The VISES of Garage Journal
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GETRIDAONE
Well-known member
First thanks to B100 for searching the patent date and finding James Barrett as the inventor of this vise. The claim was that steel bars used in place of the common U channel casting was more economical (cheap) and the center steel plate protected the screw from filings & dirt. I never found any info on the J.S. Company “YN” (New York backwards ?) but did find a picture of an identical vise. I found that the Meadville Vise Co. in Pennsylvania was owned by James Barrett and later changed to the Barrett Machine & Vise. In 1908 Yost bought out the Barrett Vise Company.
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wrenchguy
Well-known member
Got them from zoro tools.(best price) They're 1", i used high crown on the whole project. Machining was not one of the trades i took up.
wrenchguy
Well-known member
First thanks to B100 for searching the patent date and finding James Barrett as the inventor of this vise. The claim was that steel bars used in place of the common U channel casting was more economical (cheap) and the center steel plate protected the screw from filings & dirt. I never found any info on the J.S. Company “YN” (New York backwards ?) but did find a picture of an identical vise. I found that the Meadville Vise Co. in Pennsylvania was owned by James Barrett and later changed to the Barrett Machine & Vise. In 1908 Yost bought out the Barrett Vise Company.
nice.
meatsis
Well-known member
Hey if any of you guys are around New Hampshire check out the 8 inch vise on Craigslist. Hard to tell from the pics but it looks like an athol. I'm flying to England tomorrow for work. Otherwise I'd be all over it. He's asking $300 for the vise and table which has a 1 inch thick top.
Love the paint scheme. Kinda gives it an art deco look.
EOC_Jason
Well-known member
Yeah I just wipe mine down with a little oil too. They aren't going to stay pretty long if you live in a high-humidity area. If you are going to use it a lot then you will probably be wiping it clean anyhow.
Looks just like an Alltrade 299 V-1 that's listed on Craigslist in my area.Can anyone identify this one? Pic is from an estate sale listing.
Mark in Indiana
Well-known member
I forgot to mention that it stays covered, first with an old, cut open pillow case and a heavy garbage bag over the top. That seems to work in fighting condensation. Also, the thin film of oil on the bare metal details will last for weeks.
Can anyone identify this one? Pic is from an estate sale listing.
I have an exact vise but from Allied. It's china. Some of them have bondo type **** on then to hide casting lines. They're heavy ~75-80lbs. An for light duty stuff the multiple angles can be helpful. But definitely not a medium+ duty vise. They usually go for ~$40 bucks.
bigcaddy
Well-known member
I think you are correct on it being an Athol. The only problem i see with the ad is he lists it as an 8" vise, not 8" wide jaws. I bet it only opens to 8" and has 6" jaws
wrenchguy
Well-known member
kinda looks sprung too. i emailed him 4 details. looks tohave a hellva leadscrew knob!
i got friend not to far from there, with field trip planned 4 april already. oh no wheres jake?????
wrenchguy
Well-known member
jakemac
Well-known member
oh no wheres jake?????
Hiding
The vise may be ok, but that table would kill me to move. Besides, my trailer is snowed into the back yard until spring. Pelham would be difficult for me to get to, but doable if needed.
That mini vise in RI is sweet, but I have no way to get there in the time I'm allowed.
Meet...
THE COLTON QUINTS!
I've finally completed my collection of Colton patent 1885 vises. I was snagged by these minis just by their style- covered leadscrew and cylindrical slide. Snagged one off evilBay and did a pretty nice restoration on it (the red one, in case you conldn't tell), then discovered they came in different sizes, thanks to Outlaw. Just what I needed - something else to collect. At least they're small. So, here's the lineup of all five sizes (that I know of!): 1", 1 1/2", 1 3/4", 2" and 2 1/2". These are nominal sizes; a couple are a bit under and the big one is a bit over.
The weights range from 6 oz. to 7 1/2 lbs.
Now, the paint. I'm inclined to paint 'em all Rustoleum Regal Red like the one I've already done. (for some reason it looks kinda orangy in the foto - it's not.) Would that be too boring, or should I follow Balane's lead?
THE COLTON QUINTS!
I've finally completed my collection of Colton patent 1885 vises. I was snagged by these minis just by their style- covered leadscrew and cylindrical slide. Snagged one off evilBay and did a pretty nice restoration on it (the red one, in case you conldn't tell), then discovered they came in different sizes, thanks to Outlaw. Just what I needed - something else to collect. At least they're small. So, here's the lineup of all five sizes (that I know of!): 1", 1 1/2", 1 3/4", 2" and 2 1/2". These are nominal sizes; a couple are a bit under and the big one is a bit over.
The weights range from 6 oz. to 7 1/2 lbs.
Now, the paint. I'm inclined to paint 'em all Rustoleum Regal Red like the one I've already done. (for some reason it looks kinda orangy in the foto - it's not.) Would that be too boring, or should I follow Balane's lead?
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GETRIDAONE
Well-known member
racbikes
Member
my vise bit the dust now the search is on for a replacement but funds are limited at this time maybe i will get lucky to find a trade
bl00
Well-known member
I like it. Here's the pic for when the ad goes away:
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bl00
Well-known member
Check out this early Reed combo vise. It has a patent date of 1896. It appears that the patent is related to the shape and construction of the [missing] pipe jaws.
Patent info here
ebay listing here
Patent info here
ebay listing here
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cbacres
Well-known member
Here's a Columbian 604 that I picked up yesterday ( posted on garage sale thread). The vice itself,not the screw, was seized. Shot it with a 50/50 acetone/ ****** fluid and let set over night. Still didn't move on its own, couple of taps with a 4 lb and a block of aluminum did it.
Worked it back and forth,getting easier each time.
The jaws are like brand new!
The swivel works fine. The only issue it seems to have is when the jaws meet up, you still have to turn about another full turn or so to tighten up, almost like slack in the screw. I haven't looked yet, I was wondering if the po may of bent or stretched the screw trying to free up. I'm comparing to my 604-1/2 which tightens right away.
Any input is appreciated.
Worked it back and forth,getting easier each time.
The jaws are like brand new!
The swivel works fine. The only issue it seems to have is when the jaws meet up, you still have to turn about another full turn or so to tighten up, almost like slack in the screw. I haven't looked yet, I was wondering if the po may of bent or stretched the screw trying to free up. I'm comparing to my 604-1/2 which tightens right away.
Any input is appreciated.
gatewaysysop
Well-known member
I'm tempted to second this. Maybe an optical illusion, but that slide does not look nearly as substantial as you'd expect. Would be awesome to be wrong!
From the ad:
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Outlawmws
Well-known member
cbacres, get the slide out and see of the nut is "floating" a bit in the dovetail, or rocks. might just need some shimming to tighten it up...
Outlawmws
Well-known member
Gateway and BC, I'm inclined to agree, probably not an 8", at least a 6" I'm sure, might be a 7" (after eyeballing the bench legs against the 2X4's, to the jaws, nothing lines up, and the vise is off to the side...
Are the legs 4X4 or 5X5?
Are the legs 4X4 or 5X5?
Outlawmws
Well-known member
Outlawmws
Well-known member
That tiny vise is very cool but not $200 cool.. 
And it's his grandfathers... why sell it at all?
BFbob,, Just tryin' to help!
Colter, Colter... Oh!... Colton!
I vote paint them the same...
And it's his grandfathers...
why sell it at all? BFbob,, Just tryin' to help!
Colter, Colter... Oh!... Colton!
I vote paint them the same...
oldldh
Well-known member
Outlawmws
Well-known member
Here's a Columbian 604 that I picked up yesterday ( posted on garage sale thread). The vice itself,not the screw, was seized. Shot it with a 50/50 acetone/ ****** fluid and let set over night. Still didn't move on its own, couple of taps with a 4 lb and a block of aluminum did it.
One very nice pristine Columbian you have there. Columbian might be the most underrated USA made vise in the last 100+ years. I can't tell you the last time I saw one broken.
Here's one I picked up. Its a cigarette lighter vise. 4" long and about 2 1/4" high. No, I don't smoke.
BFbob,, Just tryin' to help!
Colter, Colter... Oh!... Colton!
I vote paint them the same...
Oh, the shame! I even have a copy of the patent right in the same file with all my photos of the vises. Yep, G. Colton it is.
I debated about catch-me-cop red, but somehow I think it doesn't look serious enough - like those cartoonish Shop Kings. (no envy here!) Prolly stick with Rusto Regal Red.
And if you find any other sizes, just keep it to yourself, OK?
jeepinerdeep
Well-known member
Hoping to get educated here.....
Here's mine- let me whip it out....it's not a shiny as all of the beauties, but
It's a Chas Parker 954 1/2.
My question is can I replace it with a non swivel equivalent affordably if I move out of state? Or should I lug it with me. I know they don't make stuff like they did back then, and it works fine. Research I found said the Chas Parker Co went out of business in the 50's, and if I were to break a jaw surface, I'd be up SOL.
Here's mine- let me whip it out....it's not a shiny as all of the beauties, but
It's a Chas Parker 954 1/2.
My question is can I replace it with a non swivel equivalent affordably if I move out of state? Or should I lug it with me. I know they don't make stuff like they did back then, and it works fine. Research I found said the Chas Parker Co went out of business in the 50's, and if I were to break a jaw surface, I'd be up SOL.
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Mark in Indiana
Well-known member
Replacing your vise easily would depend on where you are moving to. Some areas have fewer available than others. If I had your problem, I'd take it with me. You will never find the same quality in a new vise that you have with yours. Also, the high quality vintage vises are harder to find because people are starting to wake up to the value of old tools (from my sales experience) and vise hoarders like us.
oldldh
Well-known member
^^^^^^What he said!!!
Outlawmws
Well-known member
take it with you. Unless you just get stupid with it, you are highly unlikely to break it, and you are likely to be leaving it to your kids/grand kids...A Parker 4-1/2 is approaching monster vise territory. ( > 100 lbs)
Outlawmws
Well-known member
Oh, the shame! I even have a copy of the patent right in the same file with all my photos of the vises. Yep, G. Colton it is.
I debated about catch-me-cop red, but somehow I think it doesn't look serious enough - like those cartoonish Shop Kings. (no envy here!) Prolly stick with Rusto Regal Red.
And if you find any other sizes, just keep it to yourself, OK?
Absolutely take it with you. Sold our house in November and are house hunting around 400 miles away... All my stuff is in storage, but guess what? I have about 20 vises that will be making the trip with me!
I'm tempted to second this. Maybe an optical illusion, but that slide does not look nearly as substantial as you'd expect. Would be awesome to be wrong!
From the ad:
Agreed 100%. Look at the electrical outlet on the wall. They're about the same size as a coke can. Picture that next to the vise. Looks pretty confidently like a 6" to me. Still a cool vise and table though!
drivesitfar
Well-known member
I think the vise on this nice (really nice) steel bench is probably a 6 incher. Wrench did you talk Jake into getting out in the snow to see it in person? since it sounds like neither of you want or need the steel bench maybe you can offer less for just the vise. one thing I did notice in the first picture that was posted from a different angle is that there might be some jaw damage on the dynamic jaw on one side.
Bob: paint them all red or every darn color of the rainbow if you like because they will look awesome either way. i'm thinking there might be another one of those cool vises that you don't own and i'll check on that and get back to you. almost looks like there is as much or more of the bulk of those vises under the table as above. those old vises have a very cool design
looks like a couple of the smallest vises ever made were posted. thanks for the pictures. the one in the hand goes in the garage of the dollhouse on a steel bench?
Filson: i'm guessing you are having huge Reed 208 withdrawals from having it in storage these past few months because you changed your mug shot so you can see it on every post now. by the way have you picked a color for the 209 once you find it sitting in a room at Grand Coulee Dam?
also IMHO keep a 100 year old vise if you like it when you move because they are getting harder to find and your son, grandson or nephew will love it on his bench after you are gone. also if your Parker jaws ever do brake or need replacing Kevin might have their replacements ready to send you by then.
Bob: paint them all red or every darn color of the rainbow if you like because they will look awesome either way. i'm thinking there might be another one of those cool vises that you don't own and i'll check on that and get back to you. almost looks like there is as much or more of the bulk of those vises under the table as above. those old vises have a very cool design
looks like a couple of the smallest vises ever made were posted. thanks for the pictures. the one in the hand goes in the garage of the dollhouse on a steel bench?
Filson: i'm guessing you are having huge Reed 208 withdrawals from having it in storage these past few months because you changed your mug shot so you can see it on every post now. by the way have you picked a color for the 209 once you find it sitting in a room at Grand Coulee Dam?
also IMHO keep a 100 year old vise if you like it when you move because they are getting harder to find and your son, grandson or nephew will love it on his bench after you are gone. also if your Parker jaws ever do brake or need replacing Kevin might have their replacements ready to send you by then.
wrenchguy
Well-known member
jake offered, but i got a heavy equipment friend closer that will pick the whole thing up with his crane truck. i ain't gonna do a thing till seller contacts me with answered questions. gotta learn them c-l listers to respond! it does look sprung or ground down.
drivesitfar
Well-known member
Just an FYI. the steel support beam behind the bench didn't come standard on any home I ever sold so maybe he has a crane attached to it. usually with that kind of beam there are other interesting items in his basement that he might be selling to make your friend's trip worthwhile if he hasn't already sold them. just saying.
did I mention it yet that that is a nice table and I don't even weld (yet).
good luck
did I mention it yet that that is a nice table and I don't even weld (yet).
good luck