Bud in PA Posted November 14, 2015 Share Posted November 14, 2015 Came across a post vise with this marking on it . The screw Box is brass. To me brass is softer than iron. Any ideas why they would make this out of brass? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BIGGUNDOCTOR Posted November 14, 2015 Share Posted November 14, 2015 Brass is softer, but it is an excellent bearing material-think brass bushings. Brass is also easier to machine, and casts at a lower temperature than iron/steel. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MarkDobson Posted November 16, 2015 Share Posted November 16, 2015 way back in the day they didnt have the ability to make a quality iron screw box (that was affordable) so they were cast from brass. this was a cheaper and more familiar technique. even later vises tended to have the threads brazed in as apposed to machined from one block of iron. i (and im sure others) wouldnt hesitate to buy a vise with a brass screw box as long as the threads where in good shape. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bud in PA Posted November 18, 2015 Author Share Posted November 18, 2015 I am just looking on Eb and the local list. That was the first one I saw with a brass screw box. Being new to this I like to ask questions to those with more experience. The chat room on the list saved me from making a mistake purchasing an anvil. I am not ready to buy a post vise especially at the prices I see on the web. Either I'm poorer then I think I am, or there are a lot of crazy people selling on the web. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
seldom (dick renker) Posted November 18, 2015 Share Posted November 18, 2015 lots of crazy people Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mlinn77 Posted November 18, 2015 Share Posted November 18, 2015 11 hours ago, Bud in PA said: I am just looking on Eb and the local list. That was the first one I saw with a brass screw box. Being new to this I like to ask questions to those with more experience. The chat room on the list saved me from making a mistake purchasing an anvil. I am not ready to buy a post vise especially at the prices I see on the web. Either I'm poorer then I think I am, or there are a lot of crazy people selling on the web. It's not you, prices are crazy on eBay and auctions but you should be able to find some deals near you or do some driving, I'm from bottom southeastern corner of PA I haven't paid more then $30 for a leg vise, and found some anvils from $.75-$2/lbs, so deals are still around. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bud in PA Posted November 18, 2015 Author Share Posted November 18, 2015 I just put an offer of $25 on a ratty looking vise.With shipping it will cost me a little bit over $50. I am putting a lean to on the back of the garage until I can clean out the garage. My hopes are to put a shop in it. I have a Smithy machine which I have never had the ability to set up and use, if I remember how. So I have the possibility of of repairing things like old vises. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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