The VISES of Garage Journal

[bigcaddy]

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?

I don't think Prentiss "Gipsys" are like Babe Ruth baseball cards in the bench vise world of rarity but they are somewhat uncommon. I have one along with a few other members on here. They definitely are unique as are Prentiss "Anchor line" vises with a circular slide, similar to Wilton bullet vises.

Your vise appears to be of a later production due to the shape of the operating nut/handle. The early ones had a curved profile while the later ones had the straight round stock profile.

Its definitely one to cross off your list now that you have one. Good find!!!

 

[Maclin]

Got the inventory catalogued from the Golden Co. Collection. The final total was 64 vises. It's interesting, no Craftsman or Hollands in the group. This is a once in a lifetime event I'm thinking. The Starrett 925 will be finding it's new home on the bench of Oldldh.

 

[EOC_Jason]

HOLY SH*T!!!! OMFGWTFBBQ!!!!!

That Athol with the blue/white flake is original paint, and doesn't even look used! That's just like one I've been searching for a while...

What's the ********* one in the 3rd picture? A Desmond Stephans? It looks like he has a number of those and also some nice Ridge Tool ones... That Ridge Tool in pic #6 doesn't look like it was used either and maybe original paint.

So what's the story?!?!?! Are they selling them, are those you bought, is there going to be an auction??? Why must you just tease us with pictures?

 

[Maclin]

HOLY SH*T!!!! OMFGWTFBBQ!!!!!

That Athol with the blue/white flake is original paint, and doesn't even look used! That's just like one I've been searching for a while...

What's the ********* one in the 3rd picture? A Desmond Stephans? It looks like he has a number of those and also some nice Ridge Tool ones... That Ridge Tool in pic #6 doesn't look like it was used either and maybe original paint.

So what's the story?!?!?! Are they selling them, are those you bought, is there going to be an auction??? Why must you just tease us with pictures?

Yes, they will be going up for sale at some point. Gonna take a group to the Spa Monday for a hearty clean-up and pedicures. Kevin (KM Scott) will be coming down to take some measurements for jaw blueprints on the Morgans, Starretts and Parkers. You're right EOC, the Starrett 923 and Ridge #31 look to be NOS. The black one in pic 3 is a Simplex 6" swivel. The collector, Dave, loved his collection. There is correspondence between him and the manufacturers for parts and information. He wanted to do a book on vise history with the folks from Reed. By the way EOC, you call for pictures when there are none, and now you're calling me a tease for including them. Eh?

 

[EOC_Jason]

He wanted to do a book on vise history with the folks from Reed. By the way EOC, you call for pictures when there are none, and now you're calling me a tease for including them. Eh?

I only saw a couple Reed's in that group, unless there are more hiding somewhere.

You are still a tease... It's like when people would watch **** on the scrambled cable channels back in the day. You *think* you can make something out in the picture but you aren't really sure... lol...

It would be nice to get some individual close-ups (I like to save pictures of interest), but I realize that would probably be waaaay too time consuming.

Thank you for the pictures you have shared though. I do enjoy looking at them.

 

[EOC_Jason]

Since it's been more than a week and the seller still hasn't shipped my vise, I figured I would share some of the auction pics until it shows up on my doorstep.

I present a York 125...

 

[CNGsaves]

Since it's been more than a week and the seller still hasn't shipped my vise, I figured I would share some of the auction pics until it shows up on my doorstep.

I present a York 125...

Nice . . . gotta tell us what you paid.

Hope for your sake that above York was not on the UPS jet that crashed in Birmingham, AL last week. Both pilots died and cockpit was cut off of fuselage after they apparently hit electric highline wire.

 

[autopts]

Yes, they will be going up for sale at some point. Gonna take a group to the Spa Monday for a hearty clean-up and pedicures. Kevin (KM Scott) will be coming down to take some measurements for jaw blueprints on the Morgans, Starretts and Parkers.:

Maclin..That's a great haul. All of them seem to be in nice condition. I don't think any of us have ever hit on a haul like that. All of them look nice and very sellable.

EOC Was that the York on Ebay? If so, I was actually thinking of bidding on it. Its in very nice condition.

I actually hate following those 2 posts with this big horse of a vise. Its a 175 lb Athol 626 and its condition as one might tell is very nice. It will go to auction eventually.

 

[Filson]

Maclin - Absolutely awesome! My wife would kill me haha, but it'd be worth it.

 

[kbeitz]

Ok guys... Going to need some help on this one... I'm not sure if it's some kind of bench pushing wood vise or a clamp. One things for sure... I've never seen one before. Who will be the first to ID it...

 

[EOC_Jason]

EOC Was that the York on Ebay? If so, I was actually thinking of bidding on it. Its in very nice condition.

FYI for everyone, it's just "Jason"...

Anyhow, yeah it's the one that was on eBay recently. Paid a little more than I wanted, but you don't see York's too often, and you *really* don't see them in Texas. I might be the first importer of a York here in this state, you never know.

No it didn't go down with the plane, he hasn't shipped it out yet (I contacted him asking). It's not like it's *that* big that it's difficult to ship. But I'm patient, as long as it arrives here undamaged I'll be happy.

There was another one that sold last night I think it was... A smaller one like an 80. Figured I already had one didn't need a second... yet...

I actually hate following those 2 posts with this big horse of a vise. Its a 175 lb Athol 626 and its condition as one might tell is very nice. It will go to auction eventually.

That's a nice Athol! I'm still kicking myself in the foot for not bidding on that nice one a while back on eBay that was a late model 926. I really like the later model style Starrett more and ideally would like a 5", but I'll also be happy with a 6"... I keep looking at those PDF's on KBCTools...

 

[454ragtop]

Ok guys... Going to need some help on this one... I'm not sure if it's some kind of bench pushing wood vise or a clamp. One things for sure... I've never seen one before. Who will be the first to ID it...

Does a 2X4 fit in that U shaped area? Looks like it would convert a 2X4 into a clamp.
HTH, Jim

 

[Low Friction]

Picked up this clean Starrett 324.5 today. It weighs about 80 lbs. Less than a buck a pound. These are really nice precision bench vises.

 

[Radio Ron w4ron]

Ok guys... Going to need some help on this one... I'm not sure if it's some kind of bench pushing wood vise or a clamp. One things for sure... I've never seen one before. Who will be the first to ID it...

I assume you got just one, I would think they were originaly sold in pairs.
Is the flat space under the screw clamp wide enough for a 2X4?
Looks like it was intended to make a 2X4 bar clamp.





.

 

[LG63]

I’ve been window shopping on Ebay, looking at the Craftsman 3-1/2” (51801) and it’s Columbian counterpart. As I understand it they are very similar vises so I was wondering if one was considered more desirable than the other. There are usually more Craftsman to choose from on Ebay…. maybe they made more of them??

 

[kbeitz]

I assume you got just one, I would think they were originaly sold in pairs.
Is the flat space under the screw clamp wide enough for a 2X4?
Looks like it was intended to make a 2X4 bar clamp.





.

I seems to fit in a 2x4 like it belong there. But it got to be on the end.
If it's not on the end you cant turn the crank.

 

[454ragtop]

I seems to fit in a 2x4 like it belong there. But it got to be on the end.
If it's not on the end you cant turn the crank.

It would go on the end. There should be another part like a stop that would go on the 2X4 to make the clamp.
Jim

 

[454ragtop]

Small clamp on Prentiss on the Bay, cheap
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Vintage-Cas...113?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item417577f179

 

[Mark in Indiana]

Hello Vise Friends,

I have another mystery combo vise (see pictures), that I picked for $10.00. Although it looks a little toasty, I think I can make it a good one. There is no name except for "V206 on the body of the stationary jaw and "V205" on the dynamic jaw under the handle. It has a steel slide (like many Craftsman vises), a swivel lock handle that looks similar to the Athol that I used to have, and a spring load on the spindle like my Athol vise. Judging from the overall design, it appears to be over 50 years old.

Details:
Measurements: 5" jaws, 6" max opening, & 3 1/4" depth.

Weight: 30#.

Full 360 degree swivel base.


1. Can anyone identify it?
2. Any idea how old it is?

Thanks in advance.

 

[balane]

Picked up this clean Starrett 324.5 today. It weighs about 80 lbs. Less than a buck a pound. These are really nice precision bench vises.

I'm glad somebody from here got that vise. At $75 it was a steal. I saw it the moment it posted on CL but it's a 1.5 hour drive each way for me and I just didn't have the time. Grats on a great deal and thanks for posting nice photos because the selling images left a little to be desired. I mean, that guy put absolutely no info on this vise in his listing, not even the brand.

 

[uniballer]

View media item 32728View media item 32729View media item 327308" jaws, 10" opening, RECORD was free but had to get it fixed, that was done for free also.
fixed base but still weighs alot so its good for whatever.

 

[Maclin]

Hello Vise Friends,

I have another mystery combo vise (see pictures), that I picked for $10.00. Although it looks a little toasty, I think I can make it a good one. There is no name except for "V206 on the body of the stationary jaw and "V205" on the dynamic jaw under the handle. It has a steel slide (like many Craftsman vises), a swivel lock handle that looks similar to the Athol that I used to have, and a spring load on the spindle like my Athol vise. Judging from the overall design, it appears to be over 50 years old.

Details:
Measurements: 5" jaws, 6" max opening, & 3 1/4" depth.

Weight: 30#.

Full 360 degree swivel base.


1. Can anyone identify it?
2. Any idea how old it is?

Thanks in advance.

I've run across the 'V' casting mark several times all on exposed spindle models. Unmarked vises seem to show up predominately in barns. My latest theory is a company produced a generic vise for say a Farm Bureau Co-Op or that can be used for a private label like Milwaukee and Montgomery Ward. The clutch type screw heads at the jaws were used in the 40's and 50's. Not much help, just kind of thinking out loud.

 

[anothervice]

As far as the "Vises of GOLDEN" goes, There are over 40 left for sale. ALL of them need either repair or replacement of some kind of part. Here are some pics. Some of the remaining vises are as follows. 8 1/2 Prentiss, Hollands 27H, 6" parker, 6" Reed, 6" Desmond Stephen, 6" American Scale .........and many 5 and 4 1/2 inch models.
The family hopes to sell all of them this week. Prices are from $5 to $150. Nothing higher, nothing lower. Please come and inspect your perspective purchase in person. I am glad to meet with anyone that is serious and show them the pile. I have to drive 165 miles (round trip), so please don't jerk my chain, I can't afford the gas! After this week, the remaining smaller ones will go on GJ or to E-bay. Broken big ones ........ do I dare say scrap?
Thanks again for your interest, Mark

 

[Outlawmws]

SNIP After this week, the remaining smaller ones will go on GJ or to E-bay. Broken big ones ........ do I dare say scrap?
Thanks again for your interest, Mark

Please post the broken ones (And what the damage is) in a list on the other Vise threads where people are looking for parts asap, as I suspect those could revive a LOT of other damaged vises. Better to be cannibalized to let another vise live than to melt them down for ChiCom tools.

 

[EOC_Jason]

Oh how I wish I lived closer... Heck even just an adjacent state... *sigh*

Would be a shame to see any of those go to scrap if all they need is a new part...

Strap them on a pallet and freight them down here!

 

[Adam McLaughlin]

Where is this??

Adam

 

[EOC_Jason]

Where is this??

Adam

Pretty sure it's in Colorado.

 

[jpickar]

Golden, CO is just NW of Denver before you go inot the mountains. Where Coors Beer is made.

John

 

[KMScott]

Pretty sure it's in Colorado.

Golden Colorado to be more specific. I was told a estate sale is coming up.

 

[anothervice]

Golden Colorado to be more specific. I was told a estate sale is coming up.

The Estate sale will be sometime in early October. All the heavy stuff will be sold by the family prior to the estate sale, so there will be NO vises, welding platen or anvil at the sale. Mark

 

[oldldh]

If you want to buy some of this "Iron"...

Do it now!!!

 

[Duct Tape Man]

Made a trip up to the Jersey shore this weekend, on the way I did a search on CL and came up with this beast. It's a very greasy Reed 406, swivel base with the swivel jaw, 6" wide jaw. The patent dates put it about 100 years old. Opens and closes with one finger, missing one of the lock-down handles, and the swivel base is cracked (the large missing chunk was not included, unfortunately). Without a complete swivel base, it's going to be removed and turned into a fixed mounting on a heavy-duty shop table.

Overall condition is good, evidence of lots of beating on the handle ends and all over the vise, but no cracks I can see and it was worth the asking price of $40.

Oh, and for size reference, the last pic has a standard-sized Craftsman 20-ft tape measure on it.

 

[Outlawmws]

Nice vise! Got access to a lathe? Make a new base!

 

[Duct Tape Man]

I do have access to a large lathe, but it will be a back-burner project for later. Till then I'll save the cracked base for reference, when I get the time to make a new one.

Until then, I have to de-grease this vise and repaint it as best I can. Anyone know the standard colors for Reed vises? I'm sure this one was bare metal when it was made, but I'd like a paint job to protect it from general use, and want the paint color to be appropriate for Reed products, even if the color is used for newer Reed vises...

 

[Outlawmws]

My (Much smaller) 403-1/3 is black.

 

[KMScott]

Nice vise! Got access to a lathe? Make a new base!

Outlaw
Wouldn't building the Reed base on a CNC be easier, less setups. I have to make a couple of bases for my 2-1/2 Wilton's since I can not find any and the Wilton's are at about 5 degrees on the sides with a radius on the top side every where. Gonna have to cut out the pads some how and will end up on a milling machine eventually. I am anxious to build one but to busy now.
Kevin

 

[kukko]

anothervice: i sent you a PM regarding the Canedy Otto vise, did you receive it?

 

[kbeitz]

I would Nicad the broken base and fab the missing part.

 

[anothervice]

anothervice: i sent you a PM regarding the Canedy Otto vise, did you receive it?

Jon, Sorry I thought I had sent you back an E-mail. Anyway, member "Maclin" got that vise in the batch of 64 he purchased from me last week. If you contact him, maybe you guys can work out a deal. Thanks for your interest. Mark

 

[Low Friction]

I'm glad somebody from here got that vise. At $75 it was a steal. I saw it the moment it posted on CL but it's a 1.5 hour drive each way for me and I just didn't have the time. Grats on a great deal and thanks for posting nice photos because the selling images left a little to be desired. I mean, that guy put absolutely no info on this vise in his listing, not even the brand.

Yep it was a good find. There are several of us hounds in the Seattle area. Fortunately it's hard for one person to run down all of the good deals so we can all score some deals.

The picture was good enough along with the weight that I knew what the vise was. Wasn't surprised when I got there.