The VISES of Garage Journal

[Filson]

It's in the old hardware store...

Right next to the Craftsman 5198...

Right above the Reed 209...

I am looking for a paint that meets the "eyeball pounding" requirement...

I've seen several, but, so far, everything's a bit wimpy...

Hmm... Me thinks I'm gonna have to do some paint mixin'.

 

[JasonJ]

I love red and gravitate towards all things that color... but please, tell me more of this arrest-me-red.

I just hope that my 5196 meets some kind of approval once its done. (shakes fist in air at the powder coater...the lazy *******).

 

[oldldh]

A lazy powder coater!!!

Why I never heard of sucha thing...

I await the completion of your 5196 with baited breath...

Maybe, if you water it, it might grow into a 5198...

 

[G20-Budo]

Wow, Andrew and GETRIDAONE both did a kick *** job on their vises! Very nice.

 

[wrenchguy]

big reed on milwaukee c-l, $80.00. anyhelp out there? I can't get model number from him.
http://milwaukee.craigslist.org/tls/4441489996.html

 

[GETRIDAONE]

I see my typing mistake "winkle" instead of wrinkle. The instructions say three fairly heavy coats five minutes apart. If it is too thick it makes big wrinkles, too thin and not enough wrinkle. The paint takes about three days to dry all the way. The second day I put it out in the sun when it got to about 80 and it seemed to make the thicker areas dry out and lay down more.
Thanks to all for the

 

[Fretters]

I see my typing mistake "winkle" instead of wrinkle. The instructions say three fairly heavy coats five minutes apart. If it is too thick it makes big wrinkles, too thin and not enough wrinkle.

It's sounding like winkle may be the better term, the more you describe it.

That does seem to have given a nice finish. Reminds me somewhat of the electrical equipment of old with the crackle finish on it.

 

[epossum]

I haven't been posting
because I've been working
on way too many projects
including a Reed 203 1/2
Have camera
Will post
eventually.

PS - I really like Reed vises. Excellent design and construction!

 

[McBrownie]

PS - I really like Reed vises. Excellent design and construction!

This CL listing ought to get you drooling, then.

https://cleveland.craigslist.org/tls/4421328202.html

This is right in my backyard, but I don't have a need or the room for the vise or the table.

 

[autopts]

big reed on milwaukee c-l, $80.00. anyhelp out there? I can't get model number from him.
http://milwaukee.craigslist.org/tls/4441489996.html

Honestly, if it was within a walk from my house, I'd maybe take it for free. Its pre-swivel era and a project in restoration is awaiting its new owner. UG!! Agreed?

 

[Filson]

This CL listing ought to get you drooling, then.

https://cleveland.craigslist.org/tls/4421328202.html

This is right in my backyard, but I don't have a need or the room for the vise or the table.

BUY IT! Actually, I'd want to buy a lot of what that guy is selling...

 

[autopts]

For you guy's that might want to resurface your anvil. I just did mine..

And you did a very nice job!! For those of you with destroyed anvils, don't be afraid to completely remove it.

 

[Outlawmws]

big reed on milwaukee c-l, $80.00. anyhelp out there? I can't get model number from him.
http://milwaukee.craigslist.org/tls/4441489996.html

That's interesting: the guy wanted a swivel so bad, he fabled his own from a plat to emulate the early through the bench swivels...

And for many, not having a swivel is not an issue. I can probably count on one hand the number of times I've actually used my swivel base, but I can count many more times it slipped and I had to readjust it...

 

[CalsXS2]

And you did a very nice job!! For those of you with destroyed anvils, don't be afraid to completely remove it.

How the hell did you remove it. Just kept cutting and grinding it away.

It must have been really trashed to want it completely gone. Looks like it was never there. Nice job.

You wouldn't happen to have a before pic would you.

 

[McBrownie]

And for many, not having a swivel is not an issue. I can probably count on one hand the number of times I've actually used my swivel base, but I can count many more times it slipped and I had to readjust it...

Says the man who has ripped his work bench off of the wall multiple times.

 

[McBrownie]

BUY IT! Actually, I'd want to buy a lot of what that guy is selling...

Wanting and needing are two different things. That drill press is what caught my eye. But, 3 big vises - Reed, Columbian, and Parker. He does have good stuff.

 

[oldldh]

And his prices reflect the fact that----


He Knows It!!!

 

[CudaChick1968]

Did I hear somebody say a red hammertone??? Here's a candy red on top of Silver Vein.



And Yes Virginia, there is a red wrinkle, at least in powder form anyway.



You guys using the wrinkle paint will have better, more consistent and uniform results if you leave the paint can and/or the part to be painted out in the sun for a few hours. Alternatively, heat up just the part in your dedicated shop oven at 250 degrees for a half hour or so.

Back to work for me without catching up in full yet again ... ya'll hold down the Vise Fort for me for a few hours.

 

[zkling]

Honestly, if it was within a walk from my house, I'd maybe take it for free. Its pre-swivel era and a project in restoration is awaiting its new owner. UG!! Agreed?

I somewhat agree with this, maybe $20 if it wasn't a far drive. The way that handle has been bent multiple times leads one to wonder what the rest of the vise is like.

 

[sonvolt]

The garage sales have sucked by me lately, hopefully the good weather brings some good finds !

 

[JasonJ]

Did I hear somebody say a red hammertone??? Here's a candy red on top of Silver Vein.



And Yes Virginia, there is a red wrinkle, at least in powder form anyway.

 

[bigcaddy]

Is there an GJ official Arrest-Me-Red paint? If so, what is it?

I've had great luck with Ace Hardware "Banner Red" Oldldh's favorite Craftsman i refurbished some time ago was painted that color, as were a bunch of others i have laying around. Krylon or Rustoleum have a "Banner Red" but it comes out pink for some reason. Its not a good color but the Ace Hardware color is.

 

[Filson]

Wanting and needing are two different things.

I don't understand this logic...

 

[Fretters]

Gone old school with this one. Got this with the Parkinson the other week. Been dunked in the citric acid solution for a week or so, and then just getting a coat of Linseed oil to seal it somewhat. General condition when it arrived:

Now:

Lathered it in Linseed oil after that photo, so that'll be getting a wipe down tomorrow to remove the excess, but how she looks there is how she's pretty much staying. It has 3-1/2" jaws.

 

[autopts]

Gone old school with this one. Got this with the Parkinson the other week. Been dunked in the citric acid solution for a week or so, and then just getting a coat of Linseed oil to seal it somewhat. General condition when it arrived:

Now:

Lathered it in Linseed oil after that photo, so that'll be getting a wipe down tomorrow to remove the excess, but how she looks there is how she's pretty much staying. It has 3-1/2" jaws.

That's a excellent specimen in great condition. Weren't those bolted onto the back of army tool wagons in the civil war?

 

[Outlawmws]

Says the man who has ripped his work bench off of the wall multiple times.

Who Me?



Say, you've been reading some real historical posts to know that!

 

[G20-Budo]

Ok, so I have what will probably sound like a basic question. But I haven't done much painting in the past or masking. How do you guys get what looks like a perfect half circle on the slide where it meats up to the base? Do you guys just mask it off with masking tape and then put something round there (That's the correct size) and then mark it and them trim with a razor blade?

I've finally got my vise in the tank, then removed, dissembled, and now I'm tanking and cleaning each big piece one at a time to prep it for painting. BTW, thanks for all the GREAT pics and info from you guys that contribute to this thread. Really some cool vises here!

 

[Filson]

Ok, so I have what will probably sound like a basic question. But I haven't done much painting in the past or masking. How do you guys get what looks like a perfect half circle on the slide where it meats up to the base? Do you guys just mask it off with masking tape and then put something round there (That's the correct size) and then mark it and them trim with a razor blade?

I've finally got my vise in the tank, then removed, dissembled, and now I'm tanking and cleaning each big piece one at a time to prep it for painting. BTW, thanks for all the GREAT pics and info from you guys that contribute to this thread. Really some cool vises here!

Can you post a picture of what your talking about?

And I look forward to seeing your vise come to life!

 

[McBrownie]

Who Me?



Say, you've been reading some real historical posts to know that!

I've done my homework.

 

[Filson]

I've done my homework.

I do believe that was Outlaws reply to my concerns of building a workbench strong enough for my 208.

 

[G20-Budo]

Can you post a picture of what your talking about?

And I look forward to seeing your vise come to life!

Filson,

Do you see in this picture, where the slide goes from bare metal to green? It's a rounded shape and it "looks" perfectly round. Perhaps the picture just makes it look better than it is? I just want to make sure I get my lines clean on the rounded part. I wasn't sure how you guys mask them off so they look so good?

 

[Fretters]

It's a rounded shape and it "looks" perfectly round. Perhaps the picture just makes it look better than it is? I just want to make sure I get my lines clean on the rounded part. I wasn't sure how you guys mask them off so they look so good?

I always just scrape any overflow after painting, but I brush paint. If masking for spraying, either masking tape and shape with the tip of a Stanley knife blade or similar after applying it else use insulation tape. You can shape insulation tape to some degree as you apply it, unlike masking tape.

That's a excellent specimen in great condition. Weren't those bolted onto the back of army tool wagons in the civil war?

Cheers. Was quite chuffed with how good a condition it seems to be too, as well as how well it's turned out. There are a few marks around the mounting point and some minor chips in the jaw plates, but nothing major. The citric solution seems to have brought out the character of the metal quite nicely too, which is a bonus.

No idea on the wagon front, but I can see how they would be handy for applications like that. The general benefits of a leg vice, (barring the leg, obviously ), but without needing to be removed when travelling.

 

[Fretters]

I picked up this Reed #23-1/2 Utility Vise today, I like it because even though it is so little it is heavy (I'd guess 30 lbs) and not lightly made...it's like a big vise just shrunk down. 3.5" jaws. Double swivel locks. Jaws open 4". I am impressed for such a small vise...plus the jaws hardly look used!

That's a cute one. Like it.

 

[old-air-performance]

hello,

Last week i restored my late 50's/ early 60's heuer vice that i inherited from my great grand father.
I removed the paint, sandblasted, polished and cleaned it.
And then i painted in hammered green, it turned out a little bit darker than i expected, but i think it will look great with my Stahlwille themed garage that i am planning.
I only need to polish the guiding rail.

Toon

 

[Clik]

Are those Heuers drop forged or some sort of ductile steel? I wouldn't think they could keep the dimensions that small and maintain strength otherwise.

 

[mcmlvif100]

From ebay. Not mine but wish it was. Curious if it's a GJ member. Regardless, nice work on the vise and stand.

WILTON MODEL 600 VISE WITH ADJUSTABLE WEIGHTED BASE PLATFORM

http://www.ebay.com/itm/WILTON-MODE...0?pt=BI_Tool_Work_Holding&hash=item2c8182f0b6

I BUILT THIS VISE AND BASE BECAUSE I COULD NOT FIND A VISE THAT HAD ENOUGH WORK AREA AND ADJUSTABILITY. MOST VISES OCCUPY TO MUCH WORKING AREA ON THE BENCH. THIS ONE HAS A 360 DEGREE WORK AREA THAT IS USABLE. THE VISE HAS BEEN CLEANED, PAINTED AND LUBED. THE BASE HAS BEEN POWDER COATED THE VISE IS SPRAY PAINTED. IT HAS 5 ADJUSTABLE FEET THAT ARE 3" DIA. I USE THESE TO ADJUST ON UNEVEN SURFACES. THE BASE CAN BE UNBOLTED UPRIGHTS. THE BASIC DIMENSIONS ARE:

FLOOR LEVEL TO TOP OF VISE IS 41.75"

BASE DIAMETER IS ABOUT 32" AND IS 1-1/2" THICK

UPRIGHTS ARE 1/2" THICK

 

[Filson]

Filson,

Do you see in this picture, where the slide goes from bare metal to green? It's a rounded shape and it "looks" perfectly round. Perhaps the picture just makes it look better than it is? I just want to make sure I get my lines clean on the rounded part. I wasn't sure how you guys mask them off so they look so good?

I'm betting Balane masked it off before painting. On some vises that area rises above the first green part and some careful sanding can remove the overspray. Either method works.

 

[old-air-performance]

Are those Heuers drop forged or some sort of ductile steel? I wouldn't think they could keep the dimensions that small and maintain strength otherwise.

yes, these are drop forged, and marketed "unbreakable".
these are very heavy for its size, also the spindle is spring loaded so no death center when you turn them. After al these years no end and side play.

we have 2 of the newer versions of these at work, and they stand out to all the other vices we have ( matador, some english brands, ...)

next vice i have for restoration is an old blacksmith

 

[epossum]

Yup - if I had as much money as I have time I'd drive to get some of the deals I see you all post. CL is pretty dry around here, but I still check it. Getting ready to head up to the local flea market. Who knows what might be found! Thanks McBrownie.

 

[bigcaddy]

Here are some pictures of my Parker 203 i picked up last weekend. Its spent the week in the shock tank and came out pretty nice.

Considering the age of the vise, it hardly shows any wear at all. The screw still has the machine marks from when they cut the threads and the jaw faces are super clean. I'm not sure the it paint is original but it appears to have been dark machine grey, no surprise

The little craftsman is one i picked up this morning from a 90 year old lady that had piles of killer stuff. Look in the garage sale thread for my finds at her place.