The VISES of Garage Journal

[Alx]

wow thats cool !!!

Thanks, Monte

Well that is a good find Alx with the stand you can fit it in anywhere, and not take room off your bench.

Yep. I hope to use it as a mobile mini bench as well

Wow I'm surprised; hard to gauge it without a UMD in the pic. I doubt the number meant anything then if not the jaw width.

UMD - is it a can of Coke? I will take some pics when it's back in one piece again. It's not actually that big - the table is about 2 ft square. The whole thing is heavy though and weighs about 220 lbs.

Fairly sure I've mentioned a bit about Parkinsons vice's back in the thread.
info HERE.
I'm convinced that Record "used some of their designs as inspiration" and they patented their Parkinsons Perfect vice with quick release in 1884.

Based in Shipley Yorkshire (not far from where my parents were born) and that vice stand is a bit of a find, nice one.

Most Parkinsons vice's I've seen have been a kind of burgundy colour although have often been painted over with other colours.

Thank you, I'm going with burgundy

That's around $90 US right? If so YOU ****! Congrats and post lots of pics of the resto and stand details!

Thank you, will do!

 

[Fyrme]

Got a question. I've got my 1998 Wilton Tradesman vise on CL to trade for a vintage wood vise. So I get a call today from a gentleman with two and giving me the option of which one. Someone with wood vise experience please help me decide.
This the the vise I'm trading. Home made aluminum jaws and missing the end cap

These are the wood vises. First is a Morgan 300a which appears to have the original or repro'ed wood handle

Or the Columbian 178

Oh btw this is why I am able to trade off my tradesman. Picked up this 4" bullet for $40

 

[sselander]

Re the Morgan 300a vise. It is still being made, by Milwaukee tool & equipment
I have a bunch of the 10a's that need restoring.


http://www.milwmal.com/v_wood.htm

For the Morgan 300a:
"This is a medium duty woodworker vise ideal for small shop or home use. Made of high tensile grey iron, fully machined. Front and back jaws are drilled to allow for easy wood face and bench installation. This vise fits a standard 2 1/4” thick bench top."

http://www.milwmal.com

 

[bluebolt]

Got a question. I've got my 1998 Wilton Tradesman vise on CL to trade for a vintage wood vise. So I get a call today from a gentleman with two and giving me the option of which one. Someone with wood vise experience please help me decide.
This the the vise I'm trading. Home made aluminum jaws and missing the end cap

These are the wood vises. First is a Morgan 300a which appears to have the original or repro'ed wood handle

Or the Columbian 178
[Oh btw this is why I am able to trade off my tradesman. Picked up this 4" bullet for $40

That Morgan is junk. Pass me the gentleman's phone number and I will tell him so

 

[Outlawmws]

Take the Morgan.

 

[demographic]

UMD - is it a can of Coke? I will take some pics when it's back in one piece again. It's not actually that big - the table is about 2 ft square. The whole thing is heavy though and weighs about 220 lbs.

Quite a few British made vice's (and especially the ones with the quick release mechanisms that use the buttress thread which is incidentally stronger than the acme thread) aren't as heavy as US counterparts because they aren't made from cast iron and are made from rather stronger cast steel or in some cases ductile iron.
I don't know if Parkinsons are or not, my Parkinsons woodwork vice isn't but I've not seen any other woodwork vice's made from cast steel either, just the engineers vice's
From what I remember some Wiltons are ductile iron also.

Thank you, I'm going with burgundy

Just what I would have gone for also.

 

[Mark in Indiana]

Take the Morgan.

I agree with Outlaw. I'm not much of a wood worker but it's great having a soft jaw in the group. I'm also glad to see interest in other types of vises.

 

[Fyrme]

Upon closer inspection of my vise, now he is only willing to trade the Columbian. Idk if the Columbian is a good enough vise to justify trading my 1755 for it. Honestly I have no idea how much wood vises are worth in used condition. eBay is no longer a good source since a vise will sit at $5 until the last 2 mins then all of the sudden sell for $500. There are only 2 columbian's for sale on eBay right now, a BIN for $75 and a auction with a $.99 bid. I know if I restored my Tradesman I could probably sell it local for at least $100 What do you wood guys think?

 

[sselander]

The woodworking vises do not usually sell for a lot of money. Usually less than $50. The shipping will cost you obviously. The ones I have are around 35-45 pounds. A good quality one new is over $100. I will have to dig mine out and take a pic. I have over a dozen of them - unrestored.

 

[aluminum13]

These have been sitting under my work bench.

Top row: Columbian 13 1/2 M2 (?) ; Littlestown 150
Bottom row: Rock Island 628 ; C Parker Meriden No 87

Columbian:

I sold this one for $15. Is that a good deal or did I screw up?

Littlestown:

I'm fond of this basic one.

Am I crazy to think this is worth $30? I'm probably going to keep it...because...I can't really think of a good reason but...I just like it.

Rock Island:

I like this one too. Nothing super fancy but a good unobtrusive vise.

C Parker No 87

I can't find much info about the 87. I saw that someone else on the forum used the jaw as a donor? I don't know if that's an indication that this is cast as an "undesirable" but I might spend some time on it. Or sell it off. Or both.

 

[Steve V.]

Upon closer inspection of my vise, now he is only willing to trade the Columbian. Idk if the Columbian is a good enough vise to justify trading my 1755 for it. Honestly I have no idea how much wood vises are worth in used condition. eBay is no longer a good source since a vise will sit at $5 until the last 2 mins then all of the sudden sell for $500. There are only 2 columbian's for sale on eBay right now, a BIN for $75 and a auction with a $.99 bid. I know if I restored my Tradesman I could probably sell it local for at least $100 What do you wood guys think?

I would wait and keep watching CL.

Steve

 

[Fyrme]

I finally got a response back from the guy. He is a local vise collector/flipper. He has contacted me several times about vises and offered them to me at what I thought were not that great of prices. I decline or counter and then he will list them on eBay and usually double what he offers them to me for. Anyway, he 'values' the Morgan at $150. Uh, no thanks. He didn't give me a price on the Columbian. I really like the Morgan because of the original wood handle. After I told him I was going to hold on to my Tradesman, he said he sells them anywhere from $150-$165 on eBay. Well, that's 3times wha I paid for mine. So I think I'll wait and just restore mine. On another note, wood vises are hard to come across around here. There have been two on CL and both were in the $150 range. One being a unrestored Wilton and the other a new Wilton. Guess ill keep hunting........

 

[Fyrme]

Oh, another question, anyone ever weld up the jaw holes on a vise and retap the holes? I've got a vise that has some bad treads. I'm not sure how to address that.

 

[Mark in Indiana]

Can you fix the jaw hole threads with a helicoil kit?

 

[bigcaddy]

Happy Easter everybody!

I got a package in the mail from the resident Wilton vise master, Autopts, with a care package for my Wilton C1.

It looks nice with the new copper soft jaws and finger savers. I've got to install the rest of the bumpers to my other ones and they should all be as good as new. Thanks, Autopts.

 

[Fyrme]

Can you fix the jaw hole threads with a helicoil kit?

Good idea Mark. I suppose that would work. Not sure if it would be just as strong or not.

 

[Outlawmws]

Good idea Mark. I suppose that would work. Not sure if it would be just as strong or not.

It's plenty strong if taped and installed properly, which isn't difficult.

 

[kapster]

Happy Easter everybody!

I got a package in the mail from the resident Wilton vise master, Autopts, with a care package for my Wilton C1.

It looks nice with the new copper soft jaws and finger savers. I've got to install the rest of the bumpers to my other ones and they should all be as good as new. Thanks, Autopts.

Got a picture of the finger savers? Are they from wilton or elsewhere?

 

[bigcaddy]

Got a picture of the finger savers? Are they from wilton or elsewhere?

I didn't get a chance to take a picture of the finger savers installed but they are there.

I don't know if wilton sells them but they could be made. I got my from another member on here.

 

[BJ42LX]

I didn't get a chance to take a picture of the finger savers installed but they are there.

I don't know if wilton sells them but they could be made. I got my from another member on here.

How does one install them? Just slip them over the ball-end? Maybe with a little lube? The finger savers on my vises are older and fairly stiff. Maybe new ones are soft and pliable?

 

[Nightshift]

How does one install them? Just slip them over the ball-end? Maybe with a little lube? The finger savers on my vises are older and fairly stiff. Maybe new ones are soft and pliable?

I have them on all my vices too. If I recall, Nick (Autopts) buys them on the web somewhere, but I don't think it's Wilton. They are just stiff rubber ... not soft or pliable. They measure about 1-3/8" OD, 3/4" ID and 1/4" thick.

They install fairly easily if you squirt them with WD40 and wear gloves for a better grip on them to squeeze them over the ball end of the handle. For smaller vices, I just punched out my own from 1/4" thick sheet rubber and downsized them accordingly.

Cheers, Bill

 

[kapster]

I made a big hole punch at work and cut mine from 1/4" rubber. They aren't pretty but they work, just wondered if nicks were any nicer.

 

[Nightshift]

I made a big hole punch at work and cut mine from 1/4" rubber. They aren't pretty but they work, just wondered if nicks were any nicer.

Nick's are pretty ...

 

[Outlawmws]

I just use big fat O rings. they work great (one set on my Parker for the past 30 years...)

 

[SwampCat]

Just picked up a Chas. Parker 229X. I like the adj. handle tension screw. Thought the handle was LOCKED UP at first. Then upon futher investigation. GREAT idea they had BACK in the day. Patent dates of 1905 to 1910, thing looks like it had a easy life. It came FREE with the Pollard work bench I went to get in the first place. MAN I love Craigslist.

 

[bigcaddy]

I have them on all my vices too. If I recall, Nick (Autopts) buys them on the web somewhere, but I don't think it's Wilton. They are just stiff rubber ... not soft or pliable. They measure about 1-3/8" OD, 3/4" ID and 1/4" thick.

They install fairly easily if you squirt them with WD40 and wear gloves for a better grip on them to squeeze them over the ball end of the handle. For smaller vices, I just punched out my own from 1/4" thick sheet rubber and downsized them accordingly.

Cheers, Bill

Bill has it dead on. I tried the first one without any lube resulting in sore fingers. A small shot of silicone lube and they practically fell on to the handle.

 

[WQ59B]

Leinen F150. Don't seem to be many around...

 

[WQ59B]

8-in jaws. Maker?

 

[WQ59B]

more :

 

[bigcaddy]

more :

Nice collection!! When are you going to get around to repairing the "dead soliders" in your collection. I see a few that need some repairs like that Chas Parker with a broken operating handle

 

[bigcaddy]

I don't know about the rest of you but today started out as "one of those days" where everything just seems to not go your way.

Once i clawed my way through work and diagnosed a problem on my truck, the vise gods decided to smile upon me and sent me in the direction of this lovely beast. A short drive and a few bucks later, it was all mine

The guy was the original owner and never once swiveled the rear jaw. I'll take some better pictures tomorrow and get a date off the keyway.

 

[WQ59B]

Not sure if repair/restoration is in the near future. These are actually a good buddy's collection, he has probably another dozen or so. Haven't seen his anvil collection yet...

I'm looking at picking up the Wilton in the lower left, 2nd pic- what's the opinion/vintage on that one?

 

[Outlawmws]

8-in jaws. Maker?

I'd have to say that one came from Asia...

 

[Mr.1961]

My Originals..

 

[ADSR]

My Originals..

As in you originally bought them new?

Damn nice looking that's for sure!

 

[bigcaddy]

Not sure if repair/restoration is in the near future. These are actually a good buddy's collection, he has probably another dozen or so. Haven't seen his anvil collection yet...

I'm looking at picking up the Wilton in the lower left, 2nd pic- what's the opinion/vintage on that one?

Looks like a 645. I'm not too sure of the year since they didn't change styles much and aren't dated like the bullet vises. I would say they are a sturdy vise for around the house use. I come across them often in my travels to estate sales. Ill keep an eye out but they are fairly common. You shoudn't have too much trouble locating one for a good price.

 

[Too_Many_Tools]

Could someone post the pipe jaws from the Reed 1c-4c (or equivalent) vises so I can see how they are constructed?

Thanks

Still looking for what those pipe jaws look like..

 

[HellaFab]

anyone ever hear of a canadian make of vise "falcon"?

looking at this 6" unit though i think 6" might be a bit much for my needs

 

[lilredex]

Could be a RAE.

http://progress-is-fine.blogspot.ca/2012/10/one-of-my-vices-is-vises.html

National Machinery and Supply Co. Limited Hamilton Ontario

 

[HellaFab]

It doesnt seem to be a RAE.

If you click on the attachment it quite clearly says "Falcon" on the side.

Either way, the asking price is $65 on this unit. Is it priced accordingly? It seems a little beat up for that kind of price...

Granted its an old unit in need of restoration, but it isnt just the faces that need work.
The handle is bent and the front peice has a chip that would need some filling and resurfacing.