The VISES of Garage Journal

[Outlawmws]

Besides Fret LIKES using muscle powered tools!

(Did that sound bad?... )

 

[balane]

These photos, courtesy of Autopts, show the Tradesman style vises I was referring to earlier. Cast in pipe jaws and a hollow recess on the bottom. If the Tradesman vise has these features then it was definitely an import.

.

 

[robertr6]

got the vise for free. It needed a spindle and some minor repairs. The spindle was 68 bucks.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[va.grouseman]

Originally posted by b100.

It looks like it has 436 on the side, not 486. If I recall correctly it was advertised at 185 or 187 lbs. You should still get one, though.
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I've already got a real nice 436, with good jaws and pipe jaws, that I wouldn't trade for a gold monkey.
But if you find out (and if anybody does it'll be you) that C.P. made a bigger combo, pm. me immediately. An intensive search will commence.

 

[LG63]

These photos, courtesy of Autopts, show the Tradesman style vises I was referring to earlier. Cast in pipe jaws and a hollow recess on the bottom. If the Tradesman vise has these features then it was definitely an import.

.

Were all Tradesman sizes imported at one time or another? Any idea as to the start/stop dates for the imports?

 

[Outlawmws]

Were all Tradesman sizes imported at one time or another? Any idea as to the start/stop dates for the imports?

Look one page back all your questions are answered.

 

[balane]

Were all Tradesman sizes imported at one time or another? Any idea as to the start/stop dates for the imports?

If you look a little further back in this thread, like one page back, you'll see somebody posted dates for imports. However, the information I was given stated if it didn't have the cast in jaws and hollow base then it was a US made vise, regardless of year.

 

[rmalkow2]

Picked this guy up tonight but I'm not finding any obvious markings on it yet. It's a 4" jaw width with lots of layers of paint that may be hiding the name underneath. If it looks familiar to anyone on GJ I'll very much appreciate the info.

 

[Outlawmws]

rmal, those "layers of paint" is a layer of Bondo under the paint. That and the chrome plated hardware, are sure signs of made in Asia.

 

[rmalkow2]

rmal, those "layers of paint" is a layer of Bondo under the paint. That and the chrome plated hardware, are sure signs of made in Asia.

Thanks Outlaw. I suspected that was a possibility when first saw it but its in good shape and was a reasonable cost. It might be a candidate for my welding area so I don't feel guilty about messing up something better.

 

[flavc3]

can anyone tell me more about Henry #4 (made in Canada on other side)vise. Picked one up today for my work bench and just wanted to know if it's ok to restore/repaint it .
Thanks

 

[Outlawmws]

Based solely on "made in Canada" I'd say yes. post pics...

 

[taumac]

Picked this guy up tonight but I'm not finding any obvious markings on it yet. It's a 4" jaw width with lots of layers of paint that may be hiding the name underneath. If it looks familiar to anyone on GJ I'll very much appreciate the info.

I have a 6in one definitely Chinese

5 Stitches Garage
http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=211899
Florida GJ Group
http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/group.php?groupid=117

 

[joe.striper]

Today I went and picked up my Wilton vice handle from the blacksmith that is 1/2 mile from me. His name is Claude and he's 75. I found his shop so intriguing I thought I'd post some pics. There are lots of vises in there as well as other assorted items. I didn't quite know where to post it so I decided to put it here. There is a lot of detail here so poke around.

I'm trying to pick up some of this, first though I need an anvil...

 

[joe.striper]

blacksmith continued...time for the anvils. There were more but I was already being a bit pushy getting these. Can you see the anvils stacked in the very back of the last photo?

 

[PCO6]

My neighbour put this on his curb for recycling. It's a good quality 3.5 "Made in England" vice so I picked it up. Although I've seen this type before I can't think of the brand name (note the diamond on the dynamic jaw). The rear of the dynamic jaw is identical to a Record vice. The stationary jaw however looks nothing like a Record.

It was a bit stiff at first but just needed a good de-rusting and cleaning. I liked the original turquoise colour but I thought I'd paint it red as I will likely sell it at our annual British car flea market.

As found ...
View media item 42188
In my dip tank (phosphoric acid) ...
View media item 42189
Out of the tank and off to my shop press to straighten the handle ...
View media item 42190
Painted and ready to reassemble ...
View media item 42191
Final product ... works great!
View media item 42192

 

[wrenchguy]

blacksmith continued...time for the anvils. There were more but I was already being a bit pushy getting these. Can you see the anvils stacked in the very back of the last photo?

nice, real nice ol' school. were those horse shoe blanks on the back wall 1st photo?

 

[joe.striper]

Finished my baby bullet and Wilton Pow-R-Arm last night. I used, for the first time, Hammerite's blue spray paint. In my opinion it destroys Rustoleum's hammer paint. Hard as nails and hammer finish comes out great.

had to cut down the jaws a bit, otherwise it was in beautiful condition.

 

[joe.striper]

nice, real nice ol' school. were those horse shoe blanks on the back wall 1st photo?

yep, Claudes a farrier. I've got a great pic of his horse shoe wall I'll post. Claude spent an hour telling me how he shoes miniature horses.

 

[joe.striper]

yep, Claudes a farrier. I've got a great pic of his horse shoe wall I'll post. Claude spent an hour telling me how he shoes miniature horses.

Here you go.

 

[PCO6]

A few guys have asked about the "dip tank" I mentioned in post #18666. It's basically an large plastic tub with 2 cut down plastic garbage cans inside. One of the interior cans has the phosphoric acid in it and the other has water for rinsing.

I use a product called "B&G Rust Remover". I've only been able to purchase it at auto flea markets in Ontario but I know it's available in the U.S. as well.

View media item 33010
View media item 33011
View media item 34538

 

[rmalkow2]

I have a 6in one definitely Chinese

5 Stitches Garage

Yep it looks like the little brother to yours. Thanks.

 

[va.grouseman]

Previously posted by flavc3.

can anyone tell me more about Henry #4 (made in Canada on other side)vise. Picked one up today for my work bench and just wanted to know if it's ok to restore/repaint it .
Thanks
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Nightshift has a Henry and two other Canada vises on page 36. He may have some background info on your Henry.

 

[va.grouseman]

Joe.striper-----Looks like you've found a new BFF.

 

[GETRIDAONE]

PC06, That handle had quite a curve in it. Good job on the restoration.

Joe, I would find out what kind of cigars Claude likes and take him some from time to time. That might get you in front of the line when the time comes for him to get rid of some stuff.

 

[Carla]

rmal, those "layers of paint" is a layer of Bondo under the paint. That and the chrome plated hardware, are sure signs of made in Asia.

It was quite a few years ago, by now, when a would-be 'entrepreneur' came to the 'Pulga de Sanjo', aka the San Jose Capitol flea market, with a load of Chinese-made imitation vises. They appeared to be rather ill-made, to 'put it mildly'.

A few had been dropped or otherwise mis-handled, so one could see areas where some sort of finishing-putty approx 3/8 to 1/2" thick had been used on the very rough iron castings. I don't think the grade of putty they used was anything like the usual American bondo......at a guess, it might have been a mix of tung-oil and flour or lime?????

cheers

Carla

 

[flavc3]

here's the pic of the henry #4.....first time posting pics, hopefully they work
https://flic.kr/p/obTZBL
https://flic.kr/p/obUbnG
https://flic.kr/p/obVaxT
https://flic.kr/p/obUaLb

So can't really find anymore info on it.....also should I keep it green or would silver be cool?

 

[drivesitfar]

PC: nice set up with the 2 sided tank. do you live at the north pole because looks like ice alongside your tank?

did you bend that handle straight with a press or how did you do that. any chance you can post a few before and after pictures on a thread i started for Vise Repair 101? or here if you like?

Joe: cool pictures of the Blacksmith's shop. that old guy has some cool stuff and looks like plenty of everything.

ALL: when i get time i'm going to go through the Vise thread and pick out pictures and tips for many of the vise repairs and post on the Vise Repair 101 thread. any objections if i use one or more of your pictures or fixes? PM me or post here if you have comments.

it won't happen anytime soon while it's 80 and sunny like now in Seattle, but the rainy season will eventually come and i'll have some time to work on the vises and post them on the thread then. Some have already added posts to that thread and appreciate them and any others that would like to also.

it seems like every vise is similar and then different in some way and it would be nice to have a quick reference even if you are a pro, for a fix instead of spending hours searching for one on this and other threads.

one thing i read maybe last week was a couple of you had the same issues trying to get the main screw out of a vise and figured it out after a while so pictures and the fix would be nice for the next guy or even for you if you forgot and need to take it apart a few years from now.

thanks in advance.

 

[drivesitfar]

Flav: nice vise and looks like a keeper. i would say old Canada made vises are right on par with the old US and European vises unless someone here knows different.

also if you have pictures saved to your computer you can attach thumbnail pictures just like attaching pictures to an email by using the paperclip above where you are writing your posts. your pictures came out fine and this would just save them to the post so we can see small ones or click on for bigger ones.

if you are doing it from a cell phone it might be a bit different unless you have the pictures saved to your phone.

welcome to the Journal by the way and hope you teach us a few things we need to know as well as pick up some knowledge you need.

 

[Blue Frog]

Please tell me who can make a set of jaws for my baby Parker, 2 1/4" wide. Reference #18634 & 18636 on page 932.

 

[KMScott]

Please tell me who can make a set of jaws for my baby Parker, 2 1/4" wide. Reference #18634 & 18636 on page 932.

Blue
On my next run of jaws I was going to make a set for my little 2 inch, kind of close to yours. I would need your vise to make the proper dimensions. It might be a little expensive since they would be a custom set. PM me if interested.

 

[joe.striper]

PC06, That handle had quite a curve in it. Good job on the restoration.

Joe, I would find out what kind of cigars Claude likes and take him some from time to time. That might get you in front of the line when the time comes for him to get rid of some stuff.

Way ahead of you! My family grows CT broadleaf, the finest maduro wrapper in the world!. I already dropped some off ro him yesterday

Every Christmas I get 200 or so cigars from Consolidated Cigars that are wrapped with our tobacco. Great smokes and they're free!

 

[PCO6]

PC06, That handle had quite a curve in it. Good job on the restoration.

PC: nice set up with the 2 sided tank. do you live at the north pole because looks like ice alongside your tank?

did you bend that handle straight with a press or how did you do that. any chance you can post a few before and after pictures on a thread i started for Vise Repair 101? or here if you like?

Thanks guys.

drivesitfar - I'm just north of Toronto which is actually south of Seattle (latitudinally speaking). Lot different claimate though. That is indeed ice. The phosporic acid works in cold weather but it works better when it's warm and better still if you heat it.

I used my shop press to straighten the handle. It's relatively easy when the vice is disassembled. At first I just perched it between 2 metal blocks and took it slow. When I got close I pressed it against a flat metal plate and rotated it between pressings. I did the handle on a Record No. 6 once without taking it apart. That was quite a balacing act.

I didn't take any before and after pictures of the handle while it was in the press. I'm sure another bent handled vice will come along and I'll be sure to take some next time.

Please feel free to use any of my posts/pictures.

 

[macgee]

Please tell me who can make a set of jaws for my baby Parker, 2 1/4" wide. Reference #18634 & 18636 on page 932.

I hope you like your vise a whole lot because sadly new jaws are far from cheap, at least from this supplier.

EDIT: KMScott a good choice and a solid contributing member to the GJ forums. He's probably the best person to help you.

http://www.benchvisejaws.com/search.php?search_query=parker&x=-1250&y=-76

 

[s2kattracks]

Anyone have any idea what brand this vise is? No other pictures, seller has no info. Out of town and cant go look!

 

[drivesitfar]

Frog: that supplier Mac just gave you the link for i'm pretty sure is KMScott. that said you have a missing piece under your removable jaw that KM is one of the few guys I've seen that can maybe fix that too while he is making you jaws. it really depends how much you like your vise and how much you want to spend to make it look like new.

i do know that I've never seen a 2.5 inch Parker in the wild in the Pacific Northwest in the years I've had the vise vice so it isn't a common one at least in my part of the world.

PC: thanks for the good words. also any before and after pictures you have to add to the Vise Repair 101 thread are appreciated especially since you seem to almost have the entire collection of Record vises. also taking apart and putting together the quick release mech on a Record if you have one and had to do that to get it apart or fixed. also if you have any vise companies to add to the list that GJ has helped me make would be great and it is about 10 times what Dayid's list has so far.

S2: many many brands to pick from on that import copy of an old school vise. seen many broken and also have many clients that love theirs. it has a lot of options if they still work and if you treat it good it might last forever. $50 is probably what they are worth in great shape and you might even be able to buy new ones at HF for not much more.

 

[alinc100]

OK so my second ever Wilton vise is a Baby Bullet:






I responded to a CL ad ,I had been to the gentleman's house before.
He is a picker and a pretty darn good one. I ended up giving him $150 and a Schwinn bike badge for the vise.

 

[joe.striper]

OK so my second ever Wilton vise is a Baby Bullet:






I responded to a CL ad ,I had been to the gentleman's house before.
He is a picker and a pretty darn good one. I ended up giving him $150 and a Schwinn bike badge for the vise.

Congrats! Its pretty exciting getting one of these isnt it? They are such little jewels. Have fun redoing it!

 

[s2kattracks]

Frog: that supplier Mac just gave you the link for i'm pretty sure is KMScott. that said you have a missing piece under your removable jaw that KM is one of the few guys I've seen that can maybe fix that too while he is making you jaws. it really depends how much you like your vise and how much you want to spend to make it look like new.

i do know that I've never seen a 2.5 inch Parker in the wild in the Pacific Northwest in the years I've had the vise vice so it isn't a common one at least in my part of the world.

PC: thanks for the good words. also any before and after pictures you have to add to the Vise Repair 101 thread are appreciated especially since you seem to almost have the entire collection of Record vises. also taking apart and putting together the quick release mech on a Record if you have one and had to do that to get it apart or fixed. also if you have any vise companies to add to the list that GJ has helped me make would be great and it is about 10 times what Dayid's list has so far.

S2: many many brands to pick from on that import copy of an old school vise. seen many broken and also have many clients that love theirs. it has a lot of options if they still work and if you treat it good it might last forever. $50 is probably what they are worth in great shape and you might even be able to buy new ones at HF for not much more.

Its listed at 175(seems high), just unsure of the brand. Really need to get to it and view it.

Got my 4" Wilton in today!! Going out to open the package now!

 

[drivesitfar]

S2: don't give that vise another thought because seriously you can buy them all the time for about $30 to $50. i'd pull up a bunch of Craigslist ads for you right now, but easier to just have you check Seattle's Craigslist and check for vises. there is one on there now that is King brand for $80 that he originally listed for $50 that looks a bit older than most, but still not the 70 plus year old versions when these vises were made out of much better quality steel.

other brands for that vise could be Larin, Olympia and many many other names stamped or paper badged on that vise.

Joe: Impressive cigar box you have there and good tip Get.

Alinc: you are killing it with the cool finds lately and congrats on the Baby Bullet find.