The VISES of Garage Journal

[topop101]

TP: so other than your Wilton missing it's pipe jaws your restoration looks pretty sweet and nice work on those letters. i think you might be looking at it too close or at some of Balane's and others masterpieces, but from my seat that one would look and work great on most any bench.[/QUOTE]

Thanks DRIVE.. I have the pipe jaws for it but the stops have been broken off inside allowing the pipe jaw inserts to fall inside. I am thinking about welding on an external stop to the pipe jaw it's self but not sure it's worth it at this time. If it doesn't sell this weekend I may do it

 

[drivesitfar]

TP: unless you have a buyer that really needs that vise with pipe jaws i'd call it a day and the buyer should be happy as is without them. it also opens up a little more room under the jaws that help some pieces fit better.

Bagged: are you going into the vise and grinder and tool business? one thing to be aware of with Parker vises is that the only person we know that is able to make replacement jaws is KMScott and they are custom fit and sized a little different from vise to vise. Parker vises are well made and will last 100's of years without any abuse. you'll figure out value for your area on these pretty quickly with a little research. Just a warning if you buy 3 and only sell one the pile grows pretty quickly.

 

[bagged89s10]

TP: unless you have a buyer that really needs that vise with pipe jaws i'd call it a day and the buyer should be happy as is without them. it also opens up a little more room under the jaws that help some pieces fit better.



Bagged: are you going into the vise and grinder and tool business? one thing to be aware of with Parker vises is that the only person we know that is able to make replacement jaws is KMScott and they are custom fit and sized a little different from vise to vise. Parker vises are well made and will last 100's of years without any abuse. you'll figure out value for your area on these pretty quickly with a little research. Just a warning if you buy 3 and only sell one the pile grows pretty quickly.

Haha. Not really. I wanted a few vises for my garage. Maybe try flipping a vise locally or on eBay. Then go from there. I'm at my budget without selling any after today. This thread roped me in and I can't get out now!




~Veeps

 

[bagged89s10]

Picked it up. This thing is a monster. Can't remember the exact date under but the year was 1967. Opened up all the way with 1 finger. No cracks. Still greased up.





~Veeps

 

[Outlawmws]

Bagged, Like anything, it's worth what someone is willing to pay. I paid 80 for my No.3, but it's in near pristine condition. The No. 3 was made from the 1860's or so, to at least 1897, (last catalog I know of - by 1901 it was out of the catalogs, and on to a newer numbering system...) Street value is also area dependent. Parkers tend to be considered more desirable generally, but that is of course a personal thing, in the eyes of the beholder. How bad you need/want a vise also comes into play. I paid about 2X what I generally pay for a vise that size for my No. 3, mostly because of brand, condition, age, and, desire...

4-3/4" jaws (measured and "officially" - catalogs) and 59-1/2 lbs. As an 1800's > 100 YO vise, that ads to its value, but not having any form of swivel for most people detracts. The one you posted clearly has at least some jaw damage...

EDIT: FYI/BTW; Parker vise and Parker guns (Shotguns only IIR) were owned by the same guy, so more and more Parker gun people are "discovering" the Parker vise addiction. A buddy has sole a couple of Parkers at vintage/antique shotgun competitions because he brings one in case he needs to work on a gun to the meets. One guy told him "Let me know of any Parker vise you are willing to sell" after buying one.

 

[bagged89s10]

Bagged, Like anything, it's worth what someone is willing to pay. I paid 80 for my No.3, but it's in near pristine condition. The No. 3 was made from the 1860's or so, to at least 1897, (last catalog I know of - by 1901 it was out of the catalogs, and on to a newer numbering system...) Street value is also area dependent. Parkers tend to be considered more desirable generally, but that is of course a personal thing, in the eyes of the beholder. How bad you need/want a vise also comes into play. I paid about 2X what I generally pay for a vise that size for my No. 3, mostly because of brand, condition, age, and, desire...

4-3/4" jaws (measured and "officially" - catalogs) and 59-1/2 lbs. As an 1800's > 100 YO vise, that ads to its value, but not having any form of swivel for most people detracts. The one you posted clearly has at least some jaw damage...

EDIT: FYI/BTW; Parker vise and Parker guns (Shotguns only IIR) were owned by the same guy, so more and more Parker gun people are "discovering" the Parker vise addiction. A buddy has sole a couple of Parkers at vintage/antique shotgun competitions because he brings one in case he needs to work on a gun to the meets. One guy told him "Let me know of any Parker vise you are willing to sell" after buying one.

Yes it looks to have jaw damage which is why I'm hesitant. The seller is at $75.


~Veeps

 

[FMC1959]

Yes it looks to have jaw damage which is why I'm hesitant. The seller is at $75.


~Veeps

Like Outlaw and others have said, your region of the country dictates what they can sell for. Personally, $75 for that vise is too much as a keeper. I love Parkers but with some patience you should find much better.

If you could pick it up for $25 or less, then do a Balane style restore, you could make a few dollars, even then, less than 5" Parkers are common enough that making good profit would be a stretch. I would say forget it as a flipper.

 

[FMC1959]

In order - no it does not have to be mobile. Unfortunately my shop is also the garage and at this point giving up permanent floor space just doesn't work out. Could or possibly will go on the welding table.
Thanks zkling for the heads up.

This is a Reed 34. Good eyes with a poor photo. No pipe jaws - is this normal? I evidently need to do some research. Thanks for the assist FMC1959.

It is a good mount, but I'm struggling how to make it play well with my set-up. Now that I have 3 leg vises, I'm getting a little concerned about room. Call it Catch-22 for the garage and I'm Yossarian. Found 3 vises and I'm happy, but how happy can I be if I can't use them.

Thanks guys for all the input. I'm sure I'll be asking for more info.
Bill

No pipe jaws is not uncommon for old vises. I never kept count but guys like Getridaone, Big Caddy and others who run across a lot of vises could probably give you a better answer. I would guess that having both pipe jaws on these old vise would be less than 50% of the time.

 

[t4runner]

Found this ATHOL at a sale. Thought it was cool, I have never seen one this small.

 

[vintage nut]

Anyone know about terrier vises? Older canadian made one, looks kinda record like. Currently burning the paint and grease off one before restoration. It had been a beater vise for a while and I thought it deserved a new life

you can never have too many tools

 

[littleponderosa]

LP: some of the stands in this thread won't work for your Blacksmith knee or leg vises, but you might find an idea to use that pipe the Reed is bolted to or some other method. i'm planning on making a few hitch type mounts on my benches for my vises and grinders. here's the link and best of luck figuring out a workspace with all the tools you have bought and will buy since you are a GJ member.

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=252799

I've been struggling with the entire layout for too long. Just need a shop and about the time I think money is going my way, the woman thinks she needs a new trike. ****, I could build the building for what that may cost. Well at least put a helluva dent in the bill.
I can see the welding table I built in the 90's is going to be changing dramatically. Time to incorporate some of these fellas too cool ideas - specifically the hitch mounts.
Got an idea for 1 of 3 leg vises, now to put the other 2 together in a working order within alloted space will be a challenge.
Lost out of a coal forge about a month ago - great price just a little late. It will happen yet.
drivesitfar - thanks for the assist with the link, going to subscribe to it.
Bill

 

[FMC1959]

David- Did my wife put you up to a loaded question like this?? Several years ago I had around 200 real vises not counting clamps. Now I would have to guess well over 300 counting post vises and other unusual blacksmith vises. I figure I average a vise a week which seems to be in line with other vise addicts I see on here(you know who you are). The big vises( 8 inch) average about one every 3 months however I only got 1 all last year but have acquired 3 so far this year so it goes in spurts.
I am going to start a Viseanon support group for you people that need help! For others no hope, there are just some people you just can't reach!

wed4life, 300 or so vise is a lot, and with the people we have on this thread, there is always the possibility someone could have more. But I think that without a shadow of a doubt, no one comes close to Demoman for the most 200 lb+ vise. This is a post from 2011 when the vise farm was still small!
http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showpost.php?p=1841089&postcount=3093

Demoman, I remember at one point you wanted to open a vise museum, did that ever come to be?

 

[bagged89s10]

Like Outlaw and others have said, your region of the country dictates what they can sell for. Personally, $75 for that vise is too much as a keeper. I love Parkers but with some patience you should find much better.



If you could pick it up for $25 or less, then do a Balane style restore, you could make a few dollars, even then, less than 5" Parkers are common enough that making good profit would be a stretch. I would say forget it as a flipper.

Yeah I'm going to pass. I just sold this cheap wilton I had to one of my friends for $50.

Now I have these 2 Wilton's


And I have this athol


Spent total of $210 on the 3. I sold my China made wilton for $50 which I bought around 10 years ago, so I got my money's worth. I don't remember what I paid for it. So right now I'm in $160 in vises.

The Wilton 9-500 I just picked up is definitely a keeper.





~Veeps

 

[GETRIDAONE]

Found this ATHOL at a sale. Thought it was cool, I have never seen one this small.

Does the rachet handle still work or has it been damaged like so many of those Athols ?
Great find, I am jealous

 

[CwazyWabbit]

There's quite a few people on here with significant vice collections, what different ways have you found to store them?

I seem to have been playing vice jenga today .....

 

[Outlawmws]

that's one way!

I've had a thought at the back of my mind for a while to use some rough 2X10 or 12s, and some concrete building blocks teed out from a wall and then "mounting" them facing alternating sides, so they can be assessed and seen reasonably. It would make quite the divider wall, heavier vises, maybe second and third tier, and the really light Clamp ones, up higher, possibly on 1X's instead of the 2x's

You should only really need one bolt to keep them from falling off, and because of the alternations, they should still be able to be opened and closed.

 

[454ragtop]

There's quite a few people on here with significant vice collections, what different ways have you found to store them?

I seem to have been playing vice jenga today .....

Not sure I'd want to try that with freshly restored vises, those waiting in the queue maybe....

 

[t4runner]

Does the rachet handle still work or has it been damaged like so many of those Athols ?
Great find, I am jealous

Yes still works.

 

[CwazyWabbit]

that's one way!

I've had a thought at the back of my mind for a while to use some rough 2X10 or 12s, and some concrete building blocks teed out form a wall and then "mounting" them facing alternating sides, so they can be assessed and seen reasonably. It would make quite the divider wall, heavier vises, maybe second and third tier, and the really light Clamp ones, up higher, possibly on 1X's instead of the 2x's

You should only really need one bolt to keep them from falling off, and because of the alternations, they should still be able to be opened and closed.

I like the idea of a vice wall, that's pretty cool

Not sure I'd want to try that with freshly restored vises, those waiting in the queue maybe....

It's surprisingly well balanced and seems stable...... and the very top one still needs restoring, I'm not guilty of that paint job

 

[bagged89s10]

There's quite a few people on here with significant vice collections, what different ways have you found to store them?



I seem to have been playing vice jenga today .....

I'd be too nervous of that tipping over and ending up with a cracked vise tower.


~Veeps

 

[Fretters]

Fretters: when are you going to learn to take those monsters apart before moving them? some are a PIA i admit and maybe the quick release or English ones might be damn near impossible, but unless you start hanging on an inversion table like i do you might end up at a Dr's office or Chriopractor more often than you like. just curious is that the biggest vise you've owned and is there a bigger one on your radar now?

Half the fun is in the carrying. I'd feel like a right old ***** if I had to dismantle one to carry it. Aye, this is the largest one I've ever had. Not got any plans to go any larger, but if a No.9(A) cropped up at a reasonable price and somewhat local, I'd be quite tempted.

The Record 114 is 80 odd lb and isn't that heavy tbh, I walk around at work with two bags of cement all the time and that's 120lb,

This one doesn't seem stupidly heavy at first either. It was the 25 odd yard walk down to the shed with it which started making the arms ache a bit.

there is not many heavier than that round here, I live in a very non industrial area so any large and heavy tools are quite rare. The samsonia No38 was a good find for here, but Fretters 8a is double the weight nearly, I would buy them that big if I could find them.

Funnily enough, round here seems to be in a bit of a deadspot for equipment too. That 8A ended up coming here from Lancashire. Ironic, considering I'm only a gnat's fart away from Sheffield, and the pits would have had plenty of heavy kit, (I should be in sweet shop central in that regard ), but it seems North Yorkshire, Lancashire, Lincolnshire, Derbyshire etc. are all better areas for machinery and heavy equipment. Even Sheffield itself doesn't seem to turn up much stuff. A lot of stuff seems to migrate to agricultural areas for some weird reason, in my experience.

 

[trijeff]

*HOT OFF THE PRESSES* Wow, here's a big boy Prentiss available ... WAY overboard for me size-wise but I'm sure (more than) a few of you might be interested in this BIG SWIVILIN' B@ST@ARD!! I do live in Sac if you want some help setting this up.

http://sacramento.craigslist.org/tls/4943068896.html

 

[Cable_Hogue]

Old Parker vise restore.

 

[Outlawmws]

All you need to to is clamp a "wing" in there, and paint on eyes and a mouth!

 

[balane]

If I ever get my hands on one of those you can believe me it would end up looking right at home in this movie.

 

[topop101]

If I ever get my hands on one of those you can believe me it would end up looking right at home in this movie.

That's an idea for the grand sons... cool

 

[topop101]

I traded my 681 athol for what will become a new table top. I thought it had cOOl wrote all over it. It's 7 ' of bowling alley ! 2 1/2 thick maple 42" wide butcher block style

 

[sdavis622]

Picked this Record up today for 30. The guy also had a Makita chop saw for 50. I got the saw and vise for 65. Is this a good one or a later China model?

The saw

 

[trijeff]

SD: You got the real deal, my friend. Great score (in fact I may hear a vacuum somewhere)

 

[littleponderosa]

Pressure washing the mud/crud/**** off showed a bigass issue.
No fixing I'm guessing. Asked if this had any cracks or repairs, he replied no.
AARRGGHH

 

[Garageguy54]

I drove 250 miles round trip to pick up these 2 reed 204s, it was 175 for both and they may be dirty but man they are in great shape. The jaws have very little wear on them. I picked up 5 vises this week, I will post pics before and after when they are finished. Thanks GG54

 

[Outlawmws]

I'd not be too concerned about that weld Lil'. There is supposed to be a pin holding the main nut in on that dovetail, and it was probably rocking and someone decided to stop it. Crude, but should not affect the use of the vise.

 

[vintage nut]

Just sorta restored this today. Forgot to take before pictures.... It was a really faded red, rusty, covered in weld spatter, and caked in grease. Old terrier. My dad had it on the farm when he grew up. Canadian made, appears to basically be a clone of the record #3

Although it was originally an orange red, I went with black hammer tone, because I had it on hand and I think it looks good. Also tried my hand at painting the raised lettering.
Needed a bit of machining to make it work properly. The spring on the screw was toast, and it jumped and stalled horribly when opening. I turned a precisely fit spacer on the metal large in place of the spring, and it works very well now!

you can never have too many tools

 

[sdavis622]

After some WD-40, a 3M green pad, a rag and wire wheel on my drill it cleaned up pretty nice.

 

[matt stott]

Something for the other end of the spectrum...

After looking at these monster vises my little guys are starting to blush a bit.

Found this on ebay recently. Cast aluminum, so not super heavy (but not very light, either) and about 6" long tip to tail. Dovetail sliding ways, sealed screw and a 1" jaw. Front jaw is fixed- the rear slides on the dovetails.

The paint was mostly gone, so I did a quick strip/prime/paint with rattle-can primer and hammertone paint. Looking to make a new set of jaws as well- possibly out of maple or some scraps of ebony I have lying around. I may strip the paint later to re-do, will wait and see how it holds up for now. I will also paint the logo medallion too, just have not decided on the color yet.

Matt

<a href="http://s4.photobucket.com/user/mstott/media/tools/watchvise-2_zpszw1fwcth.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y118/mstott/tools/watchvise-2_zpszw1fwcth.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo watchvise-2_zpszw1fwcth.jpg"/></a>

<a href="http://s4.photobucket.com/user/mstott/media/tools/watchvise-3_zpselil05af.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y118/mstott/tools/watchvise-3_zpselil05af.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo watchvise-3_zpselil05af.jpg"/></a>

<a href="http://s4.photobucket.com/user/mstott/media/tools/watchvise_zps6vohju3w.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y118/mstott/tools/watchvise_zps6vohju3w.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo watchvise_zps6vohju3w.jpg"/></a>

and next to my other little watchmaker's vise:

<a href="http://s4.photobucket.com/user/mstott/media/tools/watchvise-7_zpsis972aro.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y118/mstott/tools/watchvise-7_zpsis972aro.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo watchvise-7_zpsis972aro.jpg"/></a>

 

[Garageguy54]

Does anyone know what the X stands for on a vise? I'm looking into buying a athol vise and it is marked 324X. Thanks GG54

 

[Smokeshow69]

Was in an old house parts store in Portland, Oregon and saw this monster there. It is a chas parker vise. The slide on the end is cracked as some idiot pounded on it. I don't know the exact jaw size since I did not have a tape measure but I would guess in between a 6 and 7 incher?? It is in hipster hell, the store Rejuvenation and they also had a nice reed on the bench as well. I love the store for the hardware since I have an old house but I hate some of their salvaged priced items. If they where a price on this thing I would imagine they would have it priced way over retail... The model is a 279 and has a patent date of 1908

 

[topop101]

I drove 250 miles round trip to pick up these 2 reed 204s, it was 175 for both and they may be dirty but man they are in great shape. The jaws have very little wear on them. I picked up 5 vises this week, I will post pics before and after when they are finished. Thanks GG54

Man , those are clean. I'd made that trip also

 

[topop101]

Was in an old house parts store in Portland, Oregon and saw this monster there. It is a chas parker vise. The slide on the end is cracked as some idiot pounded on it. I don't know the exact jaw size since I did not have a tape measure but I would guess in between a 6 and 7 incher?? It is in hipster hell, the store Rejuvenation and they also had a nice reed on the bench as well. I love the store for the hardware since I have an old house but I hate some of their salvaged priced items. If they where a price on this thing I would imagine they would have it priced way over retail... The model is a 278 and has a patent date of 1908

It's an 8 incher... I think. One big dude. I couldn't have walked away. ....That's probably why there's no room in my shop too...

 

[Outlawmws]

Yep, 8 inch Parker, unless there were other issues than the crack go see if you can negotiate a deal! (use the crack as one neg. point...) That crack is one of the easier fixes... (If I had to PICK a crack to have, thatch the one...)