How much is too much for this vise?

[sixkidsdad]

I found this vise today on the shelf of a guy that I've known for years. I brought my 4C over to show him and he points to a vise on a shelf and asked if I was interested in it. It turns out that Starrett has been making these in my town for years and then unfortunately shut the plant down. When they shut it down, the plant manager gave this vise to him. The vise was not ever painted at the factory. My friend took it home and put it on the shelf and never touched it. You can see that the jaws are crisp but the vise has a nice coat of surface rust.

What is the most that you would pay for this vise? Is it a desirable model?

Thanks

 

[91bronc300]

I would say $150 would probably be fair for both of you. $100 would be a pretty good price for you.

P.S. I really dig that front bumper on your '78!

 

[Catalyze]

Greetings!
Athol vises (pre buyout or post buyout) are one of the top two machined vises in my world. That one in your photos is pristine and I would be all on top of a deal for it. My collecting wallet would still be open at $250 for it. Just offer an amount that won't make you regret not buying it later on in life.
Craig

 

[flippin]

That story is awesome, we all have dreams of finding something in nos condition!!! I don't profess to know the value on these things but $250 seems like a solid number. He's your friend and you'll know if you underpaid him which for me would lessen the enjoyment.

Pretty cool, nicely done.

 

[Packard V8]

Let him set the price, but whatever it is, if you don't pay it, I will.

jack vines

 

[kevin47]

$100 would be cool...$200 if you had to...Don't see many of those...

 

[sixkidsdad]

I offered two hundred and then reached my limit at three. He said that he'll keep hanging onto it if he can't get six hundred for it. Way too much for my blood. I'm going to wait. It's been sitting there for decades. It looks like it weighs 225lbs based on 91bronc300's chart. Heavy!


Thanks for all the info on the vise.

 

[Richard D]

$600? He's been watching too much Barret Jackson.

 

[BD1]

$600.00 ! I don't think he likes you. Awesome vise, but out of my price range.

 

[kc-steve]

Thanks for posting that. It is VERY unusual considering that it is a mechanic's vise design (pipe jaws) and not a machinist's design. It seems to me that it would be the best of both worlds being made by Starrett.

It is worth what anyone is willing to pay, and I'm sure that would be less than it was new.

Steve

 

[Trey T]

$1/lb

 

[Davefr]

I offered two hundred and then reached my limit at three. He said that he'll keep hanging onto it if he can't get six hundred for it. Way too much for my blood. I'm going to wait. It's been sitting there for decades. It looks like it weighs 225lbs based on 91bronc300's chart. Heavy!


Thanks for all the info on the vise.

A NOS Starrett that weighs 225 lbs!! Better give him the 6 benjamins. This is a once in the lifetime find. Will he ship it to OR?

 

[dirtydogintex]

$600? He's been watching too much Barret Jackson.

Checked 'new' vise prices lately?

 

[kc-steve]

Checked 'new' vise prices lately?

Yeah, I bet that Starrett would be sold for $1800+ NEW now days.

Steve

 

[Richard D]

Thanks for posting that. It is VERY unusual considering that it is a mechanic's vise design (pipe jaws) and not a machinist's design.

Steve

I have two Reed vises that look very similar(I think one is a model 405). Only obvious difference is jaw width. Both open 10-12" if I remember correctly. I looked them up; narrow jaw was called a machinist s vise, wide jaw mechanic's vise. Neither has pipe jaws.

 

[davesnothere]

$600 is definately too much.
At least in my opinion.

 

[Trey T]

Starrett is known for machinist or precision tool but this is not a machinist vise, it's for garage or tradesman. Therefore, $200bucks is a fair offer.

 

[87Pomona]

I agree with some here, $600 is way too much.


I own it's younger brother;325......it's a solid vise

 

[91bronc300]

Meh, walk away and forget about it. The guy will die with that vise and someone at the estate sale will get it.

I hope I don't sound too cynical

 

[Davefr]

You lowballers need to realize that this vise is pretty darn close in specs to a Wilton C3.

And here's the current street price of a C3:

http://www.amazon.com/Wilton%C2%AE-Combination-Pipe-Bench-Vises/dp/B009SBE9EU/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&qid=1360266442&sr=8-5&keywords=wilton+c3

This should put things in perspective.

 

[dirtydogintex]

Some only hear what they want to hear.... others only read what they want to read....

 

[justanengineer]

The vise was not ever painted at the factory.

Many older vises were never painted. Iron is beautiful in its natural state, and vises are made to be abused, so I doubt the old timers saw much point in it. I didnt know these were ever made outside of Athol, guess I learn something new every day.

I agree w/the $1/lb. At $600 your friend is hoping for a fool.

 

[toomanytoyzz]

You lowballers need to realize that this vise is pretty darn close in specs to a Wilton C3.

And here's the current street price of a C3:

http://www.amazon.com/Wilton%C2%AE-Combination-Pipe-Bench-Vises/dp/B009SBE9EU/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&qid=1360266442&sr=8-5&keywords=wilton+c3

This should put things in perspective.

Check out ebay for the price of Wilton baby bullets. Some fools are asking almost $500 for them.

Bottom line is it's worth what someone is willing to pay for it. You may think a used Wilton C3 or Reed 4C are worth $600-$1000, but I do not. The main reason is I have no need for a goliath vise like that. I also wonder if most of the guys who fiend over these huge vises really use them to their potential. I highly doubt it.

 

[91bronc300]

Check out ebay for the price of Wilton baby bullets. Some fools are asking almost $500 for them.

Bottom line is it's worth what someone is willing to pay for it. You may think a used Wilton C3 or Reed 4C are worth $600-$1000, but I do not. The main reason is I have no need for a goliath vise like that. I also wonder if most of the guys who fiend over these huge vises really use them to their potential. I highly doubt it.

I agree. I own 3 bench vises, two 4" and one 3.5" all non swivel bases. I think that size of vise is the most practical and user friendly.

The thing I don't understand is why a vise that big has a swivel base.

 

[sixkidsdad]

I think the vise is pretty cool. I don't think, and I certainly would not pay $600 for it, regardless of the history. There have been some 6" Athols on ebay that have had no bids at well under that price.
Have you considered asking your friend if he would do a cash and/or trade deal? Maybe you have something he wants or needs more than he needs a dust/rust/patina collector sitting on his shelf? If not, I agree, let it go. There are plenty of other vises in the world.

He is pretty much an arbitrager. He's made a living trading his whole life. While we have been friends for many years; business is business for both of us. So the friendship isn't going to bring the price down and he pretty much likes green.
Honestly, I've thought about the thing every day since I blew the dust off the numbers and saw what I saw. I'm still going to stand back and wait because $600 is a ton of money for us right now...

 

[padronanniversary]

I'd offer $600 if he wants to ship

 

[CAOS]

If I found that locally, i'd drop the $600 on it. If it truly is NOS, its worth it.

 

[Mohawk Dave]

If you're losing sleep over it and want it, well, this is what I'd do.

Tell him $600 sounds good, give him a hundred bucks, and pay him the rest here and there, make sure he's ok with a no pressure situation type deal....at least he gets the money, you lock in the buy, and you keep friendship.

 

[AL`]

You lowballers need to realize that this vise is pretty darn close in specs to a Wilton C3.

And here's the current street price of a C3:

http://www.amazon.com/Wilton%C2%AE-Combination-Pipe-Bench-Vises/dp/B009SBE9EU/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&qid=1360266442&sr=8-5&keywords=wilton+c3

This should put things in perspective.

For some more perspective, check out the specs and price on a Yost 34C, which I have. It is very similar to that vise: http://www.sears.com/yost-34c-6inch-combination-pipe-bench-vise/p-00923111000P

Bragging rights for "You ****" finds and who has the biggest vise is fun stuff. But those finds aren't always the norm either. If you aren't stumbling over "You ****" deals every day and find that you want to actually have something instead of waiting for the deal of the century, you begin to enter the realm of a "fair price" for you and the seller.

Product Description
Yost Model 34C Vise

• Is Made In the USA
• Meets Federal Specifications GGG-V-410B, Type IV
• Meets National Stock Number (NSN) 5120-00-293-0110
• Jaw Width: 6"
• Jaw Opening: 10"
• Throat Depth: 7-1/2"
• Pipe Capacity: 1/4" to 6"
• 60,000 PSI tensile ductile iron cast bar & back
• Large pounding anvil surface
• Replaceable Hardened Steel Pipe Jaws
• Self-adjusting pipe jaws designed to grip pipe securely
• Pipe jaw design helps prevent pipe marring, crushing or bending
• Pipe jaws are recessed to allow for machinist's vise use
• *********** for extra working room
• Interlocking Swivel Base With 360 Degree Motion equipped with two (2) Lockdowns
• No Pinch Main Screw Handle
• Replaceable Hardened Steel Serrated Jaws
  • Continuous Rolled Thread on Main Screw.

 

[Catalyze]

My random thoughts (before the meds kick in hard) ......

If you Need a vise like that one for your work/hobbies....then buying it for $600 is probably fine....a new comparable vise is more and this one will make you smile as you use it

If you Want a vise of that size or type, then forget about that vise....you can find a similar vise for a lot less....Columbians, Yost, etc can be found with some effort and will still squeeze anything just as well as the above

Most of my wrench purchases I Want Snap On but I buy Craftsman, Gear Wrench, etc
However, when I Need Snap On....I will buy Snap On....it's all about wants and needs.
Craig

 

[justanengineer]

Bragging rights for "You ****" finds and who has the biggest vise is fun stuff. But those finds aren't always the norm either. If you aren't stumbling over "You ****" deals every day and find that you want to actually have something instead of waiting for the deal of the century, you begin to enter the realm of a "fair price" for you and the seller.

I think a lot of this depends on the individual's definition of a "you ****" award. Many folks here would quickly hand that out for "only" spending $100 on the common <100 lb Wilton bullet. Some of the rest of us would likely say that as well but for other reasons.

At $1/lb, I was at my max for what I consider an average-high buying price bc the OP said the seller was a friend. More than that its almost unsellable IME. Too much, too common, and too big for most.

 

[dirtydogintex]

'too common'?

I'm lost....

 

[AL`]

I think a lot of this depends on the individual's definition of a "you ****" award. Many folks here would quickly hand that out for "only" spending $100 on the common <100 lb Wilton bullet. Some of the rest of us would likely say that as well but for other reasons.

At $1/lb, I was at my max for what I consider an average-high buying price bc the OP said the seller was a friend. More than that its almost unsellable IME. Too much, too common, and too big for most.

Yeah, that definition of a "you ****" award is relative to be sure. Big vises and industrial equipment like lathes, etc. are much more common north of the mason-dixon line though. In my neck of the woods, that size is not common at all, although one does see the occasional exceptions.