Want to buy a good vise that will last the test of time. Buy once cry once. These are a few near me. Please advise. Open to any suggestions want something beefy and made in the good old USA.
Regards
Connor
Regards
Connor
Need vice help!
- Thread starter CCOB18
- Start date
Mr. Wonderful
Well-known member
I'd rule out that craftsman right away. It's not in the same league as all the rest. Any of the others look pretty good given there is no damage. That simplex looks to be a bit bigger than the others and in good shape. Any of the others i'd only be worried about damage hidden under the paint.
Hello sir thank you for the reply. If you had to pick your top two what would you go with? I’ve always heard the wiltons are amazing but not sure if that price is right. Any more information would be helpful. Thanks again
-Connor
-Connor
thehorse13
Well-known member
Every one of those vises is overpriced. If I was going to pay north of retail on the choices above, the Chas Parker is the way I would go if I was forced to pick one. No welds, cracks or repairs otherwise it's a hard pass.
If I was not forced, I would search for nicer examples at much better pricing.
If I was not forced, I would search for nicer examples at much better pricing.
Hello thehorse13 thank you for the comments I appreciate the honest reply. Which one of the parkers above to you believe to be better quality given there’s no cracks etc? Brand new to this so not sure about what’s retail. Can you recommend better places to look besides Craigslist? Just be patient and keep an eye on the garage sale here?
Mr. Wonderful
Well-known member
That's a tough call. I am a modest collector. I don't want to stir up controversy here. That said, I have seen the gauntlet thrown down from others stating they have never seen a broken Columbian. To my knowledge no one has produced a specimen yet. So if it's abuse you are dishing out I'd say that's your pick. As far as the prices go, many on here will say those prices are high. I would agree. But, I have many vises and no immediate need for just one good one. If you need one now you are kind of stuck paying for what's out there. I know it's hard when you don't have one and never seem to find anything at a decent price. Good luck!
With the exception of the Wilton, all are priced at least double what they would sell for in the Chicago area. The Wilton might fetch $250 if it is clean and has good jaws, though I wouldn't want an early version like that before they used ductile iron. I would avoid Parker 94 1/2 as it is the ancient style bench mount and the jaws look worn---fresh jaws would need to be custom made and very expensive.
That said, of the lot I would look at the Columbian and offer no more than $150. It's non-swivel and Columbians are not highly sought after so that offer is not an insult.
That said, of the lot I would look at the Columbian and offer no more than $150. It's non-swivel and Columbians are not highly sought after so that offer is not an insult.
I appreciate the reply’s from both of you gentleman. I have contacted a few of the sellers and sadly they were pretty un reasonable. Yet to contact the columbian seller just fearing 4 inches is too short. My girlfriend doesn’t have a problem with it but I digress. If I may ask exmaxima1 what years are best for wiltons as that is what I am most after. What other brands,years, price tags should I be on the lookout for? Better yet any threads that are informative? Thank you both much it is highly appreciated.
If I decide to wait it out and purchase something new to hold me over are the German made rigids or heuers any good? At that price point better to wait it out for a Wilton? Seems as though most revere wiltons as the gold standard. Correct me if I’m wrong.
Cruzan80
Well-known member
Not worth it. Those are the USA/overseas transition, just before the CM above. May e 75 for that.
Sent from my IN2015 using The Garage Journal mobile app
Sent from my IN2015 using The Garage Journal mobile app
LOL, that's a light duty utility vise with a pressed steel slide. No more than $50 any day of the week in Chicago.
I'm not a vise collector, but have had probably 50 vises pass thru. For value, Morgans are my favorite and are in abundance since they were made locally for many years. They are similar in quality to Athol/Columbian (post 60's when they went to ductile iron)/Parker/Rock Island. Reed are a step up from them and are very stout. The best USA vises I ever had were the current model Wilton Machinist and Combination models---you can easily spot them with their large diameter end caps. They are CNC machined and very well-made.
I think all the Wiltons made after early 70's are excellent, look great, and hold up well. My Wilton 5-inch "Harley" Machinist was just gorgeous to me. You rarely see them with cracks or busted jaw shelves, unlike the earlier versions. And since Wilton is ultimately moving all their production offshore (my opinion, not fact), they are good investments and will always have demand.
Keep looking and at the prices you are seeing in FL you might be better off getting one shipped from elsewhere. Good luck
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thehorse13
Well-known member
Just read this entire thread. It will tell you everything you need to know.
https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=447255
https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=447255
Good reference. Much easier than the main thread at 4173 pages!!
https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=44782
I just want to thank you all for the help I have gotten way more responses than I could ever imagine. From the information I am getting it’s sounding like it would be best to look into the newer made wiltons or a reed. Maybe I’ll post to the in search of forum. Thanks again everyone.
Cruzan80
Well-known member
If you need a vise now, I would look at the red Reed 114. Jaws seem like they have seen some use, but price is right.
Sent from my IN2015 using The Garage Journal mobile app
Sent from my IN2015 using The Garage Journal mobile app
Where would I find this one at? I tried searching the garage sale.