The VISES of Garage Journal

[JeremyBurke]

Long C logo and blue paint = late 30's to late 40's IIRC. Someone else will be by to refine it.

Thanks for the heads up. That is what I thought. If there is anyway to narrow it down to an exact year that would be great. May sound strange but I am looking for a tool dated to 1944 for my dad's upcoming 70th. Thought an old tool would be cool. Rather than hijack this thread with my restore. I have started a thread for my 5186 restore. I would love it if you experts could join me briefly there as this is my first one. Thanks.

 

[rmalkow2]

Picked up this little guy this weekend from an estate sale. Paid about 75 cents for it. Nothing fancy or expensive but just the right size I've been looking for to use on my bench top smaller drill press.

A little SG scrub and a little lubrication and its back in operation.

 

[Blöckw@rt]

 

[PghJKB]

Thanks for the heads up. That is what I thought. If there is anyway to narrow it down to an exact year that would be great. May sound strange but I am looking for a tool dated to 1944 for my dad's upcoming 70th. Thought an old tool would be cool. Rather than hijack this thread with my restore. I have started a thread for my 5186 restore. I would love it if you experts could join me briefly there as this is my first one. Thanks.

Jeremy
Check out Outlaws Craftsman vise catalog pages: http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=149519

From what I am seeing there, here is the timeline:

1942 - Rock Island, note the "shipped prepaid from factory in southern Illinois" in the description. Four feet on swivel, three feet on stationary.

1945 - Reed, underlined logo and definite Reed profile (four feet on both swivel and stationery)

1948 - Columbian(?) shows the 915x profile.

Your Craftsman is an early Reed manufactured model. The vise has the ball shaped nose (screw end). Reed changed the nose to the (much cooler) mushroom shape after starting to manufacture vises for Sears.

Need to check out the 1943, 1944, 1946, 1947 catalogs to determine when the nose was changed. Based on what is available, your vise is early to mid 1940s.

Reed manufactured Craftsman vises until Sears switched over to the oval logo in the late 1940's. Not sure exactly when Sears made that change, but the 1948 catalog shows non Reed vises with the oval logo.

JKB

 

[PMD6]

To the right of my bench I have a Record #23. To the left I have a Record #52. Stashed under the lathe a Record #62. Currently homeless a Record #00

Sent from my GT-I9300 using Tapatalk

 

[allinon72]

I have this Ridgid Simplex on the way - lets see how nice I can make it.

Update on my Ridge Tool Simplex:

 

[ritzblitz]

Damn, the slide is clean on that beauty.

 

[allinon72]

I had to give it some help via grinder.

 

[AndrewH]

I had to give it some help via grinder.

What kind of disc did you use? Flap disc? Looks good!

 

[AndrewH]

Well, one of my vises was rehomed today, I restored it and gave it to my Dad for his 60th birthday today as he's went all these years without one. I think that this Reed 104 1/2 will serve him and his needs very well!

 

[marsh1]

Before

Date stamp

Carefully sanded into the orig pain to match

Finished

 

[rmalkow2]

I got a line on a Columbian 604 locally and was wondering what a fair price would be. Its been used many years and pretty dirty. Missing the swivel handle but seems to swivel ok and lock down. Jaws look fair and no signs of cracks, cuts welding or other big abuse. Its part of a sale to help an elderly lady raise living expenses. I started at $10 for a bargain, they said no. I raised to $20 and they want to research and think about it. I want to pay a fair price if affordable but was wondering what the right range would be? This would be a keeper I would clean up and use, not for quick sale.

Any advice O Vise Wise Ones?

 

[Outlawmws]

I got a line on a Columbian 604 locally and was wondering what a fair price would be. Its been used many years and pretty dirty. Missing the swivel handle but seems to swivel ok and lock down. Jaws look fair and no signs of cracks, cuts welding or other big abuse. Its part of a sale to help an elderly lady raise living expenses. I started at $10 for a bargain, they said no. I raised to $20 and they want to research and think about it. I want to pay a fair price if affordable but was wondering what the right range would be? This would be a keeper I would clean up and use, not for quick sale.

Any advice O Vise Wise Ones?

They are going to come back with the highest price available on Eprey, probably from an unsold "buy it now". I think, unless you get lucky, your doomed...

 

[GETRIDAONE]

Allinon72, I like that polished naked look. Have you put anything on it to keep the rust at bay ?

Andrew are your sure the paint was dry on that Reed ? The gloss clear made it shine

marsh1, I hate it when the camera flash turns green to blue. I have a couple I used that green color on.

 

[rmalkow2]

They are going to come back with the highest price available on Eprey, probably from an unsold "buy it now". I think, unless you get lucky, your doomed...

Probably right Outlaw. Very sweet old lady owner and a young neighbor volunteering to help her out and correctly trying to get top dollar for the lady. I did already hear her quote eBay pricing a couple times. Going back tomorrow because much of the garage was still buried and not accessible yet. A real hoarding situation. Maybe I can strike a fair deal for self and the owner. Maybe not. I which case I'll leave it for someone with deeper pockets.
Thanks for the comment.

 

[AndrewH]

I got a line on a Columbian 604 locally and was wondering what a fair price would be. Its been used many years and pretty dirty. Missing the swivel handle but seems to swivel ok and lock down. Jaws look fair and no signs of cracks, cuts welding or other big abuse. Its part of a sale to help an elderly lady raise living expenses. I started at $10 for a bargain, they said no. I raised to $20 and they want to research and think about it. I want to pay a fair price if affordable but was wondering what the right range would be? This would be a keeper I would clean up and use, not for quick sale.

Any advice O Vise Wise Ones?

$10 or $20 offer for a quality USA vise that is also helping an elderly lady survive? Shame on you, offer them $50 and you're still getting a good deal while doing the right thing at the same time.

 

[allinon72]

What kind of disc did you use? Flap disc? Looks good!

Yes flap disc plus wire wheel.

Allinon72, I like that polished naked look. Have you put anything on it to keep the rust at bay ?

Andrew are your sure the paint was dry on that Reed ? The gloss clear made it shine

marsh1, I hate it when the camera flash turns green to blue. I have a couple I used that green color on.

I've been told in this thread boiled linseed oil so that's what I'm going whth

 

[AndrewH]

I put together a list of vises that I want to find, whatcha guys think?

Wanted:

Parker 978
Parker 386
Parker 387
Reed 108 / 208
Reed 407
Reed 1C/2C/3C/4C (with swivel)
Wilton C0/C1/C2/C3 (with swivel)
Wilton 600S
Wilton 800S
Prentiss 97
Prentiss 23
Prentiss 53
Columbian 608
Ridgid 80SN

Need for sets:

Desmond Stephan 81S
Desmond Stephan 51S
Desmond Stephan 41S
Desmond Stephan 33S
Desmond Stephan 31S

Chas Parker 978
Chas Parker 975 1/2
Chas Parker 974 1/2
Chas Parker 974
Chas Parker 973 1/2
Chas Parker 972 1/2

Morgan Chicago 145
Morgan Chicago 135
Morgan Chicago 130

 

[drivesitfar]

RM: i agree with Andrew that $50 is a fair price especially if the Columbian is a keeper and it might help the gal who i'm betting is on a way more limited budget than you are. maybe see if you can buy a few more things and hand her $100 with the vise included instead of just buying the vise so you can recoup some down the road on resale items.

Andrew: I see a few missing on your list, but that is a good start to the vise museum you are creating. really nice gesture giving the Reed to your Dad for his birthday. help him mount it so he puts the static out to the edge so he can do vertical stuff if he needs to and most guys forget to do that on their first vise.

Marsh: nice job on the old Wilton bullet and i'm guessing your camera makes everything look blue instead of the green you actually painted it?

Allinon: I really like the naked look and i'm planning on doing a couple that way soon too.

 

[Outlawmws]

I think I sense a gradual shift in the Space Time Continuum...

Or is that the Force?

 

[Outlawmws]

OK Starret/Athol Fans: Two questions:

Did Starrett paint their vises an odd blue or green/blue shade?

The Starrett 323-1/2 I picked up had some god awful white slopped all over it, and that came off fairly easy. Under it was this blueish stuff: Its seems to be a fair match to Rustolium "Satin Lagoon" - Cap rot reference:

What's the verdict on both counts: Right color? and how's the match?

 

[zoomieport]

I put together a list of vises that I want to find, whatcha guys think?

I think I have 17 of them...

 

[drivesitfar]

Outlaw: Starrett is a quality vise, but i think i agree that they painted them originally a sort of baby blue that faded into an almost whitish color with a blue tint.

here's a picture of one of mine that might never have seen a bench that some of the color is peeking out from under and around the rust.

Space Time Continuum??

 

[AndrewH]

I think I have 17 of them...

Shall we work out a large group buy then? Honestly though, at the moment the #1 that I'm looking for is the Parker 978 and Desmond Stephan 81S, I'd really like to add those two to the sets I'm trying to collect.

And DIF, there's a couple I didn't add because I already know where I'm getting them from!

 

[Outlawmws]

Outlaw: Starrett is a quality vise, but i think i agree that they painted them originally a sort of baby blue that faded into an almost whitish color with a blue tint.

here's a picture of one of mine that might never have seen a bench that some of the color is peeking out from under and around the rust.

Space Time Continuum??

Thanks Dif;

STC = "Back to the Future!"

 

[Blue Frog]

I have one that looks a lot like that except that mine has a moveable jaw. I can't find any markings to show who made it, but others have identified it as a Prentiss. It has the same number stamped on all pieces.








The jaws are in fine shape also;





The biggest difference in mine and all the fine ones shown in this thread previously is the size:

 

[oldldh]

Helluva first post!!!

It's a "Mighty-Mini"---

Begging to get twelve coats of hand rubbed "Arrest-Me-Red"!!!

 

[LumpyMusic]

I can't imagine a health care provider needing a vise...

Really? Hospitals have HVAC, plumbing, carpentry, welding, electrical, gas, machine shops, repair shops, vehicles, housekeeping. Seems like the kind of trades that would need a vise or two. But this one's gone unnoticed, apparently, for some time. Maybe it will indeed be granted a new owner.


Sgt Lumpy

 

[oldldh]

I put together a list of vises that I want to find, whatcha guys think?

I hope you're a LOT younger than I am...

That "Wanted List" is going to take DECADES!!!

Have you been smoking your shoelaces again???

I don't see a Reed 209 on there, or any of the Craftsman 519X series...

Good luck in your quest, Don Quixote...

 

[Blue Frog]

Helluva first post!!!

It's a "Mighty-Mini"---

Begging to get twelve coats of hand rubbed "Arrest-Me-Red"!!!

Can you tell me more about a "Mighty-Mini"?

Also, I detected some dark red when I brushed it lightly with wire brush. Is "Arrest-Me-Red" a standard red?

I would like to get this down to bare metal and paint it an original color if possible.

Thanks for your kind reply.

 

[drivesitfar]

Outlaw: i hope the ugly Starrett vise pictures helped you and you are welcome. i did know the STC was from several movies and just didn't quite know what you meant by it or who you were talking about.

Andrew: i was referencing the 5198 (probably already located by you and working on a deal), Reed 209, 406, 408 and 409's or maybe they are all just on my list. Also i think you forgot a Prentiss 58 and maybe a Holland's 18 to give your little guys a little more grownup company. by the way since you seem to show or tell us almost every vise you buy or are planning on buying have you reached 30 yet?

Zoomie: i'm really not surprised you have most of the Wiltons and Reeds on Andrews list, but do you have any on mine above? or did they even make any of them?

 

[zoomieport]

I have one that looks a lot like that except that mine has a moveable jaw. I can't find any markings to show who made it, but others have identified it as a Prentiss. It has the same number stamped on all pieces.

The jaws are in fine shape also;

The biggest difference in mine and all the fine ones shown in this thread previously is the size:

Here you go, with the nickle plating...

 

[Blue Frog]

Give me some advice please. This vise is listed on a local auction site. How high should I go for this vise? It's a 5 1/4" model.

















Thanks for any replies.

 

[zoomieport]

Zoomie: i'm really not surprised you have most of the Wiltons and Reeds on Andrews list, but do you have any on mine above? or did they even make any of them?

Nope, those are tough ones...

 

[drivesitfar]

Blue Frgo: Sweet little baby Prentiss with the removable jaw. the maroon red is more like the original color that you see some left on your vise. here's a Prentiss i bought from the 70 year old Grandson of it's original owner and i think it's pretty original.

by the way welcome to Garage Journal and glad to have another vise guy to help us figure out stuff and learn as you wish to.

PS: in case you haven't been lurking and reading the 1000 page vise thread yet you'll see Oldie's favorite and maybe only color he wants to paint a vise is "Arrest me Red" which is sort of a reference to i think a 69 Dodge Charger he used to own. not a bad color, but not original to Prentiss vises. in case you want to chrome your little guy here's one a bit smaller made by Prentiss that had that done to it.

 

[AndrewH]

I hope you're a LOT younger than I am...

That "Wanted List" is going to take DECADES!!!

Have you been smoking your shoelaces again???

I don't see a Reed 209 on there, or any of the Craftsman 519X series...

Good luck in your quest, Don Quixote...

I'm 26, soon to be 27 so I've got decades! However, I'm not like a lot of the cheapskates around these parts, I will pay what is necessary to secure the vise(s) I want! I AM the end of the line lol

Andrew: i was referencing the 5198 (probably already located by you and working on a deal), Reed 209, 406, 408 and 409's or maybe they are all just on my list. Also i think you forgot a Prentiss 58 and maybe a Holland's 18 to give your little guys a little more grownup company. by the way since you seem to show or tell us almost every vise you buy or are planning on buying have you reached 30 yet?

Ofcourse I'd ****** any of those up if I came across them, my list is just the ones I'm actively seeking. According to the Reed literature that I have, the largest of the 400 series is a 406 weighing in at a hefty 165 lbs, my apologies for the typo! Although I certainly could be wrong.

 

[drivesitfar]

that's the spirit Andrew. you might be right that the 408 and 409 and maybe even the 5198 weren't ever produced.

Zoomie: cute little nickel plated vise. what brand and how big is it?

Blue: it's a medium or maybe a light duty open screw vise from maybe the 60's so probably $40 would be a stretch and once you see a few vises on this thread you might want to save up and get a much bigger older one. Also English, German, and Polish vises have the respect that the old US ones get from us.

 

[Blue Frog]

Here's another vise that I picked up at an estate sale in April. I haven't read every post in this thread, so tell me how rare or unusual this vise is.

 

[AndrewH]

that's the spirit Andrew. you might be right that the 408 and 409 and maybe even the 5198 weren't ever produced.

Zoomie: cute little nickel plated vise. what brand and how big is it?

Blue: it's a medium or maybe a light duty open screw vise from maybe the 60's so probably $40 would be a stretch and once you see a few vises on this thread you might want to save up and get a much bigger older one. Also English, German, and Polish vises have the respect that the old US ones get from us.

I'm not too worried, vises are starting to come to me all on their own. Soon enough my pile of iron will be large enough that I'll start stealing some of the attraction that zoomieport's pile currently has!

 

[zoomieport]

that's the spirit Andrew. you might be right that the 408 and 409 and maybe even the 5198 weren't ever produced.

Zoomie: cute little nickel plated vise. what brand and how big is it?

Blue: it's a medium or maybe a light duty open screw vise from maybe the 60's so probably $40 would be a stretch and once you see a few vises on this thread you might want to save up and get a much bigger older one. Also English, German, and Polish vises have the respect that the old US ones get from us.

It's a Prentiss the same size as Blue Frgo just posted...