The VISES of Garage Journal

[colmal]

There is a gentleman with the entire stand packed, & I’d thought have chimed in on this.. the patent is Colton, and the patent date is present on the mouth of the static body. The “fin” on the face of the dynamic is a real knuckle-buster, but a distinguishing characteristic of the Colton patented vises. I believe the patent was manufactured under the name Phoenix (see advertisement) as well as Hayden & Barnes (previous post)…
I do not know of others who manufactured offhand. I am wary on whether or not any of them were manufacturer branded, or not. Mine is not marked with anything except the patent.

Here is a look at mine.

crescent dynamic

Thankyou, I'll go at suss it out a bit more, going to buy it if it holds up- should still be for sale.

 

[Patrickm82]

Got this nice Reed 24 utility vise at an estate sale for $25. Nothing fancy but a nice user.

 

[Josh Dekubber]

No swivel needed for my custom mounting either

remembered I had a bedside table hiding under my dining table this morning, was hesitant(scared) about putting 50kg on my shelf- much better - hasn't collapsed yet.

Apologies for my flippancy's, I really need to get out of where I am living to something with a garage- a big garage. Just making the best of things till that happens.

How do you like those Dawn Vises? This one just came up for sale by me.

 

[Firstram]

How do you like those Dawn Vises? This one just came up for sale by me.

****!

 

[Firstram]

Got this nice Reed 24 utility vise at an estate sale for $25. Nothing fancy but a nice user.

$25 is a gift!

 

[colmal]

How do you like those Dawn Vises? This one just came up for sale by me.

Well I do have 30 of them, so I kinda like them, good quality, simple, and hmmm, I've been looking for a 3 or 4" swivel, only seen one other up for sale in last few years.
That one looks good, 1972-77 ish, should have Australia cast in under Dawn on other side, would like a few more photos to make sure no damage thou.

Would be a 70/71 example if no Australia-hmmm don't have one of those either.

OR -just maybe they had a US/Canada casting that kept the 4" designation after 1978-Oz changed to metric then, and it could be newer ?

Another thought- convinced it is a pre 72- as that is a pre 1972 handle

 

[Josh Dekubber]

Well I do have 30 of them, so I kinda like them, good quality, simple, and hmmm, I've been looking for a 3 or 4" swivel, only seen one other up for sale in last few years.
That one looks good, 1972-77 ish, should have Australia cast in under Dawn on other side, would like a few more photos to make sure no damage thou.

Would be a 70/71 example if no Australia-hmmm don't have one of those either.

OR -just maybe they had a US/Canada casting that kept the 4" designation after 1978-Oz changed to metric then, and it could be newer ?

Thank you very much for all that information I appreciate it a lot!

My offer was accepted on a different Vice so I'm on my way to pick up a Chas Parker 974 1/2. Does anyone have any good or bad information about them?

Anything I should take a close look at? Before purchasing

 

[colmal]

Well I do have 30 of them, so I kinda like them, good quality, simple, and hmmm, I've been looking for a 3 or 4" swivel, only seen one other up for sale in last few years.
That one looks good, 1972-77 ish, should have Australia cast in under Dawn on other side, would like a few more photos to make sure no damage thou.

Would be a 70/71 example if no Australia-hmmm don't have one of those either.

OR -just maybe they had a US/Canada casting that kept the 4" designation after 1978-Oz changed to metric then, and it could be newer ?

Another thought- convinced it is a pre 72- as that is a pre 1972 handle

1969 Catalogue



LOL, the postage wouldn't be much to Oz surely-

 

[colmal]

Thank you very much for all that information I appreciate it a lot!

My offer was accepted on a different Vice so I'm on my way to pick up a Chas Parker 974 1/2. Does anyone have any good or bad information about them?

Anything I should take a close look at? Before purchasing

Thankyou, had thought 73 kg (160 lb) was the heaviest 8" until having a closer look at the above catalogue.

81 kg/ 180 pounds -uh pretty sure that is beyond my limits- way beyond.

Always learning

 

[Josh Dekubber]

I'm on my way right now to pick up this vise. Negotiated price $180. I'm still pretty new to this. Any thoughts from anyone? Anything I should take an extra close look at before purchasing?

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[Beerhippie]

WTF? I've seen vises with anvils attached, but this looks like an anvil with a vise attached?

This is an auction with a month to go. Prices will likely go sky-high. I'm just wondering WHAT THAT IS? The spur thingy seems to be clamped into the jaws of the vise/anvil/whatever.

 

[Beerhippie]

Just occurred to me that the thing in the vise is a forged garden hoe head.

 

[Outlawmws]

On the Parker 974-1/2- it fully in and out on the slide and while its out take a look at the main nut for any damage, or unusual wear. It looked stripped so checking for any cracks should be easy.

I've been using a 974 for 40 plus years. Pretty hard at times (I used to build race cars). Its taken all my abuse including use so hard I ripped the bench it was on loose from the wall it was attached to several times.

 

[colmal]

I'm on my way right now to pick up this vise. Negotiated price $180. I'm still pretty new to this. Any thoughts from anyone? Anything I should take an extra close look at before purchasing?

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Good luck, and stop getting me to look at Dawns, had a quick look around just in case and another one is on the way- good price-have a large tub of molasses I set up for the 5 1/4 HP, wanted to make use of it and the 6" SQ is now in it, and soon the LP.

5" LP, 1930's- 50 -not exactly sure but will work it out some day.

 

[Outlawmws]

Timm, its a "Farmers anvil vise" its not very good at either job, but the concept was good, just not executed property.

Cast iron anvil section so not much rebound, and if you try to really forge it will likely break. the vsie section on some is alsi a "drill press" setup horizontal.

it is best suited to light hobbyist use...

 

[colmal]

Just occurred to me that the think in the vise is a forged garden hoe head.

It's a training anvil, if you can use that safely you can do anything.

 

[Josh Dekubber]

On the Parker 974-1/2- it fully in and out on the slide and while its out take a look at the main nut for any damage, or unusual wear. It looked stripped so checking for any cracks should be easy.

I've been using a 974 for 40 plus years. Pretty hard at times (I used to build race cars). Its taken all my abuse including use so hard I ripped the bench it was on loose from the wall it was attached to several times.

Thank you very much I'm on my way home with it and I'm in love with it. Yeah it's just a tool but this thing is beautiful with all of its wear and character over the years. I'll be curious to research how old it is.

 

[Outlawmws]

This one look like the one you posted Timm:

 

[Beerhippie]

Timm, its a "Farmers anvil vise" its not very good at either job, but the concept was good, just not executed property.

Cast iron anvil section so not much rebound, and if you try to really forge it will likely break. the vsie section on some is alsi a "drill press" setup horizontal.

it is best suited to light hobbyist use...

Thanks, Outlaw!

I'm watching it on the auction site. Knowing this site, I wouldn't be surprised if that "toy" vise goes for hundreds.

I'd buy it, but considering it doesn't come with the coffee grinder attachment....

 

[Outlawmws]

Thank you very much I'm on my way home with it and I'm in love with it. Yeah it's just a tool but this thing is beautiful with all of its wear and character over the years. I'll be curious to research how old it is.

Post pics, - they made that series for a long time. Mine has the 1930 patent date on it.

 

[682bear]

WTF? I've seen vises with anvils attached, but this looks like an anvil with a vise attached?

This is an auction with a month to go. Prices will likely go sky-high. I'm just wondering WHAT THAT IS? The spur thingy seems to be clamped into the jaws of the vise/anvil/whatever.

I have one that is similar to that...



Like Outlaw said, it should be considered a 'light duty' vise... I consider it to be a 'conversation piece'...

I gave $100 for mine... that seems to be about what they actually sell for in my area, although I've seen them for sale for a LOT more but never sell.

-Bear

 

[KMScott]

Josh, Just finished restoring my 974-1/2 then sold it last month. Like Outlaw said it is an awesome vise but yours like mine might need attention. I replaced my jaws and built a new collar after fixing the wore out spindle pocket. Had to add a bronze washer after remachining. Mine had a bronze nut and showed little wear Yours might too. Enjoy your new Parker.

 

[Josh Dekubber]

Josh, Just finished restoring my 974-1/2 then sold it last month. Like Outlaw said it is an awesome vise but yours like mine might need attention. I replaced my jaws and built a new collar after fixing the wore out spindle pocket. Had to add a bronze washer after remachining. Mine had a bronze nut and showed little wear Yours might too. Enjoy your new Parker.

Thank you for sharing!

 

[Old Radar]

Like so many well designed military machines, after about the first dozen capability modifications, the whole thing becomes a POS that won't do anything well.

 

[Beerhippie]

Like so many well designed military machines, after about the first dozen capability modifications, the whole thing becomes a POS that won't do anything well.

Or pretty much any multi-function device. Does everything, just not as well.

 

[colmal]

I've been keeping an eye out for a Record 74 auto-vise or a Wilton shop King - probably get it shipped from US/UK and still cheaper than buying one here - not a need but if something comes up at with the right condition /price, I may just buy myself a birthday present.

A lot of crappy ones out there which surprises me a bit.

And come across this, it's interesting, so many unique designs out there- Wilton 4" Tilt and Swivel Bench Mount Vise

Hmmm, my idea of original is different from the sellers thou.



The price isn't over the top at least $44 US ( maybe it is ?)

 

[Outlawmws]

I would pass on that poor beater at $10

ps: I've owned one from new (a gift when I was young) and it was a cheaply made vise then.

 

[682bear]

That's led a hard life...

I think I would pass, also.

-Bear

 

[micahd1997]

Maybe not George Washington’s diary…but the next best thing?!

This is a bank book from the Montour National Bank of New York that lists the account transactions for Frances Hastings Goodwin Mulford (wife of Civil War hero and Prentiss Vise Company president, General John E Mulford) from Nov, 1914 - July 1920. As a career accountant by day and researcher of the Prentiss Vise Company by night, the information in this book scratches both itches.

The handwriting is difficult to read in places, but it appears that Mrs. Mulford used this account primarily for birthday and Christmas gifts to various individuals and charities, the purchase of miscellaneous supplies, and for the deposit of dividends from multiple companies. The transactions postdate John Mulford’s death (Oct 18, 1908). John’s son, Edwin, was president of the company at this time. From multiple sources, it’s clear that John Mulford was a true businessman and entrepreneur, having invested in many companies during his lifetime and even having started several himself (among which are the Prentiss Vise Company and the Watkins and Havana Railroad Company). As expected, John’s investments passed to his wife after his death in 1908, and it’s within these pages that we get a glimpse of their financial activity. Among countless other investment transactions, there are multiple disbursements to and receipts from the Prentiss Vise Company, one of which includes a $4,000 dividend in 1918 (equivalent to $83,620 today)!

It’s the less glamorous, seldom-seen aspects of the Prentiss Vise Company like this that really get my heart racing. Understandably, this personal account activity was kept very private at the time, and honestly I’m amazed that those whose hands it passed through didn’t decide to throw it away. Thankfully, it surfaced along with several other unrelated bank books in Rochester, NY and has found a home in my collection.

 

[Patrickm82]

@micahd1997 did you just happen across that or had you been searching it out? That is an awfully random piece of history. Very cool

 

[micahd1997]

Thank you, @Patrickm82 ! No, I actually found it listed for sale from a gentleman in Rochester, NY who found it in a box. I asked if there were any others, but he confirmed that this one was the only one related to the Mulford family. I'd sure love to find others that would paint a more full picture, but I'm thrilled to have this one.

 

[Patrickm82]

WOW!!

 

[Beerhippie]

Hardly "vintage":



$60, 5" Palmgren Industrial. It works like... a $60 vise. Fine for what I'll de doing.

 

[Outlawmws]

It works like... a $60 vise. Fine for what I'll be doing.

I'd do four things for that vise and "outside use" if you are not already:

1. Big rubber washers or O rings on the handle next to the caps
2. Lube the main screw well so it can be "one fingered"
3. BLO on all exposed steel
4. Drill and tap the Main screw head for a parker style brass button, spring and retainer screw (helps with #2 above to be centered)

 

[Beerhippie]

I'd do four things for that vise and "outside use" if you are not already:

1. Big rubber washers or O rings on the handle next to the caps
2. Lube the main screw well so it can be "one fingered"
3. BLO on all exposed steel
4. Drill and tap the Main screw head for a parker style brass button, spring and retainer screw (helps with #2 above to be centered)

I lubed the screw with some light oil to loosen up the factory grease and hit the "ways" with some light moly grease. It runs much smoother now!

For the most part, the vise and stand will live in the shop, only going outside for dirty work. Inside, it'll be nice for stuff that doesn't fit on my bench and for things I want to do at closer to waist level.

I filled the stand with spray foam and it did quiet it down a LOT. I did some experimental tapping on the vise with a 8 oz ball peen and it doesn't ring at all.

The vise is mounted to a 3/16" plate via studs welded into the plate. I counter-sunk both sides after drilling so I could grind the welds flat and still have plenty of weldment. The plate bolts to the top of the stand so I can remove the vise fairly easily and use the stand for other things--RR rail anvil, bench grinder, etc. The location of the gussets on the top plate of the stand made drilling and tapping the plate itself impractical.

 

[Outlawmws]

So the roller stand is permanent? What was it repurposed from?

 

[Shiftless]

Looks like a really nice stand. Don’t say that came along with the vise for your sixty bucks!!!

 

[Beerhippie]

The vise is brand-new. The stand I built from boneyard parts: https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/threads/vise-stand-build-too-many-options.540810/

 

[micahd1997]

The vise is brand-new. The stand I built from boneyard parts: https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/threads/vise-stand-build-too-many-options.540810/

I really like the wheels for portability!

 

[jspagettie]

Any info on the maker of this little guy? Here is what I can tell you....It measures 3.5" tall by 3" wide, the jaws are 1.25" wide and a magnet sticks to it. There are no markings on it as far as I can tell.