The VISES of Garage Journal

[Evergreentree]

As a follow up question, I see a lot of Wiltons without a base, but this is my first purchased without one. Where they sold baseless as well, or just a lot of butterfingered vise owners dropping them? I always assumed not because they only have what would be two mounting holes. Doesn't seem appropriate to me to mount only in the two holes, but I'm sure plenty of people do it. Also, the green color isn't factory is it?

 

[jakemac]

I'll let the Wilton aficionados correct me, but I believe they were sold with and without a base. The buyer had the option to buy the base later if wanted. This way Wilton only had to make one casting. I also believe that hammered green was used by Wilton at one time, but don't ask me when.

 

[Evergreentree]

Jake-thanks. Two hole mounting just doesn't seem like it'd anchor well, but well enough. Dare I say...and still get a few answers to my questions, Wiltons are not my favorite, but I'm learning them slowly as I collect them....

 

[jakemac]

The guys who've been doing restorations have been using Rustolium Hammered Verde Green and say it's a close match. Practice is needed to get a good hammered effect.

 

[Evergreentree]

So I hear jake. I might possibly think of a resto on this, because I possibly "may" think of selling it, perhaps. I got it for $70, and I paid that only because it really perplexed me and it's very early. Earliest I have or seen, and never seen the casting as it is.

Eh', or it'll be a keeper like all the rest, once I'm enlightened by its pedigree. It's not about the money.

 

[drivesitfar]

EG: the original Wilton Bullets were sold with swivels as far as I know and later they DID sell them with and without swivel bases and they actually mount nicely to the bench or stand with only 2 screws.

Wilton didn't stamp any of their vises from 1941-1945 because they sold them all to UNCLE SAM. then when they lost their government contract after WWII we are assuming the patents that are dated 1945 were left over inventory because one of the members put up a post saying Wilton almost went bankrupt.

paint it any color you like and I think original ones were satin green and the later ones maybe a verde green that the guys paint a lot of their Wiltons.

take a peak at the wilton stamping thread we have in the vintage tool section and post up your wilton and slide's date stamp.

nice find and if it's in good shape you didn't over pay.

 

[Ralf99]

Dutch: I would have bought that offset Record too and I don't think I've ever seen one. an Aussie member posted about a 30 year old offset on 1/2 cup's shed downunder thread last week that I hadn't seen either. BTW if you haven't seen 1/2's garage gallery thread you are in for a treat watching that guy fix or make most anything that crosses his path.



WELL DONE and nice addition to your vise family. does it say made in Austrailia? i'm wondering why so many of the offset vises are from Australia?



Riley: that big Reed 405.5 would look a lot nicer on your bench with BLO so i'll let you work on the boss to see when you can trade him or buy it so he can replace it.



thanks for the pictures

No idea where the offset Record was made, but it appears to be at the top end of the fabricated vices I have seen from China if indeed that is where it was made.

Up until 60 years or so ago Australia was a pretty isolated place, making a wide array of tools and machinery domestically, with at least 3 significant vice manufacturers. Due to the cost and lead time of importing vices, relatively few from the UK made it here, and even less from the US. The largest of the 3 main vice manufacturers, Dawn, perfected their cast offset vices in the 1940s, and in the absence of international competition cornered the market. Once you've been brought up using an offset vice, it's very difficult to go back.

Dawn, have been making fabricated offset vices since at least the late 1960s - this one is a late 70s 4" with a section of 4" RHS in its jaws:

 

[Z3K3Y]

I got the Parkinson No. 3 Handy vise home tonite. I thought from the pictures it might have had a chip out of the jaw plate.. so i messaged seller.. he said it must of just been the photo.. so stupid me didnt even look when i went and picked it up.. but no big deal. i paid 30 bucks for it. Ill be wire wheeling it throughout the week as i find time. heres a few pics of it. its a little stuck. just needs a bath in brake cleaner.

Ill also be putting together an electrolysis tank sometime soon. (im still reading, watching lots of info on it) . this would be a prime candidate for that.

 

[Techie1961]

I picked up this vise today and have started on the rebuild. It was pretty rusted and looked bad but didn't show much abuse. It is in very nice shape underneath. Unfortunately it doesn't have the base but I might make one for it. Not sure yet.

When I blasted it, I used a very fine sand and don't usually worry too much about blasting castings. I'll likely keep this one and sell another vise that I have.

 

[Z3K3Y]

Nice one Techie! I saw that for sale. but it was way too far out of my neck of the woods

 

[Evergreentree]

Thanks drives. So mine is stamped 4 -47, so 1942 made correct? I'm confused, then mine is left over inventory perhaps? It has the satin green. I really like the drab of it that color, but I'm not exactly a fan of the flashy.

Yea, come to think of it, I perhaps have shared price paid only one other time. If it were about the money, I'd more often then not be bragging. I really just shared the price because I know that's what it's worth or bit more if I didn't enjoy the story of it enough to keep it.

Can't find the vintage tool section Wilton stamp..

 

[diagnosis]

Techie! You ****! I think I was second in line for that one, but glad to see it's restoration documented here, and looking forward to seeing the results.

 

[Lump]

Thanks for the help identifying that other vise in my family's estate. Now I want to show you the HALF a vise which is also there, and seek your opinions on its value. They are trying to sell these estate items to build up some cash for our dear old family member who must live in an assisted care home. So I am taking seriously the task of getting prices "right," especially on some of their nicer items.

The anvil in this photo is obviously OLD. But it's also more than an anvil. It was once part of a vise/anvil combination tool. You can see the remnants of the vise at left end of this photo.

Note the price tag I put on it for planning purposes. The sale date is not yet set, and I'll have lots of time to change it if necessary.

Your thoughts, please?

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[CRSINMICH]

EGT: Here's the link for the Bullet Vise date thread
http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=269079&page=23

 

[topop101]

Thanks for the help identifying that other vise in my family's estate. Now I want to show you the HALF a vise which is also there, and seek your opinions on its value. They are trying to sell these estate items to build up some cash for our dear old family member who must live in an assisted care home. So I am taking seriously the task of getting prices "right," especially on some of their nicer items.

The anvil in this photo is obviously OLD. But it's also more than an anvil. It was once part of a vise/anvil combination tool. You can see the remnants of the vise at left end of this photo.

Note the price tag I put on it for planning purposes. The sale date is not yet set, and I'll have lots of time to change it if necessary.

Your thoughts, please?

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Looks similar to a Chenny design. 1900's- 1920's. The anvil portion being hollow is very breakable so as an actual anvil it's not that sturdy. Price wise what ever you can get but I wouldn't pay near that price . Having said that , at estate sales any thing can happen so I'd run that price and if it doesn't sell the first day it should the second. Hope that helps.

 

[NJ Marty]

Thanks for the help identifying that other vise in my family's estate. Now I want to show you the HALF a vise which is also there, and seek your opinions on its value. They are trying to sell these estate items to build up some cash for our dear old family member who must live in an assisted care home. So I am taking seriously the task of getting prices "right," especially on some of their nicer items.

The anvil in this photo is obviously OLD. But it's also more than an anvil. It was once part of a vise/anvil combination tool. You can see the remnants of the vise at left end of this photo.

Note the price tag I put on it for planning purposes. The sale date is not yet set, and I'll have lots of time to change it if necessary.

Your thoughts, please?

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The vise anvil combos complete are probably worth less than the $75 sticker The money is for a good cause and I would jump on any offer in the $20 range.

 

[Lump]

Thanks, Guys!

 

[drivesitfar]

EG: after you read some of the Wilton vise stamping thread you'll see that there isn't any bullet vises stamped prior to 1945. Wilton started stamping vises in 1945 as an actual date stamp and they started the guarantee when they moved to Schiller Park location. those vises have the EXP GUAR date that would be 5 years after the date the stamp made. on Cadet vises their warranty was 1, 2 and 3 years and not the 5 years like the Bullet and C series vises have. BLUEBOLT has over 200 Wilton vises with or without stamps on an EXCEL sheet he made.

so your 1947 vise was most likely stamped in 1947 and since you have a patent pending it might have been cast in 1940-1941 and pulled off the shelf in 1947 and put together.

ok?

RALF: thanks for a little more 411 on the offset vises. I do want to own one if one ever pops up in front of me.

Techie: nice looking Bullet

Lump: Anvil vises are usually broken so maybe one day finding one that isn't broken will be worth something, but not worth much today based on quality in most cases.

Tedsters: good luck in your search for the 250+ pound vise with 8 or 9 inch wide jaws and i'll keep trying to find one myself.

 

[Ralf99]

EG:



RALF: thanks for a little more 411 on the offset vises. I do want to own one if one ever pops up in front of me.

Drives, it used to be that you would walk in to any garage or backyard shed in Australia and there would be a better than not chance that you'd find a Dawn vice of some kind on a bench. These days not so many people are backyard mechanics or even that capable of DIY home repairs, so new vices sold in the large chain stores tend to be Chinese made Irwin Records at best, or no name copies at worst.

My local "high end" tool store ( the largest distributor of Stahlwille tools in Australia no less) has had a 6" Dawn offset vice sitting forlornly in the window waiting for a buyer for at least 2 years.

I'm sure it's a similar story in many other countries also..

 

[CwazyWabbit]

Jake-thanks. Two hole mounting just doesn't seem like it'd anchor well, but well enough. Dare I say...and still get a few answers to my questions, Wiltons are not my favorite, but I'm learning them slowly as I collect them....

Even with the base it's still just two holes anchoring it to the base surely?

 

[Evergreentree]

Thanks a whole lot drives. Pretty cool! I had no idea about the guarantee being started in s.park.

Crazy-no. Without the base. And I'd assume 3 with the base on the no4, or 4

 

[GETRIDAONE]

OOP'S. Another example of abusing a large vise. It looks like a good repair though. I'm not going to put to much effort into this one. Just clean the grease & rust then BLO.

 

[bubinga2]

Anyone near Boston have an Emmert 4a vise? If so, please contact me at vise27 at gmail

 

[joe.striper]

Anyone near Boston have an Emmert 4a vise? If so, please contact me at vise27 at gmail

Ive been looking for one ever since I bought my 6A. Ive found 4 6As but not one 4a. Did you find one??

 

[bubinga2]

Nothing yet.....

 

[Rileysan]

Now that is a massive vise swivel base sitting on the floor behind the vise

Have you got first dibs on the vise if they ever decide to let it go?

I probably have 10th place dibs on that vise. The machinists in that department are really fond of it, I am told. My only hope is to transfer to the machine shop and try to outlast their years of service!

As Drives stated, the size of parts we pour and machine is beyond what most people could imagine. Our heaviest parts that have been machined weigh in excess of 60 tons. I believe that parts you saw on the floor are actually piston rings for an Osborne shake/jolt machine used in making molds. We have been making our own replacement parts for our foundry equipment for decades!

Brian

 

[Jim Johnstone]

I probably have 10th place dibs on that vise. The machinists in that department are really find of it, I am told. My only hope is to transfer to the machine shop and try to outlast their years of service!

As Drives stated, the size of parts we pour and machine is beyond what most people could imagine. Our heaviest parts that have been machined weigh in excess of 60 tons. I believe that parts you saw on the floor are actually piston rings for an Osborne shake/jolt machine used in making molds. We have been making our own replacement parts for our foundry equipment for decades!

Brian

Very cool. I love doing big work like that.

 

[CwazyWabbit]

Dead impressive, there's a whole other world of problems to think about when you can't manhandle the parts you are working on.

 

[Techie1961]

Nice one Techie! I saw that for sale. but it was way too far out of my neck of the woods

Yeah, it was a bit far for me as well but he came a little closer where we met up.

Techie! You ****! I think I was second in line for that one, but glad to see it's restoration documented here, and looking forward to seeing the results.

Thanks! He mentioned that someone else was looking for it. I'll try to make it proud to have come to my place.

...Techie: nice looking Bullet

Thanks Drives!

 

[rusty65]

Repainted my Massey vise clincher no 30 3in vise. I had painted it pink before and now changed it to white. Also a question the vise is obviously a prentiss copy. Since Massey had bought there molds from what I found doing a little research. but does any one have an idea when they were made?



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[Watsondog]

Noob-

Picked up this Columbian 603 1/2 Machinist Vise on CL the other day cleaned her up a bit rubbed some oil on her should make a nice addition to the shop.

 

[bluebolt]

Seriously, what should I pay for this Cfman 5188, which is a rebadged 205R. Cannot find a thing about them....5" jaws, 100+ pounds. It is going to be north of 150

I saw you got that vise for $200 later, if I was closer I would be trying to pry it out of your hands! My absolute favorite vise, that style of Craftsman made by Reed!

 

[CrotalusAtrox]

This is in TX anyone know what it is ?

 

[NJ Marty]

This is in TX anyone know what it is ?

No idea but looks real good and I would buy it ASAP.

 

[joe.striper]

I know you guys joke I live in vise Heaven but really I do.

Here's a lesson for you new guys...I need a garden hose and I'm cheap, so while at the grocery store I always check the posting board. I saw an ad, in town, for lawn stuff. Call the guy and buy a nice garden hose. Guy has a HUGE garage so I ask, and this is important 'Do you have anything else you're selling? I collect vises and stuff'.' So he says yes, opens his garage and i buy this stuff. Cfman 5196 (40 bucks and a replacement vise), this cool wagon jack and a Dunlap tool box.

Also here is a 3" Wilton i just finished. I made the swivel lock handles from SS. I LOVE this color blue

 

[Craptain]

This is in TX anyone know what it is ?

No but I like it.
It appears to have an adjustable static jaw if that makes sense.

Sent from my LG-D801 using Tapatalk

 

[drivesitfar]

Joe: you might actually have VISE HEAVEN'S address if you keep buying them. nice finds

Chilang: I've never seen that one and yes i'd buy it if reasonable and close. sounds like you might have to get the seller to ship so BEE CAREFUL doing that with strangers, but I have and it can be done.

Rusty: Prentiss might have bought Massey's tooling. I think I remember reading that Massey's daughter married Mr. Fulton who had a few vise companies and he might have sold them to Prentiss. just a thought and maybe somebody knows and can say for certain.

ALL: doing a little looking today and actually bought another Record quick release wood vise. no pictures and i'll post a few if somebody asks but it looks like another one I bought a few months ago and posted pictures of on here.

I did see an interesting combo vise that has a company name I wasn't aware of. anybody know this vise company or is it just cast at one of the big vise companies? it certainly looks like a Parker 88 and a Morgan 88 doesn't it?

 

[CrotalusAtrox]

Joe, is that hammered blue ?

Drives I am in TX this week gong to see if I can get over and see it.

 

[t4runner]

Picked up this Athol hand vise for $3

 

[joe.striper]

Joe, is that hammered blue ?

Drives I am in TX this week gong to see if I can get over and see it.

Yes Hammerite dark hammered blue. You can get it from Jamestown supply in RI. They will ship single cans