To avoid these ads, REGISTER NOW!

The VISES of Garage Journal

454ragtop

Well-known member
Joined
Mar 24, 2008
Messages
5,011
Location
Carver, MA
Picked up a Reed 106 today, good shape, but it's missing the handle. Anybody want to measure their handle? Appears to be 7/8" diameter, just like to verify and get an idea on length.
Thank you, Jim
 
To avoid these ads, REGISTER NOW!

gatewaysysop

Well-known member
Joined
Nov 11, 2008
Messages
3,291
Location
Arizona
Picked up a Reed 106 today, good shape, but it's missing the handle. Anybody want to measure their handle? Appears to be 7/8" diameter, just like to verify and get an idea on length.
Thank you, Jim

I get just a hair shy of 7/8" diameter, 16" from tip to tip on the ball ends of the handle, at least on mine! ;)

SANY4131.jpg SANY4133.jpg
 

autopts

Well-known member
Joined
Jul 4, 2009
Messages
2,268
I'll continue where I left off with the British vice manufacturers.
Note that many of them are steel instead of cast iron and have the quick release mechanism.
Again, NONE of these are mine and are just pictures I've hoovered up off the net while looking for some myself.
.

Thanks for taking the time and adding the information and photos to ever growing thread. There are some beauties there
 

gabbyduffy

Active member
Joined
Nov 3, 2012
Messages
30
Location
Cleveland Ohio
I have a few more photos of my Columbian 604 Vise. A few before I restored it and a few after. Enjoy...............
 

Attachments

  • VISE before restore 3.jpg
    VISE before restore 3.jpg
    129.7 KB · Views: 67
  • VISE columbian 3.jpg
    VISE columbian 3.jpg
    138.4 KB · Views: 77
  • VISE columbian 4.jpg
    VISE columbian 4.jpg
    120.1 KB · Views: 77

gabbyduffy

Active member
Joined
Nov 3, 2012
Messages
30
Location
Cleveland Ohio
A few more.......
 

Attachments

  • VISE columbian rear.jpg
    VISE columbian rear.jpg
    121.5 KB · Views: 46
  • VISE columbian before restore 2.jpg
    VISE columbian before restore 2.jpg
    137.1 KB · Views: 48
  • VISE columbian apart.jpg
    VISE columbian apart.jpg
    127.7 KB · Views: 51

gabbyduffy

Active member
Joined
Nov 3, 2012
Messages
30
Location
Cleveland Ohio
and a few more....... enjoy.....
 

Attachments

  • VISE columbian3.jpg
    VISE columbian3.jpg
    131.8 KB · Views: 46
  • VISE columbian2.jpg
    VISE columbian2.jpg
    134.9 KB · Views: 50
  • VISE columbian 604.jpg
    VISE columbian 604.jpg
    124.8 KB · Views: 42
Last edited:

gabbyduffy

Active member
Joined
Nov 3, 2012
Messages
30
Location
Cleveland Ohio
And a couple more of my current project, a 91 pound (Morgan Chicago 150). This one has a brass tag with the #14 and the words "Even Cut Abrasives". The tag must have been installed by the company to keep track of the tools. I plan on leaving the tag on and polishing the brass. This moster will be brought back to its origal condition by painting it tool gray like the chicago Morgans came when the factory was located in Chicago.
 

Attachments

  • VISE morgan 150.jpg
    VISE morgan 150.jpg
    125.3 KB · Views: 51
  • VISE morgan2.jpg
    VISE morgan2.jpg
    127.5 KB · Views: 54
  • VISE.jpg
    VISE.jpg
    134.2 KB · Views: 56

Outlawmws

Well-known member
Joined
Aug 9, 2011
Messages
39,241
Location
The Badlands
Picked this one up at a garage sale for five bucks last week... It will have to do until I get out of the townhouse and into a real shop. It's a Lakeside, I believe made by Wards?

Made for Wards, but there were a bunch of "Lakeside" this or that companies WAY back in the day, and I'm not sure if wards simply sold that brand or trademarked it like sears does for Craftsman and the like.
 

NH Gearhead

Member
Joined
Jun 17, 2010
Messages
23
Location
Keene, NH
I'd like to give a quick shout out to GJB member "KMScott"...

He sent me a nice set of replacement jaws for my mystery-vise, and with a bit of finessing I was able to get away from the oddball 3-3/4" bolthole spacing and convert it to the Wilton-standard 4" spacing.

null-74.jpg


I can't describe how much nicer it has been working with a vise where the jaws don't flop all around and fall out of position. Guess I've been putting up with it for so long that I just stopped getting irritated by it.

Anyway, she's no beauty queen but she's back in service and working great for a minimal cash (and time) outlay..... now I can get back to the real projects in my garage!!! :)


-G
 

KMScott

Well-known member
Joined
Feb 14, 2012
Messages
4,641
Location
Daufuskie Island, South Carolina
NH Gearhead
Oh it is great to see that you fit those smooth jaws. It is not the easiest project to tackle since the 5/16:18 threads overlap the original threads by a 1/32, lining the jaw in the vise is not easy in it's self especially with out access to a machine shop. Good job. I was a little worried.

Kevin

https://wiltonviseparts.net
 
Last edited:

NH Gearhead

Member
Joined
Jun 17, 2010
Messages
23
Location
Keene, NH
Scott,

You know.....the whole time while I was struggling to hold 1/2 a vise in my bare hand with a drill in the other and keep everything straight I kept mumbling to myself:

"This would be much easier if I had a vise!" :D

Catch-22..... though it looks like most of the guys in this thread have more than one vise, so this kind of project would be easy. I'm seriously space-constrained as it is in my workshop, so doubling-up on tools is frowned upon.


-G
 

KMScott

Well-known member
Joined
Feb 14, 2012
Messages
4,641
Location
Daufuskie Island, South Carolina
Scott,
I'm seriously space-constrained as it is in my workshop, so doubling-up on tools is frowned upon.
-G

G
Check out how space constrained I am, I have a 900 sqft shop that has half of it a woodworking shop and the other 1/2 a machine shop. Just about every machine is on wheels including my surface grinder.

Kevin
 

Attachments

  • Shop.jpg
    Shop.jpg
    152.5 KB · Views: 241

NH Gearhead

Member
Joined
Jun 17, 2010
Messages
23
Location
Keene, NH
I would commit murder for 900 sq ft! :)

My "space" is 1/2 of a two-car garage.... and the vehicle I am working on is on jackstands in the middle of it. A garage day for me involves sweet-talking the missus into moving her car out of the other bay so that I can allow my tools and materials to "spill over" into her 12' x 24" space (288 sq ft)...

At least when the weather turns nicer, I can utilize the outdoor spaces a bit more for sandblasting, painting parts, etc.

It's far from ideal..... I think my productivity is roughly 30% of what it would be in a sensibly-sized workshop. Not complaining though... I'm just happy whenever I get a chance to tinker out there.


-G
 

Mark in Indiana

Well-known member
Joined
Aug 11, 2010
Messages
3,057
Location
Southern Indiana
In my 2 car garage, I have so many toys in it, I have to walk sideways to get around. With that, I can still do my projects.

Now, I just bought a vise from a scrapper for $50.00. It's an Athol 324 1/2 X. Does anyone know how old it is? Can anyone provide some history about the Athol vises?
Attached pictures below.
 

Attachments

  • ATHOL7.JPG
    ATHOL7.JPG
    98.2 KB · Views: 80
  • ATHOL4.JPG
    ATHOL4.JPG
    85.2 KB · Views: 61
  • ATHOL1.JPG
    ATHOL1.JPG
    117.2 KB · Views: 51
  • ATHOL3.JPG
    ATHOL3.JPG
    97.2 KB · Views: 40

Mark in Indiana

Well-known member
Joined
Aug 11, 2010
Messages
3,057
Location
Southern Indiana
Hello again Vise Friends,

Here are the before & after pictures of a Columbian #504 that I reassembled last night. I bought it from a neighbor for $30.00. He let me go through his garage and attic as an American Picker. BTW, Thanks to all who gave me some history information a while back.
 

Attachments

  • COLUMBIAN VISE1.JPG
    COLUMBIAN VISE1.JPG
    95.8 KB · Views: 71
  • COLUMBIAN VISE A.JPG
    COLUMBIAN VISE A.JPG
    98.3 KB · Views: 88
  • COLUMBIAN VISE B.JPG
    COLUMBIAN VISE B.JPG
    99.4 KB · Views: 82

Catalyze

Well-known member
Joined
Feb 7, 2011
Messages
1,369
Location
New Mexico
Mark - very nice find!! A combo Athol is not the most common vise around. Yours is pre WWII and I would guess maybe late 30's. Good luck and have fun with that old beast.
Craig
 

Mark in Indiana

Well-known member
Joined
Aug 11, 2010
Messages
3,057
Location
Southern Indiana
Mark - very nice find!! A combo Athol is not the most common vise around. Yours is pre WWII and I would guess maybe late 30's. Good luck and have fun with that old beast.
Craig

Hey Craig,

Thanks for the compliment. It may not get nominated for a "you **** award", but I'm very happy with the purchase.

I agree that it maybe from the 30s because the styling looks like my Charles Parker 205. However, I read that Starret bought Athol in 1905. This article stated that the Athol vises without the Starret name were made before 1905. I wonder if that's true.

I also wonder what the "X" means in the model number?
 
To avoid these ads, REGISTER NOW!

RivennHewn

Well-known member
Joined
Jun 4, 2011
Messages
10,372
Location
PNW
G
Check out how space constrained I am, I have a 900 sqft shop that has half of it a woodworking shop and the other 1/2 a machine shop. Just about every machine is on wheels including my surface grinder.

Kevin

Dude,

You have walkways.
 

demoman

Well-known member
Joined
May 4, 2010
Messages
244
Location
North Central Kansas
Here is a very cool Williamson Mfg 5" vise I picked up last fall. Made in Bradford PA. I have never seen another like it in that one handle locks the bottom swivel and top swivel at the same time. Someone welded the front jaw back on years ago and the weld kept it from closing all the way so they put a spacer on the front jaw. I will machine the weld down and get rid of the spacer. Has anyone ever seen another like this? I have a parker that is similar but not the one handle lock.
 

Attachments

  • DSCN0617.JPG
    DSCN0617.JPG
    112.8 KB · Views: 122
  • DSCN0618.JPG
    DSCN0618.JPG
    88.6 KB · Views: 85
  • DSCN0619.JPG
    DSCN0619.JPG
    113.7 KB · Views: 91
  • DSCN0620.JPG
    DSCN0620.JPG
    109.4 KB · Views: 77
  • DSCN0621.JPG
    DSCN0621.JPG
    104.1 KB · Views: 79

gabbyduffy

Active member
Joined
Nov 3, 2012
Messages
30
Location
Cleveland Ohio
I was taking apart my Morgan Chicago 150 and found what looks like to be a brass fitting that has threads inside for the screw. This is the first time I've ever seen a vise with a brass fitting like this...... Is this common in large vises????.......whats the reason for using brass?????........
 

Attachments

  • VISE morgan brass fitting 1.jpg
    VISE morgan brass fitting 1.jpg
    135.6 KB · Views: 96
  • VISE morgan brass fitting 2.jpg
    VISE morgan brass fitting 2.jpg
    136.9 KB · Views: 104

454ragtop

Well-known member
Joined
Mar 24, 2008
Messages
5,011
Location
Carver, MA
I was taking apart my Morgan Chicago 150 and found what looks like to be a brass fitting that has threads inside for the screw. This is the first time I've ever seen a vise with a brass fitting like this...... Is this common in large vises????.......whats the reason for using brass?????........

What threads onto that external thread? First thought I had was the cast nut stripped, and it was machined to take the shop made brass insert, but don't know where that ext thread would fit into that theory.
Jim
 

fullthrottle24

Well-known member
Joined
Oct 22, 2010
Messages
367
Location
Ohio
Based on fact that the vise had that brass tag on outside, I would think it came from a machine shop. That was probably a scrap piece with external threads that some just used. Are the cast nuts threads messed up? That's all got.
 

mcmlvif100

Well-known member
Joined
May 2, 2010
Messages
627
Location
Northern Indiana
Check out how space constrained I am, I have a 900 sqft shop that has half of it a woodworking shop and the other 1/2 a machine shop. Just about every machine is on wheels including my surface grinder.

Kevin

Kevin's garage = the place where beautifully machined new / replacement vise jaws come from.

Can't help but admire your work whenever I use my Wilton 9450.

Thanks again.
 

kukko

Well-known member
Joined
Aug 22, 2010
Messages
450
Location
asheVILE
Here is a very cool Williamson Mfg 5" vise I picked up last fall. Made in Bradford PA. I have never seen another like it in that one handle locks the bottom swivel and top swivel at the same time.

That is really neat! Very interesting how it locks both at the same time, cool.
 

kukko

Well-known member
Joined
Aug 22, 2010
Messages
450
Location
asheVILE
I just got this Athol 613 1/2 off that auction website. It's in pretty nice original condition and definitely has not been abused during its life. Has a lot of what looks to be original paint on it. Very smooth operation. The only "downside" to it is the angled part on the bottom where the work table or bench would need to be clearanced to allow that angled part to fit so the flange would sit flush with the end of the table/bench. Other than that, it's a nice solid (and rather heavy for the size) vise.
 

Attachments

  • DSC00033.jpg
    DSC00033.jpg
    63.5 KB · Views: 35
  • DSC00035.jpg
    DSC00035.jpg
    97.5 KB · Views: 44
  • DSC00032.jpg
    DSC00032.jpg
    82.7 KB · Views: 41
  • DSC00031.jpg
    DSC00031.jpg
    95.4 KB · Views: 49
  • DSC00030.jpg
    DSC00030.jpg
    96.3 KB · Views: 39
  • DSC00028.jpg
    DSC00028.jpg
    86.7 KB · Views: 41
  • DSC00025.jpg
    DSC00025.jpg
    75.7 KB · Views: 46

bobkentnova

Well-known member
Joined
Apr 18, 2012
Messages
47
Location
Charlotte, NC
Hello again Vise Friends,

Here are the before & after pictures of a Columbian #504 that I reassembled last night. I bought it from a neighbor for $30.00. He let me go through his garage and attic as an American Picker. BTW, Thanks to all who gave me some history information a while back.
I believe my dad had that same vise. I passed it on to a good friend; he and his wife helped me get his house ready for sale (it was in the middle of a DIY kitchen remodeling job).
 

autopts

Well-known member
Joined
Jul 4, 2009
Messages
2,268
The only "downside" to it is the angled part on the bottom where the work table or bench would need to be clearanced to allow that angled part to fit so the flange would sit flush with the end of the table/bench. Other than that, it's a nice solid (and rather heavy for the size) vise.

Jon,
I had a big 2X Parker that had that 45 degree growth underneath. My machinist cut that out to a 90 degree that vise rested even with the bench. This is the after. I cannot find the before photo.


SDC14184.jpg
 

Catalyze

Well-known member
Joined
Feb 7, 2011
Messages
1,369
Location
New Mexico
Demoman - very nice unusual vise! I have never seen one like it before...just the 2 handle lockdown models.

Baby Wiltons - I am beginning to think that there is no "low price" for them....just different degrees of purchasing pain

Brass Insert in a Morgan - I can't imagine that it was for anything except messed up main nut threads. Since they had to cut out half of the main nut threads to make it fit in, it has to be as a thread replacement. Also in the one photo it looks like there is a smooth bore in the main nut. Maybe the main nut started to split out and they cut it out and put that piece in.
Craig
 

KesterHouse

Active member
Joined
Nov 27, 2012
Messages
34
Location
Massachusetts
Hi ho,

As some of you may recall, I picked up a mystery 4" vise back in December, described in this post. After some time in the electrolysis tub (and the holidays, and the flu...), I've finally gotten the thing cleaned up and painted.

I still have no idea who made it. The only clues are the little cast ogee at the back of the static jaw, which seems to be the way Chas. Parker and Howard Iron Works did things. After dis-assembly, cleaning and re-assembly, the only other things I've noticed are that both removable jaws are stamped in the back with the number 68 (circled in the second image below). I also found the broken screw that held the handle retainer in place was a 5/16"-16 thread, rather than the typical 5/16"-18 thread, which was a little strange.

Anyway, it's all purdy now. Here's a before image, the dis-assembled thing, and the finished unit ready for mounting.

Enjoy!
-JeffK.
 

Attachments

  • p40_04.jpg
    p40_04.jpg
    100.6 KB · Views: 74
  • p40_03.jpg
    p40_03.jpg
    114.2 KB · Views: 71
  • p40_02.jpg
    p40_02.jpg
    98.4 KB · Views: 62
  • p40_01.jpg
    p40_01.jpg
    107 KB · Views: 68
  • vise_03.jpg
    vise_03.jpg
    134 KB · Views: 76

RedDevl

New member
Joined
Jan 21, 2013
Messages
1
Location
Michigan
Scored my first vise restoration project today, a Parker 433 1/2. It's got plenty of surface rust and paint drips, but other than that it appears to never have been used. Even the knurling on the jaws comes to sharp peaks. Going to spray it with liquid wrench and let it sit until Spring.
 

Attachments

  • 433-Right.jpg
    433-Right.jpg
    127.8 KB · Views: 115
  • 433-Left.jpg
    433-Left.jpg
    139.9 KB · Views: 99
  • 433-Jaws.jpg
    433-Jaws.jpg
    122.5 KB · Views: 87
  • 433-Jaws2.jpg
    433-Jaws2.jpg
    139.8 KB · Views: 87

Outlawmws

Well-known member
Joined
Aug 9, 2011
Messages
39,241
Location
The Badlands
Hi ho,

As some of you may recall, I picked up a mystery 4" vise back in December, described in this post. After some time in the electrolysis tub (and the holidays, and the flu...), I've finally gotten the thing cleaned up and painted.

I still have no idea who made it. The only clues are the little cast ogee at the back of the static jaw, which seems to be the way Chas. Parker and Howard Iron Works did things. After dis-assembly, cleaning and re-assembly, the only other things I've noticed are that both removable jaws are stamped in the back with the number 68 (circled in the second image below). I also found the broken screw that held the handle retainer in place was a 5/16"-16 thread, rather than the typical 5/16"-18 thread, which was a little strange.

Anyway, it's all purdy now. Here's a before image, the dis-assembled thing, and the finished unit ready for mounting.

Enjoy!
-JeffK.

That's a cool little vise for a 4"er! Nice job! :thumbup:
 
To avoid these ads, REGISTER NOW!
Top Bottom