joe.striper
Well-known member
Can you get free and go with me Jakey? Wed @ 8:30 am. Outside of Worcester. Call me
The VISES of Garage Journal
- Thread starter mjozefow
- Start date
Can you get free and go with me Jakey? Wed @ 8:30 am. Outside of Worcester. Call me
joe.striper
Well-known member
If you go you can bring the 'package'.
joe.striper
Well-known member
My source tells me she has stacks of Bud Hayden anvils, all excellent. He said they must have used a surface grinder on them because they are all big and perfect...and $5 a pound!
Craptain
Well-known member
Today's score
6" and 100 lbs
I think it's a Bison but no good id marks.
6" and 100 lbs
I think it's a Bison but no good id marks.
drivesitfar
Well-known member
Craptain: pretty sure it's a Bison FPU polish vice that the static moves back when you open the jaws. is there an FPU on it anywhere? i personally really like those vices and own a 3 incher. what does your 6 inch one weigh maybe 80 pounds?
Lu-Max: i like that idea about the welding companie's schools and i'll check to see if any of the local ones around me have that option. thanks for the heads up on a welder too. are you almost ready for your move to the sunshine state?
Lu-Max: i like that idea about the welding companie's schools and i'll check to see if any of the local ones around me have that option. thanks for the heads up on a welder too. are you almost ready for your move to the sunshine state?
Mark in Indiana
Well-known member
Very nice!
You have a top shelf vise.
I believe that's a FPU, (Fabryka Przyrzadow Uchwytow). It was manufactures by Bison.
I just picked up a 4" FPU like yours, that will be a challenge to restore. I really like the precision movement of this reverse vise.
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bl00
Well-known member
Joe, here are some pics from an ebay listing. I've seen several of these for sale up in your area over the years. It may have been a local manufacturer who was making them.
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Fretters
Well-known member
Craptain
Well-known member
Drives and Mark. Yes it does have a small FPU symbol on the side. It won't get " restored " but it will get cleaned and lubed. Then what??? I really don't have space for it. And it is too nice to replace my beater/welding vise. Call it an impulse buy.
Mark in Indiana
Well-known member
joe.striper
Well-known member
you da man! I'm sure that's it. Do you remember what they were overpriced at??
bl00
Well-known member
There was one on craigslist for $1000 or so. Several others were at a tool and die shop auction. They had a workbench the length of one wall. About every 10 feet there was one of these with a vise mounted to the floor. If you were using the bench you could turn around take two steps and there it was. They probably sold for $3 each.
The hen is in the hen house.
The grass is lush and green.
Franks and beans for dinner.
joe.striper
Well-known member
Don't screw withe the Jakeman and the Fatman...
sstruckguy
Well-known member
You would think that in 2100 plus posts, there would be more than 2 examples of this vise. Its been in my family for 40 + years, and in my possession over 25 years. It has always been a running gag about it being polish made, because of its backwards stationary jaw:
Capacity:
Label:
Obviously I don't do heavy fabrication or work my "Made in Poland" piece, but I use an anvil and other devices for the heavy work. This is one of my favorite tools! (as it should be)
Today's score
6" and 100 lbs
I think it's a Bison but no good id marks.
Looks like a twin of mine
Rockford73
Member
- Joined
- Mar 9, 2012
- Messages
- 11
Drivesitfar: One and done huh? That hurts.
'Ah, all things come to those who wait,'
(I say these words to make me glad),
But something answers soft and sad,
'They come, but often come too late
Actually, the forum portal has frustrated me a couple of times, logging me out as I type, so I’ve learned to type my posts in Word and paste them in. Still though, I probably won’t be real prolific; I’ll post as my attention span allows.
OK my favorite vise:
Columbian 503 fixed base bench vise. I like fixed base vises because I can count on the fingers of one hand the number of times I needed to reposition a bench vise (not so with my patternmakers vises though). I also generally like Columbian vises, and would love to learn something of the history of the company. This vise has the hot oil finish that I prefer to paint, and appears to be made from cast steel or malleable iron. I’ve refinished several vises using a home-made witch’s brew of wax, linseed oil, turpentine, and Japan drier, but this is the original finish.
This vise came out of one of the last operating furniture factories in my hometown. The business had dwindled down to a single owner-operator mostly selling hardwoods and millwork. The business dated to the early 1930’s and all the equipment was heavy industrial woodworking machines, much of it locally made.
I had befriended the owner, since I was interested in both his equipment and the history of the company. A WWII vet, he was one of the finest human beings I have ever known; gracious, reverent, upbeat, and hard working. He had three vises left from when the business was more active and he gave them to me for repairing several of his machines.
His business ultimately burned down and he died a year later.
This vise is mounted on my lab bench at work, and has been in my possession and in constant use for 32 years.
'Ah, all things come to those who wait,'
(I say these words to make me glad),
But something answers soft and sad,
'They come, but often come too late
Actually, the forum portal has frustrated me a couple of times, logging me out as I type, so I’ve learned to type my posts in Word and paste them in. Still though, I probably won’t be real prolific; I’ll post as my attention span allows.
OK my favorite vise:
Columbian 503 fixed base bench vise. I like fixed base vises because I can count on the fingers of one hand the number of times I needed to reposition a bench vise (not so with my patternmakers vises though). I also generally like Columbian vises, and would love to learn something of the history of the company. This vise has the hot oil finish that I prefer to paint, and appears to be made from cast steel or malleable iron. I’ve refinished several vises using a home-made witch’s brew of wax, linseed oil, turpentine, and Japan drier, but this is the original finish.
This vise came out of one of the last operating furniture factories in my hometown. The business had dwindled down to a single owner-operator mostly selling hardwoods and millwork. The business dated to the early 1930’s and all the equipment was heavy industrial woodworking machines, much of it locally made.
I had befriended the owner, since I was interested in both his equipment and the history of the company. A WWII vet, he was one of the finest human beings I have ever known; gracious, reverent, upbeat, and hard working. He had three vises left from when the business was more active and he gave them to me for repairing several of his machines.
His business ultimately burned down and he died a year later.
This vise is mounted on my lab bench at work, and has been in my possession and in constant use for 32 years.
Attachments
klieber
Well-known member
Here's my shop vise. It's a Wilton bullet vise from the 70's that someone (not me) mounted on an I-beam and semi-truck wheel. It's surprisingly stable and I love being able to easily move it around the shop (with a hand truck, of course).
If I ever needed to make it even more stable, I've thought about filling the wheel with concrete, but so far, given what I use it for, it's been perfect for me as-is.
If I ever needed to make it even more stable, I've thought about filling the wheel with concrete, but so far, given what I use it for, it's been perfect for me as-is.
drivesitfar
Well-known member
Klieber: nice looking 6 inch old Wilton. if your jaws are original it looks like they were turned upside down. if they are they might look better turned back over to fill in the gap under them and lower their tops. if they are not original jaws that vise is nice enough that i would consider buying a new set of jaws for them.
Rockford: my 82 year old dad's favorite tv show and one of my favorites too. sad story and I (we) can understand why that old Columbian vise might be your favorite. hopefully your computer and Garage Journal's will cooperate better in the future so you can post a few more times.
By the way you are not the first person to ask this forum and specifically the vise thread the question you asked hence the reply. happy to hear you had a better reason for asking.
Fretters: can you find a way to have things shipped across big pond reasonably because I for one would like to make a few trades with you?
Rockford: my 82 year old dad's favorite tv show and one of my favorites too. sad story and I (we) can understand why that old Columbian vise might be your favorite. hopefully your computer and Garage Journal's will cooperate better in the future so you can post a few more times.
By the way you are not the first person to ask this forum and specifically the vise thread the question you asked hence the reply. happy to hear you had a better reason for asking.
Fretters: can you find a way to have things shipped across big pond reasonably because I for one would like to make a few trades with you?
va.grouseman
Well-known member
Here we have an absolute one of a kind YOST going off in 20 hours.---Very nicely restored, and reasonably priced for the collector with a discriminating taste for the most unique and rare specimens.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/111561005878?_trksid=p2055119.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK:MEBIDX:IT
http://www.ebay.com/itm/111561005878?_trksid=p2055119.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK:MEBIDX:IT
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Craptain
Well-known member
Of course it is not you selling it 
You would NEVER make that mistake.
He did get it right in the description just not the headline.
You would NEVER make that mistake.He did get it right in the description just not the headline.
Here we have an absolute one of a kind YOST going off in 20 hours.---Very nicely restored, and reasonably priced for the collector with a discriminating taste for the most unique and rare specimens.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/111561005878?_trksid=p2055119.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK:MEBIDX:IT
blackoakcutter
Member
- Joined
- Jan 3, 2015
- Messages
- 7
Here's mine. I have had it several years. I had no idea it was made in Poland. It is a quality made vise. I really like how the back jaw is the one that moves. Is there any info available on this vise?Looks like a twin of mine
A couple of my Wilton's that get used every day.
Here's an Erie that I have stashed back because I have ran out of room to mount it.
Here's another vise I have that I don't know anything about. The swivel base has been welded solid. It has a hinge pivot built into it. It is a USA made vise, by who???
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McBrownie
Well-known member
That's the yorkiest Yost I have ever seen.
Rickenbackerman
Well-known member
I've posted some "in-progress" pics of my Parker 805 over the last few pages. Finally finished it tonight. Went with 3 coats of rustoleum universal canary yellow w/black letters. Re-checkered and re-trued the jaws, they close pretty well now with only a tiny gap on the right side that I can live with. WAY better than before.
taumac
Well-known member
I saw that ad. Nice vise. You can always take I ride hour north and drop it off at my house. [emoji482]
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McBrownie
Well-known member
Rickenbackerman
Well-known member
That 805 came out really nice. It's ready for another 80 years of work.
Thanks McB. It's got a few paint flaws and for some reason the handle is a little harder to turn than before (not much tho, but it will bug me as it was butter smooth before), so I need to look into that. I might have gotten a little paint on the ways in the main body.
bmxdad
Well-known member
drivesitfar ... you want to try your hand at laying some welds down, let me know and I'll show you what little I know. You know where I'm at 
GETRIDAONE
Well-known member
Its great to see more new members posting vises.
Drives, My first day of retirement went well. I drove to Greenville SC to pick up a vise. I really just wanted the home made stand it was mounted on. The guy said he had a big vise that would take two people to pick up and only knew it was outside somewhere ? He had tractors & old farming stuff everywhere. About an hour down the road he calls and says he found it.
Red Seal with #25 in a star outline. That sounds familiar ? You get excited,
another big combination pipe vise. then you realize it is an American Scale that you already have. I still might go get it.
Joe and Fred blew my whole day after that cool 3 leg vise stand was posted.
I want one
Drives, My first day of retirement went well. I drove to Greenville SC to pick up a vise. I really just wanted the home made stand it was mounted on. The guy said he had a big vise that would take two people to pick up and only knew it was outside somewhere ? He had tractors & old farming stuff everywhere. About an hour down the road he calls and says he found it.
Red Seal with #25 in a star outline. That sounds familiar ? You get excited,
another big combination pipe vise. then you realize it is an American Scale that you already have. I still might go get it.
Joe and Fred blew my whole day after that cool 3 leg vise stand was posted.
I want one
Attachments
Mark in Indiana
Well-known member
Here's another vise I have that I don't know anything about. The swivel base has been welded solid. It has a hinge pivot built into it. It is a USA made vise, by who???
[/URL]
Hey Blackoakcutter,
About your FPU vise, I know it was made by Bison. As I said in a previous post, they are a top shelf manufacture of vises and tooling equipment. They are still in businesss.
Your mystery vise is a Wilton Flip-Grip. Made in the early 70s. Shame that the base was welded
Fechmup
Member
I just picked up this Prentiss Bull Dog Vise #54 from a machine shop that went out of business. It came with the table for $125. I plan on restoring it. Seems to be in good shape just loaded inside with metal chips and oil.
It has a stop on the bottom that looks like you should be able to **** it up to the edge of a table but has a 45 degree taper that won't let it **** up. (it keeps it away about 3/4 of an inch) You might be able to see it in the photo. Seems funny that it would be designed like that? Anyone see the reasoning behind it? Thanks! Tom
You beat me to it.... I was bummed.
scooternut
Well-known member
Just picked up this Reed 204R after a nice early short Sunday drive. Had to give $80 for it, but I thought the condition was very good and it's now likely the highest quality vise I own, seemed a small price to pay.
Pictured below with it's brother from another mother. I guess I'll have to find a 5186 like someone one this board (sorry I forget your name) that posted the excellent restoration pics of the 5186 and 204R. He even inspired me to do electrolysis on this one. The vinegar is nice, but has bitten me in the past. See the craftsman main screw end below, that thing WAS all polished and shiny before the TOO LONG bath ate it up a bit. Looking forward to cleaning this one up.
View media item 46887View media item 46886
Pictured below with it's brother from another mother. I guess I'll have to find a 5186 like someone one this board (sorry I forget your name) that posted the excellent restoration pics of the 5186 and 204R. He even inspired me to do electrolysis on this one. The vinegar is nice, but has bitten me in the past. See the craftsman main screw end below, that thing WAS all polished and shiny before the TOO LONG bath ate it up a bit. Looking forward to cleaning this one up.
View media item 46887View media item 46886
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Tyberius
Well-known member
cretedog
ALLIANCE MEMBER
Pittsburg 6"
“Crete: I'm not sure I've ever seen another Pittsburg vise except for the 695 pounder in a catalog picture. that is very interesting base on yours. i'm guessing it had a swivel base at one time, but why would it have that piece in the middle?
if it were mine i'd make a nice stand for it and drill out the other hole, grind that base flat either on a mill or with a hand grinder and mount it with two bolts. it looks in decent shape besides the base issue.”
Drivesitfar- It doesn’t appear to have ever been a swivel, and both holes are drilled out. I was thinking the same as you- flatten the base, mount it, and use it for a heavy working vise.
“Cretdog, is that a quick close vise? Or can you tilt the main screw and move it both ways, if not actually gripping something?”
Outlaw- Not a quick close. Male and female threads are tight and continuous. Must have just been Pittsburg’s design to allow for assembly and a bit of self-alignment of the screw and nut.
Other things on this vise-
Slide- Was machined on a planer or shaper, not with a rotary tool as on later vises. Handle- Need to make a new one. Jaw insert- Missing and filled with weld metal on dynamic jaw. They are quite light- 3/8” x ¾”. Don’t really care to remove the existing one on the static jaw, mill a slot on the other jaw and make a set for this old girl. Will probably just build it up a bit more with weld and square it off- or, perhaps, make a full height cap for that jaw…
“Crete: I'm not sure I've ever seen another Pittsburg vise except for the 695 pounder in a catalog picture. that is very interesting base on yours. i'm guessing it had a swivel base at one time, but why would it have that piece in the middle?
if it were mine i'd make a nice stand for it and drill out the other hole, grind that base flat either on a mill or with a hand grinder and mount it with two bolts. it looks in decent shape besides the base issue.”
Drivesitfar- It doesn’t appear to have ever been a swivel, and both holes are drilled out. I was thinking the same as you- flatten the base, mount it, and use it for a heavy working vise.
“Cretdog, is that a quick close vise? Or can you tilt the main screw and move it both ways, if not actually gripping something?”
Outlaw- Not a quick close. Male and female threads are tight and continuous. Must have just been Pittsburg’s design to allow for assembly and a bit of self-alignment of the screw and nut.
Other things on this vise-
Slide- Was machined on a planer or shaper, not with a rotary tool as on later vises. Handle- Need to make a new one. Jaw insert- Missing and filled with weld metal on dynamic jaw. They are quite light- 3/8” x ¾”. Don’t really care to remove the existing one on the static jaw, mill a slot on the other jaw and make a set for this old girl. Will probably just build it up a bit more with weld and square it off- or, perhaps, make a full height cap for that jaw…
Attachments
cretedog
ALLIANCE MEMBER
Pittsburg 6"[/B
https://www.google.com/patents/US713...ed=0CCwQ6wEwAg
https://www.google.com/patents/US732...ed=0CEoQ6wEwBg
b100- Thank you for the patent info! My pivoting nut is either a different style, or has been replaced at some point in time. Didn't quite seem to match the vintage of the vise when I first looked at it either... Some other differences from the patent drawings also.
https://www.google.com/patents/US713...ed=0CCwQ6wEwAg
https://www.google.com/patents/US732...ed=0CEoQ6wEwBg
b100- Thank you for the patent info! My pivoting nut is either a different style, or has been replaced at some point in time. Didn't quite seem to match the vintage of the vise when I first looked at it either... Some other differences from the patent drawings also.
drivesitfar
Well-known member
Crete: i wonder if the piece under your Pittsburgh looked like this on the bottom of my old Vanderman that held a bolt. then it would swivel by tightening and loosening the huge wing nut under the bench like my Massey vise has in the other picture.
it sounds like you have a lot of skills so that vise found the right person to bring it back to life.
Toz: nice table and vise combo and it sounds like you were a bit quicker. i might have removed that vise before loading it on my truck on that table for a couple reasons. i wouldn't want it fall and damage the vise or my truck and i'm getting old and can't lift 500 pounds as easily any more. tell me you got it off the truck and into your garage without breaking it or you toes?
SN: very nice Craftsman and Reeds and that handle might still shine up if you can put a deburring wheel on your grinder. i think you have the same duo that Jeremy spiffed up a couple months ago.
Lu-Max and BMX: about my new welding skills
Get: you don't waste any time and that is a cool stand.
it sounds like you have a lot of skills so that vise found the right person to bring it back to life.
Toz: nice table and vise combo and it sounds like you were a bit quicker. i might have removed that vise before loading it on my truck on that table for a couple reasons. i wouldn't want it fall and damage the vise or my truck and i'm getting old and can't lift 500 pounds as easily any more. tell me you got it off the truck and into your garage without breaking it or you toes?
SN: very nice Craftsman and Reeds and that handle might still shine up if you can put a deburring wheel on your grinder. i think you have the same duo that Jeremy spiffed up a couple months ago.
Lu-Max and BMX:
about my new welding skillsGet: you don't waste any time and that is a cool stand.
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va.grouseman
Well-known member
Cretedog,---Here is an Automatic by the same company but yours is the more conventional style.---With this one the pivot automatically locks in place when you tighten down on something.---I'm going to venture to say that your pivoting lug has something to do with it automatically binding and releasing on the slide as you tighten or loosen on an object.--- could have even been spring loaded at one time.---Just a guess.
454ragtop
Well-known member
Interesting CL ad, suspect the prices will be too high for a bottom feeder like me
http://boston.craigslist.org/gbs/tls/4828677486.html
http://boston.craigslist.org/gbs/tls/4828677486.html
blackoakcutter
Member
- Joined
- Jan 3, 2015
- Messages
- 7
Thanks for the info on the vises. I see your a Hoosier from Indiana. I am also a fellow Hoosier. Where are you located? I'm about 25 miles north of Evansville. I just stumbled on this great vise thread from a link from another forum. I read the first 15 pages then skipped to the last one and seen the post with the Polish made vise and thought I would share a few pictures of mine since it was claimed that only twice has this model of vise been mentioned in the entire thread.
Smokeshow69
Well-known member
Man this picture is hot!! Nice find on the reed!