used bench vise advise

[hossmwp]

Hello Everyone. I am currently building a welding table and a workbench in my shop space at home. I have been searching for solid bench vises on craigslist in my area and so far no luck for the past month. I currently have an older parker that has served me well on one bench.

My question to all of you is this - Have you guys had good or bad luck with ebay when it comes to buying a solid Wilton or Reed vise or a Parker for that matter? I found a few and they seemed to be in the condition and price range I am looking for. Shipping obviously is not so appealing though.

While I am at it is there any other brands that you that frequent ebay and craigslist have seen that are quality older vises? My local welding supply house/fabricator tools seller has Wiltons now they carried parker way back. They want about two times what a used Wilton seems to be going for.

Thanks in advance!

 

[Kevin54]

If you can't find one in your area for the price you want to pay, then I'd wait it out for a little while. They do crop up from time to time. Also flea markets and auctions will turn some up. When it comes to shipping a vise, you are looking at some pretty good change because of the weight and not the size. Sometimes the shipping can be more than what you can buy a used vise for. And seeing that we are midways through winter, more and more stuff will be popping up as we get closer to Spring. Also you may kind of keep a posting out that if you find one, maybe a member closer to the area that you find one may drive pick it up and drive part way with it just to help out. I know that on Craigslist, I see quite a few people with trailers driving across country hauling items on trailers. If one of these guys are close, you might be able to work something out. I know that I'm the type that if I buy something for $35-50 I sure don't want to pay 2-3 times that to have it shipped. I'd rather wait or buy something a little cheaper to get by until what I want comes along, then sell what I had. Just something to think about.

 

[hossmwp]

I know what your saying, one vise the shipping was 65 and the other was more but not exactly sure of the amount. I am looking to do something in the next month. I started looking for two of them right after Thanksgiving.

If there is someone out on the board that retores old vises and sells them please contact me! I am not opposed to also doing my own its more or less the finding part thats been tough.

 

[Kevin54]

Someone posted this the other evening www.craigshelper.com For instance I punched in the zip for a town in New Jersey (07097) which was just a random zip) with a 250 mile radius and 4 vises came up for $50-60. So you may want to try that site, punch in your zip with a shorter drive time radius and see what you get. A roadtrip for an hour or so might be cheaper than shipping from the next state over. BTW...that site does not work with Opera web browser, or at least not correctly unless you download something else.

 

[hossmwp]

Thanks, I just did the same thing you suggested but with my zip and got 4 results also. I actually saw these looking through ebay and craigs list also but this is much faster than all the time I spent digging. I appreciate the tip on the site its great.

I agree, I save shipping when possible. I am actually trying to cordinate a trip to PA to pick up two diffs for cars instead of shipping. Its 200 to ship them and its a 1 hour ride! plus its Philly so Genos for cheesesteaks is always worth the hour!

 

[Ray-CA]

As far as shipping goes, have you looked at Greyhound? I bought a clutch and flywheel from Southern California and the cost for shipping by the normal "guys" (UPS/FED-EX etc.) was extremely high. Someone suggested looking at Greyhound and it made a world of difference. No door to door service, but the bus station is only 2 miles from the house. If the seller is willing to box it for shipping via UPS etc. the only extra thing they would have to do is drive to the depot.

Ray

 

[pirate]

I bought a 4 inch Chas. Parker #974 on e-bay several months ago for $30.00 and the shipping ended up being around $30.00 to get to my house by UPS. It was in remarkable condition. A wire brush in a pnuematic drill motor worked wonders taking off probably four layers of paint. I primed it and spray painted it with a rattle can and it almost like new, It still has a few scars but they add character to a vice that is probably 50 or more years old. Bottom line is you can't buy that same quality today for what I have invested in it. I would certainly like to have Wilton Machinist Vice but the old Chas. Parker does everything I need it to and probably when I'm done with it my kids will never wear it out.

 

[hossmwp]

I have a Parker at work that was my Grandfathers and now my Fathers basically. They are great. This is the reason I am looking for used. I know that the quality units will last a lifetime. I am not willing to pay 400 for something that I can get for less and has alot of life left.

I think our Parkers are 974's also! I will check that. We have taken a few weeks off and will be back to work in the shop soon.

 

[dfndr]

I wanted a nice old vise but when I couldn't find what I wanted quickly enough I bought a new Heuer forged vise on C/L. These are great vises made in Germany and guaranteed not to break. Less than $100. All my friends want one now.

 

[hossmwp]

I can see how if you are in a hurry you would have to buy new. I found a Rock Island on Craigs list newly listed called and it was already sold. No pics even posted for it. I have always been a fan of the Rock Island vise also.

I still have a few more weeks. Will be building two identical welding tables and need to put a vise on each one. Ideally I would like a 4inch jaw vise.

 

[krooser]

Look for local machinery auctions in your area. Also see if there are used machinery dealers within driving distance...