The VISES of Garage Journal

[FlyingLow]

So I'm new around here, found this forum while searching for info about a HW floor jack I acquired but I stumbled on this thread which got me thinking of a vice I found in a scrap pile at an old mill site. It was seized when I got it but I think I was able to close it a bit but no more, then nothing either way. I have soaked it with aero kroil and hammered with a sledgehammer on the end and put it in a 6 ton press and not been able to budge it. I think someone hammered on the back side of the jaw too much and pressed that part down into the part that slides. I have never seen a vice like it, it's welded construction, not cast. It's as disassembled as I can get it. Please check out the pictures and let me know what you think.

 

[bigcaddy]

Here's a 1946 1st generation Wilton 4 1/2" Bullet. This vise is a small bullet coming in at only 38 lbs. Its a low boy being only 6 5/8" high. Today's 450S is almost twice that in weight but the quality was still there. One big difference Wilton quit making these in around 1954.

Oooh, that's a beauty, nick. For all the members out there that don't know, autopts has the worlds only Wilton mine in his garage. He just mines out these pristine beauties a little at a time. In doing so, he keeps the supply somewhat low and prices high. Where do you think DeBeers learned how to sell diamonds

 

[bigcaddy]

I stopped by the scrapyard this morning and noticed a rather large hunk of clampy iron bolted to a steel table. Unfortunately the table was already sold but I'll speak with the new owner in a few days about a possible vise table divorce for some cash and another vise

 

[va.grouseman]

Yea. Nick told me he was nearing the end of his pile about 30 Wiltons ago. Hmmm.

 

[balane]

I'm fairly certain Nick poops Wilton bullets.

 

[Craptain]

So I'm new around here, found this forum while searching for info about a HW floor jack I acquired but I stumbled on this thread which got me thinking of a vice I found in a scrap pile at an old mill site. It was seized when I got it but I think I was able to close it a bit but no more, then nothing either way. I have soaked it with aero kroil and hammered with a sledgehammer on the end and put it in a 6 ton press and not been able to budge it. I think someone hammered on the back side of the jaw too much and pressed that part down into the part that slides. I have never seen a vice like it, it's welded construction, not cast. It's as disassembled as I can get it. Please check out the pictures and let me know what you think.

OOhh! I like. I have never seen anything like it either. It looks big, but maybe you could post a pic with something to give us a scale. A ruler across the jaws, or just a coke (or beer) can at least.

 

[autopts]

i'm fairly certain nick poops wilton bullets.

rofl!!!!!

 

[FlyingLow]

OOhh! I like. I have never seen anything like it either. It looks big, but maybe you could post a pic with something to give us a scale. A ruler across the jaws, or just a coke (or beer) can at least.

The jaws are 6", I got a couple pictures. It is big, heavy even without the guts in it. Probably 80-90 pounds or close to it.

 

[jpickar]

So I'm new around here, found this forum while searching for info about a HW floor jack I acquired but I stumbled on this thread which got me thinking of a vice I found in a scrap pile at an old mill site. It was seized when I got it but I think I was able to close it a bit but no more, then nothing either way. I have soaked it with aero kroil and hammered with a sledgehammer on the end and put it in a 6 ton press and not been able to budge it. I think someone hammered on the back side of the jaw too much and pressed that part down into the part that slides. I have never seen a vice like it, it's welded construction, not cast. It's as disassembled as I can get it. Please check out the pictures and let me know what you think.

That vise will come apart. That is not in bad shape. Something is keeping it bound up. Just keep looking and working with it. You do not have to beat on that to get it apart.

John

 

[Outlawmws]

First we are talking pee colored vises...





Then:

I'm fairly certain Nick poops Wilton bullets.

So if you happen to chip the paint on one you bought from him...

 

[zkling]

The jaws are 6", I got a couple pictures. It is big, heavy even without the guts in it. Probably 80-90 pounds or close to it.

That looks like some type of machine vise.

 

[FlyingLow]

That looks like some type of machine vise.

Why do you say that?

 

[zkling]

Why do you say that?

The overall design of the vise. Large flat base, low profile, looks like an adjustable side gib. Maybe a crude radial drill press vise or the like. It's like a merged machine and bench vise. Is that rear block copper?

 

[454ragtop]

Flying Low, first thing to do is loosen those set screws in the side, looks well enough made that it might have a gib for precise alignment.

Nick, I have a similar vintage 3" bullet that I noticed how low it sits, compared to the newer. Interesting that it has nuts, rather than handles, for the swivel locks also.

Jim

 

[Clik]

Trying to learn a little here.

It seems that Columbians are not as desirable as other vises that appear almost identical.

Is there a quality reason or is it that Columbians are more common and lack the rarity?

 

[Rom'S]

Nice vise, Rom'S! Enjoy it and don't be in too much of a rush to paint it - once you paint it up nice, you will feel guilty every time you come near it with a hammer!

yeah, it's for this reason It is not yet painted...

 

[GETRIDAONE]

Trying to learn a little here.

It seems that Columbians are not as desirable as other vises that appear almost identical.

Is there a quality reason or is it that Columbians are more common and lack the rarity?

Model Jaw Swivel lbs
604-M2 Columbian 4 Y 44
D44-M3 Columbian 4 Y 26
103 1/2 Columbian 3 1/2 Y 34
D33 1/2 Columbian 3 1/2 Y 12
3 1/2 Columbian 3 1/2 Y 10
Columbian 3 Clamp 7
204 1/2 Columbian 4 1/2 Y 58
C44 Columbian 4 Y 29
It does seem they are common. Above is a list of the ones I have. They also made vises for Craftsman. It's like all of the brands, some are more desirable because of unique features or size. There is nothing wrong with the quality.

 

[EOC_Jason]

I'm fairly certain Nick poops Wilton bullets.

Naaa... He just digs them up in his back yard, like potatoes....

 

[jakemac]

Naaa... He just digs them up in his back yard, like potatoes....

Which ? poop or the wiltons ?

 

[va.grouseman]

I think Nick's like goats and rabbits. When he gets near the end of one pile of bullets, he just poops another one.

 

[EOC_Jason]

Finally finished up this little Reed 104... Turned out pretty nice... After letting the paint dry and out in the sun to warm it all up I coated the bare metal areas with a good layer of paste wax. Just installed the last of the hardware today an snapped these pics...

 

[balane]

That is one great looking Reed and the color fits it perfectly. Very nice.

 

[oldldh]

Red is the color of the week!!!

Nice vise...

Ya Dun Gud, Bubba!!!

 

[FlyingLow]

The overall design of the vise. Large flat base, low profile, looks like an adjustable side gib. Maybe a crude radial drill press vise or the like. It's like a merged machine and bench vise. Is that rear block copper?

OK, thanks. It is a brass block I think.

Flying Low, first thing to do is loosen those set screws in the side, looks well enough made that it might have a gib for precise alignment.

Jim

I removed the 4 set screws, at least most of them, one was drilled out and there's a couple threads left in it. Looking at it last night again, the base is not symmetrical, like it's hand made. I have ignored it for about 4 years so should get back at it for a couple hours. Maybe a fresh look at it will expose something I overlooked before.

 

[Sleipnir]

Hey guys I was wondering what kind of paint is really durable? The last vise I did I used Krylon's Enamel and it seemed okay but I didn't think it'd last more than a year of use.


I started wirewheeling the big vise I got and want to make sure I get something proper for it.

 

[PCA4208]

I just put in this vise on my workbench. It's an old Craftsman model 606 61800. It was on my grandpa's welding table for the longest time, but since he passed away almost two years ago it hasn't been used. I brought it home and cleaned it, went over it with a wire wheel and bolted it down. A bit beat up, but it works

 

[GETRIDAONE]

Hey guys I was wondering what kind of paint is really durable? The last vise I did I used Krylon's Enamel and it seemed okay but I didn't think it'd last more than a year of use.


I started wirewheeling the big vise I got and want to make sure I get something proper for it.

I don't think the paint brand is as important as cleaning all the old paint, dirt, grease and grime. After wire brushing, wipe it down to get the metal residue from the wheel off. Use a light coat of primer on it. After painting a clear coat might help the paint last a little longer. No paint will stand up to beating on it. If you plan on heavy use just strip all the paint and put some rust inhibitor on it.

 

[Von Der Pfalz]

Long time lurker, think this is my first post. A buddy said he had a vise for me off his service truck, was blown away with what he gave me: Yost 33C, in darn near new condition, just needs a handle. (Using a bolt for now)









In the pic of the bench you can see my little 2-1/2 inch vise, made in NY, that I have not been able to find ANY info on. But it looks pretty painted up. It will be going on my daughters work bench here soon.

 

[EOC_Jason]

I don't think the paint brand is as important as cleaning all the old paint, dirt, grease and grime. After wire brushing, wipe it down to get the metal residue from the wheel off. Use a light coat of primer on it. After painting a clear coat might help the paint last a little longer. No paint will stand up to beating on it. If you plan on heavy use just strip all the paint and put some rust inhibitor on it.

I agree... It's all about the preparation... Blasting is the best to get to bare & clean metal and give you the best textured surface for paint to adhere to. Wire wheels work great but can be hard to get in all the little corners.

Make sure you get all the grease and crud out from inside the static housing.

I like to leave my clean vises out in the sun to heat up if the weather permits. Before painting I wipe them down with acetone one last time.

I had one vise that I rinsed off, and I *thought* it was dry later. But when I took a torch to it trying to get a part free the area would get wet and water would bubble up from all the microscopic pores!!! I wouldn't have believed it if I didn't see it with my own eyes.

Some people like to put them in the oven before & after painting, around 250F give or take for a couple hours should cure the paint pretty good. But you have to make sure your oven is clean, if there is grease in there it will contaminate the metal. Also your significant other might not appreciate this. That's why sticking it out in the sun on a nice hot day is safer...

Finally, follow the directions on the can for the primers & paints... They all say to re-apply within X time, or you have to wait X days... I usually spray a couple coats of primer within about 15min of each other, let it dry for 3-4 days, then spray a couple coats of paints within 15min of each coat, then let dry at least a day before messing with it... A couple more days to fully cure inside.

 

[GETRIDAONE]

Jason I had all those things in mind but I don't type as fast as you do. I didn't go into the media blasting because most people don't have a blast cabinet. Good Tutorial

Von Der Pfalz, Your small vise PV = Prentiss Vise
Your liitle girl is as cute as a button

 

[balane]

I have one of these that I use with fine sand out in the yard. I know it's not the best way but it actually works pretty well. I've cleaned many a vises with it. It's wasteful but a giant 100 pound bag of sand is less than $10 and it lasts a long time.

.

 

[drivesitfar]

Von Der Pflaz:
Nice score on the big Yost vise from your friend. handles are an easy fix or have one of our guys make you one if you want to spend a few dollars to have a really nice one if you don't have the talent.

"In the pic of the bench you can see my little 2-1/2 inch vise, made in NY, that I have not been able to find ANY info on. But it looks pretty painted up. It will be going on my daughters work bench here soon."

also your little vise is a Prentiss vise (PV co). nice little open screw vise. like that you now have a nice big and little vise on each end of that nice workbench.

Jason: is that the Reed vise that you found full of cement or dirt or is this a different Reed. by the way red is a good color for a vise and did the E tank shine up the bare metal that good or did you wire wheel everything and then some wax?

 

[va.grouseman]

A free 33C. THAT BLOWS!

 

[Sleipnir]

Thanks for the run-down!


Also: For those who saw my big green vise, I found a brand on it (Sargeant & Co)

 

[straightcut]

Long time lurker, think this is my first post. A buddy said he had a vise for me off his service truck, was blown away with what he gave me: Yost 33C, in darn near new condition, just needs a handle.

First post and you won't get off without a "you ****". Well done on the nice Yost!

 

[Filson]

Long time lurker, think this is my first post. A buddy said he had a vise for me off his service truck, was blown away with what he gave me: Yost 33C, in darn near new condition, just needs a handle. (Using a bolt for now)









In the pic of the bench you can see my little 2-1/2 inch vise, made in NY, that I have not been able to find ANY info on. But it looks pretty painted up. It will be going on my daughters work bench here soon.

View media item 37501

 

[Filson]

Finally finished up this little Reed 104... Turned out pretty nice... After letting the paint dry and out in the sun to warm it all up I coated the bare metal areas with a good layer of paste wax. Just installed the last of the hardware today an snapped these pics...

Looks great man!

 

[EOC_Jason]

Jason: is that the Reed vise that you found full of cement or dirt or is this a different Reed. by the way red is a good color for a vise and did the E tank shine up the bare metal that good or did you wire wheel everything and then some wax?

Different one... The one with all the cement and dirt is a 4C... But it's cleaning up nicely... I blasted it too but there is still some dirt on the inside of the static housing I missed... I had to rinse it off after blasting and I was trying to get some more of that mud out from the inside with a wire brush... It flash-rusted on me but I sprayed it down with oil before putting in the corner again.

To get really shiny metal, I found the best way is to blast it (which will leave a satin finish), then wire-wheel it (will make it shiny), then paste wax or oil or something to keep it from rusting.

In the pics below you can see how I wire-wheeled the lock-down handle... It stayed nice and shiny but the body likes to try and rust... Next time I clean it off I'll probably spray a coat of primer on it. It's come a long way from how I got it!!!

 

[bigcaddy]

It's lookin good, Jason.

 

[drivesitfar]

I just put in this vise on my workbench. It's an old Craftsman model 606 61800. It was on my grandpa's welding table for the longest time, but since he passed away almost two years ago it hasn't been used. I brought it home and cleaned it, went over it with a wire wheel and bolted it down. A bit beat up, but it works

great save of your Grand dad's old Craftsman vise. that should do almost any job you throw at it. of course once you join GJ you might get the bug and want a 100 pounder on the other end of your bench. just saying

in case you ever want to strip it and do a restore on Gramps vise you might check out all of Balane's two and maybe 3 tone beauties he has posted over the last few months. as is sounds good to me because Gramps hands were all over it and thougt i'd let you know about painting options. welcome to GJ in case the others didn't know you are new member.

Jason: My Reed 104 looks tiny compared to most of my bigger vises and yours looks pretty big. is it the "arrest me red" or is it about half the size of your Reed 4C's?