The VISES of Garage Journal

[joe.striper]

Thats a jig bore vise Joe. Meant to be precise, square, and parallel, etc. Nice. Hope you didnt buff it too hard

Nope. Dismantled it and used a deburring wheel to clean it up. It is pinned and bolted so squared up beatifully.

 

[Junebuggy]

One Big Rock Island vise in Idaho for $95....small fracture.

http://lewiston.craigslist.org/tls/5007667071.html

 

[joe.striper]

Muddy: nice looking vise and did you blast it to get it so clean? if so with sand or glass bead? those #'s look like part #'s, but Rock Island liked to stamp the top of their slides and my 577 has the date stamped 1935 on the bottom of the slide. are you planning on painting or it might look great with BLO (boiled linseed oil)?

Joe: is that American Scale in your shop or are you just teasing us? is it a #79 or a smaller #78? looks almost exactly like my Wilton 606 SJ that i'm still not positive who made it.

in my pursuit of vises I ran across it on a pick. Guy sold a Peter Wright anvil for $150, 4" Wilton for 200 but wanted $700 for the American Scale!! $700!!! Hey VA Grouseman, the price just went up on that welded American Scale!!!

 

[CwazyWabbit]

DIF: There are a few that do it, the Record American style range 63* immediately jumps to mind and then the Record 75/74/80, I wouldn't mind betting that the 51* and 50* heavy chipping ranges also do the same. They are however all somewhat American in design, I can't think of any of their more traditional style Records that just unscrew.
You are right on the weight side of things, my other 8 inchers are 110-120lb, about the weight of the dynamic jaw of the No. 48. The 508.5 and 518.5 are also 200lb plus but are 8.5 inches and make rocking horse **** look like a plentiful resource.

PS: Stella is often given the nickname 'Wife Beater' in the UK, so I'll stick with the Guinness and occasional real ale

 

[drivesitfar]

CW: Stella is a "wife beater's" brand? it tastes great to me and i have yet to beat on my bride after 30 years of her beating on me every now and then. it's not the only brand i like, but Guinness is a little too thick for me.

Back to the vises now. thanks for the Record #'s for me to keep an eye out for, but as you guys across the pond say those old Records are like hen's teeth in the US.

Joe: while i don't disagree that the AS #79 is worth $700 it's amazing the PW anvil was so cheap so i hope you bought that while you were there. did you or was it trashed?

 

[topop101]

Any one know what the WE stands for on this Wilton?

https://scontent-atl.**.fbcdn.net/h...=bc647438fc44da1baa7054c30e725fe0&oe=55DE5378

 

[drivesitfar]

Top: do you have any full size pictures of your Wilton? I've never seen a little 950 badge or WE on a bullet. does it have 5 inch wide jaws? looks like it might also be a pre 1960 vise so any date stamp that you might be able to post over on the Wilton vise stamp thread to add to our growing data base.

ALL: we've got almost 200 Wilton vises on Bluebolt's excel sheet and starting to see a pattern if you guys care and haven't read that thread yet to see how we think the date stamping worked. of course if any of you have a Wilton or Acme bullet with a date stamp on it from the pre 1970's or an older style vise with a later date on it. i think we had one Baby bullet with Chicago cast on it's side that was stamped in 1982 which was a bit odd.

 

[va.grouseman]

originally posted by Joe.striper.

in my pursuit of vises I ran across it on a pick. Guy sold a Peter Wright anvil for $150, 4" Wilton for 200 but wanted $700 for the American Scale!! $700!!! Hey VA Grouseman, the price just went up on that welded American Scale!!!
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


Well you can't go by any of that Joe.---$150.00 for an anvil, $700.00 for a #79.---you proved it yourself.---The man's an idiot.

 

[dngrmse]

And then there were two. Picked up the 9300 shortly after the 350, just finished it yesterday. Actually bought the swivel base for it from a fellow GJ member. Here they are side by side. Next up will be a York 100, although it isn't stamped York, but it is stamped 100.

 

[joe.striper]

CW: Stella is a "wife beater's" brand? it tastes great to me and i have yet to beat on my bride after 30 years of her beating on me every now and then. it's not the only brand i like, but Guinness is a little too thick for me.

Back to the vises now. thanks for the Record #'s for me to keep an eye out for, but as you guys across the pond say those old Records are like hen's teeth in the US.

Joe: while i don't disagree that the AS #79 is worth $700 it's amazing the PW anvil was so cheap so i hope you bought that while you were there. did you or was it trashed?

Anvil came in and went out. It was nice. Left the Wilton and the AS. NO WAY I'd pay what he wanted for the AS. NO WAY!

 

[KMScott]

I do not think I am getting them figured out, gotta feeling there is many more sizes. Thanks CrustyMusket and GETRIDAONE for all your help with samples and drawings.

 

[drivesitfar]

Kev: i probably sound like a broken record praising your work, but sir you really do amazing work at your shop. even if there are a few more versions of these holders I bet the Parker vise guys are thanking their lucky stars that they have you to at least do some of them. of course your Parker jaws you make are a God send to those that never had a source before.

keep up the great work and plan a fun day now and then because we all want to see you out live us.

cheers

Joe: i hope you end up keeping one REAL anvil some day before that magnet of yours wears out and you can't find any. how much do you think 190pound AS #79 is worth retail?

 

[balane]

This is a little cutie. It's a baby Athol 704 done in Oil Rubbed Bronze which shows better in outdoor lighting. I'm still waiting on a swivel base for it, maybe get it by the weekend I hope. The handle free-spin assembly was frozen up when I got it but it all works like butter now. This handle system would take some getting used to but I think it's a nice feature. Pretty certain it has 2" jaws but I haven't measured that yet.

.

 

[balane]

I do not think I am getting them figured out, gotta feeling there is many more sizes. Thanks CrustyMusket and GETRIDAONE for all your help with samples and drawings.

Beautiful Kevin!

 

[trijeff]

Joe: while i don't disagree that the AS #79 is worth $700 ...

Well, that certainly makes me feel a lot better about what I paid for the C1, C2 and C3!!

------------

Balane: Great work, as always! Love the handle on that little guy.

 

[KMScott]

Wow Balane, a ratcheting 2" vise. I would say that one is rare. Very nice, please show more pictures with the swivel base when finished.

 

[joe.striper]

Kev:

Joe: i hope you end up keeping one REAL anvil some day before that magnet of yours wears out and you can't find any. how much do you think 190pound AS #79 is worth retail?

The AS #79 in the condition I saw it in was worth 300 to me as a reseller. I didn't like the roughness of the jaws and the black paint hid a lot of issues in the pictures.

To get his price he has to find that guy who wants that model vise. The other issue is that the guys who buy my vises are using them for heavy work and we both know that the swivel jaw just isnt as strong as a a non swiveler.

Around here I'm selling a 6" vise restored for 400-600 depending. I think I can get more on ebay but selling local i dont have to ship and I have no ebay fees.

 

[silver98z71]

Found this little rascal last night cleaning up my shop a little bit; honestly forgot I had it.

Little back story, when I bought my house it had a 24x26 shop in the back and my great-uncle said he had a work table he wanted to give me that my great-grandfather built some eons ago (my great-grandfather was born right around the turn of the 20th century). Then a few days later he calls my dad and said he (great-uncle) was at an estate sale and spotted a vise that he thought it would go great on the work bench.

The table is a little too sentimental to be thrashing like I would a modern table I built, so it sits in another building I have to stay out of the weather and aid in storage; but the vise is something I may can use when I need to work with real delicate items.

Don't see many wood vises on this thread, but a vise is a vise right? It could probably be considered a clamp though.




It has 7.5" jaws and opens to 5" without the wood jaw inserts. Pretty neat, USA made, probably old, etc.

 

[twertsy]

Started cleaning up the SO/Wilton. This thing definitely spent some time on the bumper of a truck. There's a LOT of rust underneath. Cleaning up nicely though. Should be powdered a nice bright SO Red by the end of the day...............hopefully.

 

[twertsy]

Started cleaning up the SO/Wilton. This thing definitely spent some time on the bumper of a truck. There's a LOT of rust underneath. Cleaning up nicely though. Should be powdered a nice bright SO Red by the end of the day...............hopefully.

Static complete.........

 

[drivesitfar]

Joe: sort of what i was thinking about pricing. I know if you really wanted it or if it was in pristine shape you would have negotiated a better price and hauled it home. i do like that vise and not sure if you've used a big swivel jaw vise yet, but the ones i have used that are over 100 pounds don't move around. that AS vise is about 190 pounds if i remember correctly.

Silver: if you have the time you'll see we have lots of wood vises (vices) on this thread and i hope you can report back some day that you've read all the posts about vises on this thread. that said your little wood vise would work ok, but might i suggest looking for a quick release one like this Wilton that is also made by other companies that will be a lot easier to use. Also it looks like you are a new member so welcome to the forum and the vise thread and a quick warning that once you buy a vise other vises seem to start following you home.

Twertsy: did you decide on the material for the jaws or are you just buying a set from Kevin?

 

[twertsy]

Joe: sort of what i was thinking about pricing. I know if you really wanted it or if it was in pristine shape you would have negotiated a better price and hauled it home. i do like that vise and not sure if you've used a big swivel jaw vise yet, but the ones i have used that are over 100 pounds don't move around. that AS vise is about 190 pounds if i remember correctly.

Silver: if you have the time you'll see we have lots of wood vises (vices) on this thread and i hope you can report back some day that you've read all the posts about vises on this thread. that said your little wood vise would work ok, but might i suggest looking for a quick release one like this Wilton that is also made by other companies that will be a lot easier to use. Also it looks like you are a new member so welcome to the forum and the vise thread and a quick warning that once you buy a vise other vises seem to start following you home.

Twertsy: did you decide on the material for the jaws or are you just buying a set from Kevin?

I'm going to mill some scrap AC aluminum and make 2 sets for now. One flat and one with some type of pattern for grip. I was trying to find the AL type on a piece of scrap but can't find it. The piece I'm using is 1" thick 5 3/4 x 4 and weighs about 3 lbs. It's pretty tough stuff.

 

[autopts]

Any one know what the WE stands for on this Wilton?

https://scontent-atl.**.fbcdn.net/h...=bc647438fc44da1baa7054c30e725fe0&oe=55DE5378

That's a foundry identification like many others including those in the drug and food industry use today just in case there are any casting issues down the road.


Here's a Starrett listing on Ebay looks similar to the original however it is not. Any ideas on COO. I'm guessing Taiwan.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Starrett-01...750?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item35e9ba2f06

 

[joe.striper]

Joe: sort of what i was thinking about pricing. I know if you really wanted it or if it was in pristine shape you would have negotiated a better price and hauled it home. i do like that vise and not sure if you've used a big swivel jaw vise yet, but the ones i have used that are over 100 pounds don't move around. that AS vise is about 190 pounds if i remember correctly.

i didn't make him an offer due to the condition of the jaws. just didn't like them. The guys I sell to are real picky about the jaws and I don't blame them one bit. we were just so off from each other I didn't bother...

What you don't know is that I have a #4 Prentiss (fixed base/swivel jaw/5.25" 96 lbs) that I am just completing which will be gorgeous. So while the AS was nice, for $80, which I paid for the Prentiss, I'm still pretty happy!

 

[zoomieport]

Wilton vises are cool but over rated compared to the old school clamps.And if you figure in the fact that you can get a stronger vise for a fraction of the cost threse days why bother.

 

[zoomieport]

Zoomie: I've only seen one other one of these Wilton 606 SJ vises and that is owned by another member here. any chance you have one in the Sea of Tetnus? i'm betting American Scale was the maker of mine because it is almost identical, but not sure and if you think Morgan made it any reason why?

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

I missed two things on it that made me change my mind...
The "overhanging lip" above the knob and the knob didn't look big enough to be an American Scale at first, after closer inspection.

I withdraw the Morgan guess.

Take care!
ZOOM

 

[drivesitfar]

AutoPts: damn nice copy of a US Starrett if not made here. you are probably correct because Taiwan seemed to have the knack for making those kind of pipe jaws. the ends of the handle look like Starrett and the color of the steel looks good too so probably not China or India. i do like Starrett.

Muddy: don't be too quick to discount the quality of Wilton bullet and especially their C series vises. there is a reason why they sell for more money. i don't think i'll ever sell my Baby Bullet, but i just passed on a Wilton C2 to another GJ member because i can only use so many big vises. good point that there are better buys for your money for a quality old US or English vice. I know several members here that buy, restore and sell Wilton bullets almost daily that won't tell you that they are not built decently. did you decide on a color for your #75 yet?

Zoomie: thanks and let me know when you get your hands on one or let me know what you'd trade if you like mine. PM's and emails are always welcome

 

[Lu-Max]

What do you think of this flame cut steel pedestal as a potential vise display stand?

 

[drivesitfar]

Lu: can you post that in the grinder and vise stand thread? VERY COOL

 

[KMScott]

LU, that is awesome, a great stand for that Fulton. I like it. I am sure Drives will want you to post it in his stand thread. You can keep it out side in Vegas right.

 

[muddyriverdogz]

AutoPts: damn nice copy of a US Starrett if not made here. you are probably correct because Taiwan seemed to have the knack for making those kind of pipe jaws. the ends of the handle look like Starrett and the color of the steel looks good too so probably not China or India. i do like Starrett.

Muddy: don't be too quick to discount the quality of Wilton bullet and especially their C series vises. there is a reason why they sell for more money. i don't think i'll ever sell my Baby Bullet, but i just passed on a Wilton C2 to another GJ member because i can only use so many big vises. good point that there are better buys for your money for a quality old US or English vice. I know several members here that buy, restore and sell Wilton bullets almost daily that won't tell you that they are not built decently. did you decide on a color for your #75 yet?

Zoomie: thanks and let me know when you get your hands on one or let me know what you'd trade if you like mine. PM's and emails are always welcome

I havent decided on a color yet but i think im going orange.

I know Wiltons are well built they just want so much money for them.I actually worked in a small foundry in Davenport IA right on the other side of the Mississippi from Rock Island called Black Hawk Foundry.Most all of the equipment in that foundry came from the John Deer Foundry in Moline when it closed.We poored Wilton vises their.

A good friend of mine who worked in that foundry with me(to pay off his wifes gambling debt)was retired out of the John Deer Foundry.He operated the biggest ladle in the foundry.That foundry was state of the art.They did not use Coke to melt the Iron but electricity.They poored all the rear ends for Ford Trucks their.When the last relative of John Deer died and the corporation took over they closed it.Ford came their and offered to pay them 3 times the money they where for the castings to keep it open and they said no.

 

[drivesitfar]

KM: i'm not sure even you could build a stand like that or would want to spend the time and money to, but it is pretty interesting.

Muddy: that's interesting because Wilton had John Deere labels put on their tradesman vises that John Deere marketed. sort of like Wilton did for Snap on and other brands. thanks for your wisdom and by chance do you know a 90 year old or old guy that worked at Wilton in the date stamping department?

 

[muddyriverdogz]

KM: i'm not sure even you could build a stand like that or would want to spend the time and money to, but it is pretty interesting.

Muddy: that's interesting because Wilton had John Deere labels put on their tradesman vises that John Deere marketed. sort of like Wilton did for Snap on and other brands. thanks for your wisdom and by chance do you know a 90 year old or old guy that worked at Wilton in the date stamping department?

I cant help you with that one.LOL

PS. Black Hawk Foundry was closed back in 2009,I was layed off in 1999.The owner was related to John Deer threw marriage.All the machinery was sold to a disclosed buyer,I heard China threw the grape vine.

I would almost bet Wilton Vises where poored in the John Deer foundry,East Moline IL before Black Hawk.My friend is not alive today to ask(lung cancer).

Here is the news article of that closing.
http://qctimes.com/business/owners-...cle_82f19930-d327-11de-b74e-001cc4c002e0.html

 

[KMScott]

I havent decided on a color yet but i think im going orange.

I know Wiltons are well built they just want so much money for them.I actually worked in a small foundry in Davenport IA right on the other side of the Mississippi from Rock Island called Black Hawk Foundry.Most all of the equipment in that foundry came from the John Deer Foundry in Moline when it closed.We poored Wilton vises their.

A good friend of mine who worked in that foundry with me(to pay off his wifes gambling debt)was retired out of the John Deer Foundry.He operated the biggest ladle in the foundry.That foundry was state of the art.They did not use Coke to melt the Iron but electricity.They poored all the rear ends for Ford Trucks their.When the last relative of John Deer died and the corporation took over they closed it.Ford came their and offered to pay them 3 times the money they where for the castings to keep it open and they said no.

Was the rear ends or drop out pumpkins nodular cast iron? I have machined some of this stuff and it is very tuff. I would think the post vises are nodular cast iron. Just curious.

 

[muddyriverdogz]

Was the rear ends or drop out pumpkins nodular cast iron? I have machined some of this stuff and it is very tuff. I would think the post vises are nodular cast iron. Just curious.

I do believe he said they where nodular.They had to be be poored in a certain amount of time(it was a fast poor and you had to be skilled to do it) or they where scrapped and re melted,so i would say nodular.

It sounded like to me Ford was having a hard time replacing the John Deer Foundry.

 

[zkling]

What do you think of this flame cut steel pedestal as a potential vise display stand?

Wow, do you own that? If so I'd really like to see an up close picture of the column surface finish.

I'm going to mill some scrap AC aluminum and make 2 sets for now. One flat and one with some type of pattern for grip. I was trying to find the AL type on a piece of scrap but can't find it. The piece I'm using is 1" thick 5 3/4 x 4 and weighs about 3 lbs. It's pretty tough stuff.

Do you keep any bar stock on hand? IIRC those are 1"x3/4", older are 3/4" x 1/2". Much easier, and if you just want smooth, require little to no finishing on the faces.

 

[Lu-Max]

Wow, do you own that? If so I'd really like to see an up close picture of the column surface finish.

My friend Adam Cole made it by cutting the steel with a torch, wiggling the torch slightly as he cut. Then he heated it on a forge to get the bends. The edge on the top plate is cutting slag (dross) from the torch. He gave it to me even though I insisted on paying for it, unfortunately he has terminal cancer so his artistry, skill, and talent will be lost soon.

Also posted in Drives stand thread.

 

[Outlawmws]

Lu, that stand is VERY cool! Did you make it or find it?

 

[twertsy]

Do you keep any bar stock on hand? IIRC those are 1"x3/4", older are 3/4" x 1/2". Much easier, and if you just want smooth, require little to no finishing on the faces.

I do have bar stock, but not in AC aluminum. Only the soft stuff.

 

[jr3ruffneck]

Ok so I need some help! I bought a Wilton Pat Pending No. 4 vise on ebay. When it came in I quickly checked the keyway for a date and it didn't have one (from what I've read that's not unusual). But after I removed the dust cap and knocked out the lead screw nut I found what I'm guessing is a date stamped on it. It says 740 which I'm guessing in July 1940 maybe? I haven't read anything about these vises being stamped on the nut and was wondering if anyone could help me out.