The VISES of Garage Journal

[KMScott]

Those jaw spec:s got me fooled. Never seen jaws like those. 2" center to center screws with 3/4 boss is an odd size. Might have to make you a set since you are in Colorado.

 

[BMR24]

These ones are pretty worn, and I'm supprised that the heights match sense one was hit with a grinder and the other was untouched

 

[ByJustSomeGuy]

ByJustSomeGuy, that second threaded nut looks to be the dove-tail nut that came out of a bench vise and just happened to be the same thread pattern as the original box nut.---Looks like the original is either completely striped or it is just a donor and is merely a spacer now.

I’ve added more pics with it taken apart. Now that you mention it, the dove tail does look like a donor piece from a bench vise. I haven’t cranked it down hard yet but believe the threads are good on the box nut. It needs a good cleaning and a bit of grease to loosen it up, but I think it’s all functional. I have no idea why they put the dovetail on it. Unless it was acting like a locknut?
I think I have a Frankenstein vise. And I think it’s pretty cool.
Thanks for the input.

 

[ByJustSomeGuy]

I believe he has several bench vise parts involved, yes dove tail,handle and screw, the garter with set screw, how creative Sandman

Thanks Sandman. I think I have a Frankenstein vise. I’ve added more pics of it taken apart.
https://photos.app.goo.gl/59w6eEw920a5HVap1

 

[va.grouseman]

ByJustSomeGuy, Yours does look hand forged which makes it one of the older ones.---I love those old post vises, I have 3.---But there are a few fellows on this forum that must have a 100 or better.---Posters can probably take a beating better than any other kind of vise.---Kind of amazing when you think about a blacksmith beating himself out a vise on an anvil.---Not quite the same as the chicken or the egg.

 

[zoomieport]

Hello all!

Question...

What is the common part number for a 4-1/2" stationary Parker WITH the chamfered bottom? Not a 954-1/2, but a ***-1/2...

Let me know, when you get time, thank you!
Mike

 

[Outlawmws]

Zoomie in 1930 a Superior 49X was 4-1/4, a 59X was 4-3/4. the Victor was 371-1/2 for a 4" and 373 for a 5 - there was no 4-1/2...


The later Eclipse was a 105 for a 4-1/2.

The later Superior 4-1/2 was an 804-1/2

I'm sure there were others...

 

[zoomieport]

Thanks OUTLAW!
Parker and their numbers... HAHA!

Take care!
Mike

 

[zoomieport]

That being said... Does anyone have a 4-1/2" Jaw, stationary PARKER with the front chamfer that want to work a trade or something on? I've got a few I would trade...LOL!

Let me know, thanks!
Mike

I need the vise with this as the BOTTOM profile for an OEM Parker Vise Base.

See Attached image...

Dimension (A) 4"
Dimension (B) 7-1/2"
Dimension (C) 6-3/4"
Dimension (D) 7-1/2"
Approximately a 1" chamfer, 4" wide at =/- 45 degrees

 

[Fedelis]

Howdy all,

Wife and I just bought a house. Found this Columbian 604 at a local antique fair. Can't wait to get my work bench built, and this guy mounted in the corner!

From what I've read around here, Columbian made pretty good vises! Excited I found this guy.

 

[Bcom]

Zoom---- what is it that you're working on to need such a specific vise? Its not what your looking for but I have a Parker 974-1/2 sitting here if it could be useful for anything?

 

[ByJustSomeGuy]

ByJustSomeGuy, Yours does look hand forged which makes it one of the older ones.---I love those old post vises, I have 3.---But there are a few fellows on this forum that must have a 100 or better.---Posters can probably take a beating better than any other kind of vise.---Kind of amazing when you think about a blacksmith beating himself out a vise on an anvil.---Not quite the same as the chicken or the egg.

Grouseman,
I think it’s very cool trying to imagine them collecting the parts and building the ones that couldn’t be found. And then what all they could have built using this thing. If tools could talk.
Thanks again for the info!

 

[FMC1959]

Zoom---- what is it that you're working on to need such a specific vise? Its not what your looking for but I have a Parker 974-1/2 sitting here if it could be useful for anything?

My guess would be the Parker stand he has. The Parker 105 has the chamfer that matches the stand and probably the base screw holes match perfectly.

 

[Rileysan]

Howdy all,

Wife and I just bought a house. Found this Columbian 604 at a local antique fair. Can't wait to get my work bench built, and this guy mounted in the corner!

From what I've read around here, Columbian made pretty good vises! Excited I found this guy.

Welcome to GJ!

That early Columbian is a great vise and will serve you well! Be careful about hanging out here lest you contract visemania. But don't worry - once you catch it, you're cured!

Brian

 

[zoomieport]

Zoom---- what is it that you're working on to need such a specific vise? Its not what your looking for but I have a Parker 974-1/2 sitting here if it could be useful for anything?

I found this base by Detroit last winter and finally figured out what fit on it...

The search continues!

Take care Bcom!
Mike

 

[Fedelis]

Welcome to GJ!

That early Columbian is a great vise and will serve you well! Be careful about hanging out here lest you contract visemania. But don't worry - once you catch it, you're cured!

Brian

Thanks Brian! I've actually lurked around here for over year. This find inspired me to post!

Do we have anyway to guess the age on these older Columbian vises? Through searching I've learned that the horizontal Columbian logo started in the 1960s or 1970s. I read some where this dates to pre-1940s but not sure if it's accurate.

Only thing I wish it had was an Anvil back. At least it's made from high quality steel and still buttery smooth despite the dirt.

 

[I8AWRENCH]

Any ideas on this one - import or not ?

Never seen one like it and all I have is the one picture of it.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[nutjob]

Craftsman 5181 on CL in Hazleton PA. Too far for me to travel to get it but hopefully someone here can get it.

https://scranton.craigslist.org/tls/d/old-craftsman-vise/6332699846.html





Kevin

 

[454ragtop]

Any ideas on this one - import or not ?

Never seen one like it and all I have is the one picture of it.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

No, not an import, those have been shown in this thread before, Montgomery Ward maybe? That looks like a pretty abused example.

 

[454ragtop]

Craftsman 5181 on CL in Hazleton PA. Too far for me to travel to get it but hopefully someone here can get it.

https://scranton.craigslist.org/tls/d/old-craftsman-vise/6332699846.html





Kevin

Ooh, nice Reed made Craftsman.

 

[Rileysan]

Craftsman 5181 on CL in Hazleton PA. Too far for me to travel to get it but hopefully someone here can get it.

https://scranton.craigslist.org/tls/d/old-craftsman-vise/6332699846.html



Kevin

Hope **** that's nice - I would be all over that!

Speaking of Craftsman vises, you provided the perfect segue for me to post an update on my 5180.

After a week of distractions, I visited my favorite local hardware store to look at their paint selections. I chose Hammerite "Rust Cap" hammered dark blue. It's the first time I'v ever used a Hammerite product and so far, I'm pleased.

Pictures are of the static jaw/main body after two coats and dynamic one coat. I have yet to start polishing the nose.

Brian

 

[Rileysan]

Thanks Brian! I've actually lurked around here for over year. This find inspired me to post!

Do we have anyway to guess the age on these older Columbian vises? Through searching I've learned that the horizontal Columbian logo started in the 1960s or 1970s. I read some where this dates to pre-1940s but not sure if it's accurate.

Only thing I wish it had was an Anvil back. At least it's made from high quality steel and still buttery smooth despite the dirt.

If I recall correctly, there should be a date stamped on the slide somewhere. Those are easy to take apart as all you have to do is unscrew the dynamic jaw until it comes out.

Brian

 

[va.grouseman]

Any ideas on this one - import or not ?

Never seen one like it and all I have is the one picture of it.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Check this link 18.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Vintage-War...615464?hash=item41d03e42a8:g:escAAOSwav1ZxrVX

 

[I8AWRENCH]

That's it / thanks - still assuming it's an import tho ?


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[Jim Johnstone]

I just snagged this record #5 vise for a whopping $17.

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[Rileysan]

Folks in the Portland area, there's a Morgan Milwaukie 289 1/2 (6") swivel vise on a stand for sale for $175. I can't tell from the photos what kind of condition it's in, but since I had shoulder surgery I am in no condition to be moving a 175lb vise around right now. Someone go get it!

Brian

https://offerup.com/item/detail/354742150/?ref=Search

 

[BMR24]

BMR: after thinking a bit more about it i'm thinking it could be a FULTON. still sort of a WAG, but I own a few and even though his name is on the side he was great at marketing so maybe he was the first to not put his company's name on the side of his vises.

here's a Fulton that isn't the same as yours, but maybe you can see some of the same features? i have a few other ones, but no pictures handy so maybe you or VA can do a search and pull some up cause i gotta get back to painting.

cheers

I'm wondering if this could be a rock island vise I have? Any thoughts?

Did rock island make vises for other company's to put their label on? I found this photo online and the vise looks really similar just without the anvil.

 

[Rileysan]

Did rock island make vises for other company's to put their label on? I found this photo online and the vise looks really similar just without the anvil.

Yes - Rock Island made vises for Sears Craftsman from about '37-'42. They may very well have made vises for other companies as well, but I'm not aware of a Rock Island vise with an anvil like yours. Since the jaws on your vise have been repaired, there's no telling whether or not those replaceable jaws are original to that vise, or borrowed from another.

Brian

 

[drivesitfar]

BMR: Rock Island might have been one of my guesses, but i can't recall ever seeing one of their vises without theirs or Craftsman's name on them. also KMScott has made lots of jaws for Rock Island vises I'm guessing so i'm still sticking with FULTON even though it's still a WAG.

i think several of the guys have bigger vises that look like that with that bigger anvil a little higher up above the slide behind the static.

making a new swivel pin and a pair of jaws and that vise might be ready to use and look good.

interesting vise and how does it work?

 

[BMR24]

Yes - Rock Island made vises for Sears Craftsman from about '37-'42. They may very well have made vises for other companies as well, but I'm not aware of a Rock Island vise with an anvil like yours. Since the jaws on your vise have been repaired, there's no telling whether or not those replaceable jaws are original to that vise, or borrowed from another.

Brian

The jaws as far as I can tell have not been repaired, just the static jaw and entire top of the jaw casting and anvil face have been ground down for some reason. I removed the dynamic jaw to measure it as I was told this can be very helpful in identifying vise make and model. The jaw fits perfectly to the casting as well.
Thank you, I'll have to look at craftsman pictures and see if there are any with anvils

 

[BMR24]

BMR: Rock Island might have been one of my guesses, but i can't recall ever seeing one of their vises without theirs or Craftsman's name on them. also KMScott has made lots of jaws for Rock Island vises I'm guessing so i'm still sticking with FULTON even though it's still a WAG.

i think several of the guys have bigger vises that look like that with that bigger anvil a little higher up above the slide behind the static.

making a new swivel pin and a pair of jaws and that vise might be ready to use and look good.

interesting vise and how does it work?

It sure does look like a Fulton too. And a prentiss. I am in agreement that whatever brand it is it'll be a great vise after some work is done to it. I took it apart and reassembled it correctly and it seems to operate just as good as any other I've used excluding vises restored by KMScott. He does some great work. I'm excited to get this one fully functional, and get rid of that yellow and green paint

 

[ganymede]

Guys,
Don't know what brand the above vise is but Rock Island did make
a vise with a anvil in the back. It was advertised as being for auto repair.

 

[meatsis]

Yours resembles a RI but it's way different than these in the pics

 

[Rileysan]

Guys,
Don't know what brand the above vise is but Rock Island did make
a vise with a anvil in the back. It was advertised as being for auto repair.

I think you and Meatsis nailed it!

Any idea what year that ad is from?

Brian

 

[Rileysan]

Has anyone here removed the handle from the knob at the end of the main screw of a Reed vise? Are the ends of the handle pressed on or threaded? I want to be as gentle as possible taking it apart (if possible) before polishing it.

Brian

 

[GETRIDAONE]

Here is the Parker #21 I just finished.
Thanks meats is for posting that ad in a most timely fashion

 

[meatsis]

Here is the Parker #21 I just finished.
Thanks meats is for posting that ad in a most timely fashion

That Parker came out great! I like how you left the anvil horn unpainted

 

[KMScott]

Get, that is a really nice restoration. Gotta add it to my Pinterest site. Maybe let Riley know how you finish that handle. I believe Reed peened the knobs on since I have never seen handles with threaded knobs unless it was Asian.

 

[GETRIDAONE]

Thank you both.

 

[va.grouseman]

Folks in the Portland area, there's a Morgan Milwaukie 289 1/2 (6") swivel vise on a stand for sale for $175. I can't tell from the photos what kind of condition it's in, but since I had shoulder surgery I am in no condition to be moving a 175lb vise around right now. Someone go get it!

Brian

https://offerup.com/item/detail/354742150/?ref=Search

Plus 1 Rileysan, that 289 1/2 is a steal .---I have one of those and it cost me $300.00, 6 years ago with no stand.---The pic is a little blurred but it looks to be in good condition.---The 289 1/2 closely resembles the Parker 436, so who copied who?