ThorsHammer82 Posted June 23, 2015 Share Posted June 23, 2015 I keep hearing about people finding smoking deals on scrapped Post/leg vices in the scrap yard, or at a random garage sale. Is this even remotely possible in Washington State? or is it more for the older states where smithing was much more wide spread? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WL smith Posted June 24, 2015 Share Posted June 24, 2015 Just keep looking and ASKING anyone and everyone. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
monstermetal Posted June 24, 2015 Share Posted June 24, 2015 Its not impossible to find a bargain vise in Washington but its not as easy as it is out east. I have come across a few but most I have cost real money. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stan Posted June 24, 2015 Share Posted June 24, 2015 What would be a fair price for a second hand leg vice? saw one yesterday only a 4inch one $80 at a junk shop , Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dale Russell Posted June 24, 2015 Share Posted June 24, 2015 Stan , the 1's I've been seeing up for grab's down here are around $ 120 - $ 150 AUD for a 4" vice although seen some cheaper on fleabay , but missing most of it's hardware . Dale Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jeremy k Posted June 24, 2015 Share Posted June 24, 2015 Stan - for the many many times one uses a leg vice (I paid$160 for a 5-1/2") when you divide the cost by the amount of times you use it - even over only a few years,......it ends up being one of the cheapest purchases a blacksmith makes, as every time you use it, it may make you some money to offset the original purchase price even if you think you paid to much for it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThorsHammer82 Posted June 24, 2015 Author Share Posted June 24, 2015 Price is dictated by size and condition. $80 is very reasonable if it's in working condition. But we see guys from the east coast that pick them up from a scrap yard or garage sale in working condition for $20 or less. I haven't been able to find one within driving distance for less than $150 and most of the ones I've seen have been 300+ miles away for that plus shipping. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jeremy k Posted June 24, 2015 Share Posted June 24, 2015 ThorsHammer82 - Yes it can be a lot of $ in your area but once you have it - you have something that can make you money - get one and use it then upgrade as you see fit. Blacksmithing is a hobby but can make you some money to pay for the tools that you make "or " buy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John McPherson Posted June 25, 2015 Share Posted June 25, 2015 Don't feel bad, I live on the East Coast, and I have never seen a leg vise in a junk yard, even back when I could get in them easily. Diligent searching yields one every other year for less than $100, if I am lucky. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tdaleh Posted June 25, 2015 Share Posted June 25, 2015 Remember we are just using them for a short period of thier useful life . When we are done with them most of the time you can get your money back or even make a little profit . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WL smith Posted June 25, 2015 Share Posted June 25, 2015 Check farm sales check trade days and penny saver type advertising I found my two at flea markets. They can be found just keep your ear to the ground and keep looking and asking. Good things come to those who seek . We all have to do the same thing believe it or not. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThorsHammer82 Posted June 25, 2015 Author Share Posted June 25, 2015 I appreciate the encouragement guys. And I will keep searching. As I've got a project that I can't do until I have a vise I can beat on.I've got a large acme screw that was used for a house jack, and wouldn't be apposed to make my own if I had too. Does anyone know if anyone has forged their own? or are they all welded together alternatives? I'm not against welding it as welding was what brought be to Smithing but I wouldn't be apposed to forging one either if I can find the right materials. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
monstermetal Posted June 25, 2015 Share Posted June 25, 2015 I can probably scout you up a vise, or at least a vise frame you can build screw/box for. I am in Auburn just south of Seattle. Where are you at? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThorsHammer82 Posted June 25, 2015 Author Share Posted June 25, 2015 (edited) Work in Olympia, and live in Shelton. But I go all over the western side of the state for different things. I'll be in Lake Tapps for the 4th, And I go up to Crystal Mountain on a regular basis. So Auburn isn't a hard drive for me if I can add it onto a trip headed close to that direction. Any help would be greatly appreciated. I'm not afraid of a project to get it working. Biggest concern is keeping initial cost low. PM me if you come across anything. Edited June 25, 2015 by ThorsHammer82 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brianc Posted June 26, 2015 Share Posted June 26, 2015 This weekend, June 26,27, 28 is the Brooks swap meet in Brooks, OR just south of Portland. I can just about guarantee there will be post vises there. I have picked up several over the years, along with lots of other old tools and gas engine goodies. It's not in your backyard, but still an easy drive for a good swap meet. Brian Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThorsHammer82 Posted June 26, 2015 Author Share Posted June 26, 2015 I wish I could this weekend. But I've got a mud run Saturday, and my kids birthday on Sunday. Otherwise I'd gladly make that trip. Do you have a link to good events calander for things like that? I'd love to be able to plan ahead for something like that.It looks like I've found exactly what I need thanks to this forum. Thank you Monstermetal for your generous offer. This Forum ROCKS! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fluidsteel Posted June 29, 2015 Share Posted June 29, 2015 This was from here in the Portland Oregon area. I bought my 6" vise from this bin. Almost mint condition for $160. Not a steal but a good price. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frosty Posted June 29, 2015 Share Posted June 29, 2015 Oh you guys in Portland, that isn't a bin it's a watering trough. Sorry, I just couldn't help myself. It must be vise envy rearing it's ugly self.Frosty The Lucky. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThorsHammer82 Posted June 30, 2015 Author Share Posted June 30, 2015 a 6" in "near mint" for $160 sounds like a score to me. Yeah Frosty, I couldn't imagine what it takes to fine vintage tools up there in the great "fiery" North.Seems like that whole state is on fire right now. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frosty Posted July 1, 2015 Share Posted July 1, 2015 Yeah, it's all pretty darned hard to come by. This is the worst fire season since 04 and the next worse was something like the 50's IIRC.Temps down and we're expecting rain over the next few days, hopefully it'll knock the danger and fires down. Then again it seems fire and hot shot crews from all over the lower 48 and Canada are here so they're making good progress on the 300 fires burning. <sigh>Don't worry, we'll let them come home to fight the ones going there. Heck, they're probably already on the job there.Frosty The Lucky. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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