The VISES of Garage Journal

[sz0k30]

A while back I picked up the 3 vises shown in post #17325 on page #867.

The middle one didn't have a handle. Its an Adams Co - "Diamond Vise" with a ratcheting rear jaw. Thanks to a beautiful new handle from ritzblitz and a coat of John Deer Green its looking much better than when I got it.

 

[motorheadsdiygarage]

Spent part of the day fabricating a tripod for my vise. Used some Honda Accord rotors that were destined for the scrap and some galvanized fence pipe that was laying around. Just need a few bolts to secure the vise.

Good little DIY project for my welder.

 

[joe.striper]

Joe,

I totally agree with you.

Hammerite exceeded my expectations, it's almost too nice/pretty but I found it's very important to let it cure properly to get the "hard as nails" finish, otherwise for the ones who are impatient and feel that the vise is already dry to handle & ready to use before the recommended 30 days will pay dearly for it but once it's fully cured it is hard as nails. It's great stuff.

Found some good spray-can hammerite color samples.

I love it when it runs a little and makes a gorgeous swirl pattern. It does dry pretty quick but it does take time to 'cure" . Once it does though it is as hard as nails. Can you match names to some of those colors?

 

[Outlawmws]

SNIP

Outlaw, you have a good condition standard 3 ear swivel base that will fit a Chicago 2.5" Wilton vise? Base is 4.5" diameter, mounting holes 3 3/8" apart center to center. If buyers are balking at a repaired clamp base then a trade would be something I could consider if your offer wasn't in jest.

Let me check when I'm at home. I think it's a 3" vise, but possibly the bases are the same. And it was only half jest. (because I didn't think you would take me seriously)

I'd be in for a trade for that base.

And it's a no-go: the OD on the base is 5" on the 3" bullet (Confirmed), and the CL to CL on the locks is close to 3-7/8"

 

[Outlawmws]

Joe,

I totally agree with you.

Hammerite exceeded my expectations, it's almost too nice/pretty but I found it's very important to let it cure properly to get the "hard as nails" finish, otherwise for the ones who are impatient and feel that the vise is already dry to handle & ready to use before the recommended 30 days will pay dearly for it but once it's fully cured it is hard as nails. It's great stuff.

Found some good spray-can hammerite color samples.

I love it when it runs a little and makes a gorgeous swirl pattern. It does dry pretty quick but it does take time to 'cure" . Once it does though it is as hard as nails. Can you match names to some of those colors?

Guys, you can shorten the cure time for hammered paint considerably:

• Set the parts out in the sun and let them get hot (after though de-greasing)
  
• Spray while still hot, lay it in THICK
  
• Let it bake in the sun.

Sun cured paint simply cures harder, faster...

 

[balane]

And it's a no-go: the OD on the base is 5" on the 3" bullet (Confirmed), and the CL to CL on the locks is close to 3-7/8"

OK, that's about how I remembered it. Thanks for checking, it was worth a shot.

 

[Advan]

Time for a fashion reality check. I was at NAPA auto parts truck division and I found these polyurethane electrical grommets and they actually fit my 5" bullet and my 6" Tradesman handles. Here's the question, i could have gotten them in black but what do you think of the colors? They cost $1.50 each. I cannot believe they fit over the 5" handle cause that's a biggun'! I rather like the blue on the Wilton blue vise.

I know they are VERY snug on the 5" vise and the 1760 handle is just about perfect. They will fit perfectly on a 4" bullet.

A minor detail, but those aren't grommets, they're air seals for gladhands...

 

[Eastexan]

Spent part of the day fabricating a tripod for my vise. Used some Honda Accord rotors that were destined for the scrap and some galvanized fence pipe that was laying around. Just need a few bolts to secure the vise.

Great job!
I have a couple old rotors and may copy that. I've been wondering what kind of stand to mount my vise on.

Did you use a specialty rod on those rotors, or just 7018?

 

[95riosnake]

Anybody have any info on this vise? The seller says it's a Holland 52 but I can't find any information on that model Holland vise. Do they have removable/replaceable jaws? I may pick this up but I just want to have knowledge on my side as to what to offer for it.

 

[joe.striper]

A minor detail, but those aren't grommets, they're air seals for gladhands...

I have no freakin' idea what a gladhand is...please enlighten me. I got them in the heavy truck section at NAPA. Thank you.

 

[EOC_Jason]

Anybody have any info on this vise? The seller says it's a Holland 52 but I can't find any information on that model Holland vise. Do they have removable/replaceable jaws? I may pick this up but I just want to have knowledge on my side as to what to offer for it.

From pictures I've seen of Hollands, I don't recall any of them having removable jaws.. Also looks like the pipe jaws are missing in that pic.

 

[KMScott]

Outlaw, you have a good condition standard 3 ear swivel base that will fit a Chicago 2.5" Wilton vise? Base is 4.5" diameter, mounting holes 3 3/8" apart center to center. If buyers are balking at a repaired clamp base then a trade would be something I could consider if your offer wasn't in jest.

balane
I had a # 825 Base in my possession for a couple of days and built two to fit mine, here is a drawing that I created and used for my fabrication. Maybe the drawing will help you find a base.

 

[Carla]

balane
I had a # 825 Base in my possession for a couple of days and built two to fit mine, here is a drawing that I created and used for my fabrication. Maybe the drawing will help you find a base.

Kevin, I was impressed enough with your ultra-substantial vise handle tips, but this......CNC milling steel swivel base components......is well and truly 'above and beyond'.

That is some dramatically excellent work, there......... : )

cheers

Carla

 

[macgee]

MaGee: I think that the seller on Ebay is one of our members here on GJ and a neighbor of KM's. a ton of good vise parts are coming out of that part of the country these days and looks like more now that Kevin is sharing more of his vise parts ****.

Drivesit & Oldldh,

I'm glad to hear it's a fellow GJ member. I said they might be a little pricey but in reality it's not bad, they're hard to find and price includes shipping. Plus you can't put a price on how nice it is not to get blood blisters on your fingers tips every time your vise.

 

[Carla]

I have no freakin' idea what a gladhand is...please enlighten me. I got them in the heavy truck section at NAPA. Thank you.

Hi, Joe,

They are air line connections

cheers

Czrla

 

[KMScott]

Kevin, I was impressed enough with your ultra-substantial vise handle tips, but this......CNC milling steel swivel base components......is well and truly 'above and beyond'.

That is some dramatically excellent work, there......... : )

cheers

Carla

Thanks Carla, it is all fun stuff. Actually I looked for a good year for these small swivel bases and one day just decided to build a pair. Does it reduce the worth of these small Wilton's? I do not know but one thing for sure is they are much stronger then the original castings. I would not want to build these for customers.

 

[macgee]

Thanks Carla, it is all fun stuff. Actually I looked for a good year for these small swivel bases and one day just decided to build a pair. Does it reduce the worth of these small Wilton's? I do not know but one thing for sure is they are much stronger then the original castings. I would not want to build these for customers.

Kevin,

Your doing great work, it's always a treat seeing what your up to. Those bases and the handles & screws you posted earlier are awesome.

Cheers

 

[balane]

balane
I had a # 825 Base in my possession for a couple of days and built two to fit mine, here is a drawing that I created and used for my fabrication. Maybe the drawing will help you find a base.

Wow! Way out of my league sir.

 

[oldldh]

And Reverend Scott's---

MOUNTAIN MAGIC MACHINE EMPORIUM

Strikes again!!!

(P.S.-----You wouldn't want to whittle a Craftsman 5198, would you???)

 

[OSULemon]

My first attempt:

 

[KMScott]

Thanks guys, been doing this stuff since the early seventy's. Picking up over 40 vises from the Golden pile and it committed me to fix these old iron clampers. I have not scraped more then two of them so far and those were broke in two. Oldie, if you have a drawing I could try to build you one of those 5198's. Do you think anyone ever bought one? Thanks macgee and balane for the painting tips and paint, got my Valspar Leaf Rise Satin today for the old Wilton's.

 

[drivesitfar]

OSU: nice first attempt. you're hired if you want to practice on some of mine.

 

[macgee]

I love it when it runs a little and makes a gorgeous swirl pattern. It does dry pretty quick but it does take time to 'cure" . Once it does though it is as hard as nails. Can you match names to some of those colors?

Joe,

I agree about the swirl patterns, they look great. I found the best way to get them is to make sure the surface your painting is horizontal, you get the swirls from when the paint pools but you need to be careful of running and drips.

Outlaw is correct, heat really helps curing hammertone. I put the vise in the hot direct sun to heat up it's core, then spray it in the shade ( I use 4-5 coats, every 15mins). It helps cure the first coats sealed underneath the outside coat. The next day after the paint is dry to the point it isn't sticky to the touch I put it outside (warm area exposed to direct sunlight not susceptible to dust or dirt) to help advance curing. Attached are pics of a cheap vise I was messing around with putting lipstick on a pig. Gotta say I couldn't believe how roughly/badly made this Wilton from China was.

As requested, here's the Hammerite color chart. The mid-green is really nice, of course it's hard to find. The red is also nice.

 

[oldldh]

Oldie, if you have a drawing I could try to build you one of those 5198's. Do you think anyone ever bought one?

Kevin, I'm having my doubts that one was ever sold, but Sears had them in the catalogs---ergo---there's one, somewhere...

A drawing---that would probably be harder to find than a vise...

A "Hewn From A Billet" 5198 would be too cool, however the cost would be way beyond my wherewithal...I'm a poor retired fellow...

If I ever find a good Wilton 600S at a reasonable price (another fantasy/delusion), you are going to get a call for the bits you already make...

 

[straightcut]

I would not want to build these for customers.

Kevin, it's not fair to bait loyal customers, then decline orders! How soon could you have a base whipped out for my C2?

 

[macgee]

My first attempt:

OSU,

I like your vise.

Nice job with the detailing; it cleaned up well and it looks great. Cheers

 

[Fretters]

10-4

Cheers for the clarification.

My first attempt:

Nice work. Looks tidy.

 

[bl00]

Anybody have any info on this vise? The seller says it's a Holland 52

The 52 and 53 are shown at the bottom left of this ad.

 

[95riosnake]

From pictures I've seen of Hollands, I don't recall any of them having removable jaws.. Also looks like the pipe jaws are missing in that pic.

The 52 and 53 are shown at the bottom left of this ad.

Thanks for the info guys, I guess I'll go take a look at it, wouldn't hurt to have another smaller vise around other than my Wilton. We'll see how flexible he is on the price in light of the missing pipe jaws. If the faces of the jaws aren't looking decent I'll probably pass since they aren't replaceable.

 

[blacknblue]

Finally got myself a vise (I dont know how I have gotten by without one). I think I got a good deal on it for 30 bucks. It's a Yost 3" machinist vise. Here is my first crack at refurbishment. I know its not true to its original color, but I had this paint on hand. What say ye?

Before:



After:

 

[Fretters]

I'd say that's a nice restoration you have done there. Looks good.

 

[W0rLDWaR4]

Looks good!!!

Finally got myself a vise (I dont know how I have gotten by without one). I think I got a good deal on it for 30 bucks. It's a Yost 3" machinist vise. Here is my first crack at refurbishment. I know its not true to its original color, but I had this paint on hand. What say ye?

Before:



After:

 

[va.grouseman]

blacknblue-------Excellent job on the Yost. And how have you survived in the shop without a vise?

 

[autopts]

balane
I had a # 825 Base in my possession for a couple of days and built two to fit mine, here is a drawing that I created and used for my fabrication. Maybe the drawing will help you find a base.

Kevin, you are a Metal God! I'm so happy you started directing your efforts into fabricating parts and saving a part of tool history we all love. I can't wait to show my 800S with your fabricated spindle with new handle and jaws. You have quite a following and understandably so.

 

[chiz1180]

I figured that I probably should contribute.

This was my grandfather's vise. This little guy is extremely handy the perfect size for small tasks. I love how portable it is as well. As far as I can tell its all original too which is kinda cool.

This one belonged to a close family friend. It was a bit rough with a little bit of surface rust but it was not abused at all and it cleaned up nicely. Cant wait to mount it up and use it.

Nothing too special I guess but I like them.
chiz1180

 

[drivesitfar]

Chiz: your gramps baby bullet Wilton is something very special especially since it has personal history. it looks like one of the early 40's versions so can you pull out the dynamic jaw and check the date on the slide? i'm guessing 1946 or 1947?

the craftsman is a good vise too and not meant to be a press or an anvil and it might last for you to pass on to your grandkids.

KMScott: you can post your new or old vise **** anytime and thanks for sharing. i agree with the painting and i like the hammered rustoleum cans that are about $10 each. i like spraying in 60 to 80 degree weather, but that's only a few months a year here in the Northwest so looking to put an old oven in the shop to preheat, take out to spray on the paint and then back in to cure.

 

[chiz1180]

drivesitfar-thanks for the kind words. Both vises have quite a bit of sentimental value so they are going to be with me for a long time.
I just checked the date and it was 6-53.

chiz1180

 

[drivesitfar]

Chiz: a little later than i thought, but if that is the 5 year expiration date then your baby bullet was made in 1948. here's a couple other options to look for that really give your baby some access besides the swivel base you already have. the power arms are great and i think the clamp i own it fairly rare, but really makes it accessible.

glad to hear you are planning on keeping both of them. now make room for a big 100 plus pound 100 year old one on the other end of the bench once you find one on your own.

 

[steelkilt]

Gladhands! . Sorry if pic doesn't post

 

[organ]

Starrett 924 1/2 on Craigslist: http://atlanta.craigslist.org/nat/tls/4593893453.html

He ain't givin' it away...