How much would you pay for a vise restoration?

[mjozefow]

I realize that a lot of you would just do it yourself, however, I have had several people in town ask me if I could restore their old vises, after seeing my Parker and my more recent RIDGID. I'm on the fence as to how much I should charge. I'd be doing it for fun and profit, but I'm not looking to get rich. I'm thinking a per pound basis would be good and make sense. I think the bigger vises take similar amounts of time, but they are a PITA (and a joy) to deal with.


Some examples: (Yes, I post the Parker pics every chance I get, sorry. )

Still need to paint the letters white:

 

[Mickey O]

Come up with an hourly rate, figure how much time it will take based on your experience add in materials (paint, Evaporust (if you use it), wire brushes, shop rags etc.) and charge accordingly. Maybe a little less for smaller ones and a little more for larger ones based on value and what someone would spend.

 

[jeepnut24]

Depends on if I would get new Jaws. If they were part of the deal, I could see myself paying for the restoration.

Otherwise I agree with Mickey. Figure out what your time is worth hourly and go from there.

 

[larry_g]

I would have to say that each resto is going to be different. A poor looking vise that needs clean and paint would be perty easy and size doesn't make to much difference. If you have to fabricate parts or search out parts then you could have a lot of time invested. I would think that you would have to assess each vise and give an estimate for that tool.
lg
no neat sig line

 

[mjozefow]

New jaws are an option for almost anything. Just not Parkers at this point due to their dovetailed design.

 

[Joe B.]

This is how I would get at a price....

What would the fully restored vise sell for less the sales price of the unrestored vise.

You might find buying old vises and reselling them after they have been restored may be a more lucrative option... or not.

 

[ZRX61]

add in materials (paint, Evaporust (if you use it), wire brushes, shop rags etc.) and charge accordingly.

Body shops charge for that stuff by the hour.... on top of the shop labor cost. Last time I checked materials were about $30/hour