Good Bench Vise Recommendations

[GManBart]

Somehow its about $75 cheaper than their standard vice without the free offer. How bad is this paint? It will be indoors?

For indoor service the paint probably won't be an issue. I think people said that paint would come off with some common solvents, which won't happen with the standard version. If it ever got bad you could strip it, prime it, and paint it like I did the one I posted above....not too hard really.

 

[Turbys_1700]

I've checked some Craigslist prices around here. The older USA vices are priced accordingly. Not really any bargains out there in my neck of the woods.

 

[California]

Not really any bargains out there in my neck of the woods.

ditto.

$300 and up for Wilton-USA in good condition. Craigslist, San Francisco Bay Area: Wilton Vise

 

[ultrarunner]

That is the one I have in my service truck... done a lot of work with it and most with the pipe jaws... also the little anvil comes in handy...

Bought it 26 years ago.

WILTON - Bullet Vise 4" Jaws Swivel Base - Made In USA

 

[crazyal]

If you want a deal on a used vice you need to find one at a garage sale or similar. I rarely find much on CL that's really cheap. The few things that are usually are gone asap. I often find things where one person lists it too cheap, someone buys it, and then a week later it's back on CL for full market value. Around here turning plows come to mind. Last year I saw a Ford 2 bottom plow for $175 and a week later it was back on CL with a cheap blue paint job and a price of $475.

 

[CADplans]

Around here turning plows come to mind. Last year I saw a Ford 2 bottom plow for $175 and a week later it was back on CL with a cheap blue paint job and a price of $475.

This was on CL for $100,,, but, it was rusty red,,,

I had gold paint,,, and owned it less than 48 hours,,, out at $450,,,,:cool2:

 

[California]

You're the one!!!

 

[CADplans]

You're the one!!!

I would double the # of posts in this thread if I showed all the pics of my buy/sells,,,

I have at least 3 vises in the shed that a normal human could not pick up,,,,

Some day I will sell them,,,

Here is a pic of my drill press vise,,, it weighs easily 75 pounds,,,

 

[GManBart]

If you're looking on CL you need to know what you're looking for and take your time....lots of people with crazy prices on their vises, and more than a few with damage that is either ignored, or hidden. I just finished a restoration on this 105lb 5.5" jaw Athol and if I'm lucky I might get something like $175 for it. If it was a 5" Wilton bullet, it would be worth at least twice that, even though this Athol is more massive, and stronger in probably every way. The only downside to the Athol is the jaws aren't replaceable....but they're still there after 100 years.

 

[lennyzx11]

If you want a deal on a used vice you need to find one at a garage sale or similar. I rarely find much on CL that's really cheap. The few things that are usually are gone asap. I often find things where one person lists it too cheap, someone buys it, and then a week later it's back on CL for full market value. Around here turning plows come to mind. Last year I saw a Ford 2 bottom plow for $175 and a week later it was back on CL with a cheap blue paint job and a price of $475.

You gotta watch that though. I bought a cast one this summer that I was tickled about for 25 bucks. It was welded in one spot but that didn't bother me.
I mounted it on a receiver hitch plate to use where I needed it.
First time I went to really use it, it wouldn't get tight. Then I noticed the weld opening slowly as I cranked down on it.
So I'm still watching for a good one but per reading here and elsewhere, I'm going to get some 7018 rod, take it apart, grind out the old weld and V it and put to in the BBQ Grill to preheat as hot as I can get it and then reweld it.
After that if it breaks again, It'll probably become a boat anchor or trot line weight. Or go into a ballast box project eventually.