Vice nuts Help me decide

[Hounddog]

So I refurbished this Columbian a few months ago...It's condition is very good. Today an acquaintance offered to trade me his grandfathers vise (I could never do it) for my refurbed Columbian. The Reed is too big for him he says. It turns smooth and is in pretty good shape... unsure if the jaws come off or if there a part of the body...I believe they come off. Can someone chime in here. Is there a value difference? thoughts??? Thanks

v.s.

 

[ShadowRuleZ]

6" Reed? Do it!

 

[MoparTrucks]

You did a good job on that Columbian it looks like but all things being equal I think I would have to go with the trade. I would really check it close for cracks though.

 

[Hounddog]

While I'd prefer one with removable jaws.. These aren't that bad and I believe I can repoint them and make them nice when I refurb it. Providing it checks out I believe I'll swap. I wanted something older anyway. Now to decide if I should make a stand-alone base or bolt it up to my welding table/workbench. decisions, decisions.

Thanks guys for weighing in and the complement.

 

[drivesitfar]

HD: you bet get the Reed, but like has been said check for cracks and welds. it looks ok from my chair and a 6 inch Reed 106 probably weighs 120 pounds and it's the older one.

check out the vise stands thread for ideas if you don't want to mount the big to your bench.

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=252799&highlight=vise+stands

 

[Voi]

Can someone chime in here. Is there a value difference? thoughts???

I have 504 and 505 Columbians that I'm very fond of but I'd let one go for that Reed.

As far as value, your Columbian is a 504 or 504 1/2 M2, right? So under 50 pounds? That Reed is a 6" vise and over 130 pounds.

Check the jaws, check for cracks and do the trade.

 

[CNGsaves]

+1 to Do The Trade . . . after careful scrutiny of the 6" Reed . . . that baby is a beast !!

You're getting paid for your restoration work on the Columbian.

This will give you chance to begin . . .
. . . . . . scouting CL, garage/estate sales, etc for a swivel vise !!

 

[matt_i]

I think I have replaced the jaws in every vise I can think of. Some copper, some aluminum. Basically I don't have many things to grip where the hard jaw scars on the outside of the part are worth it.

 

[koditten]

Does the Columbian have a swivel base? It looks like it may have at one time. The Reed is definitely a non swivel.

I have a Reed and it swivels. That's a requirement for me.

 

[bigredcornhead]

Yeah, you did such a great job on the Columbian just think how awesome that Reed will be. Treadlightly like someone had already fine tooth come the jaws and base of that Reed. I would be very unhappy if you traded cleaned it all up and found stress cracks anywhere on the Reed. Good Luck Nice Job too.

 

[58Yeoman]

I was working in my shop yesterday, cleaning up a work bench and shelves, and I looked at my 3 1/2" Craftsman vise that I've had since the 70's, and a Columbian 3 1/2" that I bought at an estate sale, and thought "should I exchange them, or keep the Cman?" I decided to keep the Cman and will sell the other one.

I guess I just don't do heavy enough work to warrant having a large vise, though I do have a 5" (I think it is) Cman sitting on another bench. I'm still on the fence on whether I need that one or not.

 

[readhead]

Ok, finally got it. Vice nuts=people who like vice's. I was scratching my head on that one.

 

[metalmagpie]

Heck no I would NOT do that trade. A vise with removable jaws is a hard requirement for me. I don't care for swivel bases either. I know a lot of guys do but I have had vises move on me way too many times. Now I just bolt them down solid.

metalmagpie

 

[CTyankee]

Does the Columbian have a swivel base? It looks like it may have at one time. The Reed is definitely a non swivel.

I have a Reed and it swivels. That's a requirement for me.

Can anyone confirm this one way or another?

I'd take the Reed if it has no issues.

 

[chruler]

The Reed is indeed the more badass vise, but swivel is important.

 

[Hounddog]

So the deal fell apart. The guy was impressed with the restored vise but thought it was too small. Now he'd probably trade it for my Columbian 205 M3

...because while it's smaller than the Reed it's bigger than my restored one. Geesh, but I'm just not motivated for this swap. The 205 m3 is just lightly used...great shape. His is not as nice. The I can still buy a swivel base for the 205. AND to top it off... This morning I dropped off my restored vise to his shop.....for his inspection...his office is around the back of his shop. I set the vise by his door with a note w/my info and I'd be back this afternoon. I come by and we talk and the deal is a no go... I can handle that, but I did get pissed when he said "I guess I could have brought your vise in to have kept it out of the rain".... But he didn't, he did say he was surprised the FLASH RUST showed up so quickly. I just had to leave....so disappointing, some people......

 

[drivesitfar]

HD: all i can say is "some people's kids". the smaller columbian was a no brainer if the Reed 106 was in good shape. since you have the pipe jaws your Columbian might be a better user vise if you use them. if you don't use the pipe jaws then i'd still take the big Reed. my 2 cents

 

[CNGsaves]

Keep all YOUR vises . . . . anyone who'd leave restored vise out in rain . .
. . . on purpose . . . . just fell into the I Don't Know You Anymore box !!

Bookend the Columbian vises on either end of sturdy bench after you restore the bigger one.

PissOn that guy who backed out of the deal, once you brought over the vise.
. . . . . or IF his wife is smoking hot **** . . . . then Bang His Wife !!! . .

 

[drivesitfar]

HD: note to self. DON'T PISS OFF CNGSAVES!!!!

he did have a good point until the last part where WWF TV showed it's head.


cheers

 

[CNGsaves]

^ ^ ^ ^ . . . . all in jest you know.

To be more politically correct. OP should just politely say . . .
. . . . . NO, I'll prefer to keep all my Columbian vises now.
. . . . . I always seem to find a way to keep them out of the rain !!

 

[Hounddog]

Thanks all for chiming in.I believe I'll keep all my vises out of principle alone... there will be other ones.

 

[drivesitfar]

HD: those Columbians should do most any job and if you get a chance to buy a Reed C series or a Wilton C series vise that would be a nice upgrade down the road.

CNG: Always have liked reading your posts.