The VISES of Garage Journal

[ZRX61]

Found a Morgan 88 Chicago today its dirty but in great shape and it has both of its pipe jaws. May use BLO on this one ,very few nicks handle is perfect jaws are decent.

I have an 87...

https://scontent-lax3-1.**.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xaf1/v/t1.0-9/269770_1967569041672_1972904_n.jpg?oh=7412209dc0a92624f132b1994bde5199&oe=578F47FF

https://scontent-lax3-1.**.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xfa1/v/t1.0-9/302479_2152000892353_1825581_n.jpg?oh=1e4eac553dfa00823245bda16e60199d&oe=5792933C

 

[Mark in Indiana]

With all the talk of Bison FPU vises lately, here is one near Roanoke VA, for sale on Craigslist. Figured I would share it.

http://roanoke.craigslist.org/tls/5498754596.html








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That FPU is top shelf in my book...not 400$ top shelf. Myself, I'd give 200$ for it.

 

[PghJKB]

PghJKB your's was perhaps forced in a nearly full open position, that would put a lot of force on a very small area. However, I agree the vise should have been able to "Show" it's distress without breaking. On a big American vise they simply stop working when alignment of the screw and jaws is out. Perhaps the FPU should have the nut a bit farther back so it runs off the screw before such a position is reached? I bet Bison is aware of it though.

Parts
Please re-read my post - all of my FPUs are in close to pristine condition(under the gunk and grime). The image was from a previous post by DaveThorik.

JKB

 

[va.grouseman]

Evergreen, here is a C.P. 975 as seen in Dayids list.

http://scuttle.dayid.org/wiki/images/thumb/3/3f/Chasparker975.jpg/180px-Chasparker975.jpg

They are 105 lbs..---Perfect size IMO.
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Drock, Erie is a really good old brand.---Resembles a Hollands Keystone.---First cousin I'd say.

That one looks like it has been shimmed for slop as they call it.---But may just be the picture distortion.

 

[KMScott]

A couple pages ago we was writing about the Semi Steel Parker's and wanted to share what my #79 looks like after I stripped it and got it apart. Like Joe mentioned, this vise might have been cast on a Friday. Really poor job in placing the steel bars before casting the Dynamic Jaw support.

<a href="https://visejaws.smugmug.com/Chas-Parker-Vises/i-rqZjfRb/A"><img src="https://visejaws.smugmug.com/Chas-Parker-Vises/i-rqZjfRb/0/M/Parker%20%2379-Dynamic%20Jaw%20Support%20%281%29-M.jpg" alt=""></a>

Why did they use two. Maybe one steel bar rotated 90 degrees might have been better. Gonna think about how to repair the grooves and hammer marks, maybe brazing but will add a 5/16 socket head cap screw to pull it back together and then plug the head. Anyone repair damage like this? Open for suggestions.

<a href="https://visejaws.smugmug.com/Chas-Parker-Vises/i-xbKKwtx/A"><img src="https://visejaws.smugmug.com/Chas-Parker-Vises/i-xbKKwtx/0/M/Parker%20%2379-Dynamic%20Jaw%20Support%20%282%29-M.jpg" alt=""></a>

This one will be a fun project when I get time to work on it. Thinking of making this one my working vise.

 

[Evergreentree]

Thanks va. Is there a 5"er with the anvil horn you know of? I have a cp 3 1/2 swiveler, and a couple 4ish inchers that are fixed, but would love a swivel 5"er!

 

[Evergreentree]

So that's what is ment by semi steel slide?! I really had no idea km!

 

[ZRX61]

Gonna think about how to repair the grooves and hammer marks, maybe brazing but will add a 5/16 socket head cap screw to pull it back together and then plug the head. Anyone repair damage like this? Open for suggestions..

Braze the crack after you grind it out a bit. Beadblast to get it clean in there. Clamp it so it doesn't spread while you're fixing it.
For hammer marks etc I usually just fill them with JB Weld & then hit it with a DA

 

[bagged89s10]

Is there a Parker 975? To me that'd be the perfect user...the ?'big bear'? Series with the anvil horn....

After doin a search I guess there is! Hunt is on!

I had one. I sold it to a guy who shipped it to his father and brother in Poland. I want to find another one.

 

[honza.vosalik]

I cleaned up the Hollands today and put it back together to make sure it all works. Originally it was all rusted up and would not even move. Next step will be paint.

 

[honza.vosalik]

Is there a Parker 975? To me that'd be the perfect user...the ?'big bear'? Series with the anvil horn....

After doin a search I guess there is! Hunt is on!

My 995.

 

[va.grouseman]

Originally posted by Evergreentree.

Is there a 5"er with the anvil horn you know of? I have a cp 3 1/2 swiveler, and a couple 4ish inchers that are fixed, but would love a swivel 5"er!
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This Ad shows a Big Bear 5 incher, 112 lbs. on a swivel base.---Now finding one might be a little tricky.

http://scuttle.dayid.org/wiki/images/9/9d/Ad_1929_Parker.png

 

[Evergreentree]

Bagged-you'll find another! That was a sweet one.

honza-good one! Does that weight swivel real easy?

That Hollands is a real beauty! an plans for pipe jaws?

Va-that 235 I'd really hope to have, seriously perfect. Or a 995!

I don't think I'd ever touch the horn! It's just so cool looking!

 

[Outlawmws]

Is there a Parker 975? To me that'd be the perfect user...the ?'big bear'? Series with the anvil horn....

After doin a search I guess there is! Hunt is on!

Yep!

 

[MillerMig760]

Wilton Shop King vs Colombian D43 or C43. Which would you choose? Or another option under $75 on eBay? I want something
with pipe clamps and an anvil, and these fit the bill.

 

[CrotalusAtrox]

Yeah Chilang you need LOTS more practice. Stop by my place I will let you redo several of my vices!

I have an 87...

https://scontent-lax3-1.**.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xaf1/v/t1.0-9/269770_1967569041672_1972904_n.jpg?oh=7412209dc0a92624f132b1994bde5199&oe=578F47FF

https://scontent-lax3-1.**.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xfa1/v/t1.0-9/302479_2152000892353_1825581_n.jpg?oh=1e4eac553dfa00823245bda16e60199d&oe=5792933C

Cool I think the 88 may have 1/2 inch bigger jaws, they are 4 1/2". The only issue I see with mine is the dynamic jaw where it attaches to the tower has a bit more gap then the static jaw but that is just my OCD eating at me. All mine needs is a bit more sanding and some paint.

 

[honza.vosalik]

Bagged-you'll find another! That was a sweet one.

honza-good one! Does that weight swivel real easy?

That Hollands is a real beauty! an plans for pipe jaws?

Va-that 235 I'd really hope to have, seriously perfect. Or a 995!

I don't think I'd ever touch the horn! It's just so cool looking!

Yeah , the swivel works really nice.

The Hollands has probably all the features it could have. The pipe jaws unfortunately were missing when I got the vise. It would be nice to add them to this vise.

I found both of these vises locally in the last month. What odds are you find such two vises like that? The Hollands was in worse shape, but also quite cheaper than the Parker. I love those anvil horns on them.

You will find more pictures in my profile album.

 

[partsproduction]

it'sDROCK, that is an interesting looking vise, and if being interesting ups the value the $105 price is small change.
The reason I like European vises is because they don't look like the average American beefcake, not that a beefy vise wouldn't be welcome at times, but it would have to be an exceptional value to interest me. That Erie vise with it's radiused slide had to cost more to make than a square one.
When it comes to the standard American vise I think the Parker may win my vote, because of the difficult geometry of it's jaws.

 

[partsproduction]

Parts
Please re-read my post - all of my FPUs are in close to pristine condition(under the gunk and grime). The image was from a previous post by DaveThorik.

Sorry, the thrust of my post was more about the way some break there though. I imagine that if an FPU were dropped at a nearly full open position it might break without being loaded especially highly.

 

[tool_scrounge]

Wilton Shop King vs Colombian D43 or C43. Which would you choose? Or another option under $75 on eBay? I want something
with pipe clamps and an anvil, and these fit the bill.

I had a slightly larger D44 on my bench for several years and it was a good medium duty vise.

 

[Evergreentree]

The columbians are great work horses...

 

[drivesitfar]

Miller: anvils on vises are light duty at best so see if you can pick up a chunk of RR track to beat on. either vise is ok and depending on where you are located somebody here might have something to sell or trade you. where are you located?

 

[Outlawmws]

Wilton Shop King vs Colombian D43 or C43. Which would you choose? Or another option under $75 on eBay? I want something
with pipe clamps and an anvil, and these fit the bill.

The C series are exposed screw homeowner series vises and VERY light weight. I have a C43 (3" jaws) and is weighs all of 13-1/2 lbs.

 

[FMC1959]

The C series are exposed screw homeowner series vises and VERY light weight. I have a C43 (3" jaws) and is weighs all of 13-1/2 lbs.

The Wilton SK is also exposed screw and Med/light weight. The Wilton has that Retro style, which either you like or not, otherwise they are similar in how they would perform.

The SK being a Wilton, probably carries a higher price. Look for a combination of good condition and price (probably a Columbian as there were so many more on the market than the Shop Kings)

Also just about every US maker had one of these utility vise, Erie, C Parker, Prentiss and others; any you find in good shape and the right price will do the trick.

Good luck

 

[va.grouseman]

The Swivel Jaw Wilton brought $685.79 with $100.00 shipping.---Not bad.---I may have a retirement nest-egg after all.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/182067967662?_trksid=p2055119.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK:MEBIDX:IT
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And those Stevens Rapid Ratchet vises have really increased in value.


http://www.ebay.com/itm/231893082745?_trksid=p2055119.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK:MEBIDX:IT

 

[Mark in Indiana]

Wilton Shop King vs Colombian D43 or C43. Which would you choose? Or another option under $75 on eBay? I want something
with pipe clamps and an anvil, and these fit the bill.

This one now. I'm a huge fan of art deco style vises. Also, this one is complete, as far as the ad reads.

BTW: I'm not associated with the seller.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Wilton-3-1-...396779?hash=item3f602b66eb:g:-eMAAOSwpRRWoCzw

 

[trijeff]

Picked up this baby Prentiss swivel jaw this morning, tons of original paint left.

 

[jakemac]

Got all excited at an estate sale this morning when I found a pile of vises (or would that be veeses) hiding in a dark corner of the garage. Sadly, it was mostly clapped out Columbians and exposed screw vises missing all the important bits like main screws and nuts. Others had chunks missing. Nothing was complete, and there weren't enough matching pieces to put a vise together. It was like excavating a mass burial pit from a sadistic serial cannibal. I thought about calling for a priest.

The only complete vise was a 3" Prentiss on the bench that wasn't for sale. Oddly enough, it was the only vise in decent shape, not even the usual crack on the slide.

 

[ganymede]

A couple pages ago we was writing about the Semi Steel Parker's and wanted to share what my #79 looks like after I stripped it and got it apart. Like Joe mentioned, this vise might have been cast on a Friday. Really poor job in placing the steel bars before casting the Dynamic Jaw support. ...

Why did they use two. Maybe one steel bar rotated 90 degrees might have been better. Gonna think about how to repair the grooves and hammer marks, maybe brazing but will add a 5/16 socket head cap screw to pull it back together and then plug the head. Anyone repair damage like this? Open for suggestions.
...

Ive seen, as probably have you and others, many Parkers broken in this area. All had prolific hammer marks accompanying the break.
I think that the reinforcing bar ( a good thing in normal use ) was a detriment when the slide was used as an anvil. I consider also that ive seen plenty of Reeds, Rock Islands etc with hammer marks in the same area and no splits in the slide.
Again though, i think overall its a good thing and Parker had several patents for the slide and two were for reinforcing bars..
11,137 (1854).
57,957 (1866) .
808,960 (1906).
Anyway, sorry I can't offer repair advice but Its nice to see you keeping history alive ..

 

[ShadowRuleZ]

I'm officially thinning out the herd. Emmert K1 just sold this morning

 

[Outlawmws]

Ive seen, as probably have you and others, many Parkers broken in this area. All had prolific hammer marks accompanying the break.
I think that the reinforcing bar ( a good thing in normal use ) was a detriment when the slide was used as an anvil. I consider also that ive seen plenty of Reeds, Rock Islands etc with hammer marks in the same area and no splits in the slide.
Again though, i think overall its a good thing and Parker had several patents for the slide and two were for reinforcing bars..
11,137 (1854).
57,957 (1866) .
808,960 (1906).
Anyway, sorry I can't offer repair advice but Its nice to see you keeping history alive ..

Just to complete the picture, a Prentise can get that crack without the hammer marks.

 

[bluebolt]

Wilton Shop King vs Colombian D43 or C43. Which would you choose? Or another option under $75 on eBay? I want something
with pipe clamps and an anvil, and these fit the bill.

For a user I would get the covered screw D43. You could also get a Craftsman art deco 506-518x (USA made) or 306-518X (made in Japan)

What's your location?

 

[MillerMig760]

Just checked back in and thanks to all for the responses! I'm in N. San Diego area. Nothing within an hour's drive as far as local quality in my price range. I'm definitely leaning towards the D43/44 for beefiness. I don't really intend on using an anvil for anything other than light duty stuff, pretty much want a well rounded vise that can hold 1.5" tube.

eBay seems like there is a lot of light duty Wilton's and Colombians in my price range but everything I find that looks like a "one & done" purchase will cost me. Most eBay sellers know what they got

Mark- that is a nicer looking SK than the other one I found on eBay for about the same price. Very tempting... Really just trying to be patient and wait for the right one to pop up and the SK seem to be good user vises and have that cool vintage look to boot.

 

[wkndwarrior29]

I picked up this vise at a sale today, I can't seem to find much info on the internet but it is large and heavy. Emmert Tiger 46 1/2

Anybody know anything about them?

 

[ganymede]

Just to complete the picture, a Prentise can get that crack without the hammer marks.

Absolutely.
I'll add that I've seen more broken Prentiss vises than any other except for maybe < gasp > Wilton .
I still think they're good, just not at the top of the scale.

 

[Fordriver6]

Picked up a Columbian 604 for $55 at a mom and pop hardware/antique store today (was looking for file cabinet parts, started a thread on it). Missing the swivel base. The collar underneath is there but the set screw is backed out so the lead screw just threads out without moving the dynamic jaw out. It's got some nicks and gouges but it's not in terrible shape. Definitely a good user once cleaned up.





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[va.grouseman]

Real nice Slide-Set on EBay.---$375.00, and that's some pretty serious money, but they are not easy to find.---Especially with the slide support intact.---Some of these fellows with their golden radar could probably trip over one at yard sale.---I never was that lucky and there just ain't no good sales around here.---People around here know what they have and ask twice what it's worth.---That relegates me to EBay or Craigslist as much as I hate to say it.---Got my Slide-Set off EBay and paid $375.00 for it.---Don't regret it.

On this one, you can almost get enough EBay bucks to pay for shipping.---I have no association with this seller.---Just my $.02




http://www.ebay.com/itm/111950328653?_trksid=p2055119.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK:MEBIDX:IT

 

[va.grouseman]

Originally posted by Outlawmws.

Just to complete the picture, a Prentise can get that crack without the hammer marks.
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Outlaw, since you brought it up, how do those Prentiss's crack own their own, just by due process of time?---Is it their thin casting?

 

[trijeff]

After a little Spring cleaning

 

[KMScott]

Originally posted by Outlawmws.

Just to complete the picture, a Prentise can get that crack without the hammer marks.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


Outlaw, since you brought it up, how do those Prentiss's crack own their own, just by due process of time?---Is it their thin casting?

My thought is that the gate or the entrance of molten casting wraps around the coring and it meets at the center of the square slide. When the molten casting material meets it has already started setting up and does not bond together like it should. In plastic injected molds we call this the knit line. It is one of the issues in locating a gate area to fill the part. A incorrect gate location placing the knit line in a stress area could cause the plastic part to break. Maybe Riley could chime in with his thoughts.