The VISES of Garage Journal

[SweetD]

I haven't run into many decent vises here in a good while. Most are pretty well abused, but I did score a couple this past weekend. These photos were taken just after I got them home (some sawdust and shop grime still on them).

I finally brought home my first Prentiss (354-1/2). Has both pipe jaws and is very toothy.

TreePointer - love the Prentiss and Athol - two of my favorites!

That Prentiss is of the "Parker years" vintage when Parker had taken over the Prentiss name, hence the "Meriden, CT" logo.

They both look in great shape!



Dave

 

[Perrorojo]

EBay find...

5' x 13' steel layout table, with a monster Starrett vise attached...

As I am uninformed about things like this, I have no idea what this setup would be worth, but one of you would know...$2,950.00

I made the mistake of buying a table similar to that sight unseen. That is probably less than scrap price for that steel. The problem is being able to move it.

 

[TreePointer]

TreePointer - love the Prentiss and Athol - two of my favorites!

That Prentiss is of the "Parker years" vintage when Parker had taken over the Prentiss name, hence the "Meriden, CT" logo.

They both look in great shape!



Dave

Thanks a bunch for the info, Dave.

 

[cclfn]

Had a good weekend
Here is what I picked up, six vises and a real nice power source for my planned electrolysis set up.

Good huntin guys!

 

[d.mcfarland]

I got this out of my grandfathers old shop. I don't have a clue on age. Anyone have a guess?

The Diamond shaped badge on the outer jaw says LITTCO

Says on the side:

Littlestown
HDWE & FDRY CO
Littlestown PA

The ones that say Littlestown HDW&FDRY New York USA are the oldest, so I hope that at least gives you a start. The company thought that by putting New York they would seem like a larger player and have more quality to them. They eventually changed it to Littlestown, PA, where they had been located all along. This information was from the company the last I spoke with them.

 

[bigcaddy]

Had a good weekend
Here is what I picked up, six vises and a real nice power source for my planned electrolysis set up.

Good huntin guys!

Just 6? That might be an average weekend

Looks like more trouble then they are worth. I would happily save your back the trouble and give that Prentiss 54 a new home.

 

[cclfn]

Just 6? That might be an average weekend

Looks like more trouble then they are worth. I would happily save your back the trouble and give that Prentiss 54 a new home.

bigcaddy;
oh yeah I forgot you guys don't have any rust down there do you

 

[fullthrottle24]

Had a good weekend
Here is what I picked up, six vises and a real nice power source for my planned electrolysis set up.

Good huntin guys!

Love the Prentiss, I can't seem to find any without swivels.

 

[_vin_]

Hello

There is a guy at the local flea market selling 3 1/2 craftsman usa vise. What would be a reasonable price for it? I didnt stop by and ask because I was on the way out before they closed. I have a feeling it will be there sat morning. Thanks

 

[scottbob]

Picked up this rigid today...for free! It's a little rusted but it'll loosen up, it's like a little cousin to big daddy. If you have two does that make you a collector?

 

[cclfn]

Vin;
I wouldn't pay more than $15 - 20 if it is in good shape as I see them going for that quit often out here in Oregon. Your milage may differ depending on location.

 

[_vin_]

Vin;
I wouldn't pay more than $15 - 20 if it is in good shape as I see them going for that quit often out here in Oregon. Your milage may differ depending on location.

thanks for the info

I "need" a vise for the latest project. New handle for ratchet.

 

[va.grouseman]

Quick question for the [Vise Pundits]. I have a nice 19 1/2 Prentiss swivel jaw that has 3 holes and looks like pins in the holes, 2 on one side and 1 on the other, on the swivel jaw, but they don't go all the way through and the jaw turns and comes off with ease. I don't know where the holes go or why they are there. My question is this. Did some of them come out like that or is that something that has been done after market? I might add that it does not look like an amateur job, and I have seen others with similar holes. I'll post a picture if need be.

 

[Mark in Indiana]

Picked up this rigid today...for free! It's a little rusted but it'll loosen up, it's like a little cousin to big daddy. If you have two does that make you a collector?

I believe that 2 makes you a collector. Also, I believe that you will get a "****" award for a free Rigid. Congratulations!

 

[Mark in Indiana]

Vin;
I wouldn't pay more than $15 - 20 if it is in good shape as I see them going for that quit often out here in Oregon. Your milage may differ depending on location.

I agree. In Southern Indiana, I picked one up for $5.00 at a yard sale.

 

[Mark in Indiana]

Quick question for the [Vise Pundits]. I have a nice 19 1/2 Prentiss swivel jaw that has 3 holes and looks like pins in the holes, 2 on one side and 1 on the other, on the swivel jaw, but they don't go all the way through and the jaw turns and comes off with ease. I don't know where the holes go or why they are there. My question is this. Did some of them come out like that or is that something that has been done after market? I might add that it does not look like an amateur job, and I have seen others with similar holes. I'll post a picture if need be.

Please post pictures.

 

[GoNCState]

This thread is a classic. And I am proud to be able to make my contribution.

Wilton 400N
DOM: 12-1977
Acquired: eBay for average eBay price = 4x what most of you recommend paying. But I needed a vise, and as most have also noted, still a lot less expensive than new.
Notable: First vise refresh. I had it powder coated. Red. Not just because I am an NC State fan, but it was what the guy had ready in the shop. Electolysis bath fizzing away in your garage is a great conversation starter with new neighbors.

Thread with more photos

Thanks to many of you for the information you have shared on here. Hopefully, I will be able to add Reed, Parker, and Monarch vices in the next year. I think I am officially an addict! I also grew up 5 miles from Littlestown PA - so I guess I need to get one of those too

As noted in other thread. I am a big Parker shotgun fan (passion inherited from my Dad who was fortunate enough to have a few). I had no idea they made vises. My jaw bounced off the table when I saw mjozefow's thread on Parkers.

Enough introduction, here is the vise *****

 

[ADSR]

This thread is a classic. And I am proud to be able to make my contribution.

Wilton 400N
DOM: 12-1977
Acquired: eBay for average eBay price = 4x what most of you recommend paying. But I needed a vise, and as most have also noted, still a lot less expensive than new.
Notable: First vise refresh. I had it powder coated. Red. Not just because I am an NC State fan, but it was what the guy had ready in the shop. Electolysis bath fizzing away in your garage is a great conversation starter with new neighbors.

Thread with more photos

Thanks to many of you for the information you have shared on here. Hopefully, I will be able to add Reed, Parker, and Monarch vices in the next year. I think I am officially an addict! I also grew up 5 miles from Littlestown PA - so I guess I need to get one of those too

As noted in other thread. I am a big Parker shotgun fan (passion inherited from my Dad who was fortunate enough to have a few). I had no idea they made vises. My jaw bounced off the table when I saw mjozefow's thread on Parkers.

Enough introduction, here is the vise *****

Holy ****, buddy! That looks awesome! Nice work

 

[Provincial]

Nice job on the Wilton!

 

[va.grouseman]

Please post pictures.

Mark, tried to upload 5 pictures but could not because some security token was missing which caused an error. However I found a Prentiss on E-bay, a #20 that has the same holes but plugged with JB Weld or something. And I found a #19 Prentiss on page 219 of this forum. Any info you could give would be appreciated. And if you have any idea what a security token is, I could use that to. Thanks

 

[Outlawmws]

Picked up this rigid today...for free! It's a little rusted but it'll loosen up, it's like a little cousin to big daddy. If you have two does that make you a collector?

Naw, Two is easy to justify, three is a stretch unless they are for completely different purposes, and then you suddenly find you have over fifty, Errr,,, Over sixty...

But it followed me home! Honest! (I put it in the trunk; it "followed" me home... )

 

[Mark in Indiana]

Mark, tried to upload 5 pictures but could not because some security token was missing which caused an error. However I found a Prentiss on E-bay, a #20 that has the same holes but plugged with JB Weld or something. And I found a #19 Prentiss on page 219 of this forum. Any info you could give would be appreciated. And if you have any idea what a security token is, I could use that to. Thanks

About half way down page 382 of this thread is a picture of my disassembled American Scale pivot jaw. With that said, my "guess" is that those holes are for retaining pins (that mate with a groove that's cut into the main pivot "king pin") to keep the pivot jaw from coming off the body. My vise only uses one pin in the body. I don't know how other pivot jaw vises are built.

Also, I can't help you concerning your security token. I'm sure there are some computer guys that can help.

 

[G-force]

I had some time today after work to finally assemble a couple of vises that have been sitting around for some time now.

The first is my Wilton 450SJ. I almost had is complete last weekend but i forgot the replacement screws, collar, jaw inserts and collar screws.

The rear cap was missing so it was replaced with a Ford front wheel hub dust cover. It fits perfectly and almost looks original. If i gave it some more time, it would of been impossible to tell

The paint is boring Machine Grey but that was close to the original color and i think it looks good.

Thanks for the finger savers, Autopts

That looks nice!

 

[garthg]

Just finished this fun little project. Found this beat up Wilton Shop King and immediately knew what it need. The vise screams 50's styling. Got it cleaned up and threw some era appropriate paint on it.
Before:

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After:

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LOVE it!
An art-deco bench vise.

 

[chris30066]

I picked up this columbian 604 to restore to give to a friend this Summer. It turned out so well, that i'm not sure I wan't to give it away any more I wire wheeled the old paint, cleaned it up with oven cleaner, and then primed and painted. I briefly considered putting clear coat on it instead of painting. I still need to make a replacement lock-down nut handle. Hope you enjoy.

 

[garthg]

It's beautiful
But where do you get a new lock-down handle?
Haven't seen any Columbian Vise stores around lately.

 

[droach77]

You might be able to find one off another old vise. I recently cleaned an old vise up that was missing the lockdown nut handle. I took a 4 inch long x 3/16 bolt, cut off most of the threaded part, ground the head of the bolt so it was round, painted it and put a lock nut on what was left of the threaded end it it looks reasonably close, at least as an interim step.

Great job on the vise!

 

[CecilTheTurtle]

Since I didn't have work today thanks to the psycho Marathon Bombers, I decided to finish up my Parker 273 that has been lingering. I had left it in my unheated garage for a while and it got a little rust on it so I decided to paint it. I think it turned out OK.

Before:

After:

 

[Mark in Indiana]

It's beautiful
But where do you get a new lock-down handle?
Haven't seen any Columbian Vise stores around lately.

I think it would be easy to make by taking a six inch, grade 5 or 2 long bolt, cut off the thread and head, hammer the ends flat (after sliding it in the fastener hole), and clear coating the assembly.

 

[buzzdex1]

I left my large Hollands vise alone together with a handsome Reed vise in the shed over the winter. Imagine my surprise when I stepped into the yard and found mother and new offspring sunning themselves on a recent warm afternoon. I was able to snap this shot before they spooked and stampeded back to the shed.

 

[sdm24]

I picked up this craftsman 5 1/2 off of craigslist for $25. He threw in a pipe vise with it. I saw what people on here were doing to make them look new again and thought I would give it a try. I am happy enough with the end result. I am going to end up beating it up anyway ,right?

 

[oldldh]

You are a lot like me...

We BOTH need adult supervision!!!

 

[bigcaddy]

My newest score of the day, a Record No.5

This is my first English vise and my first Record.

Does anybody have a suggestion for the correct color of blue it should be painted?

 

[va.grouseman]

About half way down page 382 of this thread is a picture of my disassembled American Scale pivot jaw. With that said, my "guess" is that those holes are for retaining pins (that mate with a groove that's cut into the main pivot "king pin") to keep the pivot jaw from coming off the body. My vise only uses one pin in the body. I don't know how other pivot jaw vises are built.

Also, I can't help you concerning your security token. I'm sure there are some computer guys that can help.

Mark in Indiana. Saw the American Scale #75, really nice specimen by the way. But my Prentiss has the center pin for hold also as well as the three little quarter inch holes going in the side. The center pin down through the top is about a 5/8" tapered pin. The Prentiss #19 on page 219, and the Prentiss #20 on E-bay has the same configuration. Maybe its just for looks. Oh by the way, a G.J. helpdesk person told me what to do about the token. Somehow I have got to figure out how to make the pictures smaller. Thanks for the input.

 

[cclfn]

My newest score of the day, a Record No.5

This is my first English vise and my first Record.

Does anybody have a suggestion for the correct color of blue it should be painted?

Yeah, just send it up here to me and I will take care of it

 

[cclfn]

Since I didn't have work today thanks to the psycho Marathon Bombers, I decided to finish up my Parker 273 that has been lingering. I had left it in my unheated garage for a while and it got a little rust on it so I decided to paint it. I think it turned out OK.


WOW!! one day? I hate to think what one could look like if you had a long weekend.
VERY NICE!!!

 

[Provincial]

Since I didn't have work today thanks to the psycho Marathon Bombers, I decided to finish up my Parker 273 that has been lingering. I had left it in my unheated garage for a while and it got a little rust on it so I decided to paint it. I think it turned out OK.

]

And here we all were feeling sorry for you Boston-area guys for being locked in all day!

 

[CecilTheTurtle]

WOW!! one day? I hate to think what one could look like if you had a long weekend.
VERY NICE!!!

LOL. Thanks for the vote of confidence, but all I did was paint. I'd already stripped and cleaned it a while back. Post 6711

 

[lilredex]

My newest score of the day, a Record No.5

This is my first English vise and my first Record.

Does anybody have a suggestion for the correct color of blue it should be painted?

Tremclad Dark Blue is as close as you're going to get....see post #11 here.

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=80347

 

[bigcaddy]

Tremclad Dark Blue is as close as you're going to get....see post #11 here.

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=80347

Thanks, that color does seem to match up nicely. Ill go pick up a can tomorrow and have this thing painted and ready to go by next week.