The VISES of Garage Journal

[drivesitfar]

KZ: most likely your Wilton is MADE IN USA even though not stamped to say so. nice find

also Wilton's keyway makes it simple to pull the dynamic jaw out all the way and put it back together after cleaning it so don't be afraid. if you get to any issues putting it back together another easy way is to take off the 3 screws and remove the main screw, put the dynamic jaw inside the static, then put the screw in and put the 3 screws and horseshoe shaped holder back on. i do this with my bigger Wiltons like the C2. with the older big (100 pounders and up) vises sometimes i put the vise on its side if it's not already mounted to get them back together.

also you might be able to see the date stamp on the keyway by turning the vise on it's side and partially unscrewing the vise until it shows up.

other than cleaning and re greasing that vise should be good to use for many many years.

also KUDOS on the way you posted all your answers and thank yous.

Loyd: any chance you might have a garage thread or do you have a vise mounted yet to show off that amazing welding table you own? it looks like it's maybe 3/4 or an inch thick with tapped holes everywhere. yes?

 

[KZ1000J]

Drives......

"also KUDOS on the way you posted all your answers and thank you."

I learned that from you, Oh great one.


Thanks for the tips. I'll go ahead and pull it apart.

KZ

 

[va.grouseman]

Previously posted by Royce.

I'm in the market for a 3" or 4" swivel jaw vise.
Does anybody have any thoughts on the different manufactures mechanisms?
Robustness?
Wear qualities?
Sloppiness?
I have a 6" american scale that seems to have more play in it than I care for.
The pics I've seen of the prentice and reeds seem like they may be better design?
Thanks
Royce
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


Go with the Reed, Royce.---No regrets

 

[drivesitfar]

Royce: REED is my favorite too and Prentiss is right up there. what is sloppy about your American Scale #79 the swivel jaw or maybe just because it's so big?

KZ: thanks. it does make for easier reading IHMO.

 

[Outlawmws]

Royce the Reed is excellent however comparing my Reed 3" to my Parker 6", the Parker is much more precise. YMMV

 

[Loydski29]

Came across this super nice 5" jaw FPU paid 30 bucks for it. It the first one I've come across it seems very well made!

 

[Loydski29]

Drives that table is at my work I will take some pics of it and post them the top is probably 2" thick.

 

[meatsis]

So today was a good day. Apparently my in laws have been cleaning out there garages for the past 2 days. This morning my wife gets a text saying they dug out 2 vises and I can have them. I wasn't really expecting much. When I get there my MIL brings me to the "small one".




Pretty sure this vise has never been used. My FIL can't remember where he got it. But he never mounted it. Been sitting on a shelf for years. There's not a scratch or ding on it. The quick release feature is pretty cool on these vises. I had one a few years ago but gave it to my BIL for his work truck.

 

[meatsis]

So after I threw that one in the truck my MIL brings me over to the "big one" they found. I couldn't believe my eyes when I saw this




A 6 inch Yost. No 106. It came out of my FIL's body shop that he closed over 30 years ago. It's been buried in the garage ever since. He forgot he even had it. I feel like Joe Striper today getting free vises!!!

 

[drivesitfar]

MS: not only free, but unique and big too. WELL DONE SIR!! what is the name of the first one because i can't say i've seen that vise ever on this thread?

Loyd: no hurry on the pics, but OMG that is a thick and heavy welding table. looks like it isn't any little thing either so maybe a 5 x 10 or ??

I dearly love my FPU so happy to hear you found one and still a great value for the fantastic quality of vice that they are. be a little careful adjusting and using it because i've seen several snapped off at that first screw and probably from a BFH or maybe from turning the handle too tight.

nice find

 

[meatsis]

MS: not only free, but unique and big too. WELL DONE SIR!! what is the name of the first one because i can't say i've seen that vise ever on this thread?

 

[meatsis]

It's not a very heavy duty vise but the quick release feature is really cool.

 

[va.grouseman]

Nice Grand Master, Meatsis.---Better hang on to that one.---You don't see many of them, and none in that condition.

 

[naturalgas]

Here is my Parker 400 given to me today from a buddy of mine while we cleaned out his deceased father-in-laws garage who was a hoarder so they can sell the property.


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[honza.vosalik]

Got this baby Wilton today. 3 in jaws. Stamped 6-46. I randomly opened local ad website and the lady just posted it. Paid $40.

 

[bugdust]

My scores today...help ID'ing?

They are 6", 4", 3" and 2-1/2". I already had the big Columbian.

 

[Watsondog]

That's a nice haul! BD

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[jakemac]

In case you can't read it (can't tell from the pic), the brand name on the clamp-on is "MODERN". They're good for light hobby work and clean up nicely. I use mine on my "clean" bench all the time.

 

[joe.striper]

Finally got one of these Smith vises, made in Westfield MA. Pat date 1865. 5" jaws. Just sooo happy

 

[Outlawmws]

Joe, will the Smith be a keeper?

 

[royce]

Thanks Chilang, Va grouseman, Outlaw,
Drives,
The king pin on the #79's swivel jaw measures 1.96", the bore for it measures 2.10".
It is retained by two 1/2" pins, the bottom one bears on a groove turned in the king pin.
Looking at this pic you can see a shiny spot on the underside of the groove in the pin.
That shiny spot is a flat spot that has been upset and deformed.
It is allowing the swivel jaw to rise up about .080"
That pin and groove seems to be a very small bearing surface for the amount of force a big vise can produce, to me.
Royce

 

[bugdust]

I just started a new job 3 weeks ago after leaving Caterpillar after 18 years. The new company is family owned (3rd generation) and been in the same location since 1928. We have quite a few vises located throughout the 200k sq ft plant. I'm going to ask the owner if I can take pics to post here. I know there are a number of Columbians, a Chas Parker, a few Wiltons (1750? and "modern" style) and a few more of various shapes and sizes.

 

[joe.striper]

Joe, will the Smith be a keeper?

No, but I will want some time with it. The jaw support is missing but it wasnt a big one so no harm in my opinion. The rest of the vise is sooo complete. It...is...beautiful. one of the prettiest vises I've ever met in person. The CL ad went up at 3pm Friday. If I didn't respond by 5pm it was going to the dump, still had to pay up though.

 

[bugdust]

In case you can't read it (can't tell from the pic), the brand name on the clamp-on is "MODERN". They're good for light hobby work and clean up nicely. I use mine on my "clean" bench all the time.

Thanks. It's going to be a project for my 8 yr old to go on his workbench. He has collected a neat little cast anvil, a older Craftsman ball-peen and a few other tools. He already looks for tools at the flea market or garage sales.

 

[KZ1000J]

Here is my Parker 400 given to me today from a buddy of mine while we cleaned out his deceased father-in-laws garage who was a hoarder so they can sell the property.


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Natural,

I'm very happy that your friend would allow you to have the vise. That was very nice of him. You two must be good friends going back for a long time.

I experienced a similar situation a few years ago and was a benefactor of a great quantity of tools by also helping a long time friend clean up his Dad's estate. This event also led me to G.J. to learn about what I had received.

I'm sure the Parker will clean up very nicely. I can't give you a "You ****" for this because of the circumstances of the acquisition but I wish you and the vise well.

KZ

 

[Outlawmws]

Royce, how does the king pin attach to the base? if it screws in could the mating face have say 10 thou taken off to lower it? (I'm not familiar with the AS setup)

 

[KZ1000J]

My scores today...help ID'ing?

They are 6", 4", 3" and 2-1/2". I already had the big Columbian.

Bugs,

Yes a very nice haul it is. Well I guess you are in the vise business now, huh.

Looks like several Wilton vises......I'd say the 1760 is a 6 in. jaw Wilton Tradesman.....I just picked up a 1750 yesterday. I'd say the top three on the right are all Wilton's

Tell us more about how they were acquired, the more poetic, the better.

KZ

 

[topop101]

It's not a very heavy duty vise but the quick release feature is really cool.

Very Nice Grand! I seen one sell just a few weeks ago at an online auction for over 600....

 

[royce]

Royce, how does the king pin attach to the base? if it screws in could the mating face have say 10 thou taken off to lower it? (I'm not familiar with the AS setup)

Outlaw,
The only attachment to the base is the 1/2" pin that goes through the body and bears on the groove in the king pin.
Thinking about how to tighten this up, I've thought maybe build the pin back up, where the deformed spot is and turn the groove again.
Any thoughts?
Royce

 

[KZ1000J]

Finally got one of these Smith vises, made in Westfield MA. Pat date 1865. 5" jaws. Just sooo happy

Joe,

Wow! That's beyond vintage...that's an antique.

Pat. date is 1865 but any idea when it was manufactured? Probably next to impossible unless there is a date stamp somewhere.

Craigslist find? estate sale? burglary find? Tell us how you found it. And for you too......the more poetic the better.

KZ

 

[meatsis]

Very Nice Grand! I seen one sell just a few weeks ago at an online auction for over 600....

$600?!?!?! You're kidding right? The first one I bought was at an old farm estate sale in Connecticut. We made a deal on $5 as long as I removed it from the bench. My brother in law currently has that one. I think this freebie may be a keeper

 

[meatsis]

Joe,

Wow! That's beyond vintage...that's an antique.

Pat. date is 1865 but any idea when it was manufactured? Probably next to impossible unless there is a date stamp somewhere.

Craigslist find? estate sale? burglary find? Tell us how you found it. And for you too......the more poetic the better.

KZ

Lol yeah tell us how you found it joe

 

[bugdust]

Bugs,

Yes a very nice haul it is. Well I guess you are in the vise business now, huh.

Looks like several Wilton vises......I'd say the 1760 is a 6 in. jaw Wilton Tradesman.....I just picked up a 1750 yesterday. I'd say the top three on the right are all Wilton's

Tell us more about how they were acquired, the more poetic, the better.

KZ

The big Columbian I got for free a few months ago. It had been sitting in the tool crib for a while at a company I briefly worked for. I asked about it and was told I could buy it for scrap price ($0.04/ lb) along with a pile of steel plate and tubing I had piled up. The guy at the scales forgot to throw it on top and had written up the ticket already so he told me to just take it.

The Wilton bullet was on Craigslist and I drove an hour to get it and paid more than I wanted to but I really wanted one. Restored or nice ones are listed for $350-500 or more locally. The guy was asking $200 originally but I gave him $150.

The little Modern I bought at the flea market for my son. I gave the guy $10.

The other two I saw on a facebook swip-swap post that said tools for sale. I messaged the guy and he said he had 2 vises. I asked if they were American made and he said yes. I drove 25 minutes away and they had no visible markings. I gave him $60 for the pair.

So, not killer scores like many of you find but...

I missed out on a couple others this week...a large Reed for $75 and an unknown double jawed, double swivel monster for $70.

 

[drivesitfar]

BD: nice haul.

Meatsis: thanks for the added pictures. i have seen a few of the triangle slide vises, but didn't know they were a quick release.

VA: are all the Grand vises with the triangle slides quick release?

 

[bagged89s10]

Forgot to do a before pic dam it. Well it was in decent shape definitely used a few scars but noting terrible used what it was intended for. I did not polish the jaws just sanded to 120 theres a few marks left and hand filed the sides, I think it gives it more of a vintage look whatever that means. It has 4.5" jaws and I bet it is close to 65 pounds rotates nice and locks down solid, I like it.

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Really nice work, Great Job!

 

[bagged89s10]

Did a little vise work today. Got some paint on this Columbian 203-1/2

Clean up this Parker 2x, coated it with BLO and baked it, cleaned up the jaw sides, did some metal work, and it's ready for paint. The tops of the jaws are keeping the usage marks on this restoration.

 

[bulletpruf]

Did a little vise work today. Got some paint on this Columbian 203-1/2

Clean up this Parker 2x, coated it with BLO and baked it, cleaned up the jaw sides, did some metal work, and it's ready for paint. The tops of the jaws are keeping the usage marks on this restoration.

Columbian looks really nice.

On the Parker, you're going to paint on top of BLO treatment? Figured that would cause adhesion issues.

Scott

 

[drivesitfar]

BP: in case Bagged is sleeping Fretters and others maybe Bagged too have painted over BLO and it seems to be ok to do so. Fretters did the test maybe a year ago and last time i checked his paint job which was probably Burgundy colour painted on with a brush is still doing fine.

you know i like BLO and i also hear that if you are doing E tank to clean up your vises that once you clean them up out of the tank you put on BLO to stop the flash rusting and paint or put on more BLO. you might have also heard some of the guys are baking their BLO on in their smokers and shop ovens.

 

[naturalgas]

Natural,



I'm very happy that your friend would allow you to have the vise. That was very nice of him. You two must be good friends going back for a long time.



I experienced a similar situation a few years ago and was a benefactor of a great quantity of tools by also helping a long time friend clean up his Dad's estate. This event also led me to G.J. to learn about what I had received.



I'm sure the Parker will clean up very nicely. I can't give you a "You ****" for this because of the circumstances of the acquisition but I wish you and the vise well.



KZ

Thanks KZ, I'm new to this are there posts on how to properly clean up and restore these prized anvils?


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[joe.striper]

Joe,

Wow! That's beyond vintage...that's an antique.

Pat. date is 1865 but any idea when it was manufactured? Probably next to impossible unless there is a date stamp somewhere.

Craigslist find? estate sale? burglary find? Tell us how you found it. And for you too......the more poetic the better.

KZ

So here's the story: I got a text from Satan (Meatsis) at 4:45 friday night for a CL ad. Ad went up at 3 stating that they were doing a cleanout and that three items were available until 5. I called the seller and drove 6 miles to pick them up. Just that simple. I call Meatsis Satan because he always tempts me with these CL ads, especially when i have no money.