The VISES of Garage Journal

[McBrownie]

Here it is ******* in vise jail, ready to make its way down the hill to the shop

What a great story and amazing how the stars aligned to make it happen.

 

[jakemac]

LOL... I bet it gets "lost" somewhere along the way and we shall never see it again, except in stories of long ago...

Once upon a time, there was a magic vise ...................



or, if it starts like most of my family's stories -

We were having a few drinks out in the woods, and .....................

 

[bigcaddy]

BC: so did it check out and is Oldie getting a new Avatar? since it doesn't have a badge on it is it dated on the slides like the ones that are badged?

There is a date on the slide but I don't remember what it is at the moment. I'll let you know when I see the vise again

 

[Fretters]

Thanks Fretters,

I appreciate the comments and yes you are correct, something will come my way. It's amazing how rare items crosses ones path again.

I've always found it works out for the best in the end. The amount of times something has slipped through my fingers, yet within a time either something better has turned up else the same type of thing at a more reasonable price. I work on the assumption that if it's meant to be, you'll get it.

Not sure what you mean by things turn up around here. Do you mean vises come up for sale on GJ? I never tried buying a vise off Gj, I've only asked half joking but nothing so far.

I just had a rotten moment there. My apologies. I was meaning over here. It's worth keeping an eye on sales north of the border though. If shipping from Canada is easy enough and not exorbitant, you should be able to find one from there. If it wasn't liable to cost an arm and a leg for shipping, I'd be more than happy to send you one from over here. They crop up oft enough that it wouldn't take long to get hold of one at reasonable cost, (though there are quite a few sellers who seem to think that the mini vices are like faerie dust, rarity wise, and seem to think they're worth a small fortune).

With the little Record 0's, I believe they're 2-1/2" jaws. There is a 00 which is 2", I believe, and then the No.1 has 3" jaws. Woden's follow the same numbering with their 186/B* series, if I recall, so if they made it across there too, they're another one to keep an eye out for. Paramo's will obviously be the same numbering system as the Record's, if you happen to drop across one of those.

A small Chas Parker like a 972 or a small Prentiss would be great. A small Woden would also be great. I actually have a use for it.

And in case someone has a Swinden just laying around needing a new home, Let me know.

Cheers and happy labor day

The Swindens would be a nice one to have if you could drop across one. They're functional, but that type you were keeping your eye on is likely better finished. Functional and robust the Swindens may be, but when it comes to the overall finer finishing, they're rough as a badgers **** in that regard, IMHO. Functionality was definitely more important than form it seems, in their eyes. They're one of those vices which are just so damned quirky that you have to get them though. They're akin to scoffing one of those sour sweets which you just know will make you wince. They taste like ****, but you just can't resist.

 

[wrenchguy]

Here it is ******* in vise jail, ready to make its way down the hill to the shop

nice, real nice 4 all involved.

 

[McBrownie]

I just had a thought. Can the forum administrators re-number page 1005 to read "page 5198"?

 

[jpickar]

I just had a thought. Can the forum administrators re-number page 1005 to read "page 5198"?

John

 

[Outlawmws]

Un - Freaking - Believable!

Well Done BC! Drive VERY carefully on the way home!

And Congrats to the old geezer! HE DID IT!

Now he can hide it under HIS workbench!

 

[McBrownie]

Here's a Craftsman Vise I found in ebay. I just finished restoring it yesterday. It'll be mounted to my bench soon.

Black,

Nice restoration on that Craftsman and welcome to the Forum. Unfortunately you posted right before the former "Ever elusive Craftsman 5198" was posted. That definitely drew attention away from your vise. You'll have to read back through this thread, which takes some time, to gain an appreciation of how long some people have been looking for that model number. Maybe you'll find the next one!

 

[zkling]

Behold, the mighty Craftsman 5198!!

Wow, so is it on it's way to oldldh?

 

[drivesitfar]

BC: nice rope job on Oldie's 5198. is it making the trip to Alabama on the back of your truck so you can pick up the truck load of cash he had to pay for it and bring it back to the previous owner?

at one point there was some talk about a few members taking 200 or so mile trips with the unicorn in a member's care all the way to Alabama.

Oldie: congrats because i'm guessing it's yours and not BC's. now the quest for the 368 pounder begins, but take a few nights off while you cherish this find. cheers old man.

 

[alinc100]

Had a real nice visit with Andrew H today. He finally got a day off and was able to pick up his Parker 436 I had been storing. His penance,besides the 3 hr drive each way was having to eat burgers from my grill and help me get the Ridge Tool Co. 61 CP out of the truck.
After some careful lifting we were able to get it on the scale and find out it weighed 155 lbs,which is tiny compared to the Parker at 187 lbs.

I think it's gonna clean up real nice. Has a piece of the leadscrew knob/ casting missing but still functions quite well. Handle needs to be straightened as well.
I may ask KMScott if he could fill/weld/mill the missing part of the knob similar to the milling he does on the Wilton screws.
I know it's not a Craftsman 5198 but hey it's a big vise and I paid less than $1 per pound

 

[maddawg1952]

What can anyone tell me about this Craftsman #5183 vise. Looks similar to a Reed to me.

 

[EOC_Jason]

What can anyone tell me about this Craftsman #5183 vise. Looks similar to a Reed to me.

It is a re-branded Reed... I posted this back on page 1002 but here it is again. Info I found on another forum:

Your vise was made by Reed Mfg Co of Erie PA sometime after 1935 and before 1949. After that time Craftsman was getting their vises from another mfg.

 

[Thrumcap]

Well, after this weekend's yard sales, I happened across 4 more Records, and picked up two.



This is a Record 83 with a set of fibre jaws. It has 3" jaws but I thought it should have 4.5"? There isn't much on these online, there's one in New Zealand. If anyone has further details, would be appreciated.

I also found a 1-ton for 10 bucks to experiment on. Off to take it apart

As soon as I read up on a certain unicorn... :>

Thrumcap

 

[maddawg1952]

WOW! Thanks I had no idea it was that old and lucky as hell to have survived the scrap drives of WW2.

 

[ShadowRuleZ]

Had a real nice visit with Andrew H today. He finally got a day off and was able to pick up his Parker 436 I had been storing. His penance,besides the 3 hr drive each way was having to eat burgers from my grill and help me get the Ridge Tool Co. 61 CP out of the truck.
After some careful lifting we were able to get it on the scale and find out it weighed 155 lbs,which is tiny compared to the Parker at 187 lbs.

I think it's gonna clean up real nice. Has a piece of the leadscrew knob/ casting missing but still functions quite well. Handle needs to be straightened as well.
I may ask KMScott if he could fill/weld/mill the missing part of the knob similar to the milling he does on the Wilton screws.
I know it's not a Craftsman 5198 but hey it's a big vise and I paid less than $1 per pound

Jaws look pretty nice on it. I like the vise transporter!

 

[joe.striper]

Old H, congrats on the Craftsman. Im glad you found it.

Here is a vise I picked up today. Wilton C1, missing one pipe jaw but otherwise in fantastic shape.

Also a pic of my Wilton 1760. I just like this pic

Some one tried to buy my Parker 825 today...I dont think so.

 

[KMScott]

Had a real nice visit with Andrew H today. He finally got a day off and was able to pick up his Parker 436 I had been storing. His penance,besides the 3 hr drive each way was having to eat burgers from my grill and help me get the Ridge Tool Co. 61 CP out of the truck.
After some careful lifting we were able to get it on the scale and find out it weighed 155 lbs,which is tiny compared to the Parker at 187 lbs.

I think it's gonna clean up real nice. Has a piece of the leadscrew knob/ casting missing but still functions quite well. Handle needs to be straightened as well.
I may ask KMScott if he could fill/weld/mill the missing part of the knob similar to the milling he does on the Wilton screws.
I know it's not a Craftsman 5198 but hey it's a big vise and I paid less than $1 per pound

Alinca, if you have a machine shop close to you see if they could do the repair, it will save $30 on shipping alone, it is really not a hard fix. If not then mail it to me I can fix it. Your Simplex is defiantly worth fixing.

 

[zkling]

Old H, congrats on the Craftsman. Im glad you found it.

Here is a vise I picked up today. Wilton C1, missing one pipe jaw but otherwise in fantastic shape.

Also a pic of my Wilton 1760. I just like this pic

Some one tried to buy my Parker 825 today...I dont think so.

You find alot of real vises. What did you use for finger savers on the 1760?

 

[Filson]

Well I've been out for a few days, and it looks like Larry finally found his 5198! Congratulations ol' man!!! Please post a pic of it bolted down to your bench when it finds it's way home. =)

To everyone down south that are helping make this happen, my hat goes off to you. Man I love the brotherhood of GJ!

 

[Filson]

BC: nice rope job on Oldie's 5198. is it making the trip to Alabama on the back of your truck so you can pick up the truck load of cash he had to pay for it and bring it back to the previous owner?

at one point there was some talk about a few members taking 200 or so mile trips with the unicorn in a member's care all the way to Alabama.

Oldie: congrats because i'm guessing it's yours and not BC's. now the quest for the 368 pounder begins, but take a few nights off while you cherish this find. cheers old man.

 

[oldldh]

Well, I was waiting on Big Caddy to tell you, but he hasn't. so I will...

The Big Bear 5198 belongs to him, not me...

The price was too high for my "Miniscule Retired Stuff Fund", and the freight from California to the Redneck Riviera was staggering...I would have had almost four times what I paid for my Starrett 925 in the 5198...I really wanted one, but I wanted one a whole lot less expensive, that I could pick up somewhere down here...

Oh well...

I told BC that, and I told him that he could have it...

Many members of this forum (and you know who you are) offered to give me money, pay for the freight ( and you can pay me back next year, or the year after---)...

Never in my long travels through life, have I met and corresponded with a nicer, more generous, and good hearted folks than I have met here...

The "Ever Elusive 5198" has been found...now to find me one...cheaper and closer...

BC told me he's going to paint it "Arrest-Me-Red"!!!

Thanks to all of you, from the bottom of my old heart...

The search continues---

 

[bigcaddy]

Don't worry, Larry. The combined powers of garage journal will find you another 5198, clamped into the jaws of a Reed 209, for a paltry sum and will deliver it to your door with a bow on top

I look forward to taking my time on this one and really making it shine. In fact, I will be placing a tool order for a new Scotchbrite wheel and some assorted buffing pads so I can do it justice.

I'll even be picking up a new can of arrest me red tomorrow afternoon.

Since I've got projects coming out of my...you know what I will do my best to start ASAP. Check for pictures of progress hopefully by the end of the week.

 

[drivesitfar]

Oldie: nice assist on making sure a GJ member was able to own the 5198 you foiund. sorry to hear the cost including shipping was too high, but maybe the next one will be closer and less expensive now that there is already one known 5198. pat yourself on the back for starting the biggest search for a vise and finding it.

BC: Happy to hear the 5198 is going to join your other 519x series vises in the museum and looking forward to the restoration. congrats

 

[oldldh]

All will be revealed....

Thanks again for all the offers of assistance...

 

[balane]

.

 

[dlcwent]

Not the best picture. sorry. It's L & F co. New York # 29

3 1/2"

any info on it. I did a google search and found nothing

 

[Fretters]

Not the best picture.

I think that probably qualifies for understatement of the month.

 

[joe.striper]

You find alot of real vises. What did you use for finger savers on the 1760?

They are called 'glad hands' and almost every car parts
place will sell them. They are used for connecting air lines on trucks and come in blue, black, red.

And yes, I am very fortunate to find lots of quality vises, I miss alot as well.

 

[wrenchguy]

What can anyone tell me about this Craftsman #5183 vise. Looks similar to a Reed to me.

real nice, looks like good original w/ sharp corners and edges.
heres mine + 1, i really like these underlined cm's. i'd like to get a complete set of them. (understatement of the____________ !)

 

[joe.striper]

Hi everyone, need some help. Got a call from a guy looking to sell me a Parker 95 fixed base vise for $60.00. I cannot find this model anywhere. Can anyone educate me please? 4.5" jaws.

I'm not a fixed base guy as you may know, love the swivilin' lifestyle, but always looking for a deal!

 

[drivesitfar]

Wrench: i like the long C Craftsman vises too that Reed made for them. i also own the 5 inch 5183 and some of the original blue is still on mine. it looks like i can see a little blue on yours that might have been under the red that is almost all gone now? i also like your 5181 and I think that is a Prentiss #3 sitting under it that has the swivel jaw. thanks for sharing

Joe: sorry can't say about the #95, but numbering sounds like maybe an older one. any pictures? more details on size or just spend the $60 if it isn't broken or damaged and get us some good pictures. also to make a non swivel into a swiveler all you need to do is make a nice stand. good luck

Maddawg: nice Craftsman vise you found

Dlcwent: bad picture? well that is better than none i guess. how about a small jaw with an open screw vise and maybe a 1930's or older for a guess.

 

[GETRIDAONE]

Not the best picture. sorry. It's L & F co. New York # 29

3 1/2"

any info on it. I did a google search and found nothing

It is LH & F Littlestown Hardware & Foundry Co. It must be an older one ? because most of them you see say Littco / Littlestown PA. They are homeowner marginal light duty vises. They are very very common. I would look for something a little more substanial. My nephew gave me one over the weekend and I had to say "Thanks" but I couldn't tell him this is a worn out broken "POS"

 

[joe.striper]

Wrench:

Joe: sorry can't say about the #95, but numbering sounds like maybe an older one. any pictures? more details on size or just spend the $60 if it isn't broken or damaged and get us some good pictures. also to make a non swivel into a swiveler all you need to do is make a nice stand. good luck

I trip over these fixed base Parkers all the time, I swear I could buy three a week, i just cant find a market for them. My Parker swivel vises are much easier to move, but not like Wiltons. Currently I have about 8 Parkers that all need attention from me, all swivelers. I should just part them out, but i'm still trying to figure what parts overlap and i don't have enough experience to know.

Thank God for the guys here or I'd be a complete idiot!

 

[GETRIDAONE]

Hi everyone, need some help. Got a call from a guy looking to sell me a Parker 95 fixed base vise for $60.00. I cannot find this model anywhere. Can anyone educate me please? 4.5" jaws.

I'm not a fixed base guy as you may know, love the swivilin' lifestyle, but always looking for a deal!

Joe, It might a 954 1/2 95 + 4 1/2 and it is a 4 1/2" jaw width. He thought the model was 95 and it was marked with the 4 1/2 width next

 

[FMC1959]

It's unfortunate it did not work out for Larry & the 5198

That a GJ'er got it is good, and BC I think has quite a collection, even better.

 

[drivesitfar]

Joe: can you start collecting all the $60 non swivel Parkers on a pallet that are not broken and don't any welds and get them ready to ship to me? i might see a Parker vise maybe once a month if that and i'm checking 4 US states and Canada. in those areas i could likely pick up in person to check them out and save the shipping because i'm usually there for other business.

once your pallet is full we can discuss payment or trades and shipping.

 

[FMC1959]

Joe, It might a 954 1/2 95 + 4 1/2 and it is a 4 1/2" jaw width. He thought the model was 95 and it was marked with the 4 1/2 width next

GETRIDAONE is a smart cookie, that sounds quite likely.

 

[joe.striper]

Aaahhh, here's my new Parker 954 1/2 NOT a Parker 95. Sellers are stupid sometime, but I got it for $60.00 so I'm not complaining.