The VISES of Garage Journal

[CRSINMICH]

Here's mine. Small but useful.

Terri

Terri: You bet it's useful and it's not so small. I still use my grandfather's 3 1/2 Columbian almost exclusively. I used it while restoring the Craftsman above. Welcome!

 

[va.grouseman]

900 lbs., Sandman?---Very nice.---Will make a dandy vise stand with plenty of anvil area to boot.---Will take a stout up-right.---I think Drive has one similar.

BTW, how close did I get with the 1 1/2'' thickness guesstimation?

 

[vintage nut]

One thing I'll suggest is using an epoxy like devcon liquid steel, permatex cold weld, or jb weld rather than bondo. I always use epoxy for smoothing out castings on my vises. If you have seen chinese tools, you will see the bondo flaking off. I'm sure it's very low quality filler, but epoxy is better than the best body filler.

Out of those epoxies, I haven't used devcon, but I have used permatex and jb. Permatex is my choice. Although it has a lot shorter working time, it seems to cure harder, and is a few bucks less.
That said I have basically switched to industrial epoxies. Namely west systems 105 and slow hardener with silica filler and sometimes aluminum powder, and also loctite/hysol e-120hp
That hysol is some unbelievably strong stuff. I'll have to check the spec sheet, but I think it's around 8000psi..... Vs 2500 for the stuff you get at box stores

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[Terri'sTools]

Thanks! As you can see by it's layer of grime, it is used a lot. Guess I could shine it up a bit? LOL

 

[vintage nut]

I always try to dust off my vises with a bench brush whenever they get dirty. I also take them apart for cleaning and relubrication about twice a year.

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[CRSINMICH]

Vintage: Thanks for the input on fillers/epoxies. That's one of the reasons I made such lengthy post. As it happens, just yesterday I was thinking of ways to make wooden inserts for the bench vise I use in the garage. Let us know how yours work.

To all: I'll shut up now about the 5 inch Craftsman - unless someone asks.

 

[Outlawmws]

CRS, I made a set of wood jaw caps from some scrap pine corner molding. I made them a bit long and glued in end caps to help prevent them from splitting. It seems to work for the things you would clamp with wood caps.

You also could make them from 4 flat pieces glued together also.

 

[vintage nut]

I have made wood jaw covers before. I used both purpleheart and rock maple. They worked great, but took up a lot of space, so I since switched to covers made from 1/8" sheet lead. Those are my absolute favorite. I've used copper, wood, aluminum, and factory made ones, and I think lead is the best.

What I'm thinking of doing is making the entire jaws out of this super hard wood. Hickory or rock maple would probably work decently well, but just wouldn't last as long.
The other thing I'm thinking of trying is micarta. Sort of a super composite made from fabric and phenolic resin. It's a common knife handle material. I'm going to be ordering some for my knives, and after seeing micarta jaws in one of my knifemaking books, I just might have to try it

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[vintage nut]

I'll grab pictures later, but I made the wood jaw caps out of a solid piece of wood, and used the table saw to cut the rabbit out for them to fit over. I used a dado blade, but you could do it with a normal blade with a couple cuts

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[bagged89s10]

CRS, I made a set of wood jaw caps from some scrap pine corner molding. I made them a bit long and glued in end caps to help prevent them from splitting. It seems to work for the things you would clamp with wood caps.

You also could make them from 4 flat pieces glued together also.

Corner moldings seem like the easiest option and I'm going to use your idea for sure. For now I just have some wood taped to the jaws. I needed soft jaws in a pinch and had some 5" cutoff of 1/8"x2" trim Latin around.
Yes, very ghetto, they fall off, but they worked.


Definitely need wood when clamping a vise or something with lettering.

 

[02superduty]

Morning all, look what my wife yes my wife bought me for $45. Rock Island 574 4 1/2" Birtman Electric. Very clean.

 

[bagged89s10]

Morning all, look what my wife yes my wife bought me for $45. Rock Island 574 4 1/2" Birtman Electric. Very clean.

 

[02superduty]

I am in need of help on this one. Pipe vise? Is it missing anything? Age? Thanks in advance for all the help.

 

[Outlawmws]

that's and old turn of the century Anvil/Vise/Horizontal Drill press, (missing a few pieces)

Looks like the jaws were bent? Certainly misaligned!

Check out the first post in this thread: http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?p=2308593

 

[02superduty]

Thanks Outlaw Monday I will have time to play, and do research. The jaws definitely have a issue. Never seen one before I figured for $15 why not.

 

[balane]

I've always wanted to try spray on truck bed liner as a vise finish and here it is. This is a Columbian 504 1/2. This is the first old body style Columbian with bolt on jaw inserts that I've come across, usually they're T-jaws.

.

 

[zkling]

I am in need of help on this one. Pipe vise? Is it missing anything? Age? Thanks in advance for all the help.

Check the other side, it should have markings on it IIRC.

 

[CRSINMICH]

To all wood jaw cap responders: Thanks for the ideas. I considered variations of most of those. I have a slightly different approach I think I'll try. I'll let you know. Vintage: Really? Purpleheart? Beauty wood, eh?

balane: Now that's thinking outside the box or the bed.

Superduty: Those are two great vises, but whatever you do with them KEEP THAT WIFE! Personally, I skipped the Starter Wife and went straight to Trophy Wife.

To all: A familiar tale. I went to a flea market this morning. A vendor had some tools but no vises were displayed so, I asked. $25

 

[rmalkow2]

To all: A familiar tale. I went to a flea market this morning. A vendor had some tools but no vises were displayed so, I asked. $25

Should the day come when you get tired of buying all these vises you could hire yourself out to just go along to sales and ask the question in what ever magical way you do. I never seem to have the same response.

PS. I did finally get a call from the CL ad you sent me here in Brighton and did buy a vise. Nothing too earthshaking but an OK deal. When I get it unloaded from the car trunk I'll take pics to post.

 

[CRSINMICH]

Should the day come when you get tired of buying all these vises you could hire yourself out to just go along to sales and ask the question in what ever magical way you do. I never seem to have the same response.

PS. I did finally get a call from the CL ad you sent me here in Brighton and did buy a vise. Nothing too earthshaking but an OK deal. When I get it unloaded from the car trunk I'll take pics to post.

That's great. I can't wait to hear what you got. If I posted every time I didn't get a vise after asking that question, I'd fill this thread nearly every day. This time the vendor had vises on the floor in the front of his van. He had brought them for someone else who had failed to show up.

 

[va.grouseman]

Superduty,---I got one of those and I love mine.---Perfect size.---Paid twice much for mine.---Not quite as nice.---Had to hide my purchase from my wife, or I get, (WHAT, ANOTHER VISE).

Excellent choice of wife,---who has excellent choice of vise.
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Balane,---Excellent idea on the bed-liner.---Tough coat.---Water/rust-proof.---And good color.

I've been using Flex-Seal on some for the same reasons.---White, clear, and black.

 

[joe.striper]

Slightly off topic...found these vintage clamps with a fulcrum lockdown. Tried to buy them but already sold. Guy let me take pics to share.

 

[mike_paxton]

Slightly off topic...found these vintage clamps with a fulcrum lockdown. Tried to buy them but already sold. Guy let me take pics to share.

Joe.Striper:

I've not seen those types of clamps with a fulcrum lockdown before.

Too bad about not able to get them, as when cleaned up a bit, it might yield the maker.

Mike

 

[Outlawmws]

I'm wondering if those were quick clamp-ons for hoisting timbers for construction or bridge scaffolding? Something like that would never fly past OSHA today, but back in the day...

 

[rmalkow2]

That's great. I can't wait to hear what you got. If I posted every time I didn't get a vise after asking that question, I'd fill this thread nearly every day. This time the vendor had vises on the floor in the front of his van. He had brought them for someone else who had failed to show up.

So the vise that was in the shop picture from that CL ad turned out to be a Wilton Tradesman 1750. It's date marked 5-79 and looks to have been well used. One broken corner under the static jaw and the lock down handles have slight bends but other than that just dirty and some surface rust because it was on a bench that had been stored outside for some weeks now. It has a bit of local history attached to it because of the prior owner. It came out of a local auto repair shop that's been here longer than I have and was recently bought out by the current building owner starting his own shop. He just wanted it gone and did not want to spend a lot of time marketing it. So $20 offer was accepted quickly.
So thanks again for the tip!

And, I may get a call back when he cleans out a bunch of automotive parts cabinets he does not want on his walls.

 

[Blue Frog]

My latest acquisition. The Vise Grips are Peterson, and the Wilton Jr. will serve as a base for my Baby Bullet.





Blue

 

[vintage nut]

I chose purpleheart due mainly to it being stupidly hard and strong. I'm actually not a fan of it appearance wise. I think it's far too vulgar, has rather boring grain, and turns mud brown after a few years. I'm more of a fan of nice dark woods personally. Rosewood, tubi/lignum vitae, ebonys, that sort of stuff. If I want something purpley, I like katalox. Not nearly as vulgar, even harder, and has very interesting curly grain

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[leeinmemphis]

Well this thread has inspired me. I have an old vice that I kept when I closed my business. It's been sitting on a shelf for 4 or 5 years. I went with a wire wheel and it smelled like my old shop. Brought back lots of memories.

Anyway can anyone help me identify what I have here. It is probably 30+ years old. It also has 1750 stamped on another side not pictured. I have cleaned it up quite a bit and plan to paint it. I took a grinder to a few of the burs and welds that were on there but other than that it just needs some good cleaning and paint. Next project is to put something together to mount it on.

 

[CRSINMICH]

So the vise that was in the shop picture from that CL ad turned out to be a Wilton Tradesman 1750. It's date marked 5-79 and looks to have been well used. One broken corner under the static jaw and the lock down handles have slight bends but other than that just dirty and some surface rust because it was on a bench that had been stored outside for some weeks now. It has a bit of local history attached to it because of the prior owner. It came out of a local auto repair shop that's been here longer than I have and was recently bought out by the current building owner starting his own shop. He just wanted it gone and did not want to spend a lot of time marketing it. So $20 offer was accepted quickly.
So thanks again for the tip!

Well alright!! Nice get. Nice to have local connection too. You get to try out resto skills on that sweet baby. Glad I could be of help. Now, about that finder's fee.....

 

[CRSINMICH]

I chose purpleheart due mainly to it being stupidly hard and strong. I'm actually not a fan of it appearance wise. I think it's far too vulgar, has rather boring grain, and turns mud brown after a few years. I'm more of a fan of nice dark woods personally. Rosewood, tubi/lignum vitae, ebonys, that sort of stuff. If I want something purpley, I like katalox. Not nearly as vulgar, even harder, and has very interesting curly grain

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Vintage, you have access to some exotic woods. What do you do with them if you're not making vice jaw pads? I don't think I've ever heard any wood being described as vulgar. Is it too common for you? This is not in any way a criticism, just a comment on your choice of words. I like it!

 

[rmalkow2]

Well this thread has inspired me. I have an old vice that I kept when I closed my business. It's been sitting on a shelf for 4 or 5 years. I went with a wire wheel and it smelled like my old shop. Brought back lots of memories.

Anyway can anyone help me identify what I have here. It is probably 30+ years old. It also has 1750 stamped on another side not pictured. I have cleaned it up quite a bit and plan to paint it. I took a grinder to a few of the burs and welds that were on there but other than that it just needs some good cleaning and paint. Next project is to put something together to mount it on.

leeinmemphis,
You have a Wilton Tradesman 1750 vise. A good one as you already know because you used it already in your shop. It's very similar to the one I just got yesterday and posted a little before yours here.
It will make a good resto project and please show us some pics when you have it all done. Welcome!

 

[CRSINMICH]

Well this thread has inspired me. I have an old vice that I kept when I closed my business. It's been sitting on a shelf for 4 or 5 years. I went with a wire wheel and it smelled like my old shop. Brought back lots of memories.

Anyway can anyone help me identify what I have here. It is probably 30+ years old. It also has 1750 stamped on another side not pictured. I have cleaned it up quite a bit and plan to paint it. I took a grinder to a few of the burs and welds that were on there but other than that it just needs some good cleaning and paint. Next project is to put something together to mount it on.

LEE: There is a 1750 at post #36012 just above yours. Probably the same. You have to look fast on this thread. It can move quickly. EDIT: This was a perfect example of how fast it moves. Rmalkow posted his reply while I was typing this one.

 

[leeinmemphis]

thanks crsinmich and rmalkow2. I read most of this last 100 or so pages last night. I must have missed that most recent post in the over abundance of info. I cant get the removed jaws off. The screws turn about half a turn then stop. I'm going to try to put a little heat on them tomorrow to see if I can get them out. If not I'll tape them off when I paint it. I really should have put the vise on something years ago. I'm always rigging up something to hold something down while I mess with it.

 

[mike_paxton]

My latest acquisition. The Vise Grips are Peterson, and the Wilton Jr. will serve as a base for my Baby Bullet.

Blue Frog:

Wish I was there to catch your reaction to the Peterson Vise Grip holder!!!

Amazing!!!

Mike

 

[mike_paxton]

My latest acquisition. The Vise Grips are Peterson, and the Wilton Jr. will serve as a base for my Baby Bullet.

Blue Frog:

Wish I was there to catch your reaction to the Peterson Vise Grip holder!!!

Amazing!!!

Mike

 

[bagged89s10]

LEE: There is a 1750 at post #36012 just above yours. Probably the same. You have to look fast on this thread. I can move quickly. EDIT: This was a perfect example of how fast it moves. Rmalkow posted his reply while I was typing this one.

Heat should do it but if you let the screws slack overnight in penetrant they will probably come out. I prefer my 50/50 acetone/trans fluid mixture.

 

[02superduty]

CRINMICH
She is definitely a trophy wife 24 years plus together, she was a digger that brought the digger out of me. She is about a month shy of loosing her nice garage spot to rusted iron. I only post a fraction of what I hoard.

 

[KMScott]

Hi guys the top plate is 14x28 inches if u look back at my last post u will see a blue # 58 on a I beam stand with same top plate. I just finished a stand today with a reed 108 swivel on it . I have 3 R.R. stands, also VA the big disk is a 48 inch lazy Susan type cwt. 900 .

Wow Sandman, I thought the plate I found with help from Mary this weekend up at our hunting camps junkyard was big. It is 36 inch's in diameter x 1 inch thick and weights almost 300 lb, does not come close to yours. I want this base for my Prentiss #58. To much plate for the two of us so I have to come back with my bumper hitch Cherry Picker and my chain saw. Check out the Elk rubs on the two trees close to Mary.

 

[Harvey Wallbanger]

My name is Greg and I’m a viseaholic. Not really, I can quit anytime I want. But I do blame GJ as an enabler.
I just joined GJ primarily to share the story of my upcoming garage renovation, but it didn’t take me long to find the vise thread.
I’ve had a Record 112 that I bought new as a closeout deal about 15 years ago. And I’ve had a Wilton bullet for longer than that.
OK so I did something stupid and I blame GJ! ShadowRuleZ and Trumpcap posted Craigslist links for not so close to me vises. How stupid am I? Oh, about 9 hours round trip stupid! Yeah, don’t have anybody but myself to blame for that road trip. But if it wasn’t for GJ….
Anyway here’s some pics of what is now I guess my “collection”

This is my daily driver, the Record 112 I've found it to be a great vise and it me made want another someday. I love the quick release.



My 4 1/2 Wilton



My road trip Record 25. "Does This can of pop make my vies look big?" No dear It looks perfect.


And the road trip Parker 273. I'd never even seen a swivel jaw before GJ.

 

[dodge610]

My name is Greg and I’m a viseaholic. Not really, I can quit anytime I want. But I do blame GJ as an enabler.
I just joined GJ primarily to share the story of my upcoming garage renovation, but it didn’t take me long to find the vise thread.
I’ve had a Record 112 that I bought new as a closeout deal about 15 years ago. And I’ve had a Wilton bullet for longer than that.
OK so I did something stupid and I blame GJ! ShadowRuleZ and Trumpcap posted Craigslist links for not so close to me vises. How stupid am I? Oh, about 9 hours round trip stupid! Yeah, don’t have anybody but myself to blame for that road trip. But if it wasn’t for GJ….
Anyway here’s some pics of what is now I guess my “collection”

This is my daily driver, the Record 112 I've found it to be a great vise and it me made want another someday. I love the quick release.



My 4 1/2 Wilton



My road trip Record 25. "Does This can of pop make my vies look big?" No dear It looks perfect.


And the road trip Parker 273. I'd never even seen a swivel jaw before GJ.

Thatblue vise did you get that in ohio wetfield center to be exact.