The VISES of Garage Journal

[fullthrottle24]

Garage sale find.....

Not exactly a valuable vise, and it's a small 3" vise, but I thought it was cool. Seems to be in great shape. Almost no wear at all.

Anybody know anything about Craftsman 5240 vises? I paid $5.

Nice little Craftsman. I believe they were made by Rock Island. They also made a Dunlap version. Probably made in the 40's. Nice that it has pipe jaws too!

 

[NJ Marty]

Finished the 5196 tonight. Stump pics coming tomorrow...but til then...

Looks great Joe. Of all your restorations this is one of my favorites

 

[jakemac]

Drives-figured you'd chime in about it. I know you dig them. Easy numbering. Now I know.

That's exactly why I bought it. It's the perfect canidate to mount to a stand, and keep outside year round and watch it battle the elements and the dirty jobs, and not feel terribly bad about it. I did contact reed for a repop, just to see what it'll cost for chits and giggles, so we'll see what they say. Have a way to age the reeds?

I think 1930's would be in the right ballpark. From my experience with a similar style 204-1/2, a newer style base won't quite fit without major work. The dimensions, and placement of the locking channel, are slightly different than the older bases. In addition, your center bolt on the base was originally a shouldered bolt (wider hole on the base). The new bases use a straight threaded bolt and washer (smaller hole on the base). BTDT, finally found another base that will work and am moving on.

Mount it as is, and then patiently stalk eBay for a few years until the right parts show up.

 

[CrotalusAtrox]

Finished the 5196 tonight. Stump pics coming tomorrow...but til then...

Dam Joe I just cant get over how nice that came out. Really like the paint color.

 

[NJ Marty]

I did real good at a sale and got these two vises for $30. Man I have been hoping to get another Wilton as the last one came my way about a year ago. This one has no date on the slide and looks to be a very early one. And the Athol has the original bolt and nut.

 

[zoomieport]

If that guy who sold it to you only knew how much it would bring on eBay...but he probably could care less!!

 

[zoomieport]

Originally posted by Drivesitfar.

Zoomie & GMan: so the Cardinal vise is a quick release? interesting and you say it releases by pulling up and sliding out the dynamic instead of a lever or just turning the handle counter clockwise to release it?
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Drive, here's a few more that use that same slide mechanism.---I'm wondering who/what Co., first patented and perfected the ''half nut, quick set concept''.

VA: Something about your question sparked a memory and I found this. A man named John Simpson of Cleveland, Ohio was granted a patent for a quick adjust mechanism on November 14, 1871. It uses a half-nut (labeled C in the drawing). Athol used it for some of their early vises. I have a No. 46 with that mechanism.

EDIT: It was originally issued October 3, 1871 and re-issued on November 14 for some reason.

CRS, you are exactly right.

Here is the picture of the front of the dynamic, you can see the clarance fot the handle to raise.

Sorry ya'll, just catching up...

 

[CrotalusAtrox]

I was happy to pay exactly what he asked didn't barter at all

 

[va.grouseman]

I do like that Cardinal, Zoomie.---Let me know when you are through lovin it.
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Joe, beautiful job on the Cman.---The 51 series Cman is to vises as the 67 Camaro is to cars.---Yea, that's right, I said it.------But, JMI.

 

[scooternut]

Thanks drives-outside it goes then. I only have 3 1/2"ers outside. Been Lookin for a big beefy good working beater, this is perfect. Besides the base and handle, very nice working, and nice. A vise collector can't have a complete piece of cr@p outside to beat on!

Thanks scooter, haven't even heard of enco. Can't find the steel balls and stock.

ENCO's codes usually work the next day as well, so you may want to give it a try. Here are the balls. Not much of a selection in the HUGE AKA Reed sizes.

As I recall, my 106 has 1 7/8 balls, 7/8 handle

http://www.use-enco.com/CGI/INPDFF?PMKANO=404&PMPAGE=70&PARTPG=INLMPI&PMITEM=240-2431&PMCTLG=01

 

[Evergreentree]

Jake-thanks.

 

[CRSINMICH]

MORE EARLY QUICK ADJUST VISE INFORMATION​

A man named Wilson Riley of Keighley, England was granted a vise patent on May 11, 1880. This patent was used by Massey Vise Co. of Chicago, Ill. This was almost 9 years after the John Simpson patent that Athol used. While checking on Riley’s patent I found an even earlier vise patent that, as far as I can tell from the patent drawing and description, could be considered a quick adjust vise. Linus Dean of Utica, NY was granted a patent for a “mode of constructing bench and other vises” on February 16, 1837. The official description reads,

”The hand behind the movable jaw can be lifted up and the jaw slid into approximate position. The handle is lowered so that the rim of the attached spiral wheel engages with the rack that is on top of the bar, and then the handle is rotated to push the jaw snug. According to the Journal of the Franklin Institute, "When we first examined the description and drawing of this vice, we (had) the idea that the mode of opening and closing it would prove inconvenient... but we have since seen and carefully examined a number of them with much satisfaction. The spiral wheel operates not only well, but pleasantly. The extent to which the jaws may be separated is very great, and in all situations they preserve their parallelism, the convenience of which is at once apparent. By raising the spiral wheel the sliding jaw may be slid along, and much time in opening and closing thus saved."

It is “not known to have been produced” but it is possible that there is a quick adjust vise even older than Athol’s lurking out there.

On a very separate but related note, one of the questions on Jeopardy last week had to do with the U.S patent office. It seems that in 1814 a gang of foreign hooligans, all wearing red coats, took it upon themselves to burn Washington D.C. The head of the patent office personally went to them and asked that they spare that building and they agreed.

 

[Evergreentree]

Thanks scooter! I'll save the website!

 

[PAJZ]

Guys, this was a lot more info than I thought there was about vises out there. Thanks for opening my eyes. After reading this you made me remember there was an old vise I picked up from a guy downsizing his residence after his wife passed. I was planning to scrap it but now I'm thinking there might be someone out there willing to save it from the scrap yard. I am not into vises but if you guys could let me know what I have I would appreciate it. And yes I would be willing to sell it but I don't know how to ship it or if it would be worth saving.

 

[G-ManBart]

CRS, you are exactly right.

Here is the picture of the front of the dynamic, you can see the clarance fot the handle to raise.

Sorry ya'll, just catching up...

Yep, the Cardinal I looked at looked just like that on the dynamic...clearly machined for the handle to rise up.

 

[zoomieport]

Yep, the Cardinal I looked at looked just like that on the dynamic...clearly machined for the handle to rise up.

Where are you at in the "mitten"?
I'm in the "ZOO", LOL!

 

[CrotalusAtrox]

Got this Woden 186B/0 at a yard sale today, Paid .69 British Pound for it. Slide is broke off at the back It is a mini vise week for me

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[54earl]

Can any one tell me anything about this vice.
That is interesting I will need to figure out a better way to load the picture.
It has a B P

 

[Davefr]

I came across this monster at a moving sale yesterday. I believe it's the Reed #307. (7", swivel, fixed base) It looked much bigger in person.

No, I failed to get it. The seller claimed he had to include it with the sale of his house. He wouldn't budge.

 

[GETRIDAONE]

PAJZ. & 54earl. Both of you have vises that were made overseas and not worth much. Sorry for the bad news ! They will still work if you don't beat on them with a hammer and try to tighten them to much.

 

[joe.striper]

So, first, thanks to Meatsis who saw the ad for this vise and texted me. It is 4 miles from my house. I ran over at 8 AM to get it. The vise is almost perfect. I saw it last year for $450 which is way too much for my taste, but this time the guy dropped his price to 200 and I snapped it up.

It is height adjustable, swivels around and the entire body rotates like a Parker 472 or 439! 4" jaws I believe. The owner put 3' of cement under it and floated the vise on top of it. Ive got to break the cement away without damaging the base. It is too heavy to pull out of the hole.

Anyway pretty cool right?

 

[Evergreentree]

Joe-check out some videos on YouTube about using a highlift Jack to pop out fence posts. That may work

 

[CrotalusAtrox]

So, first, thanks to Meatsis who saw the ad for this vise and texted me. It is 4 miles from my house. I ran over at 8 AM to get it. The vise is almost perfect. I saw it last year for $450 which is way too much for my taste, but this time the guy dropped his price to 200 and I snapped it up.

It is height adjustable, swivels around and the entire body rotates like a Parker 472 or 439! 4" jaws I believe. The owner put 3' of cement under it and floated the vise on top of it. Ive got to break the cement away without damaging the base. It is too heavy to pull out of the hole.

Anyway pretty cool right?

Way Cool.... leave as is or restore?

 

[CrotalusAtrox]

Finished up the baby bullet

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[G-ManBart]

Where are you at in the "mitten"?
I'm in the "ZOO", LOL!

I'm about 20 min south and east of Ann Arbor...pretty much the middle of nowhere....we don't even have our own zip code

 

[Loydski29]

Chilang looks great nice job!

 

[KMScott]

So, first, thanks to Meatsis who saw the ad for this vise and texted me. It is 4 miles from my house. I ran over at 8 AM to get it. The vise is almost perfect. I saw it last year for $450 which is way too much for my taste, but this time the guy dropped his price to 200 and I snapped it up.

It is height adjustable, swivels around and the entire body rotates like a Parker 472 or 439! 4" jaws I believe. The owner put 3' of cement under it and floated the vise on top of it. Ive got to break the cement away without damaging the base. It is too heavy to pull out of the hole.

Anyway pretty cool right?

Damn Joe, another nice one. You need to start a Vise museum and charge admission. Great find.

Finished up the baby bullet

Chilang, nice job on the baby, looks like smooth jaws. Great job.

 

[Z3K3Y]

A little while ago i picked up a rusty SMART'S swivel vise at a flea market. (i think 3 inch jaw, just a little toy). I have been reading up on electrolysis and this is my 2nd item i used as a guinea pig, seems to be working well.

Pic 1. vise as I bought it
Pic 2. vise after 6 hours in electrolysis
pic 3. vise after 6 hours in electrolysis + wire brush under warm water
pic 4. vise painted moss green

i forgot to take a picture of between pic 3 and 4. i hit it with a wire wheel on a hand grinder for about 15 minutes to get it all shiny. i primed it with some grey primer before final paint. not a professional job.. just wanted to get the rust off and spiffy it up

 

[joe.striper]

Way Cool.... leave as is or restore?

Duh....restore. It is VERY clean and wont need much. Need to try and find the maker...

BTW... on the restore. Getting better and better.

You my boy, have the vise disease. I dont think your goung to pull through either.

 

[va.grouseman]

Joe, it resembles a bicycle vise.---Zoomie has one.


http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=379376&d=1413674836

 

[Beowulf]

What is the bolt pattern on the 1755?

 

[Evergreentree]

Joe, that is really a sweet find. I'd go to your museum, but I'd be sure to only bring enough money for the price of admission!

 

[joe.striper]

Joe, it resembles a bicycle vise.---Zoomie has one.


http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=379376&d=1413674836

I agree with the bike vise assesment. The seller got it 30 years ago from a company that made gas pumps.

Speingfield Ma also was the home to Columbia bikes, indian motorcycles and the only US plant for Rolls Royce. This vise is in remarkable condition. I relish the chance to restore it.

I have some big plans for some unique restorations this summer. I cannot wait.

Here are better pics of my Craftsman. It will be hitting Ebay soon. I hope for a good response. I have also attached a pic of the jaw supports.

Almost forgot, also picked up this sweet little Cfman for $3. It ain't no baby bullet but still nice

 

[va.grouseman]

Z3K3Y, I have one of those little 66's to.---Nice little open screw vise.

Here's some history links to the James Smart foundry.
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http://yesteryearstools.com/Yesteryears Tools/Smart Mfg. Co..html

http://vintagemachinery.org/mfgindex/detail.aspx?id=758

http://home.cogeco.ca/~obosma/jas_smart.html

 

[CrotalusAtrox]

Thanks for the compliments on the baby bullet really slowed myself down so not to screw it up. Got the Woden ready for paint or BLO not sure yet. It has some issues but it was to cheap to pass on. Anyone no much about these?

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[Outlawmws]

Joe, it resembles a bicycle vise.---Zoomie has one.


http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=379376&d=1413674836

I was thinking early pattern makers's vise with those tall, fairly thin jaws, and rotating head.

Nice find!

 

[jreb10]

Here is an older Reed 204 with cast-in jaws. I would guess pre-war, but feel free to correct me if I am wrong. I got it a while ago from JRobb in trade and finally got around to it. It was not a bad vise under the poor paint job. Color is Rustoleum Satin Cabernet.



It is interesting in that it is now smooth-jawed, but did not start out that way. There are some faint serrations on one of the jaws. Whoever did the work knew what they were doing as the jaws faces match up squarely.



This vise also had tapped holes on the sides behind the jaws, for some other type of softer jaw coverings. I filled them with loctited screws and cut them off.

 

[jreb10]

Here are better pics of my Craftsman. It will be hitting Ebay soon. I hope for a good response. I have also attached a pic of the jaw supports.

That is a thing of beauty. I will be watching that one to see where it goes!

 

[jrobb316]

Very nice! I completely forgot I had that at one time. Is it eBay bound? That happened to the Parker 823 (or whatever model that one was)?

 

[Apache3057]

New to garage journal. Fantastic sight and I love some of the things I have read. The pictures of the vises are cool. Should be posting mine shortly.