The VISES of Garage Journal

[PghJKB]

Thanks for the info. Yes this item is on CL. I didnt know what it was but appeared to be missing the swivel. Didnt know if it was worth picking up

This model does not have a "regular" swivel base. The base is similar to the base of the Pittsburgh Automatic Vise and a swivel used by Rock Island. Will look for more info on it - think I have the patent. Think VA may have posted images of the Rock Island some time ago.

Without the swivel base, you are paying him $50.00 so he does not have to go to the scrap yard for the $2.50 he would get for the forged iron - or pay someone $100.00 to fab a new base.

If it were closer to me I would have offered him $10.00 and tried to fab a base.

If it had the base we would probably be wrestling for it.....

JKB

 

[Cope]

Re: Any love for CM Crown Logo Vises?

I've never seen a Craftsman Machinist Vise in person, so I was excited to buy this model 506-51830. Seems very well made with clean machining and close fitting parts. The jaws look practically new!

That's a nice, clean example. Ready to go to work!

 

[exmaxima1]

Am I right in thinking that's one of the Columbian made craftsman vises? Shape and design look very similar to the 503 on the one bench here

It is indeed Columbian, and similar to the 50xx series except:

1. This CM is 4-inch jaw, while your 503 is a 3-inch
2. The CM version has a small anvil section, the 50xx has none.
3. The CM version weighs about 5 lbs more vs their Columbian counterparts.

This only my second Columbian made vise (not counting the countless CM "red" home vises), and I have to say I am very impressed with their quality. The thrust bearing under the spindle is a very nice touch and adds to the smoothness of operation.

 

[vintage nut]

It is indeed Columbian, and similar to the 50xx series except:

1. This CM is 4-inch jaw, while your 503 is a 3-inch
2. The CM version has a small anvil section, the 50xx has none.
3. The CM version weighs about 5 lbs more vs their Columbian counterparts.

This only my second Columbian made vise (not counting the countless CM "red" home vises), and I have to say I am very impressed with their quality. The thrust bearing under the spindle is a very nice touch and adds to the smoothness of operation.

I haven't found anything bad to say about Columbian either. They are a bit lighter, but the casting quality is very good.
I'd love to find a craftsman vise sometime, especially one of the Reed or rock island ones. Never seem to see them up here though. I almost wonder if sears Canada sold records or something instead of the craftsman vises. I don't actually think I've seen any craftsman vises here, tons of craftsman hand tools though

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[454ragtop]

Here's a couple pics of mine, definitely cosmetically challenged compared to Ex's. First 2 show it as found, strangely I think it looked worse in person than the pics, second 2 are after a little soap and water and a little scraping. Had a lot of epoxy or fiberglass resin on it, 1 long dribble down the side of the slide looked exactly like a weld, was happy when I scraped it off. Funny you mention the Columbian heritage, that's what I thought it was at first when I saw it laying on the ground and almost walked right by. But then I spotted the grooves on the nose of the screw peaking out from the grime and decided it needed a better look. Sadly, the badge is in pretty sad shape, probably won't be too salvageable. It's actually in awful nice shape other than the cosmetics though, nice jaws, doesn't look like anyone ever used the slide as an anvil, all the machining marks are still visible.

 

[ALLFAST]

Aren't these CM older vises as depicted, with the grooves in the snout, somewhat hard to find ?

These are nice little tools.

 

[va.grouseman]

Previously posted by PghJKB.

This model does not have a "regular" swivel base. The base is similar to the base of the Pittsburgh Automatic Vise and a swivel used by Rock Island. Will look for more info on it - think I have the patent. Think VA may have posted images of the Rock Island some time ago.
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Pgh, this might be the Rock Island you are talking about, and yes it does have the internal locking system like the Pittsburgh, but somewhat different than the Pittsburgh, in-as-much as the base is part of the body.---This one was a swivel-jaw that I had to make a pin for.

 

[bluebolt]

I haven't found anything bad to say about Columbian either. They are a bit lighter, but the casting quality is very good.
I'd love to find a craftsman vise sometime, especially one of the Reed or rock island ones. Never seem to see them up here though. I almost wonder if sears Canada sold records or something instead of the craftsman vises. I don't actually think I've seen any craftsman vises here, tons of craftsman hand tools though

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The biggest and most unusual Craftsman vise I have ever seen probably came from Canada, it was an 8" Columbian with a Craftsman tag on it.

 

[va.grouseman]

Blue, did it look like this?---Found on page 339 and 330.

EDIT----Gatewaysysop seems to think this one is made in Japan and weighs 120 lbs. which is light for an 8 incher.---Read his posts on (What can you tell me about this vise.)


http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=221437&d=1353541457

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=221438&d=1353541457

 

[joe.striper]

Here you go! 8" Wilton Bullet in NH.

https://nh.craigslist.org/tls/6145034717.html

 

[BlueBomber]

Yeah, he's gonna sell it for THAT on Craigslist...

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[va.grouseman]

Joe, I have an 800 like that and it weighs 220 lbs.---I think that the pundits here on the Journal established that 238 lbs. was the shipping weight on the 800S.

 

[joe.striper]

Yeah, he's gonna sell it for THAT on Craigslist...

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Hey its in your backyard, go get it!

 

[RG Rude]

Hey its in your backyard, go get it!

If I was that close to it I'd be there tomorrow with cash.

 

[bombtech]

I just picked this big ole Wilton up at a bargain (free sorta). It is missing the swivel base and the threaded rod is no longer affixed to the vise. Pics attached. I would love to fix this thing. Any opinions on sources for parts?

Added a pic with the everyday welding table vise holding his new big brother.

 

[joe.striper]

If I was that close to it I'd be there tomorrow with cash.

Way too much for me. I passed up 2 of those 800 swivelers at $850 each 2 months ago in new condition.

 

[VISEs]

Yesterday I found a few items while out picking up some electric motors! Dang I love these old vises!


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[va.grouseman]

I'm on to you VISEs.---The Hunt Brothers tried to corner the silver market in 87.---Pretty soon you are going to have all the vises in the world and you can name your price.---I'm hep to you.


Real nice stuff by the way.---Is that a Reed 4C?

 

[RedVise]

Yesterday I found a few items while out picking up some electric motors! Dang I love these old vises!

I like those clamp on vises, dont have any like that.
Very neat!

Brian

 

[VISEs]

I'm on to you VISEs.---The Hunt Brothers tried to corner the silver market in 87.---Pretty soon you are going to have all the vises in the world and you can name your price.---I'm hep to you.





Real nice stuff by the way.---Is that a Reed 4C?

Yes sir. A 4C it is.


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[VISEs]

I like those clamp on vises, dont have any like that.

Very neat!



Brian

I like them too!



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[CrotalusAtrox]

I'm on to you VISEs.---The Hunt Brothers tried to corner the silver market in 87.---Pretty soon you are going to have all the vises in the world and you can name your price.---I'm hep to you.


Real nice stuff by the way.---Is that a Reed 4C?

To funny about the Hunt brother analogy I made the same comment on another forum about his collection. I believe that with all the anvils vises and Power hammers he has, the earth is being thrown off it axis causing climate change

 

[drivesitfar]

Vises: i love your enthusiasm on VISES hence your handle. I don't know if you are planning on starting a museum or if you actually want to get these back out to users that actually respect a vise, but i do know i'd like a piece of that money tree or maybe it's an OIL WELL producing greenbacks in your back yard. nice finds and WELL DONE!!

BTW lift with your legs when taking that 4C on a stand out of your truck.

BOMBTECH: your Wilton vise and your other Wilton vise holding it were probably made in China and i'm sure Wilton probably makes and sells parts for both those vises if you need any. if you might just need a sleeve with a set screw to hold the screw onto the dynamic jaw that might be bought at a local hardware store or made by a talented machinist.

post up your vise as is and taken apart over on the vise repair 101 thread if you might need more help or hopefully it's an easy fix. since you are missing the swivel base and Wilton doesn't give them away you might build a stand for your vise and have 360 degree access that way and if you were closer i have a few for $20 each that used to be table bases so you probably have something similar in your area or maybe you can make one. some members have even made them out of wood.

good luck

CA: i heard you were going to visit VISES so did you and get to see his almost MUSEUM? i bet it makes your 20-30 vises seem normal doesn't it. wow what a site Vises old cast iron must have been.

 

[va.grouseman]

Crotalus, I think you are on to something.---It's just a matter of time before Al Gore gives an updated press release.

 

[vintage nut]

I love that baby blacksmith vise!

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[drivesitfar]

ALL: does anybody own a JET brand vise? i think they are better than average quality and better than most of today's new imported stuff. here's a picture of one with a BIG #5 on it and usually i shy away from buying anything with a big # on it's dynamic, but these i think were made in Taiwan or Japan in the late 70's and early 80's and maybe are a bit nicer than most. comments.

look at the sweet little vise on the other side of this stand. i think it's a Grand and it's not mine (yet).

also found a Canadian #35 which i'm guessing stands for 3.5 inch jaws. anybody see this brand before? also a 6 inch RECORD made in England vice.

hope you are all having a great day and i hope VISES and JOE don't fall into the middle of the earth with all that old iron building up at their places. good thing they don't live in FLORIDA isn't it?

 

[vintage nut]

I haven't seen Canadian branded vises before, which is somewhat surprising considering where I am.
I believe some older jet tools were made in japan. My dad has a couple of Japanese made Eron vises, and they are every bit as nice as anything I've seen come out of England

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[Outlawmws]

Drives, Pics three and four clearly show that Jet has been broken and welded/brazed where the D jaw meets the slide...

And no, I don't think Jet has any better a vise than any other Asian made vise with the possible exception of maybe a better fit/finish. Its clearly no stronger, since that one was broken where they all break...

 

[drivesitfar]

OUTLAW: I'd love to see some scientific side by side comparisons cause actually any vise will break if a user thinks a BFH is a good idea. I own several big old Parkers with busted dynamics, and i've passed on many Reeds, Wiltons, and other brands that either have a busted dynamic or a busted shelf.

that JET has a very stout shelf under the dynamic and curious how that dynamic would have broke without some damage to it, but as you say maybe the cast is brittle. i still say abuse is a major cause of vise failures even on the cheap ones, but some can take more abuse than others that is for certain.

VN: it's a boat ride away and the guy has a few of them. just saying i might not be able to fetch it and it needs a new home!!

 

[Sunset_Z28]

I've got an old jet that belonged to my grandpa that I cleaned up and painted a while back. When I took it apart I noticed a significant crack that I repaired. It's been demoted to light duty since. It used to belong to my grandpa which is the primary reason for keeping it after that.

 

[va.grouseman]

This was posted by EOC_Jason on page 495, post 9870

''Saw this 4" Jet on eBay... You can see on the tag it says "Japan"... Before I think it was mentioned these could possibly be Morgan's? Figured they were worth adding to the thread for archival purposes''.
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Pretty good looking vise.

Remember Outlaw,--- Never been a vise that couldn't be snapped, never been man that couldn't be slapped.


Click the links.

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=277343&d=1377393198

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=277344&d=1377393198

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=277345&d=1377393198

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=277346&d=1377393198

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=277347&d=1377393198

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=277348&d=1377393198

 

[drivesitfar]

Sunset: thanks for posting and NICE REPAIR and not one that i've seen before. if you have more pictures of that repair or even just those two if you have time to post them up in the Vise Repair 101 thread i'd appreciate it. also nice looking vise once you painted it up and a i wish i had saved a few more of my GRAMP'S tools. i almost got rid of his Frow he might have cut thousands of cedar shakes with from old growth cedar trees he'd find laying on the ground when he was cutting logging roads with his D9. here's a picture of what his D9 looked like and i'm not certain this is him, but he always wore these clothes and had a cup of coffee in his hand if he wasn't working his tail off.

I'd trade in all my vises for his old D9 that he ended up selling 50 years ago.

cheers

 

[MissileBear]

This was posted by EOC_Jason on page 495, post 9870

''Saw this 4" Jet on eBay... You can see on the tag it says "Japan"... Before I think it was mentioned these could possibly be Morgan's? Figured they were worth adding to the thread for archival purposes''.

What's the possibility it was made by the unknown Japanese company that made the Morgan Star clones (like the sexagram No. 140 I posted a few pages back)? I've seen the Jet vises before (when I worked construction rental we had 2 in the shop), and I don't remember them being as nice as an actual Morgan. I figured it was a Chinese import.

 

[Sunset_Z28]

Will do. Those are the only pics I have and I'm actually surprised I still had them on my phone. I'm not sure how this repair would hold up over time. I knew jb weld wouldn't hold up and I wasn't very confident in brazing it so I set it up in a drill press and drilled that hole through to the inside of the vise. I thin headed bolt needed to be used. I've considered filling in the hollow cavity around the bolt with some sort of epoxy or something. I did use a small amount of jb weld to glue the two pieces together so that it would help it stay in place. I'm assuming either it was dropped or was beat on with the slide out pretty far. I guess I'll never know.

I've been very lucky in having a lot of my grandpas possessions. He's been gone about 15 years. Ive got probably 90% of his tools, all his guns, a tractor that's been in my family since 1956, and about a month ago I purchased his old truck from my aunt. It had been sitting since he died. Hopefully one of these days my kids appreciate this stuff as much as I have.

 

[CrotalusAtrox]

Vises: i love your enthusiasm on VISES hence your handle. I don't know if you are planning on starting a museum or if you actually want to get these back out to users that actually respect a vise, but i do know i'd like a piece of that money tree or maybe it's an OIL WELL producing greenbacks in your back yard. nice finds and WELL DONE!!

BTW lift with your legs when taking that 4C on a stand out of your truck.

BOMBTECH: your Wilton vise and your other Wilton vise holding it were probably made in China and i'm sure Wilton probably makes and sells parts for both those vises if you need any. if you might just need a sleeve with a set screw to hold the screw onto the dynamic jaw that might be bought at a local hardware store or made by a talented machinist.

post up your vise as is and taken apart over on the vise repair 101 thread if you might need more help or hopefully it's an easy fix. since you are missing the swivel base and Wilton doesn't give them away you might build a stand for your vise and have 360 degree access that way and if you were closer i have a few for $20 each that used to be table bases so you probably have something similar in your area or maybe you can make one. some members have even made them out of wood.

good luck

CA: i heard you were going to visit VISES so did you and get to see his almost MUSEUM? i bet it makes your 20-30 vises seem normal doesn't it. wow what a site Vises old cast iron must have been.

I have not made it out there yet been in the throws of building a large Data Center. I am planning a trip end of August to drop some stuff off for Snadman and if time allows stop buy and see Vises hoard

 

[va.grouseman]

I didn't read all of the replies so maybe this was answered but that looks like a JET vise to me. I've seen two in person. They are Taiwan made imports but both seemed like decent vises to me.

This is a JET 6" vise that's been on Craig's List in my area for a while.

http://seattle.craigslist.org/see/tls/4753380365.html

.

Balane seems to think they are from Taiwan.---Now I ---This is posted on page 1100, post 21993.

Click the link.


http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=386447&d=1415995128

 

[Outlawmws]

Drives and VA; I'm not saying other vises don't also break I'm saying Chinese vises break easier and disproportionally in higher numbers based on my own observations of how many I've seen broke. Long ago I bought one of the Asian made "6" vised. I broke it right were that one did without a cheater bar...

Look at the pics showing the end of the slide; see how big the gap is? its thin. Compare that to a better, heavier made vise.

Look at the shelf on Sunset's vise, its hollow. Compare that to the solid shelf on the Athol on the same page...

They are made hollow, thin, with gray cast iron, and I'm dead sure its got impurities the old iron didn't have. Why? Look at the quality of the castings. bad voids indicate bad mixes in the iron before its ever poured.

No Drives, no scientific data or testing, just a lot of empirical data that tells the story.

 

[drivesitfar]

OUTLAW: i didn't expect you to give the scientific data and i can see that some imports are made with less quality and materials. i'm just saying some of the old Japanese and Taiwan made vises seem to be of a better quality. i had a Chinese WONDER VISE that was made in Taiwan and i wish i wouldn't have sold it cause it actually was built pretty well.

you might not admit it, but i bet even the cheap vises wouldn't break if they were used like a vise was supposed to be used and not as a substitute for another tool. i've seen many members admit they broke a vise because they used the vise cause it was there and their expensive tool or farm machine or vehicle was more important to get the job done than too worry about breaking a vise.

i had a steel fab guy buy one of my old 4.5 wilton bullets yesterday and when he looked at the 3.5 inch one he said it wouldn't last in his shop because his guys would destroy it.

ALL: does anybody know if the 50's and 60's and maybe 70's made in Japan or Taiwan vises were made a bit better than the newer ones made mostly in China? I would imagine and it's been said before that China, Japan and Taiwan have the ability to make some of the best tools and steel money can buy, but the importers can't afford or don't want to pay to ship it to us.

vises are tools so use and abuse as you like cause you own them, but they were meant to do a lot of jobs and just maybe not all of the ones you throw at them.

cheers and have a great day.

 

[Tonellin]

I don't believe 50s-60s Japan manufacturing would be a highlight of manufacturing considering they were still reeling from WWII. I would think 50s-60s Japan manufacturing would be similar to what we see in Chinese manufacturing today.

Didn't Japanese manufacturing really start to excel in the 70s-80s? I'm thinking strictly in the automotive sense (Toyota/Honda quality) but I would imagine it was similar for other industries.

I'm only basing this off a little bit of history and not actual hands on experience with their tools so I'm interested in what other people say

 

[AKOSakos]

I was told that you guys like vises. I picked up a Reed 106 this week from Craigslist and made a quick "before" video to show where it is now. I'll follow up after (maybe during) a cosmetic and mechanical rehab.

Couple questions -- any idea on date? From internet detectiving, I'm getting somewhere from 1915-1930. Also, how do I take it all the way apart? Do I just keep unscrewing until it comes apart, or is there something else I need to do?

Wow, this thread moves quickly. I had the vise taken apart for a couple months, just taking up room on my workbench. I finally got around to finishing it. I took inspiration from gregthor's Reed 204 restoration thread here: http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=131601 with regards to color combination, I think it looks really clean and sharp.

I used POR15 for the slide and screw end. I used POR15 silver caliper paint for the body. Both paints worked great. They both build a TON and give a very workable surface while drying, but harden up like crazy. I'm very happy with the paint.

I had to get a new set screw, I'll upload a picture sometime... it was fully bent and stripped of its threads on the lower half, it was barely held in to the collar at all. For anyone's future info -- the Reed 206 has a 5/16-24 thread on the set screw... I couldn't find that size and had to get out the tap set to figure it out.

Anyway, here's a couple pics of how it sits now: