The VISES of Garage Journal

[JZiggy]

Wabbit, ever run across Paramo literature or catalogs?

 

[CwazyWabbit]

I don't think I have any Paramo stuff but I'll keep my eyes peeled and if I find any I'll post it here for you. Anything in particular you are looking for?

 

[xxaler]

Found some extra info on the 63* series of vices that might interest you.

Thanks alot! Great information to have!

Any idea of time-frame they made them?

 

[zoomieport]

Happy Saturday All!

I'm finishing up a Parker #23X.
Pictures to follow, I know, I know...
Do any of you Parker aficionados know when they made the ##X vises?
It has a regular swivel handle on one side (not a wrench) and the "blank knob" on the other side.
It also has a big spring on the spindle...?
It's probably been discussed, but I missed it, sorry.
It is a beautiful vise, probably the 3rd nicest condition Parker I've come across.

Thank you in advance fellas!

Take Care!
ZOOM

 

[bagged89s10]

Happy Saturday All!



I'm finishing up a Parker #23X.

Pictures to follow, I know, I know...

Do any of you Parker aficionados know when they made the ##X vises?

It has a regular swivel handle on one side (not a wrench) and the "blank knob" on the other side.

It also has a big spring on the spindle...?

It's probably been discussed, but I missed it, sorry.

It is a beautiful vise, probably the 3rd nicest condition Parker I've come across.



Thank you in advance fellas!



Take Care!

ZOOM

I have a 22x which is similar. Mine just has a bolt for the swivel. No wrench or the C clip to hold the wrench on like the modes with a swivel wrench. I'm guessing it was one of the first made Parkers. Late 1800s to early 1900s? Just a guess.


Also the front spindle shaft doesn't have a recess for the spindle assembly. Instead it came with a shim at the bottom of the shaft to center the spindle assembly. That's why my assumption is that it's an earlier model that didn't have all the engineering flaws worked out yet.


I'm curious to see if yours has the similar features.

~Veeps

 

[CwazyWabbit]

Thanks alot! Great information to have!

Any idea of time-frame they made them?

Well those were from the Record catalogue No.17 which has a copyright date of 1963.

I may have a lead on Catalogue No.16 so I'll check that if I get hold of it.

 

[zoomieport]

Hello again!

Here is the Parker 23X that I was speaking about above.
6 "after pics", 1 "before pic".
New handles, main and swivel, from Kevin Scott, made from 1144 Cold Formed CRS. While he was at it, he drilled out the hole to accept a larger 13/16" main handle. Beautiful work, Thank you Kevin!
This one wasn't nearly as bad as it looked when I picked it up, just a few nicks and some casting flaws under all that blue slop.
I don't own many Parker's anymore, but this one sat on CL for so long, I had to save it...

Rustoleum Hammered Red body, Rustoleum Satin Black letters, Smooth 4-1/4" jaws, weighs 75lbs.

Take care!
ZOOM

 

[bagged89s10]

Hello again!



Here is the Parker 23X that I was speaking about above.

6 "after pics", 1 "before pic".

New handles, main and swivel, from Kevin Scott, made from 1144 Cold Formed CRS. While he was at it, he drilled out the hole to accept a larger 13/16" main handle. Beautiful work, Thank you Kevin!

This one wasn't nearly as bad as it looked when I picked it up, just a few nicks and some casting flaws under all that blue slop.

I don't own many Parker's anymore, but this one sat on CL for so long, I had to save it...



Rustoleum Hammered Red body, Rustoleum Satin Black letters, Smooth 4-1/4" jaws, weighs 75lbs.



Take care!

ZOOM

A thing of beauty! Great work! And great work on the handles by Kevin!




~Veeps

 

[balane]

Super nice looking Parker ZP. I haven't seen the hammered red applied on a vise yet so I'm glad you posted up. I like it and Kevin's beautiful handles are the icing on the cake.

 

[joe.striper]

Was at a pic today and saw this 4.5" red seal with a welded base. Anyone here need one for parts? Also saw a 3" parker fixed base. I think i can get both for 40. I have no experience with red seal vises

 

[firemanast]

Hello again!

Here is the Parker 23X that I was speaking about above.
6 "after pics", 1 "before pic".
New handles, main and swivel, from Kevin Scott, made from 1144 Cold Formed CRS. While he was at it, he drilled out the hole to accept a larger 13/16" main handle. Beautiful work, Thank you Kevin!
This one wasn't nearly as bad as it looked when I picked it up, just a few nicks and some casting flaws under all that blue slop.
I don't own many Parker's anymore, but this one sat on CL for so long, I had to save it...

Rustoleum Hammered Red body, Rustoleum Satin Black letters, Smooth 4-1/4" jaws, weighs 75lbs.

Take care!
ZOOM

That is a beautiful job, excellent craftsmanship !

 

[Thrumcap]

Third picture is next to the Record No.6 I use everyday at work.

Right now the 634 is in a light coat of primer under my bench, ordered some fancy Record blue in hammer finish from your side of the pond, waiting on it to show up. Going to do a little body work with JB weld and clean it up very nice around the base. A lot of casting imperfections around the bottom.

Xxaler, perchance was your 634 acquired recently from Quebec kijiji? Nice vice!

The jaw dimensions are valuable, thanks. My vice is missing the pipe jaws.... It just came back from the blaster, waiting for the ice to melt to start painting outside.

Thrumcap

 

[Thrumcap]

Good day,

A question for Parker 386 vise owners..... What No. Is the wrench?

Thanks,

Thrumcap

 

[jrobb316]

Good day,

A question for Parker 386 vise owners..... What No. Is the wrench?

Thanks,

Thrumcap

I would think its a #4 wrench. My 6" Parker 436 uses that. IF it turns out you do need a #3, I have one I can sell you. (PM me) I thought my "big bear" 235 would use a #3 since its a 5" but it must be a #2 since the #3 hits the side of the casting. The bolt is all boogered up but I can tell the #3 is too big. #3 is 1". #2 is 3/4". I just picked up a #2 wrench today from a guy on CL so now i'm just on the hunt for a bolt.

 

[Tom in NY]

It's nice to know that I'm not the only one with an inexplicable desire to acquire old vises. My favorite, the Athol 914, is still in as-found condition because it just plain works. I may one day make the missing spring for the knob but otherwise it's good (if ugly.....)
View media item 49962View media item 49961
This pipe vise doesn't really count, but it was a good learning experience when I set up my electrolysis tank. I had been doing plumbing work in the house and was tired of wrestling with multiple pipe wrenches so I picked the vise up at an estate sale for $1, as a rusty lump. Since I brought it home and cleaned it up I haven't had one single pipe problem so it was a good investment!
View media item 49956View media item 49955
This was my first vise. It had a hard life long before I bought it. The casting is pretty crappy and there's a half-inch of backlash in the screw but it hardly takes up any room on the bench so it's still there.
View media item 49957

It was followed by this Craftsman, it's bolted to a board that I clamp to sawhorses for grinding, welding, etc. outside.
View media item 49965It was $20, the original paint still looks OK so I haven't done anything with it. But it's really too small. So these days my outside work is done on a 5 1/2" tradesman mounted to this stand:
View media item 49958

The wilton is also quite beat up, that may be next winter's project. Two years ago my father needed a decent vise, so this Parker 974 was his father's day gift:
View media item 49954View media item 48963View media item 48966View media item 49964

 

[jrobb316]

Very nice Parker! And pipe vises do count in my book. i'm on the lookout for a good one.

 

[KMScott]

Here is the Parker 23X that I was speaking about above.
6 "after pics", 1 "before pic".
This one wasn't nearly as bad as it looked when I picked it up, just a few nicks and some casting flaws under all that blue slop.
I don't own many Parker's anymore, but this one sat on CL for so long, I had to save it...
Rustoleum Hammered Red body, Rustoleum Satin Black letters, Smooth 4-1/4" jaws, weighs 75lbs.
Take care!
ZOOM

Excellant job Zoomie, kind of fun isn't it. You did a great job on the lettering, got to have a steady hand. Thanks for the kind words on the handles, they were much easier to make then the work you did, I like the color choice.

Great job too Tom on your 974 Parker and you mentioned a spring that is missing on your Ratcheting handle for your Athol, should be able to find one pretty easy at your local hardware store.

Grinding in a new set of jaws for my 974-1/2, I think I might copy Balanes color choice he used on his 976A Parker, the Satin Olive looked pretty good.

 

[zoomieport]

A thing of beauty! Great work! And great work on the handles by Kevin!




~Veeps

Super nice looking Parker ZP. I haven't seen the hammered red applied on a vise yet so I'm glad you posted up. I like it and Kevin's beautiful handles are the icing on the cake.

That is a beautiful job, excellent craftsmanship !

Excellant job Zoomie, kind of fun isn't it. You did a great job on the lettering, got to have a steady hand. Thanks for the kind words on the handles, they were much easier to make then the work you did, I like the color choice.

Thanks guys!

 

[Junebuggy]

Spending a rainy day with a wire wheel on some recent additions. A Parker 31 and an Athol 64. Although, I think the little Athol has had some stitch work done on it possibly right above the mounting hole.

 

[econotrk]

Junebuggy, those are both really cool vises. I like the smaller oddballs as much as any of them.

 

[balane]

Grinding in a new set of jaws for my 974-1/2, I think I might copy Balanes color choice he used on his 976A Parker, the Satin Olive looked pretty good.

Actually that's not the Olive I typically use. If you like this color it's Satin Oregano. Silly name but I do like the color.

http://www.homedepot.com/p/Rust-Ole...l-Purpose-Spray-Paint-6-Pack-249069/202058660

.

 

[jakemac]

Actually that's not the Olive I typically use. If you like this color it's Satin Oregano. Silly name but I do like the color.

http://www.homedepot.com/p/Rust-Ole...l-Purpose-Spray-Paint-6-Pack-249069/202058660

.

Sounds like something you smoke, not spray.

 

[balane]

In my garage I feel like I'm high on something after painting.

 

[KMScott]

Sounds like something you smoke, not spray.

In my garage I feel like I'm high on something after painting.

Well we are from Colorado and Washington where it is legal. Thanks Balane

 

[bagged89s10]

Spending a rainy day with a wire wheel on some recent additions. A Parker 31 and an Athol 64. Although, I think the little Athol has had some stitch work done on it possibly right above the mounting hole.

Nice couple of vise. I have a slightly larger Parker 33. Any Idea when the Parker 31 and 33 were made?


~Veeps

 

[topop101]

Was at a pic today and saw this 4.5" red seal with a welded base. Anyone here need one for parts? Also saw a 3" parker fixed base. I think i can get both for 40. I have no experience with red seal vises

Red seals are a Kansas city original. At least the ones I have messed with are top notch. I have a 63 N 4" that is as fine a vise as my 614 1/2 Starrett. Neither of which will be sold until my death . If it's not to damaged buy it and fix it. You'll love it.

 

[Junebuggy]

Nice couple of vise. I have a slightly larger Parker 33. Any Idea when the Parker 31 and 33 were made?


~Veeps

All I could find is this...possibly 1926 (?)

http://scuttle.dayid.org/wiki/index.php/Charles_Parker_Vises like 1926?

 

[zoomieport]

Well we are from Colorado and Washington where it is legal. Thanks Balane

Yet another reason I wish I was Kevin!

 

[Outlawmws]

Good day,

A question for Parker 386 vise owners..... What No. Is the wrench?

Thanks,

Thrumcap

I would think its a #4 wrench. My 6" Parker 436 uses that. IF it turns out you do need a #3, I have one I can sell you. (PM me) I thought my "big bear" 235 would use a #3 since its a 5" but it must be a #2 since the #3 hits the side of the casting. The bolt is all boogered up but I can tell the #3 is too big. #3 is 1". #2 is 3/4". I just picked up a #2 wrench today from a guy on CL so now i'm just on the hunt for a bolt.

My 386 Parker doesn't have the std. Parker wrench. It has a very large (thick) pivotng Bronze/Brass handle on a massive nut. We suspect mine was Navy issue? and that may be why...

 

[va.grouseman]

Originally posted by Zoomieport.

Yet another reason I wish I was Kevin!
----------------------------------------------------------


I don't see how he gets anything done in the garage but laugh a lot and eat a lot.

 

[jwsia]

Finished up the 504 yesterday, not as pretty as some on here but it will be a good worker for someone. I went with the blue because it was on hand, kinda wishing I would have gone with the hammertone silver. Just glad another project is done

 

[vintage nut]

Very nice!

you can never have too many tools

 

[vintage nut]

What blue is that? Looks a bit lighter than the ford blue engine paint I use on the records

you can never have too many tools

 

[Outlawmws]

VN, Their were two "ford Blue" engine paints; a light one earlier, and then the dark one everyone is used to. (Not sure the paint Co's still make the light shade.)

But that lightness could be the lighting and the camera...

 

[Mark in Indiana]

Drives & Trijeff;
Concerning setting up a Scotch-Brite pad on a radial arm saw, I have it posted on Vise Repair 101.

Wrenchguy:
Thanks for the kind words on my Dunlap vise restoration.

Sorry for the delayed post.

 

[jwsia]

It was Krylon True blue. I'm thinking it was an auction buy, I'm a sucker for the dollar box of chemicals and paints or stains

 

[wrenchguy]

u guys with wrench questions should drag up the old postings i made about what i know about their sizes. i don't how to search it. i got tough times here and not a lot of time to spend with the site. good luck.

 

[write2dgray]

Rock Island 574 Vise Shoulder Bolt

I’ve got a Rock Island 574 that has seen some significant use including a repair on the dynamic jaw. I’ve owned for some years in a disassembled state and finally had the time to clean-up, paint, and assemble. In the process, I learned I’m missing the center shoulder bolt, shown in the attached photo.

The threads appear to be 7/8”-14 thread with a 1 ¼” diameter (or just under) shoulder. The bolt length should be right at 1 ½” measured from under the head to end of threads. I know it’s a shot in the dark, but if anyone has a tip on where I might locate one I’d be very grateful. Backup plan is to find a bolt/washer/nut that will for the trick with a little welding/grinding.

Cheers,
David

 

[Rickenbackerman]

Started cleaning up my Columbian 506 the other night. Biggest one I own. It's in pretty good shape, looks like it's only taken a "slight beating" over it's lifetime. Not sure if I'll put it to use or not. Might just give it a fresh coat of paint and toss it on the "extra vise shelf" along with the Parker 974, Wilton 500 and Columbian D43 that are just "hanging out". Or it might replace the Columbian 504-1/2 that's on the bench out in the garage...

 

[topop101]

u guys with wrench questions should drag up the old postings i made about what i know about their sizes. i don't how to search it. i got tough times here and not a lot of time to spend with the site. good luck.

Here's hoping all is well brother !May God be with you what ever your troubles are.