The VISES of Garage Journal

[drivesitfar]

Selo: if I was to paint a vise for myself i'd love to have one end up like yours with candy apple metallic red and have the steel shine better than new. WELL DONE SIR and thanks for sharing.

Crice: looks like a usable vise to me so just add some grease after cleaning off old grease and gunk and it should be good to go for another 50 years. one tip if you want to keep gunk and debris from building up on the screw just throw an old clean or oily rag on the screw while you are cutting or sanding on something in it's jaws. some members like to oil their open screw vises so your call on what you want to use, but some thing is better than nothing.

also if you want to see a few of those SHOP KING WILTON vises spiffed up and in multy colors BALANE a member here has many of them in this thread to get some ideas from. some I think he actually picked the colors and others it was what colors he had handy so quite a selection.

 

[CwazyWabbit]

I was thinking more across the other pond...

I don't think it's Chinese, those pivoting jaws look well machined and there isn't an abundance of filler under the paint.


EDIT: It's made in Taiwan. It will be cast into the underside

Found the following pics on an old ebay auction where it was listed for $50 (don't think it sold)

 

[drivesitfar]

Slotard: I'd buy that vise for $30 and wouldn't care where it's from. it might be Chinese or European or whatever, but it looks like those cool jaws work and they could be very useful.

BTW I knew the Trojan vise wasn't huge or even big in our terms, but any 3 inch and wider vise jaw 50+ year old US made vise is worth $50 at least if in decent shape. if you can get them cheaper all the better, but I don't NEED a vise and i'd pay $50 for it so was thinking it was a good buy.

ALL: anybody have a PENN vise? I bought one a couple years ago and only saw one or two on this thread and it was supposed to be a economy line of Prentiss. IMHO it's built maybe better than Prentiss so wondering why it was called ECONOMY.

 

[jquail]

I bought two of these over the last 6 months or so - one for $12 and one (in worse shape) for $5. They are Stanley No. 700 clamp on vices. The green one is the latest and will go to my son-in-law.

Just replaced the jaws on this - otherwise no work done.

Replaced the jaws, derusted, located screws for it and painted it. If I get time I may work on the two handles a bit more. One has a slight bend.

John.

 

[jquail]

Another very small vice I obtained last summer:

I had to make a handle for it but otherwise it's quite usable.

John.

 

[Mark in Indiana]

I don't think it's Chinese, those pivoting jaws look well machined and there isn't an abundance of filler under the paint.


EDIT: It's made in Taiwan. It will be cast into the underside

Found the following pics on an old ebay auction where it was listed for $50 (don't think it sold)

I thought that was a Chinese vise because of the overall shape and chrome handle. I stand corrected. For 30$, that looks like a good deal.

 

[Mark in Indiana]

Jquail,
You & I must be in a parallel universe. I picked up a Champion "L" vise and a red jewelers vise like yours last Saturday.

BTW: Thanks for showing your L vise cleaned up. Looks like they can be very useful.

 

[jquail]

A number of years ago I bought a non swivel Record #3 - this was when Irwin sold out the Record stock and moved production off shore (as I recall). Recently found the swivel version - in very good shape - and bought it. It is missing the two handles used to lock the swivel - I'd rather use a wrench so won't bother to make new ones.

I will mount it on a block of wood and when needed clamp it in my wood vice on my main bench.

I paid $45 for this one - it hasn't been used much for an anvil. The fellow I bought it from saw me checking for hammer marks and told me that the slide end was meant to be used as an anvil!!

I didn't bother to argue with him.

John.

 

[CwazyWabbit]

...... The fellow I bought it from saw me checking for hammer marks and told me that the slide end was meant to be used as an anvil!!

I didn't bother to argue with him.

John.

A wise move, never argue with idiots, they'll just bring you down to their level and then beat you with experience.

 

[slotard]

Slotard: I'd buy that vise for $30 and wouldn't care where it's from. it might be Chinese or European or whatever, but it looks like those cool jaws work and they could be very useful.

BTW I knew the Trojan vise wasn't huge or even big in our terms, but any 3 inch and wider vise jaw 50+ year old US made vise is worth $50 at least if in decent shape. if you can get them cheaper all the better, but I don't NEED a vise and i'd pay $50 for it so was thinking it was a good buy.

ALL: anybody have a PENN vise? I bought one a couple years ago and only saw one or two on this thread and it was supposed to be a economy line of Prentiss. IMHO it's built maybe better than Prentiss so wondering why it was called ECONOMY.

If it was closer I'd consider it because it's unique, but I have more vises than I need at this point... in the past month I think I've bought vises weighing double what I do (and I'm not small). Reed 204 1/2, Reed 106, Paramo #5, Chas Parker 955... right around double my weight. I'm probably done buying for a while.

 

[NUTTSGT]

My little Wilton that I finished up.

 

[bagged89s10]

Well the deal to buy this vise was in the works for a few days and I just picked it up on the way to work this morning. Paid $70 for this Athol 623-1/2.

 

[autopts]

Say? if anyone has a Columbian 204 1/2 or Reed 2CA with removable jaws, please PM Me. Thanks

 

[va.grouseman]

Well I thought I had the makings of a vise on my really really short list, so I could close that chapter.---Twas not to be.

As most of you have seen in pages past that Bigcaddy has a sweet little Wilton 202 that he paid $5.00 for.---Well I thought I had me one to.

Here's Bigs #202.

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=420815&d=1425254753

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=420092&d=1425144001

And here's how I was going to make me one.

The first 3 pics are of my original donor.---And this is how it came to me originally.---I just took it off the 1/4 inch plate---Have had this one for about 4 years.

And the last 4 pics are of my second donor to complete my 202.---It's an 820.---And I think someone combined an 820 with a 202's table clamp.

Continued on the next page.

 

[Z3K3Y]

Thanks to the great advice from the members here I jumped on that Trojan 702. I just got it home this afternoon. I cant see any other marks than "TROJAN 702" on one side, the jaw plates are (welded?) on.. no screws or pins that i can see. also the base is really weird. it wont sit flush on the bench without the two side mounting holes being off the edge of the bench. was there a certain way to mount this vise? i included some pictures of the base as i explained it. I also picked up a Record number 5 today in pretty rough shape for 30 dollars... the handle on it looks like a cooked noodle. I plan on stripping the trojan down over this week. the record i think im gonna have some aluminum jaw insert made for it.. the ones it came with are mangled.. I had a pair of jaw inserts that are 5 inches from a previous buy. but holes dont line up for some reason.. they must not be from a record vice? I took quiet few pictures . so i might make a second post

 

[Z3K3Y]

here is a few more of the Trojan 702 and the Record No. 5 i picked up

 

[va.grouseman]

I was going to take the older vise and attach it to the table clamp, and put the 820 on the older base.

First are a few more pics of the 820.







Here's a pic of the two bases.






And here's the results.









The 820 will fit on the old ones base but the older one won't fit the table base.

So this is the way it is.---Bigcaddy paid $5.00 for his Unicorn 202, and I paid, well I won't say how much I paid, too embarrassing, too much, and I still don't have one.

 

[bagged89s10]

Thanks to the great advice from the members here I jumped on that Trojan 702. I just got it home this afternoon. I cant see any other marks than "TROJAN 702" on one side, the jaw plates are (welded?) on.. no screws or pins that i can see. also the base is really weird. it wont sit flush on the bench without the two side mounting holes being off the edge of the bench. was there a certain way to mount this vise? i included some pictures of the base as i explained it. I also picked up a Record number 5 today in pretty rough shape for 30 dollars... the handle on it looks like a cooked noodle. I plan on stripping the trojan down over this week. the record i think im gonna have some aluminum jaw insert made for it.. the ones it came with are mangled.. I had a pair of jaw inserts that are 5 inches from a previous buy. but holes dont line up for some reason.. they must not be from a record vice? I took quiet few pictures . so i might make a second post

When those Parker trojan vises were built, they pinned the jaws from the top, then they ground the pins smooth so you can't really see them.

 

[Z3K3Y]

When those Parker trojan vises were built, they pinned the jaws from the top, then they ground the pins smooth so you can't really see them.

ahhh rite on. ya im sure ill see some more details once i get the wire wheel to it. look forward to it actually. looks like it might of been green originally. im gonna try to find a spray as close as possible to the original

 

[Z3K3Y]

any ideas on why the base is like that bagged89s10 ?

 

[RRmech]

Funny, but my smallest and oldest vise, gets the most use....an old 3" Dunlap USA.

 

[drivesitfar]

Z3: the jaws look ok from my chair so i'm guessing that Bagged knows what he's talking about them being hard to see the pins. I wouldn't even mess with them and just use them another 50 years.

now with that 45 degree angle you can grab a board about the thickness or steel plate if you have something that thick and put that under the vise before mounting it to your bench. i'm not a big historian on Parker vises so others will have to say why they made their non swivels with that 45 degree angle. some guys have notched their benches for it, but I like the extra piece of wood so you can remove the vise maybe someday and not have to rebuild that part of the bench for the next vise. if you want to keep that Trojan vise on your bench for a long time then just cut a notch in your bench.

good luck

VA: dang I hate to see a good effort go to waste so maybe you should just put them both in a USPS flat rate box and send them my way.

seriously a good try and maybe you are on to something and just need a different vise if you can't find BigCaddy to sell you his 202.

 

[demographic]

Another very small vice I obtained last summer:

I had to make a handle for it but otherwise it's quite usable.

John.

I have one like that, nice wee thing with very smooth action.

 

[Mick1958]

Hello Everyone,

Newbie here..... without me going through the 1000 pages here... I wanted to mention I have a 3 1/2 Wilton that I am going to do a "re-do" that I done 20 years ago.

I have not ever seen another like it, the fixed jaw has a swivel that is retained with a tapered pin. I am going to try to load a picture or two to maybe get some history on it. Cannot seem to find any information on it anywhere.

Thanks for letting me join!
Hope I can add at least half of what I learn!

Mick

 

[Mick1958]

/Users/mickmartin/Desktop/3 1:2 Wilton swivel vise top.jpg

 

[Jcrapola]

I was going to take the older vise and attach it to the table clamp, and put the 820 on the older base.

First are a few more pics of the 820.







Here's a pic of the two bases.






And here's the results.









The 820 will fit on the old ones base but the older one won't fit the table base.

Which bits are causing the interference? Is it something that can be machined to fit? PM me, maybe I can help you out..

 

[bagged89s10]

any ideas on why the base is like that bagged89s10 ?

The early vises just had that 45 degree style. I'm assuming they did it for strength. Then they realized not having that angle was better than people having to notch out their benches. But you can just mount the vise to a piece of 1.5" thick board like Drives said. Here is a vise I mounted on a notched 2x8.

 

[slotard]

/Users/mickmartin/Desktop/3 1:2 Wilton swivel vise top.jpg

You'll need to upload your image somewhere. You can either use a photo hosting site like imgur.com or upload it here.

 

[drivesitfar]

Mick: does your Wilton look anything like one of these? it's called a swivel jaw Wilton. how wide are your jaws?

if you are having issues posting pictures I use the paperclip just above where you are writing your posts and download up to 7 per post and take up a few posts if you have more than 7 pictures.

you did a nice job on your Avatar so pictures should be a snap for you.

welcome to the group and you sound like a member we all would like to have join us.

cheers

 

[jreb10]

I was lucky to win a Wilton Baby Bullet attached to a Pow-R-Arm on an online auction. I knew the vise had a fair amount of weld splatter on it (Sacrilege!). What I did not know due to the limited view of the photos was the unusual "untapered" rear end:



At first I thought it was some kind of repair job, but the more I look at it, the more original it seems. I have popped off the end cap, and aside from some splatter damage the cap looks genuine and fits perfectly.

I can't see anyone fabricating that piece to fit as well as this one does. BTW, the date on the key is 6-53.

Has anyone ever seen a Wilton Bullet with an "untapered" rear end?

 

[CrotalusAtrox]

Found these two toady the 1750 came with the bench and the belt sander the Rock Island 592 was a pawn shop find. The Rock Island is a sturdy sucker and in great shape. Paint job ***** that will be changed, If anyone has any additional info on the rock island date code quality good bad whatever please share.

Thanks

FB

 

[bagged89s10]

Found these two toady the 1750 came with the bench and the belt sander the Rock Island 592 was a pawn shop find. The Rock Island is a sturdy sucker and in great shape. Paint job ***** that will be changed, If anyone has any additional info on the rock island date code quality good bad whatever please share.



Thanks



FB

Rock island should have a date code on top of the slide.

 

[CrotalusAtrox]

Thanks

 

[joe.striper]

Missed this today. Im sure some GJ from here STOLE IT from me!! Went for $100

 

[honza.vosalik]

Another beautiful piece! Charles Parker 995.
http://sacramento.craigslist.org/tls/5503629411.html

 

[KMScott]

jreb, that end cap is a pretty easy part to make, I would be curious to how they keyed in the spindle nut. Wilton could have ran out of the rear nut support castings and had their machine shop whip out several of these parts. The end cap is a 1 inch hole. Those are neat vises.

 

[joe.striper]

jreb, that end cap is a pretty easy part to make, I would be curious to how they keyed in the spindle nut. Wilton could have ran out of the rear nut support castings and had their machine shop whip out several of these parts. The end cap is a 1 inch hole. Those are neat vises.

Kevin, i saw a 4" Wilton on eBay the other day for parts or repair that had the exact same end piece. I didn't bid because i thought it was a repair.

 

[jquail]

Another small vice and a tiny one. The record is a no. 0 - I put a wooden base on it as it is heavy enough for anything I'll use it for.

The smaller vice is a decent size for holding wires (a third hand). I made a delrin holder for it that goes into an indicator holder (Harold Hall design) that I made some time ago.

That's about it for my vice(s) - at least the metal kind. I don't have a very big shop and thus no room to permanently mount a vice. The smaller ones are handy and I like them. Quite a few seem to be available at the local flea market however most are broken and not worth buying.

I've read through a lot of this thread - it must be the best resource for vices that is on the net. Just wanted to contribute a bit to help out.

Thanks for looking,

John.

 

[KMScott]

Kevin, i saw a 4" Wilton on eBay the other day for parts or repair that had the exact same end piece. I didn't bid because i thought it was a repair.

Joe, it would not have been to hard to add a little arc to match the end cap radius. A 4-1/2 inch disc sander would take to time at all if you have a lathe. I would not pass up a great deal on a baby because of that difference.

Won this 6" Parker today for $117.

 

[joe.striper]

Joe, it would not have been to hard to add a little arc to match the end cap radius. A 4-1/2 inch disc sander would take to time at all if you have a lathe. I would not pass up a great deal on a baby because of that difference.

Won this 6" Parker today for $117.

Well i know that now. Thanks