The VISES of Garage Journal

[CRSINMICH]

CRSINMICH How would you finish this one, I have to fix it because I just can not throw something this big out if it is possible to fix. Removing grease is great if that is all they need. Be sure to post a picture of your Grandfathers vise when you clean it up. Would love to see it. I have 9 grandsons and have a way to go to leave each one a nice vise. Got my two sons done, gave them both Wilton's on stands.

Thanks VA, you are doing a good job your self.

That vice looks pretty beaten up so I think a good paint job would be called for. Look back at Killinger's post #34951. I like that shade of grey (or gray). As I told him, it makes the vise look like it has it's work clothes on and is ready to get to it. I have rehabbed/refinished a few wood working tools and what I like to do when possible is to gently rub the wooden parts with fine steel wool dipped in BLO (Boiled Linseed Oil) then just wipe it with a clean cloth. I think I'll try something similar with Grandpa's vise. By the way, he owned a tool and die shop so I have no idea why he had such a small vise, although the fact that I'm still using it more than a half century later might explain something.

BTW I really did like the tablecloth. Don't you be slapping anybody.

 

[joe.striper]

All this talk about the tablecloth reminds of this old saying. Where does a 150 lb vise sit....anywhere it wants to!!

 

[stevepsd]

Here is my Wilton vise made in August 1946.

Just picked it up for free at a garage sale.

The jaws measure 4 1/2" across. What number vise is this? Are replacement jaws available?

It has been used, but it locks up tight, very tight. No noticeable slop. The grease on the threads sure does stink!

 

[trijeff]

Steve ... Free??? Let me be the first to say YOU ****! You can get new jaws from KMScott, a member here

Sent from my SPH-L720 using Tapatalk

 

[sandman54]

Just finished this vise and stand. Well in excess of 1,000 lbs.

 

[ritestuff]

I was truly amazed that any New England GJ'ers hadn't grabbed this thing up off of Craigslist this morning. I was surprised that it was still available when I called. A Colombian 508.

 

[CastleBravo]

New to me Columbian. I was very happy to see screws holds the jaws in place rather than pins.


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[CRSINMICH]

I snagged this Reed 414 off of CL for $25 recently. Although rusty and crusty, it is in very good condition. The swivel jaw broke loose with some gentle tapping and pivots freely with no catching. The jaws are very clean. Handle and pivot lock handle are nice and straight with a few nicks and dings. This must have been in someones basement or garage, unused, for the past 50-60 yrs. The slide on the dynamic jaw is as shiny as the day it was made where it was protected by the body of the vise. Sure, it's rusty on the ends but that will clean up.
Body of the vise is in the electrolysis tank right now. Swivel jaw is cleaned up and ready for paint. I had briefly considered trying to preserve the patina somehow but decided to go the strip and paint route. As it stands right now I'm going with Rustoleum hammered black. If that doesn't work for me I can always repaint.
Rich

Woodtick: That was a good pick up for the money. It should clean up well. Let us see some "after" pix. I'm not a big fan of hammered finishes but I do like hammered black and hammered grey (or gray).

Castle: I'm getting to like Columbians more and more. They seem to be all work and not for show. Despite all my talk about liking grey (or gray) this one needs to be RED, not scarlet red or fire engine red, just plain old red. Don't forget to post some "after" photos.

 

[sandman54]

New to me Columbian. I was very happy to see screws holds the jaws in place rather than pins.


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That's a peach!

 

[bagged89s10]

Finished a 600S that was froze up and had a different swivel base on it that was the same diameter at the base plate and even the lock downs matched but only had 3 mounting tabs.



<a href="https://visejaws.smugmug.com/Wilton-Bench-Vises/i-VLnDGcB/A"><img src="https://visejaws.smugmug.com/Wilton-Bench-Vises/i-VLnDGcB/0/M/600S-M.jpg" alt="Photo & Video Sharing by SmugMug"></a>



Everything about this vise needed attention, came from a Wyoming oil well out fit and they are not easy on vises. It was never oiled so it rusted in place. Spent a week heating and pouring ATF down the barrel and finally it slid out with no beating. The horse shoe washer was cut out of a 3/16 plate and it did not fit very good, should be 1/4. I made a new washer, these guys are big, 3-1/8 diameter at 1/4 thick, welded up the groove and fit everything where it is suppose to be. While I was at it I made a new larger diameter handle, and added a ball and spring set up like the Parkers.



<a href="https://visejaws.smugmug.com/Wilton-Bench-Vises/i-7S8njdg/A"><img src="https://visejaws.smugmug.com/Wilton-Bench-Vises/i-7S8njdg/0/M/600S%20Wilton%2007-2015%20%2810%29-M.jpg" alt="Photo & Video Sharing by SmugMug"></a>



Made three jaws for it one having grooves for clamping bars or pipes. I just felt like making one, took a while to cut the 45 degree grooves.



<a href="https://visejaws.smugmug.com/Wilton-Bench-Vises/i-Pf6PJ8D/A"><img src="https://visejaws.smugmug.com/Wilton-Bench-Vises/i-Pf6PJ8D/0/M/600S%20Wilton%2007-2015%20%284%29-M.jpg" alt="Photo & Video Sharing by SmugMug"></a>



Resurfaced the anvil and beat out the dust cap on a roll of lead, good way to pull the dents out.



<a href="https://visejaws.smugmug.com/Wilton-Bench-Vises/i-94hFr2M/A"><img src="https://visejaws.smugmug.com/Wilton-Bench-Vises/i-94hFr2M/0/M/600S%20Wilton%2007-2015%20%2813%29-M.jpg" alt="Photo & Video Sharing by SmugMug"></a>



Autopts gave me a swivel base but did not like the cast swivel holder for the carriage bolts, I posted this earlier so I will not talk much about it but show a finished picture, It will not break.



<a href="https://visejaws.smugmug.com/Wilton-Bench-Vises/i-XcXXMHX/A"><img src="https://visejaws.smugmug.com/Wilton-Bench-Vises/i-XcXXMHX/0/S/600S%20Swivel%20Lock%20Down-Custom%20Made%20%282%29-S.jpg" alt="Photo & Video Sharing by SmugMug"></a> <a href="https://visejaws.smugmug.com/Wilton-Bench-Vises/i-zTRdt3K/A"><img src="https://visejaws.smugmug.com/Wilton-Bench-Vises/i-zTRdt3K/0/S/600S%20Swivel%20Lock%20Down-Custom%20Made%20%281%29-S.jpg" alt="Photo & Video Sharing by SmugMug"></a>



This 145 lb vise with a 4-78 date stamp finished up pretty nice and should last another 40 years.



<a href="https://visejaws.smugmug.com/Wilton-Bench-Vises/i-b2Wmz37/A"><img src="https://visejaws.smugmug.com/Wilton-Bench-Vises/i-b2Wmz37/0/M/600S%20Wilton%2007-2015%20%288%29-M.jpg" alt="Photo & Video Sharing by SmugMug"></a>

Amazing work on that vise KMSCOTT. Nice touch with the ball and spring on the handle. You don't know how nice it is to have a handle like that until you use one.
Just speechless on the work on the base and jaws.

 

[bagged89s10]

Just finished this vise and stand. Well in excess of 1,000 lbs.

Love it! I'm a sucker for a lady in red.

 

[bagged89s10]

I was truly amazed that any New England GJ'ers hadn't grabbed this thing up off of Craigslist this morning. I was surprised that it was still available when I called. A Colombian 508.

It was too rich for my blood of its the same one I saw. How much did you pay. Got any more pictures?

 

[joe.striper]

I was truly amazed that any New England GJ'ers hadn't grabbed this thing up off of Craigslist this morning. I was surprised that it was still available when I called. A Colombian 508.

That is a very nice vise Rhody, Meatsis, Veeps and I all saw but it was a bit rich for us (ie-we're broke). Personally, I have my 7" Parker that I havent even touched yet. You my friend, were in the right place at the right time. Enjoy. Did you get a weight on it?

 

[bobcatdan]

My soon to be mine Morgan 6". Broke it today at work trying to get a hydraulic cylinder apart and no I wasn't using it as a press. Work ordered a new 6" Columbian to replace it so to save the Morgan from the furnace (I work at a foundry), I'm bringing it home. Already talked to a buddy with a weld shop and he says it can make her good again. That's the easy part, hard part is where to put it. I'm thinking a pedestal. Then I just have to figure where to put that.

 

[Fretters]

KMS: Nice work, and those inserts look good. I like the tablecloth too, so don't you be slapping the wench.

I snagged this Reed 414 off of CL for $25 recently. Although rusty and crusty, it is in very good condition.

That's a cute looking thing, and a fair old bargain at that price. That'll clean up a treat.

 

[bagged89s10]

My soon to be mine Morgan 6". Broke it today at work trying to get a hydraulic cylinder apart and no I wasn't using it as a press. Work ordered a new 6" Columbian to replace it so to save the Morgan from the furnace (I work at a foundry), I'm bringing it home. Already talked to a buddy with a weld shop and he says it can make her good again. That's the easy part, hard part is where to put it. I'm thinking a pedestal. Then I just have to figure where to put that.

Wow, it cracked further down that the typical break.

 

[jrobb316]

My soon to be mine Morgan 6". Broke it today at work trying to get a hydraulic cylinder apart and no I wasn't using it as a press. Work ordered a new 6" Columbian to replace it so to save the Morgan from the furnace (I work at a foundry), I'm bringing it home. Already talked to a buddy with a weld shop and he says it can make her good again. That's the easy part, hard part is where to put it. I'm thinking a pedestal. Then I just have to figure where to put that.

That looks like a Morgan Milwaukee from the jaw shape. You could contact them and see how much a new dynamic jaw is, I would guess it would run several hundred dollars since I think that vise lists out for almost 1K. You can get a very nice price if you contact them and pick it up at the plant, since you're not that far.

 

[bagged89s10]

Here is my Wilton vise made in August 1946.



Just picked it up for free at a garage sale.



The jaws measure 4 1/2" across. What number vise is this? Are replacement jaws available?



It has been used, but it locks up tight, very tight. No noticeable slop. The grease on the threads sure does stink!

You **** you **** you **** you ****.

Ok I'm done.

 

[Fretters]

Bison Bial 1250, with 80mm jaws. Condition when received:

Finished:

 

[bobcatdan]

It a Chicago Morgan. Maybe it's not clear from the photo, but the jaw is completely snapped off, pretty clean break. My buddy feels confident he can make a pretty clean repair which is all I'm looking for.

 

[jrobb316]

I couldn't make out the chicago in the pic but yeah, if he can repair it well thats a beast

 

[CRSINMICH]

FRETTERS: I made some posts today about vises that looked like they had their work clothes on and were ready to get to it. I have to say, though, that I do have a weak spot for things that have an unexpected, and unnecessary, stylish flair like your Bison Bial. I like the color too. Good job on the restoration.

TIMBITCA: Speaking of stylish vises, how is that REA coming along?

 

[Fretters]

FRETTERS: I made some posts today about vises that looked like they had their work clothes on and were ready to get to it. I have to say, though, that I do have a weak spot for things that have an unexpected, and unnecessary, stylish flair like your Bison Bial. I like the color too. Good job on the restoration.

Cheers. Don't worry, I don't let fresh paintwork put me off using them. This Parkinson Handy had the same treatment when I got it, and this sees frequent use, for example. It probably sees more use than its bigger cousin.

I like my stuff to be corrosion free as much as possible, and looking nice when applicable or when it suits, but once they're painted they're work ready.

 

[Fretters]

The Parkinson Ball Base is all abouts finished. Just need to source some new screws for it, as they have a less common taper on the heads. Either that or I'll be making some fresh inserts out of wood, most likely, and using a standard countersink. I'll split the photo's across several posts rather than ramming them all into one post. The before photo's, to start with, as a reminder of its condition when it came.

The swivel handle was rusted/locked solid, and the body was rusted onto the ball, so no swivelling or tilting. Slide movement was very stiff, and the insert screws were rusted in solid. They ended up having the heads drilled and then the stubs removed with the Mole's.

 

[sandman54]

Love it! I'm a sucker for a lady in red.

I had fun building this one, bagged. There's another I'm working on. Pics when done.

Sandman

 

[oldldh]

Reverend Scott---

I was only insinuating that you had 27 more Home Correspondence Course Machinist's Lessons...That you could cancel because you don't need them, and you wouldn't need to learn anything else...

You've got it all, already...

That Wilton is a magnificent restoration...Most of us can't approach your level of expertise...

Ya Really Dun Gud, This Time, Bubba!!!

 

[zkling]

Just finished this vise and stand. Well in excess of 1,000 lbs.

That looks great, maybe it is just the pics, but do you think it is wise to put that long of a handle on?

 

[CRSINMICH]

FRETTERS: Was anyone hurt when that can of red spray paint next to the Parkinson Ball vise exploded? It has the workaday style of vise I was talking about previously - no frills but simply, "Lets get the job done". It seems that I like things at both ends of the spectrum because I did like the extra stylish flair on your Bison Bial,

 

[Spn1025]

I was truly amazed that any New England GJ'ers hadn't grabbed this thing up off of Craigslist this morning. I was surprised that it was still available when I called. A Colombian 508.

Where in New England? Definetely didn't see that yesterday in the NH craigslist

 

[bagged89s10]

Where in New England? Definetely didn't see that yesterday in the NH craigslist

Worcester

 

[Fretters]

FRETTERS: Was anyone hurt when that can of red spray paint next to the Parkinson Ball vise exploded? It has the workaday style of vise I was talking about previously - no frills but simply, "Lets get the job done".

Been trying to figure the paint thing out myself with that one. That red may well have been the original colour, (Parkinson seemed to have varied between a browny orange through to almost burgundy with their general vices over time, or just through availability of colours over time), so it looks like the grey was applied last. How they could manage to colour it partially like they did though is beyond me.

It seems that I like things at both ends of the spectrum because I did like the extra stylish flair on your Bison Bial,

Same here on that Bison. Normally, excess styling is not something I'm overly fond of either, but there's just something about the appearance of that Bison which is appealing. Can't put my finger on it, but it just looks right.

 

[ritestuff]

That is a very nice vise Rhody, Meatsis, Veeps and I all saw but it was a bit rich for us (ie-we're broke). Personally, I have my 7" Parker that I havent even touched yet. You my friend, were in the right place at the right time. Enjoy. Did you get a weight on it?

I figured that the "vise hounds" would have sniffed this one out. I actually caught the ad when it first hit CL but I didn't bother to call until hours later. The guy that was selling it said that he was flooded with calls, but that nobody would commit to picking it up "right now". He didn't want to hold it for anyone, and said that I could have it if I showed up with cash a.s.a.p.

It was about an hours drive so I did it. I haven't got an actual weight on it, but my back and knees tell me that it's probably between 150 and 200.

 

[GETRIDAONE]

Fretters, I like the small mechanic with the nice legs working on the bottom of that Bison. Nice job on both of those "vices"

CRSINMICH. Fretter's only has one color of paint (red) and it is brushed on.

 

[ritestuff]

It was too rich for my blood of its the same one I saw. How much did you pay. Got any more pictures?

I haven't taken any other pics yet, I just snapped a quick one when I got home. He was asking 325, but I got it for less than that. I figured that the 8"ers don't come along often, and it's in super condition, so what I paid was ok. I'm not sure whether I'm gonna keep it, or go through it and flip it. We'll see.

 

[Fretters]

Continuing from this post: http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showpost.php?p=5086764&postcount=35000

Those photo's are just to show that I did take it back to bare, untainted metal before finishing, (you'll understand why I'm emphasising this point later ).


Some photo's of the parts which allow for the vice to tilt, rotate etc.

That's the cam locking mechanism. The half sphere goes underneath the base, and the cam lever then locks & unlocks the clamping by raising or lowering that stud slightly.

Double nutted to allow for fine adjustment and locking the setup once the cam locking arrangement is set up correctly. One of the original nuts had been cross threaded, so that had to be left off.

That's how the setup appears from underneath once refitted, to show the arrangement under the base. This is the underside of the body, which the half sphere on the base top seats into:

Also had to sort a slight bend on the handle, so two pieces of 3mm ply for the outers with a piece of copper strip pressing on the bend, in the vice. The plywood allowed plenty of clearance to take it past the point of spring-back when straightening.

 

[CRSINMICH]

FRETTERS: How did you strip it so cleanly and completely? I'll wager that more than a few off-colour puns have been made about the name of this vise.

 

[Fretters]

Fretters, I like the small mechanic with the nice legs working on the bottom of that Bison.

Got to include an extra bit of eye candy for the eagle eyed. I hope people appreciate how much time I spend selecting an appropriate newspaper page for the photo sessions. Having to look through all the totty pic's to pick a suitable one is a devilish chore.

Nice job on both of those "vices"

Cheers.

CRSINMICH. Fretter's only has one color of paint (red) and it is brushed on.

FRETTERS: How did you strip it so cleanly and completely?

Electrolysis. For stubborn portions of paint, I'll usually lightly scrape those with either a copper coin else blunted knife blade when I take it out of the vat, to loosen or remove it, and then back in the vat it goes. Final/general cleaning is just using a soft wire bristle hand brush and a nylon pan scourer.

 

[KMScott]

Reverend Scott---

I was only insinuating that you had 27 more Home Correspondence Course Machinist's Lessons...That you could cancel because you don't need them, and you wouldn't need to learn anything else...

You've got it all, already...

That Wilton is a magnificent restoration...Most of us can't approach your level of expertise...

Ya Really Dun Gud, This Time, Bubba!!!

Thanks Oldie, always have something to learn. I get what you mean.

Making a couple of bases for the old drill a hole in your bench vises. I like how Parker made theirs and created a drawing that I just scale down to fit a vise. Oldie, wish I had a young one to teach a few things but no one wants to machine any more, being a welder pays better out this way.

 

[drivesitfar]

Fretters: maybe you can show her face and post a few more pictures of your Ball vise over on the 101 thread.

Sandman: any idea how many 8 inch wide old vises you have? how about a family picture? nice work on the Holland's that i think i saw on your bench with your blue Prentiss last week.

 

[Fraggles]

Fretters, that ball vice is ,

with all these photos you're making me regret not buying it.

Are the jaws 3" wide, hence the dynamic jaw/slide being the same as in the Handy No.1?