The VISES of Garage Journal

[zoomieport]

Saw this one (Wilton 645) on an old service truck that was 3/4 burried in trees and weeds, stop and asked about it. He said the bought it right before they went out of business, mounted it and never used it... $25.. Plus, the badge is still very readable, the flash just washed it out... swivel handle is bent, but the jaws look NICE...

 

[zoomieport]

I'm still looking for some ID help on this one...

 

[toomanytoyzz]

I'm still looking for some ID help on this one...

I am not gonna be much help to you, but I'd venture a guess and say that's an old blacksmith vise. I can't say for sure, but any vise I've ever seen with a removeable dynamic jaw so low down were VERY old and used in blacksmithing.

It's hard to tell by the pics, but does the vise have a plate on its side for mounting purposes? If so, that's a stout mounting point. You could eat the hell out of it from the right side. It may of had some sort of leg post attached at some time??

 

[Catalyze]

Zoomie - what you have there is a vise that was invented by Clare Ernst of Bay City, Michigan. He got the patent on May 31, 1892 for a vise that was supposed to allow the moveable jaw to quickly adjust. Here is a link to the Patent Drawing. You can read the description of what it was supposed to do by clicking the Abstract link on the left side of the page. You have a rare old vise. Good find!
Craig
http://www.google.com/patents/US475760?printsec=drawing&dq=vise&ei=wnTQT97ZPKW02wWkgt2mDA#v=onepage&q=vise&f=false

 

[Catalyze]

Grats on the nice vise job Allen! Nothing says "I love You" like a big old Athol. Just don't give your wife/gf one instead of flowers.....trust me....just don't.
Craig

 

[Canoe50]

Well finished the vise I bought for my dad's fathers day gift

View media item 20517

That's a nice one. I recently picked up his big brother, a 926. It's massive (205 lbs.) & brings a smile to my face every time I look at it.

 

[broinkrist]

Re: This just came up for sale today

Had some fun being the Art Deco style.

Nice Wilton Shop King. I've got the same. Did you buy the jaws somewhere or make them?

 

[DynoDale]

I'm looking for 3 Morgan vises... #130, #135 and #140... I would like to make a trade, if anyone is interested. I am willing to "over-trade" a little to get these. I have about 80 vises, so tell me what you are looking for and maybe we can work something out. Thanks!
Mike

Here's one I recently restored. It was in decent shape before I started, but I did electrolosis, light blasting, and powder coating.

The flash lightened the blue quite a bit. The darker pictures show the color more accurately.

 

[zoomieport]

Here's one I recently restored. It was in decent shape before I started, but I did electrolosis, light blasting, and powder coating.

The flash lightened the blue quite a bit. The darker pictures show the color more accurately.

Dang, NICE JOB! I just found a #140 though.... Grind and inch off the jaws and write #130 on the side with a Sharpie, and I'll give you my 1st born for it!!! HAHA!

 

[zoomieport]

Zoomie - what you have there is a vise that was invented by Clare Ernst of Bay City, Michigan. He got the patent on May 31, 1892 for a vise that was supposed to allow the moveable jaw to quickly adjust. Here is a link to the Patent Drawing. You can read the description of what it was supposed to do by clicking the Abstract link on the left side of the page. You have a rare old vise. Good find!
Craig
http://www.google.com/patents/US475760?printsec=drawing&dq=vise&ei=wnTQT97ZPKW02wWkgt2mDA#v=onepage&q=vise&f=false

Thank you!!! Any idea on the name of the "company" that may have produced it?

 

[zoomieport]

I am not gonna be much help to you, but I'd venture a guess and say that's an old blacksmith vise. I can't say for sure, but any vise I've ever seen with a removeable dynamic jaw so low down were VERY old and used in blacksmithing.

It's hard to tell by the pics, but does the vise have a plate on its side for mounting purposes? If so, that's a stout mounting point. You could eat the hell out of it from the right side. It may of had some sort of leg post attached at some time??

I think it was made to "top mount" on a 4x4 or fence post of some kind...Like you slide it in or over a post and bolt or otherwise attach it throug the horizontal holes at the bottom...

 

[GreyOwl]

Just picked up a Mercury Vise this afternoon. Jaws measure 2 3/8" wide and it clamps to the bench. Almost looks new but dirty.

 

[Joe B.]

That Mercury is awesome for the logo.

 

[GreyOwl]

It is going to get a light cleaning, a little lube on the screw and slides and then use it. Agree about the logo.

 

[whelenfan]

That is one awesome merc vise! nice find.

 

[amaes]

Morgan on CL for $40 if anyone in AZ is looking

http://phoenix.craigslist.org/evl/tls/3063997535.html

(Not Mine)

 

[widerberg]

Well, I did it again. Don't need any more vises. Have too many as it is. But, did a bit of drinking and eBaying and . . . two more for the collection. Picked up a Wilton Shop King, the 4" version. The pipe jaws are missing, but the price was right. Next, I found a Littlestown No.25 that I couldn't say no to.

I should say enough's enough, but I'd really love to snag a Rock Island one day. I say one day because I think I do have to call it a day on new vises for a while. They're getting hard to hide from my wife now. Plus, I'd want to score the Rock Island for a "you ****" price, so it'll probably take a while to find one.

 

[JASTECH]

I guess it's ok to put my auction lot vice here. You guys would know more then I about what colour it should be and the value.

 

[Joe B.]

I guess it's ok to put my auction lot vice here. You guys would know more then I about what colour it should be and the value.

Can you get some more pictures including some from the sides? That one looks interesting.

 

[cascivic]

Hey guys I posted in the garage sale thread but was just trying to get some more info. Got these two vises today for 6 bucks and want to clean them up and keep one and probably sell one.

I got a lead that this is probably one that was sold by Montgomery ward. Only has v casting numbers on it

Second is a bit smaller but says Lewis tool company NY on the side. I found some patents but not much else on this company maybe someone knows??
Also they don't seem to have any pads on the head don't know if this is normal or not
Thanks for any help

 

[autopts]

Here's one for the thread. Its a Chicago Morgan 50 and it may have been used once or twice.

 

[Outlawmws]

OK this one got posted in the Garage sale thread, but not a good pic, and I would like to know who made it if possible, so;

The only distinguishing marks are the Giants color scheme, of Black and Orange.

One casting mark of "664" in the clamp section. I also like the fact that is has a "real" cast arm on the dynamic jaw like a "real" machinists vise.

The style seems distinctive, any clues there?

Jaws are about 2-1/2" and open to about the same 2-1/2"

The screw retainer looks unique also:

 

[autopts]

OK this one got posted in the Garage sale thread, but not a good pic, and I would like to know who made it if possible, so;

The only distinguishing marks are the Giants color scheme, of Black and Orange.

One casting mark of "664" in the clamp section. I also like the fact that is has a "real" cast arm on the dynamic jaw like a "real" machinists vise.

The style seems distinctive, any clues there?

Outlaw,
I have a few similiar, all detailed like yours and probably made by a major vise MFG at the time. In most instances they left the name off for reason we don't know of.

 

[bigcaddy]

I have that exact same vise as well. The bulk of the dynamic jaw was snapped off the rest of the slide and was welded back together. There isn't much i can do to clean the welds so it just sits on a shelf in my shop.


I spent a good deal of time trying to locate a makers mark but turned up nothing.

 

[toomanytoyzz]

Here's one for the thread. Its a Chicago Morgan 50 and it may have been used once or twice.

Hey autopts
What size is that vise? I found one today at a flea market that was pretty large (18"+) with a HUGE swivel base. He was asking $35, but I could have got it for probably $20-$25. Should I swing by tomorrow and get it? I don't know what kind of money they bring? The one downfall I saw was the handle was slightly bent=beat on.

 

[spongerich]

Hey autopts
What size is that vise? I found one today at a flea market that was pretty large (18"+) with a HUGE swivel base. He was asking $35, but I could have got it for probably $20-$25. Should I swing by tomorrow and get it? I don't know what kind of money they bring? The one downfall I saw was the handle was slightly bent=beat on.

You need to go back and buy it. Unless it's broken (or been broken and rewelded back together) any large-ish Morgan is definitely worth that much. Unless the handle is badly pretzeled, it can probably be put nearly straight again without too much effort.

 

[amaes]

Got this for $30 today. How did I do? Everything is smooth and handle is straight and not pitting just light surface rust. Gotta love AZ low humidity

http://sphotos.**.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash4/403395_4146766758370_122561304_n.jpg

 

[Outlawmws]

Got this for $30 today. How did I do? Everything is smooth and handle is straight and not pitting just light surface rust. Gotta love AZ low humidity

http://sphotos.**.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash4/403395_4146766758370_122561304_n.jpg

How did you do? You **** at this. I'll help you out by offering to pay off your "loss" and dispose of the thing properly...

 

[zoomieport]

OK this one got posted in the Garage sale thread, but not a good pic, and I would like to know who made it if possible, so;

The only distinguishing marks are the Giants color scheme, of Black and Orange.

One casting mark of "664" in the clamp section. I also like the fact that is has a "real" cast arm on the dynamic jaw like a "real" machinists vise.

The style seems distinctive, any clues there?

Jaws are about 2-1/2" and open to about the same 2-1/2"

Did you try polishing right here (circled) on top of the slide a little?

 

[Outlawmws]

Did you try polishing right here (circled) on top of the slide a little?

We have a winner! after a little WD40 and some brushing with a brass brush, it came up. It's a Stanley (In the box) , No 765! It has a S.W. (Stanley Works?) logo inside a sort of heart or shield outline. and it's Made in USA of course!
This one is very similar to the one I recently posted that we "restored" for my daughter and her jewelery work. It is the same basic pattern but different style. (I like mine better!)

Thanks Zoomieport!

 

[JASTECH]

Joe B, Here are more pics on that vice and a couple more that have not been cleaned for 2+ years I think.

P.S. I need a bench vice, older american made. Something with some weight to it. From yard sall or estate sale is fine. You can ship apart if it's cheaper. Thanks!

 

[zoomieport]

We have a winner! after a little WD40 and some brushing with a brass brush, it came up. It's a Stanley (In the box) , No 765! It has a S.W. (Stanley Works?) logo inside a sort of heart or shield outline. and it's Made in USA of course!
This one is very similar to the one I recently posted that we "restored" for my daughter and her jewelery work. It is the same basic pattern but different style. (I like mine better!)

Thanks Zoomieport!

Happy to help!

 

[bigcaddy]

We have a winner! after a little WD40 and some brushing with a brass brush, it came up. It's a Stanley (In the box) , No 765! It has a S.W. (Stanley Works?) logo inside a sort of heart or shield outline. and it's Made in USA of course!
This one is very similar to the one I recently posted that we "restored" for my daughter and her jewelery work. It is the same basic pattern but different style. (I like mine better!)

Thanks Zoomieport!

Wouldn't that be Stanley Sweet Heart? The logo was a heart with S.W. inside of it. That particular logo was used from 1920 to 1934. Its a pretty good way to date your tools to a very small window of time.

 

[zoomieport]

Wouldn't that be Stanley Sweet Heart? The logo was a heart with S.W. inside of it. That particular logo was used from 1920 to 1934. Its a pretty good way to date your tools to a very small window of time.

I believe you are correct Sir!

 

[Outlawmws]

Wouldn't that be Stanley Sweet Heart? The logo was a heart with S.W. inside of it. That particular logo was used from 1920 to 1934. Its a pretty good way to date your tools to a very small window of time.

Thanks for that! good thing to know!

 

[Flatland Dave]

Sweet vise Outlaw. What size is it?

 

[demographic]

Wouldn't that be Stanley Sweet Heart? The logo was a heart with S.W. inside of it. That particular logo was used from 1920 to 1934. Its a pretty good way to date your tools to a very small window of time.

Stanley has started to use that logo again recently for their "premier planes".

I was quite interested in one of their new Sweetheart block planes right upto the point when I picked on up. The adjustable mouth doesn't close up anything like as close to the blade as I would like, there's too much backlash in the Norris style adjuster (no fault of the style of adjuster, its just that the hole in the blade that the adjuster fits into is too big) and the part that the blade beds onto wasn't ground properly and the blade needed to be adjusted on its lateral adjustment to sit straight.

The final point isn't so much of a problem as its easy to do but the backlash and especially the mouth not closing up as close to the blade as it should are pretty unforgivable.
Its like the bloke who designed it and checked it of the production line had never used one.

I wouldn't mind but as most of these faults just take a little more thought at the design stage I can't see it adding too much the the manufacturing cost.
I wanted to like the one I picked up but couldn't because it was too sloppy.

Plus, I'm not entirely sure where its made...

 

[Outlawmws]

Sweet vise Outlaw. What size is it?

2-1/2" jaws. a whopping 5-1/2 pounder!

 

[dayid]

Wouldn't that be Stanley Sweet Heart? The logo was a heart with S.W. inside of it. That particular logo was used from 1920 to 1934. Its a pretty good way to date your tools to a very small window of time.

The oldest catalog page I have that mentions a 765 is 1953; not to say it's older/newer than that, that's just the only one I've found/collected.

The "Stanley Victor Clamp Base Vises" go back at least to 1926 and at least forward to 1953, but only go up to 746 on that page.

The 761/763/765/766 are the "removable steel jaw" versions of the fixed/iron-jawed 741/743/745/746.

My Stanley info is very sparse however.

 

[amaes]

How do you tell the Age of vises? Is it stamped some where on them? I have two that I have no idea the age. I have a Starrett Athol 614 and a Morgan Chicago #30.