The VISES of Garage Journal

[TheRealZeus]

From da pubs.

Sorry the capture is blurry. Jaw Width 1 7/8”

 

[TheRealZeus]

Hopefully someone can verify.

Whereever you go from there, just name him John.

 

[hobie18]

Unless the bench is against a wall....

Over under

 

[Firstram]

Over under

And the ends!

 

[ChefRex]

Can anyone identify the maker of this unmarked vise? The jaws are 1 7/8 in wide with steel cast in place faces and the vise is 3 1/16 inch high. The nut is cast brass. Also, there must be a piece missing at the back of the body where there is an empty channel and a threaded hole. Any ideas? The swivel jaw mechanism is the only one I have seen like it. A steel pin passes through a groove around the central pillar under the swivel jaw. I am attaching pictures. Thanks.

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The dynamic looks to have been repaired.

 

[CRSINMICH]

Victor Jersey #765
by Stanley Rule and Level
​

This one was sold as being "unidentified" but a bit of careful sanding on the end of the tail revealed the name.

The 1908 article in "The Iron Age" is about Jersey vises but the 1915 ad is about Stanley Tools "Jersey" Vises.

 

[colmal]

Victor Jersey #765
by Stanley Rule and Level
​

This one was sold as being "unidentified" but a bit of careful sanding on the end of the tail revealed the name.

The 1908 article in "The Iron Age" is about Jersey vises but the 1915 ad is about Stanley Tools "Jersey" Vises.

Hmmm, what does all this mean ?

My Stanley Victor 743 only has the 08 patent, and the retaining bar for the main screw, so yours would be the same ?

This one has both patent dates the 15 changed to split washer to retain the main screw, which is what I assume this one would have -



So being a Victor Jersey 08 yours would be a very early example ?

 

[CRSINMICH]

colmal: It's a fair assumption that the Victor Jersey 765 I posted is earlier than the Stanley Victor 765 you posted but making assumptions about vise identification is tricky especially with Stanley. To make matters worse, that style of vise was at one time or another called "Leavens", "Jersey", "Victor" and "Victor Jersey" - I think. Here is a picture of the slide on a Victor Jersey 743 that has only 1 patent date, a Victor Jersey 764 with 1 patent date, and a Stanley 766 that not only has 2 patent dates but the words are printed at 90 degrees from the others. It's also is a Sweetheart with the name STANLEY inside a cartouche. The fact that the lower part of the cartouche dips into the heart can be used to date it to a specific part of the Sweetheart era but that's a different story entirely. To confuse things even more I have a Stanley 766 that has a different body style.

 

[four.cycle]

^ There is a reason why I do not even attempt to keep track of Stanley patents.

 

[CRSINMICH]

^ Smart fella.

 

[four.cycle]

^ I'd be spending the rest of my life on it. Stanley and Millers Falls are two companies I make no effort to track patent numbers for - I'll leave that to our friend at AA. I have enough to keep me busy with the oddball stuff.

 

[micahd1997]

In anticipation of Wednesday - Happy New Year, fellow vise lovers!

This is ONE of three sets of hand-drawn illustrations from 1925 that I obtained recently. With a couple slight modifications (namely the added spring on the main screw and additional screws in the jaws), the three sets depict every…last…precise part and measurement of a Parker 23X vise (4 ½” jaws). The drawing below focuses on the overall dimensions and cutaway details while the other two drawings (not pictured) illustrate the component measurements in detail.

The 18x14 illustrations were created in May and June of 1925 by Harry D Fenstermacher of Denver, Pennsylvania. A 1972 obituary in the Pennsylvania’s “The Call” newspaper allows us to deduce that Harry was 19 years old when he made these drawings. The Parker 23X style had already been manufactured and circulated for nearly 10 years by this point, so these drawings were undoubtedly created as an assignment by Harry while he was enrolled in technical school. His 1972 obituary goes on to tell us that he went on to work as a draftsman and designer for Carpenter Technology Corp in Reading, PA.

 

[colmal]

colmal: It's a fair assumption that the Victor Jersey 765 I posted is earlier than the Stanley Victor 765 you posted but making assumptions about vise identification is tricky especially with Stanley. To make matters worse, that style of vise was at one time or another called "Leavens", "Jersey", "Victor" and "Victor Jersey" - I think. Here is a picture of the slide on a Victor Jersey 743 that has only 1 patent date, a Victor Jersey 764 with 1 patent date, and a Stanley 766 that not only has 2 patent dates but the words are printed at 90 degrees from the others. It's also is a Sweetheart with the name STANLEY inside a cartouche. The fact that the lower part of the cartouche dips into the heart can be used to date it to a specific part of the Sweetheart era but that's a different story entirely. To confuse things even more I have a Stanley 766 that has a different body style.

Well damn, spent the last few days down the Dawn rabbit hole, after coming across an early vice, and finding a earlier catalogue that verified it (kinda - may be half a scam attempt) but left me thinking the more I know the less I'm sure about anything, but then had a lightbulb moment finding another vice that cleared things up and hopefully on the way to me,

And the Stanley at least had more info, but is just as murky according to all the above

I'm going to change my name to Schultz

 

[hobie18]

I know...

 

[Shiftless]

I'm going to change my name to Schultz

I know...

Are you guys talking about THIS Schultz?

 

[colmal]

Are you guys talking about THIS Schultz?

 

[akasrick]

I guess.
Once upon a time there was a Victor Vise Co, note, the nod to "Victor" by the Parker vise Co. and probably others., (Stanley). The upstart Leavens mfg Co. was headquartered in New Jersey hence the Jersey in their vises name, no Victor. Stanley New Britan proceeded the combined Stanleys in vise manufacturing. No sense in the same people competing against each other. The engineer "Baker" held the early (much to the disdane of some vise makers) patent that is seen on the vises. Stanley bought Leavens and got rid of the Jeresy Jerseys.
My overly simple understanding.
If I left anyone out of this circle jerk, my apologies.

akasrick

 

[02Xterra]

In anticipation of Wednesday - Happy New Year, fellow vise lovers!

This is ONE of three sets of hand-drawn illustrations from 1925 that I obtained recently. With a couple slight modifications (namely the added spring on the main screw and additional screws in the jaws), the three sets depict every…last…precise part and measurement of a Parker 23X vise (4 ½” jaws). The drawing below focuses on the overall dimensions and cutaway details while the other two drawings (not pictured) illustrate the component measurements in detail.

The 18x14 illustrations were created in May and June of 1925 by Harry D Fenstermacher of Denver, Pennsylvania. A 1972 obituary in the Pennsylvania’s “The Call” newspaper allows us to deduce that Harry was 19 years old when he made these drawings. The Parker 23X style had already been manufactured and circulated for nearly 10 years by this point, so these drawings were undoubtedly created as an assignment by Harry while he was enrolled in technical school. His 1972 obituary goes on to tell us that he went on to work as a draftsman and designer for Carpenter Technology Corp in Reading, PA.

That's a really cool drawing!

 

[micahd1997]

That's a really cool drawing!

Thanks, O2! I’ll post the other two here once I get them framed

 

[Outlawmws]

This is ONE of three sets of hand-drawn illustrations from 1925 that I obtained recently.

These are Awesome finds!

I have a really deep appreciation into what it took to do that, as almost 50 years later -I went through a similar professional progression - My "parting project" was a set of drawings for a 3 stage dry sump oil pimp, and an exploded isometric drawing of it, - in ink - on mylar - that hung in the vocational centers drafting classroom for years.

Probably tossed long ago...

 

[micahd1997]

These are Awesome finds!

I have a really deep appreciation into what it took to do that, as almost 50 years later -I went through a similar professional progression - My "parting project" was a set of drawings for a 3 stage dry sump oil pimp, and an exploded isometric drawing of it, - in ink - on mylar - that hung in the vocational centers drafting classroom for years.

Probably tossed long ago...

Thanks, Outlaw!

As someone with virtually zero technical or artistic drawing abilities, I’ve also grown a much deeper appreciation for those skills after being able to view these illustrations in person. If your drawings surface, I’d enjoy seeing them! I’m sure you were an A+ student

 

[Outlawmws]

I’m sure you were an A+ student

I was actually Student Instructor/Aid at both the Vocational Center dn my senior year in HS - so automatic A's there, but yes, aced all the techy subjects., shop classes, and such.

 

[njc41980]

An eBay Hyena that I occasionally deal with needed speaker repair work, but didn't want to pay me cash for my work.
So...... he finally found something to trade me

The Paramo #6 is in solid condition and only needs a good cleaning
Wilton is in the process of having the Electric Blue paint stripped off

View attachment 2244036View attachment 2244037

I'm jealous.

I really want one of those.

 

[d42jeep]

I found this vise at a tool sale yesterday. I made a really low offer, the seller suggested $25 more, I agreed and after I removed it from the workbench it was mine.
I am not any kind of vise expert but I have seen Shiftless’ beautiful collection and I figured any bullet was desirable. I decided to just clean it up trying to keep as much of the original paint as possible. Here is the finished product.
-Don

 

[Outlawmws]

January of '77 - Nice score Don!

 

[Beerhippie]

Sweet deal, Don, but... YOU ****!

 

[d42jeep]

Thanks, Outlaw and Beerhippie!
-Don

 

[Shiftless]

Don:

Let this be a reminder to all who read your last post. Always carry extra cash when going to tool sales. If a good deal pops up, you can’t expect a seller to wait while you frantically drive around looking for an ATM.

 

[colmal]

I keep getting reminded that I haven't even come close to 'seeing it all"

Not sure how this works, seller must mean a 3 1/2 and a 4", 3" too small, a 1960's static with a 1990 ish dynamic -It's excellent condition thou and only twice the price of a good condition 3" or 4"

Just checked a 3 1/2 SP and 4L, would work together, a 4SP is too big - well there you go , always learning.

 

[wrenchr]

I picked up a wilton C1 earlier in the week. Looks like it was never used.

 

[Shiftless]

I picked up a wilton C1 earlier in the week. Looks like it was never used.

Those are great users. I have more than a few vises to choose from and I made a Wilton C1 my user.

 

[wrenchr]

Those are great users. I have more than a few vises to choose from and I made a Wilton C1 my user.

Yes this will replace the 835 next to it in the pic.

 

[RaindropE]

Hi everyone, Hope this is the right spot for this! Found this little guy out back of the barn bolted to a wooden bench a few days ago and went down the rabbit hole that led me here. All original minus one swivel nut. Was beyond rusted but still worked and appeared to have a pretty easy life with just enough character. Decided to do a full resto due to the awful surface condition. Coming from a guy who loves the story a good patina tells it was just to much. This one may or may not be a little to shiny now.

Wilton 930MC
8-53 Stamped

Of course I did not take the all important before picture and I am wishing I would have now but my "squirrels" seem to have a way of out running my forethought (I know there has got to be a few on here who can relate) so here we are. Disassembled, sand blasted, light polish on all interfacing and bearing surfaces, two coats self etching primer, two coats rustoleum hammered silver and cold bluing on all previously mentioned surfaces as well as jaws and handle. Little black paint pen on the lettering and it came out pretty nice I think. Had to go to acorn nuts but I am thinking I may clean and blue the og handle nut and use it to tighten and loosen the base while leaving the other acorn finger tight.

I did have one question about the "M" or "MI" mark on the casting I couldnt seem to dig up a concrete answer for. Best I could come up with is a foundry marking possibly. Any answers are appreciated!

 

[Shiftless]

Yes this will replace the 835 next to it in the pic.

 

[682bear]

I just picked up a small vise at a junk store... the logo is almost worn off, but looks very familiar... I can't seem to come up with a brand, though...



Somebody help me out, please...

-Bear

 

[akasrick]

I just picked up a small vise at a junk store... the logo is almost worn off, but looks very familiar... I can't seem to come up with a brand, though...



Somebody help me out, please...

-Bear

Brink and Cotton. There is one on EBay with label today.

akasrick

 

[TheRealZeus]

BC be spooning.

 

[paulsomlo]

Is this a GJ member? https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/972793477923552/?ref=search&_rdr

This guy has over 250 vintage vises for sale, but nobody here knows who it is? Hmm...

 

[micahd1997]

I’ve recently been attempting to search out original, physical copies of antique vise catalogs (specifically those of the Prentiss Vise Company), and thankfully one of my last finds for 2024 was this catalog № 49.

The first prints of Catalog № 49 were issued in 1906. At that time, Prentiss’s headquarters were located at 44 Barclay St, NYC, and catalogues at that time listed this address. However, in April of 1910, Prentiss relocated to 110 Lafayette St, NYC (about ¼ mile away). The first page lists the 110 Lafayette address, so we know that this catalog is no older than 1910. After various design changes to their product line, Prentiss eventually issued Catalog № 50 in 1917, leaving us to conclude that this catalog dates from between 1910 and 1917 (114-107 years old).

Prentiss-issued catalogues like this are definitively the most accurate, comprehensive source of information for what the company was selling at any given time. Because of this, these catalogues help immensely when tracking the manufacturing and design changes that Prentiss implemented over time.

I’ve selected a few of my favorite illustrations (all which depict vises that I’m thankful to have in my collection) and shared them in these photos.

A tardy but nonetheless Happy New Year, all!

 

[RickP330]

Hi guys,
This thread makes my head hurt! I would like to upgrade my garage with a decent mechanics vice. However, the collectability and the propensity for sellers to ask way too much for them used and me not being all that knowledgable puts me in a precarious spot. This must have been discussed somewhere in the 2328 pages, but the search function does no good.

I am getting the sense this is a matter of wait and see, how much cash do you have in your pocket and are willing to part with. I don't want to do something stupid though.

Is there a post somewhere in here that could offer guidance? Such as reasonable price per weight (Jaw opening) for general use? Or should I just buy something new?

Much Thanks,
Rick