The VISES of Garage Journal

[trijeff]

Drives,

Yep, sure is quite a bit written about this vise, one still has to be out there! The search just got international, too ... looks like Japan and Spain are also in play.

EDIT: Even though the company they went to has Tennessee in the name, they were actually shipped to Alabama.

 

[GETRIDAONE]

Ok, excuse me for not wading thru the 2300 + pages...

Got this today, and dont know if I screwed up or not...
Paid about $50 ish, but it was included with a bunch or other stuff, so difficult to apportion..
Comments or advice welcome!!!

Craftsman Vice... Looks to be about 12" long.

Part # 8815181?


Want to use it restore it... was it Red originally?

Keyblazer,. The part#. is 391-5181 Look on the bottom of your vise and it will show made in Japan. Columbian made that style of vise for Sears to start out and later Sears had them imported. The ones I have had seem to be as good quality as the craftsman branded Columbians. Red is the original color you see underneath the black.

 

[Mark in Indiana]

Keyblazer,

You did fine on your 50$ C-Man vise purchase. That's a great general purpose vise. I used one like yours, on my roll-around for over 20 years in my industrial maintenance jobs.

Painting it? It was originally red. However, the body lines make it easy to do a 2 or 3 tone paint job on it.

 

[KMScott]

Again, my guesses and suspicions could be way off but Kevin stated on the vise poll that he had 88 vises (at that time)
http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showpost.php?p=5200988&postcount=30

Because as he stated he has a lot ( like Top) that is inventory, that number can go way up or down.

Guys like Demoman, VA, and others that are collectors, buy to keep, not to flip. Just another of my guesses without much basis, just from having read many of the pages on this thread, I would guesstimate VA at 400+. I don't want to put him on the spot, but inquiring minds want to know

Years back I remember Zoomie stating he had counted something like 270 and still had others to count.....and probably has added to his collection.

I am not calling anyone out Most guys on this thread are envious, son don't be shy if you feel like confessing

FMC I communicate and repair vises for a few vise collectors that have more vises then they can count. My collection keeps growing more then I am losing. But no way near 300 vises, Bags meant the amount of vises the collector he was talking too and not me. I just do not have the room. I use my vises after restorations for bringing attention to my web sites. I'll leave my favorite vises for my kids to get rid of like how the Golden Pile grew my collection in one swoop.
Since the poll was taken I have added at least 20 more vises. I wish I had more time to restore more of my vises but the vise parts are keeping me to busy.

Look what I made last week. I love my new CNC machine. These baby bases were fun to make and will not be cheap.

 

[G-ManBart]

Look what I made last week. I love my new CNC machine. These baby bases were fun to make and will not be cheap.

Wow....just WOW! Now I want a baby just to put it on one of those bases!!!!

 

[bulletpruf]

FMC I communicate and repair vises for a few vise collectors that have more vises then they can count. My collection keeps growing more then I am losing. But no way near 300 vises, Bags meant the amount of vises the collector he was talking too and not me. I just do not have the room. I use my vises after restorations for bringing attention to my web sites. I'll leave my favorite vises for my kids to get rid of like how the Golden Pile grew my collection in one swoop.
Since the poll was taken I have added at least 20 more vises. I wish I had more time to restore more of my vises but the vise parts are keeping me to busy.

Look what I made last week. I love my new CNC machine. These baby bases were fun to make and will not be cheap.

I have a baby that needs a base...and if I didn't, I'd find a baby without a base so I could bolt it to that!

 

[FMC1959]

FMC I communicate and repair vises for a few vise collectors that have more vises then they can count. My collection keeps growing more then I am losing. But no way near 300 vises, Bags meant the amount of vises the collector he was talking too and not me. I just do not have the room. I use my vises after restorations for bringing attention to my web sites. I'll leave my favorite vises for my kids to get rid of like how the Golden Pile grew my collection in one swoop.
Since the poll was taken I have added at least 20 more vises. I wish I had more time to restore more of my vises but the vise parts are keeping me to busy.

Look what I made last week. I love my new CNC machine. These baby bases were fun to make and will not be cheap.

Kevin, please understand I do not aim to ruffle anyone's feathers, just trying to get an idea how many vises the big collectors on this thread have.

The work you what you do on vises, you are definitely one who appreciates the old vintage vises. Also, money to buy 100's of vises is one thing, but like you stated, space to put them is probably an even bigger challenge.

Your work has always been impressive and I admire anyone who can put the time you do into something they love doing.

With your new machine and the additional capabilities it allows you, I think you will have no choice but to do what Oldie and a couple of others have hinted over the years.....no one has found a Reed 209, you need to make one!

I think it was also suggested that you should out Reed, Reed, and make a 110 or 210. I sure as heck what love to see the results

 

[va.grouseman]

FMC, mine are scattered and stuffed and pilled everywhere, so an actual count would be a monumental task.---But I don't have near the volume some of these other guys have.---If I had to make an estimate, I'd say somewhere around 225 from the very smallest to the very largest, give or take.---And that includes 2 of my Fathers handsaw vises and 2 drill-press vises.---And if you are not including table vises, you can knock off about 50 more.---Like KMS said, The lack of room will slow your collecting down considerably.---You start getting real selective.


KM, that is some awesome work on the baby bases.---Of course you know, you are turning stationary baby b------s into swiveling baby b------s.---Somebody's not going to be pleased.

 

[Shiftless]

One of the members (I don't remember which one) did a survey last year of how many vises GJ members owned. Does anyone remember the exact results? Maybe it's time to redo the survey and it's about time for FAVORITE VISE OF 2016 too.

That would be me.
Here is a graph of the results. I don't know about the rest of you, but my collection has increased greatly since that survey ran.

 

[Thru-hika]

Thank you for the pics of your impressive vise collections. I wil surely be showing these collections to my wife so I should be looked upon in her eyes in a better light.

 

[topop101]

That's my problem Top.---I don't have anything I consider inventory.---I tell myself, I need to unload some of this stuff, so I start looking around for something to sell and I say, no not that one, no not that one, no not that one, no definitely not that one.---And I find that I haven't stopped loving them yet.---And that makes ROOM a real commodity.

Oh I definitely have those I won't sell. But I like to restore and sell as well. It completes the process for me . I really enjoy every part it. The hunt.. meet the owner .... stories... discovery ... play with and restore... the sale... meet new owner. I get to enjoy many this way . Some are too rare to part with or came from a special place or person. Those go no where! I still have my first one! It's no longer my user but it will never leave me.
What was your first vise?

 

[FMC1959]

FMC, mine are scattered and stuffed and pilled everywhere, so an actual count would be a monumental task.---But I don't have near the volume some of these other guys have.---If I had to make an estimate, I'd say somewhere around 225 from the very smallest to the very largest, give or take.---And that includes 2 of my Fathers handsaw vises and 2 drill-press vises.---And if you are not including table vises, you can knock off about 50 more.---Like KMS said, The lack of room will slow your collecting down considerably.---You start getting real selective.


KM, that is some awesome work on the baby bases.---Of course you know, you are turning stationary baby b------s into swiveling baby b------s.---Somebody's not going to be pleased.

Still a large and eclectic collection. I remember over the years seeing some different and rare vises. Even lately, someone will find a unique vise and ask if anyone has heard of or seen the model before; sure enough, you have one! (Or 2 or 3 or....)

 

[meatsis]

You guys really do have some impressive collections! With all of these vises that you have accumulated, which ones actually get used? Meaning which ones do you have mounted and actually use on a regular basis. Feel free to poste some more pics.

 

[va.grouseman]

So here is a journal page from 1907 showing that a few of the Pittsburgh RR vises might have gone to Tennessee

Trijeff, darn good article on the Pittsburgh.---Puts us one step closer to dogging one down.


All You Researchers are coming with some real valuable history and info on a whole lot of vises here lately.---Keep it up..---I appreciated the invested time.

 

[Bcom]

I just cant believe i cant find one,not a single photo of that 695lb railroad vise anywhere on the net. You mean nobody ever took a picture of this beautiful monster?!?

More vise collection photos please!

 

[va.grouseman]

Top, my first vise was a 6'' stationary Columbian.---About the same time that I finished my shop, 40 years ago, VDOT was tearing down all the old Blacksmith shops and starting contracting everything they needed instead of making their own stuff.---As per the government, they didn't try to salvage anything but went through the old wood shop with a loader like a dost of croton oil.---Said the old wooden buildings were fire hazards.---It had a dandy 14' bench with this 6'' Columbian bolted hard to it, and they just hooked a chain around the vise and ripped that bench to shreds.---Some of us stood around and cried.---Now they laid that old vise out on the ground and no one wanted it because for the last 15 years leading up to that day, the mowing machine boys had used the back of the slide as an anvil to shear rivets out of their sickle bars and used it to brad new ones back in.---The slide never cracked but concaved about 1/2'' deep in the middle and bulged out about 1/4'' on each side.---So naturally the Dynamic wouldn't screw out.---Showed me that it had some pretty good malleable steel in it that might just take to stick welding.---I wasn't about to tell no one that it could be repaired or how, but I wasn't going to steal it either.---Back then I sure couldn't afford a 6'' vise, but I sure wanted one.---So it laid there through the winter and half into the summer till grass was waist deep around and through it.---Then the superintendent said for someone to get it out of his grass.---So I got it home and ran beads down the caved in part, hammered out most of the pregnant looking sides, and then ground everything flat,---Worked like a charm for me for near 35 years.---And I mean I worked it!---That piece of personal history showed me that Columbians have some good flexible iron in them.---I know a Prentiss would have split wide open.---If Columbian just hadn't of cheated on the metal in the towers they wouldn't have the bad rap that they do.---I've still got it and won't ever sell that one, but it's at the bottom of a pile so a pic will have to wait.

Then I got a bite on a Craigslist 8'' Columbian in Colorado.---And it's the one I use every day Meatsis.---It's the one I filled with lead.---I've posted these before but some may not have seen them.---The forth pic says 608, but you can barely read it for the glare.

 

[Thrumcap]

Hey all,

Does anyone know of a similar Parker model to the Parker 808 (8",296 lbs)? This is a fixed vise type. I'm not turning up a lot.

Thanks
Thrumcap

 

[meatsis]

great story VA. And that 8 incher sure looks clean.

Hey all,

Does anyone know of a similar Parker model to the Parker 808 (8",296 lbs)? This is a fixed vise type. I'm not turning up a lot.

Thanks
Thrumcap

Thumbcrap, I have a parker 60X which I believe is pretty similar. Ive seen it advertised as 265 lbs. but mine weighed 285 lbs on my scale. Its a BIG sob for a fixed base. Do you have a lead on one these? Didn't you pick a few big ones not long ago?

 

[GETRIDAONE]

You guys really do have some impressive collections! With all of these vises that you have accumulated, which ones actually get used? Meaning which ones do you have mounted and actually use on a regular basis. Feel free to poste some more pics.

When it comes to vises you only want to use the best and I use it regularly

 

[oldldh]

Reverend Scott has whittled some "Swivlin" Mini-B@#tards"....

HMMM...

Hell, babies swivel all the time, when they're filling up their britches, so I guess we'll have to let him slide, on those...

Holy Sheep Dip!!!

That is some gorgeous whittlin'!!!

YA DUN GUD, REV-KEV!!!

Now, I put a "Steel - Whittled Craftsman 5199" (That's the six inch never made 175 pound Clamper Supreme!!!), on my Christmas list...I wonder if Santa was listening???

 

[meatsis]

Here's a pic of the 60X.



And here it is towering over an 8 inch Athol that Mr. Joe Striper STOLE from me.

 

[zoomieport]

When it comes to vises you only want to use the best and I use it regularly

Spectacular...

 

[GETRIDAONE]

Here's a pic of the 60X.



And here it is towering over an 8 inch Athol that Mr. Joe Striper STOLE from me.

Catalog page

 

[jakemac]

When it comes to vises you only want to use the best and I use it regularly

View media item 38280 View media item 38280 View media item 38280Too funny !

 

[GETRIDAONE]

Meatsis, I know how much you like Parker's & Heineken
This 978 is as finished as it will get. I made a new handle for it, added a nut tension block and cleaned up the slide as best as I could. The slide had been used an anvil as usual but

 

[rusty65]

Just curious does anyone know if a Wilton 744 swivel base will fit a modern wilton 350?

Sent from my XT1585 using Tapatalk

 

[bagged89s10]

Meatsis, I know how much you like Parker's & Heineken

This 978 is as finished as it will get. I made a new handle for it, added a nut tension block and cleaned up the slide as best as I could. The slide had been used an anvil as usual but

Real nice restoration GET. Nice finish and I like the reed/kmscott style backlash adjuster for the nut.

 

[KMScott]

Wow....just WOW! Now I want a baby just to put it on one of those bases!!!!

Thanks G-man, these really are not hard to make but are time consuming. I cheated on the side and used two different drafted cutters to look like the sides have a little arc in them.

I have a baby that needs a base...and if I didn't, I'd find a baby without a base so I could bolt it to that!

That would be something to find one where you are. Thanks Bullet. Did you use your new handle?

Kevin, please understand I do not aim to ruffle anyone's feathers, just trying to get an idea how many vises the big collectors on this thread have.

The work you what you do on vises, you are definitely one who appreciates the old vintage vises. Also, money to buy 100's of vises is one thing, but like you stated, space to put them is probably an even bigger challenge.

Your work has always been impressive and I admire anyone who can put the time you do into something they love doing.

With your new machine and the additional capabilities it allows you, I think you will have no choice but to do what Oldie and a couple of others have hinted over the years.....no one has found a Reed 209, you need to make one!

I think it was also suggested that you should out Reed, Reed, and make a 110 or 210. I sure as heck what love to see the results

FMC, no feathers on me ruffled, just clearing up the air. I really do enjoy working on vises, I live in a cool place away from nosy neighbors and by myself then I get to carve what I want. I make just enough to pay bills.

As for the 209 building I'll just have to rub my hands on a 109 for now.

Thanks for your post.

FMC, mine are scattered and stuffed and pilled everywhere, so an actual count would be a monumental task.---But I don't have near the volume some of these other guys have.---If I had to make an estimate, I'd say somewhere around 225 from the very smallest to the very largest, give or take.---And that includes 2 of my Fathers handsaw vises and 2 drill-press vises.---And if you are not including table vises, you can knock off about 50 more.---Like KMS said, The lack of room will slow your collecting down considerably.---You start getting real selective.


KM, that is some awesome work on the baby bases.---Of course you know, you are turning stationary baby b------s into swiveling baby b------s.---Somebody's not going to be pleased.

Funny, the baby bases are something that I have been asked to do many times. You have a very nice collection of vises. To bad I could not get the Wards Wilton for you a couple years ago.

Reverend Scott has whittled some "Swivlin" Mini-B@#tards"....

HMMM...

Hell, babies swivel all the time, when they're filling up their britches, so I guess we'll have to let him slide, on those...

Holy Sheep Dip!!!

That is some gorgeous whittlin'!!!

YA DUN GUD, REV-KEV!!!

Now, I put a "Steel - Whittled Craftsman 5199" (That's the six inch never made 175 pound Clamper Supreme!!!), on my Christmas list...I wonder if Santa was listening???

Thanks Oldie, you are the best.

 

[Fixed]

Doing some googling, seems that a brand called "Dawn" made some decent vises. A guy locally is asking $40 for a 5SP, says it works well. I'm thinking about going to take a look at it tomorrow. Any important info any members have on them?

 

[meatsis]

Meatsis, I know how much you like Parker's & Heineken
This 978 is as finished as it will get. I made a new handle for it, added a nut tension block and cleaned up the slide as best as I could. The slide had been used an anvil as usual but

GET that Parker 978 came out great!!! That backlash adjuster on the nut is a nice touch also. Nice work and thanks for sharing.

 

[joe.striper]

Here's a pic of the 60X.



And here it is towering over an 8 inch Athol that Mr. Joe Striper STOLE from me.

STOLE...STOLE!!!!!! OH Hell no! I RESCUED that vise from you. It is MUCH happier with me and will get the attention it deserves. Then it will tell its friends about the great life it has here and they will all want to come to live with me as well.

 

[Thrumcap]

Thumbcrap, I have a parker 60X which I believe is pretty similar. Ive seen it advertised as 265 lbs. but mine weighed 285 lbs on my scale. Its a BIG sob for a fixed base. Do you have a lead on one these? Didn't you pick a few big ones not long ago?

Nice!

The vise I am currently looking at weighed in at 296, so the only matching catalog entry is for an 808. Problem is I can't confirm if there is a model no. on the vise, so the question is, is there an earlier model at that weight or is it just unmarked.

Thrumcap

 

[va.grouseman]

Get, I am so jealous.---I want a 978 so bad.---That is a beauty.

 

[drivesitfar]

Fixed: Dawn vices are made in Austrailia or were and the age of that one tells me if there are not issues under that very nice white paint job that for $40 you will be getting a good vice.

Get: not sure if i love your GREEN WRINKLE PAINT JOB on your big parker or your state of the are Wilton bullet TP holder. WELL DONE SIR!!

VA: great story and i know you still use that old Columbian today cause it must have a good soft spot in your heart for it cause it was #1. you might not have the #'s some of the guys have, but i bet if total weight was the catagory even without weighing your chains and locks you'd win by a landslide.

TJ: thank you for enlarging the print for us old guys that can't see some of the small print even with our readers on. Trip to SPAIN in your future cause if you find the RR vise i'm sure we'd give you a pass on the hat eating???

 

[KMScott]

Meatsis, I know how much you like Parker's & Heineken
This 978 is as finished as it will get. I made a new handle for it, added a nut tension block and cleaned up the slide as best as I could. The slide had been used an anvil as usual but

Very nice job GET, I like how you improvised the nut lock. The handle looks great and check out those jaws. Very nice vise. Thinking it needs a stand to finish it off.

 

[zoomieport]

Meatsis, I know how much you like Parker's & Heineken
This 978 is as finished as it will get. I made a new handle for it, added a nut tension block and cleaned up the slide as best as I could. The slide had been used an anvil as usual but

Well done, Sir!

 

[CrotalusAtrox]

Posting this for my friend Sandman not a vise but a dam big anvil he bought it is 990 pounds big

You can see the entire video on You Tube

https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=youtu.be&v=ratMrUOR6sM&app=desktop

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[va.grouseman]

Originally posted by KMScott.

To bad I could not get the Wards Wilton for you a couple years ago.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------


I appreciated you trying, and I sure would have bought it.---I finally got lucky about a year later and found a good one on EBay.---But I would love to have had 2 of them.---I've got 2 ACME Wiltons.---Would have been nice to have had 2 of each.---Here's the Wards.---Oh, if you run across a Dawn off-set Wilton, give me a ring.---I'm in the market.---Last one I saw, they were asking $1200.00.---Why that's chicken feed.

 

[zoomieport]

Oh, if you run across a Dawn off-set Wilton, give me a ring.---I'm in the market.---Last one I saw, they were asking $1200.00.---Why that's chicken feed.

With your unlimited vise budget get two, one for each hand!

 

[CrotalusAtrox]

Picked up a couple vises tonight. A 613 Athol in great shape jaws are perfect and a real old Wilton number 4 no date code and doesn't say made in Chicago.

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