The VISES of Garage Journal

[GETRIDAONE]

bidcaddy, you are a vise magnet, how lucky can one guy be ?
I could only manage to find one more good vise this week. Remember the general opinion was a Hollands vise in the picture I asked about last week. None of you were right It did turn out to be a GEM though.
Yost 806 The Gem Medville PA (notice Meadville is spelled wrong)
6" jaws, 24" long x 12" high, 110 lbs.

 

[Filson]

Bigcaddy - Awesome finds indeed! If you dont mind sharing - what'd you pay for the big Athol? If it's $20 bucks I'm gonna be pissed.

 

[Filson]

Getridaone - damn you all and your vise finds! I need to get crackin' over here.

 

[Mark in Indiana]

I have the floor models of that band saw & drill press. I restored this Craftsman Cross Slide vise that came with the drill for use on a Walker Turner I restored. I have a Dunlap grinder I need to fix up. My son recently has taken an interest in woodworking so I am unloading some of my stuff on him.

That's a great looking rig. Looks like there's something new on my want list.

 

[EOC_Jason]

Bigcaddy - You ****....

That swivel pin on the athol is threaded... So you have to unscrew it a few turns before it will come out.

 

[Rusty Musket]

I saved the biggest and best for last. This beast was spotted while i was driving by my local scrapyard. First i did this, then i made a sharp right turn at about 90 to get there and tackle this thing.

The laws of Quantum physics will allow for a vise to spontaneously appear out of nowhere and I suspect that if this were to ever to happen, the vise would surely materialize right into the back of your truck!

 

[Outlawmws]

bidcaddy, you are a vise magnet, how lucky can one guy be ?
SNIP

Isn't this a case of the Pot calling the Kettle black?

 

[loranger]

So jealous of all these nice finds. I have been looking for a Wilton with no luck. I kick myself everyday for not buying a co-workers 6 1/2" he was auctioning off with all his dads stuff…..

 

[gatewaysysop]

I saved the biggest and best for last. This beast was spotted while i was driving by my local scrapyard. First i did this, then i made a sharp right turn at about 90 to get there and tackle this thing.

How often do you see an Athol 646? 6" jaws with a swivel base and a rear swivel jaw. I know my measuring devise isn't a national standard like the UMD but that vise is huge and made my bumper drag all the way home.

Only the second one I have ever seen! Picked mine up some time ago, slightly different base (older I suspect) but otherwise pretty similar. I made a thread here.

Nice find!

 

[autopts]

I saved the biggest and best for last. This beast was spotted while i was driving by my local scrapyard. First i did this, then i made a sharp right turn at about 90 to get there and tackle this thing.

How often do you see an Athol 646? 6" jaws with a swivel base and a rear swivel jaw. I know my measuring devise isn't a national standard like the UMD but that vise is huge and made my bumper drag all the way home.

You make me sick!!

 

[autopts]

Get your Blinders on!!!


http://chicago.craigslist.org/nwc/tls/4373700204.html

 

[zkling]

Get your Blinders on!!!


http://chicago.craigslist.org/nwc/tls/4373700204.html

Maybe the sand blasted, bare handle is for extra grip :wink

 

[autopts]

It was a busy weekend and an even busier week but at least i have some new additions to show for it besides sore feet and a empty wallet

First up is a Rock Island i picked up in early Jan or Feb that had been outside for most of its life. The jaws had horrible staining to them that a scotch brite, mill file and belt sander could hardly budge. It still needs some jaw screws but i'm working on that.

Thanks for your adventurous spirit, Balane. I would of never painted a vise this color but i think the Rustoleum "Sage" fits in nicely.

Bigcaddy, this is you to a tee!!

 

[balane]

Get your Blinders on!!!

I just don't understand people. A couple dollars for a roll of painter's tape, some discarded newspaper and an extra 20 minutes of work makes for an immensely more desirable end product.

 

[oldldh]

I just don't understand people. A couple dollars for a roll of painter's tape, some discarded newspaper and an extra 20 minutes of work makes for an immensely more desirable end product.

As my dear old Granpappy used to say---


"Ain't no acountin' for taste..."


It needs a re-restoration...

 

[Clik]

I just saw a twin screw, chain drive on EeeekBay. I'm not sure what the purpose was.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/VINTAGE-1-D...525?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item3f31fd124d

 

[zkling]

I just don't understand people. A couple dollars for a roll of painter's tape, some discarded newspaper and an extra 20 minutes of work makes for an immensely more desirable end product.

But...that requires effort, money for materials and extra time. "Ain't nobody got time for that"

I just saw a twin screw, chain drive on EeeekBay. I'm not sure what the purpose was.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/VINTAGE-1-D...525?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item3f31fd124d

From a mechanical design standpoint that is really intriguing. Why does it look like on some vises the clearance between the screw eye hole and the handle is excessive for a sliding fit?

 

[zoomieport]

I just saw a twin screw, chain drive on EeeekBay. I'm not sure what the purpose was.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/VINTAGE-1-D...525?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item3f31fd124d

It was an "improvement" on the old backsmith's "post vise" that allowed the jaws to close "parallel" instead of closing from a "hinged point" at an angle.

Here's a link to the patent... http://www.datamp.org/patents/advance.php?id=13533&set=8

Take care!
ZOOM

 

[Fretters]

I just don't understand people. A couple dollars for a roll of painter's tape, some discarded newspaper and an extra 20 minutes of work makes for an immensely more desirable end product.

Usually you tend to find they've put "lovingly restored" on an ad like that too.

It needs a re-restoration...

Yup. That's why I never touch stuff like that. You have extra work just getting rid of the paint they've applied, to find out what they're likely trying to hide, how crappily they've sorted some other part of it and also so that it could be sorted & finished properly. Newly painted stuff ain't my thing at the best of times, but unless it's done well then it's merely a red flag to a money/time pit.

 

[Mark in Indiana]

I just don't understand people. A couple dollars for a roll of painter's tape, some discarded newspaper and an extra 20 minutes of work makes for an immensely more desirable end product.

They would have a lot easier time selling it for $500.00 if they painted it correctly and got the pivot jaw to work. To me it's worth $100 to $200 as shown.

 

[efaulk1]

Hey guys, this is my post so please bear with me. I recently purchased an American-made Wilson 643 1/2. It's barely been used and so far I've been satisfied with it. I recently came across to Record vices at a local hardware store. One is 4 inch or so the other approximately 5 inch. Both are quick release and say Sheffield England on the side. There is no mention of the Irwin brand anywhere on them. They are nicely machined and have fasteners on either side for the swivel bases. Both also have a small Anvil. An employee at the store said he ordered them before going to work somewhere else and was gone for 10 years. My question is are they worth buying and ditching the Wilton for? Or do I keep the Wilton as well? The smaller is priced at $150 the larger at $180. Thanks in advance for your input.

 

[Fretters]

If they're real English Record's and not that American import tat, (sorry, couldn't resist ), they're definitely likely to last you out provided they're not abused. Wouldn't get rid of your Wilton though. Vices are like saws and chisels, for example. Each one tends to lean towards being preferable for particular tasks. Might sound daft, but a vice isn't just a vice.

 

[EOC_Jason]

I found this 6" Reed.... It's a late model with the replaceable jaw inserts... Guy is asking $250 and it's an hour drive in each direction...

I want it, but at the same time I really want to wait for an 8".... But it's a late model in great shape... I know I could flip it and make money but at the same time I know I wouldn't want to sell it... lol... ARGH...

I can't go today anyhow as I wouldn't be back in time for something else. If it's still around tomorrow maybe I'll go...

 

[454ragtop]

They would have a lot easier time selling it for $500.00 if they painted it correctly and got the pivot jaw to work. To me it's worth $100 to $200 as shown.

X2, I'm thinking he doesn't even realize it's a swivel jaw since there is no mention of it.

 

[Duker]

Jason.... I can hear it calling your name all the way over here......

 

[Galvonzo]

Sometimes vise hunting is a lot like fishing. Drop your line and just wait. Saw some of you on here talking about putting wanted ads on CL, so I figured I'd give it a shot. What do I have to lose? Nothing but a little bit of time. I posted my ad almost a month and near forgot about it, but got a bite yesterday. Arranged to go pick it up Monday or Tuesday. I feel I got a screamin deal. We'll see come next week.

 

[va.grouseman]

Previously quoted by 454ragtop.
X2, I'm thinking he doesn't even realize it's a swivel jaw since there is no mention of it.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

x3-----I bought a real nice #79 from a guy advertising on Craigslist for $250.00. It wasn't restored but hardly used, and it just said large vise for sale. I could barely make out the model # but I thought it said 79. So I called him up and asked him if it was a 79 and he had to go look. He said it was, and I asked him if the back jaw would swivel and he said, what? I said does the back jaw move and he said no everything is tight and works perfect. He said there is a nob behind the back jaw and I don't know what that is for, looks I guess. I said I'll take it.
With a balane or Autopts paint job, that orange #79 would get a lot of calls.

 

[Outlawmws]

I found this 6" Reed.... It's a late model with the replaceable jaw inserts... Guy is asking $250 and it's an hour drive in each direction...

I want it, but at the same time I really want to wait for an 8".... But it's a late model in great shape... I know I could flip it and make money but at the same time I know I wouldn't want to sell it... lol... ARGH...

I can't go today anyhow as I wouldn't be back in time for something else. If it's still around tomorrow maybe I'll go...

 

[drivesitfar]

Hey guys, this is my post so please bear with me. I recently purchased an American-made Wilson 643 1/2. It's barely been used and so far I've been satisfied with it. I recently came across to Record vices at a local hardware store. One is 4 inch or so the other approximately 5 inch. Both are quick release and say Sheffield England on the side. There is no mention of the Irwin brand anywhere on them. They are nicely machined and have fasteners on either side for the swivel bases. Both also have a small Anvil. An employee at the store said he ordered them before going to work somewhere else and was gone for 10 years. My question is are they worth buying and ditching the Wilton for? Or do I keep the Wilton as well? The smaller is priced at $150 the larger at $180. Thanks in advance for your input.

i have to agree with Fretters that those Record vices made in England with the quick releases are one of the best vices out there. easy to use, hold up well to normal use and sounds like you are getting 10 year old ones that are in new condition.

buy them both and decide whether to keep the Wilton or sell that later or just keep all 3 if you can afford it because they can all serve a little different purpose if you have the room. by the way WELCOME to Garage Journal.

Jason: thanks for the pics of the removable jaw pins. i'm guessing they are like the Parker's where you have to knock the pins out from below? looks like a nice 6 inch reed with a sort of Half **** restoration. one thing i saw in case you do want to take a drive is the back of the slide looks a little iffy. can you get more pictures from the seller before you have to see that in person?

I'm betting big "orange" would do best sitting outside someone's shop so the thieves would not want to bother with it or anything inside. you would think he might change the paper under the paint job at the least before posting pictures, but maybe it was too heavy.

 

[GETRIDAONE]

I'm suprised he even bothered to put paper under the "spray bombing" area.

Outlawmws, Did you call me a name earlier ?

 

[Outlawmws]

I'm suprised he even bothered to put paper under the "spray bombing" area.

Outlawmws, Did you call me a name earlier ?

Who? Me?

 

[balane]

I hope Nick (Autopts) doesn't get upset with me for posting this but he's a genius. This Wilton bullet had a severely damaged anvil area, it was beyond function or repair. So what does he do? Makes lemonades from lemons. I think it looks terrific and shows resourceful ability on his part. Those little anvils are silly in my opinion anyway. Nice job Nick!

.

 

[Darryl2]

I ended up scoring 8 Wilton vises at a McDonnell Douglas auction for $30-$40 average (several lots). I gave one to my brother, kept two and sold the rest for about $150 a piece. I should have kept them all, LOL!!!

 

[zkling]

I hope Nick (Autopts) doesn't get upset with me for posting this but he's a genius. This Wilton bullet had a severely damaged anvil area, it was beyond function or repair. So what does he do? Makes lemonades from lemons. I think it looks terrific and shows resourceful ability on his part. Those little anvils are silly in my opinion anyway. Nice job Nick!

.

Genius idea, looks factory. Why so much grease on the front of the screw?

 

[oldldh]

Nick likes a greasy front...

Don't know why, unless he's out of something to wipe the excess with...

Greasy fronts R him...

I'll bet the anvil grinding took him more than minute or two...looks really nice...

You Dun Gud, Bubba!!!

 

[Farmall450]

I just don't understand people. A couple dollars for a roll of painter's tape, some discarded newspaper and an extra 20 minutes of work makes for an immensely more desirable end product.

Agreed, I would have preferred it without the paint job...

 

[EOC_Jason]

Why so much grease on the front of the screw?

Reduce wear & friction... Probably could be cleaned up a little, but when you photograph it shows that it's been greased well.

 

[drivesitfar]

I ended up scoring 8 Wilton vises at a McDonnell Douglas auction for $30-$40 average (several lots). I gave one to my brother, kept two and sold the rest for about $150 a piece. I should have kept them all, LOL!!!

the guys weren't ignoring you or maybe they were. need pictures or it didn't happen, and why didn't you offer these $150 Wiltons to us??

sounds like you were at the right place that day

found this little Morgan 130 with a swivel base that is a sweet little old US vise.

 

[JeremyBurke]

Drives I like that vise almost as much as that little Holland you posted last week. Very sweet vise. What does it weigh in at, approximately?

 

[sz0k30]

Well, after many, many hours I finally made it all the way thru this thread. And what fun it was!

In looking thru all the pictures, I kind of like the Wilton 644/645/646 utility style with the large "WINTON" cast in both sides. Post #11322 on page 567 is a perfect example.

But I'm not quite sure about how the numbers correlate to the sizes. Is the last number the jaw width? I would like to get 6" jaws. And I saw some with pipe jaws and some without. Are those part of the casting or inserts? Any help and advice will be appreciated. I will be looking to buy one after I get some tips and smarts from the amazing guys in this forum. Thanks.