The VISES of Garage Journal

[bagged89s10]

Here's my sad attempt at painting letters.


Hopefully I can button this thing up tomorrow.


Handle is bent and very rough though. I thing a new handle is going to have to be made unless I can straighten it. I don't have a press.

 

[drivesitfar]

Bagged: PM Ritzblitz for a handle if you are going to keep that Reed. as Balane posted a picture of his Parker with a new Ritzblitz handle on it they are probably better than a new one ever was. or just put it in a press or borrow a buddie's press and make the existing handle as straight as possible. honestly i don't mind handles with a little bend in them to give them a little character and since I've bent a full length handle with my hands a shorter handle usually gets it pretty tight for whatever i'm trying to squeeze in my vise.

Joe: Believe me i know how heavy those big vises are and i agree with Kevin that your vise is a good buy at the price you are asking even if you only paid $150 for it. or whatever you paid since you are still in vise buyer's heaven back there.

 

[FMC1959]

Here's my sad attempt at painting letters.

Looks real good to me

 

[Mark in Indiana]

Bagged,
From your picture, the lettering looks good. Lettering takes only practice.

 

[FMC1959]

Just finished the restoration on my Parker 26X. It was a LOT of work. I know this type of restoration isnt for everyone, it's a little out there, but it is what I saw in my mind when I took possession. I want to replace the handle as well.

The inserts are like new on this big old Parker, and although it only has 6" jaws it weighs north of 185 lbs.

So without further ado...

I think it looks great. Even if it is not everyone's taste, I think you will get some select buyers that love it and will pay extra cash for the unique look.

 

[autopts]

Just finished the restoration on my Parker 26X. It was a LOT of work. I know this type of restoration isnt for everyone, it's a little out there, but it is what I saw in my mind when I took possession. I want to replace the handle as well.

The inserts are like new on this big old Parker, and although it only has 6" jaws it weighs north of 185 lbs.

So without further ado...

holy crapola!!

 

[vintage nut]

I have a couple handles to try straghtening. The morgan has a very slight bend, slight enough it took me 2 days of looking at it, taking pictures, and generally fondling it to even notice. Luckily my dad has an old blackhawk 12 ton hydraulic press that should work pretty well. The rock island has a little more of a bend, but still not much, and I can fix it easily. I will be making new handles for the swivel base locks though. I have seen pretzels straighter than the ones on the morgan! Should actually be a fun little machining project!

you can never have too many tools

 

[bagged89s10]

Bagged: PM Ritzblitz for a handle if you are going to keep that Reed. as Balane posted a picture of his Parker with a new Ritzblitz handle on it they are probably better than a new one ever was. or just put it in a press or borrow a buddie's press and make the existing handle as straight as possible. honestly i don't mind handles with a little bend in them to give them a little character and since I've bent a full length handle with my hands a shorter handle usually gets it pretty tight for whatever i'm trying to squeeze in my vise.



Joe: Believe me i know how heavy those big vises are and i agree with Kevin that your vise is a good buy at the price you are asking even if you only paid $150 for it. or whatever you paid since you are still in vise buyer's heaven back there.

Yes I've seen the amazing handles ritzblitz makes.
The thing is that I actually like the character on my Reed's handle buy the bend will drive me nuts.
So either I straighten it without any heat or make a new handle.

I'm actually going to make a new handle for my Parker no 22x, so maybe I'll buy some stock sooner than later and make 2 handles. I actually don't like the stock handle on my Parker 974 and want to make one for that vise as well.

 

[topop101]

Good idea. Do you remember how much larger than the vise you cut the walnut?

About 3-1/2"... I ran the edges through my router. Some I've used a 3/4 round over bit others a 3/4 roman ogee. I use minwax FLOORS urethane. It's tough stuff . Stain or bleach to taste. Either way it always looks great.

 

[Junebuggy]

Boy, Joe...I really like that color. Super nice!!

 

[bagged89s10]

I have a couple handles to try straghtening. The morgan has a very slight bend, slight enough it took me 2 days of looking at it, taking pictures, and generally fondling it to even notice. Luckily my dad has an old blackhawk 12 ton hydraulic press that should work pretty well. The rock island has a little more of a bend, but still not much, and I can fix it easily. I will be making new handles for the swivel base locks though. I have seen pretzels straighter than the ones on the morgan! Should actually be a fun little machining project!

you can never have too many tools

I actually straightened the main handle on the Wilton 1760 I restored while the vise was assembled. I don't think it was a good idea but it worked.

 

[bagged89s10]

About 3-1/2"... I ran the edges through my router. Some I've used a 3/4 round over bit others a 3/4 roman ogee. I use minwax FLOORS urethane. It's tough stuff . Stain or bleach to taste. Either way it always looks great.

 

[Lu-Max]

So without further ado...

Stunning!

 

[joe.striper]

Boy, Joe...I really like that color. Super nice!!

Thanks Junebuggy, that is Hammerite Dark Blue. First time I used it. A really nice color.

 

[topop101]

A versa vise I worked up the last couple of days. My boss at work also has an aircraft maintenance business he runs along with the crane business. He wants this vise for his airport shop. I think it will suit him.

 

[drivesitfar]

Top: I've got to find one of those cool versa vises. yours looks awesome and i like that color too. do you have any pictures of that walnut under an old Parker vise to post. sounds interesting.

Vintage: if you straighten the handles on the Morgan 160's swivel pins they won't work the same. i can't tell you the secret to how to use them because it was like a puzzle, but the bends were made to work that big vise. of course you can straighten them if you like that look, but I've never seen swivel pins with that many bends in them and I've seen a fair share of vises.

maybe take a few close up pictures and post or email them to me if you get a chance.

 

[topop101]

Top: I've got to find one of those cool versa vises. yours looks awesome and i like that color too. do you have any pictures of that walnut under an old Parker vise to post. sounds interesting.

Vintage: if you straighten the handles on the Morgan 160's swivel pins they won't work the same. i can't tell you the secret to how to use them because it was like a puzzle, but the bends were made to work that big vise. of course you can straighten them if you like that look, but I've never seen swivel pins with that many bends in them and I've seen a fair share of vises.

maybe take a few close up pictures and post or email them to me if you get a chance.

Drives.. No I wish I did. They were on my last computer that crashed and burned. I haven't done one in a while. They aren't quick sellers around me. Most people never even heard of Parker. I call them bench savers. I do still have a No. 2 Parker. And a couple chunks of walnut. Maybe I can get one cranked out this summer. If I do you can bet I'll get it posted up .

 

[vintage nut]

Drives, oh I figured out how to make them work, but to me at least having to push pull and rotate the handle every half turn is just infuriating. Although since they are so incredibly bent and twisted, I might actually make whole new swivel pins, and save those ones as is for a conversation piece

you can never have too many tools

 

[vintage nut]

I'd almost hate to slice through them with a zip cut or the bandsaw, as it took some serious talent to make a corkscrew like that!

you can never have too many tools

 

[454ragtop]

Here's my sad attempt at painting letters.


Hopefully I can button this thing up tomorrow.


Handle is bent and very rough though. I thing a new handle is going to have to be made unless I can straighten it. I don't have a press.

You guys futzing around with presses, I could straighten that handle in about 5 minutes with a BFH and an anvil shaped object, and I have a 5 ton arbor press and a 20 ton hydraulic. Might as well at least try to straighten it with a hammer, what do you have to lose?
Jim

 

[Craptain]

Just finished the restoration on my Parker 26X. It was a LOT of work. I know this type of restoration isnt for everyone, it's a little out there, but it is what I saw in my mind when I took possession. I want to replace the handle as well.

The inserts are like new on this big old Parker, and although it only has 6" jaws it weighs north of 185 lbs.

So without further ado...

Oh Joe! That is gorgeous. I cannot imagine the work involved in polishing all that Iron. The paint job is pretty hot too.

 

[oldldh]

Joe---

That's not too shabby a vise rehab you've got there....

Blue---

Blue---

Blue---

Not---"Arrest-Me-Red"---

Oh Well---

YA DUN GUD, BUBBA!!!

 

[balane]

Joe, that's beautiful. Looks like a lot of work and I can appreciate that. Excellent job.

Topop, great work as well on the Versa. That looks super nice.

 

[jakemac]

You guys futzing around with presses, I could straighten that handle in about 5 minutes with a BFH and an anvil shaped object, and I have a 5 ton arbor press and a 20 ton hydraulic. Might as well at least try to straighten it with a hammer, what do you have to lose?
Jim

^^^^^ This ^^^^^

If a 48oz ballpein won't do the job, then break out the sledge hammers.
Mind your fingers !

 

[CwazyWabbit]

I just clamp 'em to something big and stick a big pipe over them. The big pipe is most likely what bent them in the first place and doesn't tend to mark the surface.

 

[bubinga]

^^^^^ This ^^^^^

If a 48oz ballpein won't do the job, then break out the sledge hammers.
Mind your fingers !

yeah, don't hit your hand like l did, numbness in my right hand and arm after an operation.
Since it was not 100% strong, nailed the left hand pretty good, now i got numbness in my left hand and arm.
One thing after another.
Doctor said l need both knees replaced now.

 

[Nuts]

yeah, don't hit your hand like l did, numbness in my right hand and arm after an operation.
Since it was not 100% strong, nailed the left hand pretty good, now i got numbness in my left hand and arm.
One thing after another.
Doctor said l need both knees replaced now.

***** gettin old ain't it. My bone doc has had his overgrown fingers stuffed in my joints four times now, and looks like a fifth in the near future.

Once they quit hurting you'll like the new knees.


Nuts

 

[topop101]

yeah, don't hit your hand like l did, numbness in my right hand and arm after an operation.
Since it was not 100% strong, nailed the left hand pretty good, now i got numbness in my left hand and arm.
One thing after another.
Doctor said l need both knees replaced now.

...That's why God made the pipe vise... silly

 

[bagged89s10]

I'll have to try with a big hammer

 

[bagged89s10]

Pictures of the mostly complete Reed 104R. I banged the handle a little straighter last night. Not perfect but fine for now. I just need to paint the split collar nut, spray the bottom of the base, and grease her up.
I'm pretty happy and kind of want to throw an old oval craftsman logo on one side. This is one that I will only sell if I get a good enough offer.

Here's my first completed painted vise restoration.

 

[ChargerRT]

Bagged the pictures aren't working for me? Might want to try again

 

[bagged89s10]

Bagged the pictures aren't working for me? Might want to try again

Try now

 

[ChargerRT]

Bingo!! Vise looks awesome!!! Love the lettering work

 

[drivesitfar]

Bagged: your Reed looks great and so does your lettering. if you want the lettering to be a little thicker some of the guys file the casting a bit to give a little flatter surface. very nice work and wouldn't have thought that this Reed was your first restoration.

Bub: if you are hitting yourself with a BFH maybe we should take your power tools away from you so you don't cause more damage to yourself. i hope you heal fast, but at our age that isn't always the case so maybe a couple advils and a couple beers for now.

 

[joe.striper]

Pictures of the mostly complete Reed 104R. I banged the handle a little straighter last night. Not perfect but fine for now. I just need to paint the split collar nut, spray the bottom of the base, and grease her up.
I'm pretty happy and kind of want to throw an old oval craftsman logo on one side. This is one that I will only sell if I get a good enough offer.

Here's my first completed painted vise restoration.

That came out nice. you know I have never painted a vise red. I'll have to give it a shot!

 

[bagged89s10]

That came out nice. you know I have never painted a vise red. I'll have to give it a shot!

Thanks. I'm very happy with the red paint. It's Rustoleum sunrise red. Same paint I use to match my craftsman boxes.

 

[ChargerRT]

Has anyone found a good source on Rustoleum Verde Green? I just ordered two cans from Menards and with shipping it was $22 bucks.... Best I could find

 

[bagged89s10]

Bagged: your Reed looks great and so does your lettering. if you want the lettering to be a little thicker some of the guys file the casting a bit to give a little flatter surface. very nice work and wouldn't have thought that this Reed was your first restoration.



Bub: if you are hitting yourself with a BFH maybe we should take your power tools away from you so you don't cause more damage to yourself. i hope you heal fast, but at our age that isn't always the case so maybe a couple advils and a couple beers for now.

Thanks Drives. I used a fine and medium tipped sharpie oil paint pens for the lettering. I can probably make it thicker if need to by tracing over it. I do like ease of use with the paint pens but colors are limited. I want ivory for my Oswego and they don't make one. I'll use a fine brush for that vise

So I never painted the Wilton 1760 I restored but just kept it raw. I painted my Oswego but haven't painted the letters or finished it yet. This is the first one that I've painted, baked, and painted letters on.

 

[bubinga]

Thanks. I'm very happy with the red paint. It's Rustoleum sunrise red. Same paint I use to match my craftsman boxes.

Nice, color, Nice job on the vise, i even saved a picture.

 

[bagged89s10]

Bingo!! Vise looks awesome!!! Love the lettering work

Thanks

Here is a better shot of the lettering. It came out ok.