You might be able to use a hand carry tool box badge on that. Can you measure the overall length and distance between the pins?
The VISES of Garage Journal
- Thread starter mjozefow
- Start date
You might be able to use a hand carry tool box badge on that. Can you measure the overall length and distance between the pins?
va.grouseman
Well-known member
Gary, that's a good looking Erie,---Good sharp edges, fat feet, full jaws, and little abuse.---Looks like low mileage.---But as always, I think you could squeeze them a little on the price if you tried.
Gary Indiana
Well-known member
Ctalyze made a great restoration of a vise just like mine. His "Craftsman" label was intact.
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Gary Indiana
Well-known member
I like the handle looking straight and shiny, indicates low mileage. Would you know if the jaws always had hardened pads in vises of that period around 1940?Gary, that's a good looking Erie,---Good sharp edges, fat feet, full jaws, and little abuse.---Looks like low mileage.---But as always, I think you could squeeze them a little on the price if you tried.
Smokeshow69
Well-known member
That vise restoration he did always gets me every time I see it ! Probably within my top 3 restorations in this thread !
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro
va.grouseman
Well-known member
I couldn't tell you, but some of these fellows could.---We've got some really good historians on this thread.---Maybe one will chime in.
drivesitfar
Well-known member
Gary: it's really hard to tell from the picture if your Erie Works vise has the cast in hardened jaws, but it might have them. Reed used to have those in some of theirs and i think both factories were in the same town at one time.
if the jaws look that nice after about 100 years i wouldn't worry too much about breaking them if you don't hit them hard with a hammer or use it as a press that vise should last all of us.
price seems pretty good too cause that old vise has some style points with the rounded slide.
ALL: anybody have in their notes when the first swivel jaw vises were made? and by who? it seems like all the major vise companies had at least one.
if the jaws look that nice after about 100 years i wouldn't worry too much about breaking them if you don't hit them hard with a hammer or use it as a press that vise should last all of us.
price seems pretty good too cause that old vise has some style points with the rounded slide.
ALL: anybody have in their notes when the first swivel jaw vises were made? and by who? it seems like all the major vise companies had at least one.
gman007
Well-known member
Dr. Scott, I am thinking about your offer. Among the other concerns that I have, the number one concern is my very thin knowledge (thinner than surface rust on a vise
) of vises and their history. I am also trying to figure out was I to undertake this, how do I go about efficiently seeking help from experienced and knowledgeable members including those that have access to old catalogs, history etc.
The other thing that came to mind is even for vises with definitive date stamps (which I would not know as I have no such vises) what date does one assign to the vise, as obviously the vise most likely got produced over some years. Say a Wilton 400s in the Wilton thread might have been referenced having whole bunch of different dates. Furthermore how to sift through that thread to even get to find all these dates to compile a date range for a single Wilton model, let alone for many models.
I think this idea might still be premature and still need further thinking and planning.
littleponderosa
Well-known member
Ok, due to my paranoia after my 1st adventure into this world I'm gonna ask for help.
Can't seem to copy the photo, but this vise is close. Worth the look cause I cannot tell.
Craigslist - 6451583602 - sorry but I'm still figuring out the tablet thing and can't copy a page.
Thanks gents
Bill
Can't seem to copy the photo, but this vise is close. Worth the look cause I cannot tell.
Craigslist - 6451583602 - sorry but I'm still figuring out the tablet thing and can't copy a page.
Thanks gents
Bill
drivesitfar
Well-known member
LP: when you are on the Craigslist web page just right click to highlight and then click copy then paste to your post like this. i haven't used my wife's Ipad for a while and if i recall correctly it wasn't easy to post on GJ with it and i've never liked posting from my cell phone so i usually wait until i'm on my laptop.
here's your ad and it's a pretty light duty vise that maybe 20 old vise makers made. if you need a vise it's a lot better than nothing, but it's not an upgrade unless you don't have one.
https://bozeman.craigslist.org/tls/d/45-jaw-bench-vise-made-in-usa/6451583602.html
007: the Wilton date stamp thread while not 100% complete has come to a good conclusion that no stamped Wiltons left the factory between 1941-1945 or the stamp wore off, after the war Wilton date stamps were when they left the factory and sometime in the mid 50's (I don't have this memorized) they were moving to Schiller Park and put on Exp Guar and the dates were post dated 5 years on bullets (less on cadets) until 1960 when Wilton just started dating them when they left the factory again.
Rock island has some date stamping on the back of their slides hence part of the thinking that they made the Craftsman 519x's. not sure what other vises have date stamps right off hand, but if you want to take on the project I bet you'll learn a lot and most of us are willing to help you if we might have catalog pages or vises to help you. I think FMC actually started the data base that others have started to help him with.
it might be like another job, but i know you'll like the learning that comes with it if you want to try and take it on. good luck
here's your ad and it's a pretty light duty vise that maybe 20 old vise makers made. if you need a vise it's a lot better than nothing, but it's not an upgrade unless you don't have one.
https://bozeman.craigslist.org/tls/d/45-jaw-bench-vise-made-in-usa/6451583602.html
007: the Wilton date stamp thread while not 100% complete has come to a good conclusion that no stamped Wiltons left the factory between 1941-1945 or the stamp wore off, after the war Wilton date stamps were when they left the factory and sometime in the mid 50's (I don't have this memorized) they were moving to Schiller Park and put on Exp Guar and the dates were post dated 5 years on bullets (less on cadets) until 1960 when Wilton just started dating them when they left the factory again.
Rock island has some date stamping on the back of their slides hence part of the thinking that they made the Craftsman 519x's. not sure what other vises have date stamps right off hand, but if you want to take on the project I bet you'll learn a lot and most of us are willing to help you if we might have catalog pages or vises to help you. I think FMC actually started the data base that others have started to help him with.
it might be like another job, but i know you'll like the learning that comes with it if you want to try and take it on. good luck
gman007
Well-known member
little, Here is the link and photos.
https://bozeman.craigslist.org/tls/d/45-jaw-bench-vise-made-in-usa/6451583602.html
Now I am no vise expert but one of the first listens I learned here is that exposed screw vises in general do not get much love here, unless they are rare and special. I am not sure if this vise qualifies for the latter.
Apart from the inscription Made in USA, there are no ids on this vise and hence is hard to tell who made this vise (reminds me of Littlestown vises) and based on the nose and swivel arm might even be from 1950-70s (so not tool old). Personally I would not pay $75 for this vise, but others might disagree.
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gman007
Well-known member
Drives, Well there a whole bunch of ideas in my head but as I said the logistics alone seem pretty substantial. In any case here is another less ambitious date idea. In terms of dating something specially if it is old, one sometimes refers to some war as reference date, as in this vise is pre WWII etc. So how about classifying vise ages according to the various wars
• American Civil War (1861–1865)
• Spanish-American War (1898)
• World War I (1914-1919)
• World War II (1939-1945)
• Korean War (1950 – 1953)
• Vietnam War (1961 – 1975
• Persian Gulf War (1990 –1991 )
• Afghanistan and War on Terrorism (2001- Present)
• Iraq War (2003 –2011)
While this way the date ranges are a bit wide (and hence fewer buckets to classify the vise in and therefore easier to classify) but is still give fair idea of the age.
I am not sure if recent wars would be that relevant in the context of vises (possibly mainly for Wiltons only). In any case something like this vise was made post WWI and pre WWII quickly gives a good indication of the age.
My other concerns still remain and as I said need a lot more reflection.
littleponderosa
Well-known member
Thanks guys. I waited about 10 days thinking on it, have enough working vises to get by, but wanted to attempt a minor restore job to see if I'd enjoy it. My first foray went south, bad choice by me and expensive enough it hurt. Put a coat of paint on it, and am patiently waiting the the nut to completely break off.
Yeah, I can't figure this out with no mouse right click computer.
Ok, here's a Helena ad. 6464605822
Bill
Yeah, I can't figure this out with no mouse right click computer.
Ok, here's a Helena ad. 6464605822
Bill
mgmlvks
Well-known member
drivesitfar
Well-known member
LP: i've got to run and ORGANIZE so don't have time to look up your new vise. if you want to post your broken vise pics over on the vise repair 101 thread if you haven't already please do and maybe one or more of us can help you. good luck.
that little open screw for $25 would be a cool little one to learn how to restore on, but i bet you'll find something better soon if you look and you are quick at getting in touch with the sellers and getting there to see it in person.
also posting up ads on here is like telling all the locals that flip vises that there is one so you might be losing your chance to buy the one if you find a good one so you can PM me or one of the other guys with the ad and i'll be happy to help you. didn't you have a cool dog as your Avatar? If he passed i'm sorry because he looked like a great one.
007: the main reason i use WWII as a reference is because the vise business and steel companies in general were given different guidelines by Uncle Sam on what they could use and build hence the vises after WWII being smaller and not really made as stout or as well in most cases.
good luck and you have my vote to set up date ranges or take on the project.
that little open screw for $25 would be a cool little one to learn how to restore on, but i bet you'll find something better soon if you look and you are quick at getting in touch with the sellers and getting there to see it in person.
also posting up ads on here is like telling all the locals that flip vises that there is one so you might be losing your chance to buy the one if you find a good one so you can PM me or one of the other guys with the ad and i'll be happy to help you. didn't you have a cool dog as your Avatar? If he passed i'm sorry because he looked like a great one.
007: the main reason i use WWII as a reference is because the vise business and steel companies in general were given different guidelines by Uncle Sam on what they could use and build hence the vises after WWII being smaller and not really made as stout or as well in most cases.
good luck and you have my vote to set up date ranges or take on the project.
Fretters
Well-known member
It was mainly during and for a short period after the war, (due to reconstruction etc.), when limitations were placed on manufacturers, especially domestic ones. Take the switch from full nuts to half nuts, for example. Bolt heads and nuts were much thicker at one time, (even washers had more meat about them), before restrictions were placed. Yet, they never returned to previous size afterwards. Most likely simply due to the realisation that it was unnecessary.
va.grouseman
Well-known member
Littlep, I'd pass on that open screw.---Some of the fellows on here are picking up those little open screws at yard sales for $10 to $20.---Be a little patient and a nice high quality vise will pass your way.---Even with a restoration by some of these G.J. artists, that vise would be hard pressed to bring $75.---Ultimately, your call.
Provincial
Well-known member
More likely due to the realisation that they could get away with it!
Fretters
Well-known member
KMScott
Well-known member
Dr. Scott, I am thinking about your offer. Among the other concerns that I have, the number one concern is my very thin knowledge (thinner than surface rust on a vise
I am also trying to figure out was I to undertake this, how do I go about efficiently seeking help from experienced and knowledgeable members including those that have access to old catalogs, history etc.
The other thing that came to mind is even for vises with definitive date stamps (which I would not know as I have no such vises) what date does one assign to the vise, as obviously the vise most likely got produced over some years. Say a Wilton 400s in the Wilton thread might have been referenced having whole bunch of different dates. Furthermore how to sift through that thread to even get to find all these dates to compile a date range for a single Wilton model, let alone for many models.
I think this idea might still be premature and still need further thinking and planning.
It's up to you. I have all I can do to keep updating the vises. Have you seen the brochure tab/ The brochures would be a great way to date the vises like Outlaw mentioned. I have not even looked at this portion of the spreadsheet. The spreadsheet is a great tool for me since I get a dozen calls a day on vises and what jaws, clamps and hardware they need. So I focus on pic's and jaw widths.
littleponderosa
Well-known member
Thanks fellas. I'm patient on this purchase. Appreciate all the help.
Bill
Bill
And here is a new one that ran into a cheater bar:
A cross sectional educational peice now!
littleponderosa
Well-known member
Damn.
Was this a little extra squeeze or a lotta extra?
Bil
Was this a little extra squeeze or a lotta extra?
Bil
gman007
Well-known member
VA, Not knowing any better, the first US made vise that I bought was a Columbian D33 1/2 and I paid $35 (which was probably $25 too much) for it. But even after I restored it, I am not sure if it is worth $35 now
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VA, Not knowing any better, the first US made vise that I bought was a Columbian D33 1/2 and I paid $35 (which was probably $25 too much) for it. But even after I restored it, I am not sure if it is worth $35 now
Regardless, it looks great!
mgmlvks
Well-known member
That was the "lotta extra squeeze" plan - he figured the handle would give-out first and was paying attention to that. Learned a good lesson!
Outlawmws
Well-known member
That's a keeper, if not s full on Machinists vise. Shop vise with a formed channel for the slide.
3-1/2" yaws? not huge, not small. It has a decent rep I don't think any of the older Craftsman Vises were ****. (some of the non-craftsman may have been iffy...)
3-1/2" yaws? not huge, not small. It has a decent rep I don't think any of the older Craftsman Vises were ****. (some of the non-craftsman may have been iffy...)
Shiftless
Well-known member
va.grouseman
Well-known member
VA, Not knowing any better, the first US made vise that I bought was a Columbian D33 1/2 and I paid $35 (which was probably $25 too much) for it. But even after I restored it, I am not sure if it is worth $35 now
Well Gman, I don't know whether or not those D33 1/2''s are bringing it or not but they are asking $50 and $60 and $70 for them on EBay, refurbished.---You did an over the top job on that little Columbian.---Really nice.---The thing is, if treated right and handled properly, you can get a lot of work out of those little vises, even the one that Littlep was looking at, but you just can't get a lot of money back out of them if you are ever thinking of flipping one, even spiffed up.--But I'm preaching to the choir now.
va.grouseman
Well-known member
Shift, the chromed Baby would make a nice centerpiece for the dinning room table.---(The Fancy Eating Table).---Remember that?
Macduf, those Chevron Craftsman's are nice vises and well made and right desirable as collectors too.---That one is in good shape, It will serve you well.
Macduf, those Chevron Craftsman's are nice vises and well made and right desirable as collectors too.---That one is in good shape, It will serve you well.
Its a keeper, forever. I had that same vise for years, then thought I needed a larger vise. Found one, then sold the Cman. Started reading GJ, then the problems really began. A few dozen vises, and 40 years later, I have the big vise I wanted, but wished I kept that old Cman. Then, just recently, I found a 4" Wilton Tradesman- that will do, instead... for now!
trijeff
Well-known member
New year and new shop but old tricks
Man that is some CRISP lettering!
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trijeff
Well-known member
Thanks FW! OCD + came into about 80+ files and used this poor Wilton as the guinea pig to test a good portion of them out
Shiftless
Well-known member
Fantastic job on the lettering TJ 
Drives (and anybody else interested...)
As requested, here is 60% of my bullet family sitting on the shelves I just built in the basement vise room.
My C1 user is in the garage on the workbench and a 350 and a 400 are in pieces in 2 plastic tubs elsewhere awaiting restoration. My 500N was too darn heavy to lift up onto this shelf system so I left it displayed on another shelf elsewhere in the room.
(Yeah...I know...I have some more painting and trim work to do)
On top is a Chicago era 3HD missing the swivel base.
Next shelf down is a 2 1/2 inch on a swivel base, a 2 inch baby on a swivel base and a 2 inch baby on a powerarm.
Next shelf down is a later model 3 inch on a swivel base. Outlaw do you recognize that one?
And on the lowest shelf pictured is a 3 1/2 inch model.
(Sorry about the low resolution pics, after upgrading my iPad, posting pics got seriously downgraded
)
Drives (and anybody else interested...)
As requested, here is 60% of my bullet family sitting on the shelves I just built in the basement vise room.
My C1 user is in the garage on the workbench and a 350 and a 400 are in pieces in 2 plastic tubs elsewhere awaiting restoration. My 500N was too darn heavy to lift up onto this shelf system so I left it displayed on another shelf elsewhere in the room.
(Yeah...I know...I have some more painting and trim work to do)
On top is a Chicago era 3HD missing the swivel base.
Next shelf down is a 2 1/2 inch on a swivel base, a 2 inch baby on a swivel base and a 2 inch baby on a powerarm.
Next shelf down is a later model 3 inch on a swivel base. Outlaw do you recognize that one?
And on the lowest shelf pictured is a 3 1/2 inch model.
(Sorry about the low resolution pics, after upgrading my iPad, posting pics got seriously downgraded
)Attachments
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gman007
Well-known member
Shift, It is too bad not everyone could be present for the portrait, never the less that is one good looking family!
Thank you for posting the Wilton happy family portrait (is there by any chance a relation to Waltons family?
) gman007
Well-known member
Thanks FW! OCD + came into about 80+ files and used this poor Wilton as the guinea pig to test a good portion of them out
TJ, Well you did a bang on job on guinea pig
. While I have seen references here to filing the letters a bit so that the surface is flat and hence the lettering looks nicer, I have never tried it. But seeing what you did, on my next restore I will try and hope that my first attempt will turn up anywhere as nice as yours!gman007
Well-known member
FW and VA, Thank you both for your kind words. As I said it was my first vise and my first attempt at vise restoration and personally I do like the vise regardless of its worth. Plus I learned a few things in the process.