The VISES of Garage Journal

[CRSINMICH]

Cool anvil vise need more pictures!

Blue: I just happened to have some:

 

[CRSINMICH]

And here's a picture of where the Cheney anvil/vise was made

 

[rmalkow2]

Blue: I just happened to have some:

Very cool addition to your collection. I came close to one once but it got priced way past my high limit. To me a vise like that is not even judged by its perceived current day utility. It's a very cool piece of history and local history at that.

 

[bluebolt]

I wanted some pictures in action LOL. Vise opened up so we can see the slide construction, angle jaw swiveled. Demanding aren't we LOL.

 

[CRSINMICH]

CrsinMich, that's the coolest anvil vise I've seen yet, and being made close to home makes it even better.

What's even cooler is that my great-grandfather was a foundry worker in Detroit at that same time. He only lived a mile away from there. So, maybe.

EDIT: BLUE - I'll get some action photos when I have time to work on this vise. I think I'm just going to clean and lube it then put it on display.

 

[Loydski29]

Picked up this 6"jaw Athol last night

 

[Mr_P]

There's been more than 520 posts since my last visit, and 15 days since my last purchase. Man, are there some good finds you all have picked up.

Funny thing is that my last vise purchase was a Reed, and today, I bought another reed..... No. 25 utility vise.

The handle is pretty twisted, but for $5 weighing in at 32lbs, the best per/lbs I've ever paid, I'm happy with it!

I was able to buy it right out of the working line at a local muffler shop only because they had just bought a double swivle chineese vise to replace this with.

 

[slotard]

http://slo.craigslist.org/tls/5472272372.html makes me wish I still lived down there. Hell, makes me want to find an excuse to drive down there for the weekend.

 

[CRSINMICH]

Mr P: Well, alright. That's a heck of a buy. In the right place at the right time. Congrats. So, are you into Reeds now too?

 

[meatsis]

http://slo.craigslist.org/tls/5472272372.html makes me wish I still lived down there. Hell, makes me want to find an excuse to drive down there for the weekend.

What was it? The ad is already deleted.

 

[slotard]

Old Heavy Duty Bench Vice - $75 (los osos)

measures 20 inches long from front to back, base is approx 11 inches, 10.5 inches tall, teeth are 4 1/2 inches wide, weighs between 50 & 75 lbs (guessing). Works perfectly smooth, made in the USA. Great for scrappers!

You load you haul cash only.
PLEASE CALL AFTER 12 NOON ONLY. First come first serve bases.
534-1582

 

[bareass172]

It's a Bison Bial 1250 series.

Of course... I googled "vise 150" and that atco rapid 150 came up and looks identical so I went with it. Upon further inspection, it's still identical but it's the only one that shows on google so the owner must have misidentified it. Thanks to you and others who "set me straight".

Bare: if you are choosing between the two vises i'd buy the Bison every day of the week if they are similar price and condition. Bison (FPU) makes a very nice vice. BTW when you mentioned paying $10 was too much for a pipe vise it made me smile because you must have been looking at Joe's posts where he gets them for that and less. anybody else on this thread or GJ would happily pay $10 for a pipe vise and a lot more if they NEEDED it.

Not really choosing, I was there to buy a lathe but also took home a bandsaw. When I saw the vises I asked but, other than desire I have no need and was quite tapped out. I thought about buying to flip but wasn't sure off the top of my head if they'd fetch a lot more than $50 each making it worthwhile. I know I can clean them up and make money, but with a lathe and saw that also need cleaning both time and money were at a premium.
About the $10 pipe vise, I'm not sure if you misunderstood me. I paid $10 for that little Dunlap clamp-on vise. It's not that I think it's insane pricing, but for a guy who's used to estate sale prices... Plus, I didn't need this little guy to be as sturdy as old iron, it's just going to be an extra hand, so I could have bought a new POS one for even less. It's no matter, I'm glad I have it, I just thought for it's size it could have been maybe $3-5 instead of $10. But I'm also frugal (CHEAP) like that.

Bare:
Looking at the first thumbnail photo, I thought $100 would be generous but I then I clicked on the thumbnail. I'm with Fretters, I also think that is a Bison 150 and if it's still in good working shape, I would pick it over that Wilton in a heart beat. Also, if I'm not mistaken the table looks to be 1" - 3/4" thick steel plate. That would make for a nice little welding table.

Sell the Wilton and keep the rest.

The table wasn't steel or I would have taken it. I don't remember if it was wood or stamped sheet metal but I put hands on it and it wasn't that heavy.

Bare,
I'm in agreement with others. It is a Bison. I plan to restore 3 of them in the near future.
$100 for both vises & table, assuming that there are no cracks & breaks, is a great price. If I were in your shoes, I'd put some cash down to hold the vises for a couple of weeks until I got the money. I'd even kick in an extra $10 to say "thanks". Hell, I'd go without eating for a week to get those....but that's me...an addmitted vise-o-holic

You guys are making me regret my choice! Lucky for me they currently reside 2 hours away and I'm not going back that way just to get them. If anyone wants to get them (in Mobile, AL) I'll be happy to provide them with the guys info!

I do enjoy the work you guys do on these things. So much to look at, so much to drool over, I just love the aesthetics of so many of them. But, of course, I'm preaching to the choir...

 

[Mr_P]

CRS, I'm into American made vintage.

 

[drivesitfar]

Bare: no explanation necessary because I was thinking almost exactly what you said. those pipe vises do have value especially the old ones with a little heft and a cool look, but they sure don't sell for much. I can't tell you how many deals I've had to pass on because I didn't have enough cash in my pocket or at the ready to buy something just because it was a great value.

I'm always telling my wife "that I do what I can" to save all the old cast iron and tools and STUFF from the scrap heap that I can. or if I can use it and NEED it all the better.

CRS: thanks for the little history lesson and the old factory picture.

P: did you start buying other old tools with your VISE money? we've missed you even if you aren't buying a vise a day anymore. Reed looks decent and for what you paid you can make it a bookend if you want to.

 

[Outlawmws]

CRS, VERY cool find! I like those, despite their lack of serious utility. I've just never found one not priced to silly money state...

 

[Outlawmws]

Double swivel Athol? Someone got a steal...

 

[CwazyWabbit]

I like the idea of sharing vintage industrial supply catalog pages since they often list a company's complete line of vises and prices.

I picked up an old catalog from a bookstore that had the mother-lode of old technical books, brochures, and manuals. This catalog is from Machinists Supply of Chicago, dated 1920. I was intrigued because it listed the then current offerings of Columbian vises. It also lists Emmert, Parker, and Prentiss, all of which appear to be sought-after on this forum.

Somewhat uniquely, the company offered and listed repair parts for the Parkers and Prentiss vises. It is hard to believe there was a great repair parts business for these vises since they are nigh indestructible.

I am interested in the history of the Columbian Vise company, so if anyone has information on it, please share.

Thank you for sharing!

 

[CwazyWabbit]

I picked up the Parkinson 3C today for the large sum of $0.00
The guy said it was to big for his bench (who ever heard of such a thing ?) On the chance he might do some trading for a smaller one I took a USA made Wilton 4 1/2" utility vise with me. It is similar to the one in Joe's post on the previous page. I expected to throw in a few bucks, I'll trade even he said and I broke into my "Happy Dance" The Wilton was given to me so I have nothing in the Parkinson vise that is very tight and smooth by the way. It has a bad paint job over rust but I can fix that. The swivel base is kind of weird and I will check that out later. It was a very good "Vice" day !

Very Nice! A Parkinson Handy Vise with swivel base! That's rare .... and free makes it rarer

 

[CwazyWabbit]

You definitely had a good day there. Any chance of some photo's of that swivel base, both whole & disassembled? Never actually seen a Parkinson swivel base in the flesh as yet. Seems few ever ordered those as accessories. We must be a static vice nation in general.

I'd also love to see the photos There is a drawing of one in bits in the catalogue btw.

 

[GETRIDAONE]

CW, I posted pictures over on vise repair thread. I wonder why Parkinson didn't put their name on the vise ? I miss ID it as a Woden from your catalogs and Fretters set me straight. I found the Parkinson catalog and the detail for the base. Thanks

 

[CRSINMICH]

CRS, VERY cool find! I like those, despite their lack of serious utility. I've just never found one not priced to silly money state...

Outlaw: I was lucky on this one. I saw it at an estate sale but decided I didn't need a combo and the price was a little beyond what I usually feel comfortable spending. Then I went home, did some research and decided I had to have it. A sudden snowstorm prevented me from returning until the next day - which was 25% off day.

 

[CRSINMICH]

Loydski: Wow! A 6 inch Athol? What a terrific find. I'm am seriously jealous. It looks to be in terrific shape too. That one would be sweet to spiff up. Congrats!

 

[slomatt]

My wife's grandfather ran a small airplane repair business. He passed away a couple years ago and recently we have been going through his hangars and getting things ready for a sale. In fact we're having a big sale this Saturday, but I'll post about that in a different thread.

On of the items I inherited is a Yankee 990 Drill Press Vise. It was pretty rusty when I brought it home, but a week long soak in vinegar and some time with the wire wheel cleaned it up. I debated just clear coating it, but decided to go with a green color.

There is also a large bench vise that was purchased from United Airlines. Does anybody have any information about this model? It's an American Scale Co No 216A.

- Matt

 

[bagged89s10]

My wife's grandfather ran a small airplane repair business. He passed away a couple years ago and recently we have been going through his hangars and getting things ready for a sale. In fact we're having a big sale this Saturday, but I'll post about that in a different thread.



On of the items I inherited is a Yankee 990 Drill Press Vise. It was pretty rusty when I brought it home, but a week long soak in vinegar and some time with the wire wheel cleaned it up. I debated just clear coating it, but decided to go with a green color.

There is also a large bench vise that was purchased from United Airlines. Does anybody have any information about this model? It's an American Scale Co No 216A.

- Matt

Cool to have stuff passed along from family.

Here is some American scale info from http://viseinfo.com/?page_id=10

American Scale Mfg

March 30, 2014
American Scale was in business from 1910 when the Eagle Scale Co moved to Kansas City and changed to the American Scale Co. They lost a lawsuit to the casters union, went out of business in 1960, and were resurrected shortly thereafter. Information is a bit hard to come by on American Scale.

DSC_0142

Trade names used: AM Scale, Red Seal, American

1913: the factory burned down

1954: they were incorporated by Cromb & Gagel of Kansas City

1963 “now a division of The Marley Co” – Red Seal vises available in 5 sizes (per Heating & Air Conditioning Contractor 1963)

1963 Marley Co., Kansas City, Mo., purchased American Scale & Vise Co (Industry Week Vol 153)

1963 American Scale & Vise Resumes Production, The American Scale & Vise Co. has resumed production on its full line of vises for home and industrial use. The company is operated as a division of the Marley Co., Kansas City, Mo (Hardware Age Vol 191)

1971 company is referenced in trade catalogs up to 1971 (Google Books)

 

[Mark in Indiana]

Slomatt,
American Scale was a top shelf vise manufacture until 1960. You have some great heirlooms. Thanks for sharing.

Edit: bagged, Thanks for the updated information.

 

[davejo]

quick and possibly dumb question; Is this vise broken? I've dug up other vise pics that sort of look like having a similar fracture line...

 

[GETRIDAONE]

I'm guessing that is just a mold line. That line is to straight and doesn't appear to have been ground down after welding if it had been repaired.

 

[drivesitfar]

Dave: not a bad question at all. i agree with GET that it's probably a casting line because if it was a break and still working ok it would have some weld or braze there to keep it together. to make sure it's not a weld take the dynamic jaw out all the way and turn it upside down and use a flash light to see if it looks like it was welded from underneath. if it doesn't look like it has been then you should be ok.

Slomatt: i personally do really like American Scale vises because they are another quality made vise. are your jaws 6 inches wide and any guess to the weight of your vise. if i was you I wouldn't sell that one and i'd mount it to my own bench and use it.

nice restore on the little drill press vise

Bagged: isn't that Bl00's web site? thanks for posting that information.

 

[Loydski29]

Loydski: Wow! A 6 inch Athol? What a terrific find. I'm am seriously jealous. It looks to be in terrific shape too. That one would be sweet to spiff up. Congrats!

CRSthanks it doesn't appear to have had much use I can wait to start cleaning it up!

 

[bagged89s10]

Bagged: isn't that Bl00's web site? thanks for posting that information.

No clue

 

[ganymede]

........
Bagged: isn't that Bl00's web site? thanks for posting that information.

Yes. So far it looks really cool.
I hope he adds to it.

 

[Fordriver6]

Some goodies for my Wilton C1 arrived today. Thanks KMScott!!!



Sent from my XT1080 using Tapatalk

 

[exmaxima1]

Some goodies for my Wilton C1 arrived today. Thanks KMScott!!!



Sent from my XT1080 using Tapatalk

Any idea why there are grooves cut at the bases of the hold down clamps? I've never seen that before.

 

[Fordriver6]

Any idea why there are grooves cut at the bases of the hold down clamps? I've never seen that before.

The angle of the picture makes it look weird but those are actually the threads where it screws down on the bolt for the swivel base. The C1 I have has 3/4" nuts so you have to use a wrench or ratchet/socket to utilize the swivel feature.



Edit: I'm an idiot. I see what you are talking about now. It's just the way they were machined. It's not actually a groove.




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[Hemi49]

Any idea why there are grooves cut at the bases of the hold down clamps? I've never seen that before.

Lubrication channel is my guess....
Hemi

 

[KMScott]

Lubrication channel is my guess....
Hemi

NO, remember I do not have a lathe, only a wood working lathe with a 3-jaw chuck is for polishing only. Every thing I make is on my CNC, even handles and knobs ends. The cutting WAY you see in the picture is made from a end mill. I donated the two un finished swivel clamps to Fordriver after seeing his vise picture, the swivel clamps need finishing.

 

[exmaxima1]

NO, remember I do not have a lathe, only a wood working lathe with a 3-jaw chuck is for polishing only. Every thing I make is on my CNC, even handles and knobs ends. The cutting WAY you see in the picture is made from a end mill. I donated the two un finished swivel clamps to Fordriver after seeing his vise picture, the swivel clamps need finishing.

I remembered the no-lathe thing after seeing the close up pics. That was very generous of you to donate the clamps.

 

[Hemi49]

NO, remember I do not have a lathe, only a wood working lathe with a 3-jaw chuck is for polishing only. Every thing I make is on my CNC, even handles and knobs ends. The cutting WAY you see in the picture is made from a end mill. I donated the two un finished swivel clamps to Fordriver after seeing his vise picture, the swivel clamps need finishing.

Shhh.......
I think it is a modern day version of engine turning for oil retention
Hemi

 

[02superduty]

Did a quick wire wheel on my Erie 4C I picked up last week. I need to find shims for the 1 1/8" screw, and look into getting pipe jaws. Where do all the pipe jaws go. Maybe on day at a estate sale or auction one of us will find the mother load.

 

[bagged89s10]

OK drives, Avatar changed! I like this Athol a great deal. Very very nice. So tight, almost as tight as a machinist vise. I took some better pics. Jaws are nice for an old vise like this.

The background is a two car garage and a shed for the vise horde.

She's a beaute!