The VISES of Garage Journal

[72highboy]

Finished my Rock Island 574


After:


And found a Reed 403 ½. No hammer marks on the slide, and good looking jaws.

I think this has been covered but what do you use to protect the polished metal?

Great job by the way

Cheers

Sent from my Nexus 6P using Tapatalk

 

[drivesitfar]

72: i'll throw out my answer for the raw metal treatment. i use BLO (boiled linseed oil) and Johnson paste wax. there are some guys and gals that just use a light oil. also depends on the climate you live in and whether or not you have heat in your shop. others might have other methods and if they do i'd sure like to hear about them even if already been mentioned.

Gert: so you've got (or maybe you sold it) an ARREST ME RED WILTON C1 or C2, a bright green Rock Island and now a Reed 403.5 that looks naked so maybe BLO for this one? nice group you've put together in a country where i bet you can count the old US vises on one hand maybe. WELL DONE and in my opinion you've got most all of my favorite vises covered. now for a Leinen and a Quick Release Record if you have the room.

 

[72highboy]

72: i'll throw out my answer for the raw metal treatment. i use BLO (boiled linseed oil) and Johnson paste wax. there are some guys and gals that just use a light oil. also depends on the climate you live in and whether or not you have heat in your shop. others might have other methods and if they do i'd sure like to hear about them even if already been mentioned.

I thought the BLO left a tinted looking finish, or is that only when you burn it on?

I'll have to get some and play with it

I used some wax on that Woden I posted a while back but it wore off and started rusting pretty quickly.. I just need use it more [emoji53] ...

Cheers

Sent from my Nexus 6P using Tapatalk

 

[drivesitfar]

72: Joe and Bagged and maybe a few other members bake on BLO to sort of give it more of a glow, but BLO will shine and more of a golden than wax. you'll have to re apply almost anything you put on raw steel and why so many guys like painting their vises. most will prime paint the areas that can't be seen and you already found out that Johnson Wax or other stuff to make your steel shine will need to be re applied fairly often. i don't mind a little surface rust if the tools still in working order, but i hear you and i don't think there is some magic potion to put on steel to keep it from rusting forever.

 

[KMScott]

Gert, I love looking at your finished vises, your painting is top notch and your attention to detail is superb. Thanks for sharing. Keep up the good work and look forward to seeing your Reed when you are finished.

 

[bagged89s10]

I thought the BLO left a tinted looking finish, or is that only when you burn it on?

I'll have to get some and play with it

I used some wax on that Woden I posted a while back but it wore off and started rusting pretty quickly.. I just need use it more [emoji53] ...

Cheers

Sent from my Nexus 6P using Tapatalk

I coat all my vises with BLO once I strip a vise down and de-rust it. I brush on the BLO with a foam brush, let it soak on for 10 min, then wipe it down with a rag to remove all the excess. Then I bake it on a around 250F to cure it faster. It does darken up the cast surfaces.
Sometime Joestriper bakes it on at a higher to temp to burn it on and give the metal a yellowish tint. Any raw metal that I've polished or given a brushed finish gets a coat of Johnson's Paste Wax. Same with the slide.

 

[topop101]

Top: that 100+ year old vise looks like it was never used. SWEET LOOKING VISE and even if you only put it in a display case great find.

It's not in a case but on a shelf in my dining room!

 

[topop101]

That thing is every bit as sweet as the largest vises in this thread. I would love to own that.

Youngguns Thanks man... This is maybe my best small vise and I own at least 3 baby bullets...

 

[mbsinmich]

It could be a Schum - the predecessor to Milhof.

JKB

Hey, I thought I had a Milhoff, but now I think it is a Schum!!
Thanks JKB (After and before)

 

[trijeff]

Finished my Rock Island 574

After:

Gert, well done! I've been wondering how that Extreme Green would look on a proper vintage USA vise besides a Wilton ... looks great!!

 

[joe.striper]

Finally, finally got an 8" vise deal in the works. Athol 97. The seller put me through the ringer but I can live with the deal.
Now....how do I explain to my wife that I gave away one our kids????

Pics when I pick it up....

 

[Lanerobber]

Re-posting this in the vise thread on advice from a member.

Recently I acquired a decent Craftsman vise 5163. It looks to be made by Rock Island and equivalent to a 574? Seems to work good and jaws are sharp and the vise appears to have little wear.

The previous work by Gert on the Rock Island 574 was inspiring!

Unfortunately the swivel base is missing to make the vise complete. Is there any possibility that someone would have a wounded vise willing to give up its base?

If a donor vise can't be found then making a base is the next endeavor.

I am new to the forum, and GJ seems to be a great place to share information. The active members seem to be very passionate about their tools and helpful with information. Nice place to hang out when not in the shop.

 

[Outlawmws]

The real question what do you tell your wife when you tell her your having this affair?

 

[jrobb316]

Re-posting this in the vise thread on advice from a member.

Recently I acquired a decent Craftsman vise 5163. It looks to be made by Rock Island and equivalent to a 574? Seems to work good and jaws are sharp and the vise appears to have little wear.

The previous work by Gert on the Rock Island 574 was inspiring!

Unfortunately the swivel base is missing to make the vise complete. Is there any possibility that someone would have a wounded vise willing to give up its base?

If a donor vise can't be found then making a base is the next endeavor.

I am new to the forum, and GJ seems to be a great place to share information. The active members seem to be very passionate about their tools and helpful with information. Nice place to hang out when not in the shop.

AH now I know why that seller never responded to my messages. Crossing state lines for vise bounty should be illegal! Seriously though, watch eBay. There was a guy selling a rock island swivel base a couple weeks ago, I was going to see if it was a match for that vise. Good luck!

 

[baseball_lvr]

Vise and Pipe Vise (See bottom)

 

[thursday]

Anyone know the weight of a Reed 203 swivel base? Thanks

 

[G-ManBart]

Anyone know the weight of a Reed 203 swivel base? Thanks

I don't have one to weigh, but the Dayid site lists the 103 fixed base at 22lbs. The swivel probably weighs somewhere between 5 and 10lbs on that size vise, so I'd guess right around 30lbs give or take.

 

[rusty65]

Anyone know the weight of a Reed 203 swivel base? Thanks

According to one of my catalog pages a reed 103 weighs 22 pounds and a reed 203 weighs 27 pounds so approximately 5 pounds.

Sent from my XT1585 using Tapatalk

 

[Brorex]

Here's the little Rock Island No.90 all cleaned up. Jaws are in rough shape and almost smooth, not sure if I should paint or not


Here's a Columbian that I finished up a bit ago. I brushed on rustoleum oil paint. Turned out OK I think.


Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-N920A using Tapatalk

 

[jimreed2160]

I heard a thud at the door today and saw the mailman scurrying off to his truck. Just in front of the door I saw an abused box with the end of vise handle sticking out. DOH! Who packed this thing?

Just look real close at the second picture. The clueless/careless seller just threw in some broken up Styrofoam bits, shoved in the PRENTISS 18 (!) and sealed up the box.

The vise is OK but I think I have end organ damage from the high blood pressure event.

Sorry for the bad picture. I was still shaking.

More on this vise later. As you can see, it is missing a jaw and I am trying to figure out how to take the jaw off the dynamic so I can make one.

 

[exmaxima1]

Here's the little Rock Island No.90 all cleaned up. Jaws are in rough shape and almost smooth, not sure if I should paint or not

On that RI the jaws probably started out smooth and the owner made his own serrations. AFAIK that was a pretty common thing for machinists to do to their vises.

 

[Brorex]

On that RI the jaws probably started out smooth and the owner made his own serrations. AFAIK that was a pretty common thing for machinists to do to their vises.

Thanks for the info. I think I'll just smooth them off the rest of the way

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-N920A using Tapatalk

 

[jrobb316]

I have a rock island 94 that has smooth jaws. Maybe it could be ordered both ways back then?

 

[crane operator]

Rock Island 574, replacing my broken import. Screw was dry/ stiff, little lubrication took care of that.

The checkering on the jaws is sharp, still has a tag on it.

 

[G-ManBart]

Well, I got the 400 and 500 brothers almost done...just have to put the new Wilton badges on, and probably highlight the lettering after the paint cures for a couple of days. Autopts helped me out with a swivel base for the 500 at a very fair price...didn't want it having swivel envy next to its little brother. I almost grabbed the 600 to have a family pic, but then thought it was way too heavy for that tonight!

Before pics with the 500 first:







After:

 

[72highboy]

Was the baldor stand part of that pick too? Nice [emoji106]

Sent from my Nexus 6P using Tapatalk

 

[G-ManBart]

Was the baldor stand part of that pick too? Nice [emoji106]

Sent from my Nexus 6P using Tapatalk

Yes, it was. I told the guy selling it I liked the stand as much as the vise! It's filthy, but I'm sure it will clean up nicely. I may mask off the Baldor logo, and paint it a different color....have to see how it looks once it's clean.

 

[jrobb316]

Rock Island 574, replacing my broken import. Screw was dry/ stiff, little lubrication took care of that.

The checkering on the jaws is sharp, still has a tag on it.

Very nice. Tag is in good shape. Should be the last vise you own replacing the import.

 

[Outlawmws]

Here's the little Rock Island No.90 all cleaned up. Jaws are in rough shape and almost smooth, not sure if I should paint or not

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-N920A using Tapatalk

That is about all most Parker's had from the factory. VERY light serrations. Likely from the factory that way. I would not be surprised to see smooth or heavier serrations as options though....

 

[va.grouseman]

Well this little fellow is doing pretty good and there is still a little over 3 days to go.---I'll bet that the snipers are out there just oiling up their guns right now.---I've already got my ticket for the show.






Here's mine.---Mine don't have the wing-nut and is missing the stop peg at the back of the slide.---I think the wing-nut is standard equipment, so the EBay Stevens is the total package.---I'd like to have it, but I don't think I could stand the jar.


http://i1127.photobucket.com/albums/l628/weakmanfor2things/100_0949.jpg

http://i1127.photobucket.com/albums/l628/weakmanfor2things/100_0948-1.jpg

http://i1127.photobucket.com/albums/l628/weakmanfor2things/100_0947.jpg

http://i1127.photobucket.com/albums/l628/weakmanfor2things/100_0945.jpg

http://i1127.photobucket.com/albums/l628/weakmanfor2things/100_0943.jpg

http://i1127.photobucket.com/albums/l628/weakmanfor2things/100_0944.jpg

http://i1127.photobucket.com/albums/l628/weakmanfor2things/100_0940.jpg

http://i1127.photobucket.com/albums/l628/weakmanfor2things/100_0935.jpg

http://i1127.photobucket.com/albums/l628/weakmanfor2things/100_0938.jpg

 

[Paulkenosha]

What would you say a old Craftsman 5154 vise is worth? Guy is trying to sell me one and don't want to let the price get outta hand. Decent shape no damage.

 

[jrobb316]

What would you say a old Craftsman 5154 vise is worth? Guy is trying to sell me one and don't want to let the price get outta hand. Decent shape no damage.

Looks like a 5" fixed base rock island. I would pay up to $150. Should be a rock island 595 clone.

 

[Loydski29]

Haven't bought any vises lately but I broke my dry spell this morning! Picked up this Hollands 16

 

[G-ManBart]

Haven't bought any vises lately but I broke my dry spell this morning! Picked up this Hollands 16

Nice!

 

[Gert]

72:
Gert: so you've got (or maybe you sold it) an ARREST ME RED WILTON C1 or C2, a bright green Rock Island and now a Reed 403.5 that looks naked so maybe BLO for this one? nice group you've put together in a country where i bet you can count the old US vises on one hand maybe. WELL DONE and in my opinion you've got most all of my favorite vises covered. now for a Leinen and a Quick Release Record if you have the room.

Drivesitfar Still have my Wilton C2, no plans of selling it. I even use it. US made vises are indeed very scarce in the Netherlands, but I have my minions that help me search. Have quite a few now (should make a family photo):
Wilton C2
Wilton Glisenti
Rock Island 574
Rock Island 24 (still rusted solid after several attempts)
Reed 106
Reed 403 1/2
Starrett Athol 625

And a couple non-US vises:
Record No 4
York 80
Lind (Milling vise)
It seems I am bitten by the vise-bug
72Highboy I use way-oil to protect the polished and unpainted parts against rust. You need to apply new oil every now and then, but it's easy to remove when dirty. WD40 did not work in my unheated shed.

Crotalus and KMScott Thanks for the compliments. I love to bring those old rusty vises back to life. I like to take my time.

Trijeff The Extreme Green was kind of a Gamble, but I think it turned out nice.

Joe.striper Looking forward to see your 8" Athol 97

 

[Gert]

Rock Island 574, replacing my broken import. Screw was dry/ stiff, little lubrication took care of that.

The checkering on the jaws is sharp, still has a tag on it.

Your Rock Island looks to be in good shape, nice !

 

[drivesitfar]

Gert: that's a good start. any thoughts on your favorite one you might want to share or could it be your NEXT ONE that might be?

Loydski: you sure have a nose for the BIG UNS and Holland's are a quality vise that is for certain.

 

[meatsis]

Drivesitfar Still have my Wilton C2, no plans of selling it. I even use it. US made vises are indeed very scarce in the Netherlands, but I have my minions that help me search. Have quite a few now (should make a family photo):
Wilton C2
Wilton Glisenti
Rock Island 574
Rock Island 24 (still rusted solid after several attempts)
Reed 106
Reed 403 1/2
Starrett Athol 625

And a couple non-US vises:
Record No 4
York 80
Lind (Milling vise)
It seems I am bitten by the vise-bug
72Highboy I use way-oil to protect the polished and unpainted parts against rust. You need to apply new oil every now and then, but it's easy to remove when dirty. WD40 did not work in my unheated shed.

Crotalus and KMScott Thanks for the compliments. I love to bring those old rusty vises back to life. I like to take my time.

Trijeff The Extreme Green was kind of a Gamble, but I think it turned out nice.

Joe.striper Looking forward to see your 8" Athol 97

Here's the Athol 97 next to 2 other (newer) 8 inch Athols. Can't wait to see it after Joe is done with it. It should clean up real nice.

 

[Gert]

Gert: that's a good start. any thoughts on your favorite one you might want to share or could it be your NEXT ONE that might be?

'That's a good start'
I like the C2 a lot, but the new Reed 403½ is really clean, no hammer marks on the slide and no play on the main screw. I cannot chose between the two...

 

[CrotalusAtrox]

Here's the Athol 97 next to 2 other (newer) 8 inch Athols. Can't wait to see it after Joe is done with it. It should clean up real nice.

I am working on a Reed 105 right now its not light but manageable, an 8 inch vise is going to take some muscle and creativity to get it prepped. Cant wait to see it Joe don't screw it up