The VISES of Garage Journal

[KMScott]

Reed 106/206 Collar.

OK, gotta cross this off my bucket list. I am not going to get in the habit of making these since they are very time consuming and require a fixture. I was given a sample and would have not even attempted this project without one. I have two days in this project. I did not want to chance making one out of a solid cast, notch it and try to bust it in two plus I did not have the cast material. I did want to make it out of cast iron or even better a spare vise so I uses a this 4" Athol Static jaw support and fit these 3" collar half's after chopping off the jaw support. I added a 10:32 screw to hold each half on the fixture before thread milling the 3:12 threads. Building the fixture accurately allowed let me use one screw for each half. I used the 3 wire method for figuring when to stop cutting after measuring the sample. Came out pretty nice and should put the 6" Reed back together. I was tested a little on this project and enjoyed myself making these collars.

 

[CrotalusAtrox]

Do you have a photo of a vise dressed in the sunrise?

Here is a few

 

[Bcom]

Yes that color is very nice. Ill pick up a can. Thanks

 

[trijeff]

Reed 106/206 Collar.

Holy s-balls! Unbelievable

 

[Outlawmws]

Kevin, Wouldn't have been a lot easier to make it as one piece and then cut it apart with a slitting saw, or take a page from Reed and over harden it (or make it from cast) and break it?

 

[Shiftless]

Holy s-balls! Unbelievable

Impressive work there, Kevin!

Joefriday:
Save the welding...
That broken R.I. would make a great set of bookends. Like these. (Did a fellow GJ member make these?) IDK
Think about it...

edit: CRSINMICH reminded me that it was Mark in Indiana who made all those vise bookends.
I am still looking for a free or almost free hopelessly broken vise to go into surgery and end up as a pair of bookends.

 

[ssdave]

Bought a vise today, didn't need it particularly since I have two bigger, nicer Columbians, but for $7 seemed the right thing to do. Will be winter before I have enough time to throw it into electrolysis tank, clean it up and see what it needs to be in as good as shape as I can make it.

 

[G-ManBart]

The baby bullets definitely have two sorts of buyers. The guys who want them for desk decorations, and the guys like me who want one to use.

Mine is a desk decoration for now, but I have plans for it to do real work before long

 

[G-ManBart]

Reed 106/206 Collar.

OK, gotta cross this off my bucket list. I am not going to get in the habit of making these since they are very time consuming and require a fixture. I was given a sample and would have not even attempted this project without one. I have two days in this project. I did not want to chance making one out of a solid cast, notch it and try to bust it in two plus I did not have the cast material. I did want to make it out of cast iron or even better a spare vise so I uses a this 4" Athol Static jaw support and fit these 3" collar half's after chopping off the jaw support. I added a 10:32 screw to hold each half on the fixture before thread milling the 3:12 threads. Building the fixture accurately allowed let me use one screw for each half. I used the 3 wire method for figuring when to stop cutting after measuring the sample. Came out pretty nice and should put the 6" Reed back together. I was tested a little on this project and enjoyed myself making these collars.

Wow doesn't come close

 

[Shiftless]

Dave:
Great score!
Those Reeds are stout. Looks to me like yours will clean up quite nicely. A previous owner evidently made a new handle for it but that's OK.

Drivesitfar:
Where are you? Anybody know? Not like him to be silent for 2 weeks.

 

[Joefriday]

Impressive work there, Kevin!

Joefriday:
Save the welding...
That broken R.I. would make a great set of bookends. Like these. (Did a fellow GJ member make these?) IDK
Think about it...

That's a cool idea but these ends would be about 50+lbs each. Not sure that would be practical on my desk.

Best,
Rob

 

[va.grouseman]

Shift, he's probably out on the links, driving it far.---At least I hope it's something like that.

 

[KMScott]

Kevin, Wouldn't have been a lot easier to make it as one piece and then cut it apart with a slitting saw, or take a page from Reed and over harden it (or make it from cast) and break it?

I thought about those two choices and went the way I did since I did not want to chance breaking the piece in two. I did make it from cast. Cutting it with a slitting saw would have created a gap and I did not like that thought, so went the way I did. 100 ways to skin a cat.

Thanks guys for the replies. I traded two vises for this work, work for vises I like that thought.

 

[Shiftless]

Kevin:

you said "I traded two vises for this work, work for vises I like that thought."

I too like that thought. I have done the same. Just MUCH less specialized work!

 

[vintage nut]

Mine is a desk decoration for now, but I have plans for it to do real work before long

Let's just hope they don't become a trendy office/boardroom accessory as so many other industrial items have. .

Sent from my MotoG3 using Tapatalk

 

[vintage nut]

For anyone wondering, I've heard from drives within the last few days. He sounded to be doing well, only up to his eyeballs with housework. I'm assuming that's why he's been quiet

Sent from my MotoG3 using Tapatalk

 

[AngryBeaver]

I picked this up at a scrap yard a couple weeks ago. The guy swore it mounted right to a work bench without a base......

It's a really nice shape 3 1/2". Would like to see some pictures of similar ones so maybe I can make a functional base since finding one will be damn near impossible.

Also does anyone have any pics of the pipe jaws out of the vise? Hoping maybe I can find some old columbian jaws to stuff in the pipe holes.

Here's a columbian 504 I disassembled and cleaned. It was in pretty nice shape. It didn't need much.

 

[zkling]

FMC
So stating the obvious, many price conscience vise users and businesses might choose to buy a used Wilton bullet vise for much less than a new one and still have a great vise. Therefore for a good part, the demand is from people and businesses that actually intend to use the Wiltons and not just collect them or resell them. So they are like the currency of vise world and are always liquid.

This concludes the Wilton Bullet Sermon for today !
007

I think you will find very, VERY few full time, non privately owned businesses will choose to purchase a used item such as a bench vise. The price savings vs the headaches associated with dealing with a random seller are not even close to being worth it. $500 for a 400s, $1200 will buy a 600s, and $2800 a 800s. Or $1600 for a C3, all shipped to your door with a lifetime warranty in your name. For a place that needs the vise, the price difference isn't worth it.

Even for the home user. I don't see the point of spending $500+ on a used, usually worn 600S, when a brand new full warranty unit can be had for $1200.
Again if you actually need it. Thus I laugh when you see the larger wiltons posted for sale well used for more than or close to what a new one costs.

They have a unique and iconic shape easily recognized for those that have been in a manufacturing facility.

The fact is, industries need for a heavy bench vise has drastically decreased over the decades eliminating the need from the market. Who knows how long Wilton will hold onto USA production. After long discussion with them last year prior to purchasing a new 800s for work, they know they have essentially a niche product these days.

 

[firworks]

Currently at an auction barn waiting for a Toledo scale to come up. Noticed this guy out on one of the hay racks for later in the day.

View media item 73010
If it doesn't end up going too late what's a ballpark to be bidding here? It's a Chas Parker 954. Lot bigger than the other vise I have.

 

[zkling]

The baby bullets definitely have two sorts of buyers. The guys who want them for desk decorations, and the guys like me who want one to use.

Sent from my MotoG3 using Tapatalk

For anything item, is there any other type of buyer/owner? :

FWIW, I have one and the only use it sees is soldering. It is something I want to have for a very long time and thus won't do anything that could damage it.

Would be interesting if Wilton were to bring them back, but I really think most of the imposed "value" on them is due to the collector status. So not sure if the profit would be worth it for wilton to make them again.

 

[jakemac]

I passed on an old Yost 105 this morning.
Half of the back of the static jaw (where an anvil is sometimes located) was completely missing. I didn't even ask the price.

It's not far from the house, I may pop in tomorrow and see if it's still there. If I can get it for less than 30, I might bite.

 

[Bradical]

Recommended by a member to post here, so repeating the post>

Inherited this old vice. Liked it, thought it was really cool, so I took it apart to free it up and mounted to my bench. It had been welded back together some time ago, don't know when. Has a really nice feature that the rear jaw can swivel, making clamps on tapered items nice and secure. It's small, the jaws are only 2-5/8". Recently noticed what I believe is a date stamp. You can just make out the 19 and the 18. There are no other markings.

Anybody got an idea about who may have made it? Thanks for lookin'. Here's a couple of pics:

[/IMG]

[/IMG]

 

[GETRIDAONE]

I think what you have is a Prentiss model 19

 

[Private Lugnutz]

I passed up this Lewis Tool Co No. 12 with 4.5” jaws today. The guy wanted more than I was willing to pay. But I snapped some pics because of the strange twin beam slide below and above the open screw, which I had never seen before, and did some quick research. That design was patented in 1892. This model also has a swivel jaw (with a release pull in the back) and a swivel base (with a tie down pin that wasn’t working). A GJ search on ‘Lewis Tool Vise’ turned up a thread with a link to an eBay sale for one back in 2015 but of course it was a blank page now. I couldn’t find any others in a search, although it’s very possible they’ve been shown on this thread before. There’s one in an Garage Gazette thread, but it’s not a No. 12, and doesn’t have a swivel jaw or base.

View media item 73021
View media item 73022
View media item 73023

 

[eddieK]

Reed 106/206 Collar.

OK, gotta cross this off my bucket list. I am not going to get in the habit of making these since they are very time consuming and require a fixture. I was given a sample and would have not even attempted this project without one. I have two days in this project. I did not want to chance making one out of a solid cast, notch it and try to bust it in two plus I did not have the cast material. I did want to make it out of cast iron or even better a spare vise so I uses a this 4" Athol Static jaw support and fit these 3" collar half's after chopping off the jaw support. I added a 10:32 screw to hold each half on the fixture before thread milling the 3:12 threads. Building the fixture accurately allowed let me use one screw for each half. I used the 3 wire method for figuring when to stop cutting after measuring the sample. Came out pretty nice and should put the 6" Reed back together. I was tested a little on this project and enjoyed myself making these collars.

 

[chrisnazzy]

Thinking about driving the 120 mile round trip for this Meadville 303 1/4.

Sent from my SM-G930P using Tapatalk

 

[Bradical]

I think what you have is a Prentiss model 19

Thanks. Once I new what to search for I found several Prentiss Machinist Vices that looked just like it and catalog photo's listing a Machinist Vice with 2 5/8th jaws. I still think that stamping may be a date. No other markings at all. Kinda odd.

 

[G-ManBart]

I think you will find very, VERY few full time, non privately owned businesses will choose to purchase a used item such as a bench vise. The price savings vs the headaches associated with dealing with a random seller are not even close to being worth it. $500 for a 400s, $1200 will buy a 600s, and $2800 a 800s. Or $1600 for a C3, all shipped to your door with a lifetime warranty in your name. For a place that needs the vise, the price difference isn't worth it.

Even for the home user. I don't see the point of spending $500+ on a used, usually worn 600S, when a brand new full warranty unit can be had for $1200.
Again if you actually need it. Thus I laugh when you see the larger wiltons posted for sale well used for more than or close to what a new one costs.

They have a unique and iconic shape easily recognized for those that have been in a manufacturing facility.

The fact is, industries need for a heavy bench vise has drastically decreased over the decades eliminating the need from the market. Who knows how long Wilton will hold onto USA production. After long discussion with them last year prior to purchasing a new 800s for work, they know they have essentially a niche product these days.

I've sold a number of restored vises to trucking, welding and fabrication companies...some of them fairly large. Several have told me they got tired of breaking the cheap vises, the money people complained when they quoted them new prices, and suggested looking around for good, used vises.

When I go to the large equipment/machinery auctions, a large percentage of the people are clearly corporate buyers, so it's not like companies won't buy used equipment if it's in good shape.

As far as the warranty goes, I know several people (including members here) who have bought used Wiltons and sent them back for repairs. The last three I can think of were larger vises...C2s, 600S, etc that went back to have the pin securing the dynamic jaw to the slide replaced due to wear. All three called Wilton service, told them they bought a used vise, and the warranty folks told them to send it in, and didn't charge them...not even for return shipping. Their website says the warranty is limited to the original purchaser, but it appears they are more generous than that.

 

[Bcom]

Thanks. Once I new what to search for I found several Prentiss Machinist Vices that looked just like it and catalog photo's listing a Machinist Vice with 2 5/8th jaws. I still think that stamping may be a date. No other markings at all. Kinda odd.

I have the exact model you have sitting here. It too is broken and welded. If you are looking at the words and numbers on the swivel jaw part, its just the name and model number.

 

[Rileysan]

Swap meet pick-up today. Athol 613 3" vise. Very heavy and stout for a little guy! $20.

Brian

 

[Sunset_Z28]

Got this today for my birthday from my father in law. He knew I had been looking for a decent Wilton for a while and found this one, cleaned it and painted it. It's not perfect, but it will make a great user which is what I was looking for.

 

[Bradical]

I have the exact model you have sitting here. It too is broken and welded. If you are looking at the words and numbers on the swivel jaw part, its just the name and model number.

There are no markings that I can detect on the swivel jaw part of this particular vice. The markings I'm referring, I've circled in red. There's a 19 on the left and a 18 on the right.

Is it a model #, date, makers mark? I don't know?

[/IMG]

 

[joe.striper]

This is my holy grail vise. I tried to buy it...not for sale. The most beautiful vise Ive ever seen. 2" jaws, swivel jaw, decoration, swivel base. Just BEAUTIFUL!!!

 

[jakemac]

There's an Artist somewhere that had WAY too much time on his hands.
And I'm glad he did.

 

[Shiftless]

Joe:
I'm with you. That is a beautiful vise and deserving of a spot on your short list of holy grail vises. Even after I enlarged your pic, I couldn't make out the manufacturer's name. Can you tell us?
Speaking of holy grails, have you picked up a Bugatti vise yet?
That is one on MY personal list.

 

[Fretters]

Shift', the only thing I can see written on it is Lightning Vise.

 

[mike_paxton]

This is my holy grail vise. I tried to buy it...not for sale. The most beautiful vise Ive ever seen. 2" jaws, swivel jaw, decoration, swivel base. Just BEAUTIFUL!!!

Joe:

I'm glad you got pics of that vise, as it is a beauty!!!

Any maker marks found on it?

Fretters noticed Lightning Vise. Searched in Iron Age, saw that in April 24, 1902 that the Neverslip Tin Cover Company of Watertown NY came out with a Lightning Vise. Article said it had 3 sizes at time (no. 1, 2 and 3), but also said it could be custom ordered. Doesn't have the same look as Joe's, but passing it along as a follow-up with link to article.

https://books.google.com/books?id=x...sQ6AEISDAK#v=onepage&q=lightning vise&f=false

 

[va.grouseman]

Looks like it may have had something like round shanked pipe jaws to.---Stay with them Joe, persistence and a blank check are real motivators.

 

[Bcom]

I just want to say--- Guys be honest with vise sellers. Dont try to rip them off too much because your honesty may open doors to other things the seller has. I was honest with an older gentleman the other day that carried around an oxygen tank and could hardly speak.I sat down and chatted with the guy for about 45min just about old cars and what not. Doing this for the old man got him to willing drop the price on his vise a entire $200 drop. I paid $20.

 

[Outlawmws]

Holy Cow Joe, that is an awesome find! True Vise Art!

Any Clue as to the Mfg.?