Starrett Vise offered to me (pics)

[slipnfall]

Fellow co-worker, on hearing that I was shopping around for some old-iron, offered me to sell me his unused "Sterrett", leftover from a family member. Claims it is a Sterrett, and I am inclined to believe him (he's an industrial mechanic, and good machinist), but I can't seem to find any like his. I'm going to take a look at it Saturday, but just here to solicit some insight. Assuming in good working shape, US made, I think $125 would be fair? Unfortunately these are the only pictures I have to go from for now.

Cheers!

 

[mmelton005]

Seems like $125 would be a good offer to me (I'm not very educated on Sterrett Brand vises though) Needs a little cleaning up, but looks solid.

 

[exmaxima1]

Fellow co-worker, on hearing that I was shopping around for some old-iron, offered me to sell me his unused Sterrett, leftover from family member. Claims it is a Sterrett, and I believe him (he's an industrial mechanic, and good machinist), but I can't seem to find any like his. I'm going to take a look at it Saturday, but just here to solicit some insight. Assuming in good working shape, US made, I think $125 would be fair? Unfortunately these are the only pictures I have to go from for now.

Cheers!

He may have meant "Sheffield" (as in England). That vise sure looks English.

 

[slipnfall]

Interesting. Perhaps he took one look at the color, saw the "S", and jumped the gun. I'm certainly no aficionado myself.

 

[bigcaddy]

Yup, your friend didn't read the name correctly. That vise is definitely English made but still a good vise. If you like it, buy it. There's an Athol around every corner it seems like

 

[larry_g]

One thing that is indicative of a knockoff vise is a skinny handle. To me that handle looks awful thin, not sure. Do your homework to make sure that is not an Asian import.

lg
no neat sig line

 

[oldldh]

One thing that is indicative of a knockoff vise is a skinny handle. To me that handle looks awful thin, not sure. Do your homework to make sure that is not an Asian import.

Starrett photos...first two...

European (Polish, I think) that was on Ebay a few months ago---8" jaws about 150 pounds...

 

[slipnfall]

Yep, on closer inspection of the pictures, I'm betting that handle was replaced - there is a roll pin used as a handle retainer....

Sorry I didn't realize that uploads became resized. See above for (now) larger.

 

[slipnfall]

And PS - thank you everyone for the helpful info - you could have saved me from paying for something it wasn't.

 

[slipnfall]

Took a quick look at the vise today - wasn't able to find any identifying markings except on the bottom, "INDIA" cast into the swivel base.

I could probably take it off his hands for $40, but not sure if I want to even do that. One side of the dynamic jaw, when mated to the static, was a good 1/8"-3/16" higher.

 

[zkling]

Run away, unless you need a welding vise for cheap.

 

[TangoFoxTrot]

If it's made in India, I think even $40 is a rip off.

If you want a serviceable vise that size on a small budget, I would just go to Harbor Freight and but a new one for like $20 more. With a 20% coupon it's probably the same price.

I really think the vise "market" has gone insane as to what people think every old vise is worth its weight in gold.

 

[Zrexxer]

Run away, unless you need a welding vise for cheap.

Better yet, just run away.

 

[balane]

I do not believe that is a vise you would enjoy owning at any price. My opinion is that you should definitely wait for something better.

 

[CNGsaves]

I do not believe that is a vise you would enjoy owning at any price. My opinion is that you should definitely wait for something better.

^ ^ ^ +1 . . . . . OP would have gotten better vise with the recent $90 ($105 less $15 discount) on the Sears Craftsman Professional 4 1/2" vise.

You may get lucky and find one . . . . see this thread:
http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=283157&highlight=craftsman+professional+vise

Otherwise, keep hitting up garage sales, estate sales, & CL for good old American vise.

 

[slipnfall]

Nope, definitely passed on the vise today. Thanks for all the great info. I considered it for a second, as a 'beater' vise, but I agree - for that price I could get just the same, but new elsewhere. Just picked up a 504 from eBay (see pics here):

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=282788