What to Offer (workbench and vise)?

[Metallitubby]

My employer is consolidating/merging two divisions into one, and in the process, lots of shop equipment is being liquidated to make space. One of the items is this workbench and vise, and I was told "just to make a reasonable offer and its yours". The people in charge know that $20 isn't going to cut it, but what is a realistic "good deal" on this combination?

Workbench appears to be one very similar to a Uline. 30"x 60" with an MDF-type top.

Vise is a Wilton, but I don't know much beyond the size and name brand.

 

[isb cornbinder]

$200 is a good deal. If you can get it for less, you will be very lucky. A WILTON vise is worth $200.

 

[Metallitubby]

$200 is a good deal. If you can get it for less, you will be very lucky. A WILTON vise is worth $200.

Oh ok. I knew from reading posts here that Wilton was a good brand, but wasn't aware of the value. Thank you for the information!

 

[Mr. Wonderful]

i believe that is an import wilton and not all that valuable. It looks like the jaws are misaligned a bit too. If you are not a "vise guy" I'm sure it will give you a long life of use. I would agree with Isb that $200 is fair.

 

[Jawn]

I doubt the vise is worth more than what a comparable vise is at the big box store despite the name (does look like a later import), but the bench looks pretty good. How tall is it? Does it feel like a cheap filing cabinet or more like a decent tool box level of sturdiness?

I'm not sure about $200 for that unless the bench is really industrial grade stuff. I'd throw out the idea of $100 but I'm a cheapskate. YMMV?

 

[Speed-Racer]

Agree while 200 may be fair. Doubt a lot of folks will drive out for 200, 100 would be a faster sale.

 

[zendriver]

"just to make a reasonable offer and its yours"

Could any offer to sell something be more lame? Reasonable by whose standards? What if no one is "reasonable"? into the dumpster?

it looks like a nice vise and bench, but they have made their money back on them long ago.

I'd offer $100 generous considering the situation.

If they had an idea on what it should sell, for that is what they should be asking, IMO

 

[Jayman17]

I agree more with the $100ish price to offer.

Jay

 

[M635_Guy]

Before I scrolled down, the number in my mind was $150.

 

[slowtwitch73]

Vise is of negligible value...

 

[Terra Nova]

I was thinking $150-ish. As mentioned that's an import/low quality Wilton vise. I've seen more broken ones than functioning ones.

Looks to be a good cabinet though and those tops are pretty indestructible, not as nice as Maple, but very serviceable.

 

[Metallitubby]

Reasonable by whose standards? What if no one is "reasonable"? into the dumpster?

The manager in charge of selling things is a good friend of mine, and he is tasked with selling hundreds of items. He just doesn't want the attention that it *might* draw if he allows it to be sold for pennies on the dollar. In order words, make it just enough to where it looks like a reasonable deal for both Honda and myself (the word reasonable being in my favor obviously).

As to those that asked about the cabinet. It feels heavy duty and nothing like a flimsy filing cabinet. The same manager that is selling it lives near me, so he is also offering to drop it off at my shop.

I think I'll start around $100 and see what sticks.

 

[Metallitubby]

How tall is it?

You've seen me. I'm 6ft even when I stand up straight. It's a little over waist high on me. I thought about adding blocks underneath once it's in my possession to lift it up a couple inches.

 

[Geezer]

My employer is consolidating/merging two divisions into one, and in the process, lots of shop equipment is being liquidated to make space. One of the items is this workbench and vise, and I was told "just to make a reasonable offer and its yours". The people in charge know that $20 isn't going to cut it, but what is a realistic "good deal" on this combination?

Workbench appears to be one very similar to a Uline. 30"x 60" with an MDF-type top.

Vise is a Wilton, but I don't know much beyond the size and name brand.

.

 

[Metallitubby]

I'd offer 40 tops for vise and $100 for the table.

I'm offering on both or nothing at all, but I like your numbers. They seem to align with everyone else's at this point too.

 

[Geezer]

I'm offering on both or nothing at all, but I like your numbers. They seem to align with everyone else's at this point too.

.

 

[Metallitubby]

The higher end bullet wiltons are forged vises and they aint cheap.But cast iron is ok for the lighter stuff but the values are a lot lower.

These are the things I've learned on this forum between bickering with people about nonsense. I guess I should've also stated that the workbench/vise in question was never used in a shop professionally, but as a video production prop for technical training videos. I'm sure it's had some light work done on it, but nothing industrial by any means.

 

[619DioFan]

If I needed that I would go 100 and see what they say. 150 would be my limit.

 

[Metallitubby]

If I needed that I would go 100 and see what they say. 150 would be my limit.

That's another thing. I do need a workbench and vise, hence my interest in the combo. I think I won't go any higher than $150 at this point.

 

[toolmiser]

I would also go with the $100.00 crowd.

 

[SweetD]

Honestly, I'd offer $50 and when they say no, offer $75. $100 tops and you will have a decent deal. I mean they are getting rid of it anyway, it's not worth anything for scrap...good luck!

 

[merkyworks]

$100 and see what they say, would be shocked it that wasn’t good enough.

To me “make a reasonable offer“ means don’t super low ball and say $20.

 

[Metallitubby]

I was messing around with the sliding doors on the front. The key to the door lock was taped to the back side of the door. I'd still end up knocking the cylinder out, but it was neat that the key has stuck with the bench the whole time.

 

[tarbellb]

Stoked < $100

Happy = $150

Not bad <$250 - better then anything you would buy new near that price (cab+vise)


The cabinet is nice, the vise is standard issue cheap USA Wilton. A perfectly serviceable setup for most

 

[exmaxima1]

I vote $100 as well. If the Wilton were a USA-made version and/or the benchtop were maple butcher block I would consider $150 maximum.

 

[joshmodelskidoo]

I think $100 is on the high side. $50-75 range is probably the range I would try

 

[sweet victory]

As someone who is "people in charge", offer $100, but make sure you take it the same day. You're doing them a favor by taking it home, and for me, that is more valuable than the value of the item. If you give them $X and let it sit there, you could be delaying a whole slew of other things you may not be aware of. Our facility averages ~$75k/day in cashflow. Taking a day to move furniture is expensive.

 

[Metallitubby]

As someone who is "people in charge", offer $100, but make sure you take it the same day.

I agree. I mentioned it earlier on, but the person in charge is going to help me take it home as well.

 

[Zebu Fellenz]

$50 if I could use it, $100 if I really wanted it, $150 if I needed a workbench ASAP.

 

[zendriver]

The manager in charge of selling things is a good friend of mine, and he is tasked with selling hundreds of items. He just doesn't want the attention that it *might* draw if he allows it to be sold for pennies on the dollar. In order words, make it just enough to where it looks like a reasonable deal for both Honda and myself (the word reasonable being in my favor obviously).

As to those that asked about the cabinet. It feels heavy duty and nothing like a flimsy filing cabinet. The same manager that is selling it lives near me, so he is also offering to drop it off at my shop.

I think I'll start around $100 and see what sticks.

Fair enough, but what does he think They need to have? The price might have come up in discussion When the sale is being planned.

 

[FMB4]

I'd offer what you think it'd be worth to you minus 25 - 50%.

 

[TailGunner3000]

Yeah,that is what I meant anyway.The higher end bullet wiltons are forged vises and they aint cheap.But cast iron is ok for the lighter stuff but the values are a lot lower.Good luck

This is not true. Nearly all vises are made of some form of cast iron, even high end Wilton's. Whether they use grey/gray, white, ductile or some other alloy, it's still cast iron. I doubt most people would consider big old Reed, Parker, Starrett or Morgan vises as "light duty."

Some vises are forged steel, like the Heuer vises from Germany, but that's not the standard.

 

[Geezer]

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[Geezer]

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[zendriver]

Wilton isnt the best or strongest vise.Steel vs common cast iron is always better.Forged steel is loads better than cast.Has more clamping power,more than many folks need,especially in the home shop. I have a cast vice that I've literally beat the **** doing stuff on automotive repair and it still works okay I busted a hole in the flat top surface of the vise but it still works. Of course if you make a big enough vice of cast iron of course it would be strong. Cast iron crankshafts are common in automotive engines also, but we put forged crankshafts and forged connecting rods in engines also for strength. But I'm not going to get into a ******* contest on some silly forum. But isn't ductile iron and flame hardening of steels great! Yes

Oh, yes you are!

 

[Geezer]

.

 

[shawhite]

Wilton isnt the best or strongest vise.Steel vs common cast iron is always better.Forged steel is loads better than cast.Has more clamping power,more than many folks need,especially in the home shop. I have a cast vice that I've literally beat the **** doing stuff on automotive repair and it still works okay I busted a hole in the flat top surface of the vise but it still works. Of course if you make a big enough vice of cast iron of course it would be strong. Cast iron crankshafts are common in automotive engines also, but we put forged crankshafts and forged connecting rods in engines also for strength. But I'm not going to get into a ******* contest on some silly forum. But isn't ductile iron and flame hardening of steels great! Yes

I’m still trying to figure out how just because A vise is made out of forged steel it has more clamping power all this time I thought clamping power was determined by the thread on the spindle.

 

[dnschmidt]

There are some truly cheap people on this forum. If you think you could replace that for $100 your crazy. $200 seems fair. If I was selling it and somebody lowballed me I'd let them watch as the bulk garbage pick up truck dumped it into its crusher. I've done that before and I'll unquestionably do it again. It was such fun hearing them being outraged as I told them to shove it up their ***.

 

[Geezer]

I’m still trying to figure out how just because A vise is made out of forged steel it has more clamping power all this time I thought clamping power was determined by the thread on the spindle..

 

[seber]

This is not true. Nearly all vises are made of some form of cast iron, even high end Wilton's. Whether they use grey/gray, white, ductile or some other alloy, it's still cast iron. I doubt most people would consider big old Reed, Parker, Starrett or Morgan vises as "light duty."

Some vises are forged steel, like the Heuer vises from Germany, but that's not the standard.

Not to start a fight but cast iron has a specific definition. Ductile iron and white iron do not fit that definition. Even though ductile starts out as cast, it is subsequently heat treated of a minimum of 60,000 psi. and is no longer classified as cast iron. It is also generally stronger than welded mild steel as there is no HAZ to cause stress risers. The only way to get stronger is to use alloy steel and do a post weld heat treat.