Top 5 Vintage Vises for 2023
UPDATED FOR 2023! Top 5 lists are always tough to compile as the intended audience is always hard to target. For the sake of this list, assume the audience is middle of the road in wrenching skills and maybe even knows how to weld, at home, tackling husehold projects or working on their car. Any of these vises will out perform a new imported vise (China, Taiwan, India) and can be found in good condition on your favorite marketplace. The best part, if you shop smart you can save money over buying new and get a better vise!
#5 - Rock Island 74 or 574 Swivel Vise (A Solid Classic)
A quality vise often overlooked. The Rock Island line of swivel vises offer excellent casting quality and strength. For a period of time, Rock Island made vises for Craftsman, as did Reed and Columbian. You can find either version fairly cheap; $50 - $100 depending on your location and luck.
#4 - Wilton Tradesman 1760 (Most Versatile On A Budget)
Like the Reed 2C, the Wilton Tradesman offers the option to clamp down some pipe for you plumbers and wanna-be plumbers. Cheaper than the C-series from Wilton, the Tradesman vises offer a good compromise in cost and function. Sold by Wilton and Snap-on, you can find these bench vises used for $100 - $200 easily on your favorite marketplace. Note, Wilton at some point went from 3"/4"/5"6" to 3 1/2"/4 1/2"/5 1/2"/6 1/2" adding that extra 1/2". Makes comparing prices to the new vises a little more difficult. I would recommend the 1760 model which have 6" jaws or the newer style 1755 5-1/2" jaws. While they look like a Wilton bullet vise, they just don't quite have the following of the machinist version bullet. That fact will keep prices down and provide a bargain for most casual users.
#3 - Wilton 400 (Best Resale)
Pre-1980 What top five list would not be complete without a Wilton bullet style vise. Sure they still make them (expensive) and from the 1980's through today are of questionable quality, a pre-1980's vise will serve you well. Their unique and trademarked round slide keeps dirt and debris from getting into the spindle threads and gives the vise it's iconic bullet shape. Kept in good condition, your investment in a Wilton 400 will not depreciate. When looking for a Wilton vise, if the rubber bumpers (o-rings) are still on the spindle handle, there is a good chance the vise is in good shape. Thoroughly inspect under the jaws for cracks or missing casting and under the slide at the front of the vise body, both common areas for damage. It's harder to find a cheap Wilton bullet vise, when you do they are snapped up quick! Expect to pay $150 - $300 for one on local markeplaces.
#2 - Columbian 604 (Best Overall Value)
The Columbian vises do not get a lot of respect in the collector community except for the 8" variety due to their size. Columbian used an almost magic grade of ductile iron throughout the years. I seldom see a broken Columbian, but rather see dented, dinged and well used vises that took a beating but did not break. Usually found on Facebook Marketplace or even Craigslist for $50 - $75, you can't go wrong with any of the 600 series vises in my opinion.
#1 - Reed 2C (Overall Strongest and Most Versatile)
When it comes to versatility, the combination vise is king! Reed (models 1C - 4C) and Wilton (models C0 - C3) both make similar vises but the Reed stands head and shoulders above the Wilton. Reed utilizes a unique split nut to retain the spindle along with a hardened and adjustable lead screw nut. The 2C comes with 4-1/2" upper jaws and pipe jaws which will clamp up to 3-1/2" diameter pipe. While there are other sizes available, the 2C in my opinion is the largest most users will need and offers the best value. Weighing in at 83 pounds, there is plenty of casting for strength and jaw width to securely clamp most projects. A good used C2 will set you back $100 - $300 depending on how hard you look and how lucky you get. This vise in good condition will outlast you and your grandchildren!
