Looking for big Wilton C3 bench vise

[mwv247]

I’ve run across a bunch of old ads for people selling the big Wiltons for $300-500 I’d love to come across on of these. The few I have found were gone before I could get to them. Anyone on here with a big Wilton please message me.

I’m located in Charleston SC but could probably arrange pick up for something outside of driving range

 

[shawhite]

I bet they are gone for that price? At close to 200lbs you could probably get close to that at the scrap yard.

 

[LNKMK8]

I bet they are gone for that price? At close to 200lbs you could probably get close to that at the scrap yard.

At today's prices, I think you would be closer to $20 scrap value.

 

[mwv247]

I just finished my dream garage a few months ago, with Covid still effecting my day job I’m looking to run a small fab shop out of my house. If someone has one they can part with please message me.

 

[GForceJunky]

I can't say I've seen a C3 in half decent condition for less than $900-1000 in a few years. I'm sure it happens but doubt anyone on here who knows what they are is going to let them go for much less than that.

Seen some pretty rough ones for less but everything is expensive - pipe jaws, regular jaws, swivel bases, etc. so as soon as you need a couple of things you're better off paying a premium for a good one.

Chances are to find a deal like that you're going to constantly need to be on the prowl (FB MP, CL, eBay,etc.) and attending estate/garage/shop sales, etc. Word of mouth works well too if you know the right people.

 

[dr_clyde]

They sell them brand new all day, every day.

 

[Packard V8]

Most here would love to pay $300 for a $2000 vise.

However, don't get tunnel vision on a C3 and pass up a large vise from a dozen other manufacturers which will work just as well in your fab shop.

FWIW, I scored a nice big Rock Island for cheap because it was missing the swivel base. Works for me because I don't ever swivel. I fabbed a 1"x 14 TPI center bolt and with two 3/4" bolts on the sides, it ain't goin' anywhere.

jack vines

 

[shawhite]

At today's prices, I think you would be closer to $20 scrap value.

It was my attempt at sarcasm. I just wonder if the OP realizes how big a c3 is.

 

[coljar]

The closest I have to that for sale is a restored Wilton No. 60.

 

[Craftfab]

Most C3's in fair condition I see up and down east coast range from $500 at low to $1,200 with most in between. There has been one up for a few days at $800 and looks mint except for some surface rust. Good luck in your search.

 

[magicrat]

Yea that might b to much vise for me. C2 in plenty. I bought a Yost 6 inch machinist vise which is 155 pound for $400 brand new off amazon a couple years ago. Got to jump on those quick deals

 

[73tinman]

I love mine. It is great shape and I clean it everyday after I use it.

 

[magicrat]

I like that vise how old is it. Beautiful!!!

 

[mwv247]

I tried buying the one listed at $800. I asked the owner if I could send a deposit and he asked for $500. Told me he would not give me his address until the day of pick up. No way am I giving someone $500 who can’t tell me where the item is. I’ve had emails from 5 different scammers using photos off eBay and Craigslist to try and get money from me. I figured garage journal with 4000 pages of Vise info would be a great spot to try and find what I’m looking for. Guess not....

 

[dr_clyde]

I tried buying the one listed at $800. I asked the owner if I could send a deposit and he asked for $500. Told me he would not give me his address until the day of pick up. No way am I giving someone $500 who can’t tell me where the item is. I’ve had emails from 5 different scammers using photos off eBay and Craigslist to try and get money from me. I figured garage journal with 4000 pages of Vise info would be a great spot to try and find what I’m looking for. Guess not....

So you thought a forum of tool collectors, hoarders and deal hounds would pass along a deal like that to a perfect stranger? Hmm...

Deals are out there, and they happen when you least expect to find them. Seldom are the shared in public before they happen.

Keep cash in your pocket, and attend every auction, estate sale and machine shop liquidation in the area.

 

[Mr. Wonderful]

MWV,

If it helps here's one you might be willing to work shipping on. I dont know the seller. He might cut a deal minus the table.

https://offerup.com/item/detail/1046022217/

 

[mwv247]

I don’t have time for auctions or estate sales. I’ve got a newborn son and many other family responsibilities that eat up my time. The free time I do get, which is seldom, is spent finding parts, and working odd hours on a Kaiser M715. I love garage journal but I never figured it a stomping ground for so many scammers. Thanks Clyde

 

[dr_clyde]

I highly doubt its scammers at it is just distrustful old guys. A lot of these guys here are still figuring out how paypal works. I've done several online transactions on GJ and PM where I just sent the guy a check because that's the only way the deal would happen.

I do hope you find the deal that you're looking for, but I'm here to tell you that they don't just fall into your lap. I mean, they do, but very very rarely.

All good deals I have gotten on tools and equipment came through beating the bushes and going to sales. And I get the whole not having time thing, I do. That's why if I want something bad enough, I typically just buy it new because I can't take the time to hunt one down for a swinging deal. But, I still make time for a few auctions a year.

A lot on auctions are online, and you can do them from the comfort of your home. I bet there is a local auctionhouse that does consignments not too far from you. They're everywhere. The one near me has a sale every thursday, and there are deals to be had.

 

[HMCFab9]

I don’t have time for auctions or estate sales.

Order one from northern tool if you don't have time to look for a used one.
They have a nice Wilton on sale in their flyer right now

 

[Packard V8]

I don’t have time for auctions or estate sales. I’ve got a newborn son and many other family responsibilities that eat up my time. The free time I do get, which is seldom, is spent finding parts, and working odd hours on a Kaiser M715. I love garage journal but I never figured it a stomping ground for so many scammers. Thanks Clyde

Well, Clyde, life requires tradeoffs; time with the family, time with the hobby and then, on top of that, one is expected to work.

For those who may not know, the Kaiser M715 is the military version of the old Jeep Gladiator pickup.

I still have bad memories of the first versions of those. Kaiser modified the antique Continental flathead six-cylinder with an overhead cam head. As with any new design, there are teething problems. I remember a convoy delivering the first 100 production models. Each M715 was towing a second M715. Because this wasn't an Army convoy, limited to 45 MPH, the drivers ran as fast as the trucks would go. Geared 5.87, at highway speeds, they were flat out screaming. The convoy immediately begin having breakdowns, so each time one died, the tow became the towed. All of that first 100 had to be retrieved and new engines installed.

jack vines

 

[davethorik]

no response about buying a new one, but plenty of excuses about why you don't have time to search for a deal on used...let me guess, you don't NEED a c3 you just want one...