The VISES of Garage Journal

[va.grouseman]

Previously posted by Thederbyengineer.

It was in the bin with 6 other 3 1/2"-4" jaw Columbians, now after reading through this epic thread I regret not saving them all. The only reason I grabbed the Parker was because of the horn on the back of the anvil.
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7 vises in the scrap bin.---Unbelievable.---That's not recycling, that's an abomination.---Pity you weren't already a member and had a heads-up on the vise vice.---The sad part is, now that you are a member and have gotten ahead of the curve, you aren't likely to ever stumble on golden scrap pile like that one again.---Just think you may see those other 6 vises on a 2018 Ford F150 that you pass by.---They will be the wheels or the bumper or something.

But not knowing, you still did real good.---You got a good eye for vises and didn't even know it.

And welcome to the mania.---Keep checking those bins.

 

[Rileysan]

Shiftless: an excellent vise and good taste in beer.

Tom B.

I will second that - and coming from a couple of Portland beer snobs (practically a requirement for living here), that's saying a lot! Too bad I can't find Alaskan ESB any more ...

Brian

 

[Shiftless]

Speaking of Portland beer... I can still remember a couple of nights at the Hopworks Urban Brewery in Portland. Excellent in both beer and food!! The bicycle decor was great too.
Glad you guys appreciated the newest member of my bullet family.

 

[Rileysan]

I found this vise on OfferUp Saturday night, but really wanted to make sure I got my hands on it so I sent an offer above his $45 asking price - $60. We finally got to meet up today and I just got home a few minutes ago, so haven't taken photos yet. These photos are from the ad.

Craftsman 5161 3 1/2" swivel vise made by Rock Island.

Brian

 

[cbacres]

Here's my newest vise.


Three weeks ago I wasn't really aware of these Emmert pattern makers vise. I first seen one ( a turtleback) in a antique shop here in town. Then I spotted one on a bench for sale on FB marketplace. Researched these neat vises, came across a YouTube and was hooked! I didn't realize I need one of these.
I messaged the FB one, it was sold.
So a week or so later comes across one on CL, a little different style, but the price kept increasing to above EBay prices.

Then..... I spotted this on FB, I immediately took to the industrial look of this model, which is a K-1 type U6. From what I've researched , it's the last model and the latest and greatest design of this vise.

This thing is massive, about 80 lbs. that's a regular milk crate in the background.

It's missing the tilt bracket and clamp, also the dogs.
I'll build the tilt clamp and keep a eye out for the dogs.



I paid a premium for this vise, but there's not many out there for sale. Life's short, got to get your vintage vise when's it's in front of you.

I'll be selling a couple of Wilton's and a CA Herriman woodworking vises to help offset this buy.

 

[chrisnazzy]

I found this vise on OfferUp Saturday night, but really wanted to make sure I got my hands on it so I sent an offer above his $45 asking price - $60. We finally got to meet up today and I just got home a few minutes ago, so haven't taken photos yet. These photos are from the ad.

Craftsman 5161 3 1/2" swivel vise made by Rock Island.

Brian

Nice find. I really do like the Craftsman vises made by Rock Island and Reed. Once your back up and running you've got your work cut out for you. Do you still have that big 853 laying around starving for your attention too?

Sent from my SM-G930P using Tapatalk

 

[mike_paxton]

Was searching out the vise listings on CL this morning when came across a listing for a Prentiss Vise Cast Iron Stand.

Hadn't seen one before, so putting it up as an FYI.

Have no affiliation with item or seller.

Here is link to it.

https://columbus.craigslist.org/atq/d/vintage-cast-iron-vise-stand/6431687633.html

Mike

 

[Shiftless]

That is a cool old piece. Somehow, that red Columbian? vise just doesn't look right on that stand. I have an old black Prentiss that would look MUCH better on that stand.

 

[Bcom]

Was searching out the vise listings on CL this morning when came across a listing for a Prentiss Vise Cast Iron Stand.

Hadn't seen one before, so putting it up as an FYI.

Have no affiliation with item or seller.

Here is link to it.

https://columbus.craigslist.org/atq/d/vintage-cast-iron-vise-stand/6431687633.html

Mike

Wow what a neat find. Looks like somene took great care of it as well. Would be perfect for someone that had a nice large Prentiss to put on it. Can anyone explain why the lower base looks like a gear? Was there a working part attached to this gear piece base? Just a crazy thought

 

[Shiftless]

Wow what a neat find. Looks like somene took great care of it as well. Would be perfect for someone that had a nice large Prentiss to put on it. Can anyone explain why the lower base looks like a gear? Was there a working part attached to this gear piece base? Just a crazy thought

That's something a previous user bolted onto the stock base to give it extra mass and a larger footprint for more stability and a place to attach those casters.
Not everybody wants casters, even locking ones, on a vise stand.

 

[Bcom]

That's something a previous user bolted onto the stock base to give it extra mass and a larger footprint for more stability and a place to attach those casters.
Not everybody wants casters, even locking ones, on a vise stand.

I just emailed the guy and you are right! The seller said the bottom plate was added so casters could be put on it without drilling holes.

 

[drivesitfar]

Mike: thanks for posting up that Prentiss stand cause for the right guy and shop that would really pop with a nice old Prentiss vise sitting on top of it.

Shift: nice that you snagged the Wilton, but don't you feel sorry for the other guys that wanted it?

I think we need a few more pictures of your shelving with some of your vises sitting on it if you'd like to post a few more family pics. or was that TJ'S shelving with vises on it?

Riley: how many vises do you own now? nice find on the Rock Island Craftsman and since i don't use offerup, facebook to buy my vises you might want to BEE CAREFUL cause you've only seen a piece of my vise family when i was buying a vise or two every day for more than a few months. or you might end up with more storage units than i own soon. or since you just moved can you move a few SHIPPING CONTAINERS onto your property? I know you enjoy the HUNT so if it makes you happy then keep finding these cool old vises.

cheers

 

[Shiftless]

That was TJ's shelf full of vises.

Having been among the group of also rans in the C/L buyer's race, I don't feel sorry for the other 13.

 

[ETravis]

Here is a shot of my new Wilton C3 I picked up on Monday. Makes the 400 next to it look like a baby!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Rileysan]

Riley: how many vises do you own now? nice find on the Rock Island Craftsman and since i don't use offerup, facebook to buy my vises you might want to BEE CAREFUL cause you've only seen a piece of my vise family when i was buying a vise or two every day for more than a few months. or you might end up with more storage units than i own soon. or since you just moved can you move a few SHIPPING CONTAINERS onto your property? I know you enjoy the HUNT so if it makes you happy then keep finding these cool old vises.

cheers

How many? That's turning into a big question mark these days. I have vises I've never posted here for lack of time or because I've been flipping them.

The thrill of the hunt is certainly a big motivator. I'm not afraid to part with items, though. I gave up that Reed 5 1/2" swivel jaw as well as a Hollands 26H 6" swivel vise. I also gave up Plomb and P&C Toolmobiles. However, I'm trying to hang on to the Craftsman stuff - which is why I offered more than the asking price for this one.

Brian

 

[gman007]

Here is a shot of my new Wilton C3 I picked up on Monday. Makes the 400 next to it look like a baby!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Travis
Those are both very nice vises.

This for sure helps put things in prospective as far as size of C3 is concerned.

What I find curious (for the record I have never seen a C3 in person) is that while in every other respect the C3 dwarfs the 400, for its massive size it seems from the photo that it has small ears/tabs (and small bolt holes too). In fact the 400 seems to have beefier and more substantial ears/tabs!

Which begs the question given the fact that presumably C3 is used to hold very large work pieces and hence is subject to much more substantial forces/torques, is there a danger the ears/tabs might be its Achilles heels?

007

 

[Smokeshow69]

How many? That's turning into a big question mark these days. I have vises I've never posted here for lack of time or because I've been flipping them.



The thrill of the hunt is certainly a big motivator. I'm not afraid to part with items, though. I gave up that Reed 5 1/2" swivel jaw as well as a Hollands 26H 6" swivel vise. I also gave up Plomb and P&C Toolmobiles. However, I'm trying to hang on to the Craftsman stuff - which is why I offered more than the asking price for this one.



Brian

Brian is right ! I managed to get the 6" Hollands swivel from him as well as both tool mobiles[emoji1] the only way is was able to do this was to work some vintage craftsman in on the deal !


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

 

[drivesitfar]

Riley: at the rate you are finding and buying them though it sounds like you are going down the slippery slope of having a vice for vises is all I'm saying.

you've been picking up some gems and for some great prices which sounds a bit familiar to a guy that owns more than a few vises and he's been happy to give a few away, ship them all over the USA and Canada and he's still got a few storage units full of them.

I guess i'm just saying you could be a brother from another mother.

Smoke: was there arm wrestling involved or maybe not this time while Riley's shoulder is healing?

007: i don't think that Wilton's C3 is their best design, but i don't think i've heard of the jaws being the reason. i know many of their swivel bases were breaking and maybe they changed their design or had a guy in Colorado make a better one for them. even though they weigh about 200 pounds i like the looks of the C2 better that weighs about 100 pounds and probably would work well in 98% of all our shops/garages and work.

 

[Bcom]

Anybody want to tell me what is a fair price to pay for a 6" Wilton 150-OS offset vise in good condition?

 

[gman007]

Hi All
Has there ever been an 8.5" Prentiss?

I somehow found myself on this web site for black smithing (well I was searching for vises and they have a new gallery of vises) and this guy states that 'I have two Prentiss vises, a 6" and an 8.5" '. And I believe he is talking about bench vises. Strange

http://www.anvilfire.com/vises/af_vises_013.php
007

Edit
I guess there was! I found a second page where he gives the model number 58 which he calls "Prentiss No. 58 Chipping Vise"
http://www.anvilfire.com/vises/af_vises_015.php


He says that these vises were used to hold the casting for cleaning: "They date from when castings were commonly cleaned up with a cold chisel and often made into finished parts by hand, filing and scraping after chiseling close to shape"). That might be a pretty narrow view of uses for bench vises but I guess as the saying goes "If you hold a hammer in your hand, everything around you will look like a nail" and if you are a black smith every tool is made to do black smithing!


In any case sure enough in the FMC spreadsheet Prentiss No. 58 is listed as having 8.5" jaws!

 

[drivesitfar]

007: yep several members own a Prentiss 58 and i know TJ and maybe Get own a Prentiss 98 that weighs about 320 pounds. maybe they can post up a few pictures or VA can give you a post # if he has time and doesn't have pictures of the one he owns handy.

thanks for the read about why some of these big vises were made. we're still looking for the 695 pound Railroad vise that i think had a 10 inch jaw and had a barrel to swivel the jaws from horizontal to vertical so keep up the search and maybe you'll find it. sorry somebody else will have to post up the catalog page for that one cause i don't have it handy.

ALL: have a great day and hope you find a vise you've been searching for or maybe send one to somebody that needs one you have sitting on a shelf.

 

[trijeff]

Prentiss 98. One shot with a Parker 978, one with the Prentiss swivel jaw jeweler's vise.

 

[gman007]

Prentiss 98. One shot with a Parker 978, one with the Prentiss swivel jaw jeweler's vise.

Jeff
Thanks for the photos and I have only one thing to say, holy CRAAAAAAAAAAAAAAP
007

 

[GETRIDAONE]

Great minds think alike

 

[Shiftless]

all I can say is...

WOW !

 

[gman007]

Great minds think alike

holy CRAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAP squared!

 

[KMScott]

Nice vises Getridaone and Jeff. Makes me want to tackle mine.

 

[trijeff]

Great minds think alike

And you and me, too!

But seriously, you dod amazing work on both of those, simply stunning

 

[gman007]

Nice vises Getridaone and Jeff. Makes me want to tackle mine.

Christmas eye candy everywhere!! Simply amazing!!!

What is next, King Vises will post a photo of fifty 8" vises all in one place??

 

[Shiftless]

Yeah, what ever happened to Vises ??

We haven't heard from him in over 2 months.

 

[TinkTinkForge]

According to his posts on Instagram he’s found a Reed 108 and a beauty Stephens vise with the mounting bracket and swivel base.

 

[mgmlvks]

Vise Opportunity - a department that is co-located with mine recently replaced their "too small but unbroken" vise with the biggest one they could find at a local "Farm Store". Then they added a cheater bar. Now they are looking for a better vise.

I offered to suggest a few things - ranging from - "buy a good one" to "lets get a good old one from CL or FB and fix it". Not sure they want my advice though.

Employee stated he was glad he was wearing eye protection as what ever broke off went flying past his head.

 

[PeteA]

Hi I'm restoring this 5'' Wilton vise , I know it's a lower end Wilton utility or workshop type bench vise , I can't find any info about it online and was hoping someone might have some info on it. I've just never seen one where the slide can be removed from the dynamic jaw. Thanks

 

[GETRIDAONE]

And you and me, too!

But seriously, you dod amazing work on both of those, simply stunning

Thanks Jeff

Have you settled into your new house or do you have boxes still stacked up. I was looking for my A/C gauges a few months ago and found three boxes unopened from 16 years ago.

Kevin, You are half way there, only one more jaw to build

 

[Roo19]

I'm in need of a vise, I have an 7'x3' work bench, what's a good vise for hobby work

 

[ETravis]

Travis
Those are both very nice vises.

This for sure helps put things in prospective as far as size of C3 is concerned.

What I find curious (for the record I have never seen a C3 in person) is that while in every other respect the C3 dwarfs the 400, for its massive size it seems from the photo that it has small ears/tabs (and small bolt holes too). In fact the 400 seems to have beefier and more substantial ears/tabs!

Which begs the question given the fact that presumably C3 is used to hold very large work pieces and hence is subject to much more substantial forces/torques, is there a danger the ears/tabs might be its Achilles heels?

007

007 - That is a very interesting point about the ears on the base. I honestly didn't even notice that! I have heard that the newer C3s actually use the same base as the 800s. I'm going to build a stand for this one use it for some pretty light fabrication so I don't anticipate any problems.

As a side note, these humongous Prentiss vises are tempting me to cheat on my Wiltons!

 

[Outlawmws]

Hi I'm restoring this 5'' Wilton vise , I know it's a lower end Wilton utility or workshop type bench vise , I can't find any info about it online and was hoping someone might have some info on it. I've just never seen one where the slide can be removed from the dynamic jaw. Thanks

I've seen several different versions of that basic vise, but none with the slide removable...

 

[trijeff]

007 - That is a very interesting point about the ears on the base. I honestly didn't even notice that! I have heard that the newer C3s actually use the same base as the 800s. I'm going to build a stand for this one use it for some pretty light fabrication so I don't anticipate any problems.

As a side note, these humongous Prentiss vises are tempting me to cheat on my Wiltons!

Yeah, the P58/98s absolutley dwarf a C3

 

[trijeff]

Thanks Jeff

Have you settled into your new house or do you have boxes still stacked up. I was looking for my A/C gauges a few months ago and found three boxes unopened from 16 years ago.

Kevin, You are half way there, only one more jaw to build [emoji38]

Just got through the boxes. Well, mostly anyways. Have a baker's dozen vises to get spiffed and out the door ... wallet should be looking pretty good afterwards! I don't think I sold one vise in 2017 other than a C3 that went out Jan. 2 lol

 

[Bcom]

I'm in need of a vise, I have an 7'x3' work bench, what's a good vise for hobby work

Hey Roo--- Maybe tell us what area you're located in and someone in here can set you up with a good American made vise. Thats the best way to get you the vise you need for your table.