The VISES of Garage Journal

[McBrownie]

Found my first estate sale vises this weekend. Haven't gotten a chance to measure any of them yet.

C. Parker (not sure if it says No.4 or No.A?):

I don't see any single letter or number Parker's here:

http://scuttle.dayid.org/wiki/index.php/Charles_Parker_Vise

It almost looks like there might have been a second number at one time.

 

[AndrewH]

I don't see any single letter or number Parker's here:

http://scuttle.dayid.org/wiki/index.php/Charles_Parker_Vise

It almost looks like there might have been a second number at one time.

Pretty sure it's a 4, I've seen letters like CC or whatever.

 

[Mk3Mike]

jersey shore craigslist??? i missed it by a day.

They possibly listed it on CL. I had seen it advertised on estatesales.net a few months ago. I went early Friday morning.

I don't see any single letter or number Parker's here:

http://scuttle.dayid.org/wiki/index.php/Charles_Parker_Vise

It almost looks like there might have been a second number at one time.

Thanks for the link. I'll have a good look through it when I get some time and see if I can find a match.

Pretty sure it's a 4, I've seen letters like CC or whatever.

Thanks!
Mike

 

[cptn_zippy]

you might try unscrewing it completely and re-indexing the bolt by rotating 90 degrees if its a square head underneath. it was suggested by another member when i posed the same question. if not, a washer should do the trick.

Thanks for the suggestions, but the head of the bolt is a "toothed" foot-shaped arrangement, that mates into teeth on the rotating base. A washer is not a likely option either, as the surface where the lock handle meets the base is not flat, it is a 45-degree chamfer, to increase the surface area. Perhaps a thin metal shim could form itself to the surface - I might try one, but I fear that it would get galled up from the friction.

J

 

[PghJKB]

Can't quite read the name:

[/QUOTE]

That looks like a "Luther", that indented panel with the rounded corners is the give away.
JKB

 

[PghJKB]

Getridaone:you have killer vise **** and thanks for again sharing one of your little gems.

Oldie, Filson and Balane:great ideas all. i do have some 6 inch wood screws that maybe could be used to anchor that little guy to my dash. i think i'll send an email to Honda because they are always making improvements that owner's request. I need a mounting pad.

454: now name anywhere, but i have to tell you the little guy move in and out as well as my Wilton Baby Bullet.

Va:To make a real statement I've already acquired the bolts to mount a nice 8 inch vise to the hood and only issue I have is finding one that isn't chained or MIA. all i have is a little 6.25 incher so the search continues.

Nightshift:awesome post and so very true.

Jake, I have a 765 with the "Sweethart (Stanley works) Logo also. 2-1/2" jaws. a little history I picked up:

The logo places it from 1920-1934? - Mine is Black/Orange, an I believe original colors


Stanley bought the P.J. Leavens Co. of Vineland, New Jersey in 1911, and introduced two new lines of vises named Stanley "Jersey" and Victor "Jersey" to make use of the familiar Leavens' "Jersey" vise name. When Stanley made their big internal merger and introduced the Sweetheart logo in 1919, they also dropped the "Jersey" name and began casting the Stanely name in the side of their vises.

A few years later they also added the model number to the side of the vise. By 1929 they started to pare down the number of vises they offered, and did the same in 1934, then again in 1939 (although they also introduced 3 new styles of vises in 1934 that were much cheaper to produce)

drivesitfar
Did you ever find any markings on your DashVise?

It looks to me like the Stanleys Outlaw speaks of.

Yours looks like it has been modified. If it is a true swivel, it should have a center screw and swivel plate, stepped washer and fancy wing nut. Yours looks to have mounting holes drilled into the base, which would be indicative of as clamp on. Could yours have started out as a clamp-on and had the lower portion of the clamp cut off?

Oh yea, if the vise is a Leavens, check out the nose, that is where Leavens stamped their vises. You may need some wire brush persuasion to see the marking. Leavens also stamped their 1908 patent into the anvil.

Outlaw, where do you find all this $hit??????? Save me your shoe scrapings.
JKB

 

[riggs1117]

Just finished restoring my Columbian 504 1/2. I haven't seen many like this with the lettering sideways and no stamped model number like most. I tried sourcing some new vise jaw inserts (mine were bad) but the cheapest i could find was 400 from wilton and I don't even thin they were the right ones. Also most columbian's ive seen have flat jaw inserts while mine are "C"'d. I had these jaws made by a local machinist and they fit great. anyways, heres some before and afters. can anyone place an age on this vise?

 

[jsharpphoto]

I picked up this guy on eBay today. Should arrive later this week.
"New in box / never mounted" according to the ad. Looks like a 1980's Japanese made Fuller. $37 shipped.

It's only 3 1/2 inch jaws, but it will serve me well until I find the 8 inch vise of my dreams.

 

[Colin Len]

Hello all, please forgive my noobness, but I've only had experience with cheap vises up until this point. I just purchased my first home and the previous owner left a Wilton 9300 vise in the garage which I was excited about since I see a lot of posts about Wiltons.

It's a bit dirty and missing the handle use to secure the base but other than that it seems to be in good condition. There are tons of house projects I need to tackle, so unfortunately it'll be a while until I get to work on the garage but when I do I'd like to clean up and refinish this vise. Figured I'd drop by this thread now to say hi and see if anyone had any additional info about this vise as I don't even know the vintage, quality, or what it might be worth (I don't plan on selling it, but it'd be nice to know).

 

[McBrownie]

Hello all, please forgive my noobness, but I've only had experience with cheap vises up until this point. I just purchased my first home and the previous owner left a Wilton 9300 vise in the garage which I was excited about since I see a lot of posts about Wiltons.

It's a bit dirty and missing the handle use to secure the base but other than that it seems to be in good condition. There are tons of house projects I need to tackle, so unfortunately it'll be a while until I get to work on the garage but when I do I'd like to clean up and refinish this vise. Figured I'd drop by this thread now to say hi and see if anyone had any additional info about this vise as I don't even know the vintage, quality, or what it might be worth (I don't plan on selling it, but it'd be nice to know).

Nice vise! You can make it look something like this:

View media item 39371
Pull out the dynamic jaw and see if there is a date stamped on the key.

 

[Outlawmws]

Collin, What jaw width? I'm guessing 4" but I don't have those casting numbers documented (but someone here probably does..)

The seller of your house left you a NICE perk in that vise! depending on size a couple/three hundred bucks there!

 

[Outlawmws]

dSNIP

Outlaw, where do you find all this $hit??????? Save me your shoe scrapings.
JKB

 

[McBrownie]

Collin, What jaw width? I'm guessing 4" but I don't have those casting numbers documented (but someone here probably does..)

The seller of your house left you a NICE perk in that vise! depending on size a couple/three hundred bucks there!

Outlaw, my 9300 has 3" jaws and has a December 1962 stamp on the key way. Actually it's "12 20 62" or something like that. I can't remember the exact day. However, my "9300" in the stationary casting is raised, whereas Collin's is recessed. It will be interesting to learn the date on his. And in that shape, I agree with your $300 valuation. I guess he beat your $3 Starrett deal by, well, $3! I think you've been one-up'd.

 

[GETRIDAONE]

Hey guys I was looking through a Parker brochure last night and I did not know that there was a Parker 975 1/2, does anyone have one of these that I can see? I haven't seen any posted on here before or on eBay which leads me to believe that they're pretty rare, I would imagine that people who wanted a vise larger than a 975 would just skip to the 976. Looks like this one might be just as elusive as the 978 to find, maybe even more so.

Oh well, it's all in the hunt!

I think there is also a 2 1/2" which is going to be a hard one to find. I want all mine to have the 1930 patent date on them so I had to pass on a nice 3 1/2 a while back.

 

[KMScott]

How about this Chas Parker NO. 0 it has 2 inch wide jaws. I really need to finish this one, I have to make new jaws, the previous owners pulled them off and they never made it back on.

 

[AndrewH]

I think there is also a 2 1/2" which is going to be a hard one to find. I want all mine to have the 1930 patent date on them so I had to pass on a nice 3 1/2 a while back.

I've got a decent head start, already have a 973 and 976, a GJ member is picking up a 975 for me tomorrow, 974 / 974 1/2 are dime a dozen. The hard ones are going to be '972' '972 1/2' '975 1/2' '978' but, I'll get em all, and I don't care about no stinkin' patents especially if a 978 comes along! lol

 

[drivesitfar]

JKB:no markings that i can find and it might have been modified to be a non swivel or clamp on. I haven't mounted it yet to my Honda's dash or my desk so here are more pictures of my little 1.5 incher and you decide.

Kevin:those little Parker jaws should be a challenge, but i'm sure you are up to the task. nice Geo home you have and sounds like you might want to look into a recycled oil heater. one of my car mechanics heats both his huge shops off of the oil he changes out of his client's cars. it's a bit spendy to start, but i bet you might find a few guys that will be happy to fill up 50 gallon drums for you to pick up and use at their shops.

Colin:Free is a good price or did you pay $300,000 for the vise and the house was free? it's a nice Wilton bullet and maybe a 1960's is my guess and probably worth about $150 as is. if you are going to use it you might want to move it closer to the edge so you can use it for long vertical pieces. swivel pins are fairly easy to make or get yourself a dedicated short screwdriver to lock and unlock it as needed.

 

[drivesitfar]

IT: I really like those old style pipe jaws on your C0 with the pins that go all the way through. that looks like a keeper and nice job restoring it.

Riggs:i'm not sure what was wrong with the original jaws, but your call on replacing them and your friend did a great job. nice job cleaning it up and painting it red with the letters white. i'm guessing late 40's and early 50's, but i'm not certain on Columbians. that is one of their better built ones and love the different castings of their name.

VA:I like your small vises and interesting jaw patterns. are these just more bait for pulling in the BIGUN's? i'm starting to grab a few myself so when those 8 and 9 inchers come around i'll be ready.

Getridofone:good to know you are finally passing on some quality vises, but sounds like Andrew is picking up them along with the rest now. as soon as his kitchen counter breaks then i'm sure some of us might be able to buy a vise again.

 

[Outlawmws]

How about this Chas Parker NO. 0 it has 2 inch wide jaws. I really need to finish this one, I have to make new jaws, the previous owners pulled them off and they never made it back on.

Paging Cataylze!

 

[autopts]

Here's a couple I just got in.-----Grand Quickset--8 lbs.,-------Stanley Handyman--2 lbs.




Larry, you are always so gracious in sharing your rare beauties with us. Hope your family is well.

 

[autopts]

I finally got around to re-finishing the Gothic C0 I picked up back in February. I still need to straighten up the handles a bit.

That's a beauty!! Great color and in excellent condition

 

[Outlawmws]

JKB:no markings that i can find and it might have been modified to be a non swivel or clamp on. I haven't mounted it yet to my Honda's dash or my desk so here are more pictures of my little 1.5 incher and you decide.

Dif, I think I agree with JKB, The clamp was broken, then ground off.

It's not an early swivel with the under bench top wing nut; there is no center stud or hole for one.

 

[balane]

This is a first generation Chicago Wilton with no date on it. It's tiny, just 3" jaws. Bought it from eBay. Notice the 3 mounting tab base on it. I believe this is either a first year or maybe second year Wilton. The cast iron and the jaws needed quite a bit of work to look nice. I went for the mint green Wilton used to use on these instead of the more modern hammered green. It really works nicely and, for nearly 75 years old, is a smooth operator.

.

 

[Outlawmws]

Outlaw, my 9300 has 3" jaws and has a December 1962 stamp on the key way. Actually it's "12 20 62" or something like that. I can't remember the exact day. However, my "9300" in the stationary casting is raised, whereas Collin's is recessed. It will be interesting to learn the date on his. And in that shape, I agree with your $300 valuation. I guess he beat your $3 Starrett deal by, well, $3! I think you've been one-up'd.

McB, Mine is 42, (47 date stamp) and its casting No on the main body is 930

And my vise is all paid off; his has 30 years to go!

This is a first generation Chicago Wilton with no date on it. It's tiny, just 3" jaws. Bought it from eBay. Notice the 3 mounting tab base on it. I believe this is either a first year or maybe second year Wilton. The cast iron and the jaws needed quite a bit of work to look nice. I went for the mint green Wilton used to use on these instead of the more modern hammered green. It really works nicely and, for nearly 75 years old, is a smooth operator.

.

Balane, as noted above, mine was made 4- 42, and the casting No. is 930 vs. the later 9300 in SP, and yours with No. 3... Other casting differences also, The Wilton on mine is arched, there is a set of small concentric circles between Chicago, and the USA.

Mine also has a three bolt base, and is less than 180 deg of rotation, (which I would assume yours was also). Do you think your swivel lock acorn nuts are original? Mine had the std deal with the hex and lever.

ps: That came out great as usual!

 

[balane]

I was talking with autopts about it and he thinks it could be a 1941. I wish these really old ones were date stamped. This has 2 x 120 degree grooves for the swivel mechanism and yes, I do think these lock nuts are original. I've had two other old Chicago bullets in the past with the identical nuts on them.

Thanks.

 

[oldldh]

Day-um!!!

You guys are talking about vises, that are older than I am...

Barely...

And they don't look half as decrepit as I do...

I don't think a coat of paint, and a little mechanical restoration would make me look that good...

 

[Fretters]

I guess he beat your $3 Starrett deal by, well, $3! I think you've been one-up'd.

Looking at it from another angle, he did have to buy a whole house to get his hands on that Wilton. Nice vice.

 

[Outlawmws]

Day-um!!!

You guys are talking about vises, that are older than I am...

Barely...

And they don't look half as decrepit as I do...

I don't think a coat of paint, and a little mechanical restoration would make me look that good...

Wait, you left out the wire wheeling, and the E-tank bath! You don't think that would help?

 

[Itinerant]

IT: I really like those old style pipe jaws on your C0 with the pins that go all the way through. that looks like a keeper and nice job restoring it.

That's a beauty!! Great color and in excellent condition

Thank you for the kind words.

 

[va.grouseman]

Originally posted by Autopts.

Larry, you are always so gracious in sharing your rare beauties with us. Hope your family is well.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


Thanks Nick. But I couldn't share anything if someone hadn't of walked me through the process. Many thanks. I do have a few more seldom seen vises that I want to share when I get a few irons out of the fire.
Both chaps are home from college for summer. Kind of loud around here. Everybody is well. Thanks.

 

[Colin Len]

Nice vise!
Pull out the dynamic jaw and see if there is a date stamped on the key.

Thank you! Does the jaw simply unscrew and come out when the jaw is opened up fully or is there actually something I'd need to disassemble?

Collin, What jaw width? I'm guessing 4" but I don't have those casting numbers documented (but someone here probably does..)

The seller of your house left you a NICE perk in that vise! depending on size a couple/three hundred bucks there!

It is a 3". I believe that the "300" in 9300 stands for a 3" jaw since I saw a 9400 someone else posts and it was a 4" jaw.

Colin:Free is a good price or did you pay $300,000 for the vise and the house was free? it's a nice Wilton bullet and maybe a 1960's is my guess and probably worth about $150 as is. if you are going to use it you might want to move it closer to the edge so you can use it for long vertical pieces. swivel pins are fairly easy to make or get yourself a dedicated short screwdriver to lock and unlock it as needed.

Yeah, more like $400k... It's so difficult living in an area where for that price you get a 900sqft house and barely a 300sqft garage. Most garages on this site are larger than my house and many are larger than my entire lot! The vise won't be used as is so I'm not concerned about where the vise is mounted. The bench is a neat old bench, it needs some work but I might try to integrate it into the design of the garage, even if it's just temporary until I do a full remodel of the garage. The long term plan is to take the inside down the studs, possibly insulate it, all new drywall, finish the ceiling, build workbenches/cabinets...etc But that's still a couple years off seeing as I want to focus on the house first (as much as personally I'd rather be working on the garage).

McB, Mine is 42, (47 date stamp) and its casting No on the main body is 930

And my vise is all paid off; his has 30 years to go!


Balane, as noted above, mine was made 4- 42, and the casting No. is 930 vs. the later 9300 in SP, and yours with No. 3... Other casting differences also, The Wilton on mine is arched, there is a set of small concentric circles between Chicago, and the USA.

Mine also has a three bolt base, and is less than 180 deg of rotation, (which I would assume yours was also). Do you think your swivel lock acorn nuts are original? Mine had the std deal with the hex and lever.

A google search earlier today turned up some info about age in these vises, I guess they were originally made in Chicago but then the factory moved to Schiller Park 1957. Mine has Schiller on it, not Chicago so it's at least 1957 or newer.

Thanks for all the great comments and info guys!

 

[drivesitfar]

Colin:there are a ton of Wilton restoration threads that should give you a lot of information about your vise if you want to learn more about how it works.

in the meantime yes the front (dynamic) jaw just unscrews out all the way so make sure not to let it drop and hold it underneath so it doesn't while turning the handle. also once you clean off the slide on the bottom of the dynamic jaw you just pulled out you should see a date on it which might be the actual date it was made or the date adding 5 more years for the expiration of the warranty.

good luck on the house fixing and hopefully you have some great neighbors because that's what you are really buying when you buy a house.

 

[Egapgt]

This is a first generation Chicago Wilton with no date on it. It's tiny, just 3" jaws. Bought it from eBay. Notice the 3 mounting tab base on it. I believe this is either a first year or maybe second year Wilton. The cast iron and the jaws needed quite a bit of work to look nice. I went for the mint green Wilton used to use on these instead of the more modern hammered green. It really works nicely and, for nearly 75 years old, is a smooth operator.

.

Balane...1st class restoration!! I think the mint green is just right. Did it come from a rattle can or a custom mix (care to share the formula)??

 

[balane]

TYVM Egapgt. This paint came from a spray can. It's the Lowe's house brand, Valspar. Satin Leafy Rise No. 85084 This is my first experience with Valspar and it seems OK to me but it has a very long drying time. Much longer than Krylon or Rustoleum for certain.

 

[Mk3Mike]

Can't quite read the name:

That looks like a "Luther", that indented panel with the rounded corners is the give away.
JKB

Thank you JKB!

 

[AndrewH]

Does anyone know if the Parker 975 uses the No 2 wrench and bolt or the No 3 wrench and bolt? Another GJ member just picked up a 975 for me for $100, it's intact it's just missing the bolt and wrench so I'm trying to figure out which one I need to search for.

Edit: Nevermind, I answered my own question, it uses a No 3 wrench and bolt, anyone have one they'd like to sell?

 

[PghJKB]

DIF / Outlaw

Here are some images of the markings on a LEAVENs vise. The ones I have are very faint, and were slightly massaged with a wire brush.

The company name is on the tip of the nose (end of screw), and there is a patent date on the anvil.

Hope this helps.

DIF, that is definitely an altered vise. Will provide some bottoms up shots soon.

JKB

 

[PghJKB]

0031120131903675792015227323519

Does anyone know if the Parker 975 uses the No 2 wrench and bolt or the No 3 wrench and bolt? Another GJ member just picked up a 975 for me for $100, it's intact it's just missing the bolt and wrench so I'm trying to figure out which one I need to search for.

Edit: Nevermind, I answered my own question, it uses a No 3 wrench and bolt, anyone have one they'd like to sell?

Andrew
It is a known fact that in areas of high iron concentration, the earth's magnetic field is distorted. This distortion can lead to MATES - Magnetically Affected Thought Erosion Syndrome.

What you just experienced is a vise - Vital Intelligence Shutdown Emergency - I know these things, I am a doctor.

Give yourself a couple of more days of exposure, which will increase your MATES quotient, then send me all your iron - which should lead to an eventual cure. Oh yea, no returns.

Doctor JKB

 

[varidrivegt14]

My Littlestown no 112

 

[AndrewH]

Here's a couple pictures of the 975 that a GJ member picked up for me. It's dirty and greasy as all hell but underneath it all it looks to be in great condition!

Courtesy of alinc100!

Hey GETRIDAONE, I can't really make out this Patent date, can you tell me what year it says?