Chicago was the first place they made Morgan's from mid 1920's to 1947 when they moved to Aurora.
The VISES of Garage Journal
- Thread starter mjozefow
- Start date
Chicago was the first place they made Morgan's from mid 1920's to 1947 when they moved to Aurora.
Thanks guys for the kind words on the Wilton resto a few pages back!!
454ragtop – About the carriage bolts for the swivel, I usually wire wheel them also but in this case one was bent. You can’t see it in the photo though so I just decided to replace both.
Ritzblitz – I would like to learn more about your handles. Did you post a thread about them on GJ?? At the moment I am going to leave the chipmunk chewed handle as is since it is not bent. But I have 2 other vises on the “to be restored pile” and both have badly bent handles. What sizes do you offer and how is the ball installed?
Thanks, Greg
454ragtop – About the carriage bolts for the swivel, I usually wire wheel them also but in this case one was bent. You can’t see it in the photo though so I just decided to replace both.
Ritzblitz – I would like to learn more about your handles. Did you post a thread about them on GJ?? At the moment I am going to leave the chipmunk chewed handle as is since it is not bent. But I have 2 other vises on the “to be restored pile” and both have badly bent handles. What sizes do you offer and how is the ball installed?
Thanks, Greg
All this talk about vises....anyone have any opinions on some jaw pads. I have always used old pieces of rubber or foam to do such the thing but I see online they sell urethane jaw pads. They look like a L shaped angle iron lookin rubber pad. Can these be found at any stores?
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drivesitfar
Well-known member
TreePointer
Well-known member
Lowes carries these: BESSEY Nylon Magnetic Vise Jaw. I use them quite often.
Try some internet searches using VISE JAW INSERTS and the material you wish to use.
Try some internet searches using VISE JAW INSERTS and the material you wish to use.
Provincial
Well-known member
I have made jaw covers for my vises from some scrap aluminum sheet for years. I have used both 5052-H32 and 3003-0 (dead soft) in .060" and .050" thickness with success. Because they are so thin, they wear quicker than a store-bought cover, and they work-harden enough that by then time they are dented and worn badly, they have become prone to cracking. I find that they do a great job and don't damage delicate materials.
I will be buying a set of copper covers for at least one of my vises, and probably some sort of plastic covers, too. I am interested in reports of what type of plastic gets a good grip while being soft enough. Many types of plastic are quite "slick."
I will be buying a set of copper covers for at least one of my vises, and probably some sort of plastic covers, too. I am interested in reports of what type of plastic gets a good grip while being soft enough. Many types of plastic are quite "slick."
That's a great idea. I've been buying and using their liners for a long time, when it was raining bullets years ago. The faces are so thick they will last almost as long as your vise. Also, the oversized copper shrouds give the jaw towers added protection. Good move
Trimming down the sides and hold down straps with a hacksaw is easy. Round out the ends of the hold down straps so when you hit them down, they won't scratch the paint
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Mark in Indiana
Well-known member
I use lengths of 2" x 2" x 1/4" aluminum angle stock. It works for me and it's cheap.
Wrapping a work piece in rubber or a similar material is great also. I do that when I'm clamping a
Lead screw / handle in a pipe vise for cleaning & polishing.
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Oh, yes they do. And at about half the price of amazon. I guess I'm headed to Lowes today. Thanks Tree!
http://www.lowes.com/pd_209898-52800-BV-NVJ_0__?Ntt=bessey+nylon+magnetic+vise+jaw&UserSearch=bessey+nylon+magnetic+vise+jaw&productId=3070247&rpp=32
Hi guys,
Sorry for my lack of knowledge but it seems that on Leinen vise, the moving part is the rear (rather than the front). Does it make any difference while using it ?
As far as I'm concerned I'm thinking that the vise will be more on "top" of the bench (don't know how to explain...) rather than a "bit off the bench".
Also, they come in different widths:
Width of jaws: 60 mm
Opening max: 65mm
Depth max: 32mm
Width of jaws: 80 mm
Opening max: 100 mm
Depth max: 32 mm
Width of jaws: 100 mm
Opening max: 140 mm
Depth max: 70 mm
Width of jaws: 125 mm
Opening max: 175 mm
Depth max: 75 mm
Width of jaws: 150 mm
Opening max: 250 mm
Depth max: 87 mm
Weight: 53 kgs !!!
What do you guys think usually have ? I'm under the impression that a 100 mm would work fine as an allrounder ?
Sorry for my lack of knowledge but it seems that on Leinen vise, the moving part is the rear (rather than the front). Does it make any difference while using it ?
As far as I'm concerned I'm thinking that the vise will be more on "top" of the bench (don't know how to explain...) rather than a "bit off the bench".
Also, they come in different widths:
Width of jaws: 60 mm
Opening max: 65mm
Depth max: 32mm
Width of jaws: 80 mm
Opening max: 100 mm
Depth max: 32 mm
Width of jaws: 100 mm
Opening max: 140 mm
Depth max: 70 mm
Width of jaws: 125 mm
Opening max: 175 mm
Depth max: 75 mm
Width of jaws: 150 mm
Opening max: 250 mm
Depth max: 87 mm
Weight: 53 kgs !!!
What do you guys think usually have ? I'm under the impression that a 100 mm would work fine as an allrounder ?
drivesitfar
Well-known member
That looks like a great vise and have never seen that brand before. your usage will always determine what size vise you need and my take is get the biggest one you can and maybe have a smaller one as a backup on another bench.
Polish vises also move this way and are one of my favorite vises. if you are using materials that go to the floor it can be difficult, but if everything is in or above the jaws this style is a winner if you have a little room on your bench.
Autopts: I've never actually loaded a bullet in my vise. does the vise shoot as straight as my Winchester or will the copper jaw covers help with alignment?
Polish vises also move this way and are one of my favorite vises. if you are using materials that go to the floor it can be difficult, but if everything is in or above the jaws this style is a winner if you have a little room on your bench.
Autopts: I've never actually loaded a bullet in my vise. does the vise shoot as straight as my Winchester or will the copper jaw covers help with alignment?
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i own a Leinen vise in 125mm and in 150mm, a Heuer in 100mm and 2 Peddinghaus in 135mm.
I think if i only could choose one vise size i would go with a 125/135mm vise.
i wrote something about the differences in vises here in post #845:
http://garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?p=600834#post600848
some picture comparisons are here @ post #2217
http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=28952&page=111
If the moving part of a vise is in the rear you can only clamp work pieces up to a certain width/depth because the work bench will be in the way so it depends if you have to clamp unusual large objects or not. Of course vises which open to the front have a limit too. But in like 95% of the cases i think you won´t have a problem.
turbowoodworker
Well-known member
I am posting pictures of my recent find at a Habitat Restore. A Prentiss 512 with 3" jaws for $35, no hagelling at the Restore.
I have been through about 450 of the posts on this thread and only found one other 512. Any idea on age of this vise?
Some decent hacksaw marks on the top of the jaws but overall in good shape. The press fit device that holds the screw in place had the one important tooth broken but I was able to rotate it and take all the slop out of the mechanism.
Fun little project for a quick, first restoration.
On the back of the static jaw and the underside of the slide is stamped "1 02". Date stamp? I can't figure it out. I can't imagine it being 1902 or 2002, so what gives?
I have been through about 450 of the posts on this thread and only found one other 512. Any idea on age of this vise?
Some decent hacksaw marks on the top of the jaws but overall in good shape. The press fit device that holds the screw in place had the one important tooth broken but I was able to rotate it and take all the slop out of the mechanism.
Fun little project for a quick, first restoration.
On the back of the static jaw and the underside of the slide is stamped "1 02". Date stamp? I can't figure it out. I can't imagine it being 1902 or 2002, so what gives?
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turbowoodworker
Well-known member
boomer12831
Well-known member
I just received my new little vise from a fellow GJ member. It will be a great addition to the other 3 that I own. The red one is one that I restored 15 to 20 years ago ( before I knew that people actually did that ). It is time for a complete sandblast and repaint. The little one will get cleaned up and painted also. Would anyone have any info about these 2 vises ? I am always impressed with people that know about the history of some of the older tools. My Wilton Bullet will also get an overhaul as it is sitting in the shed just waiting for warmer weather when I can get the sandblaster out. Ed
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EOC_Jason
Well-known member
You should be able to find a few images of old desmond stephans catalog info. I'll try to post some tomorrow as I keep that stuff on my other computer. They eventually sold their vises to the Ridge Tool Company (aka Ridgid), which kept a similar design for a while. They are good solid vises, I'm still regretting selling a 43P I had, but I have several Ridgid's so I'm not at a complete loss.
Hemdale, you are right: the rear jaw does the moving. I like the Leinen vise design (a few other brands are like it) because larger work pieces are held over the stationary part of the vise base, which in turn is fully supported by the work bench. That has always impressed me as a better engineering design. The advantage of the normal kind of vise, however, is that all or part the workpiece can be held over the floor for easier viewing and metal working. Do any owners of both types care to comment on which design they prefer, and why?
Gary Indiana
Well-known member
What a sweet little vise! Very solid and perfectly straight. The date code is most likely: January 1902.
Here is a 1901 Prentiss ad for a swivel-jaw version of your vise
GETRIDAONE
Well-known member
That looks like a Stephens pattern vise. First made in the 1870"s
The Boss
Well-known member
This one belonged to my Grandfather who worked at the Springfield Armory as a machinist. I rescued it this past summer from my father's house after a pipe broke - flooding the basement - it was stored under the oil tank. 
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GETRIDAONE
Well-known member
Athol Machine Company sheet metal vise.
How are things on the PY forum. My last visit I see you are the proud owner of a "Super Duty" now.
How are things on the PY forum. My last visit I see you are the proud owner of a "Super Duty" now.
drivesitfar
Well-known member
really nice save on the old Athol. looks a lot like my Prentiss coachmaker's vise. interesting size holes to mount that nice vise to a bench and i'm guessing it might have been on that board for a while with slotted screws holding it down.
turbowoodworker
Well-known member
Thanks Gary Indiana but I thought the round logo "Bulldog" meant that my 512 was not that old, maybe even post war era.
Hi all, i have bought an old vise and i cant find any info on it, it has the letters RB and number 7 on it, im guessing its a 7", its really huge and weighs 85kg, anybody who can help?, im planning on refurbishing it and then it will get a Proper post here
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This one belonged to my Grandfather who worked at the Springfield Armory as a machinist. I rescued it this past summer from my father's house after a pipe broke - flooding the basement - it was stored under the oil tank.
Now that is cool! I am a gun nut so that vise means a lot to me! What did you grandfather do at the Springfield armory?
John
EOC_Jason
Well-known member
As promised, some images I have on the Desmond Stephans vises...
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bl00
Well-known member
flemrasm,
That's an unusual vise you have. It looks familiar, but I can't find any info on it in my vise file. Make sure to take pics when you have it apart.
That's an unusual vise you have. It looks familiar, but I can't find any info on it in my vise file. Make sure to take pics when you have it apart.
GETRIDAONE
Well-known member
The thing I noticed was the odd pattern on top of the jaw. I have seen it recently but don't know where. The Precision Streamliner (airplane ) vise has a similar pattern on the jaw.
Mark in Indiana
Well-known member
The jaw top embellishments look like the ones on a Littlestown vise that I did last fall.
The Boss
Well-known member
It's not a real Super Duty, it was built as a show car in the 70's and a Super Duty motor was built for it and installed. Subsequent to that the motor was harvested to go into a real SD car being restored & I'm in the process of building another to go back in it.
The Boss
Well-known member
I don't know exactly but know he also worked at the Indian Motorcycle plant for a number of years and was hired by Rolls Royce of America when they opened their plant in Springfield, MA.. My Father also worked for a few years at the Armory, I'll have to check with him what they did there.
Quickpick1
Member
- Joined
- Jan 6, 2014
- Messages
- 6
I don't want to intrude on anyone's conversation, but could some
one educate me on a vise I have setting in the garage?
It is a Ridge Tool Company No. 61
one educate me on a vise I have setting in the garage?
It is a Ridge Tool Company No. 61
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454ragtop
Well-known member
Quickpick1
Member
- Joined
- Jan 6, 2014
- Messages
- 6
454ragtop
Well-known member
It's a good quality, made in USA vise, definitely has some value. How wide are the jaws, and what part of the country are you in? Values can vary depending on how hard vises are to come by where you are.
HTH, Jim
HTH, Jim
Quickpick1
Member
- Joined
- Jan 6, 2014
- Messages
- 6
By width, if you mean from side to side the jaws are 6". if you mean opening front to back I didn't open all out, just opened 6" then measured the remaining slide which was a little over 4 more inches, so I'm thinking 10" total opening front to back. I live in southern Kentucky. I've had this thing sitting around for quite a while, always meaning to put it on a bench, but I've gotten older, Sold the farm, so I don't need this monster anymore. I need a smaller one.
I was quite surprised to see that there are vise collectors out there, I'm curious if this has a collector value or just a plain, big, common vise.
I'm also guessing weight near 100 pounds
I was quite surprised to see that there are vise collectors out there, I'm curious if this has a collector value or just a plain, big, common vise.
I'm also guessing weight near 100 pounds
zoomieport
Well-known member
I think this is a job for EOCJason...
But I believe it's a Desmond Stephan #61, rebranded for the Ridge Tool Co. (Ridgid)...
As far as value... A lot of that depends if you are talking eBay or Craigslist.
It's not extremely rare, odd or the like, but it's pretty big, so it's worth a few bucks... (Maybe more to a collector specializing in Ridge vises)
Take care!
ZOOM
But I believe it's a Desmond Stephan #61, rebranded for the Ridge Tool Co. (Ridgid)...
As far as value... A lot of that depends if you are talking eBay or Craigslist.
It's not extremely rare, odd or the like, but it's pretty big, so it's worth a few bucks... (Maybe more to a collector specializing in Ridge vises)
Take care!
ZOOM
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