The VISES of Garage Journal

[KMScott]

Thanks guys for all your comments. I did learn a few things fitting jaws on this #19 Swivel Jaw Prentiss. I make assumptions that all vises are cut to the same dimensions. These dimensions are actually nominal fractions but this vise was not machined very accurate. These #19 jaws had to be altered to fit correctly. The heights of the boss was fine but the depths were all over the place, That makes me concerned when others clamp on a new set of jaws and miss this important fitting. But what can you do with out a surface grinder or milling machine to clean up the jaw face. Use a file? I like jaws that close flat and parallel and backed up by steel and not having any gaps. I am working on my second Prentiss and will see how the new jaws fit on this one.

 

[CrotalusAtrox]

KM Scott,

What is that color on that big one you have up for sale is that Leafy Rise ?

Went a looked at it again yep Leafy Rise that Parker on that stand is a thing of beauty.

 

[KMScott]

I think ot is Satin Olive something. Can't remember. I like it too. Thanks Crotalus.

 

[drivesitfar]

LondonSteve: it's your first post and you've been watching this thread for maybe close to 5 years? impressive stamina sir. that said now that you did post would you mind posting your pictures again? i'm guessing you are using Imgur or another online posting cause their pictures don't show up on GJ's site and something about we here at GJ have a classified section. anyway want to try posting them again and if you need help just ask and we'll give you a few options.

GIZ: very interesting story. i bet you could write a book and maybe you have.

 

[jimreed2160]

Thanks guys for all your comments. I did learn a few things fitting jaws on this #19 Swivel Jaw Prentiss. I make assumptions that all vises are cut to the same dimensions. These dimensions are actually nominal fractions but this vise was not machined very accurate. These #19 jaws had to be altered to fit correctly. The heights of the boss was fine but the depths were all over the place, That makes me concerned when others clamp on a new set of jaws and miss this important fitting. But what can you do with out a surface grinder or milling machine to clean up the jaw face. Use a file? I like jaws that close flat and parallel and backed up by steel and not having any gaps. I am working on my second Prentiss and will see how the new jaws fit on this one.

Well I worked on a Prentiss #18 this summer that was a mess. One jaw was MIA but the previous owner used the vise anyway and rounded over the screws and seat. I was able to use my small mill to remove the screw remnants. When your replacement jaws arrived, I just filed both faces for a good seat. There was a lot of trial and error but everything worked out. Slow but sure.

 

[Bcom]

Kscott- what are the colors used on that prentiss? A very interesting color combination! Very cool and different!

 

[CRSINMICH]

Mystery Vise II​

About two months ago I posted a 1922 photo of a vise in action and wondered if anyone could identify it. It only took about 25 minutes. Here's another photo from a different 1922 journal. It shows a device that a training school used to help their students learn to file flat and level. I don't know the answer to the question but can anyone "NAME THAT VISE"?

 

[RHJO51]

Found a Wilton bullet at a estate sale. Had to unbolt it from under a pile of junk. It's marked 173, and 9003. Three inch jaws. I'm guessing it was made in 73. Can anyone tell me if this had a swivel base, or was it as is? It was bolted to the bench like this.

 

[drivesitfar]

RHJ: a lot of Wilton bullet vises were sold with and without swivel bases so to answer your question yes you have a good vise, but if you want to buy or make a swivel base it might work better.

a lot of members and users made stands for the non swivel vises so they could have 360 degree access.

CRS: NO CLUE this time

 

[Bcom]

Found a Wilton bullet at a estate sale. Had to unbolt it from under a pile of junk. It's marked 173, and 9003. Three inch jaws. I'm guessing it was made in 73. Can anyone tell me if this had a swivel base, or was it as is? It was bolted to the bench like this.

Ive got a 9300 vise just like that and im selling it for parts. Let me know if you need any parts. Send me a pm.

 

[autopts]

Thanks Mike, just to show how big this guy is I just wrapped up a Prentiss #19 and it looks pretty tiny on this big Reed. I love popcorn and so does my Grandkids.

londonsteve, maybe try posting your pic's again, would like to see your old Record 75.

Good to see vises being posted again.

KMScott That Prentiss is Purdy! Sometimes I just lurk but when you have photos, I have to sign in and look. That one will look awesome in your store. It probably won't be there long either.

 

[jack stand]

This is the biggest vice I've ever seen, gave a guy $100 for it. It's marked "The Charles Parker Co. Meriden CT USA" It stands 16.5" tall and the jaws are 8" wide. That last pic is it just sitting on a 33" I beam table!
Anyone know anything about this vice?

 

[trijeff]

WHOA!! That is a Parker 978 and if not cracked or repaired anywhere will be worth at least 10X that all cleaned up! YOU ****!!! (Which is a compliment here)

EDIT: those are not original jaws but you can have them made here possibly, KMScott

 

[Cope]

You got a deal on that one for sure.

 

[joe.striper]

This is the biggest vice I've ever seen, gave a guy $100 for it. It's marked "The Charles Parker Co. Meriden CT USA" It stands 16.5" tall and the jaws are 8" wide. That last pic is it just sitting on a 33" I beam table!
Anyone know anything about this vice?

Did you know that owning an 8" vise is ILLEGAL in Maine. Give me your address and I'll remove it for you!

There should be a model # on the otherside. These are GREAT vises

 

[jack stand]

You guy's crack me up! The sad thing is,the guy was a drug addict, he died a day or 2 after I gave him that $100 bill. I've always wondered…..
It's so big it's just silly, I'm going to weld up a lower shelf off to the side of that table to mount it on so it's jaws are not so high up, well at least it's been my plan for the last 10 years when I got it. I brush it down with Fluid Film every now & then but it's been outside ever since I got it and it works smooth as silk. I do not see any welds or repairs on it.

 

[bagged89s10]

This is the biggest vice I've ever seen, gave a guy $100 for it. It's marked "The Charles Parker Co. Meriden CT USA" It stands 16.5" tall and the jaws are 8" wide. That last pic is it just sitting on a 33" I beam table!

Anyone know anything about this vice?

You found Elenor! The unicorn of vises! Great find and you **** a lot!!!!

 

[wrenchguy]

This is the biggest vice I've ever seen, gave a guy $100 for it. It's marked "The Charles Parker Co. Meriden CT USA" It stands 16.5" tall and the jaws are 8" wide. That last pic is it just sitting on a 33" I beam table!
Anyone know anything about this vice?

does that vise close tight, to me it looks like the jaw towers been machined 4 different inserts. still nice, real nice. great find.

 

[jack stand]

You know I'm not sure, I seem to remember that it appeared that it does not close perfectly tight (I've never mounted or used it) but from what I remember it would close on maybe a 1/8" part, but then I have other vices for the little stuff. At that point, it would be the proverbial "driving a tack with a sledge" situation.
This vice will live outdoors on that heavy table just incase I want to sharpen a telephone pole or something lol.

 

[Bcom]

Wow! A parker 978 eclipse! 298lbs!

 

[Horsethief]

A friend wants me to clean this up and paint it for him. Can you tell me anything about it. The only marking is the big 5 on each side. Thanks.

 

[jakemac]

Most likely an Asian import sold under a number of different names.

 

[Outlawmws]

This is the biggest vice I've ever seen, gave a guy $100 for it. It's marked "The Charles Parker Co. Meriden CT USA" It stands 16.5" tall and the jaws are 8" wide. That last pic is it just sitting on a 33" I beam table!
Anyone know anything about this vice?

 

[topop101]

Check this beast out! I'm guessing 12 inch or bigger

 

[demoman]

Topop where did you get that photo?? Huge vise

 

[topop101]

Topop where did you get that photo?? Huge vise

It came from Facebook but I think originally from Pinterest

 

[trijeff]

I know it's not the Pittsburgh, but this is close to hat eating ... that thing has to weigh a half ton

Sent from my SM-G900P using Tapatalk

 

[topop101]

I know it's not the Pittsburgh, but this is close to hat eating ... that thing has to weigh a half ton

Sent from my SM-G900P using Tapatalk

Bon appétit!

 

[G-ManBart]

This is the biggest vice I've ever seen, gave a guy $100 for it. It's marked "The Charles Parker Co. Meriden CT USA" It stands 16.5" tall and the jaws are 8" wide. That last pic is it just sitting on a 33" I beam table!
Anyone know anything about this vice?

Wowzers!

 

[joe.striper]

Check this beast out! I'm guessing 12 inch or bigger

I have an 8" blacksmith vise I am planning on mounting the exact same way. thanks for the pic!

 

[Mark in Indiana]

All,
I just finished a restoration of a Littlestown No. 400 vise. I'll show pictures in the near future. But, while I was looking for some information & history about it, I came across the Littlestown Foundry website.

The link to the company history section is below. Click on the link, scroll down to where they show the "1950 Vise Production" video. Click on that and enjoy.


http://www.littlestownfoundry.com/history/

 

[rusty65]

I have an 8" blacksmith vise I am planning on mounting the exact same way. thanks for the pic![emoji106]

There is a 8in blacksmith vise posted on cl around me mounted in the manner I believe your referring to?

Sent from my XT1585 using Tapatalk

 

[mike_paxton]

It came from Facebook but I think originally from Pinterest

Top:

After seeing that blacksmith vise and the big Parker pics from Jack Stand, it looks like the Holy Grail in both categories just appeared in vise section of GJ.

Mike

 

[topop101]

Top:

After seeing that blacksmith vise and the big Parker pics from Jack Stand, it looks like the Holy Grail in both categories just appeared in vise section of GJ.

Mike

Defiantly some big dude's still out there to be had!

 

[bagged89s10]

Topop where did you get that photo?? Huge vise

I thought it was just a midget standing next to the vise. lol

 

[jack stand]

Check this beast out! I'm guessing 12 inch or bigger

You just popped my "big vice" bubble
That thing is huge!

 

[CrotalusAtrox]

I think this one has been on here before but saw it on Pintrist so figure I would share it. That is a 200 pound anvil

 

[Bcom]

I just picked up this big boy today. Its a 6" Ridgid. Model 60fsn.Great shape. I cant find any info on it at all. Can anyone help me out with a date or any other cool info on this thing?

upload pictures online

img upload

adult image

 

[kwoswalt99]

I think this one has been on here before but saw it on Pintrist so figure I would share it. That is a 200 pound anvil

Only weighs 160 lbs. It's a baby.

 

[meatsis]

I just picked up this big boy today. Its a 6" Ridgid. Model 60fsn.Great shape. I cant find any info on it at all. Can anyone help me out with a date or any other cool info on this thing?

upload pictures online

img upload

adult image

All I can tell you is that it's a columbian. Not sure when it was made though.