The VISES of Garage Journal

[bl00]

The earlier versions had the jaws cast in place according to this article (see the last paragraph on the second page):
American Machinist Vol 50

Later versions with the "E" shape were welded on according to this Reed brochure that Demoman sent me awhile ago:
Reed brochure

 

[tool_scrounge]

Wouldn't the shrinkage of the cast cooling mess that up?

Coefficient of thermal expansion (um/m/K)
Steel: 12
Cast Iron: 10.8


They are not that different. This does presume the steel inserts are starting at the same temp (preheat?).

 

[KMScott]

I know building plastic injection molds are not the same as casting vises but some principles might be the same. When I built a mold and it needed a insert added the insert would have undercuts or it is knurled to be permanently molded in. I look at Carla's Reed and the three tangs are not undercut at all in fact they are drafted. A mystery to me. I may find out down the road since I have several vises with ruined hardened casted in jaw faces that I plan on cutting out and installing new replaceable jaws.

 

[drivesitfar]

B100: I don't see how you can keep coming up with these great catalog pages and magazines, but i for one am very thankful you belong to this forum to help us.

THANK YOU

 

[exmaxima1]

I just noticed something I've never seen on a Reed vise! That vise appears to have channeled jaws, something Reed never used to my knowledge and they look to be held on with pins thru them and not screws in the faces...Am I correct in my assumption?

There was a post about changing to jaws with pins in the 60's:

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showpost.php?p=2462558&postcount=4

 

[squarles67]

Here are pictures of an old vise that was attached to a welding table I just picked up. It's been welded back together at one time or another.

The jaws are actually in very good shape. Any idea how old this thing is?

 

[bluebolt]

The earlier versions had the jaws cast in place according to this article (see the last paragraph on the second page):
American Machinist Vol 50

Later versions with the "E" shape were welded on according to this Reed brochure that Demoman sent me awhile ago:
Reed brochure

Thanks b100 catalog pages like this are why I prefer Reed's over most other vises!

 

[Zebedeewesty]

Gave mine a bit of a wire brushing and a coat of red oxide primer today.
Not sure what to topcoat it with yet. All depends what i have lying around. I think theres a tin of purple enamel in the shed.

 

[jrobb316]

I will definately leave all mine alone, all the jaw Inserts seem tight. This 973 1/2 looks to have factory roll pins. It's not a patented 1930 so it must be a "late model".

Drives: it's supposed to go down this weekend.

 

[drivesitfar]

JRobb: good luck

Ex: Nice find and memory on the link to B100's link, but he posted that about an hour before you did and just gave it a different name. I just wish i could help B100 as much as he helps me (us) with all his catalog and knowledge.

ALL: so i added to my swivel jaw vise inventory yesterday with this Prentiss #20 that has 5 inch jaws. the swivel jaw pin is stuck so hopefully that won't be too big of a problem. it's in pretty good shape and was sitting on the floor next to a huge Snap on box full of tools that a very handy guy owned.

 

[Lucky 13]

Lucky: sorry to hear your old job ended with the factory closing its door for the last day. you being the only employee left tells me (us) you have a good attitude and talent. good luck in your coming adventures.

your Reed 104 is a great vise and in case you want to spiff it up some i bought one from a 95 year old machinist that had this one sitting on a shelf and not sure he ever used it. i like the natural finish and i think some of the members might call this a Browning which is sort of like a natural rusting finish some gun guys and gals use. or similar i guess to Japanning.

of course it's your vise and your color so do as you wish and happy to see it followed you home. were you able to save the old square head mounting bolts it probably had and re mount the Reed 104 to your bench with them?

JRobb: if the jaws on your Parker are tight i'd leave them be and tape them off if you are going to paint. then shine them up like so many awesome Parker owners have that have showed up here or on the Vise Repair 101 thread. Did the Huge vise deal happen or are you still working on it?

Hey drivesitfar, the factory closing came as a complete surprise and I was one of four supervisors. We were told at closing time the day before the factory closed that we were out of a job. No worries though, I have moved on with the help of the Good Lord.

Anyway, It didn't have the bolts it would have had originally, but I can get the original type here locally. I am looking forward to getting it back into service soon!!

 

[Fretters]

Gave mine a bit of a wire brushing and a coat of red oxide primer today.

That looks a lot tidier than it did.

Not sure what to topcoat it with yet. All depends what i have lying around. I think theres a tin of purple enamel in the shed.

I can't say owt, seeing as my usual choice is burgundy/maroon.

 

[Placer]

Just picked this one up the past weekend


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[dutchgray]

That looks a lot tidier than it did.




I can't say owt, seeing as my usual choice is burgundy/maroon.

A deep red is a nice colour, better than the Record ish blue that gets used on every British vice ever restored for sale.

 

[Fretters]

A deep red is a nice colour, better than the Record ish blue that gets used on every British vice ever restored for sale.

That's what I think too. Another plus point with the deep reds is that they're a traditional machinery colour, so it doesn't look out of place on older kit either. It's Like Brunswick Green; a timeless classic.

 

[Fretters]

Just picked this one up the past weekend

Had to give that one a second look to check whether that was original paint or not. Judging from the sticker I'm guessing it is? If so, that is in awfully good original condition for a vice which appears to have been well used but not abused. That's a peach of a find.

 

[joe.striper]

Anyone seen one of these before? I haven't. I'm trying to buy it.

 

[bl00]

drivesitfar: You're welcome. I get a lot more out of this thread than I put into it. Nice Prentiss. I like that version with the little lever on the side.

bluebolt : I bet most of the manufacturers had stuff like that. We just need someone to find and post it up.

 

[bl00]

Anyone seen one of these before? I haven't. I'm trying to buy it.

I saw that one and went through the stages of internal vise struggle.
Want
don't need
want
don't need
want
don't need
etc

 

[zkling]

I saw that one and went through the stages of internal vise struggle.
Want
don't need
want
don't need
want
don't need
etc

What did you land on?

 

[bl00]

What did you land on?

I'm not done, yet.

 

[joe.striper]

I'm not done, yet.

I just offered to buy it for full price. So go away !!!

 

[jobo1004]

I bought a Parker 973 last fall and cleaned it up with a wire wheel, greased it and painted it and put it back together. My only complaint is that whoever had it before has worn off parts of the jaws, so it's not flush all the way across the face. Any ideas on what might be the best way to "true" them up. Some before and after pics below.

 

[Mark in Indiana]

I saw that one and went through the stages of internal vise struggle.
Want
don't need
want
don't need
want
don't need
etc

Likely you'll land on "MUST HAVE!"

Enjoy the ride!

 

[zkling]

I bought a Parker 973 last fall and cleaned it up with a wire wheel, greased it and painted it and put it back together. My only complaint is that whoever had it before has worn off parts of the jaws, so it's not flush all the way across the face. Any ideas on what might be the best way to "true" them up. Some before and after pics below.

How much do you care ($ wise) and what type of tools do you have?

Best and easiest would be to install new jaws.
You could clean those up with a mill and lapping or surface grinder.

Personally I'd cut them in the mill and then hand lap to get them fine. But I no longer have a surface grinder so.... Just think it through when you jig them up to keep the reference surfaces.

 

[jobo1004]

How much do you care ($ wise) and what type of tools do you have?

Best and easiest would be to install new jaws.
You could clean those up with a mill and lapping or surface grinder.

Personally I'd cut them in the mill and then hand lap to get them fine. But I no longer have a surface grinder so.... Just think it through when you jig them up to keep the reference surfaces.

Money wise I don't care a ton. Sounds like if I want to get anything done on them, I'll need to look to a machine shop.

 

[McBrownie]

Money wise I don't care a ton. Sounds like if I want to get anything done on them, I'll need to look to a machine shop.

Jobo,
On a normal vise, you have lot's of options. But, it's a Parker! And on Parkers, "jaws" should be spelled "jaw$". Yours are in too nice of shape for replacement in my opinion (about $140 for the pair plus some shipping costs). However, the same man who makes those replacements also does a very nice job of welding. PM KMScott and see what he thinks about your set.

My 203 (the generation before the 973) started like this:
View media item 42560
They looked like this for a bit after Kevin worked his magic. The alloy he uses is important and he takes his time to prevent cracking and minimize warping.
View media item 42937
and ended up like this after some grinding and fitting on my end:
View media item 42934

 

[Blue Frog]

Wilton Bullet 4" vise on Dayton C/L - not mine - $100.00.

http://dayton.craigslist.org/tls/4895969264.html


Blue

 

[Outlawmws]

I just offered to buy it for full price. So go away !!!

Big mistake, It's too small for your tastes. So just drop ship it to me and I'll gladly pay you Tuesday...

 

[joe.striper]

Big mistake, It's too small for your tastes. So just drop ship it to me and I'll gladly pay you Tuesday...

Hey! Who sent you my picture!!!

Not mine yet. Sellers hasn't responded.

 

[joe.striper]

Just missed this on CL. $100. Nice clean 973 1/2

 

[tedsters]

heres a nice 106 5in jaw this thing is clean picked this up in ft wayne with a #22 prentiss and a 450s HD
i will post picks of #22 and 450 tomorrow these are exceptionally clean just dirty from sitting all the jaws shut nice and tight and no bent handles

 

[classicJackets]

Picked up this free Record No. 3 today on a follow up from a Craigslist ad for a free Horizontal mill, which I started a thread for over in the vintage tool section. A few scratches on top but looks mostly unused!

 

[Outlawmws]

Well ClassicJ just ***** big time!

Joe, I was so tempted to Post "Well he responded to me!"

 

[autopts]

heres a nice 106 5in jaw this thing is clean picked this up in ft wayne with a #22 prentiss and a 450s HD
i will post picks of #22 and 450 tomorrow these are exceptionally clean just dirty from sitting all the jaws shut nice and tight and no bent handles

Wow Ted. There's a diamond under that crud.

 

[tedsters]

Wow Ted. There's a diamond under that crud.

yes it is in really nice shape the prentiss is a gem and a hog i will post pics of all three tomorrow the way i got them and will post the finished pics of these

 

[drivesitfar]

Tedsters: nice haul on those vises and didn't you already post those or did you pick up another batch? BTW doesn't a Parker 106 have 6 inch jaws? you said 5 inch and i'm not a Parker expert, but i thought that they have the last # on their vises as jaw width size.

how's the shoulder? don't pick up any of those big vises for another month or so.

 

[va.grouseman]

R.I. #577 on Craigslist.---Anybody near Sacramento?


https://sacramento.craigslist.org/tls/4892994799.html

 

[zkling]

Just me or does that seem a little top heavy?

 

[va.grouseman]

Yea, that's an amputation looking for a home.