Charles Parker 39X Vise

[Handiest1]

Hello all, I am a new member and I am really excited about finding this site. I just cannot wait to browse through.

I have owned this vise for several years, and it has been packed away for the last 5 because of a move. This last week I have been re-assembling my workbench, and getting the vise back to work. When installing the vise, I thought what the heck, I'll glass bead blast it, and paint it before I install it. While waiting for the paint to dry I found this site, and started to realize what a possible gem I have. It's a Charles Parker No. 39X no swivel, and 3-3/4 jaw width. The patent date on it is Jan. 2, 1906. I'm wondering how rare it is, what it's original purpose was to be, and possibly what it's worth. I don't want to sell it, I'm just curious now that I see so many of you are fanatical about these things... Besides I may have decreased the "value" by my John Deere paint work. Please add anything you can, or steer me in the right direction to do more research. Post here, but email me too please at [email protected], Thanks in advance to all. Bruce A. Woodstock, IL

 

[Arachnotron]

Post some pictures of it for us.

 

[Handiest1]

I will, but it's apart with the paint drying at the moment.

 

[hofferwood]

We all like to watch paint dry
Welcome
Chuck

 

[Handiest1]

Ok, here it is. I just used paint I had in stock, and clear coated it. I'm gonna remove the paint from the handle itself, and maybe add some rubber bumpers (grommets?) at each end.
Well, maybe not. Do I have to upload my pics to a host? I can't just upload them from my PC?

 

[Danglerb]

You may need to make 10 posts before you can upload and have an image hosted by the forum.

 

[Handiest1]

I think i've got it. Here is the Charles Parker (Deere) 39x vise.

 

[PT Doc]

The green looks good. I think the yellow will wear as the rod slides back and forth but that should add some character.

 

[Handiest1]

Like I mentioned I'm going to strip that off right away. Thanks!

 

[BanjoSavesTheDay]

I think I'm going to have to make my own John Deere themed vise now. Looks good! As far as it's purpose, it is a standard machinist vise. Check out the Everything You Need to Know about Bench Vises thread in my sig for more information about that. Parker made very high quality vises, and in IMHO yours is of the best looking vintage.

 

[bczygan]

You have a Parker Superior Machinist's Vise Stationary Base Stationary Jaw #39X 3 3/4" Jaw 6" Opening 52 Pounds $13.00 original cost

BTW, there is a screw in the end of the handle assembly that, when tightened, holds the handle from sliding back and forth

In addition to cleaning the paint off the handle and polishing it, you might consider doing the same to the jaws and slide bar as in the one shown below. Also, your lettering done in yellow, like he did in red, would really set it off. Nice job though.

A friend of mine flys trikes and his trike called "Deerfly" is painted similarly:

Bill

 

[BanjoSavesTheDay]

BTW, there is a screw in the end of the handle assembly that, when tightened, holds the handle from sliding back and forth

In addition to cleaning the paint off the handle and polishing it, you might consider doing the same to the jaws and slide bar as in the one shown below. Also, your lettering done in yellow, like he did in red, would really set it off. Nice job though.

Bill

Aah I love that No. 60.

 

[bczygan]

Yes,
It looks like the owner doesn't have enough room for it there. He should send it over to me. I'll clear out the living room and build an altar for it!

 

[Handiest1]

Bill, thanks for the info. Mine acually opens to 8-1/2". Maybe it's 6" when all of the threads are engaged. Interesting about the screw in the front of the handle! I didn't know what that was for, and last night I cut short pieces of rubber hose to act as bumpers so the balls at the ends of the handle don't chip my paint.

 

[bczygan]

Bill, thanks for the info. Mine acually opens to 8-1/2". Maybe it's 6" when all of the threads are engaged. Interesting about the screw in the front of the handle! I didn't know what that was for, and last night I cut short pieces of rubber hose to act as bumpers so the balls at the ends of the handle don't chip my paint.

Parkers (along with Wiltons) are my favorite vises. Haven't cleaned mine up yet. I have:

#20

#88

#206

#372

#974

#976

Parker Patent

 

[jabberwoki]

What color should a charles parker be originaly?

 

[Mykl25]

I also have this vise. Does anyone have ballpark value estimates?

Likely manufacturing date?

 

[Headly_Lamar]

I'm fairly new to this site and read often to learn about new tools and techniques. I have to ask, that vice with the Pepsi can, is that used to hold cars upright by the bumper to make it easier to work on the bottom or change tires?

 

[spongerich]

I also have this vise. Does anyone have ballpark value estimates?

Likely manufacturing date?

A good rule of thumb is around $1.00/lb. Very small and very large vises will bring a premium over that.

 

[Mykl25]

Thanks Sponger, but I'm not sure that generic applies in this case. My Parker 39X appears to be a rare collectible in great shape. This thread is the only place that I can find on the net where someone else has it. Lots of other Parker vises on the market, but not this one. The whole 29X, 39X etc. series appears to be extremely hard to find.

Anyone else have any specific info on the potential value or other info on this model?

 

[bl00]

If someone is collecting all the Parkers from that era it may have special value. To most it's just another old vise.

Put it on ebay and next week you'll know how much it's worth.

 

[Catalyze]

We all like to watch paint dry
Welcome
Chuck

LOL......hey....I resemble that remark!
Craig

 

[Catalyze]

Thanks Sponger, but I'm not sure that generic applies in this case. My Parker 39X appears to be a rare collectible in great shape. This thread is the only place that I can find on the net where someone else has it. Lots of other Parker vises on the market, but not this one. The whole 29X, 39X etc. series appears to be extremely hard to find.

Anyone else have any specific info on the potential value or other info on this model?

Greetings!
Vises fall into a couple of camps.
1. Folks who work and need them....they will pay for certain brands (Wilton, Reed, Columbian...etc) because they are a Tool. They have no sentimental value....they use them until they break and buy another. They don't want old vintage vises unless they are Huge and in good shape.

2. Folks who "collect" or will take really good care of a vintage vise. To these folks it is like a fashion show. Someone (like me) will go crazy over the Grafitti style lettering of a Prentiss vise and pay $3 a pound and never look back. Someone else may love Parker because of shotguns or the way the jaw faces are so unique. Another person may only collect swivel jaw vises since they are so unusual and take extra effort to refresh (getting the jaw to swivel after 50 years is not easy sometimes). Then there are the folks who only want Leviathan vises.....6" barely makes them look up.....8" starts the checkbook waving.

So....your vise is an old series of Parker...the "X" series. It was in the crazy numbering era of Parker when the numbers gave no clue as to the size. Group 1 won't even look at your vise. It's old....it may have weaknesses after all these years and they make a living with "reliable" vises. You have to sell to Group 2. We are a fickle bunch and you have to find those that want an "X" series Parker. Ebay can give an estimate sometimes....but just because someone listed a vise for $200 doesn't mean it sold. There are old Parkers on Ebay that have been listed for over a year. Try it out and see what happens. Put it on Ebay with what you Hope it's worth in a Buy It Now only auction. It won't cost much and in 10 days or so, you will find out your answer.

Good Luck and thanks for showing us a great old vise!
Craig

 

[Mykl25]

Thanks Craig. I hope it's worth a thousand dollars, but since I'm pretty certain it isn't, I'll take a shot at listing it at $125

 

[drstephendoyne1]

well great info

 

[frenchy47]

Hello everone, I am new and stumbled on this site.

I've got a Charles Parker 39x Vise dated Jan 2, 1900. A bit rusty and old. Want to sell but not sure of the value. Does anyone have any idea? Also, I know some old things loose value if the are redone. Would that be the case with this vise if I were to make it shine again? Any help on this would be great.

My wife suffers from migraines on a daily basis and lost her job of 14yrs because of them and my vehicle needs some work done so I gotta do what I gotta do , so I want to sell my woodworking equip to make ends meet. Any input about this vise would be greatly appreciated.

Please reply to [email protected]