The VISES of Garage Journal

[Mark in Indiana]

What do you guys recommend for lubricating a bench vise? I bought some 'multi-purpose' grease but the stuff I bought is too thin for my liking. The vise I took apart had some really thick stuff that I'd like to use as it tends to stick together and not sweat out of the base like this stuff. How can I tell how heavy a grease will be and what's a suitable grease for a vise anyways?

There are a lot of good suggestions here. For my vises, I do the following:

1. A covered spindle gets regular EP grease.
2. The slide gets a thin coat of white grease. For vises that I'm selling, I use clear silicone for aesthetics.
3. The bare metal details (jaw faces, handles, etc), get a thin coat of oil to prevent rust.
4. Wood working & exposed screw drill vises, I use silicone spray for the spindle and paste wax for the guides.
5. The mill vise always has oil on it from use. I just give it a light wipe down after I clear the chips.

The main thing is that the vises are periodically cleaned and re-lubed. I also keep them covered when not in use to protect them from the general shop dust that gets in the air.

 

[Outlawmws]

A couple of other options are 'waylube' heavy oil as used for machine tool ways, or 90 or 140 weight automotive gear oil. (transmission/rear axle oil). Both are 'sticky' to remain on the screw, and have 'extreme pressure' additives.

Any oil or grease will eventually collect grinding grit, filings, and general shop dust, over time, and will become an abrasive slurry, Depending on one's class of work, its prudent to have the vise apart, to clean and re-oil the working parts once or twice a year, maybe more often if one does a lot of really dirty work, such as often using portable grinders or disc-sanders on workpieces held in the vise.)

cheers

Carla

Carla, Way lube can be hard to get for the average non-machinest Joe, but Chain Saw Bar Oil was a wild thought I had a while back but haven't had a chance to do any research on it. It's pretty sticky and need similar properties as way oil.

Thoughts?

 

[72CZ]

Reed 405

Then and Now

 

[jakemac]

Looks good in black. Is that RO Satin Black ?

 

[mtwaterguy]

Re: Reed 405

Then and Now

Very nice. I tried to get the guy to ship it to me but got a "no".

 

[Fretters]

Looks good. Black is always a nice, safe colour choice.

 

[72CZ]

Looks good in black. Is that RO Satin Black ?

Thanks !


It's Rust-Oleum textured black

.

 

[72CZ]

Re: Reed 405

Very nice. I tried to get the guy to ship it to me but got a "no".

Thanks !

I was in the area and was able to pick it up.
That's the only way I would have been able to get it.

.

 

[jpickar]

Hey guys I ran across a Wilton Mechanics vise, 4" with the square tube dynamic jaw. The attached wilton metal sticker says made in USA. They want $75 for it. Is that a good price for that vise?

Thanks, John

 

[dutchgray]

Here is a cast iron sign I picked up a couple weeks ago. I am not a big fan of record vises but this was too cool. I assume this was a vise display topper. Notice they spelled it Vices

That is cool and I have also never seen one before
As Fretters said, the spelling is correct for where Record is from.

 

[EOC_Jason]

Re: Reed 405

Then and Now

Looks Great!

 

[PCO6]

That is cool and I have also never seen one before
As Fretters said, the spelling is correct for where Record is from.

He actually said it's how the rest of the world spells it.

 

[dutchgray]

He actually said it's how the rest of the world spells it.

I've not been to the rest of the world, so I would not know how the other English language countries spell it.

 

[PCO6]

^^^ Neither have I.

 

[72CZ]

Re: Reed 405

Looks Great!

Thanks EOC !!

.

 

[demoman]

Re: Reed 405

Then and Now

Nice 405. They are not easy to come by. I have never picked one up. I want to have the full set of 40 series rear swivel jaw

 

[autopts]

Re: Reed 108

Nice vise. Very nice find with the stamp intact.
I have one from the ATSF rr shop in Topeka that was on the roundhouse stand but it is a hollands. I do not think it was stamped but the guy i got it from bought it at a sale they had there

I've run across Holland's with their date stamped right underneath the Dynamic jaw. If your lucky

 

[carcajou]

I tried the want ads but never received a response. Anyone tell me where i can by a set of NOS jaws for a #6 Record vise? Thanks

 

[PCO6]

carcajou - You should be able to get Record brand jaws from Acklands-Grainger. In 2011 I bought 2 sets for my Record No.6. The metal jaws cost $33 (screws included) and the soft fibre jaws cost $31.

 

[carcajou]

carcajou - You should be able to get Record brand jaws from Acklands-Grainger. In 2011 I bought 2 sets for my Record No.6. The metal jaws cost $33 (screws included) and the soft fibre jaws cost $31.

Thanks I will give them a call.

 

[bigcaddy]

Re: Reed 405

Then and Now

I like the Reed! It came out pretty nice and its in great shape for a somewhat rare vise

 

[bigcaddy]

Oldie, you have been patient and i have been busy but this post is for you! The magnificent beast has been completed


Behold, the White Whale of vises, the "elusive" Craftsman 5198 in its restored glory!!

6" and 107 lbs of solid American iron clamping goodness.

Happy Halloween everybody. Ill post some more pictures of the the rest of the 51xx family before they head out for some trick or treating

 

[bigcaddy]

I posted the 5198 in the previous post but as a special treat, I included a family photo of the entire Craftsman 51xx series of vises. There are a few "distant cousins" that couldn't make it to picture day but they will next time

 

[bigcaddy]

Here is another one for you, oldie. The sun wasn't cooperating this afternoon but it did come out for just a few shots.

Someday I'll get some in the full sun so everybody can bask is the Arrest Me Red I used

I hope it's to your satisfaction

 

[EOC_Jason]

That it so awesome!

 

[bluebolt]

Whoop Whoop just became a member of the 8" vise club! Pictures and story tomorrow.

 

[zoomieport]

picked this up today. What little I do know from this forum, Smiths Combination vise No 3 possibly made by Oswego (Ny), sold by the Oil Well Supply Co, Pittsburgh PA (actually Oil City PA). This co was bought out in the 30's. Ill give it it;s own thread when I get into it

View media item 44283

Here are a few of shots of the "Bridge Anvil" made by "The Oil Well Supply Co Pittsburg, Pa." that I was telling you about. This one is only 350lbs, they made them in sizes exceeding 900lbs, from what I understand.
Cool Vise!
Take care!
ZOOM

 

[nine4gmc]

Awesome BC!!!!

Can't wait to see what you got Bluebolt!!

 

[drivesitfar]

BC: having just one of those 519x series vises would be awesome for most anybody so that is quite a collection. now you'll have to find the 5198 with the badge to match the rest of your family. very nice and if you get all their cousins and relatives together for a good group shot in the sun i'll make it my wallpaper on my laptop. by the way the top of the anvil on the 5198 had a hole in it didn't it? were you able to fill it and with a weld or what material? very nice restoration on it and the others.

Zoomie: that is one cool anvil and i think i have to own one and a 900 pounder would be the centerpiece of my shop. thanks for the heads up.

BB: do you maybe own a Reed 108 with replaceable jaws?? happy to hear you have one and i'm still hoping to find one some day in the wild around here.

 

[KMScott]

bigcaddy, These pictures will make Oldie feel better. He is a little under the weather, wait till he sees the family. Quite impressive. Nice job.

 

[GETRIDAONE]

drivesitfar, Someone got that Reed because is finally gone off CL. I called him last Saturday and made him an offer but he said he had a better offer from his neighbor and was going to check again to see if he wanted it. I sent him an E mail the next day telling him I was still interested if the other deal fell through but no reply ?

BC Nice work

 

[Outlawmws]

So BC, do you have them ALL? all the swiveling and non-swiv versions?

 

[McBrownie]

I posted the 5198 in the previous post but as a special treat, I included a family photo of the entire Craftsman 51xx series of vises. There are a few "distant cousins" that couldn't make it to picture day but they will next time

BC,

Awesome collection! Very nice job on the elusive one.

 

[bluebolt]

BC: having just one of those 519x series vises would be awesome for most anybody so that is quite a collection. now you'll have to find the 5198 with the badge to match the rest of your family. very nice and if you get all their cousins and relatives together for a good group shot in the sun i'll make it my wallpaper on my laptop. by the way the top of the anvil on the 5198 had a hole in it didn't it? were you able to fill it and with a weld or what material? very nice restoration on it and the others.

Zoomie: that is one cool anvil and i think i have to own one and a 900 pounder would be the centerpiece of my shop. thanks for the heads up.

BB: do you maybe own a Reed 108 with replaceable jaws?? happy to hear you have one and i'm still hoping to find one some day in the wild around here.

Close late Columbian made Reed 508 stationary base. Did you find the Craig's list ad LOL.

 

[drivesitfar]

BB: no just fishing. sounds like a nice big old vise. looking forward to the pictures. nice find.

Get actually was trying to buy the Reed 108 i saw in Atlanta. they are not common as you know, but i'm still waiting to find one in an old barn or closed down shop i walk in to.

72: sorry i didn't respond after you posted more pictures of your Reed 108. i'm still in shock you found one in that good of shape and happy to see if found a good home. i bet you are happy you bought that HF lift now that you own that big Reed?

 

[bigcaddy]

So BC, do you have them ALL? all the swiveling and non-swiv versions?

I have duplicates of the swivel versions but have only 1 fixed base. I think between here and ebay, I've only seen 2 other vises like that

 

[72CZ]

Nice 405. They are not easy to come by. I have never picked one up. I want to have the full set of 40 series rear swivel jaw

I like the Reed! It came out pretty nice and its in great shape for a somewhat rare vise

Thanks !!
Now I just need to get swivel lock handles straight!

.

 

[72CZ]

72: sorry i didn't respond after you posted more pictures of your Reed 108. i'm still in shock you found one in that good of shape and happy to see if found a good home. i bet you are happy you bought that HF lift now that you own that big Reed?[/QUOTE]

Drives : It's one of those things I just sit and stare at !
I certainly owe Jason for pointing it out to me.
And yes the lift is a big plus for being able to move it around.

.

 

[hemdale]

Hi guys.

Thanks Monte for the York vises suggestions.
If you had to recommand some good basic vises brands ( but not necessarily some super heavy duty ones) would you recommand:

Dolex
Sambre et Meuse
York

Any others I don't know about ?

Thanks chaps




Envoyé de mon iPhone en utilisant Tapatalk

 

[drivesitfar]

Hemdale: sure there are lots of good vises in your part of the world.

Record
Parkinson
Swinden
Bison (FPU)
Leinen
Paramo

just to name a few of the ones you can find both new and used. also check the Vise Repair 101 thread and the #2 post for a very long list of vises and I tried to put in the countries that they were made too if you want a longer list than i just posted. i prefer the older ones, but that's just me.

good luck in your search and if you are hanging around this thread you'll probably need to make room for a big vise after you pick up your first one for the other side of the bench or shop.