The VISES of Garage Journal

[drivesitfar]

Shift: thanks for the picture of Tokyo and sounds like fun. not any way to search members in certain areas that I know of, but maybe VA knows a way. I recall there being a member in that area where the vise is and just can't recall off hand what his handle or name is at the moment. heck the guy selling it could be a member and maybe his email or computer crashed the last time he had it listed. I know I've had computer issues and i'm fairly computer savvy.

Chilang: no kidding you do great work. did you hand file the grooves on that reed or just use the file to clean them up? WELL DONE SIR!!

Zoomie: I hope you made a wise purchase and keep us posted.

Scooter: I bet there is a relationship somewhere between Reed and Holland's and both are on the short list as my favorites.

JH: I had one and I agree that Parker 956 is a BIG UN and you won't believe how far that dynamic will open before it starts to come out of the static jaw. nice find

 

[CrotalusAtrox]

drivesitfar The jaws were in great shape just used a wire wheel on them. Had to file a few burs on the back of the slide it was sticking a bit. I used the belt sander to get the gouges out of the top of the jaws that took the most time but worth it in the end.

autopts. Thanks for the compliment. I get inspired by a lot of the guys on here. I dont have all the tools I would like to have at the ready but I make due with a few simple ones and just stick with it. I like to get things done fast and that is not always a good thing. Working on these vises has trained me to be productive but patient. Thanks again for the web site on that C0 base.

 

[Shiftless]

jarhead:
Yep!, the Parker 956 is one of my latest aquisitions and my biggest as well. Here is a picture I posted a while back.
My bench is 30 inches by 7 feet and the Parker seems a bit too large for the space. The GJ guidelines would be to simply build a bigger bench, but that would require a bigger garage and since the city won't let me do that, I would have to move.
I might have to just sell the vise.

 

[KMScott]

Shift, In my opinion that vise needs to be on a stand where the top of the jaws are elbow high. Not many 6-8 inch vises are made to be on a bench, they are just to big.

 

[McBrownie]

Shift, In my opinion that vise needs to be on a stand where the top of the jaws are elbow high. Not many 6-8 inch vises are made to be on a bench, they are just to big.

Or lower. Here is a Columbian 606 that was in the basement of the building I worked in. The top of the jaws was pretty low. I think this was because they used it for large plumbing fixtures and wanted the work piece to be elbow-high.

View media item 41297

 

[drivesitfar]

Shift: i won't be mentioning to you the GJ code of ethics where it says that no tool or especially a vise is TOO BIG for your shop and will let your conscience talk to you a bit about that.

i can say that the Parker 956 i had came on a very STOUT stand and was my go to outside vise. when i first brought it to my shop i used to drag it in and outside when i needed to and then i found a Rubbermaid container big enough to cover it to leave it out because i bet my stand weighed about 200 pounds without the 130 pound Parker on it. then one of my clients saw it and had to have it because he NEEDED it and I had another vise to replace it so sadly it's gone now. i'd check out the vise and grinder stand thread that has a lot of options for big, small and multiple vises if you haven't already and if you can't find a solution i bet it will make a nice trade for somebody that has an extra baby bullet.

hope you are still having a great time in Japan.

cheers

 

[Jarhead0408]

I have to agree with you fellas. The work table it's mounted on is 5x8.5 feet roughly. My first thought after I got it mounted was that the Parker is still waaaay too big for it.

It's not going to fall off or anything, but being mounted like it is; it'll never be tested anywhere near what it can take. I do believe I'd crack the boards if I put some serious "oomph" in to it. I don't wan't to own a vise this big if I'm just going to break it. I want this to be (one of) the vise('s) I pass down to my grand-kids one day. Gotta bolt it up right or not at all.

She'll have to stay where she is for now, but I think it's time to put my new welder to work and build a purpose-built stand for it.

What do ya'll think about this: 14" Honda Civic rim, 2" steel tubing, and a 1/8" square of flat plate? (I jest, I jest!)

 

[tedsters]

jarhead:
Yep!, the Parker 956 is one of my latest aquisitions and my biggest as well. Here is a picture I posted a while back.
My bench is 30 inches by 7 feet and the Parker seems a bit too large for the space. The GJ guidelines would be to simply build a bigger bench, but that would require a bigger garage and since the city won't let me do that, I would have to move.
I might have to just sell the vise.

That 956 is a nice clamper and yours is an oddity, is has some nice looking jaws on it build a nice stand for it, if that was the only large vise I had I don't think I could sell it or would I it would be a hard one for me to give up with a nice set of jaws on it

 

[mike_paxton]

A vintage Prentiss number 19 bench vise with swivel base and a tight swivel dynamic back jaw.

Jaws are in excellent shape and are 3-1/2 inches.

Max opening is 4-1/2 inches.

Weight of vise is 32 pounds

One item that is interesting is a navy emblem/insignia on the back of the dynamic jaw as seen in the last picture. I'm guessing a previous owner added addition. However, if you have seen anything that would suggest something else, would appreciate additional information.

Mike

 

[mike_paxton]

Hmmm that seems like it would be really easy to make one from the bed of an old wood lathe...

I'll have to remember that if my oldest daughter follows through with wanting to remake/refinish furniture more seriously.

Outlawmws:

At the auction today, they had an old wood lathe base only. I didn't stay long enough to get tempted, but I sure hope someday you and your daughter make one into a knockoff of a Buss Case Clamp.

Mike

 

[Shiftless]

KMS and Drives:
Thanks for the kind words of encouragement and advice.

Speaking of jaws on Parker 956's here is a close up of the jaws on mine.
It seems to me that although they show some wear, that they are in what one would call "good condition". I haven't wire wheeled them yet...just "as found" coming out of an old shop that specialized in servicing huge industrial valves. Closed its doors and is no more.

Yes, I would trade it in a heartbeat for a baby bullet on a power arm, but if nobody steps forward for that trade, what might it be worth in dollars (not Yen...even though that's all I have in my pocket right now)

 

[KMScott]

The 956 is a large vise. Your jaws will clean up nice with a small three sided file, the jaws are file soft. I had a 956 I restored a while back and sharing a few pictures.
I also showed a set of 6-1/4 jaws next to your 956 jaws from my vise that I replaced. The jaws from the 79 are on my list of ones to build. You are lucky to pick up one of the 6+ inch Parkers. If you rework your jaws please add a picture, I like looking at jaws.

 

[G-ManBart]

I just picked this up off Craigslist for $50...Wilton Shop King with 4" jaws. I wasn't familiar with this model before seeing the listing, but I thought it was just cool looking, and it was pretty close to my office.

 

[CrotalusAtrox]

Painted the Wilto C0 this morning cooked in the AZ sun for 8 hours. Picked up a pin for the Colombian after work a buddy did for me. Went with Gloss Sage green on the Wilton not sure if it will stay that way.It had a deep gouge on the dynamic tower where it supports the jaw you can see a little blemish got it out but it took about 50 thousand off that side. Probably should of left it as is and bought new jaws from kevin but it came out ok.

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[GETRIDAONE]

A vintage Prentiss number 19 bench vise with swivel base and a tight swivel dynamic back jaw.



One item that is interesting is a navy emblem/insignia on the back of the dynamic jaw as seen in the last picture. I'm guessing a previous owner added addition. However, if you have seen anything that would suggest something else, would appreciate additional information.

Mike

Anchor was a brand name of Prentiss. I have one and thought it was stamped by the navy also.
http://thumbs.worthpoint.com/GEbMQj...213/04/1_6c85eaa3d360066ff785cbcbea1a0002.jpg

 

[Mark in Indiana]

G-Man,
Good looking Shop King. Most that I see are missing the cut tool and the pipe jaws. Do you plan to restore it?

 

[G-ManBart]

G-Man,
Good looking Shop King. Most that I see are missing the cut tool and the pipe jaws. Do you plan to restore it?

Thanks! I'm toying with the idea of restoring it, but the seller said it was his father's vise, and was sure it was the original paint, so I'm a little torn. I'm very much a novice on the topic, so I really don't know which makes more sense...thoughts?

 

[Outlawmws]

Give it a good clean (WD-40 & tooth brush, or if stubborn, Simple Green and tooth brush), carefully remove the little bit of rust, then see where you are and decide...

 

[Shiftless]

I agree with outlaw on that.
Stuff is only original once.

For scrub downs, I disassemble and put it one part at a time into an appropriately sized plastic tub. Tooth brushes and bottle brushes work great and are gentle to the old paint jobs. Be really careful if you use undiluted Simple Green. It can remove some paints. Probably not original factory paint but I thought I should post the warning anyway. I always dilute if I am trying to save original paint. Last time I used an industrial degreaser called Purple Power that I bought on sale for about $5 for a gallon jug. 2 parts water and one part degreaser works well. Stubborn spots might get hit with a toothbrush dipped in undiluted product.
I also use a lot of WD40. Not for lubrication but for solvent cleaner. Spray can with nozzle tube makes it convenient at times.

 

[G-ManBart]

I agree with outlaw on that.
Stuff is only original once.

For scrub downs, it disassemble and put it one part at a time into an appropriately sized plastic tub. tooth brushes and bottle brushes work great and are gentle to the old paint jobs. Be really careful if you use in diluted Simple Green. It can remove some paints. Probably not original factory paint but I thought I should post the warning anyway.

Give it a good clean (WD-40 & tooth brush, or if stubborn, Simple Green and tooth brush), carefully remove the little bit of rust, then see where you are and decide...

Thanks guys....good advice!

 

[Outlawmws]

Don't soak it in SG. It will remove most paint... Setting it in for a quick scrub should not hurt, but may dull the paint.

 

[mike_paxton]

Anchor was a brand name of Prentiss. I have one and thought it was stamped by the navy also.
http://thumbs.worthpoint.com/GEbMQj...213/04/1_6c85eaa3d360066ff785cbcbea1a0002.jpg

Getridaone:

Your info on their being an Anchor Line of Prentiss Vises helped, as I found a post in The Vises of GJ (of course) by BigCaddy where he discusses a Bingham Anchor Line Vise made by Prentiss.

Post No. 6626 on pg 332 at following link.
http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?p=2713540

Thanks for the info.

Mike

 

[Shiftless]

Speaking of BigCaddy...
Has anybody heard from him?
He used to post here a lot but has been silent on GJ since early December?
I hope he is well.

 

[econotrk]

Picked up this very good condition Hollands 14 (4 inch) today.
Ok, what is the relationship with Reed here. As an owner of 3 Reeds, this thing is ALL Reed with the exception of the main screw end. That 4 hole base, those cast in jaws, the larger than normal balls on the handle (though not reed large), just everything about it, and both from Erie, Pa.Did a few minutes of searching and didn't find anything.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Nice get on the Hollands, that's a vise on my short list. The similarity to a Reed must be more than coincidence.

 

[Smokeshow69]

Nice get on the Hollands, that's a vise on my short list. The similarity to a Reed must be more than coincidence.

You are correct. Holland was Reed's entry level brand, even though they where high quality. Nice find!

 

[PureLeaf]

Whats everyone's feelings about buying a brand new vise with replaceable jaws vs non replaceable?

I'm thinking like the made in germany Ridgid vise, vs a Wilton.

 

[va.grouseman]

Originally posted by Mike_Paxton.

Getridaone:

Your info on their being an Anchor Line of Prentiss Vises helped, as I found a post in The Vises of GJ (of course) by BigCaddy where he discusses a Bingham Anchor Line Vise made by Prentiss.
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Mike, to see all or almost all of the brands that Prentiss used, go to the search bar and type in ("What names did Prentiss use besides Monarch?? Prentiss items besides vises?").---Read all 7 posts for full effect.---Might help.

 

[exmaxima1]

Whats everyone's feelings about buying a brand new vise with replaceable jaws vs non replaceable?

I'm thinking like the made in germany Ridgid vise, vs a Wilton.

I have multiple Wiltons, but just bought a Ridgid F50 a few weeks ago---I like it alot!. Keep in mind that the jaws are guaranteed for life, so that should not be an issue for you.

More cool things about the Ridgid: the screw is a high-tech rolled twin-lead with spring load and adjustable nut---zero back lash. The solid steel jaws (not hollow like Wiltons) are sculpted to give lots of work access, and have integral pipe jaws. Weighs significantly less per jaw width than a Wilton, which makes it easy to stash away somewhere when not needed. The Ridgid is like a BMW, where a Wilton is more like a Buick or Olds.

 

[meatsis]

Hey guys

Does anybody have any info or any pictures of a Hollands 56H? I cant find anything on the net about it. Ive seen a 54h which is a 5 inch jaw. weighs over 120 pounds. Any help would be greatly appreciated

 

[Redboy]

Here's my first Wilton, before and after I put a little elbow grease into it...

 

[mike_paxton]

Originally posted by Mike_Paxton.

Getridaone:

Your info on their being an Anchor Line of Prentiss Vises helped, as I found a post in The Vises of GJ (of course) by BigCaddy where he discusses a Bingham Anchor Line Vise made by Prentiss.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


Mike, to see all or almost all of the brands that Prentiss used, go to the search bar and type in ("What names did Prentiss use besides Monarch?? Prentiss items besides vises?").---Read all 7 posts for full effect.---Might help.

va.grouseman:

Info you directed me to does support that Prentiss had an anchor vise line.

I've also seen pics of where the anchor is actually in the casting on someone else's vise.

What I'm not sure of on my Prentiss no. 19 is whether the emblem/insignia was actually put on by the Prentiss factory in that location to indicate it was in the anchor line of Prentiss or whether it was done by a previous owner.

I'm hoping if it was done by Prentiss to indicate it was in the anchor line, is there any other Prentiss vises stamped in the same/similar way in that particular location to support it being done by Prentiss.

Mike

 

[JZiggy]

An interesting "Record" showed up on eBay. The seller indicates it came from Germany. Anyone know anything about it? eBay link

It also has some interesting wipers (?) on both sides of the slide. Seems like a nifty idea if you're making lots of metal particles and want to keep them from wearing the slide. But probable just German engineering overkill

 

[va.grouseman]

Mike, there is an Anchor line that is still available, but obviously Prentiss is not making them.---You can see one that Autopts posted on page 533, post 10651, but they don't look anything like the Prentiss Anchors.

I'm going to go out on a limb and say that your vise was stamped by Prentiss, for Uncle Sam.---That's just my guess.---Outlaw is a better source for answering that question.

 

[scooternut]

Nice get on the Hollands, that's a vise on my short list. The similarity to a Reed must be more than coincidence.

I have seen a few old catalog pages here with Reed and Hollands on the same page, but no reference to any commonalities, though they sure are evident.

Grabbed it right out of the Burgh from CL. Woman told me that it and the bench were in the house when she bought it long ago and she finally just wanted the space back and to paint the garage, she couldn't recall it ever being used. I had to take the bench for her as well, and an old "Wards Lakeside" hand plane if they are any collectors out there. Doesn't seem that old though.

 

[Jarhead0408]

Whoo hoo...Might have a line on a $30 Bullet... We'll see..

 

[exmaxima1]

An interesting "Record" showed up on eBay. The seller indicates it came from Germany. Anyone know anything about it? eBay link

It also has some interesting wipers (?) on both sides of the slide. Seems like a nifty idea if you're making lots of metal particles and want to keep them from wearing the slide. But probable just German engineering overkill

[/IMG]

It is definitely German, and an early Peddinghaus (pre-Ridgid). Note the non-replaceable jaws just like the current models.

 

[GETRIDAONE]

I'm hoping if it was done by Prentiss to indicate it was in the anchor line, is there any other Prentiss vises stamped in the same/similar way in that particular location to support it being done by Prentiss.

Mike[/QUOTE]

Mike, here a shot of my Prentiss #19 with the anchor and as a bonus,
a mis-stamp **** 18

 

[joe.striper]

Picked up this Parker 974 today for $100 and the seller threw in this Kennedy Versa Box.

 

[bluebolt]

Picked up this Parker 974 today for $100 and the seller threw in this Kennedy Versa Box.

Since that is a fixed base isn't a 954?

 

[joe.striper]

Since that is a fixed base isn't a 954?

Could be. Im just too beat to remember...