Just bought a vise on eBay

[Bigmichaelkim]

It was a Babco 32 made in Japan vise. Any reviews on this vise? Will this vise serve me well as a diy woodworker/mechanic?

The jaws are only 3.25 inches wide and opens up to only 3 inches. If it is too small what kind of work was this kind of vise intended for?

I am picking it up tomorrow but after a deal to buy a 4 1/2 craftsman went through I kind of bought this on an impulse because I wanted a vise so badly. Thanks in advance for the help and I will most definitely post pictures of the baby tomorrow.


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[exmaxima1]

If it's the one that sold for $55 I think you overpaid by quite a bit. Exposed screw, cast pipe jaws, pitted surface. That looks like a typical hardware store vise for handyman tasks. I would ask the seller to void the sale.

 

[exmaxima1]

There doesn't appear to be many options in your area on the auction site, but if you are willing to spend $15 more (and get lucky in the bidding), I would recommend the Athol here:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/ATHOL-VINTA...454902?hash=item25d90f65b6:g:Rk8AAOSwpP9Y5lzY

 

[Bigmichaelkim]

I see. I ended up paying 45. I don't know if that's a much better price. I do have to go pick it up locally however. It did seem like to be in pretty good condition to me. By exposed screw do u mean the screws that hold the jaws in place? Is that a bad thing for them to be exposed?


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[ducksface]

Use it.
There's no reason for you to consider another vise.
Too much emphasis is put on a tertiary tool that just holds things.

You can tell a person's integrity by their acceptance of their own decisions. Void the sale and you'll be something almost no one respects. Just suggesting you might void the sale is enough for most to not do business with you.

 

[eddieK]

Use it.
There's no reason for you to consider another vise.
Too much emphasis is put on a tertiary tool that just holds things.

You can tell a person's integrity by their acceptance of their own decisions. Void the sale and you'll be something almost no one respects. Just suggesting you might void the sale is enough for most to not do business with you.

..and this is why my beloved USA made vises get destroyed by hammers...

Just sayin'

 

[jakemac]

"Exposed screw" refers to the main screw that opens and closes the jaws.
These are less desirable, because it leaves the threads open to debris that can, over time, damage the threads or the main nut that it threads into, unless kept clean while working.

Generally, an exposed screw vise commands lower prices than a comparable covered screw vise. Prices vary from region to region. Condition, size, and brand are also determining factors.

In my area, a 3-1/2" exposed screw vise would sell in the $10-$20 range. In your area the prices may be different.

Since this was an eBay sale, I wouldn't back out. eBay takes a dim view of deadbeat buyers.
Just chalk this up as a life experience.

In the meantime, while you look for a different vise, this one should still serve you well for its intended use of light duty work.

Remember, the purpose of a vise is to hold things. It isn't an anvil. It's a different form of clamp, not something to beat into submission.

 

[ducksface]

I would ask the seller to void the sale.

Why?

 

[disston]

It's not a bad looking vise. Maybe not up to some standards but it can probably do whatever jobs you have intended for it. Use it. Next time don't be in such a hurry.

I have a pretty hard fast rule in buying on Ebay these days. I'll admit I break this rule sometimes but not often. Anytime I find something I want I mark it for my Watch List. 24 hrs. If nobody else is bidding on it I will open the bids at the starting bid or a dollar higher only. Then I will put the top price I'm willing to pay in a snipping machine so I can avoid any bidding war.

I have too much of a history of impulse buying so I have had to learn.

 

[1982fxr]

Complete the transaction

Try it, see if it's big enough for your needs

If not just sell it, recoup what you can (yes that price was high), and chalk it up to life's experience.

 

[ssdave]

..and this is why my beloved USA made vises get destroyed by hammers...

Just sayin'

They're beloved to you, they're a tool to be used to many others.

Tools were made to do things, not to collect. Collecting is a side activity, not the primary.

If my tools are worn out to the point that they need to be thrown out when I die, they've been used just enough. I don't intend to die with any tools, new in the box, just waiting to be snapped up by a collector.

 

[exmaxima1]

You can tell a person's integrity by their acceptance of their own decisions. Void the sale and you'll be something almost no one respects. Just suggesting you might void the sale is enough for most to not do business with you.

I sell on the auction site and I accept voids at times. No issues if the guy just changed his mind. I've had some buyers change their mind due to higher than expected shipping cost, though I thought they knew what it was before they hit the button. I much prefer that over shipping something and THEN having to accept a return because the buyer was disappointed in what he bought. It's become part of the auction culture for some buyers to expect the same service as they get from Amazon or other online sites. It might not seem respectable to you, but to others it's no big deal and they think nothing of asking to return things or filing a Paypal chargeback. It's never happened to me (yet) but I've heard of many instances like that.

 

[exmaxima1]

Why?

It was a late-night impulse buy (possibly while under the influence) and in the morning it was realized to be a bad purchase.

PS: Where did you get the "duckface" moniker? You wouldn't happen to be Peter Cetera of the band Chicago would you?

 

[Ole Slewfoot]

It's not an epic vice, but appears clean and operable. compared to having no vice, you will get $50 use use out of it. somebody has at least $30 of work getting the paint and goop off it.

 

[crguy]

I sell on the auction site and I accept voids at times. No issues if the guy just changed his mind. I've had some buyers change their mind due to higher than expected shipping cost, though I thought they knew what it was before they hit the button. I much prefer that over shipping something and THEN having to accept a return because the buyer was disappointed in what he bought. It's become part of the auction culture for some buyers to expect the same service as they get from Amazon or other online sites. It might not seem respectable to you, but to others it's no big deal and they think nothing of asking to return things or filing a Paypal chargeback. It's never happened to me (yet) but I've heard of many instances like that.

As a seller, you almost have to accept returns or sale cancels nowadays even if there isn't a good reason. All the buyer has to say is the item "isn't as described", whether that's true or not, and Ebay will take the money away from you. And, the buyer can leave you negative feedback even if he got his money back.

 

[exmaxima1]

As a seller, you almost have to accept returns or sale cancels nowadays even if there isn't a good reason. All the buyer has to say is the item "isn't as described", whether that's true or not, and Ebay will take the money away from you. And, the buyer can leave you negative feedback even if he got his money back.

Been on eBay since 1999 and 100% perfect feedback---I don't do anything to risk that record.

 

[eddieK]

They're beloved to you, they're a tool to be used to many others.

Tools were made to do things, not to collect. Collecting is a side activity, not the primary.

If my tools are worn out to the point that they need to be thrown out when I die, they've been used just enough. I don't intend to die with any tools, new in the box, just waiting to be snapped up by a collector.

You mistake my love for something it is not. I love my wife and I love to see her do her stuff, there are many things she does better than me...but I would not use and abuse her.

I sweat and bleed (literally) for my earnings. Blue collar and i have a soft spot in my heart for USA made vises...hate to see them abused

 

[Bigmichaelkim]

She is small. And when I first got her it looked almost like a toy vise, but I don't intend to keep her as just a toy but plan on using her to the best of her ability. No regrets and wish me luck guys. Next vise I get needs to be a big Wilton or reed vise. Those seem really monster like. This will do for now as I have never earned a vise before.


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[Bill C]

She is small. And when I first got her it looked almost like a toy vise, but I don't intend to keep her as just a toy but plan on using her to the best of her ability. No regrets and wish me luck guys. Next vise I get needs to be a big Wilton or reed vise. Those seem really monster like. This will do for now as I have never earned a vise before.

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Looks great. It has a really neat look to it. I like the BABCO insignia. Also it appears to be an appropriate size for your workbench. I'd imagine the vise will serve you well. I would not bother looking for something bigger unless this one fails on you or you start working on projects that require larger jaw openings. I own two vises. A small vintage craftsman about the same size as yours and a large/heavy Athol 624 1/2. My small vise can do most anything I need and takes up less space than the massive ATHOL.

These forums have a way of making you feel like **** for either paying too much or not buying vintage American. Personally, $45 for a great condition japan made vise that has already been completely cleaned up and ready for service is a solid deal. It will, without a doubt, serve you better than anything you could buy new from China for the same money.
One thing I would do when using your "new" vise, is to protect the exposed lead screw (long threaded screw that moves the jaws in & out). Simply place a shop towel/rag/paper towel over the exposed threads whenever you are cutting or grinding on something held in the vise. This will keep the debris off the threads and help avoid future damage. That little extra step will ensure your vise lasts a good long while. Oh and don't actually use that anvil to beat on anything

 

[Cope]

She is small. And when I first got her it looked almost like a toy vise, but I don't intend to keep her as just a toy but plan on using her to the best of her ability. No regrets and wish me luck guys. Next vise I get needs to be a big Wilton or reed vise. Those seem really monster like. This will do for now as I have never earned a vise before.


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Looks nice. I have a Columbian 505 machinist vise and a Craftsman Wilton clone, but I mounted a small Columbian shop vise for small work. It gets as much use as my other two.

 

[ducksface]

I'd have bought that. I'd have bought it for its size and because someone else has cleaned it up.
I wonder if the jaws are hollow like a wilton?
I need small vise like that.

 

[Tonellin]

Judging by the work bench I think you'll be fine with that vise. Still think you overpaid but as long as it's not beat on it should suffice

 

[notlob]

I'd have bought that. I'd have bought it for its size and because someone else has cleaned it up.
I wonder if the jaws are hollow like a wilton?
I need small vise like that.

I have 2 or 3 similar to that vise that I don't need. A Littlestown, a Yost, and I think one other. Let me know if you might want one and I'll take some pics. I think they're cleaned up, too.