mroneeyedboh
Well-known member
- Joined
- Dec 30, 2011
- Messages
- 459
How how long does that last/ what's its durability? Does it get into its pores or lack there of...?

Rock Island 3-1/2” Vise
I have been enjoying this forum for quite a while, but this is my first post.
I picked up this garage sale find the other day and would appreciate any info that forum members can provide. It’s only a 3-1/2”, but it is a monster 3-1/2 – 17-3/4” long x 11” wide (swivel base), 4” wide (body) x 10-3/4” high. It weighs 63 pounds!
Other than the one “ROCK ISLAND” marking on the side it has only a single 73-C stamped on the underside of the base. It has remnants of yellowish green paint. As you can see from the photos it is in great condition – missing one screw to hold one of the pipe jaw clamps in place.
The first two photos are of the Rock Island 3-1/2” beside my Columbian 3-1/2”. The Rock Island dwarfs the Columbian – 63 pounds versus 8 pounds – the Rock Island is 8 times the size/weight!
Fretters-can you elaborate on the grate stove paste?
Elbaite: now you might know why i praise Rock Island vises more than most of the rest. nice find and guessing the Columbian might be moving either to another bench or a friend's garage soon?
welcome to the group and feel free to post a WELL DONE or just ask a question or two if you have any because we are a pretty good bunch here at GJ and especially on this thread.
Dennis: not nearly the Columbian you just mounted on your own bench is it? even if it was in similar shape your baby blue older one is superior.
Oldie: any more Car or vise ****? i'd be afraid to drive that out in the streets around my house. man that is a good looking ride.
EG: you done with those leather jaw covers yet??![]()
Let me begin by saying that I HATE the snow and politics of the Northeast, what I LOVE is the fact that I find stuff like this everyday! Just unbelievable. I went to a shop up near VT this morning to get a tool repaired (they were the only place that had the parts). When I walk in I start chatting up the owner. Turns out they have been in business since the 1940s, his family started the shop. We then start talking about vises and he takes me in back...
HOLY SHEET!!!!!
First vise I see is this 8" Morgan. Wow!
Then this 8" Swivel Jaw, yes swivel jaw Prentiss (I believe it is a Prentiss based on the swivel lockdown)
Then I saw this 8" that I knew was a Columbian, then I saw the tag. CRAFTSMAN! Wow that's the biggest I've ever seen!!!!
None are currently for sale but all were in excellent shape. I didn't even offer yet, I told him I loved them, but I figure this is a 9 or 10 month sales cycle on these so why rush it. Guys in his 60s, I just need to be there when he is ready.
Anyway, thought youd find all this interesting.![]()
How much for the little Wilson C0, Mr. Wilson?
I PM'd him as soon as he made the post.. no answer back yet.![]()
Reed 2C
I took delivery of a nice Reed 2C today I bought from a mountain state GJ member.....I got it unpacked and placed next to a Parker 975 and an Athol 624N.....I don't think it needs much, but it will be awhile before I check it out....I've got 4 other vises in queue ahead of it.....
Hemi
Ended up painting the letters gold...first time painting letters. I'm happy with how it turned out. Used a paint marker.
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Joe, I missed your post, wow three 8 inch vises and one is a swivel jaw. The Craftsman is not the one everyone is looking for but still a impressive vise, they used the Craftsman Spindle and knob ends. I could not make out the tag.
The Prentiss 8 inch is the first I have seen. I have a 7" swivel jaw and would love that 8 incher. I hope you have a shot at it. Thanks for sharing.
HEMI: that Reed 2C is a great vise isn't it? glad you were able to talk to MT and get him to ship it to you. i've actually met him in person and he's a great guy. did you guys ship via Fastenal or do tell?
Poor: that is a very nice looking stand for sure, but i'm also worried about having something heavy and big in it's jaws. too bad you are not closer because i have a few pounds of gym weights sitting in storage i'm going to sell and some of the old standard size weights (one inch holes) are about half that much. have you checked Craigslist in your area?
Hemi: i would have thought it would be about that much. did MT put the Reed 2C in a box? how do you like the 2C compared to your big Wilton bullet or other vises.
BTW it might be expensive to ship out or to Montana, but i've only been there once for about a week and i could easily live the rest of my life there. the people were great and the country air and views are amazing.
Anybody recognize this vise? My son found it in a back corner at work.. jaw missing, etc.. he's looking to see if the tapped holes are roasted and otherwise get more details on it...
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That really pops with the gold letters over black. What kind of paint and what technique did you use for the lettering?
Get: thanks and yes that's the one. BTW does that wrench under the plate serve a purpose or was it part of the original old cast iron stand so you just left it there? do you remember what that old stand held before you made it into one of the coolest vise stands around?