The VISES of Garage Journal

[autopts]

Anyone seen a Reed 214r before? Google isn't bring me up much.

Here's a 214R and I believe it was built on a 204R platform

 

[econotrk]

as I like to say when shopping vises "if it got chrome it don't come home".

One to remember Joe, I like it!

I found this in PA this week and bought it just by this photo for $100! I figure how can I go wrong? Bench and vise started life together in a PA steel plant. I don't know for sure but I'm willing to bet the vise is a Columbian 204 1/2.

Looks like one heck ova bench, lots of stuff around my area near Pittsburgh that found its way home from the mills.

 

[Outlawmws]

One caveat to Joe's Chrome comment; a (very) few imports with chrome come from the other direction, and are not a problem. That big numeral AFAIK is always Asian.

Joe: Neat bench! is the drawer set all metal then? that would be awesome!

 

[Outlawmws]

I will remove it and see if there are any markings on the bottom or something. I mounted it because I needed to do some work but I want to restore it if it is worth it.

Find a chunk of steel bar and replace the missing jaw insert and call it good. Use it as a beater till it breaks (and the Asian vises break with alarming frequency)

 

[joe.striper]

One caveat to Joe's Chrome comment; a (very) few imports with chrome come from the other direction, and are not a problem. That big numeral AFAIK is always Asian.

Joe: Neat bench! is the drawer set all metal then? that would be awesome!

Hi Old, yes the whole cabinet is metal. Can you believe it was up so long unsold? I'm going to mount my 6.5" Prentiss Vise where the Columbia sits now. I'm hoping to put all my tools (sockets, wrenches etc) underneath.

 

[drivesitfar]

Autopts: that's pretty cool how the 204R dynamic jaw fits inside the 214R's. nice pictures as per usual.

Joe: just a little word of caution. since the Prentiss probably weighs around 150 pounds you might want to get better casters for that nice steel bench because even if you load that beast down full of tools that vise with something heavy inside it might move. also that vise you basically got for free looks like the dynamic is pretty short out the back so either a smallish vise or might be an issue back there.

that cabinet/bench is cool and well worth the Benjamin.

 

[flavc3]

Does anybody have any info on a Chas Parker No. C vise? Trying to get pics of it. Thanks

 

[Outlawmws]

I think I'd take that bench completely off the wheeled frame, and build a static stand making it's height to the optimal height for me, and leave that open so if you ever hose out the shop/garage, it does not trap water. If high enough, you can park floor jacks under it also (I have at least two under my bench...)

I'd also make sure it was well anchored, to the wall and/or the floor, so it didn't move...

 

[Exeter]

Parker 271 1/2

Before:

After

 

[wrenchguy]

Parker 271 1/2

Before:

After

nice, real nice.

 

[Exeter]

Thanks WG!

 

[pantera1]

As it came off the shelf....or better.

A worthy restoration!

 

[joe.striper]

Autopts: that's pretty cool how the 204R dynamic jaw fits inside the 214R's. nice pictures as per usual.

Joe: just a little word of caution. since the Prentiss probably weighs around 150 pounds you might want to get better casters for that nice steel bench because even if you load that beast down full of tools that vise with something heavy inside it might move. also that vise you basically got for free looks like the dynamic is pretty short out the back so either a smallish vise or might be an issue back there.

that cabinet/bench is cool and well worth the Benjamin.

Seller said the vise was lightly used and in great shape. I think its looking short is an angle issue. As regards casters I have two thoughts. First, current casters are factory installed from the steel plant so they should be good BUT if not then I have these babies to install if i need to, and these will definitely get the job done!

 

[joe.striper]

Parker 271 1/2

Before:

After

Wow that's GORGEOUS! Shows a lot of attention to detail. Nicest I've ever seen on here.

 

[454ragtop]

Exeter, I'm glad you came back and posted pics of the finished project, very nice, can't make one any nicer than that. I wish you hadn't taken down your in process tutorial, I know you didn't like the unsolicited advise of how you should restore YOUR vise. I was enjoying the ride. Some of these guys seem think they are Dusenbergs or L88 Vettes or something, but they're only vises, and original ones are never going to be worth $250K. I know you took a lot of pride in the restore, and I think you should reconsider posting your in process pics again, and don't worry about the guys who wanted it kept original, they can keep their own vises original. I think anyone here would be proud to have that vise on their bench.
Jim

 

[CwazyWabbit]

Parker 271 1/2

Before:

After

That is very impressive. How do you get the areas of bare casting to look like they've just come out of the factory?

If that was my vice it's be on display in the front room! You sir have done yourself proud there Thanks for sharing.

 

[number9]

I've decided to leave mine naked. I hit it with a wire wheel again, lubed it up and wiped it down with CLP to keep the rust at bay. I'm going to get to work on a stand for it now.

...

 

[number9]

That is very impressive. How do you get the areas of bare casting to look like they've just come out of the factory?

If that was my vice it's be on display in the front room! You sir have done yourself proud there Thanks for sharing.

Agreed! That is a mighty fine restore job!

...

 

[Exeter]

All: Thanks for the kind comments.

454: I might consider it. I probably overreacted pulling it down, but when I did I didn't keep copies of all the text. So it would be a lot of work to put it all back together...

Kwazy: Areas like the machined surfaces on the pivot jaw, I was careful not to bead blast and then I used some 220 grit on a sanding block to bring back the shine/machined look. For the jaws I spent over 2 hours sanding the tops and sides to remove small dents.

 

[Outlawmws]

As it came off the shelf....or better.

A worthy restoration!

FAR better!


That is just plain AWESOME!

 

[JeremyBurke]

Exeter: It is possible you have rendered that vise unusable. It is artwork now, what a beautiful job.

 

[Exeter]

Exeter: It is possible you have rendered that vise unusable. It is artwork now, what a beautiful job.

LOL Thanks!

 

[LXCam]

FAR better!


That is just plain AWESOME!

I'll second that!!.

Also I get the not sharing part. There are far to many guys here that I bet have never gotten off the couch and wiped the donut crumbs off their face, but will critic you to death. It's exactly the reason I don't share anything around here. But your project is a true work of art and even though I may not share my stuff, I do greatly appreciate guys like you that do.

 

[oakundeisen]

Finished up this Hollands 44 - it was a good candidate to get all 'purdy' but I decided to leave it 'naked'. I brass brushed it to remove all the funk and most of the jappaning. The finish is boiled linseed oil/turp/dissolved butchers wax. Made a new cross slide and polished the slide... I even like the ball joint pin! I think this vise is over 100 yrs. old.

Before:




After:

 

[KMScott]

Exeter, I work on vises every day. This is about the highest level of Workmanship/Craftsmanship I've seen. You really show us how to honor the possibilities these old workhorses offer. Thanks for sharing your work with really exceptional images.

 

[bl00]

Does anybody have any info on a Chas Parker No. C vise? Trying to get pics of it. Thanks

Here's a 1902 ad that shows the C and some others.

 

[Thrumcap]

So here's the initial shots of my Parker 289 1/2. I think it's 1910-1920 vintage. The prior owner dug it out of the back room of a radiator shop, broke the seized jaw loose with a hydraulic ram, cleaned it up a bit and painted it black.
I acquired it for $100 (or 0.79 Benjamins :>) and a Record 83 quick release vise in trade.

It's been used - it needs a new garter, a new wrench, new handle and a couple jaw pegs to replace...whatever's currently in there. I will be taking my two pipe vises out for a bead blasting when it warms up sometime in April.

The dents in the jaws will be weld filled I think, and then a set of these "Wilton" 6" copper jaws will be ordered and fitted.

Black distressed paint and gold or copper lettering maybe.

Here's the imgur album.

So I have a couple questions:

- What size wrench does a 289 1/2 take? A #4?
- Can anyone with an original 289 1/2 handle tell me how long it is?
- I'm going to be talking to a friend who has a foundry about what's involved in casting some new garters. I think the previous GJer who did this did smaller model garters?

Thrumcap

 

[Thrumcap]

Exeter. That vise resto is off the hook.

Thrumcap

 

[drivesitfar]

Thrum: here's a brass Parker screw holder one of our handy members made for his Parker. PM me if you might be interested in having him make one and i'll PM him to ask if he might be willing to and if so i'll have him PM you. nice Parker and i remember your huge Record.

Oak: nice restoration and did the paint on the letters adhere nicely to the BLO or did you have those wiped off before painting?

#9: nice work on your old Athol.

Ex: very nice work on your vise. as stated before it's almost too nice to actually use now.

 

[firemanast]

Exeter that is sweet !

 

[Exeter]

Exeter, I work on vises every day. This is about the highest level of Workmanship/Craftsmanship I've seen. You really show us how to honor the possibilities these old workhorses offer. Thanks for sharing your work with really exceptional images.

Aw shucks, thanks!

 

[oldldh]

Exeter---

I don't give these out everyday...

But---

YA DUN GUD, BUBBA!!!

(The color choice in the YDGB was caused by the color all us ham fisted vise restorers are, after seeing yours...As in "Green with envy"!!!)

Your vise has arrived at the "Garage Art" level...

 

[cretedog]

Beautiful Exeter!

Nice Hollands Oak!

 

[econotrk]

A work of art Exeter, hopefully you have another vise lined up for a resto.

 

[wmrra13]

Exeter, I'm glad you came back and posted pics of the finished project, very nice, can't make one any nicer than that. I wish you hadn't taken down your in process tutorial, I know you didn't like the unsolicited advise of how you should restore YOUR vise. I was enjoying the ride. Some of these guys seem think they are Dusenbergs or L88 Vettes or something, but they're only vises, and original ones are never going to be worth $250K. I know you took a lot of pride in the restore, and I think you should reconsider posting your in process pics again, and don't worry about the guys who wanted it kept original, they can keep their own vises original. I think anyone here would be proud to have that vise on their bench.
Jim

Well said - Agreed 100%!

 

[wmrra13]

I found this in PA this week and bought it just by this photo for $100! I figure how can I go wrong? Bench and vise started life together in a PA steel plant. I don't know for sure but I'm willing to bet the vise is a Columbian 204 1/2.

I wont be out there for a couple weeks, can't wait! This was on CL for over 30 days before I snatched it up. Waiting for a pic of the vise from the seller but I paid him already anyway.

Nice score! You should be excited!

 

[flavc3]

Here's a 1902 ad that shows the C and some others.

Thanks bl00.....its older than i thought.

 

[flavc3]

Here are the pics.......is the collar original or homemade? ??

 

[PghJKB]

I found this in PA this week and bought it just by this photo for $100! I figure how can I go wrong? Bench and vise started life together in a PA steel plant. I don't know for sure but I'm willing to bet the vise is a Columbian 204 1/2.

I wont be out there for a couple weeks, can't wait! This was on CL for over 30 days before I snatched it up. Waiting for a pic of the vise from the seller but I paid him already anyway.

Joe
That cabinet looks a lot like the Hamilton/Fischer Scientific cabinets I ran into in the storage areas of some of the old UPMC hospitals around Western PA. It might have come out of a Steel Mill, but was probably in the Plant Doctor's office.

Hamilton started out in the late 1800's making wood printer's cabinets and eventually went to steel as well. They also got into the laboratory / medical cabinet business.

Here is an old (1920's) printers cabinet I currently have under resto. It measures 96" x 28" and what you don't see is the cast iron top (the top weighs over 700 lbs.)

I need to do some more research on your cabinet.

JKB

 

[GETRIDAONE]

Exeter, All I can say is you have raised the bar up about two notches on that restoration. I am going to have to rethink what is good enough ?
GREAT JOB