The VISES of Garage Journal

[bl00]

What's printed on the end above the numbers?

 

[tool_scrounge]

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.

I always liked they styling on that vise.

 

[ZRX61]

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

Plastic bead works better

 

[buzzdex1]

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

This is exactly what I needed! For the benefit of SWMBO, I am going to print an 8x10 and post it in the shed near my very reasonable, nay, even moderate number of vises.

I am trying to think of an excuse to swing through Kansas.

Thanks,

Kevin

 

[buzzdex1]

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.

Here are a couple of pics showing removal of the taper pin from my Morgan 340B. It was even better than I hoped because once the frog and the swivel base are removed, a punch/drift fits through the swivel attachment hole and aligns with the taper hole easing removal of the taper pin from the bottom. Had to beat it pretty hard.

 

[Gary Indiana]

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

Andy, that is one really impressive vise.

But... <STRIKE>the way you mounted it defeats the purpose of the offset It should be mounted closer to the edge to allow the vise hold in it long objects hanging down without obstruction. That's the whole idea behind offset vices.</STRIKE>

Scrap that above remark. Vise is mounted properly - on the edge. It's the angle of the picture that makes it look like it was mounted too far.

 

[PsRumors]

What's printed on the end above the numbers?

"Model No"

They aren't printed, it is stamped into the steel. I just used a little chalk so that it would show up.

 

[Lost Road]

I got my wilton and this!

http://www.flickr.com/photos/44259078@N03/6312964481/in/photostream

*can we not post pics from flickr here? I am not able to get an image in to a thread.

 

[Lost Road]

here is a better look at the wilton:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/44259078@N03/6313487996/in/photostream/

 

[dayid]

I got my wilton and this!

http://www.flickr.com/photos/44259078@N03/6312964481/in/photostream

*can we not post pics from flickr here? I am not able to get an image in to a thread.

Just have to make sure to use the actual jpg url in the img tags:

 

[Lost Road]

ah, cool! thanks so much.

 

[autopts]

here is a better look at the wilton:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/44259078@N03/6313487996/in/photostream/

Thats a beauty! If you got it for anything under $2.00 a lb. you got a deal. Those are hard to find, and expensive to ship. The jaw towers are massive and by the looks of it, it wasn't used much. See if you can make a stand alone for it. When those huge vises are on standard height benches they become difficult to work with. They almost sit too high (unless your tall) That 600S you want to work actually over it. It could be one reason it wasn't used that much. My 2 cents..Don't touch the outside. It still has 80% of its original paint. It looks great!

 

[Even 11]

I'm with Nick, thats a beauty of a vise! Hope you scored it for a good deal after you dug it out of the mud!! You will never need a bigger one, thats for sure! Nice little mini clevis you got there too.

-Dane

 

[AndysMBgarage]

Andy, that is one really impressive vise.

Thanks

But... the way you mounted it defeats the purpose of the offset It should be mounted closer to the edge to allow the vise hold in it long objects hanging down without obstruction. That's the whole idea behind offset vices.

The vice is actually setup on the edge of the bench, it's just the angle of the pic that makes it look like that.

Cheers Gary

 

[Lost Road]

Thats a beauty! If you got it for anything under $2.00 a lb. you got a deal. Those are hard to find, and expensive to ship. The jaw towers are massive and by the looks of it, it wasn't used much. See if you can make a stand alone for it. When those huge vises are on standard height benches they become difficult to work with. They almost sit too high (unless your tall) That 600S you want to work actually over it. It could be one reason it wasn't used that much. My 2 cents..Don't touch the outside. It still has 80% of its original paint. It looks great!

I appreciate your advice. I was told it's owner preferred a smaller vise. I am wondering how much effort I should put in to this vise. I will keep the exterior original. The action is smooth, but it does need a lot of cleaning. Should I open it up or just give it a good cleaning. I already have a Polish vise on my bench. I will probably try to sell this locally.

 

[demographic]

I already have a Polish vise on my bench. I will probably try to sell this locally.

Pictures?

 

[Lost Road]

Here are some pics of my vise from Poland. I found an earlier thread on this vise as well:

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=82379

 

[Lost Road]

Oh, I forgot to mention, the dynamic jaw opens inward.

 

[autopts]

I appreciate your advice. I was told it's owner preferred a smaller vise. I am wondering how much effort I should put in to this vise. I will keep the exterior original. The action is smooth, but it does need a lot of cleaning. Should I open it up or just give it a good cleaning. I already have a Polish vise on my bench. I will probably try to sell this locally.

Thats a tuff call, if the mininum, clean the channel bar. I don't know your financial state but me?, I would hold onto it for a while. Nobody on CL (at least around here) would pay what that vise is worth. I've sold 3 on Ebay and I shipped them. Or list it as a "buy it now" on Ebay pickup only. I've had winners 2 states away pick up vises.

 

[Lost Road]

Thanks auto! I think I'll keep it simple for now.

 

[garliclover101]

Scott,
1st----COOL.
2nd----WOW.
3rd-----WOW HOW COOL.

Love the vises, but more than that I love the wide and varied assortment of tools. Is envy a good or bad thing?

 

[autopts]

Oh, I forgot to mention, the dynamic jaw opens inward.

Yeah, its like a lazy boy of vises. You can have a wall 3" from the handle and still use it. That model is a very well make vise with the gib adjustment screws to adjust vise side play.
One note on your 600S. That front jaw is seperate from the channel bar. Its actually a 2 piece assy. I bought this 600S for a song years ago. Everyone thought it was trashed. Me and 2 other guys straightened it out on a press in 5 minutes.

 

[WQ59B]

 

[tool_scrounge]

One note on your 600S. That front jaw is seperate from the channel bar. Its actually a 2 piece assy. I bought this 600S for a song years ago. Everyone thought it was trashed. Me and 2 other guys straightened it out on a press in 5 minutes.

In regard to the 600S you fixed using a press, was the front jaw loose on the channel bar or was it tight but just rotated?

Thanks

 

[Lost Road]

Yeah, its like a lazy boy of vises. You can have a wall 3" from the handle and still use it. That model is a very well make vise with the gib adjustment screws to adjust vise side play.
One note on your 600S. That front jaw is seperate from the channel bar. Its actually a 2 piece assy. I bought this 600S for a song years ago. Everyone thought it was trashed. Me and 2 other guys straightened it out on a press in 5 minutes.

I really appreciate your advice!

 

[Gary Indiana]

The vice is actually setup on the edge of the bench, it's just the angle of the pic that makes it look like that.

Andy, indeed!
My apologies for the remark then, and thanks for posting more great pictures.
Aussies make some really nice tools. I've got a small Sidchrome socket set that are impossible to break

 

[outlander800]

Heres a couple pics of my Reed 1c. Its a 3.5 inch jaw and it weighs a ton for its size.

 

[autopts]

In regard to the 600S you fixed using a press, was the front jaw loose on the channel bar or was it tight but just rotated?

Thanks

It moved under about 500 lbs pressure. They are held in with a side pin so it can never come off however Wilton must make the tolerances for a tight fit. The 500S is like that also.

 

[autopts]

Heres a couple pics of my Reed 1c. Its a 3.5 inch jaw and it weighs a ton for its size.

That is the cleanest, nicest 1C I have ever seen! That sir is a keeper!

 

[A**holes Garage]

Heres a couple pics of my Reed 1c. Its a 3.5 inch jaw and it weighs a ton for its size.

 

[outlander800]

That is the cleanest, nicest 1C I have ever seen! That sir is a keeper!

Thanks Nick, appreciate all the help!!!!

 

[Richard D]

I have a Reed vise. The jaws are only 3½" wide, but open over 7½".

 

[Outlawmws]

The Palmgren No. 10 as a finished product...

 

[gatewaysysop]

Almost forgot to add my three most notable CL acquisitions to this thread:

Athol 624 1/2, 4.5" jaw (restored by the seller)
Prentiss Bulldog #54, 5" jaw
Rock Island 595, 5" jaw

Planning to restore the Prentiss and the Rock Island at some point, will update this post with newer pics afterwards.

 

[bluebolt]

I have a Reed vise. The jaws are only 3½" wide, but open over 7½".

Thats a nice looking 1C!

 

[otisdog]

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 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?

No kidding you're murdering the pin....stumped us, too.
We ended up soaking that portion of the vise in diesel for 3 weeks, and the pin plopped right out.
Regarding the holes on the side...mine were hollow. The filled on in the rear of your vice looks to be the problem. Good luck!

 

[TreePointer]

I bought a hunk of paint yesterday from CL and found a Wilton vise in it!

I had to remove some paint to reveal what looks like "C1165." I assume that means a 5" model C1, right? Date is 2-78 and looks great on the inside. Hopefully when I remove the rest of the paint there will be no surprisses.

The 5" jaw inserts look to be in very good shape.

 

[Rockbiter]

Setting a Record today. Well, a Record 52 1/2 anyways. I spent some time building a new woodworking bench recently and have already set my Old Columbian woodworking vise into it. I took the time yesterday to tear this old Record vise apart to clean and lube it. It's working very smooth now so my job for this morning is to set it into the new bench top too, then the bench should be complete. It's been quite a project.

 

[bluebolt]

My Wilton 5" model # 745 mechanics vise picked up at an estate sale recently. This was AFTER cleaning, spent 2 hours disassembling it and cleaning the crud off. 1-79 date code on slide.

 

[Rockbiter]

The end vise is on and the bench is nearly finished. Just need to drill some bench dog holes but didn't have it in me today to do the drilling after wrestling with that vise for about two hours.