The VISES of Garage Journal

[macgee]

I'm guessing it's a steel slide, separate from the dynamic jaw?

That's possible. I'll know a lot more after I clean off the 30+ years of grime and see whats going on, maybe that's why it weighs so much.

The grease on it has hardened like dry clay.

I also acquired a really nice Wilton C0 & a baby bullet/power arm and a Cardinal speed vise at an estate sale for $100. All of these will have to sit on the to-do shelf for while; the projects are pilling up.

 

[Brorex]

Brorex: I have a No. 20 and it has similar holes so it probably was done at the factory.

Possibly factory. I've come across occasional pieces in the past where either flaws or holes have been lead filled, and it always appeared to be a factory fill.

CRS: thanks for posting up the catalog pages of your Fulton anvil vise. since you have the #20, Brorex has the #30 and i own the #40 would you mind posting the specs of yours and we'll do the same?

Brorex: nice looking vise and i might have the same holes in my #40. can you post up the weight of your #30 and the jaw width?

TOP: thanks for the 411 about your other BABIES. another Wilton mystery to be solved that is for certain.

ALL: here's to the next 50,000 posts about a great old WELL MADE tool!!

Thanks guys. It's definitely factory now that I've looked closer. There's a channel on the I side for the lead. Almost looks as if you could get rid of any slop in the slide with it. Maybe that's what they did it for? I'll take more pics and a pic of the piece that come out of it. Thankfully I have a bunch of lead and a couple smelting pots for when restore the vise. Once again. Thanks.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-N920A using Tapatalk

 

[macgee]

MacGee, I will have to be honest, I need to take another look at mine to tell you the real facts, now I wish I was home!
I will get back to you asap, I have been fascinated by the hex shaft rotaror for years, I've never seen anything "quite" like it, but this is the first convetrsation that has actually come to fruition.
I am eager to look mine over and compare, the MAROON paint is KILLING me, haha!
VA, I'd love to hear any of your theories as well, I know your level of interest in cast irion my friend.

Good day y'all!
Mike

Sounds good Zoomie, Let me know what you find when looking at your vises. I'm happy to post more detail pics once I clean mine up. Are any of yours a #5222 ?

I will say the backlash is not terrible: 12-3. I wonder if the backlash is adjustable on this vise?

Thanks,

Macgee

 

[zoomieport]

Sounds good Zoomie, Let me know what you find when looking at your vises. I'm happy to post more detail pics once I clean mine up. Are any of yours a #5222

Thanks,

Macgee

That's what I can't say for sure... and it's P*SS*NG me off, LOL!
I can't search this sight for ****!
I KNOW I have posted all three at different times and possibly together.
If anyone can do the search and make me not lose my sh*t, I'd appreciate it, haha!
By the way, you MUST show the CARDINAL, they aren't exactly "falling out of trees either", please?

Thanks for this evenings entertainment!
Mike

 

[macgee]

Here's a 5241 that sold 10 months ago for $70

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Vntg-CRAFTSMAN-5241-3-1-2-034-Jaws-Anvil-Top-Swivel-Base-Bench-Vice-Pipe-Jaws-/281925002539?nma=true&si=2aF9gZFpvZGBQIgBwGJOJQNM%252Bqk%253D&orig_cvip=true&rt=nc&_trksid=p2047675.l2557

Looks like it was in excellent condition/lightly used.

 

[zoomieport]

Wasn't me...

EDIT: I now remember that one though and I didn't bid due to the chipping around the base.

 

[jakemac]

That's what I can't say for sure... and it's P*SS*NG me off, LOL!
I can't search this sight for ****!
I KNOW I have posted all three at different times and possibly together.
If anyone can do the search and make me not lose my sh*t, I'd appreciate it, haha!
By the way, you MUST show the CARDINAL, they aren't exactly "falling out of trees either", please?

Thanks for this evenings entertainment!
Mike

I could only find one post with your name on it that had a picture.
http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?p=3220573&highlight=Craftsman+hex#post3220573

I win !
What's my prize ?

 

[macgee]

By the way, you MUST show the CARDINAL, they aren't exactly "falling out of trees either", please?

Thanks for this evenings entertainment!
Mike

Not a good pic, its the vise on the bottom left. It's stamped "LA City" "Elec. Shop - Hyperion Plant". The jaws are nice and grips vey well, I'm looking forward to using it on the drill press.

 

[zoomieport]

I could only find one post with your name on it that had a picture.
http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?p=3220573&highlight=Craftsman+hex#post3220573

I win !
What's my prize ?

THANKS JAKEMAC!
That's a #5241!
I wonder if mine all are...?

 

[va.grouseman]

Has any of you fellows tried the Eutectic cast iron welding dust.---I have the system and have mended some vises with it in the past but now my tanks are buried behind a bunch of storage.---Check out these videos.---You can get brass dust, or cast dust, and others off EBay.---Just type in Eutectic Castolin in the search bar.---It's fun to work with.---You can weld as well as build up things like jaw supports.

 

[zoomieport]

Is it exothermic welding, like a "cadweld", so to speak?
How do you mold it?
Or should I just "watch the damn video"?, LOL!

EDIT: I watched the video... That looks like a "two neighbor, 1/2 gallon project". I like it!

 

[bluebolt]

I apologize but Im away from my computer and I'm curious, I'm bidding on ebay for an Acme vise. I am sure it is a rebadged Wilton 840. I swear I've seen this discussion on here before.

Am I wrong? Im sure I wont win it....

The Acme Wilton just sold for $265 plus shipping anybody on here get it?

 

[zoomieport]

That was a good deal! (I did not study the pictures closely...)

 

[bluebolt]

What era (1980's?) and country (Japan or Taiwan) was that Craftsman hexagonal vise made in?

 

[macgee]

Has any of you fellows tried the Eutectic cast iron welding dust.---I have the system and have mended some vises with it in the past but now my tanks are buried behind a bunch of storage.---Check out these videos.---You can get brass dust, or cast dust, and others off EBay.---Just type in Eutectic Castolin in the search bar.---It's fun to work with.---You can weld as well as build up things like jaw supports.

Never seen it but very cool, looks simple to apply. Too bad the Rockwell hardness is only about 22 HRC but its better than nothing and could be a good solution.

I guess you would have to build up a bunch and then shape and mill down/finish the excess for jaw supports.

 

[cajunfirehawk]

The Acme Wilton just sold for $265 plus shipping anybody on here get it?

I think/bet a lot of us were watching it?

 

[zoomieport]

What era (1980's?) and country (Japan or Taiwan) was that Craftsman hexagonal vise made in?

I'm going '50's, U.S.A..

EDIT: U.S.A., for sure.

 

[bluebolt]

I think I just found some NOS Wilburt Versa Vise accessories. Wish me luck, won't know for sure until they get here in the mail.

I got good news today the Versa Vise accessories shipped today and should be here this week Merry Christmas to me, something to put under the tree!

 

[Bcom]

If anyone is interested,a guy i sort of know said hes gonna put his Reed 4C up for sale for $650obo plus shipping. He lives in Texas


image upload no ads

image upload no ads


image upload no ads

 

[drivesitfar]

BCom & All: just an fyi. the 4c has a busted chunk off the slide and not sure if one of the mounting feet is broken or just being held down by that plate.

ALL: i can't say i've seen those hex shaped slides with a Craftsman name on them. just for fun i'd say they were made in Taiwan or Japan by Columbian. another version of the CWV (Chinese wonder vise).

Mac: i want to shop where you do if Wilton C1's are $45 so i hope you bought that one too.

 

[macgee]

If anyone is interested,a guy i sort of know said hes gonna put his Reed 4C up for sale for $650obo plus shipping. He lives in Texas

BCom & All: just an fyi. the 4c has a busted chunk off the slide and not sure if one of the mounting feet is broken or just being held down by that plate.

ALL: i can't say i've seen those hex shaped slides with a Craftsman name on them. just for fun i'd say they were made in Taiwan or Japan by Columbian. another version of the CWV (Chinese wonder vise).

Mac: i want to shop where you do if Wilton C1's are $45 so i hope you bought that one too.

Bcom,

Drive is correct and sadly I would also like to second that the slide is cracked in the back of it as seen in the second pic and that it's missing the swivel base so the owner had to get creative to mount it.


Drive: Yes the sticker was correct and since the other Wilton was less than half the size of the big one, they felt $20 was the appropriate price. The other stuff in the pic was an additional $20 including the MEK which we can't get in CA. It was a good pick but had to beat 30 other guys to get them.

 

[va.grouseman]

Is it exothermic welding, like a "cadweld", so to speak?
How do you mold it?
Or should I just "watch the damn video"?, LOL!

EDIT: I watched the video... That looks like a "two neighbor, 1/2 gallon project". I like it!

Zoom, you would probably get one or more curious neighbors who are determined to see how it works but after a half gallon something bad is bound to happen.---Friends don't let friends drink and weld.

It's real simple to use, you just get the metal to a red hot puddle and then start tapping the powder bar on the top of the torch.---The cast powder is released a little each time you tap it and is blown into the molten puddle.---I've sealed the crack in 20 gallon cast iron pots, and healed the crack in a manifold, and built up missing metal in vises.---Would be the very trick for healing all these cracked Prentiss slides.---Just V it out a little and seal it up.---You don't have to settle with cast dust.---there's all types of dust available.
It's just an option if anyone wanted to play with it.---I have got to dig mine out and start resurrecting some vises in the waiting room.

 

[zoomieport]

BCom & All: just an fyi. the 4c has a busted chunk off the slide and not sure if one of the mounting feet is broken or just being held down by that plate.

ALL: i can't say i've seen those hex shaped slides with a Craftsman name on them. just for fun i'd say they were made in Taiwan or Japan by Columbian. another version of the CWV (Chinese wonder vise).

Mac: i want to shop where you do if Wilton C1's are $45 so i hope you bought that one too.

I've had my hands on a few vises...
I'm gonna say those hex slide Craftsman are a Producto de Los Estados Unidos...
Nothing in common with a CWV, quality wise.
I'll defer to VA, if otherwise informed...

Merry Christmas!
ZOOM

 

[va.grouseman]

Well Zoom I missed the ACME to.---I sniped at $225.00 again and they blew by me like I was backing up, and that was under 5 seconds.---Didn't really need it but you know how it is.---Never been any information on how many were produced for ACME, or WARDS for that matter.---But there couldn't have been too many or a lot were destroyed.---Here's a couple I've posted before.

 

[zoomieport]

Zoom, you would probably get one or more curious neighbors who are determined to see how it works but after a half gallon something bad is bound to happen.---Friends don't let friends drink and weld.

It's real simple to use, you just get the metal to a red hot puddle and then start tapping the powder bar on the top of the torch.---The cast powder is released a little each time you tap it and is blown into the molten puddle.---I've sealed the crack in 20 gallon cast iron pots, and healed the crack in a manifold, and built up missing metal in vises.---Would be the very trick for healing all these cracked Prentiss slides.---Just V it out a little and seal it up.---You don't have to settle with cast dust.---there's all types of dust available.
It's just an option if anyone wanted to play with it.---I have got to dig mine out and start resurrecting some vises in the waiting room.

You don't know my neighbors VA, LOL!

I love anytime I can turn metal into a liquid or a gas, I will try it even if it blows up the whole Eastside!

 

[va.grouseman]

On the Hex slide Craftsman, I've got nothing as far as info.---I'll have to pass the ball to B100 or some of our other renown information ferrets.

 

[Outlawmws]

I agree with Zoomie FWIW, I don't think the hex slide Craftsman was made in Asia at all. It has none of the earmarks of an Asian vise. Moreover the castings/workmanship are far too fine for a vise that old to be Asian. (The Model No. series (5241) is an older number)

The real question is who HAS made a slide with that hex shape? That is distinctive, and I could swear I've seen examples posted, but those could also be the Craftsman posted so far.

If not made in the US, it would be more likely to have European antecedents.

 

[va.grouseman]

You don't know my neighbors VA, LOL!

I love anytime I can turn metal into a liquid or a gas, I will try it even if it blows up the whole Eastside!

That's a good one!

 

[zoomieport]

I agree with Zoomie FWIW, I don't think the hex slide Craftsman was made in Asia at all. It has none of the earmarks of an Asian vise. Moreover the castings/workmanship are far too fine for a vise that old to be Asian. (The Model No. series (5241) is an older number)

The real question is who HAS made a slide with that hex shape? That is distinctive, and I could swear I've seen examples posted, but those could also be the Craftsman posted so far.

If not made in the US, it would be more likely to have European antecedents.

Now... I'm not 100% on COO, but like Dad said, "Boy, if it looks like it and smells like it, it probably is it"...Thanks OUTLAW!

Merry Christmas!
Mike

 

[joe.striper]

Damn, that's an ugly beastie. Now I want one.

That one on CL is in Joe's neck of the woods. I wonder if the reason he's not answering the phone is because it's already sitting in Joe's garage ?

The guy selling that is a total ****. I've been trying to buy that for 2 years. I swear it is some kind of scam. I even went so far as to place a nasty warning ad on CL everytime he posted that one up. I HATE looking at it everyday. It spent one year in NH and now the exact ad migrated to western MA.

 

[joe.striper]

Well Zoom I missed the ACME to.---I sniped at $225.00 again and they blew by me like I was backing up, and that was under 5 seconds.---Didn't really need it but you know how it is.---Never been any information on how many were produced for ACME, or WARDS for that matter.---But there couldn't have been too many or a lot were destroyed.---Here's a couple I've posted before.

I was in on that vise at 100 and got blown out at 200. Guy found it at a tag sale. Nice people. I was going to pick it up since it is close to me. Oh well....all it takes is $$$.

Going to see a guy who bought a dumptruck full of Starrett vises for .25 a lb Thursday. Unfortunately he knows what they are worth. Gotta try though.

 

[Thirdyfivepickup]

I'm excited. I was at my storage unit grabbing some Christmas stuff. As I was closing the door I noticed the vice I took from the old house. (never paid much attention to vices before spending time here)

Looks to be about a 5" jaw and had the name Wilton on the side of it...

Cant wait to get back there and bring it home to investigate it.

 

[Boatman53]

Just picked up these woodworking Wiltons this morning 6 working 1 for parts all but one quick release. Merry Christmas

Jim

 

[macgee]

On the Hex slide Craftsman, I've got nothing as far as info.---I'll have to pass the ball to B100 or some of our other renown information ferrets.

Will be interesting if B100 or someone else will be ale to chime in and add more info to these hex slide vises.

I wonder if anyone has seen a #5222 model in a craftsman catalog? There's a tough challenge for you guys.

I too think they're USA made by looking at the detail. I believe Sawyer were the first ones to make a rotating head vise like this or was it one from the UK?

 

[drivesitfar]

MAC: is there any writing or #'s under the base of yours cause the Craftsmans that were made in Japan cast that information there. Craftsman was proud to put MADE IN USA on the vises that were made here. i think SWINDEN a Swedish made vise was the first WONDER VISE, but maybe somebody else knows or has a different OPINION.

ALL: well i can't say i remembered seeing the Craftsman WONDER VISE and probably cause Zoomie's post with his prior to this week were over 3 years ago. that said i think I WANT ONE, but i don't NEED IT. i recall maybe a Craftsman wood vise made in Europe, but can't recall where i saw it if it was here or on a small thread. anybody know of that vise?

I was thinking Columbian cause of the anvil and the jaws. i also know that there are several vises made in TAIWAN and JAPAN that are quality vises that would easily compare to some of the old US made ones. not disagreeing or trying to ruffle feathers, but we still don't know WHO or WHERE the 519x's were made.

cheers all and my sig line is a little early, but tis the SEASON so hope you all find a vise (vice) under the tree. or on your workbench!!

 

[KMScott]

Has any of you fellows tried the Eutectic cast iron welding dust.---I have the system and have mended some vises with it in the past but now my tanks are buried behind a bunch of storage.---Check out these videos.---You can get brass dust, or cast dust, and others off EBay.---Just type in Eutectic Castolin in the search bar.---It's fun to work with.---You can weld as well as build up things like jaw supports.
]

I used this stuff in the 80's to repair worn shafts. What I remembered is you have to apply a primer like splaying copper before coating it with harder stuff. You can powder splay carbide type material if you wanted. The shafts I repaired had to be ground because it was to hard for lathe cutting. I think it would work for the tail splits if you bolted it together before splaying but I do not think the splaying material is strong like a weld. Covering a jaw face could chip under pressure. If someone has this system then maybe they could chime in.
Watching the video caused me to watch Jay Lenos video on cast welding and I will try the EZ Weld product they used. Thanks VA

http://www.davbroinc.com/products.htm

 

[zoomieport]

You might be on to something there Drives... I will have to reconsider possibly.
Good stuff!
Merry Christmas!
Mike

 

[macgee]

MAC: is there any writing or #'s under the base of yours cause the Craftsmans that were made in Japan cast that information there. Craftsman was proud to put MADE IN USA on the vises that were made here. i think SWINDEN a Swedish made vise was the first WONDER VISE, but maybe somebody else knows or has a different OPINION.

Drive,

I think your right about it being Swinden. I believe Sawyer was the first American vise company to make that style head that asia has so proudly been knocking off all these years.

If the Craftsman hex vises were made in USA maybe Sawyer made them? After all they are very similar in concept and look, albeit the anvil horn.

 

[Fretters]

i think SWINDEN a Swedish made vise was the first WONDER VISE, but maybe somebody else knows or has a different OPINION.

English old chap, not Swedish.

 

[va.grouseman]

KM, I never tried the hard-facing that they advertised.---I watched a rep hard-face an ax head and Modoc head just to show us how it works.---All I ever used was the cast dust and had pretty good results from it.---The EZ Weld system looks promising to.---I know those Prentiss's would sell better with an intact slide, rather than a split with a hole drilled at the end of it.---In comparison, I do know that the Columbians of old will take to a regular old 7018 stick weld real easy, almost as good as steel plate.