The VISES of Garage Journal
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drivesitfar
Well-known member
FMC: i was going to say that somebody made an interesting bench vise out of a big old blacksmith vise until Trijeff came up with that ad and he did that fairly quickly and seemed to know exactly what it was. nice post and great information both of you. 
JB: as I've said before you really do know how to make that old steel shine and all those old Athols are a great trio. nicely done. We have Roche Harbor on our list to stop and visit maybe the next time we go to Friday Harbor because we know some people that built a home up there. thanks for sharing your pictures and i hope mine put a little smile on your face. it really is a very nice spot to just sit and do almost nothing.
Vintage: i bet that old Drill press is very happy it's in your hands instead of sitting in my little cabinet. good luck and it did seem like a very good quality vise even though i had no idea who made it or where. I'm looking forward to more pictures of the DP vise and the rock and from what you told me your were going to do with the Morgan i'll be first in line to want to probably buy it back if you ever want to sell it. good luck
JB: as I've said before you really do know how to make that old steel shine and all those old Athols are a great trio. nicely done. We have Roche Harbor on our list to stop and visit maybe the next time we go to Friday Harbor because we know some people that built a home up there. thanks for sharing your pictures and i hope mine put a little smile on your face. it really is a very nice spot to just sit and do almost nothing.
Vintage: i bet that old Drill press is very happy it's in your hands instead of sitting in my little cabinet. good luck and it did seem like a very good quality vise even though i had no idea who made it or where. I'm looking forward to more pictures of the DP vise and the rock and from what you told me your were going to do with the Morgan i'll be first in line to want to probably buy it back if you ever want to sell it. good luck
CwazyWabbit
Well-known member
We see those from time to time on the UK eBay and frequently they fail to sell. Last one I saw the only dimension given was a max opening of 8", I don't know which jaw size it translates to but it didn't get looked at by anyone at £20That wee beastie has got to be at least a 6" 'er...maybe an 8" 'er!!!
One of the big dogs!!!
Broken/missing support should drop the price by, at least 50%...
Offer him, after pointing out the "major problem", and "I'll have to design/machine/obtain what is a very expensive part, without which, the vise is worthless..."...
$ 150.00 and see if he'll jump...[emoji38]_hitti
vintage nut
Well-known member
Drives, my dad and I both would guess it's taiwanese. The vise on his mill is also a taiwanese one, and it's a really good vise. Some of the made in Taiwan mill vises seem almost as nice as north American ones. I'm very happy with it!
And the morgan is going to be the last of the three I work on. It's going to be really nice once it's finished! I'm actually going to use the paint leftover from the drill press for it though, as I have it, and it's pretty close to what would be original.
Don't think it's ever going to be for sale though haha
The little rock island should turn out really nice too!
you can never have too many tools
And the morgan is going to be the last of the three I work on. It's going to be really nice once it's finished! I'm actually going to use the paint leftover from the drill press for it though, as I have it, and it's pretty close to what would be original.
Don't think it's ever going to be for sale though haha
The little rock island should turn out really nice too!
you can never have too many tools
vintage nut
Well-known member
Oh yeah, and if you ever have another small (3.5-4") swivel jaw to pwrt with, we would definitely be interested!
you can never have too many tools
you can never have too many tools
FMC1959
Well-known member
FMC: i was going to say that somebody made an interesting bench vise out of a big old blacksmith vise until Trijeff came up with that ad and he did that fairly quickly and seemed to know exactly what it was. nice post and great information both of you.
Drives, that was my thoughts exactly, until TJ made the ID
Pretty sure that is a Peter Wright parallel vise, have always wanted to see one in person. Think they are fairly rare. EDIT: Looks like it is missing the back nut support.
TJ, good eye is right! I have a copy of that exact PW brochure and it never dawned on me this was it. I had been looking at many ads and thought this one had mentioned "homemade", it actually just says very robust antique vise.
That wee beastie has got to be at least a 6" 'er...maybe an 8" 'er!!!
One of the big dogs!!!
Broken/missing support should drop the price by, at least 50%...
Offer him, after pointing out the "major problem", and "I'll have to design/machine/obtain what is a very expensive part, without which, the vise is worthless..."...
$ 150.00 and see if he'll jump...
From the photo I just added and TJ's brochure, 12" opening would make it a 7" & 175 lb Beastie. Oldie, I am guessing you and TJ are both referring to the support in the rear that has Peter Wright written on it?
Outside of his fame for anvils, this is the only model vise I have seen by PW; anyone know anything about them like they were very good (or not), and if like a post vise, this vise is forged?
drivesitfar
Well-known member
FMC: i don't own a Peter Wright blacksmith vice (yet), but I've owned many of their anvils that have all been passed on to those with the skills to use them. the users are all very thankful i rescued them out of an old barn of garage and i still get emails thanking me.
i did see a 200 pound full size PW blacksmith vice posted on this thread last year and maybe VA with his amazing skills can find it to post a picture or just the post #. I think it was a 8 or 10 inch wide jaw.
Vintage: my wife wants to go to Friday and Roach Harbor again maybe this summer so i'm sure another chance for us to meet. also if we find a vise that doesn't weigh over 150 pounds i might have time (and breath) to talk and grab a cold one with you and dad. i'm sure i have something your dad will like that i'd love to pass on because as many members already know on here i do like to find good homes for some of my vises (vices). good luck with the spiffing up and post a few of the before and after with your process on the 101 thread because i don't think there is one post with a member using oven cleaner and i know a lot of you guys use that as one of your options to start cleaning these old gems.
i did see a 200 pound full size PW blacksmith vice posted on this thread last year and maybe VA with his amazing skills can find it to post a picture or just the post #. I think it was a 8 or 10 inch wide jaw.
Vintage: my wife wants to go to Friday and Roach Harbor again maybe this summer so i'm sure another chance for us to meet. also if we find a vise that doesn't weigh over 150 pounds i might have time (and breath) to talk and grab a cold one with you and dad. i'm sure i have something your dad will like that i'd love to pass on because as many members already know on here i do like to find good homes for some of my vises (vices). good luck with the spiffing up and post a few of the before and after with your process on the 101 thread because i don't think there is one post with a member using oven cleaner and i know a lot of you guys use that as one of your options to start cleaning these old gems.
Drives ~ "good luck with the spiffing up and post a few of the before and after with your process on the 101 thread because i don't think there is one post with a member using oven cleaner and i know a lot of you guys use that as one of your options to start cleaning these old gems."
That's my starting point...I spray all the vise parts down heavily with oven cleaner and let it sit in a bucket or tub (depending on size) for awhile. I then wet clean it and scrub it with Simple Green. Air blow the parts off and once dry, a use a peanut grinder with a cup wheel to finish. From there I use a zinc chromate primer and finalize with a good paint. There's probably better ways but, this one works well for me.
That's my starting point...I spray all the vise parts down heavily with oven cleaner and let it sit in a bucket or tub (depending on size) for awhile. I then wet clean it and scrub it with Simple Green. Air blow the parts off and once dry, a use a peanut grinder with a cup wheel to finish. From there I use a zinc chromate primer and finalize with a good paint. There's probably better ways but, this one works well for me.
dkroth
Well-known member
Lu-Max,
What's the COO on that grinder?
It's probably still worth the piece of mind to remove the wheels and do the ring test. Support the wheel with a screwdriver through the center hole. Tap the wheel with the hard handle of another screwdriver. It should ring like a bell. If it sounds flat immediately drop the wheel on the floor so it breaks into pieces and you (or someone else) won't be tempted to use it.
drivesitfar
Well-known member
Lu: i'll let the "OLD" Ceo's of the vise thread let you know about self sucking rules so look for their posts. i have a metabo hand grinder and it works great.
too much damage on that grinder for me to fix though so i probably would have passed.
JB: any chance you can post that same post on the 101 thread? also a few of your before and after pictures over there on multiple posts if you have some time would be awesome with your comments and pictures. thanks in advance.
ALL: so i just started pulling a few vises out to get to Vintage's vises he now has and i noticed this vise i recently picked up for not much. i actually like this little vise, but after a closer look i was amazed at the damage so i started a thread. some of us have bought vises off of pictures that showed up damaged or maybe bought them knowing we are going to fix them or use them for parts. i started a thread for broken vises so we all can see what to look for and also what kind of damage you can actually do to a vise with a BFH or a Pipe on the handle using the vise as a press or an anvil.
have a great week all
too much damage on that grinder for me to fix though so i probably would have passed.
JB: any chance you can post that same post on the 101 thread? also a few of your before and after pictures over there on multiple posts if you have some time would be awesome with your comments and pictures. thanks in advance.
ALL: so i just started pulling a few vises out to get to Vintage's vises he now has and i noticed this vise i recently picked up for not much. i actually like this little vise, but after a closer look i was amazed at the damage so i started a thread. some of us have bought vises off of pictures that showed up damaged or maybe bought them knowing we are going to fix them or use them for parts. i started a thread for broken vises so we all can see what to look for and also what kind of damage you can actually do to a vise with a BFH or a Pipe on the handle using the vise as a press or an anvil.
have a great week all
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vintage nut
Well-known member
My dad and I were actually thinking of driving down maybe this fall sometime for a long weekend. A few other places down there I would like to see. Maybe see if we can make a deal on anything else as well! I'm wanting to see madsens saw shop while I'm down there. Heard a lot about that place, and always wanted to go
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Does anyone have a source or lead on 4 inch jaw inserts for the Charles Parker Vise? I need one to bring an old Parker back from the dead. They are the type with two holes for the taper pins to be driven in and secure to the vise. Appreciate any information.
Rickenbackerman
Well-known member
rasman - contact board member KMScott. But be forewarned, due to the unique shape of Parker inserts his replacements are costly, and justifiably so!
drivesitfar
Well-known member
Ras: one of our members KMScott makes some Parker jaws so PM him to find out details. he might be the only one to help you and is work is second to none. might i suggest you just look up his posts on this thread for an amazing eyeful. sorry those jaws won't be cheap, but if he makes you a pair for your vise they will probably last a few lifetimes.
Vintage: looking forward to seeing both you and your dad again and maybe having things a little picked up to show you around.
ALL: any of you have a broken vise you recently repaired that you might want to post pictures of in the new broken vise thread please do. or just a broken one you copied a picture of that a craigslist or ebay seller was trying to sell as "like new" or as is. just trying to help the members learn how to spot a weld, broken off piece, crack or repair so they can buy a nice vise for their shop the first time they try.
Vintage: looking forward to seeing both you and your dad again and maybe having things a little picked up to show you around.
ALL: any of you have a broken vise you recently repaired that you might want to post pictures of in the new broken vise thread please do. or just a broken one you copied a picture of that a craigslist or ebay seller was trying to sell as "like new" or as is. just trying to help the members learn how to spot a weld, broken off piece, crack or repair so they can buy a nice vise for their shop the first time they try.
Outlawmws
Well-known member
Yeah I know this isn't a vise,but I just scored this brand new 10" Metabo DSD 250 bench grinder (currently $400 at H.D.) for just $80! The shipping carton and Styrofoam padding were completely shredded by UPS and all of the accessories and paperwork were missing, but it spins quietly and smoothly. You can see the extensive damage in the photo. I also just ordered the parts (shields and tool rests) cheap online along with a couple 10" wire wheels and deburring wheels. Do I ****?
In case you were wondering, after inspecting and spinning the wheels by hand I stood safely across the room as I plugged it in just in case it decided to disassemble itself as it spun up.
Double whammy; you KNEW, this belonged in the GRINDER thread and you KNEW self sucking is not allowed on GJ! 
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vintage nut
Well-known member
I'll keep my eye out for broken vises! I actually wouldn't mind finding a broken good vise sometime to try my hand at a repair. Brazed a couple broken castings before, one was part of an old belt drive power hacksaw. Could be a good challenge! Mind you between brazing rods, flux, abrasived, burrs, end mills, acetylene, ect it would probably end up being close to buying an unharmed vise, unless it was dirt cheap! Definitely be a just for fun project.
you can never have too many tools
you can never have too many tools
dkroth
Well-known member
This is getting ridiculous.
When was the last time someone - anyone - sold a vise on eBay for north of $2000. Nevermind $6400.
When was the last time someone - anyone - sold a vise on eBay for north of $2000. Nevermind $6400.
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CwazyWabbit
Well-known member
That's just because they have none in stock, easier than canceling the auction/listing I reckon
Impala64
Well-known member
I picked this Rock island No. 74 at garage sale is weekend
Drives : I have this Chas. Parker 40-1/2 vise I plan on doing a clean up on soon. I will take before and after pictures as well as some as I do the steps I take on cleaning it up and post it on your other thread. Interesting vise...I've found very little info on a Parker 40-1/2. 
drivesitfar
Well-known member
JB: with your magic touch that pretty old Parker should be awesome with it's new paint job. sorry i don't know much about the old Parkers so someone else hopefully will chime in. i never totally understood the base of them with that 45 degree angle so you'd have to cut into your work bench. anybody know the reasoning behind that? thanks for posting up your awesome restorations over on the 101 thread that i started, but it's got the vise guy's work and skills all through that thread. good luck
Impala: i love Rock Island vises and yours looks like new. also it looks like this is your first post so give us a little 411 about you and your vise vice if you might have one. or is this your first vise?
DK: I think i remember a Bugatti vise asking about $6,500 for a while back and i'm not sure what it sold for, but somebody did a thread on it.
Impala: i love Rock Island vises and yours looks like new. also it looks like this is your first post so give us a little 411 about you and your vise vice if you might have one. or is this your first vise?
DK: I think i remember a Bugatti vise asking about $6,500 for a while back and i'm not sure what it sold for, but somebody did a thread on it.
Outlawmws
Well-known member
Patternmakers' vise June, I wish I had one!
McBrownie
Well-known member
Drives : I have this Chas. Parker 40-1/2 vise I plan on doing a clean up on soon. I will take before and after pictures as well as some as I do the steps I take on cleaning it up and post it on your other thread. Interesting vise...I've found very little info on a Parker 40-1/2.
JB, It does not have "USA" on it, so I believe that puts it before WWI. Certainly is an odd number and can't wait to see it put back in action.
Yeah, I kind of wondered if it wasn't something along the lines of a sheetmetal working vise with the "big tall lips". Thank you for the info everyone. My nephew is building himself a new workshop and he might be on the receiving end of this. I'll build another notched out vise stand for it...I think I have one more 24 inch dia. disc blade I can use.
Maybe make of these for it (grin).....naaa
Maybe make of these for it (grin).....naaa
Craptain
Well-known member
And..... Come on. Tell us more. And more pics.I picked this Rock island No. 74 at garage sale is weekend
Sent from my LG-D801 using Tapatalk
Outlawmws
Well-known member
Yeah, the 40 is in a 1902 catalog. I could not find the 40-1/2
JeremyBurke
Well-known member
Junebuggy can I adopt you or vise versa. I like the sound of Uncle Buggy are you onboard.
versa. I like the sound of Uncle Buggy are you onboard.Impala64
Well-known member
411 on me basic car guy having fun messing around the garage. Always looking for old tools and garage stuff. Picked up the rock island for $70 and found you guys on a random search. Seems like a good place good people. Some one asked for more pics let me know what and I'll take them
Junebuggy can I adopt you or vise
JeremyB ~
HA!...proxy hug.....
I get real popular around Christmas too
drivesitfar
Well-known member
JB: you can make me a stand made out of old chain anytime and let me know if you want me to start getting the chain because i tend to not always pick up the pile when i see them laying on the ground.
Impala: thanks for posting pictures of your Rock Island which isn't very common so width of jaws weight of vise if you take if off the stand and we vise **** addicts love pictures of vises so from all 4 sides, open wide and of the jaws if you have time and would like to take and post some. any questions or just posting your vise?
Impala: thanks for posting pictures of your Rock Island which isn't very common so width of jaws weight of vise if you take if off the stand and we vise **** addicts love pictures of vises so from all 4 sides, open wide and of the jaws if you have time and would like to take and post some. any questions or just posting your vise?
Drives ~ scratching my head on how he made that chain table....me thinks he laid all the chain out on a flat deck/surface and ran the ends down thru a hole in the center for the stem and then weld stitched it all together (??)...I think..... I also that think probably weighs some serious pounds too!! Not an "upstairs table" for sure!
Yeah, I kind of wondered if it wasn't something along the lines of a sheetmetal working vise with the "big tall lips". Thank you for the info everyone. My nephew is building himself a new workshop and he might be on the receiving end of this. I'll build another notched out vise stand for it...I think I have one more 24 inch dia. disc blade I can use.
Maybe make of these for it (grin).....naaa
bigcaddy
Well-known member
Drives : I have this Chas. Parker 40-1/2 vise I plan on doing a clean up on soon. I will take before and after pictures as well as some as I do the steps I take on cleaning it up and post it on your other thread. Interesting vise...I've found very little info on a Parker 40-1/2.
I've got the same Parker as you. I think the patent date on the opposite side is 1864 or a few years later. It's an oldie for sure and in good condition. Mine was pretty beat up
joe.striper
Well-known member
bagged89s10
Well-known member
Drives : I have this Chas. Parker 40-1/2 vise I plan on doing a clean up on soon. I will take before and after pictures as well as some as I do the steps I take on cleaning it up and post it on your other thread. Interesting vise...I've found very little info on a Parker 40-1/2.
JB, that's a nice old Parker.
Drives, I don't understand the reasoning behind that old style base either. I have 2 parkers with that same style base. I didn't realize how annoying it was until I threw one on my bench to test it. Maybe they thought it was stronger with that design.
