The VISES of Garage Journal

[48RON54]

Need a better picture of the symbol and the 3 letters underneath it that is on the side of the dynamic jaw. I'd be surprised if it's an import though.

I'll post another pic from my phone showing the symbol and letters......if that doesn't do it I'll roll down to his house and clean it up a little and get better pics.

 

[48RON54]

Sent from my SPH-D700 using Tapatalk 2

 

[AndrewH]

I'll post another pic from my phone showing the symbol and letters......if that doesn't do it I'll roll down to his house and clean it up a little and get better pics.

I changed my post once I saw you said there was a 5, it must be one of the earlier imports because it actually looks semi heavy duty.

 

[48RON54]

Other side

Sent from my SPH-D700 using Tapatalk 2

 

[AndrewH]

Other side

Sent from my SPH-D700 using Tapatalk 2

Definitely an import. Surprisingly it takes its styling from American vises. It has to be an early import as they no longer look anything like that.

 

[Outlawmws]

I disagree that its Asian.

Let's shed a little light on this:

A 4 point star emblem, and three letters. I B T?

A key indicator for Asian vises - any chrome plating on the screw head, handle or swivel lock?

 

[48RON54]

Definitely an import. Surprisingly it takes its styling from American vises. It has to be an early import as they no longer look anything like that.

It is a lot bigger than I actually need, but it would work well enough and stop the tweaker from selling it as scrap if it's works at all... I guess I'll offer him a $20 if it's working and see what happens.... I don't need it for anything precise, just holding stuff while i bang on it.

 

[AndrewH]

I disagree that its Asian.

Let's shed a little light on this:

A 4 point star emblem, and three letters. I B T?

It's Asian is my bet, if he hadn't said it had a 5 on the other side I'd be right there with you.

 

[steelcleat]

The VISES of Garage Journal -- Wilton and Parker ID needed

So the Parker, I think it's a 356 ?, will be mine one of these days. It was my grandfathers who was a mechanic
It's huge and must be 125--150 lbs.
The Wilton I've got a chance to pick up for $25--50. but it looks pretty beat. I'll go look at it the next couple of days and see how it cranks in & out. Looking at the Wilton from straight down, the jaws looked bent. The inside space between the replaceable jaws looked even/parallel but the backside looked out of whack.
So a couple of questions,
The Parker, is that a 356 ? About when was it made?
The Wilton 1646--What years were they made? Are there modern replacement jaws available for it? I couldn't find anything on line that speaks to that model.
Thanks guys

 

[oldldh]

I just read a bit about the USS Independence, it was actually used as a nuclear test target, then it was scuttled. Any way to verify it was actually on it?

If it was...

You can save on your garage/shop power bill...

Your "Old Battleship Grey" vise...

Glows in the dark...

 

[AndrewH]

Re: The VISES of Garage Journal -- Wilton and Parker ID needed

So the Parker, I think it's a 356 ?, will be mine one of these days. It was my grandfathers who was a mechanic
It's huge and must be 125--150 lbs.
The Wilton I've got a chance to pick up for $25--50. but it looks pretty beat. I'll go look at it the next couple of days and see how it cranks in & out. Looking at the Wilton from straight down, the jaws looked bent. The inside space between the replaceable jaws looked even/parallel but the backside looked out of whack.
So a couple of questions,
The Parker, is that a 356 ? About when was it made?
The Wilton 1646--What years were they made? Are there modern replacement jaws available for it? I couldn't find anything on line that speaks to that model.
Thanks guys

Oh boy, that's a Parker 386 and it weighs 175 lbs. You've hit the jackpot with that vise!

Talk to Outlaw, he just bought one. I'm very jealous, I can't wait to find one, or its 220 lb big brother the 387!

 

[48RON54]

Outlawms I can get a better picture of it this upcoming weekend... I think it said JBT or SBT but it was hard to make out. I suppose I should have spent a little more time getting a better pic but there was beer and car repairs involved... the vise was just kind of a "hey, i need one of those" things lol

 

[Outlawmws]

Well that "5" is not a good sign, but I've never seen an Asian vise cast in an emblem like is on the other side, and I see no traces of any chrome on the screw-head or handle...

The emblem close up from the better pic:

Maybe JBT? again

 

[bl00]

JET, I think.

 

[Outlawmws]

It's Asian is my bet, if he hadn't said it had a 5 on the other side I'd be right there with you.

Hmm after a closer look at the "5" side pic, I'm leaning to the Asian side too; I think I see the glint of chrome under brown paint. If so; kiss or death...

 

[drivesitfar]

Andrew: i'd bother my 70 year old client for an autograph and signed statement that my Morgan 50 was actually on the USS Independence if it meant it might be worth $1000's of dollars more, but i don't think i'll do that. i'm good with his word and if it was or is radioactive maybe it will make this little Craftsman 5191 grow into a 5198 because they are both in my 600 pound cabinet now.

Craftsman 5191 is i think a 4 inch jaw (I'll check and post accurate later when i see it again) and maybe 40 pounds of goodness. i'm thinking all my Craftsman vises are going to be painted the original blue or close to it and maybe in Oldie's honor an "Arrest me Red" pin stripe in the handle's grooves.

enjoy the rust for now and more Craftsman vises coming later this summer and some restored hopefully.

 

[Outlawmws]

JET, I think.

Hmm I don't think so, that does not look like an "E" and nowhere close to JET's current logo.

Japan something Tools? Only it should be Nippon...

And Hmmm, its a 3 pt star and looks about like one of those map compass emblems. (special name for that...)

 

[Outlawmws]

DIF: 5191 = 4", fixed base

 

[bl00]

Hmm I don't think so, that does not look like an "E" and nowhere close to JET's current logo.

Japan something Tools? Only it should be Nippon...

And Hmmm, its a 3 pt star and looks about like one of those map compass emblems. (special name for that...)

Ok, you made me look it up... and here's what I found. Here's the JET history page that shows the logo. I think it's supposed to be a Jet from the front/back. Also a youtube video from JET that shows the logo at 0:29.
http://www.jettools.com/us/en/company/history/

 

[biscuit141]

Andrew, Do you have this one listed on CL? I saw it was in Three Rivers.

 

[drivesitfar]

Outlaw and B100: Nice teamwork and good call

Andrew and 48: yes its an import, but my guess is it's a good one and worth more than $20 especially if it is a 5 incher and made most likely in Japan in the 60's. i'd say at least $50 to $75 value and what you get it for is between you and the guy that chooses to stay asleep all day.

thanks for the Craftsman call on my 5191 Outlaw and I set it next to my big Morgan inside the cabinet so when i go back to check it in a few days maybe it will be closer to a 5 inch wide jaw and almost a 5198.

 

[Provincial]

Hmm I don't think so, that does not look like an "E" and nowhere close to JET's current logo.

Japan something Tools? Only it should be Nippon...

And Hmmm, its a 3 pt star and looks about like one of those map compass emblems. (special name for that...)

"Compass Rose"

I vote Jet. I remember that logo from the last century. I have a 1986 Jet catalog that has a small logo identical to that on the vise. It is the circular emblem with three rays (top, left, and right) over the word JET.

I suspect that this vise is older than my catalog, which only shows steel bench vises. The closest one shown is and "Orbit" which is quite different, being cast steel and much less beefy.

Jet in those days was far better than the average Asian tool.

 

[biscuit141]

Thoughts on this Athol for $200?

 

[AndrewH]

Andrew, Do you have this one listed on CL? I saw it was in Three Rivers.

Yep, I did, forgot to take the ad down. I decided I didn't want to part with it and shall continue my search for an old style swivel base. However, if you want it and have something to trade we could probably work something out. I might even let it go for cash to another member here.

 

[drivesitfar]

Biscuit: Athol's are awesome vises, but $200 is on the high side for a 4.5 incher. that said if you don't have many choices I'd take that over a 4.5 inch Wilton. it also looks like it has some sort of jaw protectors on the top of the jaws which may or may not come off or be covering up something.

Andrew: you posted your Wilton the same time i posted my comment about the Athol so not trying to kill a sale because i do like Wilton vises too. i also think a lot of the swivels that Wilton made will fit yours, but maybe KMScott could say for sure which ones will or won't.

 

[AndrewH]

Thoughts on this Athol for $200?

Too much. Plus they drilled holes on both sides of the jaws for those protectors.

 

[AndrewH]

Biscuit: Athol's are awesome vises, but $200 is on the high side for a 4.5 incher. that said if you don't have many choices I'd take that over a 4.5 inch Wilton. it also looks like it has some sort of jaw protectors on the top of the jaws which may or may not come off or be covering up something.

Andrew: you posted your Wilton the same time i posted my comment about the Athol so not trying to kill a sale because i do like Wilton vises too. i also think a lot of the swivels that Wilton made will fit yours, but maybe KMScott could say for sure which ones will or won't.

Haha, no worries. Not a problem, I've had a bunch of emails and texts, I'm just not sure I'm really willing to let any of my flock go yet!

 

[drivesitfar]

Andrew: now that i'm over my initial shock can it be true are you really thinking of "SELLING" a vise?? it must have be a duplicate or triplicate and like the guys that all have the big vises the little ones need to find a new home i guess. I'm still in a bit of a shock.

Biscuit: it's sunny here in Seattle and the glare on my computer screen is a welcome site, but i didn't see the jaw covers on the Athol. some guys thought that those were the best way to protect their vise and some did an ok job installing them and others didn't so check it out if you are thinking of looking at that vise. since those jaws are solid it might not make a difference where it would on a Wilton because they are hollow under and behind their jaws. if you don't use as a press or use as an anvil almost any old US vise will serve you well and just make sure there isn't any damage or welded repairs on the one you buy.

 

[joe.striper]

Wellllll... for those prices, why aren't they in your shop or in your trunk on the way home?

Definitely a 973-1/2 Parker, sort the other one after its home.

Picking them up tomorrow. I'll post picks. I'm redoing a 4" snap on right now so I'm probably going to dump the parker.

 

[AndrewH]

Andrew: now that i'm over my initial shock can it be true are you really thinking of "SELLING" a vise?? it must have be a duplicate or triplicate and like the guys that all have the big vises the little ones need to find a new home i guess. I'm still in a bit of a shock.

Biscuit: it's sunny here in Seattle and the glare on my computer screen is a welcome site, but i didn't see the jaw covers on the Athol. some guys thought that those were the best way to protect their vise and some did an ok job installing them and others didn't so check it out if you are thinking of looking at that vise. since those jaws are solid it might not make a difference where it would on a Wilton because they are hollow under and behind their jaws. if you don't use as a press or use as an anvil almost any old US vise will serve you well and just make sure there isn't any damage or welded repairs on the one you buy.

lol, I only put it up to fund the purchase of a bigger vise, but I ended up passing on the larger one and decided I'd just keep it, find a swivel base, restore it and then figure out what to do with it. Surprisingly it has almost zero backlash and the teeth on the jaws are very sharp. It's a great looking little vise (ie: 60 lbs), but the only Wilton's I really like are the C series and the 600S / 800S, at those sizes I think the 'bullet' styling looks really cool.

 

[bigcaddy]

Thoughts on this Athol for $200?

For 200.00, it's a pass. It wouldn't hurt to take a look as long as it's close by though. The last large Athol I picked up sported the same covers but it was a 5" jaw width and they were like new. I doubt the vise had one day of service without the covers and the teeth show it. Serrated teeth do t last that long under normal use and these would almost cut you they were so sharp

Take a look and offer them 100.00. The range on ebay runs from 150.00-50.00. For as stout as these guys are, they don't command the value like a Wilton or Parker, nor do they have the fan base. I still need a 6 & 8 to round out my collection so some fans exist in the world

 

[Outlawmws]

Ok, you made me look it up... and here's what I found. Here's the JET history page that shows the logo. I think it's supposed to be a Jet from the front/back. Also a youtube video from JET that shows the logo at 0:29.
http://www.jettools.com/us/en/company/history/

Yep, that would be it. that "E" sure is filled in! Good eye, I've never followed Jet, at all.

"Compass Rose"

I vote Jet. I remember that logo from the last century. I have a 1986 Jet catalog that has a small logo identical to that on the vise. It is the circular emblem with three rays (top, left, and right) over the word JET.

I suspect that this vise is older than my catalog, which only shows steel bench vises. The closest one shown is and "Orbit" which is quite different, being cast steel and much less beefy.

Jet in those days was far better than the average Asian tool.

That was it! Too long a day for my poor tired brain! Thanks!

 

[Outlawmws]

Outlaw and B100: Nice teamwork and good call

Andrew and 48: yes its an import, but my guess is it's a good one and worth more than $20 especially if it is a 5 incher and made most likely in Japan in the 60's. i'd say at least $50 to $75 value and what you get it for is between you and the guy that chooses to stay asleep all day.

thanks for the Craftsman call on my 5191 Outlaw and I set it next to my big Morgan inside the cabinet so when i go back to check it in a few days maybe it will be closer to a 5 inch wide jaw and almost a 5198.

So what you are saying is you are cross breeding vises, and the 5191 will be pregers?

 

[Outlawmws]

Thoughts on this Athol for $200?

Make them an offer?

 

[Silverhair]

DRIVESITFAR: Actually, Im retired AF Reserve, but had a model of Independence -- CV 62 (post WW II Carrier), when I was a kid. Captured my imagination!

 

[biscuit141]

Yep, I did, forgot to take the ad down. I decided I didn't want to part with it and shall continue my search for an old style swivel base. However, if you want it and have something to trade we could probably work something out. I might even let it go for cash to another member here.

I am slowly on the hunt for a good old vise. I am not in a rush, I have a decent Craftsman that my FIL gave me which works for my needs now. I'm just into old tools so I would love to add one to my garage one day. However, seeing as you're so close, I'm in South Bend, I think you may beat me to the best ones. I have purchased a bunch of stuff on CL recently, so if I bought a vise now my wife may kill me.

Here is what I got from my FIL, says made in the USA, so it should be better than the china ones they sell today, right? Craftsman 51871.

 

[oldldh]

So what you are saying is you are cross breeding vises, and the 5191 will be pregers?

Vise breeding???

I'm not sure...

But I think we'll need a new thread for that!!!

I'm not even sure that "Vise Breeding" is even legal!!!

Cloning---maybe....Breeding---???

 

[jakemac]

Here is what I got from my FIL, says made in the USA, so it should be better than the china ones they sell today, right? Craftsman 51871.

That's a good Columbian made vise. I bought mine new in 1989. It's a cast vise, as opposed to forged, but it still holds up to moderate abuse. I've used mine hard at times and it still looks like it's only been lightly used. It may not be one of the old American Iron vises, but your FIL gave you a great gift.

 

[bubinga2]

I've been offline awhile. I was in my garage today and pulled out an old Australian vise. Well they call it a vice. To me a VICE is a bad habit and a VISE is a handy tool. Has gadget appeal, right?

<table style="width:auto;"><tr><td><a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/2hmd-jEHbBjJz1uK_f3VcNMTjNZETYmyPJy0liipFm0?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-KFGozqNw-9g/U6uGb_BDa4I/AAAAAAAAChw/PgH6N0zvCb0/s400/DSC02195-m.jpg" height="267" width="400" /></a></td></tr></table>
<table style="width:auto;"><tr><td><a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/Q3j289UITISjFdbMpJzwoNMTjNZETYmyPJy0liipFm0?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-59POBDTHXZo/U6uGdO6cIHI/AAAAAAAACh8/7M8Wdqwq7-k/s400/DSC02199-m.jpg" height="267" width="400" /></a></td></tr></table>
<table style="width:auto;"><tr><td><a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/QgH60kZ_yv-JwWzMUdob2dMTjNZETYmyPJy0liipFm0?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-eIfz7DC-xpE/U6uGb_YKomI/AAAAAAAACho/yHS2ePQj85s/s400/DSC02194-m.jpg" height="267" width="400" /></a></td></tr></table>
<table style="width:auto;"><tr><td><a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/VamOLWpk4CBiXIlPLtbi8tMTjNZETYmyPJy0liipFm0?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-b4i1ieN2GDw/U6uGb_BRipI/AAAAAAAACh0/OVPBz-2V-Ng/s400/DSC02197-m.jpg" height="267" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td style="font-family:arial,sans-serif; font-size:11px; text-align:right">From <a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/vise27/ParkLacyLtd?authuser=0&feat=embedwebsite">Park & Lacy Ltd</a></td></tr></table>

 

[biscuit141]

That's a good Columbian made vise. I bought mine new in 1989. It's a cast vise, as opposed to forged, but it still holds up to moderate abuse. I've used mine hard at times and it still looks like it's only been lightly used. It may not be one of the old American Iron vises, but your FIL gave you a great gift.

That's great to hear Jake, thanks. I'm glad to find out it is a decent vise. I will put it to good use until the right deal comes along for some old iron.