The VISES of Garage Journal

[TheRealZeus]

My lightbulb flickered on this guy.

https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/GPO-CRECB-1961-pt16/pdf/GPO-CRECB-1961-pt16-1-2.pdf

 

[TheRealZeus]

For any fellow Parker vise enthusiasts out there:

I've recently been working with the Meriden Historical Society to locate and scan any documents that they have on hand relating to the Charles Parker Company. Among those documents (all of which will eventually be publicized) is this very interesting letter written by the Department of Justice with a request for the Charles Parker Co. to cooperate with an ongoing investigation into the company regarding "alleged violations of the federal antitrust laws with respect to the industrial vise industry". There isn't any accompanying detail to explain how exactly the Charles Parker Co. had violated the antitrust laws (which deal with the illegalization of monopolies in various industries), but hopefully these details surface.

Apparently, at, or around the same time Lee Loevinger was worried about big banks merging… these legal issues would be immediately after enacting of the Bank Merger Act of 1960. Sorta off topic, but doubt their were two DOJ “Lee Loevinger” employees.

 

[micahd1997]

Neat article, @TheRealZeus! Thanks for sharing. Here’s a photo (or at least a copy of one) of ol’ Lee himself. He looks almost chipper

 

[CRSINMICH]

Not being a lawyer, an industrialist, or even an accountant, I have no opinion or ideas on this but, I do wonder if this one word has any significance or bearing on the matter.

​

 

[micahd1997]

Not being a lawyer, an industrialist, or even an accountant, I have no opinion or ideas on this but, I do wonder if this one word has any significance or bearing on the matter.

​

Agreed, it’s an interesting choice of wording. As someone who’s not an economist, I wonder if it’s possible to monopolize the commercial/industrial market but not the consumer/residential market. That said, my gut conclusion is that they’re just referring to the industry as a whole. But again, hopefully more surfaces and we can be certain

 

[Jpkimmel]

Building some Columbian pipe jaws for Nick if anyone needs some. For me they are easy for me to make and enjoy making them then serrated jaws, just to many cuts for serrations. Sure miss my CNC. Curious to see if these older pipe jaws fit the newer M2’s. Spec:s added.

Hi my names Jared and I’m looking for about jaw insert for my old Columbian 206 if you’re interested. Pm me please.

 

[colmal]

Hmmm, 4 vices turned up this week, really don't know how that keeps a happening or more to the point why ?

Not sure I need another one ,but looking at this currently -

Peck Stowe and Wilcox 1 1/2"​

Had a look in the P S & W thread but couldn't see a vice in there

 

[colmal]

Then again ,it does make some sort of sense, bought the 3" Joplin cause it just seems right to sit between the 2 1/2" and 3 1/2"

And the Littlestown - because it's cute-what better reason

And threw in the ? with the Littlestown as it was cheap and halved the postage, also 2" similar to the 2" Goodall Pratt that popped in a few weeks ago, same colouring - but hmmm noticeably smaller when you put them together.

 

[CRSINMICH]

colmal: The original name of the company was Peck, Stowe, & Wilcox, PS&W. When Wilcox left (or was forced out) the name was changed to PEXTO. They made a wide variety of tools which included these vises:

​

 

[CRSINMICH]

... and here is some Littlestown vise information. They made a LOT of vises. If you measure the jaws on yours you'll know if you have a No.2 or No.3. I recently bought a No.1 "because it's cute".

​

 

[RTM]

The original name of the company was Peck, Stowe, & Wilcox, PS&W. When Wilcox left (or was forced out) the name was changed to PEXTO.

I thought there was a period where they were using both names interchangeably, in catalogs and on tools. Thought it was just for expediency, and not do to an exit. Gotta look more later, getting ready to walk the dogs.

Edit: even easier than I thought, the last catalog 1947 in ITCL has both on the cover.

Pexto Machines & Tools for Modern Sheet-Metal Fabrication : Booklet No. 139A : Peck, Stow & Wilcox Co. : Free Download, Borrow, and Streaming : Internet Archive

60 p., illus., 22.9 cm, trade catalog

archive.org

 

[colmal]

... and here is some Littlestown vise information. They made a LOT of vises. If you measure the jaws on yours you'll know if you have a No.2 or No.3. I recently bought a No.1 "because it's cute".

​

mine has a number 2 on it- have to heat and straighten the slide a tad, bit smaller than I thought but should come up well, I like it- the big plus is I bought a small Hydraulic Press finally, The littlestown was the tipping point to getting one-had enough of whacking handles straight-just be a bit more semi-professional

 

[colmal]

I thought there was a period where they were using both names interchangeably, in catalogs and on tools. Thought it was just for expediency, and not do to an exit. Gotta look more later, getting ready to walk the dogs.

Edit: even easier than I thought, the last catalog 1947 in ITCL has both on the cover.

Pexto Machines & Tools for Modern Sheet-Metal Fabrication : Booklet No. 139A : Peck, Stow & Wilcox Co. : Free Download, Borrow, and Streaming : Internet Archive

60 p., illus., 22.9 cm, trade catalog

archive.org

There's 7 pages in the P,S &W thread if you haven't visited there.

 

[RTM]

There's 7 pages in the P,S &W thread if you haven't visited there.

Been there, posted there(I think), have a few handfuls of their tools.

 

[CRSINMICH]

RTM: I have a few of their tools also. Their chisels work well and keep an edge. Thanks for the correction. It was an example of how misinformation gets passed around.

 

[four.cycle]

I thought there was a period where they were using both names interchangeably, in catalogs and on tools.

Yes.
"Peck, Stow, & Wilcox"
"PS&W"
"Pexto"
"Pesco"

all one and the same

 

[Oregon rock crusher]

I finished up a very rough Oswego 24-1/2”. I don’t know how common these are but I have only seen a handful. Definitely a first I’ve seen with an A and B marked on the static and dynamic.

Nicely done, Mr. Wonderful! Good heavy vise. Made me dig mine out and look at what size it is!

I saw these two recent posts and was thinking I had never seen a Sawyer/Oswego marked vise in person. Funny how things work out sometimes. The wife and I took a day trip down the Oregon coast yesterday, a little further than we usually go. We stopped to check out a Habitat restore in Florence on our way to Coos Bay. At the end of the tool rack I spotted this poor vise on the floor. An Oswego--Sawyer tool co. 24-1/2.

Clearly the spindle threads had separated from the handle barrel and been poorly repaired with a bolt through the barrel. Also, someone had chewed it up with an air chisel in a couple spots too. Other than those injuries it looked like it might be fairly straight under the rust, so for $25, I bought it.

This morning, I pulled out the bolt holding the spindle together and realigned things and welded them back straight. After a quick wire wheeling on the rest of the vise it is back together and working fine. I noticed there are remnants of dark oxblood paint in the recesses so if ever I paint it I'd try to match that color. For now it just has an oil finish. The jaws are smooth on this one but may have been replaced. Hard to tell for sure. They fit pretty well so they will stay on it. I think the 24 1/2 might have been the only size of these vises made. It's the only one listed in the Vise spec spreadsheet. (On edit I see there was at least a model 14-1/2 fixed base vise as well as a model 24 4" vise available.) A few pics. Ed.

 

[SkyPuncher]

I saw these two recent posts and was thinking I had never seen a Sawyer/Oswego marked vise in person. Funny how things work out sometimes. The wife and I took a day trip down the Oregon coast yesterday, a little further than we usually go. We stopped to check out a Habitat restore in Florence on our way to Coos Bay. At the end of the tool rack I spotted this poor vise on the floor. An Oswego--Sawyer tool co. 24-1/2.

Clearly the spindle threads had separated from the handle barrel and been poorly repaired with a bolt through the barrel. Also, someone had chewed it up with an air chisel in a couple spots too. Other than those injuries it looked like it might be fairly straight under the rust, so for $25, I bought it.

This morning, I pulled out the bolt holding the spindle together and realigned things and welded them back straight. After a quick wire wheeling on the rest of the vise it is back together and working fine. I noticed there are remnants of dark oxblood paint in the recesses so if ever I paint it I'd try to match that color. For now it just has an oil finish. The jaws are smooth on this one but may have been replaced. Hard to tell for sure. They fit pretty well so they will stay on it. I think the 24 1/2 might have been the only size of these vises made. It's the only one listed in the Vise spec spreadsheet. (On edit I see there was at least a model 14-1/2 fixed base vise as well as a model 24 4" vise available.) A few pics. Ed.

Well done Crusher of Rocks! Mine has remnants of the deep red in the recesses as well. Bet they looked good new.

 

[akasrick]

Well done Crusher of Rocks! Mine has remnants of the deep red in the recesses as well. Bet they looked good new.

When I was looking to match that color, closet I saw was Ace's "Water Pump Red' kept it in mind, when I went back they replaced their paint selection page.

akasrick

 

[Jayman17]

I saw these two recent posts and was thinking I had never seen a Sawyer/Oswego marked vise in person. Funny how things work out sometimes. The wife and I took a day trip down the Oregon coast yesterday, a little further than we usually go. We stopped to check out a Habitat restore in Florence on our way to Coos Bay. At the end of the tool rack I spotted this poor vise on the floor. An Oswego--Sawyer tool co. 24-1/2.

Clearly the spindle threads had separated from the handle barrel and been poorly repaired with a bolt through the barrel. Also, someone had chewed it up with an air chisel in a couple spots too. Other than those injuries it looked like it might be fairly straight under the rust, so for $25, I bought it.

This morning, I pulled out the bolt holding the spindle together and realigned things and welded them back straight. After a quick wire wheeling on the rest of the vise it is back together and working fine. I noticed there are remnants of dark oxblood paint in the recesses so if ever I paint it I'd try to match that color. For now it just has an oil finish. The jaws are smooth on this one but may have been replaced. Hard to tell for sure. They fit pretty well so they will stay on it. I think the 24 1/2 might have been the only size of these vises made. It's the only one listed in the Vise spec spreadsheet. (On edit I see there was at least a model 14-1/2 fixed base vise as well as a model 24 4" vise available.) A few pics. Ed.

Ed what tool are you using to grind a radius on your weld bead? I'm not sure I've seen that before. Nice repair and restore on that vice.

 

[JustVicingIt]

Thoughts on this 1983 1750 for $150? Needs some TLC. Opens all the way. Missing pipe clamp teeth. Bound up swivel.

 

[Oregon rock crusher]

Thanks Jay. For that grind I used a 3” x 1/4 disc mounted on a dental lathe. The barrel was resting in an old V block for stability while I spun it by hand. It was a quick repair. Ed

 

[RTM]

Thoughts on this 1983 1750 for $150? Needs some TLC. Opens all the way. Missing pipe clamp teeth. Bound up swivel.

In my world, only if I needed a vise. I have several (Parker, Reed RAE and Record) waiting for restore that I got for less than that

 

[JustVicingIt]

In my world, only if I needed a vise. I have several (Parker, Reed RAE and Record) waiting for restore that I got for less than that

Got em down to $100. Biggest one I have is a 3 inch so this’ll be useful in the shop

 

[fishwatcher]

Got em down to $100. Biggest one I have is a 3 inch so this’ll be useful in the shop

Great deal! Congrats.

 

[bbrown3979]

In my world, only if I needed a vise. I have several (Parker, Reed RAE and Record) waiting for restore that I got for less than that

Speaking of RAE... I have an early 50s model 107 that is over 200lbs and in good condition. Only problem is that is too much vise for me. Any idea on the value?

 

[1Bad55Chevy]

Only problem is that is too much vise for me.

Nobody has ever said that here before!

How dare you bring logic and sense to this forum! Here we must have the biggest vises, the baddest power tools, and every wrench/socket ever created to do basic home repairs!

Lol your vise is bad *** and I wish I could have it!

 

[colmal]

Nobody has ever said that here before!

How dare you bring logic and sense to this forum! Here we must have the biggest vises, the baddest power tools, and every wrench/socket ever created to do basic home repairs!

Lol your vise is bad *** and I wish I could have it!

Ah, I'm with him on that, I have a 48kg/102lb Dawn 6" - love it and that is a keeper, but definitely the upper limit for me.

If I get a garage, forklift and overhead crane I'll rethink my limits.

 

[CRSINMICH]

bbrown: You're correct. Your RAE #107 is from around 1950. By 1979 it had been put on a severe diet and had lost 100 lbs.

​

 

[KMScott]

RAE makes it tuff with the spec:s on the Spreadsheet. I have the lighter weight listed on the 107.

 

[CRSINMICH]

The jaw opening of the 1950 #107 is listed as being 3" more than the 1979 version. That would account for some of the weight difference but probably not all of it.

 

[bbrown3979]

Nobody has ever said that here before!

How dare you bring logic and sense to this forum! Here we must have the biggest vises, the baddest power tools, and every wrench/socket ever created to do basic home repairs!

Lol your vise is bad *** and I wish I could have it!

Lol. I dont even think I have a table capable of holding it.

We are moving next summer and I've got to clear some things out of the garage. I figure it would fetch a better price while we are still in Canada. I posted it for 700 (~500us) and a comment about it being a vise that will make all of your friends feel inadequate.
20 minutes later someone agreed to take it for asking, I just need to bring it with me when I pass through his area in a month.

 

[bbrown3979]

RAE makes it tuff with the spec:s on the Spreadsheet. I have the lighter weight listed on the 107.

I noticed it on the bottom of mine there appears to be a weld but it doesn't look like any repairs I've seen. Mostly because if it was a failure it doesn't make sense it would go horizontal instead of vertical. and the top of the slide support looks pristine. Do you think there is any chance it came from the casting this way or it was added during production?

 

[KMScott]

bbrown, I see what you mentioned. To me it doesn’t look like a repair but more of a casting mark. You would see some witness lines on the top machined surface where the Dynamic slides.

 

[2001ZR2]

Was at a house this weekend to look at this vise...thought it was bigger and Craftsman.

Still picked it up as it's in good shape.

Wondering about the vintage and OEM color.


Any info as my search indicates a Montgomery Ward item. Was told the family had been in the house for 50 years.

 

[Outlawmws]

can you get pics with the markings visible?

 

[fishwatcher]

The vise at my dad’s house hasn’t been touched in decades. Here it is in its dusty, rusty glory. It’s a small, home owner utility vise with Japan stamped on the dynamic jaw.

I have heavier duty, made in USA vintage vises.. but maybe I will clean this up and give it to my brother. He doesn’t see the need for an old vise, but maybe the one from our dad will be more meaningful to him.

 

[rwstadler]

Updating from a couple years back. Finally found someone with the right screw for dad's old vise. Nice fella in Rhode Island shipped it to me. When dad got the used vise, the lead screw had been "repaired" as seen in the before pic. The thing has a big, sloppy weld securing the replacement "meatball" to what appeared to be the original screw. A whole lot of cleaning and prep and four coats of Rustoleum Hammered matte black later and it looks pretty good. Before I tore it down, the base had been froze. As a kid, I don't ever remember it being free. Works perfectly, smooth as could be.

I’m restoring a model 940 just like yours. The swivel base locking pin and eccentric lever are missing on mine. Could you possibly share some detail of these parts from your vise? Dimensions? Detailed photos? Anything would help.

 

[micahd1997]

Was at a house this weekend to look at this vise...thought it was bigger and Craftsman.

Still picked it up as it's in good shape.

Wondering about the vintage and OEM color.


Any info as my search indicates a Montgomery Ward item. Was told the family had been in the house for 50 years.

Without digging too much, I’ve found folks speculating that it’s a Simplex utility vise rebranded as a Lakeside (likely, as you mentioned, for a department store like MW). All of the features appear to align with this advertisement in Simplex’s 1952 catalog. By the way, notice the “350” impression under the base of your vise. If the measurements of your vise match Simplex’s #350, that’d be even more reassuring.

This general, lighter-duty utility vise style was booming around that time among all manufacturers, and re-brands for other stores were common. Given how similar (and in some cases, exact) the designs were between various manufacturers, I wouldn’t be surprised at all if the production of these utility vises was outsourced to one or two other companies who churned out the same style and re-branded them for resale for companies like Simplex, MW, Cradtsman, etc.). As far as the paint style goes, I’m betting it was red right out of the factory. Whoever might’ve re-painted it down the line (if anyone) likely wouldn’t have stripped the original paint off before re-painting. Given the good condition of the current paint job, I personally wouldn’t mess with it if it were me. However, if you do plan to strip it, I’d scratch away the finish in a few different places until you get to bare metal. If you only see red all the way down, your best bet for OEM color is red.

Hope that helps

 

[RTM]

Without digging too much, I’ve found folks speculating that it’s a Simplex utility vise rebranded as a Lakeside (likely, as you mentioned, for a department store like MW). All of the features appear to align with this advertisement in Simplex’s 1952 catalog. By the way, notice the “350” impression under the base of your vise. If the measurements of your vise match Simplex’s #350, that’d be even more reassuring

Here is a 350 for comparison, but a Desmond Simplex, a bit later.