The VISES of Garage Journal

[rusty65]

Pictures are from a supply catalog dated 1899. https://archive.org/stream/20thcenturycatal00purd/20thcenturycatal00purd#page/253/mode/1up

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[Bcom]

So I've finally found the largest vise ever made

**gives middle finger to the 695lb Pittsburgh Railroad Vise��**

 

[mgmlvks]

So I've finally found the largest vise ever made

Holy Cr*p! Is that concrete or wood?

Pretty sure that is/was in the clump of trees in this photo by others

 

[va.grouseman]

Rusty65, that's good stuff.---just got filed.---Thanks

I have a couple of those specimens.
----------------------------------------------------------------------


Bcom, looks like the biggest vise ever made was a swivler.---Looks like wood but they didn't scrimp on details.---Has big logo, naturally, and jaws with crosshatches, and a bent handle for effects.

Look at that poor Athol building in ruins.---Seinfeld would say ("Ah, that's a shame").

 

[Bcom]

So I've finally found the largest vise ever made

**gives middle finger to the 695lb Pittsburgh Railroad Vise��**

Oh if anyone is wondering, I'm sorry but I dont know the jaw width or weight

 

[454ragtop]

So I've finally found the largest vise ever made

**gives middle finger to the 695lb Pittsburgh Railroad Vise��**

Man would I like to have that as a lawn ornament. Wonder whatever became of it? Looks like it was already starting to fall into disrepair when that photo was taken.

 

[Bcom]

Man would I like to have that as a lawn ornament. Wonder whatever became of it? Looks like it was already starting to fall into disrepair when that photo was taken.

Ive posted this pic in our FB vise group and ive sent it in a couple texts and email and multiple people have stated they want it as their yard ornament as well

 

[Flinter987]

I've started working on my Taskmaster 5. Been using the wire wheel on my drill a good bit and went ahead and tore it apart tonight.

 

[454ragtop]

cheap Bison on Ebay ending soon http://www.ebay.com/itm/122714867312?ul_noapp=true

 

[Mark in Indiana]

cheap Bison on Ebay ending soon http://www.ebay.com/itm/122714867312?ul_noapp=true

454 & All:
That vise is a Chinese knockoff of the Bison 1250 vises. I've seen it sold as an "Interstate" brand vise from MSC. A while back, I restored & sold one. It's actually not a bad vise for one who just needs a general purpose vise...But it's not a Bison. Here are some comparison pictures:

1st & 2nd pictures; The side of the Interstate vise and Bison vise. The lettering and styling of the bodies are different.
3rd & 4th pictures; The front of the Interstate vise and Bison vise. Different jaw towers and handles. The Bison vise has a logo stamped on the handle end of the lead screw. Often "Made in Poland" will be stamped there.
5th & 6th pictures; Jaw tops are different. The Bison will have a date code stamped there.
7th picture; The underside of the Interstate swivel base.


Cheers

 

[Mark in Indiana]

All:

Just finished the restoration of a 6" Rapid bench vise. Made in Poland by Bison-Bial. Along with the normal clean/paint/polish, I had to silver solder a crack in the base and make a new main screw handle.

I hope to find it a good home.

 

[Mark in Indiana]

So I've finally found the largest vise ever made

**gives middle finger to the 695lb Pittsburgh Railroad Vise��**

Bcom:
That's one of the coolest vise pictures ever! Thanks for sharing.

 

[lis2323]

I got my nuts in a vise.

Terry

 

[454ragtop]

454 & All:
That vise is a Chinese knockoff of the Bison 1250 vises. I've seen it sold as an "Interstate" brand vise from MSC. A while back, I restored & sold one. It's actually not a bad vise for one who just needs a general purpose vise...But it's not a Bison. Here are some comparison pictures:

1st & 2nd pictures; The side of the Interstate vise and Bison vise. The lettering and styling of the bodies are different.
3rd & 4th pictures; The front of the Interstate vise and Bison vise. Different jaw towers and handles. The Bison vise has a logo stamped on the handle end of the lead screw. Often "Made in Poland" will be stamped there.
5th & 6th pictures; Jaw tops are different. The Bison will have a date code stamped there.
7th picture; The underside of the Interstate swivel base.


Cheers

Thanks for the education Mark, didn't realize there were knockoffs. Got me nervous, had to go check my 6", wasn't worried about the 5", it has a tag riveted to the side, as well as a decal. At least at $6.99 for a 5" vise, wouldn't have got hurt long as you were close by, it was a no sale anyway.

 

[Mark in Indiana]

454:
WOW! You have some nice Bisons. I was buying a few vises from a scrapper a while back when I noticed the Interstate vise from a distance and thought that it was a Bison. My heart stopped when he said he wanted 10$ for it. Closer examination determined that it was a Chinese KO, but I bought it anyway. I'm glad that I did.

All:
Concerning Bison-Bial manufactured vises:
I've restored 6 of them. 3 Bison 1250 series, 2 Rapid 6" and a 80mm FPU; PJWK-80. All of them are well machined, have nice smooth/tight movement and will properly grip a workpiece with the best of quality brands. I believe that they are a truly undervalued vise.

Happy Trails

 

[1NRO]

Pictures are from a supply catalog dated 1899.

Love the old pages. $170 of todays money would buy a nickel Stevens on a swivel base, now that's a nice pipe dream

 

[A E Numan]

Here's a new to me Parker 433 1/2, It looks like it's in good original condition. No crack's that I can see, only a couple of mark's on the slide and a slightly bent handel! Does this look like the original finnish? I can't tell.

 

[mgmlvks]

4-1/2 Wilton , 11-83
Nothing better than an hour after work on a Friday with an angle grinder! Need to get to odd spots with the smaller drill and clean cracks and crevices with the Dremel. Time to think paint (or - thanks Kevin! - - stain) color. Time for an adult beverage.

 

[bluebolt]

Picked up this Rock Island 574 in good shape for $40 today.

 

[Outlawmws]

Rusty65, that's good stuff.---just got filed.---Thanks

I have a couple of those specimens.

 

[Outlawmws]

Anyone have the address of the old Athol Foundry?


That big playground vise. I'd guess the slide operated; I wonder if the swivel did?

 

[mgmlvks]

Anyone have the address of the old Athol Foundry?


That big playground vise. I'd guess the slide operated; I wonder if the swivel did?

Interesting read at link below reveals the Address:
82 South St, Athol, MA 01331

https://visecollector.com/history-of-the-athol-machine-company/

2016 Aerial shows no sign of the large vise, and the roof on the office has caved in.
A later 2016 image shows what may be a complete collapse of the building, but the web link shows what looks like a new roof flashing system.

 

[G-ManBart]

Concerning Bison-Bial manufactured vises:
I've restored 6 of them. 3 Bison 1250 series, 2 Rapid 6" and a 80mm FPU; PJWK-80. All of them are well machined, have nice smooth/tight movement and will properly grip a workpiece with the best of quality brands. I believe that they are a truly undervalued vise.

Absolutely. I can see the ability to hang stuff off the front of bench as an asset sometimes, and that would be an issue for a Bison, but for most work it doesn't matter. If I find a big Bison/FPU/etc I'll probably keep it.

 

[Bcom]

So I've finally found the largest vise ever made

**gives middle finger to the 695lb Pittsburgh Railroad Vise��**

Does anyone want to donate to the Bcom fund so i can have one of these made for my yard? I would put a playground in next to it for all the kids too

 

[Shiftless]

Just picked up this Morgan Chicago model 40 for $10

 

[va.grouseman]

Does anyone want to donate to the Bcom fund so i can have one of these made for my yard? I would put a playground in next to it for all the kids too

That sounds a lot like the Human Fund.---I'll think about it.

 

[Mark in Indiana]

So I've finally found the largest vise ever made

**gives middle finger to the 695lb Pittsburgh Railroad Vise��**

I think estimating the size information, assuming the little girl at the handle is 4' tall:
The jaw width is ~3'.
The jaw depth is~2-1/2'
You can open that vise >4'

 

[AKQuaternion]

4-1/2 Wilton , 11-83
Nothing better than an hour after work on a Friday with an angle grinder! Need to get to odd spots with the smaller drill and clean cracks and crevices with the Dremel. Time to think paint (or - thanks Kevin! - - stain) color. Time for an adult beverage.

I like the way that cleaned up, what sort of brush did you use on the angle grinder?

 

[mgmlvks]

I like the way that cleaned up, what sort of brush did you use on the angle grinder?

Thanks, was (I think) a 3" cup with the heavier bristles. Was skeptical initially, but becomes addicting. Wear eye protection and arm protection as the bristles can break off and get thrown far and stick in clothing too. Pic when I get back later this eve.
--------------
Yes - a 3" cup on a 4" angle grinder. Close look shows it has lost a few bristles!

 

[Mark in Indiana]

Thanks, was (I think) a 3" cup with the heavier bristles. Was skeptical initially, but becomes addicting. Wear eye protection and arm protection as the bristles can break off and get thrown far and stick in clothing too. Pic when I get back later this eve.

I would add wearing a face shield. It hurts to get shrapnel stuck in your face.

 

[chrisnazzy]

Just picked up this Morgan Chicago model 40 for $10

That looks like alot of vise for $10. About how much does that one weigh?



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[Bcom]

I think estimating the size information, assuming the little girl at the handle is 4' tall:
The jaw width is ~3'.
The jaw depth is~2-1/2'
You can open that vise >4'

I was almost thinking the same thing. I was gonna add a foot to each of your calculations but he'll I cant tell. What I'm wondering is, what year it was taken? If someone can tell by the clothing or her glasses?

 

[Shiftless]

That looks like alot of vise for $10. About how much does that weigh?

Yes, that's what I thought too. Morgans have that reputation. It has 4 inch wide jaws and weighs 42 pounds. So that works out to a bit less than 25 cents per pound.

 

[Muggzy]

Just picked up this Morgan Chicago model 40 for $10

You ****. Where do you guys find these? I've got notifiers set on CL and I get nothing. Being in downstate NY may have a lot to do with it, but damn.

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[tonyciambrone]

You ****. Where do you guys find these? I've got notifiers set on CL and I get nothing. Being in downstate NY may have a lot to do with it, but damn.

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Goes for about 125-175 by me. Illinois sux

 

[Bcom]

That sounds a lot like the Human Fund.---I'll think about it.

Ya know VA, if someone were to actually rebuild this vise for a vise museum, id donate to the cause myself. I'm kinda poor at the moment but id throw in a bill if someone legitimate actually had a museum setup for vises. However we could just build this vise in front of (VISEs) shop/s. Isnt he the one with the largest collection for a museum? Well hes got the largest ive seen posted anyway. I know some of you other guys have some nice hidden collections yourselves.
Did anyone see the lockdown handle on it? It looks just like the original.

 

[va.grouseman]

Yea Bcom, If I actually saw one under construction, I'd chip in a little.---But it would have to be where anybody could view it.---If it were in an individuals yard/possession, they would tire of the incessant intrusions and eventually halt all visitation.

 

[chrisnazzy]

Yes, that's what I thought too. Morgans have that reputation. It has 4 inch wide jaws and weighs 42 pounds. So that works out to a bit less than 25 cents per pound.

Very nice. Obviously I think any of us would have gladly given $10 for that.

I'm pretty excited right now myself. As soon as I can escape the shop today I'm going on a little trip to go pick up my new vise. Ill leave some suspense untilI I have it in my hands but it's a very sought after little guy!

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[AngryBeaver]

I got my nuts in a vise.

Terry

205 Columbian M3 or is that a ridged? Looks awesome

 

[lis2323]

205 Columbian M3 or is that a ridged? Looks awesome

Thanks.

It's a Reed 4CA. I just picked up a second one.



Both NIB. Little bit of surface rust on the handle....

Terry