The VISES of Garage Journal

[CRTDI]

Would you mind posting some detailed pics of your Rock Island 577 vise? I'm especially interested in some pics of the swivel lock handle as mine appears to be missing.

Thanks!

 

[GETRIDAONE]

454 Wow
Yes, they are definitely at least cousins. And yes, the same color - I thought mine was repainted with whatever paint was leftover from before they went nuts with the white...

BigCaddy, YOU ARE CORRECT - Yes, it is a Stanley! A short session with the wire brush and out came:

VICTOR JERSEY
No, 776
STANLEY RULE AND LEVEL CO
NEW BRITAIN CONN U.S.A
PAT'D JAN. 28, 08

BTW mine weighs in 10+ lbs and has smooth jaws, no inserts, which is one of the reasons I thought it older than me (Am slightly younger than dirt).

Thanks Bigcaddy and Outlaw

This liitle one has the same Pat'd date & No. 724. "VICTOR JERSE" the Y was missing.

 

[EOC_Jason]

What color, and type of paint are you waiting on?

Since the powrarm is already painted Rustoleum Hammered Light Blue, I'm going to paint the vise that to match. I did also order a can of the Hammered Verde Green. I gave up and got them from Amazon, I searched every HD & Lowes around here. I even did some online searching at pretty much all the stores in the north part of Houston and I guess those are colors they just don't stock...

 

[Maclin]

EOC- I had the same difficulty here in Denver finding the Hammered Light Blue and Verde Green. Have found Hammered Light Blue at two local Ace Hardware Stores. Still haven't found Verde Green locally.

 

[EOC_Jason]

Ah, I did not know Ace carried Rustoleum, there are a couple in my area I might have to stop by one day.

 

[va.grouseman]

Thanks outlawmws ------ I'll probably have to get someone else to do the weld. I can weld stainless and pig iron but I have never been able to weld ductile steel. That thing got broke during shipping along with my heart.

CRTDI------I will try to get some pictures up in day or two. I have two, I'll try to dig out the easiest one to get to. 577s are good vises. They're not monsters but they're not small either. Just right for the shop.

 

[EOC_Jason]

My other 974 has a more conventional handle with ballish ends. But I also think that one may be older. Maybe someone can tell me the vintage of this green one, the rear does not have the decorative casting like most other ones do. The lettering is also different, and does not say Pat. 1930 on the one side.

Definitely a later model. Like you said it doesn't have an intricate curves and such on the bosses as the older models, and instead of the old style round meatball on the end of the screw it's the more square style. Finally the handle is (was) also a later model design.

I'm going to take a shot in the dark and say late 40's to somewhere in the 50's?

 

[EOC_Jason]

My Reed 3C came in today. It was in a wooden crate that despite having several broken boards managed to survive. Here's a picture of the 1C, 2C, and 3C together. I'll unbolt my 4C from it's base and get an entire group picture once I restore these last two.

My 2C (and 4C) has two lock-down handles, but the 3C only has one... Guess they didn't double up on them until later. Also the only one I have with removable jaws is my 4C. Also I noticed the 3C & 4C handles are the same thickness (7/8), but the 4C is ~3in longer.

 

[va.grouseman]

I,2,3,4-----That's bragging rights. Probably the best and sturdiest all around shop vises a body could own.

 

[ritzblitz]

Man awesome on finding the final vise for the series.

Thanks for the compliments everyone.

KMScott, thanks. You did a nice job grinding the angle on that pin for the Wilton.

 

[J HAV]

My Reed 3C came in today. It was in a wooden crate that despite having several broken boards managed to survive. Here's a picture of the 1C, 2C, and 3C together. I'll unbolt my 4C from it's base and get an entire group picture once I restore these last two.

My 2C (and 4C) has two lock-down handles, but the 3C only has one... Guess they didn't double up on them until later. Also the only one I have with removable jaws is my 4C. Also I noticed the 3C & 4C handles are the same thickness (7/8), but the 4C is ~3in longer.

Thats awesome you were able to snag the 3C from that guy. Congrats on the series finale

 

[EOC_Jason]

Thats awesome you were able to snag the 3C from that guy. Congrats on the series finale

Thank you. Yeah I paid more for it than I wanted to, and shipping was a lot (sticker on the crate said 148.9... *whew*)... But I can't help but smile when I see it.

So, when are you going to sell me your 2C ???

 

[J HAV]

I think I'll keep the 2C... At least for now. I'll sell you that basketball in the pic.

 

[Steve V.]

Ah, I did not know Ace carried Rustoleum, there are a couple in my area I might have to stop by one day.

DoitBest hardware stores also carry it. There are two near me.

Steve

 

[EOC_Jason]

I think I'll keep the 2C... At least for now. I'll sell you that basketball in the pic.

If "basketball" is secret code for that old Craftsman you got off CL a while back.. I'll consider it...

 

[autopts]

Running late. Here a Starrett 325 for the Journal that a collector friend owns. Its in unusually nice condition. Kevin, KMScott is making alot of jaws other then Wilton's. I bought a 6" set and now these 5" ones. His quality is unmatched.

 

[EOC_Jason]

Nice! How much does that 5" weigh?

 

[ritzblitz]

Hey Kevin, I am gonna make a set of jaws for my reed 4C out of A2. What hardness do you recommend?

 

[KMScott]

Hey Kevin, I am gonna make a set of jaws for my reed 4C out of A2. What hardness do you recommend?

Tell your heat treater 54-56 R/C, if you can have him anneal the jaws in inert gas then the color of the sides will not be black. On my way to Virginia for a week of vacation. Good luck, if you need help with the serrations then maybe you can mail them to me so I can cut them on my next batch.

Kevin

 

[kukko]

I picked up this barely used (if at all), poorly stored (surfacy rust on exposed surfaces) 3 1/2" jaw Wilton (USA made) at a swap meet recently. Got it cheap because for some reason it is missing the clip and maybe washer that holds the threaded shaft to the movable jaw. Does anyone have one similar that can post some pics or tell me what kind of clip is supposed to be there, and if there is also a washer between the clip and the jaw? Thanks

 

[Legba]

Idahoans sure do some strange stuff!

Easiest way to clean it is Electrolysis, no hassles in nooks and crannies, and a LOT less manual labor... You can even do it while naked...

Yes we do, I burned my leg a bit welding in my Kilt last Saturday!
I'll get some pics up on the vise's soon, enjoying the thread for now!

 

[va.grouseman]

Here's a little Fulton for the Journal. I think Fulton made vises for Sears to.

By the way, beautiful Starrett Autopts. And your right about Mr. Scott's vise jaws. I think they're better than factory.









http://i1127.photobucket.com/albums/l628/weakmanfor2things/100_047

[URL=http://s1127.photobucket.com/user/weakmanfor2things/media/100_0535.jpg.html][IMG]http://i1127.photobucket.com/albums/l628/weakmanfor2things/100_0535.jpg



Wanted to put these on one page as attached thumbnail, but they never would go through. Anyway Autopts showed me that the lurkers or browsers that don't have a user name or password never get to see thumbnails. They get to read the posted message but the pictures are blank. Only members get to see thumbnails. I don't know if that is good or bad. A lot of people are just looking for information, they don't want to join, they just want to kick the tires. But thumbnails on one page are much neater and take up a lot less space. What to do? What to do?

 

[893cv]

I picked up another fpu yesterday, a 100mm this time!

 

[EOC_Jason]

This is from my craftsman, similar setup. I would take a look and see if you need washers or not from the underside. The clip itself just needs to be something that will stay in place but not catch on any of the sides.

I picked up this barely used (if at all), poorly stored (surfacy rust on exposed surfaces) 3 1/2" jaw Wilton (USA made) at a swap meet recently. Got it cheap because for some reason it is missing the clip and maybe washer that holds the threaded shaft to the movable jaw. Does anyone have one similar that can post some pics or tell me what kind of clip is supposed to be there, and if there is also a washer between the clip and the jaw? Thanks

 

[The Ratchet Man]

Here's a little Fulton for the Journal. I think Fulton made vises for Sears to.

Wow...nice color choice.

 

[OhCookie]

There are some beautiful vises in this thread. I think I have found a new hobby.

I have noticed that some of the vises have different colored lettering. How is that done exactly? What is the easiest way to paint the raised letters?

 

[EOC_Jason]

I have noticed that some of the vises have different colored lettering. How is that done exactly? What is the easiest way to paint the raised letters?

You can get paint pens at hobby shops. I got some oil-based sharpie paint pens off the internet. But I also found some at Hobby Lobby.

Likewise you can get enamel based paint pens that you can fill in recessed lettering, then wipe away the excess paint. I haven't done this myself yet, but it's on my to-do list.

 

[Bret888]

I missed a few days on here, and a whole bunch of cool stuff showed up!
Jason, that is great that you got a full set of C's!
Grouseman, the 1st post I ever made on here was on an old Fulton, I found this site looking for information. They are scarce!

page 247 post 4921

 

[Mark in Indiana]

I picked up this barely used (if at all), poorly stored (surfacy rust on exposed surfaces) 3 1/2" jaw Wilton (USA made) at a swap meet recently. Got it cheap because for some reason it is missing the clip and maybe washer that holds the threaded shaft to the movable jaw. Does anyone have one similar that can post some pics or tell me what kind of clip is supposed to be there, and if there is also a washer between the clip and the jaw? Thanks

I had the same thing with a Wilton Flip-Grip vise a few years ago. I fixed it with an "E" clip that fit in the groove. I also added a washer to tighten the shaft movement and keep the e-clip from turning directly on the casting.

 

[Mark in Indiana]

There are some beautiful vises in this thread. I think I have found a new hobby.

I have noticed that some of the vises have different colored lettering. How is that done exactly? What is the easiest way to paint the raised letters?

For black letters, I use Sharpie markers. Every other color I use Testers paint pens from any hobby store.

 

[bigcaddy]

Va.Grouseman,

Your Fulton vise is a dead ringer for a Prentiss vise. The factory it was made in is only 20+ miles from the 2 main Prentiss vise foundries. I wonder it Prentiss did some contract work for them?

 

[PghJKB]

I picked up this barely used (if at all), poorly stored (surfacy rust on exposed surfaces) 3 1/2" jaw Wilton (USA made) at a swap meet recently. Got it cheap because for some reason it is missing the clip and maybe washer that holds the threaded shaft to the movable jaw. Does anyone have one similar that can post some pics or tell me what kind of clip is supposed to be there, and if there is also a washer between the clip and the jaw? Thanks

kukko
From my "I'm working on it bin:

Hope this helps

 

[va.grouseman]

I missed a few days on here, and a whole bunch of cool stuff showed up!
Jason, that is great that you got a full set of C's!
Grouseman, the 1st post I ever made on here was on an old Fulton, I found this site looking for information. They are scarce!

page 247 post 4921

I knew that post was in there somewhere, cause I remember reading it. But this thing has gotten so big it's hard to go back and find what you know you have read. It's like an encyclopedia on vises without alphabetical order. Should be an index of users, names of vises, sizes of vises, and updated daily. Someone ought to step up and make that happen. Not me.
I read in that post that Mr. Fulton sold out his Fulton Vise Co. and went to the Oswego Tool Co. as CEO. and General Manager. So is it possible that he over saw the productions of Sawyer vises? I want a big Sawyer so bad.
Sorry about the lousy pictures. If I go with the flash I get nothing but glare off the yellow vise. If I dropped the flash I get nothing but blur.
Thanks for the history posts. Their invaluable.

 

[ZRX61]

There are some beautiful vises in this thread. I think I have found a new hobby.

I have noticed that some of the vises have different colored lettering. How is that done exactly? What is the easiest way to paint the raised letters?

If you want to develope a new skill, you could buy some pinstriping brushes & a couple of cans of OneShot & go that route

 

[ZRX61]

I burned my leg a bit welding in my Kilt last Saturday!

Winner of the "Best First Post On GJ" award

 

[ritzblitz]

Tell your heat treater 54-56 R/C, if you can have him anneal the jaws in inert gas then the color of the sides will not be black. On my way to Virginia for a week of vacation. Good luck, if you need help with the serrations then maybe you can mail them to me so I can cut them on my next batch.

Kevin

I'm gonna mill them rough and have them heat treated then grind everything to finish size, including the teeth. Thanks for the offer though.

 

[ZRX61]

My dad is going to be setting up a space in his other garage to be a wood working shop and I thought these might be a good addition. I had already restored a Sheldon combination vise for him previously.

I have an almost identical, but older looking Sheldon like that

 

[ZRX61]

Why so much Vise discussion?
Which vise to buy, how to repair them, old vs. new, etc. For you pros out there (or anyone else), what makes a vise so important? I'm not trolling, just trying to start a discussion. I have an old USA made Cman vise in the garage but it seems like the choice of a vise is the most important decision in the shop, given all the threads on the topic.

Some people collect useless **** like stamps, baseball cards, dolls etc. We just happen to collect useful stuff instead

 

[bigcaddy]

*drool* A simplex combination.... You don't see those too often. I would try to talk him down, but even if he doesn't budge I would pay that price as long as nothing is broken / cracked. You lucky SOB...

Did you say you like Simplex combo vises?

I'm pretty sure i've posted this on here before but in another thread but here's another near mint 4" Simplex Combo vise i've got laying around the shop. Its pictured by my daily use 3" Simplex Combo

Sorry Jason, i just couldn't resist

 

[va.grouseman]

Va.Grouseman,

Your Fulton vise is a dead ringer for a Prentiss vise. The factory it was made in is only 20+ miles from the 2 main Prentiss vise foundries. I wonder it Prentiss did some contract work for them?

Bigcaddy----Your right, it does look like a Prentiss. Makes you wonder, with so many foundries and factories in the New York and Pennsylvania area, who all was working for whom, who was trading ideas, and who all just copied some body else's design.

Beautiful Simplex by the way. Looks hardly used.