Good Bench Vise Recommendations

[Sawyer Rob]

The other day I was at a flea market, and I saw a really REALLY nice Wilton bullet vise for $200.00...

I along with everyone else just walked away from it...

SR

 

[woodlandfarms]

How much was that monster??? How many people to get it in and out of the truck and where is it going to go?

 

[ultrarunner]

When I was anvil shopping a long time ago the surplus store was selling vices/anvils, etc. by the pound.

It has been a heck of an anvil for 35 cents a pound and I also bought a 4' handle Pexto pipe wrench which has saved me more than a few times...

 

[jaydee325]

This thread has been inspiring. Guess I'll have to get busy this winter and restore my Erie 104 that I inherited from my Great Grandfather circa 1978! I remember as a kid crushing rocks in it (yes I got hollered at by Grampa!):laughing:

 

[GManBart]

What a monster...

Was in the hardware store last night and saw a Wilton priced at $499 that was much smaller... asked how many they sold and the clerk said it has been there as long as he has worked there.

The current price for a 3.5" machinist's bullet on a swivel base is right at $499....ouch. I bought a really nice one like that locally, did a cosmetic restoration and sold it for $200 and the buyer was thrilled to get it.

 

[GManBart]

How much was that monster??? How many people to get it in and out of the truck and where is it going to go?

$350 and the seller and I put it in my truck...heavy, but doable. I had to take it apart to get it out of the truck by myself. Both halves are over 100lbs. I actually sold it to a guy in Colorado who makes parts for vises....amazing jaws, handles, swivel locks, etc. He wants to have one of every vise made (or so it seems). I sold it to him for $350, he's paying for the shipping, and making me about $300 worth of jaws for a few of my vises, so I'm happy, and he's happy!

 

[GManBart]

This thread has been inspiring. Guess I'll have to get busy this winter and restore my Erie 104 that I inherited from my Great Grandfather circa 1978! I remember as a kid crushing rocks in it (yes I got hollered at by Grampa!):laughing:

Erie made a very nice vise....under appreciated today, but still very nice. That one looks very solid and worthy of some attention!

 

[DFB]

Ok I am posting this here first before the "Let's post our Made in USA tool finds (yard sales, old store stock, auctions etc)" thread cuz I'm not sure what I have here so maybe someone else knows what I got today for a $10 spot at my weekly market.

It is a little machinist's vice but for the life of me cant find any name cast into it but it does look fairly vintage and not something chineese. It's about 9" long 5.5 high with a 2 in jaw width and 4" throat.

The beam is a full two inches deep and inch wide and the base casting is fixed (non adjustable) plus it has an interesting 45 degree angle cast in as part of the front 90 degree table lock. There is a notch in the front jaw that fits a bolt perfect when the head is clamped in the jaws, looks like it was original cut...any other comments on that?

I set out it next to my Athol So check out the photos.

 

[GManBart]

Ok I am posting this here first before the "Let's post our Made in USA tool finds (yard sales, old store stock, auctions etc)" thread cuz I'm not sure what I have here so maybe someone else knows what I got today for a $10 spot at my weekly market.

It is a little machinist's vice but for the life of me cant find any name cast into it but it does look fairly vintage and not something chineese. It's about 9" long 5.5 high with a 2 in jaw width and 4" throat.

The beam is a full two inches deep and inch wide and the base casting is fixed (non adjustable) plus it has an interesting 45 degree angle cast in as part of the front 90 degree table lock. There is a notch in the front jaw that fits a bolt perfect when the head is clamped in the jaws, looks like it was original cut...any other comments on that?

I set out it next to my Athol So check out the photos.

That's a cool vise, but I have no idea who could have made it...that one needs to get posted over on Garage Journal for the experts!

 

[GManBart]

Another Craigslist find....5" Wilton bullet for $50!