The VISES of Garage Journal

[CRSINMICH]

That's a nice Fortis Mark. Good condition by the looks of it too.

That method of attaching the jaw inserts is quite common across here on the larger, heavier duty vices CRS. The general use vices are likely to be screwed inserts as a rule, but the big boys or beaters usually have the bolt through jaws. Fortis was the brand of one of the Herbert's, as I recall. Can't remember offhand whether it was Alfred or Edward, but I believe it was the former.

Thanks Fretters. I was beginning to suspect that. That Fortis looks like it could take quite a bit of heavy use.

 

[Fretters]

It's definitely no lightweight, work wise. I believe that'll be a steel one too rather than iron, so readily able to take a sound thrashing.

 

[CRSINMICH]

If you look closely at the photo it does say UNBREAKABLE. That's an expression I wish we used more over here, "sound thrashing".

 

[Fretters]

If you look closely at the photo it does say UNBREAKABLE. That's an expression I wish we used more over here, "sound thrashing".

I take it it's not an expression oft used across there then? On a complete and utter tangent to vices, it just made me think of a classic "damn good thrashing" from across here, donkeys ago.

 

[CRSINMICH]

I take it it's not an expression oft used across there then? On a complete and utter tangent to vices, it just made me think of a classic "damn good thrashing" from across here, donkeys ago.

The only place one is likely to hear that expression here is a period piece on PBS. I have been binge watching Foyles War on Netflix lately. "donkeys ago"??? Shaw was correct about two peoples being separated by a common language.

 

[Hemi49]

Beautiful work Hemi

BTW, on that model, are both jaws labeled 9400?
My 4 inch problem bullet (Chicago Guar Exp 1962) has one jaw labeled 9400 and the other 8400. I'm wondering if this is really unusual.

SHIFTLESS
My 4" bullet is the same way....The dynamic says 8400 and the stationary says 9400......I guess it's an "all purpose vise".....

 

[Hemi49]

Hemi,

Please post up some pics when you clean this one up. I saw it at auction on Saturday and I thought it was in decent nick. One thing I found odd - I removed the dynamic jaw and the nut was flopping around inside the body. It clamps well and the action is smooth so no problems. Just curious what's going on inside there.

dkroth
I will post pictures.....The guy I bought it from lives a couple miles from me.....He said he bought it at auction while gesturing towards Buffalo......I haven't done anything to it other than take a couple pictures and put it in my garage......It's possible that there's a problem with the nut pin(s)....I see someone has been messing around in that area......

 

[kcrccc05]

Thanks Joe -Just placed my order .

 

[bagged89s10]

Just finished up this 4" Wilton bullet.
Went with a more raw look. Kept the jaws as is. All original parts. It with smooth faced jaws. Color is satin sage. Brushed finish on the anvil and jaw towers. Date stamped 1/78.

Look at the crappy casting the rear and the anvil. The swivel base too but you can't see it in the pics.

 

[dkroth]

Ooooh. That spun end cap is a nice touch.

 

[bagged89s10]

Ooooh. That spun end cap is a nice touch.

Thanks. It's not that nice. It was beat up and I banged it out the best I could and cleaned it up on the lathe. I need to get a sand bag so I can do a better job.

 

[CRSINMICH]

bagged: Between you and a number of other restorers on this thread I'm running out of superlatives. I think I'll make a numbered list so that I can just say; Bagged that's a number 7; or WOW, what a number 12 that one was! This Wilton was another great job. Love that Satin Sage color. Good job with the lettering - again.

 

[CRSINMICH]

One other thing bagged: Have you heard of metal spinning? It's a way of forming metal sheets into various shapes by spinning it while pressing it into forms, I think. It might be a way of making replacement end caps out of other metals for dramatic effect. Sounds right up your alley.

 

[bagged89s10]

bagged: Between you and a number of other restorers on this thread I'm running out of superlatives. I think I'll make a numbered list so that I can just say; Bagged that's a number 7; or WOW, what a number 12 that one was! This Wilton was another great job. Love that Satin Sage color. Good job with the lettering - again.

One other thing bagged: Have you heard of metal spinning? It's a way of forming metal sheets into various shapes by spinning it while pressing it into forms, I think. It might be a way of making replacement end caps out of other metals for dramatic effect. Sounds right up your alley.

Thank you but this one isn't that great of a restore. More of a quick restore. I should have welded up the gouge in the cap and then smoothed it out. I probably should do a little work on the jaws too. If it doesn't sell, I might do that and also polish up the handles.

I do want to learn sheet metal forming. I just wish I had more time on my hands to be able to do more metal work. All my free time lately has been spent restoring vises.

 

[Fretters]

The only place one is likely to hear that expression here is a period piece on PBS. I have been binge watching Foyles War on Netflix lately.

Nowt like making someone feel archaic.

"donkeys ago"??? Shaw was correct about two peoples being separated by a common language.

Donkey's ears - A long time ago or old. Short form, just donkeys. Donkeys old, (years old), Donkeys ago, (ages ago), etc.

 

[CRSINMICH]

Nowt like making someone feel archaic.




Donkey's ears - A long time ago or old. Short form, just donkeys. Donkeys old, (years old), Donkeys ago, (ages ago), etc.

Oh, you mean "a ****'s age". Why didn't you just say so?

 

[Fretters]

That now begs the question: What's a ****? I've never figured that one out. Seem to remember having this discussion somewhere a while ago. Is it short for racoon, (keeping with the animal theme), or something else?

 

[CRSINMICH]

That now begs the question: What's a ****? I've never figured that one out.

We're treading on dangerous ground here, Fretters. I've always thought that, in that expression, it referred to a raccoon, but "****" also is a derogatory term for African-Americans. It also isn't used much any more, thank goodness.

What are you doing up so late? I'm about to go to bed on this side.

 

[Fretters]

We're treading on dangerous ground here, Fretters. I've always thought that, in that expression, it referred to a raccoon, but "****" also is a derogatory term for African-Americans. It also isn't used much any more, thank goodness.

I seem to remember that's why we never figured out what it referred to. Nothing seemed to make any sense. At least with donkeys, we can likely blame the Cockneys for that one, but could never figure any likely meaning of the other one. I think we setteld on Raccoon, (is it one c or two in raccoon?), as being the most likely.

What are you doing up so late? I'm about to go to bed on this side.

I'm a very erratic sleeper. Not quite insomniac, but giving them a run for their money.

 

[CRSINMICH]

I seem to remember that's why we never figured out what it referred to. Nothing seemed to make any sense. At least with donkeys, we can likely blame the Cockneys for that one, but could never figure any likely meaning of the other one. I think we setteld on Raccoon, (is it one c or two in raccoon?), as being the most likely.




I'm a very erratic sleeper. Not quite insomniac, but giving them a run for their money.

Do you know how to keep a raccoon in suspense? I'll tell you tomorrow. I'm going to bed. Good-night.

 

[CRSINMICH]

I do want to learn sheet metal forming. I just wish I had more time on my hands to be able to do more metal work. All my free time lately has been spent restoring vises.

bagged: Here's a link that might be of interest to you.
http://www.metalspinningworkshop.com/

BTW I did notice some of the warts on your most recent Wilton resto but it still looks damn good. No. 7 and No. 12.

 

[KMScott]

One other thing bagged: Have you heard of metal spinning? It's a way of forming metal sheets into various shapes by spinning it while pressing it into forms, I think. It might be a way of making replacement end caps out of other metals for dramatic effect. Sounds right up your alley.

Here is how I do it, easy especially if you have a lathe. Now I throw a thick plate on the CNC and carve out several at once.

 

[bagged89s10]

Here is how I do it, easy especially if you have a lathe. Now I throw a thick plate on the CNC and carve out several at once.

Thanks Kevin. I think you shared the specs a while back and I think I saved the diagram. What material and size to you usually start with?

 

[bagged89s10]

bagged: Here's a link that might be of interest to you.

http://www.metalspinningworkshop.com/



BTW I did notice some of the warts on your most recent Wilton resto but it still looks damn good. No. 7 and No. 12.

Thanks I'll check out that link.

Yeah like I said. It's not that great of a resto.

 

[KMScott]

Thanks Kevin. I think you shared the specs a while back and I think I saved the diagram. What material and size to you usually start with?

I am finding out that Wilton has more then 6 sizes so far. Most are growing by 1/16ths. I still need the Wilton 800 figured out then I should have most of the sizes. The 17xx series I have not looked at yet. To answer your question, I use plate steel 12" x 12" I bought at a auction ranging from 3/4 to 2-1/2 thick and I used to saw out small squares but now I throw the plate on the machine and cut several at once. Plenty of times I have to remove more material then I want. The end caps I make are heavy duty and to be honest I do not make shop rate on them but it helps some put their vises back together. I have drawings to share if some want to make their own.

 

[dubojr10]

Anyone recognize this one? I have an opportunity to buy it for $60. Is it worth restoring?

 

[noisenormajean]

Anyone recognize this one? I have an opportunity to buy it for $60. Is it worth restoring?

Never personally owned one but it seems useful. It may offend some folks considering its country of origin (COO). Here are some pictures of one for sale near me.

Anyone recognize this one? I have an opportunity to buy it for $60. Is it worth restoring?

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[JZiggy]

Never personally owned one but it seems useful. It may offend some folks considering its country of origin (COO). Here are some pictures of one for sale near me.










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The exact model I have seen multiple times in mechanics shops with jaws broken off

... Either because they're so handy they get the **** used out of them or they are bit on the weak side.

 

[balane]

If anybody is dead set on one of those Chinese rotating vises just go into your Harbor Freight and pick up a brand new $70 one less your 20% coupon for $56. At least you'll have some type of warranty.

http://www.harborfreight.com/5-inch-multi-purpose-vise-67415.html

 

[dubojr10]

Never personally owned one but it seems useful. It may offend some folks considering its country of origin (COO). Here are some pictures of one for sale near me.










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Appears you are correct sir. Thanks!

 

[drivesitfar]

Balane: I think the older ones either from Taiwan, Japan or China are a lot more stout than the new ones. I had one that was 70 pounds that a client bought from me for $80 and he saw the new ones in person before begging to buy mine. I've also seen a bunch beat to **** but the users just repair and keep using them happily. There are some that are made with more bondo than steel, but that one looks pretty decent. Biggest ring I've seen in an ad that's for certain.

 

[Craptain]

Biggest ring I've seen in an ad that's for certain.

True. A woman getting rid of (ex?) husband's tools. Could be more good deals. [emoji106]

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[dubojr10]

Balane: I think the older ones either from Taiwan, Japan or China are a lot more stout than the new ones. I had one that was 70 pounds that a client bought from me for $80 and he saw the new ones in person before begging to buy mine. I've also seen a bunch beat to **** but the users just repair and keep using them happily. There are some that are made with more bondo than steel, but that one looks pretty decent. Biggest ring I've seen in an ad that's for certain.

Yeah I would have to agree with you. IMO the HF model is no where near this stout. I did notice some bondo on it. I was curious what that was all about.

And BTW that's my moms wedding band. She came across this vise at an Estate Sale.

Thanks for your input.

 

[Alexbn921]

Anyone recognize this one? I have an opportunity to buy it for $60. Is it worth restoring?

no. import.

 

[drivesitfar]

Dub: bondo was put in the holes of the pour (poor) castings hence the cheaper pricing. some steel dumbbells have the same issues even with some of the upper quality brands. Mom did well for you i'm pretty sure.

Riley: you don't have to worry about the Prentiss not going to a good home now. i had emailed him yesterday before i saw your post and was hoping to meet up with him. great guy selling a few of his Dad's tools that unfortunately passed a few years ago. he's a machinist too like his Dad was so my guess is the copper jaws were drilled tapped and screwed on which is a heckuva way to keep them in place. i haven't had a chance to check it out much, but even though it isn't very big it's a nice little vise that won't go far from my garage now. also BEE CAREFUL shopping state to state or nationwide because you might end up with a few hundred vises like a few of us.

cheers

 

[Fretters]

no. import.

Import it is, but not necessarily a bad one. Look at the bare metalwork. Not a hint of chrome in sight, so that could well be older and Taiwanese.

Having seen one of that style of vice in the flesh, in all honesty, I can't say as I wouldn't even be tempted by a current one. As a general duty vice, they don't seem a bad option.

 

[joe.striper]

Anyone recognize this one? I have an opportunity to buy it for $60. Is it worth restoring?

OK, here's the issue, if you tear that down you will find all the casting flaws etc...It will be ugly. If you want a vise for the shop by all means get it, paint it and use it . My very first vise was a Chinese vise that I thought was made by an American company. Luddell. Good vise but not a great vise. Look at the pics, here are tips for Pacific Rim vises: Chrome, if it got chrome it don't come home! Large sized numbers. I have no idea why they do this but these Asian imports always have BIG NUMBERS on them

I bought the Luddell cheap and used it then I got a call from a buddy who sold me all of these Wiltons for $500, and that did it for me, I was hooked but good.

If you can get that for $40, buy it. $60 is too rich in my opinion, but everyone needs to start somewhere and you could do worse. I've been looking for a Sawyer vise for years but to no avail ....YET!

 

[balane]

That could very well be true about the HF version not being as stout, I've never actually handled one in person and just assumed they were similar. However, those shiny gray older imports make me nervous since one member here stripped the paint and found a lot of bondo underneath it, the bare metal looked like swiss cheese, no kidding.

 

[dubojr10]

Well it is just going to be a general use vise (yes my first one) in my hobbyist garage. I guess I'll make the owner an offer and paint and use it till something nicer comes my way. I'm not even sure what brands that is so I guess it's a good time to start researching as well.

Thanks to everyone for your time and input!

 

[CRSINMICH]

Well it is just going to be a general use vise (yes my first one) in my hobbyist garage. I guess I'll make the owner an offer and paint and use it till something nicer comes my way. I'm not even sure what brands that is so I guess it's a good time to start researching as well.

Thanks to everyone for your time and input!

Don't forget to thank your mother. She was looking out for her child - once again.