The VISES of Garage Journal

[drivesitfar]

sorry Get the shiny steel is your MO, but made you look. by the way if you want to make some posts over on the Vise repair 101 thread that would be awesome. i'm trying to make a thread where a new vise restorer or even an old pro has a quick place to look for information instead of hours of reading through and trying to find it in several threads. you do know how to make that old steel shine. (as well as big cement areas).

by the way are all the crowbars you are picking up to act as rebar for the next cement project??

Ritz: thanks and i'll probably do a swap for that little 4C you own if you get tired of it.

All: in case any of you want to forge a 209 or a 10 inch cast vise i have a bit of steel saved up for a nice project.

 

[bigcaddy]

All: Anyone here know who restored this vise I now have in my Avitar? I've been looking at a lot of vises trying to find a match for my Wilton 606 SJ to try and solve the mystery as to who made it and this one popped up. it looks like maybe Getridaone's work or one of the other amazing members here or maybe this is from one of the other Forum's members. Anybody know who or know the color and brand name of the paint. also the shining steel is pretty nice which is an understatement and if i put a couple nice deburring wheels on my Baldor buffer would that maybe get me close if i tried to match it??

Balane: it was nice seeing you again to and sorry i had to run so we'll have to maybe do some vise swapping again in the near future. i don't think i made it back to my shop before you finished your magic on the Wilton C1.
you are amazing and in case you didn't take a before picture here it is for the other guys to see. also if you get a minute to rest while the paint is drying on a vise can you stop over at the new Vise Repair 101 thread i started and post a few of your ways to spiff up a vise from time to time and maybe a picture of one of your vises on the famous stump?

PMD6: awesome looking Parkingson and in case you didn't get a proper welcome it's nice to have another vise guy on GJ to join us especially with your talent. Welcome to Garage Journal and the Vise Gang.

is that a 4 inch wide jaw or how big and how do you like the quick release mech on it??

BC: sounds like you are on the same side of the world as the Chain Gang. any thoughts of a visit because you know the hurricane won't blow VA around too much?

have a good 4th everybody and safe one too!!

I'm not sure where exactly the grouse man is located but I'm on the outer shore of cape cod at the moment, listening to the surf slam on the shore 75 yards away. I was actually planning on meeting up with a few other members on my trip but we got so busy I never had time.

Besides, I didn't pack my bolt cutters on this trip

 

[bigcaddy]

I've also heard that referred to as Chromatic paint. And, agreed, I've seen it on all kinds of fart-can-imports the kids drive but not in a while, I think that fad ran its course. (This TVR is a serious car though.)

.

Yes, serious about electrical fires

 

[Outlawmws]

I'm not sure where exactly the grouse man is located but I'm on the outer shore of cape cod at the moment, listening to the surf slam on the shore 75 yards away. I was actually planning on meeting up with a few other members on my trip but we got so busy I never had time.

Besides, I didn't pack my bolt cutters on this trip

Oh I get it.. arrange a "meeting" and while they are looking for you, your moving in with the bolt cutters!

 

[nine4gmc]

LMAO @ the bolt cutters BC

 

[drivesitfar]

All: have a very nice lightly used with original finish on this Reed 104 that i found a while back that probably will get pushed out of the little cabinet eventually. it's jaws are still almost as sharp as the day it was made if you like them that way.

this is a Reed with the 104 cast on the other side of the patent and Reed's name so maybe a 1920's or in that range? i defer to the guys that know Reed vise history better than I for that answer.

BC: did you see the big vise in Syracuse for $200 or $250. did you bring an extra suitcase or your shipping and packing tools to pick up a few new additions to the Museum while you are over on that side of the world?? bolt cutters won't work because he sprayed them with special vise surprise and besides he has all of them with GPS chips installed because they are VA's pets.

 

[67carl]

67: I'm crossing my fingers and toes and if your seller doesn't want them on the web PM them to me or PM me an i'll send you my email or text #. just curious because you seemed in awe after leaving that place the first time.

by the way PM me if you need a golf swing tip because i used to try to hit 400 yard drives, hole 100 yard wedges and make all my 3 foot putts in a past life when that was my VISE.

Well he sent me some pics. Before you look at them I hope I didn't oversell the size of this thing. Me being somewhat of a vise novice this thing is huge to me, but maybe run of the mill to you vice freaks.

As far as golf goes, my swing is my handicap! Just started playing again so getting the rust off to see where I am, then maybe some lessons. Right now just enjoying getting outside with friends and drinking a few beers (the young woman who drives the concession cart around is HOT). And no, I don't have any pictures of her!

 

[67carl]

2nd pic...

 

[zkling]

The paint on that vise is Flip Flop, aka Chameleon paint found at auto part stores. It was on every other car in the ghetto around here when it first got popular 10yrs ago.

From the small avatar pic I first thought it was color case hardened. I thought sweet, then I realized it was painted. It can look OK on small items like a bike gas tank or headlamp, but large panels, not my cup of tea. JMHO.

 

[AndrewH]

2nd pic...

Rock Island 577, 6" jaws, 145 - 150 lbs. Decent size, not huge by my standards. However, the stand it's on is awesome!

 

[drivesitfar]

Carl: keep the cart girl pictures in your mind or to yourself and please post more vises like this anytime you like. it's our version of ****.

that is one of my favorite vises and it looks a bit older than the 3 i own. i'll post pictures of mine all in a bunch before a member or two talks me out of them. that is a Rock Island 577 and it has 6 inch jaws and weighs about 150 pounds. yes it is a big vise even to us except for the few that have the 8 inchers and those that are quietly holding on to their 9 inchers.

golf lesson 101 is to work on your short game and PM me if you want more than that. when i was in high school i used to give Fred Couples strokes, but he kept practicing his short game.

oh and quit buying beers and looking at the cart girl, but then that's half or more of the fun of playing isn't it.

thanks for the pictures and you did good getting only the Wilton C1 because that Rock Island isn't easy to move around especially with that little stand he built. i bet that is maybe a full size screwdriver in the swivel pin that he uses and looks like a toothpick.

Zkling: thanks for the kudos and i totally agree.

KM PM'd me on his way out the door that he knows the guy who owns the vise in my Avitar so I have a place to start the search for my answers.

 

[Outlawmws]

Carl, Rock Island 577 (7"? :dunno; seems about right though)

If the price is right, go get that puppy! And those half size prop cylinders if for sale are great if you go camping. Much handier than the full size 20's

 

[balane]

On that color changing paint. The only reason it works on that vise at all is because it has very smooth surfaces. I think that paint on typical rough cast iron would not be attractive at all. Every bump and irregular surface would have a different color from whatever angle you were looking at it. I don't think it would be nice looking and confusing to the eye. Bottom line, if you want to use that paint make sure you have smooth surfaces to apply it.

 

[AndrewH]

thanks for the pictures and you did good getting only the Wilton C1 because that Rock Island isn't easy to move around especially with that little stand he built. i bet that is maybe a full size screwdriver in the swivel pin that he uses and looks like a toothpick.

It's a big vise but a little stand? Depending on how thick that pipe is I wouldn't be surprised if it weighs double or more than the vise!

 

[drivesitfar]

I just looked closer at the Rock Island 577 Carl posted and it does have the Electric company badge on it so it isn't older than mine, but it's a heckuva vise to leave outside in the rain without spraying a bit of oil on it occasionally.

Andrew: i agree the little pipe stand is awesome if you have the space for it. i might have been a little sarcastic just like i say about my little cabinet that weighs about 500 pounds.

thanks Balane and point taken

 

[67carl]

Carl: keep the cart girl pictures in your mind or to yourself and please post more vises like this anytime you like. it's our version of ****... oh and quit buying beers and looking at the cart girl, but then that's half or more of the fun of playing isn't it?

sorry. But I'm always going to look. She is about 5'10" tall, shapely, wears those short tennis skirts, has loooong tan legs, and, oh, oh, ahhhhhhhhh. Nevermind. I need a nap.

thanks for the pictures and you did good getting only the Wilton C1 because that Rock Island isn't easy to move around especially with that little stand he built. i bet that is maybe a full size screwdriver in the swivel pin that he uses and looks like a toothpick. .
yeah, he didn't want to sell the Rock Island and I wouldn't really have anywhere to put it. Thanks for the golf advice offer. I may take you up on that one day!

Carl, Rock Island 577 (7"? :dunno; seems about right though)

Yep, that seems to be the model

If the price is right, go get that puppy! And those half size prop cylinders if for sale are great if you go camping. Much handier than the full size 20's I'm lucky I got the Wilton out of him. He has 3 more Wiltons and 2 more Rock Islands (in addition to the one in the pic) but won't part with them. I brought a wad of cash and waved hundred dollar bills in front of him trying to get 2 more Wiltons but no dice.

So, the question I have is with the condition of the C1, did I get a fair deal at $75?

 

[67carl]

BTW - he didn't build the stand. He works in a scrap yard (plus a lot of the stuff he has he inherited when his dad passed away). He thinks that big Rock Island and it's stand came from an auction lot bought when a local Air Force base closed down...

 

[balane]

67carl, any functioning C1 with the swivel base and no structural damage is a fantastic deal at the price you paid. Even if you have to spend ~$150 on two sets of jaws you'll still have an amazing bargain there AND it will have brand new clamping surfaces. There's just no possible way you can lose. You could get all your money back today and then some just by selling the base and locking hardware.

 

[kukko]

saw a 6" Record at the swap today, $75. passed on it, i was uninspired at the time.

 

[drivesitfar]

Carl: i'm going to agree with the golfing scenery you are enjoying with your friends and i'll leave it at there since you just gave a couple of the older members a heart attack.

the price he gave you for the Wilton is i think you will hear from others was very generous by him so he must have liked you.

unless of course you are going to use it as a boat anchor then you might have paid top dollar.

another golf swing tip for those that might need one is to keep your chin up and eyes down so you can make a full shoulder turn. also get contacts or rounded lenses so you can see the ball if you wear glasses.

 

[oldldh]

All: in case any of you want to forge a 209 or a 10 inch cast vise i have a bit of steel saved up for a nice project.

All that steel you've saved would enable someone to cast up a "Reed 210" or perhaps a Reed 410"!!!

Kowabonga!!!

Of course, I'd have to have a 600 pound Craftsman 5201!!!

Have a Happy and Safe 4th of July!!!

 

[drivesitfar]

Oldie: thanks and the shelf above has 3 times that much weight in case you find someone to make the first 5198 or that 600 pound Craftsman we both want to own.

have a great day and 4th and keep up the search. also do you have a favorite brand of "arrest me Red" with the wrinkle finish to post over on my Vise Repair thread i started so i can paint at least one of the herd that color?

 

[Outlawmws]

saw a 6" Record at the swap today, $75. passed on it, i was uninspired at the time.

Probably a mistake if you needed a big vise.

 

[mtesh73]

So, the question I have is with the condition of the C1, did I get a fair deal at $75?

you better believe it!!

 

[kukko]

Originally Posted by kukko: saw a 6" Record at the swap today, $75. passed on it, i was uninspired at the time.

Probably a mistake if you needed a big vise.

well, that's the thing. i don't need a big vise (and i'm trying to save some $$ for a car right now). if i did need it, it would be in my shop already. another thing is, while i think the price was fair, reselling it would be a pain, and shipping it would be cost prohibitive (it was pretty big).
who knows. perhaps i'll feel differently about it tomorrow. i'll see if it's still there and ponder it at that time.

 

[oldldh]

Oldie: thanks and the shelf above has 3 times that much weight in case you find someone to make the first 5198 or that 600 pound Craftsman we both want to own, also do you have a favorite brand of "arrest me Red" with the wrinkle finish to post over on my Vise Repair thread i started so i can paint at least one of the herd that color?

Nope, no favorite "Arrest-Me-Red", although, one of our correspondents mentioned Ace Hardware as the place to get some...

As far as wrinkles go, at my age all my wrinkles are on my face...wait a minute...

Women have wrinkles---Men have character lines...

Yeah, that's it...

 

[joe.striper]

http://scranton.craigslist.org/tls/4484501908.html

Scranton PA. 5" Wilton 1750 $200. Easy restoration. Great newbie vise. I've got the 1760, beautiful vise.

 

[bigcaddy]

LMAO @ the bolt cutters BC

If I wanted to get my hands on the VAGrousman stash, I would need bolt cutters, a dump truck and have to commandeer a ups plane to take that load home.

Rest easy tonight, grouseman. I won't be sneaking in with tropical storm Arthur to take the pile

 

[Outlawmws]

If I wanted to get my hands on the VAGrousman stash, I would need bolt cutters, a dump truck and have to commandeer a ups plane to take that load home.

Rest easy tonight, grouseman. I won't be sneaking in with tropical storm Arthur to take the pile, this trip!

Fixed it for ya!

 

[72CZ]

Congrats !!! That looks like good one !

.

 

[tedsters]

rmsg

wow you got a great deal that is in great shape, good vise and a great deal

 

[joe.striper]

Nice Wilton. Way to track er down.

 

[Outlawmws]

Nice Wilton. Way to track er down.

 

[oldldh]

Outlaw...

You must remember, they're from north of the border...

It's all that caribou meat, that makes them that way...

Nice folks, though...

One fellow out in British Columbia asked me---"Please. please can we be your 51st state???"...

Like I said, nice folks---a smidgen confused at times, but nice folks...

 

[Provincial]

Outlaw...

You must remember, they're from north of the border...

It's all that caribou meat, that makes them that way...

Nice folks, though...

One fellow out in British Columbia asked me---"Please. please can we be your 51st state???"...

Like I said, nice folks---a smidgen confused at times, but nice folks...

I'd trade California for British Columbia in a heartbeat!

 

[Clik]

Anyone know what this one is? I don't remember seeing the four pins on the side of anything that I'm familiar wth: http://smd.craigslist.org/tls/4511000937.html

 

[balane]

Good deal. Reed 1C 3 1/2" with pipe jaws. Very, very nice vise.

Edit: I say this because of his posted weight even though a 1C weighs over 50 pounds if memory serves.

.

 

[drivesitfar]

Clik: grab that Reed quick if you can. it is one of their C series vises and i'm guessing a 1C or 2C, but it could be bigger. just looks rusty and if it checks out without any cracks or welds it's a keeper. it also has the cool brass hub on the main screw.

All: i agree if British Columbia wants to be the 51st state that would be ok with me.

 

[Fretters]

I have not dissembled any yet except for the jaws but the vises seem very bulky and tight. The handles are small in diameter but I like how one end is bolted on at least on the 150. I have to many vises tore apart right now but will eventually get to these two I have and give a report.

Cheers. Btw, thanks for your explanation on how you harden/temper the jaw inserts. I'd oft wondered how you manage to retain the temper colours whilst keeping the inserts so clean.

 

[va.grouseman]

Previously quoted by Provincial.

I'd trade California for British Columbia in a heartbeat!
-------------------------------------------------------


Yea, If we could just make the trade, we could keep it an even 50. Wouldn't even have to change the flag.