Monarch 6" vise

[badams14]

Would you buy this Prentiss monarch for $200. I have been on the fence for days. Any thoughts?

http://southjersey.craigslist.org/tls/5026774189.html

I have some other pics. Seems to be in good condition.

Thanks.


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[thehorse13]

That vise is made by Prentiss. I have the 4 inch jaw version. 200 is too steep for me especially for a stationary vise that needs a restoration. The rule I use is 25 bucks per inch of jaw width.

If you do jump at this one, give it a really good look to make sure it does not have cracks or broken parts.

 

[PFSard]

Here's a pic from the CL ad. Been on CL for two months.

 

[drivesitfar]

TH: i don't think you can price vises especially 6 inches and bigger ones at a per inch or per pound price anymore if you ever could. of course on some of the more common and smaller vises there is usually a good way to determine value.

i' personally like the 6 inch and bigger vises because they are just that much nicer than the smaller vises. you are right about the Monarch being made by Prentiss vise.

14: so is it worth $200? i'd say definitely yes if there isn't any cracks or welds or broken pieces missing. the Monarch and it's lion head are fairly rare and the back slides on the bigger ones are usually cracked like a lot of Prentiss vises. that slide looks ok from here.

ask yourself do you need a big vise and if you do how much would a US made new one cost that is over 100 pounds. you might not want to buy it for the $200, but i'm willing to bet somebody will see the ad and buy it for the $200 or at least $150.

also welcome to the forum and hope you stick around to participate and not just use us as tool appraisers which we are happy to do at times.

 

[jrobb316]

If the guy still has it (i'm assuming you contacted him to make sure, most people don't bother taking their ads down), I think its worth it. The slide looks real clean, the jaws look weird, but thats probably a combination of paint, grime, and a crappy picture. If he really does still have it after 2 months, i'd offer $125 and he may take it, but i'd be prepared to spend the full ask. I always ask for a lesser price, if i'm going to, before I show up. Condition will obviously dictate the final price in person but I at least like to be in the ball park. On top of that, it is fairly rare, and a similar vise today, new, will run you $600+ and probably more, much more. Also, now that you posted the link, if you're going to pick it up you better run and get it, i've been bitten more times than one posting a link and some lurker swoops in and takes it.

 

[badams14]

Thanks guys, I've been reading post on the forum here for a long time. I finally decided to join because of my uncertainty, thanks for the welcome.

I'm in love with the older slide vises, right now I own 2 Wilton bullets (3" and 6"). But I really want a Prentiss, reed, Parker etc. Thanks again, I will follow up if/when I purchase.


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[jrobb316]

You can't beat any of the ones you just listed. Especially a good Parker. Once you bring home a Parker, more will follow it. In my case, 5. Be careful out there.. and welcome to the forum.

 

[1982fxr]

if no cracks I'd be all over that at $200...

 

[zkling]

I personally would not.

 

[badams14]

Well, I bought it. It is in great shape, the jaws are barely even worn. I'll post some pics when I get a chance, any idea what the original color would be? I'm going to clean it up and give it a paint job and polish the jaws up.


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[drivesitfar]

Congrats. Most likely black, but I might go bare metal and several coats of boiled linseed oil. I'll post a picture of a vise with blo on I if you ask

 

[jrobb316]

Awesome, glad you snagged it hopefully with a few bucks back in your pocket. The rule goes your vise, your color. You could get really creative with that lions head. If the vise I have is a user, I just strip it down, parts wash everything squeaky clean, and re lub the swivel base (if applicable), main screw, spindle at dynamic friction area, and under the slide. Ill also take a gasket scraper and derust the slide if it's bad and maybe file a little if someone was beating on the slide as an anvil and put any high spots on it. That's what I did to my newest Starrett 924 and put it straight to work on my bench at work.

 

[badams14]

Would love to see a pic of Bol on a vise


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[thehorse13]

Well, I bought it. It is in great shape, the jaws are barely even worn. I'll post some pics when I get a chance, any idea what the original color would be? I'm going to clean it up and give it a paint job and polish the jaws up.


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Here is my smaller Monarch. Maybe you'll like the way it looks.

 

[drivesitfar]

TH: nice looking Monarch

14: here's a couple pictures of my big Reed 4C that another member put 3 coats of BLO on. also including a before picture so you can see the change. if you do restore it can you take a lot of pictures and post them with details on the vise repair 101 thread?

depending on whether your shop is heated in the winter or muggy in the summer you'll need to re apply a coat of BLO accordingly to keep surface rust at bay.

good luck

 

[badams14]

That looks great guys. I like the natural look a lot. It will be a bit before I tear in to it, but I'll keep you updated with some pics.


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[thehorse13]

If you look directly under the main screw on the dynamic jaw, you will see the Prentiss Vise Company marking. It will say something like, P.V.Co. I forgot to mention this to you when you first asked about the vise.

 

[badams14]

Do they have a manufactured date stamped on it anywhere?


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[drivesitfar]

14: Prentiss vises are not date stamped, but if you happen to find one please let us know. some have part #'s stamped into the dynamic and static that usually match probably so the guys at the end of the line would know which parts to put together.

Happy to hear you like the BLO because i think it's probably my favorite color or non color.