The VISES of Garage Journal

[BeardedOne]

You guys using the Boiled Linseed oil might want to try a newer style of oil finish made by Sculpt Nouveau. I like the Black Oil they make since I didn’t really care for the yellowish color you get from Linseed Oil. I’ve done several but this Rock Island showed well in pics.

Sculpt Nouveau - Patinas and Metal Finishes

Specializing in patina and metal finishing products, sculpture maintenance, and metal protection. Phone: 1-760-432-8242, 7:00am-3:30pm PT, Monday-Friday.

sculptnouveau.com

Another good idea I'll have to consider.

Thank you!

 

[ky4ckp]

Can anyone provide any details on this Millers Falls hand vise? I don't see any pictures online that look like this one. It does not have the hollow handle nor the threaded hole. Works well but I will gently clean and lubricate it once I know more about it. Thanks.

 

[RTM]

Can anyone provide any details on this Millers Falls hand vise? I don't see any pictures online that look like this one. It does not have the hollow handle nor the threaded hole. Works well but I will gently clean and lubricate it once I know more about it. Thanks.

Yours might be this one. You are thinking of the Alford vise, one page up.

There was also one which did mot have the brace shank in the handle, have not found it yet.

Millers Falls Company : Catalogue No. H : Millers Falls Co. : Free Download, Borrow, and Streaming : Internet Archive

162 p., illus., 14.2 cm, trade catalog

archive.org

 

[ky4ckp]

The No. 2 you linked to is very close. The shape of the handle is slightly different (if it is the original handle). I have gently checked the handle and the vise jaws but it feels very tight, no wiggle at all, so not sure it can be removed or is just stuck. Thanks for the catalog link.

 

[RTM]

The No. 2 you linked to is very close. The shape of the handle is slightly different (if it is the original handle). I have gently checked the handle and the vise jaws but it feels very tight, no wiggle at all, so not sure it can be removed or is just stuck. Thanks for the catalog link.

The number 2 disappeared between the 1935 and 38 catalogs, and in 1935 was shown as an also ran under the #1. The #1 and #2 looked the same going back to 1922, then in 1915 had no hole in the body, similar to the catalog H I linked earlier. They were similar until 1894 or so. I wasn’t really Looking closely at the shape of the handle or wing nut, as those could be artist’s interpretations.

Internet Archive: Digital Library of Free & Borrowable Texts, Movies, Music & Wayback Machine

archive.org

Could also be an immediate post merger Goodell Pratt, as seen here in their last catalog. Change the lever, does it look like yours?

Goodell-Pratt Company : Complete Catalog Number 16 : Goodell-Pratt Co. : Free Download, Borrow, and Streaming : Internet Archive

388 p., illus., 13.9 cm, trade catalog

archive.org

 

[ky4ckp]

The GP handle looks very close, as you say the butterfly nut for the MF may be a leftover. The diagram for the GP seems to show a rounded top for the center piece. The MF has a flat top with a "cone" drilled into it. The GP also mentions the handle can be removed so I am wondering if the MF is just stuck. I am wondering if I could apply some light oil at the ferrule and let it sit and gently try to loosen it?

 

[Old Radar]

You guys using the Boiled Linseed oil might want to try a newer style of oil finish made by Sculpt Nouveau. I like the Black Oil they make since I didn’t really care for the yellowish color you get from Linseed Oil. I’ve done several but this Rock Island showed well in pics.

Sculpt Nouveau - Patinas and Metal Finishes

Specializing in patina and metal finishing products, sculpture maintenance, and metal protection. Phone: 1-760-432-8242, 7:00am-3:30pm PT, Monday-Friday.

sculptnouveau.com

I agree with Dr. Scott. I used Sculpt Nouveau on one of my Wiltons back in March 2021 and it still looks great.

 

[ALLFAST]

I agree with Dr. Scott. I used Sculpt Nouveau on one of my Wiltons back in March 2021 and it still looks great.

Is this clear? It looks very nice !

 

[Old Radar]

^^^ It has a black tint, like the can @KMScott pictured in his post. I think they come in a few other tints, as well.

 

[genog]

I got a hold of a really nice Charles Parker 985 today.
Drove up through The City and over the Golden Gate Bridge and up to Novato.
My buddy Bill had it in his shed
It's in good shape, doesn't look abused. It was mounted on a silly homemade tripod made out of rebar
That's the way Bill got it


A couple, two, three weeks ago Bill sent me a pic of the Chas Parker in his shed.
I couldn't tell what it was.
With help from Allfast (Shawn), mostly sleuthing by Shawn, we tried to determine the model # from old catalog pics

I asked Bill to take a pic of the right side for the model number....
He said, just come up and get it!

Pretty darn cool 985
I really like the little anvil

 

[ALLFAST]

^^^ It has a black tint, like the can @KMScott pictured in his post. I think they come in a few other tints, as well.

Thank you

I got a hold of a really nice Charles Parker 985 today.
Drove up through The City and over the Golden Gate Bridge and up to Novato.
My buddy Bill had it in his shed
It's in good shape, doesn't look abused. It was mounted on a silly homemade tripod made out of rebar
That's the way Bill got it


A couple, two, three weeks ago Bill sent me a pic of the Chas Parker in his shed.
I couldn't tell what it was.
With help from Allfast (Shawn), mostly sleuthing by Shawn, we tried to determine the model # from old catalog pics

I asked Bill to take a pic of the right side for the model number....
He said, just come up and get it!

Pretty darn cool 985
I really like the little anvil

1926, and built like a tank at 100#. You did good Geno. Lemon Drop is awesome!

 

[Outlawmws]

I got a hold of a really nice Charles Parker 985 today.
Drove up through The City and over the Golden Gate Bridge and up to Novato.
My buddy Bill had it in his shed
It's in good shape, doesn't look abused. It was mounted on a silly homemade tripod made out of rebar
That's the way Bill got it


A couple, two, three weeks ago Bill sent me a pic of the Chas Parker in his shed.
I couldn't tell what it was.
With help from Allfast (Shawn), mostly sleuthing by Shawn, we tried to determine the model # from old catalog pics

I asked Bill to take a pic of the right side for the model number....
He said, just come up and get it!

Pretty darn cool 985
I really like the little anvil

Well you **** big time! that is one that is on my bucket list!

 

[KMScott]

That 985 is a beauty.

 

[Shiftless]

That 985 is a beauty.

ditto!!
We all await the reveal after that vise is cleaned up.

 

[ALLFAST]

^^^ It has a black tint, like the can @KMScott pictured in his post. I think they come in a few other tints, as well.

I see this now , upon further review, although the black appears less noticeable on the forward jaw towers. Thanks Old Radar! I miss your old Avatar BTW

 

[CRSINMICH]

More Clamp Ons
Millers Falls Oval Slide Clamp On Nos. 420 & 520
In case they haven't already been mentioned in the ongoing clamp on conversation
​

These were in Millers Falls 1922 catalog. Oval slides are an interesting twist to the basic clamp on form.

 

[akasrick]

I see this now , upon further review, although the black appears less noticeable on the forward jaw towers. Thanks Old Radar! I miss your old Avatar BTW

I see that using wax. On the rougher (more porous?) cast vises the wax will do a heck of a job. On the front steel towers of a Parker vise it has less to grab to, smother maybe polished at one time, and just "tints" as mentioned above. I used BLO this year on a shovel that lives outside, it did a heck of a job also. Thick and heavy no rust yet.

akasrick

 

[CRSINMICH]

PRENTISS 53 1/2
Prentiss Vise Division
The Charles Parker Company
​

I bought this one for its script lettering and Deco styling. The bare metal parts were polished and given an application of Fluid Film. It's going to sit in an unheated garage until the weather warms enough to allow for painting.

 

[genog]

PRENTISS 53 1/2
Prentiss Vise Division
The Charles Parker Company
​

I bought this one for its script lettering and Deco styling. The bare metal parts were polished and given an application of Fluid Film. It's going to sit in an unheated garage until the weather warms enough to allow for painting.

That is cool!
I'd leave it alone.....

 

[Maui]

Here’s a beautiful, 1915 Erie Tool Works catalog that I was lucky enough to stumble upon recently. At almost 110 years old, it is in stunningly good condition. I’ll leave you to guess which pages I was most interested in. I’ll be making scans of all pages and uploading them to IA once the website is up and running again.

I own many of the original brass stamps for the vises that appear on the pages of that catalog. I bought them directly from the former President of Erie Tool Works who had saved them from going in the dumpster.

 

[Outlawmws]

I own many of the original brass stamps for the vises that appear on the pages of that catalog. I bought them directly from the former President of Erie Tool Works who had saved them from going in the dumpster.

That's cool! I have a couple of brass vise stamps - picked up of E-prey. They depict homeowner grade vises, maybe 1" square give or take.

 

[ALLFAST]

I see that using wax. On the rougher (more porous?) cast vises the wax will do a heck of a job. On the front steel towers of a Parker vise it has less to grab to, smother maybe polished at one time, and just "tints" as mentioned above. I used BLO this year on a shovel that lives outside, it did a heck of a job also. Thick and heavy no rust yet.

akasrick

I did see your shovel and vise! The BLO has its place/merits, and we have to go with what suits us and what’s on hand

 

[ALLFAST]

Any SAN LUIS OBISPO GJ’ers? There’s a NICE 4.5 inch Prentiss that just went up on C/L. Very obscure ad-Someone go rescue it!

 

[micahd1997]

I own many of the original brass stamps for the vises that appear on the pages of that catalog. I bought them directly from the former President of Erie Tool Works who had saved them from going in the dumpster.

Wow that’s very neat! How cool to have met the former president. I’d love to see a few pictures if you have any. What a tragedy that he had to retrieve them from the dumpster in the first place

 

[Maui]

Wow that’s very neat! How cool to have met the former president. I’d love to see a few pictures if you have any. What a tragedy that he had to retrieve them from the dumpster in the first place

They weren't retrieved from the dumpster - she prevented them from going there in the first place. I'll see if I can dig them out and take some photos.

 

[GX460DIYguy]

Any ideas on who made this? I’ve found similar ones online but they all had company names on them and I didn’t see any on this one. They wanted $50 for it.

 

[Shiftless]

Any ideas on who made this?

Generic Chinese made vise. For $50 you might as well just buy a new one and save lots of work getting that rusty one back in operating condition. If you are looking for a project and need a user vise, offer $20.
(clever use of a pipe fitting reducer for a handle end)

 

[Darkbreeze]

I'm afraid I don't agree. It really depends on the actual condition of the mechanics of the device. Mine is cheap, comparatively, and yet, it lasted MANY, MANY years before I inherited it and has now lasted MANY years since going through it. I expect it to outlast me, and believe me, I beat the MF out of it, it does not get baby treatment on my bench. So honestly, depends on the condition and probably also the use case.

This gets used at least three times a week, ********. And probably a dozen times for lighter things. I went through it about six years ago when I changed the mount location, and probably need to do it again but I'm going to use a different product, likely PORS15 this time. Everything I've used that on, when prepped right, has been incredibly durable.

 

[john.k]

Had that same rotary swivel vise in the sandblasters ...old Tommy couldnt break it........didnt break it anyhoo...........he would regularly rip the bolts out of the wood bench ,and I made up a steel plate mount ..........IMHO ,more recent copies seem to be lighter construction ,and maybe cast of ductile iron ..........only one broken Ive seen online had the tube nut busted ,and bodge welded .............weld of course being poison to ductile iron.

 

[RTM]

Any ideas on who made this? I’ve found similar ones online but they all had company names on them and I didn’t see any on this one. They wanted $50 for it.

Almost anytime you see the giant number calling out the size, and no other markings, you can almost guarantee it a Chinese import. With no name cast in, you slap a sticker on it, and it’s your brand.

Makes me curious, if you search

site:garagejournal.com "generic chinese vise"

just how many images above that reply would have giant 4, 5, or 6 as the only marking? Hmmm

 

[GX460DIYguy]

Generic Chinese made vise. For $50 you might as well just buy a new one and save lots of work getting that rusty one back in operating condition. If you are looking for a project and need a user vise, offer $20.
(clever use of a pipe fitting reducer for a handle end)

If it was something decent I’d get it and clean it up, but that shop isn’t one that haggles very much so I’ll pass on it. I didn’t look it over for markings, but I’ve been wanting a vise for a while now and almost got it. Figured I’d ask here first and I’m glad I did. I’ll just have to wait for something good to pop up. It would probably work for most stuff we do, but there’s times it would be beat on pretty hard and I’d rather have something built well.

 

[Shiftless]

If you want some leads on good vintage vises, give a little bit more info on your location.
“Texas“ is a pretty big area.

I‘m probably not the only guy here who sells vises out of their collections.

 

[Garagegho5t]

Could anyone tell me anything about this vise?

 

[CRSINMICH]

RAE 3 1/2
Rae Tool and Engineering, Ltd, Hamilton, Ont. Canada​

I got this vise about a year ago and neglected it until now. The main screw has a spring, compressed between two washers, to eliminate backlash. Removing it required making a tool. It was a 12" section of 3/4" PVC pipe that had a slot cut in one end. The 'tool' was put onto the open end of the screw. The slots allowed the spring and washers to be compressed far enough to expose the cotter pin which held it all in place. Curiously, it looked like it was supposed to be a tapered pin. I couldn't find a pin with the correct taper that was long enough. Also curiously, whoever put this assembly together previously forgot to put in the forward washer. The result of that was the open end of the spring was pushed against the inside of the dynamic jaw casting. That may have been why I got the vise cheaply as it made opening the vise difficult. It opens very smoothly now with almost no backlash.

Total tool cost: $1.65 US ($2.29 CAD)

International note: The vise is painted in the colors colours of the Canadian flag, eh.

 

[CRSINMICH]

Modified Millers Falls No.664​

This came to me like this. It looks like the stem was cut off. There was one screw hole added to the stem and maybe one on each side of the main body.

 

[neophyte]

I'm afraid I don't agree. It really depends on the actual condition of the mechanics of the device. Mine is cheap, comparatively, and yet, it lasted MANY, MANY years before I inherited it and has now lasted MANY years since going through it. I expect it to outlast me, and believe me, I beat the MF out of it, it does not get baby treatment on my bench. So honestly, depends on the condition and probably also the use case.

This gets used at least three times a week, ********. And probably a dozen times for lighter things. I went through it about six years ago when I changed the mount location, and probably need to do it again but I'm going to use a different product, likely PORS15 this time. Everything I've used that on, when prepped right, has been incredibly durable.

These vises are the Sawyer Nutyp vise design.
The original vise was made in the USA, and designed to be made from regular (brittle) cast grey iron.
As llng as the Chinese manufacturer did a decent casting job, and didn’t cheapen out on iron thickness, the design seems to work.
Current versions like the Yost 750DI and the higher end Capri version, use ductile iron, which should be more break resistant, although a few other aspects have been simplified.

 

[Shiftless]

Could anyone tell me anything about this vise?

That’s a very interesting design. I’ve never seen one like that.
A couple of visual clues point me toward saying it might have made in England.

 

[CRSINMICH]

ATHOL #72
Athol Machine Co.​

Number 72 appears in Athol catalogs as far back as 1883. It's unexpectedly heavy duty for this style of vise.

 

[dutchgray]

Got this one at a local carboot sale for £60



4.5" quick release Paramo, in very good condition. One of the later models with the angled running surface on the slide.

 

[CRSINMICH]

dutch: That's a great deal in either GPB's or USD's.

In what has to be an amazing coincidence, while you were posting your vice, I was discovering this 1910 patent for a vise (vice) slide with angled running surfaces. Mr. Stearns' object was to reduce "the amount of labor and expense" of fitting the slide to the vise (vice) body. Oddly, Stearns & Co.'s 1924 ad states, "Patent Applied For".