The VISES of Garage Journal

[Swingit]

From http://vintagemachinery.org/mfgindex/detail.aspx?id=1269

In 1876 the brothers Frederick E. Wells and Frank O. Wells left Wiley & Russell Manufacturing Co. to start their own business. They located in a small building on the North bank of the Green River, a short distance upstream from Wiley & Russell. Under the company name of Wells Brothers and the brand name of "Little Giant" they made thread cutting tools, i.e., taps and dies.

In 1879 Franklin E. Snow entered the Wells Brothers organization and the firm became known as Wells Brothers & Co. Through his efforts the company grew rapidly, competing with Wiley & Russell. Tools and machinery for farriers, blacksmiths and wheelwrights were added to the product line. This included manual and powered drilling machines under the "Little Giant" trademark.

In 1888 the company moved to a new and larger factory and incorporated under the name of Wells Brothers Co. In 1900 Frederick E. Wells left, and, with his son, formed the F. E. Wells & Son Co. to manufacture pipe threading tools and lathes.

In 1912 Wells Brothers Co. was acquired by the Greenfield Tap & Die Corp. Tools and machinery not related to thread cutting and the Wells Brothers Co. name were discontinued after 1916.

I found an ebay auction for a similar vise, they say it's a farrier vise: http://cgi.ebay.com/Farrier-Step-Vise-3-/360247189974#ht_767wt_1141

Thanks Stuart!! I knew someone knew something about the vise!! I suppose I should have googled the company name huh??
Yeah that guy has relisted that vise for like 3 years now, I don't think it will ever sell. If he would hit it with a wire wheel and take better pics, I know it would sell.

 

[metal1313]

for those looking to make new handles, for the ends you could use http://www.kingmetals.com/default.aspx?page=item detail&itemcode=13-03009-621 and fill them with epoxy to add weight and give a solid bond

 

[Jeffvette]

Here is my Wilton C1. Picked it up from a bankruptcy last year. Still have not mounted it as I want to refinish it.

 

[autopts]

JMann, bigbob, jeffvette....You guys are bring out the heavy artilery!! Those all are awsome!! jeffvette, your going to refinish that beautufil original C- Wilton? ...Can't leave out that littlestown for $20 with original pipe jaws might be the easiest to use of all 4 vises. Great show guys!!

 

[Jeffvette]

JMann, bigbob, jeffvette....You guys are bring out the heavy artilery!! Those all are awsome!! jeffvette, your going to refinish that beautufil original C- Wilton? Great show guys!!

I wouldn't say "heavy artillery" compared to the others. Plan on refinishing, but haven't picked out a color yet. I'm partial to shades of reds and blues. Overall it is in good shape, just a little damage around the top from where the shop pounded on it a bit.

 

[SweetD]

Just got done restoring this little Prentiss # 153. This was my first attempt at electrolysis all the way through to paint. It's hammertone black, three coats. Two coats of grey auto primer. Don't really plan on using it, so it should hold up really well:

Dave

 

[canuckian]

went on a little adventure this evening out to (past) the boonies to pick up this nice #6 Record. It's rare that any decent vises come up in my neck of the woods so I jumped on it as soon as I saw the ad. She's a little grimy and the handle has a bend in it but it's straight and tight and the jaws close together nicely. It is, however in bad need of a bit of grease. it actually vibrates when you open the jaws it's so dry. I figure i'll take it apart, de-gunk it, wire wheel it and slap a coat of paint on it. May try to straighten the handle but it really doesn't bother me with the bend in it. Anyhoo...here's a few pics.

and here's a pic of it next to my 4 inch Wilon bullet for a size comparison

 

[PCO6]

canuckian - That's a great vice! I have the same one and just went through what you are about to (see post #2670 in this thread). If you are interested, you can get new metal and fibre jaws from Acklands-Grainger for $33 & $31 respectively.

Stew

 

[canuckian]

Thanks for the tip Stew! I'll definitely be visiting Acklands-Grainger the next time I'm in the city and see about getting some new jaws. I really like the idea of those fiber jaws. I was thinking about using the jaws that are on it as they aren't in horrible shape but I figure if I'm going to fix it up, just as well to do it right!

just checked out the vise you restored. nice job! not sure if mine will be that nice when all is said and done but I'll give it a whirl!

 

[Catalyze]

Those are some lovely vises! The Record is a very large vise in great condition. You did well to track it down in the wilds. Since I have been gone for a few weeks, here is a vise that my wife bought for me at a garage sale. She has the killer instinct honed now. First was the 450S Wilton and now:

Hudson Tool Company Model 26
View media item 10974View media item 10975
And the after version of a nice USA vise.
View media item 10976View media item 10977View media item 10978
It is a 4" stationary survivor. Nothing unusual.....it is just one of those great old vises that some company made that will outlast me. LOL
Craig

 

[PCO6]

Thanks for the tip Stew! I'll definitely be visiting Acklands-Grainger the next time I'm in the city and see about getting some new jaws. I really like the idea of those fiber jaws. I was thinking about using the jaws that are on it as they aren't in horrible shape but I figure if I'm going to fix it up, just as well to do it right!

just checked out the vise you restored. nice job! not sure if mine will be that nice when all is said and done but I'll give it a whirl!

I should have mentioned that the paint I used was simply a Valspar rattle can from Lowe's. I have a Record No. 4 that I bought new in the 70's and have taken pretty good care of. I used it for the colour match and they are pretty much identical. Tremclad also has one that is very close.

Regarding your handle, I have a Record No. 8 that I managed to straighten out with my shop press. I used a couple of metal blocks and it was a bit of balancing act but it worked!

 

[canuckian]

I should have mentioned that the paint I used was simply a Valspar rattle can from Lowe's. I have a Record No. 4 that I bought new in the 70's and have taken pretty good care of. I used it for the colour match and they are pretty much identical. Tremclad also has one that is very close.

Regarding your handle, I have a Record No. 8 that I managed to straighten out with my shop press. I used a couple of metal blocks and it was a bit of balancing act but it worked!

haven't decided which color I'm going to go with (most likely blue though) but I've had good luck with both Valspar and Tremclad in the past. As for the handle, i don't have a press (it's on the shopping list!) so I'll likely leave it as is for now. I wonder if I heated it and threw a pipe on it to bend it back would it hurt anything?

catalyze....nice job on that vise! I like the polished handle. What did you use to do that?

 

[mcmlvif100]

Not my vise or ad but perhaps someone in the area (Northern Indiana) needs a Prentiss No. 55 vise.

http://southbend.craigslist.org/tls/2539283423.html

Huge Bench Vice - $125 (Plymouth, In 46563)

 

[Catalyze]

I would buy it in a heartbeat.....but then again....my heart beats for Prentiss. Ask autopts....he knows I am certifiable for them.
Craig

 

[Catalyze]

canuckian - I use a 180 grit greaseless compound on a hard 8" wheel, then Emory Black on a hard wheel, then White compound on a very soft cotton buff wheel. I use the 180 compound to do the slide too. It is like rotating sandpaper.....it will make iron pay attention and shine.
Craig

 

[autopts]

Those are some lovely vises! The Record is a very large vise in great condition. You did well to track it down in the wilds. Since I have been gone for a few weeks, here is a vise that my wife bought for me at a garage sale. She has the killer instinct honed now. First was the 450S Wilton and now:

Hudson Tool Company Model 26
View media item 10974View media item 10975
And the after version of a nice USA vise.
View media item 10976View media item 10977View media item 10978
It is a 4" stationary survivor. Nothing unusual.....it is just one of those great old vises that some company made that will outlast me. LOL
Craig

I saw a very rare Hudson go on Ebay about 3 years ago for big, big money!! Thats a beauty!!!

 

[SweetD]

View media item 10977

All I can say is....WOW. That is so cool. What a great find!

...and you are the "buffing bare metal" MASTER!!!

Thanks for sharing!

Dave

 

[ZRX61]

went on a little adventure this evening out to (past) the boonies to pick up this nice #6 Record. It's rare that any decent vises come up in my neck of the woods so I jumped on it as soon as I saw the ad. She's a little grimy and the handle has a bend in it but it's straight and tight and the jaws close together nicely. It is, however in bad need of a bit of grease. it actually vibrates when you open the jaws it's so dry. I figure i'll take it apart, de-gunk it, wire wheel it and slap a coat of paint on it. May try to straighten the handle but it really doesn't bother me with the bend in it. Anyhoo...here's a few pics.

Records don't come apart like US vises owing to the end of the slide (usually) being closed... You have to take the screw all the way out after you remove the pin that holds it, flip it over, drive out the pin that holds the nut, then stick something in the hold where the screw goes to knock the nut out & then it will come apart


Did that make sense?

 

[canuckian]

Records don't come apart like US vises owing to the end of the slide (usually) being closed... You have to take the screw all the way out after you remove the pin that holds it, flip it over, drive out the pin that holds the nut, then stick something in the hold where the screw goes to knock the nut out & then it will come apart


Did that make sense?

Makes perfect sense! I was trying to figure that out a couple hours ago. I quit when it didn't come apart like my Wilton lol. I'll give it a more honest try tomorrow. Curious though, I can re-use the pin, right?

 

[ZRX61]

The pin that holds the nut? yes, that's reusuable.

If you try to take them apart like a US vise, the closed end of the slide hits the nut....

Just wait until you reassemble it... LOL!

You put the front & rear halves together, then with the vise upside down you reach in & slide the nut back into place, then the pin. Then put the screw back in.. but don't forget to add the spring & washer in the right order.. then screw it into the nut part way, then pull the slide up against the back of the nut so you can push the cotter pin through the screw to hold the washer & spring in place...

 

[canuckian]

****...I'm gonna need to grow a third hand for that!! I'll give it a whirl - always up to a challenge. Be on the lookout for a thread by me entitled "F@#king Record F@#King vise won't go back together"

 

[ZRX61]

With the vise upside down & completely closed it's not that hard to get the nut back in & pinned. Then you open it up a bit & feed the screw through the front & slide the spring & washer on.. then ya screw it into the nut a ways, pull the vise open & cotterpin the washer/spring........ simple.... once you've done it ...

 

[Recoil Rob]

Found this yesterday, looks like it wasn't used much but has been sitting in an outdoor shed for 20-25 years. Will need a clean and lube and put it to work.

Yankee 4993, $10.

 

[Mark in Indiana]

Great Find! There are some jobs that I find my angle vise invaluable.

 

[ZRX61]

One other thing about the Record spring:
Put it in another vise to compress the spring, then put 2 twists of safety wire around it 180deg apart to hold the spring compressed. This makes getting it all assembled easy without having to compress the spring while you faff about trying to get the cotter pin in.. Once it's together just cut the safety wire with a pair of dykes to release it

 

[autopts]

Found this yesterday, looks like it wasn't used much but has been sitting in an outdoor shed for 20-25 years. Will need a clean and lube and put it to work.

Yankee 4993, $10.

Nice find, that piece is all of 100 years old.

 

[Brett]

I picked up this table w/ vise for $50. I couldn't tell what the vise was b/c it had a thick coat of paint covering the markings.

Turns out the vise is a Parker model 49x. I disassembled the entire vise and media blasted it.

I'm currently cleaning it up and putting it back into service.

If anyone can tell me more about this vise, I'd love to hear about it.

Brett

 

[netbrad]

Picked this up a week ago at the flea market. He was asking $40 but I got it for $25. I probably paid a little much but I was tired of looking for a USA made vise.

 

[Catalyze]

Brett - that Parker is a 4 1/4" jaw stationary (as if you didn't know) base model from the early part of 1900's. I have a catalog page listing it as 72 pounds and cost of $17.00 in 1926. Other than that, it is a heavy made old gem that worked on Model A cars and saw man land on the moon. Not a bad life.

netbrad - not to fret....that Wilton will do most anything you will throw at it...and once you have your first vise the rest seem to seek you out....be careful!
Craig

 

[Gary Indiana]

once you have your first vise the rest seem to seek you out....be careful!

Truer words were never spoken!

 

[bczygan]

Latest 2 vises:

Snap-on 5" (By Wilton) $30:

Record 3VS NIB $40:

 

[ZRX61]

Truer words were never spoken!

No kidding, I came home yesterday to find a small clamp on style vise hanging from the doorhandle by a piece of string... I'm assuming my neighbor dropped it off..

 

[demographic]

and once you have your first vise the rest seem to seek you out....be careful!
Craig

That's the truth, I've only paid for three and I must have eleven, I'm sure they breed whilst I'm not looking.

 

[scw1991]

Eight years ago I bought this Columbian Chinese cast iron vise at Home Depot for $75 and hated it from day one. The rotating jaws make it a near worthless vise. Six months ago I picked up this Wilton 6" Tradesman ductile iron vise for $75 on CL and immediately dumped the Chinese vise for $50 on CL. Talk about a night and day difference! The clamping pressure you can exert is unbelievable! No wonder these vises cost $500 new.

 

[balane]

Nice upgrade scw1991. I'm hoping to do the same thing. I have the same rotating vise you had only mine has Wilton's name on it. I would be very pleased to end up with something like your new Wilton.

 

[Gary Indiana]

Latest 2 vises:
Snap-on 5" (By Wilton) $30
Record 3VS NIB $40

Amazing score.
Looking at the pictures of the ruined parts of Detroit, I always imagine there must be some great vises abandoned. Would you say it is possible?

Ruins of Detroit

 

[SweetD]

Amazing score.
Looking at the pictures of the ruined parts of Detroit, I always imagine there must be some great vises abandoned. Would you say it is possible?

Ruins of Detroit

Those pictures of Detroit are incredible, and incredibly sad!

Dave

 

[balane]

Anybody in the Seattle area have or know of a decent vise for sale? I sold my import vise and am now viseless. If you have any leads for a quality please let me know. I don't mind something that needs paint but otherwise I would like it in good condition. Thanks.

 

[HoosierBuddy]

Before and after pics of my Craigslist find.

6" Morgan Milwaukee. Finish is Safety Blue powder coating with high gloss clear.

Phil

 

[north]

That turned out real nice. Looking at all the nice vises here makes me feel sad for my chinese vise that needed dismantling and modifications to work properly in the first place and probably can't hold more than .00001 lbs of pressure.
Dreaming of a new Heuer.