The VISES of Garage Journal

[rk_tek]

Does anyone know what brand of vise this is? My dad had it for as long as I can remember and he left it with me when he moved across the country 15 years ago. I know it's no Wilton bullet or massive 450lb piece of iron, but it sure has held a lot of parts for us over the years. I've been trying to source a semi brake drum to make a stand for it.

 

[bluebolt]

Here's why I am still happy!

I got there early and made a deal on some smaller vises before anyone else showed up. Spent $300 for all the vises.

Wilton early Chicago C1, solid vise that needs a little love. No date on the slide, may be WWII military vise. Pipe jaws are missing and the main jaws are pretty worn, time for KMScott to fire up the new mill!

TWO Wilton Universal Turret rotating wood / metal vises. One early and one late.
Judging by the mounting bolt holes they have NEVER been bolted down. I just looked at what these sell for on Ebay and was pleasantly shocked!

Well one of the Wilton Universal Turret vises has left the herd and is on it way to Florida to cbacres for his workbench project! It's the newer but rustier one.

 

[Outlawmws]

Does anyone know what brand of vise this is? My dad had it for as long as I can remember and he left it with me when he moved across the country 15 years ago. I know it's no Wilton bullet or massive 450lb piece of iron, but it sure has held a lot of parts for us over the years. I've been trying to source a semi brake drum to make a stand for it.

Asian built, that old, possibly Taiwan; Brand? They all use pretty much the same patterns and have a multitude of different marketing "Brands"

 

[Thrumcap]

Is Zoomie still trying to corner the market on those little buggers?---I knew that was going to be a good show, but didn't think it would shoot that high.---Glad I got one back when you could still buy one with a working man's salary.


Thrump, evidently $500.00 is a good buy.

It is, but it will have to remain where it is for the vise budget has been blown for the summer. I just landed an 8" hat trick

Thrumcap

 

[drivesitfar]

TRENT: that old REED 2C might need to spend some time in an E bath and i bet it will look and work awesome once it's cleaned up. put BLO (boiled linseed oil) on it after you get it out of the E bath and cleaned up and if you want to paint it the paint will go right on the BLO. it's a nice pre WWII vise and in my opinion one of nicest vises made for a home's garage/shop no matter how big or small it is.

RK: pretty common vises with those big #'s on them and although not a spendy vise or built nearly as well as some other vises if you like it and don't use it as a press or anvil it should work fine.

Imperfect: i guess not a lot of Columbian vise fans have seen your posts asking about how to age your old vise. like i mentioned to you on your other thread with the rounded lettering i'm guessing it was Pre WWII, but beyond that i'm not positive what year it was made. the #'s you found on the vise nut are most likely part #'s because as far as i know Columbian didn't date stamp their vises like some other companies did. good luck and maybe the research is already on this thread or a few others for you to find.

GMan: i probably would have passed to, but since i don't own a blacksmith vise yet i might have offered $100 for one of them that looks a little nicer. especially if you NEED a vise to beat on because these old vises were meant to take a beating.

Thrum: i can't recall you posting one 8 inch vise so i guess if you bought 3 you'll need to post plenty of pictures when you get time and recover from moving all of them.

 

[honza.vosalik]

I recently passed on a Craftsman 506 51840. The guy would have sold it for $60 by the time I was leaving, originally he wanted more. The Craftsman sign was missing, it did have the swivel base. The deal braker for me was that the jaws were heavily used, almost flat.
Has anyone tried to freshen up the jaws with a file?

 

[disston]

I have a few small vises. Always looking for a large one but hasn't happened yet. Here is a nice size Stanley I bought last fall for for $10 at a flea market.

It's actually a little bigger than many of this style I see, sorry didn't put something in the photo to show scale.

It has 1.5 inch wide jaws. It has a model #741.

 

[disston]

This is a small Athol, 1.5 inch jaws. I've owned it more than 20 years and don't remember where I got it or what I paid.

Looks really old. Nice survivor.

 

[bluebolt]

I recently passed on a Craftsman 506 51840. The guy would have sold it for $60 by the time I was leaving, originally he wanted more. The Craftsman sign was missing, it did have the swivel base. The deal braker for me was that the jaws were heavily used, almost flat.
Has anyone tried to freshen up the jaws with a file?

The badge can probably be replaced with one from a toolbox. People on here have restored jaws with a file and lots of patience!

I would have probably picked that up for $60 but I am a sucker for Craftsman vises.

Columbian jaws may work on that. What's the jaw width?

 

[honza.vosalik]

The badge can probably be replaced with one from a toolbox. People on here have restored jaws with a file and lots of patience!

I would have probably picked that up for $60 but I am a sucker for Craftsman vises.

Columbian jaws may work on that. What's the jaw width?

Should be 4.5"

 

[bluebolt]

Some pictures of the NOS Starrett 923 1/2 I picked up a few weeks ago so I have something to remember it by LOL.

I like the machined base, the flip lever swivel nut and all those fresh machining marks!

 

[oldldh]

Burgie --- Has a rare one...


A REED 308!!!


A non-swivler, swivler...

I want one!!!

Does anyone have am advertisement with one in it???

 

[Outlawmws]

Oldldh, It IS a swivler! the Static jaw swivels!

 

[oldldh]

As I must apparently lead you to the water...

And...

Make you float on your back...

I addressed that minor foible...

With...

"A non-swivler, swivler..."

I started to use, "A non-swivling, swivler...", but that confused me...

Oh well...

A 308 though!!!

WOW!!!!

 

[trijeff]

Burgie --- Has a rare one... A REED 308

Holy camole! That thing is beauty and the beast all by itself ... NEED MORE PICS, Burgie

 

[Outlawmws]

As I must apparently lead you to the water...

And...

Make you float on your back...

I addressed that minor foible...

With...

"A non-swivler, swivler..."

I started to use, "A non-swivling, swivler...", but that confused me...

Oh well...

A 308 though!!!

WOW!!!!

I saw that, its STILL a swivler...

 

[Filson]

Man, a lot of great stuff is being found! Maybe, just maaybee... that 695 pounder will show up some day. *drool* Keep at it guys!

 

[bulletpruf]

Some pictures of the NOS Starrett 923 1/2 I picked up a few weeks ago so I have something to remember it by LOL.

I like the machined base, the flip lever swivel nut and all those fresh machining marks!

BB -

Any idea on the vintage? Are you going to throw it on eBay? If so, let us know...

Scott

 

[trents99]

TRENT: that old REED 2C might need to spend some time in an E bath and i bet it will look and work awesome once it's cleaned up. put BLO (boiled linseed oil) on it after you get it out of the E bath and cleaned up and if you want to paint it the paint will go right on the BLO. it's a nice pre WWII vise and in my opinion one of nicest vises made for a home's garage/shop no matter how big or small it is.

Thank you for advice, it will be up for a resto job this fall.

I was finally able to track down some info on the ship it was originally used. I was informed it came off the Zebulon B Vance, first Liberty vessel constructed at the Wilmington NC facility. Ship was launched Dec 6, 1941.

 

[bulletpruf]

Thank you for advice, it will be up for a resto job this fall.

I was finally able to track down some info on the ship it was originally used. I was informed it came off the Zebulon B Vance, first Liberty vessel constructed at the Wilmington NC facility. Ship was launched Dec 6, 1941.

I think you could say that 6 December 1941 was a fairly significant day in our nation's history -- the last day of calm before the storm.

 

[drivesitfar]

Trent: nice research and yes i guess Pre WWII Reed 2C was accurate, but sounds like it was in WWII. here's a couple pictures of mine made a few years later with a couple coats of BLO on it, but i'm going to strip it once i get my wire wheel on my Baldor buffer set up and my E tank.

Burgie: any more pictures. the jaws look like replacements, but looks like it's all there an a BIG UN for certain. is it yours or did you just snap a picture of it in another guy's shop?

BB: thanks for posting more pics of the Starrett. there were a fair amount of these old NOS Starrett vises so wondering why. were they to nice to put on a bench after the owners bought them or did Starrett just find them on a shelf at the warehouse and just start selling them the last couple years? nice find in any case and i bet that's a keeper?

ALL: have a great weekend all

 

[bluebolt]

BB -

Any idea on the vintage? Are you going to throw it on eBay? If so, let us know...

Scott

Been trying to figure out the vintage, not much luck. There is a Shipper Nov 8 stamp on the box but no year. It was shipped to A. J Baxter and Company, an Industrial Supply company, in Michigan and came from L. S. Starrett in Chicago which is apparently a former Starrett office now closed. The box came from Mt Tom Box Co in Holyoke MA which is a clue because they apparently moved to West Springfield prior to 2003.

So I am guessing 1980's to 1990's on the date of the vise.

I actually put it the GJ classifieds before I try Ebay.

 

[Mark in Indiana]

Drives,
If that's a picture of your shop, I'm impressed.
Mine is extremely tight on space as well. So tight that everything is on wheels and has to be moved outside for me to work.

 

[GETRIDAONE]

Drives,
If that's a picture of your shop, I'm impressed.
Mine is extremely tight on space as well. So tight that everything is on wheels and has to be moved outside for me to work.

I'm sure he has a lot more tools stored elsewhere. Drives will probably be featured on a
"Tool Hoarders" show.

 

[honza.vosalik]

Work in progress : Wilton 930. Marked 6-46.

 

[jrobb316]

Scored a craftsman 5197 and a Morgan Milwaukee 150 today for way less than $1/lb. Guy with the Morgan had it priced at $55 and his email box was filling up. Pics later when it stops raining.

 

[bluebolt]

BB[/B]: thanks for posting more pics of the Starrett. there were a fair amount of these old NOS Starrett vises so wondering why. were they to nice to put on a bench after the owners bought them or did Starrett just find them on a shelf at the warehouse and just start selling them the last couple years? nice find in any case and i bet that's a keeper?

As much as I like this vise I have too many and my 1968 Ford Torino GT convertible factory Indy Pace Car replica restoration needs some loving only money will fix LOL. Plus several other car restoration projects that have been neglected and I just bought a vintage Coca Cola Dixie Narco counter cooler that needs a bunch of work.

I need to cut down to about 10 bench vises LOL which probably leaves about 20 to sell.

Now I need to start a "keepers" list. These are vises I already have!

For the big shop:
Reed C1 3 1/2" combo vise
Reed 206 swivel base 6" wide jaw
Columbian 508 fixed base 8" jaw
Wilton 9350 SJ swivel 3 1/2" jaw
A matched pair of vises for the welding table, might be a pair of Craftsman 1960's utility vises.

For the house garage
Craftsman (Reed) 5186 swivel base 4" jaw
Craftsman 1950's art deco utility vise
Craftsman 5196 swivel base 4" jaw
Some small multipurpose vise, maybe my Erie Tool Works 2 1/2" 00C combo vise on a Power Arm?

Wow that list looks small LOL.

 

[exmaxima1]

Scored a craftsman 5197 and a Morgan Milwaukee 150 today for way less than $1/lb. Guy with the Morgan had it priced at $55 and his email box was filling up. Pics later when it stops raining.

I saw that same Morgan 150 listed in Pewaukee, and if I needed a vise I would have raced there to get it. That was a great buy and deserves a

You ****

 

[bluebolt]

Scored a craftsman 5197 and a Morgan Milwaukee 150 today for way less than $1/lb. Guy with the Morgan had it priced at $55 and his email box was filling up. Pics later when it stops raining.

Nice score!

Being a Wisconsin native I still would like a Morgan Milwaukee vise.
Wanna trade LOL? I will be in Wisconsin in October.

 

[jimreed2160]

I am new to the GJ but am really digging all the info on vises. I am a woodworker and have restored hundreds of handplanes but am fairly new to vise restoration. This site is a treasure trove of info and everyone has saved me a ton of time by sharing info.

My latest project is an early Athol 624 1/2. It is not much to look at as it is covered in paint and crud. At least all of that stuff kept the rust at bay. I just cleaned a Reed 1C on my bench and that made a mess, so I thought I would try pressure washing this one. It worked well and everything dried out quickly in the north Florida sun. I did not use degreaser so it is still a little greasy, but I like a little leftover crud to keep rust down.

Next step is painting. It still has some of the original asphaltum in the cracks but I might go with a bolder color. Thanks again for all of the great ideas.

 

[Boatman53]

Welcome Jim.
You should recognize my name.
Jim

 

[jrobb316]

Nice score!

Being a Wisconsin native I still would like a Morgan Milwaukee vise.
Wanna trade LOL? I will be in Wisconsin in October.

We may be able to work something out. I have a Morgan Milwaukee and Chicago 150 already and also want to downsize (so I bought 2 more lol). My plan is a 8' bench with a Morgan 5" on Either end. Probably make some smooth jaws for the Chicago so I'd have both varieties of jaws and the ability to clamp something in 2 vises. Where do you plan on visiting/ where are you from?

 

[bluebolt]

We may be able to work something out. I have a Morgan Milwaukee and Chicago 150 already and also want to downsize (so I bought 2 more lol). My plan is a 8' bench with a Morgan 5" on Either end. Probably make some smooth jaws for the Chicago so I'd have both varieties of jaws and the ability to clamp something in 2 vises. Where do you plan on visiting/ where are you from?

I will be in Loyal Wisconsin which is an hour Southwest of Wausau.

 

[jrobb316]

First the Morgan. Guy said he was just happy to get it out of his garage, taking up space. About as clean as it gets.

 

[jrobb316]

This guy is very clean too. I was told a machinist owned it, and made custom copper jaw caps for it, which I also got. Its very well taken care of, the only potential problem I see is cleaning up the craftsman logo. Will simple green take off the primer that appears to be oversprayed on it? I took pics of the jaw support, as it seems there have been a bunch with cracked supports, this one looks ok to me. Having now put my hands on one of these bad boys, I throw my hat in the Reed being the OEM ring. Its got the oil holes, adjustable dove tail on the nut, 4 bolt base, and the same crappy swivel setup. You can also clearly see the date as 12/50. I believe this is there for warranty purposes, as the original ads stated they had a 20 year warranty. The original jaws under the caps are also pristine.

 

[Mark in Indiana]

First the Morgan. Guy said he was just happy to get it out of his garage, taking up space. About as clean as it gets.

Getting rid of a vise because it's taking up space?!?!
'Round here, we call that blasphemy!

 

[Outlawmws]

Getting rid of a vise because it's taking up space?!?!
'Round here, we call that blasphemy!

Seriously, if you haven't tripped over one at least once, your a piker!


Robb, I've had good luck with SG getting rattle can stuff off. just don't leave the SG on too long and it will usually take the Rattle-can stuff and leave the original paint. To long WILL soften the original, so you are walking a line...

My best tools were a stiff toothbrush, A tooth pick for stubborn spots, and VERY careful application of a rounded pocket knife tip for the really stubborn...

 

[RedVise]

Vise inventory is high this week...
Picked up the Simplex and the Colombian today,
they all need to move on down the road to new homes...
Larger Scout hasn't been fully assembled, and probably wont be until I find the swivel lock, dang it, It's here somewhere...
You can see some of the clamp on vises I collect in the back ground.

Brian

 

[drivesitfar]

BB: tempting and even though i don't NEED A VISE if you are planning another trip to the PNW let me know.

GET: well that had me laughing and i was in the middle of moving my daughter to a second floor condo in 95 degree weather when i stopped to see it on my phone while grabbing a drink of water and wiping some sweat off. not sure if my HOARD would qualify compared to yours and a few others around here, but i do have SOME STUFF. and yes i've learned the secret of not putting all my STUFF in one spot so my bride can view it easily

JROBB: nice finds and tell me if you like the 5197 as well as a Rock Island vise or maybe better considering i think it's a Rock Island made vise with some great improvements. yes??

Mark: thanks and it's getting ORGANIZED so one day it WILL BE.

cheers all and hope you all are enjoying the weekend

 

[Craptain]

Red Vise. Not only do you generally have better success than me but it is really infuriating when I am not even around to compete.

Seriously you did well with your latest finds.

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