The VISES of Garage Journal

[Techie1961]

I never really considered taking good care of a vise until I started to visit this site. They were always a tool that didn't seem to matter much. Now that I have seen some of the care put into the vises here, I am rethinking my ways. Get it? Ways?

Anyway, I have a vise that was in bad shape that I dug out of the barn and started to do some reconditioning on. I can't tell whether it's a decent vise or not. I think it's a cheapo but who knows. The identification on it is BG and the other side says 150MM. Obviously a 6" standard vise but there isn't a COO on it anywhere. Anyone know what it might be?

 

[Screwdriver]

Nice job there techie. It does look a bit crude, maybe Eastern Block but on the other hand, it looks pretty damned chunky and handsome in a brutal sort of way.

 

[Toofast28]

anyone ever seen one of these? For sale locally. "American Scale Co KC, MO #20" is it worth $50? Looks very unique.

 

[Outlawmws]

I think that may be whats left of one of those farmers horizontal drill press/Vise Anvil things... the Drill part is missing...

 

[Nuts]

anyone ever seen one of these? For sale locally. "American Scale Co KC, MO #20" is it worth $50? Looks very unique.

Don't see a handle to turn the main screw either.


Nuts

 

[climb.on]

Looking good on the restoration jobs climb.on! Did mean Reed 204 1/2 because a 404 1/2 should be a swivel jaw.

Thanks! Sorry 205-1/2 actually!

Climb: So do you have 4 more in line for the next batch since your assembly line seems to be working nicely. Post more pics as you can and I bet some soul like to see your paint booth too or at least I wound on the 101 thread.

This is the last of them, but somehow, I suspect a few more will fall off the ole vise tree, sooner than later

Spray booth is at my father-in-law's place. He's a retired autobody guy who had his shop on his property. He lets me use it pretty much anytime I want. Yah, I ****, I know.

climb.on, where did you get the Snap On badges? If direct from Snap On do you have part numbers?

Also, what's the story with that pedestal? Cast iron? What's it from?

I made the badges. I have access to a laser engraver. I used sign making material with brushed stainless surface over a black plastic. They turned out pretty good I think. I thought I had read somewhere that Wilton sent them some, but Wilton said they don't have them and can't get them. I don't buy it. They just don't want to deal with the little parts they can't make any money off of. If they did, they would sell the end caps individually. (end rant) Snap-On could not located them either. So I decided to just make them

I wondered if someone would notice the pedestal. It's for a Delta Rockwell pedestal grinder. (although they are virtually identical to the baldor pedestals I believe). I have a matching pair in the restoration que. They look like the one below and I have now obtained all missing parts and accessories for them both, except 1 light/guard. I'm a sucker for the old Delta stuff - just love love love it. And these old grinders are so sweet to use and look at.

 

[Nuts]

I just love an optimist.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Vintage-Cra...137328?hash=item4af67f9930:g:EacAAOSwT~9WhUcA


Nuts

 

[Outlawmws]

Don't see a handle to turn the main screw either.


Nuts

I think that 2 knob mess is the handle...

 

[PghJKB]

Happy New Year to all!

May your vices be few,
Your vises be many,
For our new vises,
By pound a penny.

JKB

 

[topop101]

Hemi I seen on the news a terror plot was prevented in your neck of the woods. Thank God. Maybe you could offer a lil'payback and put his head in the ol'vise! Now that would be a fitting punishment.

 

[kcrccc05]

Happy New Year to all -Question what are some methods of cleaning the inside barrel of a Wilton Bullet ?

 

[BeachBoy]

Is this any good? It's small but seems a good size for workbench.

Sent from my Nexus 6 using Tapatalk

 

[topop101]

Happy New Year to all -Question what are some methods of cleaning the inside barrel of a Wilton Bullet ?

If it's grease you are trying to clean out I use a piece of cloth wrapped around a 12 gauge bore brush and put in a drill. . I use cleaners like fast orange , 409... dawn dish soap . Of course you can use other things like brake clean but that stuff is expensive and the vapor is highly combustible.

 

[topop101]

Is this any good? It's small but seems a good size for workbench.

Sent from my Nexus 6 using Tapatalk

Records are a very good vise. The "WILTON" of England . Lowes is selling them here in the US.

 

[hondacivic247]

Finished cleaning up my wilton 935 made in December of 1950

 

[topop101]

Finished cleaning up my wilton 935 made in December of 1950

Turned out nice. I always say if the work bench is the center piece of the shop then a great vise is certainly the center piece of the bench! Well done.

 

[dutchgray]

Records are a very good vise. The "WILTON" of England . Lowes is selling them here in the US.

The 100 is very light duty though, substantially less metal in it than a No3, well made yes but it is hobbyist grade.
Still its in great condition and if its cheap enough its still better than a Chinese vice.

 

[topop101]

The 100 is very light duty though, substantially less metal in it than a No3, well made yes but it is hobbyist grade.
Still its in great condition and if its cheap enough its still better than a Chinese vice.

Oh you are so right. I was commenting more on the brand than the size. In every brand there are different grades of vise, including open and enclosed screws. There are some brands no matter what grade I wouldn't give a second look.

 

[hondacivic247]

Turned out nice. I always say if the work bench is the center piece of the shop then a great vise is certainly the center piece of the bench! Well done.

Thanks I'm super happy with the vise got it for a steal for 85 bucks then another 20 in paint. It works great for holding stuff to weld or cut with the grinder, before I would vise girl something then c clamp it to my table...

 

[454ragtop]

What's a vise girl? I think I need one.

 

[Outlawmws]

I'm guessing that was supposed to be Vise Grip. Gotta love (sic) Auto Correct (AC) the bane of my existence on my work computer...

But Hmmm Vise Girl...

Haha! the Collins English dictionary, has a definition! (vice girl...)

And Google Images is (mostly) work safe... (At least the "vise" spelling, "vice" is less so...)

 

[drivesitfar]

454: i think it's a vise (vice) accessory and we need pictures of one or two over in the vise of the year for 2015 thread.

Outlaw: you are too quick. nicely done, but wrong thread

Civic: nicely done

ALL: happy new year all

 

[va.grouseman]

What's a vise girl? I think I need one.

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A good old gal that will make the road-trip, traverse state lines, frequent auctions, Flea-markets, estate sales, and spend hours and hours and hours on EBay and Craigslist, just to deliver to you that short list vise you have been wanting for so long.---While you shave a few points off handicap, and then settle back for the game of the week.---She's a keeper.

 

[topop101]

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


A good old gal that will make the road-trip, traverse state lines, frequent auctions, Flea-markets, estate sales, and spend hours and hours and hours on EBay and Craigslist, just to deliver to you that short list vise you have been wanting for so long.---While you shave a few points off handicap, and then settle back for the game of the week.---She's a keeper.

VAYou just described my daughter! She even talked me out of a speeding ticket with the state police on a vise run! For Christmas she got me two tickets to the Chiefs V Raiders game in KC and a baby bullet on a power arm... It's a rough one but that's just the way I like them . She wouldn't tell me where she found it at ... I'm taking my grandson to the game.

 

[Shiftless]

VAYou just described my daughter! She even talked me out of a speeding ticket with the state police on a vise run! For Christmas she got me two tickets to the Chiefs V Raiders game in KC and a baby bullet on a power arm... It's a rough one but that's just the way I like them . She wouldn't tell me where she found it at ... I'm taking my grandson to the game.

topop:

You're a lucky man!

 

[oldldh]

It would appear that another "Rare: Craftsman 5196" has been listed on Ebay...

With an opening bid of $ 432.05!!!!...(Including freight...)

This one has a "Unique Geared Swivel Base"!!!

That's what makes it so valuable----who knew???

It is a nice one, but it's owner is a tad confused about it's worth...

May all of you have a Glorious New Year!!!

 

[Hemi49]

Hemi I seen on the news a terror plot was prevented in your neck of the woods. Thank God. Maybe you could offer a lil'payback and put his head in the ol'vise! Now that would be a fitting punishment.

Top
I try to avoid going into the city as much as possible.....I'm getting too old and slow to be dodging bullets and pressure cookers....
Hemi

 

[topop101]

topop:

You're a lucky man!

I just get to keep her for a lil while. ... The lucky one will be her mate if she can find one to measure up. As the song goes she can skin a buck, run a trout line!. Not only can she bait her own hook but filet like a surgeon . Her last boy friend broke up because she out crappie fished him and found more mushrooms in the same day.

She is no doubt her daddy's girl. but it will take a real man to compete with the raising she was given.
Two weeks ago she graduated respiratory therapy school. Passed her boards this week and is now a registered respiratory therapist . Not stopping there. Going back this fall to get her BA in medical management.
She didn't get her brains from me , that's for sure.

I know this is off topic . Sorry. She's one of my favorite subjects to talk about.

 

[topop101]

Top
I try to avoid going into the city as much as possible.....I'm getting too old and slow to be dodging bullets and pressure cookers....
Hemi

I know the feeling!

 

[Techie1961]

I never really considered taking good care of a vise until I started to visit this site. They were always a tool that didn't seem to matter much. Now that I have seen some of the care put into the vises here, I am rethinking my ways. Get it? Ways?

Anyway, I have a vise that was in bad shape that I dug out of the barn and started to do some reconditioning on. I can't tell whether it's a decent vise or not. I think it's a cheapo but who knows. The identification on it is BG and the other side says 150MM. Obviously a 6" standard vise but there isn't a COO on it anywhere. Anyone know what it might be?

It is definitely a very rough and cheap vise that is poorly finished. It cleaned up nice though and should make a good workhorse. Note the misalignment of the jaws. I'l probably make a new set for it and put the holes in the correct place. The actual machining of the casting seems to be fairly close.

Are most of you making new jaws from O-1 so you can harden them on your own or do you go with A-2 or another material?

 

[KMScott]

It is definitely a very rough and cheap vise that is poorly finished. It cleaned up nice though and should make a good workhorse. Note the misalignment of the jaws. I'l probably make a new set for it and put the holes in the correct place. The actual machining of the casting seems to be fairly close.

Are most of you making new jaws from O-1 so you can harden them on your own or do you go with A-2 or another material?

O1 works fine especially if you want to heat treat it your self with out a oven. If you have a oven then I would suggest S-7 or A-2 since they do not warp and twist much after heat treating like O-1 does.

 

[Outlawmws]

Tech, are the jaws upside down, or on the wrong jaws? if you can get them seated I'd just grind the tops even, if they still don't line up.

 

[Techie1961]

O1 works fine especially if you want to heat treat it your self with out a oven. If you have a oven then I would suggest S-7 or A-2 since they do not warp and twist much after heat treating like O-1 does.

Interesting, I never thought about heat treating A-2 on my own. When you say oven, I suppose you're referring to something other than a regular kitchen oven? I'm a tool maker by trade and never thought to do A-2 on my own. We always sent it out.

Tech, are the jaws upside down, or on the wrong jaws? if you can get them seated I'd just grind the tops even, if they still don't line up.

I tried them a few ways and the holes are offset quite a bit up and down. No way to flip them and in fact, when I took it apart, there was a broken screw. I'm guessing that it sheared off due to the gap and then sat okay with only one screw. I'd like to get them seated correctly on the shoulders.

 

[Van Steele]

After having done the little Fuller I caught my Record looking jealously at it, so had a go at that one as well.
A previous owner thought that tightening the jaws was best done with the help of a hammer - and a cheater bar. Also hacksawing into the jaws and inserts seemed like a good idea too. They unfortunately didn’t clean up very well.
Just needs a new set of jaw insert screws now.

Happy New Year!

 

[drivesitfar]

Van: cool looking old Record vice. nicely done

TOP: talking about the helpers in your life especially if they bring you baby bullets with power arms attached to them is hardly off topic. sounds like you have a keeper there and praying she finds a great son in law that is maybe as close to as nice as you. even if it was off topic and you want to brag about one of your kids i'm sure the thread could use a bit more of that. it's hard to talk about vises all the time and keep our interest and maybe why so many of the guys that started the thread are gone or just lurking now. my thoughts are maybe not in the majority, but i've seen a lot more posters on this thread since i started welcoming and helping some of the guys that post their vises. i'm not sure any of us knew you had any kids, but we did hear about a 7 year old assistant that would get deals for you when you brought him along.

Techie: it looks imported but it might be European and not Chinese. i don't have a clue what the BG stands for. nice job cleaning it up though and it will probably work ok as a vise (vice).

Climb: if that is your grinder i'd be proud to own one that looks that nice. how many of those vises will find a home on your bench?

 

[Fretters]

Fraggles: That Ball Base is a beauty. Is that a Handy sticker on it? Looks like that's the first version of the BB, if I recall correctly from the discussion CW and I had on that matter.

VS: Nice work on the 74.

 

[CwazyWabbit]

I'd missed that Sevo and BB vice post.
Two of my favourite vices That Ball Base vice is in amazing condition, great find Fraggles

I must keep my open for a Sevo vice of that size, would fit quite nicely size wise between the two I have.

Great find sir!

 

[joe.striper]

I got this vise as a gift for Christmas. I thought "Oh thats nice, a machinist vise" nothing special. THEN I began to clean it up. Wow, this is cool....look at the pics. The slide mechanism is spring loaded. I push down on the little slide and move the handle to the appropriate clip. Very ingenious.

 

[topop101]

Well I have searched the forum and haven't found anything on axe's. Wondering if there is any interest in them ? Would it be worth setting up a thread to show a few?

 

[drivesitfar]

Top: you'd be a good host to start one so maybe in the vintage section and i'll dig up a few i own to post. i've seen a lot of them posted so if members see them it could be fun. i know a guy in Portland area that has an entire wall of them and i'll have to ask him if he is a GJ member because he should be. practically owns a museum of old chainsaws and axes and other logging stuff.

Joe: interesting vise. which xy table did you keep or did you keep just a basic vise for your drill press?