EOC_Jason
Well-known member
Oooooo Aaahhhhh.... very nice!
One day, I WILL own an 8" or 9" vise.... one day....
One day, I WILL own an 8" or 9" vise.... one day....
The VISES of Garage Journal
- Thread starter mjozefow
- Start date
Lump
Well-known member
Let me be careful not to mislead you guys about "my" 2nd giant bench vise...
Big Tommy is my best buddy, and we've been pals for nearly 40 years. So we are quick to do each other favors, and rarely take any $$ from each other when we exchange stuff. But Tommy is retired now, and makes a little side income wherever and whenever he can. Since he spent a lifetime in the Sheet Metal Workers union and trade, he knows a lot about shop equipment and machinery. Therefore ol' Tommy lurks at auctions (online and in person), and buys old equipment. Sometimes he keeps it for his own use, but often he buys while planning to eventually resell.
After I found this thread on Garage Journal, I told Tommy about BIG vises being valuable a year or two ago, so he started watching for them. This is the first one this large he managed to get. He bought it at an online auction, and brought it home and called me right away. So, he would have been glad to let me have it for his cost, if I was going to keep it. But now that I have my big Ridgid, I don't have room or $$ for another one this big.
And it wouldn't be fair to rob Tommy of a chance to make a buck or two reselling his Prentiss. So that one will not likely become mine. Instead, it will likely hit eBay in the near future. (However, I just might compare the two vises for condition and "coolness" factor...and choose either one to keep, and sell the other for Tommy). 
If I do list it for him on eBay...do any of you want to be alerted to the auction?
Big Tommy is my best buddy, and we've been pals for nearly 40 years. So we are quick to do each other favors, and rarely take any $$ from each other when we exchange stuff. But Tommy is retired now, and makes a little side income wherever and whenever he can. Since he spent a lifetime in the Sheet Metal Workers union and trade, he knows a lot about shop equipment and machinery. Therefore ol' Tommy lurks at auctions (online and in person), and buys old equipment. Sometimes he keeps it for his own use, but often he buys while planning to eventually resell.
After I found this thread on Garage Journal, I told Tommy about BIG vises being valuable a year or two ago, so he started watching for them. This is the first one this large he managed to get. He bought it at an online auction, and brought it home and called me right away. So, he would have been glad to let me have it for his cost, if I was going to keep it. But now that I have my big Ridgid, I don't have room or $$ for another one this big.
And it wouldn't be fair to rob Tommy of a chance to make a buck or two reselling his Prentiss. So that one will not likely become mine. Instead, it will likely hit eBay in the near future. (However, I just might compare the two vises for condition and "coolness" factor...and choose either one to keep, and sell the other for Tommy). If I do list it for him on eBay...do any of you want to be alerted to the auction?
EOC_Jason
Well-known member
Yes, please let us know. You might also consider entertaining offers or listing it for sale on the forum FIRST... With eBay you realize they take 9% of the final auction value in eBay fees? Plus PP will add another 3% in transaction fees.... So if you could sell it local and get paid cash that's a 12% savings...
DaWoodster
Well-known member
Got another Wilton bullet, thought I'd post this one. BTW, it was a local yard sale find.... $20 
Per the key code, it's from March '53:
How I bought it
After some basic brushing and degreasing
Doing a little pseudo milling on the anvil (after media blasting)
It's red because I like a red vise... OK, she wanted it to match her nail polish, and as those that have them know, your grandkids rule
I'm glad she talked me into it
This makes me want to go snap some shots of my other grippers, if not just so I remember what I have
Per the key code, it's from March '53:How I bought it
After some basic brushing and degreasing
Doing a little pseudo milling on the anvil (after media blasting)
It's red because I like a red vise... OK, she wanted it to match her nail polish, and as those that have them know, your grandkids rule
I'm glad she talked me into it
This makes me want to go snap some shots of my other grippers, if not just so I remember what I have
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DaWoodster
Well-known member
OK, so I did go snap some pics of my others. Keep in mind, these are typically working vises, so no more pretty stuff, although after cleaning up the 9450, I might give it a try a few more times... bound to get it right sooner or later
Kind of a random order:
Another wilton bullet, been too busy using it to do much research, but I will...
4" Milwaukee 764, took it off an old bench, need to get it back to work
Big 'ol Columbian beater, my outside bench vise. Gets 'er done
Another wilton, a bit more current 645 w/Wilton sticker/label. I use it on the "hard" side of my wood shop
Lil' one in case the kids want to work on somethin'
For the other woodworkers, this is my old Emmert pattern maker's vise. Quite the beast, if you're not familiar Google it, they are cool. I restored it a few years back and then plans changed and I haven't remounted it yet, need to move it up my todo list
Kind of a random order:
Another wilton bullet, been too busy using it to do much research, but I will...
4" Milwaukee 764, took it off an old bench, need to get it back to work
Big 'ol Columbian beater, my outside bench vise. Gets 'er done
Another wilton, a bit more current 645 w/Wilton sticker/label. I use it on the "hard" side of my wood shop
Lil' one in case the kids want to work on somethin'
For the other woodworkers, this is my old Emmert pattern maker's vise. Quite the beast, if you're not familiar Google it, they are cool. I restored it a few years back and then plans changed and I haven't remounted it yet, need to move it up my todo list
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Catalyze
Well-known member
DaWoodster - very nice vises!! I really like you showing the secret of the "red finish" too. It looks as good as anything that I have done with spray so maybe I need to learn her technique. I do have a dumb question for you.....what is that gray level in the background sitting on the Wilton anvil?
Craig
Craig
DaWoodster
Well-known member
Thanks Craig, it's a Craftsman digital torpedo. Comes in handy at times
Lkdelta
Well-known member
Catalyze
Well-known member
Very interesting vise!!
Never seen anything quite like it so thanks for posting it up.
On the Wilton Anniversary vise front....a friend of mine got the small piston to come out of the lead screw...so now we have the full story on how it is supposed to work. We are going to try and replace the O rings in the vise, fill it with 90w (that should smell great) and see if we can get it to function as intended. If it does then we can try to source out the crazy double lip seal. Pro Tip: don't ever buy a Wilton PowRscrew vise...just don't....trust me.
Craig
Never seen anything quite like it so thanks for posting it up.
On the Wilton Anniversary vise front....a friend of mine got the small piston to come out of the lead screw...so now we have the full story on how it is supposed to work. We are going to try and replace the O rings in the vise, fill it with 90w (that should smell great) and see if we can get it to function as intended. If it does then we can try to source out the crazy double lip seal. Pro Tip: don't ever buy a Wilton PowRscrew vise...just don't....trust me.
Craig
Outlawmws
Well-known member
Lkdelta, I've never seen an anvil combined with a vise quite like that! Very cool!
Lkdelta
Well-known member
And I've been using it, since I was small enough....
"to need to get right up on the work bench"
Lots of different projects have held tight in that
Lump
Well-known member
The Wizard could pass for art sculpture. Very nice, indeed.
Just picked this one off of craigslist. Needed a vise for a while, went to take a look and could not resist this 75# piece of PA iron. Could not find much about the Erie Tool Works brand. Any insights? Also came with what looks like original pipe jaws, any idea how they were originally attached? Roll pin perhaps? I just don't see a tiny thru-bolt and nut being
what would come out of the factory.
what would come out of the factory.
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EOC_Jason
Well-known member
Reed Vises were made in Erie PA... Maybe before they were called Reed they were the Erie Tool Works? The design doesn't really look like any Reed I've seen though.... Hollands was also made in Erie....
I would look all over it carefully to see if there is a stamped date, perhaps on the bottom. Also you can take the slide out all the way (carefully) and look inside the casting, I've seen info in there before.
I would look all over it carefully to see if there is a stamped date, perhaps on the bottom. Also you can take the slide out all the way (carefully) and look inside the casting, I've seen info in there before.
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zoomieport
Well-known member
Hollands.
bl00
Well-known member
Erie Tool Works was founded in 1907 by F.W. Bacon...and that's about all I know about them. They were, as far as I know, never associated with Reed or Hollands.
It's surprising that the jaws never got lost. I think a roll pin would work fine to hold them in.
Catalyze
Well-known member
Even though I have a separate thread on the Wilton Anniversary vise....I just wanted to post up a Thank You to Airbuff. He posted a page from a 1970 catalog that shows the PowRscrew vise with model number and details. With that I can email the Wilton factory again with a model number to see if they have any information about it.
Today we got the vise completely apart, cleaned, and replaced all the seals. Amazingingly they are standard size seals and O rings. We filled it with jack oil and put it together.............and it works perfectly!!! Once I get it painted and such, I will post a finished photo on this thread. It is the wildest feeling to be able to put over a ton of pressure with two fingers.
Craig
Today we got the vise completely apart, cleaned, and replaced all the seals. Amazingingly they are standard size seals and O rings. We filled it with jack oil and put it together.............and it works perfectly!!! Once I get it painted and such, I will post a finished photo on this thread. It is the wildest feeling to be able to put over a ton of pressure with two fingers.
Craig
bigcaddy
Well-known member
The only other vise ive seen with a slide like that is a Craftsman. Its the model with the acorn shaped operating nut and acorn "ball ends" on the handle.
Outlawmws
Well-known member
Erie was a separate company. I have one of their pipe vises (swinging tower type) and while its old, it's not older than Reed.
Nader
Well-known member
Here's what worked on mine. Problem is the nail is bent around so removal is a bit tricky. There is not much for it to do except to keep the jaws from falling out.
Not exactly a high class fix.
I have not used it for pipe work, but a neighbor used it; worked for him. The close up is where the slide was repaired by a guy who built steam engines, among other feats. Placed it completely inside a mini furnace of some type and then welded on it. It has been good ever since. 25# makes it easy to port. Thanks for the information on the Erie Co.
Jon
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Catalyst is going to be the only Wilton PowR screw expert on this forum and for that matter maybe in the world!
Guys..Check out this Morgan 35 I snagged. I actually think the paint is original and for a number of reasons. 1. total condition looks unused, 2. factory paint jobs were sloppy, 3. The bottom, that light color on the bottom is shinny steel. It didn't come thru on the photos and the mark in front is also bare metal. You decide...Oh, and its for sale..
Guys..Check out this Morgan 35 I snagged. I actually think the paint is original and for a number of reasons. 1. total condition looks unused, 2. factory paint jobs were sloppy, 3. The bottom, that light color on the bottom is shinny steel. It didn't come thru on the photos and the mark in front is also bare metal. You decide...Oh, and its for sale..
dmw56
Well-known member
Did a quicky clean-up and paint on my Wilton. Painted it hammered silver because I like it and had some. I'll go back and do the letters in black. The jaws were in pretty good shape should last another 50 years.
Dasassembled it and cleaned it up. There are some saw and hammer marks but not too bad. I'll just leave them for character. I will be using this anyway.
Guar Exp date is 6-30-62
Sprayed it and reassembled it. Good for another 50 years.
Dasassembled it and cleaned it up. There are some saw and hammer marks but not too bad. I'll just leave them for character. I will be using this anyway.
Guar Exp date is 6-30-62
Sprayed it and reassembled it. Good for another 50 years.
EOC_Jason
Well-known member
Link to sale plz?
Catalyze
Well-known member
Jason just do what I do with Autopts.....wait until he is watching the season reruns of Dog the Bounty Hunter and just go shopping in his basement.
Craig
Craig
EOC_Jason
Well-known member
Check out this home made vise I saw on craigslist. Someone must have been hard up for a vise! 
http://stlouis.craigslist.org/tls/3169803838.html
http://stlouis.craigslist.org/tls/3169803838.html
Check out this home made vise I saw on craigslist. Someone must have been hard up for a vise!
http://stlouis.craigslist.org/tls/3169803838.html
I like the different angles he used in photo shooting that beauty
I bought this Columbian 604 at "retail" on ebay. $85 BIN plus $40 for shipping. I looked up UPS he actually paid $34 for shipping so he made around $91 off it.
It was completely blasted clean and came with anti-seize in the screw mechanism (not sure if that is good or bad) but overall the vise was in great condition.
This is my first "real" vise after looking for a year on my local CL. Only one on there right now it s $150 Prentiss that the guy has no hope of getting and doesn't want to negotiate on.
Eventually I'm going to do a road trip to the NE one of these days and buy up a bunch of old vises like some folks on here but right now it's just not possible.
The *only negative* part about this vise is the jaws are smooth (not worn smooth, they came like that). Seems this is much less desirable. I looked at replacement jaws but they are almost $100! WTF? So replacing them is out. I asked on here about jaw caps but surprisingly no one responded, so looks like I'll have to experiment myself.
It was completely blasted clean and came with anti-seize in the screw mechanism (not sure if that is good or bad) but overall the vise was in great condition.
This is my first "real" vise after looking for a year on my local CL. Only one on there right now it s $150 Prentiss that the guy has no hope of getting and doesn't want to negotiate on.
Eventually I'm going to do a road trip to the NE one of these days and buy up a bunch of old vises like some folks on here but right now it's just not possible.
The *only negative* part about this vise is the jaws are smooth (not worn smooth, they came like that). Seems this is much less desirable. I looked at replacement jaws but they are almost $100! WTF? So replacing them is out. I asked on here about jaw caps but surprisingly no one responded, so looks like I'll have to experiment myself.
Attachments
he didnt make $91 off of it, eBay has high fees and Paypal has fees, not to mention he probably put it in a box and taped it up, the tape is not free. Then you got the gas to drop it off at the UPS store, or the UPS pick up fees to have a driver stop by and pick it up.
I wish all the people that think they know what an eBay seller makes would try selling a few items themselves...
I wish all the people that think they know what an eBay seller makes would try selling a few items themselves...
I sell on ebay as well just sold $71 in old RC stuff several days ago, sold a $200 computer last year, I'm perfectly aware of the fees, been a member since about 2001.
It was a quick explanation of how much he grossed showing the a retail value of the vise (what it cost the buyer which is what is important IMO).
BTW yes tape is basically free let's be honest what is $0.10 in tape. It's like asking how much the jelly in your PB&J cost...it's not even a line item.
People get great deals on here (that $20 wilton above is a good example, that would go for what maybe even $200 on ebay) but not that many people are able to walk into those deals. A retail value on a vise is useful.
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MrMark
Well-known member
I bought this Columbian 604 at "retail" on ebay. $85 BIN plus $40 for shipping. I looked up UPS he actually paid $34 for shipping so he made around $91 off it.
It was completely blasted clean and came with anti-seize in the screw mechanism (not sure if that is good or bad) but overall the vise was in great condition.
This is my first "real" vise after looking for a year on my local CL. Only one on there right now it s $150 Prentiss that the guy has no hope of getting and doesn't want to negotiate on.
Eventually I'm going to do a road trip to the NE one of these days and buy up a bunch of old vises like some folks on here but right now it's just not possible.
The *only negative* part about this vise is the jaws are smooth (not worn smooth, they came like that). Seems this is much less desirable. I looked at replacement jaws but they are almost $100! WTF? So replacing them is out. I asked on here about jaw caps but surprisingly no one responded, so looks like I'll have to experiment myself.
You did well. Nice vise pipsters, great condition.
I have never seen serrated jaw overlays. You will just have to get yourself another with the serrated jaws so you can handle anything.
What about painting it hammertone verde green? Sunrise red?
Outlawmws
Well-known member
Check out this home made vise I saw on craigslist. Someone must have been hard up for a vise!
http://stlouis.craigslist.org/tls/3169803838.html
Actually I think that's pretty cool. I wonder if it was desperation, or a special purpose that made him built it?
J HAV
Well-known member
I "Rescued" a Chas Parker 954 the other night for $20 bucks. It was a nice tight functioning vise BUT..... The front of the tightening screw where the handle goes looked like chewed up bubble gum. So I figured I would try to bring this beast back up to par with what I called a "Nose Job" LOL. So here's how it turned out....
First I cut off the bent up handle. You could then see how badly "Chewed Up" it was in the close up. I then took it to my friends machine shop. I threw it on the lathe and tried to get at least 75 to 80% clean up before welding it up. I wanted to keep as much original meat as I could. You can see what it looked like after welding and final machining. Then the mock install on the painted vise. I think it turned out pretty good. Let me know what you guys think. This was just something I did because I have a lot of free time on my hands and had the resources to do it. I usually try to find better condition vises, but this one was in really nice condition OTHER than this one flaw I hope you guys like it. Let me know what you think. Thanks.
First I cut off the bent up handle. You could then see how badly "Chewed Up" it was in the close up. I then took it to my friends machine shop. I threw it on the lathe and tried to get at least 75 to 80% clean up before welding it up. I wanted to keep as much original meat as I could. You can see what it looked like after welding and final machining. Then the mock install on the painted vise. I think it turned out pretty good. Let me know what you guys think. This was just something I did because I have a lot of free time on my hands and had the resources to do it. I usually try to find better condition vises, but this one was in really nice condition OTHER than this one flaw
I hope you guys like it. Let me know what you think. Thanks.Attachments
Provincial
Well-known member
Nice save! That vise looks like it sat nose-down in a manure pile!