The VISES of Garage Journal

[2001ZR2]

Thank for information about the Lakeside vise...would have called more of mechanics vise. But utility would fit also. Has some heft to it.

Plans are to see if paint spill will come off and clean and lube. The swivel is frozen so that will need to be freed up.

I have been infected with GJ vise acquisition syndrome. Started with a screaming deal on a post US 6" Wilton for like $99 from CPO. Has grown into backlog of a 3 1/2" Columbian exposed screw , 4" Wilton Mechanic vise, 5" Columbian, 5 inch Craftsman USA made by Columbian, and my original 3 1/2 Japanese Craftsman. The little Craftsman is a gift from my dad so I'll keep it.

 

[TheRealZeus]

Welcome!

 

[skmbabon]

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.

As far as I can tell, there are really 2 RAE series, the ones from Hamilton and then the later ones from Orillia, which were lighter because of the use of Ductalloy and also the change in maximum opening. That spec change varies by model, it's not a consistent amount or percentage. @KMScott, I'll gradually deal with the RAE entries on the spreadsheet to reflect that difference.

 

[silentgt]

One of my rarer finds with my own restoration work. I never seen a record in person with the rotating base. Its always missing.

 

[skmbabon]

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.

Are you in Canada? "Home" is a brand used by Home Hardware, head office St. Jacobs, ON.

 

[Outlawmws]

Are you in Canada? "Home" is a brand used by Home Hardware, head office St. Jacobs, ON.

That's interesting. I have a "Home" vise (MIC) looks virtually identical to Fishwatchers. even the same model no..

 

[skmbabon]

I checked, Home Hardware is currently using "Benchmark" as the brand for their vises and various other tools. I imagine "Home" turned out to be too generic.
Not sure when @fishwatcher's vises is from but I guess mid-70s to the 80s some time. Companies were buying from Japan about then, Taiwan next, and then China.
Don't know of an American hardware chain that used "Home" as a brand, wouldn't surprise me if one did. There were buying alliances between different Canadian and American chains, and shared ownership in some cases. The factory in Japan probably used the same design for other companies, I'm pretty sure there are made in Japan Craftsman, Fuller, and other brands that look the identical.

 

[fishwatcher]

I checked, Home Hardware is currently using "Benchmark" as the brand for their vises and various other tools. I imagine "Home" turned out to be too generic.
Not sure when @fishwatcher's vises is from but I guess mid-70s to the 80s some time. Companies were buying from Japan about then, Taiwan next, and then China.
Don't know of an American hardware chain that used "Home" as a brand, wouldn't surprise me if one did. There were buying alliances between different Canadian and American chains, and shared ownership in some cases. The factory in Japan probably used the same design for other companies, I'm pretty sure there are made in Japan Craftsman, Fuller, and other brands that look the identical.

Thanks for checking on this. I’m in the US. It makes sense regarding the timeframe. My dad would have bought this in the 70s or early 80s.

There’s another thread on similar vise brands that mention Home vises made in Japan, but there were no pictures of a Home branded vise
Here is that thread.

 

[Ultradog MN]

Am thinking I will get this 3 1/2" Littleston No 25 back into service. Bolt it onto the bench in my shop office.
It is kind of an interesting unit with only one clamp to swivel it.
It has the wrong clamp handle on it. Could make one, or just use a nut but thought I would see if someone here has a parts vise and would let me buy just the handle reasonable.
7/16 - 14 threads

 

[colmal]

saw this 11A a few weeks ago, was kinda curious but not a lot, maybe interested if it had a brand name on it, 1 3/4" jaws.

Bit more curious now as a friend picked up this 11B, 2' jaws, recently


No other markings, assumed it was maybe a trade project or Asian- maybe it's something else, the 11A is still for sale at a good price, if it's something hopefully someone else buys it, before anyone here can set me straight to what it is ??

 

[PeterPeter]

PeterPeter: That not 'typical vise' looks like it could be a Backus. Here's Quimby Silas Backus' 1868 patent. You have to look closely but you can see the end of the T-slot on the bottom. Look even closer and you can see a script 'g' under the spindle hub in Fig.2. That's a clip or collar that holds the spindle into the static jaw right where there is a bolt head visible in your second photo.

​

CRSINMICH, see this one for sale in Vermont. Think it’s a Backus? The base has a T slot, and that tube covering the screw.


peterpeter

 

[Shiftless]

Am thinking I will get this 3 1/2" Littleston No 25 back into service. Bolt it onto the bench in my shop office.
It is kind of an interesting unit with only one clamp to swivel it.
It has the wrong clamp handle on it. Could make one, or just use a nut but thought I would see if someone here has a parts vise and would let me buy just the handle reasonable.
7/16 - 14 threads

I have seen that style handle before. It might not be the “wrong” handle.
I’m not sure it was on a Littlestown #25 or not but here is a pic I found online of a very similar vise with your style handle.
But of course, if you don’t like that handle and want to obtain a more conventional style or fab one up for yourself, go right ahead.

 

[CRSINMICH]

PeterPeter: That one is a dead ringer for a Brainard vise. Brainard, Backus, Union, and even Millers Falls all got tangled together. Mister Brainard's item explains a lot.

​

 

[CRSINMICH]

colmal: The good news is I have no idea who made those vices so you're free to dither until the 11A is sold if you like. The bad news is I noticed something unusual about the 11A and 11B. They are rear dynamic. There must be others like that but its unusual enough that I would buy the 11A just for that reason. Sorry.

 

[F.R. FARM & RANCH]

Picked up a late 1960's Wilton vise for free. Really darn good shape, just needed a new spindle nut. Wilton didn't offer this part anymore, but after some research I found that Craftsman had Wilton make their vises for a decade or more. Found the right part # on Amazon and she works like new.



I also found this old anvil laying in one of our barns years ago. After some research I found out it is a really nice cast steel (as opposed to cast iron) anvil made in Sweden in 1925 by Soderfors. The face is in really good shape and sings really nice.

 

[Patrickm82]

That’s one hell of a FIND!! Awesome.

 

[Shiftless]

Your pliers are all old. Come and take a look at my new pliers.

Cool little vise. Did you make it or buy it?

 

[colmal]

Found 2 rear dynamic sitting on my shelf @CRSINMICH

Forgotten about the smaller Fabrex 420 the larger 424 is the more common style and the possibly German maybe Japan/Taiwan unpainted.

That will do me unless a older USA made example comes up. Should clean Up the 424 as well I suppose, kinda forgot about doing that.

 

[TheRealZeus]

Sheffield, England… grrr yeah, my bad.
referring to the third one.

 

[CRSINMICH]

colmal: It's cool that you already have two rear dynamic clamp-ons. I'm kinda digging on them now. That should indeed scratch that itch for you. On the other hand, neither of them is rear dynamic with TWO guide bars.

 

[colmal]

colmal: It's cool that you already have two rear dynamic clamp-ons. I'm kinda digging on them now. That should indeed scratch that itch for you. On the other hand, neither of them is rear dynamic with TWO guide bars.

Yeah I know, saw a few older UK, USA examples going to wait till one of them come up, that'll stop me from asking 'what the fook I'm doing if I get a Taiwanese'

Already over my limit with the cheapies, kinda ashamed I bought a $25 delivered Chinese 4" drill press vice last week to use and abuse and throw out when it breaks doing some stuff in my Hydraulic press.-Been looking for a good Older Dawn for a few years, but they are overpriced, especially when they are damaged and full of drill holes. mentioned that to the bloke who had the 11B, and he's bringing around a good example, 4" Dawn drill press for me-hmmm

 

[twagler]

and the possibly German maybe Japan/Taiwan unpainted.

Your unpainted clamp-on looks quite a bit like a German-made WH-B vise (W. Hahn-Bremer). I purchased a similar looking one a while back and did some research to identify it, which I posted over on the Vise Info thread (post #4129, link)

Not exactly the same, but here's a picture for comparison.

 

[colmal]

LOL it got delivered while I was writing the above, actually don't seem that bad-hope it breaks quick

Soooooo , how long does my suspension last for posting this, or is it a perma ban ?

 

[colmal]

Your unpainted clamp-on looks quite a bit like a German-made WH-B vise (W. Hahn-Bremer). I purchased a similar looking one a while back and did some research to identify it, which I posted over on the Vise Info thread (post #4129, link)

Not exactly the same, but here's a picture for comparison.

Looks very close, Thankyou, I dug around for a while, closet I came up with was in a U-Toob vid by the

'The Post Apocalyptic Inventor' He's in Germany.

 

[colmal]

Came up OK, just started with a new batch of Molasses, probably going to leave it as it is, did have a gentle little attempt after sitting in molasses a few days and WD-40 for a few more to unscrew the jaws and front retainer-but not game to do any more as the screws are so tiny-don't want to break them

Henri Picard and Frere Watchmakers vice - 1853 to current

They're coming out of the woodwork, forgot about the Henri Picard and Frere Watchmakers vice also

 

[JustVicingIt]

All sand blasted and ready for paint.



Was considering powder coating but cost was too much, so going for enamel spray. Opted to get funky and it'll be yellow. This vise will be an outdoor one (on that workbench actually) so it will see some weather, but I'm in SoCal so not too bad and it'll be covered when not being used.

 

[jopy]

Just got done making the handle for my 12 inch vise!I'm yet to put the radius of the ends, but damn, is this thing gonna be pretty looking.

 

[1Bad55Chevy]

Just got done making the handle for my 12 inch vise!I'm yet to put the radius of the ends, but damn, is this thing gonna be pretty looking.

What are you estimating the clamping force to be on that monster.

Is this going to be on a bench or a floor vise?

 

[colmal]

LOL it got delivered while I was writing the above, actually don't seem that bad-hope it breaks quick

Soooooo , how long does my suspension last for posting this, or is it a perma ban ?

Talking about Drill vices, and yes I finally worked out how it could be such a low price, while filing all the edges before it cut me to shreds, turned it over, hmmm seems to not have much meat below, ain't going to last long but it did remind of the below

 

[colmal]

A good quality, highly sought after Waldown., made by the same company that made the Goodwell vice in the 60's


not common or cheap at all, 21 bids-sold for $530 AUD a couple of weeks ago. Bit surprised it didn't go for more, seen the non-tilting standard type sell for $5-700 AUD

can post more pics if any interest

 

[jopy]

What are you estimating the clamping force to be on that monster.

Is this going to be on a bench or a floor vise?

The clamping force should be 31 metric tons when 60kg is applied to the end of the handle, and its gonna be a bench vise weighing in at an estamated 400kg.

 

[PeterPeter]

Cool little vise. Did you make it or buy it?

Ads for this vise are all over Facebook Book. I think the post is probably part of an ad campaign.
peterx2

 

[PeterPeter]

This interesting Merrill Bros vise has been up for sale for a while, now. Not mentioned in the database. Unusual design.
would appreciate more description and pics, but it certainly got my interest.
peter squared.

 

[Shiftless]

Ads for this vise are all over Facebook Book. I think the post is probably part of an ad campaign.
peterx2

I bet you’re right.
Here is info on the O.P.
Seems to have joined GJ for the sole purpose of posting that little bit.
Does a person get paid for doing that? What other reason for that behavior??????

 

[M.Brane]

I bet you’re right.
Here is info on the O.P.
Seems to have joined GJ for the sole purpose of posting that little bit.
Does a person get paid for doing that? What other reason for that behavior??????

Assuming it's an actual person.

 

[Shiftless]

Assuming it's an actual person.

Good point
Its been a long time since I joined GJ but I assume Ryan has some procedure making it nearly impossible for a bot to join GJ.

 

[colmal]

A good quality, highly sought after Waldown., made by the same company that made the Goodwell vice in the 60's


not common or cheap at all, 21 bids-sold for $530 AUD a couple of weeks ago. Bit surprised it didn't go for more, seen the non-tilting standard type sell for $5-700 AUD

can post more pics if any interest

Going to post another, even if you be not interested, I see one or 2 for sale every couple of years, these 2 were within a few weeks of each other,

75 mm/ 3" , was interested briefly but would just end up annoying me, there goes my only chance of buying one- Buy It NOw price of $160 (including postage)

With the handle and ah, a bit more aesthetically pleasing would sell for $400+ AUD, this one still sold within a day,





And for those that haven't come across this, I know there has been a bit of discussion on it here - never hurts to replay a timeless classic.` Mid 50's on.

 

[Beerhippie]

Going to post another, even if you be not interested, I see one or 2 for sale every couple of years, these 2 were within a few weeks of each other,

75 mm/ 3" , was interested briefly but would just end up annoying me, there goes my only chance of buying one- Buy It NOw price of $160 (including postage)

With the handle and ah, a bit more aesthetically pleasing would sell for $400+ AUD, this one still sold within a day,





And for those that haven't come across this, I know there has been a bit of discussion on it here - never hurts to replay a timeless classic.` Mid 50's on.

The DP vise seems to have had the same PO as my Speed Vise:



The Goodwill is unspeakably cool! Just wondering what it was meant for with those shallow jaws?

 

[larry4406]

Good point
Its been a long time since I joined GJ but I assume Ryan has some procedure making it nearly impossible for a bot to join GJ.

Lower left corner of every post is the “Report” button.

You then get to inform the mods of your concern - spam, politics, religion, foul language, personal attack, spam bot ad, etc.

Do your part and practice safe surfing on The Best site on the web by a wide margin.

 

[colmal]

The DP vise seems to have had the same PO as my Speed Vise:



The Goodwill is unspeakably cool! Just wondering what it was meant for with those shallow jaws?

I was expecting a "so, it's been bubba'd' from you.

And yes, seems like the same operator, did have a think about restoring it the way you did with acrylic fill (think it was you, maybe a metal fill) but -yeah I don't think I'd get it to a state I'd be happy with, my solution was to glue the jaws together so the damage could never be seen, but, yeah I could find a cheaper paperweight