EMMERT K1 Pattern Maker’s Vise, sell or keep?

[Michael Kellough]

35 years ago I was lucky enough to buy the vise from the widow of the original owner. Even received the original mid-fifties purchase order. The Emmert K1 PMV is arguably the best mechanical vise ever made and this one was in excellent condition.

I installed it in a shop made utility bench and enjoyed using it but I seldom came close to utilizing it’s full range of motion. What’s special about this vise besides it’s large 13” capacity (18” wide jaws, 7” tall, with 3” depth to the square spine) is that the clamped work can be rotated 360 degrees, and tilt down ~30 degrees and up ~60.  The front jaw can also pivot left and right ~10 degrees and a tilt plate can be inserted into the back jaw so that a compound beveled wedge can be securely clamped. 

Before long I added two old Delta drill presses to the bench and it became inconvenient to get to the Emmert. Found a good deal on a “real” woodworking bench with a good Desmond vise already installed and the Emmert was further overlooked.

Cut to the present day. I bought an etching press for my wife and due to the weight I have make room in the shop. The Deltas are in storage and I started dismantling the old bench. What to do with the Emmert?

I haven’t really used it in years. Now have the Festool Vac Sys which provides all the functionality of the PMV (as long as electricity is available, and the work isn’t too porous).

I could sell it (they’re quite valuable and this one is in better condition than any I’ve seen online) but I’m leery of seller’s remorse. I’m going to have to crate it anyway from a material handling point of view as it’s such an awkward form uninstalled and it weighs over 85#.

So, what would you do?

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[Michael Kellough]

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[Dick Mahany]

I wouldn't even think about selling it.  That vise is an absolute treasure and yours is in beautiful condition.  Even though you don't use it much, it isn't something that can be replaced easily if you did sell it.  I'm sure it is heavy and bulky and takes up valuable space, but if it were me, I'd really need to have the space or proceeds from selling it.  I have sold several tools and pieces of equipment and have experienced sellers remorse, and I wouldn't part with a genuine Emmert. But that's just me. 

Unlike many tools, the Emmert is a vise that just keeps appreciating in value so if you do sell it in the future you won't have lost anything.

 

[travisj]

I agree.  If you don’t need the funds, I would store it.  Someday you may either have a need or a desire to use it again.  If you do sell it, you wouldn’t likely be able to replace it.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[peter halle]

Do whatever you need to do to preserve it and crate and store.  Things change, but items like that will only become more rare as those who don't know become owners of things from those who did know.

I fear you will kick yourself if you let it go now.  AND I suspect somehow that there is a chance you will set it up again in the future.

Peter

 

[AlexThePalex]

If you haven't used it for years, you don't need it. So sell it.

What's the point of loading up your storage with useless items? Make somebody else happy with the vise, make your wallet happy with your future new purchase you are going to use.

 

[waho6o9]

Keep it as it's close to impossible  to purchase one that nice.

 

[Michael Kellough]

If you haven't used it for years, you don't need it. So sell it.

What's the point of loading up your storage with useless items? Make somebody else happy with the vise, make your wallet happy with your future new purchase you are going to use.

Of course you are right Alex but it’s very hard for me to be that rational.

Ironically, I think I could sell it if that could be accomplished as impulsively as buying stuff online.

 

[Alanbach]

I know almost nothing about the implications of what I am about to say but have you thought about looking into tool museums that might take it on loan? That way maybe it could be shared without giving up ownership. I’m curious as to how interested in it some collections might be. Also coincidently, as far as I know, most of the better museum tool collections are in your general area.

 

[Alanbach]

Not including the Smithsonian in DC or the Henry Ford in Detroit.

 

[Alanbach]

This thread has intrigued me and I have been searching a variety of sites on the web that reference Emmert.  One of them is a site called The Iron Hand. It appears to be run by a guy named Carl Matthews. I don’t know anything about him or the site but he is clearly very into Emmert vises. Just FYI.

 

[usernumber1]

use it or lose it

 

[ChuckM]

use it or lose it

I am in this camp...unless the OP's objective is to sell it after x no. of years to get a higher return. However, there is an opportunity cost involved in a sell-later decision.

 

[DeformedTree]

Does it bring you joy...?

 

[pixelated]

In terms of converting its value, it may be worthwhile to keep in mind that the collectable market can be quite fickle. A lot of tools, albeit mostly stuff that's more common than your Emmert, have dropped in value in the past 20ish years, or remained static, which is more or less the same thing.

Stand out stuff, like your vice or Leica's, Rollei's and Hasselblad's in the camera world are more stable, but things change.

My wife and I are currently in a mode of pairing down so as to not be owned by the stuff we own, it's challenging. But, I'd likely be inclined to sell it on to someone else to use and appreciate.

There is a tool auction house up in our neck of the woods who could probably get you a very good price for it, and he'd likely take care of any transport arrangements. It's in lovely condition, the American Precision Museum in Windsor VT might be a good venue if you're interested in putting it on display. The museum is also a great place to visit if you're interested in tools and all the stuff that fueled the industrial revolution.

 

[DeformedTree]

I'm perhaps most amazed that they messed up the town name in the casting, missing the "o" on the end.

 

[greg mann]

Flashback to a “Norther Exposure “ episode where Barry Corbin’s character was going thru old possessions with Ed. Buy or Sell, piece after piece. Out comes a set of bagpipes about which Barry waxes poetically for several minutes about the memories the pipes engendered. As he looks teary eyed in reminiscence Ed says, “Sell?” No words were spoken as the look said it all.

I have never been good at selling stuff but get a lot of satisfaction in finding a good, and appreciative, home for things I no longer need. Not saying Michael should give his vice away but should he decide to part with it an enthusiastic user or collector would ease the uncertainty of the decision.

 

[Michael Kellough]

Thanks for the all the suggestions guys.

I don’t have time now to deal with it so just put it in a box.
Between wax, grease, and Zerust I should have at least a year to decide.

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[Alanbach]

I don’t think that I mentioned it my earlier post but I think that is the best example of an Emmett that I have ever seen. It is really beautiful! I for one am glad that you are keeping it (even if it is just for now)!

 

[jlopezca1@yahoo.es]

Hello Michael Kellough
Do you still have this vise. Would you sell it to me? If yes, which would the price? You can write to my email: jlopezc@yahoo.es
Thanks
Jose