The VISES of Garage Journal

[Shiftless]

I managed to get the screws out of the jaws on the Record No 6 this morning. I tried the clamp a bit and turn with a wrench trick but they just wouldn't budge so I took it all apart for easier access to the screws. The broken screw on the top left turned out to be the easiest, there was a little ledge where half the head broke off and I was able to get it to turn with a small punch and a bit of tapping with a hammer. The next one was in the best shape and came out with a screwdriver and a bit of elbow grease. I ground a small relief in the third one to get the correct angle and it turned with the punch and hammer. The last one was totally peened over and wedged in there so I had to drill it out until I was able to break away some of the head and it too came out with the hammer and punch.


The jaws aren't too bad but I may just go ahead and order some new ones. I found these https://absupply.net/irwin-t6d-repl...aw-plates-6-screws-for-6-mechanics-vise-.aspx $12.83. For that price why not? I'm also thinking about ordering a swivel base from the same place https://absupply.net/irwin-t6sb-swivel-base-for-item-6-6-mechanics-vise.aspx, but I don't know how I feel about having a nice old English made vise with a Chinese swivel base. Again the price seems ridiculously low compared to everywhere else.

You might be better off with your old pieces. Look up "cold casting" to see how some manufacturers make parts that seem to be better than they really are.

 

[dutchgray]

Those Record parts are ridiculously cheap compared to what they cost here in the UK.
The swivel bases are a bit rubbish, English vices are generally better without them, but its very cheap so it wouldn't be a big risk.

 

[Mister J]

You might be better off with your old pieces. Look up "cold casting" to see how some manufacturers make parts that seem to be better than they really are.

They are made by Irwin and are supposed to be hardened tool steel, but a quick google search on that place turned up a bunch of horrible reviews for bad customer service so I don't know how I feel about giving them my business. I'm not too sure how hard these things are supposed to be anyway, but I tried a file on one of them and it cut pretty darn easily.

Those Record parts are ridiculously cheap compared to what they cost here in the UK.
The swivel bases are a bit rubbish, English vices are generally better without them, but its very cheap so it wouldn't be a big risk.

At 70ish pounds the vise is probably big enough, for me anyway, to justify making a stand for it and just moving my body instead of swiveling the vise. Most of the nasty reviews seem to be about long wait times on shipping which is not really a concern for me at this point, so I may just risk a bad experience and order the jaws. I need the screws either way, so whatever.

 

[Fretters]

At 70ish pounds the vise is probably big enough, for me anyway, to justify making a stand for it and just moving my body instead of swiveling the vise.

Moving around a vice works for us. As Dutch' says, our vices are generally without swivel bases as a rule anyhow. Not something we tend to find using a problem, a fixed vice.

 

[jreb10]

I was looking over an online auction and found a rusty swivel jaw vise simply described as "3.5 inch vise". It sure looked like a Prentiss to me. The auction also had a Columbian 506 vise on a stand that I expected to go for more money than I was willing to pay.

Long story short, I got the ugly looking Prentiss 19 for $6. I noticed that the Columbian was still pretty cheap so I put in a bid on it and went to bed. The next morning I discovered I had won it for $60.

The Prentiss will be a a lot of work but I think I will like it.

 

[RG Rude]

If you can save the letters and numbers on the Prentiss that would be a great deal.

 

[Mister J]

I found this ad today for a Ridgid vise http://www.kijiji.ca/v-hand-tool/ottawa/rigid-vice/1274285219?enableSearchNavigationFlag=true . I kindly informed the gentleman that they do indeed still make them like that, in Germany, and that a brand new one could be had for less than what he is asking for his. That seemed to make him very angry and what followed was a hilarious exchange of emails. edit: Looks like he took down the ad, not a chance in hell it sold. It was what looked like a 6 inch, Ridgid forged vise with deep grind marks all over the beat up and non-replaceable jaws, zero paint remaining and rust covered, and he was asking $500.


Anyway I'm gonna go ahead and order those inserts, and since the jaws for the Record No 3 fit and they're like 6 bucks I'll also get a set of 4 inchers for that RAE I was fixing up. The paint has cured for over month now so it's about ready to put back together.

Before

After

Here's a 3.5 inch RAE that is ready to reassemble.

 

[sandman54]

Good luck and happy hunting on the buck per pound for big vises, i just can not seem to pull that off on the 7 and 8 inch jaw vises i buy. maybe we could get Vises and Demo to weight in on that. I bought a baby bullet on a power arm restored for 250 quite awhile back, got tired of waiting on them to get down to 75 bucks must have something to do with that supply and demand ****.. Sandman

 

[alinc100]

Sweet...Very nice work

Thanks Eddie!!! I've got a few more I'd like to clean up this was a trial run.

 

[Joefriday]

Hello sirs,

Any ideas on this one? This is all that I have for a picture. I can see that it's a swivel jaw but that's all my uneducated eyes can determine.

Jaws are said to be 5.5 inches.

There does not appear to be any markings on the side shown in the picture...figures.

Any information would be appreciated.

Best,
Rob

 

[KMScott]

Might be a Prentiss #5, 6" swivel jaw. I looked on FMC's spreadsheet quickly and found one that looks like that vise. Thanks FMC for this wonderful tool.

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showpost.php?p=1903489&postcount=3240

 

[Joefriday]

Might be a Prentiss #5, 6" swivel jaw. I looked on FMC's spreadsheet quickly and found one that looks like that vise. Thanks FMC for this wonderful tool.

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showpost.php?p=1903489&postcount=3240

Thank you very much sir..

Best,
Rob

 

[Outlawmws]

Might be a Prentiss #5, 6" swivel jaw. I looked on FMC's spreadsheet quickly and found one that looks like that vise. Thanks FMC for this wonderful tool.

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showpost.php?p=1903489&postcount=3240

Wow, How did I miss that? Well done FMC!

 

[drivesitfar]

JF: here's my Prentiss #5 to compare. i think my #5 has 6 inch jaws, but it's not handy for me to measure. that pile of CRUD next to the one foot might just be that or it might be a weld. also since the pin is missing or maybe cut off or pounded down that could be an issue and the jaws are worn, but i'm guessing it's a good price or you wouldn't be asking so even as a parts vise these are worth picking up to trade for other parts later.

Sandman: you usually don't have a lot to say and you let your pictures of your cool and usually large stuff do the talking. what you said about SUPPLY AND DEMAND really does throw that $ per pound figures out the window. i'm sure others will agree too.

 

[Joefriday]

Thank you for the comparison picture Mr. Drives..

V/
Rob

 

[Bobcat753]

Picked up this cool little clamp on Blacksmith like vise at a garage sale this past Sunday. No maker marks but looks OLD. Any idea of the maker or a value?

 

[compunaut]

Saw that this Wilton is part of an online-only auction in Watertown, WI; 5 days to go.
Even though it's CHEAP, there's no way for me to arrange pick-up or shipping.

 

[Shiftless]

Sandman

rerice under $1 per pound...

Although not the monsters you tend to collect, I did score an unusual and somewhat heavy vise this past Sunday at a garage sale. 65 pounds for $50.
ACCO 21 with 2 1/2 inch wide jaws (not a typo)

American Chain Co. out of Bridgeport Connecticut.

 

[KMScott]

Hey Shift, thanks for the offer of your jaw measurements but those vises are to rare, I make a set if someone really needed them. You mentioned 2-1/2 jaw width in a 65lb vise. That is impressive.

Working on a Reed C1, it's a old one with the flat nose spindle and the cast in jaws. the jaw faces were rough and chipped and needed truing up or replacing. These jaw faces was cut with a 8" rotary type cutter and as you can see not very consistent. I decided to true them up on my surface grinder using the side wheel method. This method works well for me since you can true up both jaw faces with the same setup. The jaws line up perfectly. I added paint so I could see the teeth as I was sharpening. Took .01 per side to clean up. Having parallel jaw faces makes for a good vise.

 

[VISEs]

As promised....here are a couple I've picked up lately....if you are still keeping count this takes me over 500....And not slowing down! There are still to many cool ones I don't have yet!


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[BrettJ74]

Wholey smokeS that is insane and amazing all at the same time. I think I remember someones fear of your property sinking into the earth now I realize why. Kudos my friend.

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[mlisac]

As promised....here are a couple I've picked up lately....if you are still keeping count this takes me over 500....And not slowing down! There are still to many cool ones I don't have yet!


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simply awesome. Hats off to you, sir.

 

[KMScott]

Jeez vises, what a score, a Reed 109, Hollands 56H and another one or two 8 inchers. Gotta start a Vise museum before Smithsonian confiscates your collection. Very nice.

 

[tombell572]

Drives--I recently bought a Prentiss #20 from Joe Striper: Post 56119, Page 2806. It has the same small holes on the sides of the pivoting jaw as yours. I originally thought they were oil holes that were clogged with crud but they are blind holes--do you know their purpose?

Tom B.

 

[rusty65]

Drives--I recently bought a Prentiss #20 from Joe Striper: Post 56119, Page 2806. It has the same small holes on the sides of the pivoting jaw as yours. I originally thought they were oil holes that were clogged with crud but they are blind holes--do you know their purpose?

Tom B.

Those are believed to be for aligning in a jig for machining the underside of the jaw.

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[drivesitfar]

Vises: thanks for posting your new additions to your collection. do you happen to know the weight of your Reed 108 and your Columbian 108? i'm guessing the Reed might weigh about 50 pounds more, but not certain since i've never seen either in person.

Tom: Rusty's answer seems to make sense cause they are plugged with a pin usually.

Swivel jaw vises are pretty cool aren't they?

 

[Shiftless]

VISEs:
Count me as another in awe of your vast vise collection!

 

[joe.striper]

Just finished this York for a customer. Paint matches a car he's restoring. These Yorks are nice vises.

Made a new handle, modified the spindle to accomodate a handle tensioner. Color is Hammerite Dark Blue.

 

[gman007]

As promised....here are a couple I've picked up lately....if you are still keeping count this takes me over 500....And not slowing down! There are still to many cool ones I don't have yet!


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This is indeed an awesome site! Sir it seems you might be the reigning king of the vises.

I know of one other "heavy metal" collection of old tools that rivals yours and that is a vast anvil collection. This collection belongs to one Mr. Fred Moore of Mountainair New Mexico (see youtube video below). He has over 1400 anvils! And NASA satellite measurements are showing that Mountainair area is sinking into ground at rate of 5 inches per year

https://www.iforgeiron.com/topic/15519-biggest-anvil-collection-in-the-country/

 

[VISEs]

This is indeed an awesome site! Sir it seems you might be the reigning king of the vises.



I know of one other "heavy metal" collection of old tools that rivals yours and that is a vast anvil collection. This collection belongs to one Mr. Fred Moore of Mountainair New Mexico (see youtube video below). He has over 1400 anvils! And NASA satellite measurements are showing that Mountainair area is sinking into ground at rate of 5 inches per year

https://www.iforgeiron.com/topic/15519-biggest-anvil-collection-in-the-country/

Fred and I have been friends for years. I visit him 2 or 3 times per year. I typically stay the months of December and August with my wife and 2 boys in Santa Fe so Going to Fred's is always on my list.

He and I trade anvils back and forth often. Fred is a rock solid man!


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[VISEs]

VISEs:

Count me as another in awe of your vast vise collection!

Y'all come visit any time!


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[VISEs]

This is indeed an awesome site! Sir it seems you might be the reigning king of the vises.



I know of one other "heavy metal" collection of old tools that rivals yours and that is a vast anvil collection. This collection belongs to one Mr. Fred Moore of Mountainair New Mexico (see youtube video below). He has over 1400 anvils! And NASA satellite measurements are showing that Mountainair area is sinking into ground at rate of 5 inches per year

https://www.iforgeiron.com/topic/15519-biggest-anvil-collection-in-the-country/

Here was my last haul out of his place



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[Tonellin]

Awesome stuff Vises. How heavy is that anvil on that back of the trailer? Looks like a damn cruise ship anchor

 

[gman007]

Here was my last haul out of his place



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King Vises,
It is not often that I am lost for words but this time I am truly speechless. Hats off to you and Fred, you guys are amazing vise and anvil "nuts" (and I mean this with greatest respect)
007

 

[VISEs]

A couple of my anvils...


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[VISEs]

Awesome stuff Vises. How heavy is that anvil on that back of the trailer? Looks like a damn cruise ship anchor

It's actually a wood anvil that I carved out of oak! I use it a bait....works every time


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[drivesitfar]

Vises: thanks for sharing more of your pictures and stories. your HUGE OAK ANVIL you have for BAIT reminds me of this picture my wife wanted to buy for her dad that loves to catch BASS and TROUT. you definitely look like you are liking your work or shall we call your VISES AND ANVIL AND OLD CAST IRON FUN?

Joe: are you cooking your vises to get that paint to glow or is that just from sitting out in the sun? WELL DONE!!

 

[Private Lugnutz]

It's actually a wood anvil that I carved out of oak!

That explains why the trailer is not dragging on the ground!

Besides anvils, unless my eyes deceive me (I suppose they could be some other kind of nipper...), it looks to me like Fred has quite a collection of barbed wire fence tools going, too.

 

[FMC1959]

Might be a Prentiss #5, 6" swivel jaw. I looked on FMC's spreadsheet quickly and found one that looks like that vise. Thanks FMC for this wonderful tool.

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showpost.php?p=1903489&postcount=3240

Wow, How did I miss that? Well done FMC!

Thanks Kevin and Outlaw.

Summers being short in my neck of the woods, when the nice weather shows up, I always have much to do outslde with little time to do it. As a result I have not had any time to do updates as there is still so much info to add. I will definitely get back to it when time allows.

As promised....here are a couple I've picked up lately....if you are still keeping count this takes me over 500....And not slowing down! There are still to many cool ones I don't have yet!


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Vises, as always, fantastic additions to your already impressive collection.

Comments of starting a vise museum always seem to be mentioned when looking at your collection, as well as Demo's. I remember back, maybe 4 or 5 years ago Demo had stated he was working on starting one; did it come together?

For sure, especially if he hasn't started one, the 2 of you together could easily put something quite impressive with all that the 2 of you have. I would attend for sure!

Last thing, Father's day has come and gone, it would have been a super gift to have gotten yourself. I was hoping you would make a 209 acquisition announcement, but alas, no news I am always hoping that you make the big score.

 

[VISEs]

That explains why the trailer is not dragging on the ground!



Besides anvils, unless my eyes deceive me (I suppose they could be some other kind of nipper...), it looks to me like Fred has quite a collection of barbed wire fence tools going, too.

Over 800 pair he has


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