The VISES of Garage Journal

[jakemac]

Gotta love the eternal optimist!!

http://westernmass.craigslist.org/tls/5604310126.html

That picture reminds me of asking a kid with chocolate on his face if he ate the cake.

Did you spraybomb the vise ?
No ...................

 

[jakemac]

What are the Top 10 vises to look for?


and go

#1 - Reed
#'s 2 through 10, see #1

 

[FMC1959]

What are the Top 10 vises to look for?


and go

That's up to you.

You can get 10 very different lists from 10 different vise fanatics, very much a personal choice.

If value $$$ is your motivation, Wilton bullets easily command the most money.

Personally I like big vises (6" is good but 8" or even 9" would be awesome) and weighing significantly for its size...not a 50 pound 6" or 100 pound 8".

Then I also like small vises, 2" jaws or smaller...and these aren't cheap to get either.

But then I also like many exposed screw vises also, which many do not care for at all.

When you see one and it has that "I got to have it" look, then that should go on your list.

 

[GETRIDAONE]

I gave this Prentiss 356 combo a facelift. It had been broken and brazed back together when I got it. The jaws had braze on them also. A little grinding, cleaning, and paint made a big difference. The pipe jaws are huge, 7 1/2 lbs each. My arms are glad to be done with this 200 pounder.

 

[FMC1959]

I gave this Prentiss 356 combo a facelift. It had been broken and brazed back together when I got it. The jaws had braze on them also. A little grinding, cleaning, and paint made a big difference. The pipe jaws are huge, 7 1/2 lbs each. My arms are glad to be done with this 200 pounder.

A rare vise and a heck of a nice restore you did. What kind of paint did you use? It has a metal flake look that reminds of the Starrett 900 series combo vises.

 

[S4cruiser]

A rare vise and a heck of a nice restore you did. What kind of paint did you use? It has a metal flake look that reminds of the Starrett 900 series combo vises.

Agreed! Very nice and the paint looks like it would match this one very closely!

 

[oakundeisen]

Gotta love the eternal optimist!!

http://westernmass.craigslist.org/tls/5604310126.html

'immortal glassy eyed' - check out the way he painted the rock. I like seeing these posts - they make me laugh.

 

[yossarian19]

OK, so, I've got too many projects going right now and evidently I've lost the swivel lock nut to an Athol #623 1/2 I'm restoring.
I can either cut down the locking shoe's stud a quarter inch and make another swivel nut work,
Wait until I find another on Ebay,
Or wait until the old one shows up (if ever)
What say ye of the Journal?

 

[CrotalusAtrox]

Loyd: hope your drill didn't run out of juice taking all those screws out of that pallet/crate. glad you like it and you are very welcome. it looks awesome on your bench

JKB: so how close are you to the guy to see that vise in person? I still haven't seen a real 8 inch bench 250+ pound bench vise in person and that one looks a helluva lot better than the trailer it's sitting on. if it was closer i'd have a looksee and probably sell a kid to buy it.

Jake: too small and Riley's right it's in his neighborhood. or i'm starting to look for the under 2.5 inch ones because I still have a small space on an upper shelf for some. the herd is a thinning, but hard to thin when I keep buying at least one a week. DANG YOU GUYS it's in my blood.

CW: BEE CAREFULL that is some COOL OLD ENGLISH IRON you are stacking up. nice work on the safety screws in the bases too.

ALL: did I NEED A VISE? well maybe not, but this Rock Island is 130 pounds and has 6 inch wide jaws and probably one of the nicest 60 year old vises that I've seen or owned. it's not quite as pretty as JOE's and Chilang's and other's shiny ones, but I like my FARM FRESH Rock.

That Rock Island is Sweet. I am ok at getting them shinny but there are a lot of guys who are far superior to my limited abilities. Joe, Veeps, Kevin and a lot more who posted some dame nice restores in the past. I like that one just as it sits.

 

[GETRIDAONE]

A rare vise and a heck of a nice restore you did. What kind of paint did you use? It has a metal flake look that reminds of the Starrett 900 series combo vises.

Thanks for the comments,. The paint is Rust Oleum textured finish. I put two coats of satin clear on top of it. I had to make a new base locking square bolt. The old one was striped and the square head was to small to lock in the notch.
It is more green than blue like the Starrett.

 

[joe.striper]

I gave this Prentiss 356 combo a facelift. It had been broken and brazed back together when I got it. The jaws had braze on them also. A little grinding, cleaning, and paint made a big difference. The pipe jaws are huge, 7 1/2 lbs each. My arms are glad to be done with this 200 pounder.

Get thats gorgeous and is as nice as anything I've done. Gorgeous vise!

 

[GETRIDAONE]

Thank You !! It is a 10 footer at best. The top of the slide and the jaws took the most abuse as usual. It is ready for another 40 or 50 years of work

 

[Spn1025]

What are the Top 10 vises to look for?


and go

Miller's Falls anvil vise
http://www.njauction.com/cgi-bin/new/item.pl?item=71354973

 

[jreb10]

Finally saw a Gyro-Vise in the wild at a farm auction yesterday. It was combined with a pail of odds and ends that I won for $40. The paint is better on one side than the other. It has the base, too. I will just clean it up.

 

[drivesitfar]

GET: I saw all the comments of abuse you had to deal with on that old vise and taking a fairly close look at the pictures and I still think you are a talking about a different vise. WELL DONE SIR!! and I really like that color and textured look.

Chilang: i'll try to post a few more pictures of my big Rock Island after I just clean it up a little and put some BLO on it. the bottom of the vise even looks better if you can imagine that. almost like it was machined.

JREB: did you check out the YOUTUBE video about the Versa vise? after I saw the video I wanted one and finally found one myself a couple weeks ago that I need to set up on one of my benches. guessing you didn't pay too much either even if the rest of the box had zero value. WELL DONE.

 

[jrobb316]

GET: I saw all the comments of abuse you had to deal with on that old vise and taking a fairly close look at the pictures and I still think you are a talking about a different vise. WELL DONE SIR!! and I really like that color and textured look.

Chilang: i'll try to post a few more pictures of my big Rock Island after I just clean it up a little and put some BLO on it. the bottom of the vise even looks better if you can imagine that. almost like it was machined.

JREB: did you check out the YOUTUBE video about the Versa vise? after I saw the video I wanted one and finally found one myself a couple weeks ago that I need to set up on one of my benches. guessing you didn't pay too much either even if the rest of the box had zero value. WELL DONE.

Is the 597 a new acquisition or the latest to be dusted off the shelf? Either way very nice

 

[drivesitfar]

JR: NEW PURCHASE and headed for a shelf. the only shelf I have that has a little spot is too high for me to lift this up on to so it's sitting under a bench on the floor today. I don't have a bench ready for it and it's hard to bump my Reed C's and 400's, but thinking it's a KEEPER. I do have it's brother that is pretty nice too except it's missing a front foot so it will be my outside vise.

this was a hard one to pass on and my friend needed some cash so a win win.

more pictures just so some of you can see how nice a 130 pound vise can look if not beat on and just used as a vise.

 

[CwazyWabbit]

Nice condition, what's on the tag?

 

[jrobb316]

JR: NEW PURCHASE and headed for a shelf. the only shelf I have that has a little spot is too high for me to lift this up on to so it's sitting under a bench on the floor today. I don't have a bench ready for it and it's hard to bump my Reed C's and 400's, but thinking it's a KEEPER. I do have it's brother that is pretty nice too except it's missing a front foot so it will be my outside vise.

this was a hard one to pass on and my friend needed some cash so a win win.

more pictures just so some of you can see how nice a 130 pound vise can look if not beat on and just used as a vise.

I'd boot a reed anyday to make room for a rock island

 

[drivesitfar]

CW: Birtman electronics bought out Rock Island and off hand I can't recall exactly when. I think Birtman stopped making vises in 1957, but i'm not positive. it comes to mind that Birtman bought Rock Island's vise company in the 30's probably during the BIG DEPRESSION when our U.S. economy was in the toilet. if any of you have the history either mention it here or on the vise history thread in Vintage for all of us to find easier.

JR: yep my favorite makers are Reed and Rock Island, but I still have let a few get away and find GJ member's benches as you can attest to. not sure if I've even thinned the heard much, but still thinking I need to and let a few go that would only sit on a shelf or in a cabinet.

 

[jrobb316]

Birtman electric bought rock island around 1930. They were then bought by whirlpool in 1957 (I believe) and discontinued vises. Even thinning the herd I'd pick that up. You have far more thinning to do than I however I believe. But the first to go for me are the reeds, though I'll probably keep the 4C. The 1C and 2C however are probably going for sale.

 

[G-ManBart]

Birtman electric bought rock island around 1930. They were then bought by whirlpool in 1957 (I believe) and discontinued vises. Even thinning the herd I'd pick that up. You have far more thinning to do than I however I believe. But the first to go for me are the reeds, though I'll probably keep the 4C. The 1C and 2C however are probably going for sale.

2C possibly for sale you say?

I don't have a first born to offer....gotta think of something

 

[va.grouseman]

Originally posted by Jrobb316.

I'd boot a reed anyday to make room for a rock island
-------------------------------------------------------------




Jrobb

 

[jrobb316]

I was looking for some kind of flame suit emoticon but couldn't find one lol

 

[GETRIDAONE]

I must admit I have sinned, I booted a Reed 205 and replaced it with a 4" bullet. My bench is 36" high and I like it that height for working on stuff. That however puts the top of the Reed
at 48" which works OK except for filing. My arms get tired holding them that high. The Wilton is 3" shorter so I'll try that one for awhile. I might mount something on a stand that is even lower ?

 

[orangefan1976]

It was suggested I post in this thread. I'm looking for info on an Athol 730 vise. Thx in advance for any help.

 

[GETRIDAONE]

I have never seen a swivel jaw and rachet handle Athol !! If you haven't figured it out yet, pull the handle forward and you can reposition the handle. I guess you could mount it in the middle of the bench instead of the mandatory overhang in the front.
That is an odd one

 

[royce]

I am wondering if anybody can tell me who made this vise?
The jaws measure 1-11/16" across
For size reference, the strips on the board it's on are 1-1/16" wide.
Also, I would like to know how the base was fastened to it, if anyone had a pic of one, that would be great to see
Thanks
Royce

 

[orangefan1976]

I have never seen a swivel jaw and rachet handle Athol !! If you haven't figured it out yet, pull the handle forward and you can reposition the handle. I guess you could mount it in the middle of the bench instead of the mandatory overhang in the front.
That is an odd one

Any idea of age?

 

[WhoWhatNow]

I am wondering if anybody can tell me who made this vise?

The jaws measure 1-11/16" across

For size reference, the strips on the board it's on are 1-1/16" wide.

Also, I would like to know how the base was fastened to it, if anyone had a pic of one, that would be great to see

Thanks

Royce

That looks like a Prentiss in every way but the base.

 

[drivesitfar]

Royce: it does look like a Prentiss small swivel jaw and nice find. i'd bet the base fits in another vise or maybe for a mill or drill press?

Orange fan: welcome to the forum and that's a heckuva first vise to post. do you own it already. if it's giving you any issues i'm happy to swap you with something a big bigger. it's probably about 1920's era and a good looking Athol. sorry I don't have their vises history or numbering system committed to memory and maybe somebody else can help.

JR: kicking Reeds to the curb and keeping Parkers. I hear you on the Rock Islands but why not Reed C series? or do you really just want to only have vises on benches? you can make mounts like i'm planning on doing so you can swap them out so check the vise stand thread for some great options.

 

[va.grouseman]

Previously posted by Getridaone.

I must admit I have sinned, I booted a Reed 205 and replaced it with a 4" bullet.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------



GET

 

[va.grouseman]

Just poking fun fellows.---To each his own.

 

[joe.striper]

Just poking fun fellows.---To each his own.

As I like to say, thats why God made blondes , brunettes and redheads...

 

[jrobb316]

I'm not a fan of reeds swivel system for one. They're very good vises, just not at the top of my list. They are higher than Wilton on my list however

 

[orangefan1976]

Royce: it does look like a Prentiss small swivel jaw and nice find. i'd bet the base fits in another vise or maybe for a mill or drill press?

Orange fan: welcome to the forum and that's a heckuva first vise to post. do you own it already. if it's giving you any issues i'm happy to swap you with something a big bigger. it's probably about 1920's era and a good looking Athol. sorry I don't have their vises history or numbering system committed to memory and maybe somebody else can help.

JR: kicking Reeds to the curb and keeping Parkers. I hear you on the Rock Islands but why not Reed C series? or do you really just want to only have vises on benches? you can make mounts like i'm planning on doing so you can swap them out so check the vise stand thread for some great options.

It's mine. I'd probably want to sell it rather than trade. Thx for the intel..there's virtually nothing vua Google on this particular model.

 

[Outlawmws]

Miller's Falls anvil vise
http://www.njauction.com/cgi-bin/new/item.pl?item=71354973

Now that is an odd one. Anyone know what goes in the side mount?

All that said I think whoever set the price is a dreamer...

 

[va.grouseman]

Previously posted by Orangefan1976.

It was suggested I post in this thread. I'm looking for info on an Athol 730 vise. Thx in advance for any help.

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=556463&d=1464297926
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


After I saw your #730, I happened to remember a #732 I had down in a pile I got off EBay 4 years ago.---Just throwed oil on it and piled more vises on top of it.---Had to dig it out.---Not in as good of shape as yours and missing the handle ball but I'll get around to using my Round-to-it one of these days and do something to it.---It does kind of give a time-line for the introduction of that line of vises. By the way, welcome to the Forum.

 

[billbart5]

I thought I would share a picture of my Hollands 53 1/2H. I sure haven't found much info on it so I guess I will just enjoy using it! I purchased it mostly as shown. Just cleaned it up and lubed it. The little anvil on the back has made my real anvil almost obsolete except when I have a big job. Paid $60 for it and have been a happy owner for about 7 years.

 

[va.grouseman]

Outlaw, I would say that was for the shaft on a drill press of sorts.---The description called it an Anvil Drill Vise.---But I bet the drill part is extinct by now.