The VISES of Garage Journal

[drivesitfar]

Trainman: Craptain is correct about the wood handle is all you'll need for your wood vise and I've seen a lot of them with galvanized pipe with screwed on caps too for a replacement.

 

[veltex]

You know before thumbing through this thread I could have gone home without this vise! Instead, picked it up, wiped it off, bolted it down to use it, just needs a little lube. Parker 433 1/2, wish it had the original swivel lock bolt and wrench, anyone got an extra?

Very nice. There is a guy on my local CL selling a #2 wrench for $45. There is also two currently on ebay. As far as the bolt goes, I need one of those too for a parker I have, once I get a wrench (#3) i'll look for a bolt or to have one made.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Parker-Mach...685?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item5d56e9ed15

http://www.ebay.com/itm/VTG-CHARLES...366?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item4d2f9e492e

Thanks much, I have been watching one of the wrenches, maybe I will have to have a bolt made as well

 

[jrobb316]

Thanks much, I have been watching one of the wrenches, maybe I will have to have a bolt made as well

I have never seen a bolt for sale. My vise takes a #3 wrench so its a slightly larger bolt than yours. #2 s are common so I don't think it would take much for someone to make a duplicate if they had an original in their hand.

 

[flavc3]

Thanks everyone...I guess the search continues.

 

[FMC1959]

Cheers for the info and link

Here are the adverts of Parker vises from that catalogue.

The 60X is also listed at 297lbs

CW, I found the one I was referring to, and I am quite surprised to see this much of a weight difference.

This is not a model that was around for a long time, like as an example Reed 100 series or Columbian 200, 500, and 600 series. These were around forever and there were weight differences over times, but never to this magnitude.

Either Parker made a substantial change to this model at some point, or more likely, one of these ads got it wrong from the marketing department.

 

[FMC1959]

CW, I found the one I was referring to, and I am quite surprised to see this much of a weight difference.

This is not a model that was around for a long time, like as an example Reed 100 series or Columbian 200, 500, and 600 series. These were around forever and there were weight differences over times, but never to this magnitude.

Either Parker made a substantial change to this model at some point, or more likely, one of these ads got it wrong from the marketing department.

Did some checking and this "X" series was like the 1st Gen Parker Superior Vise, they were replaced by the 800 (stationary) and 820 (swivel) series 2nd Gen.

If you look at the 808, the equivalent to the 60X, it has it at 297 lbs. like your ad for the 60X. There might have been some big change at one point to account for 2 ads with a 32 lb. difference on the same model, but from what I see, I would say the first ad I posted showing 265 got it wrong.

 

[KMScott]

Thanks much, I have been watching one of the wrenches, maybe I will have to have a bolt made as well

I have never seen a bolt for sale. My vise takes a #3 wrench so its a slightly larger bolt than yours. #2 s are common so I don't think it would take much for someone to make a duplicate if they had an original in their hand.

Hey guy's, I drew one up for a Parker 974, here is my drawing. Take it to a machine shop and they can build it for you or use it as a model for a larger wrench. I do not have a lathe so I can not help you.

 

[1NRO]

CwazyWabbit, I see odd ones like you say but to have a free run at the vast selection in the US would be great, fatal maybe but great while it lasted! I was pleased to grab a Reed 206r a month ago but that kind of stuff isn't common enough for my liking.

The Prentiss vice could well be called a coachmakers, I just call it sheetmetal as that's what I usually use it for. It is very adaptable mind, holds everything from cylinderheads to timber.

 

[CwazyWabbit]

Did some checking and this "X" series was like the 1st Gen Parker Superior Vise, they were replaced by the 800 (stationary) and 820 (swivel) series 2nd Gen.

If you look at the 808, the equivalent to the 60X, it has it at 297 lbs. like your ad for the 60X. There might have been some big change at one point to account for 2 ads with a 32 lb. difference on the same model, but from what I see, I would say the first ad I posted showing 265 got it wrong.

I had been expecting you to say that the English catalogue had mistakenly used the shipping weight rather than the actual weight. Some good detective work you've done there.

Thanks for the catalogue pages, they'll be added to my collection in case I stumble across any of these vises that made it over here.

 

[CwazyWabbit]

CwazyWabbit, I see odd ones like you say but to have a free run at the vast selection in the US would be great, fatal maybe but great while it lasted! I was pleased to grab a Reed 206r a month ago but that kind of stuff isn't common enough for my liking.

The Prentiss vice could well be called a coachmakers, I just call it sheetmetal as that's what I usually use it for. It is very adaptable mind, holds everything from cylinderheads to timber.

I'm thinking it would be fatal for the likes of you and me

There have been a few coachmakers vices in this thread, usually with the warning that a lot of them have been broken where they've been hammered on. You did a nice job on yours.

 

[drivesitfar]

1NRO: so we've had new GJ members show up on our vise thread and post 10 or 20 vises, but it sounds like you might have a few more. any chance for a family photo for some of us to admire and save to our laptops?

also welcome to our group because it sounds like you are a good guy with some vise knowledge.

I have to add that the coachmakers vises were not made for metal and I've seen many broken or with huge braze welds holding the jaws back together. there are better tools and maybe vises made for bending metal so hopefully you'll find one soon.

CW: your 2 piece jaw is hard to see in your picture, but we've been thinking a few of the old vise companies cast their jaws with a different type of steel as the jaw faces such as Reed might have done. can you post a couple pictures of that entire Wilton vise because i'm not sure I've heard of that name you mentioned before? thanks

KMScott: i posted your Parker wrench diagram over on the vise repair 101 thread for those Parker owners that need them. i'm not sure i even own a Parker vise currently, but that could change because some of them do have that look i like.
thanks for sharing and if you have any more diagrams you want to post over on that thread I (we) would always appreciate that. i agree with Balane that you seem to be the #1 old vise repair guy in the US now and maybe the world so keep up the great work.

 

[bagged89s10]

You know before thumbing through this thread I could have gone home without this vise! Instead, picked it up, wiped it off, bolted it down to use it, just needs a little lube. Parker 433 1/2, wish it had the original swivel lock bolt and wrench, anyone got an extra?

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Nice find. I'm on the hunt for a swivel parker and haven't had any luck yet.
Hopefully this summer one will turn up.


~Veeps

 

[jrobb316]

Picked up this Parker 40 Coachmakers yesterday. The ladys late husband ran a blade sharpening business out of the garage. This was one of his vises, I think his main one. She said there were 15 people interested, when the first guy didn't show it was my turn.

 

[1NRO]

1NRO: so we've had new GJ members show up on our vise thread and post 10 or 20 vises, but it sounds like you might have a few more. any chance for a family photo for some of us to admire and save to our laptops?

also welcome to our group because it sounds like you are a good guy with some vise knowledge.

I have to add that the coachmakers vises were not made for metal and I've seen many broken or with huge braze welds holding the jaws back together. there are better tools and maybe vises made for bending metal so hopefully you'll find one soon.




Thanks for the welcome.

I do have a few vises though not in an order that's suitable for a group photo. I'm moving house and workshop ask we speak and when I have the new workshop ready I'll get them gathered in a line. It'll be a month or two before that happens as I'm a bit swamped at the moment.

I'll not be breaking the Prentiss, I'm not hard on my tools and know to treat them well as my livelihood depends on them. Anything requiring muscle would go in the beater 36, that's had a life already, never seen a handle bore worn like it.

 

[autopts]

Hey guy's, I drew one up for a Parker 974, here is my drawing. Take it to a machine shop and they can build it for you or use it as a model for a larger wrench. I do not have a lathe so I can not help you.

Kevin, your light years beyond 95% of us. That jaw tweaking on that Hollands was a work of art. I can't get enough "grinders in action". You show me things I knew existed but actually never saw them in action like you show. You have taken this thread to another level. Thanks a lot

 

[Fretters]

CW: The only time I've seen that type of facing is on the old blacksmith vices. That little bench mount one of mine has a similar thin facing strip on the jaws. No idea how they were attached/forged though.


Took a few photo's of the 8A alongside the 7, (both Parkinson), yesterday. The one on the right is my main vice which I've been using for years. It's got a bigger brother now.

 

[CwazyWabbit]

.....

CW: your 2 piece jaw is hard to see in your picture, but we've been thinking a few of the old vise companies cast their jaws with a different type of steel as the jaw faces such as Reed might have done. can you post a couple pictures of that entire Wilton vise because i'm not sure I've heard of that name you mentioned before? thanks
.....

It's a Wilson Riley in the UK and a Massey in the US

I quite agree it's hard to see, but there is a difference there, it's more noticeable in the shot of the whole jaw piece by the subtle colour difference, the other jaw is the same.

Here's a couple of pics before I started the clean up.




The patent



A few work in progress pictures

 

[CwazyWabbit]

CW: The only time I've seen that type of facing is on the old blacksmith vices. That little bench mount one of mine has a similar thin facing strip on the jaws. No idea how they were attached/forged though......

Definitely seems to be a technique that disappeared a long time ago for vice jaws...

 

[Fretters]

Definitely seems to be a technique that disappeared a long time ago for vice jaws...

Probably for simplicity, and for making it easy for non Smith's to replace the faces/inserts.

Here's a photo of that vice. The fact this one had a bath in citric acid highlighted the jaw facing aspect notably.

I'm assuming that method they've used on the Riley is a throwback to that method/technique.

 

[CwazyWabbit]

I think you have it spot on there Fretters cheers

 

[FMC1959]

It's a Wilson Riley in the UK and a Massey in the US

I quite agree it's hard to see, but there is a difference there, it's more noticeable in the shot of the whole jaw piece by the subtle colour difference, the other jaw is the same.

Here's a couple of pics before I started the clean up.




The patent



A few work in progress pictures

Cool looking vise!

 

[CwazyWabbit]

Cool looking vise!

It's certainly different Once I get a couple of stubborn pins out of the spindle I can finish cleaning up the dynamic jaw.

Haven't decided on the finish yet, it was painted in a thick black paint over a duck egg blue primer.

 

[drivesitfar]

CW: Your Wilson Riley does look a lot like my Massey vise so here's a picture of mine to compare while we are talking about it.

Fretters: nice looking duo and will the big guy replace your old faithful on the bench or are you making a stand for him? nice picture of the blacksmith jaws showing the two different materials.

JRobb: sweet looking Parker and i bet you are happy the first guy didn't show to buy it.

 

[CwazyWabbit]

DIF: As I understand it the Massey and the Wilson are the same (although mine has the option of swivel like yours or two bolts).

This link mentions both Wilson Riley and Massey as manufacturers of this patent http://www.datamp.org/patents/search/advance.php?pn=227582&id=40705&set=1


EDIT: Yours looks to be in a similar condition to mine when I got it, you better build that e-tank you've been threatening to

 

[Homerr]

What is decent cheaper vise? I don't need a showpiece, just one that holds something while I hit it with a hammer. This will primarily be for automotive work. Will a Harbor Freight $80 6" multi-purpose do the job? Is there another that way better for ~1.5x that price?

 

[zkling]

The craftsman pro vise is nice all things considered.

 

[Kamanhart]

Well got her finished up this weekend.Shes got some character, it think it adds to the story. Im pretty happy with the turn out. Also thanks for the tip on wiltonviseparts.net the new jaws are awesome!

Before



After

 

[drivesitfar]

Kaman: nice looking bullet and Kevin's jaws look awesome on it. if you might need a dust cap/cover i hear the Etrailer wheel bearing cover works great or a $1 freeze plug at most auto parts stores works too.

CW: yes the E TANK is still right behind the ORGANIZING line on the TO DO list. unfortunately I like buying old tools a lot so we'll see if my E TANK ever gets built and used.

 

[CwazyWabbit]

DIF: I know what you mean, my in need of restoration pile seems to grow faster than my restored pile

 

[balane]

Not really here nor there but for those of you who may want to refinish an original mint-green, early Chicago bullet this is the most original paint I've ever seen on one. May be useful for color matching. This one isn't mine, just found the photos on line. Still, Valspar Satin Leafy Rise is the closest I've found.

.

 

[asadsack]

Here's the Lewis Vise cleaned up and ready to go. The first picture is what I received and the last two, how it looks now. Aside from the fact that I need to make a new handle--not a big deal, the hardest part was straightening the upper bar. This seems to be a common affliction with this particular design. The top bars usually get bent downward. I straightened mine without heat. Unlike before, now it moves in and out smoothly and with minimal effort. If you'd like to know how I straightened the bar, let me know and I'll tell you. It's no big secret.

The swivel locking mechanism is an interesting design. However, I would imagine that the tapered locking pin and the locking lever would be really difficult (expensive) to make if you were missing them. The lever has an eccentric face and I guess they were cast. I'm not a machinist, but I think it would be a challenge the make one.

Nice old vise. I can see why Prentiss bought the design from Lewis. Now, I'd like to find a bigger one. I know they came in bigger sizes.

 

[drivesitfar]

CW: another reason for my lack of wanting to restore a vise that i don't have a bench or stand made for it to use is the temptation to sell it. if i have a finished vise on the shelf and a friend, client or another GJ member comes over and sees it i usually get some sort of offer and not so much with the farm fresh ones. if funds are needed for another vise or old tool it's too easy to let it go down the road. Since some of my vises and old tools are like family i hate to see them leave their spot no matter how dis organized it may be. i'm sure one day in the near future i'll figure out which ones i won't sell and get the rest spiffed up or sell farm fresh. thanks for the reminder on the tank though and i picked up a 4 foot long 2 foot deep plastic tub last night at a client's farm that i think was for feeding the animals that might work perfect for my E TANK. i definitely have enough steel and battery chargers.

Asad: i'd love to hear how you fixed your vise and made it better and if you would on the Vise Repair 101 thread it won't get as hard to find in the thousands of posts on this thread. also your handle doesn't look too bad and original so i'd leave it be and maybe shine it up more if you want to.

 

[jrobb316]

CW: Your Wilson Riley does look a lot like my Massey vise so here's a picture of mine to compare while we are talking about it.

Fretters: nice looking duo and will the big guy replace your old faithful on the bench or are you making a stand for him? nice picture of the blacksmith jaws showing the two different materials.

JRobb: sweet looking Parker and i bet you are happy the first guy didn't show to buy it.

Yes but i'm very pissed that the bench grinder I wanted was sold later that day. It was a very nice vintage General made in Milwaukee Wis. 1/2 HP, all metal beast. I have to keep reminding myself, ALWAYS bring extra cash and NEVER leave wanting.

 

[topop101]

What is decent cheaper vise? I don't need a showpiece, just one that holds something while I hit it with a hammer. This will primarily be for automotive work. Will a Harbor Freight $80 6" multi-purpose do the job? Is there another that way better for ~1.5x that price?

A harbor freight will do the job .... once ... twice maybe more??? Or you could check your local cl for a time tested vintage vise that could be ready to bolt down or have a blast restoring then bolt down and go to work. Any brand pre 70's should do . My fav working vise is a parker 954 or 974. Lots of them out there and are as good as any in my opinion as if that matters.

 

[topop101]

Had a busy weekend. Finished this little Torco

 

[veltex]

A harbor freight will do the job .... once ... twice maybe more??? Or you could check your local cl for a time tested vintage vise that could be ready to bolt down or have a blast restoring then bolt down and go to work. Any brand pre 70's should do . My fav working vise is a parker 954 or 974. Lots of them out there and are as good as any in my opinion as if that matters.

Before I mounted the parker I just picked to be my working vise, I had a Wilton 4 1/2 or 5 inch from the late 80s maybe and it worked fine, they should be around used if patient

 

[balane]

Nice job on the Torco, looks amazing. Can you post the paint info please? I like the color.

 

[topop101]

Then went and did a lil'shoppin


The lil red craftsman came with a 1970 craftsman rolling tool box that I already flipped so it and it's brass jaws are a freebe .

The other craftsman came with the American scale that is in boat anchor condition . The 5195 is a peach dated 4-58 and cost me 100. It's a bit high but for the trip I think I'll come out ok.

The Wilton really soaked me but had to beat out a local competitor. Paid 210.00 for a 07 dated 1765 tradesman. It's minty and won't take much to flip. I checked the price of a new one and they are selling for 659.00

Everything came from Kansas, see, not just sunshine , sunflowers and sons of.... easy Josey Wales

 

[topop101]

Nice job on the Torco, looks amazing. Can you post the paint info please? I like the color.

Thanks Balane, That means a lot coming from you!

I used rust-oleum hammered 7218 dark bronze. I'm not sure where I got it. I buy from so many sources. Menards maybe?

 

[topop101]

Not really here nor there but for those of you who may want to refinish an original mint-green, early Chicago bullet this is the most original paint I've ever seen on one. May be useful for color matching. This one isn't mine, just found the photos on line. Still, Valspar Satin Leafy Rise is the closest I've found.

.

The same color was the base color on the Torco... couldn't bring my self to put that shade back on...