The VISES of Garage Journal

[CwazyWabbit]

I've got quite a few old tool catalogues and don't see any of those vices. They go from Ajax to .... err. ... somewhere later in the alphabet. I'm guessing they are homeowner vices.

 

[drivesitfar]

Loudog: here's Carla's Reed 103 that is a similar model if you might want to know what your wife's granddad's old vise looks under the dust. it's a great vise and maybe show your wife this picture and tell her you'll try to spiff it up like this if she can ask Grandma if she can bring it home.

Outlaw: hard to say if the collar matched the cuffs on that picture, but OMG where do you keep those saved. or why might be a better question??

ALL: i wonder if the owner of Dunlap got involved in WWII's effort to help move the vices from one factory and made a few of his own under Dunlap and Craftsman as a test in the new factory before Paramo or another vice company started making vices for England. Always interesting stories and if only these vises (vices) had a record button on them to playback them.

 

[Fretters]

Outlaw ... but OMG where do you keep those saved. or why might be a better question??

Interesting point, now you mention it.

 

[Outlawmws]

I thought this was interesting. Just the day before I saw a local ad for this Dunlap and it is made in England. While the above mentioned Craftsman could possibly have a Sears tie in, this Dunlap probably has no relation to the Sears Dunlap sub Craftsman line, just thought it was ironic I see this the day after.

Any of the guys on the other side of the pond know anything of Dunlap made in England vises?

Just saw GETS post on the Dunlap, which is probably also not related, but also interesting.

FMC, That dunlap logo IS the Sears Dunlap logo from the 50's roughly

 

[Outlawmws]

Outlaw: hard to say if the collar matched the cuffs on that picture, but OMG where do you keep those saved. or why might be a better question??

Interesting point, now you mention it.

Not my saved pic; Google images is your friend for near any image...

 

[colin39]

Thanks gents , collected a nice vice today, for my workshop. It wont be a shelf queen , but will get a tasteful referb.
Anyways its a fortis heres a pic, i cant find any info on search other than its english, but made in england, on the side kinda gives that away.

 

[topop101]

Trying to track one down . The owner says it did have any markings... hard to believe. Any one have an idea? looks like it may be a swivel jaw without the pin. Prentise maybe with the smaller pear shaped knob?

https://scontent-atl.**.fbcdn.net/h...=db4c5de263902095a41f602701354871&oe=553581F8

https://scontent-atl.**.fbcdn.net/h...=d3f46fbb907dbba473b23c110c3a5564&oe=553523B3

 

[jakemac]

FMC, That dunlap logo IS the Sears Dunlap logo from the 50's roughly

I agree, the logo is a genuine Sears/Dunlap.
I wonder if these Made in England Dunlaps may have been a Sears Canada offering. Similar to the Beech made Craftsman toolboxes coming from a different vender than the ones in the US.

 

[jakemac]

I got to see an 8" vise for sale today from the far side of a storage garage. I nearly killed myself rushing through the clutter to get a better look ........................









............... MADE IN CHINA

 

[drivesitfar]

Outlaw and Jake: didn't Dunlap have a pre war relationship with Sears/Craftsman and then another relationship after the war?

TP: it looks like my almost unmarked Prentiss #22 that is 160 pound swivel jaw vise and not a little thing. or it could be a #23 and sorry i don't own that one (yet). the only markings i think that are on my #22 are just behind the swivel jaw's pin on top of the static.

good luck because it is a big guy because it's almost as wide as those drawers below it on the desk.

cheers

 

[CwazyWabbit]

Thanks gents , collected a nice vice today, for my workshop. It wont be a shelf queen , but will get a tasteful referb.
Anyways its a fortis heres a pic, i cant find any info on search other than its english, but made in england, on the side kinda gives that away.

Here's a catalogue ad for the vice, I'm sure I have a better one somewhere.

 

[GETRIDAONE]

While digging through the pile I found this one made on the other side of the pond. CW see if Lakeside in Belgium shows up in your manufacturers book ?
I thought I would post it because it is another odd one I've never seen before.

 

[CwazyWabbit]

My better Fortis ad turns out to be an Ajax and Fortis advert ...

 

[colin39]

My better Fortis ad turns out to be an Ajax and Fortis advert ...

Wow a no11 it was £9.10. And i paid £20 for it. I feel ive been had, ill ring him and demand change. Lol.

Thank you buddy.

 

[topop101]

Outlaw and Jake: didn't Dunlap have a pre war relationship with Sears/Craftsman and then another relationship after the war?

TP: it looks like my almost unmarked Prentiss #22 that is 160 pound swivel jaw vise and not a little thing. or it could be a #23 and sorry i don't own that one (yet). the only markings i think that are on my #22 are just behind the swivel jaw's pin on top of the static.

good luck because it is a big guy because it's almost as wide as those drawers below it on the desk.

cheers

DrivesThat's the same thing I'm coming up with, 19-23 series. No idea why it would be unmarked. Hopefully it's dirty and bad lighting. I have to say I've never owned a swivel jaw and have no idea on it's value. I own a couple other Prentiss , 51 and a 90 but their small. All my big stuff have always been parkers, reeds and athols. Missing the swivel pin and possibly a swivel lock lever doesn't help my cause.

 

[jakemac]

Outlaw and Jake: didn't Dunlap have a pre war relationship with Sears/Craftsman and then another relationship after the war?

Looking through the old Sears catalogs, I noticed that the Companion label began to be replaced by the Dunlap label. It started around 1940 and there was some overlap into the war. Some of that may have been old stock filtering out, or it could have been done as contracts ran out and were re-negotiated, or replaced by new vendors.

The thing you need to remember is that Dunlap was never a company. It was just a name that was owned by Sears to be used on products of their choosing. It was the same with the Companion name, just as it is with the Craftsman and now the Evolv names.

 

[drivesitfar]

TP: what is the owner asking for that old Prentiss? i think Prentiss did like Wilton does for Snap On, John Deere and others that wanted their own vises to sell. I've never seen any Prentiss vises with stickers like Wiltons, but probably because the companies that they sold them to put them in a company box and just not sure.

swivel pins are easy to make or a couple guys have some new ones made on a shelf they can ship to you for about $30. you can even use a bolt if you just need something to drop in the hole.

as much as you liked a 7 inch with a broken off slide you should take a trip to see this old Prentiss vise in person and if it's in great shape and you don't want to buy it please PM me especially if it's a #23 which would be a monster.

cheers

Jake: thanks for the heads up on Dunlap. also sorry you didn't get to see an actual 8 inch wide jaw old US vise yet. maybe you should go with Joe on his trips and you can be the cameraman? don't feel alone I've yet to see or buy anything bigger than a 6 inch wide jaw vise.

 

[CwazyWabbit]

Wow a no11 it was £9.10. And i paid £20 for it. I feel ive been had, ill ring him and demand change. Lol.

Thank you buddy.

No worries, that ad is from around the mid 60's. A record 112 was about 15 quid at the time and is now between 600 and 800 so your Fortis would be somewhere between 400 and 500 if it was still available today.

 

[Fraggles]

I got outbid on a nice Swindens


Anyway, there's a very nice steel Record Leader No.14 with 6"jaws and quick release in Sheffield.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Record-Le...967?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_3&hash=item5b10615067

 

[jakemac]

I got outbid on a nice Swindens

Well, CW hasn't said anything about it yet, but Fretters is strangely quiet right now (I wonder why ?).

 

[topop101]

TP: what is the owner asking for that old Prentiss? i think Prentiss did like Wilton does for Snap On, John Deere and others that wanted their own vises to sell. I've never seen any Prentiss vises with stickers like Wiltons, but probably because the companies that they sold them to put them in a company box and just not sure.

swivel pins are easy to make or a couple guys have some new ones made on a shelf they can ship to you for about $30. you can even use a bolt if you just need something to drop in the hole.

as much as you liked a 7 inch with a broken off slide you should take a trip to see this old Prentiss vise in person and if it's in great shape and you don't want to buy it please PM me especially if it's a #23 which would be a monster.

cheers

Jake: thanks for the heads up on Dunlap. also sorry you didn't get to see an actual 8 inch wide jaw old US vise yet. maybe you should go with Joe on his trips and you can be the cameraman? don't feel alone I've yet to see or buy anything bigger than a 6 inch wide jaw vise.

DrivesThe problem is the owner is asking ME what it's worth. If I shoot to low I'll run him off. Go to high and it's bad for me. It's always a fine line but this time he came to me . I'd like to give no more than 140.00. That's less than a buck a pound but maybe enough to keep him interested. I looked on EPAY and they have some listed for 500. .... not helping matters. other brands I have plenty of paper work showing value but a prentiss is a rare breed in these parts. What do you think of the price

 

[CwazyWabbit]

I got outbid on a nice Swindens


Anyway, there's a very nice steel Record Leader No.14 with 6"jaws and quick release in Sheffield.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Record-Le...967?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_3&hash=item5b10615067

The last No. 14 sold for 200 quid ..... but that one is in nicer condition, seems strange there are no bids yet.

I didn't see a Swindens other than the blue one that's still for sale, so it weren't me mate.

 

[CwazyWabbit]

Well, CW hasn't said anything about it yet, but Fretters is strangely quiet right now (I wonder why ?).

I already have a Swindens 4 inch and Fretters has at least two that I know of so it probably wasn't him either.

The Swindens do seem to command a bit of a premium on eBay, it may be the military vehicle owners bidding them up as they want to refit them to their military trucks.

 

[drivesitfar]

TP: I've turned down $500 on my Wilton C2 because i know it's worth a lot more if i fix it up and i like my Prentiss #22 swivel jaw quite a bit better. it doesn't have pipe jaws, but it's 50 years older and has the swivel jaw.

i'd say the Prentiss #22 if that's what it is, is worth more than the 7 inch Athol (?) you paid $200 for in that bucket of cement. here's what you can maybe negotiate if there isn't any issues is that it doesn't have swivel pin which might cost you more than $30 if one of the guys doesn't have one that big and tell him that no name on the side keeps the value down which it might. I've never sold a Prentiss swivel jaw and they might all follow me into my pine box.

i'd up my offer a little if I were you or at least look at the vise first and check it out before making an offer in person. then you can counter quick if he hesitates. I've had guys come to me wanting to buy something and they didn't discuss my asking price and then lowball me. even if they were willing to pay more after i said no i still sent them home packing, but as I've said some of my stuff is like family.

good luck and i hope some of that made sense because my wife wants me back outside while i'm typing this.

 

[topop101]

TP: I've turned down $500 on my Wilton C2 because i know it's worth a lot more if i fix it up and i like my Prentiss #22 swivel jaw quite a bit better. it doesn't have pipe jaws, but it's 50 years older and has the swivel jaw.

i'd say the Prentiss #22 if that's what it is, is worth more than the 7 inch Athol (?) you paid $200 for in that bucket of cement. here's what you can maybe negotiate if there isn't any issues is that it doesn't have swivel pin which might cost you more than $30 if one of the guys doesn't have one that big and tell him that no name on the side keeps the value down which it might. I've never sold a Prentiss swivel jaw and they might all follow me into my pine box.

i'd up my offer a little if I were you or at least look at the vise first and check it out before making an offer in person. then you can counter quick if he hesitates. I've had guys come to me wanting to buy something and they didn't discuss my asking price and then lowball me. even if they were willing to pay more after i said no i still sent them home packing, but as I've said some of my stuff is like family.

good luck and i hope some of that made sense because my wife wants me back outside while i'm typing this.

Thanks.

 

[Outlawmws]

Outlaw and Jake: didn't Dunlap have a pre war relationship with Sears/Craftsman and then another relationship after the war?


cheers

Looking through the old Sears catalogs, I noticed that the Companion label began to be replaced by the Dunlap label. It started around 1940 and there was some overlap into the war. Some of that may have been old stock filtering out, or it could have been done as contracts ran out and were re-negotiated, or replaced by new vendors.

The thing you need to remember is that Dunlap was never a company. It was just a name that was owned by Sears to be used on products of their choosing. It was the same with the Companion name, just as it is with the Craftsman and now the Evolv names.

This ^^^^ Trademarked name for Sears... Second tier but often not second tier quality (but the Craftsman warranty did not apply...) .


Challenger (compressors) 25-32, Companion > 40, Dunlap > 60/64, at some point Companion came back and since Dunlap ended, Sears has used their name off and on and still do...

 

[tedsters]

Outlaw and Jake: didn't Dunlap have a pre war relationship with Sears/Craftsman and then another relationship after the war?

TP: it looks like my almost unmarked Prentiss #22 that is 160 pound swivel jaw vise and not a little thing. or it could be a #23 and sorry i don't own that one (yet). the only markings i think that are on my #22 are just behind the swivel jaw's pin on top of the static.

good luck because it is a big guy because it's almost as wide as those drawers below it on the desk.

cheers

drives whats the difference in the years on the prentiss #22 mine has the pull in for the swivel like your blue one

 

[joe.striper]

Well i couldnt stand to see that Heinrich vise rusted up so i restored it today and mated it to my Craftsman XY table which I also reatored. I instantly fell in love, and thanks to Cwazy, mounted it to my Rockwell DP. I can officially say that I am at the end of the DP line and this is it!!

Here are my before and after pics.

 

[jakemac]

I can officially say that I am at the end of the DP line and this is it!!

Famous last words.
This is how I ended up with 6 block grinders.

 

[drivesitfar]

Tedsters: the pull pin on my Prentiss #22 dates it in the early 1920's and i think they went to that lever in the late 20's and early 30's. i'm not certain of the dates when Prentiss switched their swivel design and anybody that has the catalogs can surely post to tell us and that would be great.

TP: After selling 30 years of selling Real Estate i get a little cranky when the term "LOW OFFER" hits my ears on personal belongings. that said i'm usually pretty fair to deal with. i'm not saying i'd pay $500 for that Prentiss #22 especially since i already own one, but if you haven't seen their swivel jaw vises you are in for a treat.

Outlaw and Jake: thanks for your tutelage as per usual always pick up a thing or two asking a question on this thread. I won't ask what word(s) you put in google to get your pictures and that can be your secret.

Joe: so a pair of jaws for your Hamilton and you are set? nice job on the rust removal and do tell because i don't think you use Electrolysis or do you?

 

[tedsters]

drives
thanks for the info on the #22 and i honestly don't think i would take $5 for mine unless someone really enticed me

 

[joe.striper]

Tedsters: the pull pin on my Prentiss #22 dates it in the early 1920's and i think they went to that lever in the late 20's and early 30's. i'm not certain of the dates when Prentiss switched their swivel design and anybody that has the catalogs can surely post to tell us and that would be great.

TP: After selling 30 years of selling Real Estate i get a little cranky when the term "LOW OFFER" hits my ears on personal belongings. that said i'm usually pretty fair to deal with. i'm not saying i'd pay $500 for that Prentiss #22 especially since i already own one, but if you haven't seen their swivel jaw vises you are in for a treat.

Outlaw and Jake: thanks for your tutelage as per usual always pick up a thing or two asking a question on this thread. I won't ask what word(s) you put in google to get your pictures and that can be your secret.

Joe: so a pair of jaws for your Hamilton and you are set? nice job on the rust removal and do tell because i don't think you use Electrolysis or do you?

PB blaster, a dead blow hammer and a LOT of wire wheeling. I apologize because i dont understand your Hamilton reference. . To quote,Fretters, i am chuffed with the outcome.

I didn't realize just how well made the XY table is and how i could dial it in.

 

[Fretters]

Eloquent words Joe, and a lovely job you've made of that vice.

Wasn't me with the Swindens either Jake. Like CW, I didn't even know there was another one on there. Do you have a link for the completed listing Fraggles?

 

[drivesitfar]

Joe: i was posting in between pulling blackberries and mowing the lawn. i knew your DP vise started with an H so go with that. you did a great job and i do like the way those old XY tables work too. not to mention how cool they look with those old style handles. glad to hear you are Chuffed and i'd think you'd be exhausted or are you starting a new exercise video. Vises to stay in shape??

Tedsters: i do like my #22 even if it doesn't have the big Prentiss lettering all over it's side. speaking of big vises how's the shoulder rehab coming along since your operation a few months ago?

TP: make any offer you think will get that vise and just remember to look for welds around the swivel jaw. some of the old guys hated that option and welded them onto the static even if they weren't broken. I've had the sons (75 year olds) and 70 year old grandsons of the original 100 plus year old original owners of these swivel jaw vises tell me that they didn't know the jaw swiveled in all the years it was on their Dad's bench.

 

[oldldh]

Just remember to look for welds around the swivel jaw. some of the old guys hated that option and welded them onto the static even if they weren't broken. I've had the sons (75 year olds) and 70 year old grandsons of the original 100 plus year old original owners of these swivel jaw vises tell me that they didn't know the jaw swiveled in all the years it was on their Dad's bench.

Damn Swivelin' B@#tards!!!

"Old Dudes" just know what's right!!!

The world needs more "Adult Supervision"!!!

 

[muddyriverdogz]

Muddy: welcome to our forum and specifically the vise squad. it looks like you've been watching Balane paint his Snap On bright green or maybe that is your own choice. looks great and can you share the brand and paint color. i like that Craftsman you already mounted on your bench and since it looks like you like good old Craftsmans i'm sure a 519x series Craftsman vise is in your future, but i doubt you'll find one for the price you bought those for. nice work and again welcome.

Joe: I like that Athol combination vise and blew up the picture and didn't see anything glaring so you have my best wishes that it checks out. As I've said before the Athol that later became Starretts are some of the nicest vises you can own.

TM: Speaking of Athol Starrett vises that one looks like a keeper and i like the old copper jaws it came with. very nice looking vise and so far the vises I've seen you buy are some of the best quality ones made.

NH: good luck on your trip and PM (Private Message sort or like email for members only) me if you need help in your vise search if you don't find anything in Arkansas because i think i'm on your way to Alaska in Seattle.

Jeff: what can we say other than for your first vise restoration you really did a great job and those Reed vises are stout and a great vise.

Wrench: best wishes and i hope your troubles get better soon.

Truth be told they are realy Columbians made for Craftsman.

 

[JZiggy]

Force gauge success. Harbor freight 10-ton low-profile jack ($40) and 5000 psi gauge ($8) + some ATF.

Cylinder measured 1.690" on the business end = 2.243 in^2. Multiply this by the psi reading to get total force in pounds (lbf).

The 6" Paramo did great at a whopping 4000 psi -- nearly 9000 pounds of clamping force. This was with the handle turned as hard as I was comfortable with.

I put it in a smaller 4.5" vise and could only get 1800 psi. And a 3.5" vise could only reach about 800.

I plan to have some fun with this!

 

[tedsters]

Tedsters[/B]: i do like my #22 even if it doesn't have the big Prentiss lettering all over it's side. speaking of big vises how's the shoulder rehab coming along since your operation a few months ago?

drives
shoulder is getting better, BUT i can only lift up to 10 lbs straight up with elbow to my side, i got one vise done in 2 months the 106 parker i posted.
nothing is going how i thought it would so i have been on a hunting spree's...lol.
i got to go back to the doc the 29th and i will know more then, probably the worst thing is they told me i probably won't be able to ride my harley till the end of may. i know one thing i need a bigger barn!!! i am running out of space.

 

[GarrettWeidman]

I finally got my big vise mounted properly. The base is 1" thick and 33" diameter.

 

[XCMTB83]

This little Columbian exposed screw is from the Renton Pile. When I got it the entire vise was frozen solid. Nothing would budge; not the handle, not the swivel, nothing. It took two days of electrolysis to get a handle to move the tiniest bit. I soaked some more, moved some more, repeat. Finally I got it out and what a good feeling that was. Then I had to drill and tap four broken jaw screws. The right size screws are not available anywhere so I had to countersink the jaw inserts to accept a larger head fastener. I basically fought everything on this vise. It definitely won't be worth it for the money but it is rewarding to take a rusted old boat anchor that most anybody would toss out and make it a usable vise again. The action is really, really slick on it now. I think the smoothest opening closing of any small exposed screw I've played with. But, I'm glad it's done! Deep Green Hammered Finish enamel is the paint. 3.5" jaws.

.

Nice job of sticking with it! It seems you just can't let something rust away even if it means putting a lot of time into a non-high dollar fetcher vise...I can relate. I am curious, have the doctors ever told you the name of the condition? Mine never have...

I am the same way about fixing things, a.k.a. being a glutton for punishment and my American Scale is treating me the same way. I picked up my first vises a few weeks ago and I dug right into the saddest looking one. I couldn't stand how much different it looked in person compared to the finished product in my head! The Wilton and the Sawyer are collecting even more dust. I still have a little repair to do to the dynamic and then make some aluminum jaws before it is ready for paint. I thought I had my mine made up for paint but now I don't know.

Again, nice job and keep them coming!