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The VISES of Garage Journal

mike_paxton

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Dec 15, 2013
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Re: The VISES of Garage Journal--Parker Parker 974-1/2A

Back on 11/8/2014, got a call from Roy who said he had an old vise that had been sitting on the ground at his farm rusting for a couple of decades. It was no exaggeration, as I could not even look through the rear hollow section of the sliding bar to see if it had a main nut or condition of the lead screw. (Pic 1)

Used wire wheel to clean rust, but Vise was froze solid. Discussed it on GJ and Outlaw suggested sealing up the trough of the sliding bar and adding vinegar//salt mixture, to see if it would clear it of rust. That started on 11/10/2014. (Pic 2)

After couple weeks, the hollow section was clear, but vise still was frozen. So, put vise next in a 5 gallon bucket with white vinegar and salt mixture and that started on 11/22/2014. Every few days, I'd pull vise out, tap it in couple key locations with ball peen hammer, but it still remained frozen.

After awhile, realized that where the sliding bar was going through the static jaw lower section, that it was rusted tight and keeping the vinegar mixture from penetrating. Tried several things and what worked best was using just a hacksaw blade and trying to rub it against the rusted tight sections. A couple weeks ago, noticed that some of the vinegar was finally getting into the sealed section and today (1/29/2015), was finally able to get the dynamic jaw to move and eventually separate. (Pics 3, 4 and 5).

NJ Marty of GJ offered and sent me some pieces off another same model vise which had been damaged beyond repair. So, for first time, was able to install those parts and here is how the vise looks now. (Pics 6 and 7).

Vise will still need some TLC but will never be "perfect". However, with a lot of perseverance and info/support from GJ, this vise is now getting close to being a user again.

Thanks for allowing me to share the ride on this adventure.

Mike
 

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oldldh

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A 450 is...

Just about the perfect sized Wilton Machinist Vise...

And it ain't a "Swivlin' B@#tard", either...

Looks to be in decent shape, and, these days, an asking price of $ 275.00 ain't too shabby, either...There are two listings...the other listing has the asking price at $ 225.00!!!

atlanta.craigslist.org/sat/tls/4796776471.html
 

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exmaxima1

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Bought a Wilton C1 Today

Perusing the CL ads today, I found a guy not too far away with a Wilton vise for sale in the back seat of his car. Judging from the size and shape it looked like a Wilton C-series, so I made arrangements to meet him at the local McDonalds. It turned out to be a C1, and while the seller claimed it was new there were some scratches, one hold down lever was bent, and most shocking to me was the dent in the rear cover. Even so, I always wanted to own Wilton's best series so I took it home.

Not exactly a cheap investment to me, so I was excited when I got home to check it out to see how badly I may have got screwed on this deal. But when I removed the slide the date code was "0114"---a year ago?? So maybe this really was a fair deal, and now it's just a matter of whether I can live with the dent, or do I try to figure out how to remove it and repair it. Compared to my current Wilton 400S home vise, this vise looks much beefier!
 

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CwazyWabbit

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Re: The VISES of Garage Journal--Parker Parker 974-1/2A

......
NJ Marty of GJ offered and sent me some pieces off another same model vise which had been damaged beyond repair. So, for first time, was able to install those parts and here is how the vise looks now. ......

Which parts are from your original vice?
 

alan camby

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Dec 3, 2011
Messages
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South of Indianapolis, Indiana
Re: Bought a Wilton C1 Today

Perusing the CL ads today, I found a guy not too far away with a Wilton vise for sale in the back seat of his car. Judging from the size and shape it looked like a Wilton C-series, so I made arrangements to meet him at the local McDonalds. It turned out to be a C1, and while the seller claimed it was new there were some scratches, one hold down lever was bent, and most shocking to me was the dent in the rear cover. Even so, I always wanted to own Wilton's best series so I took it home.

Not exactly a cheap investment to me, so I was excited when I got home to check it out to see how badly I may have got screwed on this deal. But when I removed the slide the date code was "0114"---a year ago?? So maybe this really was a fair deal, and now it's just a matter of whether I can live with the dent, or do I try to figure out how to remove it and repair it. Compared to my current Wilton 400S home vise, this vise looks much beefier!

Looks like a real good vise. I would almost wonder if it were "Hot". Seems strange that someone would have a almost new vise for sale.

The dent would bother me :D
unscrew the dynamic jaw and set it aside. Take a long wooden dowel down the center of the main nut and you will be able to knock that cap off.
 

alan camby

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Where are you guys getting the rubber finger savers. I know they come on Wilton's but what about replacements. I have seen Rubber Grommets and O-rings used, but what about the squared Wilton style.

Balane, I assume you put those on the Columbian you just posted?

Anyone,
Who was the first manufacture to use them? About what year?
 
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ganymede

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Nov 29, 2012
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2,332
Location
New England
Re: The VISES of Garage Journal--Parker Parker 974-1/2A

Back on 11/8/2014, got a call from Roy who said he had an old vise that had been sitting on the ground at his farm rusting for a couple of decades. It was no exaggeration, as I could not even look through the rear hollow section of the sliding bar to see if it had a main nut or condition of the lead screw....

Great job man . These are my favorite kinds of restorations.
 

exmaxima1

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Re: Bought a Wilton C1 Today

The dent would bother me :D
unscrew the dynamic jaw and set it aside. Take a long wooden dowel down the center of the main nut and you will be able to knock that cap off.

I just read somewhere that Wilton's recommended method is to remove the dynamic jaw, remove the spindle from the jaw, and then screw the spindle into the vise body to push out the rear cap. Makes sense to me, and if Wilton customer service recommends it must be ok...
 

alan camby

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South of Indianapolis, Indiana
I just read somewhere that Wilton's recommended method is to remove the dynamic jaw, remove the spindle from the jaw, and then screw the spindle into the vise body to push out the rear cap. Makes sense to me, and if Wilton customer service recommends it must be ok...

Sounds like a good idea.

I use garden hose washers on most of my vises. You can get them in black, and in several sizes.

Most of the GH washers I have seen are molded on a card and look pretty cheap. Must be a premium one out there.
Thanks
 

drivesitfar

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EX: unless you want to take apart the entire vise i agree with Alan that pulling out the dynamic and taking a smallish wood dowel (or metal rod if you are careful) and going through the vise nut. then giving it a few pops on the dust cover and it should pop out.

not repairing it to new condition will take all your auto body skills or ETrailer.com has a replacement that they use for hubs on the wheels that i hear works great.

TopPop: what if we already own our dream vise?
 
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joe.striper

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Sep 13, 2013
Messages
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agawam, ma
Re: Bought a Wilton C1 Today

Perusing the CL ads today, I found a guy not too far away with a Wilton vise for sale in the back seat of his car. Judging from the size and shape it looked like a Wilton C-series, so I made arrangements to meet him at the local McDonalds. It turned out to be a C1, and while the seller claimed it was new there were some scratches, one hold down lever was bent, and most shocking to me was the dent in the rear cover. Even so, I always wanted to own Wilton's best series so I took it home.

Not exactly a cheap investment to me, so I was excited when I got home to check it out to see how badly I may have got screwed on this deal. But when I removed the slide the date code was "0114"---a year ago?? So maybe this really was a fair deal, and now it's just a matter of whether I can live with the dent, or do I try to figure out how to remove it and repair it. Compared to my current Wilton 400S home vise, this vise looks much beefier!

i use a piece of 1/2 pvc pipe, take out the dynamic jaw and tap the dust cover off. Here's a secret, use a ball peen hammer (smallish one) and reform the dust cap on a hard surface, eazy-peazy lemon squeezy. Will look like new.

As an aside I've had a ton of success machining down fence post tops. Here's an example.
 

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alan camby

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Re: Bought a Wilton C1 Today

i use a piece of 1/2 pvc pipe, take out the dynamic jaw and tap the dust cover off. Here's a secret, use a ball peen hammer (smallish one) and reform the dust cap on a hard surface, eazy-peazy lemon squeezy. Will look like new.

As an aside I've had a ton of success machining down fence post tops. Here's an example.

Good idear with the fence post end. I used a black npt pipe cap. The fence post cap would have had the shape that matches better.

I spy gladhand seals.
 

va.grouseman

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Messages
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Southern-Central VA.
Where are you guys getting the rubber finger savers. I know they come on Wilton's but what about replacements. I have seen Rubber Grommets and O-rings used, but what about the squared Wilton style.

Balane, I assume you put those on the Columbian you just posted?

Anyone,
Who was the first manufacture to use them? About what year?
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------



Here's a member that I got mine from that sells them cheap on E-bay.---Put mine on my Columbian 608.---I think he sells different sizes.---They're thick and they last.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Vise-Finger...770?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item463290cb62
 

topop101

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Jan 1, 2015
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Location
NW Missouri
EX: unless you want to take apart the entire vise i agree with Alan that pulling out the dynamic and taking a smallish wood dowel (or metal rod if you are careful) and going through the vise nut. then giving it a few pops on the dust cover and it should pop out.

not repairing it to new condition will take all your auto body skills or ETrailer.com has a replacement that they use for hubs on the wheels that i hear works great.

TopPop: what if we already own our dream vise?

What is it?
 
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oldldh

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May 22, 2012
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Fairhope, AL
Brother Camby and Brother Balane...

And for all you vise folks, who keep smashing your pinkies...:D

Ebay store of GJ member 'Maclin"...:bowdown:

He of the "Golden Colorado Vise Hoard"...:scared::willy_nil

Source of my Starrett 925 and purveyor of wizbang vise finger savers...:rocker:

By the way, his finger savers are $ 6.00/pr and free shipping!!!

www.ebay.com/usr/inspectorhouse?_trksid=p2047675.12559

Check his store out from there...
 

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mantemec

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Mount Clemens, MI
Parker collectors, i know this is a vise forum but i didnt know where to post this.
My question is. Is this bronze parker bear ever made by parker or it is a copy. I know is old and it looks cool and has petina but Was this ever made as a parker original item.
 

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mantemec

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Re: Bought a Wilton C1 Today

Good idear with the fence post end. I used a black npt pipe cap. The fence post cap would have had the shape that matches better.

I spy gladhand seals.

For dust cover i follow some member advise about using freeze plug of auto parts store. This is how it came out on my baby bullet vise, the right is original, i made the one on the left.
 

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drivesitfar

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Topop: so far my favorite vise is my Baby Bullet with the power arm with a clamp, but a close second is my Reed 4C that weighs about 190 pounds. not sure i have a wish list because until i move and build a shop i won't have a space except on a shelf for an 8 or 9 inch Reed.

Mant: I've seen a few of those Parker bears posted already on the vise thread and pretty sure they are original Parker accessories. i'm not a Parker fan per se so we'll need to hear the history about the bear from one of them.

how did you round out the end of the freeze plug because i like yours a lot better than if they are left flat?
 

mantemec

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Topop: so far my favorite vise is my Baby Bullet with the power arm with a clamp, but a close second is my Reed 4C that weighs about 190 pounds. not sure i have a wish list because until i move and build a shop i won't have a space except on a shelf for an 8 or 9 inch Reed.

Mant: I've seen a few of those Parker bears posted already on the vise thread and pretty sure they are original Parker accessories. i'm not a Parker fan per se so we'll need to hear the history about the bear from one of them.

how did you round out the end of the freeze plug because i like yours a lot better than if they are left flat?

I hammer rounded using a carriage bolt head of a 1" dia. then i use a deep well socket put on the lathe then cap the socket with the freeze plug rounded then took all hammer marks with a file then sandpaper final pass to polish with scottbritgh pad. I fit test before polishing it to make sure it fit on the end of the vise. I did the same for my wilton C3. But it was a little over 2 inches, so i rounded the end of a hot roll steel to match the curvature of the original cap and used as my master hammering it the same way as i did for the little one. It looks oright to me
 

joseph.a.owens.9

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What's it worth? Let me know if I got a deal.

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It looks to me it may be a Cummins just a guess from the sticker tho. What do you think. It's a 4 inch as well.
 
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jrobb316

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WI
A parker bear sold on eBay for $90 if you search the completed listings. Speaking of parkers, I have a 235 big bear service vise. I need to go on the hunt for the swivel wrench. I should be looking for a #3 wrench for a 5" jaw vise?
 

bluebolt

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Benton LA
What's it worth? Let me know if I got a deal.

c98d7fe22f7b3fa510d67b6f3cd39c96.jpg



It looks to me it may be a Cummins just a guess from the sticker tho. What do you think. It's a 4 inch as well.

Yeah it's a Cummins Tools vise, no connection with the diesel engines.

It's a Chinese vise, about $25 new from what I hear. They were sold at roving "tool sales" that go from town to town.
 

joe.striper

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agawam, ma
Here's a vise I just bought and need to pick up. Monarch #225 6.5" Vise. Paid $150. Belonged to the guys grandfather in a PA steel mill. I'm very excited and it will be the biggest vise I've picked so far. I REALLY like the handle which is a monster.

I know it was made by Prentiss, but I cannot find much more. I'll have to research this weekend. :bounce:
 

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va.grouseman

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Joe.---That begs the question that I've wondered for years.---Just how big did Prentiss make the Lion's Head vises.---Is it possible there is an 8" Lion's Head out there somewhere.---I hope not.---My wish list is going to bankrupt me already.
 

joe.striper

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Joe.---That begs the question that I've wondered for years.---Just how big did Prentiss make the Lion's Head vises.---Is it possible there is an 8" Lion's Head out there somewhere.---I hope not.---My wish list is going to bankrupt me already.

VA, I called the seller, nice guy, and asked him to measure the vise for me. Originally he told me 7.5", I almost shat myself, but he came back and said 6.5. It's only 125 lbs from what I've found so far. The seller said no cracks or welds, the handle looks good as do the jaws. I'm rolling the dice a bit, figure I can't go too wrong at that price, but still a risk for sure.

I'm still waiting to break the 7" threshold but this is a step in the right direction. Last two weeks I've gotten two 5.5"ers, a 6"er and now this 6.5" beauty. I just wish it was warmer so i could work in my garage...
 

CwazyWabbit

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.....
....I'm still waiting to break the 7" threshold but this is a step in the right direction. Last two weeks I've gotten two 5.5"ers, a 6"er and now this 6.5" beauty. I just wish it was warmer so i could work in my garage...

That makes me feel better about having bought 6 vices in the last 3 weeks and hoping to go for another this weekend :-/ Then I better stop for a while .....
 

oldldh

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I REALLY like the handle which is a monster.

I just wish it was warmer so i could work in my garage...

That could be a dynamite addition...

And...

It ain't a 'Swivlin' B@#tard"!!!

But...

That handle could eunuchize you, without too much effort...:scared:

And...

I would definitely put two "finger savers" on it!!!

Speaking of warmer in the garage...it was almost 70 down here, yesterday...cooled off to the mid 60's, today...a tad chilly...just thought you'd like to know...:evil:
 
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hoyt

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Virginia Beach
I was given an old Craftsman woodworking vise and mounted it on one of the workbenches. The original handle had been broken/lost a long time ago and a wooden dowel was used. I replaced that with a more durable 8-inch piece of 1/2-inch pipe and two caps.

hJJKyZul.jpg
 
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