The VISES of Garage Journal
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ironhorsemachinery
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- Joined
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- 64
Re: Rock Island Automatic Vise
Very nice restoration! I love the detail on the top of the jaws - not much today has that kind of decoration. And the color is very nice as well ...
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Very nice restoration! I love the detail on the top of the jaws - not much today has that kind of decoration. And the color is very nice as well ...
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02superduty
Well-known member
02superduty
Well-known member
drivesitfar
Well-known member
EX: i really like that style Rock Island swiveler and you did an amazing job spiffing it up. very nice find and restoration.
Kevin: i think your friend's Prentiss is a 1920's vise because i have several of them. i might only have one or two in that nice of condition though that are farm fresh and that looks that good. I've got a few catalog pages saved, but can't find them so maybe Bl00 or somebody else has some to post that i (we) can see. also the #98 is most likely a parts # that Prentiss used to keep the vise's static and dynamic pieces going to the correct vise.
if you are amazed by your friend's collection any chance you can get him to post a few pictures or maybe he'll let you take a few??
Tedsters: my Massey is a lot different than yours and mine might be older and definitely a bit more rusty. I really like the handle on mine. here's a few pictures of mine
Kevin: i think your friend's Prentiss is a 1920's vise because i have several of them. i might only have one or two in that nice of condition though that are farm fresh and that looks that good. I've got a few catalog pages saved, but can't find them so maybe Bl00 or somebody else has some to post that i (we) can see. also the #98 is most likely a parts # that Prentiss used to keep the vise's static and dynamic pieces going to the correct vise.
if you are amazed by your friend's collection any chance you can get him to post a few pictures or maybe he'll let you take a few??
Tedsters: my Massey is a lot different than yours and mine might be older and definitely a bit more rusty. I really like the handle on mine. here's a few pictures of mine
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topop101
Well-known member
Drives I'm wondering if your Massey is a quick release?
va.grouseman
Well-known member
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Merb.---Here is a couple of the old ones.---York is still in business and if the new ones are as tough as the old ones, You'll do well.---The old ones can still be bought.---They pop up occasionally on E-bay and Craigslist.
Here's a #60
I think this is a #150.---It doesn't say 150, but it's 60 lbs. 4 oz., 6'' jaws.---It's either a #125 or a #150.
I've never seen an old York beat too death.
va.grouseman
Well-known member
Drive,---here's another Massey.---Looks like a boat.
I think Morgan bought out Massey or Massey was a division of Morgan or something like that.---I have seen wood vises that say Morgan Massey on them.---Maybe B100 could throw light on it.
I think Morgan bought out Massey or Massey was a division of Morgan or something like that.---I have seen wood vises that say Morgan Massey on them.---Maybe B100 could throw light on it.
Here's the vice I was thinking of buying
Merb
Beautiful vise! I find it amazing that not only did Wilton steal the basic York design in the late 30's, they even copied the straight grooved jaws. If you look up old pics of Wilton vises, the originals had those same jaws.
CwazyWabbit
Well-known member
That's interesting, there are what appear to be influences from the UK Parkinson vices in that one
I'm sure Fretters will agreeWhich is interesting as I have a Wilson Riley vice that is the spit of the Massey vice that DIF has
vintage nut
Well-known member
Drives, is that the vise I'm going to be restoring for you? Sure is a cool thing!
you can never have too many tools
you can never have too many tools
vintage nut
Well-known member
Set up to do a repair on my massive post vise. Someone decided to torch cut a fairly big notch out of each jaw, forming at least a 1-1.5" diameter circle when the jaws are closed. I clamped on an aluminum backer plate, and after work tonight I'm going to start welding it up. No hardened jaw faces, so I don't have to worry about softening those. My plan is to stack 7018 beads in there to fill it up, then grind it all smooth. Also considering hardfacing the entire jaw surface, then grinding them smooth. Would probably make them stand up a lot better.
you can never have too many tools
bagged89s10
Well-known member
Athol 623 restored. Came out ok considering all the casting flaws and bad raised lettering.
vintage nut
Well-known member
As you can see in that picture, we have found a good use for a chinese record! I'm a big fan of either having a cheap new vise, or a badly abused old one on the welding table. They definitely tend to get abused there. Between burning the paint off with cutting torch work, hitting it with the grinder, getting weld spatter all over it, getting full of grinding dust, and yes, even the occasional beating with a bfh. All the sort of work you would never do to a good vise. Found this one basically new at a swap meet for 35 bucks, and it will get use and probably some abuse until it's eventually toast. Still pretty much perfect after nearly 2 years of that. All it's needed is tightening the jaw screws, and squirting some gear oil on the screw.
A bit long winded, but there is definitely a use for cheap vises or repaired/abused ones.
you can never have too many tools
A bit long winded, but there is definitely a use for cheap vises or repaired/abused ones.
you can never have too many tools
Fretters
Well-known member
I'd buy one of those in a heartbeat if I had need. The old York's are nice vices, and there's no reason to believe the newer style are any less sturdy, though I've never personally seen one of the newer style in the flesh as yet. That looks like the T-lux model?
Very helpful company too. One of their chaps was extremely helpful when I was after some information on their older models. A trait you don't find in many companies these days.
bagged89s10
Well-known member
Agreed that you need a beater vise for a welding table as you will end up beating, grinding, welding, and cutting on it.
Fretters
Well-known member
That's interesting, there are what appear to be influences from the UK Parkinson vices in that one
That slide style and the QR are definitely nicked from Parkinson.
I seem to remember bl00 posting one advert ages ago of an American vice which was a clone of the old style Parkinson. There was either some blatant copying or licencing going on back in the old days. drivesitfar
Well-known member
VA: i'm not sure where Massey ended up and it could have been Morgan because i think the information ended for them in the early 1900's which is when i think Morgan started. Maybe our resident historians have more information. i think i also remember that Mr. Fulton married the daughter of Massey so it might have went that direction for a little while. it's fun reading some of those old newspapers when you have time when news was more of a town gossip paper.
nice looking vises and i like the hands under vises in some of these pictures maybe better than a stump. just saying.
VN: yes when we meet again you will get a chance to get your hands on my Massey to do your magic to it. good luck on the repairs to your huge blacksmith vise you are working on.
TOP: not sure if my Massey vise is a quick release. I've only turned it a couple turns and didn't even think to try it. if i happen to remember what cabinet it's in i'll take a look and see if it might be.
nice looking vises and i like the hands under vises in some of these pictures maybe better than a stump. just saying.
VN: yes when we meet again you will get a chance to get your hands on my Massey to do your magic to it. good luck on the repairs to your huge blacksmith vise you are working on.
TOP: not sure if my Massey vise is a quick release. I've only turned it a couple turns and didn't even think to try it. if i happen to remember what cabinet it's in i'll take a look and see if it might be.
Gary_montague
Member
drivesitfar
Well-known member
Gary: thanks for sharing your US made vises and they look like they are mounted and ready to do most any job. also welcome to the vise thread
Merbie: i don't think you said the price or the size of that York you keep talking about. since you mentioned it weighs 80 pounds i'm guessing it's a 4.5 or 5 inch wide jaw, but it might be a 6 inch wide in that style. do tell and are you buying new from York and in what country are they located now?
Bagged: i'm not crazy about the color of your new restoration, but i'm guessing it's headed out the door. nice job and you might be getting too picky, but that's not all bad.
Merbie: i don't think you said the price or the size of that York you keep talking about. since you mentioned it weighs 80 pounds i'm guessing it's a 4.5 or 5 inch wide jaw, but it might be a 6 inch wide in that style. do tell and are you buying new from York and in what country are they located now?
Bagged: i'm not crazy about the color of your new restoration, but i'm guessing it's headed out the door. nice job and you might be getting too picky, but that's not all bad.
That's a steal! Are they still made in Europe?
oldldh
Well-known member
Drives---I believe Merbie is talking about the price...
In dollars 80 quid would be around $125.00...
About...
+VAT of 20%...
or---$150.00
ironhorsemachinery
Well-known member
- Joined
- May 20, 2015
- Messages
- 64
Athol 623 restored. Came out ok considering all the casting flaws and bad raised lettering.
Looks VERY nice!
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Fretters
Well-known member
Yup, they're still in Czechoslovakia, (Czech Republic).
Fretters
Well-known member
Drives---I believe Merbie is talking about the price...
Aye, pound as in GBP, not lb.
Drive,---here's another Massey.---Looks like a boat.
I think Morgan bought out Massey or Massey was a division of Morgan or something like that.---I have seen wood vises that say Morgan Massey on them.---Maybe B100 could throw light on it.
if mine would have been that style i would not have let it go, thats cool as heck
bagged89s10
Well-known member
Parker No. 33 done.
G20-Budo
Well-known member
bagged89s10,
Nice job on the restore of the Parker No. 33!
Nice job on the restore of the Parker No. 33!
va.grouseman
Well-known member
Re: Rock Island Automatic Vise
Exmax,---I have one of those Rock Island Auto's.---I really like that concept they had on the lock-down---Is yours a 6 inch jaw, as I saw the no. 6 on the side?---Really beautiful job you did on that thing.
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Exmax,---I have one of those Rock Island Auto's.---I really like that concept they had on the lock-down---Is yours a 6 inch jaw, as I saw the no. 6 on the side?---Really beautiful job you did on that thing.
joe.striper
Well-known member
Crazy day today. I saw a CL ad this morning for a 'heavy duty blacksmith vise, $225'. I called the owner and we chatted about vises, he said it weighed in excess of 150 lbs. I suggested he put a pic in the ad and then give the jaw width. After a few more minutes he asked me if I wanted it.... for free. I was certainly confused. He told me that he had two months to live and that he didn't want to see it scrapped and that it belonged to his grandfather.
My buddy picked it up for me in VT. To say I was speechless is an understatement, and I am NEVER at a loss for words.
Oh well, another vise that I can never sell, only give away. Next time I am having a shi**y day I will look back on this one and stop complaining.
My buddy picked it up for me in VT. To say I was speechless is an understatement, and I am NEVER at a loss for words.
Oh well, another vise that I can never sell, only give away. Next time I am having a shi**y day I will look back on this one and stop complaining.
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drivesitfar
Well-known member
Joe: it's the Karma big guy. you might talk like a New Jersey tough guy, but you have a great heart. cheers and congrats because that will look great in your garage.
Oldie: Oh so that was the POUNDS of the York.
Fretters: does the same family own York that did prior to WWII since it's still in Czech republic?
Oldie: Oh so that was the POUNDS of the York.
Fretters: does the same family own York that did prior to WWII since it's still in Czech republic?
Fretters
Well-known member
trijeff
Well-known member
Hey San Diegans - I know you live in one of the most beautiful places on Earth and everything, but quit sleeping on a $50 C0 already
http://sandiego.craigslist.org/csd/tls/5111953740.html
http://sandiego.craigslist.org/csd/tls/5111953740.html
Re: Rock Island Automatic Vise
The number "6" has no rhyme or reason: the jaws are 4-1/2" wide and they open 7". It's a massive vise though at 75 lbs. I've never seen anything like it, so please put up a pic of yours. Thanks!
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Exmax,---I have one of those Rock Island Auto's.---I really like that concept they had on the lock-down---Is yours a 6 inch jaw, as I saw the no. 6 on the side?---Really beautiful job you did on that thing.
The number "6" has no rhyme or reason: the jaws are 4-1/2" wide and they open 7". It's a massive vise though at 75 lbs. I've never seen anything like it, so please put up a pic of yours. Thanks!
topop101
Well-known member
These are the ones that inspire us to do what we do. Vise's and tools in general mean so much to the owners. Walking into an estate and seeing how the shop was set up, wondering what all was built by the owner... What's better than that??? Nice job Joe !