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The VISES of Garage Journal

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master Zoda

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May 31, 2014
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165
The one I posted is still in it's original home a beutiful old hardware store still packed with new old stock. There are some nice vises and machine tools on the upper floors as well but I didn't grab pictures. Maybe next time once I feel more comfortable.
 

micahd1997

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Apr 27, 2022
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He's had that picture for several minutes, ,(if my browser isn't lying) was he standing in an antique store, or is that his side yard....? Inquiring minds, and all that.
It appears to be in a driveway, but sadly not mine. This is an 11 year old photo I stumbled over recently. I spoke with the gentleman who shared it, and he said the display is long gone
 
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micahd1997

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I dony know anything about these things but this one looks to be alot older!

I found this online and thought it was super cool!
That one is super cool, owned by a friend of mine with an incredible collection. The sign is actually a reproduction. A different friend had a batch cast several years ago based on catalog pictures. I’m only aware of one original
 

micahd1997

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Apr 27, 2022
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This one barely squeezed through the door to make it into my collection during 2025

It’s a wonderful representation of the some of the earliest work done by the Prentiss Vise Company. The static jaws of Prentiss’ earliest 2” vises had “stepped” sides unlike the more common, flat-sided models. While records are inconclusive about when exactly Prentiss changed this aspect of the design, the rarity of the “stepped” models leads me to believe the change occurred likely in the 1890s. This is, by far, the best-condition, first-generation 2” Prentiss vise I’ve ever seen, with much of the original paint and even traces of the delicate, gold pin-striping still clinging to the surfaces. The “Prentiss Vise Co - NY” stamp is very prominent, and a keen eye can still spot the remnants of the rarely-seen “PAT MAR 17-68” mark atop the swivel jaw. I’ve included a picture of this vise along with its stationary base counterpart, an even earlier iteration of the same design.
 

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colmal

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454
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Australia
“Chag…”
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LOL, green looks pretty good as well, the seller does say the paint is a bit rough but decent at least

And at least it's a common, garden variety Vise, 😇 just listed

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TheRealZeus

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LOL, green looks pretty good as well, the seller does say the paint is a bit rough but decent at least

And at least it's a common, garden variety Vise, 😇 just listed

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Once in a while, you’ll see a vise “restored” by somebody who is still in ‘preserving fruits and veggies for winter’ mode. 🥶
They should sand and do a second coat, maybe be third coat to hide the original chipped up coats, more better. 🤔 …even the pritchel hole is “well preserved.”

If restoring/painting tools was easy, there would just be a dip in paint method. There is a “green dip” to safely undo that dipification-debacle, though!
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colmal

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Wow,, are US vises some sort of premium in OZ? That is way too much $$ for a homeowners class vise.
That's in US, I get all the search results before I do Aus only, kinda interesting to see what is available elsewhere.
For Australia it would be uncommon. shipping gets steep so a premium may be applied. 105 aussie bucks is around 70 bucks USA… yeah that is pricey, but can always send seller an offer.
Yes the underside is green, LOL and again us Aussies wouldn't ( I may be wrong) do that
Offer $60aus & a case of beers. 🍻 my 2-cent as a best plan of action.

My math is mathing!.. that is odd this early.
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US $94.16 (approx. AU $140.21) eBay International Shipping.

Located in: San Marcos, CA, United States
 

colmal

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you misread it its 105 US 156 AU...
Yeah I'd probably buy it at $105 Aus, I don't mind the look of it -ah looking past the paint that is, and not something I've seen here.

I just got a Massive (it's all relative, but that's what I thought when I opened the Box) 1911-1914 Stanley 746 3" for $30, it was covered in decades of rust so I didn't know what size it was, just gave it a scrub, cleaned the slide and glides and left it a combination of original brown paint and rust- a first for me but kinda like the look.

While I'm on this subject, it opens nice and smooth, just gets me nearly 120 years later that it's hard to find a new vice that operates as well.
 

colmal

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Yeah I'd probably buy it at $105 Aus, I don't mind the look of it -ah looking past the paint that is, and not something I've seen here.

I just got a Massive (it's all relative, but that's what I thought when I opened the Box) 1911-1914 Stanley 746 3" for $30, it was covered in decades of rust so I didn't know what size it was, just gave it a scrub, cleaned the slide and glides and left it a combination of original brown paint and rust- a first for me but kinda like the look.

While I'm on this subject, it opens nice and smooth, just gets me nearly 120 years later that it's hard to find a new vice that operates as well.
I'll even add a photo, as what else do you do at 4am ?

It's flanked by Stanley and Littletown 2"SAM_5003.JPGSAM_5035.JPGSAM_5049.JPG
 

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TheRealZeus

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Yeah I'd probably buy it at $105 Aus, I don't mind the look of it -ah looking past the paint that is, and not something I've seen here.

I just got a Massive (it's all relative, but that's what I thought when I opened the Box) 1911-1914 Stanley 746 3" for $30, it was covered in decades of rust so I didn't know what size it was, just gave it a scrub, cleaned the slide and glides and left it a combination of original brown paint and rust- a first for me but kinda like the look.

While I'm on this subject, it opens nice and smooth, just gets me nearly 120 years later that it's hard to find a new vice that operates as well.
Lift with your knees. 😮‍💨
 

elmer

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Detroit
What is the brass tag on this old Columbian ?
 

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elmer

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Detroit
Hard to tell from the pictures, but it appears to only be stamped with a few numbers. Likely just an asset tag attached by the original company who purchased it. I’ve seen a number of these on vises of most of the major brands from time to time
OK thanks
 

colmal

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Australia
Uh, may be a little case of morningitis, while looking into a early Dawn a few weeks ago I came across this page

1736295657667.png not sure on date printed, but I noticed a 7" Dawn, hmmm, never seen one in captivity and suspect it is a printers error. but I have my eye on the 7" at the moment.

Anyway, so this mornings 7" sent me down another rabbit hole and I found a 1922 Danks catalogue, going to order one depending on the price, will be a month or 2 but.

I did screenshoot the vices, mainly seems to be US stuff, Goodell- Pratt and Millers falls - wide range of tools and a few Yankees

1736296172010.png1736296231690.png

1736296296685.png

Can't download it, but i Can post some screenshots if anyone is interested or better still have a look here, Buffalo drill press's also :) ,
Heaps of stuff and tell me if it was any help if you could -just curious.


I was searching for some info on a Parkinsons when I came across a old post, I was wrong , I have some more early catalogues with the 7" Dawn in them now , and missed buying one by 24 hrs, had been listed 3 weeks while I had no computer, came back on line and it was a OOH, OOH, rang up - sold last night- another unicorn missed.:sad:
It did say 7.5 " inch which would be a Unicorn sitting on a Rainbow, no mention of that size anywhere, but I suspect and pretty sure it would actually be a 7" S which there is mention off.
Going to double check and post -hope I saved the pics.


F%#%@#&)(^ ME, it was a rainbow sitting Unicorn

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Probably mid 1920's or earlier,as after that the Dawn is on the Static, it's a bit of a black hole around that era- Dawn was established 1917
 

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colmal

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I was searching for some info on a Parkinsons when I came across a old post, I was wrong , I have some more early catalogues with the 7" Dawn in them now , and missed buying one by 24 hrs, had been listed 3 weeks while I had no computer, came back on line and it was a OOH, OOH, rang up - sold last night- another unicorn missed.:sad:
It did say 7.5 " inch which would be a Unicorn sitting on a Rainbow, no mention of that size anywhere, but I suspect and pretty sure it would actually be a 7" S which there is mention off.
Going to double check and post -hope I saved the pics.


F%#%@#&)(^ ME, it was a rainbow sitting Unicorn

Screenshot 2025-11-25 020434.png
Mid 1920's to early 1930's, possibly earlier as it's a bit of a black hole around that era- Dawn was established 1917
My 6" SQ , 1930's, similar base shape is 23" long, weighs 47.4 kg/105 lb-
A 1946 6SQ weighs 42kg/92 lb
A 1946 7H has an opening of 9 3/8", weighs 59kg/130 lb

Being a Quick release 7 1/2", 26" ? long and a bit taller and wider than my 6SQ I would think it's approaching 70kg/ 150lb

Screenshot 2025-11-25 020531.pngSAM_5054.JPG
 
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Hooterville

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Apr 9, 2021
Messages
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Location
Northern California
I have a Wilton C3 that is frozen and missing some parts ...my new year's resolution is to restore it and if unsuccessful then sell it!

Vise history: It is missing the pipe jaws and the inner ring for swivel, and has a broken ear on the outer ring. I removed the spindle assembly but I am struggling to remove the pins in the end cap assembly (I think it has two pins, one from each side).

My next step: use a carbide bit and drill to remove pins. If successful removing both pins, I will continue to restore the vise and try to break it loose with heat and many tons of force. However, if unsuccessful on removing the pins then I will likely throw in the towel and sell this behemoth of a vise!
 

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colmal

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Made me laugh, some sellers are good value

'Crafted for precision and durability, this Drill Press Vice is an essential addition to any workshop. Made from robust cast iron, it promises a stable and secure grip for your drilling tasks.

The set includes two pieces, because it broke. Looks mostly like the photo but the jaw broke off... '

2025-12-31_20-49.png
 
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colmal

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Messages
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Location
Australia
Made me laugh, some sellers are good value

'Crafted for precision and durability, this Drill Press Vice is an essential addition to any workshop. Made from robust cast iron, it promises a stable and secure grip for your drilling tasks.

The set includes two pieces, because it broke. Looks mostly like the photo but the jaw broke off... ' 🤣

2025-12-31_20-49.png
Embarrassed to admit it, I bought one of these not long ago as I was curious how they could sell it for $20 delivered ( $5 cheaper than the above parts one) and I was resigned to not getting a Dawn after a few years searching-being picky, didn't like the prices or drill holes/damage.

Of course a friend bought one around not long after, instantly liked and bought it, has cast in Dawn and Size, no damage, took a hour or so to remove some surface rust, a bit of sanding, Dremel wire brush and filing on the slide to remove the sharp edge,SAM_5056.JPG works smoothly and opens fully now. think it's recent last 20/30 years or so - new ones have a sticker

Ah and it's not hollow LOL, think it will last a bit longer than the cheapie

Dawn 4" - 5.1kg/11 lb
Cheapie 4" - 2.1kg/ 4.6lb

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micahd1997

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“Once in a lifetime” isn’t a phrase I throw around lightly or often. However, this calls for such an occasion.

At this time and to the best of my knowledge, this is a true ONE-OF-ONE vise. Very likely a model only made and intended for display, this is a 2” jaw, fully functional, fully nickel-plated Prentiss “Rapid Transit” vise. Its design was invented by John A. Blake, submitted for patent on August 16, 1886, and officially patented on January 15, 1889. The presence of the “PAT APD FOR” stamp substantiates that the vise was made between 1886-1889 (over 136 years ago). Several records confirm that the Prentiss Vise Company was producing their new “Rapid Transit” vises before the patent was officially approved in 1889 (not uncommon). It was around the time of his invention in the mid-1880s that Blake became the foreman of Bagley & Sewall’s vise department, overseeing the manufacture of Prentiss vises. He held this position until his death at the age of 64 in 1905, during which time he was granted several other patents that Prentiss produced, one of which was Prentiss’ bicycle vise № 100.

While this is the only vise of its kind currently known, I’m hopeful that the “5” stamps on the underside of the vise indicate that a batch of at least 5 was made. Only time will tell!
 

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Outlawmws

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Of course a friend bought one around not long after, instantly liked and bought it, has cast in Dawn and Size, no damage, took a hour or so to remove some surface rust, a bit of sanding, Dremel wire brush and filing on the slide to remove the sharp edge,
SAM_5056.JPG
works smoothly and opens fully now. think it's recent last 20/30 years or so - new ones have a sticker

Am I seeing correctly that the main screw is left hand thread?
 

Outlawmws

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AH, this query transported me back to when I was a 16yr old working at Toyota and had to get some Striped paint from the parts store.🤔

At the risk of sounding dumb again, looks like a straight cut screw to me- does open when winding left thou :)

Is the handle the main nut on that vise? That is definitely a LH pitch angle on the screw...
 
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