The VISES of Garage Journal

[caper]

Here's some pics of the movable rear jaw on my Parker.It's the only one I've ever seen that swivels like this.

 

[Jim Stabe]

This is the best vise I've found for a welding/fab table, it leaves the entire surface open. Jaws open 10" as well and the lug can hold larger parts against stops screwed into the table.

 

[Moose-LandTran]

Looks like a woodworking vise.

 

[Monte]

Here's some of the collection

The mini ones are cool !
What brand ? Looks european

 

[Underdog]

Here's some pics of the movable rear jaw on my Parker.It's the only one I've ever seen that swivels like this.

I saw one on CL awhile back. Wondering what would be the advantage or use for the swivel, seems like you really couldn't hold any thing with it swiveled?

 

[caper]

I saw an old add for the vise and it describes it as a feature for clamping odd shaped pieces for filing.

 

[paranoid56]

heres my old reed one. got it free off a job site as the owner was tired of moving it around LOL its over 125lbs last time i checked.

 

[jamesemery728]

The mini ones are cool !
What brand ? Looks european

Starting from left to right, the 3 small ones are all marked Germany, the largest of these 3 is marked NAGER, Germany, the fourth one from the left was made by the Lowell Wrench Co., Worchester, Mass, USA, the largest one on the extreme right hand side is a #15 Palmgren Hand Vise.

 

[A_Pmech]

You should make one then! Out of several very large blanks of steel.

Be careful what you ask for...

The project is in a holding pattern, waiting on a certain bandsaw to do the contour work!

The thrust bearings are tapered roller and the screw bushings bronze. The nut is steel, which may wear the screw eventually. I'll be installing an oil cup there.

For reference, the head is 2.25" OD approx.

The vise is protected by the roll pin at the head of the screw. It will shear well before the side plates reach the elastic limit. Thus, the vise should be unbreakable.

We'll see...

 

[back2class]

Here are mine. All have some common object in pic for size refrence.

First is a freshly fixed up by me Wilton C-0. 50lbs. Just waiting to be mounted whenever I build the new shop. I think I paid around $80

Second is a giant wilton C-2 model. 110lbs. It is missing the pipe jaws and is apart for fixing up and one mounting prawl needs to be welded back on. I paid $75 a few years back.

Third is a old sears Companion Japan. I had it iside my service van for a few years. Was grandpa's backup.

Next is just a big 150lb. hunk of anvil. Beat up but worth the $25 inc stand.

5th is a large milling vise. It is in deplorable condition as is my Bridgeport from sitting in a barn for the last few years. Such a shame as both were clean and in nice shape before I moved.

A smaller rusty reed, has bee welded beck together but being cast steel it is a STRONG repair. I have beat this in untold ways and it has held. Was like new after a nice restore but several years in the junk barn has taken its toll on looks but it is just light surface rust.

Last is a 100 year old Prentiss Bulldog with pivot rear jaw. It is midsize. For those of you who don't know. The rear jaw comes off so you can attach blocking to a bench behind it to clamp any size object. Was left in a house my mother owned for a short time.

I like the wiltons, but wish the opened wider.....their design limits that. I think the prentiss or reed designs are better for home use but wiltons better for many years in commercial service with the enclosed workings.

 

[back2class]

ok I guess I can



Now I feel abused.....

William....

So the pop can might allow for some size perspective....

And the other side

And the Front I need to replace the finger saver...

I don't think that I will repaint the vise as I really like the patina it has now might wipe off some or the over spray on the jaws from the years of painting what was held in them....

I love this vise by the way.

 

[Jim Stabe]

Looks like a woodworking vise.

It is, works like a charm.

 

[mjozefow]

Be careful what you ask for...



The project is in a holding pattern, waiting on a certain bandsaw to do the contour work!

The thrust bearings are tapered roller and the screw bushings bronze. The nut is steel, which may wear the screw eventually. I'll be installing an oil cup there.

For reference, the head is 2.25" OD approx.

The vise is protected by the roll pin at the head of the screw. It will shear well before the side plates reach the elastic limit. Thus, the vise should be unbreakable.

We'll see...

I figured you were going to be a step ahead of me on that one! I've been thinking of doing the same, but lack the tools and machining skills right now. I'm supposed to start taking lessons from our Ag dept's machinist and have access to the shop here pretty soon.

We'll see then...

I look forward to seeing your vise come together. Got any projected specs yet?

Great idea putting a shear pin in there. But it could be broken by torquing on something too hard that is already clamped, no? That's how I broke my last China vise. Steel shouldn't snap like cast iron though since it is ductile.

 

[A_Pmech]

I look forward to seeing your vise come together. Got any projected specs yet?

Great idea putting a shear pin in there. But it could be broken by torquing on something too hard that is already clamped, no? That's how I broke my last China vise. Steel shouldn't snap like cast iron though since it is ductile.

The spring pin in the head will fail in double shear at around 10,000 - 12,000 lbs. I suppose I could shear it off wailing on something, but I'm more likely to shear it by hanging off the vise handle. Of course, this is a combination of the torque force and the tension force in the screw, so the actual tension force is slightly less due to the roller bearing spindle.

The ductility of steel was one of the main factors in this design. I want something that will deform, not break apart. This vise will also have tool steel sliding surfaces which will be carefully mated. The idea is to build a vise with very little slop, which is a constant complaint of mine with most vises.

A few specs, as I recall:

6" jaw width
10" to 12" jaw opening
Estimated weight: 125lbs
Design maximum clamping force: 10,000lbs
Type: Stationary non-swivel machinist's vise.

I might start a thread on it when I have the time to devote to completing it. I've made a couple of design revisions since I initially drew it up several years ago.

 

[Flash21]

Here are some I remembered from other threads, hope you guys don't mind me linking in your vises....

First, scottg1952:

Next, my personal favorites, from Adam McLaughlin:

Rock Island 594

Columbian

jopickens:





captf71:

Rock Island 542-BX

 

[Flash21]

I don't know for sure, but I would say jopickens might win largest vise so far........

 

[jjkrjh]

Mine...



Just picked this up from a thrift store for $8 and would like to know more about it. It's bigger than my current bench, so I'm not using it yet. Was rust red, so I hit with some rust converter. It's a Simplex made in Ohio, USA. Says "The Desmond Stephan Mfg Co, Urbana, Ohio"

Who made who?

 

[old salvage]

^^^^^
I bet Simplex made the vise and it was property of Ridge Tool Co at one time.

 

[jjkrjh]

^^^^^
I bet Simplex made the vise and it was property of Ridge Tool Co at one time.

I googled simplex vise and found this.

http://www.worthpoint.com/worthopedia/ridge-tool-ridgid-simplex-vise-catalog-86

But the Desmond Stephan's appear to be built before the Ridge Company.

 

[old salvage]

I googled simplex vise and found this.

http://www.worthpoint.com/worthopedia/ridge-tool-ridgid-simplex-vise-catalog-86

But the Desmond Stephan's appear to be built before the Ridge Company.

Ah, so they eventually became a line of tools by Ridgid.
Thanks for that link.

 

[Alowes2837]

I thought mine were a fair size some of these are huge, I guess there is allways someone bigger. Here is a better pic.

 

[mjozefow]

Nice vises! I'm amazed at the variety.

 

[Monte]

drop forged "Heuer Front" vise

 

[Murfman]

ANyone know who makes this vise? I found it in the scrap pile at one of my customers, it had a bent shaft, which I was able to straighten. I'm happy with it for 2 hours worth of work , a couple of new bolts and a coat of paint:

 

[cruiser808]

ANyone know who makes this vise? I found it in the scrap pile at one of my customers, it had a bent shaft, which I was able to straighten. I'm happy with it for 2 hours worth of work , a couple of new bolts and a coat of paint:

Hi Murfman - Nice vise. Can you tell us how you straightened the shaft? Thanks.

 

[Kevin54]

I just want to say that it is pretty amazing at the array of vises that is out there and the ones shown has probably scratched the surface. I imagine that I, as maybe a lot of others have thought that a vise is just a vise with maybe a half a dozen variations tossed in. WRONG. This thread has kind of opened my eyes as to what to look out for now, and brings a tear to my eye as to how many vises I have seen over the years tossed into the scrap heap. Keep the pics coming!!!! I also think that this thread along with a few other tool threads ought to be made "stickys". Just as the "Show your toolbox thread" should be made a sticky or at least a seperate forum for it. I'm just glad to see the different items from all over.

 

[caper]

I'd agree with the sticky Kevin.The current ones have been there for years and it should be updated.

 

[Murfman]

Hi Murfman - Nice vise. Can you tell us how you straightened the shaft? Thanks.

I chuked it up in my lathe between the chuck and a steady rest, and whacked it with a rubber mallet. Got it to within less than 5 thousandths total runout

 

[cruiser808]

I chuked it up in my lathe between the chuck and a steady rest, and whacked it with a rubber mallet. Got it to within less than 5 thousandths total runout

Thanks. Good job, my friend. BTW, wlcome to the board.

 

[Moose-LandTran]

I thought mine were a fair size some of these are huge, I guess there is allways someone bigger. Here is a better pic.

Very nice! What No is it? Looks just like mine. (No. 25)

 

[BTG]

I'm a newbie here (this is my first post!) and here's are my vises that I just scored at an auction yesterday. The first is a 5" Morgan Chicago. Nice vise, no major problems, and the jaws are in good shape. Its as big as I'll probably need. Like the other ones I bought needs some cleaning up, fresh paint and some grease. I'll probably start restoring this one first.

The next one is Morgan Aurora. I've searched this site as well as google and have not found any info on this one. I assume it was made in Aurora, by Morgan, but no idea on date. This vise is a hoss! Probably bigger than I need or should keep, so I'll clean it up also and sell it. To be honest, I purchased it on an online auction and it didn't look so big. It took two of us to pick it up though! Anybody with info on this? It would be appreciated!

The last one is a pair of Pipe/Tube machinist vises. I got the pair for dirt cheap and they are pretty cool. They were made by SMID and are stamped "made in france". They will clamp 3/4" to about 3" round and can be bolted down vertically or horizontally. Definitely keeping these. No info on these either...

I'll post my other auction goodies on another post...lets just say one of them weighs about 3,000 lbs!

 

[bgott]

I found this Morgan 150 last week for $5. I've had a good week or two at the sales. I'll get pictures of all my vises next week, I have a few.

 

[mrpowderkeg]

Better late than never. My Wilton Tradesmen

 

[gravygrabber]

Are Prentiss vises any good?
I'm looking at a #23 model for $100

 

[bmwpower]

Are Prentiss vises any good?

Yep, they are good.

 

[Flash21]

Better late than never. My Wilton Tradesmen

drool,

My favorite, nice detailing on the letters.

 

[gravygrabber]

Yep, they are good.

Is it worth $100? I can't find anything on that model. It's suppose to be heavy though.
Here is a picture,

 

[JayL]

I got one of these Wilton imports. Mechanic 6" Vise. For what it does it's ok but the English made Record vises we have seems to have a lot better quality steel.

For the slightly less than $100 dollars paid I can't complain.

 

[bmwpower]

Is it worth $100? I can't find anything on that model. It's suppose to be heavy though.
Here is a picture,

Hmmm. Hard to say. What size is it? Does it work or is it frozen?

 

[gravygrabber]

Hmmm. Hard to say. What size is it? Does it work or is it frozen?

Well, according to another thread the #23 is a 200 lb. vise so I imagine it's massive. I'm not sure if it's frozen. The other thread said that model is a ironworker's vise. I have this massive table that I got from an uncle who got it at a local scrap metal yard. It's at least 400-500 lbs. and I could mount it on there. I just got a small Reed though the last weekend for $5 so I'm kinda on the fence. I'd love a bigger better vise but not sure if I want to part with a 100 spot for it.