The VISES of Garage Journal

[XCMTB83]

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

That is a nice base! Have you considered any gussets where the tube meets the plates?

 

[Nuts]

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

You have to admire a guy who will bolt down a huge honking vise, right smack in the middle of the shop floor.


Nuts

 

[Nuts]

Wandering around FleaBay in the early AM, I know I'm a masochist, I spy this oddity. Anyone have any ideas as to the intended use?

http://www.ebay.com/itm/RARE-UNUSUA...932?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item259c7a49cc


Nuts

 

[Fraggles]

CW

That Record 14 is quite nice. Just too far from me.


Fretters

This is the Swindens

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/workshop-vice-/291427321282?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_3&hash=item43da6c05c2


In addition to the blue one, there's another small one in Preston.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Swivel-Vi...833?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_3&hash=item4d30ca4fb1


Also may be of interest, a small USA Fulton vice in Southampton

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/293-Peerl...772?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_3&hash=item5b10737bfc

 

[dutchgray]

Fraggles
We are definitely all chasing the same few vices that are out there, I already found all those you posted, will be bidding on that Fulton unless its already at stupid prices by the end, I can't resist the small ones.

 

[Fretters]

That little 2" Swindens will probably go for somewhat silly money. Can't remember what the last one sold for, but it was more than the 4" ones were generally commanding at the time.

That 4" is one of the the newer style. It's only the older style I tend to have any interest in, though I think I may have filled my cup on the Swindens now, unless a screamingly good deal appeared. I've got a pair of 4", so any more would seem excessive, (yes, I realise that statement will probably be met with derision, in this thread ).

 

[Fraggles]

Hopefully some more turn up for sale.

I'll not be bidding on the Fulton or small Swinden. I have a thirst for big vices for now.

Dutchgray I recall that one of your recent vices might have a bad quick release spring. I found this spring with £10 start price + postage

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/New-Metal...351?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_3&hash=item234f4edb37

It's not worth it to me as my Parkinson cost £5, and a working one is around £20. Anyhow, the spring on the Record and Parkinson is interchangeable

 

[CwazyWabbit]

Fraggles: Be happy you missed out on that new style Swindens as they are an inferior design with the keyway that keeps the jaws in line.

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=117867

On the old design the main nut forms the key and is much longer than the key in the new design so reduces the chance of damage.

If you like big vices Fraggles the Record Leader range also has an 8 inch jaw model (No.16) that weighs twice as much as the 6" No.14 does. 120lb vs the 60lb of the No.14

 

[Fretters]

Hopefully some more turn up for sale.

They will. It might well take some patience, but you'll drop across one at a decent price eventually. The most I paid for either of mine was £40, but it did take me around three years to get my first Swindens, from the time I decided I'd like one. It's simply a patience game.

 

[Fretters]

Fraggles: Be happy you missed out on that new style Swindens as they are an inferior design with the keyway that keeps the jaws in line.

I see I'm not the only one who thinks that. I've always classed that key as way too small too on the newer style. It's just begging for key(way) damage under some heavy grunt.

I know the older style aren't totally enclosed, and that the cosmetics aren't as good, but they're a damn sight sturdier.

 

[CwazyWabbit]

Dutch: I should get to collect the Record 633 vice off of my mate on the 26th at the Land Rover spares day, thanks again for finding that. I'll post plenty of pictures when I get it.

 

[CwazyWabbit]

I see I'm not the only one who thinks that. I've always classed that key as way too small too on the newer style. It's just begging for key(way) damage under some heavy grunt.

I know the older style aren't totally enclosed, and that the cosmetics aren't as good, but they're a damn sight sturdier.

I'd agree, there was another redesign in 1998 where the jaw bolts no longer go all the way through the casting, that is another step back if you ask me.

 

[Fretters]

I'd agree, there was another redesign in 1998 where the jaw bolts no longer go all the way through the casting, that is another step back if you ask me.

Didn't know they'd changed that aspect too. Definitely another step back, as you say. Bolts going all the way through has always been a sign of a true heavyweight vice with maximum adaptability. For their intended market, that seems a silly design move.

 

[CwazyWabbit]

They don't have individual serial numbers anymore either.

 

[dutchgray]

View media item 50054The pin vice and Instrument vice page from the 1964 Eclipse catalogue, the price list has the instrument vice at £4 which is quite a lot as a gross of 12" hacksaw blades is £12 in the same list, and all their hacksaw frames are under a £.

 

[CwazyWabbit]

Reading that bit on the instrument vice it sounds like a quality item with spring loaded handles etc. I'm guessing the high price when they were available means they didn't sell many, hence the high price today.

Cheers for the pages

 

[dutchgray]

CW
The instrument vice does not seem that rare though, there is usually one or two on the bay, often still in original boxes and they always go for big money with loads of bidders, i'm watching just the vice part of one and that's going up with a couple days to go.

 

[CwazyWabbit]

Hmm strange then, perhaps it's because there are a lot of hobbies that could use them and there is nothing of a similar quality today?

 

[dutchgray]

I suspect that's the case as well, there is nothing equivalent today that isn't junk.
Been looking in another deals catalogue I have from the 50's where its 94 shillings and a Record No 4 is 103 and a Parkinsons No 5 is 111 so it was really expensive when new.

 

[dutchgray]

Also the Parkinsons ball vice was 124 shillings.

 

[topop101]

In between emails with the owner of a Prentiss vise I'm trying to nail down I cleaned up this No1 Greenfield Tap and Die pipe vise. I know there is a limited market on these so I may just bolt it down on the end of a bench if I can't find a buyer. No loss . It was a throw in on a deal

 

[bagged89s10]

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.

That xy table is awesome. Now I'm going to have to go on a hunt for one. Great work Joe!

 

[bagged89s10]

Wire wheeled it down, taped it off and shot it hammertone blue. Paint cost me $72 after shipping and customs from the UK, and of course, doesn't come out hammertone, instead semi-metallic. Fantastic. Could have got that for $8 at NAPA.

Oh well. $10 for 4 chunks of A-2 for both jaws, missing double sided pipe jaw, and a spare. Squared the jaws, cut the notch, mocked fit. Going to make up some threaded buttons for marking the holes, drill, refit, then work on getting the other jaw out (should have done before paint).

Probably going to order a needle bearing stack for the jaw, that looks handy as hell. Saw a few pages back.

Record Combination Vise No.634

Hammerite is good stuff. The best in my opinion. It needs to go on thick, the thicker the application the better the hammered affect. Right at the point before it runs. This photo is Hammerite. I really liked it but it's twice the price of Rustoleum hammered finish.

.

Agreed that any hammered spray paint needs to go on thick. My first hammered spray paint experience is with my Oswego vise restoration. I think i finally figured out how thick to lay it after getting half way thru the second can of paint. I'm using Rustoleum forged hammered black.

 

[tedsters]

In between emails with the owner of a Prentiss vise I'm trying to nail down I cleaned up this No1 Greenfield Tap and Die pipe vise. I know there is a limited market on these so I may just bolt it down on the end of a bench if I can't find a buyer. No loss . It was a throw in on a deal

topop
you do nice work that looks awesome

 

[FMC1959]

In between emails with the owner of a Prentiss vise I'm trying to nail down I cleaned up this No1 Greenfield Tap and Die pipe vise. I know there is a limited market on these so I may just bolt it down on the end of a bench if I can't find a buyer. No loss . It was a throw in on a deal

Agreed that any hammered spray paint needs to go on thick. My first hammered spray paint experience is with my Oswego vise restoration. I think i finally figured out how thick to lay it after getting half way thru the second can of paint. I'm using Rustoleum forged hammered black.

Nice looking finishes on both of those

 

[topop101]

topop
you do nice work that looks awesome

Hey thanks. Attention to the smallest detail sometimes is the fun part of this hobby. In my real job the smallest over looked detail can mean disaster or even loss of life so it's became second nature to focus on the little things .

 

[drivesitfar]

TP: I've passed and own a lot of those old pipe vises, but not a one every looked that nice. I've seen a lot of them mounted to a truck's bumper, but they usually get in the way on a bench. might be a great vise to have on a hitch mount to sit on a shelf until you need it and then just pop it into the hitch receiver on your bench to use. in case you haven't read or seen this thread there are a lot of great ideas from some of our members on this one that i'm hoping to build to use more of my vises some day soon.

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

Bagged: yes a thick coat of the hammered will get your finish looking good like you figured out. good prep and 60-80 degrees also helps. i usually tried to spray on thick and stopped just before it started to run.

English members: i'm not sure that is the best description of all of you, but you get the idea. thanks again for the great AM reading. sounds like you guys should get together to open back up the Record vice factory and start making some vices like the old days with all the corrections you know needed to be in the designs. cheers mates.

 

[CwazyWabbit]

In between emails with the owner of a Prentiss vise I'm trying to nail down I cleaned up this No1 Greenfield Tap and Die pipe vise. I know there is a limited market on these so I may just bolt it down on the end of a bench if I can't find a buyer. No loss . It was a throw in on a deal

You've done a lovely job on that sir I bet it never looked that good coming out of the factory.

They look quite similar to the Record ones, I'm currently waiting on a No.94 1/2 to be delivered (4 1/2 capacity)

 

[topop101]

You've done a lovely job on that sir I bet it never looked that good coming out of the factory.

They look quite similar to the Record ones, I'm currently waiting on a No.94 1/2 to be delivered (4 1/2 capacity)

Oh for certain it didn't come from the factory this nice. It's been "hot rodded up"

I look forward to seeing yours get the same treatment.

 

[topop101]

TP: I've passed and own a lot of those old pipe vises, but not a one every looked that nice. I've seen a lot of them mounted to a truck's bumper, but they usually get in the way on a bench. might be a great vise to have on a hitch mount to sit on a shelf until you need it and then just pop it into the hitch receiver on your bench to use. in case you haven't read or seen this thread there are a lot of great ideas from some of our members on this one that i'm hoping to build to use more of my vises some day soon.

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

DRIVES. If I do mount it on the end of my bench I would prob make up some smooth jaws for it to handle bullets and screws .... possibilities are endless with a lil' ingenuity

 

[dutchgray]

I just bought my first American vise, a Morgan Chicago 45. Photos will follow when I have it.

 

[dutchgray]

CW
That Record pipe vice looks great as it is, I have a smaller one and its actually pretty handy to have around at times.

 

[CwazyWabbit]

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.

That's another miracle restoration from you Joe, you'd swear that wasn't the same vise!

You are a quick worker

 

[CwazyWabbit]

I just bought my first American vise, a Morgan Chicago 45. Photos will follow when I have it.

Nice, is that the 4 1/2" one that was on eBay for a while?

 

[dutchgray]

CW
Yes it was, not cheap but not over priced either, I have been thinking about it for a bit so why not.

 

[CwazyWabbit]

You might like this then


Be sure to put up some pictures when it arrives

 

[zoomieport]

Hello All!
Do any of you have a catalog page showing a Parker 23X?
Thank you in advance!
Take care!
ZOOM

 

[dutchgray]

CW
Thanks for the ad, they are bit heavier than your standard English style then.

 

[FMC1959]

Hello All!
Do any of you have a catalog page showing a Parker 23X?
Thank you in advance!
Take care!
ZOOM

Bottom of this catalog page

 

[zoomieport]

Bottom of this catalog page

Thank you very much!