The VISES of Garage Journal

[GETRIDAONE]

Balane, I would be willing to buy it from you at full retail of $5.00

 

[Toolhorder]

Anyone have a used outside jaw? If so I'll save and rebuild it if they toss it.

 

[Mohawk Dave]

Well my co-worker broke the jaw on this one. Damn shame. The guy didn't even care.

How? Prying with leverage?

 

[454ragtop]

Cool ad b100. Balane you should have sprung a couple more bucks and got a swivel base and had it plated.
Jim

 

[balane]

Cool ad b100. Balane you should have sprung a couple more bucks and got a swivel base and had it plated.
Jim

I wasn't thinking. Plus I was just -76 years old at the time!

 

[drivesitfar]

Toolhorder: grab that broken Parker vise if you can and put up the parts in the parts thread so somebody can make a good vise out of it. or if you ask maybe somebody has the dynamic jaw to sell you. too bad the guy using it doesn't have a little common sense.

B100: Wow nice find in the library. i really didn't know and certainly wouldn't have figured before 1900's for Balane's little baby Prentiss.

Mark: nice Cole vise. i have a picture of the drill attachment for that vise and here it is for you to see it again so you don't have to look it up.

 

[McBrownie]

Those oversized rules and Dr Pepper cans really mislead people!

Not to mention the Sequoia stump.

 

[oldldh]

It's now time for the ---

Reed 4C auction over on Ebay!!!

With 19 minutes left it's up to $ 1,075.00...

And...

The reserve still hasn't been met!!!

 

[autopts]

balane

5 Stars on that pickup and restoration. My mind wants to tell me you cropped that pop can next to it.
Seeing yours, I decided to search for the 2" I had acquired sometime ago. It might be older but I'm guessing someone could adapt a swivel base to it. The back of the swivel was broken off also.
If anyone wants to give me a small donation, they could have it.



It's gone already guys..Sorry

 

[autopts]

Well my co-worker broke the jaw on this one. Damn shame. The guy didn't even care.

If that's the semi-steel 259X, I have one and its in good condition if you want a exact replacement

 

[36truck]

No sale @ $1300.00 on the Reed 4C

 

[Blue Frog]

Here's a really neat little Prentiss. It has 2" jaws and is virtually the exact same physical size as a baby Wilton. I had to make a pin for the pivot jaw. I'm no machinist and have no tools to fabricate one properly. This was my first attempt, I may take another stab at it. Everything else is original and pretty darn nice really.

I have a question as my Prentiss knowledge is limited. Each of the three body parts has 106 stamped into it. Does that indicate this vise was manufactured in January of 1906?

Like the baby Wilton, this vise is just like a larger vise in every regard; just in a smaller scale. The quality is excellent and it works very smoothly and clamps tightly. Impressive little piece, I like it.

Here's some before and during photos. The vise is completed, painted in Oil Rubbed Bronze and looks nice imho. I ran out of light for completed pictures but I'll put some up tomorrow. You can see the Prentiss maker's mark in the last photo, not much to it however.

.

Thanks for posting this and for all the follow-up comments.

I have a 1 3/4" wide one just like yours, and had never considered that the anvil was replaceable, so I appreciate that comment also. I like the hand-rubbed bronze as it's similar to the deep wine color of the original.

Here's a pic of the maker's mark on mine.





Blue

 

[oldldh]

No sale @ $1300.00 on the Reed 4C

For those of you, like me, who need more fingers and toes for bigger numbers...

That's OVER $ 7.00 per pound!!!

 

[454ragtop]

Well my co-worker broke the jaw on this one. Damn shame. The guy didn't even care.

What broke? It looks like in the pic the retainer for the screw is broken/bent but nothing else obvious.

 

[Outlawmws]

Thanks guys. Does anybody know the year range these were manufactured? Even roughly would be great.

Pretty sure Carla would know. Has she been on recently?

 

[balane]

I made a mistake and thanks for shaking some sense into me. I made a snap assumption that my little Prentiss was 2" and didn't give it another thought. Blue Frog motivated me to measure it and, sure enough, it has 1.75" jaws. I'm really glad I checked.

And, just wow on the 4C auction!!

 

[Outlawmws]

What broke? It looks like in the pic the retainer for the screw is broken/bent but nothing else obvious.

Probably a "before" pic...

And I agree, grab it regardless, if possible, for parts if nothing else...

 

[firemanast]

I was able to take a few after photos but I want better ones.

.

Dam that is one sweet little vise, nice job as always !

 

[va.grouseman]

Originally posted by Oldldh.

That's OVER $ 7.00 per pound!!!
-----------------------------------------------------


That's chicken feed!

 

[BFBOB]

balane

5 Stars on that pickup and restoration. My mind wants to tell me you cropped that pop can next to it.
Seeing yours, I decided to search for the 2" I had acquired sometime ago. It might be older but I'm guessing someone could adapt a swivel base to it. The back of the swivel was broken off also.
If anyone wants to give me a small donation, they could have it.

Bet a nickel KMScott or P1Mech could carve you a back for that swivel jaw. Mill the body flat and pin it in place and you're in business.
Now, whether it would be worth it is another story!

 

[Fretters]

That's a definite cutie Balane.

 

[Fretters]

balane

5 Stars on that pickup and restoration. My mind wants to tell me you cropped that pop can next to it.
Seeing yours, I decided to search for the 2" I had acquired sometime ago. It might be older but I'm guessing someone could adapt a swivel base to it. The back of the swivel was broken off also.
If anyone wants to give me a small donation, they could have it.

I'm guessing yours is younger with it being straight rather than a ball on the screw. Good job you live over there, otherwise I'd be awfully tempted to add a broken vise to my collection.

 

[demoman]

Found it in an 1890 catalog. Look at the bottom right corner of this ad. It shows the sizes and prices for both the flat and swivel bases. Yours is the larger version.

Here is a prentiss( I think ) jewlers vise I got a couple years ago. It is a monster with a swivel rear jaw. I have never seen one this small with a swivel jaw. Smaller 1 3/4 jaw.
It is setting on the UMD(pop can) if you look close

 

[Toolhorder]

If that's the semi-steel 259X, I have one and its in good condition if you want a exact replacement

I just need the outter jaw. You have one?

 

[Toolhorder]

FYI guys not sure how the idiot broke it. I can snap pictures later.

 

[va.grouseman]

Demo,--You've heard of the proverbial STRAW.---When you set that Prentiss down, the world shifted.---Now we are in for an ice age.

 

[Zebedeewesty]

As far as POS vises go, I like it! Looks like it has some bulk, fairly wide jaws, and some cool lettering on the side. If not abused, it could get the job done for decades--not much more one can ask of a tool.

It was cheap when new, probably $20 but its survived everything i've thrown at it including beating 90 degree edges on 1/8" sheet steel with a sledge hammer.
I though about stripping it and painting but it'd look too tidy and out of place then.

My dad has an old vise on his workbench that the engineering shop at work was just throwing out. Its huge. Thing weighs 80lbs+ and has actually bent the 4" worktop on his bench.

He's also got one of these post vises as used by blacksmiths which was also being thrown out.

 

[jreb10]

While we are on the topic of smaller vises, here is one that came out of a "misc" box of stuff at an online auction. It is (obviously) the smallest vise I own. I like how the jaws are shaped like "real" vise jaws.





Now I need to decide if I should include it in the reply to the "How many vises do you own, anyway?" question. I dunno. I think I need a ruling from the Official Vise Count Committee.

 

[CwazyWabbit]

Merbie---I am married to a British Rose, so I have to tell you the truth...

That vise looks very Chinese to me...

Hence breakable...

And...

As a loyal flyer of the Union Jack, you should be using a restored Record or a Paramo...

Both are very stout...

Like this ...


Or this ....


Although the 36 needs the jaw faces tidied a little both work really well. The 36's are often overlooked but are one of the top of the range Records, that said the 112's are also very nice

Just to compare sizes of the two (that's the 36 before it was cleaned and painted) ....

 

[Fretters]

That 36 looks good CW. I must have missed your first photo's of it in this thread, (you have a few days away from this thread and there's way too many new posts to keep up with ), so good to finally see it. Looks a fair old beast, size wise. Nice work tidying it up.

How's the Parkinson progressing?

 

[Fretters]

It was cheap when new, probably $20 but its survived everything i've thrown at it including beating 90 degree edges on 1/8" sheet steel with a sledge hammer.
I though about stripping it and painting but it'd look too tidy and out of place then.

You really ought give it a quick brush and wipe over. It's begging for one.

My dad has an old vise on his workbench that the engineering shop at work was just throwing out. Its huge. Thing weighs 80lbs+ and has actually bent the 4" worktop on his bench.

Any photo's?

 

[CwazyWabbit]

That 36 looks good CW. I must have missed your first photo's of it in this thread, (you have a few days away from this thread and there's way too many new posts to keep up with ), so good to finally see it. Looks a fair old beast, size wise. Nice work tidying it up.

How's the Parkinson progressing?

I still haven't decided on the colour! I picked up a Parkinsons No 6 off of ebay that had what looked like a lot of the original colour on it but now it's in my hands I'm not convinced it is the original colour.... would the end of the vice screw that the handle goes through normally be painted?

I also have another older Record 36 waiting for a bit of TLC that I picked up at the same time as my big Sevo vice, it's a lot rustier than this one was but doesn't look to have been beaten on anywhere near as much, and I justified it to myself based on a 200 mile round trip for one vice was silly .... so I'd better buy both . When I've cleaned it up I'll get some side by side photos taken as it's surprising the little differences over the years.

Oh, and there is another vice in the post :-/ It's just a little one ..... (true addict talking there). I've not seen the markings (if any) yet but the rear jaw casting is held together by 4 bolts, similar to the pictures of the old Parkinsons handy vice.

I'm now trying to NOT buy any more vices for a while ..... although if a Samsonia No 39 came up my resolve would disappear quite quickly

 

[Fretters]

would the end of the vice screw that the handle goes through normally be painted?

Nope. The standard practice is that they're left bare steel.

and I justified it to myself based on a 200 mile round trip for one vice was silly .... so I'd better buy both .

I recognise that approach all too well. Mind you, with how much we pay for fuel, it's no surprise we try and fit as much in as possible on a decent length run, to mitigate the fuel duty rodgering somewhat.

When I've cleaned it up I'll get some side by side photos taken as it's surprising the little differences over the years.

Cheers. The only way I've found to roughly gauge date so far is by the ball on the end of the screw. Rounded makes it an early one and parallel makes it later. Not been able to discern any other notable differences bar that, so a list of minor differences would be handy.

Oh, and there is another vice in the post :-/ It's just a little one ..... (true addict talking there). I've not seen the markings (if any) yet but the rear jaw casting is held together by 4 bolts, similar to the pictures of the old Parkinsons handy vice.

I'd not noticed that one. In the photo's with the Record? I'll have a look.

Edit: Do you have a link to the photo showing that other vice?

I'm now trying to NOT buy any more vices for a while ..... although if a Samsonia No 39 came up my resolve would disappear quite quickly

I said I wasn't getting any more either, but there'll likely be a couple of York's here within the week. I'd love to get my hands on a Samsonia too. More to see what the differences are between those and the Parkinson only branded ones than owt else. If I could get my hands on a No.37, I could do a direct side by side comparison with the No.7.

 

[CwazyWabbit]

Fretters When I said in the post I meant winging it's way to me via snail mail

However here's a photo, it does have a small chip under the jaw though



From the Parkinsons advertising literature I got the impression that the Samsonia vices were the more robust of the two, but it would be good to see in the flesh.

 

[CwazyWabbit]

....
I recognise that approach all too well. Mind you, with how much we pay for fuel, it's no surprise we try and fit as much in as possible on a decent length run, to mitigate the fuel duty rodgering somewhat. ....

Each vice cost less than the cost of the diesel for the trip!

 

[drivesitfar]

Demo: that base 4C is pretty solid for the baby Prentiss. Is your Reed 4C mounted to that bench or what are your working vises you like to use when you need to use them?

CW: too bad you are not closer i'd invite you over to check out a few other vises to add to your wish list. oh, sorry i see you are not going to buy any more.

where have I (we) heard that "i'm not going to buy another vise" before? nice looking old English iron you just posted and maybe Fretters will give you his recipe for the Burgandy colour he likes to paint his vices if you might want a change. it really would look good with those blue and green colours you already have on your other ones.

ALL: i haven't bought a vise in a couple weeks and sold a couple so i think at this rate i'll be viseless in Seattle soon. i really think i'm starting to get the shakes. not to mention the end of the Super Bowl wasn't quite the ending i was hoping for.

 

[Fretters]

Fretters, Do you recognize the "P" logo or know what maker might have made them ?

Not familiar with the logo, and never managed to work out who the manufacturer was with those, as yet. See a few of similar design, but the manufacturer is still unknown as yet. I'll probably end up getting one at some point just to see if I can scratch that itch on tracking down the manufacturer.

 

[Fretters]

This one might be from Europe too. I was asked if I had parts for it. Just thought I would share it. It is called a Forjado IRIMO-125. Does anyone know if these vises have replaceable jaws?

Looks like it, from the photo. There seem to be screw holes visible in the front insert, and there wouldn't be an insert shelf if they were cast in. The faces would be flat all the way down. Is that Irimo as in the Spanish or Italian company?

 

[225]

Any advice on buying a new one?

 

[Fretters]

Fretters When I said in the post I meant winging it's way to me via snail mail

Ah, that's why I couldn't find it. Just been going through your past posts trying to find it, until I saw this post.

However here's a photo, it does have a small chip under the jaw though

I'd say that's a Marples, judging from the few examples I've seen.

From the Parkinsons advertising literature I got the impression that the Samsonia vices were the more robust of the two, but it would be good to see in the flesh.

If they are a more robust version, they must be absolute beasts. If you manage to drop on one before me, be sure to post plenty of photo's.