The VISES of Garage Journal

[RRmech]

Cute???

My wife is pretty happy about my latest tool purchase.
I picked up a Stanley #766 clamp on vise with 3" replaceable steel jaws.
It has seen VERY little use in it's 50+ years.
Cleaned up real nice with Simple Green, and oiled the screw.
The action is so smooth, you can open and shut the jaws with one finger.
She has a small home jewelry business and actually asked me to find her a small vise.
I loathed the idea of giving her a Chinese-made vise, so the old Stanley certainly fits her criteria.
And her appraisal of the old Stanley?

"It's cute"

Cute???????

Steve

 

[ZRX61]

Columbian 604 1/2

 

[rtvinc]

American Red Seal #64

 

[autopts]

Just picked this up a couple weeks ago, haven't taken the time to post pictures until now:

!

Does that vise have 2 mounting holes? It looks as if it had a swivel base at one time. I may be wrong.

 

[autopts]

American Red Seal #64

Thats nice! That could that be an old Columbian knock off way back when?

 

[fancypants]

I got this Columbian D46 from Berland's House of Tools last year. The tag described it as "61 lbs, made in USA, 40 years old. Last one available anywhere". I don't know if it's really 40 years old, but as far as I can tell it's new old stock. Assuming it hasn't been repainted, this should provide a pretty good reference for the original color. Got a real good price on an old American-made vise in new condition as part of a larger purchase.

 

[kythri]

Does that vise have 2 mounting holes? It looks as if it had a swivel base at one time. I may be wrong.

It does have two mounting holes. If it had a swivel base, there's not really any wear to indicate it. That said, a quick Googling does show a bunch of Desmond Stephan vises with swivel bases...

Now I'm curious, and want a base for mine!

 

[fireman164]

Bought this Athol 325 1/2 x vise from a auto shop that was closing down, it was in rough shape but a made in usa vise is worth the time and effort.

 

[Recoil Rob]

Does anyone know a source for replacement pipe jaws? I have a large Parker and a small Dunlop that are missing the pipe jaws.


thanks,

Rob

 

[autopts]

Does anyone know a source for replacement pipe jaws? I have a large Parker and a small Dunlop that are missing the pipe jaws.


thanks,

Rob

Post some photos with Model #'s. Some members I'm sure would have the same model and give you dimentions of their old jaws so you could have a pair made.

 

[dayid]

Do woodworking vises count here? Just got this one as a freebie, attached to a freebie workbench from a coworker that was moving and couldn't bring it with him. It's from China (Central Forge), but for free I'll use it until it breaks.

...and just in case that doesn't count, a better picture of my Reed No 23 that I'd posted a while back. This one too was a freebie. I love the history this one has all over it.

 

[K and K]

Bought this Athol 325 1/2 x vise from a auto shop that was closing down, it was in rough shape but a made in usa vise is worth the time and effort.

That is a great vise and a beautiful clean up and repaint! You really did a nice job. With the overhead cabinet, it looks like that guy takes up all of the room!

 

[bl00]

Hi,
Newbie here to the site & really enjoying going through this thread.
I just started buying some nice vintage USA vises & found a bigger one I'm not familiar with. I haven't seen any posted here & google isn't too helpful, It's a larger one (about 100lbs.) made by Howard Iron works, Buffalo NY. On the other side it has No 4, Patent date June 15, 1868. I've taken pics but don't know how to post them. I can send them on to someone if you want to look at it and/or post it here. I'd like to find out as much as I can about it & this site looks like my best bet. Thanks.
Bruce

Here's the pics from Canoe50:

 

[autopts]

Here's the pics from Canoe50:

Thanks for the photo transfer b. That vise for its age is in excellent condition!! I''d have to think twice about using a relic in that nice of shape. Agreed?

 

[ZRX61]

Bought this Athol 325 1/2 x vise from a auto shop that was closing down, it was in rough shape but a made in usa vise is worth the time and effort.

ok dammit, I'll go finish my Athol 323 1/2 refurb...

 

[ZRX61]

Ta daa...

 

[bl00]

Thanks for the photo transfer b. That vise for its age is in excellent condition!! I''d have to think twice about using a relic in that nice of shape. Agreed?

I'd use it. If it lasted this long it's gotta be well made.

 

[bigcaddy]

Here are the pics i promised of the large Vandermans we have in storage at our office. I took pictures of the one but we have 2 more in the back that are identical to this one pictured.

A member posted an old sheet from a sales catalog with these vises listed. A No.3 weighs in at a hefty 162 lbs.

I hope to make this one look like it did new and mount it outside out office so it can be used once again.

 

[bigcaddy]

In the same dark corner of my shop, i pulled out this Ridge Tool Co vise. It used to be mounted on the corner of a flat bed service truck we once had in the field. I'm amazed at the condition of a 30 year old tool, considering it was used by pipe fitters!! You could give those gorillas a cube of solid hardened steel and they would still find a way to break it in half!!

 

[Outlawmws]

Here are the pics i promised of the large Vandermans we have in storage at our office. I took pictures of the one but we have 2 more in the back that are identical to this one pictured.

A member posted an old sheet from a sales catalog with these vises listed. A No.3 weighs in at a hefty 162 lbs.

I hope to make this one look like it did new and mount it outside out office so it can be used once again.

Good lord that is a brute!

 

[bigcaddy]

It sure is a brute! It has the largest jaw towers i've ever seen on a vise. That also reminds me of another vise i picked up and haven't posted pics yet. Here it is partially disassembled and ready to get an electric bath.

 

[bigcaddy]

Is there any way to tell if the Wilton above this post is a C0 C1 or C2? It has no marking or date codes on the key way or cast anywhere on the body. There are large pipe jaws that are held in place by spring clips not pins, thanks autopts, has no inset area for a Wilton decal on the side of the jaw tower and is marked schiller park. The jaws measure 4 1/2" wide and by just guessing, weighs at least 60lbs.

 

[Harvey Melvin Richards]

Is there any way to tell if the Wilton above this post is a C0 C1 or C2? It has no marking or date codes on the key way or cast anywhere on the body. There are large pipe jaws that are held in place by spring clips not pins, thanks autopts, has no inset area for a Wilton decal on the side of the jaw tower and is marked schiller park. The jaws measure 4 1/2" wide and by just guessing, weighs at least 60lbs.

If the jaws are 4.5", it's a C1. My C1 weighs 72 lbs.

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showpost.php?p=1775557&postcount=39

 

[bigcaddy]

Thanks

 

[autopts]

Ta daa...

Very nice Z. Your collection of Athols must be growing. One doesn't see alot of Athol combos.

 

[autopts]

It sure is a brute! It has the largest jaw towers i've ever seen on a vise. That also reminds me of another vise i picked up and haven't posted pics yet. Here it is partially disassembled and ready to get an electric bath.

I give up bigcaddy! You constantly keep finding nice ones!

 

[bigcaddy]

I give up bigcaddy! You constantly keep finding nice ones!

I only find them because i have an extremely sharp eye and never stop looking. I even noticed that the neighboring building has an even larger Wilton outside but its used every day

Considering the circumstances regarding that C1 i figured it was off limits but, as luck would have it, i somehow swung it. It was hiding in a hot rod shop my old man stopped by a few days prior to ask some questions. He said he saw a Reed sitting on the ground so i wanted to stop by and make an offer on it. The Reed was in good shape but missing both swivel nut handles and one of the serrated dogs underneath.

Once i convinced him that the Reed was a stronger/better vise, the Wilton was no longer useful and he should sell it to me. I paid him a fair price and i honestly didn't think he cared to see it go. To him, a vise is a vise and a cheap Lowe's Kobalt was on par with a Wilton C1 or Reed 205.

I'll post some more pics when it get out of the bath and eventually, a finished result picture. I don't like to get too wild with the paint so i'm going to go with the usual factory hammered finish light blue.

 

[cfiles]

Been lurking around and learning for a while now. Thought I would post a few picks of my first vise redo. Found it in my dads barn and good one to learn on.

 

[cfiles]

My next two. A little Stanley and a Littlestown.

 

[cfiles]

Just finished a vise I found on CL. (I think a Wilton? ) It has aluminum jaw pads.

 

[ZRX61]

My next two. A little Stanley and a Littlestown.

I have one of each of those

 

[ZRX61]

Very nice Z. Your collection of Athols must be growing. One doesn't see alot of Athol combos.

I would have had 3, but I sold one & traded the other so that's the only one I have right now. It's not quite finished, I still need to buzz the ends of the jaws with a 3M Scotchbrite roloc disc & glassbead the screws that hold the pipe jaws in place.

 

[gatewaysysop]

Columbian 604 1/2

I actually have one of the exact same vintage and model, very nice!

 

[Canoe50]

Here's the pics from Canoe50:

Thanks for the help Fred.....much appreciated.
Bruce

 

[Gixerfixer]

My Record 25 vice and a tatty spare that I have not decided what to do with yet

 

[sometoyotaguy]

I picked this one up the other day. It seems to work fine, but needs a good cleaning and new paint.

 

[PCO6]

My Record 25 vice and a tatty spare that I have not decided what to do with yet

That's a beauty. I have several "single digit" Records (Nos. 1,3,4,6 & 8) and nothing as high as a No. 25. I'm assuming the higher number is in part to signify that it has a quick release jaw (like yours). I have a Record No. 52 wood vice with that and it's a nice feature.

 

[demographic]

That's a beauty. I have several "single digit" Records (Nos. 1,3,4,6 & 8) and nothing as high as a No. 25. I'm assuming the higher number is in part to signify that it has a quick release jaw (like yours). I have a Record No. 52 wood vice with that and it's a nice feature.

I'm not positive but the I think most double digit metalwork Records (or at least the ones with a quick release) are made from ductile iron instead of cast iron like the single digit ones like my No 6 are.

I've still not worked out if my Record 74 Auto Vice (without a quick release) is ductile iron or cast iron. My guess would be cast iron as there's no mention of it on the old advertising blurb I've read and its usually mentioned if its ductile iron.

Also I understand the difference between cast iron and ductile iron but I'm not entirely sure if ductile iron is the same as cast steel. I do know that cast steel and ductile iron vices are both stronger (or tougher) than cast iron.

 

[Gixerfixer]

That's a beauty. I have several "single digit" Records (Nos. 1,3,4,6 & 8) and nothing as high as a No. 25. I'm assuming the higher number is in part to signify that it has a quick release jaw (like yours). I have a Record No. 52 wood vice with that and it's a nice feature.

Thanks it's one of those things that gets taken for granted be stuffed without it though the quick release is a bonus although it's the only kind I have ever used spoilt

 

[Freeborn John]

Thanks it's one of those things that gets taken for granted be stuffed without it though the quick release is a bonus although it's the only kind I have ever used spoilt

I don't suppose you know roughly how old your 25 is do you?
I'm curious about when they brought the flat ended spindle in, mines rounded.