The VISES of Garage Journal

[Maclin]

64 vises?!?!!? YOU ****!!!

I'm digging that Ridgid, how big is it? Looks like some of those just have a little surface rust and were hardly used!

The Ridgid is a 4" model. The group is in all manner of condition from a few in ICU to some ready for release into the working public. I hope to finish to finish the inventory today and sort through some parts. There is some paper work that may identify 2 large new spindles and an 8" set of U shaped jaw inserts.

 

[balane]

This old Hollands 4 1/2" was so filthy and greasy I almost passed on it. Seriously, it looked like a black, formless blob bolted to a hundred year old work bench. I don't know the year but an older gentleman, 75 if he was a day, said he remembered the vise being there when he was a little boy. I see a 36 stamped into it and I think that year jives with what I know.

I'm glad I didn't pass because a couple days of cleaning and a half dozen showers later (This one got me filthy constantly.) it ended up being a pretty nice vise. The action is smooth and as fluid as any vise I've ever felt. This is my first Hollands and I'm very impressed with it. I think this is the first old vise I've seen that came to me with a straight handle.

It definitely has some battle scars from use but those are character marks. It opens to 8" and has a 3 3/4" throat depth. The scale puts it at a whopping 63 pounds and that felt like a hundred after a few hours of cleaning it.

Anyway, ended up quite nice and I have no complaints with it. Now to find it a good home.

P.S. Thanks Nick for the rubber handle washers, finally found a vise I could use them on.

.

 

[jpickar]

This old Hollands 4 1/2" was so filthy and greasy I almost passed on it. Seriously, it looked like a black, formless blob bolted to a hundred year old work bench. I don't know the year but an older gentleman, 75 if he was a day, said he remembered the vise being there when he was a little boy. I see a 36 stamped into it and I think that year jives with what I know.

I'm glad I didn't pass because a couple days of cleaning and a half dozen showers later (This one got me filthy constantly.) it ended up being a pretty nice vise. The action is smooth and as fluid as any vise I've ever felt. This is my first Hollands and I'm very impressed with it. I think this is the first old vise I've seen that came to me with a straight handle.

It definitely has some battle scars from use but those are character marks. It opens to 8" and has a 3 3/4" throat depth. The scale puts it at a whopping 63 pounds and that felt like a hundred after a few hours of cleaning it.

Anyway, ended up quite nice and I have no complaints with it. Now to find it a good home.

P.S. Thanks Nick for the rubber handle washers, finally found a vise I could use them on.

.

Neat story and the vise looks great now!
John

 

[ritzblitz]

Nice Hollands I just put the lettering on my 14 1/2 today. I'll post a picture. It still needs a handle. But like yours, I'm glad I picked it up.

 

[Nick_Wa]

What are you guys using to polish and protect the raw metal on your vises? I took a wire wheel to mine last night then after degreasing today it started to flash rust.

Cleaned it up and painted what I wanted to but need to put something on the jaws and slide to protect the raw steel.

Sent from a Galaxy Nexus in Canada.

 

[bigcaddy]

What are you guys using to polish and protect the raw metal on your vises? I took a wire wheel to mine last night then after degreasing today it started to flash rust.

Cleaned it up and painted what I wanted to but need to put something on the jaws and slide to protect the raw steel.

Sent from a Galaxy Nexus in Canada.

One to the cheapest and best is plain old carnuba wax. It goes on easy and protects nicely. I think any hard paste wax will work and you can find it at any hardware/auto parts store.

 

[wrenchguy]

That's a great buy for $200. Once you get it home could you let me know if there's anything on the stand that indicates what it's from? And post more pics when you have it set up.

sure will,
looks like i'll be heading that way labor day to visit my friend in greenville ny.

 

[ritzblitz]

Another nice thing to use on bare metal is Penetrol. I got some at lowes. It's nice, but I don't use it on vises, I just use a light coat of way lube or whatever oil.

 

[ritzblitz]

Ok here is my Hollands 14 1/2. I made a post earlier in this thread about it but here it is nearly complete (need to make a handle).

Here it is when I first picked it up from scrap yard ($30). Major gashes were hiding underneath all of the nonsense mess(dont have pics), and also the base was welded to a work table and upon removal there were large portions of the base that were chipped out so I welded them back up (poorly).

The jaws were in poor condition, I just made them flat and squared them up some.

I wanted the lettering to be bolder, but the casting is very sharp on the letters. Maybe I will go back over with the paint pen and try for a bit heavier text.

Not quite sure I like the yellow, I wanted it a bit darker/closer to school bus yellow. But I like the vise for sure.

Mine has 22 in the bottom. So I am guessing that is 1922 and balane's is 1936.

 

[balane]

Nice Hollands I just put the lettering on my 14 1/2 today. I'll post a picture. It still needs a handle. But like yours, I'm glad I picked it up.

Thanks guys. I thought about lettering mine but the one time I tried before the letters just weren't crisp enough for my liking. I look forward to seeing yours.

Edit: I see you posted photos of yours while I was typing my reply. That looks great, really nice. And, yes, I agree, the letters are very sharp on these old Hollands. They almost come to a point. Nice job!

 

[ritzblitz]

Thanks balane, what does your handle measure in diameter? The hole in my screw for the handle is so close to .750 that I want to drill it out a hair and use a .750 handle, but I am wondering what the factory did.

Would you also mind measuring the length for me? Thanks!

Also, what are you going to ask for when you go to sell it? I initially wanted to sell mine after restoration.

 

[balane]

It measures out at really close to 0.7", not sure what that converts to fractionally. It's definitely a snug, wobble-free fit that feels nice.

I'm going to list it on Craig's List for $175 I know that seems like a lot but people here in the Pacific Northwest routinely post vises in terrible condition, smaller, and even Chinese stuff, for exorbitant prices. Compared to the ones I see, if they are selling, this should go at that price. It really depends on the location for pricing I think. It's too heavy to sell on eBay, shipping would kill it.

 

[ritzblitz]

That would be a great sale price!! Maybe I'll try to list mine as well. But I don't really want to sell it, I'd rather hoard.

Thanks for measuring that for me by the way.

 

[autopts]

This old Hollands 4 1/2" was so filthy and greasy I almost passed on it.
.

It definitely has some battle scars from use but those are character marks. It opens to 8" and has a 3 3/4" throat depth. The scale puts it at a whopping 63 pounds and that felt like a hundred after a few hours of cleaning it.

Anyway, ended up quite nice and I have no complaints with it. Now to find it a good home.

P.S. Thanks Nick for the rubber handle washers, finally found a vise I could use them on.

.

Great score Bart. Hollands are certainly up at the top in Old World quality.
The date has been stamped on the bottom of the dynamic jaw. At least the last 3 that came thru here had the year. One very nice find.



This was a No. 26 by the way

Ritzblitz..Kudos to you too in bringing that old beast back to life. A wonderful restoration.

 

[balane]

Great score Bart. Hollands are certainly up at the top in Old World quality.
The date has been stamped on the bottom of the dynamic jaw. At least the last 3 that came thru here had the year. One very nice find.

This was a No. 26 by the way

Thank you Nick. That was the first place I looked but on mine that location is blank. It only says 2 05 in the larger font. I found a 36 stamped into the nut so I don't really know for sure.

 

[autopts]

Thank you Nick. That was the first place I looked but on mine that location is blank. It only says 2 05 in the larger font. I found a 36 stamped into the nut so I don't really know for sure.

That's interesting. Time to call in Fred (b100) to give us a timeline on when Hollands changed their numbering system. The 14, 15 26 etc I think were Hollands later production. The 3 digit, 214 1/2 etc might go back earlier. They were making vises in 1905 I do believe. If anyone can help us, b100 can.

 

[autopts]

The large one is a 15 and the small one is a 15 also with 3 1/2" jaws

 

[DandDMachine]

Anyone know anything about this vise? Its a 3-1/2 jaw. No name, Looks to be of decent homeowner quality. Does have V16 and V17 cast in, and a 1 stamped in it.

 

[balane]

Those look amazing Nick. I wish they had taken a little better care of this one but hey, at least it was doing what it was supposed to.

 

[Nick_Wa]

Well here it is, just went with machine grey color as selection was pretty limited. Might repaint if I find better color in near future otherwise looks good still. Added the Coke can like everyone else is doing although my vise is pretty small haha.

Also wire wheeled my piece of train rail and ground down the top. Week work and look good as a small little anvil.

Sent from a Galaxy Nexus in Canada.

 

[bl00]

That's interesting. Time to call in Fred (b100) to give us a timeline on when Hollands changed their numbering system. The 14, 15 26 etc I think were Hollands later production. The 3 digit, 214 1/2 etc might go back earlier. They were making vises in 1905 I do believe. If anyone can help us, b100 can.

Nick, you put too much faith in me. I don't have much on Hollands, but here are some differences I can see in the ads:

1908 some/most? lettering was on the side of the dynamic jaw

1909-1923 fixed base had 3 mounting holes and Hollands lettering was vertical like yours, but arched.

1925 still 3 point base, but Holland now straight like the vises above
numbering system 14, 15 etc, swivel 24, 25 etc

Most of what I've seen is from the 1910-1920ish, so the numbering was consistent. The company goes back to 1887, so an 05 date is possible. The little no15 was probably 1908 or earlier. Maybe someone has info showing the switch to the 4 hole base. I would guess it was done around the same time Reed switched. Being in the same town I'm sure neither would be one upped by the competition for long.

Maybe Carla will stop by and comment. She has a book of ads that Columbian kept on the competition. I'm sure she wants to loan me the book some day, but she doesn't know it yet. I'd love to scan it to share out with everyone.

 

[jpickar]

Well here it is, just went with machine grey color as selection was pretty limited. Might repaint if I find better color in near future otherwise looks good still. Added the Coke can like everyone else is doing although my vise is pretty small haha.

Also wire wheeled my piece of train rail and ground down the top. Week work and look good as a small little anvil.

Sent from a Galaxy Nexus in Canada.

Boy a lot of rollover on that rail. Millions of tons of equipment went over that rail!
John

 

[va.grouseman]

Here is a little Prentiss-----16.4 lbs.-----2 1/2 inch jaws.



I prefer monster vises, but these little ones don't hurt my back.













This is a #18. There is a Prentiss #19 on E-bay right now that is 30 lbs., has 3 1/4 inch jaws. Weight doubles with 3/4 inch jaw increase.



Came without main pin. Had to make one. I found out that a grinder will take down metal that a hacksaw won't cut. Just picked me up a piece of round stock out of the scrap and started grinding. Probably 50 or 60 grind---test---grind---test---grind---test. Finally got it to shape then couldn't hack it off. Had to use a cut-off wheel to extract the pin. Put in a 1/2 inch continuous running drill and couldn't even polish it with a new flat file, new round file wouldn't cut the groove. Had to sand polish it. Files just rode the metal like it was carbon steel or ceramic. Had to put a carbide burr in vise grip pliers and hold it perfectly still to cut the groove. Don't know what that piece use to be but I won't do that again without testing first.

 

[Low Friction]

@va.grouseman
Oh my...I've been on the lookout for one of these for a couple yrs. I will re-double my efforts now. Nice job!

 

[autopts]

Very nice Larry! I don't think your chain will go around that one. Ha

 

[Mark in Indiana]

Here is a little Prentiss-----16.4 lbs.-----2 1/2 inch jaws.



I prefer monster vises, but these little ones don't hurt my back.













This is a #18. There is a Prentiss #19 on E-bay right now that is 30 lbs., has 3 1/4 inch jaws. Weight doubles with 3/4 inch jaw increase.



Came without main pin. Had to make one. I found out that a grinder will take down metal that a hacksaw won't cut. Just picked me up a piece of round stock out of the scrap and started grinding. Probably 50 or 60 grind---test---grind---test---grind---test. Finally got it to shape then couldn't hack it off. Had to use a cut-off wheel to extract the pin. Put in a 1/2 inch continuous running drill and couldn't even polish it with a new flat file, new round file wouldn't cut the groove. Had to sand polish it. Files just rode the metal like it was carbon steel or ceramic. Had to put a carbide burr in vise grip plies and hold it perfectly still to cut the groove. Don't know what that piece use to be but I won't do that again without testing first.

Great job on the grinding. If you hadn't said anything, I would have thought you turned it down on a lathe. I really like the little vise. If I had it it would probably become a hood ornament on my truck.

 

[jkherd]

Finally posting pics of the vises in my shop. The Anthol belonged to my grandfather, I grew up using that vise in his workshop. The Scout is just a small vise my dad had on one of the benches in his shop, not very large but was great when you needed an extra hand. The King is a swap meet find I bought about 25 years ago, china made but has held up pretty well considering the beatings it has endured. And finally the Craftsman is waiting for a home, I need to get off my **** and build that welding table I want.

 

[Filson]

Hey Balane - Is that your Dunlap 5244 vise on Ebay right now? That stump looks awfully similar to the one in the Hollands pic you posted

Where you located? I'm in northern Snohomish County.

 

[BJ42LX]

Well here it is...

Nick, got a shot of the end-profile of that rail track?

 

[balane]

Hey Balane - Is that your Dunlap 5244 vise on Ebay right now? That stump looks awfully similar to the one in the Hollands pic you posted

Where you located? I'm in northern Snohomish County.

It is indeed and that's my vise photo stump!! That Dunlap is a few pages back in this thread too. I'm in Lynnwood, not that awful far from you.

 

[ritzblitz]

Man, great price on that little Dunlap so far, well done!

 

[Nick_Wa]

Nick, got a shot of the end-profile of that rail track?

I do...

Sent from a Galaxy Nexus in Canada.

 

[BJ42LX]

I do...

Very interesting. I've never seen a rail profile like that. Maybe I'm not looking close enough!

 

[jakemac]

Very interesting. I've never seen a rail profile like that. Maybe I'm not looking close enough!

I have a bunch of scrap rail pieces from CP that runs through my family's land, and they all have that profile. You see it a lot in areas where the rail is canted to allow for speed on sweeping curves. One side of the rails gets more weight than the other and it wears it down faster.

Train wheels don't cup the track, they ride on top, with flanges on the inside of the track to keep the trucks aligned. The wheel/flange side of the rail gets more abuse than the outer side of the track rails.

 

[jpickar]

I have a bunch of scrap rail pieces from CP that runs through my family's land, and they all have that profile. You see it a lot in areas where the rail is canted to allow for speed on sweeping curves. One side of the rails gets more weight than the other and it wears it down faster.

Train wheels don't cup the track, they ride on top, with flanges on the inside of the track to keep the trucks aligned. The wheel/flange side of the rail gets more abuse than the outer side of the track rails.

X2!

John

 

[tumblweed9999]

Hey I found one just like that at a Garage sale today. She took $15 for it. I've been waiting for 3-4 years for an old Monster to show up at a garage sale for dirt cheap. A man's just gotta have a Bench vise. Any idea how old these types are?http://tinypic.com/r/mk7yhg/5

 

[tumblweed9999]

I'm new to this forum stuff... pardon my incorrectness.....I'm trying to reply to Catalysts picture post of a Prentiss Gipsy #67 4'jaw. Having obtained one today...I'm wondering how rare or common these are anymore, and any history about them....I found some data about Prentiss Vice Company in NY and that they manufactured from about 1880 to 1940...It this style a precursor to the modern bench vise?

 

[Filson]

Here is a little Prentiss-----16.4 lbs.-----2 1/2 inch jaws.



I prefer monster vises, but these little ones don't hurt my back.













This is a #18. There is a Prentiss #19 on E-bay right now that is 30 lbs., has 3 1/4 inch jaws. Weight doubles with 3/4 inch jaw increase.



Came without main pin. Had to make one. I found out that a grinder will take down metal that a hacksaw won't cut. Just picked me up a piece of round stock out of the scrap and started grinding. Probably 50 or 60 grind---test---grind---test---grind---test. Finally got it to shape then couldn't hack it off. Had to use a cut-off wheel to extract the pin. Put in a 1/2 inch continuous running drill and couldn't even polish it with a new flat file, new round file wouldn't cut the groove. Had to sand polish it. Files just rode the metal like it was carbon steel or ceramic. Had to put a carbide burr in vise grip pliers and hold it perfectly still to cut the groove. Don't know what that piece use to be but I won't do that again without testing first.

Love it! Well done bro!

 

[kbeitz]

You definitely ****. I have looked for one of those for a few years now. I have a very unusual post vise that is built on a similar idea but you adjust the bottom screw with your foot. Will try to post it. Do you know if they made different sizes of those fisher vises? I would assume so.
Glad to see it working.

I was told I have the smallest one. A #2. I think there is 4 sizes in all...

 

[autopts]

Nick, you put too much faith in me. I don't have much on Hollands, but here are some differences I can see in the ads:

1908 some/most? lettering was on the side of the dynamic jaw

1909-1923 fixed base had 3 mounting holes and Hollands lettering was vertical like yours, but arched.

1925 still 3 point base, but Holland now straight like the vises above
numbering system 14, 15 etc, swivel 24, 25 etc

Most of what I've seen is from the 1910-1920ish, so the numbering was consistent. The company goes back to 1887, so an 05 date is possible. The little no15 was probably 1908 or earlier. Maybe someone has info showing the switch to the 4 hole base. I would guess it was done around the same time Reed switched. Being in the same town I'm sure neither would be one upped by the competition for long.
.

Thanks Fred, your input on these posts. Always informative.