The VISES of Garage Journal

[vintage nut]

Honestly? Something used. You'll never get a good vise for $100 new

I've got some 4" records I'm looking to sell, but shipping from Canada would probably kill it

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[Shiftless]

Honestly? Something used. You'll never get a good vise for $100 new

I've got some 4" records I'm looking to sell, but shipping from Canada would probably kill it

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Vintage said it like it is. to that
Shipping from almost anywhere kills most deals.

 

[vintage nut]

Vintage said it like it is. to that
Shipping from almost anywhere kills most deals.

Oh you're telling me... Nothing like preferring American vises in the land of records. My two pieces of American iron came from drives, while my dad somehow managed to find a 5" Parker swivel jaw, and a 4.5" reed combination vise locally and unbelievably cheap.
So many vises in this thread I'd love to have, but short of doing a vise collecting road trip it wouldn't happen

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[ftb]

yeah, sometimes you cant see any cracks in the slide support through all the sh** on the vise.

best way i have found to check is to open up the vise about 3 inches and vigorously pull up and down on the dynamic jaw. if there is significant play, then take some brake cleaner and spray down where the slide support meets the base and look for the crack.

just dont be emotionally set on buying anything.

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There's no way for me to check it properly without making the trip. It looks okay but you never know.

 

[ftb]

FTB:
A Parker 956 in useable condition for $30 seems unbelievable. I had one last year that was pretty good but needed a new handle. I sold it to a knowledgable fellow GJ member for almost ten times that price.

I've had better bargains than this but it looks like a value too good to miss so I'm probably going to get it. Finding the place to bolt it down to is the next problem.

 

[FMC1959]

I've had better bargains than this but it looks like a value too good to miss so I'm probably going to get it. Finding the place to bolt it down to is the next problem.

$30 for a 6" Parker is ridiculous, get it before it is gone. If you have any regrets you can resell it easily for $50 to $100, or more. 6" is that size where many will start to pay a premium.

 

[DakotaMan]

Are you mounting it to a scrap of 2 by?
And planning to then clamp it to your work bench?
How big of a piece of something do you plan to work on?
More details please.

I currently have a 41"L x 17"D Homak rolling tool chest (just the bottom). I plan to place (not screw or attach) two pieces of subfloor (each piece is .75") to the top of it and then mount the vise to that.

I wouldn't imagine the pieces I'd be working on would be very big. Anything "big" would just be long. For example, cutting a piece of PVC pipe.

 

[Provincial]

I currently have a 41"L x 17"D Homak rolling tool chest (just the bottom). I plan to place (not screw or attach) two pieces of subfloor (each piece is .75") to the top of it and then mount the vise to that.

I wouldn't imagine the pieces I'd be working on would be very big. Anything "big" would just be long. For example, cutting a piece of PVC pipe.

Based on thie description, I would suggest a Craftsman or Columbian 4" workshop vise. Plenty strong and large enough for your application, and decent quality. They come up on Craigslist often, and at affordable prices. Larger than you think you need, but you always underestimate your needs!

Typical Columbians would be a D44 or 3040. The Craftsmans often have chevrons cast into the sides of the dynamic (movable) jaw. Both have u-shaped slides formed from steel and a small anvil-like flat on the back of the static jaw. Both are swivel base designs, with three mounting bolts. You can mount one to your pieces of subfloor with carriage bolts coming up from the bottom - just make sure the bolt heads are sucked up flush to the bottom of the wood.

I have two of the Columbians, a D44 and a 3050 (5") that I bought when I was young and poor. I have graduated to larger and sturdier vises, but I keep them in handy locations for occasional use. They are too handy for me to let them go.

 

[bluebolt]

I agree with Provincial, a USA utility vise or Craftsman 391-518X Japanese made utility vise should do you just fine. Although Columbian and Craftsman are the most common all the vise manufacturers made them.

 

[Shiftless]

I currently have a 41"L x 17"D Homak rolling tool chest (just the bottom). I plan to place (not screw or attach) two pieces of subfloor (each piece is .75") to the top of it and then mount the vise to that.

I wouldn't imagine the pieces I'd be working on would be very big. Anything "big" would just be long. For example, cutting a piece of PVC pipe.

OK
Just be sure to get a "combination" vise with decent pipe jaws that are not missing in action. My 1970's era Japanese made Craftsman vise just like provencial and bluebolt described served me quite well until I joined GJ and learned about Parkers, Reeds, Wilton bullets, etc. Now I have way more than I "need".

 

[Evilunclegrimace]

I think that I have one of those Reed swivel jaws out in garage. Now i am going to have to go see.

 

[KMScott]

One last shot of the Reed 109, it's on its way back to Kansas. Hope he likes it.

 

[Outlawmws]

Thanks for the nice words, everyone. The bench is usually a mess! Just cleaned it up for the pictures.

CRSINMICH: Here are a couple more pics of the cabinet. It's certainly not in the same league as Studley, but it was definitely a fun project to make.

007 by Thomas Rausenberg, on Flickr

The cabinet is stunning! But I have to admit I sort of choke/coughed when I saw the DeWalt drill...

 

[G-ManBart]

One last shot of the Reed 109, it's on its way back to Kansas. Hope he likes it.

Dayum!

 

[FMC1959]

One last shot of the Reed 109, it's on its way back to Kansas. Hope he likes it.

Kevin, I do not remember your previous post on this 109, but being the pre-"R" version, I am guessing it had cast in jaws. So you had to make a shelf support to put the jaws on? Looks like you kind of Parkerized that Reed with those jaws.

Jaws and handle, great work as usual.

 

[scooternut]

1765..... Freebie!!




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[jakemac]

Free is good. It means you can afford to buy parts and still get a good vise for little money. We like free !

 

[vintage nut]

Playing musical vises this afternoon. Finally found a home for this little Columbian 503 I picked up a while back.
I didn't need it, but who could say no to trading a beer for a vise?


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[vintage nut]

I know someone with a rather nice Columbian 506 I'm trying to get them to part with... Just a matter of finding the right thing to offer

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[trijeff]

Some of your killer knives!

EDIT: just realized "killer" may not be the most appropriate description

 

[72highboy]

I heard beer works [emoji4]
Maybe it's just the amount of beer...

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[vintage nut]

Some of your killer knives!

That's kinda my thinking. Either that or one of the less valuable gun I'm trying to sell.
The 6" Columbian would look nice on .y bench

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[vintage nut]

A little background on this picture. Thought you guys would like it regardless

A friend of mine occasionally comes by to use the shop on weekends. The maple top table in the middle of the shop is where he usually works. He was bugging me about sticking the 5" Parker on the corner because I already had at least two vises on every other bench in the shop. Went and pulled a few things out of storage and sent him this picture along with "off to buy more bolts"

His response was priceless. One side is 3 and 4" records, the other is a 5" Parker swivel jaw, a 4.5" reed combination, and a cast steel dawn in the middle

I'm sure some of us would have every flat surface in the shop look like this if we actually bolted down everything we had

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[G-ManBart]

1765..... Freebie!!

Hard to beat free! A set of KMScotts jaws and that baby will be set for years more work.

 

[vintage nut]

I heard beer works [emoji4]
Maybe it's just the amount of beer...

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I have a feeling it would take a lot more beer than the 3" did haha

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[jakemac]

A little background on this picture. Thought you guys would like it regardless

A friend of mine occasionally comes by to use the shop on weekends. The maple top table in the middle of the shop is where he usually works. He was bugging me about sticking the 5" Parker on the corner because I already had at least two vises on every other bench in the shop. Went and pulled a few things out of storage and sent him this picture along with "off to buy more bolts"

His response was priceless. One side is 3 and 4" records, the other is a 5" Parker swivel jaw, a 4.5" reed combination, and a cast steel dawn in the middle

I'm sure some of us would have every flat surface in the shop look like this if we actually bolted down everything we had

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Care to share the response with the rest of the class, or was it unprintable.

 

[vintage nut]

Care to share the response with the rest of the class, or was it unprintable.

Unfortunately it falls into the unprintable category...

He's in the Navy though, so use your imagination

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[jakemac]

No imagination needed, I can feel it.

 

[drivesitfar]

Vintage: I'm pretty sure i've seen more of the Morgan 160 vise i sold you since you owned it than in the 2 years i did. still looks good sitting on your bench. so are any of your Record vices quick release?

i might have a wilton bullet to trade you for some records or henrys or other canadian vices you might stumble on. JUST SAYING!!

JOE & MEATSIS: did you make the trade or ???

 

[meatsis]

No Drives we haven't come to an agreement yet

 

[scooternut]

Hard to beat free! A set of KMScotts jaws and that baby will be set for years more work.

Oddly enough given the beautiful Reeds and Hollands that I keep keep close as my favorites, the 70's craftsman 5 inch is my go to permanent mounted vise, as I have mounted permanent aluminum bar stock jaws. I think I may just replace the craftsman with this one and do the same. The older USA iron that we cherish does not lend itself to this mod, and I like it for my shop.



Just don't tell this workhorse craftsman! (Wilton is stuck closed and I'm filling it with penetrating oil and heat).

 

[72highboy]

Oddly enough given the beautiful Reeds and Hollands that I keep keep close as my favorites, the 70's craftsman 5 inch is my go to permanent mounted vise, as I have mounted permanent aluminum bar stock jaws. I think I may just replace the craftsman with this one and do the same. The older USA iron that we cherish does not lend itself to this mod, and I like it for my shop.



Just don't tell this workhorse craftsman! (Wilton is stuck closed and I'm filling it with penetrating oil and heat).

What's that wheeled cart under the baldor stand?

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[scooternut]

What's that wheeled cart under the baldor stand?

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Shop Fox small mobile base. I'd give it a solid decent if you need to move such things around. I'd call it absolutely perfect if it didn't add to the floor dimension of the tool. It takes more floor space and the tool is light enough to carry given my current physical condition.

 

[72highboy]

Ah okay, good point on the footprint.. I'm working in very limited space so always looking for mobile solutions. Currently want to mount a large vise on a pedestal that can be stored under my bench

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[ftb]

FTB:
A Parker 956 in useable condition for $30 seems unbelievable.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/391715608796

And no, I didn't get it. Missed the auction by a few minutes. No harm done, I'm sure something else will turn up sooner or later.

 

[Tom99]

Tom: Wow! Just WOW! Did you use hand tools or a combination of hand and power tools. You have nice hand tools to put in that cabinet. A recent topic on Woodworking 101 was Stanley No. 80s. Please post your woodworking stuff there starting with that cabinet. Here's the link again: http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=344153&page=86

Thanks, CRS. I'm mostly a power tool guy. Older, American made stuff. I'll post a little shop tour over there on WW101 after I clean things up a little.

 

[vintage nut]

Drives, unfortunately I haven't found a quick release record yet. I think their 5" cast steel quick release would be just about the perfect vise for general use.

I have a pair of older Sheffield 4" records, and I might be getting a Sheffield 6", hard to say yet.

I'm sure I'd be able to find something you'd like though.

Speaking of which, have you found yourself a blacksmith vise yet?

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[vintage nut]

Thanks, CRS. I'm mostly a power tool guy. Older, American made stuff. I'll post a little shop tour over there on WW101 after I clean things up a little.

Power tools are my other weakness.... Two generations of machinery in the shared shop of my dad and I. Old Delta Milwaukee and Rockwell/Delta from when he I initially set up his shop, and then a bunch of old beaver and a few pieces of later Rockwell I've added. Starts getting a bit ridiculous after a while (4 drill presses, 2 wood bandsaws, two metal bandsaws, two 6" jointers, ect) but I can't help but save these things from the scrapyard... I mean who can say no to $50 for the pair of a delta dp220, and a beaver 6" jointer....

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[Scout3918]

My Wilton. Hope to take apart and service it soon. possible paint it too. what is the green color some use on Wilton vise? Thanks in advance for everyone's help. Love this thread.

 

[drivesitfar]

Tom: like others have said you have an AMAZING shop set up for a smallish space. WELL DONE!!

also a nice pair of vises on your bench too

Vintage: no still Blacksmith vise(less) in Seattle. probably cause i want a unicorn if i'm only going to own one.

i had a 6 inch Record Quick Release that was like new and maybe 30 years old and I sold it to a client that's an Englishman and he wanted my Peter Wright anvil as a pair. i have another 6 inch Record QR, but it's needing some spiffing up. i love the Quick Release action on these Record vices, but i think i like the lever action on my Record wood vise even better so an old Parkinson QR might be the vice i'm after that one day will just show up (I hope).

cheers and i like the sound of you and your Dad's shop and wish i had more time last time i was up in your area to check it out and spend a bit more time with you and your Dad.