Which one of these would be the best deal for just an all around tinkers Vise? All of these are current eBay deals.
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Vise advice
- Thread starter Dualmax
- Start date
drivesitfar
Well-known member
DUAL: since a lot of us over buy or maybe you could call it COLLECT vises if you go in your GJ profile you might be surprised that a local GJ member would have a nice older MADE IN USA or ENGLAND vise to sell you that was made much better than any of these.
if you have to buy new i'd opt for the $140 Wilton but there are several other options i've heard of around the $200 mark that might even be a bit nicer and do a better job and built better.
I just sold this one to a local guy for $75 and it's a 4 inch MORGAN without a swivel which you may or may not need.
i also sold this 80 pound Athol to another member for $240 that is 5 inch wide jaws and has a swivel just to compare.
if you have to buy new i'd opt for the $140 Wilton but there are several other options i've heard of around the $200 mark that might even be a bit nicer and do a better job and built better.
I just sold this one to a local guy for $75 and it's a 4 inch MORGAN without a swivel which you may or may not need.
i also sold this 80 pound Athol to another member for $240 that is 5 inch wide jaws and has a swivel just to compare.
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Fordriver6
Well-known member
My dad has had the 6" version of the Wilton WS5 vise. It's an import, but it's done everything ever asked of it. It's my welding vise now. The handle is bent from putting a pipe on it, the paint is half missing from the oxy/acetylene torch, its covered in weld spatter; but it still works. It might break tomorrow, but it's been thru hell. Having it around keeps me from abusing my good vises that if found since I came across the main vise thread here.
I do agree with the above posts about finding a good USA vise if you can afford to wait. If not, I would pick up either if those Wilton's until you find a better vise. Then you will have a beater vise. And you will have a vise to work on an old USA vise if it needs cleaned up or minor work. You can never have just one vise, ask me how I know.
I do agree with the above posts about finding a good USA vise if you can afford to wait. If not, I would pick up either if those Wilton's until you find a better vise. Then you will have a beater vise. And you will have a vise to work on an old USA vise if it needs cleaned up or minor work. You can never have just one vise, ask me how I know.
Cope
Well-known member
I agree, and even if the OP gets a larger vise later, that one can still be a good back up.
drivesitfar
Well-known member
DUAL: give us your location and maybe one of us has one for you? yes there are a lot of great old vise names and some are really rare and some are really expensive.
if you want to search on your own and you want to keep it below $200 here's a few i could suggest and you should be able to get a 4 inch wide jaw which is plenty of vise in the old US vise company versions.
1) REED
2) Athol
3) HOLLANDS
4) Rock Island
5) Parker
6) Starrett
7) Wilton
8) Columbian
9) and maybe 100 more brands...
if you want to search on your own and you want to keep it below $200 here's a few i could suggest and you should be able to get a 4 inch wide jaw which is plenty of vise in the old US vise company versions.
1) REED
2) Athol
3) HOLLANDS
4) Rock Island
5) Parker
6) Starrett
7) Wilton
8) Columbian
9) and maybe 100 more brands...
Shiftless
Well-known member
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
to everything drives said up there
I have a few you could have in that price range.
to everything drives said up thereI have a few you could have in that price range.
drivesitfar
Well-known member
Dual: i can't say i know anybody close to you that buys a vise a day so maybe some hunting on Craigslist and a few garage sales and you might have one or maybe two or three vises for your $150 investment. feel free to post up pictures here after you buy. i wouldn't recommend posting craigslist ads up unless you want somebody to buy the vise while we are talking about it.
look for cracks, welds, missing parts or broken off cast and if none of them apply buy it if you like it and report back to us.
I know there are maybe 20 or more GJ members in OHIO that go to a swap meet every year so post up more and get to know us and them and i bet your tool inventory and knowledge of how to use them will grow a LOT. your wallet may never see another $100 bill, but it's only money.
see at the top of the web page just under Garage Journal's logo where it says user CP? click on that and you should see a list on the left for your profile information. also there is AVATAR click on that and download a picture you like that will show up like my Bison made of scraps does. good luck and ask questions if you still need help.
look for cracks, welds, missing parts or broken off cast and if none of them apply buy it if you like it and report back to us.
I know there are maybe 20 or more GJ members in OHIO that go to a swap meet every year so post up more and get to know us and them and i bet your tool inventory and knowledge of how to use them will grow a LOT. your wallet may never see another $100 bill, but it's only money.
see at the top of the web page just under Garage Journal's logo where it says user CP? click on that and you should see a list on the left for your profile information. also there is AVATAR click on that and download a picture you like that will show up like my Bison made of scraps does. good luck and ask questions if you still need help.
There are quite a few GJ members within a few hours of you (including me).
If you go to my website there's a section on evaluating a used vise that might be helpful to you. I'm going to add pics soon, but you probably know enough already it won't make a huge difference to you without them.
Mustang1167
Well-known member
Since your from Canton I would look for a nice Columbian vise. They were made in Cleveland and most I see are still in good condition.
If you want bang for your buck, get the Sears Craftsman Professional vise from Cripe Distributing, an Ebay vendor. 100 bucks plus 40 dollars shipping will get you a vastly superior vise IMO than those you've listed. Currently has 7 listed as available.
http://www.cripedistributing.com/craftsman-51888-professional-heavy-duty-4-1-2-bench-vise.html
http://www.cripedistributing.com/craftsman-51888-professional-heavy-duty-4-1-2-bench-vise.html
rsanter
Well-known member
That $140 Wilton so the best deal there.
If you want a good used vise, I have a couple I will be selling
Bob
If you want a good used vise, I have a couple I will be selling
Bob
FigureItOut
Well-known member
I agree with others suggestions, but as long as you're looking at new imports, the Yost 750di should definitely be on your list.
Be patient and buy an old American vise off Craigslist, like I did. You should have a good selection in your area. Just ignore the dreamers listing at ridiculous prices and there will be solid deals out there. Don't be afraid to walk away if it's abused.
I looked at two vises, bought the second one I looked at, an old Columbian 4 1/2" that will do everything I need it to, for $75 on Sunday. Here it is, just so you know what deals are out there. You might even be able to get a better deal from a member here.
I looked at two vises, bought the second one I looked at, an old Columbian 4 1/2" that will do everything I need it to, for $75 on Sunday. Here it is, just so you know what deals are out there. You might even be able to get a better deal from a member here.
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FigureItOut
Well-known member
That's a great vise, I found mine for about $40 I think. Tight as a drum, I think it's considered more of a machinists vise. It certainly blows away the other Columbian it replaced.
That's way overpriced. I'm not a big fan of the Wiltons with a square slide, or with the pipe jaws cast into the body.
There's a 4" Parker listed near you that is nice, other than a bad paint job, and they're asking $200. Personally, I think it's a bit on the high side, but if you could get it for maybe $150 would be far and above better than anything posted on this thread so far.
About the only real downside to Parkers is that they jaws aren't easily replaced.
https://akroncanton.craigslist.org/tls/5989458523.html
Smellypirate
Member
Personally and as some have said, probably better off looking for an old vise. I've got two on my metal working table, a second hand 8" wilton and a tilting and swiveling Bridgeport vise. Using that Bridgeport vise as a bench vise is one of my smarter moves. It absolutely will not let go and I can put it in any position. Paid nothing for the two.
Maui
Well-known member
You should drive over to this guy's house NOW and get this vise!
https://akroncanton.craigslist.org/tls/5960733496.html
It's a Reed 2C, not a 2G as he listed in the description. It is priced at $100, but since it is missing one of the pipe jaws I'm sure that you could negotiate it down to $75.00. It is an awesome vise (I own one) and would be better than most of the others you will find in this jaw size.
Maui
https://akroncanton.craigslist.org/tls/5960733496.html
It's a Reed 2C, not a 2G as he listed in the description. It is priced at $100, but since it is missing one of the pipe jaws I'm sure that you could negotiate it down to $75.00. It is an awesome vise (I own one) and would be better than most of the others you will find in this jaw size.
Maui
drivesitfar
Well-known member
Maui: even though i LOVE REED 2C's and think they might be the best homeowner vise you can buy especially an older one that one is also missing the swivel's base so not sure it could be mounted. when they are missing pipe jaws and only showing one picture of one side of the vise i'm also concerned that a mounting hole for the pipe jaws might be cracked or broken.
Dual: i'm not sure how close you are to MICHIGAN, but there are a few very active members that live there like GMan for one. good luck and feel free to ask if you have questions either by PM or on this thread, but don't post links to ads if you like the vise cause you might just have given your vise away to a lurker.
Dual: i'm not sure how close you are to MICHIGAN, but there are a few very active members that live there like GMan for one. good luck and feel free to ask if you have questions either by PM or on this thread, but don't post links to ads if you like the vise cause you might just have given your vise away to a lurker.
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bczygan
Well-known member
NICE!!!
Even got the wrench!
Bill
Even got the wrench!
Bill
hedgehog
Well-known member
Nice vise! Are your plans to restore it a bit or bolt er down and get to work?
jl4c
Well-known member
I just replaced a Wilton 846 square slide because I didn't like the slop in the jaws. Listen to G-ManBart on this and leave those Wilton square slides for the unsuspecting...
It's gonna be my first go at restoring one but as soon as I have time I'm gonna go for it. And then it will definitely be put to use
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Very nice! That's a really good price for a great vise, and the wrench is icing on the cake. Glad it found a good home
