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The VISES of Garage Journal

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CwazyWabbit

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Jan 9, 2015
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1,189
Location
Surrey, UK
No probs Fretters btw have a look at the price of an Abwood universal milling vice, it's over 4 times the cost of a Record 112!

Also this page from that 1953 catalogue is an interesting reminder of the times considering it is 8 years after the war ended.

2015-03-06 12.46.33.jpg

I may be getting hold of the 1930 version of the catalogue so it will be interesting to see if there are many differences in the vices available pre-war.
 

Fretters

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Jan 25, 2014
Messages
4,217
Location
South Yorkshire, England
Does seem weird seeing something like that. Goes to show that the knock-on effect from the war was there for a good few years afterwards.

There's a Marples on Ebay at the moment, btw, which is close to that one you got the other week. I've attached the image from the listing so that you can compare against yours.
 

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drivesitfar

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Oct 23, 2013
Messages
36,032
Location
Pacific Northwest
CW: Catalog pages are awesome. can you post those and any more you have with a little more information if you know any in the new Vise Directory I started in the vintage section? also if you want to post any of your amazing vises please do with all the specs you can think to add about each vise.

All: i'll be editing the vise directory for all vises made prior to 1970 so please add your vises with specs of each vise in individual posts. then i'll put the post # alongside the vise company in post #2 or if there is a post with just that companie's vises. also those of you that have those vise catalog pages scanned please post those too on the new directory thread in the vintage tool section.

Dayid: feel free to take any pictures of vises or information and add them to your amazing Vise Wiki because you have a great format set up that a lot of us have had the pleasure of using over the years. thanks again for all your effort and for providing us with a great research site for our old vises.
 

jipps

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Dec 1, 2014
Messages
210
Location
UK
Hello

Thought I'd share a couple of pictures of my Record No.80 "Imp" which arrived yesterday!

16708314096_15bcd65f58_z.jpg


Here is a catalogue description from 1959:

"The #80 "Imp" Vice is really a minature #74 vice, having 2 1/4" jaws and opening 2 1/2", and in no way must it be confused with either toys or cheap and unsatisfactory vices. It is sturdily and compactly made; the screw is accurately made with machine cut square thread, and there is a parallel grip which is free from any suggestion of looseness. The steel jaws are hardened and of high quality; there is a hardened anvil as in the #74 vice, but of smaller dimensions of course. The slide is of steel. Small tubes and rods can be gripped in the specially designed jaws, and can be bent in the tube bender. It is fastened to the bench with an exceptionally well designed and well-made clamp which is incorporated, which has a grip that is almost unbelievable until it is experienced. The vice weighs 4 1/4 lbs."

The vice was made from 1933-1982, which is pretty impressive in itself. Mine is an earlier model, denoted by paler red paint (the all-steel records were red rather than the traditional blue of their iron vices), a squared screw end and tommy-bar ends (later ones were rounder), and finer threads on the screw.

Anyway, the vice was in great shape - especially considering that it is probably pre-war!!!. Initially I was going to do a fully restoration, but I was so pleased with the condition that I opted instead for a strip, clean, lube and rebuild to keep the lovely patina.

Not too many parts in total; and entirely stripped with just a screwdriver (to remove the jaws) and a drift (to release the spring-retaining pin through the screw):

16114392213_e87f526bc5_z.jpg




Here are a couple more pics dismantled:

16114234963_1cf3c63d6d_z.jpg


16546779830_44cc9794c2_z.jpg




And some before / after pics. It's a testament to the condition of this vice that there isn't too must difference, other than removal of the surface rust on the exposed steel. Everything worked well, and to be honest the vice could've been put to use as was. But it's fun cleaning stuff up :D

Before:
16708293076_5748982b9b_z.jpg


After:
16546638288_ddc79e93d4_z.jpg


Before:
16708297506_9a095dcdd0_z.jpg


After:
16734201845_092477ba35_z.jpg





And a couple of final pics of the vice. Let me know what you think!

16708312626_8c9d80d0f3_z.jpg


16546646968_b205e7c039_z.jpg


16526936977_473a167113_z.jpg
 

CwazyWabbit

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Jan 9, 2015
Messages
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Location
Surrey, UK
DIF: I'll wait till my 1930's catalogue turns up so I can see which vices are in that catalogue as well then I'll post the catalogues to your new thread. I'll start taking some better quality pictures of my vices and pop those on your thread as well.
 

K Powers

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Joined
Jul 17, 2013
Messages
105
Location
Alabama
Took a chance on a frozen c3. Hit with some penetrating oil and the weed burner and Yahtzee I've got a smooth working vice. Will break down a refurb soon
f5c9f6cb4208a2053ad92d898b2d0c5c.jpg
253907c1fdfe886aa0f86653692110c5.jpg
1473e2e64920c8a5d0cea32263b364a2.jpg



Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 

oldldh

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May 22, 2012
Messages
3,700
Location
Fairhope, AL
K Powers---That's a nice clamper, you've got there...

Gasp!!!

What's that stuff all over the ground???

Could that be frozen water???
 

drivesitfar

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Oct 23, 2013
Messages
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Location
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KP: any chance you can re align your pictures? also i like that you used the weed burner to free up your big wilton. any chance you want to explain your method over in the vise repair 101 thread? nice stand and nice big Wilton. congrats.

CW: if you have some pictures of your vises that are not quite up to Balane's or your high standards you are still welcome to post them in the new Vise companies thread i started. then if you do get a new camera and can take better pictures just go in and edit the old ones if another member hasn't posted a pristine vise of the same model already.

ALL: anybody that has catalog or vise company history you can either post it on the vise companies thread or PM me with it and i'll post it. i have about 45 posts still open for individual companies so i'll move it to there and if we need more than 50 vise company history posts we'll have the MODS add a few extra posts before the vises are posted. Bluebolt already PM'd me with the Fulton company information he had researched. it might take me a little time to get things moved if get busier in my day job, but i don't sleep much these days so i have time to help make our list one of the best on the internet with all your help.
 
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jipps

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Dec 1, 2014
Messages
210
Location
UK
jipps
That is a very nice example of that little clamp on.

Many thanks

jipps, that's a nice looking vise, condition looks pretty good also. Not sure if you are planning to paint it, personally find it looks great as is.

I was all ready to paint it, based on the pics I'd seen before purchase. There was a lot of what looked like pitting and bare metal but that turned out to be old swarf that came off with a lot of nail-scratching. So a good clean and pasted absolutely everything up with comma gp grease... It's working sweet and I get to keep that lovely patina to remind me that this vice could be anywhere up to 82 years old :)
 

Trey T

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Joined
Aug 3, 2011
Messages
3,749
Location
Houston, TX
K Power: awesome vise. What year is it, circa 2000? You plan to keep it on the stand like that? The vise looks like it will take up a lot of space.
 

McBrownie

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Joined
Mar 27, 2014
Messages
1,827
Location
Cleveland, OH
Hello

Thought I'd share a couple of pictures of my Record No.80 "Imp" which arrived yesterday!
Here is a catalogue description from 1959:

"The #80 "Imp" Vice is really a minature #74 vice, having 2 1/4" jaws and opening 2 1/2", and in no way must it be confused with either toys or cheap and unsatisfactory vices. It is sturdily and compactly made; the screw is accurately made with machine cut square thread, and there is a parallel grip which is free from any suggestion of looseness. The steel jaws are hardened and of high quality; there is a hardened anvil as in the #74 vice, but of smaller dimensions of course. The slide is of steel. Small tubes and rods can be gripped in the specially designed jaws, and can be bent in the tube bender. It is fastened to the bench with an exceptionally well designed and well-made clamp which is incorporated, which has a grip that is almost unbelievable until it is experienced. The vice weighs 4 1/4 lbs."

Jipps,

Is is true? Is the grip unbelievable once experienced? :lol:

That is a really cool little vice. I completely agree with your decision to keep the original finish. :thumbup: It would have been a shame to wire wheel that one. I'm going to have to get a vice like that to keep in my pocket for clamping emergencies.
 

K Powers

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Joined
Jul 17, 2013
Messages
105
Location
Alabama
K Power: awesome vise. What year is it, circa 2000? You plan to keep it on the stand like that? The vise looks like it will take up a lot of space.

thanks - not sure on year when I break it down to resto ill look for date stamp. yeah I like the stand will bolt down some day
 

K Powers

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Joined
Jul 17, 2013
Messages
105
Location
Alabama
KP: any chance you can re align your pictures? also i like that you used the weed burner to free up your big wilton. any chance you want to explain your method over in the vise repair 101 thread? nice stand and nice big Wilton. congrats.

CW: if you have some pictures of your vises that are not quite up to Balane's or your high standards you are still welcome to post them in the new Vise companies thread i started. then if you do get a new camera and can take better pictures just go in and edit the old ones if another member hasn't posted a pristine vise of the same model already.

ALL: anybody that has catalog or vise company history you can either post it on the vise companies thread or PM me with it and i'll post it. i have about 45 posts still open for individual companies so i'll move it to there and if we need more than 50 vise company history posts we'll have the MODS add a few extra posts before the vises are posted. Bluebolt already PM'd me with the Fulton company information he had researched. it might take me a little time to get things moved if get busier in my day job, but i don't sleep much these days so i have time to help make our list one of the best on the internet with all your help.


sure will post it over there - not sure how to realign the pics I used my cell
 

jipps

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Joined
Dec 1, 2014
Messages
210
Location
UK
Jipps,

Is is true? Is the grip unbelievable once experienced? :lol:

That is a really cool little vice. I completely agree with your decision to keep the original finish. :thumbup: It would have been a shame to wire wheel that one. I'm going to have to get a vice like that to keep in my pocket for clamping emergencies.


Yep, it's fantastic! The vice actually has three countersunk mounting points so it could be bolted or screwed to a bench in the ordinary way; however, the clamp is more than up to anything you'd be doing on a 2" vice, and so I think I'll rely on this rather than using the mounting holes... I think there will be virtue in keeping the little Imp portable and ready to bring to a job... ;)
 
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topop101

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Joined
Jan 1, 2015
Messages
1,688
Location
NW Missouri
I picked this versa vise up off of ebay this week . I was wondering is any one knows how to date them. I seen a patent date was early 1900's but no clOO how to determine age on the vise it's self. ???:dunno:
 

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Outlawmws

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Aug 9, 2011
Messages
39,259
Location
The Badlands
I picked this versa vise up off of ebay this week . I was wondering is any one knows how to date them. I seen a patent date was early 1900's but no clOO how to determine age on the vise it's self. ???:dunno:

Dinner and a movie, maybe flowers. :evil:

Other than that, I got nutin... :dunno:
 

depatty

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Joined
Dec 27, 2012
Messages
49
Location
Weaver, Alabama, US
Let's talk about vise scarcity for a bit...

My "Wanted Craftsman 5197/5198" advertisement has gotten over 8,000 hits!!!:lol_hitti

Holy Sheep Dip!!!

And turned up ONE 5198 with a hole in the anvil, that is now sitting in BigCaddy's Gigantic Craftsman Vise Collection...:thumbup:

I'm really beginning to wonder how many 5198's are around???:dunno:

Oh well, the quest continues...:ninja:

All you folks up north---Stay Warm!!!

78 degrees here today!!!:evil:

Photos---Before---After---The Collection

Got a 5197 that needs a tiny bit of work. :lol_hitti

Other than the rust it doesn't look too bad from the front.

View media item 48158
This one shows a bit of the problem.

View media item 48159
And here you can see what someone did to it, MANY years ago...

View media item 48160
Swivel is bolted and somewhat welded. Anvil is broken and has the strap bolted in place over it. Actually still works quite well as a beater vise. :evil:

I'll try to get some pix of the model # tomorrow if you're interested in seeing it. :eyecrazy:

Dave
 

Craptain

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Apr 18, 2013
Messages
4,028
Location
Tampa Bay FL
depatty;4696548 I'll try to get some pix of the model # tomorrow if you're interested in seeing it. :eyecrazy: Dave[/QUOTE said:
ALWAYS interested in pictures. :thumbup::thumbup:

It seems as if you already put it to work.
 

oldldh

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Joined
May 22, 2012
Messages
3,700
Location
Fairhope, AL
A lesser vise would not have survived the repair process...

And would not be still functioning, as a clamper...

Stout devices, they are...
 

bigcaddy

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Joined
Jan 17, 2012
Messages
2,418
Location
Orange County/ San Fernando Valley
San Clemente, California

Contents of machine shop and tool crib of a nuclear generating station at auction - includes a few workbenches with Wilton vises attached and a ton of Vista cabinets. March 12 and 13th.

http://www.mriauctions.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/web_songs5_brochure.pdf

Thrumcap
:canada:


I've been there and seen the machine shops when we did the turbine replacement a few years ago. 3 shutdowns and 2 expensive turbines later, plant goes offline due to erosion in the steam piping tubes.

That place had some great stuff and will be a great auction!
 

torqueman2002

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Jun 3, 2009
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6,141
Location
SE Michigan
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Outlawmws

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Aug 9, 2011
Messages
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The Badlands
That's a cool find TM. I can't recall seeing that type of add-on jaw like that for any machinist vise, much less a Columbian.

Well Done!
 

depatty

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Joined
Dec 27, 2012
Messages
49
Location
Weaver, Alabama, US
Couple of more old vises of mine.

Reed No. 106

View media item 48748
Pat. Aug 11, 1914
Reed Mfg Co.
Erie PA
USA

View media item 48750
No. 106

View media item 48749
Needs a bit of work.

View media item 48751
Diamond Brand Vice

View media item 48752
View media item 48753
Diamond Brand
Multi-Purpose Bench Vise
150 MM
Made in China

View media item 48754
Need to make a new pipe holding insert for this one as it's missing one of the 3. Still works otherwise.

Got more and will get some pix as I find them in the clutter. :thumbup:

Dave
 

drivesitfar

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Oct 23, 2013
Messages
36,032
Location
Pacific Northwest
TM: most of us would have bought that vise even if it was our 1,000th estate sale. that Columbian swivel jaw is a keeper and those interesting lower jaws are pretty unique and look well done. can you take a few more pictures of where the lower jaw was mounted that you removed and maybe remove the other one and take a couple pictures.

you done good my friend
 

McBrownie

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Mar 27, 2014
Messages
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Location
Cleveland, OH
I know Prentiss used a lot of base designs but that base almost looks as if its off a cheapie import, but I'm far from a expert.

Auto,
I see what you mean. It seems a little skinny/thin and the sharp corners on the feet don't seem right either. If it is a replacement, though, it sure fits nice.

Here is a picture of Prentiss 19 for comparison:
View media item 43570
 
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