The VISES of Garage Journal

[jakemac]

Saw an old couple from down the street put a tag sale sign on my yard yesterday..................

Why can't I ever get neighbors like that. The only things my neighbors leave on my lawn are kid's toys, leaves, trash, and dog droppings. I gotta move to a better neighborhood.

 

[CrotalusAtrox]

Chilang:
May I say that your photo skills seem to be quite fine the way they are.
As are your painting and polishing skills!
You are using photo flash units with umbrella bounce diffusers or what???

Saw an old couple from down the street put a tag sale sign on my yard yesterday. I almost forgot about it and finally went down at 11 today. Found the two vises on the right. My very first Emmert pattern makers vise and a very old Parker 23x. Pd $40 for the Parker....pd $50 for the Emmert.

The guy was a retired machinist from Smith and Wesson and he also had these in his basement...negotiating now...

Agree about you SUCKING here in AZ it is slim pickings I have been lucky but pay almost twice what you are finding stuff for. I did however find some AMMO today for $5 and sold it in about 5 min for $50

 

[mike_paxton]

That might have been a Foundry sand drain hole. I've seen few others like that

Autopts:

I think you are right on Jaker10 question.

Only thing I wondered was if it was to stop the sliding jaw before it would disconnect from the main nut.

Mike

 

[Outlawmws]

Joe, the 23X is the "regular" Parker and you left the "Big" Bear"? Or is that another vise of yours?

Yeah, Joe ***** and apparently lives in the heart of the old school gun manufacturers and their former employees. No wonder he's in Vice wonderland...

 

[joe.striper]

Joe, the 23X is the "regular" Parker and you left the "Big" Bear"? Or is that another vise of yours?

Yeah, Joe ***** and apparently lives in the heart of the old school gun manufacturers and their former employees. No wonder he's in Vice wonderland...

This Vise? I picked this one up yesterday for $75 but it is repaired, brazed. Soooo sad but I couldnt leave it behind. I may part it out or try grinding the braze down and keeping it or selling it cheap, repair disclosed of course.

Meatsis has the fixed base model of this. Im trying to talk him into buying this one and then he will have both bases and can swap them out.

Oh you mean gun stuff like this?

 

[Outlawmws]

Awww, so sad. and yes, you can't work on guns without vises, so.... And yes, not surprised to see old gun related stuff even in the heart of the anti gun states. (sort of ironic, that...)

My time will come for a Big Bear...

Cool find on the old roll crimper.

 

[Kong1970]

Hi,

I picked up this Columbian No 603 on Craigslist a couple weeks ago for $50. It has some cut marks on the jaws but works well enough. Can anyone tell me the approx. age and did I do okay on the price? I'm going to repaint it. I took a few shots after I hit it with a wire wheel.

 

[Outlawmws]

Looks like it's all there, and I don't see any damage so I think you did fine.

 

[honza.vosalik]

Bought this Big Parker today. Was so excited til I got there...the dynamic is welded. Still pd 75 after intense haggling. It has the tool and the static side is perfect, figured I can part it out and break even.

Then this guy came home with me. Got it for 30 bucks. Wont sell it, just wanted one.

Nice!
I got the same one. Mine is just in better shape and was more expensive.

 

[RHJO51]

Well first I think that may be a Parker 439. I have sold those restored in the $300 range. I've had 4 of them I think, all 439s with (If I remember) 3.5" jaws. 4 hours would put me off but knowing me I'd probably do it. Since most don't know what they are you can do well if it is an auction. These are my favorite Parkers of all time.

By the way NEVER ask anyone here if you should buy a vise as the answer will ALWAYS be YES!! That's like asking a coke-head if you gave them too much coke!

That's a nice Parker 439, here's my $50 Parker 449 after I degreased it and then BLO. I see in one of your pics there is a big pin in the side hole. I'm missing that, anybody got one for my 449? Thanks - Jim

 

[KMScott]

That's a nice Parker 439, here's my $50 Parker 449 after I degreased it and then BLO. I see in one of your pics there is a big pin in the side hole. I'm missing that, anybody got one for my 449? Thanks - Jim

You mean this hole? If so then it is the pivot pin for your brake/lockdown set up. Most of the time it does not sit above the casting. I could not see any other holes. Pretty nice vise you have RHJO51

 

[Fordriver6]

Since my Columbian 604 has that crack in the slide, figured I would make it a user. Welded up a piece of 1/4" plate onto a piece of 2"x2" tubing, drilled a couple holes in the plate for the vise, then holes for a pin in the tube. Painted it black and bolted the vise to it. Now I have a vise I can put in the hitch of my truck or Cherokee to take with me if I need it.







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[bubinga]

As far as I know it's ductile iron. I was gonna drill a small hole at each end to stop further cracking then "v" it in preparation for brazing. From what I gather, it's detrimental to weld it. Where welding actually melts the base metal and the welding rod/wire, brazing doesn't get the base metal hot enough to change its properties. It only melts the filler rod.

Edit: when I do this, I'll try to take pics and post in the repair thread.

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Ahh, I see, thanks,
Isn't that like what a woodworking Stanley plane is made of too? (ductile iron)
I have seen planes brazed.

 

[CrotalusAtrox]

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Columbian 603.5 with swivel jaw needs a bit more work

 

[Evilunclegrimace]

Here is a vise that I picked up Saturday at an auction over in Ohio. It is a Holland # 27 and I paid $90.00

 

[Fordriver6]

Here is a vise that I picked up Saturday at an auction over in Ohio. It is a Holland # 27 and I paid $90.00

Let me be the first, YOU ****!!!

Seriously, that thing looks to be in good shape from this side. Ive been looking for a big vise like that for a while but no luck.

More pics please as you have time.

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[va.grouseman]

Evil, you stole that one.---Not only are the 7''ers pretty rare, but it looks to be in real good shape.---You scored big on that one.---Lots of other good stuff there to.---You must have hit the Glory-Hole.---Congrats on the Hollands, they are my second favorite vise, just barely edged out by the Reed.

 

[michelin]

This is a great thread. I'm going to read it from start to finish one day. Lots of good finds and retored vises.

 

[Vne]

This is a great thread. I'm going to read it from start to finish one day. Lots of good finds and retored vises.

Hope you're due to retire soon. It's gonna take a serious time commitment to get through this thing.

 

[Evilunclegrimace]

Let me be the first, YOU ****!!!

Seriously, that thing looks to be in good shape from this side. Ive been looking for a big vise like that for a while but no luck.

More pics please as you have time.

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You broke my "You **** cherry"! I will post more pics as I get time. I feel that the vise is in very good shape and I am trying to decide on what I want to do to it as far as paint or leave it as is. I will be cleaning it up in the next week or as soon as the weather gets above freezing again .

 

[Evilunclegrimace]

Evil, you stole that one.---Not only are the 7''ers pretty rare, but it looks to be in real good shape.---You scored big on that one.---Lots of other good stuff there to.---You must have hit the Glory-Hole.---Congrats on the Hollands, they are my second favorite vise, just barely edged out by the Reed.

I did make out pretty well if I do say so my self. In addition to the vise I scored the hammers for 3 bucks apiece, the 12 inch J.H. Williams clamps (2) for $12.50 each, The 2 screw jacks for a buck each, The Big Rigid pipe wrench was $17.50. I over paid for the 2 Wolf's Head cans $11.00 for both (I wanted them foe decoration). I also scored one of the funky sheet metal punches for $8.00. The name does not come to me right now but I will run out and see. The total with buyers premium of 10% came to $175.40.


Oh I almost forgot I got a reed 414 from a customer a few months back......For the measly sum of















ZIP, Zilch, Nada, nothing, FREE!!!

 

[Outlawmws]

evil, you got a great deal (well deserved usuck) there!

I'm guessing the rest was also a great deal. Those clamps look to be close to the biggest "standard" grade clamps I can recall seeing. what are they? 12"? Bridge clamps get both bigger and heavier duty, but those are still beasts. (I sold my big bridge clamps as they were literally too heavy to use for the most part... I have 5 small bridge clamps (all under 2") with one being BeCu... )

 

[Evilunclegrimace]

evil, you got a great deal (well deserved usuck) there!

I'm guessing the rest was also a great deal. Those clamps look to be close to the biggest "standard" grade clamps I can recall seeing. what are they? 12"? Bridge clamps get both bigger and heavier duty, but those are still beasts. (I sold my big bridge clamps as they were literally too heavy to use for the most part... I have 5 small bridge clamps (all under 2") with one being BeCu... )

Check out post 43219.^^^^^^

 

[FigureItOut]

I'm hoping you fellas can help me decide on this. Guy bought it for a few bucks, all seized up, cleaned in with acetone and painted it. He had it advertised for $650, now to $300, and has offered it to me for $200 since I helped him figure out what he had.
He said there was a "keeper pin" that he had to replace because it wouldn't close properly. Also, he's unable to find any marking other than what's shown, no Chicago or Schiller Park, and no date on the keyway. Also, it's hard to tell, but the main handle does have a nut welded onto one or both ends.
My concerns are the uninformed restoration work, the repair, the once seized condition, and lack of manufacture date.
Edit: I'd be buying it for regular use, but just might keep it up for sale at a decent profit if that's feasible. I don't have the knowledge or skill to do much to it, but can follow instructions. I'm more looking for something nearly ready for work.

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[Outlawmws]

Keeper/user? or to re-sell?

Its not a heavy duty vise despite the 8" Jaws. Made for SO or another company to slap a paper label on, but I guess you know that.

Does it operate properly? Is the slide beat (since it was seized... that is well hidden in the pics....)

Clearly its not going to be a good re-seller in your area.

Do you NEED a not heavy duty vise with 8" jaws?

Answer those type of Q's and I think you can decide for yourself if its worth getting for you...

 

[drivesitfar]

FIO: those issues you mention are all issues that will deduct from the value of that big Wilton Tradesman vise. it looks like the pipe jaws are missing which might be $100 to buy another pair just for starters. some of the other issues might be deal breakers, but hard for me to see until I get my new glasses. if that was a pristine used 1780 Wilton tradesman made in USA vise it might be worth the $600, but no way that one is or will be with the issues you mentioned.

EVIL: nice looking big vise and the other items look like my kind of auction too. WELL DONE

 

[exmaxima1]

FIO: those issues you mention are all issues that will deduct from the value of that big Wilton Tradesman vise. it looks like the pipe jaws are missing which might be $100 to buy another pair just for starters. some of the other issues might be deal breakers, but hard for me to see until I get my new glasses. if that was a pristine used 1780 Wilton tradesman made in USA vise it might be worth the $600, but no way that one is or will be with the issues you mentioned.

I agree that the vise has seen a rough life, but $200 for a >100 lb US-made vise isn't such a bad deal. That Tradesman lists at over $1300! The missing pipe jaws are $50 at Zoro, and even less if he waits for a discount code:

https://www.zoro.com/wilton-jaw-pipe-pk2-2908050/i/G5352374/

 

[FigureItOut]

I hadn't noticed the pipe jaws. I wouldn't use them often, but I definitely use the ones on my Columbian that I'm replacing/augmenting. That's another $50-$100 to add in, probably a deal breaker. I'll let him sit on it a while and see if it comes down more. If I needed a vise today it'd be a different story.

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[drivesitfar]

Ex: yes after I posted that $100 I thought the tradesman vise pipe jaws might be cheaper than the C series ones that are $100 or in that ball park. still that vise has had a hard life.

tradesmans do not seem to command the money the bullets or C series Wilton vises do unless you paint them BRIGHT GREEN or shine them up and put them on PINTREST as a mantle show or nick nack piece. honestly i'd take a Wilton C2 over a 1780 if I had my choice. they probably weigh about the same and 5 inch jaws are usually plenty big for most of the stuff I do.

 

[zkling]

I'm hoping you fellas can help me decide on this. Guy bought it for a few bucks, all seized up, cleaned in with acetone and painted it. He had it advertised for $650, now to $300, and has offered it to me for $200 since I helped him figure out what he had.
He said there was a "keeper pin" that he had to replace because it wouldn't close properly. Also, he's unable to find any marking other than what's shown, no Chicago or Schiller Park, and no date on the keyway. Also, it's hard to tell, but the main handle does have a nut welded onto one or both ends.

Eh, yet another "restoration expert" only out to make a buck. Every idiot with that can use a angle grinder and knows which way to point a spray can, thinks they are capable of restoring a vise. That looks to have had a hard life, between the bent swivel base handles and the report of the nut pin being sheared. The downside is that heavy layer of paint further hides possible damage underneath. There is a 1780 at work, it's a big vise...if not destroyed.

 

[exmaxima1]

Ex: yes after I posted that $100 I thought the tradesman vise pipe jaws might be cheaper than the C series ones that are $100 or in that ball park. still that vise has had a hard life.

tradesmans do not seem to command the money the bullets or C series Wilton vises do unless you paint them BRIGHT GREEN or shine them up and put them on PINTREST as a mantle show or nick nack piece. honestly i'd take a Wilton C2 over a 1780 if I had my choice. they probably weigh about the same and 5 inch jaws are usually plenty big for most of the stuff I do.

The C-2 is a better vise is most every way, and I believe Wilton calls it their finest vise. I had a new C-1 but sold it cuz I didn't want to be the one who scratched her.
I have a Snap-On 1750 on the shelf just waiting for warmer weather to refurb. I think I will take your suggestion and go bright green.

 

[CrotalusAtrox]

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Think I may repaint the Rock Island this Color, its called Carbon Mist it looks black in the PIC but it is more of a carbon color in sunlight that we don't seem to have today in AZ This is a little Wilton I am giving to friend.

 

[Z3K3Y]

Got a nice little addition to my RAE vises today. a nice shape No. 3

 

[KMScott]

Finished this Wilton 500S. It was really rough when I started, but finished up pretty good. It is amazing how these vises hold up to abuse. I repaired the spindle groove by making it wider and then making a thicker washer. The backlash is now better. Gotta keep these washers greased. Added a new handle, endcap, lockdowns, and jaws. No epoxy or body filler used, did do some welding to repair the wild grinding done by the previous owner, also cleaned up a bunch of welding splatter. Bought it for $70 a while back. Wanted to practice several new repairs on this one. Still got another 50 years left.

 

[joe.striper]

Seems everyone is working on vises today!

Figure, i'd jump on that Wilton 1780. Tear it down, restore it properly and learn. At the end you"ll have a great vise.

I just finished this Wilton 9300 today. Finished it in dark Hammerite blue, love this color.

 

[joe.striper]

My Boston minion is tormenting me with this!!! I want it soooo bad.

 

[Craptain]

My Boston minion is tormenting me with this!!! I want it soooo bad.

I totally relate to that. I would love to own it, even though it would just be a collectible for me.

 

[Evergreentree]

Figure it out-I've passed up more then a few snap or like bullets, but I consider myself a collector. If it fits your needs, then get it for less then he's asking. It has had issues. You can find other great or better vises in that price range if you wait it out figure it out.

Km-nice one

Chil-like the color. Care to share the Athol hiding in the back?

Joe-that's a funky one. Kinda looks like a Montgomery wards . What is it?

 

[Evergreentree]

By the way drives-I forgot to tell you how hard I laughed when you made the comment of the "Chinese wonder vise". I just gave mine away to an Very entry level blacksmith kid. He was so excited to have it. His first bigger vise. I told him he's better off with a post leg, but at least this Chinese wonder vise would get him by for a bit! Don't know why I find it so funny, I'm still chuckling!

 

[joe.striper]

Joe-that's a funky one. Kinda looks like a Montgomery wards . What is it?

West German vise. Trying to get it to add to the permanent collection. Little ******* knows I want it and is jerking me around because he can... And he's a FRIEND