The VISES of Garage Journal
- Thread starter mjozefow
- Start date
FMC1959
Well-known member
Hi there! I found this beauty on my Saturday garage sale jaunt a couple weeks ago, in a barn near Lunenburg, NS.
Happily, it fit... no second trip ... and under the max weight for the engine deck lid. And it's in use already, restoration in the winter.
Anyone have some NOS pipe jaws for a Record 634?........nope?
Off to Wanted.......
Cheers
Thrumcap
That's a fantastic find, from this brochure LILREDEX had post, it looks like Records heaviest 6" at 164 lbs.
http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showpost.php?p=2876581&postcount=1
Just an overall nice looking vise
FMC1959
Well-known member
KMS, real nice job on that. Looking at it real quick before making the thumbnail larger, I thought it said Craftsman. Even looking at the larger pic, it looks so much like what would have been a predecessor to the 519X series.
Very nice!
FMC1959
Well-known member
Balane, is this one a bit glossier or just the photo looks that way? I know you usually suggest against glossy because it shows more imperfections. Mind you, this one looks perfect, hard to find any imperfections.
Another great job, looks new out of the box.
I just love how with little fanfare you keep finding these nice vise, and just crank them out, you got some elves in your workshop?
joe.striper
Well-known member
Mr Scott, excelent paint job on this one. My biggest pet peeve is people who dont tape these vises off well and then you have all this over spray. Really nice job.
Balane asked if you were selling because he doesnt want the competition!
FMC1959
Well-known member
Hi there! I found this beauty on my Saturday garage sale jaunt a couple weeks ago, in a barn near Lunenburg, NS.
Happily, it fit... no second trip ... and under the max weight for the engine deck lid. And it's in use already, restoration in the winter.
Anyone have some NOS pipe jaws for a Record 634?........nope?
Off to Wanted.......
Cheers
Thrumcap
Just admiring your vise again, did you get the stand with it also? You mind sharing what it cost you? You probably qualify for some major suckage
FMC1959
Well-known member
va.grouseman
Well-known member
Previously posted by K M Scott.
Thanks balane, going to sell all my vises using my website. The vises I have are all needing new jaws, handles, swivel clamps and some major repairs. So this is going to take a while but I do enjoy it.
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Well you just answered my question of how in the world do you keep up with all the parts.---You really went the distance on the Columbian, K M.---Should sell with ease and a nice return.
Thanks balane, going to sell all my vises using my website. The vises I have are all needing new jaws, handles, swivel clamps and some major repairs. So this is going to take a while but I do enjoy it.
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Well you just answered my question of how in the world do you keep up with all the parts.---You really went the distance on the Columbian, K M.---Should sell with ease and a nice return.
72CZ
Well-known member
Trey T
Well-known member
You selling another bullet on eBay again?
KMScott
Well-known member
Thanks 72CZ, I enjoyed our get together, when you have time you must share what you have picked up, I am still buzzing about it.
Thanks VA, I have been building pieces and parts the last year and a half on the vises I have in storage, now it is time to get these vises painted and back in service. You guys are to kind, the Columbian was my first completed vise, the mechanics are easy to repair but the painting and small detail work will take me time to master.
balane
Well-known member
That's just the Verde Green. I do avoid gloss at all costs but this paint only comes one way and it's the only paint that has the Wilton look. However, it's not as glossy in person as the photos and the paint was still a little wet when I took the pictures.
Thanks.
joe.striper
Well-known member
Ok, got my Parker 825 apart today. What a 'B'! Turns out ive got a split under the tail of the slide. I know there is definitely a short crack, 1/2", but can also see a long crack or it may just be a casting seam, can't tell yet.
I have a 4mm spread on the end of the tail caused by the split, so either I cut 4" off the tail, or I get the split stabilized and then continue to reduce the tail dimensions by hand. I have the option of opening up the static jaw shaft but then I'd get a lot of wiggle when it is closed up.
Ive decided to definetly replace my 5" bullet with this vise for shop use. It is so very lovely.
Ive attached another pic of the Parker w/o the 'little' 974 1/2 blocking it.
I have a 4mm spread on the end of the tail caused by the split, so either I cut 4" off the tail, or I get the split stabilized and then continue to reduce the tail dimensions by hand. I have the option of opening up the static jaw shaft but then I'd get a lot of wiggle when it is closed up.
Ive decided to definetly replace my 5" bullet with this vise for shop use. It is so very lovely.
Ive attached another pic of the Parker w/o the 'little' 974 1/2 blocking it.
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balane
Well-known member
This one already sold.
wrenchguy
Well-known member
no.91 shows up in my athol no.31 catalog as a 4", 38lb. standard machinist stationary bench vise. cost then $8.50. i haven't been able to cipher a date for this booklet, booklet states the company was incorporated 1868. Maybe the offered a catalog every year maybe not. nice find.
drivesitfar
Well-known member
Unashamed: it's amazing how far these old vises can travel. nice find. any chance you can access the bolt from inside the static jaw and pop up the bolt from below? i don't have a Wilton Swivel bullet vise (yet), but have popped a few other old vise pins out from below. maybe build a mini press out of a bolt and some nuts, but wouldn't want to punch a hole in the bottom of your static jaw. kroil or pb blaster might help too before you get to using those fancy chemicals or a power tool.
KMScott: for your first paint job about all you need is a stump and you are similar quality as another member we know. very nice and for those that don't know your web site to buy parts and these awesome Columbians can you put it in your signature or your next posts with the like new vises?
Thrumcap: i never knew Record made vises that big. It sounds like i'm not the only one that wants to see a bunch more pictures of your vice and maybe on that cool stand if you were able to buy that too. is that duct tape on the handle instead of the rubber stops? AWESOME FIND!!!
Jeff: you Athol is a great looking vise and they are one of the smoothest action vises made. it should serve you well.
Balane: the guy is still advertising his Wilton that you have painted, took pictures, painted and even sold and ad runs out in 7 days in our area. i'd say you are amazing again, but doesn't that get a bit tiring to hear all the time??
KMScott: for your first paint job about all you need is a stump and you are similar quality as another member we know. very nice and for those that don't know your web site to buy parts and these awesome Columbians can you put it in your signature or your next posts with the like new vises?
Thrumcap: i never knew Record made vises that big. It sounds like i'm not the only one that wants to see a bunch more pictures of your vice and maybe on that cool stand if you were able to buy that too. is that duct tape on the handle instead of the rubber stops? AWESOME FIND!!!
Jeff: you Athol is a great looking vise and they are one of the smoothest action vises made. it should serve you well.
Balane: the guy is still advertising his Wilton that you have painted, took pictures, painted and even sold and ad runs out in 7 days in our area. i'd say you are amazing again, but doesn't that get a bit tiring to hear all the time??
balane
Well-known member
Hmm, I just checked CL and I don't see it. I bought it yesterday afternoon and maybe it took him a while to remove it but it seems gone now, at least to my search.
drivesitfar
Well-known member
Balane: Bought it yesterday and restored and shipped today. even if it only was to take it apart to paint it and grease it that is a pretty quick turn around. Oldie isn't easy impressed by your talent, but i certainly am. i think i saw him give you a compliment this last week, but that just might be because his Unicorn has been located.
balane
Well-known member
It was really clean to start with and awesomely straight iron. Took me about an hour start to finish, not counting bake time totaling 90 minutes. Honestly, not much to do but strip paint, clean parts and spray. Sold quickly and shipped out this morning. This was the nicest old bullet I've ever seen, I wish they were all like this.
Thanks for the kind words.
Thanks for the kind words.
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jaker10
Well-known member
While getting my Prentiss 93 refinished I ran across this Patent Date but can't make out the year. Any help from the people in the know???? 18?? I just don't think this vise is that old. But to me it looks like a 1and the bottom part of an 8. Anybody seem this on there 93???
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Outlawmws
Well-known member
Well it's marked Athol and not Starrett Athol, so before the Starrett acquisition.
How did you do?
What did you pay, what jaw width is it, how much does it weigh...
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jakemac
Well-known member
Thrumcap
Well-known member
That's a fantastic find, from this brochure LILREDEX had post, it looks like Records heaviest 6" at 164 lbs.
http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showpost.php?p=2876581&postcount=1
Just an overall nice looking vise
Thanks!
Some answers and info:
- The handle is 18" long. It rotates a full turn before reversing directions, and squeaks a bit. I imagine a full clean, grease, strip and paint are in order. But right now, it holds a 12' rack crossbeam very well!
- Lunenburg is a shipbuilding/railroad town back to the 1700's, so it probably came out of industry there if I had to guess. The wikipedia article is rather fascinating. I didn't know the Royal Norwegian Navy used Lunenburg as a ship repair base in WWII.
- Yes, the stand came with it (and a BBQ cover to wrap the thing in), it fit on the passenger seat / floor on the drive home. Car was full
- Cost me a hundred bucks, no hagglin' but I thought it was worth that. I didn't know a lot about vises but its lines are awesome.
- FMC1959, thanks for the catalog. There is not a lot out there on this vise, and few pictures/examples I can find.
- the rubber stops are there under the electrical tape. Once I refinish it, I will look at them and probably make some new ones.
- This forum, I am sure, has info on what is the best type of paint for Record vises. I also picked up a couple 53Es at another yard sale and some Record Junior 3 C clamps and I have a need for a pint. It's odd how one brand shows up all at once.
So, after reviewing some of the vises and stunning resto jobs on here I am concerned this may become a hobby. Damn you all.
Here is a shmuckload of pictures for the detail minded.
Cheers,
Thrumcap
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drivesitfar
Well-known member
Wrench: take a look at Jaker's Prentiss' jaws. they are similar to yours on your big 58 you said you were going to spiff up soon. I've seen more than a few with that gap on each side of the jaw and wondering if that was factory and maybe an easier way to take the jaws off. anyway your 58 should look great either like that or with you filling it in, but that might have been the way it was made. the casting issue on the side of the dynamic maybe a chemical like brake cleaner or some such thing came in contact with it and started eating it?
Jaker: nice Prentiss and my guess would be 18 so late 1800's patent on that good looking old Bulldog.
JRobb: nice find and that will be good trading material for a big one in your future.
Jaker: nice Prentiss and my guess would be 18 so late 1800's patent on that good looking old Bulldog.
JRobb: nice find and that will be good trading material for a big one in your future.
drivesitfar
Well-known member
Thrumcap: now i want that vise even more. i'd say your new hobby while it may seem expensive if you decide to sell that one i have a couple of Benjamins and some of his friends waiting for you even though it is missing its pipe jaws. by the way several guys on here have made there own pipe jaws without a mill so you might be able to if you seem to find a use for some.
the history of these vises is half or maybe most of the fun of them and thanks for letting me know the Norwegians were in WWII and docking their boats in Canada for repairs and maybe building a few there too.
the history of these vises is half or maybe most of the fun of them and thanks for letting me know the Norwegians were in WWII and docking their boats in Canada for repairs and maybe building a few there too.
wrenchguy
Well-known member
Wrench: take a look at Jaker's Prentiss' jaws. they are similar to yours on your big 58 you said you were going to spiff up soon. I've seen more than a few with that gap on each side of the jaw and wondering if that was factory and maybe an easier way to take the jaws off. anyway your 58 should look great either like that or with you filling it in, but that might have been the way it was made. the casting issue on the side of the dynamic maybe a chemical like brake cleaner or some such thing came in contact with it and started eating it?
agreed, i seen that alot too like it. my original post mentions that maybe its the way it was made. the casting flaw is just that, i think foundrymen call it a trapped gas void. thanks 4 thinking of it.
May I pick the collective brain of the GJ vise experts? So I recently found something I had wanted for a long time a wilton bullet, swivel base and a perfect 4" size that actually fit in my budget. After stripping a few pounds of paint and a little rust; it seems to be in pretty good condition. However there seem to be a few things missing, like the Wilton and USA embossing. The handle ends seem a bit odd compared to most I've seen on line. The key and way appears to be reversed from most I've seen pics of. The swivel handles seem a bit off. The end dust cap is actually a solid piece machined from bar stock.
Any thoughts as to what I may actually have here?
Thanks in advance for any leads.
Edit, probably would help if I added the pics.
Any thoughts as to what I may actually have here?
Thanks in advance for any leads.
Edit, probably would help if I added the pics.
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drivesitfar
Well-known member
Zkling: can you post a few pictures of your mystery Wilton bullet? i can't say i know of any Wilton imposters so maybe it was a prototype for the Wilton bullets before they applied for a patent in 1941.
just saw your edit after my post. email them to me if hard for you to post off your cell phone. and i'll post for you.
just saw your edit after my post. email them to me if hard for you to post off your cell phone. and i'll post for you.
bigcaddy
Well-known member
Zkling: can you post a few pictures of your mystery Wilton bullet? i can't say i know of any Wilton imposters so maybe it was a prototype for the Wilton bullets before they applied for a patent in 1941.
just saw your edit after my post. email them to me if hard for you to post off your cell phone. and i'll post for you.
That's if he can post them before Zoomieport comes by the house and snatches his vise away under the cover of night
Zkling: can you post a few pictures of your mystery Wilton bullet? i can't say i know of any Wilton imposters so maybe it was a prototype for the Wilton bullets before they applied for a patent in 1941.
just saw your edit after my post. email them to me if hard for you to post off your cell phone. and i'll post for you.
Multitasking and gateway time outs got the best of me.
That is way to advanced for my theft proof early 2000's cell phone.Thanks wrench! Its amazing how good this thing works for being that old!
Drivesitfar, it is very smooth!
Outlaw, 50 bucks, 4in jaws, 38lbs
bigcaddy
Well-known member
May I pick the collective brain of the GJ vise experts? So I recently found something I had wanted for a long time a wilton bullet, swivel base and a perfect 4" size that actually fit in my budget. After stripping a few pounds of paint and a little rust; it seems to be in pretty good condition. However there seem to be a few things missing, like the Wilton and USA embossing. The handle ends seem a bit odd compared to most I've seen on line. The key and way appears to be reversed from most I've seen pics of. The swivel handles seem a bit off. The end dust cap is actually a solid piece machined from bar stock.
Any thoughts as to what I may actually have here?
Thanks in advance for any leads.
Edit, probably would help if I added the pics.
It's definitely a Wilton but an unusual one too boot. I wonder why it has such odd features on it
McBrownie
Well-known member
May I pick the collective brain of the GJ vise experts? So I recently found something I had wanted for a long time a wilton bullet, swivel base and a perfect 4" size that actually fit in my budget. After stripping a few pounds of paint and a little rust; it seems to be in pretty good condition. However there seem to be a few things missing, like the Wilton and USA embossing. The handle ends seem a bit odd compared to most I've seen on line. The key and way appears to be reversed from most I've seen pics of. The swivel handles seem a bit off. The end dust cap is actually a solid piece machined from bar stock.
Any thoughts as to what I may actually have here?
Thanks in advance for any leads.
Edit, probably would help if I added the pics.
Haven't we seen some Wilton-like bullets that were made in tech schools? I thought Autopts had posted some pictures of one from a Chicago trade school some time back. However, I could be mistaken.
Outlawmws
Well-known member
Picked this one up off CL last night; Desmond Stephens Simplex No. 43S "Steel Slide".
Unusual as it has Smooth jaws. 4-3/4" so do they rate it as a 5"?
I'm used to seeing either T or C type jaws on these, when did Desmond Stephens use an "L" Shapeed jaws?
I wasn't sure what "Steel Slide" meant exactly, until I turned it over:
I've never seen a full machinist's vise with a pressed/cast in slide that looked like the cast/machined slides.
Unusual as it has Smooth jaws. 4-3/4" so do they rate it as a 5"?
I'm used to seeing either T or C type jaws on these, when did Desmond Stephens use an "L" Shapeed jaws?
I wasn't sure what "Steel Slide" meant exactly, until I turned it over:
I've never seen a full machinist's vise with a pressed/cast in slide that looked like the cast/machined slides.
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Outlawmws
Well-known member
Haven't we seen some Wilton-like bullets that were made in tech schools? I thought Autopts had posted some pictures of one from a Chicago trade school some time back. However, I could be mistaken.
I was also thinking this: ^^^
drivesitfar
Well-known member
Zkling: it has the old style that is for sure. see how the jaws on my 1941 bullet curve up to the bottom of the jaw and yours is a bit different. the swivel handles on yours look like an aftermarket or maybe the prior owner didn't like the bolt it originally came with.
McB: you are right we have seen some Wiltons coming out of the schools and i think i remember one with a University's name on one where it was made. so it's a Wilton and not a Wilton.
Zoomie: any thoughts?
BC: thanks for the dates stamped on your Craftsman 519X series vises. I think mine are 1948 to 1956. i was actually looking at a Rock Island vise the other day and saw the same style date stamp on the back of their slides. i know Rock Island made vises for Craftsman so still trying to solve the mystery of who actually made the 519x's. Starrett has the same handles on their vises and the vise nut with the cut to adjust the tension screams Starrett too. still working on the facts and if anybody worked at those vise factories in the late 40's or had a relative that did maybe you can shed some light to the mystery.
McB: you are right we have seen some Wiltons coming out of the schools and i think i remember one with a University's name on one where it was made. so it's a Wilton and not a Wilton.
Zoomie: any thoughts?
BC: thanks for the dates stamped on your Craftsman 519X series vises. I think mine are 1948 to 1956. i was actually looking at a Rock Island vise the other day and saw the same style date stamp on the back of their slides. i know Rock Island made vises for Craftsman so still trying to solve the mystery of who actually made the 519x's. Starrett has the same handles on their vises and the vise nut with the cut to adjust the tension screams Starrett too. still working on the facts and if anybody worked at those vise factories in the late 40's or had a relative that did maybe you can shed some light to the mystery.
balane
Well-known member
I talked with Zkling about this most unusual vise earlier. I can understand a vise being made with no brand/model info cast on the side, or even if that was sanded off, and also the handle being replaced. What really throws me here is the key-way being relocated to the stationary jaw. That strikes me as such an unusual move by anybody, especially for a one-off like I suspect this is. This is a crazy vise. The quality looks very good though. I think you found a really interesting one here.
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