The VISES of Garage Journal

[CRSINMICH]

In the vast wilderness of Canada, it is relatively near at about 185kms away, only a 2 hour drive or so! Lately there have been a lot of RAE vises popping up on the local classifieds, or I'm just paying way too much attention lately, that could be it!
My assumption for the slot is a lubrication point for the main screw. I'll take a better look next time I'm over

diagnosis: I knew Orillia sounded familiar. We used to drive through there on our way to canoe in Algonquin Provincial Park. That's not near Hamilton at all. I wonder what the story was on RAE being in both places. I was thinking that it might be a Wiltonesque Chicago-Schiller Park deal.

The next time you see one of those Record style RAEs tuck it away for me. I'll stop by and throw it in the back with the packs and paddles. I'm still not sure if you have to declare vises at the border.

 

[diagnosis]

Will do!

 

[kcrccc05]

Check out this ebay vise -eBay item number:

221962737246 -

 

[mali]

I wish I knew how to get the hooks under the a or over the o's.

I think you have to change keyboard language. In Windows you can find "regional and language settings" in control panel.

For instance if I want to type "ą" I press Alt(this one on your right hand) +a
ź - Alt+x
ż - Alt+z

FPiU - Fabryka Pzyrządów i Uchwytów

u and ó is exactly the same sound

more about sound "ą" you can find here

 

[Evergreentree]

Nuts, good trick. I wonder how much of the jaw tower has to be wrapped? I don't want it to look sloppy. I have a pair of Carolina boots that may have enough sacrificial quality leather, but not enough to wrap the towers. I know when I put Lexol on my boots it really helps moisturize.

Shift-no exotics. black walnut, hickory, etc regular run of the mill stuff

 

[GETRIDAONE]

How about some old school lead covers that came on an Athol I have.
These reversible Rubber/Masonite came on a Dunlap

 

[Evergreentree]

Getrid-i was going to get some Wilton copper jaw covers, or thought about even the magnetic rubber jobies, but I think I'm going to try leather for now and see how it works. Unless some 6" coppers come up cheaper then what they usually go for!

What size are the rubber/Masonite?

 

[Rileysan]

I met a guy at his automotive shop yesterday to look at a vise he listed in CL. The shop was closing after 61 years in business, so I figured I had a good chance of finding vintage tools. He had a Parker 974 1/2 bolted to the bench that was in amazing shape but that wasn't the vise he want to sell. The vise for sale was left at home - a Rock Island 141. I bought it for $50 (he had previously texted me images of the vise) and will pick it up later this week.

Out of curiosity, what would that Parker in very good condition be worth? I loved it, and think if I made the right offer, he'd sell since he is in the process of gutting the shop over the next few weeks. The Rock Island vise belonged to his dad, so I don't think there will be a sentimental attachment to the Parker attached to his bench.

I also spent $200+ on vintage tools that I will try getting photos posted in the garage sale thread sometime this week.

Brian

 

[Loydski29]

Before

After

I think it Turned out pretty good for my first vise restoration.

 

[Evergreentree]

Really nice loyd! How'd you shine up the slide, etc?

 

[drivesitfar]

Shift: thanks for the offer, but not quite organized enough to get to another project. i'll let you know if that changes, but i might have some leather and few pieces of wood that is a little nicer than cedar or oak laying around.

Get: nice jaws. i noticed the Wilton 6 inch copper jaws i used to buy from a guy in Florida are no longer available and now Zoro sells them for $100 a pair. do you use those or jaw covers often?

Loyd: how did you get the weld and swivel base off the static? nicely done and i might have passed on that vise or bought as a parts vise.

 

[va.grouseman]

Nice job Loydsky.---What was your process in removing the weld?---And how much trouble was it?

 

[mbsinmich]

Getrid-i was going to get some Wilton copper jaw covers, or thought about even the magnetic rubber jobies, but I think I'm going to try leather for now and see how it works. Unless some 6" coppers come up cheaper then what they usually go for!

What size are the rubber/Masonite?

Here are some soft jaws made from aluminium, and have a cool anvil cut out!

http://forgedtwosix.com/blacksmithtools/index.html

 

[CRSINMICH]

loydsky: You did way more than a spiff up. I think you did a terrific job. As it happens one of our members, who lives near me, is in California right now. Why don't you have him bring it back and I'll give it a close inspection and let you know what I think? How about that?

Seriously dude, great job. Nice looking vise. Keep restoring and keep posting.

 

[Evergreentree]

Thanks mb! Cool. If I get those, I'd need to buy an anvil. I'd be like a stihl sticker on my truck, withought owning any!

 

[Loydski29]

Really nice loyd! How'd you shine up the slide, etc?

I used a fine scotch Brite belt on my burr King.

Loyd: how did you get the weld and swivel base off the static? nicely done and i might have passed on that vise or bought as a parts vise.[/QUOTE]
It wasn't easy but luckily the weld wasn't very good and I was able to sand it off and get it apart. Took some time but I think it was worth it. Thanks for the kind words guys.

 

[drivesitfar]

Loyd: so Burr King is on my short list of belt grinders to buy one day and just wondering if it was responsible for removing most of that old weld? i bet it didn't take long either?

again nicely done.

 

[Loydski29]

Loyd: so Burr King is on my short list of belt grinders to buy one day and just wondering if it was responsible for removing most of that old weld? i bet it didn't take long either?

again nicely done.

I used a die grinder with a 3" sanding disk didn't want to use anything to aggressive on it.

 

[Shiftless]

Re:Soft jaws
If guys would consider a synthetic material, how about fabbing up a pair of jaws out of polypropylene, you know...the stuff those NSF approved white cutting boards are made out of. I found this pic online.
If one needed soft jaws regularly, just convert one of your "extra" vises to soft jaw duty. I for one have a vise with "less than perfect" jaws.

 

[jpickar]

Re:Soft jaws
If guys would consider a synthetic material, how about fabbing up a pair of jaws out of polypropylene, you know...the stuff those NSF approved white cutting boards are made out of. I found this pic online.
If one needed soft jaws regularly, just convert one of your "extra" vises to soft jaw duty. I for one have a vise with "less than perfect" jaws.

Often a small cutting board shows up in thrift stores that is thin enough for vise jaws that is made of polypropylene. I will buy them up and use them for all sorts of projects.
John

 

[Isaiah6113]

Ah! you got it! I messaged and waited for a reply, with no response. It was a good price at the listed $100, but at $50, good score!

Hi there,

Yes, 'twas I. The owner said his ad had been up for some time. So you and I must have responded within a day of one another. Funny that given the age of the ad. Still, lots more out there, one has your name on it!

It's a great vise, but does need work for sure.

Matthew A.

 

[bagged89s10]

Before



After



I think it Turned out pretty good for my first vise restoration.

Very nice restoration. Did you make a new swivel lock?

 

[Loydski29]

Very nice restoration. Did you make a new swivel lock?

Thank you! Yes I made a new handle and swivel lock.

 

[GETRIDAONE]

Loydski, NICE JOB


Drives, No I don't use those covers, I have the yellow Columbian and they work great !

Evergreentree, The covers are 4" wide and about 1/4" thick. The rubber was probably softer 50 years ago when they were new.

 

[Apwillard1986]

This is my first post tho I have been lurking around here for sometime. I recently acquired two Reeds. A no. 24 vise which was my first vise restoration. Also, a Reed woodworker's vise which needs nothing but I can find no info on it. The number on the front is Reed 10-QD.

 

[Nuts]

Nuts: id like to see a leather pair of vise jaws made like that. Good luck on the shop organizing too or are you building one?

Drives:
I recently acquired some leather from a drum maker. It might be too thin but you can have some to try if you want it. Soak it in water overnight should make it soft enough to work into the shape you want. Dry it is stiff.
Do you have access to exotic hardwoods? Seems a shame to wrap leather around Oak or something so pedestrian.

Nuts, good trick. I wonder how much of the jaw tower has to be wrapped? I don't want it to look sloppy. I have a pair of Carolina boots that may have enough sacrificial quality leather, but not enough to wrap the towers. I know when I put Lexol on my boots it really helps moisturize.

Shift-no exotics. black walnut, hickory, etc regular run of the mill stuff

Getrid-i was going to get some Wilton copper jaw covers, or thought about even the magnetic rubber jobies, but I think I'm going to try leather for now and see how it works. Unless some 6" coppers come up cheaper then what they usually go for!

What size are the rubber/Masonite?

Loyd: so Burr King is on my short list of belt grinders to buy one day and just wondering if it was responsible for removing most of that old weld? i bet it didn't take long either?

again nicely done.

Found an online pic of the wet formed vise jaws, you can see how the rope left it's mark in the wet leather.



Unless you are using rawhide, soaking leather under hot tap water for a couple of minutes will be enough. Boot leather will have to many additives to keep it soft to work for this purpose. Lexol or any other water proofing is opposite of what is needed for this use. Tandy or a good leather craft shop will have the correct leather in stock. Latigo and others like it will have been impregnated with oils for suppleness after being wet, exactly what don't want.

Drives, look into a knife makers grinder. Search for no weld grinder, grinder in a box and KMG grinder. Uses a 2x72 belts. Not that difficult to make from scratch either.

 

[topop101]

Before

After

I think it Turned out pretty good for my first vise restoration.

That took a lot of work saving that one. Great job!

 

[Evergreentree]

Good trick with the cutting board jaws. I really can't stand the white, but functionality is good to know.

Nuts-thanks for the leather advice. If I just glued a strip of the boot leather to wood jaws, it's probably work. However, I actually really like the look of the wet formed leather on the tower. I'll most likely go that route. Really good info.

 

[Loydski29]

That took a lot of work saving that one. Great job!

Thank you!

 

[Hemi49]

Shipping heavy vise

I recently bought a 500S Wilton Bullet from a fellow in South Florida.....He boxed it, palletized it and took it to the Fastenal® store near him....Today I picked it up at a Fastenal® store here in Rochester NY......It cost me $55.00 to have it brought up from Florida.....I'm very pleased with their service and price.....Attached are photos of the vise..
Hemi

 

[exmaxima1]

Wilton 800

You don't see one of these pop up much on CL

https://chicago.craigslist.org/sox/tls/5351510623.html

 

[straightcut]

Unless you are using rawhide, soaking leather under hot tap water for a couple of minutes will be enough. Boot leather will have to many additives to keep it soft to work for this purpose. Lexol or any other water proofing is opposite of what is needed for this use. Tandy or a good leather craft shop will have the correct leather in stock. Latigo and others like it will have been impregnated with oils for suppleness after being wet, exactly what don't want.

Ok, not rawhide, not boot leather, not Latigo or others like it. Don't use Lexol or other waterproofing. Can you tell us what kind of leather that we need to purchase for use on vise jaws?

 

[McBrownie]

Shipping heavy vise

I recently bought a 500S Wilton Bullet from a fellow in South Florida.....He boxed it, palletized it and took it to the Fastenal® store near him....Today I picked it up at a Fastenal® store here in Rochester NY......It cost me $55.00 to have it brought up from Florida.....I'm very pleased with their service and price.....Attached are photos of the vise..
Hemi

Hemi,

Congratulations! That 500S looks brand new. What does the date stamp say? (assuming you have the guns to pull out that dymanic. )

 

[KMScott]

Shipping heavy vise

I recently bought a 500S Wilton Bullet from a fellow in South Florida.....He boxed it, palletized it and took it to the Fastenal® store near him....Today I picked it up at a Fastenal® store here in Rochester NY......It cost me $55.00 to have it brought up from Florida.....I'm very pleased with their service and price.....Attached are photos of the vise..
Hemi

That is how you pack and ship a vise, nice vise you bought there Hemi. The packer has at least two hours packing and maybe $20 in materials. Worth it to arrive safe and sound. I made my crate almost the same as his.

 

[Hemi49]

Hemi,

Congratulations! That 500S looks brand new. What does the date stamp say? (assuming you have the guns to pull out that dymanic. )

That is how you pack and ship a vise, nice vise you bought there Hemi. The packer has at least two hours packing and maybe $20 in materials. Worth it to arrive safe and sound. I made my crate almost the same as his.

McBrownie
I haven't pulled the slide yet.....When I do I'll post the date....
KMScott
The young lad I bought it from couldn't have been more accommodating...He was going to pack it and take it to Fastenal® gratis......I insisted that I would cover his troubles and wired him $50.00...I think I got a bargain.....And he was tickled to death for the extra money......
Hemi

 

[va.grouseman]

Re: Wilton 800

You don't see one of these pop up much on CL

https://chicago.craigslist.org/sox/tls/5351510623.html

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Exmax, that must be a special order 800, or prototype.---I've got an 800 that looks just like that and has a swivel base, and only weighs 220 lbs.---The biggest vise that Wilton makes that I know of is the new style 800S with swivel base, that don't have the recessed jaw bolts and it's only 238 lbs.

Here's mine.

 

[PSD_Ryan]

Wilton 5 inch mechanics vise. Mounted on square tube so i can use it on my truck or the receiver on my welding table

 

[Nuts]

Ok, not rawhide, not boot leather, not Latigo or others like it. Don't use Lexol or other waterproofing. Can you tell us what kind of leather that we need to purchase for use on vise jaws?

Sorry I was a clear as mud, vegetable tanned tooling leather is the right stuff. I usually have 8/9oz around but for a bigger vise I'd want a bit heavier. The outer surface is smooth the inside rough.

""Weight/Thickness - Leather is usually measured in terms of ounces. One ounce equals 1/64th of an inch thickness. Thus, a weight of 7 to 8 oz. means the leather is 7/64th to 8/64th of an inch thickness. In an effort to make leather a uniform thickness, hides are run through a splitting machine. However, each animal is different and there is always a slight thickness variation throughout the hide. This is why leathers are usually shown with a range of thickness, such as, 4 to 5 oz., 6 to 7 oz., etc.""

Here are some options.
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00HMVTWIQ/?tag=atomicindus08-20

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00HMY9XDM/?tag=atomicindus08-20


Nuts

 

[Hemi49]

Re: Wilton 800

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------



Exmax, that must be a special order 800, or prototype.---I've got an 800 that looks just like that and has a swivel base, and only weighs 220 lbs.---The biggest vise that Wilton makes that I know of is the new style 800S with swivel base, that don't have the recessed jaw bolts and it's only 238 lbs.

Here's mine.

VA-G
That's a beautiful vise
Hemi

 

[bagged89s10]

I did a little work on the Wilton 840 I'm restoring for a client of mine. Anvil surface and jaw sides are flat.


And I made a new swivel centering pin. Found a 5/8" rod in my scrap bucket.


Turned it down to 1/2" and added a knurl to the side that fits in the swivel base. It's not perfect but works.


I ordered some KMScott jaws for this guy.