The VISES of Garage Journal

[CRSINMICH]

YEP​

 

[Beerhippie]

Thanks for the visual, CRS!

Last year, I combed the USPTO publications and their advanced database, and these are the ones I've found. 21 patents in total over 23 years. 17 were bench vise patents (several of which I don't believe were every ultimately produced by the Lewis Tool Co or by the Prentiss Vise Co), and four others were unrelated to bench vises (see descriptions of those below)

#231,181 - August 17th, 1880
#279,260 - June 12, 1883
#294,137 - February 26, 1884
#303,299 - August 12, 1884
#466,466 - January 5, 1892
#472,674 - April 12, 1892
#493,364 - March 14, 1893
#514,012 - February 6, 1894
#596,661 - January 4, 1898
#597,681 - January 18, 1898
#605,106 - June 7, 1898
#605,107 - June 7, 1898
#637,879 - November 28, 1898
#675,097 - May 28, 1901
#675,098 - May 28, 1901
#686,857 - November 19, 1901 - Patent for Steam Boiler
#687,841 - December 3, 1901
#690,071 - December 31, 1901 - Patent for Liquid Fuel Heater Burner
#695,463 - March 18, 1902 - Patent for Pipe Wrench
#742,460 - October 27, 1903 Patent for Liquid Fuel Heater Burner
#768,810 - August 30, 1904

I meant how many people named Lewis patented vises. I think we have at least three in this thread.

 

[micahd1997]

I meant how many people named Lewis patented vises. I think we have at least three in this thread.

Ooooooohhh...My bad

 

[CRSINMICH]

A different LEWIS vise maker
Joseph Lewis vise patents
Here are two J.M. Lewis vise patents. The 1911 patent was an improvement on his 1894 patent.

Does anyone want to take a stab at figuring out how Lewis' patents differ from the earlier A P Stephens patents?​

 

[Beerhippie]

I have J. H. Lewis' first patent of 28 May, 1867:





It's the only vise I've seen that has the nut mounted to the slide of the vise and the screw mounted to the static body.

It also appears to be the only example known.

 

[TheRealZeus]

Yeah, that is ridiculous.. send it to me.

 

[CRSINMICH]

Recapping: So far we have Joseph H. Lewis, Joseph M. Lewis, and the prolific Mortimer G. Lewis.

 

[micahd1997]

I have J. H. Lewis' first patent of 28 May, 1867:





It's the only vise I've seen that has the nut mounted to the slide of the vise and the screw mounted to the static body.

It also appears to be the only example known.

That's a beautiful example, Beerhippie. I'm sure you've already seen Lewis' improved vise patent from a couple years later in 1869, but I've attached it just in case. I've seen a couple other examples of the Lewis vise (though I didn't know much about them at the time, and frankly still don't). One of them was fairly recent - a 2 1/4" hand-painted model. Given the plaque, it's size, and it's condition, I wouldn't be surprised if it was a piece used exclusively for display around the time of Lewis' original patent.

 

[Beerhippie]

That's a beautiful example, Beerhippie. I'm sure you've already seen Lewis' improved vise patent from a couple years later in 1869, but I've attached it just in case. I've seen a couple other examples of the Lewis vise (though I didn't know much about them at the time, and frankly still don't). One of them was fairly recent - a 2 1/4" hand-painted model. Given the plaque, it's size, and it's condition, I wouldn't be surprised if it was a piece used exclusively for display around the time of Lewis' original patent.

The vise with the plaque and fancy paint was up on Ebay for a while. $5K and some for the starting bid. It isn't there anymore.

The '69 patent was more of a "normal" vise with the screw and nut as we'd expect. IIRC, it used a shrouded screw.

 

[PeterPeter]

Anyone want to venture a guess as to what I’m going to look at tomorrow? This is the one pic from the ad, and no description other than “very heavy”.

I’m thinking it’s a Prentiss Coachmakers . What do you think?

Peter, Peter who always loves a good mystery.

 

[Outlawmws]

No clue on make but it may also be a swivel jaw missing the pin, or pin cut flush.

 

[Josh Dekubber]

What would be a good price to offer on this 2C? I was thinking $200 or less but I don't have the experience of many others here.

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[micahd1997]

Anyone want to venture a guess as to what I’m going to look at tomorrow? This is the one pic from the ad, and no description other than “very heavy”.

I’m thinking it’s a Prentiss Coachmakers . What do you think?

Peter, Peter who always loves a good mystery.

100% Prentiss coachmaker’s. Post pics if you get it! I messaged the gentleman early this morning for pictures, and he said he’d send a few tomorrow

 

[TheRealZeus]

Anyone want to venture a guess as to what I’m going to look at tomorrow? This is the one pic from the ad, and no description other than “very heavy”.

I’m thinking it’s a Prentiss Coachmakers . What do you think?

Peter, Peter who always loves a good mystery.

I guess it’s a Prentiss Swivel Jaw Coach Maker’s Vise

No clue on make but it may also be a swivel jaw missing the pin, or pin cut flush.

I agree. I believe I spy a pin…

Wanted a guess? Prentiss No. 27
I think. maybe 26… no a no. 27..

 

[PeterPeter]

100% Prentiss coachmaker’s. Post pics if you get it! I messaged the gentleman early this morning for pictures, and he said he’d send a few tomorrow

I have an appointment at noon. Leo is a very interesting Yankee Mainer. It worries me that a woodworking vise is attached to a rim. If it is a coach makers, that extra long screw get bent easily from hammering, and that leads to a broken nut. I will find out soon, and send pics.

I guess it’s a Prentiss Swivel Jaw Coach Maker’s Vise

I agree. I believe I spy a pin…

Wanted a guess? Prentiss No. 27
I think. maybe 26… no a no. 27..

I saw that, too. And honestly, either a 26 or 27 would be just fine.
peter, peter, fingers and toes, crossed

Edit: And it’s a No.26! (funny how the 26 is bigger than the 27). Swivel and swivel jaw are both bound, but everything else checks out great. It’s a real Plain Jane not much script. I’m thinking it must be a later version. 1940’s maybe?
Thanks for the help.

 

[micahd1997]

I’m thinking it must be a later version. 1940’s maybe?

Nice, man! Looks like it’s in largely good condition. That style with just the lettering behind the swivel jaw is no later than roughly 1910-1917. By 1917, Prentiss was using a new swivel base lock design. I’d wager yours is 1900-1910

 

[PeterPeter]

Nice, man! Looks like it’s in largely good condition. That style with just the lettering behind the swivel jaw is no later than roughly 1910-1917. By 1917, Prentiss was using a new swivel base lock design. I’d wager yours is 1900-1910

Great, thank you for that. I’d wager the swivel jaw pin has been stuck in there since The Great Depression. I’ve extracted a few, but this one is trying my patience. The swivel lock moved, with the influence of a soft hammer. Is it possible to take it apart?

 

[Outlawmws]

Great, thank you for that. I’d wager the swivel jaw pin has been stuck in there since The Great Depression. I’ve extracted a few, but this one is trying my patience. The swivel lock moved, with the influence of a soft hammer. Is it possible to take it apart?

There should be a bolt up from the bottom in the center.

 

[Mr. Wonderful]

What would be a good price to offer on this 2C? I was thinking $200 or less but I don't have the experience of many others here.

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I saw that one on mp, $200 or less is exactly what I was thinking. The market seems to be declining in this area pretty fast.

 

[Josh Dekubber]

I saw that one on mp, $200 or less is exactly what I was thinking. The market seems to be declining in this area pretty fast.

Thank you for the response. I appreciate it!

 

[PeterPeter]

There should be a bolt up from the bottom in the center.

I started with an expansion bolt to push it out, as I’ve done before, rather than using that center hole. Nope. Hammered at a 3/8 brass rod through that center hole; that bent like spaghetti. So, I sacrificed a chinesium Phillip head screwdriver, and hammered remorselessly. Nothing. Lastly, I set it up in the Greenard 3 ton, and with the aid of a 4 foot cheater, popped it out, the body falling to the floor with a thud, but ok.

Last 26 I redid, I reamed out a washer, and pressed it on to the pin, so the pin could never get stuck.


Still not done, tho. The base lock has come free, and is working great, but that swivel jaw still has not swiveled yet and remains solidly locked in the body.
Tomorrow.

peterx2

 

[Beerhippie]

Sometimes it takes patience, penetrating oil and





a BFH.

 

[PeterPeter]

Sometimes it takes patience, penetrating oil and…. …..a BFH.

Check. BFH applied, jaw out of joint, body into, and out of the electrolysis bath. Scrubbed with Dawn , steel wool and hot water. The jaw is having a warm soak, now.

Recently turned to using a 6x9x1” graphite block as an anode. Fast, and very clean.

Thanks for the inspiration

peter, peter, I may be old but I ain’t rusty.

Edit: And a few days later, take a look at me now:

 

[colmal]

Anyone have a thought about this- looks like a cross between a wood workers and drill press vice

3" jaws, 3 kg/ 6.6lb, no markings but looks well made.




And full confession, I'm , ah only kind of interested cause I have 4", 5", 6", 7", 8", 9", 10" wood workers vices- it extends my set

And no thoughts on my lunacy's please, that's already established.

 

[Outlawmws]

Anyone have a thought about this- looks like a cross between a wood workers and drill press vice

3" jaws, 3 kg/ 6.6lb, no markings but looks well made.




And full confession, I'm , ah only kind of interested cause I have 4", 5", 6", 7", 8", 9", 10" wood workers vices- it extends my set

And no thoughts on my lunacy's please, that's already established.

Stanley IIR had a side by side dual shaft hobby clamp on vise; and the bolted on mounting plate makes me wonder of someone took one that was broken for the bench clamp, milled it off, and made it a bench mount?

That could also have been a shop made vise pretty easily. If you get it, is it cast or machined? - The screw is pretty fine thread and not a square or acme thread.

 

[neophyte]

When I tried googling to find that mini welded vise I came across what I presume is a new Czech vise maker.

innocraftsman

I have no clue about quality or reliability.

Hand Tools

Our Hand Tools category features a range of cutting-edge innovations designed to make every DIY project more efficient. From advanced wrenches and precise tape measures to durable drill bits and versatile bit holders, these tools are built for precision and reliability. Each product offers...

innocraftsman.com

 

[Beerhippie]

^Do I need any of those? Hell no.

Do I want one of each? Hell yes!

 

[micahd1997]

Have any fellow members ever seen another Prentiss vise like this one?

 

[dannyr]

When I tried googling to find that mini welded vise I came across what I presume is a new Czech vise maker.

innocraftsman

I have no clue about quality or reliability.

Hand Tools

Our Hand Tools category features a range of cutting-edge innovations designed to make every DIY project more efficient. From advanced wrenches and precise tape measures to durable drill bits and versatile bit holders, these tools are built for precision and reliability. Each product offers...

innocraftsman.com

seen these a few months ago - I thought they were made in China - certainly look precision

 

[Beerhippie]

Have any fellow members ever seen another Prentiss vise like this one?

OOH! SHINY!

Salesman's sample? Retail store model?

 

[four.cycle]

is a new Czech vise maker.

^ They have a warehouse in the Czech Republic, but I am not seeing anywhere on their website that the devices are manufactured there.
Awaiting response from company. Looks like an interesting product line.

Innocraftsman / Innocraftsman LLC, 3524 Silverside Rd., STE 35B, Wilmington, DE 19810 / https://innocraftsman.com/ / est. 2022 in Ukraine, moved to U.S. /

 

[four.cycle]

Have any fellow members ever seen another Prentiss vise like this one?

looks like the classic "Salesman's Sample"

 

[Beerhippie]

looks like the classic "Salesman's Sample"

Reminds me of the old Sears shop models of tools. Lots of outlet stores in rural areas would only have the models to show you what you could order in full-size from the catalog.

 

[CRSINMICH]

michahd: What is the width of the jaws? Does it have an anvil?

 

[four.cycle]

^ nickel-plated vise! just what every man needs!

 

[four.cycle]

When I tried googling to find that mini welded vise I came across what I presume is a new Czech vise maker.

innocraftsman

I have no clue about quality or reliability.

Innocraftsman / Innocraftsman LLC, 3524 Silverside Rd., STE 35B, Wilmington, DE 19810 / https://innocraftsman.com/ / est. 2022 in Ukraine, moved to U.S. /

Hello Brian, we're an American company, but our warehouses are located in three regions around the world — the USA, Europe, and East Asia. Our products are manufactured both in the USA for the domestic market and in East Asia. The quality is identical, as nearly all of these tools and machines are produced using CNC equipment with minimal human involvement.

 

[micahd1997]

Salesman's sample? Retail store model?

I lean towards either a store model or an employee service award

What is the width of the jaws? Does it have an anvil?

Jaws 1 ¾. I’ve seen plenty nickel-plated 1 ¾ Prentiss vises, but this one has removable jaws (i.e. 1910 or later) and the plaque on the side.

 

[colmal]

Ah to be honest I've just admired and lusted over it, never got to the why's of it.

Would be interested to see one sell too, reckon my $2500 bid would be doubled at least thou (it's just money in the bank, you'd always be able to get your money back on it if needed)

2 vids on it, the guy with the original also has some Waldown DP vices and machinery, in the second one a guy made one from scratch using original plans - gave up on ever seeing one I think. - will post if I ever find it again, really well done.

 

[KMScott]

Have any fellow members ever seen another Prentiss vise like this one?

Micah, those jaws are tiny. I use to sell the Prentiss 209 jaws and they were the smallest C style jaws I’ve seen till yours. Quite a rare vise you have there. Thanks for sharing.

 

[neophyte]

^ nickel-plated vise! just what every man needs!

Wilton used to make a model for outdoor use that was nickel plated.