Garage Hangout

Quote from: Highland512 on Dec 03, 2025, 09:27 AMIf your bored the next time you're in Ohio. Make the trip up to Springfield OH to the Hart of Ohio Antique Center. (http://www.heartofohioantiques.com/) There is a guy there with 2 booths stacked deep with anything you can think of when it comes to USA made tools. Wrenchs, sockets, pliers, taps & dyes, drills, machining tools, vices, etc... Vary fair prices on most stuff. It's a win win for me cause the wife gets to walkaround looking nicknacks and I usually wind up spending $100 on greasy hand tools.   

Next time I'm down there I'll swing by.

Quality,, that's why I purchase USA vises.. Buy it once,, Use it for a lifetime!

It's a shame that most of the machines and tools are no longer made in the USA. And if it is made here, so many of the components are made overseas. The newer generation don't look at quality, rather price. That goes for kitchen utensils too. In 1965 I purchased a full set of Revere Ware pots and pans. That I have used them for every meal over sixty years,, and today they still look nearly new. And will sell today for what I paid.

Man I would have absolutely bought this vise at that price, my old POS " AMERICAN " branded import from my mom's grandfather is better than nothing but isn't that great and I'd love to have something better.

https://youtu.be/PCGBISlVKMM?si=FqNC_qv48IdaxxB9

https://youtu.be/jM2_LBvzg6c?si=7MztQCrXa0FbtWBp

This guy isn't only informative but quite entertaining.

So....worth the money right? I've looked at the  setup but never pulled the trigger. Looks like a fun time!

If your bored the next time you're in Ohio. Make the trip up to Springfield OH to the Hart of Ohio Antique Center. (http://www.heartofohioantiques.com/) There is a guy there with 2 booths stacked deep with anything you can think of when it comes to USA made tools. Wrenchs, sockets, pliers, taps & dyes, drills, machining tools, vices, etc... Vary fair prices on most stuff. It's a win win for me cause the wife gets to walkaround looking nicknacks and I usually wind up spending $100 on greasy hand tools.   

I spent the ThanksGiving's Day weekend with at my granddaughter's house in Cincinnati.. Saturday she suggested exploring the Ohio Valley Antique Mall... It's huge place covering 85,000 square feet under a single roof. I find Antiqueing to be nostalgic, sending me back in time. And grew up around many items there. Though it's interesting, so much of the stuff was nothing more than junk. Then again my late Father-in-Law had a phrase. What's one man's junk,,is another man's gold. Well my gold can be found in over 10,000 square feet of my garages. Old habits are hard to mend. And a single Columbian Vise mounted on a DIY stand caught my eye. Asking price was $199.00. Since I already own a dozen, I easily walked away. Though at half that price I'd be taking it home.... 



I have a dozen vises in my collection. All made in the USA. Few below...

5" Columbian 605 M2 at my work station.



6" wilton bullet1760 and Wilton 646 5" Columbian 045-m4 in another garage




Craftsman 3 1/2" on welding table,, Made in USA


Craftsman 5" In another garage

Looks good guys -- Can't go wrong with HJE selection and quality. The Vessel brand is highly underrated, and a bargain if you can find them. I've had Vessel impact drivers outlast other name brands by decades.

Tim, I know they probably cost and arm and a leg from SO, but they're worth it. Even better if Snap-On stands behind the warranty.

After work went to my mates place to pick up, and have a crash course on operating, our club timing gear for the race meeting this weekend.

There has been about 3" of rain today and McLaren Falls was flowing well.

Somebody said I should add a flexible extension to my 1/4dr super kit and I recently found myself wishing I had, but I wanted something American made.

This 4" JAWCO just arrived today from HJE.