The VISES of Garage Journal

[drivesitfar]

Al: That reed is a good size vise as a user for any of us. I like your idea of making copper or aluminum jaw covers if that works. That jaw was meant to be a solid jaw so maybe having a machine shop clean it up if there is enough jaw left is another option. Or find a parts vise with a better dynamic jaw. Welcome BTW

 

[bl00]

Fisher Norris vise.

Here's a better one that I missed the first time. It was in my unsorted file.

 

[Duct Tape Man]

I got this little Craftsman clamp-on model from the 1950s, jaws are 2-3/8" wide. I love the red Craftsman logo going vertically down the clamp portion of the vise, very stylish for a working tool. Cost was $12.

 

[joe.striper]

Picked up this old vise

Lasu, that is a York I am 99% sure. Great vises, all metric. Welcome to the board

 

[joe.striper]

Get: Very cool vise indeed. Not sure how rare but I haven't seen one in person. I think I've seen a few others with that handle on this thread and maybe some of the other guys might know. Nice restore work as per your usual.

Joe: What's an fb page? Any link? I like those cool short swiveling stands under those old vise you mentioned you were going to buy. Did you buy them or if going today good luck?

fb = Face Book. I'm headed down Wednesday. I'm trying to pick up a few and maybe get a better price. They weigh 150-200 lbs with the vise so i need a pick up truck.

 

[CRSINMICH]

Picked up this old vise

Lasu: That's a nice looking vise. It seems like it's in good shape. Are you going to paint it or use it as is? Be sure to post some pictures if you restore it.

 

[Outlawmws]

Re: Any hope for this Reed jaw?

Been reading and learning as much as I can on this thread. So I ended up with this Reed 105 since it is missing the insert on the dynamic jaw. What are my options? Use as is, scrap it, try repair of some sort, put brass jaw covers on it and pretend that was the way I wanted it?

Al: Definitly worth getting something on that munged jaw. The jaw caps were cast in place. that's the first one I can recall being missing

You could go at the surface with a belt sander and the purple belts (Start with 60-80 grit) but make sure you keep it square and flat. Then make a jaw face and drill and bolt it on.

All: now we have a better idea of what the casting/jaw interface looks like!

 

[va.grouseman]

Get, Love that Fisher Norris.---Dibs if you ever find yourself in Dire Money Straits.

 

[rmalkow2]

Here is my second time restoring a vise. The first one was for my own working bench vise and I was just happy to have it cleaned up for daily use.
So this is really the first attempt at taking more time with the process and making the paint a little more detailed.

The subject is this little Erie Tool Works No. 25 vise. It was a $5 barn sale find and was pretty covered in surface rust.


Kroil got things loosened up and after tear down, wire wheel time, 24 hours in Evaporust, a coat of Permatex rust preventer, a couple coats of gray primer and 3 final coats of Duplicolor Dark Blue Metallic I finished the lettering with some light blue Sign Painters One Shot.



Now I got the bug to start another one. Lucky for me I have about 15 more candidates waiting their turn.

 

[Outlawmws]

VERY nice! What size are the tiles on the table? (for size reference) Or is that a book of matches in the jaws?

 

[CRSINMICH]

rmalkow2: I asked you about this resto the other day. I guess you have been busy. Very nice job and it sounds like you were thorough too. I have a few vises waiting for TLC too. I can be on westbound 96 in minutes. I could drop one or two off.

 

[rmalkow2]

VERY nice! What size are the tiles on the table? (for size reference) Or is that a book of matches in the jaws?

Yes that is a standard size book of matches. The larger square tiles are about 2" sq. It's a little guy for sure. The jaw wit is 2 5/8". I liked the unique shape of the dynamic jaw as it covers the lead screw.

 

[rmalkow2]

rmalkow2: I asked you about this resto the other day. I guess you have been busy. Very nice job and it sounds like you were thorough too. I have a few vises waiting for TLC too. I can be on westbound 96 in minutes. I could drop one or two off.

Hahahaha, thanks for the kind words and the buttering up. And sure you just drop them in a box at any mile marker you choose west of Novi and send me a PM. I'll pick them right up and PM you back when they're done. I promise, sure I will, , no I really mean it , you'll maybe get them back someday.

 

[Youngguns]

So, when I search Craigslist for vises, I get more hits when I type in, "vice."

 

[va.grouseman]

5 inch Sarrett for $160.00.---Not too bad.


http://minneapolis.craigslist.org/ank/tls/5195503552.html

 

[ALinCarolina]

Thanks guys. Making a jaw to screw on should be interesting. Are there any generic jaw inserts out there you recommend that I could cut to size? Then I would have checkering on the face already. If not I could take it to a machine shop and let them make one.
I took it apart this afternoon and started my electrolysis bath.

 

[GETRIDAONE]

Get, Love that Fisher Norris.---Dibs if you ever find yourself in Dire Money Straits.

I might be there now after months end investment statements came in the mail.
I have to write checks for quarterly taxes due tuesday and start back to work Monday week.
After being retired for nine months it's going to take some getting use to the old grind again. It's only until the end of the year and the young lady who took my place gets back from having a baby. The good news is I will have more "vice money"

 

[CRSINMICH]

rmalkow2: Something doesn't seem right about your offer. If I just drop them off along the expressway how will you know that they are my vises? I'd better put my name on the box too.

 

[ShadowRuleZ]

Athol 614 1/2 from today for $30.

 

[va.grouseman]

Originally posted by GETRIDAONE.

The good news is I will have more "vice money"
----------------------------------------------------------


Ah that's to ba, I mean oh that's great.

 

[rmalkow2]

rmalkow2: Something doesn't seem right about your offer. If I just drop them off along the expressway how will you know that they are my vises? I'd better put my name on the box too.

Oh no, don't put your name on them but rather put mine so I can be sure to recognize the right box.

 

[va.grouseman]

I'm like Rmalkow2.---I've got way more restore candidates than restores.---Here's a few I've acquired within the last 12 months.


First is a Sawyer NuTYP,---4 1/2'' jaws,---82.8 lbs.

The T is missing on TOOL and I don't know why.---Don't know how you could knock that off.

 

[CRSINMICH]

va. After seeing a "few" of the vises you gotten in the last year, I'm glad our ranges don't overlap - too much. I do like that ool.

 

[bagged89s10]

I did some work on a Parker 974 today. Just need to finish polishing up the handle and jaws and then assemble. Maybe a few more coats of paint too. I'll post a done and painted picture later this week.
Anyone have a good technique for polishing up a vise handle nose?

 

[Outlawmws]

So, when I search Craigslist for vises, I get more hits when I type in, "vice."

It's the English influence in New England...

 

[CRSINMICH]

Athol 614 1/2 from today for $30.

I was eyeballing an Athol today, but the owner was asking way more than $30. Good pickup.

 

[Outlawmws]

I'm like Rmalkow2.---I've got way more restore candidates than restores.---Here's a few I've acquired within the last 12 months.


First is a Sawyer NuTYP,---4 1/2'' jaws,---82.8 lbs.

The T is missing on TOOL and I don't know why.---Don't know how you could knock that off.

]

That's a chi com knock off; you don't want that sullying your collection. I'll send you an address for it's safe recycling...

 

[bagged89s10]

Just bought another Reed 404 for a parts vise. Might use the handles off this one on the one I bough last week and part out the rest. It was kind of a spur of the moment purchase where my lowball offer that I thought was too low was actually accepted.

 

[va.grouseman]

Next one is a Lewis #62.---4 3/16'' jaws,---53.0 lbs.

Not sure if the 62 is indicative of the year or just the model.

I wanted a Prentiss on a Lewis but this is not bad.---Still got to make a set of flat pipe jaws for it.---Really looking forward to that.

 

[bagged89s10]

Next one is a Lewis #62.---4 3/16'' jaws,---53.0 lbs.



Not sure if the 62 is indicative of the year or just the model.



I wanted a Prentiss on a Lewis but this is not bad.---Still got to make a set of flat pipe jaws for it.---Really looking forward to that.

What's the lever in the side for? Quick release? OH maybe it's the swivel. Funny pictures illusion.

 

[va.grouseman]

A Rock Island 574 in real good shape.---4 1/2'' jaws.---73.4 lbs.

 

[bagged89s10]

A Rock Island 574 in real good shape.---4 1/2'' jaws.---73.4 lbs.

Nice rock island. I have the fixed base version.

 

[joe.striper]

Bought this itty bitty pipe vise yesterday. I NEVER buy these butvl this one was soooo cute plus it was free. Then I bought this one
Made in Germany, all aluminum, weighs nothing. 1" jaws. Really, really nice swivel vise. Pd $75. Sells in Europe for 200 euros.

 

[va.grouseman]

Next in line is a odd machinist vise I think.---Made by D. A. Smith & Co..---5'' jaws,---37 lbs.---What's odd is the slides are fluted or splined if you will.---You slide it up to an object and jack it tight.---Normally I don't buy machinist vises, but it is odd.---Oh I have to make a set of jaws for this one too.---YEA.

 

[Fretters]

The T is missing on TOOL and I don't know why.---Don't know how you could knock that off.

That's double entendre heaven, that is.

Seems it was quite easy for lettering to become obscured or missing on the masters, over time.

 

[Fretters]

Normally I don't buy machinist vises, but it is odd.

Can't blame you for buying that one. It's cute and quirky.

 

[autopts]

Here's a couple for the Journal. The 1st is a Oswego 23 1/2, not your everyday vise. Its weathered but underneath lies a Gem. 3 1/2 " and a nice collectors piece, one you won't see often. If I took it down to bare metal, it would look new again. This one belongs to my rich vise collector friend out East who was driving West and decided to stop by. His collection rivals va's collection.....Well not exactly. Nobody's does.





He gave me the 508 cuz his truck was overloaded with vise stock. Its a 508 and in perfect condition. Nice sharp edges with good patina







He also gave me a newer Reed 3C, photos will follow.

 

[Fretters]

It's the English influence in New England...

He never mentioned if the results for vice were what he was expecting though.

 

[va.grouseman]

Last is a Dodge Slide.---4'' jaws---57.2 lbs.---Finally found one that don't have the slide support welded back or missing altogether.---It's a very weak spot on the Dodge.---I advise that anyone that has a good one, not use it, but put it up and get something else to beat on.---This one does have a broken swivel lock but I just happen to have another one that I bought 3 years ago that has the slide support completely missing.---I wondered at the time why I was getting it so cheap.---Just over looked it.---Shame it takes two to make one.

 

[autopts]

Last is a Dodge Slide.---4'' jaws---57.2 lbs.---Finally found one that don't have the slide support welded back or missing altogether.---It's a very weak spot on the Dodge.---I advise that anyone that has a good one, not use it, but put it up and get something else to beat on.---This one does have a broken swivel lock but I just happen to have another one that I bought 3 years ago that has the slide support completely missing.---I wondered at the time why I was getting it so cheap.---Just over looked it.---Shame it takes two to make one.


[ Larry? GJ is lucky to have you!! You really bring it!