Wilton Vise 11.5 inch jaw opening - Value Question -

[Neverfly]

A local fella has this Wilton vise up for sale.
But there're questions about what the base value is. We all know how that goes... Buyer wants to pay least possible and seller wants most for it possible.

Short of it is, what do you guys think?

 

[wild cowboy]

we could appraise it pretty accurately if you could provide the Wilton model number, or at least the jaw width.

 

[1982fxr]

what's the width across the top of the jaws, or the model #?

 

[1982fxr]

dammit, 2nd place!

 

[oldldh]

That's either an "Old-Fashioned" 600 or 800...(Jaws attach from the rear...)

Either of those, if healthy, and uncracked or welded, will fetch a LOT of money...

The 800 would probably have a comma in the price...

The model is determined by the jaw width...6"=600 and 8"=800...

 

[bobcatdan]

If it actually opens that wide and is not over exented, it has to be an 800. A 600 only opens 9" per Wilton specs.

 

[zkling]

I'm thinking it is the 6". What does he have on it right now (can't read the sticker)?

 

[CNGsaves]

That's a big **** vise . . . what kind of money is Seller wanting ??

Jaw width?? Inspected so you know no cracks or welding/brazing??
By looking at pics only, it looks solid to me. Would make a sturdy vise.

 

[Strouty]

Looks like it starts with a 4

 

[drivesitfar]

Never: it does look like a 6 inch Wilton bullet in average condition. it is missing it's swivel base so probably as is worth $300 around here give or take. i wouldn't pay that much for it because i'd rather pay 3 times that for a C3 which weighs 200 pounds.

any other questions? what is he asking? any cracks, broken parts or welds and the price drops quickly.

 

[Neverfly]

That's either an "Old-Fashioned" 600 or 800...(Jaws attach from the rear...)

Either of those, if healthy, and uncracked or welded, will fetch a LOT of money...

The 800 would probably have a comma in the price...

The model is determined by the jaw width...6"=600 and 8"=800...

Several people asked the same question, Drivesitfar, etc. I'm quoting those who asked, but if I left anyone out, it's not personal.
I measured the opening myself; It opened comfortably to 11.5. Past that and it was overextending, once it got past 12 inches, I was feeling like I was going to go off the thread.

I'm thinking it is the 6". What does he have on it right now (can't read the sticker)?

I believe 6 inch width on jaws.
He's asking $450.

Inspected so you know no cracks or welding/brazing??
By looking at pics only, it looks solid to me. Would make a sturdy vise.

I found no cracks, welds or brazing.
There are, however, grinder gouges on one of the jaws, as if someone was using a cutting wheel on something locked in the jaws and missed.
I THINK I captured it that in one of the pictures. There's a dent in the back end cap, pictured. Other than that and the jaws, the vise is solid.

 

[oldldh]

New jaws for that vise are available from www.wiltonviseparts.net ....

A new Wilton 600 also has a comma in the price...

$ 450.00 is a "Do I really need this vise???" price...

 

[Neverfly]

Well I checked in with the owner/seller of that vise this weekend; Lowest he's willing to go on it is $400.
I have a lot of learning to do and cannot say what the vise is worth. $400 seems high to me, but maybe I'm just a cheap *******.

 

[Mohawk Dave]

unless you get real lucky, you'll be in a $100 at least for a swivel. That's $500 for a vise

I'd pass. I picked up a cruddy-rusty 1760 (6" Tradesman bullet w/o swivel) for $30, then a 1750 5" w/swivel for $50, and took swivel off 1750 and put on 1760.

My point is, probably keep looking.

 

[bluebolt]

Is that vise worth $400. In my opinion yes from what I can see.

Will I or the other cheap bastards here pay that? HELL NO lol.

Swivels were optional it may never have had one.

 

[zkling]

If I was to buy a $400 vise, that wouldn't be my 1st choice. I might go $250 if I had a specific spot for it.

 

[Fordman7795]

Did you confirm its a 6"? I paid $175 for mine but for what it does i would pay double that or more.

 

[FMC1959]

Maybe I missed it, but it still has not been clearly determined if it is a 6 or 8 inch? Funny, the OP measured the 11.5' opening but did not bother with the jaws.

Looks like a 6, but....
- if it is an 8" (800N) and has no cracks or welds, it is a steal at $400
- if it is a 6" (600N) and has no major issues, still a pretty good deal...I would take it.

 

[FMC1959]

If I was to buy a $400 vise, that wouldn't be my 1st choice. I might go $250 if I had a specific spot for it.

I agree that it would not be my first choice for a 6", but if you look around, you will see that 6" vise, with no welds or cracks, are not overflowing the market (8" even less). With cracks, welds, or unrealistic prices, you can always find.

I am in "wait" mode and if I don't come across a 6-8" nice vise for 5 years, that's fine.

 

[franzdom]

If you don't care about the swivel it is probably worth the ask.

 

[Neverfly]

Maybe I missed it, but it still has not been clearly determined if it is a 6 or 8 inch? Funny, the OP measured the 11.5' opening but did not bother with the jaws.

6 inch jaws. As I said, I have a lot of learning to do.

 

[MN Battery Chuck]

Not to highjack thic thread but it is in the same realm and I think would make future searches possibly easier, but I just came across a model #101162 in good condition for $100. Should I make the hour trip one way to pick it up?

again sorry if this id frowned on but the search function was how i found thid thread. thanks

 

[FMC1959]

Not to highjack thic thread but it is in the same realm and I think would make future searches possibly easier, but I just came across a model #101162 in good condition for $100. Should I make the hour trip one way to pick it up?

again sorry if this id frowned on but the search function was how i found thid thread. thanks

If my Google search is right, that is a 450s (4 1/2" Machinist with swivel).
http://www.mile-x.com/wilton-450s-4-5-swivel-base-machinist-vise-free-shipping/
Two hours round trip + gas + $100. If it is in good condition, my opinion is that it is decent deal. I am not overly ecstatic because I have several under 5" vises, otherwise this is a fine vise (if in good shape) that you could probably sell and get back your money if you change your mind down the road....it is a Wilton and people pay for them.

 

[MN Battery Chuck]

I went and picked it up. Nice shape. Actually just sitting down the street from guys house now writing this. I have several under 5s also but none in as nice shape or with a swivel. In going to mount and use this one unlike the others that are just on display. I drove the 04 impala so gas isn't that big of a deal. 2 hours is all relative too. Just got home yesterday from a 2300 mile 3 day road trip for a desk so 2 hours for this vise is easy. This is the vise I've been waiting for on cl fir several months. Anyways sorry fir hijacking and thank you for the response. also my phone loves to write fir fir some reason. Lol. Thank you.
Chuck

 

[bluebolt]

I went and picked it up. Nice shape. Actually just sitting down the street from guys house now writing this. I have several under 5s also but none in as nice shape or with a swivel. In going to mount and use this one unlike the others that are just on display. I drove the 04 impala so gas isn't that big of a deal. 2 hours is all relative too. Just got home yesterday from a 2300 mile 3 day road trip for a desk so 2 hours for this vise is easy. This is the vise I've been waiting for on cl fir several months. Anyways sorry fir hijacking and thank you for the response. also my phone loves to write fir fir some reason. Lol. Thank you.
Chuck

Well post some pics in the vise thread!

And what desk did you get?

 

[MN Battery Chuck]

I will post some pics when I get it mounted for sure. Of the others as well.

Went to New York for this http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showpost.php?p=4553999&postcount=728

I don't want to take over this thread with desk stuff.

Thanks.

 

[Neverfly]

I don't want to take over this thread with desk stuff.

That desk is an absolute beauty. Thanks for putting that up to be seen.

 

[MN Battery Chuck]

Thank you! As far as that vise your looking at if it's still fir sale, it's not a good deal or you somehow live in an area where no one looks for that kind of stuff. Around my parts you have to be on top of those things for a good deal. Like others have said it may be a fair asking price but I wouldn't pay it. For the most part, I'm one of the cheap bastards they were talking about. If you haven't already, save your Craigslist search and it will notify you when an item your looking for gets posted.

 

[FMC1959]

Are you cheap, or not, is it a good value, or not; all relative to where you are located....and your mentality.

A couple of things about Wilton's, they have consistently sold for more than Reed, Parker, Athol, Prentiss and any other old US vise. They are also one of the few that are still made today, and arguably the best of the new USA made vises. (myself personally, I would take a 6" of any of the above mentioned vises over a Wilton, but they are still nice)

If you look at a 600N, it sells for about $1100 new. For $400 I wouldn't say you got a super "you ****" deal, but you are still getting a very good made in the USA 145 lb vise, which I think you can turn around and easily make back your 4 Benjies if ever you change your mind.

 

[alan camby]

It is a fair price for a 600N.

Your furniture, TV, Computer, and many other things in life will be worth next to nothing in 20 years. As long as you don't abuse the Wilton, it will still be worth $400 or possibly $600 20 years from now.

Vises seem to be gaining in value.

 

[Neverfly]

It is a fair price for a 600N.

Your furniture, TV, Computer, and many other things in life will be worth next to nothing in 20 years. As long as you don't abuse the Wilton, it will still be worth $400 or possibly $600 20 years from now.

Vises seem to be gaining in value.

For the vast majority of my life, I've been poor. Using the wrong tool for the job being commonplace.
So I nabbed a small Prentiss some time ago for $12. I posted a thread on it, no one was interested in it. Not unreasonably since it had a huge crack in the slide... So I have kept it.
I brazed the crack unprofessionally, sand blasted the vice thoroughly and painted it. It works very well for my purposes, in spite of the brazing and poor condition of the jaws,
Because I'm not used to using a vice. I have to remind myself it is there. And it is Useful!
I've been spending the past couple years learning about The Right Tools for the job. It's not so easy to get over thirty years of not being used to having access to the right tools.
Now that I can afford a good vice, my brain says, "But you never needed it before..."
Six inch or eight? I have no idea what difference it makes. Not a clue. Feel free to educate me.
Ignorance can only be alleviated with teaching.

One thing I have learned about tools: Their value remains strong only if interest does. Food is gone the moment you buy it- you spend all this money only to turn it into ****.
Trash bags are bought for the sole purpose of putting them out to the trash.
And iPods... don't get me started...
But even good working tools can lose value. Wilton? Demand is high. Old USA Thorsen wrenches? No demand at all. AT ALL. Give 'em away. No one wants them.
And an old commodore computer can fetch a high price.

For those that provide their input and advice, I appreciate it.

 

[Mohawk Dave]

I have big vises. 8" is cool to have. A full size 6" is huge and overkill for most. A 5" or even a4" fullsize is almost always more than enough surface area and clamping force for 99% of us.