The VISES of Garage Journal

[bl00]

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

Clik, I tried to buy that one about 4 weeks ago, but it was already sold.

 

[Clik]

What was it? Brand, model? Just curious.

 

[AndrewH]

What was it? Brand, model? Just curious.

It is/was a Reed 1C, no doubt about that, they have a very distinct style!

 

[joe.striper]

Went out to try and buy a Parker 240 X vise today. Drove 45 minutes just to find out that the entire Dynamic jaw had been broken off and then the owner did a **** job re-welding it. Just so ugly, but disappointing. Left it for the scrap pile.

As I was getting ready to leave the owner told me he had three other vises for sale. I couldn't leave them behind so... I bought them all for $115.00.

Here they are; first a Parker 973 1/2. Rusted solid, but I think salvageable. It is complete and the jaws are VERY nice. This is my second 973 1/2 this month. PB blasted it and I will have to go gently lest I abuse the poor thing.

Second, a Parker 271 with the swivel jaw. Back of the slide is broken...oh well I thought it was cool so I took it, I mean could I really lose on this one? Swivel pin looks like it wants to move, but I won't rush it. PB blasted it, will try a little heat in a few days. Base isn't moving but the bolt is at least loose.

Third, an Athol 624 N. This vise only needs a good degreasing and it is good to go. Missing the lever for the base lock, but no big deal. Paint is nice, jaws are good, no broken or damaged parts. There is a hole in the base where another lockdown could go, but was there one there originally? Got to find out.

My wife said It would be cheaper if I looked at **** rather than vises online, I told her vises ARE my ****. I am done for a while though, no more room. As of today I have the following:

Wilton 1760
Wilton 1740
Columbian 504 M2
Ludell 6"
No Name (ABVG) 4" swivel jaw
Parker 973 1/2
Parker 271
Athol 624N

I have to go to my niece's housewarming party, first home. Very nice 30 year old couple. I wanted to bring a vise as a garage warming present for her husband, which out of that list would be best?

 

[drivesitfar]

Joe: you did well on the 3 vise purchase and i don't need to tell you that, but anytime you can pick up a broken really old US made vise for scrap price do if any of the pieces are in decent shape.

for one you may need them later or you can swap or sell them to one of the members here that need them and can't find them anywhere. "note to everybody"

Clik: i'm guessing either you didn't see Balane and my post or you were just too excited, but if that Reed 1C isn't gone go pick it up. also probably not a bigger one like i said because i noticed the weight is posted below the picture and my 2C weighs a lot more than 50 pounds.

 

[joe.striper]

Drives it far, what is scrap price for an old vise per pound? Just curious?

I think I did OK on the vises. The rust one is pretty locked up though.

He had a few more Parkers, but one had the dynamic jaw re-attached from the slide to the jaw (974). The other one or two were pretty beat as well. He wanted $60 for the Parker 240X, even with the traumatic repair. He made me pay $35 for the 973 1/2, I offered him $10. The Athol at $40 is the best conditioned vise. The 241 was $40 even with the cracked slide.

I really didn't even want the 973 1/2 but Andrew has been jonse-ing for one, I believe for his collection, so I thought I may be able to make him happy, assuming I can break it down enough to ship.

 

[balane]

Cast iron is about a dime per pound scrap around here.

 

[AndrewH]

Drives it far, what is scrap price for an old vise per pound? Just curious?

I think I did OK on the vises. The rust one is pretty locked up though.

He had a few more Parkers, but one had the dynamic jaw re-attached from the slide to the jaw (974). The other one or two were pretty beat as well. He wanted $60 for the Parker 240X, even with the traumatic repair. He made me pay $35 for the 973 1/2, I offered him $10. The Athol at $40 is the best conditioned vise. The 241 was $40 even with the cracked slide.

I really didn't even want the 973 1/2 but Andrew has been jonse-ing for one, I believe for his collection, so I thought I may be able to make him happy, assuming I can break it down enough to ship.

Assuming it's in sound condition, other than being frozen solid, I'll take it off your hands! Just be sure to take the handle/lead screw out because you don't want to use that to free it up. A dead blow on the back end of the slide is the best way as there's a chance of ruining the nut / screw if you try to force it by turning the handle.

 

[Crafty]

First post here and a question..

This vice (vise?) was in my garage when I bought the house, I hadn't used it all that much as it was in an inaccessible spot, but I recently had a tidy up and made a new bench..

On one side it says C & J Hampton Ltd, Sheffield 1917, the other Record No. 3 Model 22.

I did a bit of looking around and found some information on the company, they ended up merging with William Ridgeway Ltd to form Ridgeway-Record Tools that was eventually renamed Record Tools and still exists today.
The number 3 thing relates to the side of the jaws according to this http://www.sheffieldhistory.co.uk/f...1729-c-j-hampton-record-tools-catalogue-no60/

Someone had painted it red at one time or another, there appears to be green paint underneath this. This is interesting as Record tools have always been blue (at least to my knowledge).

It is suffering a little - the quick release no longer works, the spring has no tension and I think has a piece missing, the casting itself has a chunk missing from it that means the quick release securing plate is missing a bolt. Underneath someone has bodged the stop plate with non original parts that don't work too well.

So the question is why the 1917 date ?
Could it really be that old ?

Would they really have made a casting mould just for one year ? or is this more likely to be a trademark design date or something similar ? from what I've found it is not the formation date of the company (that was 1898) and the "Record" trademark in 1909.

 

[drivesitfar]

Joe: not sure what scrap prices are, but i thought they were more than $.10 per pound like Balane said. at any case the swivel, a vise nut, the main screw, a good dynamic or static are all parts worth saving for another vise or member. hell the wrench you have on the one vise will fetch more than a couple bucks from the members needing one if you don't want to put it on Ebay if one of those is still on the vise. also I've just dropped a stuck vise a 5 gallon bucket with vinegar or diesel to just let it sit a few weeks. here's my perfect example on a vise that sat out in the rain up here in the NW for maybe 80 years. 2 weeks and in the vinegar dip and it was free without any hammering. ugly as heck and i hate posting it more than once, but you get the idea.

Balane: have you turned in any scrap lately and only got a dime a pound. i heard from a couple guys more like $.30 but maybe that was steel and cast is just a dime.

Crafty: you posted as i just posted this and have to run. i'll comment later if i know anything, but just wanted to say that is a really nice looking very old Record vise and some of our Canadian and European members will know more about it since they have more in their areas than we do here in the US. also welcome to Garage Journal and i hope you stick around to learn and also teach us what you know. cheers

 

[balane]

Oh, about 9-10 months ago I took in a bunch of scrap cast iron, about 300 pounds worth, and got right at a dime per pound. Maybe it went up some since then.

 

[AndrewH]

Cast iron is about a dime per pound scrap around here.

Last time I checked, it was 0.18 a lb, but commodity prices change all the time. It could be different tomorrow!

Crafty - That is indeed a very old Record, I'd guess one of the oldest I've seen posted here since I joined. I'm not sure how the dates work on stuff over there but I'd imagine that it was made somewhere around 1917 for sure. If you could bring it back to life it'd serve another 100 years I'm sure!

 

[Blue Frog]

drivesitfar posted the following in Vise Repair 101:

even posting a rare vise on it's own would add to the flavor of the thread if it is truly rare and you can find that out by posting it on the vises of garage journal and finding out if you are unsure and need a little help.
****************

I consider this one rare - what say ye?

 

[balane]

I bought two Wiltons from Drivesitfar the other day. In addition to the C1 I posted earlier this 1750 is the other one all finished. It actually ended up being a really nice 5" Tradesman and is in great shape, works perfectly too.

Sorry, pouring down rain today so no stump photos. Just have to make do with some crappy indoor shots.

.

 

[nine4gmc]

Oh, about 9-10 months ago I took in a bunch of scrap cast iron, about 300 pounds worth, and got right at a dime per pound. Maybe it went up some since then.

It was about the same here($0.11/lb) for "prepared heavy iron" and about $0.07 for tin/unprepared.

drivesitfar posted the following in Vise Repair 101:

even posting a rare vise on it's own would add to the flavor of the thread if it is truly rare and you can find that out by posting it on the vises of garage journal and finding out if you are unsure and need a little help.
****************

I consider this one rare - what say ye?

What's the other side look like, any COO? Looks cool

I bought two Wiltons from Drivesitfar the other day. In addition to the C1 I posted earlier this 1750 is the other one all finished. It actually ended up being a really nice 5" Tradesman and is in great shape, works perfectly too.

Sorry, pouring down rain today so no stump photos. Just have to make do with some crappy indoor shots.

.

My eyes hurt, not having a stump and beautiful background scenery to admire Great job, and cool that you guys got to meet up!!

 

[drivesitfar]

Balane: i know you can make a vise shine, but i had that one in my hands seems like only a few hours ago. you have perfected your magic touch again and for those that want to see the before pictures i have of the same vise here they are. nice work again as always and i do like that color for that Wilton.

Blue: it looks rare to me, but i just want to say you should and maybe always post more than one picture unless you just like teasing us old guys. so when you get a minute please post more along with any information you know about it. thanks

 

[Blue Frog]

Blue: it looks rare to me, but i just want to say you should and maybe always post more than one picture unless you just like teasing us old guys. so when you get a minute please post more along with any information you know about it. thanks

The only mark is PYRAMID on one side. I cannot find any other markings on the vise to indicate who made it or when, though it does look vintage American to me. The shaft can rotate 360 degrees and can be locked in any position. One set of jaws is 1 11/16" wide and is capable of holding round objects. The other set of jaws is 2 2/1" wide and has smooth jaws.

BTW, I'm probably older than most of you on this forum.

I've never posted multiple thumbnail pics before, but will attempt it here.


<a href="http://s679.photobucket.com/user/lilrichard2/media/dscf1524.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i679.photobucket.com/albums/vv152/lilrichard2/dscf1524.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo dscf1524.jpg"/></a>


<a href="http://s679.photobucket.com/user/lilrichard2/media/dscf1527.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i679.photobucket.com/albums/vv152/lilrichard2/dscf1527.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo dscf1527.jpg"/></a>


<a href="http://s679.photobucket.com/user/lilrichard2/media/dscf1528.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i679.photobucket.com/albums/vv152/lilrichard2/dscf1528.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo dscf1528.jpg"/></a>


<a href="http://s679.photobucket.com/user/lilrichard2/media/dscf1529.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i679.photobucket.com/albums/vv152/lilrichard2/dscf1529.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo dscf1529.jpg"/></a>


<a href="http://s679.photobucket.com/user/lilrichard2/media/dscf1530.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i679.photobucket.com/albums/vv152/lilrichard2/dscf1530.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo dscf1530.jpg"/></a>


<a href="http://s679.photobucket.com/user/lilrichard2/media/dscf1531.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i679.photobucket.com/albums/vv152/lilrichard2/dscf1531.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo dscf1531.jpg"/></a>

 

[autopts]

Wow! That 9300 is crisp! Finger savers are on Ebay

 

[Outlawmws]

Blue, If that is a US made vise, (and it may very well be) it was used as a model for a Japan built knockoff. As a kid, I had the same vise as a vacuum mount, and I've seen them as clamp-ons. Never with the pyramid logo however.

Definite differences though: The imports always had a plated screw and handle, the back nut was plated, and I've never seen one not painted hammertone blue.

 

[McBrownie]

Wow! That 9300 is crisp! Finger savers are on Ebay

I agree, that is a really nice 9300. Does that original label say "No. 300"? If so, does that mean what we commonly call 9300, 9400, 9450, etc. really just older 300, 400, and 450's?

 

[autopts]

Second, a Parker 271 with the swivel jaw. Back of the slide is broken...oh well I thought it was cool so I took it, I mean could I really lose on this one? Swivel pin looks like it wants to move, but I won't rush it. PB blasted it, will try a little heat in a few days. Base isn't moving but the bolt is at least loose.
.
Joe, I have a 4" bullet mounted onto a 271 Parker swivel base and its swivels and locks down nicer then the OE Base. The hole in the Wilton base was tapped to 9/16' and the end thread on the nut was turned down and re threaded to the same. When I dig it out, I will post it here and on Drivitfar's thread also.

 

[Outlawmws]

I agree, that is a really nice 9300. Does that original label say "No. 300"? If so, does that mean what we commonly call 9300, 9400, 9450, etc. really just NEWER 300, 400, and 450's?

Fixed it for ya! The three digit No.s are earlier.

 

[drivesitfar]

McB: I'd say yes to your question about Wilton's numbering.

Blue: you did great with the pictures and thanks for sharing. let us know what else you find out and i bet Outlaw is onto something and maybe your vise is the US one the importers copied. at first i thought it was a gun from one of the pictures. nice and probably rare and i'll defer to the experts, but I've never seen one that i can remember. thanks for tackling the picture thing and would love to see more of your old tools on GJ in other spots as well as more vises you own to show off here.

All: found a couple more while packing the little cabinet today and have pictures of a 10/46 Wilton that is a nice rust color and in pretty good shape otherwise. sorry guys it's a keeper to go along with my baby bullet and my 606 SJ.

 

[tedsters]

rmsg

wow that 9300 does not even look like its been used

 

[rmsg0040]

It's definitely mint, I initially was thinking to strip it and paint it and put it to light use, but now I am deciding whether I should leave it in its original form and tuck it away in the basement

 

[AndrewH]

Well, I prevailed against the Morgan 150 jaw pad! The tools of the trade are all in the picture below. However, not even 3 minutes after my triumphant victory I saw a little spot of rust on the base and decided to grab the angle grinder and wire wheel it off, I forgot that I had put a white rag underneath it to keep the base clean for painting. Needless to say, the wire wheel grabbed that frickin cloth and pulled it and the entire stationary half with it. It took a 3.5 foot fall to the floor (it weighs about 40 lbs) I thought for sure it was going to the scrap yard as stood there in total shock at what a ******* I was, well I picked it up and it put a good 3/16" dent in the concrete but didn't do a single thing to the vise! Not even a DENT! I compared it to pictures I had took of it and it looks EXACTLY the same, I can't believe it. I got really lucky tonight and decided to hang up the towel for the night before my luck ran out.

Anyways, paint is coming is the next couple days, just gotta clean it up a little bit more on the inside and get the jaw pad off the dynamic jaw and tape er up!

 

[drivesitfar]

Andrew: thanks for the laugh and cry at the same time. glad to hear it's ok and also that it didn't land on your toe. success again.

RMSG: your wilton does look like a collectable or maybe a light user in that condition. just think not too many days ago your were trying to by an import and now you are an old vise owner several times and a collector. go figure

 

[AndrewH]

Andrew: thanks for the laugh and cry at the same time. glad to hear it's ok and also that it didn't land on your toe. success again.

RMSG: your wilton does look like a collectable or maybe a light user in that condition. just think not too many days ago your were trying to by an import and now you are an old vise owner several times and a collector. go figure

Fortunately I was wearing steel toes! I had to make a split second decision as to whether I was going to hold onto my milwaukee m18 angle grinder spinning at 10,000 rpm or try to catch the falling vise, fortunately I chose to hang onto to the angle grinder!

 

[tedsters]

Andrew

glad you and the vise are good that could have very easily broke your foot if it landed on it

 

[drivesitfar]

Andrew: you're a lucky and a smart man and of course you buy nice old US vises that don't break easily.

i might have to put that story in or you can as a warning in the Vise Repair 101thread. "Warning be careful using power tools on your vise while shining it up"

All: added an old English made 4.5 inch wide jaw swivel base Paramo to the little cabinet. the English are not doing as well tonight because the big PW anvil left the building and went to our 51st state if they get admitted. Paramo is clean and in line for the Electrolysis bath i'm making a permanent spot for (or i'll ask Balane to stop by and spiff it up in an hour).

 

[Fretters]

So the question is why the 1917 date ?
Could it really be that old?

Would they really have made a casting mould just for one year ? or is this more likely to be a trademark design date or something similar ? from what I've found it is not the formation date of the company (that was 1898) and the "Record" trademark in 1909.

Be intriguing to see the eventual answer to that question on the date. Regarding cast with changeable text & numbers, one thing that you do find a lot of manufacturers did, on occasion, was to have a spot in the masters where they could screw a plate into, so that they could update info easily when needed. You'll sometimes find cast items which appears to have screws around the plaque area, but the screw heads are actually part of the cast.

 

[Fretters]

I consider this one rare - what say ye?

I'd definitely put that one into my collection any day of the week. That definitely looks like a proper old piece, and not one of the import jobs. I do like that one.

 

[Mark in Indiana]

Well, I prevailed against the Morgan 150 jaw pad! The tools of the trade are all in the picture below. However, not even 3 minutes after my triumphant victory I saw a little spot of rust on the base and decided to grab the angle grinder and wire wheel it off, I forgot that I had put a white rag underneath it to keep the base clean for painting. Needless to say, the wire wheel grabbed that frickin cloth and pulled it and the entire stationary half with it. It took a 3.5 foot fall to the floor (it weighs about 40 lbs) I thought for sure it was going to the scrap yard as stood there in total shock at what a ******* I was, well I picked it up and it put a good 3/16" dent in the concrete but didn't do a single thing to the vise! Not even a DENT! I compared it to pictures I had took of it and it looks EXACTLY the same, I can't believe it. I got really lucky tonight and decided to hang up the towel for the night before my luck ran out.


Andrew:
Great lessons learned story. Glad you didn't get injured.

 

[autopts]

Model #

Andrew...You are close. This is a older model with the 1" high jaws and they are cheaper 4.50W X 1"H X 5/8T 2 3/8" C-C

 

[AndrewH]

Andrew...You are close. This is a older model with the 1" high jaws and they are cheaper 4.50W X 1"H X 5/8T 2 3/8" C-C

I was just going by Kevin's site as I don't have a C1, it said 'New C1's after Chicago' Hopefully he measured first!

 

[va.grouseman]

Andrew----Did something similar. Was wire wheeling my Morgan swivel jaw with a 4 inch Black & Decker grinder with no wheel guard, (stupid, but), you can't get into those tight places with a guard on. Anyway the brush caught on the edge of the slide, kicked straight back to me, caught my flannel shirt, wound it up till the grinder stalled. But not before slicing my belly up like a Thanksgiving turkey. I looked like I'D been filleted. Lost a good flannel. People don't know what all we go through just for a good picture.
By the way Andrew, if you are ever working on a one-of-a-kind jewel, like Drivesit's 606, and you jerk a piece of it off the bench, you have a split second to decide, but it's a no-brainer. You have to stick out your foot and break it's fall. The lacerations will heal and the bones will mend, but some things can't be replaced.

 

[ritzblitz]

These pictures are probably gonna be crooked as always. But here is my american scale No. 25

It's missing the pipe jaws, and the jaws could use a freshening. Otherwise it's decent. Makes my 4C look not so big. Maybe I'll weigh it one day. It's gotta be near 200

 

[drivesitfar]

Ritz: at least the name is straight because as you predicted your picture is sideways. maybe you should just post videos.

that is a monster and thanks for sharing. yes weigh it and also give stats of the jaw width which i'm guessing is 6 inches. is the jaw short on the static side or is a chunk missing on it?

looks great otherwise and I'd still like to know why so many pipe jaws are missing on these old vises. did the old timers break them all with the cast and galvanized pipe work?

VA: damn that sounded horrible, but it sounded like you were more upset about ruining your favorite shirt. glad you survived because I've heard some have not when getting their shirt wrapped up in a grinder's wheel. i think i might have to add a section for WARNING to my Vise Repair 101 thread.

 

[AndrewH]

Have a question for you guys.. Found a Hollands 59 for $200, it's 7" jaws, 200 lbs. It appears to be in pretty good condition, the only minor thing is that one of the mounting feet was brazed 20+ years ago and has been mounted and used ever since. I personally think $200 is a steal for a vise that large and the gentleman is at least in his 70s and said it's been so long since it was brazed he forgot about it as it's been mounted to the table it's on for over 20 years and the foot is fine. I don't see it as a problem, what do you guys think?

Should mention it's a fixed base, no swiveling going on here.

 

[Outlawmws]

Andrew, for a user you are probably fine, but as a re-seller it is a detraction.