The VISES of Garage Journal

[topop101]

MD: one of those behemouths would be a score and a back ache, but both the same day is one of the best deals of the year and a hernia.

more specs when you get time, but happy to hear you still had energy to post pictures and get them home.

TP: maybe as you get busier at work somebody else in the 3 or 5 states you seem to find vises will have a chance to buy a farm fresh one. if you like that black paint's finish half as much as i do you might want to paint a few more vises with that color and technique/style.

I plan to do a few other Athol's with it. The next Wilton I do I'm going to get off the wall with it and blue it , Mount it to a walnut base , Put polished brass jaws in it and stage it for photo's with my .44 cal Henry rifle. It's going to be a while on that thought, It's time consuming detail sanding for the blueing process. I've been wanting to do this for a while so we'll see when I can get it done

 

[topop101]

No kidding about that concrete! I feel bad for that Kobalt gun....need a IR132 or CP rivet gun.

I did horse trading for the vise and anvil. Don't really know what price to put on it.

IDK the weight yet. Still bolted to the stand. I have a thing in my mind that says 260#, but I have no idea where that came from.

What size is the 681?

I wish the pictures did these monsters justice. They are so much larger in person.

The 681 is a 4 ". I have a 326X and the 617... Your 618 would be a welcome addition to my collection...




Drives : I try to limit my range to mo, ks, Ia, neb, ok, tx. That's not to say I won't trip to the east once in a while but it's rare

 

[trijeff]

Finally scored a size 0 in which I was interested, anyone have any info on the maker? These are the seller's photos, this will not be in my hot little hands for another few weeks (coming from across the pond).

 

[joe.striper]

The 681 is a 4 ". I have a 326X and the 617... Your 618 would be a welcome addition to my collection...




Drives : I try to limit my range to mo, ks, Ia, neb, ok, tx. That's not to say I won't trip to the east once in a while but it's rare

Hey stay off of the East Coast. You flat-landers aren't welcome!!!

 

[topop101]

Hey stay off of the East Coast. You flat-landers aren't welcome!!!

Now I know I'm coming... Guns and vises will be had!

 

[joe.striper]

Now I know I'm coming... Guns and vises will be had!

TO THE TOWERS!!!

 

[va.grouseman]

Topop,---Do you know the exact weight of the 326x?

 

[drivesitfar]

VA: have you posted that homemade 2000 vise/stand combo on the vise thread yet that you posted on a thread in the fabrication forum yesterday? also don't you already own at least one 326 or maybe 2 of them? so how much do yours weigh or did you forget to weigh them before you put them on the chain gang?

TP: so 6 states and now Joe is wanting you to take a drive up to his area to help him buy the ones he can't carry?

Jeff: interesting little vise, but it looks like it's missing a clamp. do tell us how much it cost to ship from across the pond and if not too expensive who did you use or is it coming in a suitcase of a friend?

ALL: not that you asked, but like my handle says i'd drive a ways for a huge hunk of steel. without using Ebay or shipping I've limited it to 5 states and Canada. of course pickings are getting slimmer or i'm getting pickier so i'm working on picking up a few across the US like some of the rest of you do. here's VA's 2000 pound vise (not his) that he posted a picture of with a 1200 pound anvil.

 

[CwazyWabbit]

How far does that vise open? :/

 

[drivesitfar]

CW: i can't see the end of the slide. can you? it almost looks 4 foot long so maybe VA has the specs from where he found the picture. also did you see that huge hunk of RR tie is a permanent part of the vise that sits behind the static jaw?

all i can say is OMG and even though it's homemade and a little quirky i think it would look pretty cool in the middle of my of a huge hanger. i'm guessing a semi's transmission or airplane engine could fit inside those jaws.

 

[trijeff]

Jeff: interesting little vise, but it looks like it's missing a clamp. do tell us how much it cost to ship from across the pond and if not too expensive who did you use or is it coming in a suitcase of a friend?

Drives: Shipping was $18 USD, which was much more than the vise itself, but something I just had to have. When you say it's missing a clamp, am I correct in assuming you mean missing just the top of the clamp? I figured that would be easy enough to fix/mod, but maybe I'm missing something (if you ask my wife it happens ALL the time ) Oh, as to the shipper, I believe the seller said it was coming via Royal Mail, Small Packets Airmail.

ALL: Here's VA's 2000 pound vise (not his) that he posted a picture of with a 1200 pound anvil.

WOW!!

 

[bluebolt]

TP:
ALL: Bluebolt (BB) just posted up about 130 Wilton bullet stamped and non stamped slides on the Wilton stamp dating thread. we've been trying to determine when the 5 year warranty started and when it ended to get a better idea of when the vises actually left the factory. here's the link in case any of you want to check it out or add your Wilton vise's picture and date stamped if before 1970. interesting stuff to be sure and thanks to Bluebolt again for going through the entire vise thread to put up the new information.

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=269079

Thanks Drives. I have over 150 vises on the spreadsheet now. I know I missed a lot of vises, did a word search, not a page by page search. Of particular interest are vise's that have Chicago 14 on them, ANY Cadets before 1970, vises that have GUAR EXP on them and early Patent Pending vise. We have not found a single bullet vise with a date code that that actually ended in 1954, 1955, 1956, 1957 or 1958. If posting please indicate jaw size and a picture of both sides and the date on the slide if possible. The earliest date stamp seen so far is 2/1945 (February 1945) so if you have one before that we really want to see it.

 

[CwazyWabbit]

DIF: that big vise was built for a purpose. .... I can't begin to guess what that purpose would have been except perhaps to hold the planet on its axis

 

[topop101]

Topop,---Do you know the exact weight of the 326x?

222 lbs. if memory serves me. It's a load. I take it apart to handle it

 

[topop101]

TP: so 6 states and now Joe is wanting you to take a drive up to his area to help him buy the ones he can't carry ?

I might have to clean him out too...

 

[joe.striper]

TP: so 6 states and now Joe is wanting you to take a drive up to his area to help him buy the ones he can't carry ?

I might have to clean him out too...

Dear topop, here is a pic of my vise guard. Thats me behind my wife, I am 6'5". My sons is very protective of his inheritance.

 

[bl00]

Joe, I think that boy ate his inheritance (and everything else in the house). He's huge!

 

[balane]

Here's an early 1900's Reed 104 1/2. Made slightly before 1920 is my best estimate, no date stamp found. Weighs in at 55 Lbs. This was probably the dirtiest vise I've ever gotten in. Had several coats of paint slopped on over the years. The top coat was super thick black house paint. I couldn't even read the cast in lettering. To make matters worse there wasn't a spare inch inside that wasn't crammed with stinky old grease. I had no idea what to expect. Fortunately it was all solid and ended up being a very nice working old Reed. The action is fantastic. I painted it with Dark Bronze enamel with a lightly textured finish, trying to stick with something suitable for the era. Clearly this was a hard working vise and a testament to how well Reeds held up over time.

.

 

[autopts]

Here's an early 1900's Reed 104 1/2. Made slightly before 1920 is my best estimate, no date stamp found. Weighs in at 55 Lbs. This was probably the dirtiest vise I've ever gotten in. Had several coats of paint slopped on over the years. The top coat was super thick black house paint. I couldn't even read the cast in lettering. To make matters worse there wasn't a spare inch inside that wasn't crammed with stinky old grease. I had no idea what to expect. Fortunately it was all solid and ended up being a very nice working old Reed. The action is fantastic. I painted it with Dark Bronze enamel with a lightly textured finish, trying to stick with something suitable for the era. Clearly this was a hard working vise and a testament to how well Reeds held up over time.

.

I was told that 3/4 serration on the jaws were very early. I had a similar 6' awhile back with very early 1900 Pat. Dates. That one looks home grown by the handle condition. A nice find.

 

[littleponderosa]

No kidding, I wouldn't even bother contacting him. Go check this one out. Check it over for cracks or other issues. Looks like it was on some type of adjustable stand.

Making plans to see the vise this week sometime - all dependent on seller & my schedule. I've gotta go fishing on the 'horn again and weather is supposed to be good on Friday. I'll take a good look and offer a fair dollar.
Or so I hope.
Thanks for the heads-up.
Bill

 

[topop101]

I've been thinking about topop's Athol and how great the textured paint looks. I painted a camera crane I made a couple years ago with plasticote bedliner. It took a little over one can to do 22 feet of 3/4" square tubing. It dried great, and is an even texture and color. It is not coarse at all and would make a bad bedliner, but is extremely tough and wear resistant! If I had a vise to restore right now I would try this in a heartbeat, but I only have a European style that I want to keep raw.

No vises... I might be able to do something about that. Do you have one in mind?

 

[va.grouseman]

Drive,---the big vise and anvil were posted by EBCooper on page 164,---post 3273.

Yea, I have 2 Starrett 326s, and each weigh in at 214.---That's why I asked Topop about his Athol.---The 326x has got me by 6 lbs.

Joe.Striper,---If I had a kid that big, I could have saved a fortune on chains and good locks.---but would have lost it all back a feeding him.---Break even.

 

[topop101]

Dear topop, here is a pic of my vise guard. Thats me behind my wife, I am 6'5". My sons is very protective of his inheritance.

Do think I will be coming alone..?. I have my own enforcer.. #5 of 7 grand daughter will be at my side. My money is on her. You should see what she eats for breakfast!

 

[stevep1954]

Cheney Anvil and Vise / Fulton Iron and Engine Works… i can't find too much info on this. anyone have one or maybe know the reason for the plate by the handle? it's 3.5" across with a nice anvil area. 1 foot is broke but i love the looks of it overall. i think it is from the 1900 era.

 

[stevep1954]

more pics

 

[zkling]

Cheney Anvil and Vise / Fulton Iron and Engine Works… i can't find too much info on this. anyone have one or maybe know the reason for the plate by the handle? it's 3.5" across with a nice anvil area. 1 foot is broke but i love the looks of it overall. i think it is from the 1900 era.

The plate by the handle retains the screw to the dynamic jaw when opening. They are more of a novelty IMHO, don't beat on it real hard.

 

[va.grouseman]

The Fulton appears to be a swivel jaw to boot.

 

[Mohawk Dave]

gonna bump again in case it was missed by those who may have one, but does anyone have a catalog page for my Athol 8" 618 ? Looking for weight and year-ish...Thanks!

 

[rmalkow2]

Cheney Anvil and Vise / Fulton Iron and Engine Works… i can't find too much info on this. anyone have one or maybe know the reason for the plate by the handle? it's 3.5" across with a nice anvil area. 1 foot is broke but i love the looks of it overall. i think it is from the 1900 era.

Very nice piece of vise history. It could be older than 1900. Not completely sure. The Fulton Iron and Engine Works was in operation from 1867. The name changed in 1902. So how long they may have produced this vise model under the old name is a guess.
http://vintagemachinery.org/mfgindex/detail.aspx?id=983

 

[demoman]

Very nice find on the Athol. I cannot find a weight in any of the info I have. I have a 628 missing the base and it weighs 270 so i am saying yours is closer to 280 because there looks to be more meat on the bottom. It took me 6 years to get a chance at an athol so keep it close to you.

 

[GETRIDAONE]

No posts today so I will start it.
It's a 2 1/2" FPU ? (The logo looks a little different from my 6" one) I did wrinkle paint and painted gray over it. The wrinkle paint is messy and hard to get dry and have it come out even all over. I think this will be the last one I do this way.

 

[drivesitfar]

GET: that might have been your last wrinkle paint job, but you do outstanding work. nice look with a couple key areas that are smooth without that wrinkle. i also like the FPU vices. since you are not actually retired i'm keeping your short GET handle. what's next?

MD: i agree with Demo that those big vises are hard to find and i'm still waiting to own my first 8 inch one. I have a few Athol vises and they are some of the smoothest ones made. if i find a catalog page when i'm doing some more research on the thread i started about pre 1970 vise making companies i'll pass it on. or if you are doing a big search maybe you can take on Athol which became Starrett because I need help.

VA: sorry i forget the Athol 326 is basically the 326 Starrett and sorry for making the assumption that you owned one. Made you look??

Joe: nice family picture. also nice job on the Parker. if you want to post how you made the swivel pins with any pictures over on the vise repair 101 thread that would be great because i'm sure i'm not the only one with a few missing on my vises.

 

[KMScott]

Balane, nice job on the 104-1/2. I noticed the hardened inserts for the jaws and how they are hand filed, I believe they are hand filed and after installing the serrations were finished filed into the soft casting. I notice this because I am wrapping up a 7" Holland with the same type of hardened jaw insert and hand filed teeth. I wish I knew how they installed these hard inserts, I looked pretty close and can not see any braze. It has to be a simple method and pretty accurate since they have to align up pretty close the the mating jaws.
I should have this 225lb Hollands vise finished by next week and will post the finished pictures.

 

[balane]

Balane, nice job on the 104-1/2. I noticed the hardened inserts for the jaws and how they are hand filed, I believe they are hand filed and after installing the serrations were finished filed into the soft casting. I notice this because I am wrapping up a 7" Holland with the same type of hardened jaw insert and hand filed teeth. I wish I knew how they installed these hard inserts, I looked pretty close and can not see any braze. It has to be a simple method and pretty accurate since they have to align up pretty close the the mating jaws.
I should have this 225lb Hollands vise finished by next week and will post the finished pictures.

You think Hollands, Reed, etc. had people who just sat there and hand filed serrations all day? Ugh, what a tedious job that would be.

I've also often wondered how these types of jaw inserts were installed. Do you think they could be press fit on very tight fitting dowels?

 

[macgee]

Hey Getridadone,

Nice finish and paint job with yours, the wrinkle paint and jaws look really good.

Here's another 5" FPU Vise, I just stripped it yesterday. It's a heavy mother for the size.

A bit rough under the paint and needs a little more finishing before painting but it's a really nice vise to use with adjustments to zero out any backlash in the handle and also gibs to zero out any play in the rear dynamic jaw.

The more you start to use this type of vise, the more and more you appreciate the design. Unlike a normal vise the bigger the item you clamp on it, the more stable it becomes and centered over the base. The swivel base is massive.

 

[KMScott]

You think Hollands, Reed, etc. had people who just sat there and hand filed serrations all day? Ugh, what a tedious job that would be.

I've also often wondered how these types of jaw inserts were installed. Do you think they could be press fit on very tight fitting dowels?

They had machines called Die Filers back then they were used for filing square corners in Dies, I have used one my self, they would file a serration pretty fast in a set of soft jaws before heat treating. Look at a set of inserts molded into a vise and it looks like a hand filed cut, nesting the jaw would be easy and the operator would step the jaw over and just have to push the face into the file since it is going up and down pretty quickly. The files have many shapes. I added two pic's of Die Filers.

As for the jaw face I believe there is two ways holding them on and one is by a undercut stud threaded into the back of the jaws and a solder paste added to the back of the jaw before the molten casting is poured. Then it is molded and soldered in place. Sure bugs me and pretty soon I will be finding out since I have several vises that need this insert cut out and replaced with a replaceable jaw.

 

[balane]

They had machines called Die Filers back then they were used for filing square corners in Dies, I have used one my self, they would file a serration pretty fast in a set of soft jaws before heat treating. Look at a set of inserts molded into a vise and it looks like a hand filed cut, nesting the jaw would be easy and the operator would step the jaw over and just have to push the face into the file since it is going up and down pretty quickly. The files have many shapes. I added two pic's of Die Filers.

As for the jaw face I believe there is two ways holding them on and one is by a undercut stud threaded into the back of the jaws and a solder paste added to the back of the jaw before the molten casting is poured. Then it is molded and soldered in place. Sure bugs me and pretty soon I will be finding out since I have several vises that need this insert cut out and replaced with a replaceable jaw.

I assume those workers had some kind of jig to use to not only speed things up but also make everything uniform. That's interesting.

If you find out anything on how those inserts are installed please share, I bet there's a few of us that are interested.

 

[Garageguy54]

Hey guys, I picked up a couple vises today. I have a Dunlap 5171 4 inch vise that was made by rock island. The only thing is that usually where it is stamped for the date it has 114 stamped instead. I'm not sure but can it really be from 1/1914? It doesn't seam that old.let me know ( once again sorry I haven't figured out how to post more than one pic at a time).

Ps. Do you post more than one pic at a time?

 

[Garageguy54]

Here is a pic of the Dunlop 5171 (rock island)vise I picked up today with the marking of 114 on the slide. I picked it up for 50 bucks. thanks GG54

 

[topop101]

Cabbaged onto this off a 20 min old cl list post. When I got there the guy also had a C2 Wilton dated 1203 and a snub nose Reed C2. He wasn't giving up the Wilton for nothing but said we he gets around to it he'll call me for the Reed. Until then I'll just have to settle for this Starrett 614 1/2. One of the swivel lockdown handles was replaced with a craftsman ratchet handle . Cool idea so I may leave it . What do you guys think about leaving it?