The VISES of Garage Journal

[RustnGease]

So, I was warned but these are the two vise's i picked up at an estate sale, whopping 40 buck for the pair, not immaculate but seem to work fine. Wilton 9300 and a Parker 955. Saw the wilton first and my heart skipped a beat, then a bit later the parker. Thanks to GJ i knew they had to come with me to a good home lol.

 

[drivesitfar]

Rusty: are you kidding us? first post and a big YOU **** deal on two quality vises.

by the way if you are going to stick around you might want to re register and get the "R" to post in you name the next time??

Biscuit: Jake knows his Craftsman vises and put some new grease on the slide and the screw and maybe on the swivel too. Then you should have a great vise for the one side of your bench until you find the old 100 pounder. Better buy your father in law a few beers for that one because that is a nice gift.

Bubinga: good to have you back and what the heck did you just post? it looks like a vise in a vise and something i really would like to own. more information on it please if you can give some history or the maker's name??

Outlaw and Oldie: i'm not going to allow interbreeding, but just want the nuclear fumes from my Morgan 50 to make my little Craftsman vises grow. we'll see what happens and give you an update when i can, but of course when i close my 600 pound cabinet's door anything can happen.

Andrew: good to know so i can sleep tonight and the world is still round since you are not really selling a vise.

 

[va.grouseman]

Babinga-----It looks like a down-under Emmert.

 

[RustnGease]

Drives, i'm not kidding, best part was that was the number set by the owner, didn't even haggle with him. I'm going back saturday for two bench grinders and a RR jack, was a private one on one sale and that was the number he threw out. For this deal i actually feel bad putting it on GJ. The vise's were part of the package deal on my garage sale post. So for the vise's was 40, the rest on the sale thread was 95. I fell into a pile of poop on this one. I guess it's fair since i had to unbolt and carry the parker down a flight of questionable stairs lol.

 

[drivesitfar]

Va: that's kinda what i was thinking, but didn't see that name anywhere on the pictures. i also think the vise under it and holding it is something special with a swivel jaw and maybe some other cool feature. definitely a nice pair of vises.

Rusty: Sweet deal and glad you didn't have an emergency room visit on that vise removal. just an FYI there are tons of Wilton bullet restoration threads, but they are a bit tricky so if you are planning on doing so please ask questions or PM one of us if you have any questions. the back pin is sometimes two pins depending on which Wilton you have and there are a few other things that might confuse you a bit if you haven't pulled one apart before. also there is a rule on GJ and especially on this thread that you have to post better and more pictures of your vises. good luck.

by the way don't go down rickety stairs with a 100 plus pounder in your hands because you might end up under the stairs.

All: Before i closed the door on the cabinet yesterday i forget to show you what i put inside it with the Morgan and the Craftsman. here's a 6.25 inch wide jaw, 150 ish pound Desmond Stephan 618 vise so they have an idea what a BIG UN looks like. any idea how old this one is or how I might be able to tell? it is one of the smoothest vises I've used and it's waiting for me to make a nice bench for it and keeping the little ones in line in the meantime. There's also a good size pointy Englishman in the back of my cabinet so hopefully no cross breading tonight.

 

[bubinga2]

Yes, an up-side-down Emmert made by Park & Lacy Co Ltd in Sydney. It cost me a small fortune to get it and a long wait for shipping. You cant do this one "by the pound". It has 3 sets of jaws. The smallest set is 1-3/4", next is 1-7/8", plus the adjustable triangle jaws.

 

[AndrewH]

Va: that's kinda what i was thinking, but didn't see that name anywhere on the pictures. i also think the vise under it and holding it is something special with a swivel jaw and maybe some other cool feature. definitely a nice pair of vises.

Rusty: Sweet deal and glad you didn't have an emergency room visit on that vise removal. just an FYI there are tons of Wilton bullet restoration threads, but they are a bit tricky so if you are planning on doing so please ask questions or PM one of us if you have any questions. the back pin is sometimes two pins depending on which Wilton you have and there are a few other things that might confuse you a bit if you haven't pulled one apart before. also there is a rule on GJ and especially on this thread that you have to post better and more pictures of your vises. good luck.

by the way don't go down rickety stairs with a 100 plus pounder in your hands because you might end up under the stairs.

All: Before i closed the door on the cabinet yesterday i forget to show you what i put inside it with the Morgan and the Craftsman. here's a 6.25 inch wide jaw, 150 ish pound Desmond Stephan 618 vise so they have an idea what a BIG UN looks like. any idea how old this one is or how I might be able to tell? it is one of the smoothest vises I've used and it's waiting for me to make a nice bench for it and keeping the little ones in line in the meantime. There's also a good size pointy Englishman in the back of my cabinet so hopefully no cross breading tonight.

That 61S Looks just like mine, except mine has paint on it! Can't wait to get her home from Fastenal tomorrow and hopefully into the sandblasting cabinet!

 

[exmaxima1]

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 think that $60-75 offer would be more than fair. Fixed base = Lower value

 

[bigcaddy]

I think that $60-75 offer would be more than fair. Fixed base = Lower value

That's what I would pay for the vise it it was going to be cleaned and sold but that low of an offer might just piss them off. 200 is a pretty lofty starting point and they might not want to go down on price that drastically. It never huts to ask but keep that in mind

 

[va.grouseman]

Previously posted by AndrewH.

Va: that's kinda what i was thinking, but didn't see that name anywhere on the pictures. i also think the vise under it and holding it is something special with a swivel jaw and maybe some other cool feature. definitely a nice pair of vises.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Andrew, I'm pretty sure that bubinga2's vise holding the Sydney Emmert is a 19th century Athol, swivel jaw, with a bolt through the bench swivel base. I have one of those, but it need work before I post pictures. They had a very weak swivel jaw configuration, so needless to say a lot of them got damaged.

 

[AndrewH]

That's what I would pay for the vise it it was going to be cleaned and sold but that low of an offer might just piss them off. 200 is a pretty lofty starting point and they might not want to go down on price that drastically. It never huts to ask but keep that in mind

I agree with the $75 offer, but you're absolutely right about ******* them off. I've had really good luck buying things that have been listed for a long time at a high price for much cheaper by simply talking with the person and explaining why it's not worth what they're asking in a very respectful manner. I got a guy down from nearly $700 to $200 on my 6 1/4" Ridgid combination vise. I spoke with him over the course of a week or two and eventually he saw reason AND was happy with the $200. Patience is the key, and you gotta let them know you're really interested. I know a lot of people don't have that kind of patience or desire but it works for me and usually both parties can come out happy if approached correctly.

 

[biscuit141]

I think that $60-75 offer would be more than fair. Fixed base = Lower value

That's what I would pay for the vise it it was going to be cleaned and sold but that low of an offer might just piss them off. 200 is a pretty lofty starting point and they might not want to go down on price that drastically. It never huts to ask but keep that in mind

It was just posted yesterday. I'm in no rush so I will just wait and see if they come down in price on their own. If the lower it to the $125 - $150 range that could help with negotiations.

 

[exmaxima1]

It was just posted yesterday. I'm in no rush so I will just wait and see if they come down in price on their own. If the lower it to the $125 - $150 range that could help with negotiations.

+1

FWIW, there was a Rock Island 4" listed for $100 on CL, and after a few weeks it dropped to $60. It sold (to me) for $40. That Athol will drop in price if you bide your time. It wouldn't hurt to politely let the seller know that you'd be interested if he gets no takers at his asking price.

 

[autopts]

This is a Parker 134 "Big Bear" service vise. Its a 4" stationary and its beefy! Coming in at 76 lbs it has a 1" diameter spindle. For its age, its in nice shape.

 

[drivesitfar]

Autopts: you always post up some great vises and this Parker looks great. the Wilton in the background looks pretty decent too in the little bit we see.

i'm not sure you've mentioned how you polish up your vises so would you care to share? wire wheel and Johnson paste wax or what is the secret to make your vises that you leave with the bare steel shine? you may not have a stump, but your little table and nice yard really show off your nice vise restorations.

 

[alinc100]

Picked this sad guy up today.Too bad the static jaw is busted at the casting.
I will clean it up and part it out sadly the parts are worth more than the vise in its current unusable state: (

If anybody needs parts for a Parker 974 send me a note and I'll try to accommodate you.
I will be soaking the loose parts in EvapoRust over the weekend.

 

[mtesh73]

Picked this sad guy up today.Too bad the static jaw is busted at the casting.
I will clean it up and part it out sadly the parts are worth more than the vise in its current unusable state: (

If anybody needs parts for a Parker 974 send me a note and I'll try to accommodate you.
I will be soaking the loose parts in EvapoRust over the weekend.

OUCH, thats one of my favorite vises....shame.

 

[biscuit141]

Will the jaws of a 974 fit a 974 1/2? I am assuming no that one is 4" and the other is 4.5"? Or am I wrong.

 

[mtesh73]

Will the jaws of a 974 fit a 974 1/2? I am assuming no that one is 4" and the other is 4.5"? Or am I wrong.

you are correct, two different widths.

 

[KMScott]

It has been my experience that you should not count on a set of Parker Jaws fitting another Parker vise of the same width. I have made jaws for the same two Parker 6" vises at the same time and the jaws did not interchange, in fact the jaw faces had a gap either on the top or bottom of the faces and not just a little.

 

[balane]

I've never seen a break like that before. I wonder if studs could be sunk into holes drilled in both parts and then brazed. I know it's probably not worth it, just thinking about ways to fix it that were necessary.

 

[AndrewH]

Will the jaws of a 974 fit a 974 1/2? I am assuming no that one is 4" and the other is 4.5"? Or am I wrong.

lol, biscuit, I see you're still thinking about that 974 1/2, rest easy, I'm going to go pick it up tomorrow or Saturday so you can purge it from your memory!

 

[McBrownie]

Picked this sad guy up today.Too bad the static jaw is busted at the casting.
I will clean it up and part it out sadly the parts are worth more than the vise in its current unusable state: (

If anybody needs parts for a Parker 974 send me a note and I'll try to accommodate you.
I will be soaking the loose parts in EvapoRust over the weekend.

It's interesting to see the "insides" of the casting. That static jaw is solid and someone still broke it. That must have been one big hammer.

 

[Golferdawg17]

IMHO: It's irrelevant to give an opinion on overpayment after it's been bought.. I believe that you paid a fair retail price for a restored, rare early Wilton. A good restoration takes a lot of work and skill. Also, consider what you would get for the same $200, if you bought a new one...a low quality Asian vise. I believe that you got a good one.

Now, welcome to our family. It's time for you to search out those diamonds in the rust and restore them for fun, and bragging rights.

Good points, Mark. I look forward to tinkering around with my "new" Wilton. I will definitely keep an eye out for old vises when i go to a flea market next time. Have a good one!

 

[Outlawmws]

Yes, an up-side-down Emmert made by Park & Lacy Co Ltd in Sydney. It cost me a small fortune to get it and a long wait for shipping. You cant do this one "by the pound". It has 3 sets of jaws. The smallest set is 1-3/4", next is 1-7/8", plus the adjustable triangle jaws.

That is cool! a "baby" Emmert (Park & Lacy...) :thumb up:

 

[drivesitfar]

Alinc: glad you at least saved the Parker from the scrap pile because i'm sure either you can find another static jaw or help the guys that need the parts fix theirs. those removable jaws might be easy or not to remove and they drive up from the bottom to get them out. I wouldn't try to mess with the one on the dynamic jaw in case another member or buyer wants that whole thing. also the wrench is something that usually gets tossed or lost so guys need one along with the screw, vise nut, main screw and the little Parker holder that keeps the screw in the dynamic jaw and the swivel base.

not a lot to say about a fix on the static, but looks like more of a cheater bar break or drop from a high spot than a hammer.

 

[alinc100]

Sadly further dismantling shows more damage to the swivel internals and base.
I am gonna bet this vise had been mounted right where it was for several years ,but has not functioned in awhile.
Hopefully someone will need a life saving transplant to rebuild their old iron.

 

[Outlawmws]

So the D. Jaw, and both brake shoes are gone, and the wrench is bent...

 

[nine4gmc]

Pics of my Wilton 745, heard someone over here may have Wilton decals for sale?

 

[PinchPoint]

My new to me Dixon Ball vise.

 

[nine4gmc]

Had to look that one up PinchPoint, now all of a sudden I need one

 

[PinchPoint]

It's all I got at the estate sale. I almost didn't see it or should I say understand it and let it sit. It's the first one for me. Now when I see them and the price is right I'll come on down!

 

[balane]

Looks like you only need a single Wilton decal there nine? PM me your address and I'll mail you one suitable for that vise.

 

[RustnGease]

As requested and promised, drivesitfar Followup pictures of the wilton 9300 and parker 955 i bought the other day, 40 bucks for the pair. Hope everyone enjoys

 

[drivesitfar]

Rusty: you still need an "r" in your name and you still **** for getting 2 keepers for that little. you must be a great guy to not even have to negotiate to get them both for $40, so happy to have you as a new member of GJ and welcome again.

thanks for the great pictures and now please go re register with the R in your RustyGrease name so you can stick around for a few years and not have to tell us what the other name means. (then you can work another year or two to trying to get another deal this good).

Alinc: damn sir that nice old vise has had some serious beating. good thing even the "bent" wrench will probably recoup your investment. also on a side note you might here from other members here or read already but if you are trying to remove and save the jaws on the off chance it might fit another vise you have your work cut out for you.

Nine4: nice vise and i'm sure it will look better once you take care of the prior owner's paint job. Balane very nice of you to provide him with a label.

 

[RustnGrease]

ReRegistered with the Right Rust name He gave me the price and i couldn't in good conscience think of negotiating, too good of a deal. Everything was his grandfathers and they're clearing out the house and garage to sell. Going back on saturday to bring home some more goodies.

 

[drivesitfar]

R & G: very nice. have fun this weekend.

 

[RustnGrease]

Planning on it. anything else i get will be added on the Garage sale thread since i think he's out of vise's

 

[KMScott]

As requested and promised, drivesitfar Followup pictures of the wilton 9300 and parker 955 i bought the other day, 40 bucks for the pair. Hope everyone enjoys

Rusty- you earned a You **** Award, heck you would have earned this reward just with either one of the vises. Really like the Parker, it would go great with my collection.

 

[rmalkow2]

Alinc: damn sir that nice old vise has had some serious beating. good thing even the "bent" wrench will probably recoup your investment. also on a side note you might here from other members here or read already but if you are trying to remove and save the jaws on the off chance it might fit another vise you have your work cut out for you.

Instead of the usual square trailer hitch mount system, how about converting an old engine stand which is designed to suspend heavy loads and uses a round tube within a tube with indexed holes and a lock pin. This way you could mount multiple vises and rotate to the top the vise of the day! Never seen it done but I can picture in in use.