The VISES of Garage Journal

[Fretters]

Fretters: I'm really getting used to the color you like to paint your cool tools and nice looking vice too.

I knew it'd grow on you eventually.

did you grind an angle on that washer? also i like how you double bolted the main screw that sticks out the end of the dynamic. that big LM & V vise i have like that i was going to tap and drill a hole into a bolt and the screw and if i have the space a double screw looks much easier.

It is bevelled on one edge, but not by I. It's one I dug out of my stash of old and quirky washers, which I collect & save for just such occasions. That one must have been waiting for this vice. Centre hole is almost perfect size for the leadscrew and that bevel matches up quite nicely with the end of the slide. It's like that one was made for this vice without knowing it.

The double nut method is definitely simple and works awfully well. Tighten the nuts up against each other and they'll never shift unless you get the spanners on them. It's also a very good method for removing studs.

keep up the great finds and restores. by the way did you ever pull the cast iron out of the "E" bath and post any pictures on the thread we had going?

Aye, I pulled that leg out of the tank. Haven't posted a photo of it as yet as it needs cleaning up though. I've left it with a film of dried gunge on it to keep it from rusting back up until I get chance to paint it, so it looks a bit of a dog at the moment. I'll take a photo before I paint it though.

 

[balane]

This clean looking 4 1/2" Yost just popped up on Craig's List in the Seattle area. Not the best price in the world at $135 obo but it's fair I think. Who knows how far he'll go down. If anybody up here is looking for a good one go check it out.

http://seattle.craigslist.org/est/tls/4432596385.html

.

 

[PghJKB]

Truly??? It says "PHOENIX" across the top?? I've GOT to get me one of those then ........ Damn this forum. LOL!!!!!!!

Depending on how you feel about evilprey:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Vintage-Pho...299?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item417fa6b63b

IMHO, a bit on the high side, but Phoenix is very readable.

There is another Phoenix vise listed, but the fuzzy focus images give me great pause...

JKB

 

[AndrewH]

This clean looking 4 1/2" Yost just popped up on Craig's List in the Seattle area. Not the best price in the world at $135 obo but it's fair I think. Who knows how far he'll go down. If anybody up here is looking for a good one go check it out.

http://seattle.craigslist.org/est/tls/4432596385.html

.

Looks like someone restored it. The handle / main screw, as well as the hold down for the swivel base look freshly sand blasted. Hopefully he/she polished the slide and ways after sandblasting otherwise it'll be very rough going in and out, ask me how i know? I spent 3 hours last night sanding with various grits on a vise I had blasted. I'm thinking electrolysis will be the way to go for rust removal from now on. That was a ton of work and it ruined the years and years of use that polished them the first time.

-Andrew

 

[balane]

Looks like someone restored it. The handle / main screw, as well as the hold down for the swivel base look freshly sand blasted. Hopefully he/she polished the slide and ways after sandblasting otherwise it'll be very rough going in and out, ask me how i know? I spent 3 hours last night sanding with various grits on a vise I had blasted. I'm thinking electrolysis will be the way to go for rust removal from now on. That was a ton of work and it ruined the years and years of use that polished them the first time.

-Andrew

I usually don't like finding vises that have been repainted. For the most part it means extra work on my end because not only do they often look bad but invariably they'll put paint where it doesn't belong. But, from the sole photo that Yost does look to be in nice structural condition and with some elbow great could turn out to be a great looker. The first thing I would do is to strip it down and start fresh though.

 

[Fretters]

I spent 3 hours last night sanding with various grits on a vise I had blasted. I'm thinking electrolysis will be the way to go for rust removal from now on. That was a ton of work and it ruined the years and years of use that polished them the first time.

-Andrew

You've realised that some of us don't just use the technique because we're gluttons for punishment now then?

Electrolysis can be a pain on occasion, and sometimes won't give quite the hoped for result, but it's by far the most subtle method there is to try and remove years of neglect and **** without damaging what's underneath. There are odd occasions when I'm half tempted to think sod it and take something for blasting, but I always end up sticking it out with the electrolysis. End of the day, it gives you a clean surface which you can then either leave as is else buff/polish up to whatever level you fancy, if you're that way inclined. The main point is that it leaves that choice to you. It is a process which involves more manual labour, that's a simple fact, but it honestly is worthwhile when you look at the completed thing.

 

[Fretters]

Thanks for adding photo's to the posts with links chaps. It is highly appreciated.

I usually don't like finding vises that have been repainted. For the most part it means extra work on my end because not only do they often look bad but invariably they'll put paint where it doesn't belong.

I'm the same. Owt which has been recently painted just raises a flag. You invariably end up stripping and redoing it properly, but there's also the question of why has it been painted. Sometimes it's just someone trying to, (usually badly), tart something up for selling, else maybe they've done it for their own benefit, but you also have the odd occasion where someone is trying to hide something under thick paint. Fairly recent, badly applied paint usually means a 50/50 chance of getting a ringer, IMHO, unless it's from a trusted source, so I tend to avoid unless I can see it's fine else if I'm willing to risk it.

 

[methomas70]

(Just 5 more posts and I can finally list not one, but THREE Parkers for sale in the classified section!)

 

[Romanova]

Las Vegas is a unique Craigslist environment... we don't get a lot of quality aged USA tools here, and when they do, they do not last long.

This Wilton popped up today and within 45 minutes it was sold... and not to me. I did pickup two grinders though... an Craftsman Block Grinder and a Wissota.

Same vise showed up on CL here in Houston... weird?
http://houston.craigslist.org/tls/4352773331.html

 

[Trey T]

^what kind of vise you got? Interested in trading?

 

[FMC1959]

I have many things going on right now and do not have the time I would like to restore some of the vise I have, so I have not posted any to date.

But for me, this was a great weekend!

I found a little Hercules (Canada) vise for $5, looks very much like a Littlestown #112, but that is not what made it a great weekend.

Not my biggest or oldest, but when I saw this for sale a little over an hours drive from my place, I freaked! A Reed 224!

 

[JasonJ]

Same vise showed up on CL here in Houston... weird?
http://houston.craigslist.org/tls/4352773331.html

Ahhhh crud I posted the wrong vise - disregard. I saved that picture to post for someone else and got it confused with the one that I lost out on yesterday.

 

[Fretters]

Not my biggest or oldest, but when I saw this for sale a little over an hours drive from my place, I freaked! A Reed 224!

Nice looking piece.

 

[bubinga2]

I have many things going on right now and do not have the time I would like to restore some of the vise I have, so I have not posted any to date.

But for me, this was a great weekend!

I found a little Hercules (Canada) vise for $5, looks very much like a Littlestown #112, but that is not what made it a great weekend.

Not my biggest or oldest, but when I saw this for sale a little over an hours drive from my place, I freaked! A Reed 224!

I have a similar vise but mine is an Athol. Same shape and size. I'm curious if it has a quick adjusting nut like mine. When you lift the handle and dynamic jaw, you can quickly open and close the vise.

 

[Outlawmws]

FMC, Great find on the pattern maker's vise!

 

[Mark in Indiana]

This clean looking 4 1/2" Yost just popped up on Craig's List in the Seattle area. Not the best price in the world at $135 obo but it's fair I think. Who knows how far he'll go down. If anybody up here is looking for a good one go check it out.

http://seattle.craigslist.org/est/tls/4432596385.html

.

IMHO: If the vise was fully restored, $135.00 seems like a really good price.

 

[bigcaddy]

I have many things going on right now and do not have the time I would like to restore some of the vise I have, so I have not posted any to date.

But for me, this was a great weekend!

I found a little Hercules (Canada) vise for $5, looks very much like a Littlestown #112, but that is not what made it a great weekend.

Not my biggest or oldest, but when I saw this for sale a little over an hours drive from my place, I freaked! A Reed 224!

I'm intrigued by your Reed. I have a similar Reed but I think it's a 214 and the jaw height isn't at tall as yours. I'll take a look tomorrow and see what I have exactly

 

[drivesitfar]

Methomas: have you posted your Parker vises on the vise thread yet? please do and you don't have to announce they are for sale. i would say maybe one or two of us have PM'd a member when they posted a vise we liked to make an offer or bought one. we just like looking at nice vises and especially rare and different ones. good luck on your sales in advance and i'm guessing you didn't just join GJ so you could use us like an auction site. we welcome your posts.

FMC: as stated a few times already that is a very cool old Reed with the paddle handles. my Prentiss vise like that is called a Coachmaker's vise or Pattern as mentioned too. i didn't know Reed made one and i saw a Reed Swivel vise today, but too much for it's condition so still waiting for a Reed 406 is the one i want. 208 and 209 will have to wait for the next life looks like.

 

[FMC1959]

Thanks Outlaw and Fretters, it isn't a Reed 209 or Holy Grail of any kind, but I have always liked these pattern maker's / coach builders / sheet metal vise. I have seen old ads from Prentiss labeling these vise as woodworking vise (I think Parker did also).

I have a similar vise but mine is an Athol. Same shape and size. I'm curious if it has a quick adjusting nut like mine. When you lift the handle and dynamic jaw, you can quickly open and close the vise.

No, it doesn't have a quick release. Would have been nice, but I am very happy with this find.

I'm intrigued by your Reed. I have a similar Reed but I think it's a 214 and the jaw height isn't at tall as yours. I'll take a look tomorrow and see what I have exactly

Bigcaddy, see chart below. The 214 was listed as a filer's vise, which had these pronounced "bird beak" type jaws, but not as pronounced as on the coach builders jaws.

 

[FMC1959]

Methomas: have you posted your Parker vises on the vise thread yet? please do and you don't have to announce they are for sale. i would say maybe one or two of us have PM'd a member when they posted a vise we liked to make an offer or bought one. we just like looking at nice vises and especially rare and different ones. good luck on your sales in advance and i'm guessing you didn't just join GJ so you could use us like an auction site. we welcome your posts.

FMC: as stated a few times already that is a very cool old Reed with the paddle handles. my Prentiss vise like that is called a Coachmaker's vise or Pattern as mentioned too. i didn't know Reed made one and i saw a Reed Swivel vise today, but too much for it's condition so still waiting for a Reed 406 is the one i want. 208 and 209 will have to wait for the next life looks like.

Driveiit, they went by many names, they have a certain look about them that I really like

 

[drivesitfar]

FMC: i do like them too and i heard they make good wood vises with these big jaws.

 

[C.BRAXMAIER]

Here it a C-0 great shape I picked up today under 200 almost mint.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Filson]

My Craftsman 519X, and the experience that came with it.

So while searching on the local CL for "anvil" I came across a posting simply titled "misc stuff". In it, were two "anvils" that were actually vises (guy smoking crack or something, I don't know) and says nothing about the condition, simply "$125 obo" This is the picture he posted.

View media item 39935
Immediately, my eyes focus in on the lovely vise on the left. Hmm, not being a Craftsman vise guy, I had to pull up some pics and glance back and forth... Yep, indeed, it looks like a 519X vise. My interest is piqued of course.

I text him and ask how wide the jaws are on the vise, and he says he's driving but give him 15 minutes, okay, no problem. A bit later, he texts back "Bout 5 inches across". My heart starts to pump. His "about" has me concerned a bit, but I'm thinking "probably a 5197" in my head, *hoping* a 5198, though it looks too small to be... but the hope is still there lol.

I want to know more about it before making a drive to go see it, but I don't want to ask too much about it, worrying it might make him feel like he might have something more than he realizes and starts browsing the net for 'Craftsman 519x vise' and such. So I use my best judgement looking at the above picture... Faces appear in good condition, slide doesn't look cracked or repaired below the faces or in the rear, base looks good with the original swivel lock in tact, and the handle is not bent. So I offer him $80, or the full $125 if he meets me a bit my way (still about an hour and a half drive one-way for me) But to me, that was worth the extra $45 to save myself the time, gas and frustrating of trying to find my way around Spokane.

We meet up, he pops the trunk, and it's laying on it's side. Yep, slide looks good, I tilt it towards me to sorta look at the other side and see that the swivel lock is there, and I give her a twist - feels fine. I turn the main handle a turn or two, and it feels great too... But a problem... It is not 5 inches. It is not 4 1/2 inches... it's a 5196. Bummed out, I'm a little irritated that he obviously did not make an actual measurement when I asked him too. that, or he was just trying to talk it up, assuming if I drive an hour and a half one way, I won't want to go home empty-handed.

"Well, it's still a 5196" I thought, and I did say I would give him the $125 if he meets me (was a solid half hour drive one-way for him too). So I decided not to try and talk him down or make a big deal about it. Their POS car and the little girl crying in the back about being hungry sure didn't help lol.

Anyway, I loaded her up in the back of the truck and drove her home. Unloaded it in the shop, and decided to take a few pictures for you 'gents.

I took a shot of the front, showing the 5196...

View media item 39934
I turn it to one side and take a pic...

View media item 39931
I turned it to the other side and took a pic to show the label...

View media item 39933
And... when looking at the pic on my phone to make sure it turned out... I see something... What the ****... This is what I somehow did not manage to see in my initial inspection when I met up with the guy, nor did he tell me about it... ****.

View media item 39932
How in the hell... I've never seen a vise with a break at that spot before. The only thing I can figure, is they had it off it's swivel base and dropped it.

I feel like a nob. It's been said before, but I'll say it again. SERIOUSLY look over anything you intend to buy. Don't get tunnel vision and just do a quick look-over and check the 5-6 points of interest you expect to find any problems. Look everywhere. Twice.

So, $125 bucks for a broken Craftsman 5196. The only thing I can hope to do, is find another with a broken dynamic jaw that I can buy on the cheap, and use for parts.

Calling to get my money back would be a waste of my time. Gas alone would kill $25 bucks or so of my return, besides, it was my fault for not being more thorough. Chalk it up to experience I guess.

 

[KMScott]

Here it a C-0 great shape I picked up today under 200 almost mint.

Don't see those around to often in that shape and especially at that price. You must have all the Combination vises by now. What thread size do they use under the lock downs. Just curious. Been making swivel clamps lately and keep getting surprised by all the different thread size's Wilton used on their vises. Made this set tonight for my 925 Wilton. Nice pickup Brax.

I feel for you Filson. It can and does happen to most of us.

 

[IROC-Z28]

Here it a C-0 great shape I picked up today under 200 almost mint.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Great buy imo!

 

[nine4gmc]

OUCH, looks good from the top though :thumbup

 

[bl00]

Filson, I feel your pain 3000 miles away. Here's a Reed sign to distract you from your traumatic experience.

 

[Filson]

Filson, I feel your pain 3000 miles away. Here's a Reed sign to distract you from your traumatic experience.

I'll buy that off you.

I feel better already, thanks. haha

 

[autopts]

why are my pics so big!

Cuz your a County Sheriff, that's why

 

[Fretters]

Calling to get my money back would be a waste of my time. Gas alone would kill $25 bucks or so of my return, besides, it was my fault for not being more thorough. Chalk it up to experience I guess.

That's a ******. I'd guess we've all been there at some time, and it ain't nice. Like you say though, it's a lesson well learned for future reference.

 

[bl00]

I'll buy that off you.

Unfortunately, all I have is the picture of the sign. I might try to print up a poster size some day, though.

 

[Filson]

Unfortunately, all I have is the picture of the sign. I might try to print up a poster size some day, though.

Well, darn. lol. I'll settle for my sign I guess, though that one looks pretty sweet!

... I wonder what their "Guarantee against breakage" warranty limitations are.

 

[autopts]

. .. SERIOUSLY look over anything you intend to buy. Don't get tunnel vision and just do a quick look-over and check the 5-6 points of interest you expect to find any problems. Look everywhere. Twice.

So, $125 bucks for a broken Craftsman 5196. The only thing I can hope to do, is find another with a broken dynamic jaw that I can buy on the cheap, and use for parts.

Calling to get my money back would be a waste of my time. Gas alone would kill $25 bucks or so of my return, besides, it was my fault for not being more thorough. Chalk it up to experience I guess.

Don't feel bad, its happened to most of us. This bullet was painted and worked fine, it sat in my garage for a month and when I opened the jaws, the threaded nut came busting out the back. That cost me $100
Here's another, like yours, I didn't notice it until I got home

 

[Fretters]

Just out of curiosity, (just one of those questions rattling around my head for no good reason ), those of you who restore your vices, how many of you paint the underside and other parts which aren't readily visible?

Here it a C-0 great shape I picked up today under 200 almost.

Very nice. That's definitely in good nick.

 

[oldldh]

My Craftsman 519X, and the experience that came with it. I text him and ask how wide the jaws are on the vise, and he says he's driving but give him 15 minutes, okay, no problem. A bit later, he texts back "Bout 5 inches across". My heart starts to pump. His "about" has me concerned a bit, but I'm thinking "probably a 5197" in my head, *hoping* a 5198, though it looks too small to be... but the hope is still there lol.

I took a shot of the front, showing the 5196...

View media item 39934
Chalk it up to experience I guess.

The "Bout 5 inches" part caused me to get out my HooDoo VooDoo Doll and sharpen up my needles....

The photo showing the 5196, caused me to put the doll and the needles back in their velvet lined casket...

There was a "rode hard and put up wet" 5196 on Ebay about a month ago, that sold for about $65.00, that could have provided the parts you need, but alas, I didn't buy it...It was rough!!!

There is nothing wrong with a 5196...Damn nice vice...Handy size, too...

Too provide you with a modicum of solace, the first picture is a pristine 5196 that brought a tad less than $ 300.00 on Ebay, and the second is a properly restored 5196 in an appropriate color...

Remember. you didn't do too bad...

Actually...since 5196's pop up fairly often, you should be able come up with a "parts donor" fairly easily...making one good one out of two bad ones is a noble undertaking...

So---

Ya Dun Gud, Bubba!!!

 

[Outlawmws]

Just out of curiosity, (just one of those questions rattling around my head for no good reason ), those of you who restore your vices, how many of you paint the underside and other possibly parts which aren't readily visible?




Very nice. That's definitely in good nick.

I do, if only to keep the rust down.

 

[Fretters]

I do, if only to keep the rust down.

I'm not alone in coating all surfaces somehow then. Merely started wondering on that point the other day, as there are rarely any photos to show the hidden bits. Just curious as to whether everyone is as obsessive about stuff like that.

 

[indianbullet]

Scored this Parker 974 off CL tonight. look forward to getting it stripped and spruced up. everything is in great shape for $60. Should look good on the other end of the bench from my Yost.

 

[Mark in Indiana]

Just out of curiosity, (just one of those questions rattling around my head for no good reason ), those of you who restore your vices, how many of you paint the underside and other parts which aren't readily visible?




At the very least, I prime the hidden surfaces or apply a thin coat of grease.

 

[GETRIDAONE]

Funny that should come up. I took a Rock Island 443 3 1/2" swivel base apart last night. The inside of all the surfaces was painted light gray. The main nut had a perfect paint job on it. It even had paint on the inside of the slide which was polished off after painting because of the surface rust on all the normal contact points. The bottom of the housing and top of base were polished as usual, no paint on base bottom. At the very least I will put paste wax on the hidden surfaces to hold the rust at bay for as long as mother nature will allow.