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Info on American Scale 216 vise

Hako86

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Does anyone have some information on an American Scale 216 vise? Is it a good vise, or is it just a cheap vise?
 
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Davefr

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Does anyone have some information on an American Scale 216 vise? Is it a good vise, or is it just a cheap vise?

Do you have an image?

I only have one American Scale vise and it's model 16. I've never been able to find an old catalog or much info on their lineup.

My model 16 is built like a brick *********. It's as well built as anything I've seen.

P1020916.jpg
 
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Hako86

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Jan 23, 2013
Messages
207
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Netherlands
Sorry I have no good pics right now... I'm just qurious because when I looked at the "everything you need to know about bench vises" thread, I read American Scale vises were not for heavy use and were not built as heavy duty as other american brands.
Your vise sure looks heavy duty, very nice vise!
 

drivesitfar

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Oct 23, 2013
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Pacific Northwest
Hako: i agree with Dave that the American Scale vises i have seen are big, heavy and worth owning. of course most all manufacturers made a lighter cheaper version or sold their company's good name to somebody that now makes low quality ones.

sorry i don't have any pictures to share and did you check www.dayid.org and click on his vise wiki for information on vises? i just looked and he doesn't have any for that company.

when i looked them up a few months ago when a client was trying to sell me his 150 pound vise i think i remember them being in Kansas City, MO and going out of business in the 1950's.

post pictures when you get some and we'll try to help you a bit more and as always if buying a vise to use or resell check for cracks, welds and missing parts that might not be available any longer.

good luck and on another note i think you posted a new bench with a motor on it that should serve you well. and even work better with a big old US or English, German or Polish vise to put on it.
 
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Hako86

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Joined
Jan 23, 2013
Messages
207
Location
Netherlands
Hako: i agree with Dave that the American Scale vises i have seen are big, heavy and worth owning. of course most all manufacturers made a lighter cheaper version or sold their company's good name to somebody that now makes low quality ones.

sorry i don't have any pictures to share and did you check www.dayid.org and click on his vise wiki for information on vises? i just looked and he doesn't have any for that company.

when i looked them up a few months ago when a client was trying to sell me his 150 pound vise i think i remember them being in Kansas City, MO and going out of business in the 1950's.

post pictures when you get some and we'll try to help you a bit more and as always if buying a vise to use or resell check for cracks, welds and missing parts that might not be available any longer.

good luck and on another note i think you posted a new bench with a motor on it that should serve you well. and even work better with a big old US or English, German or Polish vise to put on it.

Thanks for your input man, it's really appreciated :beer:!!
Yeah, you're right about that workbench, it will look great with a neat vise on top of it :) Right now I have a nice Woden No.2 (made in england) from the 60's and a 5" Mello. The Mello was made in Malaysia I think, but it's an older one and it's really well made for it's coo...
I keep you guys updated :3gears:
 

Outlawmws

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Aug 9, 2011
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The Badlands
Most any vise maker made vises from both ends of the spectrum. If it looks like a good machinist vise, it probably is. I have an AS red seal No. 66, (6") and it's a tank 136 lbs...
 
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Hako86

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Joined
Jan 23, 2013
Messages
207
Location
Netherlands
Here it is:D! Bought it for 35 euros ($48). A corner of one of the replaceble jaws snapped of and there is a little crack at the back of the static jaw (near the slide), but I think that won't be a huge problem as there will be no big pressure at that spot when using the vise (at least that's what I hope :D)
I'm really happy with my first USA made vise because I really wanted one and I have NEVER seen one for sale before. It also has a swivel base which is nice too :). It weights about 60 lbs and the jaw size is 11.2 mm (4.40 inch). As soon as I saw this one for sale I jumped on it haha :D!
Let me hear how you think I did :)

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In the last two pictures you can see the small crack.

Can anyone tell me how old this vise is? I know the brand was around between 1914 and 1960.
 
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