The VISES of Garage Journal

[drivesitfar]

CK: i know you maybe meant to say REED and NOT ROCK ISLAND so just making sure that you know your vise was made by REED.

CRS: nicely done. hope your bride likes her new Christmas presents.

ALL: that vise Bent found is an interesting vise to say the least.

 

[Gert]

Drivesitfar and I were having a discussion in another thread I started about a vise I've got, and suggested I post it up in this thread. Here it is and all the details I know about it. Any onfo would be great.

The vise is labeled Rock Island Tool Co, with a patent date of Oct 15 1901. It's hard to make out the date clearly though. Also the static jaw is stamped 141 and the dynamic jaw is stamped 143. They match up with Rock Island part numbers but don't match up with the actual products as far as I can tell. It's also been welded on the dynamic jaw, once I get it cleaned up I'll be able to tell a bit better what the extent of the repair is. The vise also doesn't use a handle to clamp the swivel base, when the main screw closes it tightens the swivel mechanism. I haven't seen another vise with that swivel function.

Hi Bent, your Rock Island 141/143 looks to be the little brother of my Rock Island 24. Picture below, more pics in post #40505. Good to see all the parts came lose. Interesting yours is stamped "Rock Island Tool Co", but both our pat dates are the same
Thanks for sharing !

 

[ckadams00]

drivesitfar - thank you I meant to say REED, I am also working on an old ROCK ISLAND CM as well - better not get the two mixed up LOL. Appreciate the tip on looking for a Reed split nut - had never seen this set up before and it's not really something that would like being banged on with a hammer. I figured a spanner wrench would work but can't get it in there - so I'll try the hammer/pin trick. Now that I know how the mechanism works I feel like an idiot but I'm glad I asked!

 

[drivesitfar]

CK: if you have any questions just ask. in case you didn't know the 519x's that Craftsman made that i think were made by Rock Island and others think Reed or other companies have a threaded sleeve that holds the main screw on the dynamic jaw. i haven't taken apart an older Rock Island made vise with Craftsman cast in it's side so maybe be aware of that.

also make sure to take the screw out of the side before you attempt to unscrew the split nut.

good luck

GERT: How do you pick up these amazing vises in your location. WELL DONE SIR!! also it looks like it has some damage so thanks for saving it from another BFH (HAMMER).

 

[CRSINMICH]

The main nut gets pulled forward as you tighten the vise and that jams the round part of the bottom swivel section against the inside of the top swivel section locking everything up. I suppose it's a bit like a more robust versa-vise.

CW: Thanks. That does sound like how a Versa Vise works.

By the way, I posted some information on the Vise History/Reference/Manufacturers thread that I gleaned from some of the catalogues you uploaded. I did give you credit. Thanks again for doing all that work. I have enjoyed looking through that material. If you should happen to run across an Imp set it aside for me and I'll be over directly to fetch it.

EDIT: I just checked that other thread, Cwaze. A common expression here is, "You can call me anything except late for dinner".

 

[CRSINMICH]

The inner pipe is threaded through the screw and the base fits over it. When the screw is closed it traps the base against the vise making it stationary.

Bent: Thanks! My mistake was in trying to picture how it would lock DOWN onto the base not how it would lock TO the base. Great vise by the way.

 

[Gert]

GERT: How do you pick up these amazing vises in your location. WELL DONE SIR!! also it looks like it has some damage so thanks for saving it from another BFH (HAMMER).

Thanks !
The search is half the fun...
I think those vises came here during WW2. If only they could speak...

 

[jakemac]

I started to clean this up this weekend - got most of it apart, but after removing the retaining screw below the oil hole in front, I have no idea how the handle/screw comes out? Looks like a retaining collar is in there but can't find any screws. I tapped it a few times with a hammer and no movement forward . . .anyone have any insight?

It's a 2-piece threaded collar. After removing the locking screw, if you can find a pin spanner large enough, spin it counter-clockwise to unthread it. You may need some penetrating oil to help breakup any rust holding the threads.

 

[mike_paxton]

Drivesitfar and I were having a discussion in another thread I started about a vise I've got, and suggested I post it up in this thread. Here it is and all the details I know about it. Any onfo would be great.

The vise is labeled Rock Island Tool Co, with a patent date of Oct 15 1901. It's hard to make out the date clearly though. Also the static jaw is stamped 141 and the dynamic jaw is stamped 143. They match up with Rock Island part numbers but don't match up with the actual products as far as I can tell. It's also been welded on the dynamic jaw, once I get it cleaned up I'll be able to tell a bit better what the extent of the repair is. The vise also doesn't use a handle to clamp the swivel base, when the main screw closes it tightens the swivel mechanism. I haven't seen another vise with that swivel function.

Bent Handle:

Thks for posting your vise, as it is always nice to see something different in regards to locking of the swivel base.

Hope you will get it cleaned up and post add'l pics here as well.

I checked the following David's link and Rock Island shows up with a dynamic rear jaw in the No. 50 with 3.5" jaws and No. 52 with 4.5 inch jaws.

David's isn't always complete, but I like using it as a reference when I'm puzzled.

BTW, What size of jaws are on the one you have posted?

http://scuttle.dayid.org/wiki/index.php/Rock_Island_Vise

Mike

 

[rusty65]

The chart above is correct and here is a rock island catalog page to confirm. Lower left hand corner.


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[Bent Handle]

Mike Paxton:

Oddly enough the jaws are 4". Maybe it's a 51?

I think I'm going to make an electrolysis tub and have at it. I can't see why I wouldn't want to go that route, seems like the best way to get it cleaned up.

 

[PghJKB]

Drivesitfar and I were having a discussion in another thread I started about a vise I've got, and suggested I post it up in this thread. Here it is and all the details I know about it. Any onfo would be great.

The vise is labeled Rock Island Tool Co, with a patent date of Oct 15 1901. It's hard to make out the date clearly though. Also the static jaw is stamped 141 and the dynamic jaw is stamped 143. They match up with Rock Island part numbers but don't match up with the actual products as far as I can tell. It's also been welded on the dynamic jaw, once I get it cleaned up I'll be able to tell a bit better what the extent of the repair is. The vise also doesn't use a handle to clamp the swivel base, when the main screw closes it tightens the swivel mechanism. I haven't seen another vise with that swivel function.

Bent
The the same Rock Island made your vise as other Rock Island vises posted here.

Another vise very similar to yours was posted by VA back on 3 July. It is a Rock Island 136. Check out post #45681 and US patent #684,443.
http://pdfpiw.uspto.gov/.piw?Docid=...&SectionNum=&idkey=NONE&Input=View+first+page

The patent date on his is missing the "1" of "15", making the date "Oct. 5 1901."

Also, I do not see that patent being assigned to Jacobson - the invention was by John R. Long, and he did assign some of his patents to Jacobson, but not this one.

JKB

 

[Boatman53]

I might have posted this before, but no base for the Versa-Vise is no big deal. I made this up for mine.

Jim

 

[torqueman2002]

I hope it's OK to post a YouTube video of a vise collection owned by Jimmy DiResta.
<iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/nsz5Kq_apn0" allowfullscreen="" width="560" height="315" frameborder="0"></iframe>

 

[va.grouseman]

PghJKB, The Pittsburgh uses the same internal locking mechanism as the Rock Island.

 

[G-ManBart]

Mike Paxton:

Oddly enough the jaws are 4". Maybe it's a 51?

I think I'm going to make an electrolysis tub and have at it. I can't see why I wouldn't want to go that route, seems like the best way to get it cleaned up.

Nothing wrong with an electrolysis tub, but soaking those parts in Evapo-Rust will work equally well, and is actually quite a bit less hassle. You can reuse Evapo-Rust as well...just pour it back into the jug for your next project.

 

[PghJKB]

PghJKB, The Pittsburgh uses the same internal locking mechanism as the Rock Island.

VA
Yes, Long patented both vise types.

He continually refined this locking method. My research has found his patents for vise bases range from 1901 until 1933. The Jacobson, Pittsburgh and the Gyro Vise are just three examples of his work with bases. If you look at them side by side you should see a progression of improvements.

BTW - I am from Pittsburgh, and I do not have a Pittsburgh Vise - Do you have to rub it in,

JKB

 

[mike_paxton]

The chart above is correct and here is a rock island catalog page to confirm. Lower left hand corner.


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Rusty65:

Thanks for uploading the Rock Island catalog pages and with Bent Handle confirming jaw size on the Rock Island at 4 inches, looks like it is the #51.

At 53 pounds and cost of $24, it was a pretty pricey model for the day.


Bent Handle:

Electrolysis tub, Evapo-Rust or even wire wheeling the rust off like I normally do are all good options.

Once done, get some cleaned up pics of vise posted up here for documentation purposes.

Again, thks for sharing with us.

Mike

 

[Bent Handle]

I may try the evapo-rust option first, I'll see if I can find a couple gallons this weekend. Once taken apart I can get the vise in a reasonably small container it looks like. I didn't want to go the wire wheel route around the raised letters, I'm afraid of doing more damage than necessary. Ill post up some pics once I make some progress.

Is there any good way of dating the vise. I know Rock Island purchsed Jacobson in 1906, and geared up from there. I'm assuming that means the vise is post 1906? I also love about 10 miles from Rock Island, was the Rock Island tool company around before 1906? Obviously it was made after the patent date. I just don't know how it all fits together.

 

[sbosecker]

I hope it's OK to post a YouTube video of a vise collection owned by Jimmy DiResta.
<iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/nsz5Kq_apn0" allowfullscreen="" width="560" height="315" frameborder="0"></iframe>

Interestingly enough, at the 6:00 minute mark of this video, Mr DiResta has an example of the 4-Inch Standard Vice. He talks about it for about a minute. One thing I noted is that his has what looks like a painted over inventory tag on the side of the vise that is visible, only briefly, at the 6 minute mark. That might give a little information on where these vises came from.

Here's the thread I started after I purchased my Standard Vise.







Best regards,

Scott

 

[rusty65]

Interestingly enough, at the 6:00 minute mark of this video, Mr DiResta has an example of the 4-Inch Standard Vice. He talks about it for about a minute. One thing I noted is that his has what looks like a painted over inventory tag on the side of the vise that is visible, only briefly, at the 6 minute mark. That might give a little information on where these vises came from.

Here's the thread I started after I purchased my Standard Vise.







Best regards,

Scott

Yeah that was a bit of a "shock" seeing a Standard 4in vise in his video.

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[scooternut]

boatman

Nice job on the Versa Vise, now we just need to machine up a bunch of those accessory T shaped pieces that allow the tilt type rotation.

 

[drivesitfar]

Scooter: WELL SAID!!

Doc: thanks for posting up the video. funny which vises he likes and thinks have more value isn't it? sounds like he has a big following so maybe he has some good videos.

 

[Boatman53]

Scooter, I'd buy one if someone was making them. I don't really need it since I put this together.

But still it would come in handy when using the bench mounted one.
Jim

 

[dutchgray]

View media item 64789View media item 64790View media item 64793View media item 64792View media item 64791View media item 64794View media item 64795
Two recent arrivals
Very nice York 80A (3") £50 so expensive really.
Fortis 10
4 1/2" jaw, missing QR parts with the usual mod to get it working. Jaw inserts are alright but it needs proper bolts to hold them on, anvil area has seen some light use in its time and it really is cast that wonky at the back, its had a lot of use and has been left somewhere damp to get that nice rust pitting, but will make a really good user with some work. £35 delivered so actually nice and cheap.

 

[bulletpruf]

Two recent arrivals
Very nice York 80A (3") £50 so expensive really.
Fortis 10
4 1/2" jaw, missing QR parts with the usual mod to get it working. Jaw inserts are alright but it needs proper bolts to hold them on, anvil area has seen some light use in its time and it really is cast that wonky at the back, its had a lot of use and has been left somewhere damp to get that nice rust pitting, but will make a really good user with some work. £35 delivered so actually nice and cheap.

DG -

The York is very nice! Let me know if you run across another one or if you want to sell that one.

Thanks

Scott

 

[nikh]

It does not have the pedigree of any of the beautiful old iron posted here, but it gets used most every day.

 

[dutchgray]

DG -

The York is very nice! Let me know if you run across another one or if you want to sell that one.

Thanks

Scott

That one is for me, if I find another you could definitely buy it, however I think you would find plenty of them on Ebay from eastern Europe.

 

[CRSINMICH]

It does not have the pedigree of any of the beautiful old iron posted here, but it gets used most every day.

nikh: Is that vise your handy work? Very clean lines. I like it. Speaking of very clean - what kind of a shop do you work in?

 

[nikh]

CRSINMICH. Thank you, I did build it. Although if I had it to do over again, I would probably just buy a big carpenter's vise. More for the sake of time and cost than anything to do with function (2.25" bronze rod is expensive). I work as an aircraft structures tech in Maine. The shop needs to be cleaner than it is in all reality. The consequences of FOD can be unimaginably costly, in both money and life. A lost wrench or a little drill swarf in the wrong place...

 

[va.grouseman]

Piramiit Bullet on EBay.---Nice little table vises.---You can see another one on page 1575.

There is also a Pyramid table vise that look a lot like the Piramiit.---I think the Pyramid is the knock off.---Don't know much about either one.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/112063227905?_trksid=p2055119.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK:MEBIDX:IT

 

[scooternut]

nikh

Awesome job on the setup AND what you do.

boatman

slick setup with that versa. Maybe one day I'll look into that T, as for now, my versa is just sitting on the shelf looking good. Someday though.

 

[joe.striper]

In PA today and visited a good contact to pick up these three plus one more really cool one.

Two Reeds and this very, very tiny Colton patent vise. Pd 240 for all three so I have a little room for profit, and I dont even get my hands dirty!!!

The cool one will be posted tomorrow. Too dark for pics

 

[Bent Handle]

Here's a few pics of a Wilton 9350 I picked up today. Seems to be in fairly nice shape and will clean up nice.

 

[CrotalusAtrox]

Here's a few pics of a Wilton 9350 I picked up today. Seems to be in fairly nice shape and will clean up nice.

Very clean nice score

 

[econotrk]

In PA today and visited a good contact to pick up these three plus one more really cool one.

Two Reeds and this very, very tiny Colton patent vise. Pd 240 for all three so I have a little room for profit, and I dont even get my hands dirty!!!

The cool one will be posted tomorrow. Too dark for pics

That's a sweet hand vise Joe!

 

[rusty65]

Picked up a sweet flexi corp los Angeles California vise. The jaws are 4in opens up about 6 1/2 and weighs pretty much #50 pound . It's in great shape the only thing it's missing is the badge on the side I'll post a picture to show what one looks like.

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[joe.striper]

Picked up a sweet flexi corp los Angeles California vise. The jaws are 4in opens up about 6 1/2 and weighs pretty much #50 pound . It's in great shape the only thing it's missing is the badge on the side I'll post a picture to show what one looks like.

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Sure shares a lot with Parker!

 

[trijeff]

Picked up a sweet flexi corp los Angeles California vise. The jaws are 4in opens up about 6 1/2 and weighs pretty much #50 pound . It's in great shape the only thing it's missing is the badge on the side I'll post a picture to show what one looks like.

Cool vise. I can't believe no one at the company would have thought to cast the company name instead of the metal tag, especially considering they did cast letters right around the tag area. I think I saw a patent or something on here not too long ago for the Flexivise, but that metal tag just screams re-branding to me. In sum, cool vise, weird tag

 

[bobx]

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