The VISES of Garage Journal

[Beerhippie]

I'm beginning to think that Lewis was a pretty common family name back then....

 

[Shiftless]

Robert Fulton of steamboat fame lived in New York City during the last decade or so of his life. I wonder if his offspring got into business in New York and somehow some vises ended up marked Fulton? He died in 1815

 

[CRSINMICH]

Edwin Fulton had a 1903 patent on which he was listed as living in Watertown but by 1919 he had a patent on which he was listed as living in Lowville. That patent was assigned to Velox Vise so the clan may have grown. Where does it all end?

 

[Shiftless]

Whether or not Edwin was a relative of Robert Fulton we may never know.

 

[Shiftless]

Shift you could start an "open screw vise" thread! (I did for DOEs - same reason)

OUTLAW:

THANKS FOR THE SUGGESTION

here is the link

Show off your old exposed thread bench vises

For a long time I have noticed that Garage Journal folk seem to regard homeowner grade exposed screw vises as nearly worthless. Sure, everybody can drool over a Reed or Rock Island or Morgan or Prentiss (and others) with 6 inch or wider jaws and weighing so much that normal fellows can’t even...

www.garagejournal.com

 

[hobie18]

How tight was this clan...

 

[CRSINMICH]

"Whether or not Edwin was a relative of Robert Fulton we may never know." - Shiftless

As it happens, I do know, Shift. Even though Fulton County, NY is named for Robert Fulton, he was born in Pennsylvania and didn't get to New York until much later in his life. Edwin, on the other hand, was born in New York. Edwin's family genealogy is well documented back to 1749 in "Pioneer Fulton Families of Jefferson County, New York".

 

[ssjones]

This one was in my Maryland garage for over 20 years, it came from my wife's grandfathers shop probably there since the late 1940's.
Now going on a bench at my daughters house.



Replaced at my home by this larger Wilton, that came out of my father-in-laws shop. Living in the humid rust capital of the South, guess I should paint it.

 

[Outlawmws]

Now going on a bench at my daughters house.

Replaced at my home by this larger Wilton,

IMO your daughter is getting the best end of that deal.

 

[IRQVET]

Was using my paint pens on the lettering on the 2nd wood vise, and noticed my main vise just sitting there. Need to do a full restore on it, but in the meantime, kinda satisfying . . .

 

[KMScott]

Add a pic of your paint pen to your post if you don’t mind IRQVET. Thanks in advance. Nice work.

 

[Beerhippie]

Was using my paint pens on the lettering on the 2nd wood vise, and noticed my main vise just sitting there. Need to do a full restore on it, but in the meantime, kinda satisfying . . .

Nothin' wrong with Ol' Red as far as I can see.

 

[IRQVET]

Add a pic of your paint pen to your post if you don’t mind IRQVET. Thanks in advance. Nice work.

I'll do you one better . . .

Sharpie Basic Colors Medium Point Oil-Based Paint Marker (5-Pack) 1770458 - The Home Depot

Visit The Home Depot to buy Sharpie Basic Colors Medium Point Oil-Based Paint Marker (5-Pack) 1770458

www.homedepot.com

 

[Outlawmws]

Milwaukee has markers and paint pens -I know I like their markers better than Sharpie, and less expensive also. I have one orange paint pen from them and I like it; but can't compare as I have not used other brands.

 

[micahd1997]

Fulton vises are marked Lowville NY. I suppose they might be part of the clan

Edwin Fulton had a 1903 patent on which he was listed as living in Watertown but by 1919 he had a patent on which he was listed as living in Lowville. That patent was assigned to Velox Vise so the clan may have grown. Where does it all end?

Jumping back to Edwin Fulton...I forgot that I saved an article I came across a while back that provided a good bit of info on Fulton, namely that he worked for Prentiss at one point. The article is split up funny in the original newspaper scan, so I've typed it verbatim here. Per the Oswego Daily Times, August 19th, 1924...

Oswego Tool Co. Makes Important Business Change – Adds New Line With Larger Force-Benjamin Dow to Leave​

Benjamin W. Dow, who has for the last five years been works manager of the Oswego Tool Company, has tendered his resignation to take effect at the convenience of the company. The Oswego Tool Company has been particularly fortunate in securing the services of Edwin W. Fulton of Lowville, N. Y., who will take over Mr. Dow’s duties as soon as convenient.

Mr. Fulton controls the Atlas Vise Company, Inc., and the Velox Vise Company, Inc., of Lowville, N. Y., and by this connection the Oswego Tool Company acquires the rights to manufacture the celebrated Velox quick action machinist’s bench vise and the Nutyp combination pipe and bench vise, and the business of these companies will be transferred to Oswego.

The Velox vise is a patented quick action bench vise used by the larger manufacturers where speed of production is essential and the Nutyp vise meets with a ready sale in garages, repair shops and homes where a combination pipe and machinist vise is needed.

In addition to the above patented vises, under Mr. Fulton’s direction the Oswego Tool Company will also manufacture a line of standard machinist bench vises in a full range of sizes of stationary and swivel base types. It is estimated that the addition of these lines will necessitate the employment of at least 50 new men and increase the sales of the company materially.

The Oswego Tool Company already manufactures combination vises and is thoroughly equipped to manufacture these additional lines.

Mr. Fulton, who will shortly become a permanent resident of Oswego, was for many years with the Prentice Vise Company, who are one of the largest manufacturers of vises of this type and was six years with the Bagley & Sewall Company of Watertown.

Up to three years ago Mr. Fulton was connected with the Fulton Vise and Machine Company of Lowville, which had recently been reorganized as the Lowville Vise Company.

Benjamin Dow came to Oswego from the Eastman Kodak Company at Rochester. He was formerly connected with Stone and Webster, internationally known as engineers, of Boston. When he leaves Oswego a number of weeks hench he plans to return to New England, there to establish a new engineering connection. Mr. Dow has since been very active as a member, officer and director of the Oswego Kiwanis club and in the Men’s club of Christ Episcopal church. He has served as president of the latter organization. His departure from Oswego will be deeply regretted by his friends.

 

[12vx2]

I have never felt shortchanged using exposed screw vises. That is all I had at home until I was about 30 years old, then I bought an enclosed screw because I needed a larger vise. Since then I have acquired many more of both types.
I use both types daily, and would not part with my Versa and Gyro Vises.
I am a fan of the Record 2075 vises for lots of small work, and the movable jaw can be removed and inserted from the back to make the opening much bigger.
I bought the Grand 3" Quikcet in Deming NM about 6 months ago for $15 and have not cleaned it up yet. I use clamp-ons frequently because I can take them along to the work site and having a 3" rapid adjust appeals to me.

 

[Oregon rock crusher]

I've had this Parker 975 sitting under a bench for too long. It was beat up pretty bad and missing the handle. The swivel lock was a badly cobbled together mess. Even the jaws were beat up to the point I had to weld and grind on them a bit to get them to fit. Also had to drill a new jaw retention pin hole as one was sheared off flush. The jaw faces had about half the checker pattern in random spots. I don't have a good before pic but here are a few of the process. New handle, swivel lock bolt, copper jaw faces, tapered jaw pins, and a little paint. Good to go again. Ed.

 

[Oregon rock crusher]

I also cleaned up this little 3-1/2" Wilton last week. I tried just stripping the awful green paint it came with but ended up painting it. This one was in excellent condition and just needed cleaned up. The machine marks from when the spindle barrel was turned were barely dinged and the jaw serrations near pristine. Key dated 7-46. I even sprang for new decals...Ed.

 

[IRQVET]

I also cleaned up this little 3-1/2" Wilton last week. I tried just stripping the awful green paint it came with but ended up painting it. This one was in excellent condition and just needed cleaned up. The machine marks from when the spindle barrel was turned were barely dinged and the jaw serrations near pristine. Key dated 7-46. I even sprang for new decals...Ed.

That looks fantastic. Kinda dig that new color.

 

[Patrickm82]

Very nice @Oregon rock crusher. I agree with @IRQVET what color is that if you don’t mind sharing.

 

[Outlawmws]

Great looking restore ORC!

 

[Oregon rock crusher]

That looks fantastic. Kinda dig that new color.

Thanks IRQVET. I had the wife help me pick the color....she claims I'm color blind. Could be.

Very nice @Oregon rock crusher. I agree with @IRQVET what color is that if you don’t mind sharing.

There is a pic of the can and color below. Sherwin Williams was closed so I couldn't use their color match but the local Lowes was open and can tint oil base Krylon to any color they have in their chip library. Wife thought Dried Thyme looked close to what was originally on it. Stuff is slow to cure, took two days on the wood stove. Next time I use it I may add some Japan dryer.

Great looking restore ORC!

Thanks Outlaw, good winter projects. Ed.

 

[Patrickm82]

Thank you sir.

 

[micahd1997]

While not incredibly rare or old, it’s always a good day when a vise catalog shows up in the mail.

This is Columbian’s 1957, 12-page (including covers) catalog 57-E. It’s nice and crispy with a couple clear bends here and there. I’ll never get tired of seeing the vintage, “Sledge-Tested” graphics and illustrations. The first vise I ever owned was a 6” Columbian № 606, and boy did it satisfy.

 

[Jayman17]

I can't believe the condition of that '46 wilton especially the jaws! Nice job Ed!

 

[Oregon rock crusher]

It's been nice here lately, outside type weather, so here is one more vise I just cleaned up that didn't need or get much attention. Soaked in degreaser overnight and wire wheeled is all it got. It does still need pipe jaws made but it may be a little while before I get around to that. An Athol 324X. Cast in jaw faces are still pretty good but it has gotten a little dinged up along the way. Plenty good for most benches. Ed.

 

[Patrickm82]

Another awesome job there @Oregon rock crusher

 

[ararat]

A proper restoration popped up on my search. So many people don't even bother to paint the handle...

 

[Beerhippie]

A proper restoration popped up on my search. So many people don't even bother to paint the handle...

"SIR: PLACE THE SPRAY CAN ON THE GROUND AND STEP AWAY--NOW!!"

 

[Outlawmws]

A proper restoration popped up on my search. So many people don't even bother to paint the handle...

It just screams "I R an IJIOT"

 

[micahd1997]

A proper restoration popped up on my search

Boy…you can tell he’s a little green in his restoration skills. Likely 3 braze jobs holding it together underneath those coats

 

[ararat]

Boy…you can tell he’s a little green in his restoration skills. Likely 3 braze jobs holding it together underneath those coats

Nothing a little "liquid restore" can't fix

 

[Shiftless]

I’ve got a crock pot full of undiluted Simple green waiting for that abomination.

 

[Outlawmws]

So what does this "destorer" ask for this - 4 figures? Only three?

 

[ararat]

So what does this "destorer" ask for this - 4 figures? Only three?

$105 I think

 

[RTM]

A proper restoration popped up on my search. So many people don't even bother to paint the handle...

Doesn't that go with the Army men on Toy Story?

 

[Shiftless]

Doesn't that go with the Army men on Toy Story?

Yes sir. Absolutely!

 

[CRSINMICH]

OTOH: That style of vise is not too common even though it was sold by several companies including Morgan. (It's not worth that asking price though). I have a Jordan Special that I restored but I forgot to paint the handles, slide, jaw faces, and anvil.

 

[Outlawmws]

That style of vise is not too common

That style of vise is VERY common.

 

[dannyr]

Jonas Woodhead (Bradford Cramp) were actively making cast iron vises and other workholding for local industry 1850-80 before moving on to specialise in spring suspension systems (still a brand today).
I believe they were the first cast-iron vise-maker in England. I posted a couple of catalog pages/a flyer a while back but would love to see their early catalogs (I have no 10 from 1895, but can find no other).
Here are 5 I believe to be theirs - all in good condition, acquired for peanuts, all within 40miles of Bradford (Yorkshire, England).