Vise help!

[CCOB18]

Hello all I am brand new here. Fell down a worm hole the past week of trying to find a American made vise. To my surprise all I can find are 1k and up wiltons. Through days of searching I have landed here and read countless threads on old vises and am coming to the conclusion to get a heritage vise that will last a life time I will have to buy something made before I was born. So my question to you all is what suggestions do you have for a new comer like me. I am loking for something on the larger side maybe 5-6” made in the USA that will last a lifetime. Hoping to stay under the $600 mark any help or recommendations would be appreciated. I have also attached two pictures of local vises I have found and would like to ask your opinions on them. I haven’t found much info on the simplex but from what I can find they were all made in the USA? Would have to fab up a swivel base.

Regards,
Connor

 

[Packard V8]

Welcome to the forum. For true, vises can become a thing; define your real needs and don't pay for a ***** extension just because large vises have become a thing here.

At a glance, the two Chas Parkers aren't wildly overpriced, just GJ-fad-driven overpriced. When inspecting a Parker, beware of the one which has been rattle-can restored. Inspect carefully for cracks and welds. Also replacement jaws for Parkers are NLA and a PITA to remove and replace, even if they were available.

If a vise is needed immediately, buy a Chicom to get by until the good old stuff comes to you. I have a friend who was hot to buy a keeper vise; three years later, he's still using the HF Chicom. For some, once the lust passes, it's just another shop tool.

jack vines, who's got way too many nice old USA vises.

 

[CCOB18]

Thank you for the reply sir. ***** extension not needed. Just looking for something that can always get the job done. Don’t really need extremely large but beefier the better in my opinion. More so for the fact of being very hard to break that will last generations. Do you have any information on the simplex? Haven’t been able to find much about them except made in the USA. Would you recommend the non painted Parker then? Would it be possible to source a swivel base? Appreciate any information you can provide. I have also found two more options once I figure out how to post them I would like your opinion on those as well if you don’t mind. Thank you again

 

[Renegade1LI]

Sometimes you’ll find an old craftsman or poerkraft that are pretty good, made in usa and a lot less $$$$.

 

[Packard V8]

Would it be possible to source a swivel base.

Some here feel a swivel base to be absolutely necessary. JMHO, but I seldom need that function and find them to be as much a negative as a positive.

Bottom line - we're not marrying these vises. Buy one, use it, find a better one sell the first.

jack vines

 

[Mr. Wonderful]

Just out of curiosity, why did you post this same exact question and pictures in another thread of the same title? I responded to the other one. You have a bit more information in this one as far as your parameters but it seems kind of redundant.

 

[drivesitfar]

Your simplex is a name that wasn’t around very long. It assumed Desmond Stephen vise company and then became rigid (I think so don’t quote me on this).
It’s a solid vise.

If it was me I’d look for a 4-5 inch old Rick island or Reed. Most of these older Vises are easily 2-4 times as big (weight and size except jaw width) than newer vises that advertise 6 inch jaws. The ok’d 6 inch jaw Vises usually weigh 100-200 pounds.

Another old brand you might consider is yost, Morgan and Craftsman vises made by Rock island and Reed.

If you’d put in a more specific area in your location either in your ad or this thread you might find a GJ member close to you that has a big old vise to sell or trade you.

Good luck

 

[txlonghorn1989]

Vise prices can also vary significantly depending upon area. So prices in WA can be vastly different than prices in FL. Just sayin'. If you can have some patience you'll find a good American made vise for the right price.

IMO that Chas Parker 974 was the best deal of the bunch you posted. You'd probably end up passing that vise on to your kids and theirs kids and ...

And what Drives said above is excellent advice. Provide at least your city or area and there could very well be someone here who's willing to set you up with an excellent vintage vise and a reasonable price. Worth the shot.

Good luck!

 

[CCOB18]

Just out of curiosity, why did you post this same exact question and pictures in another thread of the same title? I responded to the other one. You have a bit more information in this one as far as your parameters but it seems kind of redundant.

To be honest first day using the forum and couldn’t quite figure it out. Forgive me. Should I close one out? Wasn’t sure where or how to post

 

[CCOB18]

Your simplex is a name that wasn’t around very long. It assumed Desmond Stephen vise company and then became rigid (I think so don’t quote me on this).
It’s a solid vise.

If it was me I’d look for a 4-5 inch old Rick island or Reed. Most of these older Vises are easily 2-4 times as big (weight and size except jaw width) than newer vises that advertise 6 inch jaws. The ok’d 6 inch jaw Vises usually weigh 100-200 pounds.

Another old brand you might consider is yost, Morgan and Craftsman vises made by Rock island and Reed.

If you’d put in a more specific area in your location either in your ad or this thread you might find a GJ member close to you that has a big old vise to sell or trade you.

Good luck

Thank you for the information sir I’ve been hearing a lot of recommendations for the reeds so I will have to start that search! I will edit my bio as I am in Tampa florida. Thank you again

 

[CCOB18]

Vise prices can also vary significantly depending upon area. So prices in WA can be vastly different than prices in FL. Just sayin'. If you can have some patience you'll find a good American made vise for the right price.

IMO that Chas Parker 974 was the best deal of the bunch you posted. You'd probably end up passing that vise on to your kids and theirs kids and ...

And what Drives said above is excellent advice. Provide at least your city or area and there could very well be someone here who's willing to set you up with an excellent vintage vise and a reasonable price. Worth the shot.

Good luck!

Thank you sir!

 

[drivesitfar]

CC: welcome to GJ and since we can't delete posts now just keep this thread going cause it was an honest mistake. if you'd have specific questions on vises you can also post them up on the VISE REPAIR 101 thread that i check daily along with several other members that have great knowledge about vises and issues.

here's the link to the 101 thread: https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=252830

also the better pictures you can post we can also help you identify any repairs fixed or needed or other possible issues.

good luck!

 

[CCOB18]

Thank you sir! I will check that thread immediately!

 

[toolchaser]

CCOB18, if you were closer, I have a Chas. Parker with swivel that I have been too busy to list on CL that would probably work for you. I did a full strip down, inspected, then primed & painted. It even had a straight handle when I found it so probably wasn't abused. Ever get up to the Atlanta area?

 

[aggiegrads]

CCOB18, if you were closer, I have a Chas. Parker with swivel that I have been too busy to list on CL that would probably work for you. I did a full strip down, inspected, then primed & painted. It even had a straight handle when I found it so probably wasn't abused. Ever get up to the Atlanta area?

Road trip!

 

[CCOB18]

I actually just drove through there last week and am heading up to Savannah tomorrow! Sadly I won’t have the time to make my way over to Atlanta for a little bit. Thank you for the offer though!

 

[PierceA]

CCOB18. You will be hard pressed to find a much better vise than either of the two Parker vises you showed.
That said, Reeds, especially the later 'R' versions are at the top of the list for a good, heavy duty vise. And the later Reed vises have replacable jaws that are easier to get made than the jaws for a Parker.

A 4" or 4.5" vise from Parker or Reed are large vises.. As are the ones from Rock Island, Prentiss, Athol, Yost, etc.

I have a slew of wonderful American vises. BUT I use a china-import 6" cylinder rotator vise for most jobs. Mainly because most jobs in the vise are welding and grinding jobs.. an I HATE getting welding spatter all over the jaws and jaw towers of a collector grade vise.
BUT before I became aware of what I was using and abusing, I did all my work with an inherited Reed 204-1/2. It survived for the most part.. a few hunks of weld on the jaws and a few file marks and porta-band saw marks.. oh well..

A 5" and larger vise is nice to have but for 99% of the work I do, a 4" or 4.5" do fine. The 6" china rotator is just used because to me it has no collector value.. similar ones can be bought on sale for less than $100.

Best of luck with your search. OH. I have two Desmond Simplex vises, they are well made and tough. You would not be making a mistake by buying one. The one in your ad you posted does appear to have a made-up mainscrew retaining collar. The Simplex vises use the same fork/collar as a Parker.

Atlanta is much closer than S.E. Michigan, but I'd have an Athol 624.5 or a Parker 4" or even a Reed available if you were nearby.


PierceA

 

[CCOB18]

CCOB18. You will be hard pressed to find a much better vise than either of the two Parker vises you showed.
That said, Reeds, especially the later 'R' versions are at the top of the list for a good, heavy duty vise. And the later Reed vises have replacable jaws that are easier to get made than the jaws for a Parker.

A 4" or 4.5" vise from Parker or Reed are large vises.. As are the ones from Rock Island, Prentiss, Athol, Yost, etc.

I have a slew of wonderful American vises. BUT I use a china-import 6" cylinder rotator vise for most jobs. Mainly because most jobs in the vise are welding and grinding jobs.. an I HATE getting welding spatter all over the jaws and jaw towers of a collector grade vise.
BUT before I became aware of what I was using and abusing, I did all my work with an inherited Reed 204-1/2. It survived for the most part.. a few hunks of weld on the jaws and a few file marks and porta-band saw marks.. oh well..

A 5" and larger vise is nice to have but for 99% of the work I do, a 4" or 4.5" do fine. The 6" china rotator is just used because to me it has no collector value.. similar ones can be bought on sale for less than $100.

Best of luck with your search. OH. I have two Desmond Simplex vises, they are well made and tough. You would not be making a mistake by buying one. The one in your ad you posted does appear to have a made-up mainscrew retaining collar. The Simplex vises use the same fork/collar as a Parker.

Atlanta is much closer than S.E. Michigan, but I'd have an Athol 624.5 or a Parker 4" or even a Reed available if you were nearby.


PierceA

Thank you for all the information sir I actually just received a columbian vise today for free! I was wondering if any of you have any information you can lend me as to value or year. I will look into some of the forums every one posted as well as attach a picture. If I ever get up to Michigan I’ll look you up afraid it’s too cold up there for my Florida blood though! Haha. Thank you again for the information

 

[CCOB18]

Columbian vise I received for free. How’d I do?

 

[txlonghorn1989]

You did great for free! As a fairly cheap homeowner's vise that Columbian D44 is just liable to do everything you need. It isn't in the same class of vises you'd been looking at and most folks here are referring to but it's a great start. Use it and if you find it doesn't meet your needs well the price was right. Good job!

 

[CCOB18]

You did great for free! As a fairly cheap homeowner's vise that Columbian D44 is just liable to do everything you need. It isn't in the same class of vises you'd been looking at and most folks here are referring to but it's a great start. Use it and if you find it doesn't meet your needs well the price was right. Good job!

Awesome! Any idea as to what it’s worth? Would like to compensate my friend in some way for the gift. Still looking for something larger but as I’m falling down the worm hole I have a feeling I’m going to end up with a few. Haha.

 

[drivesitfar]

CC: i don't shop EBAY, but I do watch Craigslist and Offerup and a few auctions so i have a decent idea on value of your little Columbian.

if its not broken, missing any parts and works like a vise should I'd say in it's condition $50 would be a fair deal. I'd probably only pay $25 cause i don't need a vise and if it was fully restored it might be worth a benjamin is about what I see up here in the PNW.

now i'm 3000 miles from you, but I have more techies than guys and gals that work in their garages so you make the call.

My favorite vise is a REED C series vise and any of them would serve you well if you can find one (1c, 2c, 3c or 4c). I have a 4c on my workbench and an old 4c that hasn't been cleaned up as my outside vise.

now you have a vise and feel free to ask if another old bigger one shows its pretty head and you have questions.