The VISES of Garage Journal

[mjozefow]

We have seen everyone's toolboxes so let's see the vises! (no, not vices :))

I'm sure there are some really cool ones out there.

Large or small, let's see them all!
Here's my Charles Parker 106 and my Wilton 1780:

The Wilton has an 8" jaw and weighs about 110 lbs.
The CP has a 6" jaw and weighs about 140 lbs.

http://i112.photobucket.com/albums/n187/tractorguy15/th_BigVises002.jpg (http://i112.photobucket.com/albums/n187/tractorguy15/BigVises002.jpg) http://i112.photobucket.com/albums/n187/tractorguy15/th_Vise2013.jpg (http://i112.photobucket.com/albums/n187/tractorguy15/Vise2013.jpg)http://i112.photobucket.com/albums/n187/tractorguy15/th_GarageProgress1061.jpg (http://i112.photobucket.com/albums/n187/tractorguy15/GarageProgress1061.jpg)


Include COO and DOM if you know it!

[bmwpower]

My 6" Ridgid 60FSN

41224 41223

My 4" Wilton 9400 (backup#1)

41225

I also have a 3" Paramo #3 (backup#2)

41302

[Lookin4'67Galaxieconv]

Taskmaster...built like an old Wilton

http://i336.photobucket.com/albums/n345/comet_man_1965/Vise_painted_green.jpg

Columbian

http://i336.photobucket.com/albums/n345/comet_man_1965/Columbian_vise.jpg

old Yost

http://i336.photobucket.com/albums/n345/comet_man_1965/black_vise.jpg

Sears

http://i336.photobucket.com/albums/n345/comet_man_1965/Vise_after.jpg

[A_Pmech]

I just pulled this one out of storage a couple days ago:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v11/horteniv/DSC06049-1.jpg

It's a Kurt D-80 "Angloc" machine vise with the optional and rather uncommon swivel base. It's about 250-275lbs and it's yet another thing I need to rebuild around here.

It's actually in very nice shape, I have the impression it wasn't used very often as there are no divots of shame in the jaw faces and only one minor divot in the leadscrew cover. (A prime example of why milling vises are NOT drilling vises!)

I don't think Kurt makes vises this big anymore, which is unfortunate.

I'm ashamed to say, I don't actually own a bench vise. Every one I've ever touched I've broken. But, I do have the beginnings of a fabricated steel vise. Starting with the stick of 1" Acme rod and some hefty flat. :)

[rocco]

My Vintage Reed MFG vise: (from before i restored it)

* i've since remounted it to the edge or the bench

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v391/tuned20v/viseII004.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v391/tuned20v/viseII002.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v391/tuned20v/vise.jpg

[snapmom]

http://i390.photobucket.com/albums/oo343/snapmom/HPIM1340.jpg

[murph64]

Pics I have on my PC at work -

A medium sized Wilton; an interesting one with dovetails, an adjustable gib and a rear sliding jaw; and the generic mill vise...

I do want to pick up a Wilton "bullet", but only if I can grab it cheap enough.


Andy

[scottg1952]

Anybody could make a case I have vices.
Since I already showed my big Wilton bullet, here are some more.
In case you haven't guessed yet, I am not the prissy clean type. Too many irons in the fire at any given time for excess cleanliness. Although considering what I do in a day, this is actually pretty clean and well organized from what what it -could- look like. :bounce:

My woodworking/cabinet bench. The traditional vise at the rt end is custom homemade, the Columbian at left restored.
http://users.snowcrest.net/kitty/sgrandstaff/images/hometools/benchvise.jpg

Here is my metal working bench. Couple of vises with assorted jaws, different levels of padding for fine work.
Punches and chisels were mentioned the other day. If you look close all around, you can see about 50 pounds of them in this picture. And this ain't all!
There are about 30 --pounds-- of hand files lurking around the perimeter of this shot, dozens of different patterns and sizes from honking big hoggers to delicate sub-needle sizes, all in separated cloth bags or wooden trays to keep them sharp, ready for work. Files are often underrated as precision metalworking tools. I use about every kind of commonly found power grinder too, but when it comes down to it, there is no substitute for a sharp file.

Maybe 20 pounds of pliers and shears nearby? Who can have too many??

Over to the right side is the beginning of maybe 10 pounds of screwdrivers (they are lightweight after all, takes several to make a pound !! heh)
http://users.snowcrest.net/kitty/sgrandstaff/images/house/vise4.jpg

This little vise is well suited for small work. It was one of those pitiful vacuum mount hobby things with plastic parts. I mounted it to a block of wood I clamp in a larger vise and machined steel parts to replace the plastic.

http://users.snowcrest.net/kitty/sgrandstaff/images/house/vise4a.jpg

A cheap Asian cross vise, trued up, slop greatly lessened, and mounted to a homemade mini drill press table for precision locating and light milling etc.
It drops right in after pulling the regular table, for near instant setup!
http://users.snowcrest.net/kitty/sgrandstaff/images/house/vise2a.jpg


A miniature woodworking bench for making miniatures of course. Designed and homemade complete. The vise swivells and has drop in top jaws for angled/curved work.
Yes those are Chippendale cabriole legs with ball and claw feet, about 1 1/4" tall.
http://users.snowcrest.net/kitty/sgrandstaff/images/minibench.jpg
http://users.snowcrest.net/kitty/scott/bench3.jpg

I know there are more vises around here. :headscrat
yours Scott

[GreyOwl]

This is my Wilton Shop King. Has a broken pipe jaw that I need to find otherwise it is in pretty good shape.

http://i606.photobucket.com/albums/tt143/GreyOwl48/Tools/WiltonVise.jpg

Charles

[Moose-LandTran]

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y290/chrismca/Image0020.jpg


My Made In England 6" Record vice.

[Monte]

"Leinen" vise

http://i552.photobucket.com/albums/jj347/mrblvd_album/fght30-1.jpg

[caper]

I have a couple kicking around.My $5 yard sale Record 6":
http://i367.photobucket.com/albums/oo120/caper_04/bdc8db36.jpg

My old Chas Parker machinist vise with the rotating rear jaw:

http://i367.photobucket.com/albums/oo120/caper_04/P1090306.jpg

An old Chinese Pelican brand vise:

http://i367.photobucket.com/albums/oo120/caper_04/P1090313.jpg

A 6" Schultz made in Brazil:

http://i367.photobucket.com/albums/oo120/caper_04/P1090256.jpg

A 6" wilton :

http://i367.photobucket.com/albums/oo120/caper_04/P1090262.jpg

A Record #1 in the jaws of the #6:

http://i367.photobucket.com/albums/oo120/caper_04/cbeaa354.jpg

Also have a Record #4 or #5 in the garage somewhere and another Wilton in the baby barn I think.I may have a problem with Vises following me home.:lol_hitti

[makgreens]

all i have is a wimpy 4" from northern tool
i cant ever seem to find vises like you guys....

[chrislehr]

and here I was thinking I should sell my Cman when I got a Wilton. Thanks again GJ for making less space out there :D

[Uncle Buck]

My old beater.

http://i288.photobucket.com/albums/ll186/safety1_photos/PICT0036.jpg

[mjozefow]

and here I was thinking I should sell my Cman when I got a Wilton. Thanks again GJ for making less space out there :D

Sell one vise because you got another? :headscrat:headscrat:headscrat

I don't understand this concept.

[brianpgriset]

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=15691&d=1201752342

Before the "resto"

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=15688&d=1201752000

After.

Best $35 dollar vise ever. Columbian 204 1/2. :thumbup:

[evintho]

My recently restored 4-1/2" Wilton #9145.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v356/evintho/Wilton%20vise%20restoration/P9050021.jpg

[arkangel06]

Awesome vises guys

[bmwpower]

Damn. Those Records still have style.

All you guys with gloss paint, do you regret it? Just looks really shiney to me. I was thinking more of an original sheen either semi or matte. I guess it's easy to clean up, but I'm not putting a lot of filthy parts in my vise.

[lilredex]

My free 6" Record.........

[caper]

Damn. Those Records still have style.

All you guys with gloss paint, do you regret it? Just looks really shiney to me. I was thinking more of an original sheen either semi or matte. I guess it's easy to clean up, but I'm not putting a lot of filthy parts in my vise.

I redid my Parker and gave it a fresh coat of red and I really regret it.It just doesn't look right to me.I'm going to have to find a different shade to paint it again,something more retro looking.The Record being shiney doesn't bother me because I know in a few months it'll be chipped,stained and beat up.It just needs more use.The Parker is more of a precision vise with the movable rear jaw so it's not really meant for beating on so the finish will last longer.

[bmwpower]

So who's got the biggest (width)? I think 6" is the leader so far...

[Uncle Buck]

Damn. Those Records still have style.

All you guys with gloss paint, do you regret it? Just looks really shiney to me. I was thinking more of an original sheen either semi or matte. I guess it's easy to clean up, but I'm not putting a lot of filthy parts in my vise.

Why not, that is what you use them for! That is part of the reason I never went too far making mine a real looker. A coat of brush on enamel that I can throw another coat on in a few years when it starts looking real bad!

[bmwpower]

Why not, that is what you use them for! That is part of the reason I never went too far making mine a real looker. A coat of brush on enamel that I can throw another coat on in a few years when it starts looking real bad!

Mainly because if it's greasy and filthy it's harder to work with, slips about, etc. Not because I'm too anal about using the vise. I guess it came out wrong...

[banditbigdog]

Too Many

Rock Island 5"
http://i605.photobucket.com/albums/tt138/banditbigdog/IMG_2018.jpg?t=1254794793

Paramo 5" 'VICE"
http://i605.photobucket.com/albums/tt138/banditbigdog/IMG_2017.jpg?t=1254794843

Columbian 3.5"
http://i605.photobucket.com/albums/tt138/banditbigdog/IMG_2022.jpg?t=1254794902

Palmgren 2.5"
http://i605.photobucket.com/albums/tt138/banditbigdog/IMG_2023.jpg?t=1254794976


Still more on shelves

[bmwpower]

Nice Paramo. Don't see many of them, especially that large.

Now see, UB, I like the patina of banditbigdog vises more. Duller, not so pretty (no offense banditbigdog), ready for the job. Know what I mean?

[mjozefow]

Wow great vises guys! I really dig that Shop King!

Did they not know how to spell "vise" on that Paramo? Makes it unique!

[06wt]

Pics I have on my PC at work -

A medium sized Wilton; an interesting one with dovetails, an adjustable gib and a rear sliding jaw; and the generic mill vise...

I do want to pick up a Wilton "bullet", but only if I can grab it cheap enough.


Andy

what kind of vise is that in the second pic? i just picked one up just like it last week but it has no name or markings

[bmwpower]

Wow great vises guys! I really dig that Shop King!

Did they not know how to spell "vise" on that Paramo? Makes it unique!

English made...might be something to do with it. They spell all kinds of stuff funny.

[banditbigdog]

Manufacture is Paramo, Made in England.
Not sure on the mfg. date, there is some info about the company on the web.

I tore it down and had a engine shop hot tank it then re-painted.

Tom

[mjozefow]

Manufacture is Paramo, Made in England.
Not sure on the mfg. date, there is some info about the company on the web.

I tore it down and had a engine shop hot tank it then re-painted.

Tom

Cool. Looks like it's built like a brick shithouse!

[stevejh82]

Man, some of you guys have got some nice looking vises, I've never tried restoring a vise, but there's plenty of inspiration here.

Here are the ones that get used in the garage:

Morgan Milwaukee 145
http://i684.photobucket.com/albums/vv205/stevejh82/Random/Picture265.jpg

Older Craftsman
http://i684.photobucket.com/albums/vv205/stevejh82/Random/Picture266.jpg

I've got a Rock Island similar to Snapmom's out in the barn that would be a perfect resto candidate, hmm....

[chadster1]

Here is mine right before I took it out of the old truck. It outlasted one tool truck and now has a home in the new truck. I did not have the time to do more than wipe it off before I mounted it in its new home.

[stevejh82]

Chadster I would say that vise is an experienced screwdriver handle remover/installer :bounce:

[KLars1]

Where is Adam M???? I need to see some of his Rock Island's in this thread!?! I think he has my favorite, the 574....love that vise and I have my eyes peeled for one.

[Snappy]

My Wilton that I bought in classifieds

one pic with the vise pads (these come in handy)

[Blacknwhitepit]

My Wilton:

http://i177.photobucket.com/albums/w209/blacknwhitepit/nextday16.jpg

And my Rock Island I repaired and restored.... The Thread - RESTORING OLD ROCK ISLAND VISE (http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=38267)

BEFORE:


http://i177.photobucket.com/albums/w209/blacknwhitepit/vise11.jpg


AFTER:


http://i177.photobucket.com/albums/w209/blacknwhitepit/visedone.jpg


-BWP

[JayL]

My newly acquired Record 5" Quick Release Vise waiting to be installed in the work bench.

http://i514.photobucket.com/albums/t347/jzltraco/IMGP1926.jpg


http://i514.photobucket.com/albums/t347/jzltraco/IMGP1924.jpg

[murph64]

what kind of vise is that in the second pic? i just picked one up just like it last week but it has no name or markings

Don't know. Stamped on the fixed jaw is HI-TEST, NO. 327 and Made in Poland. And there's a logo I've never seen before cast in the side.

One of my neighbors gave it to me, he said it was his fathers, who had it for how long he doesn't know.


Andy

[bmwpower]

Added my Paramo pict.
What does Paramo have in common with Record? The vises look very similar.

[JohnFreeman]

My recent Craigslist find (needs oiling to remove surf. rust) COLUMBIAN, apparently by Wilton.

I see I left one soft jaw in it. A photographer I am not.

[06wt]

Don't know. Stamped on the fixed jaw is HI-TEST, NO. 327 and Made in Poland. And there's a logo I've never seen before cast in the side.

One of my neighbors gave it to me, he said it was his fathers, who had it for how long he doesn't know.


Andy

well hopfully some one on here can help us out.
thanks for the further info andy

[murph64]

My recent Craigslist find (needs oiling to remove surf. rust) COLUMBIAN, apparently by Wilton.

I see I left one soft jaw in it. A photographer I am not.

I have one of these also, picked it up from HomeyD's a couple of years ago. The rotating jaws came in handy a couple of times.


Andy

[DS-21]

Vintage Soderfors/Bofors vise

[mjozefow]

So who's got the biggest (width)? I think 6" is the leader so far...

8" jaws on my Wilton 1780. So I think I'm in the lead so far.

Who has the heaviest? My CP is 140ish. Anyone here have heavier? Those Records look pretty beefy.

[wadd1]

Awesome Vices...
i feel so inadequate with my #4 Record

[greenreese]

Wilton 1780:


http://i112.photobucket.com/albums/n187/tractorguy15/th_GarageProgress1061.jpg (http://i112.photobucket.com/albums/n187/tractorguy15/GarageProgress1061.jpg)




How can you tell a Wilton? The one we have at work looks pretty close to that one, with the rounded closed back, and has the same "Made in USA". But it doesn't have a name anywhere I can see.

[W-Cummins]

8" jaws on my Wilton 1780. So I think I'm in the lead so far.

Who has the heaviest? My CP is 140ish. Anyone here have heavier? Those Records look pretty beefy.


Your CP @ 140# is all most 1/2 a vise, as for the little wilton @ 110# It's only a little bigger than a 1/3 of a vise :):)

I suppose I'm now going to have to re-post the pictures of the CP 978 @296#

William....

[murph64]

I suppose I'm now going to have to re-post the pictures of the CP 978 @296#

William....

Yes. yes you are.

:thumbup:


Andy

[bmwpower]

Your CP @ 140# is all most 1/2 a vise, as for the little wilton @ 110# It's only a little bigger than a 1/3 of a vise :):)

I suppose I'm now going to have to re-post the pictures of the CP 978 @296#

William....

I knew you would do that... :)
I know how to bait you....

[caper]

Vintage Soderfors/Bofors vise

Now that's cool.I've never seen one like that before.

[snapmom]

the Soderfors looks like it would be a very good working vice, lots of room to position your items.

[W-Cummins]

Yes. yes you are.

:thumbup:


Andy

ok I guess I can

I knew you would do that... :)
I know how to bait you....

Now I feel abused.....

William....

So the pop can might allow for some size perspective....

http://www.wacworkshop.com/external_forms/cp978_01.jpg

http://www.wacworkshop.com/external_forms/cp978_02.jpg
And the other side

http://www.wacworkshop.com/external_forms/cp978_03.jpg

And the Front I need to replace the finger saver...

I don't think that I will repaint the vise as I really like the patina it has now might wipe off some or the over spray on the jaws from the years of painting what was held in them....

http://www.wacworkshop.com/external_forms/cp978_04.jpg

[wantedabiggergarage]

My recent Craigslist find (needs oiling to remove surf. rust) COLUMBIAN, apparently by Wilton.

I see I left one soft jaw in it. A photographer I am not.

How can you tell a Wilton? The one we have at work looks pretty close to that one, with the rounded closed back, and has the same "Made in USA". But it doesn't have a name anywhere I can see.

The above one, is an import. If you find a used one with the round shaft, that DOESN'T look like the above, chances are it is made here. The above one matches all the imports in that style, in different colors. (I have one for outside, light duty use)
Now Columbian vises, used to be made here, and there is old stock of them (they cost), at places like Harry Epsteins. Wilton bought them out years ago, and then they started using them as the import line (available at the borgs under $100). The old method of (the above exception) was round shaft, made here, square shaft, made elsewhere, unless you found old marked Made in the USA.
Now it was discussed (last year?) that Wilton has dropped at least one size and is importing components. The one size they dropped is now sold at Sears, in the same tensile strength (doesn't open as far though) for $129 as their USA models. The model is 87018.


As you can see, not exactly a straightforward answer.

[greenreese]

The above one, is an import. If you find a used one with the round shaft, that DOESN'T look like the above, chances are it is made here. The above one matches all the imports in that style, in different colors. (I have one for outside, light duty use)
Now Columbian vises, used to be made here, and there is old stock of them (they cost), at places like Harry Epsteins. Wilton bought them out years ago, and then they started using them as the import line (available at the borgs under $100). The old method of (the above exception) was round shaft, made here, square shaft, made elsewhere, unless you found old marked Made in the USA.
Now it was discussed (last year?) that Wilton has dropped at least one size and is importing components. The one size they dropped is now sold at Sears, in the same tensile strength (doesn't open as far though) for $129 as their USA models. The model is 87018.


As you can see, not exactly a straightforward answer.

So wait, the one I quoted is an import?


I'll be back, going to take a pic of my newfound vise...

[wantedabiggergarage]

So wait, the one I quoted is an import?


I'll be back, going to take a pic of my newfound vise...

Pictures didn't follow posts. The one JohnFreeman posted is an import (round shaft import). The one you showed, is either made in the USA, OR a combo (USA of globalized components), that they now also produce the Sears one, at an offshore factory.

[greenreese]

How's about this one? Got this a couple days ago from a friend who is a retired auto mechanic. It swivels and spins. I haven't seen one like it before. Can't read anything on it. Opens to 5in and is mounted on a 1/4 plate homemade table.

[wantedabiggergarage]

That one, UNLESS you find USA on it, is an import. NEVER seen any that weren't.

[old salvage]

Loving the tool porn in this thread...
My 2 main vises. A 4" Reed and a 4 1/4" parker that is my biggest at 80 lbs.
http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f105/christianrifle/visecollection1.jpg
http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f105/christianrifle/visecollection2.jpg
A ww2 era Craftsman 3" jaws.
http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f105/christianrifle/visecollection3.jpg
3" jaw Wilton
http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f105/christianrifle/visecollection4.jpg
My favorite vise. I dont use it anymore since it needs new jaws. A Rock Island 574. ..
http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f105/christianrifle/visecollection5.jpg
Athol Machine Co with 3 1/8" jaws. This vise has 'No 79' cast into the body and '1884' cast in raised numbers into the movable jaw. I wonder if thats a date.
http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f105/christianrifle/visecollection6.jpg
Another Athol vise. This one has 1 1/4" jaws. Model No 3
http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f105/christianrifle/visecollection7.jpg

[greenreese]

That one, UNLESS you find USA on it, is an import. NEVER seen any that weren't.

Any idea who made it?

[mjozefow]

How can you tell a Wilton? The one we have at work looks pretty close to that one, with the rounded closed back, and has the same "Made in USA". But it doesn't have a name anywhere I can see.


Mine has a plate on the other side that says Wilton.

Your CP @ 140# is all most 1/2 a vise, as for the little wilton @ 110# It's only a little bigger than a 1/3 of a vise :):)

I suppose I'm now going to have to re-post the pictures of the CP 978 @296#

William....


NICE! A rare instance where I am very pleased to be beaten out!


I want one that size. Where did you find it?

[caper]

[QUOTE=old salvage;606481]Loving the tool porn in this thread...
My 2 main vises. A 4" Reed and a 4 1/4" parker that is my biggest at 80 lbs.
http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f105/christianrifle/visecollection1.jpg

A ww2 era Craftsman 3" jaws.
http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f105/christianrifle/visecollection3.jpg

Wow that Craftsman is a little twin to the Reed.Not hard to guess who made the Craftsman for them.:beer:

[wantedabiggergarage]

Any idea who made it?

Only COO. From one of your pics, it looks like it had a silver sticker/label with the "brand" it was put under.

[old salvage]

[QUOTE=old salvage;606481]

Wow that Craftsman is a little twin to the Reed.Not hard to guess who made the Craftsman for them.:beer:

Good eye. The Craftsman also has the Reed type split nut that holds the screw in the slide and the patented Reed threaded pin that takes up slop behind the main nut. http://www.google.com/patents?id=AodUAAAAEBAJ&pg=PA1&dq=reed+vise&source=gbs_selected_pages&cad=2#v=onepage&q=reed%20vise&f=false It even has Reed stamped on the inside of the swivel base.

[ftp]

Here's my beautiful Rock Island vise. I think it weighs at least 60ish pounds. The jaws open to just under 6". This thing is built like a tank. When I completely rebuilt my old workbench, I designed it around the vise. it works beautifully. I don't remember how much I bought it for, probably 30 bucks at the most. From the marks on the bottom, I think it dates to the very early 1900's.

[Kevin54]

http://img34.imageshack.us/img34/9293/dscf2601d.jpg

My Desmond Stephans vise. After seeing all of these I may have to tear mine apart this weekend and get it mounted to my new bench.

[Displaced Hokie]

Mine...

Tiny one from a yard sale. Handy for soldering and small stuff. Well made little thing...

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y188/patlucado/100_0460.jpg

My main vise. Japan made, but belonged to my wife's father so it has sentimental value...


http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y188/patlucado/100_0461.jpg

Just picked this up from a thrift store for $8 and would like to know more about it. It's bigger than my current bench, so I'm not using it yet. Was rust red, so I hit with some rust converter. It's a Simplex made in Ohio, USA. Says "The Desmond Stephan Mfg Co, Urbana, Ohio"

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y188/patlucado/100_0462.jpg

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y188/patlucado/100_0463.jpg

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y188/patlucado/100_0465.jpg

*Edit* I see the poster above also has a Desmond Stephan vice. Must have posted his while I was posting mine. What's the history on these?

Pat

[caper]

http://img34.imageshack.us/img34/9293/dscf2601d.jpg

My Desmond Stephans vise. After seeing all of these I may have to tear mine apart this weekend and get it mounted to my new bench.

That's awesome!How wide does it open?The slide looks really long in the pic.

[Alowes2837]

Not the best pic but they are adequate for most purposes

[W-Cummins]

NICE! A rare instance where I am very pleased to be beaten out!

I want one that size. Where did you find it?

It was/is the biggest vise I have seen. I knew when I saw over 25 years ago I wanted it. I had to wait until the owner retired from his welding/fabrication business a few years ago. Then I made him an offer that we both could live with for it. Now I need to find some thing stout enough to mount it to. He had it attached to a table made of old growth doug fir 2X12's ( 8' long) standing on edge bolted through, to make a top 8'X3'X1' thick (think the table weighed more than the vise by quite a bit)

William...

[06wt]

heres the old columbian that i broke
http://i144.photobucket.com/albums/r198/thesecondfez1974/oldvise.jpg

and heres waht replaced it
http://i144.photobucket.com/albums/r198/thesecondfez1974/oldvise2.jpg

[06wt]

now does anybody have any history on this vise? I dont know anything about it, other then its heavy and big, 8" jaw
http://i144.photobucket.com/albums/r198/thesecondfez1974/newvise.jpg
http://i144.photobucket.com/albums/r198/thesecondfez1974/newvise3.jpg
http://i144.photobucket.com/albums/r198/thesecondfez1974/newvise2.jpg

[Kevin54]

That's awesome!How wide does it open?The slide looks really long in the pic.

If I remember correctly, it will open up to right at 12"

[Griff93]

Columbian Vise that was my Grandfather's. Still works great.
http://i197.photobucket.com/albums/aa63/Griffs_photos/IMG_3204.jpg

Morgan woodjaw vise that was also my Grandfather's. Its really nice for holding stuff you don't want to marr up.
http://i197.photobucket.com/albums/aa63/Griffs_photos/IMG_3205.jpg

Ridge Tool Co pipe vise. I love having one of these. I do a lot of round and square tube work so its really nice. I have it mounted to my welding bench.
http://i197.photobucket.com/albums/aa63/Griffs_photos/IMG_3206.jpg

Import 4 in drill press vise that I have mounted to my welding bench.
http://i197.photobucket.com/albums/aa63/Griffs_photos/IMG_3207.jpg

Palmgren 6" vise.
http://i197.photobucket.com/albums/aa63/Griffs_photos/IMG_3208.jpg

Import swivel mill vise.
http://i197.photobucket.com/albums/aa63/Griffs_photos/IMG_3209.jpg

[banditbigdog]

2.5" Canedy - Otto
http://i605.photobucket.com/albums/tt138/banditbigdog/IMG_2152.jpg?t=1254880643

Small USA made Stanley
http://i605.photobucket.com/albums/tt138/banditbigdog/IMG_2154.jpg?t=1254880726

4" Columbian
http://i605.photobucket.com/albums/tt138/banditbigdog/IMG_2158.jpg?t=1254880780

Noga Arm with mini Kant Twist Clamp
Not really a vise, comes in handy as a 3rd hand
http://i605.photobucket.com/albums/tt138/banditbigdog/IMG_2149.jpg?t=1254880528

[jamesemery728]

Here's some of the collection

[A_Pmech]

I'm very good at doing that.

heres the old columbian that i broke
http://i144.photobucket.com/albums/r198/thesecondfez1974/oldvise.jpg

[mjozefow]

I'm very good at doing that.

You should make one then! Out of several very large blanks of steel.

[murph64]

http://users.snowcrest.net/kitty/sgrandstaff/images/house/vise4a.jpg

This little vise is well suited for small work. It was one of those pitiful vacuum mount hobby things with plastic parts. I mounted it to a block of wood I clamp in a larger vise and machined steel parts to replace the plastic.


yours Scott

Brilliant! I will be stealing, um, borrowing :drool: this idea...


Andy

[Kevin54]

Mine...

Tiny one from a yard sale. Handy for soldering and small stuff. Well made little thing...

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y188/patlucado/100_0460.jpg

My main vise. Japan made, but belonged to my wife's father so it has sentimental value...


http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y188/patlucado/100_0461.jpg

Just picked this up from a thrift store for $8 and would like to know more about it. It's bigger than my current bench, so I'm not using it yet. Was rust red, so I hit with some rust converter. It's a Simplex made in Ohio, USA. Says "The Desmond Stephan Mfg Co, Urbana, Ohio"

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y188/patlucado/100_0462.jpg

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y188/patlucado/100_0463.jpg

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y188/patlucado/100_0465.jpg

*Edit* I see the poster above also has a Desmond Stephan vice. Must have posted his while I was posting mine. What's the history on these?

Pat



Desmond Stephans has been in business for quite a long while. Not only did they make vises, but they also make dressers for grinding wheels on benchtop and pedestal grinders. I'm about three miles from where they are located. If anyone has ever been through Urbana, Ohio, they are one block south of the Post Office in town. I'll have to ask to see what they make total in the way of products. I'm not sure if I know anyone that works there though.
I know they still make dressers, but I don't think they make the vises anymore. We have quite a few of the older Simplex vises at work. I'll have to look at the other side of my vise to see if it is a Simplex or has a different name on it. It now has my curiosity peaked as to how many different Desmonds that we actually have at work. The rson that we have them is at one time years ago, Urbana used to be a real close knit town. It seems that everyone was related and the different factories in town almost always catered to other factories. That is why we had so many Simplex vises in our shop

[caper]

Here's some pics of the movable rear jaw on my Parker.It's the only one I've ever seen that swivels like this.

http://i367.photobucket.com/albums/oo120/caper_04/P1090614.jpg

http://i367.photobucket.com/albums/oo120/caper_04/P1090610.jpg

http://i367.photobucket.com/albums/oo120/caper_04/P1090611.jpg

[Jim Stabe]

This is the best vise I've found for a welding/fab table, it leaves the entire surface open. Jaws open 10" as well and the lug can hold larger parts against stops screwed into the table.
41502

[Moose-LandTran]

Looks like a woodworking vise.

[Monte]

Here's some of the collection

The mini ones are cool ! :thumbup:
What brand ? Looks european

http://garagejournal.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=41427&d=1254931817

[Underdog]

Here's some pics of the movable rear jaw on my Parker.It's the only one I've ever seen that swivels like this.

http://i367.photobucket.com/albums/oo120/caper_04/P1090614.jpg

http://i367.photobucket.com/albums/oo120/caper_04/P1090610.jpg

http://i367.photobucket.com/albums/oo120/caper_04/P1090611.jpg

I saw one on CL awhile back. Wondering what would be the advantage or use for the swivel, seems like you really couldn't hold any thing with it swiveled?:headscrat

[caper]

I saw an old add for the vise and it describes it as a feature for clamping odd shaped pieces for filing.

[paranoid56]

heres my old reed one. got it free off a job site as the owner was tired of moving it around LOL its over 125lbs last time i checked.
http://lh5.ggpht.com/_wdu0CNqB-8E/Ss00HWz6CvI/AAAAAAAAO2Y/Xgn8fNn5Pv8/s800/vice.jpg

[jamesemery728]

[QUOTE=Monte;607717]The mini ones are cool ! :thumbup:
What brand ? Looks european

Starting from left to right, the 3 small ones are all marked Germany, the largest of these 3 is marked NAGER, Germany, the fourth one from the left was made by the Lowell Wrench Co., Worchester, Mass, USA, the largest one on the extreme right hand side is a #15 Palmgren Hand Vise.

[A_Pmech]

You should make one then! Out of several very large blanks of steel.

Be careful what you ask for...

:bounce:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v11/horteniv/vise1.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v11/horteniv/vise3.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v11/horteniv/vise2.jpg

The project is in a holding pattern, waiting on a certain bandsaw to do the contour work!

The thrust bearings are tapered roller and the screw bushings bronze. The nut is steel, which may wear the screw eventually. I'll be installing an oil cup there.

For reference, the head is 2.25" OD approx.

The vise is protected by the roll pin at the head of the screw. It will shear well before the side plates reach the elastic limit. Thus, the vise should be unbreakable.

We'll see...

[back2class]

Here are mine. All have some common object in pic for size refrence.

First is a freshly fixed up by me Wilton C-0. 50lbs. Just waiting to be mounted whenever I build the new shop. I think I paid around $80

Second is a giant wilton C-2 model. 110lbs. It is missing the pipe jaws and is apart for fixing up and one mounting prawl needs to be welded back on. I paid $75 a few years back.

Third is a old sears Companion Japan. I had it iside my service van for a few years. Was grandpa's backup.

Next is just a big 150lb. hunk of anvil. Beat up but worth the $25 inc stand.

5th is a large milling vise. It is in deplorable condition as is my Bridgeport from sitting in a barn for the last few years. Such a shame as both were clean and in nice shape before I moved.

A smaller rusty reed, has bee welded beck together but being cast steel it is a STRONG repair. I have beat this in untold ways and it has held. Was like new after a nice restore but several years in the junk barn has taken its toll on looks but it is just light surface rust.

Last is a 100 year old Prentiss Bulldog with pivot rear jaw. It is midsize. For those of you who don't know. The rear jaw comes off so you can attach blocking to a bench behind it to clamp any size object. Was left in a house my mother owned for a short time.

I like the wiltons, but wish the opened wider.....their design limits that. I think the prentiss or reed designs are better for home use but wiltons better for many years in commercial service with the enclosed workings.

[back2class]

ok I guess I can



Now I feel abused.....

William....

So the pop can might allow for some size perspective....

http://www.wacworkshop.com/external_forms/cp978_01.jpg

http://www.wacworkshop.com/external_forms/cp978_02.jpg
And the other side

http://www.wacworkshop.com/external_forms/cp978_03.jpg

And the Front I need to replace the finger saver...

I don't think that I will repaint the vise as I really like the patina it has now might wipe off some or the over spray on the jaws from the years of painting what was held in them....

http://www.wacworkshop.com/external_forms/cp978_04.jpg


I love this vise by the way.

[Jim Stabe]

Looks like a woodworking vise.
It is, works like a charm.

[mjozefow]

Be careful what you ask for...

:bounce:

The project is in a holding pattern, waiting on a certain bandsaw to do the contour work!

The thrust bearings are tapered roller and the screw bushings bronze. The nut is steel, which may wear the screw eventually. I'll be installing an oil cup there.

For reference, the head is 2.25" OD approx.

The vise is protected by the roll pin at the head of the screw. It will shear well before the side plates reach the elastic limit. Thus, the vise should be unbreakable.

We'll see...

I figured you were going to be a step ahead of me on that one! :thumbup: I've been thinking of doing the same, but lack the tools and machining skills right now. I'm supposed to start taking lessons from our Ag dept's machinist and have access to the shop here pretty soon.

We'll see then...

I look forward to seeing your vise come together. Got any projected specs yet?

Great idea putting a shear pin in there. But it could be broken by torquing on something too hard that is already clamped, no? That's how I broke my last China vise. Steel shouldn't snap like cast iron though since it is ductile.

[A_Pmech]

I look forward to seeing your vise come together. Got any projected specs yet?

Great idea putting a shear pin in there. But it could be broken by torquing on something too hard that is already clamped, no? That's how I broke my last China vise. Steel shouldn't snap like cast iron though since it is ductile.

The spring pin in the head will fail in double shear at around 10,000 - 12,000 lbs. I suppose I could shear it off wailing on something, but I'm more likely to shear it by hanging off the vise handle. Of course, this is a combination of the torque force and the tension force in the screw, so the actual tension force is slightly less due to the roller bearing spindle.

The ductility of steel was one of the main factors in this design. I want something that will deform, not break apart. This vise will also have tool steel sliding surfaces which will be carefully mated. The idea is to build a vise with very little slop, which is a constant complaint of mine with most vises.

A few specs, as I recall:

6" jaw width
10" to 12" jaw opening
Estimated weight: 125lbs
Design maximum clamping force: 10,000lbs
Type: Stationary non-swivel machinist's vise.

I might start a thread on it when I have the time to devote to completing it. I've made a couple of design revisions since I initially drew it up several years ago.

:drool:

[KLars1]

Here are some I remembered from other threads, hope you guys don't mind me linking in your vises....

First, scottg1952:

http://users.snowcrest.net/kitty/sgrandstaff/images/hometools/vise.jpg


Next, my personal favorites, from Adam McLaughlin:

Rock Island 594

http://i95.photobucket.com/albums/l151/kd6poc/FinishVise.jpg

Columbian

http://i95.photobucket.com/albums/l151/kd6poc/PICT0676.jpg

http://i95.photobucket.com/albums/l151/kd6poc/PICT0675.jpg

jopickens:

http://www.ezpickens.com/josh/prentissbulldogviseolno58/pbdno58_30_small.JPG

http://www.ezpickens.com/josh/prentissbulldogviseolno58/pbdno58_31_small.JPG

captf71:

Rock Island 542-BX

http://i525.photobucket.com/albums/cc336/captf71/RIvise.jpg

http://i525.photobucket.com/albums/cc336/captf71/31.jpg

[KLars1]

I don't know for sure, but I would say jopickens might win largest vise so far........

[jjkrjh]

[QUOTE=Displaced Hokie;606643]Mine...



Just picked this up from a thrift store for $8 and would like to know more about it. It's bigger than my current bench, so I'm not using it yet. Was rust red, so I hit with some rust converter. It's a Simplex made in Ohio, USA. Says "The Desmond Stephan Mfg Co, Urbana, Ohio"

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y188/patlucado/100_0462.jpg

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y188/patlucado/100_0463.jpg

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y188/patlucado/100_0465.jpg



Who made who?

[old salvage]

^^^^^
I bet Simplex made the vise and it was property of Ridge Tool Co at one time.

[jjkrjh]

^^^^^
I bet Simplex made the vise and it was property of Ridge Tool Co at one time.



I googled simplex vise and found this.

http://www.worthpoint.com/worthopedia/ridge-tool-ridgid-simplex-vise-catalog-86

But the Desmond Stephan's appear to be built before the Ridge Company.

[old salvage]

I googled simplex vise and found this.

http://www.worthpoint.com/worthopedia/ridge-tool-ridgid-simplex-vise-catalog-86

But the Desmond Stephan's appear to be built before the Ridge Company.

Ah, so they eventually became a line of tools by Ridgid.
Thanks for that link.

[Alowes2837]

I thought mine were a fair size some of these are huge, I guess there is allways someone bigger. Here is a better pic.

[mjozefow]

Nice vises! I'm amazed at the variety.

[Monte]

drop forged "Heuer Front" vise

http://i552.photobucket.com/albums/jj347/mrblvd_album/rtzu28.jpg

[Murfman]

ANyone know who makes this vise? I found it in the scrap pile at one of my customers, it had a bent shaft, which I was able to straighten. I'm happy with it for 2 hours worth of work , a couple of new bolts and a coat of paint:

http://i184.photobucket.com/albums/x205/murfman_photo/Tools/DSC00942.jpg

[cruiser808]

ANyone know who makes this vise? I found it in the scrap pile at one of my customers, it had a bent shaft, which I was able to straighten. I'm happy with it for 2 hours worth of work , a couple of new bolts and a coat of paint:

Hi Murfman - Nice vise. Can you tell us how you straightened the shaft? Thanks. :beer:

[Kevin54]

I just want to say that it is pretty amazing at the array of vises that is out there and the ones shown has probably scratched the surface. I imagine that I, as maybe a lot of others have thought that a vise is just a vise with maybe a half a dozen variations tossed in. WRONG. This thread has kind of opened my eyes as to what to look out for now, and brings a tear to my eye as to how many vises I have seen over the years tossed into the scrap heap. Keep the pics coming!!!! I also think that this thread along with a few other tool threads ought to be made "stickys". Just as the "Show your toolbox thread" should be made a sticky or at least a seperate forum for it. I'm just glad to see the different items from all over. :thumbup:

[caper]

I'd agree with the sticky Kevin.The current ones have been there for years and it should be updated.

[Murfman]

Hi Murfman - Nice vise. Can you tell us how you straightened the shaft? Thanks. :beer:

I chuked it up in my lathe between the chuck and a steady rest, and whacked it with a rubber mallet. Got it to within less than 5 thousandths total runout:bounce:

[cruiser808]

I chuked it up in my lathe between the chuck and a steady rest, and whacked it with a rubber mallet. Got it to within less than 5 thousandths total runout:bounce:

Thanks. Good job, my friend. BTW, wlcome to the board. :thumbup:

[Moose-LandTran]

I thought mine were a fair size some of these are huge, I guess there is allways someone bigger. Here is a better pic.

Very nice! What No is it? Looks just like mine. (No. 25)

[BTG]

I'm a newbie here (this is my first post!) and here's are my vises that I just scored at an auction yesterday. The first is a 5" Morgan Chicago. Nice vise, no major problems, and the jaws are in good shape. Its as big as I'll probably need. Like the other ones I bought needs some cleaning up, fresh paint and some grease. I'll probably start restoring this one first.

http://i985.photobucket.com/albums/ae336/btgriffin/Tools/DSCF0005.jpg

The next one is Morgan Aurora. I've searched this site as well as google and have not found any info on this one. I assume it was made in Aurora, by Morgan, but no idea on date. This vise is a hoss! Probably bigger than I need or should keep, so I'll clean it up also and sell it. To be honest, I purchased it on an online auction and it didn't look so big. It took two of us to pick it up though! Anybody with info on this? It would be appreciated!
http://i985.photobucket.com/albums/ae336/btgriffin/Tools/DSCF0001.jpg

The last one is a pair of Pipe/Tube machinist vises. I got the pair for dirt cheap and they are pretty cool. They were made by SMID and are stamped "made in france". They will clamp 3/4" to about 3" round and can be bolted down vertically or horizontally. Definitely keeping these. No info on these either...
http://i985.photobucket.com/albums/ae336/btgriffin/Tools/DSCF0018.jpg
http://i985.photobucket.com/albums/ae336/btgriffin/Tools/DSCF0012.jpg

I'll post my other auction goodies on another post...lets just say one of them weighs about 3,000 lbs! :thumbup:

[bgott]

I found this Morgan 150 last week for $5. I've had a good week or two at the sales.:) I'll get pictures of all my vises next week, I have a few.

[mrpowderkeg]

Better late than never. My Wilton Tradesmen

[gravygrabber]

Are Prentiss vises any good?
I'm looking at a #23 model for $100

[bmwpower]

Are Prentiss vises any good?

Yep, they are good.

[KLars1]

Better late than never. My Wilton Tradesmen

drool, :drool:

My favorite, nice detailing on the letters.

[gravygrabber]

Yep, they are good.

Is it worth $100? I can't find anything on that model. It's suppose to be heavy though.
Here is a picture,

http://img26.imageshack.us/img26/4096/clvise.th.jpg (http://img26.imageshack.us/i/clvise.jpg/)

[JayL]

I got one of these Wilton imports. Mechanic 6" Vise. For what it does it's ok but the English made Record vises we have seems to have a lot better quality steel.

http://i514.photobucket.com/albums/t347/jzltraco/IMGP1959.jpg

For the slightly less than $100 dollars paid I can't complain.

[bmwpower]

Is it worth $100? I can't find anything on that model. It's suppose to be heavy though.
Here is a picture,

http://img26.imageshack.us/img26/4096/clvise.th.jpg (http://img26.imageshack.us/i/clvise.jpg/)

Hmmm. Hard to say. What size is it? Does it work or is it frozen?

[gravygrabber]

Hmmm. Hard to say. What size is it? Does it work or is it frozen?

Well, according to another thread the #23 is a 200 lb. vise so I imagine it's massive. I'm not sure if it's frozen. The other thread said that model is a ironworker's vise. I have this massive table that I got from an uncle who got it at a local scrap metal yard. It's at least 400-500 lbs. and I could mount it on there. I just got a small Reed though the last weekend for $5 so I'm kinda on the fence. I'd love a bigger better vise but not sure if I want to part with a 100 spot for it.

[old salvage]

Well, according to another thread the #23 is a 200 lb. vise so I imagine it's massive. I'm not sure if it's frozen. The other thread said that model is a ironworker's vise. I have this massive table that I got from an uncle who got it at a local scrap metal yard. It's at least 400-500 lbs. and I could mount it on there. I just got a small Reed though the last weekend for $5 so I'm kinda on the fence. I'd love a bigger better vise but not sure if I want to part with a 100 spot for it.

Because you don't have the vise in your possession. If it really is that big (and in good condition) then once you get it home there will be no regrets.

[sjt78]

This is my Wilton Shop King. Has a broken pipe jaw that I need to find otherwise it is in pretty good shape.

http://i606.photobucket.com/albums/tt143/GreyOwl48/Tools/WiltonVise.jpg

Charles

I have a Wilton Shop King as well that I bought at an estate sale for $5 (just had to remove it from the workbench). Pretty decent vise for the $. Can't tell if it is the same size as yours. The anvil on it has come in handy a few times. I'll have to snap a pic and post it. I figure it is from the 50's or 60's due to the styling.

[old salvage]

For all you Columbian owners . Here is the vise page of the 1974 Abco Hardware catalog (I'd love to get my greedy mitts on the big combo vise at the top)...
http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f105/christianrifle/abcovisepage1s.jpg

[mrpowderkeg]

A few more that I have, the red one is a small wilton that I have had since I was 11, it's seen a ton of use, made in USA. The one on the portable tool tray is an asian larin (sp?) that is a knock around tool, but it's portable, mounted to a rail road tie plate. The third and last one mounted to the wood bench is the same model larin in a different location. The asian vises have nothing on the wilton vises i have. Also one more of the tradesmen vise I have, I had to detail it, just because

[river1]

i just picked this one up off craigslist. the seller made it pretty by painting it with house paint:headscrat:confused: i highlighted the makers mark(?)

anyone have any info as to maker or age?

thanks:bowdown: in advance

later jim

[Vinko]

http://img18.imageshack.us/img18/2817/dsc00979wp.jpg

[autoclassicnut]

here's my 6" columbian

[acswan]

Anyone have any info on "Hercules Canada" I've never seen another one,also have a big import and a little Record

[caper]

Hmmm,130 replies to this thread and I haven't seen one post vise.With all these vises we have I would have bet someone would have posted at least one post vise.I would have posted my own but it's in pieces laying under a work bench right now.I took it apart awhile ago for cleaning and resto and it got put on the back burner.

[bgott]

Hmmm,130 replies to this thread and I haven't seen one post vise.With all these vises we have I would have bet someone would have posted at least one post vise.I would have posted my own but it's in pieces laying under a work bench right now.I took it apart awhile ago for cleaning and resto and it got put on the back burner.

Here is one. I have a couple more, including one that is mounted on a stand near my forge and anvil.

[mrjsl]

This is a Paramo - made in England. It's got some kind of triangular logo on the front, but you can't read the writing - I don't know what it says - co are the last 2 letters

http://www.ride8.com/images/knives/vise.jpg

[Joe69]

Here's the vise I have on my service truck. It's out in the weather all the time, and has been great. I especially like the reversible jaw for holding larger items. It's a Wilton 4500, and is on sale for $119.99 here.
http://www.cpojettools.com/products/wmh14500.html#

http://www.cpojettools.com/images/product/wilton/large/wmh14500.jpg

Joe

[DynoDale]

I have never seen one like this (for sale on Craigslist).

[alex71]

http://img18.imageshack.us/img18/2817/dsc00979wp.jpg

now we're talkin'

[mjozefow]

I have never seen one like this (for sale on Craigslist).

COOL! I think that is what most people look at a vise and think. Judging by vises that I have seen at auction anyway.

[bmwpower]

I have never seen one like this (for sale on Craigslist).

I have not seen one like that either.

Buy IT!!!!

[fixerup]

Here are a few I use. I included my old visegrip as it is a hand held vise. I needed a vise for my new welding table. I went to a farm auction. Bid on the Athol, it was so covered in 100 years of grease and crud I could not read the name or turn the handle. Took a chance and got it for 30 bucks.It cleaned up real nice and is in really good shape. I chose not to paint it I like the century of patina. I got the drill press vise at another auction. The sucker is huge weighs 60 lbs.

[NAYLOR]

Here is my restored Athol.

http://i419.photobucket.com/albums/pp275/courtnaylor/P3020134.jpg

This is what she looked like when I found her on craigslist.

http://i419.photobucket.com/albums/pp275/courtnaylor/P2230131.jpg

[Elroy]

At one point in time this was Elroy's main go to vise:

http://i261.photobucket.com/albums/ii55/EllisofRoy/Vise/Picture.jpg

[Lookin4'67Galaxieconv]

Here's my first Wilton I bought from Todd Brock

http://i336.photobucket.com/albums/n345/comet_man_1965/Wilton_vise_rightside.jpg

http://i336.photobucket.com/albums/n345/comet_man_1965/Wilton_vise_side.jpg

http://i336.photobucket.com/albums/n345/comet_man_1965/Wilton_vise_front.jpg

http://i336.photobucket.com/albums/n345/comet_man_1965/Wilton_vise_datestamp.jpg

[snapmom]

ck out this 18" on the cl
http://tampa.craigslist.org/hil/tls/1458984989.html

[old salvage]

ck out this 18" on the cl
http://tampa.craigslist.org/hil/tls/1458984989.html

Wow !!
Thats a definite vertebrae buster for the overconfident.

[VegasBruce]

Here is mine.

http://i56.photobucket.com/albums/g185/VegasBruce/Tech/TwinStick203020.jpg

http://i56.photobucket.com/albums/g185/VegasBruce/Tech/TwinStick203019.jpg

[back2class]

Here is mine.

http://i56.photobucket.com/albums/g185/VegasBruce/Tech/TwinStick203020.jpg

http://i56.photobucket.com/albums/g185/VegasBruce/Tech/TwinStick203019.jpg


Love that! Long travel is such a nice thing on a vise!

[Lookin4'67Galaxieconv]

Here is mine.

http://i56.photobucket.com/albums/g185/VegasBruce/Tech/TwinStick203020.jpg


Hey, that's the first Taskmaster I've seen, other than my own. There's a picture of mine in one of the first posts on this thread.

[VegasBruce]

Hey, that's the first Taskmaster I've seen, other than my own. There's a picture of mine in one of the first posts on this thread.

That one was given to me about 25 years ago. I don't know what I would do without it.

[Keep]

I just picked up a #5 Record, it replaced the chicom crap I had before. Picked it up for $50.

I know pics or it didn't happen. I will get some later.

[BanjoSavesTheDay]

I was just randomly searching CL for vises yesterday and found this Hollands vise: http://appleton.craigslist.org/tls/1461281537.html. I've never seen one with a complete miniature anvil on it before. Wish I was closer....

[tonydanzah]

4" wilton I liberated from my service truck when i was a road tech.

http://i965.photobucket.com/albums/ae133/tonydanzah_photos/wilton1.jpg

http://i965.photobucket.com/albums/ae133/tonydanzah_photos/wilton2.jpg

[jsaw]

Here is a small vise that clamps to a bench, or anywhere handy

[GeorgiaHybrid]

Here's a couple of mine. The Wilton is a POS Chi-Com special but does work for what I need it to do.

The Record was bought from alex71 and wouldn't you know it, I got a new blast cabinet and HAD to try it out on something. A complete disassemble, one trip thru the blaster, a couple of new coats of paint, a little grease and and it's ready for another 20 years or so...

[jimmy p]

Picked up mine on CL for $50. A little black rustoleum and its like new again.

[JohnFreeman]

Some new additions today.

[herbet99]

Just picked up this vise on ebay... Thought it might come in handy being a "clip" on. I thought it was kind of cool looking too.

[mjozefow]

Just picked up this vise on ebay... Thought it might come in handy being a "clip" on. I thought it was kind of cool looking too.

I like those little clamp-on ones for small projects. They make a great third hand.

[nonhog]

Since mine are boring I won't bother but thought this was cool.
Saw it at a Ghost town/Mine/Junkyard in Jerome Az. Spent more time there
than at the Grand Canyon.:thumbup:

[srmofo]

picked this gem up today from craigslist. the guy got it from an estate sale, then sandblasted,primed and painted it for me. cleaned and lubricated everything inside and this baby turns like butter. yeah I know he probably paid 5$ for it, but Im always at work when all the estate auctions are happening. And it cost me less than the pos chicom wiltons they sell at lowes these days. Ive busted 2 of those in the past 2 years at work. you can actually see air bubbles inside the casting once they break the jaw off :headscrat


yup that patent says 1910, the jaws are in immaculant shape (only 4 inch, but itll work for me just fine). the only thing I noticed wrong is the spring and screw that sets the resistance in the handle is missing. still not a bad buy for $70.

I cant really find any more info on the 204 models though. all the others I find are the 974s

[bmwpower]

picked this gem up today from craigslist. the guy got it from an estate sale, then sandblasted,primed and painted it for me. cleaned and lubricated everything inside and this baby turns like butter. yeah I know he probably paid 5$ for it, but Im always at work when all the estate auctions are happening. And it cost me less than the pos chicom wiltons they sell at lowes these days. Ive busted 2 of those in the past 2 years at work. you can actually see air bubbles inside the casting once they break the jaw off :headscrat

Nice!
Say no to high gloss FTW

[stevejh82]

Saw that one on CL. Great Score!

[BanjoSavesTheDay]

aah I saw those too. I reeeally want one. Does he still have the other one, and if so, is it just as nice as that one?

[srmofo]

it was sold already. Supposedly the other one was newer, but wasnt in as good shape and it was smaller. why someone would take the smaller one is beyond me. And since the other one sold for 90 and all he wanted was 160 for both he let this one go for 70. I didnt even try to lowball him. it was a good deal and the guy was cool. had a nice little shop setup.

[BanjoSavesTheDay]

Well you got a great deal IMHO. You suck! :bounce:

[cronic]

Here is an older Columbian D43 1/2 that was my grandfather's tractor shed vise. I took it apart and wire brushed it. Then painted it and added some silver racing strips, lol.

[Vinko]

http://img85.imageshack.us/img85/5935/kurtvise.jpg

[thirdmouse]

Here is my Prentiss #55. It is 5 1/2" wide and opens to 11 1/2". This belonged to my grandfather and is mounted on an 8' x 3' table made by him from 1/4" angle and plate. I'm glad to have a few of my grandfather's tools. The vise worked okay when I got it, but it sure worked a lot better when I cleaned the grime out of it and gave it some fresh oil. It's a real nice heavy vise, but I could wish it had replaceable jaws. What's there is decent and usable, but it would be nice to be able to replace them with soft jaws sometimes. DOM and COO? I picked up a clue in here to look inside the slide somewhere. I see a 34 stamped into the bottom of the slide of the movable jaw. Would that make it 1934? Being my grandfather's, it could be. I never did figure out what COO meant.

I also have a Columbian D43 1/2. It works well as a small vise.

[thirdmouse]

I forgot my small Wilton. I don't see a number on it anywhere. This is an offset one and is more of a wood vise, but it works great for holding connecting rods for polishing. Yes, right now it needs some new wood in the jaws.

[bgott]

Nice vises,thirdmouse! How about a picture of that Craftsman 109 behind the Columbian?

[Keep]

I cannot seem to stop looking for vises. I do not need anymore, yet a Record #4 found its way into my garage today for $30.

[thirdmouse]

Nice vises,thirdmouse! How about a picture of that Craftsman 109 behind the Columbian?

Good eye identifying that with little more than a handle. I normally try to not hijack, but someone asked... Is there a "show me your lathe" thread here? This works okay for a small lathe, but I wish I had a larger one. All in time. This is driven by a 1/6 HP motor mounted on its own swivel base spring loaded for belt tension. Simply pull the motor forward to release the belt tension and change pulley sizes, then let the motor go. It's a nice arrangement even though I never use more than the lowest speed anyway. Here I am making solid motor mounts out of polyamide for a motorcycle. This is a typical workbench for me. For better or worse, this is the way I work. I actually moved a couple things out of the way for this pic.

[BanjoSavesTheDay]

I like that Prentiss a lot, thirdmouse. Some Prentisses don't really do much for me, but that one looks very nice.

[bgott]

Good eye identifying that with little more than a handle. I normally try to not hijack, but someone asked... Is there a "show me your lathe" thread here? This works okay for a small lathe, but I wish I had a larger one. All in time. This is driven by a 1/6 HP motor mounted on its own swivel base spring loaded for belt tension. Simply pull the motor forward to release the belt tension and change pulley sizes, then let the motor go. It's a nice arrangement even though I never use more than the lowest speed anyway. Here I am making solid motor mounts out of polyamide for a motorcycle. This is a typical workbench for me. For better or worse, this is the way I work. I actually moved a couple things out of the way for this pic.

I have one of those. I was figuring I needed a jackshaft, looking at yours I now know how to power it. thanks!

[nate379]

Nothing fancy, but has served me well. Bought it back new 7-8 years ago.

[thirdmouse]

I have one of those. I was figuring I needed a jackshaft, looking at yours I now know how to power it. thanks!

No, these little lathes don't really need a jackshaft, unless you want or need that much speed variability. Use a 1750 rpm motor with about a 1 1/2" or so pulley. I figure my slowest spindle speed is about 650 rpms. If I need less than that, there is always the gear reduction in the head itself. I think that gear reduction in the head for very slow speeds is why these units don't really need a jackshaft.

[bgott]

I wonder if I could power it with an 18 volt Dewalt cordless drill? Actually, that would be good job for a seldom- used- now corded drill. Damn, now you got me thinking. I'm still looking for a cheap chuck, I don't want to spend $100 for a chuck for a $20 lathe.

[BanjoSavesTheDay]

This is a great post for me because it happens to mark my 100th post as well as an aquisition I have been working on for over a month. This thing is a monster! I have been actively seeking very large vises for quite some time now and this is the third one the craigslist gods have provided for me. I will post pictures of my other vises, but I'm too pumped about this one to wait.

This is a strange vise, though. It doesn't have a name cast into it anywhere; all it has is Pat. No. 108 1/2. Its jaws are 8" wide and it weighs 255 pounds!! I'm going to have to make a handle for it, but I don't think it will be that big of a deal. There is something funny about the jaws, but I haven't figured out what yet; I think they may have been broken off and then welded back on.

I got it from a guy in Chesapeake Ohio whose dad used to own a shop that worked on barges right along the Ohio River. I guess they had cause to clamp down some huge parts for barges and he used it a lot in his shop. I think its really cool to have a little piece of American history. I got it for $150 and it came with the table that it's mounted on. These are the only pics I have of it right now, but I'll post some more later. I just cannot convey to you the sheer size of this thing with pictures, but I will try.

I think it looks like a Prentiss No. 58. If you do a google search for one of those, you can see a picture of one somebody else restored. I just don't know why it doesn't have a name cast into it. If anybody has any ideas on the maker of this vise, I would love to hear them.

[Lookin4'67Galaxieconv]

I just cannot convey to you the sheer size of this thing with pictures, but I will try.


Set a normal sized vise next to it and snap a picture. :pimpflash

[BanjoSavesTheDay]

Set a normal sized vise next to it and snap a picture. :pimpflash

Ahh, I should have but I had already taken these pictures. Here are some more anyway, though. This is when I got it back to my garage.

Picture 3 shows the repair done to the jaws.

I tried to get a good picture showing just how thick the sidewalls are, but I couldn't. They are only about 1/4" thinner than the outside shown in picture 6. Usually when you grab a vise right there, it is pretty hollow and quite a bit thinner, but not this one.

Picture 7 isn't exactly fair I know because the slide is just barely stuck in there, but it was covering almost my entire piece of plywood that I had sitting there and I just had to take a pic.

[bmwpower]

OMG. That thing is massive!

I'm not quite sure what the deal is with that repair.

Get that bad boy cleaned up, lubed and mount her.

Trying to find info on that patent. Does it say "Pat. 108 1/2" ??

[VegasBruce]

That is an awesome vise.

[BanjoSavesTheDay]

Sorry bmwpower, I didn't see your question until just now. Yes, it does say Pat. No. 108 1/2. Thanks for your help. I do plan on getting it all nice and pretty as soon as I get a chance.

[BlindViper]

Snap-on 4 1/2" vise
http://www.ledger.cc/viper/toys/DSCN0173.JPG
Columbian model 505
http://www.ledger.cc/viper/toys/DSCN0174.JPG
http://www.ledger.cc/viper/toys/DSCN0175.JPG
As you can see it was not in the best of condition. After 14 hours in a electrolysis bath it was painted. It will be installed on my welding table when it gets done.
http://www.ledger.cc/viper/vise1.jpg

[senlow]

Here are my vises:
LS Starrett No. 86 (1-1/2" jaws).
Stanley 1210, I gave this one to my son.
Wilton 2-1/2" bullet vise.
Wilton 3" bullet vise.
Wilton 3-1/2" bullet vise.
Wilton model 1750, 5" vise.
Reed model 205, 5" vise.

[Moose-LandTran]

I found the perfect use for the quick release on my vise! :D

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y290/chrismca/DSC00683.jpg

[bmwpower]

I found the perfect use for the quick release on my vise! :D[/IMG]

With my luck, I'd somehow drop them into an open drawer, then close it and never be able to find them. :)

[AMP2]

I have a few in my shop - I like good vises.
Some are restored and some not. One old one is brand new still in the box and I haven't used it yet. Here are a few.

[A29]

I retired this vise about 25years ago.Its been laying around the back yard that long and since its sorta the family vise (been around since my great grandfather) I decided to restore it and bring it into my new shop.

[CRTDI]

Ran across this posting on E-bay. Appears to be quite a few Wilton 450S Machinist's vises. Maybe a chance for someone to get a decent one.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=190326660014

EDIT: Reposted this in the classified section, maybe somebody will get a deal.

[BanjoSavesTheDay]

amp2, what are the vises in pic #3? I see Morgan Milwaukee on the one. Is it a good vise? They look a whole lot like the old Columbians, T-shaped jaws and all.

That little baby Wilton is awesome!

[Fatbrosracing]

They all seem to be of cast construction is the "welded / fabricated steel" type vise not popular over in the U.S. Sorry I don't have a better photo at the moment.

[A29]

They all seem to be of cast construction is the "welded / fabricated steel" type vise not popular over in the U.S. Sorry I don't have a better photo at the moment.

I used to sell a lot to the local power company for their line trucks. It was a great vise but It is not availabe any more.
The old one I restored, a few post above, is a forging.

[stewart]

You guys are insane! Out I go to my garage, in pajamas, camera in hand to follow suit. As with the Anvil post, I notice I don't see many good vices in the fancy floor'd Gayrages (I'm coining that one)!

That's a Chuck Parker. There's some 4" craftsmans around here somewhere. One's mounted to a 1/2" steel plate that I can C Clamp anywhere it's needed.

[BanjoSavesTheDay]

stewart, is that a chunk missing out of the back of the slide or was it made that way? Either way, that's a nice Parker.

[Pukeballs]

Heres a before and after of a older Craftsman vise I redid.

http://i24.photobucket.com/albums/c40/Pukeballs/ViseBefore.jpg

http://i24.photobucket.com/albums/c40/Pukeballs/107.jpg

[stewart]

Man! You have some eye. It's missing a chunk!

[explorinbc]

If anyone wants to buy an old wilton vise 1957 or 67 email me at davebanford@live.ca I would also love to know the history on it It is excellent condition Not sure of what model it is besides 8C0

[BanjoSavesTheDay]

Well, I'm so proud of this that I reeeeally wanted to put it in it's own thread, but I decided to do the honorable thing. :bounce: It just seems like very few people actually look at this thread.

Anyway, here is my latest vise restoration creation. It's a Wilton C2. Weighs 100 lbs and has 5" jaws. It started out life in the military, which is where it got the hideous green paint that is almost impossible to get off. After a while with the wire brush, I got smart and started looking around on the internet and found out that some people take vises to radiator shops for a dip in the hot tank. The first two places I called said NO so fast that they practically hung up on me. The third guy pondered it a while and then said he'd do it for 10 bucks per vise. It did a fantastic job and I would recommend it to anyone.

This is actually not my vise. I'm getting married this summer and I restored it for the pastor who is doing our wedding as sort of a "thank you". I think he'll be very pleased since he saw what it looked like before I started.

Here is the before picture:

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/45099362@N02/4336903060/" title="wilton by BanjoSavesTheDay, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4005/4336903060_7cec3b874f.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="wilton" /></a>

And after:

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/45099362@N02/4336168741/" title="IMG_3155 by BanjoSavesTheDay, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4044/4336168741_d169500280.jpg" width="500" height="333" alt="IMG_3155" /></a>

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/45099362@N02/4336169325/" title="IMG_3160 by BanjoSavesTheDay, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4064/4336169325_086488ff8d.jpg" width="500" height="333" alt="IMG_3160" /></a>

Oh-So-Beautiful Wilton goodness. Note that I have painted the base also; I just hadn't attached it at the time of the picture.

[senlow]

That vise needs an end cap. You can make one from a freeze plug. the dome shape can be made with a little hammer forming.

[stewart]

It's just beautiful, it really is.

I'm thinking, before that dust cap, some never seize on the screw threads! The losses due to friction will be reduced and you'll get more holding power for any given force applied to the handle.

Great job!

[stewart]

Hey Pukeballs, nice job also, I had a crafstman just like it. It also had a bent beam?

[old salvage]

..... It just seems like very few people actually look at this thread. ...........



I'm one of the few.

[Lookin4'67Galaxieconv]

Well, I'm so proud of this that I reeeeally wanted to put it in it's own thread, but I decided to do the honorable thing. :bounce: It just seems like very few people actually look at this thread.


<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/45099362@N02/4336168741/" title="IMG_3155 by BanjoSavesTheDay, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4044/4336168741_d169500280.jpg" width="500" height="333" alt="IMG_3155" /></a>



Beautiful job! Wow! :thumbup:

[Pukeballs]

Hey Pukeballs, nice job also, I had a crafstman just like it. It also had a bent beam?

Thanks. Yes it did have a bent beam. Did you have one that was bent as well?

I was thinking about bending it straight, but just gave it away to a friend instead. He needed one, and I didnt want the hassle.

[mjozefow]

It just seems like very few people actually look at this thread.

That's what happens when they get long. I think if you have a resto to show off, it should be posted here and also get it's own thread. This is more of a group showcase.

If you want to just show a vise you acquired, this would probably be the place. :beer:

Oh, and nice job!

[emeraldcoupe]

i need a new set of jaw pads for my old wilton 5 1/2" vise, any of you guys know where i can get a set?

[bmwpower]

Hey, I always check this thread out. People are reading, just not replying all the time.

[BanjoSavesTheDay]

Well thanks everybody! I promise I wasn't sulking or anything. lol I apologize for offending the faithful. :bowdown: Honestly what I like most about this thread is that it's such a wealth of information on vises that the internet is largely lacking. There's no definitive book on vises anywhere either; I wish someone would write one!

mjozefow, I didn't know I was allowed to do that. I will make a separate thread for my big dawg vise when I really get started on the restoration.

emeraldcoupe, try this guy: http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=400082453463&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT.

One other thing I forgot to say in my other post. The pastor doing my wedding is a Gravely tractors nut so I painted the vise with official Gravely red paint. :D That stuff is ridiculously expensive, but he happened to have left part of a can at my house, so I helped myself to a bit.

Last but not least, I have another funny "before" picture of the Wilton. I think I've posted this somewhere else but it is in the jaws of my Columbian 608. The bolts that connect the vise to the base were on there super tight.

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/45099362@N02/4198357741/" title="IMG_2841 by BanjoSavesTheDay, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2493/4198357741_06bdb9b813.jpg" width="500" height="333" alt="IMG_2841" /></a>

[Lookin4'67Galaxieconv]

Well thanks everybody! I promise I wasn't sulking or anything. lol I apologize for offending the faithful. :bowdown: Honestly what I like most about this thread is that it's such a wealth of information on vises that the internet is largely lacking. There's no definitive book on vises anywhere either; I wish someone would write one!



You may have to do that yourself! :pimpflash



Looking for an obnoxiously large bench vise. If you have any information as to the where-abouts of one, please contact me. : )

The Columbian you have isn't big enough?! :headscrat :spit:

[BanjoSavesTheDay]

The Columbian you have isn't big enough?! :headscrat :spit:

Haha! That thing's just a baby. You've seen the pictures of that big one that doesn't have a name cast into it (post 176). The Columbian only weighs about 180 lbs or so. :lol_hitti

Seriously though, the difference in beefiness between a chipping vise and a machinist vise is almost as big as the difference between a machinist vise and a mechanic/homeowner vise.

Why do I want yet another one? Because I love the quality of craftsmanship and the history. That and they're just darn cool.

[mjozefow]

mjozefow, I didn't know I was allowed to do that. I will make a separate thread for my big dawg vise when I really get started on the restoration.


Dude I didn't start this thread to be the only place that vises could be posted. I don't have that power. It is really just so that people on this board and lurkers could find a wide variety of pictures/stories/histories of these tools. And maybe keep a few out of the scrap heap.

BTW, I am also looking for a huge vise. So if I find one in your area I'll let you know, and if you find one in my area you let me know. Sound like a plan?

[BanjoSavesTheDay]

Dude I didn't start this thread to be the only place that vises could be posted. I don't have that power. It is really just so that people on this board and lurkers could find a wide variety of pictures/stories/histories of these tools. And maybe keep a few out of the scrap heap. ?

lol I wasn't trying to say you wouldn't like it, just maybe someone would say I was taking up too much space with different posts about the same thing. Thanks for telling me though. I had been wondering about that.

BTW, I am also looking for a huge vise. So if I find one in your area I'll let you know, and if you find one in my area you let me know. Sound like a plan?

We both just missed one!! I'm thinking about going to grad school at Ball State, so I poked around on the Indiana CL some and found a Wilton 800N. As far as I know, it's the biggest vise Wilton has ever made. The real kicker is that the guy only wants $65 for it. I called him yesterday and he said someone was supposed to send a check or something today but I could try back tomorrow if I was still interested. You should check it out; I didn't really want to drive all the way over there anyway. Here's the link: http://indianapolis.craigslist.org/tls/1579054826.html.

But yes, I will definitely keep on eye on things over your way. :thumbup:

[jrsndman]

Here is one of mine. It's just a little Columbian I got with some other misc. hand tools for $30.

[Dan in Pasadena]

My Wilton 6" mechanics vise. This was a Craigslist score a couple months ago. $60 for a vise that shows online as being $259. I wish it was a bullet body Wilton, but you can't have everything.

I have since cleaned it up a lot. I was going to repaint it, but the OSHA yellow is kinda growing on me. I don't understand the lame factory paint on the jaws. I'm going o pull them and clean them up some.

P.S. It's "Made in the U.S."

[Dan in Pasadena]

Oops! :bounce:

The photo:

[BanjoSavesTheDay]

Ya know, that yellow is kind of growing on me too. I may paint the body of a bullet Wilton OSHA yellow, the jaws safety orange, the letters bright red, the handle a nice safe green, and the dust cap radiation purple. That way, no one could ever get hurt by it!!

See here: http://www.engineeringtoolbox.com/safety-signals-d_359.html

[emeraldcoupe]

well i have a columbian not a wilton, oops. bought ot off craigslist a few months back for $25. i still need jaws for it, would the wiltons work or do they need to be coulmbian? it's stamped D45 M5 what does that mean?
http://i54.photobucket.com/albums/g89/emeraldcoupe/columbian.jpg

[BanjoSavesTheDay]

Columbians, Wiltons, and even Craftsmans of that style are all pretty similar. I'd say you could probably find some from one of them.

[stewart]

I'm looking at emeraldcoup's 5 1/2" Columbian. It's a bit cold for me to run out to the garage right now but it looks very similar to a newer craftsman that I have. I going to guess that craftsman's are made by columbian or at least they have rights to their tooling? Any feedback?

[emeraldcoupe]

if it helps any it's also cast made in USA under where it says 5 1/2"

[mjozefow]

We both just missed one!! I'm thinking about going to grad school at Ball State, so I poked around on the Indiana CL some and found a Wilton 800N. As far as I know, it's the biggest vise Wilton has ever made. The real kicker is that the guy only wants $65 for it. I called him yesterday and he said someone was supposed to send a check or something today but I could try back tomorrow if I was still interested. You should check it out; I didn't really want to drive all the way over there anyway. Here's the link: http://indianapolis.craigslist.org/tls/1579054826.html.

But yes, I will definitely keep on eye on things over your way. :thumbup:

Called the dude, he said it OPENS 8 inches. Oh well, its sold anyway. If you do go to Ball State let me know. You always have a shop available to you in West Lafayette! :beer:

[BanjoSavesTheDay]

mjozefow, how wide did he say the jaws were? Maybe it was just my excitement, but I could have sworn that looked just like an 800N. Oh well...I guess the good news is that we DIDN'T miss a good deal. lol

Thanks for the shop invite! The chances are pretty good that I'll be going there so I'll definitely let you know when I've arrived in The Hoosier State. Actually, I don't even know what a Hoosier is...so this may not go well.

[the spyder]

Got a Columbian 250-M2 today for $40. Going to need some jaws and some material built back up on the rear jaw, but still well worth it in my mine. :thumbup:

Cleaned off 1/2 a pound of crap and got it ready to be fixed. :)

[BanjoSavesTheDay]

Man I can't get over how badly the previous owner abused that vise. It looks like the rear jaw area just melted away. I would love to see you fix it up, though. That would definitely be the most extreme repair I've ever seen. How do you plan on doing it? You'll have to take lots of pictures for sure.

[the spyder]

It came from a Steel Yard work shop, so you know someone just chucked up something, then ran the OA torch along the front jaw. I plan on using some flat stock and nickle rod with my stick welder + preheat to build up the material.

[mcgyverit]

Here are mine.


http://inlinethumb58.webshots.com/46201/2443755040065764560S425x425Q85.jpg (http://rides.webshots.com/photo/2443755040065764560zugGgw)

http://inlinethumb01.webshots.com/43904/2755946050065764560S425x425Q85.jpg (http://rides.webshots.com/photo/2755946050065764560uZXech)

http://inlinethumb39.webshots.com/43942/2287966160065764560S425x425Q85.jpg (http://rides.webshots.com/photo/2287966160065764560MyvXCl)

and a recently acquired one:

http://inlinethumb05.webshots.com/43844/2297122800065764560S425x425Q85.jpg (http://rides.webshots.com/photo/2297122800065764560QCmCMf)

[BanjoSavesTheDay]

It came from a Steel Yard work shop, so you know someone just chucked up something, then ran the OA torch along the front jaw. I plan on using some flat stock and nickle rod with my stick welder + preheat to build up the material.

Sounds like a plan. I wish I could be there when you do it.

[StupidHippie]

Here's mine...nothing fancy, an old Parker from a yard sale.

...Rob

[BanjoSavesTheDay]

I've got some pictures from ebay that I thought would be good to throw in here. This thing sold for eight hundred dollars! I've never seen a vise sell for that much! :shocking:

Anyway, the measurements are: length closed 25", height 16", jaws 6", Throat 7", handle 12 1/2", weight 180 lbs.

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/45099362@N02/4363365835/" title="Parker 1 by BanjoSavesTheDay, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4015/4363365835_5f66a21399.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="Parker 1" /></a>

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/45099362@N02/4363365823/" title="Parker 2 by BanjoSavesTheDay, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2764/4363365823_00cb8e5302.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="Parker 2" /></a>

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/45099362@N02/4364108278/" title="Parker 3 by BanjoSavesTheDay, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2713/4364108278_2aa25cb392.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="Parker 3" /></a>

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/45099362@N02/4364108270/" title="Parker 4 by BanjoSavesTheDay, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2714/4364108270_9dba8aa806.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="Parker 4" /></a>

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/45099362@N02/4363365769/" title="Parker 5 by BanjoSavesTheDay, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4016/4363365769_a8ce7ca7aa.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="Parker 5" /></a>

[apostrophe]

I found this on CL. It's in pretty good shape - it's missing the swivel wrench, handle detent assy, and finger guard.

Does anyone have a source for parts?

Thanks

[old salvage]

I found this on CL. It's in pretty good shape - it's missing the swivel wrench, handle detent assy, and finger guard.

Does anyone have a source for parts?

Thanks

Parker is long out of business so your only parts source would be to take from another vise or have a machinist make one.

[BanjoSavesTheDay]

Nice looking vise. I don't know what you mean by handle detent assembly, though. Maybe post a pic of it or something. As for the swivel wrench, C. Parker called them vise wrenches and they show up on ebay occasionally.

[BanjoSavesTheDay]

Here's one now actually.

http://cgi.ebay.com/Old-farm-wrenches-Charles-Parker-Planet-Jr-Vise-Wrench_W0QQitemZ280468705358QQcmdZViewItemQQptZLH_ DefaultDomain_0?hash=item414d3cd04e

[metal1313]

woohoo i just found one local, going to get it in the morning on my way to class. its very local, and for 60 bucks i couldnt pass it up. by the way..im going broke haha

[Adam McLaughlin]

Damn Banjo, that looks cool but Eight HUndred dollars?

Adam

[BanjoSavesTheDay]

I know! I have no idea why somebody paid that much. What's funny is that a couple weeks after that one sold, another No. 436 popped up on eBay and "only" sold for $350.

[bmwpower]

I know! I have no idea why somebody paid that much. What's funny is that a couple weeks after that one sold, another No. 436 popped up on eBay and "only" sold for $350.

It sold for that much because it looks to be original and it's huge. Ever wonder why anvils go for $500+? High quality authentic blacksmith stuff is getting rarer, making it worth much more.

The other one on eBay was painted and didn't look as nice. Can you imagine a blacksmith putting a painted vise in his shop? haha....

[metal1313]

http://cnj.craigslist.org/tls/1614783432.html

i just picked this up before i headed to school today. i didnt even haggle on the price, its in good shape and because it was local i jumped right on it. for 60 bucks im happy, it works great just gotta look at the jaws, which appear to not have replaceable teeth.

[BanjoSavesTheDay]

The other one on eBay was painted and didn't look as nice.

Pssshhhh!! Whatever. Painted vises are always better! :lol_hitti

metal1313, that is a sweet looking Athol. They are just about the most heavy duty vises every made, so you got a great deal on that one. The jaws are cast in, so no they are not replaceable. Are they in bad shape? I'd love to see some more pictures when you get a chance.

[metal1313]

i cleaned it up today with a wire wheel, and holy crap im amazed, after getting all the crud, and dirt off it looks amazing. even though it appears to have been literally dropped in the mud(the slide was filled with mud and grass) it still had the origonal paint on it in many spots. the jaws are near perfect condition. it spins freely and really theres nothing wrong with it at all.

the one gripe i have with it, is the jaws are smooth, so i may have issues with large odd shaped heavy objects in it.

[KLars1]

i cleaned it up today with a wire wheel, and holy crap im amazed, after getting all the crud, and dirt off it looks amazing. even though it appears to have been literally dropped in the mud(the slide was filled with mud and grass) it still had the origonal paint on it in many spots. the jaws are near perfect condition. it spins freely and really theres nothing wrong with it at all.

the one gripe i have with it, is the jaws are smooth, so i may have issues with large odd shaped heavy objects in it.

Nice vise, I had a 624 1/2 Athol as well. Those are really nice...the smooth, non-replaceable jaws and the fact it was missing the swivel base lead me to sell it.

[metal1313]

id like to find more info on it, so far all i know is it was made by a company that was taken over buy sarret

[IONH]

I have this vise. It's my only one and has worked well so far.

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/photos/67400-67499/67415.gif

http://www.harborfreightusa.com/usa/itemdisplay/displayItem.do?itemid=67415&CategoryName=&SubCategoryName=

[murph64]

I have this vise. It's my only one and has worked well so far.

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/photos/67400-67499/67415.gif

http://www.harborfreightusa.com/usa/itemdisplay/displayItem.do?itemid=67415&CategoryName=&SubCategoryName=

I've got one of those too, only it came from Homey's...The pipe jaws are real handy sometimes.


Andy

[emeraldcoupe]

I have this vise. It's my only one and has worked well so far.

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/photos/67400-67499/67415.gif

http://www.harborfreightusa.com/usa/itemdisplay/displayItem.do?itemid=67415&CategoryName=&SubCategoryName=

looks just like the wilton i use at work

[bsakal]

Here's my Wilton Tradesman 1755 that I got off of Craigslist for $45
http://i287.photobucket.com/albums/ll153/bsakal/wilton1755.jpg

a vise just given to me today, Parker Vise Division, Union Manufacturing Co., New Brittain, Ct. 4" jaw width, opens to 6-1/2", about 17" long when closed, 360 degree swivel, and weighs a good bit....
http://i287.photobucket.com/albums/ll153/bsakal/parker4in.jpg

[bsakal]

and finally, and old Holland vise from Erie Pa. It was in my grandfather's (now my aunt's house) basement. She asked me if I wanted it so I snagged it. It has a 3-1/2" jaw width. I almost chucked it since it's kind of small, but it has some sentimental value. So I cleaned it and painted it. I have a set of Wilton jaws that I might install on it since the jaw faces are kind of worn. I did that to an old Reed I had, I machined the jaws to accept a Wilton replacement jaw.
http://i287.photobucket.com/albums/ll153/bsakal/hollandvise.jpg

[bmwpower]

a vise just given to me today, Parker Vise Division, Union Manufacturing Co., New Brittain, Ct. 4" jaw width, opens to 6-1/2", about 17" long when closed, 360 degree swivel, and weighs a good bit....
http://i287.photobucket.com/albums/ll153/bsakal/parker4in.jpg

OMG, I love this vise. Please don't paint it.

[old salvage]

OMG, I love this vise. Please don't paint it.

I agree. I think its a rare bird.

[Lookin4'67Galaxieconv]

I agree. I think its a rare bird.

+1 ;) :thumbup:

[bsakal]

Funny thing is, when I first brought it home yesterday, I was going to strip it and repaint it. But the more I thought about it, I'm going to mount it the way it is. It works so smooth.
The handle for the lockdown says The Charles Parker Co Meridian CT USA, but as you can see, the main body says Parker Vise Div,. Union Manufacturing Co. New Britain CT. There is a stamping on the bottom that is barely visible 974A. I have no idea how old it is. I think Union bought Parker in the '50's.