The VISES of Garage Journal

[Mark in Indiana]

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.

I would guess that you're in the Princeton area. I live in Evansville and farm in Laconia (trees). The other 1174 pages will have great vise ****. I'm glad to see that there's interest in the Bison vises. From what I've seen, they're the best kept secret for quality out there.

Welcome to the group. The interest in vises is a very steep & slippery slope.

 

[JeremyBurke]

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.

I am not sure you are referring to me or someone else but just in case. Here is the shot of my brothers from different mothers.




I also paid $80 my pair. The craftsman lives at my dads house now. But it will always be my first restore. I'm a little annoyed that Reed has a anti-seize mark in the last picture.

 

[Rickenbackerman]

Heads up! 5" Parker in York, PA for $100.

http://york.craigslist.org/tls/4831925940.html

 

[Junebuggy]

Looks like a twin of mine

Saw one I think is similar on CL for $65. Too far away for me though.,,,and it's fractured.

http://york.craigslist.org/tls/4819307055.html

and another;

http://detroit.craigslist.org/wyn/tls/4812859305.html

 

[blackoakcutter]

I would guess that you're in the Princeton area. I live in Evansville and farm in Laconia (trees). The other 1174 pages will have great vise ****. I'm glad to see that there's interest in the Bison vises. From what I've seen, they're the best kept secret for quality out there.

Welcome to the group. The interest in vises is a very steep & slippery slope.

I live out in the sticks just east of Oakland City on the Pike -Gibson county line. I actually bought that vise several years ago at Dinky's auction barn in Montgomery,IN. I only gave I think 10 bucks for it. It was pretty nasty when I got it so I completely stripped it down and cleaned the several years of crud off it, lubed everything up and painted it and been using it ever since.
I used to work in Evansville-McCutchanville area installing new lawns for several home building contractors until the housing market took a dive. Now I do reclamation work for the Peabody and other coal mines. My hobbies are fixing chainsaws and restoring old American made tools.

 

[rmalkow2]

Saw one I think is similar on CL for $65. Too far away for me though.,,,and it's fractured.

http://york.craigslist.org/tls/4819307055.html

and another;

http://detroit.craigslist.org/wyn/tls/4812859305.html

Evidently that break is in a pretty common location. I picked up this FPU last year basically for nothing as it came attached to steel work bench that I wanted and purchased in auction. As you can see it has a break in the same area of the slide and was already repaired once by the PO and was still being used. I will eventually clean it up and keep since it is unique.

 

[buzzdex1]

I had a little time off over the holidays and used some to indulge my vises. Here is an Athol 614 1/2 I cleaned up shown with my 615. The 615 is still the vise I use to hold other vises when I work on them.
The most difficult part of the job is getting the spring assembly (used instead of a collar) compressed down over the screw far enough to insert a new cotter pin.

 

[Outlawmws]

Heads up! 5" Parker in York, PA for $100.

http://york.craigslist.org/tls/4831925940.html

And gone. which Parker was it?


In other news (and unrelated to that CL ad) What data does anyone have on a C. Parker No. 3?

Pics later, but it is a 5" fixed base. has some of the original green on the bottom, and the jaw faces are PRISTINE!

Got to take my daughter back to school shortly, but I'll try to at least weigh it before I leave.

 

[Mark in Indiana]

I live out in the sticks just east of Oakland City on the Pike -Gibson county line. I actually bought that vise several years ago at Dinky's auction barn in Montgomery,IN. I only gave I think 10 bucks for it. It was pretty nasty when I got it so I completely stripped it down and cleaned the several years of crud off it, lubed everything up and painted it and been using it ever since.
I used to work in Evansville-McCutchanville area installing new lawns for several home building contractors until the housing market took a dive. Now I do reclamation work for the Peabody and other coal mines. My hobbies are fixing chainsaws and restoring old American made tools.

Love motorcycling in that area. I would love to live in Buckskin, In or
Snakes Run, In (my son lives in Hells Kitchen, Ny.), because the names are cool.

Outside of the quality of Bison & FPU vises, I'm attached to those vises because my Father was from Poland.

 

[Outlawmws]

Well color me surprised, my bathroom scale thinks its 59-1/2 lbs...

 

[scooternut]

I am not sure you are referring to me or someone else but just in case. Here is the shot of my brothers from different mothers.




I also paid $80 my pair. The craftsman lives at my dads house now. But it will always be my first restore. I'm a little annoyed that Reed has a anti-seize mark in the last picture.

Yes sir, spent a bit of time enjoying your posts while waiting a few days to pick it up. Thanks for sharing. Firing up my 5 gallon bucket rebar tank in a few minutes. Not a ton of rust here, but hoping for some help on the built up paint, mostly around the raised letters.

This thing came apart beautifully and looks great inside. Thinking this Reed 204 will assume the role of my bench vise. The others I mount out from the bench using hitch/ receiver setup, works good for knife making.

 

[IOWNJUNK]

Heads up! 5" Parker in York, PA for $100.

http://york.craigslist.org/tls/4831925940.html

Already gone. Gotta be quick!

 

[exmaxima1]

I had a little time off over the holidays and used some to indulge my vises. Here is an Athol 614 1/2 I cleaned up shown with my 615. The 615 is still the vise I use to hold other vises when I work on them.
The most difficult part of the job is getting the spring assembly (used instead of a collar) compressed down over the screw far enough to insert a new cotter pin.

Here's an easy way to compress the spring

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?p=4101362&highlight=athol#post4101362

Post #18224

 

[taumac]

Here's an easy way to compress the spring

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?p=4101362&highlight=athol#post4101362

Post #18224

I could have used that few days ago. I used a clap and to screwdrivers to compress mine. Looks like your idea is a lot easier.[emoji106]

 

[Craptain]

I would guess that you're in the Princeton area. I live in Evansville and farm in Laconia (trees). The other 1174 pages will have great vise ****. I'm glad to see that there's interest in the Bison vises. From what I've seen, they're the best kept secret for quality out there.

Welcome to the group. The interest in vises is a very steep & slippery slope.

Well all of a sudden I am seeing lots of them. I gotta say that mine is terrific quality. Can't explain the breaks I see in other pictures.

I may have found my new passion.

Not American Iron but definitely excellent quality.

 

[36truck]

I have a sliding tail stock vise also. Not sure who made it. I bought it at auction from the cheap tool dealers. I think I paid $25 for it. I thought it was a china import but not sure. I'll have to look closer when I get back home.

 

[Rickenbackerman]

Outlaw, I dunno what it was. There were no pics and the guy just said "5" Parker" in the ad. BTW I dunno anything about a #3, but I find 59 pounds hard to believe. Literature for my 805 says 110#, and I believe it.

 

[Mark in Indiana]

Well all of a sudden I am seeing lots of them. I gotta say that mine is terrific quality. Can't explain the breaks I see in other pictures.

I may have found my new passion.

Not American Iron but definitely excellent quality.

It ain't where there are from...It's how they are made.

 

[Junebuggy]

If you're a Chas Parker collector....some collectibles on ebay.

 

[cretedog]

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.

What a cute little guy, VA. Now to scale him up to 695 lbs...

 

[454ragtop]

If you're a Chas Parker collector....some collectibles on ebay.

Wow, that's weird, same items are in the CL ad link I posted on the page before this. The CL bear looks like it's in better shape though. Never saw one before in my life, now see 2 in 1 day.

 

[ShopSoiled]

Picked up this big ole Wilton C3 just before Christmas.
After a bit of work, paint and a few new parts I think it scrubbed up pretty well
Can anyone help me with dating this one?
The stamp reads 88 86
So that would be the 8th of August 1986 ?
Or it could be read as 9th August 1988 ?

 

[Trey T]

Nice C3; monster jaws! Where did you get the new lead screw?

 

[ShopSoiled]

I got the lead screw here at www.ereplacementparts.com.
It was a 160 bucks ! but it saved me having to straighten out the old handle
It turned out to be a couple of inches too long but it was easy to trim to length..

 

[KMScott]

I finished this American Red Seal # 53 built by the American Scale Company. It was a abused vise from the Golden Pile. Came out pretty nice considering the shape it was in. It was missing the 3 inch diameter spindle end that houses the handle. The spindle end was chewed up pretty bad so I re machined two flats and copied the shape in the 3 inch handle support. I was a little fussy and made sure it was a press fit before adding a couple 1/4 pins. The pins were peened in place. Not as strong as a friction welding like most are attached but as strong as I could make it.
The casting underneath the dynamic jaw was pretty rough and had a pretty good draft angle from the casting process. I removed the draft and casting mismatch so the collar had a better surface to spin on and eliminated much of the backlash. I also added a Bronze wear plate with grease grooves for wear.
I did not like how the pin was machined in the base to hold the nut assembly in so I added a adjustable stop. I filled in all the heavy grind marks and repaired the jaw support with weld, re machined the jaw area and fit a set of new jaws. Not as good as new but given a chance to be used again. Still have a cabinet full of more like this one to repair from the Golden pile.

 

[billyjp2]

I've inherited a Chas Parker 975 1/2 that is in tremendous original condition. I've tried to do some research on the company and their vises but there doesn't seem to be a whole lot of info that I can find.

Here's a pic.

 

[Fretters]

I finished this American Red Seal # 53 built by the American Scale Company.

Some impressive work there. Very nicely done.

 

[jakemac]

I finished this American Red Seal # 53 built by the American Scale Company. It was a abused vise from the Golden Pile.

I think the previous owner of the Golden Hoard would be right proud to see what you're doing with his loved possessions. Not only are you bringing them back to life, but you're getting them back out and working to people who will appriciate them the way that the previous owner intended.

Good on 'ya Kevin.

 

[oldldh]

Reverend Scott---

YA DUN GUD, BUBBA!!!

Again!!!

I don't know what the total number of vises came from the Golden pile, but they're in good hands with you and Maclin!!!

 

[Outlawmws]

Beautiful work Dr. Scott!


Here are the markings in the latest addition to the Parker Clan:

SIDE ONE:

C. PARKER
MERIDEN
CT.

PAT JUNE
20. 1854
EXT'D.

SIDE 2:

PAT.MAY 28
NOV 26 &
DEC 17 1867

No. 3

This thing looks clean, clean, clean!

Jaws show no real use, just age. (rust)

slide was NOT beat on

I'll bet under that red paint is the original green... I KNOW there is a bunch of that green on the bottom, (unfaded?) so a color match is possible!


Pics of my "new" C. Parker No. 3

"Parker" is there on the collar, but faint compared to newer models.

And Just LOOK at these jaws!

 

[va.grouseman]

Billyjp2,---You inherited a jewel there.---That is a really nice vise in really nice condition.---Take good care of it.---Don't abuse it.

Here is some references that may or may not help.

https://www.google.com/search?q=cha...v&sa=X&ei=yheqVOfeNcKcgwS3rISABA&ved=0CEgQsAQ

http://www.smokstak.com/forum/showthread.php?t=63101

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=62716&highlight=bench+vises
Page 1----post #2

 

[va.grouseman]

Outlaw---That little #3 is in outstanding shape for 147 years.---Must have gotten misplaced for 130 years and just surfaced recently.

 

[KMScott]

Thanks Fretters, Jake, oldie and Outlaw. Oldie Macklin got all the nice ones, I got the repairs except for a few. That #3 Parker is in great shape, look at those jaws. Nice find Outlaw.

 

[GETRIDAONE]

Outlaw, You aren't just a little excited about that new / old Parker are you ?


Kevin, Nice work as usual !

va, Did you get that $450.00 Yost/York

 

[mike_paxton]

Outlaw: That #3 Parker is great. BTW, someone has posted pics of a 1X and 2X Parker at http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=275242 and owner says jaw size is 4" and 4-1/2" respectively. So, wondered what jaw size was on the #3 you have?

billyjp2: Like that Parker 975-1/2 you inherited and it's in great condition. Your's has the swivel base, while I have a 974-1/2-A, so fixed base. Mine spent decades outside (i.e. which is why it is still in a bucket of vinegar trying to get the slide apart).

 

[drivesitfar]

SS: nice looking C3. the only weak part about that vise that I've ever seen is the swivel base. maybe not opening the vise up full width and hitting on the project will keep you from braking yours.

if it really matters if your vise is a 1988 or 1986 I think all the dates I've ever seen have the year closest to the hub on the end of the main screw at the front of the vise. hard to tell from your slide which direction that might be. Also anybody that has a Wilton vise stamped prior to 1970 we are still trying to find a pattern for Wilton's dating system so post up pictures of your vise and slides on that thread. here is the link.

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=269079&highlight=wilton+date+stamp

Kevin: you did an amazing job repairing that old American Scale vise. i can't say I've seen a vise nut holder made like that and that might be the first handle I've seen made too. did you use the old screw and weld on the new end or care to share more details over on the Vise Repair 101 thread? WOW!!

Outlaw: i think that vise might be older than your soul. do you have it in your hands or is it waiting for the return trip from your daughter's college drop off? just curious what the width of jaws and weight are on that old Parker when you get a chance.

Billy: nice looking Parker and you should find lots of information on our forum and this thread for your vise. if you still have questions after your search just ask because a few of the guys are trying to own every Parker ever made. Parker vise company was in business for over 100 years from 1854 to 1957 when they sold to Union tools is about all i know.

 

[Fretters]

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?

It'd be a bad idea giving me any type of shipping access to a country the size of yours with so much old iron. Last time I checked, any general type of shipping was exorbitant. Plus, C&E tend to bend people over royally for duty on items as and when they see fit.

 

[backskipper]

Finished stripping the 3 layers of paint. Repainted it with Rustoleum Hammered finish black. I'm somewhat disappointed in how far from black it is, but will leave it how it is. I thought the distributor's tag was kind of neat so I left it on.

Before -

After -

 

[Outlawmws]

Thanks guys!

For those that asked, my No 3 Parker;s Jaw with is a tich under 5, so did CP call it 5" or 4-3/4?

My bathroom scale said 59-1/2, which seems light

Drives: it is at home; two hour drive round trip to go get it before we took my daughter back to school (another 3 hours round trip...)

Anyone seen an Ad for this puppy?

 

[drivesitfar]

Fretters: we'll have to meet in Iceland for the swapping of suitcases i guess.

Outlaw: did they have paper when your Parker #3 was new to print on a catalog page. that girl is an oldie and looks like it was stuck in a museum for 100 years. by the way i'm betting you are liking that gas is closer to $2 now instead of $4 like it was about this time last year with all that driving.

BS: the black looks great and just adjust your flash or your expectations because that old vise looks pristine now.