The VISES of Garage Journal

[EOC_Jason]

Is it good metal, a good vise? When was it made? What is it worth?

Look at the attachments I posted a few posts ago on the Desmond Stephans vises. Ridge Tool Co (aka Ridgid) bought the vise division from Desmond Stephans and continued to make the same style vises for a while. They made a few minor changes like changing the jaw widths to be the more common sizes so the aren't exactly like the Desmond's.

If you look carefully under the 61 you should be able to see the letters "SN" or "PN" stamped in there. I zoomed in your picture and it looks like a PN which is the fix base. A SN would be a swivel base.

61 = ~6" wide jaws (as you indicated in your measurements)

I remember my desmond stephans vise had a month/year stamp on the bottom of the dynamic jaw and the base. I don't recall if my ridgid's did, I don't think they do.

As for your age... Well the newer models say "Ridgid" on them. Just from how the lettering is and how the casting looks.. I'm going to take a shot in the dark and say somewhere probably in the early to mid 50's... *maybe* 60's...

I'll see if I can dig up some old info tomorrow. I recall saving some notes on the desmond / ridge tool stuff.

As for price... that is a tough one... To a person that collects Ridge Tool vises it might be worth a little more. If it had a swivel base it would also be worth a little more. The handle also looks like it might be a replacement. All the desmonds & ridge tool's are more cylinder shape noses on the ends (look at pics in my signature), I've never seen a ball-end like that which makes me suspicious... And finally it depends on where you live and where you would be willing to ship it to... Ballpark price as-is... Probably $100 on the low-end to $300 on the high-end.

EDIT - I just found a picture of an 81 with a ball nose like that... Maybe the larger models were a little different or they made those only for a certain length of time.

EDIT2 - Found some info... Desmond Stephans started making vises in 1929. They sold that division to the Ridge Tool Company in 1964...

So I guess I should change my age estimate to mid to late 60's.... If you post some more pictures that would be helpful. Like the other side of the vise and such.

 

[Krr1967]

was wondering if you had any wilton 400s or 450s vises for sale .. thanks Kevin

 

[EOC_Jason]

was wondering if you had any wilton 400s or 450s vises for sale .. thanks Kevin

I would check the "Classifieds" section of the forum. But you will probably have much better luck on ebay. There are tons of Wiltons for sale on ebay.

 

[Quickpick1]

Here are more pics of the Ridge Tool Co. No. 61
I appreciate your time and trouble!

 

[Quickpick1]

Ridge Tool Company No. 61

 

[Quickpick1]

Ridge Tool Co. No. 61...
Sorry, The pics were too big, I didn't realize it for a while, compressed them and here you go....Thanks!

 

[bluebolt]

Quickpick1, that vise looks pretty good from the pics. If the jaw inserts are in as good of shape and there is no hidden damage (main nut and screw come to mind) you should have no trouble trading for a nice smaller quality vise. A decent trade in my opinion would be a 4"ish quality combo (pipe jaws) swivel base vise like a Wilton C0, 1740 or 1750, Reed C1 or similar quality vise. A 6" machinists vise is not an easy find in most areas.

 

[CRTDI]

My 13 year old son recently picked up this 3.5" Dunlap 5244 at a local pawn shop. We thought it would make a nice little winter project.

Looks like someone did a quick paint job on it.









We were working to take it apart to clean and paint it but soon discovered that the lead screw appears to have a collar that's pressed into place. What's the preferred method of removal?

 

[GETRIDAONE]

It's great to see your son take an interest in the work shop. He is going to want to move up to a Wilton I'll bet. I have a 5244 Dunlap but I am at work now. The thin split ring in a groove is the norm for that type of vise. You can remove it by prying it open very carefully. I am not sure about that collar being original ?
I can check tonight if someone else doesn't have an answer for you.

 

[confederatemule]

took some more pics of the polish(i think) vise

I have one. It has been in my family since the late '60's or early '70's. My Dad was in business for himself as a Mechanic. I did the same thing for a living. When he retired he gave the vise to me. It has been used hard and neglected, but still works as nicely as the day it was first mounted.

I love it. It is super strong and the jaws can be, easily, kept perfectly parallel, or as I would say; "square".

Mule

 

[Mark in Indiana]

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

Hey Q1,
Welcome to our family.

I'm in Evansville, Indiana, so the values are similar in your area as mine. I've been flipping vises for a couple of years. Unfortunately vintage, quality vises are undervalued (good for the buyer but not the seller). I would say that yours would go for $100 as is, or around $200 restored. That's assuming that there are no cracks, breaks, etc. There is always more interest when they are restored, and with an estimated $10 in materials, the restorations are worth the effort with larger, quality vises.

You may also check the Craigslists in Nashville, Louisville, Evansville, and other cities around you to get prices before you sell yours.

As far as buying a smaller vises, there are lots of great quality vintage vices of many different brands available. Wilton bullets generally go higher because of demand. I'm partial to Chas Parkers for my needs. This forum and the members here are the best for guidance.

Good luck.

 

[drivesitfar]

Mule,
I was curious about your vise because it looks very similar to the FPU Polish vise I own so I did a google search and as always the best results are found back on GJ. I wonder if your Dad posted this a few years ago on a thread about a Polish vise?

it has the similar red Snap On tool chest in the background only the vise is painted black and not stripped like yours is or did you strip it to give it a new color later?

the handles and the shape of yours if a little different than the FPU polish vises I have seen, but it could be one. i'll do a little more searching after work today or curious what you or others might find.

i have one but it has no name on it, but its a strong vise i have beat it pretty good and it hasent broke yet,

 

[confederatemule]

drivesitfar, the pictures are not of mine. I quoted o6wt's post. I have no pictures of mine. Maybe I need to take a couple. O6wt's vise is like mine, but our tool boxes do not resemble.

 

[LX-Markham]

got myself a little baby vise: a Record No.1

Was looking for something bigger, but this little guy will be really handy. Planning on mounting it to a receiver hitch built into my welding table.

 

[hammer man]

That railing around the tread plate is a good place to hang your grinder on.

 

[hammer man]

1st post. I rebuilt this one about six months ago. The vise was free. I built the stand and it has become much more useable on the stand than on the bench.

That railing around the tread plate is a good place to hang your grinder on.

 

[drivesitfar]

I've seen a few installations of vises on trucks that slide under the bumper and here's a nice example of a Wilton C1 installed that way. I really like the idea of using a receiver hitch to a bench to get the vise out in front. i'll have to find a way to do that.

looking forward to any pictures of any that are already installed on GJ benches if there are any.

does your Record have the quick release option?? nice find

 

[LX-Markham]

does your Record have the quick release option?? nice find

no, it doesn't.
but it's in awesome shape!
i'm not even going to re-finish it

 

[confederatemule]

drivesitfar, this is mine. I still use it, just not as often as before my Garage became a storage building. Seems like a garage/shop that is not worked in regularly, becomes a place to drop things. At least at my house.

 

[drivesitfar]

Mule,
yes, you have a FPU Polish vise that looks like it has many many years left of use. Really nice mount too. i'm sure you'll get out to clean up and work in the shop when you have time or when it warms up.

 

[GETRIDAONE]

It's great to see your son take an interest in the work shop. He is going to want to move up to a Wilton I'll bet. I have a 5244 Dunlap but I am at work now. The thin split ring in a groove is the norm for that type of vise. You can remove it by prying it open very carefully. I am not sure about that collar being original ?
I can check tonight if someone else doesn't have an answer for you.

The Dunlap I have has the same pressed on collar and two thin washers. It has about a 1/2" of play in it from the collar being pushed on while the screw was being loosened . You could try to take it off but with risk of breaking something. Cut it off with a small cutoff wheel and replace with a set screw collar.

 

[boomer12831]

EOC Jason - Thanks for the info on my vise. I can't wait to do a better job reconditioning it when I get some time.Ed

 

[CRTDI]

The Dunlap I have has the same pressed on collar and two thin washers. It has about a 1/2" of play in it from the collar being pushed on while the screw was being loosened . You could try to take it off but with risk of breaking something. Cut it off with a small cutoff wheel and replace with a set screw collar.

I appreciate your reply. This little vise also has about the same amount of play as yours. Might be a common issue .. I think replacement of the original collar with a set screw type is probably the best option as I can't really see a way to remove and reuse it.

 

[fullthrottle24]

Somebody in New Jersey needs to grab this. Listed on fleabay as local pickup. He also has a Prentiss #52 but with giant crack rear slide, pretty common.

 

[fullthrottle24]

Sorry here is pic.

 

[PCO6]

got myself a little baby vise: a Record No.1

Was looking for something bigger, but this little guy will be really handy. Planning on mounting it to a receiver hitch built into my welding table.

I picked up a Woden No. 1 at the Barrie Automotive Flea Market a few years ago. It's essentially the same vice. I carried it in my oversized back pack for about 2 hours and it was killing me. A friend offered to keep it as his booth for me and I gladly accepted. I weighed it when I got home. I figured 25 lbs. at least ... it weighed 10 lbs.

View media item 36773

 

[LX-Markham]

LOL, I've carried parts at the Barrie Flea Market before. Yeah, they can feel much heavier than they are.

 

[GETRIDAONE]

What is it ? I know it is a Prentiss. I have a Bull Dog with that type lock on the base. I can't seem to find much info on combination vises from Prentiss.

 

[EOC_Jason]

What is it ? I know it is a Prentiss. I have a Bull Dog with that type lock on the base. I can't seem to find much info on combination vises from Prentiss.

There are the only images I have showing a Prentiss Combination...

If it is in good shape, it's definitely worth grabbing. You don't see a Prentiss Combo vise pop up very often!

 

[drivesitfar]

What is it ? I know it is a Prentiss. I have a Bull Dog with that type lock on the base. I can't seem to find much info on combination vises from Prentiss.

I agree with Jason that finding a vise that old with the pipe jaws in it are rare, but not sure it's a Prentiss. any chance you can get a picture of the other side so we can see the swivel pull pin if that's what it has? usually Prentiss vises had their name cast into the vise because they wanted everyone to know it was theirs. nice truly farm fresh vise and love the bent over nail that's been holding on that bench for maybe 70 years or so.

 

[GETRIDAONE]

I hope that "NAIL" is the handle on the swivel lock. I can't tell from the picture but it looks small like it has been welded on there. My other Prentiss has an actual wrench that locks it down. I am waiting on more info on the vise.
Thanks Jason I saved the comparison chart.

 

[gmwelder86]

My vises happen to be a vice. This is a family picture of sorts. Doesn't include the two I've refinished for my brother. His are a 3-1/3 inch reed and a record pipe vise. The most recent is the ridge simplex 3-1/2 inch combination vice. Will eventually be a main work bench vise and the prentice will take welding table duties.





Simplex vise when I started.
Record vise I refinished and sent off to live with my brother.

And his reed with a set of aluminum

 

[GETRIDAONE]

Nice job on those vises

I got a little more info on the Prentiss. It is a #356 & marked Meriden, CT so it is a newer one. I can't find any info even with the model number.

 

[trdtaco]

just pickup up this 4in sterling 31



but i really want a craftsman NO.506.51801 i really love the lines of the old craftsman. i am posting a wtb add now if anyone has one for sale. i attached pictures

 

[454ragtop]

just pickup up this 4in sterling 31



but i really want a craftsman NO.506.51801 i really love the lines of the old craftsman. i am posting a wtb add now if anyone has one for sale. i attached pictures

Might be able to help with the Craftsman. How wide are the jaws? I have one, pic earlier in this thread http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?p=2820362#post2820362
I can get a model number off it tomorrow if you're interested.
Jim

 

[trdtaco]

Perfect ragtop.. sending pm now

 

[DandDMachine]

I just sold a vise on ebay. Wow wasn't expecting that. Its a Columbian with 3-1/2" jaws. It sold for $120.99 Is there something special or rare about this vise? Its in great functional shape, but there is some scratches etc... Here's the link. http://www.ebay.com/itm/COLUMBIAN-B...D&orig_cvip=true&rt=nc&_trksid=p2047675.l2557

 

[Outlawmws]

From the looks of the bidding you got two people that got into a bidding war. Nothing special, but get paid before rejoicing!

 

[DandDMachine]

From the looks of the bidding you got two people that got into a bidding war. Nothing special, but get paid before rejoicing!

Outlaw, he paid for it right away. He has 0 feedback and just joined ebay a few days ago. I guess we all were at 0 at some point right? Hopefully it doesn't become a problem.

 

[Mohawk Dave]

Outlaw, he paid for it right away. He has 0 feedback and just joined ebay a few days ago. I guess we all were at 0 at some point right? Hopefully it doesn't become a problem.

Yep, I just bought 4 items from a 0 seller tonight and another item yesterday from a 2 seller.

I appreciated it when people gave me a chance, so I'm trying to return the favor. But as always, I see their other items and what/how they describe them, and make sure I'm not dealing with some jackwagon. And if it goes bad, hopefully eBay/PayPal will take care of it.

It's work to earn them feedback. Never realized just HOW important feedback was until I started earning them. And still, what do you get, 50-75% feedback if lucky. I message buyers after a a whiles gone by and tell them I'd be happy to give positive if they do the same, or I just do it and then ask.

Sounds like it's a seller's market right now. Good Job OP