The VISES of Garage Journal

[Fretters]

Nice vice Fanders. The No.7's are a lovely vice. One of those has been my main vice for the last twenty odd years.

Try ACE hardware stores.
VERY durable stuff. I used it outdoors on steel railings. 20 years later I repainted just to freshen them up and cover some minor chipping with resulting rust spots. The old finish (black) was a bit faded but never flaked or peeled.

The old version was. The new stuff doesn't seem to have the same tenacity about it. As with most things these days, Hammerite is not quite what once it was.

 

[Fretters]

Can you translate what "for live men" means in different words? It's in that advertisement. I'm not being sarcastic, just trying to understand the phrase..

Not for dead ones? If that had a different slant on it at some point in time, that subtlety of expression has been lost in the mists of time. Probably just meant something along the lines of lively men, as in workers. Although, knowing how committed the Victorians were to anything resembling workplace safety, my first guess could have been correct.

 

[fanders]

Thanks for the kind comments on the Parkinson vice restoration, I only got round to doing it based on the fine work others post here. It's a lovely old vice and will see me out I am sure. I hadn't seen this type before, only having had Records, but this Parkinson is built like a battleship in comparison.

The paint I used was Hammerite, it's a common metal paint here in the UK, available in either hammered or smooth finishes. It gives an enamel type finish in the smooth version.

We are lucky to live here in beautiful rolling chalk downland in NE Hampshire. The bluebells will soon be out in the woods making the countryside even more vibrant. I've travelled the world but always look forward returning to my home county.

And yes, my wife was there when I painted the vice on our kitchen table - she helped do the painting! She's a keeper, for sure

Cheerio, fanders

 

[bl00]

Any thing on older Hollands? I have a 123/8?? Combo . Casting is hard to read. 4" jaws Stud mount. I have a piece of RR tie plate that i'm planning on making pipe jaws out of. hardness and thickness should be good.

..... I think this was was from Demoman a long time ago.

 

[CwazyWabbit]

Thanks for the kind comments on the Parkinson vice restoration, I only got round to doing it based on the fine work others post here. It's a lovely old vice and will see me out I am sure. I hadn't seen this type before, only having had Records, but this Parkinson is built like a battleship in comparison.

The paint I used was Hammerite, it's a common metal paint here in the UK, available in either hammered or smooth finishes. It gives an enamel type finish in the smooth version.

We are lucky to live here in beautiful rolling chalk downland in NE Hampshire. The bluebells will soon be out in the woods making the countryside even more vibrant. I've travelled the world but always look forward returning to my home county.

And yes, my wife was there when I painted the vice on our kitchen table - she helped do the painting! She's a keeper, for sure

Cheerio, fanders

Welcome to the Parkinsons owners clan! I too use a No 7 as my main vise despite all the others I own. One day it will get a refresh like yours, they are a joy to use.

There's a link to their catalogue in my signature.

 

[topop101]

..... I think this was was from Demoman a long time ago.

Perfect! Thanks!

 

[bagged89s10]

Re: Parkinson Model F No. 7 restoration

Well, here's my vice restoration contribution, inspired by the great work here on GJ. The vice in question is a Parkinson Model F No. 7 vice, which my father-in-law gave to my wife and I last year during downsizing. I think the vice dates from about 1950, it's a beefy old thing but in good nick mechanically so just needed a clean up and paint. The quick release mechanism works really well.



Here it is as received:



View media item 57876


And another view:



View media item 57877


It had blue and green layers of paint, the base layer was blue:



View media item 57878


Here is an advert of this model of vice:



View media item 57900


I stripped it down:



View media item 57879


View media item 57880


Then a coat of etch primer:



View media item 57881


And then a couple of coats of Hammerite smooth finish blue paint (yes that is my kitchen table, it was cold in the workshop!):



View media item 57882


The parts were looking good:



View media item 57883


And the assembled vice is now ready for another seventy years of service:



View media item 57884


View media item 57885

Great restore. You guys over there are awesome at laying paint with a brush. I need to give it a shot.

 

[kcrccc05]

This 500 is why I had to figure a way to fix the pin issue. Previous owner got pissed because the pin kept getting loose so they welded the pin in place on both sides, pretty nice hu.
Also had to rotate the nut on this one to, the notch casted into the nut to keep it from rotating was gone, I welded up a new key and ground a new notch in the end cap/nut support to make this repair last. Came out pretty nice. This 500 Wilton was rode hard coming from a weld shop, won it for $80 and it really has been a practice vise for welding. I'll finish it some day after I fix my friggin CNC Mill.

Kevin what were the pins you used that are screwed in and where can they be purchased

 

[Evergreentree]

Thanks for the explanation fretters. Never heard that phrase before. Figured live men was for active "craftsmen"...,I guess that were still alive!

 

[KMScott]

Kevin what were the pins you used that are screwed in and where can they be purchased

kcrcc05, I bought a box of 5/15:18 set screws 1-1/2 long from McMaster Carr and turned them down on my lathe to a 1/4 inch diameter. I wrote about it HERE. The pin hole is about the right size for a 5/16:18 tap. I have not done the smaller Wilton's yet but those are 3/16 and close to a 10:32 thread.

 

[GETRIDAONE]

Re: Parkinson Model F No. 7 restoration

Great restore. You guys over there are awesome at laying paint with a brush. I need to give it a shot.

Veeps, The trick is to get a good paint brush, not a cheap throw away. A small can of paint will go a long ways. I not an expert brush painter but back an forth lite brush strokes seem to work for me. If the paint starts to thicken or dry on the brush use just a small amount of thinner to get the paint flowing again.

 

[bagged89s10]

Re: Parkinson Model F No. 7 restoration

Veeps, The trick is to get a good paint brush, not a cheap throw away. A small can of paint will go a long ways. I not an expert brush painter but back an forth lite brush strokes seem to work for me. If the paint starts to thicken or dry on the brush use just a small amount of thinner to get the paint flowing again.

I have some penetrol oil based paint additive that I'm going to try to use with it. I'm going to try it soon.

 

[msgtsmithret]

Wrong thread Msgt?

Big time! NEVER post at midnight . . .

 

[Reversepolarity]

Wondering if anyone can give me an idea on price.
Yes I know location matters.
Just need a rough idea.
Going to sell it.

Hollands 24
4" jaws and opens to 8"

 

[Outlawmws]

Looks like the D jaw was broken and welded, so the value just took a huge nose dive.

 

[Off-Street Parking]

Is it just the perspective, or is it missing one of the mounting ears on the swivel base?

 

[Outlawmws]

Looks like three, I don't see any rough edges,

 

[topop101]

Wondering if anyone can give me an idea on price.
Yes I know location matters.
Just need a rough idea.
Going to sell it.

Hollands 24
4" jaws and opens to 8"
Condition is every thing. Being repaired is one thing the location of the repair is another and the quality of the repair is another issue . then having this break there is or probably is an issue with the screw being bent or stretched.

Price... $0.25 lb verses mint $100 an inch but that's just me and how I buy and sell.... for what it's worth.

 

[Reversepolarity]

Screw is fine, and the repair was done 25 years ago. Has worked fine.
Nothing broken on the base.

 

[topop101]

Screw is fine, and the repair was done 25 years ago. Has worked fine.
Nothing broken on the base.

I was only basing my price from past experience . To you it's fine because it screws in and out. Does the head of the lead screw wobble as it turns or does the dyn. jaw raise and lower as it moves in and out?

 

[Reversepolarity]

No it runs smooth.
No wobble or slop.

 

[Reversepolarity]

Sounds like I am better off keeping it.
It has been a workhorse for the past 25 years after the repair.
But if the value is gone. Then no use in selling.

 

[Outlawmws]

The value is gone.

 

[bluebolt]

The collector value is gone.

The user value is still good for yourself. Keep it and use it.

 

[Reversepolarity]

It gets alot of use.
Although I prefer my leg vises.

 

[yossarian19]

I found a Reed 204 in the junk shop about 3 months ago. It's been bothering me ever since. Just sitting there.
Waiting.
For me.
So the other day I bought it and immediately started wondering what to do with it. Don't need it, really, and don't have anywhere convenient to mount it that it won't be in the way. Not having an answer I went ahead and took it apart, cleaned the grime & layers of old paint off it, oiled it & got it back in working shape.
It then ocurred to me that my buddy Ryan might not have a vise and he's helped me out more times than I can count over the years I've known him. So, he tells me his favorite color is green.
https://scontent-lax3-1.**.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xap1/v/t1.0-9/12669643_10205855640650526_6443086367113127536_n.jpg?oh=db9ef9020ecd57fb0111993489a25b68&oe=5739FB5B
Thanks, Ryan! Gave it to him this AM.
4" jaw, opens 4.75", ~51 lbs, single lock on the swivel base. Love that vise but glad to do something nice with it instead of hoarding her to myself.

 

[G20-Budo]

Thanks, Ryan! Gave it to him this AM.
4" jaw, opens 4.75", ~51 lbs, single lock on the swivel base. Love that vise but glad to do something nice with it instead of hoarding her to myself.

Yossarian - Nice vise! And very cool of you to give it to a friend!

 

[zkling]

Looks like the D jaw was broken and welded, so the value just took a huge nose dive.

Cheap welding table/beater vise, low, low double digits. When things like that break, I always wonder what else could be damaged as the imparted force had to go somewhere.

 

[autopts]

I stumbled across this link. Take notice of their prices.


http://www.northstate.com/wilton/en-us/dept_2.html

 

[zkling]

I stumbled across this link. Take notice of their prices.


http://www.northstate.com/wilton/en-us/dept_2.html

Here's their updated site it looks like.

http://www.northstate.com/wilton/contents/en-us/d2.html

 

[topop101]

I stumbled across this link. Take notice of their prices.


http://www.northstate.com/wilton/en-us/dept_2.html

I didn't even know they still made 3"

 

[bagged89s10]

So this will either be good or bad for Joestriper. I start a new job in exactly two weeks. So either I'll have more money to buy vises, or less time to buy them. I guess we'll see what happens. I do know I will have less time to restore them, but the career move is worth it.

 

[GETRIDAONE]

Good luck on the job change.
I spent forty years in the HVAC wholesale business. It was the same old thing over & over. It seems after a while you are stuck with doing what you know best. A career change is great if it will allow you to provide better for your family and a change for yourself. The first twenty years were as an employee and the last twenty as an owner. Take a chance, work hard, work smart, and you will succeed at anything you put your mind to.

 

[drivesitfar]

Yoss: nice vise and even better story. I hope Ryan is still smiling and did you help him mount it?

RP: probably worth maybe 1/2 a benjamin if the dynamic was broken and brazed and the vise still works. it might have been worth 2 or 3 times that if not broken, but not a rare vise. like others have said it would be a great user so if you don't need it find a good home for it.

ALL: so is anybody interested in talking about who made the Craftsman 519x's in a thread? about 18 months ago i found my first one on a bench of an 80 year old machinist that reluctantly sold me his 5196. since he had several Wilton bullet vises on other benches and mill vises on his lathe and mills and drill presses he really didn't need it. anyway he tells me that Starrett made it for Sears. interesting because i'd never heard that. so i bring it up on this thread and Outlaw is convinced that Columbian made them.

ok no big deal and we are still looking for a 5198 and then about 6 months later Oldie finds a 5198 and BC buys it because the guy is asking too much for Oldie's budget and shipping costs on top put the deal out or reach which is understandable and BC was a short drive away. then the conversation comes up again and several other 5198's surface along with a few 5197's.

Yesterday morning a GJ member (Off-Street Parking) posts on the Vise repair 101 thread teasing me if i'm going to start a thread about who made the 519x's that i mentioned i would 7 months ago. i guess it was about the time i almost had a heart attack moving a radial arm saw and started the weight loss thread. anyway the subject comes up again WHO MADE THE 519x's.

ok now Outlaw makes a nice post and this time thinks that REED is the maker and you can read his post on the 101 thread. i'm not still saying Starrett made the 519x's, but i'm not saying they didn't and i still think Rock Island is in the mix because the dating on the 519x's and size/heft is very similar to Rock Island's vises.

so maybe we'll never know who made the 519x's, but there must be a GJ member who worked at Sears or one of the vise companies that made them or their dad or grampa did that is still alive to shed some light on the subject.

i'd start a thread and will this time unless Off-Street Parking does because i'd like to be asking the questions and posting pictures and learning what others know as FACTS. also i think the 519x's are a vise worthy of their own thread, because they have the look and work amazingly well.

 

[organ]

I'd love to know who made them but I think a thread speculating is kind of useless... is anyone gonna do any actual research? Otherwise, what's the point? It's already been speculated upon...

 

[Fordriver6]

oldldh seems to think Columbian made the Craftsman 519x series. He has a picture of an old Sears ad in a wanted thread.
http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=208840

Edit: didn't want to copy just the picture and wasn't sure how to quote his post from another thread.

 

[Fordriver6]

A quick Google search turned up a 5197 that sold in 2013. They have a picture of the manual and the Sears number for it is 391-5197. Haven't found a list that identifies the 391 manufacturer for Sears yet.


Here is the link to the completed auction.
http://woamadison.hibid.com/lot/69457-35827-4105/craftsman-5197-machinists-vise-in-original-box--/
Edit: a later picture in the link above has made in Japan on the box, so Sears probably changed manufacturers at some point...

Sent from my XT1080 using Tapatalk

 

[autopts]

kcrcc05, I bought a box of 5/15:18 set screws 1-1/2 long from McMaster Carr and turned them down on my lathe to a 1/4 inch diameter. I wrote about it HERE. The pin hole is about the right size for a 5/16:18 tap. I have not done the smaller Wilton's yet but those are 3/16 and close to a 10:32 thread.

Kevin, you never cease to amaze me.

 

[Off-Street Parking]

Yesterday morning a GJ member (Off-Street Parking) posts on the Vise repair 101 thread teasing me if i'm going to start a thread about who made the 519x's that i mentioned i would 7 months ago.
...
i'd start a thread and will this time unless Off-Street Parking does because i'd like to be asking the questions and posting pictures and learning what others know as FACTS. also i think the 519x's are a vise worthy of their own thread, because they have the look and work amazingly well.

Yep, I'm on it. I started a draft yesterday, and was figuring out the sections and collecting links, I just got too caught up with working late to post it. So I'll get that going soon. They definitely deserve their own thread.

 

[Shiftless]

Yep, I'm on it. I started a draft yesterday, and was figuring out the sections and collecting links, I just got too caught up with working late to post it. So I'll get that going soon. They definitely deserve their own thread.

OSP:
Thanks for stepping up to the plate. Many of us admire those vintage Craftsmans. Fewer of us have one or two examples. Maybe one or two of us have the whole collection or most of it at least and can line them up for a family photo!