The VISES of Garage Journal

[Hemi49]

Transcontinental Craftsmans

Thanks everyone for your comments and kind words......I'm looking forward to spending time going over the latest additions to my vise family...... Between the nondisclosure agreement and the secret hand shake I'm somewhat limited on disclosing the origin of the shipment.....But, suffice to say, it was an arduous negotiating task....Almost like buying a house!!
Hemi

 

[va.grouseman]

Originally posted by Drivesitfar.

ALL: while we are guessing at big vises how about this one in Albuquerque.

for only a $1000 you can buy this stout steel table, huge vise and an anvil on the other end. any thoughts on the yellow vise? how about that paint job??
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I'm going to say Columbian combination.---And comparing the anvil to the miter/chop saw, it's not very big or the saw is huge.

 

[va.grouseman]

Shift, that one came up for discussion on page 2123, and this is Mike_paxtons take on it.



(Quote)-----I think the mfg appears to be a "W" instead of an "M".

If that is case, it may be the mfg was Williamson Vise Co of Bradford PA.

Williamson Vise Co was bought out by Yost around 1910.

Mike


I think he's right.

 

[Low-Blow]

Good morning! This is my first post here and I am looking for some help. My father-in-law purchased a vise a local ag equipment auction. It does not appear to have any identifying markings on it. He brought it home, installed it on his bench, and has found out that the vise will not exert enough clamping pressure to hold. He removed the handle / screw and the spindle nut. It appears that there is some play in the spindle nut. I have attached some pictures below to see if anyone can help identify the vise. Also, I would like to know what measurements need to be taken to assure that I am getting the correct spindle nut. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks!!

 

[drivesitfar]

Low-Blow: that vise you have is made by several makers and pretty sure it's made in Taiwan or China. there are hundreds for sale on Craigslist if you take a look and some have their tags still on them that might read Olympia, Larin or several other makers.

I know many handy guys that have one of those vises on their bench and they love it. they will fix or repair it if it breaks and keep on using it. i'm not sure how much play or if you vise is even working with that vise nut, but it might be easier to buy a parts vise and take it's screw and vise nut. they come up for $50-150 in my area and I think Harbor Freight has a new version for about $80 is what I heard.

Jeremy: you might be right that the yellow table vise anvil combo might be a Dewalt fan.

 

[Shiftless]

Low-Blow:

Drives is giving you good advice. It also looks to me like you have a low budget made in China model commonly sold on Craigslist throughout the country with different labels for low prices. Rather than spending a lot of time and energy looking for a parts vise, I would say that if you need a vise to do work around your shop, to start looking for another vise that is operable. Either find one like you have in much better shape for under $50 or even better, a vintage made in U.S.A. vise that will last for generations. Read back on this thread and learn what is desirable. If one of those needs work, it will be worth your time and energy.
If you were near me, we could make a deal on one of my "extra" vises.

Here is a pic of the Harbor Freight model for sale priced at $69.99 but you can use the easily found 20% off coupon to lower the price to $56.

 

[Channing81]

Picked up this Rock Island #594 from craigslist the other day. Date stamped 11/44. Seems to be in great shape. Closes square and smooth operation.
Nice to finally have a good vise.

 

[Loydski29]

Picked up this Rock Island #594 from craigslist the other day. Date stamped 11/44. Seems to be in great shape. Closes square and smooth operation.
Nice to finally have a good vise.

Good looking Rock Island! Congrats!

 

[Shiftless]

Picked up this Rock Island #594 from craigslist the other day. Date stamped 11/44. Seems to be in great shape. Closes square and smooth operation.
Nice to finally have a good vise.

Channing:
Welcome and congrats on scoring such a fine vise. Rock Islands are some of the best! My 3 inch R.I. weighs more than most 4 inch vises of similar design. SOLID!

 

[CrotalusAtrox]

Picked up this Rock Island #594 from craigslist the other day. Date stamped 11/44. Seems to be in great shape. Closes square and smooth operation.
Nice to finally have a good vise.

Here is its little brother 592 I found at a Pawn Shop had to repaint it they didn't hold back when they painted it blue there was blue everywhere. I really like it very well built and extremely smooth operation.

 

[bagged89s10]

Stopped at an antique shop near one of my account and snapped a pic of these little guys pretty cool how small these salesman samples/paperweights are.

 

[CwazyWabbit]

I swear that looks like 110R...

I need "sharpening" capability..

Sadly the resolution is a bit low to sharpen much

 

[slotard]

Can anyone ID that? He says the other side is blank. Looks to be 4".

 

[Channing81]

Thanks a lot everyone. I've been lurking around here for several years reading a lot, but I was happy to finally have something to post.
How wide is the 592? This 594 is a beast to move around. It will likely be in its current location for a long time

 

[CrotalusAtrox]

The 592 Jaws are 3.5 inches and it open to 5 inches it is a perfect size for small to medium size work around the garage.

 

[honza.vosalik]

Just got a phone call about a Bull Dog vise no.54. Will have to call back about the price. So far I found it's a 5" / 72lbs.

 

[Fordriver6]

Just got a phone call about a Bull Dog vise no.54. Will have to call back about the price. So far I found it's a 5" / 72lbs.

It's a Prentiss. I had a Prentiss Bulldog no. 254 that I gave to my uncle.



The no. 54 is older and will be made in New York. The one I had was after Parker acquired Prentiss in the late 40's.
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[honza.vosalik]

Just got a phone call about a Bull Dog vise no.54. Will have to call back about the price. So far I found it's a 5" / 72lbs.

I went to see it. it had a huge hole at the end of the slide. The guy wanted $50, when I was about to leave, he would take $30. But I still passed on it. I wasn't quite sure it was worth the $30 or what to do with the crack/hole. The guy had bunch of stuff everywhere, like you see on American pickers.

 

[Outlawmws]

For $30 you could have made money on the parts...

 

[KMScott]

I went to see it. it had a huge hole at the end of the slide. The guy wanted $50, when I was about to leave, he would take $30. But I still passed on it. I wasn't quite sure it was worth the $30 or what to do with the crack/hole. The guy had bunch of stuff everywhere, like you see on American pickers.

Gotta learn how to fix vises. Deals like that do not happen very often. Finding a 70 year old vise in perfect condition also does not happen very often.

 

[slotard]

http://imgur.com/XS9HgjG I'm having trouble getting the image to show up right here, not sure why... should work there. I'm curious as to what brand it might be.

 

[honza.vosalik]

Gotta learn how to fix vises. Deals like that do not happen very often. Finding a 70 year old vise in perfect condition also does not happen very often.

You guys make me want call him back and go that thing

What is it worth with the slide damaged? Are you saying that it's a good deal despite the damage?

I am not and most likely will never be a welder. The hole is on the top of the slide. around 1inch long, at least 1/2 inch wide. I guess the solution would be cut it out and weld another piece in?

I admit I have been spoiled by the last two finds. One in perfect condition, the other stuck with rust but not damaged.

 

[Shiftless]

You guys make me want call him back and go that thing

What is it worth with the slide damaged? Are you saying that it's a good deal despite the damage?

I am not and most likely will never be a welder. The hole is on the top of the slide. around 1inch long, at least 1/2 inch wide. I guess the solution would be cut it out and weld another piece in?

I admit I have been spoiled by the last two finds. One in perfect condition, the other stuck with rust but not damaged.

There must have been something wrong at the factory way back when, because just about everybody's Prentiss has at least a hairline crack at the end of the slide.

 

[oldldh]

Finding a 70 year old vise in perfect condition also does not happen very often.

Hell, Reverend Scott, finding anything, 70 years old, in perfect condition, is impossible...

I know...

I look in the mirror, every morning...

 

[slotard]

Perfect condition doesn't happen much but the two Reeds I have are pretty good... no functional problems on either. One's a round nose with patent, so 73-78 years old. It has a little rust but nothing serious, no cracks/welds etc.

 

[diagnosis]

For $30, go back for it! It's cheaper than a good boat anchor

Reassembled the 600 last night, and pretty happy with it, much better than the safety yellow it was previously. I flipped the jaws, added new allen screws, and cleaned up the exposed metal a little bit. I'll need to find or make a couple of pins for the main nut, and was considering painting the raised letters of the logo.

It has a date stamp of 2/91, but from the little knowledge I have of Wiltons, it appears to have the older curved logo. Is this the typical design of early 90's 600's, or could the dynamic have been replaced? Just curious

 

[CalsXS2]

Is this made by Columbian. And is it made in the USA. Doesn't say anything on it other than Craftsman. Thanks

 

[CNGsaves]

^ ^ ^ Yes, and yes. That's a nice vise. It will clean up and last forever.

 

[honza.vosalik]

There must have been something wrong at the factory way back when, because just about everybody's Prentiss has at least a hairline crack at the end of the slide.

Is that something that's fixable though? Or doesn't even make sense to fix it?

 

[drivesitfar]

Diag: sorry I can't answer the question about design changes of the 600's. I can say if I find one that is reasonable i'll be buying it because I LOVE the design of it with the jaws bolted in through the back. WELL DONE on the paint job and if you happen to change and go to BLO post pictures of that because that casting on that one you have is too nice to be painted.

Shift: I've only run into a couple of the Prentiss cracked dynamic slides, but I have seen a lot of pictures of them. i'm sure it was caused by users hammering on the slides like it was an anvil, but you don't see as many Parker slides cracked so it might have been a design problem. I seem to like Prentiss vises better than Parker, but Reed and Rocks are my favorites. I would like a few more English Quick Release ones, but as you know they don't show up often or at all around here.

Honza: yes the slides can be V grooved and brazed or just drill a hole at the end of the crack to keep if from splitting will help.

 

[honza.vosalik]

drivesitfar: There's literally a hole, maybe an inch long and at last 1/2 inch wide. From the hole the crack continues. Sounds like someone with more equipment and experience than me might be able to fix it.

 

[rmalkow2]

Any MacGyver fans out there in vise land? Just watched Season 5 episode 7. Locked in the basement room of the China Consulate he forces the locked door open using what else? A china vise and a length of pipe to extend the round main slide. No cheater bar on the handles either, just good old Macgyver power. Funny stuff.

 

[drivesitfar]

Honza: I've seen some amazing repairs from some of these guys, but yes there are some that are not worth repairing. that said if you can find a great parts vise you never know when you might need one of the parts or trade a member so he can fix his vise. i'd say if you have the space and a few extra dollars to pick up any old 60+ year old vise if reasonable just for the parts if it's broken. in another 50 years when these vises are rare as hens teeth I bet even the guys in space ships will be using one.

cheers

RM: my daughter used to watch McGiver 2 times a day 25 years ago (she's 28 now) and I don't recall that episode. great idea though and those double swiveler Chinese vises do have their uses.

 

[CalsXS2]

Does this have pipe jaws. I can't tell. Don't really know what they look like on this one,,,lol.

 

[Craptain]

Does this have pipe jaws. I can't tell. Don't really know what they look like on this one,,,lol.

Kinda. Looks like they are part of the casting. Just look below the main jaws.

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[sberry]

Any MacGyver fans out there in vise land? Just watched Season 5 episode 7. Locked in the basement room of the China Consulate he forces the locked door open using what else? A china vise and a length of pipe to extend the round main slide. No cheater bar on the handles either, just good old Macgyver power. Funny stuff.

I told you guys that was a a super vise,,, hahahaha
coincidence,,,,, I think not.

 

[scooternut]

Is this made by Columbian. And is it made in the USA. Doesn't say anything on it other than Craftsman. Thanks

If it doesn't say made In the usa on the opposite side under the model no, then it isn't. Look under the swivel base, it will likely say japan BF, or similar?? Maybe both. I can't remember. It's a fine vise.


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[Outlawmws]

Does this have pipe jaws. I can't tell. Don't really know what they look like on this one,,,lol.

Kinda. Looks like they are part of the casting. Just look below the main jaws.

Sent from my LG-D801 using Tapatalk

Yep, all that family of vises has cast in pipe "jaws"

 

[Outlawmws]

Any MacGyver fans out there in vise land? Just watched Season 5 episode 7. Locked in the basement room of the China Consulate he forces the locked door open using what else? A china vise and a length of pipe to extend the round main slide. No cheater bar on the handles either, just good old Macgyver power. Funny stuff.

I wonder what HF paid for the product placement?

 

[Outlawmws]

There must have been something wrong at the factory way back when, because just about everybody's Prentiss has at least a hairline crack at the end of the slide.

Is that something that's fixable though? Or doesn't even make sense to fix it?

The cracks are very fixable. a chunk missing not much harder.

I think most of us have concluded its a design weakness exacerbated by people using the end as an anvil...