The VISES of Garage Journal

[compunaut]

Can anybody ID this vice? It's supposed to go to auction in a couple weeks.
Doesn't look too impressive, but it is 'Made In USA'.

 

[Provincial]

Can anybody ID this vice? It's supposed to go to auction in a couple weeks.
Doesn't look too impressive, but it is 'Made In USA'.

It looks like a homeowner grade Columbian from the 1970' or 80's. Good vises for light work, but don't pay over $30.00 for one. Better vises become available above that price level.

I have a couple of Columbians similar to that one, a D44-M3 and a 3050. I bought them new back then. Both have held up to more abuse than they should, and show no sign of failure. The handles on the swivel nuts are the weak point - they bend easily. The swivel locking system slips if you get too much of a twisting force on it, but you are in the abuse level if that happens.

 

[Exmachanica]

Does anyone know what size the bottom base nut on a CP 249x vise is? I'm going to look at one and want to bring the right socket with me to remove and inspect the swivel parts after I buy it to make sure nothing is cracked. is it 1 3/8"? or 1 1/2" socket for the 249x Parker vise swivel base center nut on the underside?

 

[GETRIDAONE]

If you have to buy one, get both sizes and return the one that doesn't fit.

 

[454ragtop]

Does anyone know what size the bottom base nut on a CP 249x vise is? I'm going to look at one and want to bring the right socket with me to remove and inspect the swivel parts after I buy it to make sure nothing is cracked. is it 1 3/8"? or 1 1/2" socket for the 249x Parker vise swivel base center nut on the underside?

Has anybody ever seen any Parker swivel base broken pieces other than maybe a broken mounting ear? That brake shoe type has to be about the strongest out there. I don't think I'd worry about it too much, certainly wouldn't bother taking one apart. If the wrench and special bolt are there, and it swivels and locks, I think you'll be fine.

 

[KMScott]

The only break I see in a Parker swivel base is the pivot brake shoe arm besides the bolt down ears. Not to hard to fix.

 

[FMC1959]

JOE: speaking of using your vises what is the name of the vise you usually use in your shop that almost looks homemade? i'm still looking for one and thought i'd found one locally, but sadly it isn't.

ALL: speaking of the HOMEMADE VISE the owner things this wasn't homemade and i haven't seen it in person. thoughts?

Many parts of it look homemade to me

Can anybody ID this vice? It's supposed to go to auction in a couple weeks.
Doesn't look too impressive, but it is 'Made In USA'.

I see 648 on the side, that would make it a Wilton Mechanics. Originally made in the US, current ones are made in China. I do not know for sure but my guess would be they were offshored somewhere in the 80-90's.

Does anyone know what size the bottom base nut on a CP 249x vise is? I'm going to look at one and want to bring the right socket with me to remove and inspect the swivel parts after I buy it to make sure nothing is cracked. is it 1 3/8"? or 1 1/2" socket for the 249x Parker vise swivel base center nut on the underside?

To your previous question, like Gman stated, but one other item. The 249x is a Superior early model, later became 800 series (stationary) and 820 series (swivel). The 975 is the later model of the Eclipse, earlier models being 100 & 200 series. Either one is an excellent vise, but Superiors are a bit heftier.

 

[454ragtop]

Found an interesting small at the flea market today, a Goodell-Pratt 161. Thought it had some nice detail, love the anvil, not too common on these clamp ons. Pretty nice shape for being about 90 years old, give or take, some surface rust, might give it an Evaporust bath. Cost me $8.00

 

[gman007]

Can anybody ID this vice? It's supposed to go to auction in a couple weeks.
Doesn't look too impressive, but it is 'Made In USA'.

compunaut

As FMC1959 has stated it looks like this is Wilton 648 8" swivel base

Here are some more photos that I found from an ebay listing, in the first photo (right under the anvil area) one can see it says "made in USA"

Here is the ebay listing
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Wilton-648-8-034-swivel-base-utlity-workshop-vise-opens-to-7-1-2-034-USA-/272048544952
Regards
007

 

[exmaxima1]

compunaut

As FMC1959 has stated it looks like this is Wilton 648 8" swivel base

Here are some more photos that I found from an ebay listing, in the first photo (right under the anvil area) one can see it says "made in USA"

Here is the ebay listing
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Wilton-648-8-034-swivel-base-utlity-workshop-vise-opens-to-7-1-2-034-USA-/272048544952
Regards
007

$249 is ridiculous price for any vise with a stamped slide.

 

[trijeff]

^^^ This. And that shipping is not cheap either, way out of line for a vise that size.

 

[compunaut]

Thanks to FMC and gman. Why would anybody make an 8" (!) vise for 'light' use? Seems a bit oxymoronic

I snagged the photo from pre-listings of a farm auction coming up in MI, in case anyone from nearby is interested.

 

[compunaut]

Don't remember who might be looking for a post vise, but there's a guy in Dallas who has a trailer load (10):
Blacksmithing Post Vise...

 

[bagged89s10]

This 140 pound pump would make a cool vise stand, but it's getting black paint and becoming a plant stand. Maybe in the winter it will make its way in the garage for use as a vise stand.

 

[CrotalusAtrox]

This 140 pound pump would make a cool vise stand, but it's getting black paint and becoming a plant stand. Maybe in the winter it will make its way in the garage for use as a vise stand.

Turn in your man card

 

[RG Rude]

Turn in your man card

Hahahahahahahaha

 

[gman007]

Gents
I would appreciate critique of my current choice of color for a CP 204, as I am not convinced my current choice works. I picked this hammered red which on the spray can is listed as "bright Red" but I am not really seeing anything bright about it, it seems it is more like burgundy!

I am in the painting stage so I am thinking of applying a base coat over the current choice and using a Royal Red instead.

Out of a bit of frustration, I even asked my wife what she thinks and for comparison I showed her a red Columbian vise finish. She said, the "bright red" makes the big vise (CP 204) look more rugged and authentic! She did also AGAIN asked me how many of these "things" do I have now and what I am going to do with them and of course I just grinned at her .

In the attached photos, I have included the Columbian D33 1/2 with real bright red color, which is the color I am thinking of applying to the CP 204

Anyway any comments are appreciated
007

 

[drivesitfar]

007: we have saying around her that if it's your vise (vice) it's your color, but since you asked i like the red on your Parker better than the red on your little Columbian.

TIP that might help you: DON'T PUT ALL YOUR VISES (VICES) IN ONE PLACE!!

 

[drivesitfar]

Bagged: i think your cool old Starrrett would look even better on that cool old stand if you can talk Joe out of a couple pieces of 1 or 2 inch steel plate for the top and bottom of the stand.

the flowers is a nice touch in case your bride is looking in your garage.

 

[compunaut]

Ran across this Prentiss Bulldog No. 54; it's at a pawn shop in South Bend, IN. Looks pretty nice, though of course it's pretty hard to tell from 1 leetle-bitty photo
The listed price is $100, but probably willing to negotiate.

 

[rrich1]

Just picked up this brodhead Garret vise for $15. I can't seem to find much info if any at all though. I read somewhere it might have been made by Columbian. Does anyone know approx what year?

Sent from my Pixel XL using Tapatalk

 

[GETRIDAONE]

Gents
I would appreciate critique of my current choice of color for a CP 204, as I am not convinced my current choice works. I picked this hammered red which on the spray can is listed as "bright Red" but I am not really seeing anything bright about it, it seems it is more like burgundy!

I am in the painting stage so I am thinking of applying a base coat over the current choice and using a Royal Red instead.

Anyway any comments are appreciated
007

When you respray with the bright red wait at least 3 days from when you put the first color on or there is a possibility of the paint lifting. It would be more work but normally the jaw inserts on Parker vises are bare metal and not painted.

 

[gman007]

007: we have saying around her that if it's your vise (vice) it's your color, but since you asked i like the red on your Parker better than the red on your little Columbian.

TIP that might help you: DON'T PUT ALL YOUR VISES (VICES) IN ONE PLACE!!

drivesitfar
Thanks for the advice (or should I say thank you for ad-"vising").
007

 

[bagged89s10]

Turn in your man card

I thought we were supposed to only comment if you had something nice to stay. Lol

I knew that would get a rise out of you guys

 

[gman007]

When you respray with the bright red wait at least 3 days from when you put the first color on or there is a possibility of the paint lifting. It would be more work but normally the jaw inserts on Parker vises are bare metal and not painted.

GETRIDAONE
Thank you for your advise regarding wait time between paint coats. It seems that at least I have one vote to keep the current color (thanks drivesitfar). So this re-paint might be of the agenda.


As for the jaw inserts, there are all wrapped under masking tape and in fact I have taken out most of the nicks and burses on them and they are nice and shinning and polished.

I was going to remove the jaw inserts first but the pins on this nominally "107" year old (based on the 1910 patent date stamp, so might it be a bit younger) vise would not give and I was worried I would brake the vise in trying.

I will post some photos once I am done.
007

 

[MissileBear]

Ran across this Prentiss Bulldog No. 54....
The listed price is $100, but probably willing to negotiate.

I've been looking for one in that style for a while up here - I just really love that old lettering on the early Prentiss vises. They never come up for sale

 

[exmaxima1]

Gents
I would appreciate critique of my current choice of color for a CP 204, as I am not convinced my current choice works. I picked this hammered red which on the spray can is listed as "bright Red" but I am not really seeing anything bright about it, it seems it is more like burgundy!

The Reed in my avatar is Rustoleum Hammered Red and it definitely looks more like plum or burgundy. It does get a bit more reddish color over time. If I was doing it again it would not be my choice (I would have gone with Hammered Copper). Good luck.

 

[Outlawmws]

If you are looking for a decent bright red Rustolium's "Safety Red" is a good choice. Close to Ferrari red so near and dear to a certain old guys heart!

 

[bagged89s10]

Gents

I would appreciate critique of my current choice of color for a CP 204, as I am not convinced my current choice works. I picked this hammered red which on the spray can is listed as "bright Red" but I am not really seeing anything bright about it, it seems it is more like burgundy!



I am in the painting stage so I am thinking of applying a base coat over the current choice and using a Royal Red instead.



Out of a bit of frustration, I even asked my wife what she thinks and for comparison I showed her a red Columbian vise finish. She said, the "bright red" makes the big vise (CP 204) look more rugged and authentic! She did also AGAIN asked me how many of these "things" do I have now and what I am going to do with them and of course I just grinned at her .



In the attached photos, I have included the Columbian D33 1/2 with real bright red color, which is the color I am thinking of applying to the CP 204



Anyway any comments are appreciated

007

I don't most all red and black hammeref finishes are different colors than represented on the cap. Here's a vise I painted rustoleum sunrise red.


And here is regal red

 

[royce]

This 140 pound pump would make a cool vise stand, but it's getting black paint and becoming a plant stand. Maybe in the winter it will make its way in the garage for use as a vise stand.

Bagged,
That pump is some kind of neat.
How about gently washing it and priming it with linseed oil before you paint it black.
It may bring out a color and patina that pleases the eye and if not it's a good base coat for your black.
Just a thought.

Royce

 

[CrotalusAtrox]

I thought we were supposed to only comment if you had something nice to stay. Lol

I knew that would get a rise out of you guys

All in fun, I lost my card years ago

 

[gman007]

I don't most all red and black hammeref finishes are different colors than represented on the cap. Here's a vise I painted rustoleum sunrise red.

bagged89s10
Both the vise and restorations are mighty nice (love the clever oil hole). It is funny you should mentioned Rustoleum sunrise red that is exactly what I have used on my three Columbians including the small one in my earlier photos. I even have enough for CP (see photo). And that is what I had set my heart on using. I also picked a new can of Royal Red which is just a shade darker.

But then I figured the hammered look might cover any nicks and bruises better. I called around all 4 major big stores (M,H,L:A) and only M had anything in red and that is what they said was Bright Red. H had a nice Greenish (I think it is called Rosemary) hammered which looks like modern Wilton finish but I thought this was too modern for very old vise. So I ended up using the hammered bright red.

I am going to assemble the vise with current color (but without lubing in case I want to repaint it) and see. To be honest I have still not convinced myself that current color is ok, it just seems a bit dull. So after THREE days of mourning (I mean waiting) per GETRIDAONE suggestion, I might still go for sunrise red or Regal red or safety red (thanks Outlawmws)

exmaxima1
It would be great if the color gets a bit brighter.

Outlawmws
Anything Ferrari has to be all good
007

 

[jakemac]

007 - try a test of the hammered red, wait for it to cure, then try a coat of gloss clear to see if it fixes the "dull" look your concerned about.

My vote would be to keep the current color. Bright red is becoming too common (sorry oldie).

 

[bagged89s10]

Bagged,

That pump is some kind of neat.

How about gently washing it and priming it with linseed oil before you paint it black.

It may bring out a color and patina that pleases the eye and if not it's a good base coat for your black.

Just a thought.



Royce

Great minds think alike. I already gave it a quick simple green bath but I'm going to scrub it again then BLO it. Then I am going to brush on rustoleum gloss black and maybe paint the lettering. The wood top will get linseed oil and poly.

 

[drivesitfar]

Jake: i agree. in fact OLDIE likes ARREST ME RED, but maybe just on cars cause i don't think any of his vises are painted that color.

OLDIE: did you paint your vises ARREST ME RED???

 

[ShadowRuleZ]

474 double swivel vise sighting in the garage sale thread!

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showpost.php?p=6540803&postcount=3288

 

[royce]

Great minds think alike. I already gave it a quick simple green bath but I'm going to scrub it again then BLO it. Then I am going to brush on rustoleum gloss black and maybe paint the lettering. The wood top will get linseed oil and poly.

Bagged,
I'm thinking that once you get the linseed oil on it and one shot gold on the lettering, it will be gooder than perfect.
I'm hoping you'll forgo the gloss black.
Just one nitwit's thoughts.
That thing is just so beautiful.

Royce

 

[Fretters]

007: we have saying around her that if it's your vise (vice) it's your color, but since you asked i like the red on your Parker better than the red on your little Columbian.

TIP that might help you: DON'T PUT ALL YOUR VISES (VICES) IN ONE PLACE!!

Same here. Much prefer the darker colour.

 

[gman007]

To all Gents who cared to vote, comment and advice on CP 204 color (or as Fretters across the pond spells it colour ) thank you very much.

I have moved the vise outside for a sun tan (well actually my hope is quite the opposite actually, in that like many have commented, by curing it, the color might become brighter red. I will also apply a clear coat as advised and see what happens from there.

007

 

[KMScott]

I like your color choice gman, just a note about painting. You should not paint where metal slides or rotates. If you are using a shim washer then you can get by where the spindle rotates. The paint on the square slider will rub off over time in the Static slide area. Taping is a important part of painting. Again looking forward to seeing this guy assembled and remember to show a pic of the jaw faces.