The VISES of Garage Journal

[trijeff]

I don't know if this was posted before but I just saw these pictures of Chip Foose's vise. I wouldn't expect anything less from him. Obviously just a show piece but still sick

Yeah, except for the rounded corners, of course. I just wish the guy knew what he was doing. LOLOLOLOLOLOLOL

 

[Colin Len]

Wow, those are beautiful!

 

[bagged89s10]

Bagged---

Ah, yes, the Old Garage Art Collection...

Someone spent an inordinate amount of time and energy on these...

I don't know if we ever found out , who the artist was...

But...

Artist he is...

Yes. I just want the stand, or maybe someone will donate me enough steel to make one.

 

[joe.striper]

I don't know if this was posted before but I just saw these pictures of Chip Foose's vise. I wouldn't expect anything less from him. Obviously just a show piece but still sick!

It's a Parker! Jaws are unmistakeable. Now I have something to shoot for!

 

[GETRIDAONE]

The Athol 023 line went through several changes with swivel locks, jaws, pipe jaw inserts, etc. But the overall design remained consistent and follows the appearance closely of the two vises posted. Namely the long slide bar and shorter screw plus the anvil/flat-horn area on Kevin's is an exact match. Good luck finding any info on the 023 though, doesn't seem to be much out there. If I hadn't had some to refinish over the years I wouldn't know anything about them.

Thanks for the vise lesson balane. I have never seen one with a slide that long. I have 4 or 5 with that body style but standard slides.

 

[bagged89s10]

It's a Parker! Jaws are unmistakeable. Now I have something to shoot for!

Exactly. Being a Parker makes it even better!

 

[jreb10]

Late last year I acquired this Desmond Stephan Simplex combination vise. It had a film of rust on it but underneath I was impressed with its quality. It cleaned up very well, so I decided to try a "different" kind of surface finish on it:



That is wrinkle red paint. I like the finished product, although I could have done better with more experience.



This vise is really well-manufactured. It has 4.75 inch jaw inserts that have a dowel into the jaws as well as screws. Everything about it is very stout. It weighs 82 pounds give-or-take.



Frankly, this vise is as good as any Reed or Athol I have seen. I know that Desmond Stephan sold their vise business to Ridge (that became Ridgid). Ridge was selling Ridge-branded Simplex vises in the mid-sixties, so the sale had to happen before that time. So this could be a late 50's early 60's vise.

I think Desmond Stephan Simplex may be a "sleeper" brand as far as quality goes. Not a well-known maker but excellent quality in their professional line. I feel the same way about Hollands.

Now I need to figure out what to do with it.

 

[jrobb316]

That looks sweet. What brand of paint is it?

 

[bagged89s10]

What color should I paint the Wilton 930?
Krylon Satin Jade

Hammerite blue

 

[jreb10]

That looks sweet. What brand of paint is it?

Thanks. VHT Red Wrinkle, SP204. The color is often described as "Ferrari Red".

 

[oldldh]

Thanks. VHT Red Wrinkle, SP204. The color is often described as "Ferrari Red".

Or...

In some parts...

As...

"Arrest-Me-Red"!!!

 

[bagged89s10]

Parker 955 fresh out of the e-tank,'quick scrub down, and wiped down with a little oil.

 

[jrobb316]

Parker 955 fresh out of the e-tank,'quick scrub down, and wiped down with a little oil.

Are you going nekked on this one? Can't argue with the industrial look

 

[bagged89s10]

Are you going nekked on this one? Can't argue with the industrial look

I like the look but I'm leaning towards keeping the smaller No. 2 and selling the 955.
I think the 955 will be painted some shade of green.

 

[jrobb316]

Keeping the smaller vise thats heresy around here They're both very nice though

 

[bagged89s10]

Keeping the smaller vise thats heresy around here They're both very nice though

I know. I do have a Wilton 9-500 too. I have to decide wether to keep the Wilton or the Parker. I am a big fan of Parkers but the Wilton is a cool looking vise too. I don't have room or the need for all.

I also have the Parker no 49 and the Rock island 594 to sell. And I need to button up the Oswego no 88. Oh and the American Scale no. 54 in working on. I think I need a week off from work to get these done.




My new e-tank is making it a lot easier.

 

[Fretters]

I know. I do have a Wilton 9-500 too. I have to decide wether to keep the Wilton or the Parker. I am a big fan of Parkers but the Wilton is a cool looking vise too. I don't have room or the need for all.

IMHO, it's no contest on that choice. Traditional slide over a round slide any day of the week. Round slides are nice when you have proper vices around to depend upon when necessary.

 

[bagged89s10]

IMHO, it's no contest on that choice. Traditional slide over a round slide any day of the week. Round slides are nice when you have proper vices around to depend upon when necessary.

The Parker is definitely a better vise and bigger. I can Probably sell the Wilton for more too.

 

[va.grouseman]

What color should I paint the Wilton 930?
Krylon Satin Jade

Hammerite blue

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


How about really do it up right with a rattle can of Krylon Jungle Green 2011.---Going for a paltry $210.25 a can.---Even a Bugatti would be jealous.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/261978237677?_trksid=p2055119.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK:MEBIDX:IT

 

[Fretters]

The Parker is definitely a better vise and bigger. I can Probably sell the Wilton for more too.

You have your answer in a nutshell right there.

As much as I like Yorks and their derivatives, putting your whole body weight, for example, on something which is only prevented from rotating by pins or a key never gives you that same sense of security. I know you'd have to be an absolute animal to break a good size Wilton, but the classic style will always take preference, in my book, and the Parkers are nice vises too.

 

[Fretters]

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


How about really do it up right with a rattle can of Krylon Jungle Green 2011.---Going for a paltry $210.25 a can.---Even a Bugatti would be jealous.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/261978237677?_trksid=p2055119.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK:MEBIDX:IT

I'd say someone has been smoking a bit of "Jungle green", judging from that listing.

 

[McBrownie]

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How about really do it up right with a rattle can of Krylon Jungle Green 2011.---Going for a paltry $210.25 a can.---Even a Bugatti would be jealous.

$200 "vintage" spray paint? And, in the description, "a nice addition to your collection". A spray paint collection?

 

[jrobb316]

The Parker is definitely a better vise and bigger. I can Probably sell the Wilton for more too.

Wilton will fetch more and the Parker is the better vise, IMO. Pictured together the parker dwarfs it in depth. I would also keep that rock island for sure. They are top shelf.

 

[bagged89s10]

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


How about really do it up right with a rattle can of Krylon Jungle Green 2011.---Going for a paltry $210.25 a can.---Even a Bugatti would be jealous.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/261978237677?_trksid=p2055119.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK:MEBIDX:IT

I'd say someone has been smoking a bit of "Jungle green", judging from that listing.

$200 "vintage" spray paint? And, in the description, "a nice addition to your collection". A spray paint collection?

Even more funny after having a few beers.

 

[bagged89s10]

Wilton will fetch more and the Parker is the better vise, IMO. Pictured together the parker dwarfs it in depth. I would also keep that rock island for sure. They are top shelf.

I do like the rock island a lot.

Then there are the Parker 974 and 383-1/2

 

[jrobb316]

I do like the rock island a lot.

Then there are the Parker 974 and 383-1/2

Thats looking like my garage with probably another new addition coming in a week or so. But of them all, my rock island is off limits. I'm thinking of letting my Morgan Chicago 45 and 145 go.

Are you keeping the Reed?

 

[bagged89s10]

Thats looking like my garage with probably another new addition coming in a week or so. But of them all, my rock island is off limits. I'm thinking of letting my Morgan Chicago 45 and 145 go.



Are you keeping the Reed?

I'm keeping the Reed 204r and the 104r is up for sale. I'll post it on eBay if I have time tonight. I just resprayed the bottom of the base.

 

[topop101]

Oldie: good eye and i'd never seen that Parker design before. you might be correct because i think there is something sitting on top of the jaws that make it look like a swivel jaw that TOP is guessing.

Blind: just a tip. the guys were only saying what you were thinking otherwise you wouldn't have asked about lettering. nice job BTW. can you see the paperclip just above where you write your posts? click on that and browse to pick a picture, then download and save and you'll have thumbnails of your vise that we can click on twice and have a full size picture. the pictures you posted were fine too, but you wanted to know so hope this helps. or ask again if you need some.

cheers

Drives I was also looking at the swivel lock. Looks like the cap is missing from the Prentiss style swivel lock

 

[CwazyWabbit]

Was having a bit of a sort out of the workshop today trying to make some more room so I moved a few vices to a storage shed of mine. I took pictures of a few of the vices as I had them out ..... missed about 10 of the ones I moved out of the photos.
I wondered why I was running out of space, I also see I'm a bit behind on my Restorations!








Three 6 inch Fortis vices and a 5 inch. All Different styles and the 5 inch declares itself Unbreakable
View attachment 467081



Mostly 6 inch and 8 inch vices ..... and a little bit of Deerhound

 

[va.grouseman]

Man I hate to post anything after that display of iron Cwaz, and those were just the ones that were in your way.---I guess the yard would be full if you laid them all out side by side, but here's a couple of those Karas Electric vises I got off EBay a couple of months ago.---They were on there about a week apart.---Each has 2 3/8'' jaws, and each weighs 7 lbs., 4 oz..

 

[va.grouseman]

Here's a few more angles of the Electrics.---They both have the usual (vise jaw battle scars), but there still in pretty fair condition.---Recon Karas had their own foundrys, or did they get Hollands to make them some.

 

[CwazyWabbit]

Man I hate to post anything after that display of iron Cwaz, and those were just the ones that were in your way.---I guess the yard would be full if you laid them all out side by side,
.....

Don't know about the yard being full ..... back would most certainly be broke if I moved them all!


I like those two vises of yours, incredibly like a Hollands and the table mount is cool

 

[rmalkow2]

Don't know about the yard being full ..... back would most certainly be broke if I moved them all!


I like those two vises of yours, incredibly like a Hollands and the table mount is cool

HOLY VISE HOARD , BATMAN!!!

The earth around Surrey, UK must be sinking below sea level under all that weight!

 

[drivesitfar]

CW: i'm guessing you like QR vises? thanks for sharing a few photos of a little piece of your vice family

VA: the Kara vise Zoomie gave my daughter has a little different nut under the bench than the big wing nut or clamp style of yours. thought i'd post a picture so the 3 Kara vises are on the same page. i do like the size of the Kara vises with their 2 3/8 inch jaws?

 

[va.grouseman]

Drive, with the nut having indentions all the way around it, at least that's what it looks like, I wonder if yours is supposed to have a spanner wrench with an ergonomic handle for tightening.---I like that system.---I have a Rock Island that has that same system with the spanner missing also.---I'm told they are as hard to find as pipe jaws.

 

[bagged89s10]

Picked up a couple vises today.
$5 littlestown 900 and a $15 Parker 953-1/2. Just too cheap to pass up for vises with no cracks.

 

[rmalkow2]

I won some items at a local estate auction this week and one of them was my first ever blacksmith style vise. It looks to be complete including the bench mount bracket. Has some bend to the handle that will need straightening and it's currently covered in dirt and grime. Maybe after a thorough scrubbing some makers marks will appear. But luckily no one else wanted it in this auction. Usually they bid up quite a bit but I got lucky and this one cost $11 total. A 10 spot for the vise and $1 commission.

 

[mike_paxton]

Had a fellow (Tim) come over and let me look at a vise he picked up recently.

Turned out to be a J. O. Barrett of Meadville PA.

The housing was almost like a barrel with unusual swivel base with Pat'd date around 1880's. I'm guessing in the 100 plus pound range. Only defect on vise was a split at the end of the sliding bar.

Yes, tried to buy it, but do think that it has a good home with Tim.

Grabbed my camera and only had one pic left available to take, so this pic is best I could do.

 

[GETRIDAONE]

I only managed to find one off eBay this week. I already have big brother so when the little 3" clamp mount came up I just had to have it. I paid about the same for the small one as for the larger one but you might not ever see one again.

CW your collection sure is growing fast.

VA. I felt better about my vise addiction after your post about the crazy people that collect spray paint. I'm going to start looking up on that dusty top shelf in the paint section at the hardware store for some "jungle green"
I think I have a roll of chain for hanging shop lights some where. Do you want me to send it for your mini chain gang

I never find deals like the last few posts !!!

 

[bagged89s10]

I only managed to find one off eBay this week. I already have big brother so when the little 3" clamp mount came up I just had to have it. I paid about the same for the small one as for the larger one but you might not ever see one again.

CW your collection sure is growing fast.

VA. I felt better about my vise addiction after your post about the crazy people that collect spray paint. I'm going to start looking up on that dusty top shelf in the paint section at the hardware store for some "jungle green"
I think I have a roll of chain for hanging shop lights some where. Do you want me to send it for your mini chain gang

I never find deals like the last few posts !!!

Those are really cool!