The VISES of Garage Journal

[outlander800]

We have a couple of those starretts in the machine shop at work, they were originally made by yost for starrett but are not anymore. Nice heavy duty vises, and are well machined and finished.

 

[Michael T]

I'm not sure I understand what you are trying to say here? Is this in english?

-Dane

It's obviously a long time since you posted this, but I just had to tell you: That's one of the funniest comment I've seen yet in the 1341 posts in this thread I've seen thus far!!

 

[Michael T]

A Dunlap 5171. I don't know what the numbers represent, but It's a small vise with 4 inch jaws.


This one isn't a very good example, its beat up and on a swivel base. It looks to be about the same vintage and Craftsman's # on this one is 5162. The design is similiar. Might be a Simplex.

This is the vise that drew me to GJ in the first place! Do you, or anyone else, have any info on it? As I've learned from this thread, this is may not be the largest vise out there, but I inherited it from my deceased father in law, so it means a lot to me...and to my lovely bride. BTW, my thanks for posting a pic so I won't be forced to learn how to do that just yet.

 

[buzzdex1]

Greetings,

A Morgan 340B just followed me home. The adoption fee was less than $1 pound. This vise has a pivoting jaw (see pic). I am preparing to refurb the vise and have a question about the pin that holds the jaw in its "non-pivoted" location. Does the pin unscrew or is it intended to lift up? The jaw moves slightly when I tap it with my rubber hammer but the pin is currently stuck.

I will post an after pic when I get this done.

Thanks,

Kevin

Finished my Morgan and cleaned off a corner of the workbench for a tryout. I freed the pin that holds the swivel jaw by removing the base plate and the nut/frog and then using a drift from the underside. There was over 1/4" end play in the handle so I borrowed a page from the Prentice design and put a spring in there. Very nice now. I painted all of the raised lettering on this one but think I prefer the look when just the tops of the raised letters are painted. Next up is either my Athol (pre-Starrett) or a Columbian 204 1/2 M2 I picked up yesterday.

 

[Recoil Rob]

Here's a thread I posted a few months back about my swivel jaw Yost. Mine was just a tapered pin, I soaked it with Kroil and then popped it with a pybar.

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=111371

 

[TreePointer]

I just read all 155 pages of this thread, it took me three days, and now I hate you all because now I'm officially addicted to GJ.

Our main workbench in the barn has Grandpa's Reed 204 1/2 vise with it's silky smooth bulk; but I just completed a workbench for winter projects in the heated garage and I need a decent vise for it. This discussion has already taught enough that I'm confident that I'll be able to find that gem of a vise out there with my name on it. Many thanks to you all!

Here are the vises on the premises:

Reed 204-1/2 (Yes, that's a "temporary" junk pile next to the bench )

Craftsman 3.5"

Mystery 4" no name "100" vise. Weighs 28lbs. China???

Beijing bubbles in the base?

On the hunt for 5" or larger monster for farm machinery repairs. The search continues....

 

[DynoDale]

Woah - awesome! Can't wait to see it assembled and something to show scale.

Dave

Another view of the Prentiss 97

 

[Zrexxer]

Need Some Prentiss Help

I posted a separate thread about this, but it's been nothing but crickets so I'm going to see if it gets more traffic here:

I've been disassembling and cleaning the Prentiss Metalworker's Vise No. 20 that I bought the other day, and I've run into a question.

I've been systematically destroying the tapered locking pin on the pivot jaw trying to get it out... I've soaked it in PB blaster, soaked it in the parts washer, heated the pin cherry red with a rosebud, to no avail.

But today after taking it out of the parts washer, I noticed these pins on the left side of the vise. Have any of you Prentiss owners seen anythign like this on your vises? I'm starting to wonder if someone somewhere tried to lock this vise into a fixed position by cross-drilling the pivot and the locking pin. In any case, I'll make a new pin on the lathe, but I have to get this one out and it ain't budging.

 

[SweetD]

Re: Need Some Prentiss Help

I posted a separate thread about this, but it's been nothing but crickets so I'm going to see if it gets more traffic here:

I've been disassembling and cleaning the Prentiss Metalworker's Vise No. 20 that I bought the other day, and I've run into a question.

I've been systematically destroying the tapered locking pin on the pivot jaw trying to get it out... I've soaked it in PB blaster, soaked it in the parts washer, heated the pin cherry red with a rosebud, to no avail.

But today after taking it out of the parts washer, I noticed these pins on the left side of the vise. Have any of you Prentiss owners seen anythign like this on your vises? I'm starting to wonder if someone somewhere tried to lock this vise into a fixed position by cross-drilling the pivot and the locking pin. In any case, I'll make a new pin on the lathe, but I have to get this one out and it ain't budging.

Zrexxer,

That vise is a diamond in the rough. I have a few Prentiss of my own. My suggestion is to search for a member named Catalyze (actual name is Craig).

He hasn't seemed to be posting lately, but he has posted some serious Prentiss vise retoration threads in the past. I know there is one where he discusses his issues with the same thing that you are trying to figure out. You could also send him a PM regarding your situation. He's a nice guy and I'm sure would assist you if he can.

Good luck -

Dave

 

[ZRX61]

Re: Need Some Prentiss Help

Zrexxer,

That vise is a diamond in the rough. I have a few Prentiss of my own. My suggestion is to search for a member named Catalyze (actual name is Craig).

... & he happens to be another ZRX owner...

 

[buzzdex1]

I have a similar stuck pin on my Morgan. While cleaning it up today I found a hole above the frog inside that seems to align with the pin. I am going to try a punch like object in the hole and a wedge to try to force the pin out from the inside. The extra pins on your Prentice do not look helpful.

 

[demoman]

Here are some of the biggest vises I set out for a pic. L-R they are Parker 958,240#, Morgan 80,210#, Hollands 18, 280#, (2)Yost #80?(no number present on either) 261#, Columbian 508,158# ,Hollands (Lackawana RR) 255 #, Reed 208R, 291#
Back Row L-R Hollands 28, 327#, Reed 109,300#, Hollands 19,289#, Desmond Stephen 81S , 239#
I have a Reed 108, Columbian chipping vise 8" and a Parker 60 that are not here to be with the others. Would be great to have a photo of all the big ones. The Hollands is the heaviest by far but there is about 1 turn before it opens. They went cheap on the screw slack adjustment. My favorite is the Reed 208. It is the nicest vise that size that they made. The columbian is the poorest made in my opinion. It is not ver heavu on the slide and does not have the iron in it the others have. You can actually still buy parts for the morgan. When I got it the nut was missing and I got a new one for $40. Each vise has come from a different state. The Morgan is the only one found in Kansas. If anyone wants more photos or info please ask. There is 3118# og My goal is to set up a small museum of vises and blacksmith equipment. I want to have the complete line of reed vises to display as well as others. I get closer every week Hope you enjoy

 

[Stuart in MN]

Here are some of the biggest vises I set out for a pic.

OK, you win.

 

[TreePointer]

I also surrender.

 

[tool_scrounge]

Very nice collection...

 

[les_garten]

Where's that Vise Farm at?

Nice crop there...

 

[WorkToFish]

My small Wilton made in Taiwan. Pics showing before, during, and after I cleaned it up and mounted it to the bench. Notice one of the the antlers that holds it to the bench has been welded by the previous owner.

 

[Outlawmws]

My small Wilton made in Taiwan. Pics showing before, during, and after I cleaned it up and mounted it to the bench. Notice one of the the antlers that holds it to the bench has been welded by the previous owner.

Nice cleanup. however, you will find that vise to be far more useful mounted so the stationary jaw surface clears the edge of the bench. I also like to mount to it can be turned 90 deg and clear the end if possible.

 

[ajchien]

Thank you. made my day.

Here are some of the biggest vises I set out for a pic. L-R they are Parker 958,240#, Morgan 80,210#, Hollands 18, 280#, (2)Yost #80?(no number present on either) 261#, Columbian 508,158# ,Hollands (Lackawana RR) 255 #, Reed 208R, 291#
Back Row L-R Hollands 28, 327#, Reed 109,300#, Hollands 19,289#, Desmond Stephen 81S , 239#
I have a Reed 108, Columbian chipping vise 8" and a Parker 60 that are not here to be with the others. Would be great to have a photo of all the big ones. The Hollands is the heaviest by far but there is about 1 turn before it opens. They went cheap on the screw slack adjustment. My favorite is the Reed 208. It is the nicest vise that size that they made. The columbian is the poorest made in my opinion. It is not ver heavu on the slide and does not have the iron in it the others have. You can actually still buy parts for the morgan. When I got it the nut was missing and I got a new one for $40. Each vise has come from a different state. The Morgan is the only one found in Kansas. If anyone wants more photos or info please ask. There is 3118# og My goal is to set up a small museum of vises and blacksmith equipment. I want to have the complete line of reed vises to display as well as others. I get closer every week Hope you enjoy

 

[demoman]

Where's that Vise Farm at?

Nice crop there...

The vise farm is in Scottsville Kansas. If anyone ever gets this way look me up and I will show them all. I have a lot more vises. A lot more
Brad

 

[TreePointer]

The vise farm is in Scottsville Kansas. If anyone ever gets this way look me up and I will show them all. I have a lot more vises. A lot more
Brad

Must be a rabbit farm.

 

[autopts]

Here are some of the biggest vises I set out for a pic."

That collection is awesome!!!! Those photos are an excellent addition to this thread. I don't know of anyone who can put together big boys like that!! That 1 1/2 tons of vises you got there!

 

[mad57]

My redone pwder coated wilton vise.

 

[autopts]

My redone pwder coated wilton vise.

One very nice restoration!!

 

[forsaken82]

i saw post or thread a while back about a huge vise someone got from a barge shop? anyone remember what kind it was or a link tot the post/thread?

 

[TreePointer]

i saw post or thread a while back about a huge vise someone got from a barge shop? anyone remember what kind it was or a link tot the post/thread?

Here's the beastie: Behemoth Vise Restoration

 

[NastyNate]

My No 105 Reed vise Recently restored.

 

[Tarpley]

I would like to add mine to the mix.
Before:

After:

 

[dayid]

Acquired this Reed #23 from my wife's grandfather's tools after he passed away. Researching the Reed 23 brought me a thread on here where a guy sold one without the swivel, but I haven't seen much info on time period, etc.

This one needs a bit of paint (was filthy, but cleaned it well and relubricated it) and there's a small crack on the edge of one of the face (not the removable portion), but it still works happily.

 

[TreePointer]

Looking good, NastyNate.

I recently saw a Reed 105R that I want to say looks the same as yours, except I noticed that yours says just 105 (with no "R"). Does anyone know what the difference is between the R and non-R models?

 

[AndysMBgarage]

In Jan 09 my Dad passed away, and at the time I didn't have a garage. Now that I've finally finished building my garage I set up a workbench this week and cleaned up dads old Dawn offset vice. It's one of the old "Made in Australia" models [now they're Chinese] and after a scrub with a wirebrush and a wipedown with Penetrene it works perfectly.

I think I'll get it soda blasted and powder coated so it'll last me out

 

[Harvey Melvin Richards]

It's one of the old "Made in Australia" models.

There are some very interesting Australian vises posted here so far. That offset would be real handy sometimes.

 

[rbannon]

That Dawn is a interesting vise. Did Wilton make or market an offset vise like the Dawn a few years ago? I seem to remember such an item but I do not know for sure.

 

[A**holes Garage]

 

[BHH]

That is an awesome looking vise. I love that font they used.

 

[Lost Road]

I am off to look at this tomorrow:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/44259078@N03/6307156080/in/photostream

 

[BHH]

I am off to look at this tomorrow:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/44259078@N03/6307156080/in/photostream

Looks like pretty decent surface shape.

Also that is a pretty eclectic photo stream haha.

 

[PsRumors]

I pulled this out of my deceased Grandfather's shop this weekend. Not sure who made it for Craftsman but seems like a very decent vise. I should get some good use out of it.

It is stamped 12 55 which I assume is the date.

 

[Lost Road]

yeah, I'm pretty eclectic. I just got a call about a post vise in the same area. I'll report back tomorrow.

 

[TreePointer]

I am off to look at this tomorrow:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/44259078@N03/6307156080/in/photostream

Looks pretty darn good.

Make sure not to let him sell you that rare antique clothespin once used by Teddy Roosevelt. Now if he throws it in....