The VISES of Garage Journal

[topop101]

topop, gorgeous. Really nice looking vises there.

bagged, I use gel stripper. Spread it all over, let it sit for 15 minutes, scrub with a wire toothbrush looking thing and rinse with the hose. Repeat if necessary. The stubborn leftovers are removed with a wire wheel on my die grinder. Chemical surface prep, warm in an oven and paint. Nothing to it.

That red is a pain to work with but coming from you Balane that says a lot. And thanks again for the Reed.

 

[balane]

To be perfectly honest I don't really know that much about the stuff. I'm on my fourth one-gallon can and I think they were all four different brands. This is what's sitting on my shelf right now. Is this Naval Jelly? I do know it works great, faster than the brands I've used in the past.

[web photo I found.]

 

[tedsters]

To be perfectly honest I don't really know that much about the stuff. I'm on my fourth one-gallon can and I think they were all four different brands. This is what's sitting on my shelf right now. Is this Naval Jelly? I do know it works great, faster than the brands I've used in the past.

[web photo I found.]

no thats not naval jelly but if it works i am gonna get some stripper some where

 

[topop101]

To be perfectly honest I don't really know that much about the stuff. I'm on my fourth one-gallon can and I think they were all four different brands. This is what's sitting on my shelf right now. Is this Naval Jelly? I do know it works great, faster than the brands I've used in the past.

[web photo I found.]

No , that isn't naval jelly. That is just gel stripper like you said. And there are lots of brands. Some thick , some thin. All for different purposes.

Naval jelly is more of a rust remover or it turns rust back to black metal.

 

[tedsters]

that jasco brand must be a good brand i went online and typed in paint and epoxy remover and that same product popped up all over the place, $10 quart at home depot or $30 a gallon at lowes, i am gonna get some and try it if it has results that fast,

Thanks for sharing Balane

 

[balane]

I can tell you that a little bit goes a really long way.

 

[drivesitfar]

Balane: Navel jelly usually is in about a one cup container with a metal screw on cap and if i remember correctly in a pink color. i haven't used it for a while but it goes on sort of like plumber's joint compound with a little brush.

nice work as per usual and your turn around is probably more amazing than your work you churn out.

TOP: have you kept one of those Versa Vises to use on your bench yet? another nice job cleaning it up for your client.

 

[Outlawmws]

Navel Jelly is Phosphoric acid based. You can get it in liquid form under Jasco, as "Jasco Metal Etch" What is nice about Phosphoric is that is eats the rust, but will not attack the steel.

 

[justtools]

alot of wilton vises on here. Good to see there is a mix of nice old vises around.

 

[justtools]

I see i am not the only 1 with more than a few vises.

 

[Tacoma bo]

TB: i think that stand or mount looks almost as nice as the vise. any chance you can post a few pictures and tell us how you made it and what welding process you used to weld stainless?

since you mounted to a Job box how do you get in the job box or did you just make the box a bench? can you post a few full size pictures on the vise stands thread if you have time? thank you and to save you time looking for it here's the link.

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=252799

All,
Thanks for the comments I'll have to get a full write up in when I get a chance. Been at the beach all day with the family.

As for the base plate.. It is not water jet cut. I wish I had access to a water jet. I had to
1. Trace the outline on the 1/2" stainless plate
2. Layout, drill, and countersink the holes
3. Thin-disc cut with 4 1/2" metabo angle grinder on outline
4. Smooth and shape edges with 80 grit sanding disc(tiger paw)
5. Same as step 4 with 120 grit tiger paw
6. Polish out with high speed metabo end grinder and 3m wheel

A slow method but with the right practice and patience the result is worth it. I'll try to get some thing written up on both the vise and the box. I bought the knaack storagemaster 45 when I was 17 and have since made some really useful modifications. Here's another shot

 

[Tacoma bo]

I never get tired of that color Balane, I plan on painting my 974 like that.

X2 that color makes for a sharp looking vise. Even moreso with the lettering

 

[topop101]

All,
Thanks for the comments I'll have to get a full write up in when I get a chance. Been at the beach all day with the family.

As for the base plate.. It is not water jet cut. I wish I had access to a water jet. I had to
1. Trace the outline on the 1/2" stainless plate
2. Layout, drill, and countersink the holes
3. Thin-disc cut with 4 1/2" metabo angle grinder on outline
4. Smooth and shape edges with 80 grit sanding disc(tiger paw)
5. Same as step 4 with 120 grit tiger paw
6. Polish out with high speed metabo end grinder and 3m wheel

A slow method but with the right practice and patience the result is worth it. I'll try to get some thing written up on both the vise and the box. I bought the knaack storagemaster 45 when I was 17 and have since made some really useful modifications. Here's another shot

Nice skills. Very nice hand work!

 

[topop101]

Balane: Navel jelly usually is in about a one cup container with a metal screw on cap and if i remember correctly in a pink color. i haven't used it for a while but it goes on sort of like plumber's joint compound with a little brush.

nice work as per usual and your turn around is probably more amazing than your work you churn out.

TOP: have you kept one of those Versa Vises to use on your bench yet? another nice job cleaning it up for your client.

DRIVES no I haven't kept one for my self. If I ever come across an old one with the cast in lettering rather than the riveted on plate or sticker I will.

 

[vintage nut]

Forgot to grab pictures yesterday, but I got my ditch find wilton mechanics vise all cleaned up. Under the 17 layers of paint (it was literally over 1/16" thick) not only did the casting look far nicer than it did originally, but I also found "ENG ROOM" stamped on the top of the casting covering the slide. It seems this vise was originally on a ship! I've decided instead of my usual dark green, or the original Schiller park color, I'm going to paint it the sage green you see on Chicago bullets. We still need to make a new set of jaws (going to be smooth hardened steel, no serrations) and build the stand for it. I have an idea for a stand that will get rid of the swivel base, and should make it look a lot better.
Also have an interesting casting for the base of the stand I'll grab a picture of later.

you can never have too many tools

 

[topop101]

Navel Jelly is Phosphoric acid based. You can get it in liquid form under Jasco, as "Jasco Metal Etch" What is nice about Phosphoric is that is eats the rust, but will not attack the steel.

While I was at that collectors shop working on his Massey wood vise Larry, the collector, pulled out his everything about Stanley book. It looks like That Stanley made there first vise in 1911 and there last one in 1980....

 

[tedsters]

All,
Thanks for the comments I'll have to get a full write up in when I get a chance. Been at the beach all day with the family.

As for the base plate.. It is not water jet cut. I wish I had access to a water jet. I had to
1. Trace the outline on the 1/2" stainless plate
2. Layout, drill, and countersink the holes
3. Thin-disc cut with 4 1/2" metabo angle grinder on outline
4. Smooth and shape edges with 80 grit sanding disc(tiger paw)
5. Same as step 4 with 120 grit tiger paw
6. Polish out with high speed metabo end grinder and 3m wheel

A slow method but with the right practice and patience the result is worth it. I'll try to get some thing written up on both the vise and the box. I bought the knaack storagemaster 45 when I was 17 and have since made some really useful modifications. Here's another shot

it may be a slow method but it sure did turn out very nice

 

[topop101]

Had fun cleaning up this lil' red arrow Columbian 631/2. I'm not much good at the lettering high lights. Especially these sharp letters but it's nice enough I guess.

 

[FMC1959]

Had fun cleaning up this lil' red arrow Columbian 631/2. I'm not much good at the lettering high lights. Especially these sharp letters but it's nice enough I guess.

Not sure why you say that, looking at your pics, looks like you did real good

 

[zkling]

All,
Thanks for the comments I'll have to get a full write up in when I get a chance. Been at the beach all day with the family.

You might want to consider running a second vertical brace between the bottom of the box frame and the end of the vertical mounting tube. Or Even just a triangulation to connect to the other tubes lower connection. To give more stability to the vise.

 

[twertsy]

Picked this C500 up today.

 

[Fraggles]

For any one near Glasgow, Scotland. There's a Parkinsons 8A with a stand for £20 "scrap value"

http://www.gumtree.com/p/clamps-vices/heavy-duty-6-vice-on-bench-vintage-english-made-/1124796484

Also a newer type Swindens in Cornwall for £50

http://www.gumtree.com/p/tool-stora...e.-engineers-carpenters-vice-tools/1124701273

 

[topop101]

Not sure why you say that, looking at your pics, looks like you did real good

I'm usually my worse critic. But thank you.

 

[Outlawmws]

For any one near Glasgow, Scotland. There's a Parkinsons 8A with a stand for £20 "scrap value"

http://www.gumtree.com/p/clamps-vices/heavy-duty-6-vice-on-bench-vintage-english-made-/1124796484

Also a newer type Swindens in Cornwall for £50

http://www.gumtree.com/p/tool-stora...e.-engineers-carpenters-vice-tools/1124701273

Oh sure, tease us guys from Across the pond...

 

[vintage nut]

Should have the little wilton 744 done today. Couldn't find the color I originally intended to use, so I picked something else that looks pretty darn good! Just need to do the lettering and make a set of aluminum jaws, as it only came with one.
Actually quite a nice little vise!

My dad's you **** reed is coming along well too. I think he may be getting the vise bug! Apart from me polishing to handle, he's basically gotten it ready for paint since yesterday.

you can never have too many tools

 

[vintage nut]

Looking through our (rather quickly) growing vise collection, I've noticed that I'm missing something! A 5" vise seems about perfect for the majority of work, and mine jump from the little rock island double swivel, to the 6" morgan. Not that I really need another, but I'm gonna keep my eye out for something to fill the gap. I'm thinking either a 5" rock island or reed, or possibly a 5" machinists bullet. Probably going to take a while to find around here, but I'm sure I'll find something eventually!

you can never have too many tools

 

[bluebolt]

Picked this C500 up today.

Nice find Twertsy. Can you post up a picture of the date on the slide?

 

[that one guy]

Picked this C500 up today.

What a beast~!

 

[Mark in Indiana]

For any one near Glasgow, Scotland. There's a Parkinsons 8A with a stand for £20 "scrap value"

http://www.gumtree.com/p/clamps-vices/heavy-duty-6-vice-on-bench-vintage-english-made-/1124796484

Also a newer type Swindens in Cornwall for £50

http://www.gumtree.com/p/tool-stora...e.-engineers-carpenters-vice-tools/1124701273

OK...Going to fire up the Gulfstream and head over there!

 

[JZiggy]

I picked up a Record 34P 4-1/2" vise which I understand to be pretty rare in the US. Paid too much for it, but I got out my can of turd polish anyway (hot water, simple green, brushes of various levels of aggression) and managed to bring it back to (mostly) the factory enamel blue. Love it when guys hastily spray paint vises, especially with dirt underneath.

As found:

Halfway clean:

Totally clean and on the adapted swivel base:

It's been well used but not abused. The worn jaws still close straight and the screw/nut has no visible wear. The vise has some pretty cool features. The nut floats in the body and the screw is supported on both ends of the slide. I like how the slide and body have huge ribs to efficiently bear the clamping load, rather than just a ton of metal that is not well utilized.

The jaw insert screws are tapered and are *almost* an M8-1.0 thread... but they are in fact BSC 5/16-26 (British Standard Cycle - who's ever heard of these dang things before?!)

 

[Craptain]

I picked up a Record 34P 4-1/2" vise which I understand to be pretty rare in the US. Paid too much for it, but I got out my can of turd polish anyway (hot water, simple green, brushes of various levels of aggression) and managed to bring it back to (mostly) the factory enamel blue. Love it when guys hastily spray paint vises, especially with dirt underneath.

As found:

Halfway clean:

Totally clean and on the adapted swivel base:

It's been well used but not abused. The worn jaws still close straight and the screw/nut has no visible wear. The vise has some pretty cool features. The nut floats in the body and the screw is supported on both ends of the slide. I like how the slide and body have huge ribs to efficiently bear the clamping load, rather than just a ton of metal that is not well utilized.

The jaw insert screws are tapered and are *almost* an M8-1.0 thread... but they are in fact BSC 5/16-26 (British Standard Cycle - who's ever heard of these dang things before?!)

Nice vise

Never heard of British Standard Cycle but I have heard of and used British Standard Course.

Sent from my LG-D801 using Tapatalk

 

[jrobb316]

Looking through our (rather quickly) growing vise collection, I've noticed that I'm missing something! A 5" vise seems about perfect for the majority of work, and mine jump from the little rock island double swivel, to the 6" morgan. Not that I really need another, but I'm gonna keep my eye out for something to fill the gap. I'm thinking either a 5" rock island or reed, or possibly a 5" machinists bullet. Probably going to take a while to find around here, but I'm sure I'll find something eventually!

you can never have too many tools

I second the 5" being about perfect for everyday use. I use a 5" Morgan which comes in just under 100 lbs.

 

[Fraggles]

Outlaw & Mark,

I would have had them if they were near to me.

Looks like the Swindens has been sold.

jZiggy

Those screws are probably 5/16" British Standard Whitworth with 18 threads per inch.

 

[drivesitfar]

Fraggles: maybe if the other vice you mentioned is close to St. Andrews if you might know a golfer heading up to watch the British Open maybe he has time to pick up a vice for you. just saying.

i think i have enough free air miles to get to Iceland, but that's a long swim to Scotland and with a vice on my back the swim back might be a bit tougher.

JZ: how did you make the swivel base for your Record? are those some of the bases Carla had or do tell? Just Simple green took off the black spray bomb?

 

[vintage nut]

Just awaiting the lettering and the new jaws. The paint is vht brake caliper paint. The sort of semi metalic gold one. Fairly similar to chrysler gold engine paint. Looks better in person I must say.
Gonna be a nice vise!

you can never have too many tools

 

[twertsy]

Nice find Twertsy. Can you post up a picture of the date on the slide?

It'll be a couple days but yes, I'll get to it.

 

[bagged89s10]

Is this GJ certified packaging?

 

[JZiggy]

Fraggles: definitely a much finer pitch. Just an RCH finer than 1.00 metric (which would be 25.4 tpi).

Drives: I bought a record swivel base cheap on eBay and put a 3/8" steel adapter plate in between. In this case the two side bolts go through the plate and thread into the swivel stop. The back bolt just threads into the plate. It's not awesome but it works well.

 

[gabeancounter]

Wish I had the time and skills you guys have with restoring these old vises. Had to go with new iron for my main vise. Yost 865di.

 

[tedsters]

Wish I had the time and skills you guys have with restoring these old vises. Had to go with new iron for my main vise. Yost 865di.

Nice vise where are the making the new yost at in Michigan yet