The VISES of Garage Journal
- Thread starter mjozefow
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vintage nut
Well-known member
Speaking of English vises, I saw a 5" quick release cast steel record a while back, and really wish I could have got it. That'd be a real nice one to stick on the bench
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BrettJ74
Well-known member
I saw that vise just a few minutes after the posting. I as well exhausted my tool funds for a while, and was totally bummed I couldn't purchase it, so I had sent Brian a message about it. Not sure if he saw it, but I am glad a member here got that bad boy it looks like a beauty..After I posted this I decided I had had enough and decided to join the fun! I picked up this 5196 last night off Craigslist for $125... The guy was firm on his price and after seeing it I understand why! These vises are very well built! More like tanks and are worthy of their reputation and following! I will clean it and put it to use! Rileysan gave me a heads up on it! In a normal setting he would have bought it himself but he has been so busy buying craftsman mid and lower red and grey boxes that he was tapped out on funds[emoji16] thanks again for the heads up rileysan!
Here is a picture next to my rock island made craftsman 5161... This thing is huge next to it
Congrats.
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Smokeshow69
Well-known member
Well it is my birthday next week and my wife needed some present ideas so I helped her [emoji1]plus I have been looking for one let alone never have seen on in person ! I will clean it up and post more pictures later this week when I have some time !
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Rileysan
Well-known member
I did not see it until I saw this post. I had to get on my smart phone and open Tapatalk to see it.
Messages sent through Tapatalk do not sync with the GJ website messaging service. And since I'm at home, I'm looking at GJ on my PC, not my smart phone, so wouldn't have gotten the message until tomorrow.
Fortunately, I opened CL a mere 10 minutes after that ad posted and was able to get in touch with Smoke. I would have deferred to him even if it was a you-**** deal; I know that this vise was #1 on his list!
Thank you for sending the message!
Brian
BrettJ74
Well-known member
No problem. I have to do my part to make sure at least one us guys up here in the PNW get the good stuff too. Sounds like Smoke will enjoy it for a long time.
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Does anyone know the weight of the early Wilton C3 vises with the thicker Wilton 600/800 jaws that attached from the back as compared to the present C3's? The change was in 1980's and I think the newer swivel bases are bigger than the early vises. Are the newer C3's bigger and heavier than the older C3's?
Thanks,
Thanks,
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eddieK
Well-known member
Today's finds...
I asked what she wanted for them...she said she had no idea..."what do you want to pay for them?"...I said 20 each...she countered with $50.00 for both. I said well...let's load em up
I asked what she wanted for them...she said she had no idea..."what do you want to pay for them?"...I said 20 each...she countered with $50.00 for both. I said well...let's load em up
What you're asking about isn't really an early vise since they've been making the C-3 for most of the company's history.
There have been a number of changes to the C-3 over the years. The early models had a very different looking profile, with the rounded, bulbous dynamic jaw, and jaw supports that were more stylish, but smaller and thinner. The base was similar to the newer models, but was a touch shorter.
I'm not exactly sure when they changed to shape of the dynamic jaw and towers, but as best I can tell it was in the early-mid 1970s. Those models have a base that looks the same as the current models but they are some differences. The bottom of the vise was machined with a recess that the swivel outer ring sits on. The locks were similar to those used on the Tradesman series....just claws with bolts that run up to the lock.
Eventually they changed to the inner/outer ring like on the other models, and went with a heavier inner ring to avoid the breakage that was common.
Then they changed from jaws that bolted from the rear to bolts through the face, and current models are supposed to be made with the bolts from the rear again. They did the same thing on the 600, so that makes sense.
I have a C-3 that's in the middle (1980s going off memory) and it's right at 200lbs. The early vises with the more rounded dynamic jaw will be a bit lighter than that...probably 10-20lbs.
Smokeshow69
Well-known member
Oh man , you guys have no clue how stoked I am to get it! I highly doubt I would ever get rid of it! I will clean it up and put it in an honored place on my bench! This is one of my 2 unicorns the other being a plomb tool mobile! Thanks again for the group heads up from both of you so I could score this!
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BrettJ74
Well-known member
Good for you my friend.
I did manage to pick up one vise this weekend, a early arrival at a estate sale netted me this Wilton 1740 for $10. We shall see what she progress' into.
Woo hoo just noticed I'm now a "senior member" [emoji106]
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I did manage to pick up one vise this weekend, a early arrival at a estate sale netted me this Wilton 1740 for $10. We shall see what she progress' into.
Woo hoo just noticed I'm now a "senior member" [emoji106]
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Fretters
Well-known member
Finally getting that Parkinson swivel jaw near completion. Just the inserts to refit, once I sort some fresh screws & bolts, and an anchor loop to make for the chain.
Awesome little post vise. Would love to have that!
Good for you my friend.
I did manage to pick up one vise this weekend, a early arrival at a estate sale netted me this Wilton 1740 for $10. We shall see what she progress' into.
Woo hoo just noticed I'm now a "senior member" [emoji106]
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Looks like the dynamic jaw support ledge is missing maybe? If it is, don't feel too bad...it's still worth more than $10!
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joe.striper
Well-known member
Picked up this Wilton 303 Hydraulic Pow R Arm a few weeks ago and I found this 3" Wilton bullet at the local junkyard. This Pow R Arm can handle up to 150 lbs. The block you see is my 26 lb dishing anvil and this vise holds it effortlessly. I painted it these colors at the customer's request.
I made the jaws out of copper that I got from a buddy.
I made the jaws out of copper that I got from a buddy.
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Outlawmws
Well-known member
Very impressive Joe!
KMScott
Well-known member
Smokes, Fretters and Joe, nice vises (vices) Fretters I love your finish on the Parkinson swivel jaw. I want to put a finish like yours on the Rock Island 97. Can you mention what coating you used. The RI had the cast in inserts that I removed and fit a set of 6 x 1-1/4 jaws after I flattened the base for a solid set up in my machine. Took 6 carbide endmills to cut the jaws out but worth it. This is a sweet vise. I am liking Rock Islands.
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BrettJ74
Well-known member
Phew... Had me scared there for a second there Bart, so I ran out and checked it out. All is well, but thanks for keeping me on my toes
joe.striper
Well-known member
I just shipped a 2.25" Parker to Kevin Scott that has a lot of original paint. Kevin Scott, can you please take a pic when you get it and post it here? it is definetly green, I think it is more celery...Sweet find there for $10 Brett..
Anyone have an idea what the original color of this may have been? It appears to have been along the line of a hunter green..?
Best,
Rob
joe.striper
Well-known member
Found a Parker from that period. this is original paint. check out the fact that Parker stamped their name on the top of the jaw.
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KMScott
Well-known member
Is there a chunk missing out of the jaw to make it look that way?
Fretters
Well-known member
It's just that beeswax, linseed oil & graphite mix on that vice Kevin.
redvalkyrie
Well-known member
- Joined
- Nov 12, 2006
- Messages
- 423
I've really learned a lot from this thread and have developed a serious interest in vises. I currently have a 3.5" Wilton and a massive Eron Japan vise. However, it's the third that I find the most intriguing--a 506-5&51811. I understand these to made by Colombian and seem to be held in high regard. With that in mind--I have decision to make--leave the vise as is with all of the typical lost original paint, splatter from other painting projects and just a bit dirty? Or do I pull it apart, restore it, paint it red, make it OEM as possible?
Nd are these vises listed mostly as 3.5" despite--like mine--being 5" and having the same part number..?
What do you collectors value more--a 100% original vise or a restored vise? I will be passing this Craftsman vise on, so full disclosure, my question does have connection to monetary value. It seems like this like a collector car question--do you take the bone stock rat infested and well worn 69 Mustang or the restored one rolling over the auction block? Are there people that collect restored vises?
Nd are these vises listed mostly as 3.5" despite--like mine--being 5" and having the same part number..?
What do you collectors value more--a 100% original vise or a restored vise? I will be passing this Craftsman vise on, so full disclosure, my question does have connection to monetary value. It seems like this like a collector car question--do you take the bone stock rat infested and well worn 69 Mustang or the restored one rolling over the auction block? Are there people that collect restored vises?
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GETRIDAONE
Well-known member
Joe, Here are a few colors for you to look at. First is what your vise would look like naked. Second is one with an old repaint showing remnants of the light green which I am not sure is true color or faded over time . I painted it hunter green with a satin clear coat. Last is a combination of the light green and hunter green.
As always, your vise and your choice of color. Post a picture of which ever way you go.
As always, your vise and your choice of color. Post a picture of which ever way you go.
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You'll probably get a lot of opinions on this, so there really isn't one set answer. For me, if a vise has nice original paint I leave it alone. If the paint is poor, or there are multiple coats of paint, rust, stains, etc then I strip it to bare metal, prime it, and paint it.
The one thing I have noticed in following vise sales is that the best prices seem to come from very clean original vises, and really nicely restored vises. When I say nicely restored I mean handles that look like new, polished bare metal (anvil, jaw sides, etc), probably new jaws or extremely clean original jaws, etc. The quick wire wheel and a spray bomb jobs don't sell well, or for big money.
This is sort of what I'm talking about. The Wilton is a 9450 from 1968 with the original paint and stickers...sold it for a ridiculous sum on eBay. The second is a vise I did for a friend that came out really nice....it had seen very little use. I'm sure it would go for good money in this condition (for a small vise).
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GETRIDAONE
Well-known member
Nice job on the Reed !
Joe Friday, The color on that Reed above is more of the true color of my Parker taken with a crummy camera.
Joe Friday, The color on that Reed above is more of the true color of my Parker taken with a crummy camera.
gman007
Well-known member
Hi
Does anyone know what is the jaw width of a Prentiss No. 183? The seller seems to imply it is 8" ("PRENTISS 8" VISE N.183 ON STAND ") ! And since the seller also states that “IT OPENS 9" " by 8" the he does not seem to be referring to the jaw opening (like some do and which personally always bugs me).
But from the sketchy info that I have found it seems 183 might have 6" jaws (which based on the photo it makes more sense) and might weighs around 170lb and which would be too light for an 8" Prentiss.
By the way there must have been a fire sale on blue spray cans as not only the ENTIRE vise including the handle as well as even the screw (well minus the red lipstick jaw inserts, must be a female Prentiss species
) as well as several other pieces of equipment in the background are drenched in blue paint 
(see photo).
Thx
Does anyone know what is the jaw width of a Prentiss No. 183? The seller seems to imply it is 8" ("PRENTISS 8" VISE N.183 ON STAND ") ! And since the seller also states that “IT OPENS 9" " by 8" the he does not seem to be referring to the jaw opening (like some do and which personally always bugs me).
But from the sketchy info that I have found it seems 183 might have 6" jaws (which based on the photo it makes more sense) and might weighs around 170lb and which would be too light for an 8" Prentiss.
By the way there must have been a fire sale on blue spray cans as not only the ENTIRE vise including the handle as well as even the screw (well minus the red lipstick jaw inserts, must be a female Prentiss species
) as well as several other pieces of equipment in the background are drenched in blue paint (see photo).Thx
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eddieK
Well-known member
Hi
Does anyone know what is the jaw width of a Prentiss No. 183? The seller seems to imply it is 8" ("PRENTISS 8" VISE N.183 ON STAND ") ! And since the seller also states that “IT OPENS 9" " by 8" the he does not seem to be referring to the jaw opening (like some do and which personally always bugs me).
But from the sketchy info that I have found it seems 183 might have 6" jaws (which based on the photo it makes more sense) and might weighs around 170lb and which would be too light for an 8" Prentiss.
By the way there must have been a fire sale on blue spray cans as not only the ENTIRE vise including the handle as well as even the screw (well minus the red lipstick jaw inserts, must be a female Prentiss species
Thx
That style slide lends me to believe it may just be an 8" vise...Had a seller in Los Angeles that used that same color "scheme"...it was hiding (not very well) a massive weld.
redvalkyrie
Well-known member
- Joined
- Nov 12, 2006
- Messages
- 423
Thank you, sir. Vises seem follow the ideas of car restoration and I get totally relate. These vises are so well built and stout and something proudly American--or German, or Japanese. My grand father was an iron worker and I really appreciate how he was able to make a living from his hands.
I'm not looking to make money on selling this Craftsman. Just break even and get some relaxation from the process.
Again, think you for your knowledge.
-John
FMC1959
Well-known member
Hi
Does anyone know what is the jaw width of a Prentiss No. 183? The seller seems to imply it is 8" ("PRENTISS 8" VISE N.183 ON STAND ") ! And since the seller also states that “IT OPENS 9" " by 8" the he does not seem to be referring to the jaw opening (like some do and which personally always bugs me).
But from the sketchy info that I have found it seems 183 might have 6" jaws (which based on the photo it makes more sense) and might weighs around 170lb and which would be too light for an 8" Prentiss.
By the way there must have been a fire sale on blue spray cans as not only the ENTIRE vise including the handle as well as even the screw (well minus the red lipstick jaw inserts, must be a female Prentiss species
Thx
Looks like it has/had pipe jaws, making it a combo vise. There is always an exception that pops up to contradict things, but to date I have never seen an 8" combo vise.
Not sure if someone may have made a 7", but typically 6" is the largest size you will see for a combo vise.
joe.striper
Well-known member
Here is my restored 2" Prentiss swivel base. I was unsure as to whether to restore it or just clean it but as I took it apart restoration was the only option.
This is close to the original color. Vise is very tight and smooth. Swivel base is really cool.
This is close to the original color. Vise is very tight and smooth. Swivel base is really cool.
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Well, Wilton makes the 1780 8" wide jaw combo Tradesman vise.
And I have seen a "traditional" machined slide 8" combo vise recently, maybe it was a Yost?
gman007
Well-known member
eddieK and FMC
Thank you for the prompt reply and info.
007
Thank you for the prompt reply and info.
007
mlisac
Well-known member
Very very cool! Nice work.
eddieK
Well-known member
Looks great! I like that particular red...what is it?