The VISES of Garage Journal

[Egapgt]

Drivesitfar,

In the very center of the spindle hub there is a threaded hole that goes all the way to the handle. It's purpose (I think) was to house a detent and a spring and then the screw. The assembly could be tightened down so that the detent would engage the handle and the handle wouldn't slip thru the hub. The wire is airplane safety wire, one end attaches to the part and the other over a piece of hard drawn #6 copper wire hook.

I don't like round objects that have to be taped! I start with some 1/4" wide tape and cut multiple slits about half way across it, then gingerly start it in the right place (sometimes twice or three times) and work my way around the curve. After its down, I use a popsicle stick to press it down for better adhesion.

Tom

 

[drivesitfar]

just my 2 cents, but a lot of the vise restorations don't paint the end of the screw or the jaws and they just shine them up on a wire wheel or other method and wax or oil them.

your vise your color is my motto so do as you will and thanks for the picture of your painting method.

 

[AndrewH]

Anyone who's interested, there is a Reed 407 on eBay for $200 BIN, it's got more problems than I care to deal with at the moment or I'd have bought it.

http://m.ebay.com/itm/231231738723?nav=SEARCH

 

[McBrownie]

Re: Parker 974 Restore

Picked a Parker 974....

The coiled steel jaw pins fit an unusual diameter (0.0200 +/-) hole but I found some metric replacements that will work well (5 mm X 24 mm).

Just an FYI, both my 974 and 203 have 0.207" holes in the jaws for pins. #4 Drill Rod is a nice press fit and can be had from Grainger in 3ft lengths for $7. Assuming your measurement above is off by a decimal point, your could go the drill rod route if you want an original look. The nice thing is that with some careful filing, sanding, and polishing, you can't tell that the pins are there at all.

 

[oldldh]

Reed 407,it's got more problems than I care to deal with at the moment or I'd have bought it.

http://m.ebay.com/itm/231231738723?nav=SEARCH

The understatement of the week...


Would that it was "healthier"...

 

[McBrownie]

Anyone who's interested, there is a Reed 407 on eBay for $200 BIN, it's got more problems than I care to deal with at the moment or I'd have bought it.

For some reason, both the color and the condition remind me of the Sphinx.

 

[AndrewH]

The understatement of the week...


Would that it was "healthier"...

Don't get me wrong, the price was super tempting. If I bought it I'd probably just fashion some jaw covers / new inserts using the holes someone already drilled. But I just don't feel like shipping it and the drive is about 10 hours one way.

Andrew

Edit: And if it weren't for the stupid swivel jaw being so pitted and cracked I'd be the proud new owner. That Crack really worries me.

 

[KMScott]

That vise is for parts only, missing the Dynamic jaw support under the square slide. Most of the other stuff can be fixed but missing that support is a deal breaker.

 

[AndrewH]

Is anyone in the Charlotte, NC area? I apparently have a knack for finding Desmond Stephan vises and there's a 61S (6", roughly 150 lbs) would anyone be willing to pick it up until I can get it or ship it?

 

[Egapgt]

just my 2 cents, but a lot of the vise restorations don't paint the end of the screw or the jaws and they just shine them up on a wire wheel or other method and wax or oil them.

None of the parts you mention will be painted. The jaws for example only have wire thru them so they can be hung up and kept out of the way.
Tom

 

[Egapgt]

Re: Parker 974 Restore

Just an FYI, both my 974 and 203 have 0.207" holes in the jaws for pins. #4 Drill Rod is a nice press fit and can be had from Grainger in 3ft lengths for $7. Assuming your measurement above is off by a decimal point, your could go the drill rod route if you want an original look. The nice thing is that with some careful filing, sanding, and polishing, you can't tell that the pins are there at all.

Thanks for the heads up about the drill rod and originality aspect and you're right... I was off a decimal point Will edit.
Tom

 

[ganymede]

Ganymede,

How were the spindle and hub connected on yours?

On mine I'm assuming that during the manufacturing process the Acme threaded spindle screw was spun and inserted into the hub, a process I call inertia welding. Evidence of this is the very shallow threads (almost like scratches) where the spindle goes into the hub and the not so straight hole that was drilled for the pin. After the tape is taken off the assembly I can post a pic if you want. My words seldom come out as good as a jpeg!

Tom

I don't know .
I just assumed the hub was cast over the spindle and allowed to cool.
The only reason I gave it any thought is because it's a little loose. Otherwise I would've assumed the whole thing was one piece.

 

[drivesitfar]

QUOTE=Egapgt;3966050]None of the parts you mention will be painted. The jaws for example only have wire thru them so they can be hung up and kept out of the way.
Tom[/QUOTE]

sorry i guess i should have said which screw. the one that is painted baby poop yellow on my big Parker that i use outside my shop and take in at night. when it does get a facelift it will not have any paint on that part.

I've seen either way and your vise deserves your paint color choice whether we or anybody else tell you different because you will have to use it and look at it.

 

[GETRIDAONE]

I am looking for a nice older Craftsman double slide Drill Press vise and found this one that is close to what i want to eventually have on my Walker Turner or Cannedy-Otto Drill Presses.

it has a broken handle and some missing parts on top and wondering if i might be able to get those still from Sears or if anybody has a parts vise to sell me?

other than the broken handle this one is in mint condition IMHO.

I bet the jaws will be harder to find than the handle. A similar handle might be found on some of the older import XY vises. My W-T came out better than I thought it would.

 

[Egapgt]

it has a broken handle and some missing parts on top and wondering if i might be able to get those still from Sears or if anybody has a parts vise to sell me?

The handle below is on a Palmgren #32 30301 cross slide vise. From your pic, it looks very similar. The Palmgren is still in production I think; maybe parts are still available. I believe Palmgren made the cross slide vise for Sears a least at some point in time. Part number for the handle is 12934.00.

The yellow screw on your vise is the one that was missing on mine. It's the one that goes into the hole with the unusual threads in the center of the hub. Right now there is a 1/4" x 20 stove bolt head screw rigged into the hole. Wish I could find one that would screw into the original threaded hole.
Tom

 

[drivesitfar]

Egapgt: since a lot of parkers are sitting waiting for new jaws that have been broken or mis used you might put an ad in the Wanted section when you are able to since it looks like you are a new member and need 100 posts to do so. in the meantime check the Vise parts thread and put a post in there with pictures and ask for one there.

your prep and taping are awesome so I'm imagining once you get a vise that hasn't been through such a tough life it might look like the maroon Parker i posted a picture of that is on the top of the food chain IMHO.

also thank you for the heads up on the handle replacement.

Getrid: that is an awesome DP sir. did you make that shine like you make your vises shine. my WT has all original parts including the rubber belt, but i don't have the light. is that an add on because my switch is on the side where the light is coming out and not in front like yours? thanks for posting what the vise looks like

 

[JeremyBurke]

I bet the jaws will be harder to find than the handle. A similar handle might be found on some of the older import XY vises. My W-T came out better than I thought it would.

I too am interested in the vise jaws. Could you post more details on them? Thank you.

 

[Outlawmws]

DIF, thats a good tip on the Palmgeren but FYI, the old Craftsman X/Y tables were made by Atlas, which became Clausing after Atlas bought Clausing. you can call Clausing and see if the still have that handle as its was (I'm positive) also used on a lot of their lathes and H. mills.

If not, all is not lost, they pop up all the time on Eprey.

On the actual vise jaws that bolt on top, that will be a lot tougher I think, but the same routine as above...

 

[jpickar]

I am looking for a nice older Craftsman double slide Drill Press vise and found this one that is close to what i want to eventually have on my Walker Turner or Cannedy-Otto Drill Presses.

it has a broken handle and some missing parts on top and wondering if i might be able to get those still from Sears or if anybody has a parts vise to sell me?

other than the broken handle this one is in mint condition IMHO.

Drivesitfar,

What is the hole size in the handle and what are its demensions? I have a handle out in the garage someplace. If it will fit you can have it.

John

 

[Itinerant]

Hit and auction today at a construction company where the owner was retiring and bought this 6" Paramo for $20. It's been well used and has the scars to show it but I wouldn't say that it's been abused. Everything is tight, no slop or slack and the jaws are in reasonably good shape. I'm not planning to do anything other than give it a good cleaning and find a place to mount it.

 

[jaker10]

Hit and auction today at a construction company where the owner was retiring and bought this 6" Paramo for $20. It's been well used and has the scars to show it but I wouldn't say that it's been abused. Everything is tight, no slop or slack and the jaws are in reasonably good shape. I'm not planning to do anything other than give it a good cleaning and find a place to mount it.

and I give you the second You ****

 

[indianbullet]

Well got her sandblasted primed and painted. Lubed up with never seize. Its got her fair share of scars but so do I, It will have many more when it gets to its home on the welding bench.
A before and after pic..

 

[drivesitfar]

JPickar: thanks for the nice gesture and i'll get those measurements and PM you with them tomorrow.

i have this little Record made in England vise with brass jaws and now I'm not quite sure where i should use it. would it be a DP vise or just a small vise to mount somewhere on my bench?

also speaking of Record and English made vises anybody have a website or book that i can go to and learn more about that company and how Paramo and other English vise companies came to be? my little English vise corner of my garage is starting to grumble and didn't know if i should separate them or let them work out the family issues.

 

[balane]

That Record is a home-use bench vise. The unique thing about that one is that it originally shipped with a third jaw insert mounted on the back side of the stationary jaw. If you needed extra reach you would unscrew the dynamic jaw completely and remove it, then rotate the vise 180 degrees and slide it in from the rear. Here's a photo of a similar model which clearly shows how it operates.

 

[Outlawmws]

JPickar: SNIP my little English vise corner of my garage is starting to grumble and didn't know if i should separate them or let them work out the family issues.

Clamp a hammer in each, and let the best vise win!

 

[Itinerant]

and I give you the second You ****

Thank you sir.

Well got her sandblasted primed and painted. Lubed up with never seize. Its got her fair share of scars but so do I, It will have many more when it gets to its home on the welding bench.
A before and after pic..

Nice job, beautiful.

 

[SunnyBeach]

Found this at a garage sale/estate sale this weekend. I am no expert but it is in great shape. Looks like the copper jaws have been protecting it well. It has a nice patina and the end cap is even there.

From the Chicago casting and Pat. Pending, I assume it is a pretty early Wilton No. 4. There is no date on the bottom of the slide.

The copper jaws have "DesTaco" stamped on the bottom.

Had to pay $20 and unbolt it from the bench where it has been for who knows how long.

 

[Itinerant]

Found this at a garage sale/estate sale this weekend. I am no expert but it is in great shape. Looks like the copper jaws have been protecting it well. It has a nice patina and the end cap is even there.

From the Chicago casting and Pat. Pending, I assume it is a pretty early Wilton No. 4. There is no date on the bottom of the slide.

The copper jaws have "DesTaco" stamped on the bottom.

Had to pay $20 and unbolt it from the bench where it has been for who knows how long.

You ****! Wanna double your money?

 

[KMScott]

Sunnybeach, you defiantly earned a You **** Award, twenty bucks is not fair.

A friend of mine from Texas sent me this picture of his vises, he will get back to me later with more pictures and just what some of these vises are. Except the Parker all the others are from Europe and at least 6 inch wide. He did a nice job on the stands.

 

[oldldh]

Had to pay $20 and unbolt it from the bench where it has been for who knows how long.

Let me say---

You really ****!!!

Ya Dun Gud, Bubba!!!

 

[McBrownie]

Well got her sandblasted primed and painted. Lubed up with never seize. Its got her fair share of scars but so do I, It will have many more when it gets to its home on the welding bench.
A before and after pic..

Nice 974! I have a post Patent 1930, but I think the 1930's have a little more style. Make sure to use it, but don't abuse it.

 

[McBrownie]

Found this at a garage sale/estate sale this weekend. I am no expert but it is in great shape. Looks like the copper jaws have been protecting it well. It has a nice patina and the end cap is even there.

From the Chicago casting and Pat. Pending, I assume it is a pretty early Wilton No. 4. There is no date on the bottom of the slide.

The copper jaws have "DesTaco" stamped on the bottom.

Autopts will hopefully chime in, but that Chicago Wilton is an oldie. And who knew that Del Taco used vises. Must have been to make Macho Combo Burritos.

 

[indianbullet]

Thanks McB, it will be put in service What a steal on that Wilton wow, you just never know what you can run across.

 

[K and K]

Posted pics of the vise I got years ago...my son and I just mounted it on the bench after we stripped it and refinished it!
Before and after...







Not sure what decade it's from...but hopefully it will last many more now.

 

[oldldh]

Posted pics of the vise I got years ago...my son and I just mounted it on the bench after we stripped it and refinished it! Not sure what decade it's from...but hopefully it will last many more now.

Columbians are vastly underrated...


That is a damn fine job, and a mighty nice vise...


Ya Dun Gud, Bubba!!!----(and your son, too!!!)

 

[Outlawmws]

Well got her sandblasted primed and painted. Lubed up with never seize. Its got her fair share of scars but so do I, It will have many more when it gets to its home on the welding bench.
A before and after pic..

You Know, I've had that same model/era vise as my primary vise for near 30 years, but your painted red seems way taller than mine!

And very nice job!

 

[Mark in Indiana]

Found this at a garage sale/estate sale this weekend. I am no expert but it is in great shape. Looks like the copper jaws have been protecting it well. It has a nice patina and the end cap is even there.

From the Chicago casting and Pat. Pending, I assume it is a pretty early Wilton No. 4. There is no date on the bottom of the slide.

The copper jaws have "DesTaco" stamped on the bottom.

Had to pay $20 and unbolt it from the bench where it has been for who knows how long.

I second the nomination for "you ****" award. Great find!
What is the date stamp on the slide key?

 

[Mark in Indiana]

Posted pics of the vise I got years ago...my son and I just mounted it on the bench after we stripped it and refinished it!
Before and after...







Not sure what decade it's from...but hopefully it will last many more now.

My guess would be around late 40s based on the embellishments. Great restoration. Glad you got your son involved.

 

[Fretters]

DIF, thats a good tip on the Palmgeren but FYI, the old Craftsman X/Y tables were made by Atlas, which became Clausing after Atlas bought Clausing. you can call Clausing and see if the still have that handle as its was (I'm positive) also used on a lot of their lathes and H. mills.

If not, all is not lost, they pop up all the time on Eprey.

The crank and ball handle was quite common over here on a lot of things too, (never personally been a fan of them. I like to have handles with rotating sleeves rather than just fixed), so definitely shouldn't be hard to find a replacement for.

 

[CudaChick1968]

I got a few pics of my latest acquisition, the little Phoenix jeweler's style carrying a June 16, 1885 patent. Weighing in at a scale-busting 2.78 lbs. and measuring 5 1/2", this is how it arrived:







Wanting to see if I could find more writing buried in the grunge, I gave him a few swishes with a wire brush, wiped it down with some PB Blaster and splooged some never-seize on the threads before shutting down the shop for the night. Everything looks to be original without any repairs or brazing.



This is the only other writing on it anywhere, a "2 3/4" in a rather fancy typestyle on the front of the handle mount.



A few love bites here and there ... and the teeny anvil is solid rather than hollow.





The action moves freely but there's some slop associated with the handle. I couldn't figure out how to remove the main screw from the handle or take the knobs off (it doesn't look like it comes apart). The bushings are bronze and it looks like there's some extra room in there so maybe it's missing one? For $39.99 with free shipping, it was too much to pay for it but with a name like that I just HAD to have it.