topop101
Well-known member
That is certainly an odd duck. Parts of it look like a Columbian and /or Hollands. Can't say I've seen shallow "T" jaws like that .
The VISES of Garage Journal
- Thread starter mjozefow
- Start date
That is certainly an odd duck. Parts of it look like a Columbian and /or Hollands. Can't say I've seen shallow "T" jaws like that .
vintage nut
Well-known member
It looks offshore to me... Just the overall look doesn't seem American to me.
My guess is probably russian or taiwanese. I could definitely be wrong though
you can never have too many tools
My guess is probably russian or taiwanese. I could definitely be wrong though
you can never have too many tools
PghJKB
Well-known member
These are very far and few between not popping up very often.... considering the last one popped only a few weeks ago (http://www.ebay.com/itm/EXCELLENT-SMALL-RARE-PIRAMIIT-BULLET-VISE-SWIVEL-TOOL-/161715534305) went for over $360 plus shipping and it just had a screw for the side knob I feel like I dun did purty good on this one for $35 plus shipping.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/VISE-BENCH-MFG-BY-PYRAMID-/121685898353
I've poked back into the past posts about these and from what I can determine, they seem to be very well made copies of the Wiltons with a couple of extra features. One thing I'm not thrilled with is the one I just one does have some what look to be home made aluminum jaws. I'll have to see if they are decent when I get it in.
The other oddity is the different names cast into them. Pyramid and Pyramiit. The Pyramiit is not a casting defect that I can see from the photos of them. Just a bizarre different spelling. In just some basic and quick searching I've found nothing regarding their origins.
Only a few examples have surfaced that I can find. Maybe 3 or so like this one plus the double header that Blue Frog on here has.
Once I get it in my hands I'll take some good photos of it and post them.
From screwing around with Google, Piramiit may be Turkish for Pyramid.
Which would be very interesting - regionalized vise naming.
JKB
bl00
Well-known member
It has a lot of Millers Falls characteristics to it. Here's a couple similar ones from around 1912.
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bubinga
Well-known member
Yeah, especially ones that are held in by screws, not pins. Going to be a bit of a challenge to make one with out a mill,
Yeah, esp. the first pic, and the handle on them. I want to get the handle off too, to straighten it, unless I can set it up in my (arbor) press still on the vise, but that ****** IS heavy. Company coming later not not much garage time today.
Thanks to all...............
bubinga
Well-known member
topop101
Well-known member
Great job... I think you nailed it my man. Notice the shallow "T" jaws in the pic of the swivel version.drivesitfar
Well-known member
Bl00: i was leaning towards the import idea too, but looks like that wisdom you have about old vises never seems to end. thanks again for helping us.
PP: i noticed your ad for the 5198 on Ebay mentions the screw has a bit of an issue keeping it from going in and out smoothly. since i'm guessing you are pretty handy with all those cool old tools you find can you find a screw to fit the back of your 5198's vise nut? once you do that can adjust the gap that is in the vise nut and might improve the 5198's action.
good luck on your action and i was also hoping Oldie would end up with it. my vise funds are probably heading to buy a new Miller 211 welder so i'm out, but it does look like a keeper.
cheers all
PP: i noticed your ad for the 5198 on Ebay mentions the screw has a bit of an issue keeping it from going in and out smoothly. since i'm guessing you are pretty handy with all those cool old tools you find can you find a screw to fit the back of your 5198's vise nut? once you do that can adjust the gap that is in the vise nut and might improve the 5198's action.
good luck on your action and i was also hoping Oldie would end up with it. my vise funds are probably heading to buy a new Miller 211 welder so i'm out, but it does look like a keeper.
cheers all
PinchPoint
Well-known member
I'd say it's the beam that needs filed or lubed. It works fine all the way till the jaw falls out into your hands. The screw is a non issue.
joe.striper
Well-known member
Wow that's great! I live 30 miles from Millers Falls and i like their vises very much. GREAT JOB!!
PinchPoint
Well-known member
My new vise pickings for today. A tiny Starrett and a Mity Vise.
bubinga
Well-known member
Thanks to all, esp b100
bagged89s10
Well-known member
My new vise pickings for today. A tiny Starrett and a Mity Vise.
Nice little starret. I have 2 of them I picked up last month. I'm keeping mine to use with my Heinrich on my drill press.
bagged89s10
Well-known member
Here is my vise purchase today. Only bought it because yesterday my friend said he was having a tag sale, and I said I would only stop by if he was selling any vintage tools. This morning I get a text of a picture of the vise and clamp. He said make an offer, I said $20, and he accepted. So I took the family for a ride to go get it. I know most of the guys/gals on here, myself included, don't buy woodworkers vises, but I couldn't say no for $20 with the clamp.
Columbian 3-CD.
This clamp was included which is marked 406 drop forged steel without a brand marking. Maybe a Columbian too? I have no idea.
Columbian 3-CD.
This clamp was included which is marked 406 drop forged steel without a brand marking. Maybe a Columbian too? I have no idea.
drivesitfar
Well-known member
Bagged: i would have bought that vise especially for $20 because it looks like a quick release and it has a very cool handle. did you get the restored milk jug too or was that already yours?
bagged89s10
Well-known member
The old milk jug I bought at an estate sale earlier. Most of the tools were picked thru and I passed on a small Columbian bench vise. I've wanted on old milk can for a while and asked my wife if she wanted it for a planter and she said sure. So I offered the guy $5 and he said ok.
PinchPoint
Well-known member
I felt it was not rapid action because of the speed wrench type handle.
PinchPoint
Well-known member
And from the pic I just looked at it's not rapid action.
bagged89s10
Well-known member
Yeah I didn't think it was a quick release. I also couldn't find much about this vise online.
Either way, it should be an easy restore after the e-tank.
Outlawmws
Well-known member
Yesterdays find.
That tapper is nos and worth a lot. Awesome find by me... The Atlas xy table and vise were scraped with a razor blade. The slides were taken off and the ways were cleaned. It was put back together and the gibs adjusted until all side play was removed. Their is .02 backlash in the y and .01 in the x or vise versa.
Very rare to find the jaws still on those X-Y tables!
Well done!
drivesitfar
Well-known member
Bagged: the quick release wood vises have a similar little handle in the middle of the vise in front of the main screw and now that i'm looking at it on my laptop and not my cell it looks like yours is just a lever to push up a stop. still a cool vise and well worth the $20.
i'd think twice about putting dirt in that cool old milk can, but if that's what your wife wants i'd probably go that route. it would be a cool little garage waste can if you can find her some old galvanized water buckets or something else pretty cool.
PP: it might not be a big deal about the screw, but if you eliminated or fixed it i bet your bid would be even higher. good luck with your auction and as Outlaw said nice find on the XY with all it's parts.
i'd think twice about putting dirt in that cool old milk can, but if that's what your wife wants i'd probably go that route. it would be a cool little garage waste can if you can find her some old galvanized water buckets or something else pretty cool.
PP: it might not be a big deal about the screw, but if you eliminated or fixed it i bet your bid would be even higher. good luck with your auction and as Outlaw said nice find on the XY with all it's parts.
Don't put dirt in the milk can itself, put a pot that fits in the mouth of the can and dirt in it. Saves on dirt and weight.
John
PinchPoint
Well-known member
On your flip side pic I saw it has a T nut. So I knew it was a standard action vise. All r a vises I have ever seen have split nuts or Abernathy type nuts that are very large. And then then the old time vise that has what looks like a wood rasp. The one arm bandits!
PinchPoint
Well-known member
Well I cleaned the beam with wd40 and scotch brite. This exposed the birth date and if I put it back together it will more than likely have fixed the vise. The man who owned it died sometime ago. The items sat unused for this time. They also sat because he was old when alive and he had no use for them anymore. I see this all the time. He just had a nice BIG house and a great place for them to sit. It still saw moisture while sitting. This moisture got between the vises beam and static jaws broached opening to receive it. For years this sat closed until the auction and ME. I opened the vise to spread the jaws. It was slightly seized. I ran it back together and bid later then won it. Then I had to break it down to carry the vise to my truck. It again was still not freed up (but better) until a couple turns then free and easy. There is nothing wrong with the vise. I saw what you were trying to go with this. Just look at the vise it's very clean with close tolerances. A little rust or a well place ding or a combo of both will create this condition.
If it ever stops raining I will drag it out to my trucks tailgate again and fix this non issue (to me). This will take about a minute to fix for good. It's just all that weight and the chance of dropping it. Then what do I have and for what? Something I know is a non issue!!! I have opened and closed this vise twice. Once about 2" and the other time to end of travel. It's a chore with accident written all over it.
PinchPoint
Well-known member
Yea the vise on the x y adds some value.
topop101
Well-known member
Pinch I think what drives is says is that the missing screw is there to adjust the back lash of the lead screw. The tail end of the main nut is split and turning the missing screw adjust any screw lag. True , to your point, it could as well be a hammer ding or lack of lube just and probably is but without this screw the life of the nut/screw may be shortened due to wear from improper adjustment. It's these kind of features along with the style ,swivel lock design and precision machining on this vise that make it so wanted.
Mark in Indiana
Well-known member
Opinions?:
Over the years I've seen the term "HEAVY DUTY" used to describe bench vises that I would consider to be home owner's vises or mechanic's vises.
What vises do you guys & gals consider to be heavy duty?
Over the years I've seen the term "HEAVY DUTY" used to describe bench vises that I would consider to be home owner's vises or mechanic's vises.
What vises do you guys & gals consider to be heavy duty?
CwazyWabbit
Well-known member
Record No 48 
Or perhaps any of the Record 11* range.
Oh and the heavy chipping 51* range
Or perhaps any of the Record 11* range.
Oh and the heavy chipping 51* range
vintage nut
Well-known member
My morgan 160
Or my 7 1/4" post vise
Oh did you say heavy duty, or just heavy?
you can never have too many tools
Or my 7 1/4" post vise
Oh did you say heavy duty, or just heavy?
you can never have too many tools
va.grouseman
Well-known member
Most any vise over 130lbs., and any vise you see on Demo's table.---Page 155.
vintage nut
Well-known member
I'd be inclined to consider the 60# henry I restored for my dad to be a heavy duty unit. May not be the heaviest 5", but it sure is solid!
you can never have too many tools
you can never have too many tools
PinchPoint
Well-known member
I worked on the vise this morning. I have shown a high spot in new pictures. This along with paint and corrosion created the sticking jaw. There is zero tolerance in this area of this vise. So any raised area will create problems.
Photo bucket is not working on my puter now. I will list the pictures later. The vise is now free and easy working. Have to go now auction time...
PinchPoint
Well-known member
Got it to work by reboot. Here we go.
This shows the high spot at the beams top ( shiny spot ).
PinchPoint
Well-known member
I feel it has little use and the wear is not visible. The inside of the casting would have been a mess of filings and it is and was not...
Mark in Indiana
Well-known member
All,
I guess that I'm curious of what your definition of heavy duty is.
Below, the first picture shows a heavy duty vise. I consider it to be heavy duty because it's solid, it can damage a workpiece if you clamp it too hard, and if you smack it with a hammer, it will smack you back. The second picture shows a vise that is referred to as heavy duty, but just doesn't fill the bill because it is hollow cast, if not for the serrated jaw faces, the workpiece could slip out, and if you smack it with a hammer, it'll cry.
BTW: I had a C-Man vise like the one in the second picture for ~25 years. It was a good vise to hold a valve, but I wouldn't have been to hold a pump that would have required high torque on the case bolts.
I'm bringing this up because so many CL ads, and others will refer to a homeowners vise as a heavy duty.
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Outlawmws
Well-known member
MarK, I'm in agreement with your assessment except for one thing: The vise you showed as "heavy duty" has a swivel jaw. We have all seen to many of those jaws broken so that is that particular vice's Achilles heel; without that swivel I agree 100%
Of course on CL any HF/chicom vise is classed as "heavy duty"
Of course on CL any HF/chicom vise is classed as "heavy duty"
vintage nut
Well-known member
I'd consider these heavy duty.
Giant post vise
6 inch morgan
5 inch henry
The chinese record in the background, although the same size as the henry, its far lighter, and medium duty at very best.
you can never have too many tools
Giant post vise
6 inch morgan
5 inch henry
The chinese record in the background, although the same size as the henry, its far lighter, and medium duty at very best.
you can never have too many tools
Mark in Indiana
Well-known member
Outlaw:
The HD vise I showed is one that scared me because it was missing the original pin. I didn't buy it because of any possible internal cracks. However, it was in good condition, considering the hard life it had from an old machine/fab shop, and was mounted to a table that featured a 1.5" steel top. I believe that it damaged stuff in the past. In fact, I talked softly to it, cause I didn't want to attack me.
Some would also say that a swivel base vise isn't heavy duty.
I think that a 4 foot base qualifies it as a HD, as long as it's not built like a homeowners vise.
Here's a heavy duty vise picture, one that I kinda regret selling. The PO called it "the ball buster".
The HD vise I showed is one that scared me because it was missing the original pin. I didn't buy it because of any possible internal cracks. However, it was in good condition, considering the hard life it had from an old machine/fab shop, and was mounted to a table that featured a 1.5" steel top. I believe that it damaged stuff in the past. In fact, I talked softly to it, cause I didn't want to attack me.
Some would also say that a swivel base vise isn't heavy duty.
I think that a 4 foot base qualifies it as a HD, as long as it's not built like a homeowners vise.
Here's a heavy duty vise picture, one that I kinda regret selling. The PO called it "the ball buster".
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drivesitfar
Well-known member
Mark: i agree with Outlaw that swivel jaw vises even the huge ones shouldn't be hammered on and i'm not a fan of hitting any huge vises either. as far as labeling HEAVY DUTY on a vise i don't think we need to get up to 130 pounds like VA mentions before we find them. of course those usually qualify without a doubt. i have an 80 pound Reed 2C i would consider HEAVY DUTY because it will hold anything and I've even had it hold a 50 pound dumbbell to get the plates off when my Reed 2C was just sitting on the floor. i needed to remove a seized bolt in the end the dumbbell handle and with all my effort the vise stayed in place and i was able to remove the bolt. it does work better mounted to a bench and just saying. also we'll never teach all the Craigs or Ebay sellers how to write their ads so having the knowledge is key. i can't tell you how many of those old made in Japan Craftsman vises I've seen on very handy guy's shop benches. it was a well made vise and lasted years if treated like a vise should be.
PP: you usually post on here showing a vise you either are putting up for auction or already sold and getting ready to ship which is similar to what a few guys do. As i know that i was still just trying to help you because i can't tell you how many guys tell me it's an easy fix and want me to pay top dollar for something and i know it's at least an hour and more like 2 or a day's worth of my time to fix it. My (our) time is worth something so if somebody sells me a 60 or 100 year old tool in perfect shape that i can use it when i get it home i'll pay a premium especially if i can use it then. happy to hear you got the 5198 cleaned up a bit more and with a little grease and the screw found and adjusted it might work even better. I (we) hope you stick around to post comments on here about other guy's and gal's vises if you have wisdom to share and keep finding these rare gems and saving them.
ALL: so yesterday i actually painted something almost pertaining to a vise because it's going to have my Reed 4C sitting on it soon. it was 90+ degrees in the shop so i didn't quite finish, but for a couple hours work and 4 cans of white rustoleum i think it looks better. i used a wire cup grinder on my 7.5 inch DeWalt hand grinder and put WD 40 on the top for now and probably will use Johnson paste wax or maybe Fluid Film for the duration. The bench might look better with my 4C on top of it so i'll try to get to that this week because it's raining today.
cheers
PP: you usually post on here showing a vise you either are putting up for auction or already sold and getting ready to ship which is similar to what a few guys do. As i know that i was still just trying to help you because i can't tell you how many guys tell me it's an easy fix and want me to pay top dollar for something and i know it's at least an hour and more like 2 or a day's worth of my time to fix it. My (our) time is worth something so if somebody sells me a 60 or 100 year old tool in perfect shape that i can use it when i get it home i'll pay a premium especially if i can use it then. happy to hear you got the 5198 cleaned up a bit more and with a little grease and the screw found and adjusted it might work even better. I (we) hope you stick around to post comments on here about other guy's and gal's vises if you have wisdom to share and keep finding these rare gems and saving them.
ALL: so yesterday i actually painted something almost pertaining to a vise because it's going to have my Reed 4C sitting on it soon. it was 90+ degrees in the shop so i didn't quite finish, but for a couple hours work and 4 cans of white rustoleum i think it looks better. i used a wire cup grinder on my 7.5 inch DeWalt hand grinder and put WD 40 on the top for now and probably will use Johnson paste wax or maybe Fluid Film for the duration. The bench might look better with my 4C on top of it so i'll try to get to that this week because it's raining today.
cheers
