The VISES of Garage Journal

[F-22]

I've been wanting a post vise lately but they're a bit spendy for the condition they're in. Anyone ever seen a regular vise converted into one? I reckon not even worth brainstorming since the thread has to float to travel at an arc.

If you have a forged steel vise, it can work fine as a blacksmith vise. Especially when paired with a heavy steel table.


You can get a brand new Kanca (Turkish made) blacksmith post vise for ~380-480$ depending on width.

Kanca 6" Leg Vise | Buy 6" Kanca Blacksmith Leg Vise Online

Shop Kanca 6 Leg Vise for blacksmithing at Centaur Forge. The 6-inch Kanca post leg vise is a blacksmith leg vise designed for heavy-duty work. Order your 6 Kanca leg vise for blacksmiths and enhance your craftsmanship today.

www.centaurforge.com

Not as cool as a vintage one, but it's not bad at all.

 

[royce]

Athol 613. 3” jaws that opens to 4” and weights 26 lbs. this one is mine that I will donate to an island auction for our middle school with 7 students. For the spreadsheet.

A generous donation for the benefit of your community.
Well done Kevin

Royce

 

[tool_scrounge]

Bought it - thanks!

@buletpruf - I believe I gave you a bad recommendation on that replacement Parker swivel base wrench. That series of Williams wrench is marked for the bolt size and not the broached opening. Later models are marked for the broached opening. This link will give you some catalog pages for better reference.

https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/threads/possible-replacement-wrench-for-bench-vise-swivel-bases-parker-etc.536707

 

[micahd1997]

A beautiful piece of Charles Parker history, and the first one I’ve personally ever seen.

This is a 45 pg., March, 1945 11th edition of the Parker Salute. Per the contents of this pamphlet, the Charles Parker Company began issuing this supportive, informational publication to the men and women across the world who had been drafted during WWII and displaced from their jobs at Parker. The pages are choc full of company updates, copies of letters written home by employees and shared by their family members, shop updates, photos, etc.)

 

[colmal]

Have been researching a Stanley Victor 743 Table vice, thankyou for the help and thought I'd say it not just think it.
Got it a couple of days ago as I liked it's design, much better condition than I thought, looks unused, handle has decayed, but original brown paint, pretty sure I can preserve the paint with a delicate derusting, the screw has no rust and it works good.
My first US vice, started a year ago, not totally sure why, just like the simplicity, history and need something to tinker with, enjoy doing things properly and bringing back to a usable life.

Ah, to be honest just have a thing for good quality vices.
Mostly Aussie brands- 30 Dawns from 2"-6" and a few Joplins, Carters.

Thanks again and will probably be returning as I can at least I have a chat about them here,
LOL-my other is mocking me now, she's amused I bought an Anvil-I need to stop bending her ear. ( she's good, although I am amused she's amused)

 

[akasrick]

Have been researching a Stanley Victor 743 Table vice, thankyou for the help and thought I'd say it not just think it.
Got it a couple of days ago as I liked it's design, much better condition than I thought, looks unused, handle has decayed, but original brown paint, pretty sure I can preserve the paint with a delicate derusting, the screw has no rust and it works good.
My first US vice, started a year ago, not totally sure why, just like the simplicity, history and need something to tinker with, enjoy doing things properly and bringing back to a usable life.

Ah, to be honest just have a thing for good quality vices.
Mostly Aussie brands- 30 Dawns from 2"-6" and a few Joplins, Carters.

Thanks again and will probably be returning as I can at least I have a chat about them here,
LOL-my other is mocking me now, she's amused I bought an Anvil-I need to stop bending her ear. ( she's good, although I am amused she's amused)

An advertisement for the Victor vises unfortunately the addy is not dated here.



akasrick

 

[colmal]

An advertisement for the Victor vises unfortunately the addy is not dated here.



akasrick

Thankyou, it just looks too good to be a 100yr old vice, from what I gather in here with the markings it's 1908-1920 built.

Half expecting someone to say it's a 1970's copy.

 

[RTM]

Thankyou, it just looks too good to be a 100yr old vice, from what I gather in here with the markings it's 1908-1920 built.

Half expecting someone to say it's a 1970's copy.

This might be your patent, only one on DATAMP for a vise. Listed as not known to have been produced, so maybe not. Maybe someone familiar with your vise could see if it fits.

US877695

US877695A - Bench-vise. - Google Patents

 

[colmal]

This might be your patent, only one on DATAMP for a vise. Listed as not known to have been produced, so maybe not. Maybe someone familiar with your vise could see if it fits.

US877695

US877695A - Bench-vise. - Google Patents

There was a few on here that had one, can't find the posts now thou, the search just shows up the last few posts.

Seemed to be produced in large numbers, the markings were identical to the 1908-1919/20 examples

The patent date is Jan 28, 08

Thankyou, I don't know much about them thou, only bought it as liked the enclosed screw-haven't seen another 2" vice like it.

JJust put it next to a 2" Dawnette (small Dawn)- and the handle is damn close-may be able to find a damaged one and replace the Stanleys.

 

[akasrick]

There was a few on here that had one, can't find the posts now thou, the search just shows up the last few posts.

Seemed to be produced in large numbers, the markings were identical to the 1908-1919/20 examples

The patent date is Jan 28, 08

Thankyou, I don't know much about them thou, only bought it as liked the enclosed screw-haven't seen another 2" vice like it.

JJust put it next to a 2" Dawnette (small Dawn)- and the handle is damn close-may be able to find a damaged one and replace the Stanleys.

It's an oldie, your attachment isn't showing the split washer with the screw just a pin holding it in.

A 1914 advertisement no split washer mentioned.



akasrick

 

[Outlawmws]

Stanly bough the Victor company and took those over. I have some info on my home comp. I can post later - I also have a couple of them but maybe not quite that old; one is def a Sweetheart era and so marked.

 

[akasrick]

An advertisement for the Victor vises unfortunately the addy is not dated here.



akasrick

comal:
The patented split washer as noted in the adv.
Following RTM's link to DATAMP hoping to find the patent for that washer, no joy.



akasrick

 

[colmal]

Thankyou all, you know your vices

 

[akasrick]

You're welcome colmal. I don't know anything about Dawns. I'd let them keep their handles.

akasrick

 

[PghJKB]

During 1911, Stanley Tool & Rule Company purchased the Leavens Manufacturing Company of Vineland, New Jersey. Leavens primary product was a line of small bench vises known as "Jersey" Vises. After the purchase, Stanley capitalized on Leavens' reputation to offer the Stanley branded line of small bench vises.

Early catalogs show Stanley using the Leavens "Jersey" (Baker Jersey? - The 1908 patent No. 877695 was issued to J.G. Baker of Philadelphia) vises as their base models, naming them the "Victor Jersey" line of vises. According to the Stanley Tools Catalog of 1914 (#34) "Stanley "Victor" Vises, while not having the quite as fine a finish as the Stanley line, are strong, serviceable tools, and having long been popular with both Mechanics and Amateurs." A reference to their Leavens' origin.

Additionally, Stanley maintained Leavens line of premium vises, naming them the "Stanley Jersey" vise. According to the Stanley Tools Catalog of 1914 (#34) "Stanley "Jersey" Vises are made especially for Jewelers and makers of small tools. ... Only the best materials are employed in their construction, great care being taken to that all the parts fit accurately."

The vise is definitely pre-1920 as 1920 was the beginning of the Sweetheart era.

Hope this helps
JKB

 

[colmal]

During 1911, Stanley Tool & Rule Company purchased the Leavens Manufacturing Company of Vineland, New Jersey. Leavens primary product was a line of small bench vises known as "Jersey" Vises. After the purchase, Stanley capitalized on Leavens' reputation to offer the Stanley branded line of small bench vises.

Early catalogs show Stanley using the Leavens "Jersey" (Baker Jersey? - The 1908 patent No. 877695 was issued to J.G. Baker of Philadelphia) vises as their base models, naming them the "Victor Jersey" line of vises. According to the Stanley Tools Catalog of 1914 (#34) "Stanley "Victor" Vises, while not having the quite as fine a finish as the Stanley line, are strong, serviceable tools, and having long been popular with both Mechanics and Amateurs." A reference to their Leavens' origin.

Additionally, Stanley maintained Leavens line of premium vises, naming them the "Stanley Jersey" vise. According to the Stanley Tools Catalog of 1914 (#34) "Stanley "Jersey" Vises are made especially for Jewelers and makers of small tools. ... Only the best materials are employed in their construction, great care being taken to that all the parts fit accurately."

The vise is definitely pre-1920 as 1920 was the beginning of the Sweetheart era.

Hope this helps
JKB

It does, Thankyou

During 1911, Stanley Tool & Rule Company purchased the Leavens Manufacturing Company of Vineland, New Jersey. Leavens primary product was a line of small bench vises known as "Jersey" Vises. After the purchase, Stanley capitalized on Leavens' reputation to offer the Stanley branded line of small bench vises.

Early catalogs show Stanley using the Leavens "Jersey" (Baker Jersey? - The 1908 patent No. 877695 was issued to J.G. Baker of Philadelphia) vises as their base models, naming them the "Victor Jersey" line of vises. According to the Stanley Tools Catalog of 1914 (#34) "Stanley "Victor" Vises, while not having the quite as fine a finish as the Stanley line, are strong, serviceable tools, and having long been popular with both Mechanics and Amateurs." A reference to their Leavens' origin.

Additionally, Stanley maintained Leavens line of premium vises, naming them the "Stanley Jersey" vise. According to the Stanley Tools Catalog of 1914 (#34) "Stanley "Jersey" Vises are made especially for Jewelers and makers of small tools. ... Only the best materials are employed in their construction, great care being taken to that all the parts fit accurately."

The vise is definitely pre-1920 as 1920 was the beginning of the Sweetheart era.

Hope this helps
JKB

Well everything adds up, thankyou It's now my oldest vice, Have a 1920's Dawn 3" and 1930's 4 1/4 Dawn Garage Special.

The Stanley Victor was something I liked and took a punt on as could just make out a Sta.... on the 3rd time I looked at pics- Seller missed it/didn't mention it and no other bidders- it's nice but not common to have a punt pay off- mind you didn't risk much.

And full disclosure is my 2nd US vice, just ashamed to admit after researching/taking the sellers word for it, I Bought a 3" Columbian Table vice - was so happy to find a China sticker on it when unpacking.
On the bright side that is my inside vice - It's useful but - hmmm.

Wouldn't mind a few of the older large US vice-but highly unlikely finding one in Oz

 

[akasrick]

It does, Thankyou

Well everything adds up, thankyou It's now my oldest vice, Have a 1920's Dawn 3" and 1930's 4 1/4 Dawn Garage Special.

The Stanley Victor was something I liked and took a punt on as could just make out a Sta.... on the 3rd time I looked at pics- Seller missed it/didn't mention it and no other bidders- it's nice but not common to have a punt pay off- mind you didn't risk much.

And full disclosure is my 2nd US vice, just ashamed to admit after researching/taking the sellers word for it, I Bought a 3" Columbian Table vice - was so happy to find a China sticker on it when unpacking.
On the bright side that is my inside vice - It's useful but - hmmm.

Wouldn't mind a few of the older large US vice-but highly unlikely finding one in Oz

I may know nothing of Dawn vises seems others do. They are well represented on the vise spread sheet.
Vise spreadsheet A maintained ( presently KMScott) work in progress.

akasrick

 

[colmal]

I may know nothing of Dawn vises seems others do. They are well represented on the vise spread sheet.
Vise spreadsheet A maintained ( presently KMScott) work in progress.

akasrick

Thankyou again,
LOL you may know a bit more soon- I had a Dawn Mitre/framing vice I bought same day as the Stanley, delivered tonight.

And got recently a Dawn 5 1/4 HD steel 75 pounds, which is bigger than my 6" Dawn,
Kinda strange the vices, it's not till you put a few together that you can start understanding sizes/eras, my 4 1/4 is bigger than my 5 " as well, also a 4 1/2 SG (Spheroidal Graphite) which is a third of the weight and stronger than them all.

 

[colmal]

I may know nothing of Dawn vises seems others do. They are well represented on the vise spread sheet.
Vise spreadsheet A maintained ( presently KMScott) work in progress.

akasrick

That's am excellent resource, I have so many more than I realised to find thou.

 

[ronmexico]

New member to the garage journal - I posted this thread in the general tool section when it probably should have been here. I wanted a big vise and picked up a Reed 4C at auction ($175) recently. There was some discussion on the previous thread about whether the jaws have been welded - to me it looks like they've just been abused/eroded. What do you think? Also - where would I most likely find date stamp?

 

[Mr. Wonderful]

New member to the garage journal - I posted this thread in the general tool section when it probably should have been here. I wanted a big vise and picked up a Reed 4C at auction ($175) recently. There was some discussion on the previous thread about whether the jaws have been welded - to me it looks like they've just been abused/eroded. What do you think? Also - where would I most likely find date stamp?

I saw your other post. It doesn't look like a weld or buildup to me. If it is or isn't welded, I would have broken my arm getting my wallet out fast enough to buy that for $175. I believe the date should be stamped on the side of the dynamic jaw on the side where the oil hole is. Believe me that is not an abused vise.

 

[akasrick]

New member to the garage journal - I posted this thread in the general tool section when it probably should have been here. I wanted a big vise and picked up a Reed 4C at auction ($175) recently. There was some discussion on the previous thread about whether the jaws have been welded - to me it looks like they've just been abused/eroded. What do you think? Also - where would I most likely find date stamp?

Your photo

I have a Reed that has a nasty spot. I tried to gently grind it out, ended up going fairly deep, stoped and setteled on it being a Inclusion defect. Me not knowing about the casting process.

akasrick

 

[colmal]

Came across this while looking into the Stanley ,may be off interest, has sold, paint not looking original to me, the box I like thou.

 

[Joe Huld]

I hit the vise jackpot this week, the Cheney Anvil Vise was found Sunday and the other four at one yard sale today. The Cheney has a 1914 patent date and looks like a number 40. The Wilton has 4 inch jaws (smooth and knurled as well as a pair of milled angle iron loose jaw covers). It has a 2 9 date code on the key and is vibro-engraved "Christmas 1976". The Blacksmith's post vise is a Columbian in really nice condition. The Stanley has 3 inchwide jaws and I think is their largest clamp -on vise. The last one has a brass tag on the brace That says "The Wall Vise Co. - Boston Mass - Patent Applied For". I think the 2 1/2 inch jaws open to about 9 inches. The wall mount bracket (or brackets) is missing so if anyone has one of these, I'd really appreciate a picture.

 

[Patrickm82]

Nice haul Joe !

 

[Mr. Wonderful]

I FINALLY finished the Prentiss 75 rapid transit. I bought it at least three years ago. The static tower had been blown apart and re-“welded”. There was a couple thick bars and some bolts holding it together. It fell apart when I cut them off. Luckily for me it was only $25. I’ve only been able to find one other example on GJ or the facebook group. Most of the lettering had been ground off. I painted the side then put on some vinyl letters then painted over with black. The paint is a wrinkle black. I didn’t have the best luck with it. The welding process was pretty standard with a preheat and nomacast rods. Had this not been such a rare model I probably wouldn’t have gone through all this. The quick open function works great. @Shiftless put me over the top to repair it versus parting it out. Thanks again!

 

[Mr. Wonderful]

Anyone know if this spring is supposed to be in a Parker 88-1/2???? It was inside the dynamic when I disassembled it.

 

[ChefRex]

I FINALLY finished the Prentiss 75 rapid transit. I bought it at least three years ago. The static tower had been blown apart and re-“welded”. There was a couple thick bars and some bolts holding it together. It fell apart when I cut them off. Luckily for me it was only $25. I’ve only been able to find one other example on GJ or the facebook group. Most of the lettering had been ground off. I painted the side then put on some vinyl letters then painted over with black. The paint is a wrinkle black. I didn’t have the best luck with it. The welding process was pretty standard with a preheat and nomacast rods. Had this not been such a rare model I probably wouldn’t have gone through all this. The quick open function works great. @Shiftless put me over the top to repair it versus parting it out. Thanks again!

Nice save!

 

[Outlawmws]

Anyone know if this spring is supposed to be in a Parker 88-1/2???? It was inside the dynamic when I disassembled it.

I don't think so.

 

[PghJKB]

Anyone know if this spring is supposed to be in a Parker 88-1/2???? It was inside the dynamic when I disassembled it.

It was part of Parke'rs older design.
It is used to apply tension to the main screw. It was used before the front collar. Even with the collar, that spring can still be used.

JKB

 

[Private Lugnutz]

The wall mount bracket (or brackets) is missing so if anyone has one of these, I'd really appreciate a picture.

@joe.striper posted one several years ago.

The VISES of Garage Journal

That's crazy, a 3 1/2" vise weighing 76 lbs! It does have a certain cool factor :thumbup: A Parker 824 with 4" jaws runs right at 85lbs! I had a really nice one on CL for a month at $150 before an older guy came with his brother and bought it. They knew the difference between an 824 and 974...

www.garagejournal.com

 

[colmal]

I have a bug. a manly bug I'm sure, it's knocking me around a bit, so I'm going to push it aside and post some Dawn. At least I'll have a smile on my face.

4" as they kinda fascinate me, most common size and so much variety,




From the left 3 1/2 SP (Standard Production), 4L (light), threw the 3 1/2 in as same size/weight as the 4L- interesting comparison.

22lb, 10kg - brain s not really working today, I'll edit out any errors later- 1940's -60's these 2 examples, hopefully be able to narrow it down more in the future

 

[colmal]

Dawn 4" Cast iron SP and 4" Cast Steel SP - same size

Cast example has Australia cast in below the Dawn on the side, haven't seen that on any 60's and as Dawn changed to Metric sizing in 1978 -Would make this a 1970-77ish example. 35lb/16kg

Steel 1950's- 60's. 28lb/12kg

 

[colmal]

Dawn 4" universal late 1960's, complete with all original attachments. 21 lb/9.5kg

Cleaned up, original paint (spent approx 18 hrs on it as I was trying to preserve it/take care and couldn't use my normal methods)
Had to slightly cut into the screw shaft as previous owner had used a nail in place of a split pin ,was off centre- hmmm-don't do that.
1972 catalogue.......................................................................................................1967
The Round Anvil is removable, small set screw on the side to loosen. And assuming the Holding plug is just for marketing purposes, located on other side on mine.

 

[akasrick]

Dawn 4" universal late 1960's, complete with all original attachments. 21 lb/9.5kg

Cleaned up, original paint (spent approx 18 hrs on it as I was trying to preserve it/take care and couldn't use my normal methods)
Had to slightly cut into the screw shaft as previous owner had used a nail in place of a split pin ,was off centre- hmmm-don't do that.

The Round Anvil is removable, small set screw on the side to loosen.

That is a novel (to me) mounting.
Have you found any that are not posted on the spreadsheet?
There is also a vise info thread here.
Thanks for posting.

akasrick

 

[colmal]

That is a novel (to me) mounting.
Have you found any that are not posted on the spreadsheet?
There is also a vise info thread here.
Thanks for posting.

akasrick

I found a heap I don't have on the spreadsheet, and maybe a couple they don't have, haven't really explored it to see how best to show some additional- They don't have a couple of old Aussie Brands I have/Know about.

Did notice a week or so ago There was a Universal for sale in US- was fairly poor condition and what I thought was way overpriced

 

[colmal]

Uh, so I went looking for the US Dawn universal that was on sale a week or 2 ago, couldn't find it.

But anyone interested in a Stanley Victor 746 ?
Of course I could be wrong, but I got mine for same reason seller couldn't see markings on top of Slide.

A sample for comparison

 

[micahd1997]

I FINALLY finished the Prentiss 75 rapid transit. I bought it at least three years ago. The static tower had been blown apart and re-“welded”. There was a couple thick bars and some bolts holding it together. It fell apart when I cut them off. Luckily for me it was only $25. I’ve only been able to find one other example on GJ or the facebook group. Most of the lettering had been ground off. I painted the side then put on some vinyl letters then painted over with black. The paint is a wrinkle black. I didn’t have the best luck with it. The welding process was pretty standard with a preheat and nomacast rods. Had this not been such a rare model I probably wouldn’t have gone through all this. The quick open function works great. @Shiftless put me over the top to repair it versus parting it out. Thanks again!

That’s an incredible resto, Wonderful. Congrats on the quick release, they certainly are rare! I was thrilled to find mine, and it has a prominent place among my archived Prentiss Vise Co items

 

[Kentc]

I have been looking at vises recently and I noticed some vises have a smaller footprint than others while having the same jaw width and jaw opening capacities. Has anyone else noticed that and does it matter? If you are looking at 2 separate 6" vises that can clamp the same size materials, would you prefer the smaller one to save space on your bench OR is bigger always better?

 

[Mr. Wonderful]

That’s an incredible resto, Wonderful. Congrats on the quick release, they certainly are rare! I was thrilled to find mine, and it has a prominent place among my archived Prentiss Vise Co items

VERY nice! Is that the fixed to swivel base adapter I see???