The VISES of Garage Journal

[CwazyWabbit]

Finished up my dumpster dive and even scored a swivel base for it last week. The base was in the same dumpster I found the vise in, months later though. Nice and tight, unsprung and will hold a piece carbon paper all over.

Steve

Lovely job there Steve, that's a great dumpster find! They are a pricey bit of kit and that's in great condition.

 

[INSP380]

Thank you Sir! I'm ready for my next resto.....Time to DIVE!


Steve

 

[fullthrottle24]

It's a R. The casting wasn't always perfect. I have a 204 1/2 R and the seller listed it as a 204 because the 1/2 was so poorly defined.

 

[joe.striper]

A nearby 6" Holland sold recently on the auction site for $150. I think there were only 2 bids. It was in fantastic condition, but non-replaceable jaws = no bid from me.

Exmax, if one wants big iron, models with replaceable jaws are even rarer; therefore, not an impedance for me.

 

[02superduty]

Here is some of what I picked up yesterday. First let me say what I was willing to pay for table they gave me everything. Reed 104 1/2 repainted (everywhere) but looks clean. I just like them naked. Wilton W-9 vise where do I find date if any? What looks like a parker marked 2200? I think. cracked slide no base. And ridged pipe vise.

 

[02superduty]

Added the 12 ounces for photo

 

[meatsis]

It's a R. The casting wasn't always perfect. I have a 204 1/2 R and the seller listed it as a 204 because the 1/2 was so poorly defined.

Ive had quite a few vises where the casting wasn't perfect. take a look at this vise. I sold this one a while back. notice anything missing???

 

[Rileysan]

Ive had quite a few vises where the casting wasn't perfect. take a look at this vise. I sold this one a while back. notice anything missing???

The 'S' in Sawyer.

Just a preface to my comments below:

I work in the casting industry. My area of specialization is molding sand and the equipment used to mix & reclaim molding sand and automated molding machines.

There are two basic ways to place letters on a casting. The first is on the pattern itself. That is most often done with an injected-molded pattern, hand placed letters, or crimped banding. Most foundries do one or all of the above.

The other way is to use stamped letters directly on the mold. This would be done in much the same way letter blocks are placed into a printing press frame. The frame of letters would then be pressed into the finished mold prior to allowing the sand to dry. Small foundries who cast one-off products are most likely to do this.

The letter in this vise is an 'H'. The issue is not casting quality. It could be that a molder used the wrong letter that day or it could legitimately be an 'H'. If I've learned one thing here on GJ is that there isn't a single vise product line that has been thoroughly and completely documented ...

Brian

I took some photos today for your viewing pleasure ...

Pic 1: Pattern board on an automatic molding machine.

Pic 2: Close-up of lettering on injected mold pattern.

Pic 3: Close-up of crimped banding pinned to same pattern (we do this for customer order numbers)

Pic 4: Top half of horizonally-parted mold. You can see a man standing behind it for a sense of scale. The mold is 72" long x 30" wide x 12" deep.

Pics 5 & 6: Letters that can be hand-placed on patterns for use in "cores".

Pic 7: A "core" is a mold that is placed inside of the master mold. On a vise, a core would be used to create the empty void in the dynamic jaw screw housing.

 

[Rileysan]

The next picture is one of many potential casting quality issues related to lettering. In this case, the lettering was at the top of the mold. The metal had excess slag (for reasons too numerous to tell) that filled-in the voids in and around the lettering. I couldn't find another casting defect to quickly photograph, else I'd show pictures of missing or eroded lettering.

Brian

Edit:

I added a couple more pix I found in the archives.

Pic 1: Slag floating to top of mold and accumulating around lettering

Pic 2: Eroded lettering. This is commonly caused by poorly compacted sand in the mold. If the sand is not compacted correctly, the sand will not remain bonded - and the moment molten metal hits the area, it will start to wash away.

Pic 3: More erosion.

Pic 4: Poorly impressed lettering leaves weak letters on the casting.

 

[Chuck Baggs]

Scott,

Thanks for sharing and I'd have to say that you sure have a nice shop to work in. I think it looks pretty organized! I don't have a vice (yet) but now have been inspired to get one.

Again, thanks so much for sharing. Your shop is Killer!

Chuck

 

[McBrownie]

The next picture is one of many potential casting quality issues related to lettering. In this case, the lettering was at the top of the mold. The metal had excess slag (for reasons too numerous to tell) that filled-in the voids in and around the lettering. I couldn't find another casting defect to quickly photograph, else I'd show pictures of missing or eroded lettering.

Brian

Riley,

Great posts about castings. This explains my "Patented November 22, 1810" Parker 203. It's not unique as I have seen a few of them, but it should read "1910".

View media item 41447

 

[KMScott]

Enjoyed your casting post Rileysan. Thanks

 

[fullthrottle24]

The next picture is one of many potential casting quality issues related to lettering. In this case, the lettering was at the top of the mold. The metal had excess slag (for reasons too numerous to tell) that filled-in the voids in and around the lettering. I couldn't find another casting defect to quickly photograph, else I'd show pictures of missing or eroded lettering.

Brian

If it is the letter "h", then we should start finding more of these "mistake" versions. That vise in question did have the old style screw with the new "R" revised body. This might end up like the world of coin collectors, looking for minting mistakes.

 

[Rileysan]

If it is the letter "h", then we should start finding more of these "mistake" versions. That vise in question did have the old style screw with the new "R" revised body. This might end up like the world of coin collectors, looking for minting mistakes.

I am also a stamp collector. The term for looking for these kinds of errors/freaks/oddities is "Flyspecking". I hate it.

Fortunately, most castings are not worthy of collecting. If a vise collector wants to flyspeck, more power to them!

Brian

 

[CwazyWabbit]

Rileysan you must cringe when you look at a Swindens vice!

 

[CRSINMICH]

Aw man! Now I'm bummed. I thought my Emmert was over 1800 years old.

 

[Fretters]

Finished up my dumpster dive and even scored a swivel base for it last week. The base was in the same dumpster I found the vise in, months later though. Nice and tight, unsprung and will hold a piece carbon paper all over.

Steve

Nice. You have the luck of the Irish finding both the vice, and then the base for it like that.

Rileysan you must cringe when you look at a Swindens vice!

 

[Mr_P]

CRS,

As quick as you find vises out there, just give it time, and you'll find the holly grail on one of your midweek sales.

 

[RHJO51]

Saw this CL ad and though I'd post it here . You guys are probably aware.
A Reed 208, check out what the guy is asking for it.

"Rare Reed Vice #208.Weighs approx 250lbs.has 8" wide jaw.Won't find another one like this.$1250.00"

http://hudsonvalley.craigslist.org/tls/5383196838.html

Wow!

 

[meatsis]

Saw this CL ad and though I'd post it here . You guys are probably aware.
A Reed 208, check out what the guy is asking for it.

"Rare Reed Vice #208.Weighs approx 250lbs.has 8" wide jaw.Won't find another one like this.$1250.00"

http://hudsonvalley.craigslist.org/tls/5383196838.html

Wow!

That Ad has been on there for over a month. He's only about 20 minutes from me. I've emailed him twice already just to talk to him about it but he won't reply for some reason.

 

[econotrk]

The letter in this vise is an 'H'. The issue is not casting quality. It could be that a molder used the wrong letter that day or it could legitimately be an 'H'. If I've learned one thing here on GJ is that there isn't a single vise product line that has been thoroughly and completely documented ...

Thanks for the inside information Rileysan.

 

[Outlawmws]

Excellent Posts Riley!

 

[Shiftless]

Rileysan:
Thanks for sharing your insider information about castings.

 

[CRSINMICH]

Does anyone have any information about this Wilton homeowner’s vise? It’s light duty but seems to be well made. The only numbers on it are part numbers. I don’t think it is old enough to qualify for my Depression Era sub-collection but I can’t be certain. It looks like it was originally red. It was made in the U.S.A. I bought it at an estate sale yesterday for $15.

 

[GETRIDAONE]

I think maybe mid 80's - 90's. ? It is verde green color.
I got a better deal than you did on this 4" one.
FREE. FREE.

 

[exmaxima1]

Ive had quite a few vises where the casting wasn't perfect. take a look at this vise. I sold this one a while back. notice anything missing???

Here's another fly-speck for you. Manufactured in "OCK ISLAND ILL"

 

[CRSINMICH]

I think maybe mid 80's - 90's. ? It is verde green color.
I got a better deal than you did on this 4" one.
FREE. FREE.

Get: No wonder yours was free. It has curved milling on the mounting ears. Mine has the coveted half-hex milling.

 

[Rileysan]

Get: No wonder yours was free. It has curved milling on the mounting ears. Mine has the coveted half-hex milling.

And don't forget the engraver's secret mark!

 

[GETRIDAONE]

And another

 

[CRSINMICH]

Here's another fly-speck for you. Manufactured in "OCK ISLAND ILL"

Is there any interest in collecting photos of members' Fly Speck vises?

 

[dbocha01]

picked up an old Craftsman branded vise last night. No 506.51930 USA made. 4" jaws. Super smooth action. Anyone know the manufacturer of this one?

 

[Fordriver6]

picked up an old Craftsman branded vise last night. No 506.51930 USA made. 4" jaws. Super smooth action. Anyone know the manufacturer of this one?

506 is the Sears code for Columbian. What are your plans for it?

http://vintagemachinery.org/craftsman/manufacturers.aspx

Sent from my XT1080 using Tapatalk

 

[Rileysan]

And another

A backwards 'D' ... nice!

 

[Off-Street Parking]

Is there any interest in collecting photos of members' Fly Speck vises?

Do it!

 

[drivesitfar]

DBoch: can you take more pictures from all 4 sides and the jaws and maybe those of us that don't have the Craftsman supplier numbers memorized can help you. my guess is Columbian, but pics will help.

EX: is that your Blue Rock Island vise? you need to post more pictures of that one and it also looks like it has the R in Rock on the cast so are you thinking the other side or a different vise? nice looking vise and color

 

[Bob!]

picked this up today for $7 at a yard sale

 

[CRSINMICH]

picked this up today for $7 at a yard sale

That's a twin to the one I have mounted on my garage bench. I wouldn't part with it for $7 even if it hadn't been my Grandfathers. Congratulations on a good find. Are you planning on spiffing it up before you use it or just giving it a quick lube? Welcome to the thread. If you do make it all shiny and new looking take lots of pictures.

 

[sld961]

I may be going to look at this vise today. Any idea what it is? Is it worth looking at?

 

[fullthrottle24]

I may be going to look at this vise today. Any idea what it is? Is it worth looking at?

Broken! The dynamic jaw that is. It maybe a columbian, but I would pass in that condition.

 

[sld961]

Broken! The dynamic jaw that is. It maybe a columbian, but I would pass in that condition.

Where is it broken? Are you talking about the corner missing? Will that effect usability? Pass for $35, for a working vise, not a collector?

He says he has a couple other ones for $35 too, a craftsman and a "turtle shell" one with the rear dynamic jaw. What brand has the rear dynamic jaw?