Jump to content
I Forge Iron

Buy a 4” Post Vice that needs a spring for $100


mpc

Recommended Posts

The title says it all. I saw a listing for a 4” post vice thats in decent shape but needs a spring. I’ve never looked into post vices so but the price is well below what I normally see. Assuming everything but needing a new spring is fine, is it a “buy” at $100?

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Well the heart of the vise is the screw and box. If they check out, you can whip out a spring cold from flat bar in 5 mins. That might be a little pricy to me (I'm kinda cheap, and am fully tooled up), but I don't know whether or not you're in a vise desert. If all else is good, grab it.

Steve

Link to comment
Share on other sites

In this general area, that price is not horrible but is still running a bit high.  A 4" around this part of the NW tends to run more like $ 80 in that condition and about that $ 100 price when decently complete.  

I picked up a 4-1/2 at an auction in Grangeville ID (well attended commercial auction) about a year ago for $ 85 with a couple of other small goodies in the lot (pry bar, nail puller). More recently I picked up a 5-1/2 in good shape and complete for $ 175 at an antique store in Lewiston (so higher pricing than auction normally runs).

But...if there is some specific "extra" like good branding or a superior screwbox, you aren't too far off.  The spring and the other stuff to hold it are not that hard to scab together.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

 I picked up a beautiful 4" Monday p.m. for $70. It also needed a spring. I went out to my trapping stuff and grabbed the spring off an old (I've owned it 50+ years!)Victor no. 1 long-spring. Works like a charm. The vise has a number 5 on the underside of the screw-down plate. Any ideas as to it's maker?

Link to comment
Share on other sites

On 5/16/2019 at 7:26 AM, pnut said:

j.morse, could you post a picture of it please?  

Sorry Pnut, I just saw you request. I only have my phone as a camera, and don't know how to do it from the phone. I'll see if I can find a way to get a photo on here.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 1 month later...
On 5/12/2019 at 1:44 PM, mpc said:

The title says it all. I saw a listing for a 4” post vice thats in decent shape but needs a spring. I’ve never looked into post vices so but the price is well below what I normally see. Assuming everything but needing a new spring is fine, is it a “buy” at $100?

Easy,  make a new spring, all you need is some 1" or 1 1/4"  spring stock or an old spring. heat it re curve it to fit and them quench  and temper it.

On 5/28/2019 at 3:41 PM, Irondragon Forge & Clay said:

I would find it an aggravation to pull the jaw open without a spring, especially since they are so easy to make.

If you have a forge and anvil make one.  You have all of the tools you need.  That is what  blacksmithing is all about.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

×
×
  • Create New...