The VISES of Garage Journal

[macgee]

Its design is like Wilton's. I now what your thinking. I tried, its a different size.

I would bet the hub caps off my car that Palmgren contracted Wilton to make that vise for them. There's just too many similarities in the castings.

I bet it's a nice vise to use, I think I may prefer it to a bullet functionality wise.

 

[joe.striper]

I would bet the hub caps off my car that Palmgren contracted Wilton to make that vise for them. There's just too many similarities in the castings.

I bet it's a nice vise to use, I think I may prefer it to a bullet functionality wise.

MacGee, I don't think Palmgren went to Wilton at all, Palmgren has been making vises in Taiwan for years now, do you remember that Sears bullet copy that they had a few years back? I saw it in the flesh and it was nearly identical to a Wilton and seemed very well made.

Don't ask me how they get around patents design laws but they do. Regardless, until they start copying a Reed or a Parker I just don't care (unless I can get my repair parts from them that is!)

 

[drivesitfar]

Mark: I say it's more like the University of Vices the way some of the guys are going to meetings and putting their right hand on the Bible while making posts telling all of us they have a problem.

ALL: some days I (we) do feel like customer service, but even though i'm not nearly as handy as a lot of you i'm still happy to help if i can.

also it makes it easier to not buy a vise when i get an email or PM from a local member that saw the ad first and he wants information about a vise he wants to buy for his bench. there are a few that don't NEED a vise like me, but i do like the variety and the HUNT.

 

[macgee]

MacGee, I don't think Palmgren went to Wilton at all, Palmgren has been making vises in Taiwan for years now, do you remember that Sears bullet copy that they had a few years back? I saw it in the flesh and it was nearly identical to a Wilton and seemed very well made.

Don't ask me how they get around patents design laws but they do. Regardless, until they start copying a Reed or a Parker I just don't care (unless I can get my repair parts from them that is!)

You could very well be right Joe, I'll totally admit I have no first hand knowledge.

I have a bunch of USA made Palmgren including a rotary table in my shop that I use mostly on my drill press's. The stuff is good and solid and very respectable for use on drillpress's and for some milling.

Is that vise made in Asia?

Just staring at the castings, it really has very similar casting details to newer Wiltons. I understand trying to copy the tried and true Bullet vise concept but amazed a company like Palmgren would spend so much on copying the small aesthetic details and mold casting details of a Wilton. Palmgren in itself has a reputation as good as Wilton for non-workbench vises. Very strange but I do like the vise.

How well does it work? Do you like the fit & finish and tolerances?

If it's made in Asia no need to reply to the question above.

 

[partsproduction]

I thought I'd show off my small vise collection, small both ways, few in number and all small vises.
I also have large vises but they are being used.
Little Jewelers vise sold by Vigor, probably made by Boley;

Another small jewelers vise again probably made by Boley, increadable workmanship, photo quality poor;

My little Goodell Pratt patent parallel action, made before the plant closed in 1929. I wish the color case hardening could show up well:

And finally (For now) one of my favorites. It is a Stanley but has no sweet heart logo. I wonder when this was made?:

All four have been protected with a beeswax/graphite/linseed/turpentine paste applied hot.

 

[Shiftless]

Parts:
Beautiful work!
And welcome!
Interesting to see your particular metal finish...there was a lively few days of international discussion of that very mixture a while (and many pages) back.

(beeswax, graphite, linseed oil, turpentine)

All:
I recently stumbled upon a large quantity of zinc dust and am considering its use as metallic pigment in lieu of the graphite for applications where fellows want a lighter color finish.
I'm pretty sure the Navy used zinc in the famous "battleship gray"
There are references to its use in "cold galvanizing".

 

[PoorOwner]

You can find clones of palmgren Octo style on eBay all the time
It is obvious the goal is a Wilton look alike from China or Taiwan.

Probably palmgren just slap the nameplate on one of these.

 

[Rileysan]

I thought I'd show off my small vise collection, small both ways, few in number and all small vises.
I also have large vises but they are being used.
Little Jewelers vise sold by Vigor, probably made by Boley;

Another small jewelers vise again probably made by Boley, increadable workmanship, photo quality poor;

My little Goodell Pratt patent parallel action, made before the plant closed in 1929. I wish the color case hardening could show up well:

And finally (For now) one of my favorites. It is a Stanley but has no sweet heart logo. I wonder when this was made?:

All four have been protected with a beeswax/graphite/linseed/turpentine paste applied hot.

Great vises, Partsproduction!

Join us on the Pacific NW thread. We'd love to get your input on great places to visit/eat on the Oregon coast (I'm only an hour from you in Independence).

Brian

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=314689&page=49

 

[va.grouseman]

Originally posted by Drivesitar.

''VA: in your searching didn't you find a MARK VI? must be an import, but looks pretty stout''.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


Nope Drive, that's the first one I've seen.---I don't have one in the vise brand listings, but I will include it now.---Not a bad looking vise.

I'm back to listing vise brands again and will update shortly.

Incidentally while I'm on the subject, thought I would mention that some of the page numbers are going to be off by as much as two page numbers.---At least through the first 1500.---I don't know why unless it's that some members have deleted their accounts or were banned from the forum and their post's deleted.---For instance, we are now celebrating reaching the 1500 page milestone on page 1497.---At least that's the way it is on my site.---Some of yaws may be different.

I started even putting the post numbers with the vises and they were changing weekly, so I abandoned that idea.

So if your site is like mine and you look up a vise in the Vise Repair 101 list and the page number don't jibe, just drop back 1 or 2 pages and see if you find it.

 

[Jimbo Von Cartier]

Looking for a source for upper jaw plates and pipe jaws for my Babco 150 (1970's ?)

 

[drivesitfar]

Jimbo: not sure they are still available but if you post pictures of your vise with all the measurements somebody might have some ideas other than jaw covers.

VA: you are amazing with all your searching and I (WE) all appreciate your efforts. thanks again for taking on the HUGE TASK.

PP: nice little vises. i second the invite to the PNW thread in Free Parking if you have time to read it and make a few more posts there.

ALL: if any of you are thinking of visiting or moving to the Pacific NW feel free to take a look at our thread because the members are posting up quite a few pictures of some great areas to see there. or if you just want to stop in for a visit we won't check addresses. we have one member from Wales checking in and posting so happy to have you.

 

[Outlawmws]

Babco is still in business, and I wouldn't be surprised if they use the same tooling/designs (if from overseas...)

 

[Evergreentree]

Rmal-I tried talking the wife into the name Parker for my second son, but I already chose the first born's name, and she won out.

Parts-good stuff!

Drives-I hope the well doesn't dry up! Really though, the hunt is near as fun as having them!

 

[Outlawmws]

Parts:
Beautiful work!
And welcome!
Interesting to see your particular metal finish...there was a lively few days of international discussion of that very mixture a while (and many pages) back.

(beeswax, graphite, linseed oil, turpentine)

All:
I recently stumbled upon a large quantity of zinc dust and am considering its use as metallic pigment in lieu of the graphite for applications where fellows want a lighter color finish.
I'm pretty sure the Navy used zinc in the famous "battleship gray"
There are references to its use in "cold galvanizing".

I'd do some research before messing with zinc dust much. Zinc IS toxic...

 

[Evergreentree]

Crs-nice score! I have a 622 1/2, baby brother to your 623. My personal favorite, and what started it all. I'll post it again.

 

[partsproduction]

Thanks Shiftless.
I forgot to mention that the jaws on the two Boley type vises are around 1 5/8" wide. I'd like to see how jewelers are using them, put a ring in and file away? There seem to be many more Stanley vises that are like that but that except that they have a heart logo stamped on the slide way.

 

[topop101]

Its design is like Wilton's. I now what your thinking. I tried, its a different size.

Na, I was just wondering what style of locking method they used... Does that say Taiwan?

 

[topop101]

All you guys are funny. Do you not think I can have control?

You live in the land of vise's.... it's like a fat kid in the candy store.... You're hooked mister!

 

[topop101]

MacGee, I don't think Palmgren went to Wilton at all, Palmgren has been making vises in Taiwan for years now, do you remember that Sears bullet copy that they had a few years back? I saw it in the flesh and it was nearly identical to a Wilton and seemed very well made.

Don't ask me how they get around patents design laws but they do. Regardless, until they start copying a Reed or a Parker I just don't care (unless I can get my repair parts from them that is!)

They get around them the same way Wilton got around York's... Asia is coming after Wilton's market. No doubt about it.

 

[PghJKB]

Thanks Shiftless.
I forgot to mention that the jaws on the two Boley type vises are around 1 5/8" wide. I'd like to see how jewelers are using them, put a ring in and file away? There seem to be many more Stanley vises that are like that but that except that they have a heart logo stamped on the slide way.

Parts

Stanley started producing that style of vise in 1911 when they bought the P.J. Leavens Co. of Vineland, New Jersey.

If memory serves me correctly, Stanley put the first Sweetheart logo on it's products in 1920. Stanley continued the Sweetheart logo into the mid thirties, by then producing a model similar in shape to yours but with "Stanley" within a rectangle embossed into the side of the casting.

That would put your vise circa 1911 - 1920 period. Before Sweetheart and before the casting change of the mid thirties.

JKB

 

[joe.striper]

OK, another jerky seller. I saw this on CL. Pics are upside down. I asked the seller for a shot from the top and he said no. Really? I dont know what the hell this is. Do you? $30

Ok got more pics...pretty cool. I may have to buy it

 

[GETRIDAONE]

Looks like it could mount on an old 2x4 sawhorse.

I see said the blind man. The first two pictures looked liked the mounting was the other way ?
This little left-hand corner vise is quick adjust via the small lever at left.

 

[Outlawmws]

Looks like a variant of the Champion/Stanley 700 Angle Jaw Clamp on Vise.

That appears to have a quick release slide?

See the garage sale thread for last weekend.

 

[CRSINMICH]

Crs-nice score! I have a 622 1/2, baby brother to your 623. My personal favorite, and what started it all. I'll post it again.

EGT: Thanks! I don't think mine will clean up as well as yours. It apparently had many disagreements with angle grinders and lost them all. It does seem solid and it doesn't take up much room. I'm gonna keep it.

 

[bagged89s10]

Persistence Sometimes it pays off and sometimes you just waste your time. A local machine shop is going out of business and liquidating all their stuff. I’ve been there 4 times in the last few months. The owner was handling sales personally. There was a sweet little vise that he absolutely refused to take off the workbench it was mounted to – until today. I got this Athol 623 for $15.

Nice vise. The second vise I bought after I got into old vises was an athol 623. I shouldn't have sold it. It was such a smooth operating vise. Not the best color choice but it was a learning vise. The lettering was horrible on this vise and you can tell I don't have good handwriting.

 

[joe.striper]

Looks like it could mount on an old 2x4 sawhorse.

I see said the blind man. The first two pictures looked liked the mounting was the other way ?
This little left-hand corner vise is quick adjust via the small at left.

Thats it Get. Exact same as your pic. Quick release. Negotiated and bought by me.

 

[unashamedlaborer]

 

[unashamedlaborer]

Picked up the pair yesterday, have not got a chance to get into them much. The 1765 operates very smooth. The 1750 not so much.

 

[zkling]

Holy grinder marks batman. Someone done needs a flap wheel

 

[drivesitfar]

UAL: it looks like you posted a couple nice Wiltons without any comments. do tell a little story if you can or more pictures when you have some time. i'm guessing the bigger one is a 1780 tradesman with 8 inch jaws and maybe the other one is a 4 or 4.5 inch bullet?

EDIT: sorry just saw your second post. they both look like users to me. i have yet to use an anvil portion on any of my Wiltons and haven't used one on another vise in maybe 10 years or more since i found a piece of RR track and my Tin Knocker's anvil.

congrats on your find and aren't they pretty rare in Mexico??

 

[unashamedlaborer]

Yeah I know. It's going to take a little love.

 

[unashamedlaborer]

UAL: it looks like you posted a couple nice Wiltons without any comments. do tell a little story if you can or more pictures when you have some time. i'm guessing the bigger one is a 1780 tradesman with 8 inch jaws and maybe the other one is a 4 or 4.5 inch bullet?

Both are Wilton tradesman vises. One a 1765 and the other a 1750. The size difference is pretty impressive for only 1.5" more jaw. Got them from a guy that didn't know exactly what he had due to the wonderful peel and stick tags of the era lol.

 

[Shiftless]

UAL:
Nice looking pair there!
Great to hear from one of our neighbors to the south and a fellow vise collector.
I assume these are not your first clampers.

 

[unashamedlaborer]

So this is my first wilton, I sent my wife to an estate sale based on a picture I saw on the web and all I knew is it was a wilton bullet and that I had been looking for one for a long time. After a bit of research I now know it is a swivel jaw model. What I can't seem to figure out is the exact date of manufacture. It is Schiller park, but after careful examination the date code looks to me like it reads GUAR 5YR 12-31-63 so I am assuming that the printed date is the exact manufacture date not the expiration of the warranty. Anybody have any input? I got everything freed up and working well except the swivel jaw. I cannot for the life of me get it off or get the pin out. Any ideas?

This was my first!

 

[drivesitfar]

UAL: although i like your new Wiltons and in any other shop i'd say they were maybe the top vises and then you show a Wilton SJ (swivel jaw). just saying you'll have a tough go replacing the SJ as your #1 vise. congrats on all your finds

 

[unashamedlaborer]

^^^^ thanks. The swivel jaw is my go to everyday vice. By far my favorite. I still have not gotten the pin out of it but I have not tried since that post so it's been well over a year now probably. Maybe I should have another go at it. Nobody seems to be able to confirm wether there is or isn't supposed to be a pin in the side which may be broken off/drilled and I really don't want to do any damage to the vise so I have just let it be and used the heck out of it.

 

[drivesitfar]

UAL: i agree you don't want to damage that Wilton SJ, but you might want to take a bunch of pictures and post them up on the vise repair 101 thread when you have time asking us again. it seems like there have 3 or 4 SJ Wiltons on that thread or here lately so maybe some new blood or ideas to help you now. also i think most of those pins are threaded so some lubrication (Kroil if you can buy some in Mexico) and a wrench might be the solution.

i like your plan of taking it slow so as not to damage your nice vise.

 

[CRSINMICH]

bagged: Thanks! So that's what the lettering says. Between the poor casting and years of crud and abuse mine was not quite readable. This is after I cleaned it up a bit with a light wire brush.

 

[bagged89s10]

bagged: Thanks! So that's what the lettering says. Between the poor casting and years of crud and abuse mine was not quite readable. This is after I cleaned it up a bit with a light wire brush.

Yeah I'm assuming when they scaled down their original design of a 62x series vise to make the 3", the casting for the lettering got too small.

 

[wrenchguy]

bagged: Thanks! So that's what the lettering says. Between the poor casting and years of crud and abuse mine was not quite readable. This is after I cleaned it up a bit with a light wire brush.

"m&f co." or "mfr co."? i think i got 1 that reads "mfr co."