The VISES of Garage Journal

[va.grouseman]

I have a 577 Rock Island, never been used (yet)...kinda of a battleship grey, I'd say 150 lbs is just about right...same as my Hay Budden Dont make em like that anymore!

Pictures---Pictures---Must have pictures!

 

[EDGAR]

Were some of the Rock Island 577 grey in color? I saw one with the (supposedly) original faded and rusted color and it was light green like the Rock Island 593 shown below.

 

[Mohawk Dave]

My 624 was light green too.

 

[Provincial]

While on the subject of paint, does anyone have a good match for the Craftsman blue-tinted grey for a 5176 vise? Spray can is preferred, but I have a touch-up gun if necessary.

 

[balane]

While on the subject of paint, does anyone have a good match for the Craftsman blue-tinted grey for a 5176 vise? Spray can is preferred, but I have a touch-up gun if necessary.

Krylon Satin Iris is the closest I've found. It isn't exact but I've yet to find anything in a spray can that's closer.

.

 

[Mohawk Dave]

For those of you that like to keep vises out of the way...

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/CD89LayQaX8" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

 

[GETRIDAONE]

Wonder where they got that idea ?
The Emmert I am working on has huge jaws (18x7) and a dinky 2" conventional jaw on top.
The little vise in the picture was the lone survivor on a work bench in a nearly empty basement at an estate sale. I felt sorry for it & paid a dollar, It was so rusted & painted up no one wanted it.

 

[Mark in Indiana]

And I picked this up yesterday. American Scale No 75. 3.5" jaws. Got it all loose with WD40/ATF/PB and the blue wrench. Cool little thing. It's my first swivel jaw and I'm diggin' it.

<iframe class="imgur-album" width="100%" height="550" frameborder="0" src="http://imgur.com/a/Epp5h/embed"></iframe>

Hey Dave,

I have one also. Do you know how old it is?

 

[Low Friction]

https://surplus.boeing.com/ItemDetails.cfm?auctionID=47764&pageID=m43401

Vises by the truck load. Anyone near North Charleston?

 

[oldldh]

Holy Sheep Dip!!!

 

[balane]

That's a vise party right there!!!

 

[Radio Ron w4ron]

Let me be the first to say it, and this is my first YOU ****!!

 

[Mohawk Dave]

Hey Dave,

I have one also. Do you know how old it is?

I have not a clue. I haven't even dug into the archives on American Scale yet. But I will and once cleaned up, I'll let you know if I find anything.

Is your swivel jaw really tight to move. I cleaned the moving parts and put some WD40 in there for now, but I can not move it by hand. It will move when using it, which is good of course.

 

[Low Friction]

Let me be the first to say it, and this is my first YOU ****!!

If I lived near North Charleston I assure you I would ****! This ones open to some lucky E coast denizen...

 

[CRTDI]

Under the rust of the 577 I just finished it was most definitely originally a grey exactly as you described.

Nice job on your 577...

I think my 577 was originally black, but not positive about this:

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=71487&highlight=rock+island

 

[Mark in Indiana]

I have not a clue. I haven't even dug into the archives on American Scale yet. But I will and once cleaned up, I'll let you know if I find anything.

I couldn't find anything. However, my guess would be post WW2 up to 1960. My SWAG is based in the spindle end that is not shaped like a bulb.



Is your swivel jaw really tight to move. I cleaned the moving parts and put some WD40 in there for now, but I can not move it by hand. It will move when using it, which is good of course.

Before re-assembly, I had to take a flap wheel to the hole and open it up a couple of thou.

 

[balane]

I've had good luck making sticky vise parts move more smoothly by applying some valve grind compound and then working whatever action is needed many times, then wiping it clean and applying a little lubricant.

 

[autopts]

Here's an interesting find. Both the same model, different MFG's, both from very closely the same time period and I found them both on the same day. Go figure! I had to go two different directions but that's vise chasing for ya.
One is a disguised Columbian 204 1/2 M3 with a Armstrong label on it, and the other is a Starrett 324 1/2" combo. The Armstrong is new, and the Starrett is very nice and with Kevin's jaws, https://www.benchvisejaws.com/ , they make my dull looking restorations sparkle.
Here's the Comparison

Armstrong....... Starrett
Length 17.5"...... 19"
Height 12" ....... 12"
Throat 5.5"....... 5.25"
Opens 5" ......... 5.50"
Weight 58 lbs .... 81 lbs
Jaws 4 1/2"W X 1"H..... 4 1/2"W X 1 3/8"H

 

[balane]

Gorgeous Nick! Is it an optical illusion or does the Starrett have a noticeably larger main screw?

 

[autopts]

Here's another interesting combination. One Armstrong (above) and one Ridgid, also a Columbian clone, but from a earlier time period with the "T' style jaws. Almost everything is identical except that the Ridgid is 5 lbs heavier at 63 lbs. My guess is the weight difference might be in not only the "T" style jaws but also the surrounding area in the towers to hold them. One other note. You see the Armstrong Dynamic into the Ridgid body however the Ridgid slide will not fit into the Armstrong body. Another head scratcher. Here's another, the jaws actually align up squarer on the mis match then they do on the Ridgid itself.

 

[autopts]

Gorgeous Nick! Is it an optical illusion or does the Starrett have a noticeably larger main screw?

Thanks Bart
Starrett is the Cadillac and the Columbian is definitely the Chevrolet. Yes, bigger main screw, bigger pipe jaws. I like that spring tensioned handle. I do think a lot of the difference in weight has to do with Starrett's base and swivel base. I have to give Columbian their dues though. They can both be used very hard for a decades.

 

[va.grouseman]

Nick, I see you're wearing the patch and trying to taper off slowly. I understand, it's hard to just quit cold turkey. It's a terrible addiction, but you're getting there. Me, I've given up. Be strong Nick for the rest of us. You can make it.

Beautiful specimens by the way.

 

[blackhawkdriver]

Just picked these two up today, 75 bucks for em both Any help identifying them as far as year and stuff would be appreciated. big one is a columbia and the smaller one is an american scale co. I think the small one is missing the baseplate but I figured I could just make one.

Jaws open to 5 1/2 in and its 3 1/2 in throat depth on the columbia

 

[autopts]

Nick, I see you're wearing the patch and trying to taper off slowly. I understand, it's hard to just quit cold turkey. It's a terrible addiction, but you're getting there. Me, I've given up. Be strong Nick for the rest of us. You can make it.

Beautiful specimens by the way.

Larry, I'm honestly trying. My back can't take much more. LOL

 

[autopts]

Just picked these two up today, 75 bucks for em both Any help identifying them as far as year and stuff would be appreciated. big one is a columbia and the smaller one is an american scale co. I think the small one is missing the baseplate but I figured I could just make one.

Jaws open to 5 1/2 in and its 3 1/2 in throat depth on the columbia

That A.S is nice and that one might be your "go to" vise. That other one I'm not so sure about.

 

[Outlawmws]

BH Driver, the Columbia is an illegal immigrant from across the pacific. Someone over there bought the name. (Sorry)

 

[blackhawkdriver]

BH Driver, the Columbia is an illegal immigrant from across the pacific. Someone over there bought the name. (Sorry)

NOOO!!!. thought I was getting a good one. Oh well i'll still use it until it breaks I guess. no biggie it was 50 bucks and I really needed a vise. thanks for the heads up.

 

[Duct Tape Man]

Don't feel too bad - use it, beat it, treat it like a rented mule, then 2 years from now when it's cracked and covered in welding slag, weld a chain to it and use it as a boat anchor.

 

[Nightshift]

Gorgeous Nick! Is it an optical illusion or does the Starrett have a noticeably larger main screw?

... and the casting on the Starrett looks a lot beefier to me also! Bill

 

[oldldh]

Nick's not going to quit, the D/T's would shake his old carcass to pieces...

The new additions to his "Vise Emporium" ain't too shabby...

Keep on scufflin' Nick...those of us without your skills and knowledge require adult supervision from time to time...

I really like that Starrett...

Speaking of Starretts, I'm getting a 925 from the Colorado Vise Stash soon...

 

[Rixter58]

paid a little more than I wanted to, but you know how that goes.

 

[balane]

This is a lightly used Record SQ6 6" vise with a quick release that allows you to easily push in or out the dynamic jaw until you go to tighten it. Quite a handy system I think. It didn't need much other than a little cleaning of the bare metal.

.

 

[bigcaddy]

This is a lightly used Record SQ6 6" vise with a quick release that allows you to easily push in or out the dynamic jaw until you go to tighten it. Quite a handy system I think. It didn't need much other than a little cleaning of the bare metal.

.

Nice looking Record, Balane. I have been kicking myself in the *** harder each day because i sold a 5" Record a month prior to me deciding it was going to start collecting vises. It was super clean to start and came out perfect when finished.

I made quite a bit off the deal but i would give it all back for it now

 

[balane]

I've only had a few Records come through my hands but each one has really impressed me with just how precise everything felt on them. They just do an excellent job in manufacturing these, easily as good as anything made here imho.

 

[oldldh]

They made first class stuff in the U.K....

I know...

I'm married to one of their best...

 

[ritzblitz]

Rixter,

I saw a vise identical to that at an auction yesterday here in PA.

I also saw a Reed 934. I think this was super rare. Combo fixed base 6" jaw. I stopped bidding at 90. But it was very cool. Can anyone chime in with advertising or more info?

 

[wxm]

Here is a Ridgid top screw chain vise. This thing is so cool.

 

[KMScott]

I won this Athol 717 5" vise in a Auction. But after un-bolting it from the 4 x 4 and flipping it over I found it was welded on the mounting tabs. Well rule # 1, go preview the auction before bidding. I Won the Vise for $35, and it will go with the Golden pile. I was hoping to have a nice vise that did not need much work to restore. Anyone seen a Athol 717, Can't find any info on them. It was under water for a couple of days in the town of Lyons Colorado during the Colorado floods.

 

[bigcaddy]

I won this Athol 717 5" vise in a Auction. But after un-bolting it from the 4 x 4 and flipping it over I found it was welded on the mounting tabs. Well rule # 1, go preview the auction before bidding. I Won the Vise for $35, and it will go with the Golden pile. I was hoping to have a nice vise that did not need much work to restore. Anyone seen a Athol 717, Can't find any info on them. It was under water for a couple of days in the town of Lyons Colorado during the Colorado floods.

I've got a similar 4" athol with busted/repaired tab but the repair on mine was so clean that i took me months to finally notice it. I wonder if it was a common occurence with Athols to have the "ears" snapped off like that.

 

[Outlawmws]

Here is a Ridgid pipe vise. This thing is so cool.

Those are good vises, even better are the tripod versions. Too bad your has that top ear busted off.