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The VISES of Garage Journal

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skunkape1

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Joined
Apr 11, 2015
Messages
181
Location
Mnisota
I have had this American Scale 62C for a while and not looked at it much. I decided to clean it up and use it. To my surprise when taking it apart I found the nut shimed, a spring to take up play on the spindle, an oil hole for the spindle, and a thrust bearing on the lock down handle. The center bolt bushing has a thin sleeve to firm it up also. In the picture I had the copper spacer and fiber washer on the wrong bolts. It had an additional base lock made with the square nut. The Jimmy Durante nose on this little 3" vise looks cool. It weighs about 40 lbs. or so and is very smooth and tight.

How could you have been ignoring that thing? That is one cool looking vise. There was some thought that went into the style side of that vise's design from the shape of the exaggerated feet to the script and logo. The patina on yours is perfect. You've got me thinking..................
 

Shiftless

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Mar 9, 2014
Messages
14,548
Location
East Bay SFO
Why didn't I think of putting **** carpet on my workbench?. I bet it soaks up oil reaaaal nice! Lol

Yeah...use carpeting to protect the Masonite that protects your really pristine maple butcher block top with the hand rubbed oil finish...
NOT IN MY WORLD!


(and not recommended for welding) :evil:
 
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exmaxima1

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Joined
Jun 25, 2011
Messages
6,341
Location
Midwest
Reversible jaw vise, looks Chicom.

Looks like "Made in USA" on the dynamic jaw. Similar writing as the Columbian-made Craftsman vises of 20 years ago.

I added a pic of the old CM vises to illustrate the markings.
 

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va.grouseman

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Mar 26, 2011
Messages
4,965
Location
Southern-Central VA.
Can someone educate me on this style of vise? I know there is a HF version but is there a good version? There was a dark blue HF version posted a couple days ago and it looked different than either of these.

http://jacksonville.craigslist.org/bfs/5675751891.html

http://jacksonville.craigslist.org/tls/5678057345.html
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Bugdust, those are pretty handy vises and people that own them speak well of them and get pretty good service out of them.---However most are made in China and are not high quality vises and are subsequently rebranded a hundred different ways including the HF version.---And those two you posted are priced way too high.---You can easily beat those deals if you just be patient and look around.


Here's the original version of that style.---If you can find one of these, they'll stay with you.:thumbup:
 

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Bcom

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Jun 14, 2016
Messages
1,615
Location
Nebraska
Looks like "Made in USA" on the dynamic jaw. Similar writing as the Columbian-made Craftsman vises of 20 years ago.

I added a pic of the old CM vises to illustrate the markings.

agreeed. I thought the same thing. I had a craftsman 5 1/2 just like it i sold a few weeks ago
 

FigureItOut

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Joined
Sep 14, 2015
Messages
3,267
Location
Bentonville AR
Can someone educate me on this style of vise? I know there is a HF version but is there a good version? There was a dark blue HF version posted a couple days ago and it looked different than either of these.

http://jacksonville.craigslist.org/bfs/5675751891.html

http://jacksonville.craigslist.org/tls/5678057345.html
At the risk of speaking out of turn among the experts who populate this thread, I believe there is a good version of that style available new for around $200. The Yost 750DI is 60,000 lb. ductile iron and has been spoken of highly by some knowledgeable members here. As much as I'd love to find one like Grouseman posted, the Yost is a plausible option, just make sure you get the DI and not the cheaper grey iron version.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I337Z using Tapatalk
 

bulletpruf

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Nov 28, 2013
Messages
10,994
Location
San Antonio

Mark in Indiana

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Joined
Aug 11, 2010
Messages
3,057
Location
Southern Indiana
Rusty,
My BIG problems with that $1260 Westward vise is:

1. If you got to have a new vise, you can get a drop forged, 6" German manufactured, Rigid brand vise for $434 (see picture).

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B001T9J68I/?tag=atomicindus08-20

2. Country of origin for the Westward vise is China!

"Country of Origin China Country of Origin is subject to change.
Note: Product availability is real-time updated and adjusted continuously. The product will be reserved for you when you complete your order."

https://www.grainger.com/product/WESTWARD-6-Ductile-Iron-Machinist-s-10D688




Likely, I plan to spend the rest of my life enjoying vintage iron.
 

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j p smith

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Joined
May 22, 2013
Messages
1,213
Location
Glendale, Arizona
Bagged
Thanks for the pictures

Bagged, Drives, Chilang
Thanks for the advise! I do want to get the parts needed fix the 405.

I would like to fix the 3 1/2 Reed "OR" find the next size smaller.

I have found the 2 piece nut for the handle and the nut stand is good(it is marked 3 and also 3 1/2). If I found a good handle or could repair the one I have to look like the picture Bagged posted I am thinking it would be useful again
 

exmaxima1

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Joined
Jun 25, 2011
Messages
6,341
Location
Midwest
Rusty,
My BIG problems with that $1260 Westward vise is:

1. If you got to have a new vise, you can get a drop forged, 6" German manufactured, Rigid brand vise for $434 (see picture).

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B001T9J68I/?tag=atomicindus08-20

I have one those Ridgid vises, and I love it. But I think the newest versions of them may actually now be made in Turkey. Mine says "Germany" on it, but it's about 10 years old. There have been several threads that noted Turkey as the new supplier. :dunno:

Edit: The newer Ridgid vises could be the same model sold under the Westward name (the "ductile iron" thing is confusing since its supposed to be steel), and definitely made in Turkey:
https://www.grainger.com/product/WESTWARD-6-Ductile-Iron-Machinist-s-24Z092
 
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G-ManBart

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Joined
Jan 24, 2015
Messages
2,059
Location
Michigan
Rusty,
My BIG problems with that $1260 Westward vise is:

1. If you got to have a new vise, you can get a drop forged, 6" German manufactured, Rigid brand vise for $434 (see picture).

Not only that, but for $1570 you can get a current Wilton 600N. I can't imagine anybody spending $1260 for something made in China. Heck, for $6-800 you can find an older, good Wilton 600 without much trouble at all.
 
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meatsis

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Apr 1, 2010
Messages
655
Location
Hudson Valley NY
Picked up this sweet little 3inch craftsman branded Rock Island yesterday for only $20. I gotta say, These old rock islands really are nice. This one came out of a basement and as you can see wasn't used much. Jaws still look brand new.

039.jpg
 

rusty65

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Joined
Mar 20, 2012
Messages
2,279
Location
Pekin,IL
Not only that, but for $1570 you can get a current Wilton 600N. I can't imagine anybody spending $1260 for something made in China. Heck, for $6-800 you can find an older, good Wilton 600 without much trouble at all.

That's more like what I was meaning. I should have phrased it better. I was just putting it up because I've never seen any one mention it and I was curious when I first saw it on eBay. I certainly don't need a new vise I've got a collection of 12 great USA made vises.
 

G-ManBart

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Joined
Jan 24, 2015
Messages
2,059
Location
Michigan
That's more like what I was meaning. I should have phrased it better. I was just putting it up because I've never seen any one mention it and I was curious when I first saw it on eBay. I certainly don't need a new vise I've got a collection of 12 great USA made vises.

Understood. The interesting thing, to me, is it's a 95% copy of an older Wilton 600 with the jaws secured from the outside in. I actually like that design quite a bit, and don't know why more companies haven't used it.
 

dngrmse

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Joined
Mar 14, 2014
Messages
637
Location
Northern NJ
Free! My cousin works for a large company that closed their machine shop many many moons ago. I asked him if they had any vises, and he said, sure I'll get you one. So he dropped this off over the weekend- It's a 3 inch jaw. I think the paint is original. :beer:

20160712_142034_zpshal1camv.jpg


20160712_142026_zpsxrkygsiw.jpg
 

Mark in Indiana

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Joined
Aug 11, 2010
Messages
3,057
Location
Southern Indiana
I have one those Ridgid vises, and I love it. But I think the newest versions of them may actually now be made in Turkey. Mine says "Germany" on it, but it's about 10 years old. There have been several threads that noted Turkey as the new supplier. :dunno:

Edit: The newer Ridgid vises could be the same model sold under the Westward name (the "ductile iron" thing is confusing since its supposed to be steel), and definitely made in Turkey:
https://www.grainger.com/product/WESTWARD-6-Ductile-Iron-Machinist-s-24Z092

Seems that the Ridgid F60 currently sold by Amazon is manufactured in Germany. I used a couple of them in my last job before retiring. If I didn't have 25+ vises in my shop, I'd get one.
 

bulletpruf

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Joined
Nov 28, 2013
Messages
10,994
Location
San Antonio
Free! My cousin works for a large company that closed their machine shop many many moons ago. I asked him if they had any vises, and he said, sure I'll get you one. So he dropped this off over the weekend- It's a 3 inch jaw. I think the paint is original. :beer:

Just in case you haven't figured it out yet, YOU ****!!!!!
 

bulletpruf

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Joined
Nov 28, 2013
Messages
10,994
Location
San Antonio
I think the Westward is made in Taiwan,not China. Either way both countries suk

I've had real good luck with tools made in Taiwan. In general, I would say Taiwan tools are a notch above Chinese. There are obvious exceptions, but I think this holds true in most cases.
 

econotrk

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Joined
Aug 27, 2013
Messages
275
Location
Western Pa. near Pgh. n dat
Picked up this sweet little 3inch craftsman branded Rock Island yesterday for only $20. I gotta say, These old rock islands really are nice. This one came out of a basement and as you can see wasn't used much. Jaws still look brand new.

039.jpg

Love the look of those Meatsis, if one ever shows up in my area I'm jumping on it.:drool:
 

meatsis

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Joined
Apr 1, 2010
Messages
655
Location
Hudson Valley NY
Love the look of those Meatsis, if one ever shows up in my area I'm jumping on it.:drool:



Yeah aside from how great they look, they perform even better. Rock solid and super smooth. This one has had a very easy life. Theres no side to side slop and the dynamic jaw moves with less than a 1/8 of a turn.
 
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drivesitfar

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Joined
Oct 23, 2013
Messages
36,020
Location
Pacific Northwest
Ziggy: guessing RECORD, but not certain. their vices always look like the swivel base was something that they didn't really want to sell so they made it look like it didn't belong under their vices. Paramo and i think Parkinson has the same type look, but if that isn't a Record it might be a Parkinson.

Sandman: with all the big steel you have i'm guessing your anvils are maybe in the 400 pound range. do tell? or post them up in the SHOW YOUR ANVIL THREAD and we'll talk about them over there. of course i don't think there is one of here that doesn't like to talk about or own a few anvils.

here's the link to the Anvil thread in case you didn't know it existed.

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=33788&highlight=anvil
 
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