Need info on Wilhelm Baum woodworking vise

[GTS Rich]

A guy I work with has a wilhelm baum vise that he wants to sell but I can't find any information on the company or the vises. He said it is about 8"x4" and opens up to 15 inches.
No model number or any other information, he wants 75 for it.
Does anyone know if it's any good or if that's a fair price?
Thanks
Rich

 

[jimreed2160]

Condition determines a lot of price. Also, woodworking vises are specialized items that don't translate well for repurposing. Many modern woodworkers are already "vised up" or would prefer a rapid action or quick release vise. And lots of schools are getting out of woodworking and turning dozens of vises onto the shallow market. Location matters also because shipping can be very expensive.

A good quality new quick release vise is in the $150-200 range. So if your friend's Baum vise is missing parts or has breaks, it is worth about $10-25. If it is pristine, it is worth about $75-100. If it is in a tool dead zone, add a $25 premium.

So $75 is an OK deal if the vise is in great condition with most of its original paint and no rust. If the front dog is missing, subtract $25. $50 is also a better price if it needs a good clean up with rust removal.

Baum made excellent quality vises. If this is one of their good ones, you would probably enjoy using it. The size puts it in the big boy category so it will probably stand up to lots of use and abuse. Good luck.

 

[GTS Rich]

Thank you for the information, I looked at the vise tonight but decided to pass on it. It looks like he spray painted it, the vise jaws are frozen, I am not sure if that is from the paint or the corrosion.
Also, I wasn't sure how the release worked, it seemed upside down, but since I couldn't operate it, I couldn't tell.
Plus no holes in the jaws for a piece of sacrificial wood.
It looks more like a conversation piece than something I could work with.
Here are the pictures.

 

[Roberts210]

Smart decision I'd say. With all that pitting on the rods it looks like that one has been sitting in the weeds for a few decades.

 

[jimreed2160]

It needs a vise doctor. And parts for an uncommon vise are made from unobtainium. Rattle can black looks suspicious and does not hide the pitting on the side guides.

Quick release ww vises have been around for 100 yrs but there are many different ways to make it QR. Sometimes those are the parts that are prone to fail. I have a quick release Wilton that I could never figure out so I hot wired it. Works for me and was worth the $25.

Keep looking. There are some good ones out there. My favorites are Morgan, Brodhead Garrett, and Rock Island.

 

[Packard V8]

A guy I work with has a wilhelm baum vise that he wants to sell but I can't find any information on the company or the vises. He said it is about 8"x4" and opens up to 15 inches.
No model number or any other information, he wants 75 for it.
Does anyone know if it's any good or if that's a fair price?
Thanks
Rich

As long as the quick-release nut is sound, you probably can't buy a better woodworking vise for $75; as long as you don't mind a bit of elbow grease to shine it up.

jack vines

 

[turbowoodworker]

If I needed that type of vise, I would not hesitate on it at that price. The pitting is built in character that once a little elbow grease is applied, probably wouldn't hinder function.
That vise is designed to be built into a bench face.