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Beerhippie

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Joined
Oct 13, 2023
Messages
9,972
Location
Far NE Oregon
I really like the wheels for portability!
I need to play with the balance some. It kinda' wants to squirt out from under the vise when tipped back onto the casters. Maybe a handle bar would help to get the balance point under the vise instead of in front of it. Or maybe I just need to weld a big ol' hunk of steel to the front of the base as a counterweight.
 

Shiftless

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Joined
Mar 9, 2014
Messages
14,578
Location
East Bay SFO
maybe I just need to weld a big ol' hunk of steel to the front of the base as a counterweight.
That sounds like a good idea.

This being Garage Journal, I humbly suggest a length of 4x4 filled with lead.
 

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Outlawmws

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Joined
Aug 9, 2011
Messages
39,313
Location
The Badlands
maybe I just need to weld a big ol' hunk of steel to the front of the base as a counterweight.

I do have some 4X square tube and plenty of sand.

Maybe a tiny little beer keg full of sand would be appropriate. 😎


I'm thinking dismount the vise plate, knock out the welds to the roller stand, flip the stand 180, and reweld. then the vise and column weight won't go over center so easily, and maybe dill a front to back hole in the post for a pipe handle about waist high or a bit lower?

1733792615381.png
 

Beerhippie

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Joined
Oct 13, 2023
Messages
9,972
Location
Far NE Oregon
I'm thinking dismount the vise plate, knock out the welds to the roller stand, flip the stand 180, and reweld. then the vise and column weight won't go over center so easily, and maybe dill a front to back hole in the post for a pipe handle about waist high or a bit lower?

1733792615381.png
When I weld a plate on, that's plate's stayin' put. It'd be much easier to cut the casters off and move them to the front, which should oughta' fix the problem.
 

colmal

Well-known member
Joined
Sep 8, 2021
Messages
454
Location
Australia
📕 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.
Love the next level research 'Mr Prentiss'
 

ALLFAST

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Joined
Feb 20, 2017
Messages
1,233
Location
Northern California
I saw that earlier, convinced myself I didn't need another vise right now. Did he have other goodies? There's been a guy posting some decent stuff in San Mateo lately that's been a surprise so I may have to look closer.
Hello RTM,
This was a lone family seller. Dad ( son in his 70s) bought it many decades ago, and it had been sitting untouched for at least 45, maybe more years, untouched , in the basement.

This individual had mentioned that they had some yard sales during the summer but this wasn’t on the table ( no pun intended 😂).

There is a very interesting guy that’s got a ton of stuff on the Peninsula CL, maybe in Palo Alto/San Carlos? Lots of vintage tools and things, for very reasonable prices-very eclectic items. He might be who you are thinking about?

I saw the No.3 ad right around his 26th day, and thought the same, but I pulled the trigger anyway.

I literally just got it wirewheeled to near completion about 30 minutes ago…The decades old blue engine enamel it wore was harboring a rusty film within the paint. I tried like heck to clean around it, and do the WD steel wool derusting massages , but it was fruitless .

But the bullet tonight and spent 45 minutes with my Dewalt angle Grinder getting it to bare steel. I left a few blue spots that were acceptable, but the rest needed dispatching. I’m glad I did as I was able to verify that there are zero damages/repairs.

Wiped it down with penetrating oil and will very likely wax it. I handpolished/burnished the massive lead screw with maroon scotch brite for 30 minutes today. Spent an hour last week tuning up the collar/set screw; the lower threads of the collar were stripped and the collar wasn’t seating properly.

Chased the threads in the collar and setscrew itself so it is seating fully concentric around the shaft-runs 5X better than when I first manipulated it.

This thing is a massive pig! Body weighs about 90#, lead screw about 25, and the dynamic is at 45. Something along those lines. It catalogs at 160. This one here is about a 1910 or newer due to the parallel script, lack of patent date, and the missing forward “WV” logo.

I’ve spent about 6 different sessions ( in the last 3 weeks or so) monkeying around with this thing ( 30-45 minutes each) and it’s a workout EVERY time. Even with it disassembled into the three parts, it’s still demanding. I’ve got to straighten out a minor bend in the handle and do a final scotch brite scrub of the internal threads/slide surfaces, and it’s done.

I’ll be happily sending it off to his new owner soon ( a coworker) and he can put it to work 😎.
 

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ALLFAST

Well-known member
Joined
Feb 20, 2017
Messages
1,233
Location
Northern California
Hello RTM,

This was a lone family seller. Dad ( son in his 70s) bought it many decades ago, and it had been sitting untouched for at least 45, maybe more years , in the basement.

This individual had mentioned that they had some yard sales during the summer but this wasn’t on the table ( no pun intended 😂).

There is a very interesting guy that’s got a ton of stuff on the Peninsula CL, maybe in Palo Alto/San Carlos? Lots of vintage tools and things, for very reasonable prices-very eclectic items. He might be who you are thinking about?

I saw the No.3 ad right around his 26th day, and thought the same, but I pulled the trigger anyway.

I literally just got it wirewheeled to near completion about 30 minutes ago…The decades old blue engine enamel it wore was harboring a rusty film within the paint. I tried like heck to clean around it, and do the WD steel wool derusting massages , but it was fruitless .

Bit the bullet tonight and spent 45 minutes with my Dewalt angle Grinder getting it to bare steel. I left a few blue spots that were acceptable, but the rest needed dispatching. I’m glad I did as I was able to verify that there are zero damages/repairs.

Wiped it down with penetrating oil and will very likely wax it. I handpolished/burnished the massive lead screw with maroon scotch brite for 30 minutes today. Spent an hour last week tuning up the collar/set screw; the lower threads of the collar were stripped (along with the set screw threads) so the collar wasn’t seating properly

Chased the threads in the collar and setscrew itself so it is seating fully concentric around the shaft-runs 5X better than when I first tried it out .

This thing is a massive pig! Body weighs about 90#, lead screw about 25, and the dynamic is at 45. Something along those lines. It catalogs at 160. This one here is about a 1910 or newer due to the parallel script, lack of patent date, and the missing forward “WV” logo.

I’ve spent about 6 different sessions ( in the last 3 weeks or so) monkeying around with this thing ( 30-45 minutes each) and it’s a workout EVERY time. Even with it disassembled into the three parts, it’s still demanding. I’ve got to straighten out a minor bend in the handle and do a final scotch brite scrub of the internal threads/slide surfaces, and it’s done.

I’ll be happily sending it off to his new owner soon ( a coworker) and he can put it to work 😎.
Tonight’s efforts
 
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ALLFAST

Well-known member
Joined
Feb 20, 2017
Messages
1,233
Location
Northern California
Tonight’s efforts
 

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ALLFAST

Well-known member
Joined
Feb 20, 2017
Messages
1,233
Location
Northern California
Last ones
 

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ranger08

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Joined
Nov 12, 2021
Messages
287
WTF? I've seen vises with anvils attached, but this looks like an anvil with a vise attached?

img.jpg

img.jpg

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.
heres my one somewhat similar, farmers handy tool
20230827_104559.jpg
 

Josh Dekubber

Well-known member
Joined
Dec 6, 2024
Messages
205
Location
Bothell Washington, Peoria Arizona
So I sold my first Vise. Craftsman 3 1/2" I highly polished. I paid $40 and sold less than a week later for $250. Then I purchased a nice Chas Parker 974 1/2. Loving that Vise. Now I just ordered a Reed 204 R. I was going to hold out for a bigger one but offered $120 anyway. Seller counter offered $190 which seems like a good deal for a nice 204 R. I politely declined and he reconsidered and accepted my offer of $120. I'm going to be happy to have and compare my Reed with my Chas Parker.


Check out this item on OfferUp. https://offerup.co/kSdmBs42fPb

Screenshot_20241211_192414_OfferUp.jpg
 

Shiftless

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Joined
Mar 9, 2014
Messages
14,578
Location
East Bay SFO
justintendo:
I use Rustoleum a lot. It takes a while to harden up but not like a week. Did you spray at a temperature below 50 degrees? Did you try to lay on one thick coat instead of multiple thin coats? Was the can sitting around in your garage for years before you used it?
 

four.cycle

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Joined
Oct 19, 2015
Messages
29,175
Location
Tacoma, Washington
^ This.
"Rustoleum" in a rattle can requires you follow the directions.
Don't even open the can if the temperature is below 65° - 70° F - you're just wasting your time (and materials.)
Lay on thin coats.
Allow to fully cure two days before recoating.

Otherwise you're inviting grief and disappointment.

Yes... and the drying agents used in contemporary paints aren't stable compounds - over two years old: toss it into the trash can.

(There is a reason I choose "ACE" house brand spray paint for most of my projects - fast dry, but you still have to wait at least 24-36 hours to recoat.)
 

TheRealZeus

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Joined
Oct 4, 2021
Messages
5,012
Location
CONTINENTAL USA
Deadlines are deadlines.. what Shift and Cycle said is 💯% correct. I shake the can for about merry Christmas thank you five minutes.

A mistake (and I have made it as well) means you’re out 10-12$ per spray can. If the vise is 4” or more, it is large enough to retain some heat. So to overcome the cold, I preheat completely prepped parts in the warmer indoors with an electric blanket. Move them out to prepped staging area only when ready, then paint. Of course, weather conditions, and timing is everything. So always aim for a clear sunny day with low winds 🌬️ . Last time I think I started electric blanket at 3am on low, and was painting about 7am. One day is a phase of primer, next day phase final, with appropriate sanding in between.. it is drawn out process and you’ll swear 👉 ALOT, but slower is better, in the end. I have other tricks I have developed, but I am sure I ran my mouth enough about it thus far.

Pic is an old reliable electric ⚡️, often found in third stores. Time is money, 💰 but of course, if you have no deadline, waiting for excellent conditions, makes excellent results more plausible.
IMG_3255.jpeg
 

Beerhippie

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Joined
Oct 13, 2023
Messages
9,972
Location
Far NE Oregon
^ This.
"Rustoleum" in a rattle can requires you follow the directions.
Don't even open the can if the temperature is below 65° - 70° F - you're just wasting your time (and materials.)
Lay on thin coats.
Allow to fully cure two days before recoating.

Otherwise you're inviting grief and disappointment.

Yes... and the drying agents used in contemporary paints aren't stable compounds - over two years old: toss it into the trash can.

(There is a reason I choose "ACE" house brand spray paint for most of my projects - fast dry, but you still have to wait at least 24-36 hours to recoat.)
I've a little experience painting with Rusto rattle-cans. I don't have a great deal of patience when digging into a project for things like taking a week to get a good paint job. So I cheat.

In temps over 70F, recoat time for Rusto paints is about 15-30 min. I mostly skip the primer these days--Rusto paints don't seem to care--unless I'm filling surface imperfections with a sandable primer. I apply numerous very light coats, starting with a "fog coat". After the project is where I want it, I let it set for an hour or so and then bake the finish at 225-250F. This not only results in a paint job that can be finished in one day, but it smooths any minor surface roughness without sanding.

I use an old convection oven bought from a yard sale. It lives outside.

I can usually do one of these in a long afternoon:

53261018021_870f945100_b.jpg
OK, maybe more like a long day. There are a lot of layers in a two-tone fade candy finish.
 
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justintendo

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Joined
Aug 5, 2020
Messages
152
Location
pennsylvania
justintendo:
I use Rustoleum a lot. It takes a while to harden up but not like a week. Did you spray at a temperature below 50 degrees? Did you try to lay on one thick coat instead of multiple thin coats? Was the can sitting around in your garage for years before you used it?
I think i had a bad can...was a new can and all steps followed like usual
 

four.cycle

Well-known member
Joined
Oct 19, 2015
Messages
29,175
Location
Tacoma, Washington
In temps over 70F, recoat time for Rusto paints is about 15-30 min.
ONLY if you shoot the recoat within about 30 minutes. Any longer than that and you're ASKING for wrinkle finish - the solvents in the second coat will cause the stuff underneath to bubble up.
If you've got ambient temperatures above 65-70 and shoot the second thin coat within that time window, you're generally good, but after a couple horrible experiences I wait two days for recoat.
(Nothing quite as fun as wet-sanding a mower deck twice, right?) :rolleyes:
 

Outlawmws

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Joined
Aug 9, 2011
Messages
39,313
Location
The Badlands
One more note about spray paint:

Warming the propellant upside the can makes for better results when you're spraying. I either set it out in the sun, or drop it in the sink and open up the hot water tap and let it run.
I've done this as well when pulling paint cans out of my garage on cooler days. I use Timms Toaster oven tip as well, and I have a full electric wall oven stored for this once I make space...

I Do NOT recommend drying paint in your food oven... Heating parts to prep for paint? OK
 

four.cycle

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Joined
Oct 19, 2015
Messages
29,175
Location
Tacoma, Washington
I had this all typed out and then deleted it:

We instructed ALL the people on the counter, when they sold a can of paint, to be sure to tell the customer to warm the can in a sink of warm water prior to using. (Can't say "hot" or they'll be boiling gallons of water.)
Cut our "warranty" returns in half.

And don't put it into the oven. Paint doesn't dry because of heat: it dries because of air circulation (and in the case of spray paint, the solvents drying that are under the skin.
If the phone rings and you forget you left it in the oven, it will take weeks to get that smell out of your house. (Don't ask me how I know this.)
 

Shiftless

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Joined
Mar 9, 2014
Messages
14,578
Location
East Bay SFO
If the phone rings and you forget you left it in the oven, it will take weeks to get that smell out of your house. (Don't ask me how I know this.)
If my can of spray paint exploded in our kitchen oven, I would be installing a new oven pronto.

( I wish I had more space so that I could install a garage oven. Second hand operable electric ovens are cheap or even free)
 
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