The VISES of Garage Journal

[trijeff]

Fisher Norris

Edit: I take it back, that looks different than a Fisher Norris

 

[Fretters]

How old do you guys think this is

You bought that yet or not bothering?

 

[bagged89s10]

You bought that yet or not bothering?

Not sure if he's selling it.
I told the owner I would try to find out more about the vise and if the bottom was broken or not.

 

[trijeff]

Looking for info on Bagged's vise and ran across this ... no longer looks operable but sure looks cool!

 

[econotrk]

Vintage: I'm tying to decide if I want a sheet metal vise. This American Scale #206 has been on CL near here for nearly a month. It's only $60 but I would have to do a full stripping. Beware the Blue Bomber and what the blue might be hiding.
https://detroit.craigslist.org/wyn/tls/5206943644.html

bagged: Here is a swivel version of the Cman you posted. It's only $75 and I wouldn't have to dispose of a bench I don't need. I could get both of these in one trip and be home before lunch. This one has been posted for a month too.

https://detroit.craigslist.org/wyn/atq/5230149211.html

Funny how location changes things, those wouldn't have lasted a day at those prices around here (Western Pa). The Pattern makers vise, I've never seen one of any make near me. So it's easy for me to ask why you haven't grabbed them yet.

 

[Rileysan]

Vintage': That looks a big beggar.




Good God matey, I can't believe that's not already in your workshop and being restored. I'm a tight arsed git, but even I'd jump on that one, if the physical condition is decent to good.

I'd at least give that one a looksee. At that price, who could say 'no'?

Brian

 

[Fretters]

CRS might be noting the general consensus by now.

Trijeff: That's definitely different.

Not sure if he's selling it.
I told the owner I would try to find out more about the vise and if the bottom was broken or not.

Which part seems broken? Did you see that link to the catalogue I posted, btw?

 

[Fretters]

Vintage and JRobb: just for you I'll post my swivel jaw Prentiss #26 coachmaker's vise, prentiss bulldog 59 coachmaker's and my simplex coachmaker's. i might have another one, but i don't usually see them that often even to say no to around here.

Nice collection DIF.

 

[drivesitfar]

TJ: Maybe you rub that vises nose to get it to work? Did you get that big rock island swivel jaw or was price too high?

Fretters: Thank you

All: One reason I probably don't own a nice blacksmith vise is I'm not quite sure if some are missing parts I can't find or make. I've seen many with that missing spring or end screw's cap, but I've heard they are easy to make. Of course maybe the guys saying its easy are the same guys that built a car or house from the ground up.

So are there any fatal flaws or things to look for for me and others trying to buy their first blacksmith vise? Maybe one of you like Demo can start a thread and post some great pics and information instead of burying it this monster thread?

Thanks

 

[Rileysan]

Brian: that vise isn't very big, but if you have a need $25 is ok because it is in in pretty decent shape.

Of course I don't have a need - but if it's a great deal on something unusual, I would jump at the opportunity.

Brian

 

[drivesitfar]

Brian: i'm happy you are buying all the vises i should have bought lately, but wish you'd have started earlier so i wasn't running to Portland when gas was $4 a gallon instead of $2.

I'm still preaching the warning to you that a vice for vises or other old tools is real so you don't end up with 3 storage units full of vises like someone i know.

if you don't have a nice little clamp on vise they are handy. i didn't know if it was rare or not and nobody seemed to say Top's $15 offer was a bad idea so maybe $20 and you'll have it to mount on your bench. i don't have that one so if it wasn't a 6 hour drive i'd buy it and you might have heard i probably don't NEED another vise except maybe a blacksmith vise that i can actually beat on.

 

[Fretters]

All: One reason I probably don't own a nice blacksmith vise is I'm not quite sure if some are missing parts I can't find or make. I've seen many with that missing spring or end screw's cap, but I've heard they are easy to make. Of course maybe the guys saying its easy are the same guys that built a car or house from the ground up.

Personally, I wouldn't fart about getting one which was missing parts, or with anything broken, unless there was some special reason for doing so. They're not exactly thin on the ground, so better to wait awhile and get ones which are complete. Making parts is easy if you have the facilities and knowledge, but a pain in the rear otherwise. Go for complete or non.

It's the same old story as with any hunt; Patience is everything.

 

[CwazyWabbit]

Impatience will make a rich man poor ......

 

[CRSINMICH]

I just couldn’t make up my mind if I wanted to try to get the Craftsman or the American Scale so I drove 3 miles and got this Rock Island 573 instead. While I was there I looked in a back shed and saw this stand. The vise was $60 and the stand was $8. (You read that right - EIGHT dollars!) Today is my wife’s birthday. Won’t she be surprised when she gets home? Talk about two birds with one stone.

 

[jakemac]

Your wife wanted a vise for her birthday ? I like her already. Does she have a sister ?

 

[CRSINMICH]

Your wife wanted a vise for her birthday ? I like her already. Does she have a sister ?

Let's just say she doesn't know she wanted a vise - yet.

 

[Fretters]

Impatience will make a rich man poor ......

That's the truth.

Let's just say she doesn't know she wanted a vise - yet.

Top man. You'll obviously have the indignity of finding somewhere in your shed for it when she tells you to shove it where the sun doesn't shine. Life's tough.

 

[bagged89s10]

CRS might be noting the general consensus by now.



Trijeff: That's definitely different.







Which part seems broken? Did you see that link to the catalogue I posted, btw?

Sorry I was thinking about the blacksmith vise and not that Parkinson. The Parkinson is not broken and the seller wants too much for what I would spend.

 

[bagged89s10]

So I went to see the guy I met on Sunday who mentioned he had 2 Vises for sale. I was only going to buy this Parker 973 for $30, but the seller was pushing me to buy both the Parker and a 3" Columbian. He was at $45 but I said no. Then he settled on $40 and I grabbed both. The seller collects and sells mainly singer sewing machines but also picks up vises. I need to find a parker no 1 vise wrench now.

 

[diagnosis]

For you Toronto/GTA guys, I've been keeping an eye on this guys posts, and he has quite a selection. A bit rich for my blood, but one heck of a collection up for sale.

http://www.kijiji.ca/o-posters-other-ads/36000878

 

[bagged89s10]

For you Toronto/GTA guys, I've been keeping an eye on this guys posts, and he has quite a selection. A bit rich for my blood, but one heck of a collection up for sale.

http://www.kijiji.ca/o-posters-other-ads/36000878

I'd like to see more pictures of his first vise listed, craftsman Charles Parker. I've never seen a Parker made Craftsman.

 

[drivesitfar]

Diagnosis: i'd make an appointment to see that Craftsman that is made by Rock Island and not Parker because it looks like the same size as my 577's that are 150 pounds.

CW & Fretters: that's probably one style of vise (Blacksmith) that i've been maybe to careful about buying. i've maybe seen 100 that i could have bought in person and should have bought one 6 incher for $150 with a steel table. the 4 inchers are probably able to do most any job, but when you've seen bigger they just dont compare. Filson bought this one that i really like that came with a pretty cool and stout table a few years ago and i've wanted one like it since and his Reed 208 would be a good one too since i don't own one that big.

in any case one day i'll probably own one, but would love to see some of you guys that own and know a lot about blacksmith vises to start a thread with just them so some of us and the young blacksmiths can learn.

 

[Fretters]

Start a thread on them DIF, (it'd probably be best in the vintage forum). I'm sure we can all post photo's of ours, and any useful bits of info people might be able to offer will appear gradually too.

 

[KMScott]

I was talked into making a set of pipe jaws for a American Scale #25 vise. I decided to make the pipe jaws in two pieces to save money on tool steel and heat treating. The savings were 50% in the tool steel alone, a 4 inche wide plate compared to 1-1/2 wide is expensive. Did not need the whole blade made out of hard steel especially when the back part of the pipe jaw is buried in the vise and only used for clamping down on. I used a popular tooth style and created a aluminum set of jaws that have a 14 degree angle nest for the pipe jaw blades and can cut the teeth with a regular endmill.

I made a set for a # 205 Columbian I restored a couple years ago and it worked well making them this way. You guys with Bridgeport type mills can easily make these pipe jaws missing on many Combination vises. It is time consuming and I do not want to get talked into any more unless I need a set for one of my vises. I have the geometry created in a .dxf file if some one wants to make their own set.

 

[diagnosis]

Diagnosis: i'd make an appointment to see that Craftsman that is made by Rock Island and not Parker because it looks like the same size as my 577's that are 150 pounds.

I'd love to drop by and take a look at the collection, as it keeps growing on Kijiji by the day. There is another ad for a Reed 103-1/2 for $70 CAD. ($20 USD ) that has stayed in my watch list for a while, and somehow haven't contacted the seller. I still have a couple of unfinished projects to finish before adding to the list!

 

[oldldh]

As far as the "Canadian Vise Hoard" goes...

It's too late in the year to head north without sled dogs...

The thaw starts in June, so I think I'll wait...

Seriously, his prices aren't that bad---I'm assuming his prices are in Canadian Dollars...

Members in Western New York or Pennsylvania ought to slide on up there, and check them out...

I like the big Records, and the big Craftsman might be worth a look...

 

[sandman54]

Drives I just landed a 7 inch leg vise and am currently on the trail of two 8 inch leg vise. I will get them but they ain't giving them away.will post pics as soon as I can. Also found 4 chain drive leg vises and I am sure I am 4 a dog fight to try for 2 of them one for me and one four Demo !!!

 

[noisenormajean]

Just bought my last vise - Wilton C3.

Purchased this hernia-maker from a retired welder. He used a front-end tractor loader to get it in the air. Third picture has small Reed vise for scale. Last picture is in the trunk of a Honda Civic.

I'm not stripping and painting this one, leaving as is - very good condition. More pictures to come.

I need a bigger bench.


***

 

[GETRIDAONE]

Just bought my last vise

That's what they all say, it is a nice one but can you stop now ?

 

[CRSINMICH]

noisenormajean: Don't listen to the naysayers. It is possible to be content with what you have. It's a big beautiful vise. Who could ask for more? I'm sure you won't need any other vise. Ummm....you do already have a vise with swivel jaws, don't you?

 

[Rileysan]

I'd love to drop by and take a look at the collection, as it keeps growing on Kijiji by the day. There is another ad for a Reed 103-1/2 for $70 CAD. ($20 USD ) that has stayed in my watch list for a while, and somehow haven't contacted the seller. I still have a couple of unfinished projects to finish before adding to the list!

I am chomping at this bit over that cman vise - too bad he's so far away!!

 

[Rileysan]

Just bought my last vise - Wilton C3.

Purchased this hernia-maker from a retired welder. He used a front-end tractor loader to get it in the air. Third picture has small Reed vise for scale. Last picture is in the trunk of a Honda Civic.

I'm not stripping and painting this one, leaving as is - very good condition. More pictures to come.

I need a bigger bench.


***

Grats!

 

[Rileysan]

I just couldn’t make up my mind if I wanted to try to get the Craftsman or the American Scale so I drove 3 miles and got this Rock Island 573 instead. While I was there I looked in a back shed and saw this stand. The vise was $60 and the stand was $8. (You read that right - EIGHT dollars!) Today is my wife’s birthday. Won’t she be surprised when she gets home? Talk about two birds with one stone.

I suppose I should start replying to everyone in one post instead of multiples (a la Drivesitfar) but not yet. CRSINMICH - amazing find on that stand. You ****!

Brian

 

[CRSINMICH]

Brian: Thanks for the You ****. I didn't even know I wanted a stand. $8 convinced me though. Now, here's what I think you should do about that Cman. Take US 2 east until it ends, take I-75 north to Sault Ste. Marie, cross the International Bridge, then take the Trans-Canadian east. You'll be there in no time.

bagged: Two vises for $40. Are you kidding me??!! You'd better start looking up when you go outside. They'll be dropping from the sky soon.

 

[vintage nut]

I'm not really sure what blacksmith vises would go for around here... The only one I have seen for sale was a 4" for 150.....
I was given all 3 of mine over the span of a week.

Sent from my C1904 using Tapatalk

 

[vintage nut]

Getting a leather sewing machine for knife sheaths tomorrow.
I'm trying to figure out some way to justify mounting a vise to its table....

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[Schony]

Yost 32c

 

[drivesitfar]

Schony: awesome vise and i really like your stand. did you make it yourself? also like that you bolted it to your floor. is that your only vise? welcome to the forum and looking forward to seeing more pictures of your stand if you want to post it on the vise stand thread and here's the link to make it easier for you.

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=252799&highlight=vise+stands

Vintage: i'm sure if there is a way to put a vise on some tool you'll figure it out. maybe put the machine on Junebuggy's blacksmith thread since there are a lot of knifemaker's checking it out.

Riley(Brian): the reason i started making multiple posts when i first started was because photo images linked to posts would take up almost an entire page and when members would hit the quote and add a well done it would take me (us) pages to find a new or old post. do what you like and i appreciate others that post that way so it's easier for me (us) to read. if i didn't do multiple posts some of the members might see my questions and comments and think it was my thread which it no way is. as with most of the threads i start they are the member's like the 101 and vise stand threads that have a lot of great posts on them.

i think i asked Vintage Nut if he had a Dr. appointment for his vise addiction, but now you are also talking and maybe planning on going out of the country to pick up some vises so maybe you should ask yourself if you might need to make one too.

 

[vintage nut]

I'll definitely post it there when it's back home with me!

I've been thinking one of those carriage makers vises could actually be really nice for leather work. Smooth jaws, and good clearance. Currently I'm using a wooden stitching pony I built to hold things for hand stitching, but one of those would probably be even better.

Mind you, I'm not sure I'll be doing too much hand stitching anymore!

Sent from my C1904 using Tapatalk

 

[noisenormajean]

noisenormajean: Don't listen to the naysayers. It is possible to be content with what you have. It's a big beautiful vise. Who could ask for more? I'm sure you won't need any other vise. Ummm....you do already have a vise with swivel jaws, don't you?

Ha, you're right... no swivel jaws!
American scale no.62, Wilton 400s, 450s, 500s, and now C3. Couldn't ask for more.

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