The VISES of Garage Journal

[Bcom]

Here is the bottom of an Oberburg ball mount machinist vise. It has 4.5" jaws, can rotate 360 degrees and the base has detentes every 10 degrees. The vise can pitch 30 degrees. One large handle on the bottom can lock the vise into the chosen position for milling. It weighs about 60 lbs.

When I got it the entire vise was welded together with very old dried grease and oil. That made this a pain in the *** to disassemble, never mind that I had no idea how it came apart!

This is the most sophisticated vise I've ever restored. The tolerances are incredibly tight. To assemble it I used a medium acrylic hammer and some super slippery light oil. I usually dry fit my vises prior to full assemble but it wasn't happening on this one. One cool thing is that when I assembled the rotating base I had coated it with the oil, once assembled you can hear the oil gurgling as the pieces move against each other. The base is as smooth as it it were hydraulic.

If you look closely you will see the very top of the ball, where the machinist vise mounts, has been hand scraped.

I put these pics up because you cannot see the inner-workings when the vise is assembled and also because the vise section is still in my Simple Green tank having the paint stripped.

I will post pics when it is 100% complete

I've only ever seen vague pics of those Oberburg vises. I still wonder how that large ball pivots in the base.

 

[joe.striper]

I've only ever seen vague pics of those Oberburg vises. I still wonder how that large ball pivots in the base.

there are 8 or 9 pieces that move inside the base making the movement possible. built just like a watch

 

[va.grouseman]

I know what you are saying Joe, and I agree on the EBay balls.---I've bought soft steel and cast balls for just such purposes, but Dean1969 said ball bearing.---Now he may have meant that in a generic term but if literal, I got's to know how.

The AngryBeaver's explanation is plausible.

 

[jonshonda]

Is this an ok vise for $75? My newer craftsman is not that great, just for home use.

https://minneapolis.craigslist.org/hnp/tls/d/large-columbian-vise/6291131935.html

 

[Bcom]

Is this an ok vise for $75? My newer craftsman is not that great, just for home use.

https://minneapolis.craigslist.org/hnp/tls/d/large-columbian-vise/6291131935.html

It's a Chinese wonder vise. Some people do like these for basic home use but they are far from being a quality vise. Last one I had I got for $10 and it was brand new and the seller made me take it with a package deal.

 

[jonshonda]

^Thanks for the quick response. I feel like such a rook posting it. I need a nice sturdy vice but am not in the same league as a lot of people in here.

I obv have more research to do before I am slightly educated.

 

[Bcom]

^Thanks for the quick response. I feel like such a rook posting it. I need a nice sturdy vice but am not in the same league as a lot of people in here.

I obv have more research to do before I am slightly educated.

You're doing just fine. We all had our beginnings when we searched for our first vise as well. For $75 you should be able to find a decent used USA made vise with no problems.

 

[mgmlvks]

Is this an ok vise for $75? My newer craftsman is not that great, just for home use.

https://minneapolis.craigslist.org/hnp/tls/d/large-columbian-vise/6291131935.html

I have an earlier version of this which is a bit heftier - and it has worked fine for general home/car duty. Available NEW at HF for $70.

 

[Bcom]

I have an earlier version of this which is a bit heftier - and it has worked fine for general home/car duty. Available NEW at HF for $70.

Jonshonda---- see there you go. There's some people that like the CWV and there's nothing wrong with that. If you truly want a vise in the picture above,you can get a new one for $70. Maybe post your price range and area that you live in and someone can hook you up with a good vise.

 

[mgmlvks]

Jonshonda---- see there you go. There's some people that like the CWV and there's nothing wrong with that. If you truly want a vise in the picture above,you can get a new one for $70. Maybe post your price range and area that you live in and someone can hook you up with a good vise.

A good "Made in USA" vise is always a plus. At the point in my life (25 years ago) that my CWV came to live with us - it was more like "poor folk have poor ways"

 

[va.grouseman]

Here's a little fellow that I'm going to jump on at $600.00 and ride to $625.00 and then get kicked to the curb.---Be interesting.


http://www.ebay.com/itm/Rare-Emmert...591408?hash=item2cc56992b0:g:IOAAAOSwSnFZozoA

 

[AnotherJarhead]

Need some of the knowledge you gentlemen possess. Picked up another Wilton off of CL. Not a screaming deal but, to me, a deal nonetheless. She wouldn't close completely, probably about an 1/8" to fully closed. Got her home for a quick disassembly of the dynamic jaw and found she just had a poopload of grime and old grease in her. Quick clean and she closes fine now.

My question. I believe she is an older C1 but am not as sure as I know some of you will be. She is marked 1945 on the static and 1845 on the dynamic. She has a "C" cast into her but it is on the tower near the pins for the pipe jaws. The "1" isn't there and, if it would be, looks like it would be in the pin hole. The key is stamped but unlike my other Wiltons. It actually says "GUAR EXP 12-31-62". My others don't have the GUAR EXP on them. The jaws are 4 1/2"x3/4"x1". Am I right that she's a C1 or did I miss something? As always everyones and anyones help is greatly appreciated.

 

[rusty65]

Looks like a double pin probably 1957 Chicago Wilton c1 and looks like a nice keeper.


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[AnotherJarhead]

I will be darned. That was the fastest reply I ever got to a question I asked on this forum. Many times I felt like a red headed step-child waiting for a reply. Thank You very much Rusty.

Any idea why they just had the "C" and not the 1 also? Or was that a norm?

 

[jimreed2160]

Another garage sale find two Richards Wilcox woodworkers vise. All I did was clean them up and they are good to go. I had to replace the handle on the smaller one

Nice. They are both in great condition. Good score.

 

[AnotherJarhead]

One more pic

 

[G-ManBart]

Before, during and after...Wilton 600s, 48hr turnaround.

 

[joe.striper]

So I finally finished this Oberberg vise. Just a beautiful piece. Paint scheme is original.

 

[Bcom]

Anybody ever mill the anvil on a tradesman before? It doesnt look like they come with very much meat on them and im afraid milling it may flatten out too much of the body and it will look strange.

 

[joe.striper]

Here is why I restored the Swiss made vise. I traded it for the vise below. It came in today.

This is my new LIGHTNING Vise. 2" jaws, rotating base, swivel jaw, quick release action.

Just purely a thing of beauty and function.

 

[Rileysan]

Here is why I restored the Swiss made vise. I traded it for the vise below. It came in today.

This is my new LIGHTNING Vise. 2" jaws, rotating base, swivel jaw, quick release action.

Just purely a thing of beauty and function.

Absolutely gorgeous, Joe. I also enjoyed the FB posts on the Swiss vise restoration!

Anyone in the Southern Oregon, Northern California area, this beautiful Rock Island 577 is for sale at a "you ****" price of $225. I'm half tempted to make the 6 hour trip just for something to do while I recoup from surgery. If I could talk him into $150, maybe I would go ...

Brian

https://portland.craigslist.org/nco/tls/d/rock-island-visejaws-big-vise/6288632454.html

 

[joe.striper]

Absolutely gorgeous, Joe. I also enjoyed the FB posts on the Swiss vise restoration!

Anyone in the Southern Oregon, Northern California area, this beautiful Rock Island 577 is for sale at a "you ****" price of $225. I'm half tempted to make the 6 hour trip just for something to do while I recoup from surgery. If I could talk him into $150, maybe I would go ...

Brian

https://portland.craigslist.org/nco/tls/d/rock-island-visejaws-big-vise/6288632454.html

Thanks for the compliment....i picked up a RI 6" vise in RI this summer for $75 -bucks. Paid the seller 10 bucks to put it in my car LOL

 

[Rileysan]

Thanks for the compliment....i picked up a RI 6" vise in RI this summer for $75 -bucks. Paid the seller 10 bucks to put it in my car LOL

Are RI vises common in RI?!? Different places, I know!

This is a case of East coast vs West cast pricing. Vintage 6" vises are uncommon, if not rare around here. Of course, I picked up a Hollands 26 a few weeks ago for $60, so it can happen

Brian

 

[va.grouseman]

Rileysan, I'd be all over that 577 if it was closer.---I wouldn't even try to dicker on one in that good of condition.---Yea, I guess I would, but wouldn't care if he stood firm.---That's a good buy on an old quality USA tool, on either shore.---IMO

 

[mgmlvks]

This is my new LIGHTNING Vise. 2" jaws, rotating base, swivel jaw, quick release action. Just purely a thing of beauty and function.

Thank-you, those pictures made my entire evening!

 

[mrcrawfish]

Absolutely gorgeous, Joe. I also enjoyed the FB posts on the Swiss vise restoration!



Anyone in the Southern Oregon, Northern California area, this beautiful Rock Island 577 is for sale at a "you ****" price of $225. I'm half tempted to make the 6 hour trip just for something to do while I recoup from surgery. If I could talk him into $150, maybe I would go ...



Brian



https://portland.craigslist.org/nco/tls/d/rock-island-visejaws-big-vise/6288632454.html

$225? That's way more expensive than my area. Old vises easily go for under $100 near me.


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[royce]

So I finally finished this Oberberg vise. Just a beautiful piece. Paint scheme is original.

Boy-O-Boy that is gorgeous
Fine work you do and a fine vise

Royce

 

[royce]

Here is why I restored the Swiss made vise. I traded it for the vise below. It came in today.

This is my new LIGHTNING Vise. 2" jaws, rotating base, swivel jaw, quick release action.

Just purely a thing of beauty and function.

That is wonderful
Was it hard to give up the swiss vise?

Royce

 

[G-ManBart]

$225? That's way more expensive than my area. Old vises easily go for under $100 near me.

How many 150-200lb 6" jaw vises have you seen sell for $100?

 

[mrcrawfish]

150-200lb for a 6" jaw? That seems heavier than would be realistic


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[joe.striper]

150-200lb for a 6" jaw? That seems heavier than would be realistic


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Well Ive got a shop full of 'em so go fogure.

 

[joe.striper]

That is wonderful
Was it hard to give up the swiss vise?

Royce

No, not at all. I would never use it and its going to a master tool and die maker who will use it.

 

[Rileysan]

150-200lb for a 6" jaw? That seems heavier than would be realistic


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Then you may have missed the fine print. My statement was about Vintage 6" vises which, by definition, weigh a LOT. The two I own weigh ~160lbs each. You really have to see one to truly understand.

Modern 6" vises probably weigh less than 50lbs these days.

Brian

 

[mrcrawfish]

Then you may have missed the fine print. My statement was about Vintage 6" vises which, by definition, weigh a LOT. The two I own weigh ~160lbs each. You really have to see one to truly understand.



Modern 6" vises probably weigh less than 50lbs these days.



Brian

I know how big old vises are... I'm currently restoring a 50+ year old Columbian 205. It's massive, but I don't think it's anywhere near 150 lbs. Probably more like 90-110


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[Shiftless]

One more data point on vintage 6 inch vises...

My Reed 406 double swiveller weighs 164 pounds.

 

[Rileysan]

I know how big old vises are... I'm currently restoring a 50+ year old Columbian 205. It's massive, but I don't think it's anywhere near 150 lbs. Probably more like 90-110


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Gotcha. Columbians are a different animal. They are made with ductile iron and have hollow jaws. Thus they weigh considerably less. Most other vintage vises are made with gray iron and have solid jaws.

For the record, I'm a big fan of Columbians (I have a few. Just not a 6"). Any criticism you hear about the hollow jaws is largely anecdotal and not based on real world testing.


Brian

 

[AngryBeaver]

I know how big old vises are... I'm currently restoring a 50+ year old Columbian 205. It's massive, but I don't think it's anywhere near 150 lbs. Probably more like 90-110


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205 Should be right at 90-95lbs. The 206 is literally twice the physical size. I'll take a picture the next time I go to my kuboya dealer and take my 204-1/2 with me.

Seek out a c3. Those are "only" 190-200lbs

 

[damnesia]

I was taking this Parker apart for cleaning and I noticed the vise has a non-swivel base cast into it but it's on a big swivel base. Anyone know what the base belongs to?

 

[gman007]

I know how big old vises are... I'm currently restoring a 50+ year old Columbian 205. It's massive, but I don't think it's anywhere near 150 lbs. Probably more like 90-110


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For reference a 6" Parker 976 weighs 157 lb (see sales catalog and chart below) and some other brands are even denser vises than parkers (Reed etc)

 

[mrcrawfish]

For reference a 6" Parker 976 weighs 157 lb (see sales catalog and chart below) and some other brands are even denser vises than parkers (Reed etc)

Thanks for the that chart. I definitely need to weigh my Columbian when I finish the resto.


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