The VISES of Garage Journal

[FMC1959]

Thanks, that makes sense. My other Prentiss is a 525 but it has 515 525 on the dynamic jaw

Same deal, 511 to 519 were stationary base, 521 to 529 were swivel.

 

[EOC_Jason]

Hello all,
i just picked up a Columbia 604 1/2, and while disassembled and cleaning, i noticed this stamp on the slide. Is this some sort of date code, or did someone add this down the line?

The "USA" is stamped twice, and then 247-50.

It was probably stamped by someone later. It's not uncommon to see a vise punched with numbers on the slide or other random spots that make no sense. I guess they decided to do a "test" before punching whatever they were holding.

 

[HunterMike]

Thanks Jason

 

[Grigg]

Here is the little wounded 2" Prentiss cleaned up and derusted.
I think the failure both top and bottom happened at the same time due to over tightening and or then whacking it with a hammer. When tightened those two areas are under the most stress and what's trying to break off.

Also I'm not sure this is a salesman's copy, seems to me it was a real vice meant to be used, it even has hardened jaw inserts cast or silver soldered into the jaws. Perhaps sold to jewelers?

va.grouseman do you have any more pictures of your little Prentiss, and perhaps some measurements and detail on the swivel base, even trace it on a piece of graph paper?

Any explanation why there is what's left of a threaded hole here? Not quite centered either.

I can now see it (part of it) was patented February 6th of 1877 PAT. FEBY. 6th 77
Patent # 187131

Looks like might be a model number 102?
Anyone have a catalog or literature on this

 

[Trey T]

Balane: That Extreme Green 1750 Snap-On is on Ebay!!!!

 

[Spudland_Dave]

My eyes! My eyes! I'm just curious how an Extreme Green 1750 5" vise will be received. It's, um, bright. Vise is in nice shape though.

.

IMHO, Very well to the right people...i'm jealous as all hell...thats precisely what I wanted to do to a Tradesman once I found one...just couldnt/cant find one at a reasonable price.

While on the subject of vices, I just got this Palmgren 6" Tradesman vise yesterday...i'm impressed, VERY impressed....

 

[Dennis Leigh Henry]

It was probably stamped by someone later. It's not uncommon to see a vise punched with numbers on the slide or other random spots that make no sense. I guess they decided to do a "test" before punching whatever they were holding.

Maybe a school shop vise? I remember my first time punching letters with a hammer.. screwed up my project and needed to remill the pocket. Tried on some scraps in the stock room before trying again. Doing that on a vise would have made sense (Mr. Tom Berry, my vocational machine trades mentor would have conked us if he saw us doing that...).

Dennis

 

[Outlawmws]

Jammer, while it's a Yost, its still a Homeowner's vise. I don't see you making any $$ trying to flip it. if you can get it cheap, and want it, fine, but not a $$ maker...

 

[PghJKB]

Here is the little wounded 2" Prentiss cleaned up and derusted.
I think the failure both top and bottom happened at the same time due to over tightening and or then whacking it with a hammer. When tightened those two areas are under the most stress and what's trying to break off.

Also I'm not sure this is a salesman's copy, seems to me it was a real vice meant to be used, it even has hardened jaw inserts cast or silver soldered into the jaws. Perhaps sold to jewelers?

va.grouseman do you have any more pictures of your little Prentiss, and perhaps some measurements and detail on the swivel base, even trace it on a piece of graph paper?

Any explanation why there is what's left of a threaded hole here? Not quite centered either.

I can now see it (part of it) was patented February 6th of 1877 PAT. FEBY. 6th 77

Looks like might be a model number 102?
Anyone have a catalog or literature on this

Grigg
I also have a couple of these "Little Guys". My take is that they were a Jeweler's Vise.

If you check through the thread you will see four different models
Swivel Base, Swivel Jaw
Swivel Base, Fixed Jaw
Fixed Base, Swivel Jaw
Fixed Base, Fixed Jaw

They seem to have been made in three finish's - Nickel Plate, Japanned, Burgundy Paint.

The threaded hole is for the anvil - it screwed on. Look closely at the images in drivesitfar's post #19407. You can see that all the models zoomie has all have the anvil.

The 102 is a mark that was used to keep the pieces together. One of mine is stamped 21, another 86.

Give me some time and I can put together a drawing of the base for you.

Here are some images of the maker's mark, swivel base and a swivel base with burgundy paint.

 

[va.grouseman]

Grigg----The 102 is probably just a part number.---Here are a few more pics of the little Prentiss that I posted back on page 433.---But this vise has 1 3/4 inch jaws, so I figure the dimensions will be somewhat different than yours.












On the swivel base, the outside measure of the two matching ears is 3 5/16.---The outside measure to the one odd ear is 2 13/16.---The circumference without ears is 2 5/16.---Also mine is a swivel-jaw, and I don't know what kind of differences that will make in measurements.---Zoomie has two that are stationary jaws. You might PM him, he'd probably be your best bet.---How do you plan on building up the missing metal on the static housing?---I know it can be done, but that is some tricky business.

 

[balane]

Balane: That Extreme Green 1750 Snap-On is on Ebay!!!!

I was aware of that.

 

[va.grouseman]

PghJKB-----Sorry, your post hadn't posted to my computer before I posted a reply. If it had, I wouldn't have bothered because I don't think I can give Grigg any help.---Our vises are just too different.---If you can help him, good.

 

[Grigg]

Thanks guys,
Looks like Zoomie's top right in the picture is as close as I've seen to mine so far, different finish but fixed jaw with swivel base. Now I understand about the anvil and the partial screw threads in mine.

PghJKB Having seen the picture with makers mark I can now make out parts of a few letters of the same on mine, just half of the "PRE" of Prentis and only the bottom of the "Y." of N.Y.

Diameter on mine is 2-9/16" where it meets the missing swivel base, so a tad larger than yours va.grouseman thanks for the info.

I guess it is an ambitious project and not worth the time and effort that it will take for a vise I will probably use very little if at all, and the repair would be decent but perhaps not a full strength repair. It is such a cute little vise and so well made it seemed a shame to leave it to rust away in an old junk shop.. I did only pay $4 for it, so I wouldn't be out much if I give up now.
I was thinking of whittling up a couple pieces of cast iron or steel to replace the missing parts and then silver soldering them in place. After that I'd machine and dress everything to blend and fit. The swivel base I'd turn/machine from a piece of steel, probably easier to execute than the other repairs and no question about strength.

The top piece is pretty simple. The bottom will be harder to do because of more detail to it like the jaw support shelf. Could probably use a few more pictures and measurements before I get started on that.

 

[rusty65]

Finally finished my Samson vise resto model no 5264. I painted the vise Hunter green and made a new swivel lock handle as the old one was MIA when I got the vise. I actually used a bolt that came with the vise for the handle so free fix .
Before:

After:

Sent directly from the Snap On Kool Aid factory.

 

[drivesitfar]

Rusty: nice job on that Sampson. would you mind posting the pictures of your swivel handle fix over on the Vise Repair 101 thread and maybe a few words on how you did that. nice job.

Grigg: if you do half as nice a repair as you did on that Reed 4C i'm sure the little $4 investment will be a coffee table showpiece that probably will function perfectly. by the way how is the 4C working now that it's been a few months?

 

[macgee]

Does anyone have experience with Swayne vises?

Looks like a cool little metal former among other things.

 

[Fretters]

Does anyone have experience with Swayne vises?

Looks like a cool little metal former among other things.

Can't say for definite, but I seem to remember seeing a Dunlap? vice which was very similar to that some while ago. They may be a common make rebadged.

 

[Fretters]

Finally finished my Samson vise resto model no 5264.

That looks tidy.

 

[macgee]

Can't say for definite, but I seem to remember seeing a Dunlap? vice which was very similar to that some while ago. They may be a common make rebadged.

Thanks Fretters,

Here is a better look of the vise without the attachments. I never have seen a Dunlap like this able to take such attachments. I have seen Dunlap with a hardie cut off attachment on the anvil for black smithing.

While I was looking for a smaller vise for myself and came across this however there asking too much money for it (at least to me) especially since it doesn't have the attactchments. A vise like this could useful for very me but I would worry about the slider strength, it looks small for having to do so much and with all the leverage and loads high up above the jaws.

Does anyone know if there other vises like this?

 

[Hot Chop shop]

Any guesses on this vise?
The arrows make me think it's a craftsman ?
Thanks guys!

 

[jakemac]

Yes, it's a Craftsman 506.51840. The 506 prefix identifies it as made by Columbian.

It's in rough shape, and missing the swivel base. But it should clean up nicely and look great in a new coat of paint. Might I suggest Arrest-ME-Red to keep Oldldh off your back ?

 

[oldldh]

Might I suggest " ARREST-ME-RED " to keep Oldldh off your back ?

Fixed it for you----


Thanks for the "Assist"...

 

[Fretters]

Thanks Fretters,

Here is a better look of the vise without the attachments. I never have seen a Dunlap like this able to take such attachments. I have seen Dunlap with a hardie cut off attachment on the anvil for black smithing.

I've only come across the Dunlap version once in my online travels, so to speak. Only reason I could remember that one is that it piqued my curiosity at the time, and Dunlap is obviously similar enough to Dunlop to make the name memorable. Just done a quick search via Google, and funnily enough it came back with a link to this site. This appears to be the type. Although WWII didn't post a photo showing the top, the dimensions appear right with the elongated jaws.

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showpost.php?p=2529104&postcount=19

 

[drivesitfar]

Mac: to heck with the little pipe bender. grab that yellow vise it's sitting in and get yourself a real pipe bender to sit on the bench alongside it. is that a Leinen and what's with all the measurements?

also what's the yellow tail all about or is it a modern version of a Blacksmith vise??

also grab that cool chair while you are there if you can.

 

[rusty65]

Picked up a little Prentiss no. 19 off eBay a week ago nice little extremely clean vise. I've been wanting a swivel jaw so I decided to go for it.

Sent directly from the Snap On Kool Aid factory.

 

[Outlawmws]

Mac, I've seen similar and other gizmos on Vises a number of times. always at a price, so none ever made the trip to my shop...

 

[jakemac]

Fixed it for you----


Thanks for the "Assist"...

Ooops, I forgot to shout. My bad.

 

[FMC1959]

Does anyone have experience with Swayne vises?

Looks like a cool little metal former among other things.

The name didn't ring a bell, but the picture did
http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showpost.php?p=811659&postcount=257

 

[bigcaddy]

Bigcaddy..that is exactly what I was thinking..it was broken while being moved around...either via crane or by fork truck or whatever. It has that characteristic that you explained very well. I'll bet there was at least one "oh ****" uttered out loud when that happened. I am not sure I see / understand the booger you're referencing..

All: What's really interesting to me, it appears to be a cast base (agree??). If so, its a quite complex casting (where the flip is the parting line?), and maybe that's why the add on to the dynamic jaw was bolted on because of the added complexity that would have added to the "base" casting. If it was cast, who in the heck made it because it looks like it was purposely made for this vise.. Its a really cool vise, with a really cool and storied past I suspect..

Dennis

Look closely around the necked down portion of the operating handle nut. Prentiss vises have a distinct "stretched-out" profile and that vise has a huge collar welded around it, nearly filling it in.

Makes me think there was some stress damage there and it was bandaged up as best as possible.

 

[zkling]

Thanks Fretters,

Here is a better look of the vise without the attachments. I never have seen a Dunlap like this able to take such attachments. I have seen Dunlap with a hardie cut off attachment on the anvil for black smithing.

While I was looking for a smaller vise for myself and came across this however there asking too much money for it (at least to me) especially since it doesn't have the attactchments. A vise like this could useful for very me but I would worry about the slider strength, it looks small for having to do so much and with all the leverage and loads high up above the jaws.

Does anyone know if there other vises like this?

One of the regulars over on Practical Machinist (Miliacron, IIRC). Is a huge fan of those. They do look pretty slick with all their different attachments.

 

[taumac]

I was scrolling through here and I got a question about the older Prentiss vise.
I saw this on the smaller one. The flat screw and piece of metal holding the screw in place.

So I have a old num 19. But I don't have that piece. Is this normal on the 19 or am I missing it.

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

 

[GETRIDAONE]

Rocket, I might not have been paying attention but I have not seen a Scout with a slide rail like that one has. I have one like the picture on the box with the rectangle slide bar. Someone will chime in with more info.

 

[trecash6850]

These are my extras I dont have a home for in the shop

 

[balane]

That is one crazy Scout! The box says 5" and your vise says 4 1/2" I've never seen anything like that before.

 

[trecash6850]

use this Columbian for woodworking

general use dawn.

swivel jaw reed for gunsmithing.

couple more general use spread around shop

 

[oldldh]

Nice selection...

Er....

Collection...

 

[oldldh]

I realize that a lot of you cruise through Ebay on a regular basis...

However, you may have missed this 165 pound wee beastie...

A Parker 386!!!

Looks really nice, almost pristine, even...

The BIN price is high at $ 775.00, but how many more 6" swivel base, swivel jaw vises are available, at any one time...

It's in New Hampshire, and he wants local pick up...

Go get it!!!

 

[EOC_Jason]

So it finally came. My excitement was soon tempered. It was what I figured:

What's with that huge mark?

So now I get to see what this eBay seller is going to do. I asked beforehand what they'd do if it wasn't the right thing, and they said they would "make it right." I guess we'll see. What would you guys pay for what I got?

1. The box says 5" but the vise says 4-1/2"... That's not right...
2. The mark down the slide looks like where they ground down the casting seam. You would of thought they would have done a better job than that, but I haven't seen any other scouts so I have nothing to compare to (I don't collect open-screw vises).

 

[jakemac]

I realize that a lot of you cruise through Ebay on a regular basis...

However, you may have missed this 165 pound wee beastie...

A Parker 386!!!

Looks really nice, almost pristine, even...

The BIN price is high at $ 775.00, but how many more 6" swivel base, swivel jaw vises are available, at any one time...

It's in New Hampshire, and he wants local pick up...

Go get it!!!

I saw that one. Nice vise, but too steep for my wallet.

 

[va.grouseman]

Rocket----Personally I like that style Scout better. They must have been the earlier version of the Scout. Since you are not going to be able to do any heavy duty work in either style Scout, you may as well consider it a collector piece.