The VISES of Garage Journal

[Jcrapola]

JC
What is the CNC machine I see in your photos?.....Nice looking vise
Hemi[/QUOTE]

Thanks! Machine is a Makino V33i.

CRS: Gave up sleep for lent. Its not so bad the first coupla weeks, but now I am into the hard part.
You seem to always be awake at all hours also....

 

[CRSINMICH]

CRS: Gave up sleep for lent. Its not so bad the first coupla weeks, but now I am into the hard part.
You seem to always be awake at all hours also....

What are you talking about? I slept in until almost 3:30 this morning.

 

[Jcrapola]

Found a Chief another not so desirable VISE but it was in ok shape for 12 bucks. Striped it painted it with that Oregano Satin finish. Looks ok nothing like what Kevin produces but it is tough with a hand file, I think I need a MILL just have to let the kids know that college is overrated. I will build some decent jaws for it and give it to a friend.

Nice little vise! Are you planning to paint the letters? looks like a cool little logo. It would look pretty puss with some contrast lettering.

 

[CrotalusAtrox]

Nice little vise! Are you planning to paint the letters? looks like a cool little logo. It would look pretty puss with some contrast lettering.

I had them highlighted in Black but I definitely need a steadier hand. I am going to work on it again today with some patience and maybe go with red to represent its original color

 

[slotard]

Any thoughts on this? What's going on with the screw on the base? And is the bolt there original, or would it have been a more normal adjuster to begin with?

http://sfbay.craigslist.org/eby/tls/5492875659.html

 

[CRSINMICH]

I had them highlighted in Black but I definitely need a steadier hand. I am going to work on it again today with some patience and maybe go with red to represent its original color

Chilang: I like that vise. I'm going to look for one to add to my Depression Era Homeowners Vise sub-collection. Here's some information that might help with painting the letters: http://www.shanewhitlock.com/blog/?p=272

 

[drivesitfar]

JC: I remember selling a GJ member a 4.5 inch made in Japan Craftsman vise but can't recall if it had the chevrons or just Craftsman on it's side.

Slotard: that is just the way the English made their swivel jaw clamp down. I truly think that all English vises were made to be non swivel and swiveling bases were made as an after thought, but i'll let the guys across the pond give their take on that.

 

[Thrumcap]

If the price can be kept reasonable, grind them smooth? (lots of applications for a smooth jaw vise...)

Joe, my 2 cents is that vise is $50-75, long term hold for parts. You seem to go through vises in volume.
Thrumcap

 

[slotard]

JC: I remember selling a GJ member a 4.5 inch made in Japan Craftsman vise but can't recall if it had the chevrons or just Craftsman on it's side.

Slotard: that is just the way the English made their swivel jaw clamp down. I truly think that all English vises were made to be non swivel and swiveling bases were made as an after thought, but i'll let the guys across the pond give their take on that.

So the hex head bolt is likely original? He says it's missing one on the other side, didn't reply to my question about if he can see threads etc there.

edit: a couple more pics

Almost looks like there's a hole under the slide (that the second bolt goes into), would make sense if it wasn't originally a pivot.

 

[drivesitfar]

Slotard: not for certain it's original, but those English swivel bases are not common and did look a little strange on the ones I've owned and own so it might be. depending on cost of the vise the upper portion I think can still be mounted as a non swivel great old English vice and like I mentioned the guys across the pond will know better because I haven't looked at my English vices in a while and not easy to get to now.

 

[dutchgray]

Slotard
Looks exactly as it should to me, our swivel bases were a bit rubbish, I would get it bought especially if you can get some off the price, decent 5" vice with good jaws, you can mount as a standard bench vice with out the swivel if you want.

 

[exmaxima1]

Any thoughts on this? What's going on with the screw on the base? And is the bolt there original, or would it have been a more normal adjuster to begin with?

I have a No. 6, and that Paramo looks all original to me including the swivel locking clamp screw. The hex cap bolts look like mine, but all should be threaded into the inner base---maybe one got stripped over the years.

That's a very fair price for a quality vise like that. If you buy it, install a roller bearing thrust washer at the spindle and it will be the best vise you ever had.

 

[joe.striper]

Any thoughts on this? What's going on with the screw on the base? And is the bolt there original, or would it have been a more normal adjuster to begin with?

I have a beautiful original condition vise identical to yours in my shop as we speak. I'll take pics and post them here as a reference.

 

[slotard]

Does the swivel have detents or is it just friction lock?

 

[dutchgray]

My Paramo No1 swivel is just friction lock, I wouldn't expect a 5 to be any different. But you could probably add some if you wanted.

 

[selohssa]

These are some pics of a 4 1/2" Wilton that I was playing with. Took a full day of grinding to get the texture out. It is viper red base clear with PPG red metalflake.

 

[drivesitfar]

Selo: outstanding restoration on that little Wilton. might I inquire how you made the steel so shiny? also nice job on the paint job too. did you use primer, two coats, bake it or powder coat it? WELL DONE

also I saw you found a MADE IN ITALY bullet or is this the one? please post the made in Italy one or the other side of this vise if you would. also can you tell us what the date on the slide is?

JR: nice restoration on that little Columbian. I had to turn my laptop upside down to see it correctly though. not sure why pictures post sideways or upside down. are you posting from a cell or Ipad?

VA: pretty sure the Prentiss #23 is 207 pounds and was looking to see what Demoman said on his post but couldn't find it when he mentioned that. my Prentiss #22 does weigh 165 pounds. the Prentiss vises don't get the dollars that Wiltons or Reeds do yet, but mainly because so many you see have broken slides. they probably could have put a little more heft in their slides or better yet told the users not to beat on them like they were a blacksmith vise. I think Prentiss swivel jaws are some of the best vises made if you can find one in great shape and the prices will follow MARK MY WORDS.

Demo: doe the Prentiss #23 weigh 207 pounds or 270? also I've never seen that vise even in an ad so nice find.

 

[selohssa]

Selo: outstanding restoration on that little Wilton. might I inquire how you made the steel so shiny? also nice job on the paint job too. did you use primer, two coats, bake it or powder coat it? WELL DONE

also I saw you found a MADE IN ITALY bullet or is this the one? please post the made in Italy one or the other side of this vise if you would. also can you tell us what the date on the slide is?

I used a direct to metal epoxy primer followed by 2 coats of primer surfacer. It was then sanded up to 600grit and sprayed with two coats of viper red, 2 coats of flake and two coats of clear. The steel parts were sanded up to 800 grit and then polished on a buffing wheel. The date on that one is 6 15 64.

The Italian Wilton is from the same machine shop that I got the red one from (as well as two others).

 

[itsDROCK]

Hey do you guys think this price is reasonable?

http://newyork.craigslist.org/wch/tls/5467070059.html

"Vintage Columbian Vise
Model D43 1/2 - M4"

 

[drivesitfar]

Selo: thanks for the 411. again nice work

DROCK: the jaws don't quite line up. it's not a monster vise like some we have but that is about market value if you NEED a vise and there aren't any other issues. also WELCOME TO THE FORUM personally i'd rather spend $150 and get a much nicer and bigger vise, but if $50 is in your budget then those are pretty decent vises.

 

[macgee]

Any thoughts on this? What's going on with the screw on the base? And is the bolt there original, or would it have been a more normal adjuster to begin with?

http://sfbay.craigslist.org/eby/tls/5492875659.html

Here's a pic of one my Paramo's bases (the vise is beat). The one in your pic is normal and functional, you just need to add a third bolt.

You'll find these vise's are excellent with zero backlash (if that matters to you), they are serviceable and you can beat the daylights out them. I prefer the Paramo's to Record vises even though they look the same, especially in the smaller sizes. The old Paramo's are very well finished. I would consider them the Uk version of Starrett vises.

 

[jakemac]

Hey do you guys think this price is reasonable?

http://newyork.craigslist.org/wch/tls/5467070059.html

"Vintage Columbian Vise
Model D43 1/2 - M4"

I'd say that the asking price is top dollar for that vise.

 

[macgee]

I have a No. 6.

Install a roller bearing thrust washer at the spindle and it will be the best vise you ever had.

Exmax,

Can you post a pic of the thrust washer on your Paramo vise? I'm very interested to see how you installed yours. Thnx

`

 

[slotard]

Is anyone else encountering funny things with pages? They seem to keep moving around... are posts getting deleted?

 

[Yost]

Hello folks, there are some really nice vises here, and ironically the only reason I would know this is because I have seen this thread.

I recently got a vise of my own, so I decided I should post a picture. I used to think it was huge until I saw some of the ones here! Its a 4" Yost 32 (32C? I can only find information on the 32C), and I really like it, I guess I've been bitten. Does anybody know anything else about it? I'd like to know when it was made, but I cant seem to find much on old Yost vises. Thanks!

edited to make bigger

 

[slotard]

The image you posted is thumbnail sized so it's going to be difficult to say.

 

[FMC1959]

http://www.ebay.com/itm/200-Pound-P...071699?hash=item3d13e973d3:g:tecAAOSwZQxW3xYy

how can this thing have no bids on it????

Wow, looks like it sold for the one opening bid of $200. If it was within a couple of hours drive, I would have loved to have this Prentiss.

 

[mbsinmich]

That vise looks brand new man! Nice job.

Here is my 5" craftsman that I just finished. 5" jaw. I have now had at least 3 different sizes pass thru my possession. 3", a couple 4", and this 5". I would swear I saw a 3.5" once upon a time also (maybe my mind is playing tricks on me). Anyone know if there were other sizes?

 

[itsDROCK]

DROCK: the jaws don't quite line up. it's not a monster vise like some we have but that is about market value if you NEED a vise and there aren't any other issues. also WELCOME TO THE FORUM personally i'd rather spend $150 and get a much nicer and bigger vise, but if $50 is in your budget then those are pretty decent vises.

Thank you! I appreciate the info. I will follow your advice and spend more on a bigger, better vise! Time to do some research...lol

 

[va.grouseman]

Yost, your avatar is appropriate.---Nice first vise if that is your first one.---A good size for home use plus pipe jaws.---I love the combinations.

Here is Dayids info. on the Yosts.

http://vise.dayid.org/vise/yost/


And here's a new 32C on EBay.---Not sure if it is the same size and weight as your old one.

http://i.ebayimg.com/images/g/AYIAAOxy3HJTIIBG/s-l1600.jpg


Welcome to the forum.

 

[zkling]

Im sure you will need a pocket full of money, Looks like he does not get rid of too much. With over 30 post vises and all the other goodies he must be at or above retail.

Guy is certainly a collector/reseller and probably a member here.

 

[CrotalusAtrox]

Chilang: I like that vise. I'm going to look for one to add to my Depression Era Homeowners Vise sub-collection. Here's some information that might help with painting the letters: http://www.shanewhitlock.com/blog/?p=272

Thanks for the comments and the information on painting raised letters. Here is the end result

 

[Jcrapola]

Thanks for the comments and the information on painting raised letters. Here is the end result

Oh yeah! She's a real beaut (Clark)!
Nicely done. I'm not as much into open screw vises. But, I dig the ones with the cool logos or casting detail. Nice vise, nice work.

 

[CRSINMICH]

Thanks for the comments and the information on painting raised letters. Here is the end result

Chilang: Oh yeah! Jcrapola was right. The red lettering really makes that Chief sing! Great job! Coincidentally, I just got a line on one. It's a bit of a drive, but after seeing your finished results I'm likely to make that drive.

 

[autopts]

Wow, looks like it sold for the one opening bid of $200. If it was within a couple of hours drive, I would have loved to have this Prentiss.

Haha I had my sniper set at $235 and for some reason it didn't enter my bid. Never did that before

 

[mtnwkr]

 

[oldldh]

Haha I had my sniper set at $235 and for some reason it didn't enter my bid. Never did that before

It says that vise "Sold" for one bid of ---


$ 200.00!!!


Me thinks that something is amiss, here...

 

[bagged89s10]

These are some pics of a 4 1/2" Wilton that I was playing with. Took a full day of grinding to get the texture out. It is viper red base clear with PPG red metalflake.

Wow on that paint job! More pictures please.

 

[Tallted]

So today I got my first vise! It was my Grandpa's and has a lot of sentimental value for me. He had this amazing blue Plymouth in his garage with fins that I swear were ten feet long. It sparkled and shined like a diamond. There wss always "pop" in the garage fridge. I used to go in there and spin this thing around endlessly.
I was born with only two fingers on my left hand. I had trouble holding the cards, so he made a holder for me, using a piece of wood with slots in it. I was inspired by his ability to go into his garage and make something.
He had a garden with a boysenberry bush. My cousins and I would pick it clean while he made ice cream from scratch, then we would top it with the berries.
Haha rambling. I am really excited about this vise! I get the keys to my first house next week. This vise will be a perfect piece in my new two car garage

 

[GForceJunky]

Congrats!

There's no better tools than those passed down to you from the one(s) you love, especially when they're quality tools to begin with (as most of the older tools were). I myself have many old tools from my grandfather including a nice, smaller Record vise of a somewhat newer vintage than your vise. I can perfectly picture the stories you mentioned of the time you spent with your grandfather and it sounds wonderful

Are you planning to restore it or just keep it as it?