The VISES of Garage Journal

[hop up]

Another interesting one that I use very often for its dimple and use it for bucking rivets

 

[PeterPeter]

It’s been a good week for five inchers.


1930’s C. Parker 975. 105# 1978 Wilton 500S. 89#

Don’t find too many in this size range, much less affordable, close by and within days of each other.

peter x2, who hopes good things come in threes.

 

[colmal]

Finally got a Australian (built under license) Record bench vice, another one ticked off the bucket list, arrived today, LOL still unboxed but will post some pics later, going to have to venture down the rabbit hole again first thou.

Came across the info a few years ago, and from memory they were made under license by a Sydney company (May have been same company that made the Goodwill vice under license-Waldown) think it was only for 3/4 years at most 56-59 -somewhere around there.

The postage says 16kg, 35lb so I'm assuming it's in there - a 4" example.

 

[Outlawmws]

I use very often for its dimple and use it for bucking rivets

Looks like you use that feature often! BTW there is a Show me your anvils GJ thread

 

[master Zoda]

No, it’s all smooth. I’m assuming with the style and color of paint slobbered on it someone was using it in the 1960’s for hobby usage, maybe some types of model building? There are some scuffs and gouges on the top of the jaws, but hasn’t lived too hard.

I picked up the swivel base for one of these at the field of tools event today in NY. I have had the vise for a while now.

 

[master Zoda]

I was sent these pics a few days ago, it followed a friend home, have seen some similar maybe UK, even Japanese possibly, found a few pics somewhat similar,

It got dropped off tonight as a Thankyou, and it's more unique than I first thought, has 2 unusual features- both handle ends have roughly a 1/5" movement with peening holding them on the shaft.

And the handwheel looks like wrought cast iron - that ain't a cheap mass produced item.
Quite well built, has some weight to it, and yeah forgot to measure jaws or weight- just put it in my molasses bath as it's fully seized and the gentlest way I have to bring it back.

Can have a better look in a few days but my curiosity has bitten- that handwheel says late 1800's to me , but that is just a stab in the dark to be honest, can anyone satisfy my curiosity ? Possibly original black paint.

Looks like Goodell and Pratt to me.

 

[master Zoda]

Looks like Goodell and Pratt to me.

Oops I was a bit late.

 

[Jpkimmel]

Here are a few at my house. Two missing are a Chas Parker 973 and I believe a 5” Massey.

 

[682bear]

We went to 'the worlds longest yard sale' today... I picked up a couple of vises...

First is a 3" Wilton bullet mounted on a sturdy rolling table...



It's in very good condition... if you look past the coating of light rust. I'm thinking it will clean up nicely.

The second vise is a Charles Parker 208...





8 inch wide jaws, 13 inch opening, and 298 lbs, according to the 1927 Parker catalog.

It is missing the screw retaining plate, has a homemade handle, and needs some repair work to the screw. I'll work on repairing all that as I have time.

-Bear

 

[dannyr]

We went to 'the worlds longest yard sale' today... I picked up a couple of vises...

First is a 3" Wilton bullet mounted on a sturdy rolling table...



It's in very good condition... if you look past the coating of light rust. I'm thinking it will clean up nicely.

The second vise is a Charles Parker 208...





8 inch wide jaws, 13 inch opening, and 298 lbs, according to the 1927 Parker catalog.

It is missing the screw retaining plate, has a homemade handle, and needs some repair work to the screw. I'll work on repairing all that as I have time.

-Bear

wow strong fellow if you 'picked them up'

 

[Jpkimmel]

Why a beast that Parker is. Don’t think I’ve ever seen one in person. Nice collection!!!

 

[682bear]

wow strong fellow if you 'picked them up'

I had help...

We did load both by hand. It wasn't easy, but we didn't have much of a choice.

-Bear

 

[Beerhippie]

I had help...

We did load both by hand. It wasn't easy, but we didn't have much of a choice.

-Bear

I hope you at least broke them down first! I do this with even sub-100 lb vises. Work smarter, not harder.

 

[682bear]

No, I started to do that, but the other guy kept saying we could get it loaded assembled. He wasn't the seller and I think he was in a hurry to go...

-Bear

 

[master Zoda]

I had a very enjoyable day yesterday walking around the field of tools event in East Durham NY with my father. I didn't take many pictures but there was some impressive stuff there. Many 8" vises from many manufacturers. At least half a dozen Emeret vises. Dozens of rare jewlers vises. Most every was for sale even if the prices were to rich for me. I did buy the Yankee 1992 swivel base for my 992 and a Stanley sweetheart 766 in very nice condition.
I also picked up this tiny vintage Starrett tool makers vise/clamp jaws are 11/16".
There was alot cool stuff to see there machine tools, hand tools, measuring tools, hundreds of vises of all types and sizes.

I was also very happy to get to meet Andrew from Blacksmith Tools, Keith from Vintage Machinery.org, and Jeasus from Mexashop.

I hope they continue to put on the event it was alot of fun. I just wish I had deeper pockets the place was crawling with Unicorns. Just seeing them in person was pretty cool buy far the largest number of vises I have ever seen in one place and many I have never seen before. While I was there turnout was quite low.

Did anyone else here go?

 

[682bear]

I had a very enjoyable day yesterday walking around the field of tools event in East Durham NY with my father. I didn't take many pictures but there was some impressive stuff there. Many 8" vises from many manufacturers. At least half a dozen Emeret vises. Dozens of rare jewlers vises. Most every was for sale even if the prices were to rich for me.

Do you remember what the asking price was on that big Parker? It looks like another 8"... and in better condition than mine.

-Bear

 

[master Zoda]

Do you remember what the asking price was on that big Parker? It looks like another 8"... and in better condition than mine.

-Bear

I honestly wasn't paying much attention to the prices on the big stuff seemed like everything was basically end of the rainbow prices though the sellers were mostly negotiable. I think there were 4 of the 8" Parkers there but that one was the nicest. I was kinda overwhelmed by what was available I went there expecting high prices. I prefer to buy from people who don't know what some of the big dogs will pay. These guys are dealers and I understand they find the deals and need to make money. So I was more interested in the smaller less flashy items wich there were a lot of as well. Sorry I can't help I'm sure the list of vendors that registered is available and that vise could be tracked down.

 

[micahd1997]

Did anyone else here go?

I was there! Though it’s admittedly difficukt to recognize who’s who when most folks are essentially incognito due to their GJ or other social media names. I hung around mostly with the Z brothers near their Reed 209. I was glad to pick up a few envelopes as well

Do you remember what the asking price was on that big Parker?

No price listed. Market price for that size (and most other 8” vises in good condition) caps out between $2.5k-$3k. However, I’ve seen many in that range (and usually lower) stagnate for months at a time at public market. It takes the right person at the right time. Minus the repairs handle and the missing swivel base lock, yours appears to be in good condition. Beautiful beast of a vise!

 

[ctuai]

In celebration of finally getting around to fixing my drill press, I fashioned a ball vise table for my PanaVise.

 

[Beerhippie]

In celebration of finally getting around to fixing my drill press, I fashioned a ball vise table for my PanaVise.

Ain't that just cuter'n a bug's ****?

 

[colmal]

Finally got a Australian (built under license) Record bench vice, another one ticked off the bucket list, arrived today, LOL still unboxed but will post some pics later, going to have to venture down the rabbit hole again first thou.

Came across the info a few years ago, and from memory they were made under license by a Sydney company (May have been same company that made the Goodwill vice under license-Waldown) think it was only for 3/4 years at most 56-59 -somewhere around there.

The postage says 16kg, 35lb so I'm assuming it's in there - a 4" example.

Only a little info so far, By 1950 Ralph McKay Engineering Works, Melbourne (subsidiary is still going in Canada today) had become the largest privately owned business in Australia and partnered with C & J Hampton (Record) in the late 50's, didn't last long and the partnership was dissolved by March 1963 I'm assuming at this point they produced the Australian made Records.

4" Mechanics vice no 3, looks the same as the English made from at least the 1930's to late 60's.works well a good bit of kit.
Almost identical in size/dimension to a Aussie built 4" Dawn

Record 14.9kg 32lb 12oz
Dawn 16.2kg 35lb 12oz

 

[RTM]

I fashioned a ball vise table for my PanaVise.

What is the material of the base? Looks good, but the material looks like cookie dough in the picture (of which I only know of a few makers that would be robust enough )

 

[Outlawmws]

What is the material of the base? Looks good, but the material looks like cookie dough in the picture (of which I only know of a few makers that would be robust enough )

One of my daughters good friends in HS had a rep for "burning brownies" that would probably have been a good candidate for a machinable material!

 

[682bear]

The vise is a Charles Parker 208...
8 inch wide jaws, 13 inch opening, and 298 lbs, according to the 1927 Parker catalog.

It is missing the screw retaining plate, has a homemade handle, and needs some repair work to the screw. I'll work on repairing all that as I have time.

-Bear

The official weigh in... as checked on my trusty-rusty scale is 288 lbs... I took the vise apart and put it on the scale one piece at a time. The main casting was still almost too heavy to carry.

I mentioned in the quoted post that it needed some repair work on the screw... I removed the screw this morning to get a good look at it. I think this vise was dropped off a workbench at some point and landed on the 'meatball'...



The shaft was bent right behind the meatball... I managed to get it reasonably straight with my 20 ton press... but the part of the shaft inside the meatball is obviously bent also...



...and the ball is loose on the shaft.

I had originally planned to chuck it in the lathe and machine the damaged area back to a clean shoulder, then fit a new 'collar' to replace it, then machine the collar back to the original contour. Now I don't think that will work.

So... plan B is to machine a new replacement meatball... unless anyone has any better ideas...?

The screw is a 1-5/16" diameter square thread... not a standard size, and seems to be in good condition, so I'll do everything I can to reuse it. If that isn't feasible, I'll machine a new screw.

-Bear

 

[682bear]

I ordered a piece of cast iron from McMaster-Carr... it arrived yesterday, so I chuck it up in the lathe and started whittling on it...



I've finished the outer contour, and have it set up in the mill to bore the hole for the handle...



Next, I'll cut it off the material and go back to the lathe for the finish work.

-Bear

 

[Patrickm82]

Very nice Bear!!

 

[DCRUTT]

Need help to ID a vise. I just have one photo at a bad angle and 2 others where the vise is in the background.
Much appreciated!

 

[SkyPuncher]

Not sure, but the very last work could be Canada?

 

[DCRUTT]

Not sure, but the very last work could be Canada?

I think so too. Part of the line above: ONT for Ontario.

 

[skmbabon]

Need help to ID a vise. I just have one photo at a bad angle and 2 others where the vise is in the background.
Much appreciated!

It's likely a No. 20 (5" jaw width) from the Stevens Co. of Galt, Ont. (now part of Cambridge). The model number would be on the other side of the static jaw. Despite what the ad implies I've only seen examples (four) of the No. 20, no other sizes. Earliest date I have for the company is 1906, and the ad is from July of that year. Last confirmed date for bench vises is 1920, however the company still existed at least until 1961 and was producing a drill press vise at that time.
Nice find!

 

[DCRUTT]

It's likely a No. 20 (5" jaw width) from the Stevens Co. of Galt, Ont. (now part of Cambridge). The model number would be on the other side of the static jaw. Despite what the ad implies I've only seen examples (four) of the No. 20, no other sizes. Earliest date I have for the company is 1906, and the ad is from July of that year. Last confirmed date for bench vises is 1920, however the company still existed at least until 1961 and was producing a drill press vise at that time.
Nice find!

Thanks! I think you nailed it.
Haven’t decided if it’s worth waiting in line to get into an estate sale in a few weeks.

 

[DCRUTT]

I pulled this main nut out of a Frankenstein 106R. Does it appear to be the correct one? Not sure if the R-version nut was welded to the riser part. Thanks.

 

[skmbabon]

Thanks! I think you nailed it.
Haven’t decided if it’s worth waiting in line to get into an estate sale in a few weeks.

You and @SkyPuncher did the hard work deciphering key words, I just happened to have the info to make use of them
If you do get the vise I'd greatly appreciate getting specs for it, for the spreadsheet and my own research. Good luck!

 

[Mr. Wonderful]

I hit an estate sale this morning. Picked up the 104R and I’m not sure if it’s a RI 584 or 594. The casting is pretty rough. The RI had some possible owner made copper jaws screwed right over the steel inserts. I’ve never seen that before. I’m not sure if they are maybe factory??

 

[skmbabon]

Not happy with existing anvil vise combinations? Make your own!
Needs racing stripes

 

[Patrickm82]

“That’s a beauty Clark”

 

[wtn1271]

Good morning all,
I recently acquired this Reed 204R at an estate sale. It looks to be in good condition overall and I have just started to clean the years of grime off to give it a closer inspection. Found the date stamp on the 'non-lettered' side of the static body, (2-43). Wondering about the area under the static jaws...in this area forge welded? Seems original and the dynamic jaw is similar but appears a little smoother.

 

[wtn1271]

Reed 204R static jaw....is the area under the jaw normally like this? Forge welded? Repaired? This is my 1st Reed so I am not familiar with their specifics. Thanks

 

[dutchgray]

Picked up at the car boot sale this morning, 6" jaw width, pretty good condition, no name found anywhere but it's obviously a Massey type quick release
£10

 

[dutchgray]

More pics