Which vise to keep?

[dumper]

One has to go! Colombian 504-1/2, 4-1/2" jaws, weighs 44lbs, fixed base, vs. Babco, made in Japan, 6" jaws, weighs about 60lbs, rotating base with lockout. Babco is in better shape- has seen less action and abuse, but the Colombian was probably a more solid vise when new. So...which would you keep?

 

[dumper]

Here's the Babco.

 

[ClappedOutBport]

I guess it depends what you work on most. Large objects that need lower clamping force, or smaller object that need some real grunt. I like the colombian better.

 

[JUNK-MAN]

The babco. Looks like a better working vise to me, feel free to send to Columbian my way though!

 

[Outlawmws]

I'd go with the Columbian...

 

[txvwnut]

I thought to be a member here you had to have more than one vise.

 

[Mark in Indiana]

dumper,

Why does one vise have to go?
IMO: Keep both. It's very handy to have a back-up vise...or 27 back-up vises.

 

[bluebolt]

Put the Columbian on a heavy based mobile stand and keep both. Some things fit better in one size vise over another.

 

[CNGsaves]

I thought to be a member here you had to have more than one vise.

. . . . . . .

Dumper . . . Why does one vise have to go?
IMO: Keep both. It's very handy to have a back-up vise...or 27 back-up vises.

^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ This . . . . . . . . AND . . . . . . THIS !!!!

Keep both. Put Babco on bench and keep smaller Columbian handy to bolt onto WorkMate table for a portable vise.

 

[tool_scrounge]

The Colombian is a higher grade machinist vise with a one piece movable jaw. The balco looks to have cast iron jaw with a cast in steel slide, which tends to be a looser fit to the mating fixed part of the vise since they use the steel slide as formed, not machined to fit.

 

[Rileysan]

I would keep the Columbian but the Babco doesn't **** either.

Brian

 

[LXCam]

I thought to be a member here you had to have more than one vise.

It's the law.

 

[BD1]

Only '' ONE VISE '' ??

You can never ever only have '' ONE '' of anything .

 

[zkling]

What's up the with screw eye on the columbian, looks extra long? As long as the columbian isn't destroyed I'd be inclined to keep that as it not a pressed steel slide vise.

 

[Mark in Indiana]

Only '' ONE VISE '' ??

You can never ever only have '' ONE '' of anything .

That's almost as strange of a concept as keeping an automobile in your garage.

 

[jrobb316]

If you're going to have one vise, sell them both and look out for a 5-6" Rock Island.