The VISES of Garage Journal

[kngkong]

==========

Now - that is a good question

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

Hey Outrigger, thanks for all the info. I posted my Record back in this thread and would also like to see some of those "strip down" photos when you find them.

Cheers!

 

[bluebolt]

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


Now that's a pretty vise! Want to do my 1C for me LOL.

 

[gregthor]

bluebolt - Now that's a pretty vise! Want to do my 1C for me LOL.

Sure I'll do your 1C... but will you be mad at me when I lose your return address and can't return it....LOL

 

[Catalyze]

I learned more about Record vises on this page than I had known in my life. Very nicely played Sir!

The Reed 1C is very well done too. It fits with the cabinet perfectly. Two slices of vise pie for you on that effort!

To add to some vintage items, here is an old Rock Island Model 52 vise. Somewhere along the way, the original base lock nut had disappeared. To make things even more fun, someone had pounded the pin in the swivel jaw and ground it off flush. Whe I got the vise, I feared that it had been welded into place. Luckily it was not.
View media item 15457
It has cast in jaw faces but they are in very nice condition and finished out nicely. I had to make a new swivel jaw pin and reused the part of the pin hammered into the vise with a new top.
View media item 15459
The slide has more scars than an alley cat but they add character. The Rock Island is very densely made and is machined well. The jaw pivots with one finger now.
View media item 15458
The swivel base lock was just a nut jammed down tight when I got the vise. The fit of the base stud is so close to the body that I decided to make a swivel handle nut like an Athol vise would use. I modified an old standard base nut into a swivel handle item and it works a treat.
View media item 15460
All in all, the Rock is a testament to those wonderful folks who made great vises back in days gone by.
Craig

 

[autopts]

I learned more about Record vises on this page than I had known in my life. Very nicely played Sir!

The Reed 1C is very well done too. It fits with the cabinet perfectly. Two slices of vise pie for you on that effort!

To add to some vintage items, here is an old Rock Island Model 52 vise. Somewhere along the way, the original base lock nut had disappeared. To make things even more fun, someone had pounded the pin in the swivel jaw and ground it off flush. Whe I got the vise, I feared that it had been welded into place. Luckily it was not.
View media item 15457
It has cast in jaw faces but they are in very nice condition and finished out nicely. I had to make a new swivel jaw pin and reused the part of the pin hammered into the vise with a new top.
View media item 15459
The slide has more scars than an alley cat but they add character. The Rock Island is very densely made and is machined well. The jaw pivots with one finger now.

All in all, the Rock is a testament to those wonderful folks who made great vises back in days gone by.
Craig

Are you a new member? Thats a beautiful restore!

 

[rbannon]

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.

Thank you sir!

 

[welder4956]

Anyone know what brand this one is? It's listed for $45 on local CL.

Edit: I thought it was a 5" Craftsman based on photos of others, but the lettering does not look like it says Craftsman.

 

[bluebolt]

Sure I'll do your 1C... but will you be mad at me when I lose your return address and can't return it....LOL

What color and brand of paint is that blue?

 

[gregthor]

bluebolt -What color and brand of paint is that blue?

If you use this paint, one piece of advise.... keep shaking the can all the time or all of the sudden the color will turn green. I don't know why but you must keep shaking it!!! I got it at Lowes.
Greg

 

[PCO6]

^^^ That's what I use on Record vices. It matches the original blue very well.

 

[zoomieport]

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

I have the "same" vise... Except mine is a 940 WE (4" jaws) and it is identical (except the "screw heads" on the tag...) to yours, I thiink...? it is marked 2-47... I too am suspisious about the "existance" of a swivel base... However... the one I have apprears to have seen quite a bit of use and i see no signs of wear around the "mounting" holes that would suggest to me that if there were a "swivel base" it was never used (I find that odd...?) and the botton also shows no signs of "swiveling" at any point in its career.... I however, have been know to swivel my base, from time to time... I'm just saying.

$0.02

 

[zoomieport]

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

I have the "same" vise... Except mine is a 940 WE (4" jaws) and it is identical (except the "screw heads" on the tag...) to yours, I thiink...? it is marked 2-47... I too am suspisious about the "existance" of a swivel base... However... the one I have apprears to have seen quite a bit of use and i see no signs of wear around the "mounting" holes that would suggest to me that if there were a "swivel base" it was never used (I find that odd...?) and the botton also shows no signs of "swiveling" at any point in its career.... I however, have been know to swivel my base, from time to time... I'm just saying.

$0.02

Itake that back... The logo on yours is different all together than mine... Mine all (3) have Wilton centered over the base mounting hole and Chicago is on the Left with USA being on the Right... Hmmm

 

[Outlawmws]

Itake that back... The logo on yours is different all together than mine... Mine all (3) have Wilton centered over the base mounting hole and Chicago is on the Left with USA being on the Right... Hmmm

The casting guys were bored.

 

[autopts]

Wilton made every bullet to accept a swivel base. Then you had the option. You both might be looking for the same base.

 

[zoomieport]

The casting guys wee bored.

I am guessing Monday morning or Friday afternoon... HAHA!

Wilton made every bullet to accept a swivel base. Then you had the option. You both might be looking for the same base.

Thanks, you are the vise guru! I feel like I wasted your time on this one though... I'll come up with something soon that challenges you, thanks again!

 

[Wayfastwhitie440]

Heres my first vise its missing the base but the guy I bought it from says he will look for it. But Im pretty Sure its a Wilton. Does anyone know where I could get a base if the guy doesn't come through? Also how in the world do I split the two apart?

 

[Outlawmws]

Heres my first vise its missing the base but the guy I bought it from says he will look for it. But Im pretty Sure its a Wilton. Does anyone know where I could get a base if the guy doesn't come through? Also how in the world do I split the two apart?

Just keep unscrewing; it will come apart.

 

[Wayfastwhitie440]

I took the screw bar out completely just seems to be really tough to get apart I geuss just a little rust build up. Also how does the end cap pop off? I see a pin that I guess I punch out...

 

[camaro8194]

more people here i bought a paramo #6 vice this past summer at a garage sale for 5.00 i need jaws for does anyone know were i can get them? thanks

 

[mitusa]

I have a "mercury" vise. It has a 4 on the side. I've been searching the web and this thread for a little info......I see it mentioned every once in a while, but no real info. Maybe made by Morgan or Milwaukee????

Thanks!

 

[autopts]

I have a "mercury" vise. It has a 4 on the side. I've been searching the web and this thread for a little info......I see it mentioned every once in a while, but no real info. Maybe made by Morgan or Milwaukee????

Thanks!

This is some classic vise ****. The Dynamic is a Mercury and its inside the body is a Morgan. I believe the Morgan jaws were real close, just a little fileing and they would work. I sold that Mercury however I have a set of new Morgan jaws I could give you dementions on.

 

[bigcaddy]

Hi there, everybody. Just a new guy here that has been admiring all of your pretty vises and decided it was time to finally join and try to share some pics with you.

I also wanted to thank everybody for all of the information out there in this thread. You're collective wisdom has guided me more then once when decided to buy a vise or not

 

[bigcaddy]

I will try to get some pictures of my rotating vise collection by tomorrow some time. Most of these listed are in my garage but some have been sold or are currently for sale. I find new vises all the time so i should have plenty of pictures to share with everybody.

(2) 1946 Wilton Baby Bullet 2 1/2" jaws, one is on a Power Arm swivel base
1966 Wilton HD Bullet 4" jaws
1969 Wilton Bullet 3 1/2" jaws
Prentiss No.10 swivel jaw w/ 4 1/2" jaws
Reed 103/Craftsman 5179 3" jaws
Craftsman 4 1/2" jaw, made by Reed, identical to the one above but with a oval alum tag
Athol 614 1/2 with oval brass ID tag, possibly govt or purchaser's company ID tag
Prentiss No. 57 7" jaws

Like i said, i have lots of these suckers floating around but ill get some pictures posted hopefully by tomorrow afternoon.

 

[autopts]

I will try to get some pictures of my rotating vise collection by tomorrow some time. Most of these listed are in my garage but some have been sold or are currently for sale. I find new vises all the time so i should have plenty of pictures to share with everybody.

(2) 1946 Wilton Baby Bullet 2 1/2" jaws, one is on a Power Arm swivel base
1966 Wilton HD Bullet 4" jaws
1969 Wilton Bullet 3 1/2" jaws
Prentiss No.10 swivel jaw w/ 4 1/2" jaws
Reed 103/Craftsman 5179 3" jaws
Craftsman 4 1/2" jaw, made by Reed, identical to the one above but with a oval alum tag
Athol 614 1/2 with oval brass ID tag, possibly govt or purchaser's company ID tag
Prentiss No. 57 7" jaws

Like i said, i have lots of these suckers floating around but ill get some pictures posted hopefully by tomorrow afternoon.

Welcome aboard. Is your Reed 103 currently on Ebay? If so, that one is a beauty.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Reed-103-Cr...6?pt=BI_Tool_Work_Holding&hash=item27c260be16

 

[autopts]

I took the screw bar out completely just seems to be really tough to get apart I geuss just a little rust build up. Also how does the end cap pop off? I see a pin that I guess I punch out...

When the spindle was in, did you gently try to open it? If you did, its good you didn't force it open. Stick a long thin blunt (preferably not a screwdriver) all the way thru the threaded assy and tap the cap out. You might have to soak that vise in a solution to free it up. Thats a nice Wilton and will be worth the trouble. I'll get you a price on a new base with side clamps

 

[porphyre]

This is some classic vise ****. The Dynamic is a Mercury and its inside the body is a Morgan. I believe the Morgan jaws were real close, just a little fileing and they would work. I sold that Mercury however I have a set of new Morgan jaws I could give you dementions on.

Ha ha ha.... This forces me to repost this image....

 

[bigcaddy]

Welcome aboard. Is your Reed 103 currently on Ebay? If so, that one is a beauty.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Reed-103-Cr...6?pt=BI_Tool_Work_Holding&hash=item27c260be16

Yes, thats to one. I almost didn't want to sell it but i have other toys in the garage and i'm always going to find something better.

 

[autopts]

Yes, thats to one. I almost didn't want to sell it but i have other toys in the garage and i'm always going to find something better.

Guys!! bigcaddy's Reed is nice! They quit making that model years ago. Look at it. Its a keeper!

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Reed-103-Cra...item27c260be16

 

[bggrnchvy]

I picked up an old Reed 204R from an older genleman a mile away. I saw it on CL before I left for Turkey Day and was suprised he still had it when I came back. I grabbed it for $1.20/lb and other than some cosmetic blems from solid use over the years it's in great shape. Still could use a going through.

I know sometime in the 30's-40's Reed changed the lead screw head the flattened marshmellow style and I seem to recall hearing they went to a higher strength rod at the same time. I don't however have any clear idea when this was made and can only surmise some time from 1950-1970? Does anyone have a better indicator?

The 204 got mounted on the in progress welding table:

I bought a well used 9350 that I restored for my dad for Christmas. He had one in his dad's shop back in the 60's.

I'll have to collect the restoration pictures, I thought I had them all. I blasted it, welded some of the chips along the body up and smoothed them out, fabricated a new retaining collar and thrust washer, painted it and machined some aluminum jaws for it after breaking out and chasing the sheared mounting bolts.

The purpose of the update more so is that I'm still trying to find a larger vise to mount on a free standing post for heavier work or when I have a larger peice. I've found this Charles Parker but I was hoping somebody might help me nail down what the jaw width is most likely. I've been told by the seller ~8", but that would put it at almost 300lbs and he said it weighs something like 100lbs. I'm guessing it's a 5 or 6"'er? All I have to go on are these two pictures and his description.

 

[autopts]

The 204 got mounted on the in progress welding table:

.

The purpose of the update more so is that I'm still trying to find a larger vise to mount on a free standing post for heavier work or when I have a larger peice. I've found this Charles Parker but I was hoping somebody might help me nail down what the jaw width is most likely. I've been told by the seller ~8", but that would put it at almost 300lbs and he said it weighs something like 100lbs. I'm guessing it's a 5 or 6"'er? All I have to go on are these two pictures and his description.

I believe your right on the circa of that Reed. The last few years they went to a 4 bolt base. I may be wrong though. That C Parker is 100 years old if its a day. The edges look nice and crisp yet. I think C-Parker went until around 1910 then they changed it to Chas. The # on the other side really doesn't tell you much anyways. I have a C-Parker 4X and its a 5 1/2" Stationary and its goes 90lb+ easy

 

[bggrnchvy]

I believe your right on the circa of that Reed. The last few years they went to a 4 bolt base. I may be wrong though. That C Parker is 100 years old if its a day. The edges look nice and crisp yet. I think C-Parker went until around 1910 then they changed it to Chas. The # on the other side really doesn't tell you much anyways. I have a C-Parker 4X and its a 5 1/2" Stationary and its goes 90lb+ easy

In doing some more research it appears they added the U.S.A. to the body sometime in the 1900-1909 period. Seperately their swivel base was patented in 1910 I've read, though I can't find it myself.

I'm guessing close to 1911 based on your mention of when they switch to Chas. from C.

It does look like this vice is missing the collar that retains the handle to open the dynamic jaw. Building a new one is easy enough, but a proturding C. PARKER boss might be a little much. I guess items to think about.

 

[bigcaddy]

As promised, here are some pics of my workbench. Everything but the pair of Wiltons is going to be put up for sale in the next few days.

Ill post pictures of some fairly unique vises next

 

[Catalyze]

Very nice collection Big.......vise stacking is an art and a hazard. LOL
Craig

 

[bigcaddy]

I've looked at every page on this thread an nobody has posted a Prentiss No.10 with a swiveling rear jaw yet.

Here is one cleaned up a bit and looks pretty good. I do have "before" pics and it had at least 7 layers of paint on every surface. I couldn't even read the name when i purchased the vise.

 

[BrianJ]

Just picked up a 3" Wilton C-0 with missing pipe jaws. Where is the best place to buy jaws for this gem?

 

[ZRX61]

i've looked at every page on this thread an nobody has posted a prentiss no.10 with a swiveling rear jaw yet.

Here is one cleaned up a bit and looks pretty good. I do have "before" pics and it had at least 7 layers of paint on every surface. I couldn't even read the name when i purchased the vise.

want!!

 

[bigcaddy]

want!!

I'm not gonna make any friends by saying this but i got that vise and the little Wilton Baby Bullet, from my earlier pictures, in the same day and not more then 5 miles apart. I had to pay 50.00 for the Prentiss, and at the time, i kinda hemmed and hawed over that price since there were so many other things i wanted to buy at that sale.

The Wilton Baby Bullet was a different story. I know what they are worth and, when i found it, was afraid that the guy selling it was going to say 100.00 or some ridiculous price. I grabbed a few other hand tools and walked up to the guy doing pricing and waited for my judgement. When he said "thats a really nice quality vise and i was kinda planning on buying it myself but......, how does 10.00 sound?" I whipped the money out of my wallet so fast i think the bills caught on fire.

 

[Outlawmws]

I've looked at every page on this thread an nobody has posted a Prentiss No.10 with a swiveling rear jaw yet.

Here is one cleaned up a bit and looks pretty good. I do have "before" pics and it had at least 7 layers of paint on every surface. I couldn't even read the name when i purchased the vise.

Nice gunsmith vise, I'd love to find one of those!

 

[autopts]

Very nice collection Big.......vise stacking is an art and a hazard. LOL
Craig

I second that Craig...... bigcaddy, you have a great collection. That Prentiss is outstanding!!

 

[bigcaddy]

I second that Craig...... bigcaddy, you have a great collection. That Prentiss is outstanding!!

Thanks. I have more pictures to share and I'll get them posted soon. Does anybody have information about a Grinell made vise with a Providence, RI stamp on it. We have a 60 pounder on a post in our shop

The vise has 4 inch jaws, a solid slide and exposed screw