The VISES of Garage Journal

[GETRIDAONE]

No big ones here, just a couple of regular size. First the 39X got a new coat of paint and some work on the sides and top of the jaws to clean them up. I gave the 229X a bath in the E tank and some BLO to keep the rust at bay. The poorly fitting collar took some filling to get the backlash under control.

 

[Cope]

I hope you folks will notice...

That the "Big Iron", 109's and 110's, are...

NON-SWIVLERS!!!!

When you're that big...

You ain't gotta swivl'...

You mean one man can't swivel it!

 

[MissileBear]

While buying an Arbor press from a CL ad, I saw this guy guy peeking out from under a work bench. Offered $40 (it's what I had in cash) and the owner accepted.

It's a super clean Charles Parker 973 1/2 - it's a weird looking vise in that it doesn't look like it should fit on the swivel base (the static jaw has a a mounting tab with hole under the slide). It's a later model Parker and doesn't look to have been used much.

 

[Outlawmws]

What markings are on that Parker? That doesn't loo like a later version...

 

[MissileBear]

What markings are on that Parker? That doesn't loo like a later version...

I was under the impression that the older Parkers had the more ornate, stepped section on the back of the static jaw? Vise is marked "973 1/2 A" on the bottom of the swivel base, and

"Chas Parker Co
Meridian Conn
USA"

is cast into the right side of the static jaw, in small letters.

Looks identical to the 973A posted on Dayid's site. There is no model number cast into the side I previously pictured, but obviously a place was meant for a tag/casting numbers. No patent/patent pending date.

http://scuttle.dayid.org/wiki/index.php/File:Chasparker973a.jpg

It has 3 1/2" smooth jaws, weighing about 43 pounds.

 

[bluebolt]

For those of you who like vise history this is from a WWII government publication called "Victory". I redid the info found here by putting the vise company name first and putting it in alphabetical order. Note that in this October 1942 publication Wilton is not mentioned. Two names are misspelled on here, that is what the digital copy shows unfortunately.

https://www.myheritage.com/research/record-90100-570463098/victory-vol-3-oct-dec

October 20, 1942
• VICTORY •
25
New industry advisory committees
The Division of Industry Advisory
Committees, WPB, has announced the
formation of the following new committees

MACHINIST AND BENCH VISES
Government presiding ofiBcer - Franz
T. Stone, chief. Industrial specialties
branch, tools division.

Members :
American Scale Co., Kansas City, Mo.; W. 8. Swift, president

Athol Machine Foundry Co., Athol, Mass.; M. Kessler. vice president

Charles Parker Co., Meriden Conn,; Charles S. Parker, president

The Columbia Vise Mfg. Co., Cleveland, Ohio; H. F. Seymour, vice president

Desmond-Stephan Co., Urbana, Ohio; R. S. McConnell, vice president

Erie Tool Works, Erie, Pa.; E. W. Bacon, president

Hollands Manufacturing Co., Erie, Pa.; E. L. RllUng, president

Morgan Vise Co., 108 North Jefferson, Chicago, 111.; George Morgan, Jr., vice president

Prentiss Vise Co., 302 Broadway, New York, N. Y.; Elmer Mulford, secretary

Reed Manufacturing Co., Erie, Pa. P. D. Wright, president

Rock Island / Birtman Electric Co., Chicago, 111.; Richard J. Simmons, vice president

Sawyer Foundry Machine Co., Oswego, N. Y.; William F. Sawyer, proprietor

Yost Manufacturing Co., Meadville, Pa.; F. M. McArthur, president

 

[bagged89s10]

While buying an Arbor press from a CL ad, I saw this guy guy peeking out from under a work bench. Offered $40 (it's what I had in cash) and the owner accepted.



It's a super clean Charles Parker 973 1/2 - it's a weird looking vise in that it doesn't look like it should fit on the swivel base (the static jaw has a a mounting tab with hole under the slide). It's a later model Parker and doesn't look to have been used much.

Yes definitely a later model Parker. The universal base, the rectangular indentation where the writing is, and the squared off jaw towers give it away. That's when they were trying to become more efficient. Too bad they died off after being bought by union.

 

[demoman]

Here is catalog I got last week . I did not realize Erie Tool Works bought Hollands. I also see the the Keystone Hollands vise were their cheaper line. I would guess this catalog is from the 60's ???

 

[demoman]

Erie Toolworks had a 9" @ 390 lbs and also a 10" at 495 lbs
Stephens had a 9 1/2" @ 380 lbs for the regular or 420 lbs for the swivel base

I'm sure there are plenty of others waiting to be discovered.

b100 - I can't believe I did not know this. Of course this means more time looking for the 10".

 

[Bcom]

So the Erie 110 is the second largest vise in existence just under the Pittsburgh railroad vise?

 

[Shiftless]

steve:
Thanks for posting your latest (I presume) find. Nice contrast to the big bruisers.

all:
Thanks to you guys for the eye candy. Loving the pics of those monsters and hoping demoman or somebody else finds a 10 incher!

 

[bluebolt]

Here is catalog I got last week . I did not realize Erie Tool Works bought Hollands. I also see the the Keystone Hollands vise were their cheaper line. I would guess this catalog is from the 60's ???

So that's what happened to Hollands! I was beginning to be sure Reed bought them out.

Edit: Some quick googling turned up this great Lakeview Forge history page that shows Erie Tool Co. bought Hollands in 1959.

http://www.lakeviewforge.com/about-us.html

 

[Bcom]

the Wilton baby bullet, i think it says 920... this came from a clock repair shop. it is in very good shape. dated '64.

]

Can i have it?

 

[VISEs]

Here is catalog I got last week . I did not realize Erie Tool Works bought Hollands. I also see the the Keystone Hollands vise were their cheaper line. I would guess this catalog is from the 60's ???

The Holland's 56 is one I'm after (because of the anvil) I have a good buddy in Oklahoma with one but I'll have to attend his estate auction to get it.

Does anyone else have one?


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[demoman]

Hollands 56 is a hard one to catch. Ive never found one.

 

[Shiftless]

Can i have it?

Worth a try. Worked before.

 

[dreep]

No big ones here, just a couple of regular size. First the 39X got a new coat of paint and some work on the sides and top of the jaws to clean them up. I gave the 229X a bath in the E tank and some BLO to keep the rust at bay. The poorly fitting collar took some filling to get the backlash under control.

Nice 39X!

Mine just arrived... lucky it got here in one piece - just had to post a photo of the shipping "container" for chuckles.

One side, jaw and mounting tab had eaten through the shipping box, but fortunately, no damage. Condition seems pretty good. There is some red paint in places that seems to be very old - would that have been original? I wasn't thinking so, but it doesn't look like it was on top of anything else.

Now, I have some work to do...

 

[Endeavour32]

I just picked up this Prentiss 264 vice. Outside of a lot of surface rust it was in excellent condition. I spent the day today, cleaning it up with a wire wheel and painting it. Judging from the serial number on the opposite side, it looks like it was manufactured in 1943. Over all it turned out great, and I'm looking forward to putting it to use.

 

[Bcom]

I just picked up this Prnetiss 264 vice. Outside of a lot of surface rust it was in excellent condition. I spent the day today, cleaning it up with a wire wheel and painting it. Judging from the serial number on the opposite side, it looks like it was manufactured in 1943. Over all it turned out great, and I'm looking forward to putting it to use.

Why does that prentiss look like it has a parker base on it?

 

[Endeavour32]

Why does that prentiss look like it has a parker base on it?

Because it is a Parker base

 

[Bcom]

Because it is a Parker base

Say what? Did Kevin get ahold of that vise or something?

 

[va.grouseman]

If the base fits, mount it!

 

[Bcom]

Well that prentiss does say Meridian on it and Parker was manufactured in Meridian too. Hmmmmm.

 

[va.grouseman]

Originally posted by Demoman.

b100 - I can't believe I did not know this. Of course this means more time looking for the 10".
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


Fred, see what you've done.---You've released the Kraken.

 

[Bcom]

This guy just posted a vise for sale with 10" jaws

http://kansascity.craigslist.org/for/5961498300.html

Anyone got info on this guy or a pic

 

[va.grouseman]

Bcom, see what you've done.---You have released the Krakens.

 

[Endeavour32]

Well that prentiss does say Meridian on it and Parker was manufactured in Meridian too. Hmmmmm.

I just had this thing completely torn down, I'm saying this was the way it was made. Based on the serial number, it looks like this was manufactured in '43. I believe shortly after that Parker bought Prentiss. I've never seen one like this before, but there is a first time for everything.

 

[drivesitfar]

End32: i'm not so sure that is a PARKER BASE because your PRENTISS is in such good shape. Prentiss was about gone in WWII and as far as i know we haven't figured out that they dated their vises. the only way we seem to have an idea or range of dates Prentiss was made is by catalog pages. I can't say i've seen a Prentiss with that wrench so wondering if that vise actually came out of PARKER'S factory cause pretty sure Parker bought Prentiss vise company around WWII.

welcome to the group and looks like you have skills so glad to have another handy guy join us and also that maybe likes these old vises too. BEE CAREFUL the VICE FOR VISES IS A REAL THING and will keep your wallet empty, but you'll bee smiling a lot.

cheers

 

[Bcom]

Bcom, see what you've done.---You have released the Krakens.

I know i dont have a chance at getting the vise but i sent the guy an email about the 10" vise anyway asking for pics and details. The guy emailed back and said "no pics or details yet,hopefully soon". Aint that just a kick in the sack?!

 

[Endeavour32]

End32: i'm not so sure that is a PARKER BASE because your PRENTISS is in such good shape. Prentiss was about gone in WWII and as far as i know we haven't figured out that they dated their vises. the only way we seem to have an idea or range of dates Prentiss was made is by catalog pages. I can't say i've seen a Prentiss with that wrench so wondering if that vise actually came out of PARKER'S factory cause pretty sure Parker bought Prentiss vise company around WWII.

welcome to the group and looks like you have skills so glad to have another handy guy join us and also that maybe likes these old vises too. BEE CAREFUL the VICE FOR VISES IS A REAL THING and will keep your wallet empty, but you'll bee smiling a lot.

cheers

Here is the serial number. I'm guessing the last 2 digits are the year of manufacture. Also, if I remember correctly, the underside of the swivel mount had 973 stamped in it.

Ha- yes I can already see the vice for vises. There are a lot of cool old vises out there and bringing this one back was pretty fun! It certainly won't be my last vise!

 

[kwoswalt99]

I know i dont have a chance at getting the vise but i sent the guy an email about the 10" vise anyway asking for pics and details. The guy emailed back and said "no pics or details yet,hopefully soon". Aint that just a kick in the sack?!

I call BS.

 

[GETRIDAONE]

Nice 39X!

Mine just arrived... lucky it got here in one piece - just had to post a photo of the shipping "container" for chuckles.

One side, jaw and mounting tab had eaten through the shipping box, but fortunately, no damage. Condition seems pretty good. There is some red paint in places that seems to be very old - would that have been original? I wasn't thinking so, but it doesn't look like it was on top of anything else.

Now, I have some work to do...

The original color is like Hunter green and over time it fades to a light green. My vise had been over sprayed with dark green again at some point. After taking it out of the E tank I scraped off paint flakes with dark green on one side and light on the other.
The 229X had no paint left on it at all.

 

[Bellaireroad]

This a yost?

http://jonesboro.craigslist.org/for/5976636614.html


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[va.grouseman]

Originally posted by Kwoswalt.

I call BS.
------------------------------------------



Probably is.---But now the Vise Krakens are running loose anyway.

 

[t4runner]

Heres an Athol 623-1/2 I picked up at an Estate sale for $10 Sorry no before photos.

 

[G-ManBart]

I decided that with all the heavy iron being posted the last few days, the Tradesman 1780 I bought yesterday wasn't going to be enough, so I fired up the amperage on the Wilton Magnet Long Range function and reeled in a Wilton 600S and a few other things to go along with it.



I think the swivel base is for a Columbian because it had 606-3 on the bottom. The brass jaws are 4 1/2" and in nice shape, and the little vise is super cute. I know nothing about small vises (not that much about big ones either) so if anybody has an idea what it might be, fire away...jaws are 2 3/8" wide on the little guy.

He threw in two sets of Wilton 1760 jaws that were like new, but dirty, an unknown claw foot for a swivel lock, a Tradesman clamp for a swivel lock, and a spare standard Wilton swivel lock top.





I think I need to buy a pallet rack!

 

[drivesitfar]

End32: not sure that is the date, but makes sense to me and sure does look like a transition Parker/Prentiss vise. again welcome to the group and you'll do just fine here. we might also learn a thing or two from you cause even though i'm not a Parker expert i've seen a lot of them and that might be the first Parker/Prentiss combo. i've seen a lot of Parker/Union combos so makes sense to me that they'd try to keep selling off inventory.

Bell: Yep it's a YOST. check it for welds and cracks and the swivel jaw probably isn't working so just know you have a little work in store if you buy that one. good luck

 

[kwoswalt99]

Bell: Yep it's a YOST. check it for welds and cracks and the swivel jaw probably isn't working so just know you have a little work in store if you buy that one. good luck

There's a weld all the way around the slide.

 

[drivesitfar]

99: yep it looks like it that's why i mentioned to look close. a spray bombed vise always raises a HUGE RED FLAG FOR ME.

it is a 6 inch wide jaw and probably a 150 pounder so if it could be bought for $75 just for the parts it would be worth it, but $250 is a bit steep for a welded up one in not so great shape isn't it?

BELL: do you see what looks like a weld around the dynamic slide just under the jaw's?

 

[Bcom]

Belll--- that yost looks welded around the slide on the dynamic