The VISES of Garage Journal

[balane]

Balane: i hope you are giving some thought on how to repair or replace your stump because it looks like the last hurricane blowing through Seattle knocked off a couple hunks of it.

I'm still in denial over the soon-to-be-demised stump.

 

[GETRIDAONE]

Un-rare Parkers
The first one is a homeowners 63 1/2. I had to make the wire cut off for the anvil to fill the hole that was there. I had to grind down the screws for the jaws, only 3 threads long would fit.
The handle screw, spring & block were the most time consuming on the No. 34
It only allowed 3 threads and the taper in about 1/2". The screw in the retaining collar is an odd 5/16" 20 thread instead of the standard 18 thread. It was bent as are a lot of the Parker collar screws. I had to heat it red hot and bend it straight. The main nut just drops in a round hole in the bottom. I made a shim to take up the play and it is fairly tight now.
The color on both is burgundy red.

Balane, My condolences on the stump

 

[balane]

You had nothing to worry about there. Those both look terrific to me! I like the blood-red on them.

 

[organ]

These screws fit my Craftsman 5197. May fit the other models also... in case anyone ever needs replacements. https://www.viseparts.com/ProductDetails.asp?ProductCode=BA-11106S39

 

[GETRIDAONE]

The 63 1/2 had a color very close to the darker red. It was not the normal red of most vises. It is Fretter's color The old 34 would have been black I'm sure.
I had the red paint so on it went. A set of copper jaw covers would look great with this color.
organ, I was missing one screw and another that was really messed up. I thought I had a spare one but as it turns out they were 1/4" and not 5/16"
so I made some.

 

[KMScott]

balane, you are awesome, that 500S looks great.

I have been working on my next two for two weeks. Almost ready for painting. But I can not compete with your speed and skill. Great job. This one, a 4" HD dated 2-1947 Wilton had the jaws welded on, I chiseled them off, re machined the jaw supports and made a new set of custom jaws for it, kind of copied the Parkers to cover the welding. Jaws went to heat treat this morning before another storm rolls in. The other vise is a 600S from the oil fields in WY and it needs work too.

 

[Fretters]

The color on both is burgundy red.

Granted, I may be slightly biased, but those look ****** gorgeous. Please tell me it takes you longer than a day to turn one out though. I'll be having an inferiority complex at this rate if not.

 

[va.grouseman]

In Dallas for work and looked at CL. Saw this British vice. 150. Can I fit this in my carry on?

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=421000&stc=1&thumb=1&d=1425309227
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Joe-striper,---There is a Nodular posted by CPL, on page 304, post 6076, and it shows the Nodular to be from Brazil.---May be made on both sides of the pond.

 

[Fretters]

May be made on both sides of the pond.

Never personally heard of that brand over here.

 

[454ragtop]

I recently lost out on acquiring one of these 3 axis drill press vises.

Has anyone seen these before? Know what it is?

Thanks

I have one of those, way cool, posted it in this thread about 5-800 pages ago.
Jim

 

[Trey T]

What brand/model is it, Jim?

 

[zkling]

balane, you are awesome, that 500S looks great.

I have been working on my next two for two weeks. Almost ready for painting. But I can not compete with your speed and skill. Great job. This one, a 4" HD dated 2-1947 Wilton had the jaws welded on, I chiseled them off, re machined the jaw supports and made a new set of custom jaws for it, kind of copied the Parkers to cover the welding. Jaws went to heat treat this morning before another storm rolls in. The other vise is a 600S from the oil fields in WY and it needs work too.

Very impressive (as usual). I've been working on a parker that had a jaw welded on all the way around it's slow going. Were those welded all the way around or just on the tops?

 

[autopts]

balane, you are awesome, that 500S looks great.

I have been working on my next two for two weeks. Almost ready for painting. But I can not compete with your speed and skill. Great job. This one, a 4" HD dated 2-1947 Wilton had the jaws welded on, I chiseled them off, re machined the jaw supports and made a new set of custom jaws for it, kind of copied the Parkers to cover the welding. Jaws went to heat treat this morning before another storm rolls in. The other vise is a 600S from the oil fields in WY and it needs work too.

Kevin, I'm always holding my breath waiting for your next finished project. Your work is flawless!! I have a old No 6 here with the exact same problem. Tedsters doesn't know it but he's buying this beauty when he comes this Spring. hahaha

 

[KMScott]

Very impressive (as usual). I've been working on a parker that had a jaw welded on all the way around it's slow going. Were those welded all the way around or just on the tops?

Sides and tops, weld must have been nickel, very hard and wasted a brand new carbide cutter. Your Parker jaws will be more difficult since the jaws are not tool steel like Wilton's. When you weld Tool Steel the Eutectic Zone gets fragile like glass and are easier to chisel/break off.

The Parker Jaws I welded for macklin (the other Golden Pile winner) were easily re-worked since I used soft steel rod and the jaws not being Tool Steel did not get hard at the weld. Good luck on your Parker zkling, I know what you are up against.

Nick, Thanks, Ted will have a easier time then zkling.

 

[balane]

Those jaws are very innovative Kevin. I've always wondered why more manufacturers didn't copy the Parker jaw design because it makes sense and a big reason I stick with Parkers for my personal vises. And who are you kidding? Your vises come out with the precision only a machinist can accomplish. I can only dream of having your abilities. I wish I lived near you so I could bring work to you.

Here's a couple comparison photos of the Wiltons. I wonder if many have had the opportunity to see a 5" or bigger bullet in person. They are ramped up in scale from the lesser sizes. The vise on the right, which is certainly no small vise, is the standard 4" jaw model, 400S.

.

 

[Trey T]

^is the 400s for sale, balane? I've been struggling to find a bullet for my bench. I'm about to give up and get the Wilton AT vise.

 

[zkling]

Sides and tops, weld must have been nickel, very hard and wasted a brand new carbide cutter. Your Parker jaws will be more difficult since the jaws are not tool steel like Wilton's. When you weld Tool Steel the Eutectic Zone gets fragile like glass and are easier to chisel/break off.

The Parker Jaws I welded for macklin (the other Golden Pile winner) were easily re-worked since I used soft steel rod and the jaws not being Tool Steel did not get hard at the weld. Good luck on your Parker zkling, I know what you are up against.

Nick, Thanks, Ted will have a easier time then zkling.

Thankfully it is just the dynamic jaw, but unfortunately the person that did the welding wasn't stingy with the filler. It's a rough welding and grinding vise. I'll send you some pics.

Those jaws are very innovative Kevin. I've always wondered why more manufacturers didn't copy the Parker jaw design because it makes sense and a big reason I stick with Parkers for my personal vises. And who are you kidding? Your vises come out with the precision only a machinist can accomplish. I can only dream of having your abilities. I wish I lived near you so I could bring work to you.

Here's a couple comparison photos of the Wiltons. I wonder if many have had the opportunity to see a 5" or bigger bullet in person. They are ramped up in scale from the lesser sizes. The vise on the right, which is certainly no small vise, is the standard 4" jaw model, 400S.

.

Ease of manufacturing. The parker jaws are by far the most complex to produce.

 

[balane]

^is the 400s for sale, balane? I've been struggling to find a bullet for my bench. I'm about to give up and get the Wilton AT vise.

It sold on eBay for $380 + shipping... a week ago. The guy doesn't seem to be in a hurry to pay for it. He says by Wednesday. If he doesn't pay by then I'm going to have to relist it. It's from a wood shop, nearly perfect condition.

 

[oldldh]

I am amazed at the work you folks put out...

Reverend Scott, your cure for "Visus Jawis Horribilis" wins the prize...

Ya Dun Gud, Bubba!!!

I am also amazed that only one person, thanks Balane, has mentioned the best condition Craftsman 5191 I've ever seen...

I would have thought Outlaw or BigCaddy would be charging up there already...

Oh well...Since it's nearly 80 degrees today, I guess I'll go sulk in the garage...

 

[firemanast]

balane, you are awesome, that 500S looks great.

I have been working on my next two for two weeks. Almost ready for painting. But I can not compete with your speed and skill. Great job. This one, a 4" HD dated 2-1947 Wilton had the jaws welded on, I chiseled them off, re machined the jaw supports and made a new set of custom jaws for it, kind of copied the Parkers to cover the welding. Jaws went to heat treat this morning before another storm rolls in. The other vise is a 600S from the oil fields in WY and it needs work too.

Job well done as always !

 

[topop101]

Here's the finished 500S in all of its 93 pound glory. This five incher is a beast of a bullet!

.

That was fast now. You need to come work in my shop . I got near 50 you can start with...

 

[topop101]

These screws fit my Craftsman 5197. May fit the other models also... in case anyone ever needs replacements. https://www.viseparts.com/ProductDetails.asp?ProductCode=BA-11106S39

Yeah, They also fit my Craftsman 5151 I finished about a week ago. Well worth the price IMHO.

 

[topop101]

balane, you are awesome, that 500S looks great.

I have been working on my next two for two weeks. Almost ready for painting. But I can not compete with your speed and skill. Great job. This one, a 4" HD dated 2-1947 Wilton had the jaws welded on, I chiseled them off, re machined the jaw supports and made a new set of custom jaws for it, kind of copied the Parkers to cover the welding. Jaws went to heat treat this morning before another storm rolls in. The other vise is a 600S from the oil fields in WY and it needs work too.

Very cool idea on how to save one. I'll for sure keep that in mind.

 

[balane]

Beautiful job on that Craftsman. Love the finish.

 

[topop101]

Wish you were closer, I would take you up on that if he didn't.

Or wait, what if you just shipped them all to me? :evil

That might get a lil pricey . I would take at least a good size U-Haul. My biggest goes 222lbs and is mounted on a 2' tall 3/4'' thick H beam. Totaling over 500 pounds. I'm looking for a anvil to mount on it as well.

 

[KMScott]

Thanks Top, I have some that I will really need to be creative, and they are big ones. I am kind of working my way up to them. Nice job on that Craftsman. Nice vises being posted, the Red Parkers from GETRIDAONE are real nice to, good job on those GETRIDAONE.

 

[va.grouseman]

Here's a nifty little Stevens up for grabs.---Don't see many of the swivel base Minnies.


http://www.ebay.com/itm/Mini-Antiqu...957?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item58bef972dd

 

[topop101]

Beautiful job on that Craftsman. Love the finish.

Thanks. I wish the rest of the date was more readable . It only shows 11 4. I think they made they from 37-43 so it kinda narrows it down a bit. The stamp was heavy on the eleven and gets lighter on the 4 then is faded out completely. But any way it was a fun one. I'm messing with a lil wilton No. 3 now but my pace is far slower than yours and others.

 

[topop101]

I have several wrench's by the maker H.D. Smith & Co. But never heard of H. R. Smith & Co. I'm guessing the casting is a lil ruff and is an H.D. Smith & Co. Any way , over the years I often wondered if H.D. ever made vise's but never found one. I guess I have my answer. Any one else ever see one?

http://www.ebay.com/itm/ANTIQUE-3-J...307?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item3a9f177aeb

 

[CwazyWabbit]

I take it this little vise is missing it's swivel base? The fixed part of the vises base appears to be a different design to the others posted in this thread.

I think the paint job on the lettering isn't particularly impressive, that said the actual raised letters are somewhat indistinct on the casting anyway.

I know the patent date is 1873 but is there any way of dating the production date on these vises?

Should I strip and derust this vise or leave it as is?

[T Halls, patent June 24 1873]






[No 94? C Parker, Meriden, c???]


http://www.datamp.org/patents/search/advance.php?pn=140269

 

[zoomieport]

I have several wrench's by the maker H.D. Smith & Co. But never heard of H. R. Smith & Co. I'm guessing the casting is a lil ruff and is an H.D. Smith & Co. Any way , over the years I often wondered if H.D. ever made vise's but never found one. I guess I have my answer. Any one else ever see one?

http://www.ebay.com/itm/ANTIQUE-3-J...307?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item3a9f177aeb

It's H.B. Smith, here is the patent:

http://www.datamp.org/patents/search/advance.php?pn=49094&id=17057&set=15

I've got 2 in different states of disrepair...

 

[topop101]

I take it this little vise is missing it's swivel base? The fixed part of the vises base appears to be a different design to the others posted in this thread.

I think the paint job on the lettering isn't particularly impressive, that said the actual raised letters are somewhat indistinct on the casting anyway.

I know the patent date is 1878 but is there any way of dating the production date on these vises?

Should I strip and derust this vise or leave it as is?

[T Halls, patent June 24 1878]






[No 94? C Parker, Meriden, c???]

I'd clean that old dude up, It's been around this long it deserves to be treated right. What it really needs is a spot in MY shop.

 

[zkling]

Thanks. I wish the rest of the date was more readable . It only shows 11 4. I think they made they from 37-43 so it kinda narrows it down a bit. The stamp was heavy on the eleven and gets lighter on the 4 then is faded out completely. But any way it was a fun one. I'm messing with a lil wilton No. 3 now but my pace is far slower than yours and others.

I think they were made longer than that. I have a 4" that I'm pretty sure is stamped 1 48. Great job on the restoration of yours.

 

[454ragtop]

What brand/model is it, Jim?

Trey, it has no makers name or model # on it. I seem to remember seeing it in an ad someone posted, thought I saved it, but If I did It was before this computer I'm on now. I almost want to say DoAll. It came with a Delta Rockwell 17" variable speed drill press I picked up a few years ago, have since sold the press but kept the cool vise. Pics of mine here http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?p=2820362#post2820362
Jim

 

[bagged89s10]

Here's the finished 500S in all of its 93 pound glory. This five incher is a beast of a bullet!



.

Nice work! I just saw that bic lighter and stump on eBay and did a double take. I wish you were in the northeast instead of the northwest.

 

[topop101]

It's H.B. Smith, here is the patent:

http://www.datamp.org/patents/search/advance.php?pn=49094&id=17057&set=15

I've got 2 in different states of disrepair...

Ok must be two different makers.

http://www.wkfinetools.com/hUS-mechTools/HDSmithCo/tools/AdjustScrewDriv/0_img/1-wk.jpg

http://www.wkfinetools.com/hUS-mechTools/HDSmithCo/tools/AdjustScrewDriv/0_img/8-wk.jpg

http://www.wkfinetools.com/hUS-mechTools/HDSmithCo/tools/AdjustScrewDriv/0_img/5-wk.jpg

http://www.wkfinetools.com/hUS-mechTools/HDSmithCo/tools/hatchet/1-560.jpg

Surly the H. R. Smith Is wrong... Must be H. B. Not H. D. or H. R.

I'd like to see your H. B. vises.

 

[zoomieport]

Ok must be two different makers.

http://www.wkfinetools.com/hUS-mechTools/HDSmithCo/tools/AdjustScrewDriv/0_img/1-wk.jpg

http://www.wkfinetools.com/hUS-mechTools/HDSmithCo/tools/AdjustScrewDriv/0_img/8-wk.jpg

http://www.wkfinetools.com/hUS-mechTools/HDSmithCo/tools/AdjustScrewDriv/0_img/5-wk.jpg

http://www.wkfinetools.com/hUS-mechTools/HDSmithCo/tools/hatchet/1-560.jpg

Surly the H. R. Smith Is wrong... Must be H. B. Not H. D. or H. R.

I'd like to see your H. B. vises.

Those are COOL!!!

 

[topop101]

I think they were made longer than that. I have a 4" that I'm pretty sure is stamped 1 48. Great job on the restoration of yours.

Is yours a 5151?

 

[Outlawmws]

There is a REAL nice Craftsman 5191 on Ebay...

BIN of $ 100.00...

But its in California...big freight for me...

But Outlaw, and BigCaddy, and anyone else on the "Left" coast ought to be all over this pristine beauty...

And it's the cream of the crop...

A Non-Swivlin' B@#tard!!!!

It's gone, but I have that one already, so NBD

 

[oldldh]

It's gone, but I have that one already, so NBD

Doesn't surprise me...

In that condition...

At that price...