The VISES of Garage Journal

[master Zoda]

I think the root of this depate comes down to calling a thing an anvil vise as apposed to a vise with an anvil. If you are calling something an anvil vise it could be assumed that it is made to be primarily an anvil. A cast iron vise shaped like an anvil will always be a poor and fragile anvil. That doesn't mean that the anvil on a vise cant be a useful accessory especially if it is thoughtfully made to serve a purpose.

I don't know of any vise with anvil or anvil vise that is intended for or should be used for forging.

 

[Andy FitzGibbon]

I've never seen an "anvil vise", ie. shaped like an anvil, that wasn't an economy tool primarily marketed toward thrifty farmers, mechanics, and home users. They would have been advertised on afternoon television, if television had existed.

 

[Shiftless]

I finished the Tamalpais vise that I posted about 2 weeks ago. It was rusted up solid and had too many hammer marks to count. While in the process of freeing up the slide and cleaning off the first layer of rust and grime, I uncovered enough of the original paint to make it interesting. I decided to NOT do what I often do with the stripping, filling a few dings, painting and highlighting the lettering. I’m calling this approach “ Suspending the Deterioration” I wanted to honor the fact that this vise is super rare and is 100 years old and was never repainted.

I had to clean the slide to get it to operate smoothly. I couldn’t leave the handle dark and dirty if the slide was clean. The places where the paint was gone got a light brushing but I left some light brown rust for “patina”. The areas with paint got a brisk rubdown with oil. After all of that, I warmed the vise up with a heat gun and brushed on a thin coat of BLO over the cast iron parts not the bare steel. After a few minutes, I wiped it down with a clean paper towel. Here it is.

4 inch jaws, 6 inch maximum safe opening, and weighing in at 51 pounds.

 

[Shiftless]

Before and after

 

[Outlawmws]

Well done Shift! A real survivor - esp based on the hammer marks!

 

[KMScott]

Nice vise Shift, thanks for the spec:s, needs to be in the Spreadsheet. Is this USA made? You running out of room in your basement yet?

edit, just seen it in the Vise info thread, answered my questions. Thanks. Kevin

 

[Shiftless]

Nice vise Shift, thanks for the spec:s, needs to be in the Spreadsheet. Is this USA made? You running out of room in your basement yet?

Well done Shift! A real survivor - esp based on the hammer marks!

Thanks fellas.
Yes, made in USA in Marin County CA at the Tamalpais Vocational school most probably in the early 1920’s. I have been in contact with the Marin Historical Museum to verify some facts about the school. It had a full machine shop and even a foundry on site. The school manufactured a few products and sold them to defray costs and to give the students/budding machinists good experience in running a production line of sorts.
Fierljeppen was also quite helpful in providing some background on the school. Thanks to him too.

 

[Mike'smeatshop]

I have had quite a few vices over the years. This about what I have left. The 1952, 840 Wilton was given to me for repair but my body is down. A few Athol's and several Columbians and Parkers and Rock Islands.

 

[Mike'smeatshop]

And a few more.

 

[IndyGarage]

Spent a couple hours cleaning up this vise, greasing and painting it. I couldn't find any blue or green hammertone paint, so I went with Bronze Hammertone. Which is a nice color, but didn't come out very hammered looking.

I found one problem with it when I was installing it on my workbench. One of the clamp blocks that prevents it from rotating had split in two. I know you are not supposed to weld cast iron, but I heated it up with a torch and Mig'd the block. It worked fine. I prefer fixed vises because they don't have these kinds of problems. I only had a couple of the right length bolts so I need to get a couple more mounting bolts. It's a big heavy vise, but it turns with one finger, so I think it will be useful.

I mounted in the spot where I've had a 6 inch Columbian for about 10 years. The Columbian works fine and actually seems more stout than this Wilton, but the jaw has always been a tiny bit looser than I like. This Wilton is very tight.

 

[Mike'smeatshop]

Spent a couple hours cleaning up this vise, greasing and painting it. I couldn't find any blue or green hammertone paint, so I went with Bronze Hammertone. Which is a nice color, but didn't come out very hammered looking.

I found one problem with it when I was installing it on my workbench. One of the clamp blocks that prevents it from rotating had split in two. I know you are not supposed to weld cast iron, but I heated it up with a torch and Mig'd the block. It worked fine. I prefer fixed vises because they don't have these kinds of problems. I only had a couple of the right length bolts so I need to get a couple more mounting bolts. It's a big heavy vise, but it turns with one finger, so I think it will be useful.

I mounted in the spot where I've had a 6 inch Columbian for about 10 years. The Columbian works fine and actually seems more stout than this Wilson, but the jaw has always been a tiny bit looser than I like. This Wilton is very tight.

That looks great. Like a new gun. Afraid to use it.

 

[IndyGarage]

That looks great. Like a new gun. Afraid to use it.

No, it'll get beat on just like the others.

I said I spent a couple hours on it, and that's probably about right - maybe 3 at most. I took it apart, wire brushed all the old paint and rust off with an angle grinder, masked it, primed and painted it. Then used silver anti seize on the threads and contact points and put it back together. I did pull my buffer out and spent 20 minutes buffing the handle and the screw plate. Fixed the broken clamp block that sits inside the base, then bolted it down.

That's really all it takes to make these old vises look pretty good, so if they get banged up, you just do it again.

 

[dannyr]

Here are a couple of woodworking oldies and an ad from 1861.
I believe these are both by Jonas Woodhead of Bradford, England. JW was possibly the first in England to use cast iron as the main material for vises (est 1847 and moved into other business about 1890).

 

[four.cycle]

^ the device was referred to as a "cramp" ?

 

[dannyr]

^ the device was referred to as a "cramp" ?

1. - 'cramp' = 'clamp' in English woodworking, 2. vises before this were wooden for woodworking or smiths'-type leg vises, so maybe they were giving a new name?? 3. vises in england are vices - maybe they didn't like this association with the other meaning

I forgot to attach the ad from the 1863 directory -- here it is

 

[RTM]

Here are a couple of woodworking oldies and an ad from 1861.
I believe these are both by Jonas Woodhead of Bradford, England. JW was possibly the first in England to use cast iron as the main material for vises (est 1847 and moved into other business about 1890).

Love the wheel, but bet that knob leave a heck of a bruise when you run into it.

 

[four.cycle]

^ I recently became aware of the "vice/vise" thing - previously I had thought it was just an issue with misspelling, but apparently the British use the term "vice" for a device made to hold things.
"Cramp" is a new one.

Tool nomenclature is too often the source of some confusion

 

[Shiftless]

^ I recently became aware of the "vice/vise" thing - previously I had thought it was just an issue with misspelling, but apparently the British use the term "vice" for a device made to hold things.
"Cramp" is a new one.

Tool nomenclature is too often the source of some confusion

I’m sure I’m not the only guy here who searches Craigslist regularly. Here is a tip. Search “vise” and also search “vice”. Once I got a good deal on a Prentiss because is was spelled with a c and I figured not so many people were searching with that U.K. spelling.

 

[dannyr]

I’m sure I’m not the only guy here who searches Craigslist regularly. Here is a tip. Search “vise” and also search “vice”. Once I got a good deal on a Prentiss because is was spelled with a c and I figured not so many people were searching with that U.K. spelling.

mm - take care when searching Craigslist for vices

 

[dannyr]

Love the wheel, but bet that knob leave a heck of a bruise when you run into it.

I'm always walking into things but that knob is quite big and round - so not too bad, but I did just walk into the horn of my anvil - bruise on the way - both vises are in good condition for ~150yrs - with a clean of the threads and a line-up shim I can spin that wheel - almost quick release.

 

[ararat]

Here are a couple of woodworking oldies and an ad from 1861.
I believe these are both by Jonas Woodhead of Bradford, England. JW was possibly the first in England to use cast iron as the main material for vises (est 1847 and moved into other business about 1890).

Those are so awesome. I would build another workbench just for the one on the right.

 

[four.cycle]

I’m sure I’m not the only guy here who searches Craigslist regularly. Here is a tip. Search “vise” and also search “vice”. Once I got a good deal on a Prentiss because is was spelled with a c and I figured not so many people were searching with that U.K. spelling.

off-topic here, but since you mentioned that:
I regularly check ebay listings for Industro, Thorson, Hebrand, and several other commonly misspelled brand names.
I've scored some killer deals on Industro.

 

[Firstram]

mm - take care when searching Craigslist for vices

Don't be so quick to judge, there are good deals on things you didn't know you needed!

 

[Outlawmws]

Don't be so quick to judge,

Have you tried that search? The point is you are going to get a lot of hits for topics not related to vises...

 

[Firstram]

Have you tried that search? The point is you are going to get a lot of hits for topics not related to vises...

Yes, and those may have been the results I was looking for! It's a big scary world out there...

 

[Squez]

 

[DrFeelGood]

Hello everyone. New to posting here but a user from another thread suggested I deposit some pics of one of grandpas old vises. They opined it may not be a Western Auto Wizard? Anyhow, I never knew I liked looking at pictures of vises so much.

 

[four.cycle]

^ thanks. I'm puzzled. doesn't show up on Carl's list of Shiftless' spreadsheet.

One of the experts here will know... they always do...

 

[Shiftless]

^ thanks. I'm puzzled. doesn't show up on Carl's list of Shiftless' spreadsheet.

One of the experts here will know... they always do..Just to make things clear, I don’t have a spreadsheet. The main spreadsheet is maintained by others. A few of my vises appear on it. I know that KMScott helps with maintaining and enlarging it. Who else?

 

[four.cycle]

^ ahh ... okay.. I thought you were in charge of that project! I was misinformed.

 

[PierceA]

I did a little shopping today, went on a drive to pick up a Parker 384-1/2 that had been on FB Marketplace for several weeks. When I was loading it into my van, the seller told me about a nearby flea-market. So I diverted there before heading home..
And at the flea market found a Parker 63-1/2, a homeowners Parker that I did not have.. In original maroon paint and very nice condition. Also bought a Wards Deluxe Quality 'anvil vise'.. Funny that anvil vises had just been as subject of discussion.
This one is not on the spreadsheet, it's a V117-V118. 4-1/2" jaws, 6" max safe opening, and 30#. This vise is in pretty good conditon as well. Both of these have the original wire-cutter in the hardy hole.

The Parker 384-1/2 swivel jaw pin came out with just a tap on it's side with a small hammer, and the jaw then swiveled with hand pressure.. A rare experience for me..

PierceA

 

[PierceA]

This newly acquired 'anvil vise' is one for the spreadsheet. There are two smaller versions in the spreadsheet, but not this larger one.
This one weighs 30#, jaws slightly under 4-1/2", opens to 6".
This series of Wards vises are in the spreadsheet as 'Wards Master Quality'.
PierceA

 

[Outlawmws]

pick up a Parker 384-1/2

Nice find!

Also bought a Wards Deluxe Quality 'anvil vise'.. Funny that anvil vises had just been as subject of discussion

And not just any Anvil vise but that series was central to the discussion!

 

[dannyr]

Here are a couple of woodworking oldies and an ad from 1861.
I believe these are both by Jonas Woodhead of Bradford, England. JW was possibly the first in England to use cast iron as the main material for vises (est 1847 and moved into other business about 1890).

for reference, if woodworking vises from UK get on 'the list' - the J Woodhead with the lion has 11in wide jaws, opens 13in and weighs 65lbs, the other which I think is the same maker, but no proof, has 9.5in jaws opens 12ins and weighs 70lbs. (the Irwin Record 53 woodwrk and others the same, have 10.5in jaws and under 40lbs). I have a couple more like those in the 1863 ad - will show when tidied up.

 

[02WS6SSZ71]

Picked up this Athol 736 a little while ago. Have found no reference to this model on the internet short of the Starrett/Athol ad. Any info that can be shared is appreciated. 5.5" jaw w/ swivel. Handle mechanism is nifty, assuming a good cleaning will make it operate even better. Pictures next to a Wilton No 4 and a Prentiss 23 (200+ lb 7") for size reference.

 

[Mike'smeatshop]

Picked up this Athol 736 a little while ago. Have found no reference to this model on the internet short of the Starrett/Athol ad. Any info that can be shared is appreciated. 5.5" jaw w/ swivel. Handle mechanism is nifty, assuming a good cleaning will make it operate even better. Pictures next to a Wilton No 4 and a Prentiss 23 (200+ lb 7") for size reference.

He shoots and scores. Cool vise.

 

[stobl]

Well, finally my turn to contribute. I have only casually been keeping my eyes open for a new vise, since I was looking to upgrade from my HF 6". I found one last week on ebay nearby, for a price a bit too high for my liking. I went to go look at it, gave him an offer I felt was more inline with what it should be listed at (half of what he had), and naturally wasnt accepted. So I left my number "Incase it doesnt sell." Received a text message yesterday (a week later) saying to come get it. Wilton 1780 8", I'm assuming 1984 mfg date, in pretty dang good condition. Nothing bent, just a cracked jaw (no suprise) and still smooth. I'll strip it, clean it up and give it a second life on the new workbench I'm building in the shop. Pretty excited about this one.

 

[KMScott]

Parker 34. Didn’t mess with it since it was in great shape. Need pic’s and spec:s on the #35 model. Post one if you have one for the Spreadsheet.

Happy Thanksgiving guys and gals.

 

[dannyr]

Parker 34. Didn’t mess with it since it was in great shape. Need pic’s and spec:s on the #35 model. Post one if you have one for the Spreadsheet.

Happy Thanksgiving guys and gals.

sorry - not the 35 - but this looks related in my eyes - but has 'earlier-type' 2 part static
did Chas Parker make any earlier vises that were not marked?
my vise here seems to be unmarked (as you see, altho I had it many years, not yet cleaned) - 40lbs, 3.5 in jaws (replaceable), works well despite many signs of a good hard working life, but has had a good quality weld repair of the neck of the static jaw (many decades ago)
this was bought here in England - before WWI CP vises were in many UK catalogues (unlike most other USA makes)

best wishes for USA Thanksgiving day

 

[akasrick]

Parker 34. Didn’t mess with it since it was in great shape. Need pic’s and spec:s on the #35 model. Post one if you have one for the Spreadsheet.

Happy Thanksgiving guys and gals.

Parker 30 series.
From their 1912 catalog.


Wishing you and everyone a good holiday.

akasrick