The VISES of Garage Journal

[Outlawmws]

What is this stamping on the slide? Looks like Baker?

Man, I missed that completely. How did you manage to spot that past all that smudge? Have you seen these marked there before? I had to clean the spot to read it fully - Wasn't sure how it was spelled...

Yes "BAKER" with an Asterisk under it. It also had Made in... (crudded over) behind the swivel lock lever.

 

[Mgdoug3]

I got around to painting my vise again. I usually paint it every few years once I've chipped or burnt enough paint off it. I'm happy how the black and copper jaws look.

 

[Outlawmws]

I'm happy how the black and copper jaws look.

Good color combo. Some years back I did a Wilton 300 in hammered black. I think shiftless still has it. I have another 300 I need to do a repeat of that with...

 

[Mgdoug3]

Good color combo. Some years back I did a Wilton 300 in hammered black. I think shiftless still has it. I have another 300 I need to do a repeat of that with...

This is the first time I've tried hammered black. I've used flat black in the past but I think I like the hammered better.

 

[Beerhippie]

Details of how I remove stuck jaw screws…

Drill a 3/16 hole in the middle to a depth of approximately 1/4 inch (Use cutting oil)
insert extractor and pound it in with a hammer
Keep tapping on the extractor while turning counter clockwise with a half inch combo wrench.
Once the extractor is bottommed out in the hole, if the screw is still stuck, switch from the combo wrench to a 24 inch breaker bar with half inch socket.

As you can see from this close up, the slightly tapered extractor cuts it’s way into the sides of the hole and with the reverse spiral, runs deeper with each bit of CCW turning and cuts into the sides of the hole and locks in quite nicely.

And then start figuring out how to deal with a sheared-off extractor.

 

[Shiftless]

And then start figuring out how to deal with a sheared-off extractor.

Right…that’s the risk.
Maybe it’s better to weld on a washer and then weld a nut onto the washer. (Welding is a skill I never picked up) I suppose then there would be risk of weld slag getting Into the crosshatching of the jaw inserts. But at least you wouldn’t have a broken off hardened steel extractor in the middle of your screw.

 

[Beerhippie]

Right…that’s the risk.
Maybe it’s better to weld on a washer and then weld a nut onto the washer. (Welding is a skill I never picked up) I suppose then there would be risk of weld slag getting Into the crosshatching of the jaw inserts. But at least you wouldn’t have a broken off hardened steel extractor in the middle of your screw.

Welding-wise, if you can find a piece of copper tubing about the same size as the screwhead, you can cut a short piece (~1/4") off of it and use it as a "dam", filling the tube with weld as if doing a plug-weld, then weld a nut to the top of that, again, with a plug weld. I use a MIG for this and it works well. The heat from welding also contributes greatly to breaking the stuck fastener free.

This trick also works great for a fastener like a manifold stud broken off within the threads of the head, where you don't want to damage the exposed threads in the aluminum. Find a piece of copper tubing that just fits into the hole, cut it so it sits flush and plug weld.

 

[FMC1959]

Alright, so I’m in the market for a medium duty, medium sized vise.

Will be bolted down to a 1/4in steel table.

Will be used as needed for a variety of light to medium duty tasks.

Indoor use.

Not sure what else to add.

Anyone have anything they are looking to sell or perhaps what new vise would you recommend? I am aware I could just look through a Wilton catalog. I’m not a big fan of their entry level (we have them at work) and their top of the line is great (have them at work too) but I’m not going to spend that much.

Personally, I would look at something in the 4", maybe 5" range. Don't go for open screw, not always, but generally they are lighter duty. New will cost you more and get less quality. Check FB Marketplace, Craig's flea markets, garage sales; if you are not in a hurry, you should find something nice. Most definitely, make sure it is made in the USA. Otherwise, Made in Canada, England (like Record) and certain other European countries can also be excellent.

Over 5" will start getting big and expensive (hard to come by). 3" or less can be a bit small for the medium duty stuff and the smaller you go, they also get expensive. The sweet spot for medium duty and price is 4-5"

 

[Shiftless]

Some years back I did a Wilton 300 in hammered black. I think shiftless still has it.

Yep!
It has picked up a few scratches since then, but it’s still here.

 

[Shiftless]

With a black background maybe you can see the texture in the paint a bit better.

 

[RickP330]

Hey Gang,
Well I cleaned off all of the old grease, debris and used some evaporust. Looks like I still need to go over it with a stiff wire brush, but I'm ready for the next step. The painted portions are obvious, but what about the bare parts, what do I do to protect them? Obviously I don't want to grease or oil the swivel clamp. Can you give me any advice on next steps?
RP

 

[Patrickm82]

A cupped wire wheel on an angle grinder will clean that puppy up nice! Hit everything! @RickP330

 

[Shiftless]

Many of us use Fluid Film to protect bare steel parts.

 

[Shiftless]

Some years back I did a Wilton 300 in hammered black. I think shiftless still has it. I have another 300 I need to do a repeat of that with..

It has indeed been “some years back” I think back then I had about 10 vises on the shelves. Now I have almost 10X that number.
Since you have more free time now, maybe we should set something up where you can recover that black bullet you did so long ago. Trade?

Just 2 old buddies making deals like in the old days.

 

[Old Radar]

^^^ Their latest deal was Red traded his suspenders for Blue's glass eye.^^^

 

[MyLittleSpartan]

Just got probably the cleanest 108 in existence, don't think I've seen a nicer one. Will post some better pictures once I get it out in some light

 

[Outlawmws]

Wow! looks nice!

 

[Patrickm82]

Just got this Reed 403 1/2 for $75 bucks on market place. Kinda bummed that when I got there it had a mounting hole busted and repaired. Not shown or mentioned in the add, but had just driven 45mins to get it. The “pin” came right out and the swivel moves a little. A little clean up and she should move nice. Pretty happy over all, I’m going to repair it better than what’s there now.

 

[M.Brane]

That's a beast, and worth rebuilding. WTF the hole in the top of the static jaw?

 

[Outlawmws]

That's a beast, and worth rebuilding. WTF the hole in the top of the static jaw?

That is where the tapered lock pin for the swivel jaw goes.

 

[Beerhippie]

That's a beast, and worth rebuilding. WTF the hole in the top of the static jaw?

It's a swivel-jaw vise. The hole is for the pin to fix the jaws in the parallel position.

My 404 1/2 has the same square-head bolt pin!



Must be a Reed thing....

 

[Patrickm82]

That's a beast, and worth rebuilding. WTF the hole in the top of the static jaw?

The pin (bolt) that’s on the slide like @Outlawmws said.

Edit: and @Beerhippie

 

[MyLittleSpartan]

Pretty clean, 15 hour drive to get haha

 

[3baygarage]

Lovely logo

 

[Shiftless]

Lovely logo

I used to have a 5 incher from that series. I recently sold it to a guy who needed a big heavy vise.
That is the Reed logo used after they turned manufacturing over to Columbian. This is after I spiffed it up.

 

[FMC1959]

"That is the Reed logo used after they turned manufacturing over to Columbian"

If I remember correctly, that is also when all models became 100 series, with a letter "S" for Swivel and "N" for stationary.

 

[MyLittleSpartan]

If I remember correctly, that is also when all models became 100 series, with a letter "S" for Swivel and "N" for stationary.

Correct, the 108 I got is an s, but unfortunately didn't have the swivel

 

[jawstight]

Just a little, older and inexpensive Dunlap I picked up. Unlike my Craftsman I'm likely going to paint this one before I gift it to someone.

Red when I got it. Not in bad shape at all.



After putting it to my wire wheel, and then my belt and disc sanders it looks a bit better




I'm already feeling the itch to find another one that's been neglected like the 51800 Craftsman I rescued. I'd love to have a Wilton Bullet one day. And preferably one that I've brought back to life.

 

[M.Brane]

That is where the tapered lock pin for the swivel jaw goes.

It's a swivel-jaw vise. The hole is for the pin to fix the jaws in the parallel position.

My 404 1/2 has the same square-head bolt pin!



Must be a Reed thing....

The pin (bolt) that’s on the slide like @Outlawmws said.

Edit: and @Beerhippie

Thanks guys never seen that before. Pretty handy in certain situations I bet.

 

[Beerhippie]

Thanks guys never seen that before. Pretty handy in certain situations I bet.

Yep:



I still want a fractal vise--I just don't want to pay for one.

 

[Shiftless]

I still want a fractal vise--I just don't want to pay for one.

Me too.
Good thing we don’t hunt estate sales in the same area. I would pick it up first.

 

[Outlawmws]

Me too.
Good thing we don’t hunt estate sales in the same area. I would pick it up first.

Yeah, but you have a few competitors for that a well around here!

 

[Shiftless]

Yeah, but you have a few competitors for that a well around here!

No kidding !!!

 

[jawstight]

Have a little Craftsman 4" incoming, 506.5188. Looks rough but I think most of that is layers of paint. Looking forward to getting this one on my wire wheel. Bar's a little bent but I think I can straighten it out pretty well. This will complement my little 3-1/2" pretty well.
Not sure if it's because I've had my 5-1/2" for about 40 years or not but I really like the lines and shape of these Craftsman 51xxx models. Now I'll be looking for USA made 5" and 5-1/2" examples. My current 5-1/2" is a Japan-made. Great vise but I'd like to complete the USA-made family

 

[Historyworker]

Picked up this earlier today. American Scale Co. No.64, very good shape. Which I was relieved about because I bought it through an online auction based of 3 pics taken in bad light with a dirty camera lens. It's heavy, 76 lb, 4.5" jaw. The swivel base has a surprisingly smooth rotation.

 

[Beerhippie]

Picked up this earlier today. American Scale Co. No.64, very good shape. Which I was relieved about because I bought it through an online auction based of 3 pics taken in bad light with a dirty camera lens. It's heavy, 76 lb, 4.5" jaw. The swivel base has a surprisingly smooth rotation.

Dang, that's clean!

Can I have my Lufkin folding ruler back when you're done?

 

[Historyworker]

Dang, that's clean!

Can I have my Lufkin folding ruler back when you're done?

They are great looking rulers aren't they.

 

[Oregon rock crusher]

Spotted this poor vise on FB market. I am usually up for a challenge but....

From the add---"Prentiss or monarch bench vise. That someone did a decent job on repairing. I was going to reweld the swivel part closed. But I have no time."

 

[Beerhippie]

Spotted this poor vise on FB market. I am usually up for a challenge but....

From the add---"Prentiss or monarch bench vise. That someone did a decent job on repairing. I was going to reweld the swivel part closed. But I have no time."

Yeah, I think I'd take a pass on that one.

I wonder how long ago someone tried to fix it with those big rivets?

 

[Solidwork]

Hello folks good afternoon! Need some help to identify this Wilton Vise if anyone could help? Google lens and EBay didn’t help much. Thanks!