The VISES of Garage Journal

[rusty65]

BCOM:
Nice looking ridgid probably cast in the Columbian factory and age my guess would be 80s to the 90s but probably no older then that I would wager. Just curious what's the backlash on the opening and closing of it?

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[Bcom]

BCOM:
Nice looking ridgid probably cast in the Columbian factory and age my guess would be 80s to the 90s but probably no older then that I would wager. Just curious what's the backlash on the opening and closing of it?

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Can you clarify "backlash"?
Yes it is very similar to a Columbian.

 

[rusty65]

I mean it as how far do you need to turn the handle for the jaw to move. So like 1/2 turn 1/4 turn or even less.

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[Bcom]

I mean it as how far do you need to turn the handle for the jaw to move. So like 1/2 turn 1/4 turn or even less.

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Im not sure. Ill go out in the garage later or tomorrow and check it out.

 

[tool_scrounge]

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/

Great video! Thanks for posting it. I just cleaned up a Littlestown 112 vise (3.5" wide jaws). Nothing fancy, but it was at an estate sale and languishing in the corner for cheap. A bit of de-rusting and it looks pretty good. Now to get rid of that last blob of rock hard white paint off of the original green pain.

The part of the video where they grind the vise jaws and vise together to make them flush explains why the jaws are not interchangeable.

 

[4Nines]

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

I've only seen one other photo of a vise that large and I can't seem to find any info on either. It would be really cool to know more about these monsters.

 

[wrenchguy]

I mean it as how far do you need to turn the handle for the jaw to move. So like 1/2 turn 1/4 turn or even less.

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this Ridgid 8" has almost 1/4 turn before slide moves. what u getting at rusty? i been wondering why so much backlash. does this mean its not finely machined? u got a rigid?

 

[Mark in Indiana]

All,

My latest restoration is a Littlestone No. 400. Originally picked from an estate sale, last winter. I was able to purchase the separate pipe jaws at an auction last summer.

Although the vise looks BLUE in the pictures, it's actually DEEP EMERALD GREEN. I just couldn't get the lighting or camera set points right. The last picture is the closest I could get to the true color.

Here are some before & after pictures. I hope to find a good home for it.

 

[jimreed2160]

OK. I need some help from the Parker crew. This thing was delivered by Mr Postman early today. It is an unusual Parker but is in pretty good shape. The jaws are 3 1/4". There are no casting marks but it does have stamping on the front jaw(?). In addition, the missing collar was attached from the top.

My guess is that it is a very early Parker. Stamping looks like "No 1" with "Parker" and "Patented June **" "1854".

Looks pretty early. Did Parker stamp their jaws in the early days?

 

[Mark in Indiana]

Great video! Thanks for posting it. I just cleaned up a Littlestown 112 vise (3.5" wide jaws). Nothing fancy, but it was at an estate sale and languishing in the corner for cheap. A bit of de-rusting and it looks pretty good. Now to get rid of that last blob of rock hard white paint off of the original green pain.

The part of the video where they grind the vise jaws and vise together to make them flush explains why the jaws are not interchangeable.

Tool Scrounge,
I also caught the mounting holes in the jaw faces being drilled with the jaws. That explains why the mount holes on mine were inconsistent. Did you notice the big vise that was used at the assembly station? I couldn't determine what brand it was. I first assumed that it was a large Littlestown model. However, I've never seen a large one, that old, with a cast iron slide that covers the spindle.

I'm assuming that the white blob is latex paint. You can try denatured alcohol on it. It should soften the latex paint without harming the original paint. Just try it out on an inconspicuous area of the vise first.

 

[Boatman53]

Here is a pic of a pretty big foot operated vise I came across while poking around in a boatyard up in Maine.

Jim

 

[Bcom]

I mean it as how far do you need to turn the handle for the jaw to move. So like 1/2 turn 1/4 turn or even less.

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I went out and checked and it has about a 1/4 - 3/8 of a turn before the jaws start moving. Is that bad or good? Ive never had anyone ask that before?

 

[rusty65]

I went out and checked and it has about a 1/4 - 3/8 of a turn before the jaws start moving. Is that bad or good? Ive never had anyone ask that before?

That's pretty normal I believe I was just curious because your vise looks like a nice specimen to me.

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[Outlawmws]

Thats not too bad for backlash Can you tell if it is in the threads or in the shoulder of where the retainer is? I've seen vises with more than a turn of backlash.

 

[Outlawmws]

Here is a pic of a pretty big foot operated vise I came across while poking around in a boatyard up in Maine.

Jim

What were they asking for that?

 

[kwoswalt99]

Thats not too bad for backlash Can you tell if it is in the threads or in the shoulder of where the retainer is? I've seen vises with more than a turn of backlash.

The Wilton at school has 1-1/2.

 

[CrotalusAtrox]

Well this popped up on CL today good guy to work with gave me a fair price.

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[Boatman53]

I don't know Outlaw. As I recall it was like a Sunday or after hours anyway I never spoke to anyone about it. We had no room in the car as it was. That had to be about 5 or 6 years ago now. It's probably still there. Should I ask around, my wife has friended them on Facebook (I wonder if I should worry about that).
Jim

 

[72highboy]

Well this popped up on CL today good guy to work with gave me a fair price.

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Looks familiar...

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[CrotalusAtrox]

It's from Arizona so don't think it's the one you were looking at. It's a Chicago vintage not Schiller park. 1953 to be exact

 

[Bcom]

Thats not too bad for backlash Can you tell if it is in the threads or in the shoulder of where the retainer is? I've seen vises with more than a turn of backlash.

I beleive its by the retainer ring. Doesnt seem to me that theres any sign of a thread problem. Someone greased the **** out of it

 

[Bcom]

Looks familiar...

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Is that another double pinned C0? Why do those give me such a stiffy?!

 

[CrotalusAtrox]

Is that another double pinned C0? Why do those give me such a stiffy?!

Yep another double getting geared up to clean it up need to turn off the idiot box (TV) and get it spiffy

 

[72highboy]

It's from Arizona so don't think it's the one you were looking at. It's a Chicago vintage not Schiller park. 1953 to be exact

I beleive its by the retainer ring. Doesnt seem to me that theres any sign of a thread problem. Someone greased the **** out of it

Looks like it

I did notice it was Chicago, but the biggest clue was the seller was a 'good guy to work with' haha.. Threw me for a loop though cause mine was marked 'sold' (again) today... Not sure if it's true yet...Mind sharing the fair price?

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[CrotalusAtrox]

I wish it was a C1 it's a C0 I paid $160

 

[72highboy]

Haha I edited cause you posted right before me.. That's what I'm shooting for in price.. Congrats!

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[Bcom]

I wish it was a C1 it's a C0 I paid $160

For what my friend made on his last double pinned C0 on ebay,you stand to make a good profit on that if you get it lookin good. Need an endcap?

 

[KMScott]

I went out and checked and it has about a 1/4 - 3/8 of a turn before the jaws start moving. Is that bad or good? Ive never had anyone ask that before?

I like to have my vises with my handle showing 12 to 2 max for backlash. This could requires shimming the nut to about .02 forward to back movement and that much gap on your collar. This one I just finished had the pronged type coller and the backlash was terrible, at least a 1/2 turn. I replaced this one with a custom made collar. I used two set screws because they fit the notches carved into the spindle threaded shaft. What was nice on this vise is they machined a flat surface on the inside of the dynamic casting as seen in the first picture, this flat surface makes fitting the collar easy. This Prentiss came out pretty nice. Grease is a good thing.

Each vise is different and each takes a different method but the end result should be the same if you have to add shims of fit the collars better.

 

[trijeff]

Kev, that Prentiss collar is a thing of beauty!

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[Bcom]

I havent looked under my ridgid yet to see how it comes apart but i assumed shims could be used to take out some of the slack but it doesnt bother me that much. What i could use is some rubber bumpers on the handle like wilton uses on their vises.

 

[72highboy]

I like to have my vises with my handle showing 12 to 2 max for backlash. This could requires shimming the nut to about .02 forward to back movement and that much gap on your collar. This one I just finished had the pronged type coller and the backlash was terrible, at least a 1/2 turn. I replaced this one with a custom made collar. I used two set screws because they fit the notches carved into the spindle threaded shaft. What was nice on this vise is they machined a flat surface on the inside of the dynamic casting as seen in the first picture, this flat surface makes fitting the collar easy. This Prentiss came out pretty nice. Grease is a good thing.

Each vise is different and each takes a different method but the end result should be the same if you have to add shims of fit the collars better.

What's the color on that vise?

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[CrotalusAtrox]

So an hour later with wire wheel and only hand files I got it somewhat cleaned up, better then watching TV and getting nothing done.
Before

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After

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[cajunfirehawk]

So an hour later with wire wheel and only hand files I got it somewhat cleaned up, better then watching TV and getting nothing done.
Before

So lets talk more about that double pinned C0, I have one on the way, Do you plan to take those pipe jaws out?

 

[joe.striper]

OK. I need some help from the Parker crew. This thing was delivered by Mr Postman early today. It is an unusual Parker but is in pretty good shape. The jaws are 3 1/4". There are no casting marks but it does have stamping on the front jaw(?). In addition, the missing collar was attached from the top.

My guess is that it is a very early Parker. Stamping looks like "No 1" with "Parker" and "Patented June **" "1854".

Looks pretty early. Did Parker stamp their jaws in the early days?

In my opinion you are correct, that is a very early vise. I've had a couple like that. I could not ascertain age but pre 1890 for sure, maybe even pre 1870.

 

[CrotalusAtrox]

In my opinion you are correct, that is a very early vise. I've had a couple like that. I could not ascertain age but pre 1890 for sure, maybe even pre 1870.

That's interesting Joe what vise haven't you had

 

[ganymede]

The main screw looks like the ring for it to engage the saddle (collar) may be a bit rounded.
Maybe it's a replacement?

 

[jimreed2160]

Thanks for your Parker info Joe. This one will be ready for work (soft duty) once I make a collar to replace that dang bolt.

 

[rusty65]

Thanks for your Parker info Joe. This one will be ready for work (soft duty) once I make a collar to replace that dang bolt.

Just curious is the under portion of the slide on your vise completely solid cast or is it hollow? Just asking because I thought I've seen some of the early parkers hollow like most vises and the later ones solid but I'm not sure. Basically if you get a chance could you please take a picture of the underside of the vise?

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[tig]

Love this thing. I inherited it (and the workbench) from my dad. He made the lead jaw inserts.

 

[G-ManBart]

Love this thing. I inherited it (and the workbench) from my dad. He made the lead jaw inserts.

Those are great little vises, and having it from your dad is even cooler! I've been on the lookout for that exact vise for a while....I'll find one eventually!