The VISES of Garage Journal

[Outlawmws]

Opening day for one of Chicago suburbs outside flee markets, this little Monarch followed me home. Not sure whether to restore or leave it in its current patina? The seller also had anvil-vise that needed some work, a guy bought it right after me, maybe it will surface up here..

Does it actually say Monarch on the other side? It is definitely a Prentiss, but not anything like my Monarch.

 

[bigcaddy]

Did anybody see the CL ad in Fredricksburg, VA for a Saturday estate sale? I noticed at least 2 Chas parkers and some other vises in the pictures. The sale might be over but there is a number to call. Maybe they are still sitting there.

 

[va.grouseman]

Lowfriction Thanks for the post on the swivel Barretts. Now I know what to look for. Been watching this forum since 2011, Craigslist since 2010, E-bay since 2008, and have never saw a swivel Barrett. Thanks

 

[90roadster]

Does it actually say Monarch on the other side? It is definitely a Prentiss, but not anything like my Monarch.

No it doesnt, while doing quick search i read about prentiss and monarchs, meant to write prentiss but wrote the other.

 

[Low Friction]

Lowfriction Thanks for the post on the swivel Barretts. Now I know what to look for. Been watching this forum since 2011, Craigslist since 2010, E-bay since 2008, and have never saw a swivel Barrett. Thanks

I just did a google search and found that in a google scanned doc. I've never seen one of those either. If I do it will be mine.

 

[wxm]

... Unfortunately they don't swivel but you can't beat free. I know nothing about old vices and what's considered good. One says Athol and one says Hollands

Swivel vises could be a pain sometime, especially when you working on the heavy duty stuff... You will like the Athol.

 

[coolreed]

This is my latest effort at the Lazy J. I found this Reed 404 and just finished a basic refurb. Below is before and after. Pictures came from my Iphone 4S. My apologies

 

[north]

Yeah, for most of us our pics doesn't do justice to the item but it's clear enough that that's a mighty fine looking vise. Man I love this thread.

 

[Rusty Musket]

Nice job Coolreed! Did you chrome that handle or did it polish up like that?

 

[Saiga]

 

[KMScott]

Still looking folks...let's see those old Reed pipe jaws. ;<)

I might be able to help if you ever run into a picture. We could figure out the dimensions with your vise and a picture. I have built the Wilton C0, C1 and C3 Pipe jaws, (not easy) and maybe the steps are similiar or close enough to make a set that would fit your Reed vise. I have all the cutters and fixturing already. I have seen other pipe jaws and it looks like the geometry is very similar. If there is a need for them I would definitely be interested in making a few for my Wilton Jaw site. Send me a PM if you want to go there.

Kevin

 

[bigcaddy]

I might be able to help if you ever run into a picture. We could figure out the dimensions with your vise and a picture. I have built the Wilton C0, C1 and C3 Pipe jaws, (not easy) and maybe the steps are similiar or close enough to make a set that would fit your Reed vise. I have all the cutters and fixturing already. I have seen other pipe jaws and it looks like the geometry is very similar. If there is a need for them I would definitely be interested in making a few for my Wilton Jaw site. Send me a PM if you want to go there.

Kevin

Hopefully you can read my pictures ill be posting later tonight. They were taken using a machinist hook rule on them so the measurements should be fairly precise. If not, ill take some measurements of the inserts installed and send them to you.

Those things were a huge pain in the *** to get out and photograph. I'm not going to go through that again

 

[bigcaddy]

This is my latest effort at the Lazy J. I found this Reed 404 and just finished a basic refurb. Below is before and after. Pictures came from my Iphone 4S. My apologies

That is a nice looking Reed there, Coolreed. I like even more that you mounted it to a slab of olive wood as a base.

 

[coolreed]

Thank You for your kind words. I just polished the parts as best I could.
The only issue I had with this vise was I could not extract the nut. The pin would come out but the nut would not. So I just scrubbed around it. The vise works really nice. Swivel jaws were in very good condition. Thank again.

 

[KMScott]

Hopefully you can read my pictures ill be posting later tonight. They were taken using a machinist hook rule on them so the measurements should be fairly precise. If not, ill take some measurements of the inserts installed and send them to you.

Those things were a huge pain in the *** to get out and photograph. I'm not going to go through that again

Thanks bigcaddy especially if too_many_tools wants a a set. He might want an original set in stead of a reproduction. My Wilton's do not sell very well, and I know they are expensive.

 

[nine4gmc]

Great job on that Reed^!

For the members that don't frequent the Garage Sale thread, here is my newest vise acquisition. My first ever wood vise, a Craftsman 391-5195, works like butter. I will freshen it up and get it mounted then post some updates.

 

[cclfn]

Well, I saved two more Friday! The Wilton 9600 was in the bone pile at a mill. I guess they didn't know how to take out the two broken screws when somebody took off the collar. I'll give it some TLC later. The Monarch 219 was in pretty good shape and should clean up nice. Had to pay $80 dollars for the pair so I guess its worth finding repair parts.

Good hunting guys.

 

[bigcaddy]

Well, I saved two more Friday! The Wilton 9600 was in the bone pile at a mill. I guess they didn't know how to take out the two broken screws when somebody took off the collar. I'll give it some TLC later. The Monarch 219 was in pretty good shape and should clean up nice. Had to pay $80 dollars for the pair so I guess its worth finding repair parts.

Good hunting guys.

You really ****! That Monarch/Prentiss looks like its in really good shape. Thats a heck of a find since they are somewhat rare. For 40.00, you did just fine.

 

[T_Raven]

That Athol is a really well built, stout vise that will give you a very long life in the garage. Not only are they heavy, the metal seems really dense on Athols, making them nearly indestructable. I bet you thought it was a bit heavy for its size. It has a rather unusual profile that i've never seen before so i'm guessing its on the older side of whats usually seen.

The Hollands is another really good vise. A number 14 will have 4" jaws with a stationary base, a number 24 has 4" jaws with a swivel base. If you hang on to them, sooner or later you will find that swivel based vise you are looking for and can upgrade.

Personally, i don't think they really are important. Most of my vises have swivel bases but i have yet to loosen the lockdowns and every use that feature

Thanks for the info. There aren't too many times I've swiveled a vice either, usually only on long stuff like a drive shaft. I'll clean these two up and paint them and mount them on the benches I'll be making and they should handle most of my needs.

 

[bigcaddy]

Still looking folks...let's see those old Reed pipe jaws. ;<)

Unfortunately i have some really bad news. While trying to edit the pictures, i wiped my SIM card clean. I just lost a lot of pictures, around 1200+ and they included the pipe jaw inserts.

Ill try to get some pictures tomorrow, again, and some measurments so they can hopefully be made and replaced.

Sorry to keep you waiting but this was an unexpected loss and has really soured my evening.

 

[Too_Many_Tools]

Unfortunately i have some really bad news. While trying to edit the pictures, i wiped my SIM card clean. I just lost a lot of pictures, around 1200+ and they included the pipe jaw inserts.

Ill try to get some pictures tomorrow, again, and some measurments so they can hopefully be made and replaced.

Sorry to keep you waiting but this was an unexpected loss and has really soured my evening.

You have my sympathy...I have lost thousands of pictures in the past...very depressing.

I am in no hurry for the jaw pictures..whenever you can provide them.

As for your SIM card, the data may still be there but unaccessible.

DO NOT WRITE any more data to the card..that WILL destroy any info on the card.

Erasing of files is usually done by overwriting the file structure..not the data...just like on hard drives. While I do not know how to reestablish the files system on a SIM card, someone may know ..Google and see if it is discussed. If what you refer to as a SIM card is for your phone, take it to your provider and see if they can reinstate it.

Good luck.

 

[Too_Many_Tools]

I might be able to help if you ever run into a picture. We could figure out the dimensions with your vise and a picture. I have built the Wilton C0, C1 and C3 Pipe jaws, (not easy) and maybe the steps are similiar or close enough to make a set that would fit your Reed vise. I have all the cutters and fixturing already. I have seen other pipe jaws and it looks like the geometry is very similar. If there is a need for them I would definitely be interested in making a few for my Wilton Jaw site. Send me a PM if you want to go there.

Kevin

Hi Kevin,...let's wait and see how the missing photos turn out...thanks.

 

[Fyrme]

I passed on this RI today. Owner selling for $25 but its rough, Did I make a mistake?

 

[bluebolt]

I passed on this RI today. Owner selling for $25 but its rough, Did I make a mistake?

For $25 I would probably have picked it up. I see the jaws were welded on and the handle is a bit bent but the slide does not look beat up and the swivel base is there.

 

[jabberwoki]

Thank You for your kind words. I just polished the parts as best I could.
The only issue I had with this vise was I could not extract the nut. The pin would come out but the nut would not. So I just scrubbed around it. The vise works really nice. Swivel jaws were in very good condition. Thank again.

You've given me hope for the handle on my colombian .
Can you provide some info on how you got that handle so shiny?

 

[Mark in Indiana]

I passed on this RI today. Owner selling for $25 but its rough, Did I make a mistake?

I would have bought it I'n a cocaine heart beat for $25, given it's condition. At the very least, I would make it into a beater vise or folk art. However, from the picture, it looks like it could be restored.

 

[ganymede]

I passed on this RI today. Owner selling for $25 but its rough, Did I make a mistake?

At the sale I would'v passed. It was really beat on, welded and the screw doesn't look original.
Thinking now from the leisurely safety of the internet, it would be fine for parts. Rock islands are common enough that you may come across another with some issue.
Just the swivel base has gotta be worth 25 bucks.

 

[bigcaddy]

Hi Kevin,...let's wait and see how the missing photos turn out...thanks.

Well i did end up pulling out that damn pipe jaw insert and took some more pictures of it. I can always shoot more but its a fairly basic pipe jaw insert.

All i had handy was a little Craftsman hook rule measuring in increments of 32nds. Its a bit hard to read but they are quite a tight fit in the vise so i guess it would help to be precise

 

[bigcaddy]

At the sale I would'v passed. It was really beat on, welded and the screw doesn't look original.
Thinking now from the leisurely safety of the internet, it would be fine for parts. Rock islands are common enough that you may come across another with some issue.
Just the swivel base has gotta be worth 25 bucks.

Hes right, the jaws are toast and the handle has been replaced at one time. Just the welded jaws alone make the 2 main halves useless and it doesn't leave much left to part out. Keep your 25.00

 

[jabberwoki]

I just finished fabricating some replacement swivel lock handles today myself for my Morgan 160. I bought some 4130 chromoly from onlinemetals. The larger diameter end stops were center drilled on a lathe with about 0.004" interference. Then cut 4 pieces off and hammered them onto the ends of the handles. Nice snug fit.

Nice job could you do that and have round ends instead?

 

[Low Friction]

Nice job could you do that and have round ends instead?

They could be hand filed round on the end worst case. I'm not a machinist but a CNC lathe would do a fine job. Perhaps some kind of profiled cutter on a lathe. I'll let the experts chime in on this.

But these are a very close match to the factory originals for my Morgan.

 

[Fyrme]

At the sale I would'v passed. It was really beat on, welded and the screw doesn't look original.
Thinking now from the leisurely safety of the internet, it would be fine for parts. Rock islands are common enough that you may come across another with some issue.
Just the swivel base has gotta be worth 25 bucks.

Hes right, the jaws are toast and the handle has been replaced at one time. Just the welded jaws alone make the 2 main halves useless and it doesn't leave much left to part out. Keep your 25.00

Thanks for the reassurance. If I needed a vise bad, it would be a whole different story. But I have 2 big Wilton's a small Wilton and a small Columbian so I'm not lacking in vises.

 

[KMScott]

All i had handy was a little Craftsman hook rule measuring in increments of 32nds. Its a bit hard to read but they are quite a tight fit in the vise so i guess it would help to be precise

I might be able to help. I make the C1 Pipe Jaws for the Wilton Combination Vises and missing the width of your jaws bigcaddy I might be close. The C1 Pipe jaw spec's out very close if not perfect. Mine do not have the 29/64 hole but I can add a 7/16 or a 1/2 hole using a carbide drill. If Too_Many_Tools is interested I can help. bigcaddy what would the width be if you do not mind measuring one more side. I added a link to my listing that has pic's and dimensions.

Kevin

http://wiltonviseparts.net/wilton-c1-pipe-jaws/

Garage Journal members get 10% off by adding GJ during checkout in the discount box.

 

[KMScott]

They could be hand filed round on the end worst case. I'm not a machinist but a CNC lathe would do a fine job. Perhaps some kind of profiled cutter on a lathe. I'll let the experts chime in on this.

But these are a very close match to the factory originals for my Morgan.

I am a machinist but sometimes the ole fashion way works good to. This is how I do it. I used a ball end mill to create a radius in a block of steel and drilled a hole in the middle of two more blocks of steel to pinch the handle material. Heated it to cherry red then pounded the block to form the radius end. I promised a customer a pair of swivel handles once and had to come up with a way to make them. Worked pretty well.

Kevin

 

[bigcaddy]

I might be able to help. I make the C1 Pipe Jaws for the Wilton Combination Vises and missing the width of your jaws bigcaddy I might be close. The C1 Pipe jaw spec's out very close if not perfect. Mine do not have the 29/64 hole but I can add a 7/16 or a 1/2 hole using a carbide drill. If Too_Many_Tools is interested I can help. bigcaddy what would the width be if you do not mind measuring one more side. I added a link to my listing that has pic's and dimensions.

Kevin

http://wiltonviseparts.net/wilton-c1-pipe-jaws/

Garage Journal members get 10% off by adding GJ during checkout in the discount box.

Guess i forgot to take a picture of that one. It measured out 1 23/32 (1 11/16) wide.

 

[KMScott]

My width is 1-3/4 so it still can be made to fit. Much easier to take material away then adding it. Thanks bigcaddy. I hope you recovered all your pictures. It is like me losing drawings when my computer crashes. I just do not back up like I should.

Kevin

 

[oldldh]

This is the wrong thread, but since all the resident vise addicts are here....

binghamton.craigslist.org/tls/3690012971.html

Prentiss #22........$450.00

Too far away from me, and, I think, too high an asking price...

Whacking big vise, though...

And it's a swivel jaw!!!

Wish it was closer and cheaper...

 

[aluminum13]

So I cleaned up this vise and wow is the action butter smooth easy one finger spinning open and shut, feels great now.

C Parker No. 87.

But I need your help: how is this thing supposed to be mounted to a workbench? Is the bottom plate supposed to go on top of the table or is the tabletop supposed to be sandwiched?

 

[dirtydogintex]

This is the wrong thread, but since all the resident vise addicts are here....

binghamton.craigslist.org/tls/3690012971.html

Prentiss #22........$450.00

Too far away from me, and, I think, too high an asking price...

Whacking big vise, though...

And it's a swivel jaw!!!

Wish it was closer and cheaper...

good price for three #22's.... perhaps a pair....

 

[PghJKB]

So I cleaned up this vise and wow is the action butter smooth easy one finger spinning open and shut, feels great now.

C Parker No. 87.

But I need your help: how is this thing supposed to be mounted to a workbench? Is the bottom plate supposed to go on top of the table or is the tabletop supposed to be sandwiched?

I got a Parker similar to yours and it is a royal PIA to mount.

Here is how I did it:
The base plate with the counter sunk holes goes on top of the table, counter sunk holes up.

To secure the base plate:
Drill holes to match the pattern of countersunk holes in the base plate. Depending how thick your table top is the holes can either go through the top (secure them with nuts), or drill the holes the right size to serve as pilots and drive flat head screws into the table top.

I drilled four holes through my top, used flat head bolts and secured them with washers and nuts, my table top is 1/4 inch steel. I guess they want you to use six screws/bolts or why else have six holes.

Once the base plate is secure, drill a hole a bit larger than the center screw through the table top at the hole at the center of the base plate. The end of the threaded rod with the lease amount of threading screws into the bottom of the vise. Screw the rod into the bottom of the vise.

Set the vise on the base plate with the rod running through the center hole. Get a piece of hardwood about 4 x 4 inches and thick enough to extend beyond the threading on the free end of the center rod, and drill a hole through the wood that will allow the center rod to pass through the it.

The stack from top to bottom:
Vise
Base plate
Table top
Hardwood "shim"
Nut for center rod

Screw the nut onto the center rod. To swivel the vise, loosen the nut and turn. To secure the vise, turn the nut TIGHT.
There has to be a better way...