The VISES of Garage Journal

[sanddan]

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

I have a Columbian vise and the jaws look similar to the ones in your pictures. Can they be removed? If so, how do I remove them? I'd like to make a set of copper jaws for the vise.

 

[GETRIDAONE]

sanddan, look under the jaw tower and you should see pins holding the jaws on. The pins should be visible from the top also. Use a punch and drive them out.

 

[va.grouseman]

Bagged,---You are right, the lever on the side of the Lewis is the swivel lock, and operates on a cam action to tighten.

Thanks Autopts.---I ain't forgot who helped me out when I first got started.---Talking about collections, we'll probably never know what all your setting on.---Always keep them guessing.---Man that is one sweet Sawyer.---I have a 3'' but it's not that nice.

Sandan,---If someone hasn't already posted to you, your jaws are pinned in.---I have a 608 and each jaw has 3 pins.

 

[Fretters]

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.

How does tightening/loosening work on that one. Seems to have some type of quick placement mechanism?

 

[autopts]

I have a Columbian vise and the jaws look similar to the ones in your pictures. Can they be removed? If so, how do I remove them? I'd like to make a set of copper jaws for the vise.

On this vise, the jaws are held in with 3 pins that one can see from the bottom, similar to the Parkers. The tops must have been machined smooth. I've never seen the tops on any Columbian.

 

[va.grouseman]

Fretters,---If you look close on the sixth pic, you can see a wedge about half way, and sticking out the bottom of the slide.---That wedge fits in the slots that you see in the fifth pic.---You lift up on the slide and the wedge clears the slots so you can shove the Dynamic up to an object, set it down in the slots and then tight up with handle.---They're really not for heavy duty work.

 

[jonlapl]

I bought that same Vise and stand out of a closing Worcester Die shop last year.. . Beautiful heavy well made setup. They had about 15-20 of them bolted to the floor. Nicest vice stand I have ever seen. Im going to rehab mine this winter

 

[drivesitfar]

VA: Were you cleaning the shop today or just showing a few of the vises you bought this week? Thanks for sharing.

Weird about the missing T on your double swiveler. I'll pay shipping if you want me to look at it closer.

 

[va.grouseman]

Thanks Drive.---You are always there for me.

No, these have been tripping me for months now, and it finally cooled down to where I could deal with them, so I was going to hoist them up on the shelf and I figured I'd just take some pics while I'm in the process.---My kingdom for some walking room.

 

[drivesitfar]

VA: I've been over in the garage gallery for the last few months getting ideas. Have you seen the Mueller steel buildings? The framing might even be able to support the chain gang. Do a search for Mueller or email or ask for links and ill get a few good one for you. Offer stands on my inspection service. Cheers

 

[reivertom]

I went to a garage sale yesterday. There were no tools. I spoke to the seller. A faraway look came to his eyes. He said, “I have a vise. I’ll sell it for $20. These aren’t the ‘droids I was looking for.”

Thanks for rubbing it in! I don't know where you guys go to garage sales and yard sales, but there are NEVER deals like that when I go in my area! You should be arrested for stealing!!

 

[CRSINMICH]

reivertom: That was sort of the point of my post. That Bullet wasn't part of the garage sale - until I asked. I spent some time talking to the guy and at one point he mentioned that he hadn't used some of his tools in the last few years. I asked him if one of those tools happened to be a vise. It turned out that we were standing within two feet of the Wilton which was covered by a tarp.

Thanks for the comment. So far I've gotten one "You ****" and one "You should be arrested". Not too shabby!

 

[CRSINMICH]

I bought that same Vise and stand out of a closing Worcester Die shop last year.. . Beautiful heavy well made setup. They had about 15-20 of them bolted to the floor. Nicest vice stand I have ever seen. Im going to rehab mine this winter

jonlapl: Very good pick up. Please post some pictures especially after you have rehabbed the stand. 15-20 of them, man o man! What a sight that must have been. Excuse me while I wipe the drool off my keyboard.

 

[gotmud13613]

Picked up this Wilton 845 at an auction for $30 only thing the base is cracked.

 

[joe.striper]

I bought that same Vise and stand out of a closing Worcester Die shop last year.. . Beautiful heavy well made setup. They had about 15-20 of them bolted to the floor. Nicest vice stand I have ever seen. Im going to rehab mine this winter

Jon, welcome to the board. What vise did you get with it?

 

[bagged89s10]

I went to a garage sale yesterday. There were no tools. I spoke to the seller. A faraway look came to his eyes. He said, “I have a vise. I’ll sell it for $20. These aren’t the ‘droids I was looking for.”

That's a you **** deal if I've seen one. Nice score!

 

[joe.striper]

Here is my Craftsman/Reed 204. It is an odd model, as I stated in an earlier post, with the modern aluminum logo and standard Reed spindle nose. Jaws are cast in, unlike more modern Reeds. Based on what I have found on GJ, I know that Sears had these from '39 to '49. I think this is a '45 vise because of the nose and non-removable jaws.

This was a fun restoration. I started painting it red but HATED it. I stripped it and started over. This Hammerite blue looked good on it, especially once I cleaned up the jaws and handle. This one has the lash adjuster for the spindle nut. Funny , the static jaw looks new, the dynamic not so much.

I tapped and screwed on the logo until I or its new owner can find a new one for a reasonable price then I would brass rivet it home.

The jaws were super clean and only took some hand filing on top, no heavy grinding necessary. Overall I really like this one.

 

[bagged89s10]

Here is my Craftsman/Reed 204. It is an odd model, as I stated in an earlier post, with the modern aluminum logo and standard Reed spindle nose. Jaws are cast in, unlike more modern Reeds. Based on what I have found on GJ, I know that Sears had these from '39 to '49. I think this is a '45 vise because of the nose and non-removable jaws.



This was a fun restoration. I started painting it red but HATED it. I stripped it and started over. This Hammerite blue looked good on it, especially once I cleaned up the jaws and handle. This one has the lash adjuster for the spindle nut. Funny , the static jaw looks new, the dynamic not so much.



I tapped and screwed on the logo until I or its new owner can find a new one for a reasonable price then I would brass rivet it home.



The jaws were super clean and only took some hand filing on top, no heavy grinding necessary. Overall I really like this one.

Came out really nice Joe!

 

[Mr_P]

What can I say. I am hooked. For the longest time, all I had was a small 3-1/2" PONY 23530 light duty bench vise, but on Wednesday of last wee I picked up these two at local flea markets:

LITTCO No. 112 (listed for $55, bought for $45)

and this Columbian D45-M4 (Listed for $125, bought for $105)

And then on Friday morning, I found this other tiny jeweler's vise for $5

 

[drivesitfar]

Joe: Your spiffing and painting skills are improving all the time and your turn around time is getting close to balane's. Nice looking vise to.

Mr. P: Looks like you have a good start there and welcome to our group.

 

[ALinCarolina]

Got another question on my Reed 105. What does the R after the numbers signify if anything?

 

[Colin Len]

Just got back from a trip to Italy and while there we visited the Ferrari & Lamborghini museums. At the Lambo Museum they had some old tools laid out and figured I'd share the vise they had on display:

 

[CRSINMICH]

Mr P: There may be time to save yourself. Run away quickly. It a sickness; an addiction. Leave those vises behind, but be sure to send me a PM about where you left them.

Colin: Thanks for the pictures of the Lambo museum. I can't resist making a pun about that vise being a real "bear".

Gotmud: Nice Wilton. Too bad about the crack. It should be fixable though.

bagged: Thanks for the "You ****".

 

[bagged89s10]

Got another question on my Reed 105. What does the R after the numbers signify if anything?

I believe l the ones with an "R" model number have the same patented rear main nut design .

 

[econotrk]

Got another question on my Reed 105. What does the R after the numbers signify if anything?

There was a change in the design of the Reed vise, the R designates the newer version.

 

[Mr_P]

Sure thing crs. NOT. Most of my tools are older than me, so why stop at hand tools. I will post pics once refurbished

 

[econotrk]

Here is my Craftsman/Reed 204. It is an odd model, as I stated in an earlier post, with the modern aluminum logo and standard Reed spindle nose.

Came out great Joe, did you ever mention the size on that one?

 

[CRSINMICH]

Sure thing crs. NOT. Most of my tools are older than me, so why stop at hand tools. I will post pics once refurbished

I'm just trying to do what I can to help. Looking forward to the pix.

 

[joe.striper]

Came out great Joe, did you ever mention the size on that one?

204, 4". Really an odd little vise. Thanks for the compliment.

 

[joe.striper]

Sure thing crs. NOT. Most of my tools are older than me, so why stop at hand tools. I will post pics once refurbished

Mr P, if you haven't seen this website yet make sure to check it out:

http://scuttle.dayid.org/wiki/index.php/Main_Page

Great place to start your research. I have had a lot of vises that do not show up in Dayid, which is exciting...

 

[econotrk]

204, 4". Really an odd little vise. Thanks for the compliment.

Thanks Joe, don't know how I missed that detail.

 

[CRSINMICH]

joe: Terrific job on that Craftsman. You keep setting the bar higher. I'm trying to wrap up a Cman resto, but the humidity has been so high here that some days I don't even try to paint and when I do it takes days to dry. I am painting it red because that was the original color, but I am getting tired of it. So far I've used Regal Red, International Red and Sunrise Red. It's time to branch out. After seeing how good yours looks I think I'll look into the Hammerite and the metallic colors.

 

[GETRIDAONE]

Thought I would post a couple of recent rehabs. First up is an unmarked rail vise. I haven't done a two tone paint job in a while so I gave it a shot. I made a handle to replace the long bolt & nut that was on it. The next one is a Morgan 145 with aluminum jaws that are being replaced with some smooth jaws from Mr. Scott. This was one of those projects that everything went great and no surprises. I put a thin shim in front of the main nut and it came out with no backlash at all.

 

[Hemi49]

Really looks great Joe.......

 

[bagged89s10]

Anyone know the specs on a Parker 249 vise? All I can find info on is a 249x

I have a lead on one but the price is a little too high. Now I'm just curious what the weight is.


This is the only picture I can find online.

 

[rmalkow2]

Joe and Get, Great finish jobs and some inspiring color choices. Great work all.

 

[Mr_P]

Thanks econotrk. It's interesting how they don't have the Columbian D45 M4 on there. I know I've seen it on gj before too.

Here's a little more eye candy from a few minutes of wiping down the LITTCO with Mean Green.....
Before

After

 

[joe.striper]

joe: Terrific job on that Craftsman. You keep setting the bar higher. I'm trying to wrap up a Cman resto, but the humidity has been so high here that some days I don't even try to paint and when I do it takes days to dry. I am painting it red because that was the original color, but I am getting tired of it. So far I've used Regal Red, International Red and Sunrise Red. It's time to branch out. After seeing how good yours looks I think I'll look into the Hammerite and the metallic colors.

Let the paint dry til it is tacky, then put it in your ELECTRIC ovenvat 230 degrees for 1/2 hour. Leave it overnight til it cools. You should ge all set.

 

[Thumper68]

I had some time last weekend and got the Simplex 61S cleaned up, painted and assembled I will have to take it back apart to get it set up on it's post, it's going to replace the china one as the main shop vise and that one will go on a new post and base and find a new home outside.

Eye candy.





This is the one it is replacing, I will have to build a new post, thinking 5" sq tube with 3/8" wall, and a 1/2" plate for the mount and the base plate. Thinking about upgrading to 2 duplex outlets as well since I will be able to fit a 4 square box in the new post.

 

[CRSINMICH]

Mr P: I just decided tonight to give that Dunlap 5422 I told you about the same treatment. Just take the grease and grime off and let it be. Your Littlestown cleaned up good.

joe: Thanks for the tip. Now I just have to run out and buy and electric oven.

Thumper: That Simplex looks good in that color. I have a candidate in mind that I think would really pop in Hammered Green. Good job!