The VISES of Garage Journal

[Shiftless]

Loydski:

First of all...Welcome to the group!
Is that your first vise?

You've got yourself a very heavy duty vise there. Size for size, Rock Islands are certainly among the most rugged vises ever made. Yours clearly has a welded up swivel and is missing the original handle. It looks like the jaws are in OK condition. Does it crank open and closed properly? Are you thinking about maybe a new handle and just cleaning up the welds on the swivel? Any machinist can make you a new handle, or to save money in case you don't have a machinist buddy, get yourself a new bolt of the proper size and put a nut on the end, peen over the end of the bolt, and round off the corners with a file. But you're not going to be able to make that vise swivel again and look factory new without a lot of effort and/or expense.
IMHO, you paid a fair price for that vise considering its condition. If you need a vise to use for projects and can overlook its flaws, go right ahead...clean it up a bit and put it to work!
But if you want a fantastic looking vintage vise, I would search for a better starting point.

(I also have a Rock Island 572 in my small collection)

 

[cbacres]

Craftsman wood working vice from a estate sales this week.

CA Herriman that I picked up last week.

Now I should decide which one to keep. Probably breaking some kind of a GJ rule here!

 

[cbacres]

anyone in Illinois looking for an old athol under bench swivel complete with wrench.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/AM-CO-ATHOL-MASS-82-4-1-2-Inch-Bench-Vise-Heavy-Duty-L-K-/161893572169?hash=item25b19bde49:g:CFQAAOSwI-BWPMyx

I have a CH Parker like that, neat set up. I'm going to use on a future bench build so it can be removed quickly for full bench space.

 

[a990dna]

Update...
It is a model 5196
Somebody go get this...I can't make a 1000 mile round trip for this deal.

SD is about 150 miles from me... whats this vise worth and who makes it?

.

 

[Loydski29]

Loydski:

First of all...Welcome to the group!
Is that your first vise?

You've got yourself a very heavy duty vise there. Size for size, Rock Islands are certainly among the most rugged vises ever made. Yours clearly has a welded up swivel and is missing the original handle. It looks like the jaws are in OK condition. Does it crank open and closed properly? Are you thinking about maybe a new handle and just cleaning up the welds on the swivel? Any machinist can make you a new handle, or to save money in case you don't have a machinist buddy, get yourself a new bolt of the proper size and put a nut on the end, peen over the end of the bolt, and round off the corners with a file. But you're not going to be able to make that vise swivel again and look factory new without a lot of effort and/or expense.
IMHO, you paid a fair price for that vise considering its condition. If you need a vise to use for projects and can overlook its flaws, go right ahead...clean it up a bit and put it to work!
But if you want a fantastic looking vintage vise, I would search for a better starting point.

(I also have a Rock Island 572 in my small collection)

Thanks for the info this is my third vise my first is a monarch. I wanted to make it swivel again I work at a fab shop and have access to a mill and lathe and wanted to make a new pinch bolt for the swivel it's going to take some work but I think it's worth it. I'm happy to have found this forum I have learned a lot already.

 

[Shiftless]

Craftsman in San Diego $140

Who has a contact in San Diego to pick up this one?
Anybody wanna guess a model number?
Is this what I think it is?

http://sandiego.craigslist.org/ssd/tls/5323872918.html

SD is about 150 miles from me... whats this vise worth and who makes it?

.

I believe it was manufactured by Reed or Rock Island. Other vise-aholics are welcome to chime in with more informed information or guesses.
In my area it would go for a really fast $200
I can't find the records on eBay, but I believe one sold a few months ago for around $300.
The C/L seller didn't put the model number in the ad or take a picture of the nose where the number is stamped. Otherwise it would have been gone by this morning.
I wouldn't drive 300 miles round trip just to pick up this vise at $140 but maybe you have other business or personal reasons to drive down south.

 

[Shiftless]

Thanks for the info this is my third vise my first is a monarch. I wanted to make it swivel again I work at a fab shop and have access to a mill and lathe and wanted to make a new pinch bolt for the swivel it's going to take some work but I think it's worth it. I'm happy to have found this forum I have learned a lot already.

Loydski:
If you work in a fab shop that changes just about everything I said!
If you need reference measurements or anything I can dig out my twin to your vise and help you out. Just ask. PM is fine.

 

[Loydski29]

Loydski:
If you work in a fab shop that changes just about everything I said!
If you need reference measurements or anything I can dig out my twin to your vise and help you out. Just ask. PM is fine.

Thank you I appreciate it!

 

[joe.striper]

Went to a Flea Market today, not much there and no people. While poking around a vendor and I start talking. I tell him I like vises. He goes under his bench and comes up with this little 2.5" swiveler, date stamp 05/53. Green sticker say 'not for sale'. I ask him what his 'not for sale price is and he says $50. Couldnt get the cash out of my pocket fast enough. Hard not to get too excited in front of him. I happened to have a clamp on, unrestored Stanley clamp on vise in the car that I bought last week. I showed it to him, he collects stanley tools, he liked it so we bartered the vise plus $ 40 for a small Gerstner style box made out of what I think is butterwood. Pretty happy.

Ps tge vise has bronze jaws.

 

[trijeff]

Joe, YOU ****!

 

[Shiftless]

Joe:

Once again...
You ****!

 

[02superduty]

Went to a Flea Market today, not much there and no people. While poking around a vendor and I start talking. I tell him I like vises. He goes under his bench and comes up with this little 2.5" swiveler, date stamp 05/53. Green sticker say 'not for sale'. I ask him what his 'not for sale price is and he says $50. Couldnt get the cash out of my pocket fast enough. Hard not to get too excited in front of him. I happened to have a clamp on, unrestored Stanley clamp on vise in the car that I bought last week. I showed it to him, he collects stanley tools, he liked it so we bartered the vise plus $ 40 for a small Gerstner style box made out of what I think is butterwood. Pretty happy.

Ps tge vise has bronze jaws.

Great now Joe is going after the Gerstner tool chest market too.

 

[a990dna]

I showed it to him, he collects stanley tools, he liked it so we bartered the vise plus $ 40 for a small Gerstner style box made out of what I think is butterwood. Pretty happy.

Ps tge vise has bronze jaws.

I have an old Gerstner.. how can you detect its made out of Butterwood?

.

 

[GETRIDAONE]

A bear and his vise

 

[drivesitfar]

Get: nice looking Parker and your bench looks mighty clean. are you totally retired again or did they bring you back as a consultant?

 

[joe.striper]

I have an old Gerstner.. how can you detect its made out of Butterwood?

.

First let me reiterate, I said it is a Gerstner style box I am 99% sure it isn't a Gerstner. No markings. Second, I'm pretty good with my woods and it definitely isnt oak, maple, cherrybor walnut. Birch is a possibility. I'm delivering a Parker 6" swivel base to a customer tomorrow who is a wood expert so I'm hoping for a confirmation.

 

[Nuts]

So I looked up Agawam, Ma. on google earth.

There's a sink hole in a back yard near the school....

My guess is that's where Joe's shop used to be.

 

[bagged89s10]

This is what a penetrol finish baked on a vise looks like. I applied penetrol on the whole vise including the slide. I didn't clean up the jaws and slide yet. I just snapped some pictures so I could share the finish. I'm probably painting this one but wanted to try penetrol vs the usual BLO I use after a dip in the etank.

 

[Fretters]

This is what a penetrol finish baked on a vise looks like. I applied penetrol on the whole vise including the slide. I didn't clean up the jaws and slide yet. I just snapped some pictures so I could share the finish. I'm probably painting this one but wanted to try penetrol vs the usual BLO I use after a dip in the etank.

Hard to tell without comparison photo's, so any notable difference between that stuff and linseed oil in application, finish etc. Bagged'?

On the subject of alternative finishes, I'll pop this one in here incase some don't check the repair thread.

Before:

After:

 

[Fretters]

So I looked up Agawam, Ma. on google earth.

There's a sink hole in a back yard near the school....

My guess is that's where Joe's shop used to be.

Are you sure it's not just a vortex or blackhole, sucking everything within the vicinity in?

 

[bagged89s10]

Hard to tell without comparison photo's, so any notable difference between that stuff and linseed oil in application, finish etc. Bagged'?



On the subject of alternative finishes, I'll pop this one in here incase some don't check the repair thread.



Before:

After:

Here is a picture of the penetrol coated/baked collar next to a Parker with just a light motor oil coating.


Penetrol is thinner and goes on easier than BLO. This stuff I brushed on with a foam brush and just let it dry overnight, then baked in the oven. With BLO, I usually put it on and wipe off excess after 10-15min. Then I bake it. I've never baked on a thicker BLO coating so can't really compare.

 

[Fretters]

Here is a picture of the penetrol coated/baked collar next to a Parker with just a light motor oil coating.


Penetrol is thinner and goes on easier than BLO. This stuff I brushed on with a foam brush and just let it dry overnight, then baked in the oven. With BLO, I usually put it on and wipe off excess after 10-15min. Then I bake it. I've never baked on a thicker BLO coating so can't really compare.

Cheers. Was just curious as I've never had a play with Penetrol/Dinitrol as yet.

 

[bagged89s10]

Cheers. Was just curious as I've never had a play with Penetrol/Dinitrol as yet.

Next experiment will be to see how paint will stick over the penetrol finish.

 

[Fretters]

Next experiment will be to see how paint will stick over the penetrol finish.

Let us know how it works out.

 

[GETRIDAONE]

Get: nice looking Parker and your bench looks mighty clean. are you totally retired again or did they bring you back as a consultant?

I have three days left to work next week and I get to Re-retire. Work was interfearing with the vise projects. I have been working on that Parker off and on for three months. I'll post more pictures and the process of putting a new anvil pad on to cover the crater that was there.

 

[mali]

Hello Guys,

Could you help me identify the manufacturer and brand of this vise.
The vise weight approximately 55kg and it has a little bit modified jaws. What is the vise worth?

 

[Youngguns]

Let me just add in this foreign vise (I guess "vice" in this case?), to go along with mali's, to be identified.

"DRGM Triumph-85"

 

[AnotherJarhead]

Any ideas as to who made this vise and the age? I might have a chance to get it later this week. Don't know the price so if anyone knows what I should pay I'm all ears.

 

[GETRIDAONE]

If anyone can ID the bird logo I am curious also ? HSB is Hibbard-Spencer-Bartlett the former True Value Hardware Co.

 

[vonhef]

Earlier this year I gambled on this:

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Well it was in worse shape than anticipated. The spindle nut pin were broken, so the nut had been welded to the housing. The C retainer had also been welded to the front jaw housing, and 3 of 4 jaw bolts were stripped.

I used Gardserts to repair the threads:

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Then repaired the welding mess, repinned the nut and painted. Still need to have a handle machined for it.
It's not a show piece, but it is a now a working vise.

[/URL][/IMG]

[/URL][/IMG]



Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Outlawmws]

So I looked up Agawam, Ma. on google earth.

There's a sink hole in a back yard near the school....

My guess is that's where Joe's shop used to be.

Are you sure it's not just a vortex or blackhole, sucking everything within the vicinity in?

This ^^^

Joe, ( << Joe) do you find lots of 4 leaf clovers and pots O' gold at the end of rainbows too?

 

[Outlawmws]

If anyone can ID the bird logo I am curious also ? HSB is Hibbard-Spencer-Bartlett the former True Value Hardware Co.

Get, I don't think that is a bird logo; looks like an "M" on top of a "W" (Monkey Wards? and further stylized to resemble a stick man?

 

[flying eyeball]

just finished

 

[drivesitfar]

Von: nicely done.

Eyeball: very nice

Jarhead: more of a light duty vise and anvil so more of a collectible for the shelf. seen priced in the $20 to $150 range and depends if mounting holes are all there and nothing broken or cracked. it looks pretty decent from the picture you posted.

Get: good luck with the Re Retire.

 

[Shiftless]

Vonhef:
Nice save on that Chicago bullet.
What happened to the old jaw inserts to force you into adding shims behind 'em?
Maybe not the originals?

Eyeball:
Another thumbs up to you for that beautiful Parker.
Nice touch displaying your old Irwin screwdriver next to it too!

 

[dittle fart around]

Tuff to keep up with this thread you must get 20 posts a day. Who knew there were so many retirees with vise envy.

 

[bagged89s10]

Tuff to keep up with this thread you must get 20 posts a day. Who knew there were so many retirees with vise envy.

Don't forget the not even close to retirement vise enthusiasts like myself.

 

[a990dna]

First let me reiterate, I said it is a Gerstner style box I am 99% sure it isn't a Gerstner. No markings. Second, I'm pretty good with my woods and it definitely isnt oak, maple, cherrybor walnut. Birch is a possibility. I'm delivering a Parker 6" swivel base to a customer tomorrow who is a wood expert so I'm hoping for a confirmation.

Okey-dokey smokey!

.

 

[dkroth]

Small, no-name. Great detail and lots of "real" vise features.

 

[Hemi49]

Earlier this year I gambled on this:

[/URL][/IMG]

[/URL][/IMG]


Well it was in worse shape than anticipated. The spindle nut pin were broken, so the nut had been welded to the housing. The C retainer had also been welded to the front jaw housing, and 3 of 4 jaw bolts were stripped.

I used Gardserts to repair the threads:

[/URL][/IMG]

[/URL][/IMG]


Then repaired the welding mess, repinned the nut and painted. Still need to have a handle machined for it.
It's not a show piece, but it is a now a working vise.

[/URL][/IMG]

[/URL][/IMG]



Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

vonhef
Isn't it amazing how some people can literally destroy something?.....I have a C1 that isn't nearly as bad that I am trying to resuscitate.....
Hemi