The VISES of Garage Journal

[drivesitfar]

Dr. JKB: I do like my little vise remodeled or not, but i do see a few chicken scratchings on the end of the screw so you are probably right on. any full size pictures of yours when you get done doctoring Andrew?

Varidrive:nice job on the Littlestown and any full size pictures that you can share with us? also looks like you are a new member so welcome to the Journal. you'll fit right in with your ability to make 100 year old steel shine and just make sure to make room on the other bench for the 100 pounder you are sure to buy as you see us restore and show off a few of ours.

Andrew:Bee nice to Getridofone because he might have the one you are missing later to complete your set. by the way have you moved into the basement with these yet because you are about to break the kitchen counter? Nice score and good to have help from one of the gang.

 

[drivesitfar]

I was going to wait to post this with all the other Craftsman vises I've bought lately, but since it has original paint and rust and i had a decent picture of it I'm going to give the Vise Squad a preview of my Craftsman gang.

it was the grandfather's vise of a 50 year old so i'm guessing it never left the bench it was on when bought new from Sears in the late 30's.

i love the style of these old Reed Craftsmans almost as much as i like the ones that are a bit newer that were either made by Starrett, Rock Island or Columbian.

my Long C vise weighs about 70 pounds and has 5 inch wide jaws.

 

[McBrownie]

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! ]

Wow! I never thought about dumping a vise in a bucket of asphalt sealer.

Nice 975! I can't wait to see that one cleaned up.

 

[Outlawmws]

I'l bet that 975 lived on a roofing or asphalt Co's truck or trailer.

 

[GETRIDAONE]

drivesitfar, "Andrew:Be nice to Getridaone because he might have the one you are missing later to complete your set"
I think you have it backwards, at the rate Andrew is buying I'll be looking to him for the missing ones.
Andrew if you find a stash of #3 wrenches and nuts I can use 3 wrenches and two nuts.

 

[AndrewH]

drivesitfar, "Andrew:Be nice to Getridaone because he might have the one you are missing later to complete your set"
I think you have it backwards, at the rate Andrew is buying I'll be looking to him for the missing ones.
Andrew if you find a stash of #3 wrenches and nuts I can use 3 wrenches and two nuts.

If I come across extras I will certainly buy them up for you or direct you to them. However, I was just kidding about the Patent thing, if you come across a 975 without one that's in good condition, don't pass it up as I'll trade you, I'm not worried about the Patent date but if I can help someone else out I certainly will!

And Outlaw, it was actually in a garage and had been bolted to the table for MANY years as it was bolted down with square bolts. The first thing she said when I texted her was 'I don't know how to get it off the table, I hope you do'

It was left by the previous owner of the house. Idk what's up with all these people leaving great vises when they move out, you can bet I wouldn't leave even a speck of iron when I left

 

[McBrownie]

If I come across extras I will certainly buy them up for you or direct you to them. However, I was just kidding about the Patent thing, if you come across a 975 without one that's in good condition, don't pass it up as I'll trade you, I'm not worried about the Patent date but if I can help someone else out I certainly will!

And Outlaw, it was actually in a garage and had been bolted to the table for MANY years as it was bolted down with square bolts. The first thing she said when I texted her was 'I don't know how to get it off the table, I hope you do'

It was left by the previous owner of the house. Idk what's up with all these people leaving great vises when they move out, you can bet I wouldn't leave even a speck of iron when I left

"Then he went up the chimney himself, the old liar,
And the last thing he took was the log for their fire!
On their walls he left nothing
But hooks and some wire.

And the one speck of IRON that he left in the house
Was a VISE that was even too small for a mouse."

- The Grinch, 1966

Andrew, don't be like The Grinch.

 

[wrenchguy]

If I come across extras I will certainly buy them up for you or direct you to them. However, I was just kidding about the Patent thing, if you come across a 975 without one that's in good condition, don't pass it up as I'll trade you, I'm not worried about the Patent date but if I can help someone else out I certainly will!

And Outlaw, it was actually in a garage and had been bolted to the table for MANY years as it was bolted down with square bolts. The first thing she said when I texted her was 'I don't know how to get it off the table, I hope you do'

It was left by the previous owner of the house. Idk what's up with all these people leaving great vises when they move out, you can bet I wouldn't leave even a speck of iron when I left

u should check ur thread size in ur base. i thought i needed a no. 3 wrench, found 1 with bolt and the wrench was to small for my 6" parker 275. the bolt diameter i got with the wrench was to small too. did they make a no. 4 wrench? good luck.

 

[AndrewH]

u should check ur thread size in ur base. i thought i needed a no. 3 wrench, found 1 with bolt and the wrench was to small for my 6" parker 275. the bolt diameter i got with the wrench was to small too. did they make a no. 4 wrench? good luck.

I know for a fact the 976 uses a No 3 as it's sitting on my counter, as for the 975 I won't know for sure until Friday when I pick it up from Andy and put the bolt from my 976 in there.

I do not believe that they ever made a No 4 wrench as the only model larger than a 976 is a 978 and it seems kind of pointless to make a larger wrench / bolt for just one model that probably wasn't sold in near the volume as the smaller ones. However, if you'd like to sell me that wrench and bolt I'll certainly give it a try!

 

[wrenchguy]

I know for a fact the 976 uses a No 3 as it's sitting on my counter, as for the 975 I won't know for sure until Friday when I pick it up from Andy and put the bolt from my 976 in there.

I do not believe that they ever made a No 4 wrench as the only model larger than a 976 is a 978 and it seems kind of pointless to make a larger wrench / bolt for just one model that probably wasn't sold in near the volume as the smaller ones. However, if you'd like to sell me that wrench and bolt I'll certainly give it a try!

ok kia, don't check, there must be a diff in older 1's and newer 1's, i'll hold on 2 thisen 4 now.

 

[KMScott]

Andrew if you find a stash of #3 wrenches and nuts I can use 3 wrenches and two nuts.

Getridaone, here is a drawing of the two nuts you might be looking for. I might have one if these if the numbers match what you are looking for. A local machine shop could make these for you. Good luck on the wrenches, I am sure you know they are on e-bay every now and then.

 

[KMScott]

I was going to wait to post this with all the other Craftsman vises I've bought lately, but since it has original paint and rust and i had a decent picture of it I'm going to give the Vise Squad a preview of my Craftsman gang.

it was the grandfather's vise of a 50 year old so i'm guessing it never left the bench it was on when bought new from Sears in the late 30's.

i love the style of these old Reed Craftsmans almost as much as i like the ones that are a bit newer that were either made by Starrett, Rock Island or Columbian.

my Long C vise weighs about 70 pounds and has 5 inch wide jaws.

Nice vise Dean. wait till oldie sees it. Oldie will talk you into painting it arrest me red, just wait and see. Nice.

 

[balane]

Here's a 1750 5" 50 pounder I just finished up. I don't know if this one was sold as a Wilton or a Snap On but I decided to go Snap On for a change. Doesn't really matter, they're identical other than color. Had to put four brand new jaws in this one.

EDIT: Manufacture date 1990.

.

 

[AndrewH]

Getridaone, here is a drawing of the two nuts you might be looking for. I might have one if these if the numbers match what you are looking for. A local machine shop could make these for you. Good luck on the wrenches, I am sure you know they are on e-bay every now and then.

I believe the 974 uses a No 2 bolt / wrench. So that wouldn't be the correct size for a 975 or bigger. I could be wrong though!

 

[Outlawmws]

Yep, 974 (1930 pat) uses a #2.

 

[1982fxr]

before and after

 

[1982fxr]

Here's a 1750 5" 50 pounder I just finished up. I don't know if this one was sold as a Wilton or a Snap On but I decided to go Snap On for a change. Doesn't really matter, they're identical other than color. Not sure what was going on with my camera here but you get the idea. Had to put four brand new jaws in this one.

EDIT: Manufacture date 1990.

.

if that is spraybomb what color is it? Looks a little darker than Rustoleum Sunrise Red?

 

[balane]

if that is spraybomb what color is it? Looks a little darker than Rustoleum Sunrise Red?

It's an off brand enamel, HD Designs. I've found it to be the closest match to my Snap On toolbox for an off-the-shelf paint. The color is called Stop Sign Red. It looks a little dark in the photos because it was late and I was losing light quickly.

 

[KMScott]

Yep, 974 (1930 pat) uses a #2.

So a number 2 means a 3/4 hex, What would a number three equal. A 7/8 hex?

 

[Outlawmws]

Sorry, I can't say, my 974-1/2 is currently out of reach (Assuming it also uses the #3)

 

[va.grouseman]

Another masterpiece balane. You and Autopts-----Rembrandt and Picasso.

 

[AndrewH]

So a number 2 means a 3/4 hex, What would a number three equal. A 7/8 hex?

Just measured the one on my 976, it's got a 1" head.

 

[oldldh]

Nice vise Dean. wait till oldie sees it. Oldie will talk you into painting it arrest me red, just wait and see. Nice.

Am I that transparent???

A Craftsman NEEDS to be painted "Arrest-Me-Red"!!!

Anything else clashes....

And one shan't clash...

 

[Outlawmws]

Yes your that transparent, you Closet Swiveling B@$tard you...

 

[balane]

Another masterpiece balane. You and Autopts-----Rembrandt and Picasso.

Thank you sir, that means a lot coming from you but Nick is worlds beyond me with his abilities.

 

[oldldh]

Yes your that transparent, you Closet Swiveling B@$tard you...

Sticks and stones---


Yata---Yata---Yata---


One must realize that the color provides the necessary punch!!!


Ergo---"Arrest-Me-Red" was probably Craftsman's first choice in vise paint, but they got a better deal on "Semi-Verde-Green/Blue"... I'm just correcting the Accounting Office's mistake...

 

[Provincial]

My Parker 974-1/2 has a 3/4" hex lock nut. I know because the original wrench is missing so I am using an old Craftsman 3/4" combo.

 

[mtesh73]

So a number 2 means a 3/4 hex, What would a number three equal. A 7/8 hex?

i think the parker # 3 is 13/16" if i am not mistaken.

 

[KMScott]

i think the parker # 3 is 13/16" if i am not mistaken.

Thanks mtesh, I recorded your findings on my drawings, now if I knew the thread size I could make one if I had to. The odd ball thread for the 974 was a 9/16:12. In almost 40 years I never cut a 9/16: 12 thread. no telling what the thread size on the #3.

 

[mtesh73]

Thanks mtesh, I recorded your findings on my drawings, now if I knew the thread size I could make one if I had to. The odd ball thread for the 974 was a 9/16:12. In almost 40 years I never cut a 9/16: 12 thread. no telling what the thread size on the #3.

no sweat kevin. i only remembered it because it was an odd size. i saw the # 3 wrench on ebay, i think. no bolts that i remember, though.

 

[mtesh73]

no sweat kevin. i only remembered it because it was an odd size. i saw the # 3 wrench on ebay, i think. no bolts that i remember, though.

i just checked the # 2 wrench is 13/16", not # 3 according to the listing, sorry for the mis-information.

 

[wrenchguy]

So a number 2 means a 3/4 hex, What would a number three equal. A 7/8 hex?

This is what i got, its kinda madness 2 me. i didn't check thread pitch. i'd think that 275 would take a longer handle than a no.3 wrench, maybe there is a no.4? i checked these with modern open end wrenches, i can check pitch if someone ask. What size and marking is on the wrench on that 8"er in arizona?

 

[AndrewH]

There could be a No 4 wrench, I have no idea.

No 1 - 9/16" *verified*
No 2 - 3/4" *verified*
No 3 - ?
No 4 - 1" *verified bolt head*


ETA: I personally have a No 1 / 2 / 4 (bolt only) sitting here at my house

 

[KMScott]

Thanks again mtesh, everything recorded.
Nice Parker wrenchguy and I like the picture. I am sure the threads are 5/8:11 and 3/4:10 I do not think they went with a fine thread.

 

[KMScott]

My Parker 974-1/2 has a 3/4" hex lock nut. I know because the original wrench is missing so I am using an old Craftsman 3/4" combo.

Same as my 974.

 

[AndrewH]

Same as my 974.

Kevin, I verified the numbers as I couldn't stand all the confusion! Obviously the eBay listing is wrong with the No 2 wrench.

I'd guess that the No 3 based on the others is indeed a 7/8

 

[KMScott]

Kevin, I verified the numbers as I couldn't stand all the confusion! Obviously the eBay listing is wrong with the No 2 wrench.

I'd guess that the No 3 based on the others is indeed a 7/8

Thanks Andrew, I have everyone's notes listed on my Chas Parker Cad drawings.

 

[jaker10]

Peoria Illinois Craigslist has a craftsman 5162 listed for $50.00. I'd go buy it but can't I'm leaving for Florida. I don't know how to post a link but the ID is 4526887259

 

[Slowbaru]

Hey, I've got two of these big ole Wiltons, this is the more used/beat up one, the other looks brand new. What are they worth, I might sell one.

 

[AndrewH]

Hey, I've got two of these big ole Wiltons, this is the more used/beat up one, the other looks brand new. What are they worth, I might sell one.

*snip*

Are we taking eBay prices or real life prices? Because they're quite different. It also depends on your local area, some places Wilton's are dime a dozen and others it's as if they're rarer than water in a desert!