I think. You can tell it's been through its paces, but looks better than the one in the link above.

Right now I'm in the process of cleaning it, letting it soak in some degreaser, before I get to wiping off the old gunk stuck to it. Also I noticed some calcification on the exterior of the arbor. Anyone have any suggestions for preventing that in the future?

Anyway, I'll cut to the chase. I was wondering if anyone knows at what time this vise was built? Also, I am looking to sell it -- not for the ridiculous asking price of the above eBay post -- so what might be a reasonable price for it?

 

[SweetD]

Doc,

I would say that vise is from the late 50s to early 60s. It's not 40s or earlier, and you can tell that by the flattened end of the main screw, vs. an older model that would likely have a more "bulbous" screw end where the handle runs through.

It's a nice vise. I bought one very similar to it late last year that I thought I got a great deal on because it was listed poorly on eBay. I paid $19.99 for it plus $15 shipping or so. Diamond in the rough:

I think you could ask $50-$75 for it if it's in very good shape. Don't worry so much about the finish (paint)...but moreso about the condition of the metal. If it's all square and true, and moves freely, and the handle is straight, and no cracks in the body or slide, and the jaw inserts are in good shape...it's a nice vise.

You may try eBay for a premium vs. this site where guys know a deal and will haggle.

Can you post a pic or two?

Good Luck,

Dave

 

[Doc_Hollywood]

Thanks Dave,
I'll definitely post some pics when it's not in pieces. Right now I'm cleaning out the threads so it'll slide nice and smooth after I spray some white lithium grease on it. Another thing I'm wondering, mine doesn't have the same text on the side where yours says MERIDEN,CONN, instead it says Cleveland, O., wonder if the same model was produced at the same time in several places or if the production switched locations for this model somewhere down the line. In any case everything's true, but there's a chip behind the inner pad on one side, the handle isn't quite straight but not bent way out of shape, and the anvil is in good shape as well.

This is actually my second Columbian made vise, my other one is a slightly smaller Craftsman. It was sourced for production to Columbian in the late 60's to early 70's, picked it up for $15 and love it.

 

[SweetD]

I actually bought mine hoping it was made by the Prentiss (or Parker) company since Parker was out of Meriden. I'm still not sure about that. Parker bought out Prentiss in the late 40s / early 50s. The person on eBay listed it as "MERIDIAN VISE" - so I think a lot of people missed what it might actually be.

But your Columbian and this Meriden are really similar. Do you have the "hardy" for the hole on top? (I have the one for mine...)

Dave

 

[Doc_Hollywood]

No, it didn't have anything with it, what is the "hardy" exactly?

 

[SweetD]

Here is a picture of the hardy on one of my other vises...basically it's a piece of metal that is found on anvils (and sometimes vises) that is used to shape or cut other pieces of metal. It fits in that hole on the top of the vise:

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=78761&highlight=hardy

Dave

 

[Outlawmws]

Is that hole a round or square hole? (the ones I've seen on Vise anvils have been round)

If round it would be a pritchel hole; a hardy hole is the square hole in an anvil used as the primary tool holder hole. the pritchel hole is for punching and sometimes as a secondary tool holding hole (Which would be the case for the cutter on your vise).

 

[SweetD]

Is that hole a round or square hole? (the ones I've seen on Vise anvils have been round)

If round it would be a pritchel hole; a hardy hole is the square hole in an anvil used as the primary tool holder hole. the pritchel hole is for punching and sometimes as a secondary tool holding hole (Which would be the case for the cutter on your vise).

^ what he said lol

Dave