The VISES of Garage Journal

[demographic]

185lb????????

Not the ones I've seen as they will have had about four inch jaws, that would have put them at just less than fifty pounds.
If they had been that big (the eight inch jaws and 185 pounds version) I would have bought one just so I could come on here and boast about it

The old guy there also sells old anvils but that's the one item where he charges big money, no doubt because its so much effort to move them about.

 

[OUTRIGGER]

Dunno, we don't do too bad for old vice's here. There's

Record (I have two metalworking and one woodworking versions)
Woden (I have one woodworking)
Ajax (I have one quick release cast steel metalworking version)
Fortis (seem very close to the Ajax but I don't know if they are exactly the same).
Marples
Parkinsons (nice looking and I wouldn't mind one at the right price)
Paramo

That's just the ones I could think of in a few seconds, no doubt there's a few more.

===================

Yes, Iremember them all except the "Ajax" , Marples & Parkinson more for joiners vices.

-----

Do you remember this

The "British Standard" woodworking class bench , probably immediate post WW2 (if not earlier) complete with Record non-QR vices at diagonal corners.

I would have to check the vice size , one is off - may modify the bench to take one at each end for long lengths of timber.

A couple of years ago I rebuilt a 14 ft garage I had laid rotting on a trailer for 18 years as a mixer / mower shed and to do bits of wood + metalworking for a much larger shed.

I like heavy benches -

This is one I knocked up to take a pair of Record 34 , so I can handle longer lengths of angle iron better.

Looks like I am going to have to go around my garages taking photographs of all my vices , didn't know until a few days ago there was a Forum where people review the vices of others

 

[demographic]

Its worth looking at the Parkinsons metalworking vice's, a few good quick release ones about.
Some go for quite high prices and some go for peanuts.

That bench looks like my woodwork bench at secondary school.
One I have which is good is a Lervlad from when a local school was being demolished, its basically like THIS which I would say is good value at £75.
Mines got two wooden vices at diagonally opposite corners (like the one for sale but that looks like they are missing their tommy bars) and then it had two seven inch Record vices near the other corners, plus loads of holes for bench dogs. Mine had the two record vices removed but I got a Record and a Woden for a fiver each from my local secondhand tool barn slaes place.

 

[OUTRIGGER]

Some thingies are still British Steel, I like to know I can do a bit of hammering and not smash a iron casting.

Reading about all this refurbishment of vintage vices , better get this cleaned up , painted Record blue (whatever that is) oiled & back on the steel bench where I do the rough work like hot & cold bending



=============

Sorry for the clutter , must tidy up

Purchased this Paramo 41 last year , just as good as the Record 80 , people don't know them so well (or know cast iron from cast steel) so you can get them a bit cheaper sometimes

 

[Mark in Indiana]

Go ahead and ask, they may still have an old price tag on it or be using the old catalog. That could be a steal. Babco has a good rep; are they still around?

I stopped in and asked...

$150.00

Good deal?

 

[demoman]

I have never seen a vise like this one. The jaws are 7" wide and it weighs right at 200#. That is a Parker 300#, 978 next to it for comparison. The jaws are almost like a parker. Some (fill in the balnk) welded a piece of iron on the front to deal with the handle slack. It has a pocket at the bottom of the rear jaw for???? There is no name only T-49 and T050 cast on one side. Maybe this was a Prentiss? I have a prentiss vise that does not have their namehas BN cast on the side and was from the BN RR shop. Take a look and give me your input. Maybe someone will recognize some feature that will solve my puzzle. Overall it is in good condition.
Thanks
Brad

 

[CBSKI747]

just picked up gfe vise general fire extinguisher providence, ri

 

[zoomieport]

I picked up this Wilton C-2 (Guar. Exp. 6-30-61) the other day off CL... I guess I am wondering if you guys think I should----> "just"clean this up... ---> do a "full restoration"... ---> or just "leave the damned thing alone"... It's almost spotless, most of what you see is surface rust... Let me know your thoughts if you want, thank you... any suggestions would be appreciated.

Mike

 

[Linda@Lista]

Here is my Wilton 1765 vise mounted to Lista industrial workbench with a butcherblock top. I grin ear to ear everytime I use it.

Very nice! I'm glad our benches are holding up for you!
Linda

 

[Dz_speed]

Sweet stuff guys. I posted my Mac tools vise a few pages ago. I have it partially blown apart right now. Upon reassembly what should I use to lube the screw? Also how do you guys refinsh the jaws, handle, and swivel locking handle? Hope this makes sense. I plan to finish disassembly tomorrow and start stripping the paint.

 

[ZRX61]

Reading about all this refurbishment of vintage vices , better get this cleaned up , painted Record blue (whatever that is) oiled & back on the steel bench where I do the rough work like hot & cold bending

I painted my Record 3VS metallic blue instead of the Record blue. Ford engine blue doesn't look too bad on vises, I used it on my Morgans.

 

[OUTRIGGER]

I painted my Record 3VS metallic blue instead of the Record blue. Ford engine blue doesn't look too bad on vises, I used it on my Morgans.

----------------
Your high gloss seems about correct. I was thinking about such as RN (Royal Navy) blue or the Coastguard Blue that is very near - just normal gloss for me , or ask for just a touch of base matting added

Record seem to have used two if not three shades of blue over the years (Irwin of late seem to be using yet another) , just need to get my on one. I don't want to use a primer as it will probably look unsightly when the blue gets chipped. Don't wish to use one of those "fast dry" paints readily available at DIY shops. I will order 1 litre of a machinery enamel (oil & fuel resistant) - takes a good while to through harden but will take knocks better. I have several Record & Paramo vices + the odd smaller Eclipse. One a PO has painted black , need to strip that off - then a rolling programme to strip them all for re-paint as soon as I open the can.

Vices , G clamps etc. never seem to look correct in colours other than a deep blue

 

[OUTRIGGER]

Few more , F. Parramore & Sons (Sheffield) Nos. 00 , 1 , 2 , + 3

 

[PCO6]

Few more , F. Parramore & Sons (Sheffield) Nos. 00 , 1 , 2 , + 3

Outrigger - You and I have a similar "problem". I have a collection of Record vices ... a relative of Paramo. I have Nos. 1, 3, 4, 6 & 8. My No. 1 is actually a Wodden ... another relative from Sheffield.

 

[OUTRIGGER]

I have a few more Paramore yet to show , + Records yet to show , about 4 qty. Record CI mechanics type. I think it is the Record No.1 that has the solid base - quite a weighty little vice. Somewhere a little red coloured record with a anvil surface ISTR (clamp screw to bench). I may have one Fitters QR somewhere. I have given the Fitters vices a miss - I prefer the engineers esp. the 34 & 84 sizes. Small vices - I tend to use loose on a bench or outside on a hefty crate in summer , some bolt to short bits of angle iron to clamp in a bigger vice to raise the working height.

Plus the few Record joiners vices & one by Paramore

 

[ZRX61]

----------------
Your high gloss seems about correct. I was thinking about such as RN (Royal Navy) blue or the Coastguard Blue that is very near - just normal gloss for me , or ask for just a touch of base matting added

I don't use a primer either, I think that met blue on the Record was a Rustolem colo(u)r. RN blue is a lot darker than the Record blue. Record blue has to be a *standard* color in the UK, should be easy to match.

This is what it looks like out in the sun:

 

[OUTRIGGER]

More Paramo

I don't think this range is Cast steel , not stated so I assume cheaper CI non-QR. Probably their mechanics range ?

Very wide jaws relative to size of vice - so this is a good point

Now - this one , I think is badge-engineered for the Paramo range , not cast in their foundry. Note the label Paramo , possibly plastic & bonded on - there again could be cast by F. Parramore & they fitted the label with their own brand name & branded it for others. Slightly different design , cheaper construction - I suspect a DIY cheap range

 

[OUTRIGGER]

The "Record" blue may be old British Standard colour from BS 381C range , the newer Irwin shade could be from the RAL range. I would have to get the nearest swatch prepared from 381C (probably Oxford Blue).

http://www.stephen.hull.btinternet.co.uk/bs381c.html

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Probably my fav. model / style of Record Engineers - the 34 , there was a similar bur probably obsolete version (6") - IIRC this was the 36

-------------

Newer version :-

This is a newer version with the spindle flush faced at the handle.
----------

This is the older version with the conical egg-shaped spindle end (a PO has re-painted this) , I have a mate for this under the bench - to go on the other end of the bench for long lengths of angle-iron etc. will have to photograph that one , ISTR the paintwork is still in good ex-works condition.

So - do I need professional help with my vice problem ?

 

[Mark_RP]

ah, didnt see this thread until after I posted my own...Here are the 8 I have so far and the resto work I did to a few of them. I could use help identifying #6, and finding replacement hardware for #3

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=133525

 

[demographic]

The "Record" blue may be old British Standard colour from BS 381C range , the newer Irwin shade could be from the RAL range. I would have to get the nearest swatch prepared from 381C (probably Oxford Blue).

http://www.stephen.hull.btinternet.co.uk/bs381c.html

------

Probably my fav. model / style of Record Engineers - the 34 , there was a similar bur probably obsolete version (6") - IIRC this was the 36

-------------

Newer version :-

This is a newer version with the spindle flush faced at the handle.
----------

This is the older version with the conical egg-shaped spindle end (a PO has re-painted this) , I have a mate for this under the bench - to go on the other end of the bench for long lengths of angle-iron etc. will have to photograph that one , ISTR the paintwork is still in good ex-works condition.

So - do I need professional help with my vice problem ?

Good collection of old English vice's
I have a Woden woodwork vice which is a shade or so darker than the Record blue, more of a Royal blue than Oxford blue.

 

[PCO6]

OUTRIGGER - That's a great collection of Record and Paramo vices.

This is the only Record vice I have other than the ones I posted above. It's Record 52 wood vice. It's about 20 yrs old but has never been used. I also have a Mastercraft (Canadian Tire) wood vice that is very similar to a Record, just like their bench vices are.

Regarding colour, here is a Record No. 4 that I bought new in the 1970's. The rear is the original paint. I painted the front with Valspar blue that I bought at Lowe's and am very happy with.

Here's a Record No. 6 completely repainted in Valspar blue.

 

[tool_scrounge]

Very nice collection of British vices!

 

[Dbl.R]

Having trouble finding reference to the Wilton vise pictured in the attachments. Anyone know? It has 5" jaws and is stamped 950 WE on one side. Pictures are attached of other details. having issues inserting pics for some reason.

Thanks,

Dbl.R

 

[Dbl.R]

Well it looks like the pics came up after all. Any Wilton vise people know if the vise was designed to be stationary, would it have the button hole in the base?

Dbl.R

 

[Dbl.R]

I stumbled on to two of these. One was a 4350 and a lot of info was available for it. It's in great shape and very tight in tolerance. The one I posted is larger and I can't seem to find anything about it.

Dbl.R

 

[kngkong]

This is the older version with the conical egg-shaped spindle end (a PO has re-painted this) , I have a mate for this under the bench - to go on the other end of the bench for long lengths of angle-iron etc. will have to photograph that one , ISTR the paintwork is still in good ex-works condition.

So - do I need professional help with my vice problem ?

Hey Outrigger
I'm a fan of the quick release records too.

Any idea when they switched from the conical ended spindle to flat?

Cheers!

 

[BuddyC01]

Here's a little project I just finished. I really liked this Parker 63 1/2 at the auction, luckily no body else did. I fould a paint that pretty much matched the bottom layer as I cleaned it off. Just a Krylon Satin Burgundy.
Buddy

 

[PCO6]

Hey Outrigger
I'm a fan of the quick release records too.

Any idea when they switched from the conical ended spindle to flat?
Cheers!

If this helps ... I bought my Record No. 4 new in the mid 70's and it is "flat". My others are about that age and are flat too.

 

[rbannon]

Can someone with one of the British vises/vices with a quick release mechanism post some photos of how its works?

Thanks,

 

[OUTRIGGER]

Can someone with one of the British vises/vices with a quick release mechanism post some photos of how its works?

Thanks,

I will hunt out the bronze nut etc. for the one I have stripped , & take photographs . Also more of one assembled but rurned upside-down, with moving jaw in different positions , it may be possible to show how the nut mechanism works

 

[OUTRIGGER]

If this helps ... I bought my Record No. 4 new in the mid 70's and it is "flat". My others are about that age and are flat too.

==========

Now - that is a good question

I don't think Record branded castings etc. with Date of Manufacture - I need to check that out.

All I can say is I started as a apprentice Fitter & Turner in 1965 , the apprentice workshop was brand new and had Record Fitters No. 23 QR vices & they IIRC had flat ends.

The technical college I went to ISTR was built 1958 and the vices were Record mechanics , mainly 4" + a few other sizes / types and they had flat ends.

The workshops had hundreds of vices , I would say the majority of newer vices were Record steel QR vice , various sizes and they all had conical ends. Possibly conical ends continued for longer on the steel vices ?
There were quite a few Fortis vices + the oddbod ancient thing. There was a lot of vices of a particular make , I remember them well but can't remember the manufacturers name , never seen one since or even on eBay.

I would guess all these vices went back to the 1930's / 1940's.

The one I can't remember , they were good vices , steel with a top anvil surface. British Railways workshops had their own steel & CI foundry , Horwich , near Bolton Manchester , If they did them then they would be marked such as BR(E) British Railways Eastern. It could be these vices were internal shopped prior to nationalization by NER or LNER - but again they would be well marked and I don't recall a makers name on them. I sort of remember the odd vice with Osborn on - these may have been made for Henry Osborne Tools Ltd.

So - in short - I suspect the conical spindle end types date back to the 1950's & before.

There are plenty of good (as good as new) Record 34 & 84 (or sometimes marked as 34/84 ) + IIRC the latest are T84 coming up on eBay all the time. Many as good as new & they are my fav. vice , I avoid P&P so bide my time for local collection - prices paid vary from £15 (too cheap) to £40 , and even up to £80 / £100 + on high days.

Brand new 84 , 112 & 114 are Serious £ expensive - I suppose they are company purchase & it is 100% tax offset as capital machinery - if that possibility is still the case ?

 

[demographic]

Can someone with one of the British vises/vices with a quick release mechanism post some photos of how its works?

Thanks,

This is from an Ajax English vice, its cast steel so should be of good quality.
I took these pictures tonight but wasn't thinking about showing off the assembly on here so didn't take pics of all the details.
Anyway the lever besides spindle end there's a lever that twists the flat bar shown (runs from right to left in this picture). When the flat bar twists it lifts up (well actually as its all upside down in reality it lowers) the the round rod.

On the end of the half nut

With the buttress thread that is held against the underside of the spindle lead screw thread

The Woden woodwork vice I have has pretty much the same setup but nothing like as strong.

 

[PCO6]

... I would guess all these vices went back to the 1930's / 1940's.

... Many as good as new & they are my fav. vice.

That makes sense to me re the timing. I'm sure everyone has their favourite vices for their own reasons. I'm with you. Record is mine and I can't see myself buying any other type.

 

[demographic]

That makes sense to me re the timing. I'm sure everyone has their favourite vices for their own reasons. I'm with you. Record is mine and I can't see myself buying any other type.

I have a PDF copy of a Record tools pamphlet from 1953 in which the only ones with a flat end are the mechanics vice's, all the woodwork, quick release metalwork and the 74 auto vice's have the nice rounded end.

I tried to put it up onto my Scribd account but its password protected so Scribd wouldn't let me.

 

[autopts]

Great talk on the English vices guys. I never knew they were so popular until I came aboard here. I think its worthy of its own thread. I had one big 6" Record swivel and not knowing and thinking it was a cheaply made vice I sold it for $30 at my garage sale about 6 years ago and it was clean. Here's a USA vise made by a late 1800's MFG. Its a 5" stationary Hollands # 15 and its a dense 85 lbs and nice. I think its worthy of a GJ Entry.

 

[Dz_speed]

I posted my Mac Tools vise a couple pages back, Been working in this a little at a time since the middle of the week. Had a bunch of fun painting it today. Sorry for the bad image quality( cell phone, bad garage lighting). Went with orange. Overall I'm happy with the progress thus far. Do any of you guys put a clear like finish on after?

 

[OUTRIGGER]

Ratcliffe Service Tools , brake pipe flaring "Vice" kit.

 

[gustsant]

Just saw this vise in the Chicago area, seems like a great deal to me, at least where I am it is certainly a great deal. No, this is not my vise or my ad, just trying to get a good deal for a fellow GJ member.




http://chicago.craigslist.org/wcl/tls/2769486196.html

 

[Gary Indiana]

Just saw this vise in the Chicago area, seems like a great deal ...

This has been on CL for the last 3 weeks, or so.
Now this below was a great deal from Chicago area. Gone in 2 hrs

 

[gregthor]

Dear Friends at Garage Journal,

I have been busy on CL again... and in then in my barn.... I just finished my new Reed 1C. Now I know there are aready several Reed 1C's on this thread but hey, maybe there is not a blue one, so I decided to post it anyways. This one came with a cart. I don't know if any of you read the thread "Let's see your Tool Carts/Service Carts" but if you do, this is the vise peeking out of the tool cabinet in post #508. I saw the ad on CL that said cart with vise. We did the cart first and now the vise is done.
There is one interesting thing about this vise. The vise was in beautiful condition but the lettering was a challenge to do. It looks like the lettering is double exposed?! Look close at the second picture it must have moved during the casting process. Hmmm.... to bad vises aren't like coins where a defect increases its value.. LOL!
Anywyas here is what a REED 1C looks like in blue & white.
Greg

and on the tool cart