Info on a CL Vise

[Bearkat]

http://houston.craigslist.org/for/4509384127.html

Thinking of picking this up, if they will accept a lower offer. That said, how much will a new jaw cost? Can I make my own from steel barstock? Any thoughts on the age or COO on this? Finally, at what price would it be a good deal?

 

[exmaxima1]

http://houston.craigslist.org/for/4509384127.html

Finally, at what price would it be a good deal?

Less than $50. Myself, I wouldn't spend more than $30 for a vise with rolled steel (or rolled tubing) slide.

 

[bobcatdan]

Those vises are not bad, but they are no tradesman let alone a Wilton machinist vise. They are a good general duty vise. Those vise were made in the US and China. Production. Kinda flip flop back and forth. Either way, even if it is US, it is a $50. I'm not sure where to look to tell COO.

 

[454ragtop]

Guy's on crack, no way that vise can "work perfectly" with 1 of the jaw inserts missing!

 

[byoungblood]

I think those have an encapsulated screw like the bullets as well. Handle is bent too, so it has seen a cheater.

Guy is smoking crack though, even on eBay those don't go for that much. I only paid ~$200 for my 4" bullet. Replacement jaws are probably $40-50 for proper hardened jaws.

Edit: Not sure on the COO (probably China for the price) but you can get a 4" for $110 here:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/WILTON-744-...329006122?pt=Clamps_Vises&hash=item4ad0b3862a

 

[ken w.]

How can it work perfectly if there is a jaw missing ? This is a $ 20.00 vise.

 

[RogueFab]

Yeah. E mail him and tell him you don't want to offend him but to call you before he sells it for scrap. Not a good Wilton. And rolled steel... meh.

 

[Larch]

Guy's on crack, no way that vise can "work perfectly" with 1 of the jaw inserts missing!

Yeah, I was thinking the same thing. You can get a lot better for the price he is asking. I wouldn't waste my or the sellers time with that. If you need a vise right away, buy a cheap one from HF or the hardware store and wait for a beauty to show up on CL. If you are in a city the size of Houston, they must come up fairly often.

 

[oldldh]

The seller is out of his tiny little mind with that asking price...

Maybe $30.00 with the missing jaw...

If you're looking for a good 4" vice, try one like this...a Craftsman 5196...

If you've got to have a Wilton, get a "real" one like these...a 1755 Tradesman, or a 500 Machinist Vise...the 1755 will run you about what the seller is asking for his, and a 400/500 will cost about twice that much...

The 5196 can be had for $ 75.00 to $ 150.00...and are very stout vises...

Run away from your CL vise...

 

[Bearkat]

Thanks guys. I knew he was off base, but I didn't realize so far. I asked if he had the missing jaw and what size it was just to see the response before making an offer. No response, I think he is just hoping for a sucker.

 

[Bearkat]

Got a response- they have the missing jaw (odd I know) and they are 8" jaws. Still $50 at best?

 

[byoungblood]

$40 more still buys you a new one. If it is US made, maybe $60-70 tops. Unfortunately I don't think you'll get a response out of him if you offer even on the high side of what it is really worth.

At this point, it just depends on how much you want it.

 

[drivesitfar]

Bearkat: i sold an almost new out of the box 5 inch version of that vise for $120 last year. the handles are soft on those vises and Wilton has them made in China, but i used mine a couple times and it works fine.

now that one you are looking at is not pristine and even though he has the missing jaws I'd really like to know why it isn't on the vise when he is taking pictures of the vise for sale. most likely the screws are stripped or broke off. the handle has been hit by a hammer so maybe the jaws were too. if the jaws screw in tight and there are not any other issues than the bent handle i'd say $100 would be a fair deal.

that's a lot of maybes though so since he is at $180 i'd let him sit for a while and find another vise if you can.