The VISES of Garage Journal

[BFBOB]

If you want to build your own vise, there are a few videos on Youtube about this.


Here is wooden vise:

NEXT STEP:

Take it in pieces to your friendly neighborhood foundry and say, "Here, cast this in iron for me." About $200 per piece later, you'll have a nice Cast Iron vise!

And yeah, happy 600th page!

...now, who gets to make the 12,000th post?

 

[taumac]

Nothing special here but my collection at the moment....

 

[KMScott]

I do not know if a Wood vise counts but I built a wood working bench out of a bowling alley piece and wanted a Tail vise to hold my boards down. Here is a few pictures of the vise mounted and a drawing. I use this bench everyday, not the tail vise to much since I am all involved in metal work lately. If anyone wants a drawing of a 30 x 70 bench vise with all the mortice and tenon joints then PM me. You might be able to make sense of it. I use Acad to design my work.

 

[hemifalcon]

Here's a couple small vices I picked up yesterday, can anyone help identify a possible origin? The mini-blacksmith vice is very cool, works great and is in fine condition. The larger one with the steel rule attached operates super smooth and opens to 2". I cannot locate any forging/casting marks to indicate a manufacturer.. Any help would be greatly appreciated as they will be put up for a new owner$$$

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-and some scale photos-

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[Outlawmws]

The double steel dowel slide vise design was made by many companies, or re-branded at least. Millers falls, Stanley, and a host of others had them. If it still has the original main screw head, I'd say get the rust off and see if there are any markings. I had "MF" on one and it surfaced as a millers Falls.

No clue on the smaller one, but I want one just for the anvil feature!

 

[Outlawmws]

Taumac, More pics of the long slide vise in pic 6 in action? branding/COO?

The one in pic 5 is cool with the Art deco/airplane look!

in pic 7 the small one with the suction cup base: I had one for model making when I was a kid. I finally overloaded it and broke the center out of the nut on the back. First vise I ever broke! (then I broke my dad's good machinist vise with a swivel static jaw, pressing a ball joint. and then a Taiwan 6" POS twice... Nothing since, I've (Finally) learned my lesson...)

 

[taumac]

Those are all pics I have at the moment in my phone.... I take take more when I get home laterI got that year's ago from good friend and I just thought it was cool.

 

[taumac]

Oops forgot these also.... I do admit I like the jawhorsea lot ( not sure it consider a vise) but wouldnt mind having the bench version also. I see that's way I thought about building one. The first has good jaws and opens far plus its base turns 360. Gray one I like cause base and jaws turns 360 but jaws don't open far at all. The Workmate vise has some cool features like removable jaw and adustment for odd stuff. I kicked around idea of taking features from all 3 or at least 2 and making one vise that has all the things I like in one. The D44 and Wilton shop kings are just good and there used but more for lite stuff cause just redid them.

 

[1/2 Cup]

I inherited this leg vice from my grandfarthers black smith shop.

Still undecided wether i should restore it or leave it just as it is??



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[taumac]

I really like those leg vises myself. I bet they work damn good to.

 

[1/2 Cup]

I really like those leg vises myself. I bet they work damn good to.

Agree, mounted correctly you can do some seriously heavy stuff with them.
I can remember back in my very early teens firing up the forge, and belting the hell out of red hot steel clamped in this very vice.

 

[EOC_Jason]

Here's one that I just couldn't pass up even though I tried! LOL...

It's an old-style Reed 4C with the cast-in jaws and big meatball nose. I noticed the ball ends on the handle are ridiculously larger than the ones on my newer model 4C... It's like they intentionally want you to hurt yourself!

It is a major rust bucket, but all appears to be surface rust. The slide is rusted in place, the screw is rusted, the swivel is rusted... This one is going to take a lot of work. Maybe I should just stick it in a vat of hot oil and check back on it in the spring! It also looks like someone spilled some concrete on it, probably dry powder that absorbed the moisture in the air...

 

[bczygan]

I passed up a 4" Columbian on the Detroit CL a few days ago for $20.

Of course it's gone now.

Keep an eye on there since I'm not buying vises any more...

Bill

 

[zoomieport]

Here's one that I just couldn't pass up even though I tried! LOL...

It's an old-style Reed 4C with the cast-in jaws and big meatball nose. I noticed the ball ends on the handle are ridiculously larger than the ones on my newer model 4C... It's like they intentionally want you to hurt yourself!

It is a major rust bucket, but all appears to be surface rust. The slide is rusted in place, the screw is rusted, the swivel is rusted... This one is going to take a lot of work. Maybe I should just stick it in a vat of hot oil and check back on it in the spring! It also looks like someone spilled some concrete on it, probably dry powder that absorbed the moisture in the air...

I can't wait to see that one finished Jason. You'll do a great job, it'll look like new. Nice find!

 

[taumac]

Taumac, More pics of the long slide vise in pic 6 in action? branding/COO?

The one in pic 5 is cool with the Art deco/airplane look!

in pic 7 the small one with the suction cup base: I had one for model making when I was a kid. I finally overloaded it and broke the center out of the nut on the back. First vise I ever broke! (then I broke my dad's good machinist vise with a swivel static jaw, pressing a ball joint. and then a Taiwan 6" POS twice... Nothing since, I've (Finally) learned my lesson...)

Took some more pictures of that workmate vise...

 

[Outlawmws]

Interesting. I never saw one of those Quick vises. . I wonder if it was a while back, and simply never caught on, or if it is recent?

 

[Outlawmws]

Well it doesn't appear to be currently offered...

 

[Outlawmws]

Here's one that I just couldn't pass up even though I tried! LOL...

It's an old-style Reed 4C with the cast-in jaws and big meatball nose. I noticed the ball ends on the handle are ridiculously larger than the ones on my newer model 4C... It's like they intentionally want you to hurt yourself!

It is a major rust bucket, but all appears to be surface rust. The slide is rusted in place, the screw is rusted, the swivel is rusted... This one is going to take a lot of work. Maybe I should just stick it in a vat of hot oil and check back on it in the spring! It also looks like someone spilled some concrete on it, probably dry powder that absorbed the moisture in the air...

Jason, I think I'd let that cook in an E-tank and see where you get from there. I have a frozen slide 5" I need to get soaking that way, as PB blaster is not Cutting it...

 

[Outlawmws]

Well 12 K posts on top of 600 pages!

Well done everyone!

 

[autopts]

I do not know if a Wood vise counts but I built a wood working bench out of a bowling alley piece and wanted a Tail vise to hold my boards down. Here is a few pictures of the vise mounted and a drawing. I use this bench everyday, not the tail vise to much since I am all involved in metal work lately. If anyone wants a drawing of a 30 x 70 bench vise with all the mortice and tenon joints then PM me. You might be able to make sense of it. I use Acad to design my work.

Kevin, that is nice!!! Is that last photo your angiogram?

 

[taumac]

Interesting. I never saw one of those Quick vises. . I wonder if it was a while back, and simply never caught on, or if it is recent?

I've had it for at least 10 plus years. Im guessing from the model number and had a few B and D workmates the 79 in the model num is early when the Workmate just came out. Don't quote me but I have a 79-001 workmate and its one of the first ones so.

 

[EOC_Jason]

Jason, I think I'd let that cook in an E-tank and see where you get from there. I have a frozen slide 5" I need to get soaking that way, as PB blaster is not Cutting it...

Yeah, I think the very first thing is going to take a pressure washer to it and try to get off all the mud and concrete if possible. I'm planning on going to the store in the next day or two so I can pick up whatever that stuff is I need to add to the water. I already have all the other components for an e-tank laid out.

 

[whyNick?]

Here is a home brew (Not mine) I found so fascinating I save the pic...

Not what you had in mind I'm guessing!

Aah, my eyes!

Actually, that is kinda interestin', a little better execution and it might make for a decent vise. The lead screw, handle, and jaws almost look factory made, I wonder if somebody tried to save a busted vice.

 

[drivesitfar]

Jason,

Sodium Carbonate. or Spa Kem PH +

Outlaw and others have mentioned this to me to get at a pool supply store for my E bath.

funny my 4 inch reed as a flatter handle and Jammer had almost an identical handle to yours and his was a Craftsman. what # is your reed and can you post a picture of the other side if it is readable?

 

[EOC_Jason]

Okay, I got the washing soda from the grocery store (contains sodium carbonate).

Anyone got a link to the instructions for the e-tank? Like the % solution strength? Which end to connect to which? Hehe... Tommorrow morning I plan on putting it all together and getting that rust bucket de-rusting!

It's a Reed 4C - 6" combination. The side looks the same as my other Reed 4C (you can find pics to it in my signature).

 

[Outlawmws]

What is the % strength of the Sod. Carb? with spa chem I use about +- 1/3 cup per 4-5 gallons or so. (it's not a real exact #) also you generally do not need to add to it as the water evaporates, as the Sod Carb. does not evaporate.

 

[wrenchguy]

Re: Parker 731 vise

Anyone know the particulars about a parker 731 vise? Not in Dayids database. thanks.

 

[EOC_Jason]

Re: Parker 731 vise

Anyone know the particulars about a parker 731 vise? Not in Dayids database. thanks.

Picture(s)? I'll have to dig through all my old ads tomorrow and see what I can find.

 

[wrenchguy]

Re: Parker 731 vise

Picture(s)? I'll have to dig through all my old ads tomorrow and see what I can find.

no pics needed, just weights/measurements. thanks 4 ur effort.

 

[ritzblitz]

I think he meant do you have pictures?

 

[EOC_Jason]

Re: Parker 731 vise

no pics needed, just weights/measurements. thanks 4 ur effort.

I meant do you have pictures?

Is it a Parker Trojan? I used to have a 706 which was a 5" Trojan... But I don't know what a 73x line would represent, maybe a swivel base or swivel jaw?

 

[wrenchguy]

i don't have pics, its advertised online without any. posted "parker vise, has 731 on it". thats all i know.

 

[dismayed]

My first post to this forum. I picked these up yesterday. A "Simplex Tool Co" "Utility No. 4" stamped Woon R.I., Made in USA and a Columbian "Utility No. 04".





The Columbian No 04 next to my Columbian made Craftsman

 

[Outlawmws]

i don't have pics, its advertised online without any. posted "parker vise, has 731 on it". thats all i know.

Unless someone else finds something in their archives, I think your going to need to go see it; I tried both the ads I've saved, and Google images with both spellings, and got nothing...

 

[wrenchguy]

yes i looked at all the advertising i copied off the visemothership and went to dayids.... found nothing. i'm about to give up on little info online ads. seems tome iffen someone really wants to sell theyd put out max info. thanks 4 ur time.

 

[Mark in Indiana]

Hello Vise Friends,

Pictured below for your review is my Vindex clamp on vise that I just finished (sorry I didn't rotate the pictures). I picked this one at an estate sale for $3.00. I really love this one because it is just as precise as an expensive machinists vise, since most clamp on's I've seen had a lot of slop in the moving jaw. This one is a keeper for light work like jewelry.

Looks like that this is the last vise for me to finish in 2013. Next year should have more adventures.

Merry Christmas and Happy New year to all!

 

[Hpozzuoli]

Cummins vice and small Irwin press. My wife got me the vise years ago. No idea what or who cummins is. I never cared to look it up. It has worked flawlessly for me. I do some light gun smithing and most of my small welding with it. The jaws are 6" wide and it opens 8". It turns 360 and swivels 360. Aside from that it is blue.

 

[PghJKB]

Okay, I got the washing soda from the grocery store (contains sodium carbonate).

Anyone got a link to the instructions for the e-tank? Like the % solution strength? Which end to connect to which? Hehe... Tommorrow morning I plan on putting it all together and getting that rust bucket de-rusting!

It's a Reed 4C - 6" combination. The side looks the same as my other Reed 4C (you can find pics to it in my signature).

Hey Jason
There are many sites with information on electrolysis. A google or bing search will result in hundreds.

Here are my favorites:

http://users.eastlink.ca/~pspencer/nsaeta/electrolysis.html

http://www.oldengine.org/members/orrin/rustdemo.htm

There are tons of cautionary statements I could make, but just use common sense. The chemicals are relatively harmless, but the process does generate hydrogen gas - remember the Hindenburg, and electrical shock can also provide a good deal of negative feedback.

 

[tool_scrounge]

.

not to change that thought, but I have a fair amount of rust to remove on my vises and read molasses is something that works well in a 7 parts molasses to 1 part water solution. and if you do use that method how often do you have to dump the rusty molasses? other than taking longer is molasses effective?

anybody try that with success or is Electrolysis far superior method?

I have been using animal grade molasses from the feed store for rust removal and it works quite well.

Pro:
Cheap
Easy
Works well everywhere, not just line of sight to an electrode
No spark potential (electrolysis supposedly gives off hydrogen, hydrogen + spark = boom)

Con:
Take longer than electrolysis (a week vs. a day)

Neutral:
Does not seem to attract ants (in fact they seem to hate it)
Does not remove paint (depending on your use this may be good or bad)

 

[drivesitfar]

Tool Scrounge: thanks for the molasses results. I think i'm going to grab some at the feed store and give it a try on one of the rusty ones I collected the last time it was raining vises.

PGHJKB: I think Jason knows how to do the Electrolysis, but I thank you very much for the links. i'm guessing Jason forgot more on how to do Electrolysis than most have tried, but maybe he was sicker last month than he led on.

Dismayed: glad to have another person in my area that likes vises and best of luck on the restorations

Indiana: that looks like a pretty big clamp on and nice restoration

Hpozoulli: usually Cummins makes engines so don't let that one take off on you.

Wrenchguy: do you really need another huge vise?? I was thinking of putting a picture I have saved of your vises you have on your outside bench as my screensaver.

Happy Holidays all