Help with a Craftsman Vise

[bluebolt]

If you're concerned about using it personally, selling or trading it would likely be the way to go, IMHO. You'd probably be able to drop on one which was more functional, (one with the jaws having screw holes, for example), and you wouldn't be constantly bricking yourself at the thought of scratching/marking it.

The thing to remember though is that it may not sell for much. It always just depends on whether you drop across someone who has a liking for certain things or brands and appreciates what the little extras mean. You're working with a somewhat concentrated and peculiar audience here with us, but not everyone will appreciate something for what it is.

Plus most of us are CHEAP bastards!

 

[Rock Dad]

Fritters ....peculiar audience....... I think you just called me weird since I hav joined this group. Pretty funny!

Bluebolt - I have noticed that a lot of folks around this forum are ...... well ..... thrifty.

Thanks both for the replies. I do appreciate the feedback. I already have another Craftsman wood vise mounted to the front of my workbench. So I a, in no big hurry to have to do anything. I am just trying to figure out what to do with this vise long term. Probably using it makes the most sense.

Ed

 

[Fretters]

Plus most of us are CHEAP bastards!

There is that too. We have to be in order to keep feeding this old iron addiction.

Fritters ....peculiar audience....... I think you just called me weird since I hav joined this group. Pretty funny!

If you weren't a tad strange to start with, you will be soon after spending some time on here.

I am just trying to figure out what to do with this vise long term. Probably using it makes the most sense.

It's always a bit of a do I or don't I with things like this. The hardest part, I've always thought, is overcoming the aversion to using something which is pristine. However, when you look at it, most of the stories our stuff have to tell are due to the use they've had throughout their lives, so without using something it's technically nothing more than a show piece with some provenance. Get your own mark stamped on it for future posterity.

I honestly can appreciate the position you're in with that piece. The half way option would be to put the tag and bolts safe and use the vice with new mounting bolts. You'll put some use and wear on the vice, but you'll also still have the other bits to retain that edge over most other examples.

 

[Rock Dad]

There is that too. We have to be in order to keep feeding this old iron addiction.




If you weren't a tad strange to start with, you will be soon after spending some time on here.




It's always a bit of a do I or don't I with things like this. The hardest part, I've always thought, is overcoming the aversion to using something which is pristine. However, when you look at it, most of the stories our stuff have to tell are due to the use they've had throughout their lives, so without using something it's technically nothing more than a show piece with some provenance. Get your own mark stamped on it for future posterity.

I honestly can appreciate the position you're in with that piece. The half way option would be to put the tag and bolts safe and use the vice with new mounting bolts. You'll put some use and wear on the vice, but you'll also still have the other bits to retain that edge over most other examples.

Excellent points Fretters. I'm going to give that some serious thought.

Since I already have a CMan vise mounted to the face of the bench, I am not in a hurry or anything. I am in a comfortable place.

Thanks for the replies, they have been a huge help.

Ed

 

[Rock Dad]

I would like to refresh this old thread. I have since moved from a large house in a rural community to a very small house in the big city and have very little room for anything I don't absolutely need. I think I want to sell this vise and am trying to gauge interest in it. Anyone out there Craftsman fans who might have an interest?

Ed