The VISES of Garage Journal

[Outlawmws]

OK I moved the last post to Third position, and the rest are in the order posted:

Holy S***!! A 6" Parker swivel jaw!?!? Let the bidding begin!

No bidding was involved...

Let's see, Carla, a Parker 386, in such crappy shape is worth....

HMMMM....

I'll give you $ 50.00 for it---

Since you aren't going to accept my cheapskate offer, there are several members of the vise fraternity living on the left coast...

They will probably be melting the PM circuits...

Right about...

NOW!!!

Absolutely no doubt!

I'll put $ 5.00 on that wee beastie following BC home this weekend...

Any takers???

ME! I'll take that Bet!

I already did so much earlier! lol

Did you get it?

Carla: nice Parker and any more pictures to share or do you already have a firm offer from Andrew? also you mentioned the screw was pulled out so any pictures of that too? i'm curious if that is an after market pin on the swivel jaw and there looks like a pin going through the top of the static jaw just under the swivel. thanks for asking for our opinion, but need a few more pictures. what do you think it's worth?

Expect more pics probably tomorrow, as well as answers to some of your questions.

Its a good thing ill be near san jose this weekend i might have to come check it out myself. Either way, its a very nice looking parker vise

Carla has a lot of tools worth checking out, better bring the BIG truck!

Hey, Big...

Be sure to post some photos of it...

When you get it home!!!

BC can post pics of other stuff he can get from Carla.

 

[Carla]

I'll put $ 5.00 on that wee beastie following BC home this weekend...
Any takers???

Actually, that wouldn't be a good idea, you'd lose.

I have to admit that I was surprised at just how quickly several of the folks here wrote or called me about the old Parker.

Suffice it to say that it now has a new home, where it will be nicely refinished and put back to working at its trade, after all those years of dormancy. Its new owner may put in an 'after' photo here, if someone asks nicely.

cheers

Carla

 

[drivesitfar]

So Andrew would you please post before and after pictures of Carla's old vise????

 

[oldldh]

And let me borrow five bucks, so I can pay Outlaw...

 

[zkling]

Don't know about that, but here's his Big Brother:

oldldh, do you have any specific details on that vise pictured? Is a company redoing them like that? Do you know what paint/process they are using to the such a smooth surface?

 

[AndrewH]

So Andrew would you please post before and after pictures of Carla's old vise????

Haha! It wasn't me, I didn't receive a PM back. Probably was someone on here that's local to Carla. Though I am getting ready to pick up a similar size vise, just not a Parker.

 

[mcgyverit]

Here is the before pics

https://scontent-b-ord.**.fbcdn.net...=edf01fb069890218b77dd93533ffafe2&oe=53FDF172

https://scontent-b-ord.**.fbcdn.net...684_700830723293726_4255803518139269890_n.jpg

and here is the after:
https://scontent-b-ord.**.fbcdn.net...164_708499485860183_8774171381554664054_n.jpg

https://fbcdn-sphotos-e-a.akamaihd....616_708499445860187_2839910327782541293_n.jpg

next step is to get my welding table mounted up and then make a portable mount for it.

 

[mtesh73]

Re: choice between parker 203 and 823 1/2

You didn't mention price or condition, so I will assume they are similar. I am not an expert, but if I were in your shoes, I would go for the 823 1/2 for a few reasons....oh, the 203 had 3 1/2" jaws, so they are the same jaw size

The 203 (later became the 973 1/2) is an "Eclipse" line, the 823 1/2 (previously 239X) is from the "Superior" line. I think most would agree that a Parker is a Parker and they made great vises, but the Superior were more heavy duty.

A 203 weighs 41 lbs, an 823 1/2 weighs 52 lbs

The Superior series are more rare, be it the 800 series or previous "X" series, you don't see that many, even on eBay.

good info, just what i was looking for. thank you.

they are similar, pricing and condition (very good) usual rust and paint spatter, no repairs.

 

[Jan-Sietze]

Tyler

If you not had a Vise Fetisch, then you 'll have it now...

 

[oldldh]

oldldh, do you have any specific details on that vise pictured? Is a company redoing them like that? Do you know what paint/process they are using to the such a smooth surface?

In a word, "Nope"...

I saved that picture from the this thread, I think, but where it was made, who made it, how much did it cost, etc...no help there...

I would assume, that someone with decent lathe skills, and a lot of time available for JB Weld, or Bondo sanding, could replicate either of these gorgeous pieces of clampdom, but I don't have a name for you...

If things work out, either my Starrett 925, or the Reed 106 (Kevin Scott's) might approach this level, but I don't have a lathe or the skills necessary to duplicate the metal work on these two...just the "body work"...and that takes time, more than anything else...

And us old retirees have a lot of time available for windmill tilting (5198 search), or pushing sandpaper...

 

[Fretters]

Not sure I would say most beautiful, definitely unique.

Was thinking the same. Whilst that has obviously had a lot of time and work put into it, and is a very good piece in it's own right for it, I can honestly say it doesn't rock my boat even one bit. It looks like nowt more than an ornament without any original character, as is. I appreciate the work which must have gone into it, but that's definitely an each to their own thing, IMHO.

 

[oldldh]

Speaking of "Garage Art"...

If I had one of these, I'd put it on an "appropriate" engine stand...

And just look at it...

The "Greatest Racing Engine Ever" deserves that...

 

[BJ42LX]

The "Greatest Racing Engine Ever"

Well, that comment will start a four hour conversation and make about 12 beers disappear...

 

[jpickar]

Speaking of "Garage Art"...

If I had one of these, I'd put it on an "appropriate" engine stand...

And just look at it...

The "Greatest Racing Engine Ever" deserves that...

HEMI

John

 

[McBrownie]

Speaking of "Garage Art"...

If I had one of these, I'd put it on an "appropriate" engine stand...

And just look at it...

The "Greatest Racing Engine Ever" deserves that...

At least it isn't relagated to sit by the bathroom like Chip's vise.

 

[oldldh]

HEMI John

For those of you too young to remember the 30's-40's-50's-60's-70's-and 80's....

That four cylinder, DOHC, beauty is an Offenhauser/Meyer-Drake engine from the Indy car/Sprint car/USAC race series...and it was successfully raced for SIX DECADES!!!

Enzo Ferrari, he of the Italian go-faster mobiles, once was quoted as saying that an A.J.Watson Indy roadster was the "Most beautiful racing car ever built---"

Enzo liked it so much that he copied A.J.'s nose design for the 1961 Ferrari F-1 car...and the later Testa Rosa cars that won LeMans for a bunch of years...

The Offenhauser 270/255 is the greatest racing engine in history!!!

My delusion is a Brookville Steel 1932 Ford Roadster Pickup with an Offenhauser 270 between the frame rails...

 

[Pyromancer]

Pyromancer, I'm pretty sure that is a Wilton 654. I posted pics of one I picked up a couple weeks ago. Somewhat of a light to medium duty vise, made in USA. Strangely it says 4" cast right in the side of it, but it actually measures 4-1/2", go figure.
HTH, Jim

Hello 454ragtop, thanks for the response. Does your Wilton 654 have "made in the USA" stamped on it anywhere? Because mine doesn't. I'm beginning to think that mine is actually a Wilton 674 -made in China. I really hope not, because the seller advertised it as American made.

Thanks,
Frank

 

[454ragtop]

Hello 454ragtop, thanks for the response. Does your Wilton 654 have "made in the USA" stamped on it anywhere? Because mine doesn't. I'm beginning to think that mine is actually a Wilton 674 -made in China. I really hope not, because the seller advertised it as American made.

Thanks,
Frank

Hi Frank, Yes it does, cast in raised letters in the side. Couple pics in this post http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?p=3960228#post3960228
Jim

 

[Outlawmws]

 

[oldldh]

Outlaw---

You, Sir, are pretty day-um quick for an old dude!!!


(P.M. me where I should send your ill-gotten gains---you slimey lower life form!!!)


I should know better than to bet against the "House"...


Returning this epistle to higher level---


You've got yourself a helluva clamper there, fellow...


(Are you going to paint it "Arrest-Me-Red", or some other :supergay: color???)

 

[drivesitfar]

Outlaw: So you bought Carla's Parker so you could win a $5 bet? Very nice looking vise and do tell when you take it apart if the swivel pin is brass and why they have a pin running all the way through under the swivel jaw?
As is, stripped down and oiled or painted your favorite color that one is a keeper. congrats.

 

[KMScott]

Outlaw, you done good. You surprised me. Congratulations. Look at those clampers, .100 pitch. .040 deep. I would have been honored to build a set for you but you do not need any. Everything about that vise is unique. OK, time for a fishing trip to Wyoming.

 

[bigcaddy]

Enjoy your ill-gotten spoils....Ill be in your backyard this afternoon.

 

[Pyromancer]

Hi Frank, Yes it does, cast in raised letters in the side. Couple pics in this post http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?p=3960228#post3960228
Jim

Jim, the vises do look very similar, but I am pretty sure mine is the newer version. While I'm not looking to do very much heavy duty work with it, I am still annoyed because it was advertised incorrectly. Maybe I'll try to buy a vise from someone on this forum instead of ebay.

Thanks,

Frank

 

[454ragtop]

Jim, the vises do look very similar, but I am pretty sure mine is the newer version. While I'm not looking to do very much heavy duty work with it, I am still annoyed because it was advertised incorrectly. Maybe I'll try to buy a vise from someone on this forum instead of ebay.

Thanks,

Frank

Yea Frank, even my made in USA model, I wouldn't consider very HD. As far as buying one from a member, where are you located? I, uh, might have an extra vise or two hanging around, as I'm sure many others on here do.
Jim

 

[Pyromancer]

Yea Frank, even my made in USA model, I wouldn't consider very HD. As far as buying one from a member, where are you located? I, uh, might have an extra vise or two hanging around, as I'm sure many others on here do.
Jim

I'm in Queens, NY. What do you have that you would be willing to part with?

 

[McBrownie]

Outlaw---

You, Sir, are pretty day-um quick for an old dude!!!


(P.M. me where I should send your ill-gotten gains---you slimey lower life form!!!)


I should know better than to bet against the "House"...


Returning this epistle to higher level---


You've got yourself a helluva clamper there, fellow...


(Are you going to paint it "Arrest-Me-Red", or some other :supergay: color???)

Oldldh,

Something tells me that Outlaw was using a stacked deck.

Outlaw,

That 386 is a strong contender for "Vise of the Year".

 

[Outlawmws]

Outlaw---

You, Sir, are pretty day-um quick for an old dude!!!


(P.M. me where I should send your ill-gotten gains---you slimey lower life form!!!)


I should know better than to bet against the "House"...


Returning this epistle to higher level---


You've got yourself a helluva clamper there, fellow...


(Are you going to paint it "Arrest-Me-Red", or some other :supergay: color???)

I'm quick when it matters!

Put that fiver where it belongs: in your Vise Fund!

Color. Hmmm ain't even thinking about that one yet. I'm thinking what to build for a stand....

And thanks!

Outlaw: So you bought Carla's Parker so you could win a $5 bet? Very nice looking vise and do tell when you take it apart if the swivel pin is brass and why they have a pin running all the way through under the swivel jaw?
As is, stripped down and oiled or painted your favorite color that one is a keeper. congrats.

Well, it wasn't ONLY for a bet! I didn't even know Parker MADE this vise. but I've been gravitating to the idea that a big one with a swivel jaw would be enough to make me consider letting lose of the also rans I've gotten so far. and that Carla posted this one.... The rest as they say is History. And it most certainly IS a keeper!

BTW Carla's shops and what she's considering letting go of is worth the visit! than and the stories she has to tell!

She has a number of nice tools she has on her "Maybe I'll post this" list, not the least is another 6" Parker: fixed base, and fixed jaw, but it does need the main nut repaired/replaced. it was apparently a war vise and the nut was made from a softer CI and wore out... recast from a nice phosphor bronze maybe?


Carla also allowed me to peruse her Columbian scrap book collection which is a set of scrapbooks form the Columbian Vise company, containing both there ads and their competitors as well aden some letters and other photos and dociumentations from the Columian vise companies history. there were 15 volumes total. An incredible resource of the industries history...

and thanks!

Outlaw, you done good. You surprised me. Congratulations. Look at those clampers, .100 pitch. .040 deep. I would have been honored to build a set for you but you do not need any. Everything about that vise is unique. OK, time for a fishing trip to Wyoming.

Heh, I surprised ME! and thanks!

Enjoy your ill-gotten spoils....Ill be in your backyard this afternoon.

OK but I'd be kinda careful back there...

Oldldh,

Something tells me that Outlaw was using a stacked deck.

Outlaw,

That 386 is a strong contender for "Vise of the Year".

Yes I was!

And thank you!

 

[balane]

I know in the past I've shown some vises painted in some pretty crazy colors so I decided to go a more traditional route on this old 3 1/2" Dunlap's paint scheme.

Obviously I'm joking. In what's clearly a defeat with my battle against insanity I went a wee bit out of the box on this one. Anybody who listened to rock music music in the early 80's should easily recognize the motivation here.

There's no tape, it's all paint and, yes, I know it looks like ****.

.

 

[Itinerant]

i know in the past i've shown some vises painted in some pretty crazy colors so i decided to go a more traditional route on this old 3 1/2" dunlap's paint scheme.

Obviously i'm joking. In what's clearly a defeat with my battle against insanity i went a wee bit out of the box on this one. Anybody who listened to rock music music in the early 80's should easily recognize the motivation here.

There's no tape, it's all paint and, yes, i know it looks like ****.

.

Might as well jump!

 

[Kayo]

Frankenvise!

 

[McBrownie]

Might as well jump!

VanClamper

 

[beaudry]

Hi, I've been lurking on this forum for a while, but this is my first post. This thread is like finding a self help support group for vise addicts.

I checked and found that I 've got 35 vises in my 1,000 square foot shop . All of them are mounted and most see regular or daily use. IMHO, a vise is a hand tool and no matter how massive, is only as solid as the bench or post it is mounted on. Most of mine are bolted to heavy steel or steel topped work benches that are bolted to the wall or floor or on heavy fabricated steel posts bolted to a concrete footing.

I am a blacksmith / metalsmith/ welder by trade and like to have a suitable vise within a few steps of where I'm working in the shop. The height of the vise is determined by it's most common use, higher for filing and fitting , lower for cutting and grinding and welding.

I've got a couple of big Wilton bullets, Yosts, Reed, a couple of Parkers , Erie. Rigids, Columbians , American Scale and a couple of heavy old vises from China, that actually have stood up well. I much prefer the stationary bases for strength and stability. The swivel base vises that I have, have been upgraded to a bolt and wrench instead of the wimpy little swivel handles that seem to come standard on even the best vises.

The Wiltons and Yost vises I bought new, the rest over many years of haunting junk shops. The used vises were all restored to like new working condition , without pimping them up to hide their scars and patina of age.

The most used vises are the Wilton 4 '' and 6'' bullets, A Yost 503 sheet metal vise ,a Parker 881/2, a Reed 104 1/2 and a Rigid F60.

I don't abuse my vises by beating hard on them, I've got a number of anvils and 10 heavy forged post vises for that. The post vises are mostly unmarked , but are likely English and quite old.
The biggest is a drop forged 7'' Columbian.

I've also got a number of wood working vises with the quick release for wood work.

I was just given a mint condition 18'' x 16'' Oliver Pattern makers vise for free !

 

[Galvonzo]

Beaudry, first off welcome, but I must warn you. I'd be very careful to tease the vise folks around here with a tale of a vise family like that and no pictures. They might go easy on you if show us all a family portrait. Just don't mention anything about a Reed 209, unless you're hiding one.

 

[AndrewH]

Well guys, I haven't posted a vise purchase in awhile because u recently bought a HF blast cabinet, which is working great other than a few leaks. I just bought this Desmond Stephan 61S off of eBay from a guy in NC, it won't be on my bench for a few weeks but I'll post the pictures I have.

I've decided since I've already got a head start to collect the entire Simplex machinist series. The ones I'm still looking for are:

31-S
33-S
41-S
51-S
81-S

If anyone has ANY of those models, please shoot me a PM or text me at 269-221-1 4 5 8. I'll make it worth your time. There was a guy who posted the 81-S in this thread awhile ago but later said he was going to sell it, I believe his name was carders69 or something close to that, I wish I could find out if he sold it or not.

Edited to add: it's 6 1/4" jaws, and weighs 150 lbs.

 

[McBrownie]

Well guys, I haven't posted a vise purchase in awhile because u recently bought a HF blast cabinet, which is working great other than a few leaks. I just bought this Desmond Stephan 61S off of eBay from a guy in NC, it won't be on my bench for a few weeks but I'll post the pictures I have.


I've decided since I've already got a head start to collect the entire Simplex machinist series. The ones I'm still looking for are:

31-S
33-S
41-S
51-S
81-S

If anyone has ANY of those models, please shoot me a PM or text me at 269-221-1 4 5 8. I'll make it worth your time. There was a guy who posted the 81-S in this thread awhile ago but later said he was going to sell it, I believe his name was carders69 or something close to that, I wish I could find out if he sold it or not.

Edited to add: it's 6 1/4" jaws, and weighs 150 lbs.

What is the difference between the Desmond Stephans and Simplex? The reason I ask is because this is listed in my area, but it looks like a consumer model. And sorry, I'm picture-challenged on iOS devices.

http://cleveland.craigslist.org/tld/4464117572.html
This Desmond Stephans Vise No. 400 from Urbana, OH. Is for sale for $75.00, O.B.O


150 lbs for a 6"! The 8" weighs........?

 

[zkling]

I know in the past I've shown some vises painted in some pretty crazy colors so I decided to go a more traditional route on this old 3 1/2" Dunlap's paint scheme.

Obviously I'm joking. In what's clearly a defeat with my battle against insanity I went a wee bit out of the box on this one. Anybody who listened to rock music music in the early 80's should easily recognize the motivation here.

There's no tape, it's all paint and, yes, I know it looks like ****.

.

At least you can say it is one of a kind. Out of curiosity, why do you choose to not smooth out the anvil area or other shallow divots on your restorations? Not trying to nit pick, but it just seems like you take everything else to a high level, especially the paint baking, but yet leave those scars untouched?

 

[balane]

At least you can say it is one of a kind. Out of curiosity, why do you choose to not smooth out the anvil area or other shallow divots on your restorations? Not trying to nit pick, but it just seems like you take everything else to a high level, especially the paint baking, but yet leave those scars untouched?

I do if I feel it's severe enough to have an affect on the use. The main reason I don't on all of them is because of time. I move these through fairly quickly and always have another project I need to get on. Sometimes removing scars involves taking off considerable metal which I'm not a huge fan of unless I feel it's absolutely necessary. And, honestly, I personally like the marks because it's a part of the vise's history. I may change my tune down the road though, just depends on how I feel at the time. This one, in particular, isn't what I would consider to be a valuable vise so I don't want to spend more than a few hours on it. Even paint baking is done mostly to save time, it's much faster to harden compared to just sitting out.

 

[Mark in Indiana]

Hi, I've been lurking on this forum for a while, but this is my first post. This thread is like finding a self help support group for vise addicts.

I checked and found that I 've got 35 vises in my 1,000 square foot shop . All of them are mounted and most see regular or daily use. IMHO, a vise is a hand tool and no matter how massive, is only as solid as the bench or post it is mounted on. Most of mine are bolted to heavy steel or steel topped work benches that are bolted to the wall or floor or on heavy fabricated steel posts bolted to a concrete footing.

I am a blacksmith / metalsmith/ welder by trade and like to have a suitable vise within a few steps of where I'm working in the shop. The height of the vise is determined by it's most common use, higher for filing and fitting , lower for cutting and grinding and welding.

I've got a couple of big Wilton bullets, Yosts, Reed, a couple of Parkers , Erie. Rigids, Columbians , American Scale and a couple of heavy old vises from China, that actually have stood up well. I much prefer the stationary bases for strength and stability. The swivel base vises that I have, have been upgraded to a bolt and wrench instead of the wimpy little swivel handles that seem to come standard on even the best vises.

The Wiltons and Yost vises I bought new, the rest over many years of haunting junk shops. The used vises were all restored to like new working condition , without pimping them up to hide their scars and patina of age.

The most used vises are the Wilton 4 '' and 6'' bullets, A Yost 503 sheet metal vise ,a Parker 881/2, a Reed 104 1/2 and a Rigid F60.

I don't abuse my vises by beating hard on them, I've got a number of anvils and 10 heavy forged post vises for that. The post vises are mostly unmarked , but are likely English and quite old.
The biggest is a drop forged 7'' Columbian.

I've also got a number of wood working vises with the quick release for wood work.

I was just given a mint condition 18'' x 16'' Oliver Pattern makers vise for free !

Welcome to our family. The enthusiasm and expertise here are second to none. I'm sure that after hanging around here, you will want to double your collection. PLEASE POST PICTURES!

 

[AndrewH]

What is the difference between the Desmond Stephans and Simplex? The reason I ask is because this is listed in my area, but it looks like a consumer model. And sorry, I'm picture-challenged on iOS devices.

http://cleveland.craigslist.org/tld/4464117572.html
This Desmond Stephans Vise No. 400 from Urbana, OH. Is for sale for $75.00, O.B.O


150 lbs for a 6"! The 8" weighs........?

That vise you posted is their low end 'utility' vises aka home owner. And yes, it weighs 150 lbs, the 8 1/4" is 289 lbs, it's a monster! The 5 1/4" weighs 90 lbs and the 4 3/4" weighs 71 lbs. They're very underrated vises so far in my experience.

Edit: There is no difference, Simplex is the line and Desmond Stephan is the maker, though from what I understand Simplex was originally on its own until being bought by Desmond Stephan and then they rolled it all into one.