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The VISES of Garage Journal

royce

Well-known member
Joined
Jun 22, 2014
Messages
3,110
Location
fairbanks ak
Once in a lifetime vise.
Bonney Rapid Transit #160
5-1/4" jaw width
10" opening
Parker style jaws
Fast acting gear rack and pawl coarse adjustment with a screw on the dynamic jaw for fine adjustment
Swivel base with a few degrees of draft cage it, a brake shoe and cam swivel lock, plus a tapered pin for positive swivel lock
Lube ports for spindle and collar
Designed in the late 1800's with some very innovative features, the biggest being bore pockets below jaws for accessory jaws; swivel, pipe and soft jaws
A couple short comings, one being lack of thickness in the deck area that results in fractures and holes in the 'anvil' area.

Kevin Scott and I started chatting about this complete and pretty good condition example about 6 months ago.
The obvious things that needed addressed, jaws, handle, backlash and hole in the deck.
We talked about him silver brazing a new deck on, but opted to tig braze the hole and leave all the pecker tracks as is.

Kevin stripped the finish off and mentioned some black filler which leaves me to think it may have been japanned at birth.
The shape of the castings are so far different to anything else out there, we chose to not conceal the beauty of the roughness and lines by painting, the Daufuski Island patina is the perfect finish.

The pawl pivot was not designed to be taken apart and after through drilling the pawl, now can be.
The hole and crack in the deck was tig brazed, which is proper and looks beautiful.
The saw and hammer marks on the horn and deck while may seem amateurish are common and don't bother me at all.

Cleaned up handle hole and made new handle to original spec.

New Parker style jaws which is always impressive to me how Kevin mills and surface grinds them to shape, then hand finishes the tops.
He even was able to hit the original pin holes, bravo.

The backlash was not acceptable, so a bronze collar shim was cut and it now has just a few degrees.

Slicked up the slide and now runs like butter.

Forgive me, I probably forgot somethings he did.

In the interim while anticipating this neat piece of iron, I started on a swivel jaw, brass, aluminum and purple heart jaws as well as a stand.
I'l make a post on my first serrated jaw in the fab forum.

Anyhow took delivery on the the vise and got it mounted yesterday.

My hats off to Kevin for his wonderful work and providing it to me, I'm honored.

Royce
 

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neophyte

Well-known member
Joined
Apr 23, 2012
Messages
9,717
Location
Pennsylvannia
Once in a lifetime vise.
Bonney Rapid Transit #160
5-1/4" jaw width
10" opening
Parker style jaws
Fast acting gear rack and pawl coarse adjustment with a screw on the dynamic jaw for fine adjustment
Swivel base with a few degrees of draft cage it, a brake shoe and cam swivel lock, plus a tapered pin for positive swivel lock
Lube ports for spindle and collar
Designed in the late 1800's with some very innovative features, the biggest being bore pockets below jaws for accessory jaws; swivel, pipe and soft jaws
A couple short comings, one being lack of thickness in the deck area that results in fractures and holes in the 'anvil' area.

Kevin Scott and I started chatting about this complete and pretty good condition example about 6 months ago.
The obvious things that needed addressed, jaws, handle, backlash and hole in the deck.
We talked about him silver brazing a new deck on, but opted to tig braze the hole and leave all the pecker tracks as is.

Kevin stripped the finish off and mentioned some black filler which leaves me to think it may have been japanned at birth.
The shape of the castings are so far different to anything else out there, we chose to not conceal the beauty of the roughness and lines by painting, the Daufuski Island patina is the perfect finish.

The pawl pivot was not designed to be taken apart and after through drilling the pawl, now can be.
The hole and crack in the deck was tig brazed, which is proper and looks beautiful.
The saw and hammer marks on the horn and deck while may seem amateurish are common and don't bother me at all.

Cleaned up handle hole and made new handle to original spec.

New Parker style jaws which is always impressive to me how Kevin mills and surface grinds them to shape, then hand finishes the tops.
He even was able to hit the original pin holes, bravo.

The backlash was not acceptable, so a bronze collar shim was cut and it now has just a few degrees.

Slicked up the slide and now runs like butter.

Forgive me, I probably forgot somethings he did.

In the interim while anticipating this neat piece of iron, I started on a swivel jaw, brass, aluminum and purple heart jaws as well as a stand.
I'l make a post on my first serrated jaw in the fab forum.

Anyhow took delivery on the the vise and got it mounted yesterday.

My hats off to Kevin for his wonderful work and providing it to me, I'm honored.

Royce
This is lovely work.
A note about the wood jaws though, if you plan on using the vise.
Purple Heart may not be the best option.
It’s very hard, prone to splitting, and the hardness and grain pattern could actually mar some metals.
Usually, a fine grained wood like Maple, Cherry, or pearwood, all of which have a much finer grain, would usually be preferred for “non-marring” wood jaws.
 

colmal

Well-known member
Joined
Sep 8, 2021
Messages
452
Location
Australia
The dawn is pretty much an exact copy of the Record 74 - patent ran out by the 1960's ? or a made by license deal ?

1729006998107.png1729007255534.png
It's taken me 2 years, just bought the exact one I wanted with the 1928 patent date, complete with pipe jaw :)

Had a Irwin Record pair of 4" Fibre jaw covers delivered yesterday, wanted to try them as the magnetic ones are a PITB, put them on my 1960's Dawn universal to check the fit (copy of Record 74) and the original popped up for sale, Lol I notice in the original ad the Jaw covers look similar :) Funny how the world works sometimes

1938 Catalogue 2026-06-25_12-28.png



2026-06-25_11-37.pngSAM_5226.JPGSAM_5223.JPG
 
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royce

Well-known member
Joined
Jun 22, 2014
Messages
3,110
Location
fairbanks ak
This is lovely work.
A note about the wood jaws though, if you plan on using the vise.
Purple Heart may not be the best option.
It’s very hard, prone to splitting, and the hardness and grain pattern could actually mar some metals.
Usually, a fine grained wood like Maple, Cherry, or pearwood, all of which have a much finer grain, would usually be preferred for “non-marring” wood jaws.
Thanks
The wood might not be ideal but has worked on another vise and was left over, so I used it again on this vise. If it fails it will be easy to change as it is held on the backing plate with VHB tape
 

milkovich

Well-known member
Joined
Oct 15, 2007
Messages
689
Location
Akron Ohio
Emmert K1 back online. I lucked out on a few deals on spare parts like the front collar and ever missing tilt bracket. It was a bit more intense than a spray bomb, I had to sand blast the parts, and try my hand at nickel welding for the first time, the machined parts are bare steel with Boeshield or like the dogs, just dusted with Rust Reformer so they can still move and function. My buddy turned the Osage orange handle and it kind of steals the show though.

1Crusty.jpg
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1Front.jpeg
1Detail.jpg
1Detail2.jpg
 

akasrick

Well-known member
Joined
Apr 10, 2017
Messages
795
Location
south jersey
Thank you! Any chance you also have a parts and part number diagram?
Emmert Vises Catalogue 12 1912.pdf Looks to not have the parts and part number diagram, extra parts were being advertised for sale.
The catalog itself is probably available online. An interesting read from the manufacturer.

extrapparts.jpg

akasrick
 

fishwatcher

Well-known member
Joined
Jan 26, 2023
Messages
758
I finally finished my restoration of a Wilton Torco with 3.5” jaws. This was acquired rusty, the paint was old and sloppy, and it was hard to open and close. I paid $40.

It came with wood or sheet metal screws to secure the main screw collar. It didn’t look right and certainly didn’t feel smooth. I drilled and tapped for 10#-32 x 5/8" set screws and smoothed out the ends so they run with ease within the main screw collar.

Here are before, during and after pictures.

IMG_6010.jpegIMG_6499.jpegIMG_6913.jpeg
 
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colmal

Well-known member
Joined
Sep 8, 2021
Messages
452
Location
Australia
Is a Pipe Vise a vise ?

looking at A Reed 90, 1914 patent date,

A bit unusual with the clamp on, has some nice features, not the type of REED I was hoping for as my first Reed, hmmm

This maybe a wait and think, hope someone else buys it,2026-07-01_15-27.pngmay wake up early one day and buy, if it hasn't sold, or wait for a slightly better price.

I'ma a little vised out as well, it has been British week, a Record 74, an Record Imp, Record 50 Woodworkers and a Record pipe vice (all 1928to late 1950's) been acquired/delivered this week.
 
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colmal

Well-known member
Joined
Sep 8, 2021
Messages
452
Location
Australia
Is a Pipe Vise a vise ?

looking at A Reed 90, 1914 patent date,

A bit unusual with the clamp on, has some nice features, not the type of REED I was hoping for as my first Reed, hmmm

This maybe a wait and think, hope someone else buys it,2026-07-01_15-27.pngmay wake up early one day and buy, if it hasn't sold, or wait for a slightly better price.

I'ma a little vised out as well, it has been British week, a Record 74, an Record Imp and Record 50 (all 1928to late 1950's) been acquired/delivered this week.
And if I decide to buy it, what colour is original ? I'd have to paint this one, cause I'd grind off the initials.

2026-07-01_15-40.png
 

Outlawmws

Well-known member
Joined
Aug 9, 2011
Messages
39,277
Location
The Badlands
Is a Pipe Vise a vise ?

Absolutely.

Just because it's specialized doesn't' make it less of a vise.

Machinist
Machinist SJ
Combination
Pattern
Gunsmith
Shop/Garage
Homeowners
Jewelers
Special
hand vise
Mini clamp-on
Saw Sharpening
mini post
drill press
Anvil Vise
mill vise
technician's vise
woodworkers Vise
Blacksmith
Pipe Vise
WorkMate


Hmmm my inventory doesn't have my fly tying vise!
 

colmal

Well-known member
Joined
Sep 8, 2021
Messages
452
Location
Australia
Absolutely.

Just because it's specialized doesn't' make it less of a vise.

Machinist
Machinist SJ
Combination
Pattern
Gunsmith
Shop/Garage
Homeowners
Jewelers
Special
hand vise
Mini clamp-on
Saw Sharpening
mini post
drill press
Anvil Vise
mill vise
technician's vise
woodworkers Vise
Blacksmith
Pipe Vise
WorkMate


Hmmm my inventory doesn't have my fly tying vise!
You missed one, came across this rare vice today
2026-07-01_16-32.png
2026-07-01_16-32_2.png
 

CRSINMICH

Well-known member
Joined
Aug 15, 2015
Messages
2,411
Location
Southeastern Michigan
colmal: Reed classified their #90 as a Kit vise. It was meant to be carried to a jobsite and clamped to whatever was handy.

1928 REED Kit vise.jpg

REED also marketed something they called a Strap Vise. It really stretched the definition of "vise". It had no jaws. The user tightened the "linen webbing" strap by advancing the screw.

REED Strap vise.jpg

Can a proper vise really have parts made of linen? lol​
 
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colmal

Well-known member
Joined
Sep 8, 2021
Messages
452
Location
Australia
Absolutely.

Just because it's specialized doesn't' make it less of a vise.

Machinist
Machinist SJ
Combination
Pattern
Gunsmith
Shop/Garage
Homeowners
Jewelers
Special
hand vise
Mini clamp-on
Saw Sharpening
mini post
drill press
Anvil Vise
mill vise
technician's vise
woodworkers Vise
Blacksmith
Pipe Vise
WorkMate


Hmmm my inventory doesn't have my fly tying vise!
Ok, you caught me-just checked, it seems I have a pipe vise section.

Vulcan No 1- made by J. H . Williams and Co, New York -1891, 1903, 1904 patent dates

Small Record pipe vise, currently in molasses

1940's (?) Lock Tools, made in Australia, bought as it was acquired by Siddons (Sichrome) and have lock tools Shifters by both companies and a large selection of Sidchrome - Handles and parts for it also currently in molasses.

4 Dawn pipe vises as any Dawn is a good Dawn

And maybe I can even squeeze in another as a chain vice ?

SAM_5255.JPGSAM_5263.JPG
 

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colmal

Well-known member
Joined
Sep 8, 2021
Messages
452
Location
Australia
colmal: Reed classified their #90 as a Kit vise. It was meant to be carried to a jobsite and clamped to whatever was handy.

1928 REED Kit vise.jpg

REED also marketed something they called a Strap Vise. It really stretched the definition of "vise". It had no jaws. The user tightened the "linen webbing" strap by advancing the screw.

REED Strap vise.jpg

Can a proper vise really have parts made of linen? lol​
Fine, Thanks to the enabling @Outlawmws and yourself, I just bought it.
 

Outlawmws

Well-known member
Joined
Aug 9, 2011
Messages
39,277
Location
The Badlands
Fine, Thanks to the enabling @Outlawmws and yourself, I just bought it.


You know you came to the wrong place to be dissuaded from buying a vise... :evil:

:ROFLMAO:


You missed one, came across this rare vice today

And yes I didn't list variant vises generally, like swivel, fixed mount clamp on, suction cup etc...


Ok, you caught me-just checked, it seems I have a pipe vise section.

And yes I didn't list variant vises generally
 

CRSINMICH

Well-known member
Joined
Aug 15, 2015
Messages
2,411
Location
Southeastern Michigan
(This belongs on the Vise information thread but I'll post it here too.)

While looking for information about colmal's kit vise I noticed this. I knew Yost had connections to many different vise brands but this one was unsuspected. Both of these catalog snippets were from 1928.

1928 Reed and Yost.jpg


 

colmal

Well-known member
Joined
Sep 8, 2021
Messages
452
Location
Australia
(This belongs on the Vise information thread but I'll post it here too.)

While looking for information about colmal's kit vise I noticed this. I knew Yost had connections to many different vise brands but this one was unsuspected. Both of these catalog snippets were from 1928.

1928 Reed and Yost.jpg


There is a few similar on Ebay at the moment- a Hollands, NYE Tool works Chicago and some more modern Ridgid.

And yes, In USA
 

dannyr

Well-known member
Joined
Oct 13, 2019
Messages
282
Location
Sheffield England
hsb0us.jpg

puzzle to me -- very like the German/Swiss Boley/Leiden or the English Picard Freres vises - 60mm jaw width - size 0 is an English sizing for 2 1/2in - and has the logo/monogram W with man? - sure I've seen that somewhere - UK eb seller (I've just received this) had it as US catalog seller and sewing machine manufacturer Hibbard, Spencer, Bartlett Co -- poss?- carefully repainted by seller and in apparently nearly unused condition - smooth action, quality machining
 
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dannyr

Well-known member
Joined
Oct 13, 2019
Messages
282
Location
Sheffield England
hsb0us.jpg

puzzle to me -- very like the German/Swiss Boley/Leiden or the English Picard Freres vises - 60mm jaw width - size 0 is an English sizing for 2 1/4in - and has the logo/monogram W with man? - sure I've seen that somewhere - UK eb seller (I've just received this) had it as US catalog seller and sewing machine manufacturer Hibbard, Spencer, Bartlett Co -- poss?- carefully repainted by seller and in apparently nearly unused condition - smooth action, quality machining

Chance look at something else -- I think it's German - the mono is for Meier und Weichelt and HSB is related/same -- any more info on company? any connection to other jeweller/watchmaker vise makers? -several had almost the same design. - found that M&W were from Leipzig - prewar to 50s E Germany -- maybe HSB is the type, with schraubstock meaning vise
 
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RTM

Well-known member
Joined
May 13, 2019
Messages
13,202
Location
SF Bay Area
US catalog seller and sewing machine manufacturer Hibbard, Spencer, Bartlett Co -- poss?
These guys were a major hardware wholesaler, buying from everyone, and some relabeled as a house brand. There were several similar sizes wholesalers, Shapleigh (KK), Baker Hamilton, Pacific Hardware, etc, who had their own brands, possibly from the same mfgr.
 

dannyr

Well-known member
Joined
Oct 13, 2019
Messages
282
Location
Sheffield England
hsb0us.jpg

puzzle to me -- very like the German/Swiss Boley/Leiden or the English Picard Freres vises - 60mm jaw width - size 0 is an English sizing for 2 1/2in - and has the logo/monogram W with man? - sure I've seen that somewhere - UK eb seller (I've just received this) had it as US catalog seller and sewing machine manufacturer Hibbard, Spencer, Bartlett Co -- poss?- carefully repainted by seller and in apparently nearly unused condition - smooth action, quality machining
supplementary question --- anyone know what the shallow holes at the ends of the jaw facings are? -- I think on certain types this might be where the insert is swaged - but doesn't apply to the holes on various 'Boley-type' vises of different makes with simple screw-in jaws ---- I could imagine that a jaw cover clipped in there but never seen such ----- (p(s found that M&W were mostly known for their heavy vises - up to 180mm jaw width, 80+kg - high quality gear)
 
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neophyte

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Joined
Apr 23, 2012
Messages
9,717
Location
Pennsylvannia
supplementary question --- anyone know what the shallow holes at the ends of the jaw facings are? -- I think on certain types this might be where the insert is swaged - but doesn't apply to the holes on various 'Boley-type' vises of different makes with simple screw-in jaws ---- I could imagine that a jaw cover clipped in there but never seen such ----- (p(s found that M&W were mostly known for their heavy vises - up to 180mm jaw width, 80+kg - high quality gear)
There was a thread where this was asked and convincingly answered.
I forget whether it was one of the huge vise threads, or another thread, and I don’t have time to search at the moment.
Maybe the holes answer had to do with quickly placing and removing soft jaw liners, maybe made from copper, but I can’t be sure.
 
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