The VISES of Garage Journal

[Low Friction]

This looks like a Record clone. Dawn is Australian, wonder if it's made in China? It's a 5" jaw so it's pretty big. It's probably worth $60.

The base looks like it's not the best fit.

 

[demographic]

Finally got it home.
Emmert U6
Loaded on my cheap HF trailer which folds and the tail bounces up and down, with a forklift because it is so heavy.
Almost lost it on the road. The weight of the vise (86 lbs) bouncing up and down on the road, parted the lamination's of the corner of the wood table where it was thinned for the vise to mount. The corner would have come off since the laminated pieces stair-step at the corner (Not a good design). I will drill the table for a few threaded rod to hold it together. Had to take the table and base apart and remove the vise to bring it in because of weight. Table top is actually 2 pieces 20"x6'10".

Nice haul. I assume you know but there's fitting instructions for those on the internet. I got outbid on a Wadkin patternmakers vice (pretty much the same as an Oliver) in the UK a while ago as it was getting into the kind of money I couldn't afford.

This is the design.

 

[PCO6]

This looks like a Record clone. Dawn is Australian, wonder if it's made in China? It's a 5" jaw so it's pretty big. It's probably worth $60.

The base looks like it's not the best fit.

That definitely looks like a Record clone ... of which there are many (Woden, Paramo, RAE + others). Based on the horizantal ridge cast in to the front of the dynamic jaw my guess is that it's from the 60's. The shape of the casting at the ends of the jaws is kind of unusual but it certainly has Record traits ... and a bit of Record blue under the red.

I assume from your comments that it doesn't say "Made in England" or "Scheffield" on the side. I doubt very mich that it was made in China. $60 would be a good deal.

 

[Low Friction]

Dawn is an Australian tool manufacturer so my assumption is that it's made there. But reading earlier in this thread and elsewhere it looks like some later Dawn's are of Chinese origin now. This one looks big and tough and is probably made in Oz.

It's on CraigsList so I haven't seen it in person. This pic is all I've got.

 

[demographic]

That definitely looks like a Record clone ... of which there are many (Woden, Paramo, RAE + others). Based on the horizantal ridge cast in to the front of the dynamic jaw my guess is that it's from the 60's. The shape of the casting at the ends of the jaws is kind of unusual but it certainly has Record traits ... and a bit of Record blue under the red.

I assume from your comments that it doesn't say "Made in England" or "Scheffield" on the side. I doubt very much that it was made in China. $60 would be a good deal.

Just for the record, (ahem) Wodens and Record are pretty much the same company. More info on Woden and Record.
I have a Woden quick release woodwork vice and a Woden No 4 smoothing plane, neither of which are the poor relation of the Record stuff I have.
All owned by the same family called the Hamptons.

In 1898, two brothers, Charles and Joseph Hampton, left the family business The Steel Nut and Joseph Hampton Limited (trading as Woden) in Wednesbury, Staffordshire, to go to Sheffield and set up their own business in Attercliffe. Their partnership was called "C & J Hampton". Shortly afterwards, Charles and Josepth fell out and Josepth returned to Wednesbury. In about 1900, the two sons of Charles, Horace and Charles W. Hampton joined their father in the business. When C & J Hampton became a private limited company on the 14 May 1908, their premises were located at The Eagle Foundry, Livingston Road, Sheffield. It was at this address one year later that the Record trademark was registered in the Trademark Journal,

(313, 863-4655 S. Unwrought and partly wrought metals used in manufacture. C & J Hampton, Limited Eagle Foundry, Livingstone (sic) Road, Sheffield: Engineers, Ironfounders and General tool Manufacturers 10th June 1909.)



From 1909 to 1930 their production consisted of engineering and woodworking vices, G clamps, T bar sash cramps, floor cramps, pipe cutters, Stillson wrenches and lifting jacks. By 1912 the company had relocated to a new factory on Ouse road, Attercliffe, Sheffield and in 1929 Charles Hampton died and his two sons Horace and Charles W Hampton became joint managing directors. The company moved to Bernard Road in 1936 and again, to The Parkway Works Sheffield, in 1963. In 1946 the Record Tool Company Limited was formed to protect the Record brand name. Horace Hampton died in 1948 and the company went public. Charles W Hampton became chairman and his son Tony joined the Board. 10 years later Charles W Hampton died and Tony Hampton became chairman.



The first time Record Adjustable Iron planes were seen was in the No. 10 catalogue January 1931. There were 8 adjustable iron planes from 03 to 08 and three block planes No. 0110, 0120 and 0220. Record marketed these planes as an entirely new British product. Government import tariffs factory of the late 1920's assisted British manufacturers in combatting the influx of foreign hand planes, mainly from the U.S.A which at that time dominated the market. A "Buy British" campaign was also launched to combat the depression in the United Kingdom during that period.



Record adjustable iron planes numbers 02, 03, 04, 04½, 05, 05½, 06, 07, 08, 010, 010½ and a number of block planes were copies of Stanley Bailey planes of that time. Stanley patents by 1930, had passed their expiry date for protection thereby allowing many competitors to copy their products without patent infringement. There were many imitators making copies of Stanley planes but Record never compromised on quality and it was not long before they were accepted by the woodworker of that time. Record Tools are still today a market leader.



Edward Preston and Sons Ltd, the Birmingham hand plane and rule manufacturer had fallen into financial difficulties in the early 1930s and was sold factory to John Rabone and Sons in October 1932. They found some products were not in their interest to manufacture, so on the 10th October 1934 C & J Hampton had taken over the manufacturing rights to hand planes, spoke-shaves, brass plumb bobs (1405) and beech mitre boxes (568). An August 1933 price list of Record tools included the following hand planes which were previously manufactured by Edward Preston and Sons; shoulder rebates 072, 073, 074 and bullnose rebates 076, 077, 077A. Seven more iron planes of Preston design were eventually included in the Record range; shoulder rebates 041 (1368) and 042 (1368A), 3 in 1 Bull Nose and shoulder rabbet plane (311), bull-nose rabbet plane 076 (1363), 077 (1355), 077A (92509), side rebate 2506 (2506) and 2506S (2506), in brackets are the Preston pattern numbers.

In 1961 Woden Tools Ltd was purchased from The Steel Nut and Josepth Hampton Limited. Record continued to use The Woden trademark for about ten years. Woden Tools aquired W.S. Tools Birmingham around 1952/3.

In 1963 Record Tool Company acquired an equal 50% interest with William Ridgway in William Marples and Sons Limited. This is when Record Tools moved to the Parkway Works, Sheffield.

On The 29th of September 1972 the company merged with William Ridgway to form Record Ridgway Tools Ltd and was made up off 14 UK Companies with 5 overseas companies. 1982 saw the takeover of Record Ridgway by AB Bahco of Sweden. This arrangement was short-lived, and a management buyout was announced in 1985 returning the company to British ownership to Record Holdings plc. In 1998 the board decided to accept an offer from American Tool Corp Inc. trading as Record Irwin.





The best examples of Record hand planes to collect are from 1931 to 1940 with rosewood handle and knob with the revolving disc on the lower end of the lateral lever. The planes produced during that time were listed as "Lever cap and small screws Nickel Plated" and also bull-nose planes, shoulder planes were nickel plated. Another good example to collect are the planes marked with

"WAR-FINISH". Some had rose wood handle and knob, most had selected hardwood (beech).

 

[bczygan]

Nice haul. I assume you know but there's fitting instructions for those on the internet. I got outbid on a Wadkin patternmakers vice (pretty much the same as an Oliver) in the UK a while ago as it was getting into the kind of money I couldn't afford.

This is the design.

It was nicely fitted into this table top, but the laminations of the top are held together with just glue and pieced together near the corner and broke in a stair step fashion. Haven't decided how to reconfigure it. A full sized table as it was (6'10" x 3'4") won't easily fit in my single car garage unless I put it on wheels. But a 20" deep bench will tip over with this vise unless bolted to the floor.

You might think a person would have to be crazy to want a vise like this. Funny thing...it came out of a state mental hospital maintenance shop.

 

[PCO6]

demographic - Thanks. That's good information. Part of a story I heard was that Paramo was spun off from Record during WWII to protect Record from destruction (bombing). I also heard it was established by disgruntled Record employees some of which were relatives. I should do some research. It could be somewhere between those stories ... or something all together different!

The Record products I have include several bench and wood vices, some C clamps and a small anvil. I also have a Woden vice and a set of Marples chisels. One of my brothers has a Paramo vice. All of it these items are good quality peices. I think I'll stay away from the Irwin products though.

 

[dayid]

This is a new aquisition I picked up. I paid a premium for it but it is very unusual in that it is sooo art deco. I would say 1950's most likely. The vise action is very very smooth and as you can see the previous owner wired it smooth. I will disassemble and paints it soon.

What's the opposite side got for numbering?

That's only the 3rd Craftsman I've seen with the double arrows - one of the others is in this post

Craftsman outsourced (prior to China) at least to Rock Island and Reed, although I've still no idea on who made/the origins of the double-arrow ones.

Any chance the base says Japan?

 

[Coolabah]

This looks like a Record clone. Dawn is Australian, wonder if it's made in China? It's a 5" jaw so it's pretty big. It's probably worth $60.

The base looks like it's not the best fit.

Definitely made in Australia

http://www.dawntools.com.au/products/Dawn_Vices_Cast_05_3.pdf?20110428

 

[kald]

What's the opposite side got for numbering?

That's only the 3rd Craftsman I've seen with the double arrows - one of the others is in this post

Craftsman outsourced (prior to China) at least to Rock Island and Reed, although I've still no idea on who made/the origins of the double-arrow ones.

Any chance the base says Japan?

The angle of the jaws and the lead screw washer(from what I can see) look like my Columbian.

 

[bczygan]

What's the opposite side got for numbering?

That's only the 3rd Craftsman I've seen with the double arrows - one of the others is in this post

Craftsman outsourced (prior to China) at least to Rock Island and Reed, although I've still no idea on who made/the origins of the double-arrow ones.

Any chance the base says Japan?

I've got one.

 

[emeraldcoupe]

this parker just poped up on cl here. is it me or does it look like someone used a coat hanger to weld it back together?
http://tampa.craigslist.org/psc/tls/3108085469.html

 

[Provincial]

this parker just poped up on cl here. is it me or does it look like someone used a coat hanger to weld it back together?
http://tampa.craigslist.org/psc/tls/3108085469.html

I just looked at a 4" Rock Island that was on Craigslist locally for $75. It was broken in the same place as this Parker, only they didn't try to smooth out the brass bird droppings! The jaws lined up and the slide worked freely, but I wouldn't trust the repair. The paint was at least 40 years old. The jaws were replacements, in good shape, but did not match the vise. The screw and nut were in good shape. It's a parts vise, but he has relisted it for $50.00, which is a little steep for the usable parts.

 

[Catalyze]

It really looks to be welded to accomplish a repair. I have never looked at coat hanger the same since my first exhaust repair when I was 16 years old. The welder slid a big Walker jack under the side of my car, tipped it like the Leaning Tower, and welded it with coat hanger. It cost me $12.00. It still scares me late at night to think about it.
Craig

 

[Outlawmws]

What's the opposite side got for numbering?

That's only the 3rd Craftsman I've seen with the double arrows - one of the others is in this post

Craftsman outsourced (prior to China) at least to Rock Island and Reed, although I've still no idea on who made/the origins of the double-arrow ones.

Any chance the base says Japan?

Seriously? They made those from at least 1960 through at least 1973, in at least 3 sizes.. I see them all the time, and have one in the 3-1/2" persuasion.

A thread for ID'ing Craftsman vices: (Pending additions, I have more catalogs...)

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=149519

 

[Kraehe]

This looks like a Record clone. Dawn is Australian, wonder if it's made in China? It's a 5" jaw so it's pretty big. It's probably worth $60.

The base looks like it's not the best fit.

Hello All,

Dawn is a long established Australian manufacturer. One of the last remnants of our manufacturing industries. Not exactly a record clone, but the same basic shape (Much like many American vices seem to be the same basic shape). They have many differences when placed side by side.

Most Dawns are designed for direct bench mounting but can also be mounted on the swivel bases. This does sometimes look a bit odd.

The newer ones may be manufactured elsewhere; I don't know. The one pictured looks Australian.

I hope this helps.

Kraehe.

PS. This is my first post. woohoo!

 

[zoomieport]

OK gentlemen, I am taking facts, fiction, guesses and opinions on this one...
My "guess" is a "hot cutter for rod or bar", any ideas? Ever seen another like it?
Thanks,
ZOOM

 

[Catalyze]

Zoom, I am speechless! Nah....that can't happen (just ask my wife). My lad, I have been to a world's fair, 2 goat ropings, and stolen a vise from under Autopts nose....but I have never seen anything approaching that vise. My guess: used by Aliens during human abductions and probes.... made in Roswell, NM.
Craig

 

[zoomieport]

Zoom, I am speechless! Nah....that can't happen (just ask my wife). My lad, I have been to a world's fair, 2 goat ropings, and stolen a vise from under Autopts nose....but I have never seen anything approaching that vise. My guess: used by Aliens during human abductions and probes.... made in Roswell, NM.
Craig

I KNEW I could count on you Craig!

 

[wxm]

this parker just poped up on cl here. is it me or does it look like someone used a coat hanger to weld it back together?
http://tampa.craigslist.org/psc/tls/3108085469.html

Not necessarily. It could be the welder testing the tip. I have one vise like that, was used in a welding shop.

 

[Outlawmws]

Zoom, I am speechless! Nah....that can't happen (just ask my wife). My lad, I have been to a world's fair, 2 goat ropings, and stolen a vise from under Autopts nose....but I have never seen anything approaching that vise. My guess: used by Aliens during human abductions and probes.... made in Roswell, NM.
Craig

I was thinking equipment from an inquisition torture chamber, or the local BSDM shop...

 

[bluebolt]

This is a new aquisition I picked up. I paid a premium for it but it is very unusual in that it is sooo art deco. I would say 1950's most likely. The vise action is very very smooth and as you can see the previous owner wired it smooth. I will disassemble and paints it soon.

A Craftsman Crown Logo vise! I know what I am lusting after now!

 

[nine4gmc]

A Craftsman Crown Logo vise! I know what I am lusting after now!

x2, I didnt even know it existed...MUST HAVE

 

[balane]

This is a new aquisition I picked up. I paid a premium for it but it is very unusual in that it is sooo art deco. I would say 1950's most likely. The vise action is very very smooth and as you can see the previous owner wired it smooth. I will disassemble and paints it soon.

My life is 99% complete as far as being content goes. This vise is that missing 1%. I've craved one for a really long time now and have had zero luck finding one. I have a wall full of 40's-50's Craftsman bench power tools all immaculately restored and running with perfect precision. I use them every day and still get goosebumps. They are missing their vise brother. I use a very nice 1948 5" Wilton bullet that I won't give up but there's a hole on my bench waiting for the second vise that can only be this Craftsman model. I hope one finds its way to me before I get too old to enjoy it.

 

[MrMark]

This is a new aquisition I picked up. I paid a premium for it but it is very unusual in that it is sooo art deco. I would say 1950's most likely. The vise action is very very smooth and as you can see the previous owner wired it smooth. I will disassemble and paints it soon.

must have! That is a 1960 - 70 model from the old ads Outlaw posted. It is a Columbian by every indication. I would put this one at the pinnacle of cool vises.

 

[Outlawmws]

must have! That is a 1960 - 70 model from the old ads Outlaw posted. It is a Columbian by every indication. I would put this one at the pinnacle of cool vises.

Yeah, the crown logo pretty much nails that date range. It looks great naked like that. That one is unusual as it does not have the swivel base and it does have the third bolt ear under the slide. Pretty cool! The "T" shaped jaws should give a good indication for the actual maker, I don't remember, is that a Columbia trait?

 

[balane]

I don't remember, is that a Columbia trait?

Of that era, yes it is. Here is the Columbian "version" of that vise. I've had two of these but they just aren't filling the void like the Craftsman one would.

.

 

[bgott]

this parker just poped up on cl here. is it me or does it look like someone used a coat hanger to weld it back together?
http://tampa.craigslist.org/psc/tls/3108085469.html

Somebody brazed it back together.

 

[nine4gmc]

I gotta have a crown top now, thanks....

 

[alan camby]

Just finished my 1980 Wilton 500n and custom mount for the bench.
The holes in the mount are for screwdrivers, pry bars, MIG gun and ect.
The receiver has 2 jack bolts to hold the mount firm, and on this mount I threaded a hole in the side of the 2x2 square in order to really tighten it up in the receiver. The section of 2x2 that has the threaded hole is over 1" thick. This threaded hole with bolt replaces the hitch pin. It is very rigid.

 

[alan camby]

Here is the 500 i started with. The smaller vise is my 1755.

 

[gatewaysysop]

Yeah, the crown logo pretty much nails that date range. It looks great naked like that. That one is unusual as it does not have the swivel base and it does have the third bolt ear under the slide. Pretty cool! The "T" shaped jaws should give a good indication for the actual maker, I don't remember, is that a Columbia trait?

I've also seen these with the older semi-circular logo from the 40s as well, same logo that's on my 1946 drill press and my other Craftsman vise. I too have lusted after one of these, but no such luck. Either ruined or, more often than not, way too expensive.

 

[zoomieport]

Just finished my 1980 Wilton 500n and custom mount for the bench.
The holes in the mount are for screwdrivers, pry bars, MIG gun and ect.
The receiver has 2 jack bolts to hold the mount firm, and on this mount I threaded a hole in the side of the 2x2 square in order to really tighten it up in the receiver. The section of 2x2 that has the threaded hole is over 1" thick. This threaded hole with bolt replaces the hitch pin. It is very rigid.

Nice work, solid!

 

[Catalyze]

Nicely done Alan! A very tidy way of mounting up your vises too. Makes me wish I had more functioning brain cells.

That Craftsman vise is a wonderful survivor! It could serve as a Vise Pinup on a shop poster for those of us who post on this thread. LOL
Craig

 

[Outlawmws]

Just finished my 1980 Wilton 500n and custom mount for the bench.
The holes in the mount are for screwdrivers, pry bars, MIG gun and ect.
The receiver has 2 jack bolts to hold the mount firm, and on this mount I threaded a hole in the side of the 2x2 square in order to really tighten it up in the receiver. The section of 2x2 that has the threaded hole is over 1" thick. This threaded hole with bolt replaces the hitch pin. It is very rigid.

One nice thing about doing a receiver mount like that is the ability to have different vises for different purposes (Machinist, Pipe, Big, small, nice vise beater for welding...), and switch them or move them... or in your case, two of them, one on each corner for holding larger awkward things... Nice job!

 

[kald]

Nice job and vise Alan!

 

[zoomieport]

OK gentlemen, I am taking facts, fiction, guesses and opinions on this one...
My "guess" is a "hot cutter for rod or bar", any ideas? Ever seen another like it?
Thanks,
ZOOM

Zoom, I am speechless! Nah....that can't happen (just ask my wife). My lad, I have been to a world's fair, 2 goat ropings, and stolen a vise from under Autopts nose....but I have never seen anything approaching that vise. My guess: used by Aliens during human abductions and probes.... made in Roswell, NM.
Craig

I was thinking equipment from an inquisition torture chamber, or the local BSDM shop...

That's it...?
Bueller, Bueller, Bueller...

 

[metalmagpie]

Posted a few weeks ago about a big Record combination vise I found. I have done a fair amount of cleanup and got some paint on it now. It looks a lot like what it will look like except I might make new jaws for it and I need to clean up the handles and install rubber bumpers. Here's a pic, that's a 25 foot tape on top for a bit of scale.
<p><img src="http://www.tinyisland.com/images/temp/painted-1.jpg">

 

[zoomieport]

I traded 3 vises for this anvil... Thats a 9400 holding the beer can. Wilkinson anvil, made in England, 332lbs... I guess that's kind of related to this thread??? Oh well, just wanted to show off my new anvil, here it is...

 

[Amitygravel]

zoomieport.

Nice Anvil !!





YOU **** !!!!!
Even though it took three vises in trade.