The VISES of Garage Journal

[va.grouseman]

Here is a Standard vise I picked up.---Lot of speculation on these, but as to who made them, I haven't heard anyone pin it down.









I picked up a Star of Bethlehem vise to that I'll get some pics of.---I don't know what the star stands for but looks like they are clearly made in Japan.

 

[joe.striper]

OK, here for your viewing pleasure (I hope) is my finally completed Emmeret 6A vise. This restoration took me 6 months and $$$ to complete.

The details:

Finish color is Hammerite black. I chose this after many of you expressed your desire to see it as original as possible. Due to the poor casting by Emmert on this particular vise, a natural finish was impossible. I like the look of it though and many people think it is a factory color.

The pin on top of the vise in front of the anvil was replaced by a recessed allen key, a spring and a ball bearing. Not original but a much better solution with the ability to adjust tension, unlike the original design.

Spindle handle and side handle were manufactured by King Kevin Scott (who swore he'd never do it again). Hard part was I had to let them rust up a little and then wire brush them and oil coat them to try and make them look a little older to match the vise. I saw the originals yesterday and I have to say that Kevin NAILED these which is impressive when you figure he was working from photographs. Thanks Kevin.

Good news is I have all the jaws, bad news is one set is bolted on, it was done well but it isn't factory.

Everything else on this vise is original. Base swivel clamp handle and nuts are original (most of these are broken off when you get them). Its a great system and this baby turns smooothly.

I want to thank everyone for their input on this project. It was a real tough restoration but I am VERY satisfied with the outcome. My total investment, including the acquisition of the vise itself, is over $400.00 excluding my time. I wouldn't even own it if you all hadn't yelled at me to go back and get it. I almost left it where I found it.

Last word on this for all you newbies...this vise was posted on Craigslist for 27 days...27 days!!! There are deals out there if you know where to look, have an inquiring mind have a camera and ask questions here on The Garage Journal.

 

[oldldh]

Joe---

You deserve a---

Ya Dun Gud, Bubba!!!

A big one!!!

 

[KMScott]

Joe
A first rate restoration. We should have talked about those jaws. Very nice job. Everyone here would want that vise. I must have made two or three of everything on that handle assembly. That is why I was glad to be done. Sometimes projects are doomed from the beginning.

 

[joe.striper]

Joe
A first rate restoration. We should have talked about those jaws. Very nice job. Everyone here would want that vise. I must have made two or three of everything on that handle assembly. That is why I was glad to be done. Sometimes projects are doomed from the beginning.

I wanted to talk about it but I was afraid to ask you about it after the handle fiasco....i dont think so.

 

[drivesitfar]

VA: can ypu post your Standard vise on this thread?

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=267796&highlight=identify

the OP Sbosecker is really trying to solve the mystery of who actually made this vise because he owns one like I and now you do. his jaw width is 1/8 inch under 4 inches so if you can measure your jaw it will help him. thanks and nice vice and view.

Joe: it's a keeper and not a flipper so your call big guy.

 

[taumac]

Reed patented a method of attaching the handle balls..
1106860.
I've seen a couple (including mine) that are loose from someone hitting the handle with a hammer or something.

Taumac, I think the balls are peened on.

Aka they are slipped onto the shafts and then the end sticking out of the ball is smashed and hOlds the ball on.

It's a little more complicated but that's the simple explanation.

Thanks for the info....

 

[bluebolt]

Here is a Standard vise I picked up.---Lot of speculation on these, but as to who made them, I haven't heard anyone pin it down.









I picked up a Star of Bethlehem vise to that I'll get some pics of.---I don't know what the star stands for but looks like they are clearly made in Japan.

Another Standard vise cool!

Also looks like we can finally put the Star of Bethlehem vise country of origin to rest. Did you get that off of Ebay? One sold on there recently that stated it was made in Japan but didn't show a picture of the COO.

 

[demoman]

Joe
Nice Emmerett 6a. They are very hard to find. I do not have one and found one in a barn this summer still bolted to the bench. It still had the set of removable swivel jaws that go onto the shaft side hanging on the wall behind the vise!! Do you have the set for yours? I could borrow his for a pattern. I offered him 600 for the vise because it looked like new and had never been beat on. This guy was in his 70's and said his dad had ordered it new for the farm machine shop he had. His dad never let him use the vise if he was hammering something!! Hope to get it someday.

 

[thursday]

I've got a bit of work to do on this Prentiss No. 20. It's currently in a 240 watt electrolysis bath. I'm hoping by this time tomorrow I'll be able to pull the pin on the swivel jaw. Wish me luck.

 

[Outlawmws]

Joe, that Emmert looks great! Well done!

 

[Outlawmws]

thursday, looks like that "pin" is a lag bolt. I hope they didn't screw it in! (But something to think about)

 

[wrenchguy]

Re: A odd 1?

can someone enhance this pic? i think it reads "ontario".

 

[joe.striper]

Joe
Nice Emmerett 6a. They are very hard to find. I do not have one and found one in a barn this summer still bolted to the bench. It still had the set of removable swivel jaws that go onto the shaft side hanging on the wall behind the vise!! Do you have the set for yours? I could borrow his for a pattern. I offered him 600 for the vise because it looked like new and had never been beat on. This guy was in his 70's and said his dad had ordered it new for the farm machine shop he had. His dad never let him use the vise if he was hammering something!! Hope to get it someday.

Thanks Demo for the offer, you should get them, photograph the hell out of them, take measurements and post them here. There are a lot of people who could use that information to further their own restorations and I have never seen a set, even in photographs. I know Mr Scott would be keenly interested as well. You NEVER see these ever. Thanks. I dreamed of getting a set, if nothing else to finish the restoration.

 

[jakemac]

Re: A odd 1?

can someone enhance this pic? i think it reads "ontario".

Hard to do with a 72tpi image. I think your first instinct was correct, although I have no idea what the print under ONTARIO says. something CORP ???????

 

[Outlawmws]

ONTARIO

INT. CORP

Is what I read; but there may be something in the line between?

 

[drivesitfar]

Wrench: Static looks broken or missing. i saw Ontario also. i'm guessing that is a single bolt down under the middle of the static jaw for mounting since no holes or swivel base?

 

[demoman]

Thanks Demo for the offer, you should get them, photograph the hell out of them, take measurements and post them here. There are a lot of people who could use that information to further their own restorations and I have never seen a set, even in photographs. I know Mr Scott would be keenly interested as well. You NEVER see these ever. Thanks. I dreamed of getting a set, if nothing else to finish the restoration.

I will borrow them and get some sets made of cast steel and have Mr Scott finish them. When I saw them i was amazed they were still there. This palce had no doors left on the front but was a complete blacksmith machine shop with the hit n miss engine still attached to the line shaft. The owner did not want to part with that yet but let me buy a few brass whisttle pieces out of there. I will get pics when i go by next week ans ask to borrow the jaws.

 

[Nuts]

Ahh you just have to love Fleabay.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/4-Jaw-Machi...151?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item1e96eaa9b7

It's a beauty.


Nuts

 

[GETRIDAONE]

I will borrow them and get some sets made of cast steel and have Mr Scott finish them. When I saw them i was amazed they were still there. This palce had no doors left on the front but was a complete blacksmith machine shop with the hit n miss engine still attached to the line shaft. The owner did not want to part with that yet but let me buy a few brass whisttle pieces out of there. I will get pics when i go by next week ans ask to borrow the jaws.

Demo, I would be interested in a set of the jaws also.

Joe, I saw an old ad some where but I can't find it now that had the jaws in it. I think there where more than one kind to do different things.

Found it: http://mprime.com/Emmert/ads_and_patents.htm#Patent728858
One catalog is from 1950, Some of these vises might not be as old as we think.

 

[joe.striper]

I will borrow them and get some sets made of cast steel and have Mr Scott finish them. When I saw them i was amazed they were still there. This palce had no doors left on the front but was a complete blacksmith machine shop with the hit n miss engine still attached to the line shaft. The owner did not want to part with that yet but let me buy a few brass whisttle pieces out of there. I will get pics when i go by next week ans ask to borrow the jaws.

Demo, Scott probably won't be able to make these up right now as he is flat out but my local machinist should. I imagine Emmert made a few designs for these jaws. I just want to see how they attach. I figure its with a set screw

thanks for the effort. Pics of the vise would be nice too.

 

[joe.striper]

Demo, I would be interested in a set of the jaws also.

Joe, I saw an old ad some where but I can't find it now that had the jaws in it. I think there where more than one kind to do different things.

Found it: http://mprime.com/Emmert/ads_and_patents.htm#Patent728858
One catalog is from 1950, Some of these vises might not be as old as we think.

I actually read your ad Get, turns out each vise was supplied with 5 sets of jaws 'to hold any work'.

You know I never thought to ask how long they made these. I imagine mine is older as the castings were terribly done. Ive seen the same thing on my really old Athol vises. Thanks

 

[yelfin]

Hello
I found this site searching for Monarch Vises
I have an old vise which was in my grandfathers shop
He was an immigrant from Yugoslavia and was an engineer at the Bethlehem Steel plant in Bethlehem PA back in the 1920's I remember this old vise from when I was a kid in the late 60's it got handed down to me and I'm trying to figure out what I have and what it may be worth if anything at all.
It is a heavy tool has embossed lion head and #224 it has a swivel base which works good it rusty but everything seems to work
any history info and value would be much appreciated
Thanks
Tim

 

[drivesitfar]

Yelfin: your Monarch vise you have from your Grand dad's shop has had a tough life. the mounting footings broke off so i'm guessing Gramps welded a piece of steel on the base so he could keep using it. also the dynamic slide under the open jaws area looks like either it was welded or had something very hot on it to melt the cast. is there a weld there too?

now the good part. your Monarch was made by Prentiss vise company and i'm guessing by the pictures maybe sometime in the 1920's give or take. can you measure the width across the top of one of the jaws. any idea what it weighs?

Since the swivel base is broken and the slide is damaged and or welded there isn't a lot of value there, but if it works and it was my gramps vise i'd find a spot to use it even if it was outside and had a cover on it when not in use.

by the way I see you are a new member so welcome and we hope you stick around to share gramp's stories and what you've learned from him and others over the years.

 

[va.grouseman]

Nice Charles parker 474, rotator on E-bay.---But you got to make the drive.







http://www.ebay.com/itm/251754774429?_trksid=p2055119.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK:MEBIDX:IT

 

[wrenchguy]

Wrench: Static looks broken or missing. i saw Ontario also. i'm guessing that is a single bolt down under the middle of the static jaw for mounting since no holes or swivel base?

I couldn't get c-list link up last nite, here it is.

http://joplin.craigslist.org/grd/4803970857.html

 

[GETRIDAONE]

va, put your glasses on an read the fine print. They will ship after all.
When are you going to bid ? at the last minute !!

 

[joe.striper]

Nice Charles parker 474, rotator on E-bay.---But you got to make the drive.







http://www.ebay.com/itm/251754774429?_trksid=p2055119.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK:MEBIDX:IT

Really, we have to start this nonsense all over again? Get, they wont ship, it is confusing but they wont ship. But they are only 45 minutes from me...

I'm bidding...leave me alone.

 

[drivesitfar]

Joe: sorry to say, but my Dad graduated from Yale and has a friend a couple minutes away. Just saying and you already have an Emmert so what would you do with this little vise? that might be the only Parker vise i REALLY like and Get probably won't sell his. Good luck Big Guy

by the way how many states are you only an hour's drive from or do you just consider the entire NE of the US as your "local" area?

cheers

Get: just guessing that you are not bidding, but never know. I'm pretty sure VA isn't betting or maybe he had a senior moment and listed it on the thread to give fair warning.

 

[yelfin]

Thanks Drive
Very cool site thanks for the info the vise has been sitting garage for sometime now
Id say at least 100lbs

 

[joe.striper]

Joe: sorry to say, but my Dad graduated from Yale and has a friend a couple minutes away. Just saying and you already have an Emmert so what would you do with this little vise? that might be the only Parker vise i REALLY like and Get probably won't sell his. Good luck Big Guy

by the way how many states are you only an hour's drive from or do you just consider the entire NE of the US as your "local" area?

I live right on the MA/CT border on the CT River. Boston is 1.5 hours, NY is 2 hours, Providence is 1.45 hours, VT is one hour, Hartford CT is 30 minutes, New Haven is 1 hour. So this is my playground. That little Parker 474 is a keeper for me, I love the double swivels, love 'em.

I have very few vises I wont sell. My Athol 626, my Grand Vise, my big Cole. My Emmert may end up on Ebay as soon as today. Just no use for it and I'm not a collector. My love is in the restoration and the challenges it brings me. There is a lot more I could have done on the Emmert, like send the jaws to Dr Scott for new Jaws or replicating jaws for the empty posts, but at what point do I start to LOSE money? As I said, I'm well over 400 in the Emmert now just to get it where it is.

Oh well, bid early and often .....oh and Marty? Really??? HANDS OFF DUDE!

 

[KMScott]

Demo, Scott probably won't be able to make these up right now as he is flat out but my local machinist should. I imagine Emmert made a few designs for these jaws. I just want to see how they attach. I figure its with a set screw

thanks for the effort. Pics of the vise would be nice too.

I would at least like to see a pattern, maybe the size and shape matches other jaws. Always interested in jaw building as long as they are thicker then 3/8 and not from Asia.

 

[joe.striper]

I would at least like to see a pattern, maybe the size and shape matches other jaws. Always interested in jaw building as long as they are thicker then 3/8 and not from Asia.

Scott, the add on jaws are really rather simple for Emmert, But their stock jaws are 1/4" thick and held on my God only knows what. It is just an awful design. many for the Emmerts I've seen are missing one or more jaws. In my opinion, If I was keeping this and wanted to use it I'd make jaws 3/8ths to 1/2 inch thick and tap the existing jaw holes to accept a countersunk Allen Key

 

[drivesitfar]

Joe: so does that mean if I win the Ebay auction for that Parker i don't have to have my dad's old friend to pick it up? so you can pick it up and then see what they are like and ship to me? thanks Joe

Get: are there any issues with all the directions this Parker turns while holding something fairly heavy in it's jaws?

 

[va.grouseman]

va, put your glasses on an read the fine print. They will ship after all.
When are you going to bid ? at the last minute !!

Yep Get, missed that.

But like Drivesit said, I won't be bidding on that one but I will have a ring side seat.---Watching you fellows go at it is better than any of that **** on television.---I'm paying down a couple I just bought anyway, so yaw just have at it.---I would say that I might already have two of those but I'm not going to cause every time I do, someone challenges me prove it or it never happened.---And it's a real peal digging some of those things out of the pile.


Drivesit,---Joe's 45 minutes may be figured at 110 mph.---So that's about right.

 

[zoomieport]

Yep Get, missed that.

But like Drivesit said, I won't bidding on that one but I will have a ring side seat.---Watching you fellows go at it is better than any of that **** on television.---I'm paying down a couple I just bought anyway, so yaw just have at it.---I would say that I might already have two of those but I'm not going to cause every time I do, someone challenges me prove it or it never happened.---And it's a real peal digging some of those things out of the pile.


Drivesit,---Joe's 45 minutes may be figured at 110 mph.---So that's about right.

Doesn't everyone have 2 of those?

 

[joe.striper]

Joe: so does that mean if I win the Ebay auction for that Parker i don't have to have my dad's old friend to pick it up? so you can pick it up and then see what they are like and ship to me? thanks Joe

Get: are there any issues with all the directions this Parker turns while holding something fairly heavy in it's jaws?

GET, this is why you don't have any friends, just acquaintances! When i sell my Emmert I'm going to bid like Marty!

 

[drivesitfar]

Joe: i think you brought Get into our discussion. are you having a senior moment or is the vise magnet in your garage playing games with you now? i think the Parker auction is going to end before you get your Emmert listed, but i'm sure you have some pocket change you can bid with from the other deals you've been talking about.

cheers and best of luck "big guy". does this mean you won't pick it up for me if i win??

 

[fullthrottle24]

Stumbled across this Reed 406 in an antique shop. On sale for $250. Too rich for my blood, needs some TLC also. The slide has some nicks plus possible mushrooming. It appears a small chip missing from rear swivel jaw and bent handle, but it is a big double swivel.

 

[GETRIDAONE]

va & zoomie Both of you are sitting on a pile of vises a mile high. I would not be surprised if between you two there are a half dozen Parker double swivelers

Joe I thought you and me were buds,
"I Unfriend You"

drives The one I have is not a Parker. If I hadn't put so much oil on it to keep the rust down it would hold fine. When I got it was dry and a little hard to turn but it held in place tight.