The VISES of Garage Journal

[CNGsaves]

It was finally my turn to visit Mark and check out the Golden pile. Here is the first of six that I purchased. It is a Prentiss # 58 with 8-1/2 jaws that needs rescued. The previous owner used this vise without one jaw and it looks like for several years.

I have a project ahead of me in trying my luck at first machining a new channel that matches the moveable jaw. Then I will try my luck on building the 8-1/2 jaws. I built a holder for holding my double angle cutter to machine the serrations for Wilton's 8" jaws, I hope I can squeeze out another 1/2", the holder is weak because of it's length.

Another issue is a crack in it's slide at the end. I've see this issue several times and can only relate it to what we mold makers call a knit line, in plastics when a mold is filled the material is cooling as it is is still filling. When the plastic meets in the tool it creates a knit line that is invisible but there. A weak section is created and under stress the part will crack. Now I do not know how they filled the casting and would stand to be corrected but when I see cracks in the same place over and over again I can only assume this issue. I am going to research the best possible rod type to use and am open to suggestions. My background in welding is Tool Room maintenance, using a TIG welder and welding all sorts of tool steel, aluminum, mold welding and welding alloys like Inconel, Hastoly X etc. I am familiar with the Eutectic rods whether arc or TIG.

I can not wait to start on this project but it will be a winter project since my jaw site is overwhelming me with new jaws you guys keep sending me. I am not complaining and really enjoy making them.

I will post pictures as I get time on my growing collection. OH, Mark gave me a deal at $100.0, I was happy to give it to him.

Still cutting chips on a Saturday night.

Nice MASSIVE vise with 8 1/2 inch jaws !!

Did the weigh the beast before you started chipping off some weight ???

Also, you say you bought 6 from the stockpile in Golden, CO . . . how many complete vises were actually available?? You going to clean-up with spare parts at the end, or buy some more?? How many are left for sale??

 

[KMScott]

I think there is about thirty left but I could be wrong, several were in Colorado Springs. The ones in Golden did not interest me since I was looking for vises that had jaws that I did not have in my stock pile. I seen several Columbians, American Standards and I believe a rough Reed. There was a large Parker that was welded to. I did pick up two reeds to make one and I will post pictures later when I have some time. I needed the spindle nut to put together a Reed 106, The 106 is in great I am hoping the Reed 206 R is brazed together on the movable jaw.
The Prentiss # 58 is heavy, I did not weigh it and muscled it around all day today. Mark is wanting to get rid of these vises, if you live in Colorado there might still be a chance to buy a couple. You can PM Mark if you are interested. I am heading back over in a couple of weeks to pick up a Acorn welding table that my friend purchased, it is a nice table, 5' x 6' and heavy. Gonna need a forklift.

 

[va.grouseman]

Demoman. That 283 pound Cummins is a topper. Be a long time before anyone tops that in posters. But that Steel City you got from Winston Salem, that's right out of my back yard. Now your hunting on posted land.

 

[oldldh]

And in this corner...

 

[demoman]

Demoman. That 283 pound Cummins is a topper. Be a long time before anyone tops that in posters. But that Steel City you got from Winston Salem, that's right out of my back yard. Now your hunting on posted land.

Sorry but I did not know I was poaching I got it about a year ago after looking for three years to find an 8 inch. I think they are harder to find y far than a machinist vise. In Kansas a 6 inch is real common and can be had for under 100 at any sale but bigger than that you better bring some cash

 

[anothervice]

As Scott mentioned, any of you guys that live close to Golden are more than welcome to come drag a vise or 30 home. All of them have issues in various degrees. Some are OK, others are almost trash. Either way you won't be able to just clean it and paint it.
I hate to ship these things. I just don't have the time right now. Again, come look, make an offer, and take something home that is sure to piss your wife off! Here is a pic of one that's left. Kinda interesting, a 6" Wilton Hydraulic.

 

[Adam McLaughlin]

Bravo
KMStock!!

Adam

 

[bl00]

Hi guys,
Just found this nice forum during internet surfing about vices.
Is anybody knows something about SEALEY vices?

I haven't seen that model before. From looking at Sealey's site http://www.sealey.co.uk/ it appears that they contract out all the vices, so it may be hard to figure out exactly who made it.

 

[va.grouseman]

Sorry but I did not know I was poaching I got it about a year ago after looking for three years to find an 8 inch. I think they are harder to find y far than a machinist vise. In Kansas a 6 inch is real common and can be had for under 100 at any sale but bigger than that you better bring some cash

Just funning Demoman. I see what those things are bringing on E-bay. I couldn't afford the handle off one.

 

[Mark in Indiana]

Hello Vise Friends,

I wanted to share this experience that I had while working on my Wilton mechanics vise last night:

When working on the moving jaw assembly, I have learned that it is not a good idea to clamp the slide at the bottom edge (see first picture). As an end result, the moving jaw will slip out of the vise and end up on the floor. Thank God my foot didn't stop the fall.

It would be best to stick a block in the slide when clamping down the moving jaw (see second picture).

After the moving jaw hit the floor, I put it away, sat down, opened a beer and thanked God for no injuries or damages. This is a safety tip that I wanted to share with everyone to prevent any broken toes. Also, I am ready to admit that this old dog continues to learn new tricks.

 

[bl00]

Mark, try clamping it the American Scale with the pin pulled out and see if it holds better.

 

[EOC_Jason]

When working on the moving jaw assembly, I have learned that it is not a good idea to clamp the slide at the bottom edge (see first picture). As an end result, the moving jaw will slip out of the vise and end up on the floor. Thank God my foot didn't stop the fall.

Yep, sometimes you can get upset when something goes wrong. But as long as nobody got hurt that is the important thing because it could have been MUCH worse!

I like to block it up all the way vertically, like you can kind of see in the picture. This way it maximized surface contact and the wood prevent metal-on-metal contact that could deform a slide.

 

[Mark in Indiana]

OK Vise Friends,

I just bought my first bullet. It is a Wilton 840. Built in 1945. At $75.00, I didn't steal it. However, everything but the paint is in great shape.

 

[shiftdrift]

how about this one haha

http://evansville.craigslist.org/tls/4015628986.html

 

[rtvinc]

Mark,
kind of interesting the '45 stamp...if what they is true that would make it a 1940 manufacture date! and i thought they started in '41 Hmmmmm. curious
maybe one of the very first!?!

 

[Mark in Indiana]

Previously posted by Outlawmws

So you just added "x" no. of competitors for the vises in your ares!
__________________
-Outlaw
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Doesn't make any difference. There is such a scrambling for good vises on craigslist now, that if it says posted 5 minutes ago, there's no use calling. It's already sold. A year and a half to two years ago you could wait a week and call and it would still be there and the seller was glad to get the call. It was a buyers market then. And there just isn't any of those good estate sales in my area that you fellows are accustomed to out west. But even a blind hog gets lucky once in a while.

Mark,
kind of interesting the '45 stamp...if what they is true that would make it a 1940 manufacture date! and i thought they started in '41 Hmmmmm. curious
maybe one of the very first!?!

How would the '45 stamp make the DOM=1940?

 

[EOC_Jason]

How would the '45 stamp make the DOM=1940?

They stamped when the 5 yr warranty would end.

 

[Mark in Indiana]

They stamped when the 5 yr warranty would end.

Well, in the immortal words if Tommy Chong: "Holy Sheep S#*t!".

 

[Mark in Indiana]

how about this one haha

http://evansville.craigslist.org/tls/4015628986.html

Yes, we have plenty of **** for sale here I'n the land of rednecks, white sox & blue ribbon beer.

 

[Outlawmws]

Another one for my "little vise" collection:

H&B anyone know who this is?

Patent date of June 16, 1885, so it probably old, and I would think at least 100 years? (28 years past the pat date = the century mark)

This is apparently the patent, by George A Colton, and dang this has elements that Yost and Wilton later used IMO! Unfortunately no assignment data, so no clue who the H&B refers to.

http://www.google.com/patents?id=pmBdAAAAEBAJ&pg=PA2&source=gbs_selected_pages&cad=2#v=onepage&q&f=false


I wish this sucker had the swiveling dynamic jaw! THAT would have been cool!

Markings:

 

[EDGAR]

Are they making Wilton and Yost vises in India? Or do they advertise themselves by using photos of better vises? Look below.

 

[454ragtop]

Another one for my "little vise" collection:

H&B anyone know who this is?

Patent date of June 16, 1885, so it probably old, and I would think at least 100 years? (28 years past the pat date = the century mark)

This is apparently the patent, by George A Colton, and dang this has elements that Yost and Wilton later used IMO! Unfortunately no assignment data, so no clue who the H&B refers to.

http://www.google.com/patents?id=pmBdAAAAEBAJ&pg=PA2&source=gbs_selected_pages&cad=2#v=onepage&q&f=false


I wish this sucker had the swiveling dynamic jaw! THAT would have been cool!

Markings:

Might be Hall & Brown, mostly known for wood working machinery, it appears they branched out into many other items.
HTH, Jim

 

[jpickar]

Another one for my "little vise" collection:

H&B anyone know who this is?

Patent date of June 16, 1885, so it probably old, and I would think at least 100 years? (28 years past the pat date = the century mark)

This is apparently the patent, by George A Colton, and dang this has elements that Yost and Wilton later used IMO! Unfortunately no assignment data, so no clue who the H&B refers to.

http://www.google.com/patents?id=pmBdAAAAEBAJ&pg=PA2&source=gbs_selected_pages&cad=2#v=onepage&q&f=false


I wish this sucker had the swiveling dynamic jaw! THAT would have been cool!

Markings:

That is one cool little vise!

John

 

[shiftdrift]

So no on that vise?

 

[ShadowRuleZ]

I might have found a Parker 272 but I don't know that I've got $100 to drop on another vise. It's a disease I tell you

 

[Outlawmws]

So no on that vise?

The rusty chicom vise? need you ask?

 

[shiftdrift]

I didn't know it was Chinese.

 

[autopts]

Mark,
kind of interesting the '45 stamp...if what they is true that would make it a 1940 manufacture date! and i thought they started in '41 Hmmmmm. curious
maybe one of the very first!?!

Wilton had various castings back then. If Mark's vise says on the other side that it is a Wilton Vise No 4 Pat. pending, that's the early 40's production but remember dating the channel bar was probably the last thing they did before they boxed it up. That vise could have been at their Wrightwood Ave factory for a good long while before it went out. Also, Wilton's guaranteed EXP Date wasn't even a thought back then.
I guess the fact is. Mark has a beautiful restoration project on his hands and at $75 we can both agree..He *****!!!

 

[bigcaddy]

It seems like its been a while since i've had a vise worthy of this thread but my friend finally came through this weekend and we made our trade.

The Columbian is one i bought this weekend and the American Scale was one he grabbed for me weeks ago. I was surprised to see how nice it is. I think it has most of the origianl paint, including the red for the Star on the side.

 

[DieCastElectrician]

I Saw This Yesterday At An Estate Sale
$85 Seemed Way To High.
I''m Sure They Would Have Come Down

It Did Look Interesting Tho

 

[DieCastElectrician]

Another one for my "little vise" collection:

H&B anyone know who this is?

Patent date of June 16, 1885, so it probably old, and I would think at least 100 years? (28 years past the pat date = the century mark)

This is apparently the patent, by George A Colton, and dang this has elements that Yost and Wilton later used IMO! Unfortunately no assignment data, so no clue who the H&B refers to.

http://www.google.com/patents?id=pmBdAAAAEBAJ&pg=PA2&source=gbs_selected_pages&cad=2#v=onepage&q&f=false


I wish this sucker had the swiveling dynamic jaw! THAT would have been cool!

Markings:

I Have One Almost Identical
But It Says " Phoenix" Along The Top Of The Movable Jaw

 

[balane]

It seems like its been a while since i've had a vise worthy of this thread but my friend finally came through this weekend and we made our trade.

The Columbian is one i bought this weekend and the American Scale was one he grabbed for me weeks ago. I was surprised to see how nice it is. I think it has most of the origianl paint, including the red for the Star on the side.

I've always like American Scale vises very much and I really like that American Scale vise. What a cool, cool unit that is.

 

[Outlawmws]

Yep I found several references to that on Google. Apparently most were H&B?

 

[Outlawmws]

I've always like American Scale vises very much and I really like that American Scale vise. What a cool, cool unit that is.

I haven't seen one in real life, but I agree a VERY nice looking vise!

 

[autopts]

It seems like its been a while since i've had a vise worthy of this thread but my friend finally came through this weekend and we made our trade.

The Columbian is one i bought this weekend and the American Scale was one he grabbed for me weeks ago. I was surprised to see how nice it is. I think it has most of the origianl paint, including the red for the Star on the side.

Awesome! Just like the rest of your collection!

 

[va.grouseman]

I'm like EOC Jason. I love those old York's. This is my fourth one. They got to be pretty tough, cause you don't ever see one beat to death. 6" jaws,----60 lbs. 4 oz.,----15 1/2" long,----no model number just a patent number.













They make me think of a pig. Wide body, fat joules. They look real beefy, but I think it's mostly bacon.
One thing I would like to know about them if anyone knows. All four of mine have horizontal grooves on the jaws, no serration, just straight horizontal grooves. Is this normal for the York's or is this aftermarket replacement?

 

[EDGAR]

VA.GROUSEMAN and all

The lateral grooves seems to be their way of doing the jaws. Below are a couple of pictures of other GJ member's Yorks presented in this thread. Both have have the grooves. It would be too much of a coincidence to have 4 Yorks, from different sellers, with aftermarket jaws. And if you think about it, one may not need cross serrations to be able to effectively grip an object. Grooves like that may be enough and these may have been cheaper to manufacture. It could also be easier for someone to make his own jaws like this.

Also see an early Wilton No 4 with the same type of grooves on the jaws. So maybe it would not be out of place if someone made jaws like this for later Wiltons as these were indeed used in earlier Wiltons and their relatives/ancestors, the Yorks.

Another Wilton 5" jaws dated 10-45 used the same grooved type jaws.

AUTOPTS wrote about this in another thread. See below.

Perhaps KMSCOTT might make jaws like these for the earlier Wilton vises to keep them original for the collectors? Or for later models, maybe cheaper?

 

[oldldh]

Mr. Grouseman, I like your York...

Thick and strong...like oak...

Damn nice vise...

Ya Dun Gud, Bubba...

 

[EOC_Jason]

One thing I would like to know about them if anyone knows. All four of mine have horizontal grooves on the jaws, no serration, just straight horizontal grooves. Is this normal for the York's or is this aftermarket replacement?

Every York I've seen has just the horizontal grooves. I guess that is their style.

http://york.cz

You can find some of the Yorks that are re-branded as Wilton's for $100 on eBay... I think they call them "Wilton Super Junior" vises...

 

[va.grouseman]

Edgar, Oldldh, EOC Jason. Thanks gentlemen.