Craptain
Well-known member
Fixed it for you. [emoji1] [emoji106] [emoji106]
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The VISES of Garage Journal
- Thread starter mjozefow
- Start date
Fixed it for you. [emoji1] [emoji106] [emoji106]
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ArmyVW_GuyInTX
ALLIANCE MEMBER
Here's a monster of a vise I picked at an estate sale last weekend.
I couldn't resist for less than a buck - fifty cents.
I couldn't resist for less than a buck - fifty cents.
Does anyone recognize this vise? I picked it up hoping to use the screw and handle for a Reed 104/204 but the threads don't quite match. The dynamic jaw, screw and nut are in nice condition. I will offer those up if someone can use them. The closest I've come is possibly a Trojan. It has 4" wide jaws. I still need a Reed 104/204 screw and handle.
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Nuts
Well-known member
Fraggles
Well-known member
I keep noticing comments and photos of American made vices with hairline cracks or welds to the cast, but with rather good clean jaws and straight tommy bars.
Just out of curiosity how do they get broken?
Are the tommy bars made of hardened/thicker steel rods, and therefore don't bend as a warning before the cast breaks, or could the vices have been dropped?
The majority of the British vices here have rounded jaw edges or possibly chipped jaw shelves caused by hammering, and bent tommy bars because of brute force or slipping a pipe for leverage.
Alternatively, could it be that majority of the Brits are not frugal and prefer to dispose broken vices rather than repair and use/sell on?
Perhaps British vices are indestructible?
Just out of curiosity how do they get broken?
Are the tommy bars made of hardened/thicker steel rods, and therefore don't bend as a warning before the cast breaks, or could the vices have been dropped?
The majority of the British vices here have rounded jaw edges or possibly chipped jaw shelves caused by hammering, and bent tommy bars because of brute force or slipping a pipe for leverage.
Alternatively, could it be that majority of the Brits are not frugal and prefer to dispose broken vices rather than repair and use/sell on?
Perhaps British vices are indestructible?
CwazyWabbit
Well-known member
Perhaps Fraggles it's because the American ones are really quite old vises, i.e pre World War 2 and the majority of our vices of that age (apart from the expensive ones) went into the great melting pot during the scrap drives of WWII?
Also I think the American guys are more inclined to change jaw faces when they get worn where as most of the English will carry on using them when they are well beyond their date with the crucible. So even an old American vise tends to have good jaw faces ..... or I may just be talking out of my backside
Also I think the American guys are more inclined to change jaw faces when they get worn where as most of the English will carry on using them when they are well beyond their date with the crucible. So even an old American vise tends to have good jaw faces ..... or I may just be talking out of my backside
bl00
Well-known member
It looks like this Parker:
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Nuts
Well-known member
Perhaps a bit of cutting and welding on the nut would do.
At least a temporary fix till you find the proper screw.
Nuts
Smokeshow69
Well-known member
You know you are a tool addict when you have people call you from a garage sale and say "I know you are looking for a ______, you want me to get it?". I received a call from a co-worker while I was working who said they where at a sale and there was a vise for $20. She sent me a few pictures and i pounced on it. It is a Craftsman 5161. I think it is made by Reed but now I am wondering if maybe Parker?? It has 3 1/2 jaws and in pretty good shape. I will give it a repaint but does not need any other repair. What color was this guy originally and how old is it?? I think it is 40's?
What color was this guy originally and how old is it?? I think it is 40's?
topop101
Well-known member
I think your time frame is right on 37-42 if memory serves me correct. RI continued to make them after the craftsman order ended ... I read that some where once a million years ago. The 516X series is the swivel version . The 515X is the fixed. I have a 5151 also a 3 1/2 " jawed vise.
The date should be on the top of the slide right behind the static
Outlawmws
Well-known member
With those markings 40-42 or so. to ID whether it was Reed or RI, get the slide out and look at the markings on the main nut. That was how we got that somehow both made them for Sears, and both made them under their own name.
The mentioned vise thread if you want to look: http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?p=2308593
The mentioned vise thread if you want to look: http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?p=2308593
I know where a 5162 is for sale, but its a little too much. The other dilemma is that I don't want/need any sub 5" vises, but I could make an exception for that and a parker i'm supposed to pick up later this week. No details as several times now i've been screwed including this past weekend, pics on purchase.
PghJKB
Well-known member
Smoke
The jaws scream ROCK ISLAND!!!!!!!
As for the color, check out Outlaws reference, if you read the text, the description lists it as "Gray enamel finish".
JKB
The jaws scream ROCK ISLAND!!!!!!!
As for the color, check out Outlaws reference, if you read the text, the description lists it as "Gray enamel finish".
JKB
I considered this but didn't want to spoil it if someone else could use it. I will put it on the vise parts swap thread.
vintage nut
Well-known member
Got myself a 4" post vise yesterday. Got some plans for it. I'll post pictures later.
Might actually have an opportunity at another 4", and maybe even a 6".....
you can never have too many tools
Might actually have an opportunity at another 4", and maybe even a 6".....
you can never have too many tools
jawoodworking
Well-known member
Picked up this vise over the weekend at a yard sale. A Chas Parker 973 1/2. My first "big" vise. I do have a Columbian 43 1/2, but this will make a nice addition to the workbench. Paid $25 for it! Pretty stoked to restore and use it!
FMC1959
Well-known member
Picked up this vise over the weekend at a yard sale. A Chas Parker 973 1/2. My first "big" vise. I do have a Columbian 43 1/2, but this will make a nice addition to the workbench. Paid $25 for it! Pretty stoked to restore and use it!
Nice looking Parker you picked up Jawood. Funny how you mention this is your first big vise; their both 3 1/2", but the Columbian is listed as 16 lbs, the Parker is 42 lbs.
Looks in good condition, should look great once you've redone it.
vintage nut
Well-known member
Sounds about the size of my rock island. 3.5" swivel jaw and base, weighed somewhere around 45 pounds.
you can never have too many tools
you can never have too many tools
topop101
Well-known member
Here's a lil' 3 1/2 " USA Craftsman I finished for a knife builder. I thought the brass jaws would serve him well. I really like the color too. I decided on black to make the brass jaws pop but wanted to keep some classic Craftsman red on it. The black is an epoxy paint and took 4 days to get full cure before I laid on the red. Not something you would use on a rush job but should hold up much better than the regular rattle can. It's pretty limited in colors though.
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vintage nut
Well-known member
Here's the post vise. It needs a bit of work, but I really can't complain seeing as it was free! Firstly it's missing the dust cap for the screw, but that won't be a problem. Also, someone welded (rather badly) the part that bolts to the bench onto the vise. I'm going to fabricate a whole new mount that will bolt on. Also going to make a new handle for it. Lastly, it'll get a fresh coat of paint, and I'm going to build a stand for it out of a massive old growth Douglas fir beam I've got.
One interesting thing I haven't seen before, is that this vise actually has a spot for pipe jaws! Never seen that on a blacksmith vise before. I'll need to wire brush some rust off to read the maker.
you can never have too many tools
One interesting thing I haven't seen before, is that this vise actually has a spot for pipe jaws! Never seen that on a blacksmith vise before. I'll need to wire brush some rust off to read the maker.
you can never have too many tools
topop101
Well-known member
Here's the post vise. It needs a bit of work, but I really can't complain seeing as it was free! Firstly it's missing the dust cap for the screw, but that won't be a problem. Also, someone welded (rather badly) the part that bolts to the bench onto the vise. I'm going to fabricate a whole new mount that will bolt on. Also going to make a new handle for it. Lastly, it'll get a fresh coat of paint, and I'm going to build a stand for it out of a massive old growth Douglas fir beam I've got.
One interesting thing I haven't seen before, is that this vise actually has a spot for pipe jaws! Never seen that on a blacksmith vise before. I'll need to wire brush some rust off to read the maker.
you can never have too many tools
VIN You have GOT to make some pipe jaws for that dude
McBrownie
Well-known member
That is really nice Parker. I might be tempted to just give that light cleaning and leave it as is. Jaws look like they are in great shape too.
FMC1959
Well-known member
Fraggles
Well-known member
Perhaps Fraggles it's because the American ones are really quite old vises, i.e pre World War 2 and the majority of our vices of that age (apart from the expensive ones) went into the great melting pot during the scrap drives of WWII?
Also I think the American guys are more inclined to change jaw faces when they get worn where as most of the English will carry on using them when they are well beyond their date with the crucible. So even an old American vise tends to have good jaw faces ..... or I may just be talking out of my backside
I suppose what you say makes sense.
Funnily enough I was at the local council recycling centre today when I saw a chap had just chucked a Record 75 into the scrap metal tip below.
He said that it worked fine but just wanted it gone as it was taking space at home.
such a *******The damn council staff don't let you take anything useable once it has been thrown away by others. What a waste
CwazyWabbit
Well-known member
You should have pointed out to him he had just thrown away something with a 2nd hand value of between £50 - £100 ..... Shame it wasn't still within reach
Craptain
Well-known member
I bet that rule doesn't apply to the staff.I suppose what you say makes sense.[emoji106]
Funnily enough I was at the local council recycling centre today when I saw a chap had just chucked a Record 75 into the scrap metal tip below.
He said that it worked fine but just wanted it gone as it was taking space at home.
The damn council staff don't let you take anything useable once it has been thrown away by others. What a waste
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vintage nut
Well-known member
Looked at the markings on the blacksmith vise, and I believe it might be a Colombian. I like it!
you can never have too many tools
you can never have too many tools
balane
Well-known member
Fraggles
Well-known member
balane
Those versa vices look great!
I had my eye on one on eBay UK for some time, but didn't have enough pocket money to bid on it. I was hoping that it would get relisted again with a lower start price.
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Vintage-V...181?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_3&hash=item4d336e7ab5
CW, Dutch, Fretters, did any of you win it?
Those versa vices look great!
I had my eye on one on eBay UK for some time, but didn't have enough pocket money to bid on it. I was hoping that it would get relisted again with a lower start price.
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Vintage-V...181?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_3&hash=item4d336e7ab5
CW, Dutch, Fretters, did any of you win it?
dutchgray
Well-known member
Nope, I have been spending out on tools lately and haven't bought a vice in a while.
balane
Well-known member
Thanks. Well if you were going to buy one that would be the one to get. That first generation model has cast-in manufacturer information, old style spindle hub and a solid base shaft. They don't come any more rare or desirable. I would love to get my hands on one of those!!balane
Those versa vices look great!
I had my eye on one on eBay UK for some time, but didn't have enough pocket money to bid on it. I was hoping that it would get relisted again with a lower start price.
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Vintage-V...181?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_3&hash=item4d336e7ab5
CW, Dutch, Fretters, did any of you win it?
Fraggles
Well-known member
Here's a small York to get you back on the small vice addiction
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Small-80m...305?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_3&hash=item43ddb7b251
Fraggles
Well-known member
I was going to make the chap an offer after the listing ended for the first time without a bid
Now I'm going to be kicking myself for letting it go
Anyway on with the search for another!
oldldh
Well-known member
joe.striper
Well-known member
Wow what a father's day. My son and his fiancée bought me a vise and had it all wrapped up. I was praying it wasn't a new Chinese pos. It wasnt. It was a Parker 3" swivel base. It has a cracked slide but otherwise is excellent. I have a 3" Parker fixed base and now I'll combine them to make a nice 3" swiveler.
I pressed them as to what they paid, fearing it was too much! They paid $10!!!! I told my son that his fiancee is a keeper.
I pressed them as to what they paid, fearing it was too much! They paid $10!!!! I told my son that his fiancee is a keeper.
topop101
Well-known member
Joe It sounds like you must be slippin. How did you miss a $10.00 Parker in your back yard??? Do I need to come up there after all?
Smokeshow69
Well-known member
I just looked over those ads and saw what you are talking about the "gray enamel finish". To me that sounds like a battle ship gray?? Anybody done any more research on this or have one of these with at least some original paint on it? Also I looked at my slide last night and about mid way down on the up portion of it is the number 11 stamped in. Does this indicate one manufacturer or another?
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