The VISES of Garage Journal

[454ragtop]

Really good day at a small flea market next town over from me, found 3 vises. First, and best, is this Desmond Simplex 51 S, 5-1/4" jaw swivelin' *******. Real nice shape, some surface rust, and a couple minor bends in the handle, no big deal to straighten it. Threw $50. for this one.

 

[454ragtop]

The other 2 vises from todays small flea market. First up is a small clamp on, real nice shape, has a faded makers decal on the side, says "Solar" near as I can tell, made in USA. Paid $8 from the same seller as the Simplex. Other is a Phoenix Colton patent type vise, which sadly has been welded/repaired. Almost didn't buy it because of that, but I really like these for some strange reason, so I paid the $5. asking price. I think I may try cleaning up the welds a little, and repaint it the appropriate black.

 

[454ragtop]

Wrapped up my stand today. over 300 lbs so I had to use a chain fall to get it on the ground. With a vise it will be close to 500 lbs with out adding any sand or filler in the lower hex.

Also sharing a few cool vise pics. Anyone need a drawing on a Reed 406 swivel lock pin then PM me.

A little vise **** from Poland and a pretty nice Dawn 3 OS side vise from Australia.

Kevin, that stand is a thing of beauty. I'd really like to find one of those Dawn offset vises, they're way cool.

 

[KMScott]

Kevin, that stand is a thing of beauty. I'd really like to find one of those Dawn offset vises, they're way cool.

Thanks 454, the Simplex you picked up for $50 is pretty nice to. That Dawn is a great idea. How many time are you trying to clamp something and it hits the side of your vise.

 

[Youngguns]

So how do you guys date and rate some of the Craftsman stuff. Obviously a lot of it can't be very old ...I wouldn't guess they're as vintage as me

Noticed a vendor at the Flea Mkt has had a decent 4 1/2 Craftsman vise for sale for a few weeks now. 391.5186. Very clean, and really just some surface rust on the chromed parts (main handle and swivel) and the paint is faded. Nothing is bent, jaws are good shape. Didn't look very used just probably sat in in unheated garage/workshop most of its life. At the very least would think it would be a useful general everyday vise for somebody.
.
I do recall seeing some similar looking browsing these many photos so I thought I ask.

A useful, general, everyday vise for smorbidly, or for you? Either way, I believe this is the same vise I have (at least its design, I don't know if the one shown is USA or Japan). Anyways, whereas I may WANT a huge vise, this vise has been able to fulfill all of my NEEDS. It has held up to a fair amount, swivels fine, and the lock works nicely. I would highly recommend it.

 

[jakemac]

The 391 prefix on the model number means it's made in Japan. Still a decent homeowner vise though.

 

[Outlawmws]

Dr. Scott, that stand is gorgeous! Well done!

DFB, the Craftsman run the gamut that type is possibly the most common one that Sears sold, in several sizes. Most were made in the USA as jake pointed out that prfix indicates the short period that sourced them from Japan.

A link to many of the catalogs for Sears Vises:

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?p=2308593

454 - Wow, someone really pounded on that poor Colton!

 

[Youngguns]

518X series w/506 prefix - Colombian; w/391 prefix - Japan

So there's only two sizes of this style? 3.5 and 5? That's cool because I've got one of each (sadly, one US and one Japan, respectively). Japanese tools weren't all that great back then, huh?

 

[dogzbody1]

I'm loving all the restored vises on this thread. I have a pair of Wiltons that I want to bring back to life, what has the collective found to be the best blast media to use on the large castings?

Thanks!
Steve

 

[Outlawmws]

So there's only two sizes of this style? 3.5 and 5? That's cool because I've got one of each (sadly, one US and one Japan, respectively). Japanese tools weren't all that great back then, huh?

There was a 4" also made late in the game, the '73 catalog shows it, and a couple have surfaced.

 

[dutchgray]

KMS
Like the Dawn and those offset vices are cool, I still want to find a Fortis version with quick release.

 

[GETRIDAONE]

Kevin, Very nice stand !!!! I like the look of it before the primer paint. I would have wire wheeled it and put clear on it. I see why you asked Royce how he cut the panel's for his stand.

 

[DFB]

So how do you guys date and rate some of the Craftsman stuff. Obviously a lot of it can't be very old ...I wouldn't guess they're as vintage as me

Noticed a vendor at the Flea Mkt has had a decent 4 1/2 Craftsman vise for sale for a few weeks now. 391.5186. Very clean, and really just some surface rust on the chromed parts (main handle and swivel) and the paint is faded. Nothing is bent, jaws are good shape. Didn't look very used just probably sat in in unheated garage/workshop most of its life. At the very least would think it would be a useful general everyday vise for somebody.
.
I do recall seeing some similar looking browsing these many photos so I thought I ask.

Youngguns, jakemac and Outlawmws

Thanks for those quick responses, all the info, opinions and the link to the Craftsman/Sears catalog thread. Some of those early prices wow! I've been going through those posts so now I'm curious what were the years of the Japanese outsourcing.


My everyday utility garage vise right now is identical to the 906AS steel vise like seen on the YOST web site. I bought it at an old Central Tractor store decades ago for around $75. It's alright nothing really to write home about but has served my purposes fine.

Vise collecting is all new to me.

So I'm pretty happy what flea mkt purchase I have made especially the Athol and that little (Millers Falls) vise. That one I have cleaned off most of the added weld but have little more detailing to go yet.


Same guy with the Craftsman had several other older vises, one was a Parker but upon closer inspection the back corner of the slide was broke off and the base had been broke and welded. There was also an Athol well worn and one side of the base had what looked to be a nut welded over the mounting hole.

 

[joe.striper]

I'm loving all the restored vises on this thread. I have a pair of Wiltons that I want to bring back to life, what has the collective found to be the best blast media to use on the large castings?

Thanks!
Steve

Steve i never reccomend any type of media blasting. They all remove some metal. I just finished a vise yesterday that had been blasted in a previous life and it really affects a vises crispness.

Your vises are small so the easiest way to prep them is to soak them in unadulterated Simple Green. Bagged S10 from this board told me about doing this. It is super safe and cleans every stitch of paint off.

I have a 5 gallon bucket I use and I just drop the vise in it for 3-4 days. Take it out, scotch brite any little spots and rinse with a hose. Super simple.

 

[KMScott]

Kevin, Very nice stand !!!! I like the look of it before the primer paint. I would have wire wheeled it and put clear on it. I see why you asked Royce how he cut the panel's for his stand.

Yes I thought about leaving it plain but my welding was not as pretty as it used to be. Yes I still have the skills and know where the correct settings are but my pretty welds are years gone. Painting is like makeup, hides all those wrinkles, maybe I should find room in my tight shop for a wire welder, na I love my TIG. Thanks Get and Outlaw

 

[Low Friction]

Nice base KM. Lead shot in the base would really anchor it in place.

 

[CwazyWabbit]

She'd take a fair price in lead .....

 

[va.grouseman]

KMS
Like the Dawn and those offset vices are cool, I still want to find a Fortis version with quick release.

Hollands made an offset to.---This one is 91 lbs.---You can see it on page 67.

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=85854&d=1290377079

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=85855&d=1290377079

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=85856&d=1290377079

 

[bagged89s10]

Wrapped up my stand today. over 300 lbs so I had to use a chain fall to get it on the ground. With a vise it will be close to 500 lbs with out adding any sand or filler in the lower hex.



Also sharing a few cool vise pics. Anyone need a drawing on a Reed 406 swivel lock pin then PM me.



A little vise **** from Poland and a pretty nice Dawn 3 OS side vise from Australia.

Really awesome stand. That has to be one of my favorite stand designs I've seen. Can't wait to see it complete with the Parker on it!

 

[wrxr7]

Just picked up this Yost this weekend. I cannot find any info about this model or any pictures on the net. Does anyone know anything about this model?

It has 4" jaws and must weigh at least 50 pounds.

 

[ganymede]

Really good day at a small flea market next town over from me, found 3 vises. First, and best, is this Desmond Simplex 51 S, 5-1/4" jaw swivelin' *******. Real nice shape, some surface rust, and a couple minor bends in the handle, no big deal to straighten it. Threw $50. for this one.

Desmond nothing. That's one of the original Simplex Tool Company vises made in Woonsocket Rhode Island.
Probably from the 1930's

 

[royce]

Yes I thought about leaving it plain but my welding was not as pretty as it used to be. Yes I still have the skills and know where the correct settings are but my pretty welds are years gone. Painting is like makeup, hides all those wrinkles, maybe I should find room in my tight shop for a wire welder, na I love my TIG. Thanks Get and Outlaw

Wonderful job KM
The bevel on the base plate is a nice touch
Nothing wrong with those welds to my eye

Royce

 

[Maui]

Anybody live near Staunton, Illinois? If you do, it may be worth checking out this place:

http://stlouis.craigslist.org/tls/5757502998.html

Maui

 

[KMScott]

Really awesome stand. That has to be one of my favorite stand designs I've seen. Can't wait to see it complete with the Parker on it!

Wonderful job KM
The bevel on the base plate is a nice touch
Nothing wrong with those welds to my eye

Royce

Thanks Baggs and Royce
I made this stand as if I was going to use it. I can not mount a vise on any of my workbenches because I choose not to, so I work on a stand everyday. I like to have a place to have access to a hammer ( pounding handles and swivel lock downs), torch and a air hose at my reach and also a place to hold hardware if I am taking something apart. So this stand is in my mind a working stand for the likes of me. The bevel is because I am so clumsy and trip over everything. I rolled this stand all over my tiny shop and it moved pretty easy. I really pored the heat to the bottom weld in hopes it would pull up the 30 inch 3/8 thick base and it did just enough. I added holes in case it needs to be bolted down. I have many more stands to make since I have many heavy vises to big for benches and I may copy a few design tricks from you Royce if you do not mind. Thanks again guys.

 

[dutchgray]

Hollands made an offset to.---This one is 91 lbs.---You can see it on page 67.

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=85854&d=1290377079

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=85855&d=1290377079

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=85856&d=1290377079

Cool but I don't think the chances of finding one here are great, I have at least seen a couple of the Fortis on eBay and bid on one, which I didn't get.

 

[schor]

I found a wilton bullet vise at my FIL's and I disassembled it but cannot separate the 2 main pieces. I'd done lots of penetrating oil and have hit it as hard as I can with a brass punch and a mallet. It's not budging. Most of the other parts came apart easily with little rust. I am sure I am not missing any pin or something, this should just come apart imo.

Do I heat it, try to press it out (somehow)?

 

[Isaiah6113]

Hello all,

Picked these fellows up last week. The York 100 is a 4" and the York 80 is a 3". Both are in great shape, dynamic jaws move well. The 100 has original paint, but the 80 has had a sloppy paint job. Both bars are straight and they're just fantastic. Make a great pairing with the York 150 (6") I bought last December (picture below). These Yorks are heavily built. Paid the seller his asking of CA$40 for both. Love these.

Nice vise the "little" York 80: 3". Received a paint job in the past, but other than that works well.

Ditto the York 100: 4", works well, original paint. The jaws on both are perfect.

And the behemoth from December last year (posted in this thread). I should really get all three lined up for comparison.

Thanks for looking,

Matthew A.

 

[Craptain]

What a "You ****" deal for 2 little(?) beauties.

Sent from my LG-D801 using Tapatalk

 

[dogzbody1]

Thanks, I'll try Simple Green, never would have thought of it as a paint remover!

 

[nypdblue]

Desmond Stephens 33s

 

[joe.striper]

Thanks, I'll try Simple Green, never would have thought of it as a paint remover!

It is phenomenal. Unadulterated only though. I use a 5 gal bucket with a screw on lid from Home Depot. The stuff is unbelievable.
Dont put pot metal or aluminum in it for any length of time as it will etch it.

 

[joe.striper]

Great day today. I saw Meatsis when he delivered an 8" vise to me then BaggedS10 showed up for a short visit. Just a petfect day.

 

[bulletpruf]

Hello all,

Picked these fellows up last week. The York 100 is a 4" and the York 80 is a 3". Both are in great shape, dynamic jaws move well. The 100 has original paint, but the 80 has had a sloppy paint job. Both bars are straight and they're just fantastic. Make a great pairing with the York 150 (6") I bought last December (picture below). These Yorks are heavily built. Paid the seller his asking of CA$40 for both. Love these.

Nice vise the "little" York 80: 3". Received a paint job in the past, but other than that works well.

Ditto the York 100: 4", works well, original paint. The jaws on both are perfect.

And the behemoth from December last year (posted in this thread). I should really get all three lined up for comparison.

Thanks for looking,

Matthew A.

Nice York's! And YOU ****!

Seriously, if you are interested in getting rid of one of 'em, pm me. I'd like to add a York to my collection.

 

[Outlawmws]

Just a steal on those Yorks!

 

[flavc3]

Hello all,

Picked these fellows up last week. The York 100 is a 4" and the York 80 is a 3". Both are in great shape, dynamic jaws move well. The 100 has original paint, but the 80 has had a sloppy paint job. Both bars are straight and they're just fantastic. Make a great pairing with the York 150 (6") I bought last December (picture below). These Yorks are heavily built. Paid the seller his asking of CA$40 for both. Love these.

Nice vise the "little" York 80: 3". Received a paint job in the past, but other than that works well.

Ditto the York 100: 4", works well, original paint. The jaws on both are perfect.

And the behemoth from December last year (posted in this thread). I should really get all three lined up for comparison.

Thanks for looking,

Matthew A.

Ahhh so your the one who got them......well nice to see they went to a fellow GJ member

 

[bagged89s10]

Great day today. I saw Meatsis when he delivered an 8" vise to me then BaggedS10 showed up for a short visit. Just a petfect day.

It was great to finally have a chance to visit again. Your shop is looking good!

 

[drivesitfar]

NYPD: any chance you can post up a LOT MORE PICTURES of that cool vise?

Flav: great collection and i'd love to have a York vice some day show up around here no matter what size so i can compare it to my old Wiltons.

ALL: i was at a sale and there was an old Columbian that looked gigantic sitting next to one of those little open screw vises that has so many different brand names on it. i didn't measure the jaws on the columbian until after i bought it because it was a great price, but when i found out it was only a 4 inch was amazed how small it looks compared to some of my other vises. it's a solid vise and as much as i'm not a huge fan of Columbian their older vises do have some heft and quality that is for certain. pretty dirty and the guy's shop looked worse even though he had a water view, but the vise looks like it's in great shape. I always like to get the square headed bolts if i can when taking these off a bench and for some reason one was missing on this one.

 

[nypdblue]

Drives and to all -Anyone ever seen one /have one or any info -thanks

 

[drivesitfar]

NYPD: if you can keep posting pictures I (we) would appreciate it and maybe somebody has seen one of these, but i haven't and it's very unique. is it yours and how do you like using it? any history? also any pictures of the underside would be great if you can and have the time to post a few.

for some reason your pictures are coming up sideways so i saved to my laptop and edited them so here's they are. it looks like you have a small anvil sitting under it now or is that part of the vise?

 

[nypdblue]

Drives - posting pic from my iphone dont know why pics are sideways -vise is mine -found at an estate sale -im assuming the off set base was an accessory at the time of original purchase -i cant find anything on web about it