The VISES of Garage Journal

[Catalyze]

Very nice Craftsman Stephen!!
You do have the missing jaw face I hope. LOL
Craig

 

[sillwic9]

I have what was left of it. It was cracked around both screws and the end pieces were missing. So, I'm going to have to find a replacement or find someone to make a new pair for me.


Sent from my current location.

 

[Doozer75]

--Doozer

 

[autopts]

Here is my Reed 2C all cleaned up and finally mounted to its new stand beside my toolbox at work.

Evey nice setup Mr. Big! Thats money in the bank!!........Note to some of you guys with enlarging collections of non-replaceable vises almost to the point of priceless. Write down the model #'s with replacement values and photograph them. Talk to your insurance man and check into a rider policy just in case. One ever knows. Catalysts's Magnet might be houvering one nght and **** them up or you might get that 1 in 500 yr. flood! I demagnetized my garage and basement...Seriously though, think about it.

 

[fireman164]

Ok, i have to ask a dumb question , what is the purpose of a swivel jaw vise and is it worth more ? I currently have three vintage vises and dont really need another but i ran across a reed 403 1/2 that has the swivel jaw on craigs list and am trying to talk myself out of it

 

[EOC_Jason]

Ok, i have to ask a dumb question , what is the purpose of a swivel jaw vise and is it worth more ? I currently have three vintage vises and dont really need another but i ran across a reed 403 1/2 that has the swivel jaw on craigs list and am trying to talk myself out of it

Just to hold irregularly shaped objects... (Think like pie shaped)...

 

[coolreed]

Do not fight it,..you have been asimulated. Buy the Vise. Buy the Vise.
The Vise Gods have Spoken. Buy the Vise. Buy the Vise. Buy the Vise.
Resistance is Futile.

 

[Bret888]

I agree with coolreed. NEED has no bearing on the decision. whatsoever!

 

[PghJKB]

This is my first post, it is a result of lady luck smiling on me for the last two weekends. Here is my haul of Prentiss vises: the big #21 and a small jeweler's vise (model unknown, but ironically, its parts are stamped "21".)

Got the #21 at an estate sale, the previous owner wanted to get rid of it because it was broken - turns out the prongs on the screw collar broke off some time ago. Am going to replace it with a collar and set screw like Reed uses.

Got the jeweler's vise at a garage sale, the woman selling it thought it was a toy.

Will be restoring both, even though the jewelers vise is in remarkably good shape for its age and I am wrestling with keeping it as is.

Apologies for the rather sterile images, but this is how I shoot my befores so I have a good record of what things look like before I started messin' around.

 

[nine4gmc]

looks like both of those Prentiss have swivel jaws^!!!!! nice first post!!

 

[Bret888]

Nice vises Pgh! What are the jaw widths?

 

[PghJKB]

The big #21 has 5 1/4 inch jaws, weighs in at 110 lbs (bathroom scale), the little one has 2" jaws, weighs in at 4 lbs. (postage scale).
Both are swivel jaws, both are missing the pins. Saw some other posts with the pins included, looks like I will be spending some time at the lathe.

 

[Bret888]

That's a cool little vise! I never saw a swivel jaw that small.

 

[SweetD]

...the jewelers vise is in remarkably good shape for its age and I am wrestling with keeping it as is.

Love them both! Don't restore that jeweler's vise - it has an awesome patina, just like mine!:



Awesome finds!

Dave

 

[PghJKB]

Yours is very cool! Same size, different model.

Is there a number stamped under the slide? Mine has "21" stamped on the bottom of the slide, on the bottom of the the swivel jaw and the on top of the housing for the slide on the static jaw.
Trying to figure out if the number is a "year made" stamp, model number (not likely), or maybe some sort of assembly number.
Jim

 

[EOC_Jason]

I think it is just an assembly number... Mine had matching numbers on all 3 pieces (Swivel jaw Prentiss)... I think it is how they kept track when fitting them together and such...

EDIT - Oh man, I just realized how many vises I've been collecting lately when updating my sig... I'm not even including the two little Craftsman 3-1/2"... Somebody help me please!

 

[autopts]

Ok, i have to ask a dumb question , what is the purpose of a swivel jaw vise and is it worth more ? I currently have three vintage vises and dont really need another but i ran across a reed 403 1/2 that has the swivel jaw on craigs list and am trying to talk myself out of it

Don't overpay. That's one Reed that doesn't fetch alot of money. $100 in excellent condition, max.

 

[thundermug]

Picked this up for $20. Craftsman 5180 from 30s-40s. 3.5" jaws. Missing the foil badge, unfortunately. Going to clean off the oil & make a decal for it.

http://sphotos-b.**.fbcdn.net/hphotos-snc6/183897_605663913322_214273033_n.jpg

http://sphotos-b.**.fbcdn.net/hphotos-prn1/22694_605663953242_1718011874_n.jpg

 

[countrytech]

I don't know is this was asked/answered before or not, but how do you guys get the bare metal parts of the vice to look so clean and shiny?

 

[Mark in Indiana]

I don't know is this was asked/answered before or not, but how do you guys get the bare metal parts of the vice to look so clean and shiny?

I use Scotch-Brite pads to finish the metal detail. Then I clear coat it with lacquer except if its the grip surfaces of the jaw faces.

 

[Bret888]

The big #21 has 5 1/4 inch jaws, weighs in at 110 lbs (bathroom scale), the little one has 2" jaws, weighs in at 4 lbs. (postage scale).
Both are swivel jaws, both are missing the pins. Saw some other posts with the pins included, looks like I will be spending some time at the lathe.

These little vises, that are scaled down big vises are cool. The smallest I have is this Athol 88 2 1/2". There are tons of cheapie little vises out there, by good makers, but you don't see many of the "big vise" design and quality.

 

[Bret888]

I really don't have time this am, but I took a few vise pics of recent acquisitions. I painted a couple that had enough weld spatter that I had to grind them. The Hollands is a 4" G model Keystone, and the Monarch is a 217. Both were the lighter duty offerings of their makers, but would likely be able to crunch some of todays "heavy duty" vises in their jaws.

The Reed 106R I just got yesterday, another one that needs welds ground off and a new handle.
The Columbian 504 1/2 is ok as is, and I might give it to my brother.

 

[SweetD]

Picked this up for $20. Craftsman 5180 from 30s-40s. 3.5" jaws. Missing the foil badge, unfortunately. Going to clean off the oil & make a decal for it.

That's made by Reed for Craftsman - nice!

 

[redintex]

Thundermug,

Nice score on the Reed/Craftsman!!! That will clean up nicely!

Redintex

 

[bigcaddy]

That Reed/Craftsman is a bit later then 30-40s. The flattened operating handle nut is 1960s.

I have 2 of those little vises and they have the Craftsman underline logo and the front nut is a large bulbous ball, not a flattened marshmallow shape.

Let it sit in electro bath for a few hours and is should come out perfectly clean bare metal. I just waxed both of mine and they have yet to rust.

 

[bigcaddy]

I finally have finished the 1st of 3 Charles Parkers that i picked up at one killer estate sale The sale was amazing with great tools and i even met a couple of GJ members in the process. All huge jerks, i might add

These vises have just been sitting in my workshop, patiently waiting their turn to be cleaned, polished and painted.

The 39X was the first to go and it came out pretty nice. It has hardly any use except for a few cuts on the tops of the jaws. If you lightly support the underside of the dynamic jaw and give the handle a spin, it will do about 3 complete rotations!! Its really smooth and all of the edges are sharp on the back half.

It was so clean i just wire brushed it and shot it black. The gold lettering was finished about 1 hour ago.

If anybody is a huge Charles Parker fan, this will eventually be sold in the classifieds but you can always make me an offer

 

[bigcaddy]

This Craftsman was todays lucky score. I got it cheap and its in dirty but excellent condition. I have one other vise like this, thanks Autopts, and might have to make them a matched pair.

For those members who have not had the pleasure of owning one of these or looking at one in person, the ratio of cast metal to jaw width is a bit skewed. It weighs about 58lbs and has 3 1/2" wide jaws.

These are very well built and bottom heavy vises. I still have yet to determine what company actually made this particular style of vise.

 

[EOC_Jason]

That is a super nice Parker bigcaddy... According to the literature, those models had a solid steel bar enclosed in the slide casting... Pretty cool...

I'll give you full retail price... $26 LOL

 

[bigcaddy]

That is a super nice Parker bigcaddy... According to the literature, those models had a solid steel bar enclosed in the slide casting... Pretty cool...

I'll give you full retail price... $26 LOL

Just wait until i finish the pair of swivel jaw Parkers that i bought with it. I think they are even cleaner then the 39X

 

[EOC_Jason]

Just wait until i finish the pair of swivel jaw Parkers that i bought with it. I think they are even cleaner then the 39X

I need to take a pic of the Desmond Stephan 43P I'm working on. The slide is siezed up like a rock. I've got it vertical and have been using penetrating oil and heat and beating it with a rubber mallet and also a hammer w/brass bar. Hasn't budged an inch but it's only been a day. I even blasted off all the rust that I could in hopes that might help get it in the cracks. I'll give it a couple more days, I'm going to stop by some auto repair places tomorrow (if they are open) to see if I can score a few gallons of used ATF to soak it in.

 

[Catalyze]

Jason - put it under a Postal vehicle....they all leak ATF...at least the ones in my fleet did

Brett - beauty of a Monarch you have!! It seems like all the ones that I see for sale are broken somehow....yours is very nice

PGH - those little vises that are precision like yours can go for crazy prices....I have watched many on Fleabay shoot over $100 easily....very nice Prentiss 21...just when I thought that I had seen all the lettering styles on them, yours is a bit different....hard to say what those crazy kids at Prentiss were doing

Big - I am calling Homeland Security to confiscate your Parkers.....yours may be enough weight to make California slide off into the ocean....they need to be in New Mexico
Craig

 

[bigcaddy]

Jason - put it under a Postal vehicle....they all leak ATF...at least the ones in my fleet did

Brett - beauty of a Monarch you have!! It seems like all the ones that I see for sale are broken somehow....yours is very nice

PGH - those little vises that are precision like yours can go for crazy prices....I have watched many on Fleabay shoot over $100 easily....very nice Prentiss 21...just when I thought that I had seen all the lettering styles on them, yours is a bit different....hard to say what those crazy kids at Prentiss were doing

Big - I am calling Homeland Security to confiscate your Parkers.....yours may be enough weight to make California slide off into the ocean....they need to be in New Mexico
Craig

I think having California break off into the ocean would do a favor for a number of people. Let some of the turds that live here float away

Try and come find my Parkers, Craig. I've got them stashed in my bunker, well out of reach of your magnets and Homeland security goons.

 

[thundermug]

SweetD, Redintex, Bigcaddy, thanks for the insights. I thought it looked a lot like a Reed. I wonder if the front nut and screw had been replaced in the 60s. Makes no difference to me either way, but the history fascinates me. I'll drop it in the tank after I shake this strep throat bug (or whatever it is).

 

[autopts]

I finally have finished the 1st of 3 Charles Parkers that i picked up at one killer estate sale The sale was amazing with great tools and i even met a couple of GJ members in the process. All huge jerks, i might add

If anybody is a huge Charles Parker fan, this will eventually be sold in the classifieds but you can always make me an offer

Mr. Big, you have really become a serious collector. That Parker is as nice as it gets. Parkers, Craftsman, Reeds, Wiltons, you've got game in all of them, Some great finds!!

 

[EOC_Jason]

I know I've seen *at least* one Craftsman branded Reed on eBay recently (with the logo).

EDIT - FOUND IT

That is definitely the correct handle for that vise. You can tell because the dynamic jaw has a slightly different shape and the inclusion of the "oil port" that is not found on the older models with the round noses.

Anyhow, hopefully that ebay listing will give you a good enough detail of the logo to make a decal from.

 

[Mark in Indiana]

Hello vise friends,

Attached are pre & post restoration pictures of Wilton Flip Grip vise. When I purchased it ($5.00 at an auction) it had no jaw faces. I ended up just making a steel set from some scrap at work. I can always make others as needed. This was a fun vise to rehabilitate because of the history I dug up on it. I haven't seen very many around.

 

[C.BRAXMAIER]

Just picked this monster up today from Zoomieport HOLLY S**T, Wilton 600S I will probably just clean it up and use it, havent had time to really look it over yet but props to you zoom thank you.......

 

[DanMasshardt]

I now have 4 of these. They came on a bench I bought at an auction last weekend.

 

[Exceller8]

Just picked this monster up today from Zoomieport HOLLY S**T, Wilton 600S I will probably just clean it up and use it, havent had time to really look it over yet but props to you zoom thank you.......

Wow! What a beauty!!

 

[EOC_Jason]

You've been raiding zoomie's collection like once a month haven't you? LOL...

If you sell that Wilton I will fly up to Michigan and beat you over the head! That one is most definitely a keeper! (Well, so was the Athol now that I think about it....)