The VISES of Garage Journal

[va.grouseman]

Originally posted by jakemac.

It's the ubiquitous Columbian #804 steel plate vise. It was only made in the 4" size. If memory serves me correctly, this will be only the 6th one posted on GJ. It's the same vise that is sitting on my grandfather's bench (minus the brushed-on gray paint).
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They are good solid little vises Jake.---Pretty faded, but you can still see 804.

 

[michiganman18]

very nice, these look great

 

[jakemac]

They are good solid little vises Jake.---Pretty faded, but you can still see 804.

http://s1127.photobucket.com/user/weakmanfor2things/media/100_0919.jpg.html

I agree with how sturdy they are. My grandfather's has done my family some good service since he bought it used in the late 50's and it's still going strong. He told me that I can have anything out of his shop that I wanted, but "DON'T TOUCH MY VISE !"

That's why I was happy to overpay to finally have one of my own. I'm thinking that this one will get redone in a hammered red.

Eventually, I'd like to recreate the decal for the front of the jaw. In your picture, I can see the 804 on top of Columbian and the 4in under it, but can you read the words at the bottom ?

XXXXXXXX STREET ?

And what are the small letters under Columbian in the black band ?

A larger, closer picture of the decal would be helpful if you have the chance. Thanks.

 

[trijeff]

Clean 8" Columbian (508) available for $300 in PA: ebay listing

 

[Fraggles]

Record Vice on ebay UK for £250

Seller says it has 9" jaws and a "50" is cast on the other side

Anybody seen one like this?

Looks like a 2x series to me.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/321719717...l?_from=R40&_sacat=0&_nkw=321719717185&_rdc=1

 

[CwazyWabbit]

Record Vice on ebay UK for £250

Seller says it has 9" jaws and a "50" is cast on the other side

Anybody seen one like this?

Looks like a 2x series to me.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/321719717...l?_from=R40&_sacat=0&_nkw=321719717185&_rdc=1

That's a Record No 25 and he means a 6 not a 9 for jaw width

Compare it to the pictures on this advert
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/RECORD-No...-JAWS-QUICK-RELEASE-REFURBISHED-/361258405576

A Record No.25 is 62 cm (24 inches) long according to product info on amazon.

 

[CwazyWabbit]

I've seen pictures of the elusive 51* series of records before like below, but it turns out there was also the 50* series.....

 

[vintage nut]

I have a Colombian woodworking vise with what looks to be nearly the same decal. Want a picture of it?

you can never have too many tools

 

[write2dgray]

Re: Rock Island 574 Vise Shoulder Bolt

Reed vises use a duplicate nut so if you ever find a busted up 204, the part will interchange

Very helpful - thank you sir! So...I'm looking for a bottom bolt for a Reed 204 or Rock Island 574.

Cheers,
David

 

[BJ42LX]

Clean 8" Columbian (508) available for $300 in PA: ebay listing

How has no one pushed the button yet, or at least shot him an offer?!

6 watching as of this posting.

 

[FMC1959]

Record Vice on ebay UK for £250

Seller says it has 9" jaws and a "50" is cast on the other side

Anybody seen one like this?

Looks like a 2x series to me.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/321719717...l?_from=R40&_sacat=0&_nkw=321719717185&_rdc=1

I have this brochure for a 10", a number 49. The 8" is pretty stout at 240 lbs, but the 10" is only 10 lbs more.

 

[va.grouseman]

Jake,---I took some close-ups but I'm still not sure their legible in pics.---Don't think any one pic is better than the other.














You can't hardly see anything for the glare, but that is what it says with just sun light.---And I'm no calligrapher either.

If you endeavor to duplicate the label, would you make more than one.---I'd like to purchase one.---I doubt it will be as easy as the government printing money, but if you do, you can probably sell a few to 804 owners.

 

[balane]

Had some time to finish the Parker 974. Here's a before and some after photos. The color is Oil Rubbed Bronze with gloss red lettering.

.

 

[GETRIDAONE]

I thought you said you were slowing down a little. Only Balane can do an overnight restore and have it come out that nice

 

[454ragtop]

Was at a swap meet over the weekend, picked up 4 vises, will get some pics of those later. But strangely, I found 2 sets of exposed screw vise pipe jaws, without the vises! What are the odds of that?
Jim

 

[GETRIDAONE]

The ones on the left look like double wides.

 

[firemanast]

Had some time to finish the Parker 974. Here's a before and some after photos. The color is Oil Rubbed Bronze with gloss red lettering.

.

Excellent job as always.

 

[CwazyWabbit]

My mate has picked up the Record 633 from the scrap man and sent me some more pictures Apparently jaws open to approx 8" and it has about 3/4 of a turn of backlash












Now I've just got to persuade someone to bring it to me .....

 

[KMScott]

Wow Balane, you are awesome. I have been working on my 954-1/2 for a week now and I am not even close. Love your color choices. Great job.

 

[Mark in Indiana]

Blane:
Great color combination on the 974.

454:
I think the pipe jaws on the left go to a Dunlap 5244.

 

[jakemac]

Jake,---I took some close-ups but I'm still not sure their legible in pics.---Don't think any one pic is better than the other.






You can't hardly see anything for the glare, but that is what it says with just sun light.---And I'm no calligrapher either.

If you endeavor to duplicate the label, would you make more than one.---I'd like to purchase one.---I doubt it will be as easy as the government printing money, but if you do, you can probably sell a few to 804 owners.

Thanks VA. If I ever get around to making the decals, I'll be sure to send some your way. It may take some time though. I tend to procrastinate.

 

[balane]

I thought you said you were slowing down a little.

Hey, it took me overnight! I was able to squeeze in a little work here and there.

Thanks everybody. I always appreciate the nice words.

The Columbian combination vise is the next one up to bat and currently is being electrocuted in brown soup.

I'm working with Nick (AKA Supreme-Wilton-Overlord.) to get a replacement swivel base for the unusual looking Wilton.

The rusted, frozen Yost sat in the tank all night and I was able to bash the two jaws apart this morning so that's free. My arms and shoulder are aching badly but that's offset by the good feelings of getting it apart. However, the Yost project isn't going anywhere until I can track down a solution for the cracked main nut. I'm considering contacting Yost but that's probably a pretty tall tree to bark up considering the vise's age.

 

[va.grouseman]

Previously posted by Jakemac.

Thanks VA. If I ever get around to making the decals, I'll be sure to send some your way. It may take some time though. I tend to procrastinate.
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As do I, on everything.---So, surprise me in 5 or 10 years.

 

[Thrumcap]

Today I discovered there was a No 518 .... and it looks like there was a lot less meat on the bone in the 70's



For comparison the 1964 advert (from a 1968 reprint)

That is the first reference I've seen to the 518.

Thrumcap

 

[DJ_Schmo]

I just got home with my first vise. It's a Desmond Stephen Simplex 41S scored for $30 on Craigslist. The gentleman also had a larger Simplex for $40 but the static jaw had been broken and very poorly repaired so I passed. I'll be starting the restoration soon. I think I did ok.

 

[jakemac]

I think you did just fine. Be prepared to accept GJ honors.

 

[CwazyWabbit]

That is the first reference I've seen to the 518.

Thrumcap

I'll be honest I was quite surprised when I saw it.

Did you see my post on the 50* series? Exactly the same as the 51* series but made of normal cast iron instead of malleable iron.

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showpost.php?p=4787422&postcount=28288

 

[dutchgray]

CW
Combination vice is looking better than in the eBay pictures, I had a thought about pipe jaws, you may want to look at a couple Record pipe vices as they could have borrowed some they already made for this or they could be close enough to modify.

 

[Nicodimas]

Decided it was time for a project...so grabbed a Wilton 4 incher.

I was trying to get a Vise off ebay, but kept getting sniped and had no luck at those last ten seconds on finished ones. Finally hit one posted late at a night with a buy it now...en route to be delivered today.

Wish me luck as this isn't my area of expertise, but want to try for fun..tell you how that goes soon

 

[TJM2]

Well, I have a problem with buying tools all the time, and I'm always taking things apart... oh. Uh, you meant VISES. Heh. Not vices. I get it now...

 

[CwazyWabbit]

Dutch: I thought so to, I also found in another Record catalogue an earlier version of the 63* series vices so they must have been available for a bit longer than I thought. They are in both the 1950 catalogue and the 1963 (albeit looking more modern).

I won't get to see the No 633 in person till the Sodbury sortout, when either myself or a local mate will be able to get the vice from Ross who has it tucked away in his workshop.

Should also be receiving a copy of the Record No 14 catalogue from 1935 at some point in the next month, we should have decent reference material for most of the Record vices produced then.

 

[drivesitfar]

Thrum: nice find on the Parker now that you can get out and about. it looks like a 6 incher and maybe 120 pounds, but i don't know Parker's numbering yet to know for sure. i know you like the bigger ones so guessing it is about that or maybe you did just buy it for the wrench.

Tedsters: so is that your first Craftsman 519x vise with that 5195 or did you already own a 5197 to keep it company? nice looking and i bet you like the quality on those. I'm still researching the maker of them and Balane had a good name for the company a while back that included Reed, Rock Island, Columbian and Starrett.

Balane: nice one stop shopping trip. do you have all 4 almost restored in 24 hours except the vise nut issue on the Yost. I don't think i own a Yost for you to even copy one from, but almost looks like you can buy a nut and cut the old one off and have the new one welded on the old base if Yost doesn't have one to sell you. nice work

TheHorse: Yes, i think you could learn a thing or two from your old Dad, but that's just stealing at those prices because that isn't a common vise.

CW: do you already have one or a few 8 inch vises or are you just searching for the makers of them like i have done so you'll recognize it when it appears. that 518 sounds like a beast and maybe a two piecer when hauling home.

LU: I do like the scale and the fact you used a nice strap instead of some old vise owners that use an old rusty chain. nice vise and i think you picked up a nice 6 inch Athol and an Anvil last week too so your magnet for California iron seems to be working. that last sad old open screw one you posted might be one to practice on, but i'm not a fan of that model.

 

[dutchgray]

CW
I have a 1964 Eclipse catalogue with price list coming, there may be something vice related in there, they had that tiny instrument vice that always sell for big money.
There is also a restored Swindens on ebay but its £190, the seller has a lot of nice Record's but they are all priced high.

 

[FMC1959]

Had some time to finish the Parker 974. Here's a before and some after photos. The color is Oil Rubbed Bronze with gloss red lettering.

.

Another great one, you are a master

 

[FMC1959]

... I'm considering contacting Yost but that's probably a pretty tall tree to bark up considering the vise's age.

You may be right, but at the same time I remember Nick had written a post about having visited the Yost factory. A small 12 man shop; sometimes they can surprise you by giving a little extra in the customer service dept. They could check their inventory and also checking with their vendors for you if someone has something lying around....certainly does not hurt to try.

 

[joe.striper]

Picked up my vises today. Had to spend $50 total on these two. A 3" parker fixed base (20) and this very nice American Scale for $30. The AS vise is surprisingly heavy. It is a model 77 H or N, too dirty to see clearly. Jaws are nice. Base is welded nicely I thinkbi may have a swivel lock that will work

 

[balane]

You may be right, but at the same time I remember Nick had written a post about having visited the Yost factory. A small 12 man shop; sometimes they can surprise you by giving a little extra in the customer service dept. They could check their inventory and also checking with their vendors for you if someone has something lying around....certainly does not hurt to try.

I did email them and they answered me very quickly and with good, detailed information. They sell this kit and I was directed towards it. They assured me it would fit fine but I could return it no problem if it doesn't.

http://www.yostvises.com/screw-and-nut-kit-for-vise-model-104-104-1-2-204-204-1-2-32c-65c-132c.html

That price is shipped by the way. I asked if they sold just the nut and they do for $30, however the new kit is double Acme threaded and my hardware is single Acme. I would need to replace all those parts. I just have to decide if it's worth it. The vise was basically free so maybe. Have to stew on that one a while.

I was very impressed with Yost's customer service.

 

[tedsters]

Had some time to finish the Parker 974. Here's a before and some after photos. The color is Oil Rubbed Bronze with gloss red lettering.

.

Holy Scats Battman, that was fast and looks great.

 

[jrobb316]

I just got home with my first vise. It's a Desmond Stephen Simplex 41S scored for $30 on Craigslist. The gentleman also had a larger Simplex for $40 but the static jaw had been broken and very poorly repaired so I passed. I'll be starting the restoration soon. I think I did ok.

You did good. I'd definately pick that up for that price.

 

[Mark in Indiana]

Joe stripper,
What is the jaw size of the 77h?
Damn shame that the base was welded.