The VISES of Garage Journal

[Mooreag47]

Eddie k you wouldn't hapen to be in east county sandiego would you?

 

[eddieK]

Eddie k you wouldn't hapen to be in east county sandiego would you?

Santee...

 

[Mooreag47]

Thought so me as well over by lakes market

 

[eddieK]

Thought so me as well over by lakes market

I was over there for 20 years...now on the other side, by the closed pinnacle peak.

That fire last week was about 200 yards from my home. small world eh

 

[CrotalusAtrox]

I've brushed on simple green and scrubbed. What dilution do you use to soak in Simple Green??

Full strength stuff works great just let it soak for three or four days and it removes most paint I have come across

 

[CrotalusAtrox]

Eddie: you guys down south have FREE ovens cause the BLO looked like it was baked on. your Starrett made a nice transformation too.

Joe: thanks for the count and feel free to post pictures of the ones in the tent when you have time (if you want to). cheers and hope you find more during the 3 day weekend.

Mr. J: thanks for sharing and we love RAE vices from Canada (or at least most of us do).

ALL: what is the story with GYRO VISE and VERSA VISE. are they different manufacturers using the same patent? well i own a nice one with original paint and wish it had that extra piece to add more directions of the swivel. for you guys that have never seen one of these in action here's the video and my reason for now owning 3 of these.

also have this clamp on GRAND vise and guessing that lever is some type of quick release cause i have one of Grand's big clamps that is a quick release clamp too.

Drives if I remember you have a precursor to both the Gyro and Versa

 

[drivesitfar]

CA: i think you are correct. isn't the one i bought from you a WILL BURT? then i have a VERSA VISE and now today i picked up this GYRO VISE. did the patent get passed around, expire or what's the story?

nice memory and did you see VISE'S collection in person and was it AMAZING or maybe you might need 4 or 10 more trips back to his shop before you begin to see them all?

how's the heat in the garage these days? isn't it getting close to being 100 degrees at midnight in the desert and maybe a great time to slap on some BLO on your gems?

 

[CrotalusAtrox]

CA: i think you are correct. isn't the one i bought from you a WILL BURT? then i have a VERSA VISE and now today i picked up this GYRO VISE. did the patent get passed around, expire or what's the story?

nice memory and did you see VISE'S collection in person and was it AMAZING or maybe you might need 4 or 10 more trips back to his shop before you begin to see them all?

how's the heat in the garage these days? isn't it getting close to being 100 degrees at midnight in the desert and maybe a great time to slap on some BLO on your gems?

Not sure on the history of Will Burt vises I like them and think for small work they are kind of hard to beat
Haven't got out to see Vises have a truck load of blacksmith stuff I am bringing out for Sandman but that won't happen until end of August so hope to find time to see vises collection when I am out there. Going to try and get some hunting in also. It's Getting warm for sure but not unbearabl I guess I have gotten used to it over the last 49 years

 

[rusty65]

Montgomery & co inc Springfield New Jersey. Not sure if it's american made but the vise is very nice quality and I thought the steel nut was interesting. https://www.google.com/patents/US1994217



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[ssdave]

Like most guys on here, I have an assortment of small to large vises, up to a 5 1/2" Columbians. I don't collect, so not really looking for any more. However, I picked up a new vise today, and I'm as pleased with it as with any I have acquired. It has 3/4" jaws! Not a toy, it's for real. Marked Lowell Wrench Co. USA Worchester Mass. No other markings. This will really come in handy for holding small items while I file on them.

 

[drivesitfar]

Rusty: nice looking vise and i'm going to have to find one of those to buy some day.

SS: i don't own any of those little hand held vises, but i'd like to find some. another use for them is holding items that are too small to hold in your hand when using your bench grinders.

ALL: here's for the Canucks and the guys across the pond in the morning. it's a Record 634 6 inch very stout vice and of course it's missing it's pipe jaws. it looks a lot like my Yost 34C and here's a picture to compare them.

 

[Sunset_Z28]

Montgomery & co inc Springfield New Jersey. Not sure if it's american made but the vise is very nice quality and I thought the steel nut was interesting.


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I have never seen a vise like that before. That thing is cool as hell regardless of origin.

 

[RG Rude]

Full strength stuff works great just let it soak for three or four days and it removes most paint I have come across

Thanks, I will give it a whirl. It'll save me money on Jasco paint remover.

 

[va.grouseman]

Drive, are the 634 and the 34C yours?---I'd love to find one of those 634s, but for a combo, the 34C is hard to beat.---I put them right up there with the Starrett 326 for toughness and strength.---And that's the top of the heap.---JMO.

 

[trijeff]

Nope the Record 634 is in the SF Bay Area

https://sfbay.craigslist.org/sby/tls/6133603232.html

 

[drivesitfar]

VA: the YOST 34C is mine and in my searching last night i found the RECORD 634 that is missing the pipe jaws. if it was closer and (a lot) less money it would be mine, but i think the seller needs to have it sit for a while until he realizes he's too high on his price. i hope you find one locally and PM or email me if you want the link if you want to negotiate with the seller.

EDIT: i see TJ is on GJ this morning and noticed my post and the RECORD.

I think i'd put my Reed 4c a ways above my Yost 34c in quality and would love to find Starrett 326 some day like yours to compare it with the 4C.

ALL: for some of you that maybe see vises in other areas or do EBAY deals and would rather have members bring the items to you I started a GJ MULE TRAIN THREAD over in Vintage tools section and the link is in my sig line if you might want to HOLD or TRANSPORT items for and with members to move them along to get to and from other member's hands.

OWWM has something like this that they do with huge machines and tools and several members asked me to start a thread so feel free to check it out and give your comments and or help.

thanks

 

[MissileBear]

...i found the RECORD 634 that is missing the pipe jaws. if it was closer and (a lot) less money it would be mine, but i think the seller needs to have it sit for a while until he realizes he's too high on his price.

There's a whole lot of money in Sunnyvale/Silicon Valley. My company headquarters is there, and I go broke just eating when I'm in town.

I was recently in Palm Springs, CA, and browsed CL for vises just to see what was around. Any of the old iron was going for premium coin.

 

[drivesitfar]

MB: you might want to get on the MULE TRAIN thread cause i bet some of you guys that travel and want to bring something from your side of the country in a suitcase might be able to pick something up over on the side you are dropping an item off. or just bring an empty suitcase to pick something up if you don't have anything to travel with every trip.

i've thought about doing that with the boys across the pond to exchange some old US iron for some old English stuff.

it's not cheap to eat in some parts of Seattle or Bellevue either, but i know of a few spots if you ever land up here that you might be happy with food and prices.

cheers

 

[eddieK]

Drives, I have relatives that we sometimes visit in Puyallup...

 

[VISEs]

Elesco never heard of them. But While I'm here I'll drop off a picture for y'all

This is awesome!!


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[va.grouseman]

Yea Drive, I forgot about my Reed 4C to.---I'm going to have to revise my previous statement.---The Reed will have to be placed nose to nose with the Starrett, and the 34C a close second.

My list of combinations are,

2 Starrett 326s
Reed 4C
Yost 34C
Morgan 289 1/2
American Scale 25
Parker 436
Oswego No. 87
Simplex C 33
2 Columbian 204 1/2
Massey's Perfect No. 25

I need to add many more names to that list.

 

[va.grouseman]

Montgomery & co inc Springfield New Jersey. Not sure if it's american made but the vise is very nice quality and I thought the steel nut was interesting. https://www.google.com/patents/US1994217



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Rusty, here's one that looks a lot like the Montgomery.---What do you think?

 

[rusty65]

Va: thank you for replying to my post I believe you are spot on Wilder must have been the mfgr of the vise and was just rebranded for Montgomery to sell. And here is the main patent for the vise. https://www.google.com/patents/USD187553

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[jrobb316]

I've been looking for one of these tall Parker vises for a while now, and finally got one. Hard to read the casting but looks like 434 1/2 A or 484 1/2 A. It does have 4 1/2" wide jaws. Can anyone tell me about this vise - the age? Also it's missing the Parker bolt ans wrench for the swivel base. Anyone got one or know where I can find one? I'm really looking forward to cleaning this one up and refinishing it. Standing next to my Parker double swivel 449. Thanks - Jim

It's 434 1/2. Dates 1940s-1950s. The bolts are like gold, hard to find. The wrenches are easier they come up on eBay. You probably need a #2 wrench, I know I have an extra somewhere if I find it I'll let you know. Nice score.

I see the possible 5198 is off Craig's. Anyone want to fess up if that's what it actually was?

 

[RedVise]

Went in to work late yesterday so I could hit an estate sale in the morning.
Got there early and it was already open, and a flea market dealer beat me in the garage door. But I had scoped out the pics posted online so I took a 1/2 second to check the vise and the grinder, turned around and told the dealer I would take them.
Record #4 for $40.00, no complaints from me!
Good condition, big swivel base.


Brian

I could have swore I posted this yesterday but I dont see it, so if a double post, chalk it up to the holiday weekend.

 

[ALLFAST]

Brian you did great. I bought a #3 a fee months back for 100....a 1951issh....but the are relatively rare in my zone !.

Shawn

 

[RedVise]

Shawn how to you determine the date on these Records ? Thanks

Oh yeah, first one I have ever come across.

Brian

 

[Albin]

Hallo everyone!..I have seen some of your pictures of work pieces that you all have done in many different ways to bring the use of them back, or looks or both.
I just got a piece of iron that needs badly the "nut and bolt"... It is a "General, and have some number 104 on it. The shuttle nut is brass, and broken, the marking on it is 8 1(or Y) 2 50. The body has a riveted plate with "C222" on it, and I have no handle or any good innerts for it. I wonder if anyone might have something for it. The shuttle nut is so stripped and broken open. Look at pictures. Any help would be appreciated..

 

[Wastegate]

My before and after. Found for $25 at an estate sale. Taken apart and soaked in purple power, stripped and wire wheeled. Then primed and painted in hammered light blue.. I'm extremely happy with how this turned out.


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[compunaut]

Hey all! I was an arms-length observer of this vise/vice thread a few years back, but drifted away (afraid of the rabbit hole). However, I had to return when I had a true need to purchase a decent vise.
Sooo, I've been going through the 'back pages' to get myself up-to-speed (I think I've caught up to page 2250 or so; only 500 more to go). Whew, there's a lot of info out there - and you guys are somewhat chatty
Anyhow, I've run across what appears to be (per Outlaw's handy old catalog posts) a Craftsman 5176 Bench Vise from the late 40s - mid 50s. Needs a little cleaning but appears to be in nice shape w/ no cracks or abuse anywhere and plenty of original paint. $60 would be the total outlay to purchase the thing. Reasonable price or should I save the cash for something else? All I have right now is a vintage Stanley clamp-on that I think was handed down from ? family member (don't remember buying it myself).

 

[Mr_P]

I picked these little goodies this morning for super cheap....

Brodhead Garrett Co. 500Y woodworking vise

4" Wilton copper soft jaws

And this small red "Vise Kit" by G *******

 

[ALLFAST]

Brian,

I'm no expert, but my lock down handles have patent dates from the UK. In chatting with a Canadian and an England GJer, they say it's in the range of the patent dates...plus the No.3 is on the forward left. No guarantees, but a good ballpark (assuming original handles to the vise of course !l plus, the casting quality is top notch, and doesn't have the newer split mounting tabs.

 

[Mr_P]

So, time for an update from page 2768. I picked up this little guy last week during the flea market alley in Mississippi and finally got around to playing with it a little. I couldn't find many markings except what looked like "00" on the dynamic jaw, and "36" on the inside of the screw box. It's about 41" tall, and I haven't weighed it yet, but it's at least 100 lbs.

 

[jrobb316]

Hey all! I was an arms-length observer of this vise/vice thread a few years back, but drifted away (afraid of the rabbit hole). However, I had to return when I had a true need to purchase a decent vise.
Sooo, I've been going through the 'back pages' to get myself up-to-speed (I think I've caught up to page 2250 or so; only 500 more to go). Whew, there's a lot of info out there - and you guys are somewhat chatty
Anyhow, I've run across what appears to be (per Outlaw's handy old catalog posts) a Craftsman 5176 Bench Vise from the late 40s - mid 50s. Needs a little cleaning but appears to be in nice shape w/ no cracks or abuse anywhere and plenty of original paint. $60 would be the total outlay to purchase the thing. Reasonable price or should I save the cash for something else? All I have right now is a vintage Stanley clamp-on that I think was handed down from ? family member (don't remember buying it myself).

It's a fair price. Not one of the heavy duty models but those are sought after. Your call, you can never really go wrong with buying an old craftsman.

 

[dutchgray]

Shawn how to you determine the date on these Records ? Thanks

Oh yeah, first one I have ever come across.

Brian

Yours is a later one, exact dates im no good at but that enclosed record name is a later one, my Dads from the 80's was like that, and they stayed the same until the got rid of bolt holes and went to slots. A good vice and a 4 is a good size.

 

[Mister J]

Missed out on a cute little Record model 00, 2 1/4 inch jaws. It was in great shape. Guy wanted $30 bucks for it but I didn't want to make the drive and thought $30 was a bit much for such a tiny thing. I don't know if I'll ever be able to forgive myself.

 

[RG Rude]

My before and after. Found for $25 at an estate sale. Taken apart and soaked in purple power, stripped and wire wheeled. Then primed and painted in hammered light blue.. I'm extremely happy with how this turned out.

Awesome job Wastegate. My wife was looking over my shoulder when I was viewing your work on the Wilton. It made it easy to explain the site to her with your before and after. The $25 price reference really helped me out with the explanation for the 12 vises sitting in my home office.

 

[RedVise]

Yours is a later one, exact dates im no good at but that enclosed record name is a later one, my Dads from the 80's was like that, and they stayed the same until the got rid of bolt holes and went to slots. A good vice and a 4 is a good size.

Brian,

I'm no expert, but my lock down handles have patent dates from the UK. In chatting with a Canadian and an England GJer, they say it's in the range of the patent dates...plus the No.3 is on the forward left. No guarantees, but a good ballpark (assuming original handles to the vise of course !l plus, the casting quality is top notch, and doesn't have the newer split mounting tabs.

Much Thanks for the info guys !!

Brian

 

[drivesitfar]

RG: did you also tell your bride you paid $25 each for your vises?

Mr.P: no idea who made your blacksmith vise, but it looks like it's well built. clean it up and put some BLO and snap a few more pictures and post them if you have the time. WELL DONE!!

Compu: if you've read this thread and are continuing to do so i congratulate you. i did so a couple times before i joined and have read every post since then and as you know written a few too. for a fairly simple tool it sure does have some history and a lot of variety doesn't it?

i don't think you can go wrong buying that old Craftsman and does it have the Heritage badge on it or just a casting that says Craftsman. do you know how to post pictures yet and if not just ask and we'll help you cause you know we like pictures. just look for cracks, welds and missing pieces of cast and if the vise doesn't have any of those issues and screws in and out i'd say buy it. does it look something like this Craftsman i own?

welcome to the forum and hope you like it here as much as i do.

WG: is your Wilton vise something you are going to keep or are you going to sell it so you can buy a few more vises? nice find and good job spiffing it up.

Albin: your vise's name isn't familiar to me, but if you take a few more pictures of it and maybe post them and your issues over on the Vise Repair 101 thread maybe somebody might have some help for you and here's the link: http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=252830

a busted vise nut is not an easy fix, but if you have the skills or the money i'm sure it can be fixed or replaced with something that will work. good luck

 

[vintage nut]

Damn I should start shipping records down there.... A #3 in great shape or restored is worth about $50 up here...

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