The VISES of Garage Journal

[steelkilt]

CRS: I apologize on the chiding you our anybody else. I now see my error. I suppose I was trying to give an excuse for an improper restoration before anybody else did. I've found that on some of these boards there can be someone who gets a thrill in pointing out improper techniques and the like. I just figured I would admit a lousy restoration before anybody thought I was being dishonest. For instance, some restorers might pickup on the definition lines as being "too clean", and they'd be right. I apologize again. This vise has lots of chips, scrapes,a bent handle, a few damaged threads on the main screw and a few more. But I didn't give up on it because I was $100 into it and I got to thinking if I could keep the main nut stationary, all the necessary bits are there to make a very usable vise. I don't have a whole lot if photos on the process which others have inquired of but, I can tell you that I ground down the very rear of the nut (which is an inconsequential area anyway) to interface correctly with no gap. I would recommend anybody else attempting this to put they're best effort into this area.
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[KMScott]

Wow demoman I am always impressed with your big iron. You are the king in my book. Gotta come down out of the mountains and come visit Kansas and see these vises up close. Sandman some day will catch up to you, he has been finding big stuff in NM.

 

[xxaler]

Here are some big vises I took to Rolag Minnesota to the big steam show. They featured blacksmithing. The beam with the big 8" and 9" vises and steam engine front axle weighed 6700#(beam is 1 1/4) and the "Vises of the round table weighed 4500#(3/4 plate). I just tried to put oddball ones on the round table from big leg vises to a reed 109. It garnered a lot of attention but I was not able to stay at the display as we had a big Aultman Taylor prairie tractor we had on display as well. The blacksmith shop told me there were lots of picture takers and a lot of interest. I think others on here should find events like this and take some to display or put on a trailer and show them off. Most people have not seen a lot of the older oddball vises.
When sorting the 8" vises I had 30 with some duplicates. I found a few I forgot about. It was hard to decide which ones to put on there because there was only so much room. As far as total vises I had over 300 last summer.

Thank you very much Demoman, amazing stuff. What is the vise at the front of that beam?

 

[va.grouseman]

Originally posted by Demoman.

As far as total vises I had over 300 last summer.
----------------------------------------------------------


We have a winner.---Until a new champion emerges.

 

[Fretters]

CRS: I apologize on the chiding you our anybody else. I now see my error. I suppose I was trying to give an excuse for an improper restoration before anybody else did. I've found that on some of these boards there can be someone who gets a thrill in pointing out improper techniques and the like. I just figured I would admit a lousy restoration before anybody thought I was being dishonest. For instance, some restorers might pickup on the definition lines as being "too clean", and they'd be right. I apologize again. This vise has lots of chips, scrapes,a bent handle, a few damaged threads on the main screw and a few more.

You're worrying way too much matey. A good restoration doesn't have any boundaries, within reason. Putting something back to good working order is the general meaning of restoration. Pretty, everything looking as per original etc. have absolutely no bearing on whether a restoration be good or bad. Those are merely personal choices.

For example, I never remove or smooth any usage marks unless they either have sharp edges which could catch flesh or they impede correct/smooth operation. If neither of those apply, they're left exactly as is, casting flaws too. Not one of mine has ever looked factory condition when I've done.

Btw, what was the reference to plastic? I can see none.

 

[demoman]

The big vise at the front is the Hollands 28(325#), I ran out of time to paint them up but maybe next year.
KMScott - You are always welcome. I need to machine the 109 and have you put a set of jaws in it.

 

[va.grouseman]

Thanks Demo.---I never tire of looking at the old monsters that you know will never be made again.---Oh if they could only talk.

That I-beam trailer, and drilling and mounting those whoppers to it took some work.---And those tables with the clevis center piece, brilliant.

Next year we want to see a 209 right beside that 28.---If anyone can find it, you will.

 

[Shiftless]

demoman:

300+ vises.....VERY impressive and deserving of special note!

BTW, did you post your number on the "how many vises do you own" poll I started a few days ago?

Here is a link for you or anyone else that hasn't yet seen it.

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=307020&page=6

 

[Mark97303]

Outstanding display !!! Spent most of summer talking and looking for a beam and axel to make something like that , that could be pulled down the road to the show grounds. Only 4 miles. Steel wheels way cool but out of question for road. Would be nice display along side of one of big buildings. Take off axel when get there set up on steel horses or something made to take place of axel but shorter and make two. One for each end. Make whole thing about twenty feet long.

 

[CRSINMICH]

Steelkilt: I should have read your post from your point of view. I completely understand why you were revealing the warts before they were graciously pointed out to you. Let me assure you that they are not warts. You did indeed make a functioning tool out of a counterweight. That deserves respect and admiration. One of the reasons that I like this thread is that there is so little pettiness and one-upmanship. Please feel free to post any vise restoration you have done or will do. While I'm on the subject though, I thought I noticed a spot of oil on the Tiger in your original photos but I wasn't going to say anything.

 

[bagged89s10]

CRS: I apologize on the chiding you our anybody else. I now see my error. I suppose I was trying to give an excuse for an improper restoration before anybody else did. I've found that on some of these boards there can be someone who gets a thrill in pointing out improper techniques and the like. I just figured I would admit a lousy restoration before anybody thought I was being dishonest. For instance, some restorers might pickup on the definition lines as being "too clean", and they'd be right. I apologize again. This vise has lots of chips, scrapes,a bent handle, a few damaged threads on the main screw and a few more. But I didn't give up on it because I was $100 into it and I got to thinking if I could keep the main nut stationary, all the necessary bits are there to make a very usable vise. I don't have a whole lot if photos on the process which others have inquired of but, I can tell you that I ground down the very rear of the nut (which is an inconsequential area anyway) to interface correctly with no gap. I would recommend anybody else attempting this to put they're best effort into this area.

<a href="http://s1126.photobucket.com/user/steelkilt2/media/20150523_152530_zpsf3fzty3d.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1126.photobucket.com/albums/l611/steelkilt2/20150523_152530_zpsf3fzty3d.jpg" border="0" alt="Emmert Tiger 5 photo 20150523_152530_zpsf3fzty3d.jpg"/></a>

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A restoration doesn't have to be perfectly like the original. The 3 common denominators in my restorations are:
1. Rust free
2. Smooth operation
3. Tight clamping

I do like mine to look nice too but I don't like each one to be the same. I like to experiment with smoothing usage marks out in some and leaving usage marks on others. I've polished jaws on a few. I've restored a few vises that I use and all I did was remove all the rust and throw a coat of BLO on them.

Your quote is correct.
"I've found that on some of these boards there can be someone who gets a thrill in pointing out improper techniques and the like."

Again, I like that vise and nice work on your restoration!

 

[bagged89s10]

Here are some big vises I took to Rolag Minnesota to the big steam show. They featured blacksmithing. The beam with the big 8" and 9" vises and steam engine front axle weighed 6700#(beam is 1 1/4) and the "Vises of the round table weighed 4500#(3/4 plate). I just tried to put oddball ones on the round table from big leg vises to a reed 109. It garnered a lot of attention but I was not able to stay at the display as we had a big Aultman Taylor prairie tractor we had on display as well. The blacksmith shop told me there were lots of picture takers and a lot of interest. I think others on here should find events like this and take some to display or put on a trailer and show them off. Most people have not seen a lot of the older oddball vises.

When sorting the 8" vises I had 30 with some duplicates. I found a few I forgot about. It was hard to decide which ones to put on there because there was only so much room. As far as total vises I had over 300 last summer.

Impressive collection. I dig that round table display. I see you have a big Parker in the mix. now were you selling vises at this show or were they just on display?

 

[drivesitfar]

Steelkit: that 100 plus year old Emmert looks great. While it might not be perfect it looks like it works and I or anybody else would be happy to own it.

Did Ritz make a new vise nut or just the base so you could weld the vice nut to it? Hard to tell from the picture, but i like. The screw you replaced the old pin with is a nice upgrade. Nice work and i bet that color is close to Oldie's arrest me red so should get a smile from him if he sees it.

Demo: thanks again for taking the time to show us some of your big iron

TJ: do you have any pictures of the Rock Island big swivel jaw vise? Sounds nice and Vintage has the only rock island swivel jaw ive seen in person and you may have heard him say he loves it.

 

[S4cruiser]

Yay or Nay for 100 bucs?

 

[drivesitfar]

S4: It's a great vise so if no cracks or welds I'd vote buy it. I have one and its solid and most likely made by Columbian. Sure some guys find them for less money if they spend hours online and run to get it, but if you compare that one to a new one for $150 I'd buy the old craftsman every time.

 

[trijeff]

TJ: do you have any pictures of the Rock Island big swivel jaw vise?

Just one:

 

[drivesitfar]

Tj: First off I really like it. The handle is bent and to bend one of those old huge rock handles a big cheater bar was most likely used. Pull the dynamic out and check the threads on the screw and nut and look for cracks or brazing welds. The swivel jaw might not have been used in 70 years or ever so that's the challenge.im guessing close to 200 pounds so more than a few benjamins is the value if the handle being bent is the only damage. Email me if you need more help or advice or if you get more pics. I'm not in the market for a big vise today but trades might be an option if you get it and just can't find a slot for it. It would also take maybe four cans of that bright green paint I can save you the expense and trouble of having to buy and use

 

[zkling]

Yay or Nay for 100 bucs?

Pass, unless you need a vise yesterday. Condition isn't that great from the other photos, it's only a 3.5"*, fixed base, fixed jaw insert vise.

Now if you are a craftsman collector IDK.

*Assuming the seller knows how to use a tape measure, I know on craiglist that is a dangerous assumption.

 

[bagged89s10]

Accidentally found an estate sale and found this. The guy unloaded it from his car when I was about to leave. Columbians aren't my favorite but the price and condition were right. It's also a combination vise which I don't currently have. Well I at least don't have a complete working combination vise right now.

Paid $20.

 

[dkroth]

When you're browsing the garage and estate sales and this pops up does your heart skip a beat?

Just a little. I'm assuming you bought it

No, I didn't. $200 asking price.

4" vise is in beautiful condition. 8/78 date of manufacture. A little surface rust but I suspect this has lived its whole life in this guy's basement - never an industrial/professional tool.

Price will drop to $100 in five minutes - 1pm on the east coast. Too far to drive back over there.

 

[CRSINMICH]

To all - especially overseas vicers:

I’ve just come from my favorite vintage iron seller (monger?). He has a Woden 186 B/3 for which he is asking $45 or about ₤29. There are at least 2 condition issues. The first issue is the spindle nut is loose, consequently the slide will neither move forward nor backward when the spindle is turned. It looks like it was meant to be pinned from the bottom of the vise. I’m fairly certain that I could deal with that. The second issue is there is a chunk missing from the static jaw just at the left side under the jaw pad. I’m dead certain that I don’t have the equipment, knowledge or wherewithal to repair that myself.

I am confident that the vise could be mine for less than the asking price especially after I point out the flaws. I don’t have pictures because I didn’t want to tip my hand by showing too much interest. He’s fairly canny and liable to notice that.

There is one other thing I should mention. This might be a bit of a Frankenvice. It’s hard to put into words but it looks like there might be an extra swivel base involved. After a quick search, I found a picture of a 186 B/3 and it had no swivel base at all. I wouldn’t reject a Woden because it had an unexpected addition. I would regard it as an extra bit thrown into the deal. I’ll search for more pictures later.

Unless the moon and stars align just right, I won’t be able to return to his shop until tomorrow morning. Assuming the Woden is still available, would you advise me to buy it? The full purchase price is not a problem. While I don’t have a great desire to have yet another project, neither do I have a Woden which are not found in this neck of the woods very often.

EDIT: Cancel that Frankenvice thing. I found some better pictures of 186s and they look just like the one I saw.

I’d like to have as much input as I can so please add your 2 cents or tuppence or what have you.

 

[CRSINMICH]

Accidentally found an estate sale and found this. The guy unloaded it from his car when I was about to leave. Columbians aren't my favorite but the price and condition were right. It's also a combination vise which I don't currently have. Well I at least don't have a complete working combination vise right now.
Paid $20.

They really do follow you around, don't they? You do know that you're just about one step away from having vises magically appear in your driveway don't you? Oh yeah, YOU ****!

 

[Mr_P]

My Parker 975 is on it's way home at a final purchase price of $140

 

[bagged89s10]

They really do follow you around, don't they? You do know that you're just about one step away from having vises magically appear in your driveway don't you? Oh yeah, YOU ****!

You know it's funny that you say that. I was waking around the sale, saw a drill chuck and some cord reels, no vise. I'm getting ready to walk back to my car, and a guy pulls up, and drops a vise and some other stuff on the ground almost right in front of me. So I guess they are starting to find me.

 

[bagged89s10]

My Parker 975 is on it's way home at a final purchase price of $140

Very nice

 

[drivesitfar]

Crs: woden doesnt command the coin as well as other vises, but they are quality. Pretty sure the swivel base the woden has is standard because Paramo vices have a similar one. Since both vices are pretty similar i bet they are working off the same patent and companies might have been related. Or a Paramo person left for taiwan or Japan and made vices there with the same design to avoid patent laws in England. Your call on the price.

 

[Mr_P]

Here's the newbie on it's way home...

The dynamic jaw rode up front with Taz....

 

[Mr_P]

Total weight with the base included rings up at 210lbs

 

[Fretters]

Total weight with the base included rings up at 210lbs

Looks a fair beast of a setup.

 

[Mr_P]

Now two to decide from. Which one to keep for myself? Tough choice. I'll have to think about it. Maybe for years to come.....

 

[Killinger]

Flea market fresh! Just picked this Columbian No. 3a pattern makers vise up today. It's a very big boy! Guy has been telling me about it all year. Finally brought it in. Just spent 5 mins with kroil oil and everything is working properly! It is missing the stabilizer attachment if anyone has an idea where one might find that I would be interested. Paid $150 if you must know. That's cheap for ohio. .

 

[rmalkow2]

Now two to decide from. Which one to keep for myself? Tough choice. I'll have to think about it. Maybe for years to come.....

Man that Parker is a monster!

 

[Fretters]

Now two to decide from. Which one to keep for myself? Tough choice. I'll have to think about it. Maybe for years to come.....

Why upset one by choosing the other? Keep them both happy.

 

[Fretters]

Picked this up today. 6" jaws, just shy of 43" high, 2' deep. Handle is 2' long. Obligatory builders mug for scale.

 

[drivesitfar]

Killinger: nice find. Ive got a couple pattern vises and not sure exactly what you mean by a stableizer bar. Do you have a picture? There is a vise parts thread or wanted in classifieds you can post asking for one and you might get lucky. Probably ebay is your best place or with your talent you might just make one if you can find one to copy.

Fretters: ****** cool mate. Is it english or did you snag one of the American bersions. Big guy too and maybe 100 pounds?

 

[Fretters]

Fretters: ****** cool mate. Is it english or did you snag one of the American bersions. Big guy too and maybe 100 pounds?

I'm guessing it's English, but I haven't checked it over for any makers marks or such as yet. Definitely heavy. I would be surprised if it's below 100lb.

 

[vintage nut]

I'm not sure how relevant it is, but my 7.25" blacksmith vise is about 175# (or at least it will be once I make the missing bits for it...)
Those big post vises are absolute beasts! Considering a 4" post vise will comfortably take a beating that would hurt a 6" machinists vise, I'm not sure there is anything stronger than a 6"+ blacksmith vise....

Sent from my C1904 using Tapatalk

 

[bagged89s10]

I'm not sure how relevant it is, but my 7.25" blacksmith vise is about 175# (or at least it will be once I make the missing bits for it...)
Those big post vises are absolute beasts! Considering a 4" post vise will comfortably take a beating that would hurt a 6" machinists vise, I'm not sure there is anything stronger than a 6"+ blacksmith vise....

Sent from my C1904 using Tapatalk

I'm thinking about picking up a small post vise if I find one cheap. I wonder if I can mount one on this drill press stand.

 

[Fretters]

I'm thinking about picking up a small post vise if I find one cheap. I wonder if I can mount one on this drill press stand.

You should be able to adapt that to take a leg vice, by removing the table or similar.

You'll drop on one eventually. Look at me. Been on my list for a few years now with no luck, and then I end up with a 4" and a 6" within months of each other.

 

[Fretters]

Those big post vises are absolute beasts! Considering a 4" post vise will comfortably take a beating that would hurt a 6" machinists vise, I'm not sure there is anything stronger than a 6"+ blacksmith vise....

Aren't they just. I expected this one being notably chunkier than the 4", (there were no measurements in the listing, so I was merely working off the design with regard the longer jaw arms to roughly gauge size), but the overall difference in just about every part of it between the two still took me by surprise when I saw it in the flesh. The 4" seems quite delicate in comparison to this one.