The VISES of Garage Journal

[ritestuff]

Question for the "big vise" gurus on here:


I ran into a guy that has a 8" vise in his barn. He says that it weighs in the neighborhood of 300 lbs. It also has a pinned swivel jaw, similar to some Parkers, and others. He also claims that he has searched every inch of the surface of this vise, and there is absolutely no identification on it whatsoever. No name, no numbers, no initials, etc.

Now I do remember seeing this vise of his a couple of years back at a swap meet. I didn't pay much attention to it then because he was asking WAY too much for it. Now, he seems to have softened up on it a bit and the price is more reasonable.

So basically, my question is; did any of the better known vise manufacturers make a big vise like this without and markings on it? I've made arrangements to stop by his place to see it later on this week. I'll try to snap a few pictures of it then.

Thanks in advance for any input.

 

[jakemac]

It was a hard day walking around the flea market this morning with no money in my pocket.

The first spotting was a 3" Hollands #23 swivel base. He was asking $50.
After that, I stopped asking the prices.
Next up was a 5" Craftsman/Columbian with the swish. (Thank goodness I already have one)
The one that really killed me was an early Reed #104-1/2. This one was different in that it had the ball nose, a 4-point flat base, and instead of the back sloping down it rose up to a flat point. I hadn't seen that style on a 104+ before.

I wish I had had my camera with me.
It just made me want to cry having to walk away. View media item 38438

 

[Mark in Indiana]

Question for the "big vise" gurus on here:


I ran into a guy that has a 8" vise in his barn. He says that it weighs in the neighborhood of 300 lbs. It also has a pinned swivel jaw, similar to some Parkers, and others. He also claims that he has searched every inch of the surface of this vise, and there is absolutely no identification on it whatsoever. No name, no numbers, no initials, etc.

Now I do remember seeing this vise of his a couple of years back at a swap meet. I didn't pay much attention to it then because he was asking WAY too much for it. Now, he seems to have softened up on it a bit and the price is more reasonable.

So basically, my question is; did any of the better known vise manufacturers make a big vise like this without and markings on it? I've made arrangements to stop by his place to see it later on this week. I'll try to snap a few pictures of it then.

Thanks in advance for any input.

If you can, please post some pictures. More tools in the early part of the 20th century didn't have the brand cast in them. I found a 6" Prentiss like that.

 

[drivesitfar]

Stuff: probably a Prentiss vise and here's the 165 pound version that is a #22. the one the guy is selling is probably a #23 and their might be a # just behind the swivel jaw's pin on top of the static jaw.

get pictures if you can. if it doesn't have a name and just a # then the vise could maybe be a Holland's or another makers vise.

 

[ritestuff]

Mark, Drives,

Thanks for the input. I will for sure get some pics of it. Now let's just say that if it is in fact, a big Prentiss, what is a fair price for something like that in really decent condition? 2 years ago he was asking 900. Now it can be had for about half that.

 

[drivesitfar]

Stuff: if it's a nice 8 incher it's probably worth the $900 or more so 1/2 of that would be a deal that i or anybody else on here would probably pay for it.

good luck and check for welds, cracks and missing parts because at that size it means even more cost to repair or loss of value.

on the big Prentiss vises a lot of past owners and users beat on the back of the slides like they were anvils and cracked a lot of them so check there especially close.

sounds like a great vise and if it checks out and you decide not to buy it PM me and i might and send you a finder's fee if you can do the deal and ship it to me.

 

[Outlawmws]

Question for the "big vise" gurus on here:


I ran into a guy that has a 8" vise in his barn. He says that it weighs in the neighborhood of 300 lbs. It also has a pinned swivel jaw, similar to some Parkers, and others. He also claims that he has searched every inch of the surface of this vise, and there is absolutely no identification on it whatsoever. No name, no numbers, no initials, etc.

Now I do remember seeing this vise of his a couple of years back at a swap meet. I didn't pay much attention to it then because he was asking WAY too much for it. Now, he seems to have softened up on it a bit and the price is more reasonable.

So basically, my question is; did any of the better known vise manufacturers make a big vise like this without and markings on it? I've made arrangements to stop by his place to see it later on this week. I'll try to snap a few pictures of it then.

Thanks in advance for any input.

The quick answer is; all of them did; at least the major mfg's. Pics, and including side views of the jaws as if it has replaceable jaws, that's a good clue.

 

[dukes909]

Was told to post here from top of forum...so please forgive a double post.

A friend gave me an older Wilton vise that he had tack welded some angle iron to the jaws. The angle iron wouldn't stay on & I tried adding some JB Weld later, which didn't work. Can I get inserts to fit this vise & if so, where? I don't even know if this kind of vise takes inserts or meant to have flat jaw faces like the angle iron. Is it worth saving or best to retire it.. Any help appreciated.

Photos

Dukester

 

[Mark in Indiana]

Stuff: if it's a nice 8 incher it's probably worth the $900 or more so 1/2 of that would be a deal that i or anybody else on here would probably pay for it.

good luck and check for welds, cracks and missing parts because at that size it means even more cost to repair or loss of value.

on the big Prentiss vises a lot of past owners and users beat on the back of the slides like they were anvils and cracked a lot of them so check there especially close.

sounds like a great vise and if it checks out and you decide not to buy it PM me and i might and send you a finder's fee if you can do the deal and ship it to me.

IMO: It's a decision that you have to make. For me, I wouldn't pay 900$ or 450$ for it unless I knew that I could make a profit in re-selling it or if times got tough, how much I could get for it. Also, what how much value would I get out of owning it. That's the way I've always been about any tools or toys.

 

[drivesitfar]

Mark: just asking what would be a price you would pay for an 8 inch swivel jaw vise in good condition? since there are not that many 8 inchers for sale or that are swivel jaw you are talking about a somewhat rare animal there.

of course do you or any of us actually have a good use for an 8 incher? not often if at all for some of us, but when has that ever been the motivating decision maker.

cheers

 

[Sam'sAutoParts]

Just got this today and had to share it, I already posted it in the garage sale thread but figured it belonged here as well.

Anyway it's a fixed base Colombian 504 I paid $50 for it, which thought was fair. Been looking for a decent us made vise since joining and this was the first one that seemed solid and was not out of my price range

 

[Mark in Indiana]

Drives,
I really don't know what I'd give for a 8" vise, because they're very rare and I don't know the market for those. It would be hard to resell it unless a collector or commercial shop wanted it. That cuts down on the customer base that I deal with. I say that because I've tried to sell my Wilton Bullet and American Scale pivot jaw vise for ~400$ each. No interest. Not even anyone who wanted to talk my price down. But that's OK. I'm happy to keep them.

As I said before, before purchasing a large toy, I would ask myself what I could get out of it if I had to sell it. I know too many guys who lost their a$$es when they had to sell their high end motorcycles and antique cars.

Yes, it would be very cool to have a vintage 8" vise. I guess if one (in good condition) came up at auction, of the top of my head, my bidding would stop at a little over 300$ if it had a swivel base, and a little over 200$ for a straight base. Perhaps higher if I knew the market better. The risk factor has to be kept under control. JMO.

 

[Craptain]

Was told to post here from top of forum...so please forgive a double post.

A friend gave me an older Wilton vise that he had tack welded some angle iron to the jaws. The angle iron wouldn't stay on & I tried adding some JB Weld later, which didn't work. Can I get inserts to fit this vise & if so, where? I don't even know if this kind of vise takes inserts or meant to have flat jaw faces like the angle iron. Is it worth saving or best to retire it.. Any help appreciated.

Photos

Dukester

No worries about double post.
That old Wilton is worth saving in my opinion. Jaws are available from K M Scott on this forum or from his website. It is going to need work to clean it up ready for new jaws but as I said it's worth it. I see it still has the pipe jaws so that's a bonus.
Do us a favor and take out the dynamic jaw and post up the date code stamped on the bottom of the slide. [emoji106]


Sent from my LG-D801 using Tapatalk

 

[dukes909]

No worries about double post.
That old Wilton is worth saving in my opinion. Jaws are available from K M Scott on this forum or from his website. It is going to need work to clean it up ready for new jaws but as I said it's worth it. I see it still has the pipe jaws so that's a bonus.
Do us a favor and take out the dynamic jaw and post up the date code stamped on the bottom of the slide. [emoji106]


Sent from my LG-D801 using Tapatalk

I took it out and tried to get the best photos I could. Unfortunately I don't see a code; it appears to be well worn, more worn at one end than the other. Maybe it's not worth the time trying to fix up??

Gallery of vise photos...






Thanks,
Dukester

 

[sandman54]

Stuff: if it's a nice 8 incher it's probably worth the $900 or more so 1/2 of that would be a deal that i or anybody else on here would probably pay for it.

good luck and check for welds, cracks and missing parts because at that size it means even more cost to repair or loss of value.

on the big Prentiss vises a lot of past owners and users beat on the back of the slides like they were anvils and cracked a lot of them so check there especially close.

sounds like a great vise and if it checks out and you decide not to buy it PM me and i might and send you a finder's fee if you can do the deal and ship it to me.

Hi drives i have a #57 and a #58 prentiss and these large vises i am finding are bringing big dollars, if they are in good condition. personally i would be on it like a duck on a june bug for 900.

 

[CRSINMICH]

Snagged this Littletown No.140 today. In great shape!

I like that vise. It does seem to be in very good shape. I just bought a similar Dunlap 5244. I know Dunlaps are not held in high regard, but it just appealed to me and for $8 it had to come home. Welcome.

 

[topop101]

Just got this today and had to share it, I already posted it in the garage sale thread but figured it belonged here as well.

Anyway it's a fixed base Colombian 504 I paid $50 for it, which thought was fair. Been looking for a decent us made vise since joining and this was the first one that seemed solid and was not out of my price range

SAMThe 504 is a solid vise ! Nice choice. It's over built and built to last. The main nut is 3" long and if I remember right the screw is 7/8" and "T" Style jaw inserts. Great Choice

 

[va.grouseman]

If the big swivel jaw vise in question is a Prentiss #23, it has 7'' jaws and weighs 207 lbs..---And Charlie Parker made a #240 with 7 1/2'' jaws coming in at 200 lbs., but had the older, through the bench type of swivel.---If it is in fact an 8'' swivel jaw, then that narrows the field of manufacturers to just a few.---The elusive Reed #408 comes in at 300 lbs.---The Hollands #48 comes in at 345 lbs., if memory serves.---I've only seen one #48 and it's posted in Dayids list.---And no one has ever produced a Reed 408 to date.---So either one of those would be a treasure.---I'm not sure about Record or any of the European brands.---And there may be other brands that made huge swivel jaws, but I just can't remember.---Memory about gone.---Help me out here.

But like Outlaw said, Most of the major brands made big vises on special orders, and left off their makers mark.---And I suspect this was to reduce cost.---Costs extra to put those logo's and model numbers and patent numbers in the molds.

 

[joe.striper]

http://www.ebay.com/sch/m.html?_odk...rom=R40&_trksid=m570.l1313&_nkw=vise&_sacat=0

Check this Ebayer out. He has a ton of nice vises and he is 35 miles from me. His prices are $$$. I've never seen him sell one although I'm sure he has

 

[bagged89s10]

http://www.ebay.com/sch/m.html?_odk...rom=R40&_trksid=m570.l1313&_nkw=vise&_sacat=0



Check this Ebayer out. He has a ton of nice vises and he is 35 miles from me. His prices are $$$. I've never seen him sell one although I'm sure he has

Yes the guy from Portland. You know if his prices were low I'd be there every week. Only 15 min from me. Lol

 

[jnyost]

http://www.ebay.com/sch/m.html?_odk...rom=R40&_trksid=m570.l1313&_nkw=vise&_sacat=0



Check this Ebayer out. He has a ton of nice vises and he is 35 miles from me. His prices are $$$. I've never seen him sell one although I'm sure he has

Yeah his prices are stupid high. Looks like he's trying to retire on selling vises.

 

[Outlawmws]

He's clearly a dealer. Do a search on his completed listings for the last 15 days...

 

[bagged89s10]

He's clearly a dealer. Do a search on his completed listings for the last 15 days...

Yes he is. Usually only dealers put inventory tags on the items they are selling.

 

[Craptain]

I took it out and tried to get the best photos I could. Unfortunately I don't see a code; it appears to be well worn, more worn at one end than the other. Maybe it's not worth the time trying to fix up??

Gallery of vise photos...






Thanks,
Dukester

Still worthy of saving. Even though it's been used and abused. More than just appearance check for slop in the slide, lash in the screw and general state of actual wear rather than perceived wear. In any case that is a big piece of American iron. The fact that it has been used as heavily as it has tells of the underlying quality. Also considery your use for the vise and wether or not it would/could serve that use. If you don't want to fix it up I will take it happily. And so would many others.

The other age indicator is the origin. Does it say Chicago or Schiller Park on the side?

Sent from my LG-D801 using Tapatalk

 

[dukes909]

Schiller Park

 

[Craptain]

Schiller Park

That would be a later model.

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[McBrownie]

That would be a later model.

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The Schiller Park along with the cylindrical lock downs (without the hex flats) would make me guess mid '60's. Definitely a desirable model and worth fixing up.

 

[ritestuff]

If the big swivel jaw vise in question is a Prentiss #23, it has 7'' jaws and weighs 207 lbs..---And Charlie Parker made a #240 with 7 1/2'' jaws coming in at 200 lbs., but had the older, through the bench type of swivel.---If it is in fact an 8'' swivel jaw, then that narrows the field of manufacturers to just a few.---The elusive Reed #408 comes in at 300 lbs.---The Hollands #48 comes in at 345 lbs., if memory serves.---I've only seen one #48 and it's posted in Dayids list.---And no one has ever produced a Reed 408 to date.---So either one of those would be a treasure.---I'm not sure about Record or any of the European brands.---And there may be other brands that made huge swivel jaws, but I just can't remember.---Memory about gone.---Help me out here.

But like Outlaw said, Most of the major brands made big vises on special orders, and left off their makers mark.---And I suspect this was to reduce cost.---Costs extra to put those logo's and model numbers and patent numbers in the molds.

Thanks to everyone that gave me some input and info. I'm scheduled to have a look at it and possibly come home with it on Wednesday afternoon. I'll post pictures for conformation ID no matter what the outcome.

 

[timdp]

I can finally contribute to the vise thread, if only because you guys have got me out hitting garage and estate sales looking for tools on a regular basis now...

Found a Wilton 9300 3" vise. Had been looking for a smaller vise to use on a bench away from my big 5" Chinese vise so this one works. $40 for the vise, four micrometers and a couple of calipers.

Thought that this was my first Wilton vise, but checked my dad's old wood vise and its a Wilton too, so I've had one for a long time... Don't really have an appropriate bench to mount it on though. Pic at the bottom.



Took it apart today for clean and lube. One of the vise faces had a headless screw. Anyone know where to get a replacement? Also found a chip below the fixed face.






And back together again and ready to roll.



Dad's Wilton

 

[justtools]

very nice. You found some quality tools there. The vise will last forever.

 

[Fretters]

Another addition to the collection. This one has been in the pipeline for a while, but it's only within the last few days that it's made it's way through to here, (thanks to the help of a couple of chaps on another forum I frequent, with regards to transporting it). It has 5" jaws. It's pictured alongside a Parkinson 8A, (a 6" vice), to give an idea of size for those who are familiar with that model. They're slightly shy of 2' in length.

Weight wise, I have no gear here for weighing it, but it's heavier than the 8A, and those were listed at 92lb, so I'd hazard a guess that it's around the 100lb - 120lb mark. It's a Glaswegian vice, manufactured by Alex. Mathieson & Sons. There are no manufacturers marks on this one, but I've come across photo's of a couple bearing the manufacturers mark, hence how we finally figured out who made it.

 

[MF'er]

Erie Tool Works

 

[rmalkow2]

Erie Tool Works

Man, it's the week for Erie Tool Works vises. I just picked up a #25 this week and so did another GJ member.

 

[Outlawmws]

thats an interesting one, and yet another one similar to Wilton. Any patent dates?

 

[craftsman47]

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

Hammerite blue

omg....you paid $20 for that?????

wanna double your money???

 

[mbsinmich]

I like that vise. It does seem to be in very good shape. I just bought a similar Dunlap 5244. I know Dunlaps are not held in high regard, but it just appealed to me and for $8 it had to come home. Welcome.

I bought a Dulap 5244 also, but it only cost $2!!!

 

[bagged89s10]

omg....you paid $20 for that?????



wanna double your money???

Yes I paid $20.

 

[Outlawmws]

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

Hammerite blue

I painted mine Hammertone Black...

And I also paid $20

 

[timdp]

Here is an interesting flat topped vise:

http://sfbay.craigslist.org/eby/tls/5190921812.html

 

[LaneRover]

Just bought this one at a yard sale.