The VISES of Garage Journal

[Fretters]

I don't know why in the world that the U.S. needed the Navajo Code Talkers, they had the Allied Bloke Talkers at their disposal.

That made me chuckle.

 

[Outlawmws]

Fret, I didn't have much issue understanding that one nor a couple others I sampled, but then, I can also almost always understand heavy Indian accents, and SWMBO just shakes her head... One of the toughest was an old boss of mine that was Irish. if he got talking fast, his baroque would get thick and I'd have to ask him to repeat...

 

[LesserSon]

I'm betting others won't fare so well.

Didn’t catch much of the apple orchard story, but I’ll be tine the bum ome truzers nestime therz ras abote!
Outlaw, isn’t that brogue? Like what they speak in West Virginia. We generally use baroque around here to describe the style of Pennsylvania long rifles or Pachebel’s Canon.

 

[Fretters]

Fret, I didn't have much issue understanding that one nor a couple others I sampled, but then, I can also almost always understand heavy Indian accents, and SWMBO just shakes her head... One of the toughest was an old boss of mine that was Irish. if he got talking fast, his baroque would get thick and I'd have to ask him to repeat...

They can be fun to understand, on occasion.

Didn’t catch much of the apple orchard story, but I’ll be tine the bum ome truzers nestime therz ras abote!

 

[BeardedOne]

My first vice, any idea if it's a keeper? Bought it more for the size.

Cool vise Macduf. A Craftsman in that style is something I'm going to be looking for this year.

Thanks for posting.

 

[Outlawmws]

Didn’t catch much of the apple orchard story, but I’ll be tine the bum ome truzers nestime therz ras abote!
Outlaw, isn’t that brogue? Like what they speak in West Virginia. We generally use baroque around here to describe the style of Pennsylvania long rifles or Pachebel’s Canon.

Yeah, Me and spell checkers don't always get along...

 

[driftpin]

Yes, one of the reasons I got it so-cheaply. I have a Harbor Freight box of assorted e-rings, I selected the best fit, and, "Bob's yer uncle!"

I lubed it w/some PB Blaster, wiped it down w/some solvent, and may mount it to a PT 2 x 8 scrap, so I can use it clamped to a work surface as a traveling vise.

Driftpin, looks like there is a clip ring missing on the little Wilton.

 

[Shiftless]

driftpin:
I love it when you get a good deal on a vise because it doesn’t work right and can be fixed with a 25 cent part.

 

[Bcom]

I dont think my eyes or hands are good enough, I can barely do the big ones

So how did you get the letters so crisp and straight? I can't even get them this straight on my best day!

 

[gman007]

So how did you get the letters so crisp and straight? I can't even get them this straight on my best day!

Boom, Apparently using 80+ new files ( I think you missed the post about the files which was a couple post below the original).

You seem to be falling behind on your required classroom reading and with the test coming up I am getting worried about you

 

[Shiftless]

Boom, Apparently using 80+ new files ( I think you missed the post about the files which was a couple post below the original).

You seem to be falling behind on your required classroom reading and with the test coming up I am getting worried about you

I too saw the casual, by the way, mention of 80 new files and didn’t say anything. Eighty files.
The drawer in my bench where I keep files and a few punches is certainly the heaviest and I doubt that I have more than 10 files.

 

[Bcom]

Boom, Apparently using 80+ new files ( I think you missed the post about the files which was a couple post below the original).

You seem to be falling behind on your required classroom reading and with the test coming up I am getting worried about you

Oh, well yes I have been falling behind. I must have caught the tail end of the conversation on this pic. I've been spending alot of time in the vise FB group. I need to check in here more often

 

[driftpin]

Yes, I agree, searching for 'bah-ghins' and getting them because there's something simple to fix it. I knew there was a good reason to buy the assortment of E-clips at HFT awhile ago. This one purchase made it worthwhile.

I also was able to replace a 'fleeing' E-clip from a rack of carbs from my venerable Yamaha V-Max. They are so-small, if I don't find it during a one-minute floor search, I reach for the HFT E-clip assortment, retrieve the appropriate size, and get-on w/the work.

Best deal I ever got in the 'simple fix category' for hand tools was a nearly-new Craftsman router that had a dislodged motor commutator brush. I got the router at Habitat for Humanity for $2 because it didn't run, "parts-only, no return." OK!

driftpin:
I love it when you get a good deal on a vise because it doesn’t work right and can be fixed with a 25 cent part.

 

[Private Lugnutz]

As first reported in the 2018 Garage Sale thread here, I picked up this Prentiss Bulldog 524 swivel base vise today at a flea market.

View media item 79690
I don't know the vintage, but I know it is a good bit older than the foil US Army Fort Dix property sticker that's on it. (See thumbnail for that.) It was in a hospital of all places. I am guessing it was 40's originally and just got re-purposed a few times until it was finally surplus. Can anybody date it more precisely?

 

[Outlawmws]

Lugz, I'm not a Prentiss Expert, but that Swivel base with the clamping action I believe was fairly early, so I'd hazard a guess at pre WWII? Again, just a guess.

 

[drivesitfar]

Lug: I have all my old Prentiss catalogs in my old dead laptop that i might rescue someday if i get some time, but Parker bought (or took over Prentiss) about WWII so yes probably prior to that like Outlaw says.

as far as that swivel base i've owned a few and not sure i still do, but i think that was after their PULL PIN Swivel mechanisms of the 1920's. so best WAG would be late 30's.

BTW that vise looks like it was never used and just sat on a floor and has some surface rust on it. WELL DONE!!

ALL: i'm still wondering who made the first swivel jaw vise and when? I thought Prentiss made them in the late 1910's, but somebody said maybe 20 years sooner so curious more than anything. THOUGHTS??

 

[gman007]

as far as that swivel base i've owned a few and not sure i still do, but i think that was after their PULL PIN Swivel mechanisms of the 1920's. so best WAG would be late 30's.

Outlaw and Drives, Thanks for the age estimate! I also have a Prentiss Bulldog 524 and have been wondering how old it is, specially because apart from obvious age patina it is in nearly mint condition.

Who said Prentiss were too brittle and susceptible to breakage (was that you Drives? )

I have been thinking how to restore this one! Do it myself, or get it completely nickel plated and then powder coat the usual painted parts (like three of the vises that I have) or after seeing all the interest in "naked" vises, I have been thinking just have it completely nickel plated (no powder coat)

I also have a Parker 974 which is also in mint condition and have the same quandary and hence have not restored either of them.

 

[Gerard]

That style swivel base was the latest type that Prentiss offered, evidenced by the fact that it's the kind you will find on the very last Prentiss vises marked "Meriden CT" after the acquisition by Parker. The 524 is a pre-Parker model, however, and I don't know how long before the acquisition they started using that swivel base. I would say 1930s is a good guess.

Here is my 264 which is basically the successor to the 524 and manufactured after the acquisition by Parker, with the same swivel base. It seems like a very good swivel design, sort of a drum brake in reverse.

 

[rusty65]

Lug: I have all my old Prentiss catalogs in my old dead laptop that i might rescue someday if i get some time, but Parker bought (or took over Prentiss) about WWII so yes probably prior to that like Outlaw says.



as far as that swivel base i've owned a few and not sure i still do, but i think that was after their PULL PIN Swivel mechanisms of the 1920's. so best WAG would be late 30's.



BTW that vise looks like it was never used and just sat on a floor and has some surface rust on it. WELL DONE!!



ALL: i'm still wondering who made the first swivel jaw vise and when? I thought Prentiss made them in the late 1910's, but somebody said maybe 20 years sooner so curious more than anything. THOUGHTS??

From what I’ve found the swivel jaw patent was issued in 1868. Then after a few revisions it seems like they begin full production in 1878 of which the article is dated. The next picture showing the different models is from a article dated 1883 I found through google books.
.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Gerard]

I found a catalog page I had saved with the 524. Low res, but legible with zoom. Definitely the later style swivel base.

The original link no longer seems functional, but one page lists the catalog as being from 1935 and another from 1936.

Note that the description for the ironworkers' vise specifically mentions the new swivel base design.

 

[Monte]

small 60mm York vise

 

[drivesitfar]

Rusty: those vises look like Prentiss vises too so i'll have to take some time later and read up more about them. thank you!!

007: yep I think what i said is the back slides on PRENTISS VISES were not built to be beat on with a HAMMER like a lot of the old guys did. in their defense it was a GET R DONE world and they might have grew up on blacksmith vises where you could beat on a vise. a vise is a vise or is it?

ALL: anyway there are still guys and gals today that beat on their vise or use it as a press and wonder why it broke. or use a pipe on a handle designed to bend before the jaw breaks. or just use it as a press like the guy did that had the dynamic fly past his head a day or two ago a picture of that one was posted.

I love Prentiss' styling and if they weren't beat to **** I buy and use them. here's my Prentiss 19.5 that i'm going to mount somehow on my WWII ship hatch bench.

also guys if you don't think BLO is a good finish my Reed 4c has been patiently waiting in unheated storage for maybe close to 3 years now and it still looks pretty good I think.

also the shelves on this STOUT 5 foot cabinet is rated for 2500 pounds per shelf and the 4 grade 8 bolts on each corner are the weak points so i'm going to put a few on it even though it's on my bride's side of our garage.

 

[Private Lugnutz]

I also have a Prentiss Bulldog 524 and have been wondering how old it is, specially because apart from obvious age patina it is in nearly mint condition.

Very nice, gman007. I am glad we have a vise in common. Maybe we can trade notes if it becomes necessary. On the other hand, I don't expect to have a reason. My screw and slide move like butter with one finger!

That style swivel base was the latest type that Prentiss offered...[ ]...I would say 1930s is a good guess.

I found a catalog page I had saved with the 524...[ ]...one page lists the catalog as being from 1935 and another from 1936.

Note that the description for the ironworkers' vise specifically mentions the new swivel base design.

I think you nailed it. And this give me great credence to confirm it as being very likely to have served in wartime. Thanks, brother. It looks so weird with the relatively modern Ft Dix property tag on it.

...sort of a drum brake in reverse.

An apt description that has saved me a few minutes and brain cells. It's a little awkward to have to remove the wrench opening from the hex nut to get another grip on the hex nut for the next turn, but it only takes a few turns to tighten or loosen.

Drives: I included a few more photos below. It has some gouge marks in it that makes me think it was inadvertently struck a few times with glancing blows, and there are some other signs of abuse on the jaws, but all in all, not bad, and the jaw inserts are in great condition and, as I said to gman007, the action is fantastic.

All Prentiss Bulldog owners: Does anyone have a marking on the handle on the swivel clamp wrench that kinda sorta looks like it might be a number? See last thumbnail.

 

[gman007]

Lugz, there is something on my 524 handle but it is all letters and I think In fact might spell Prentiss

BTW mine turns with one finger too but I am not a big fan of its swivel wrench and frankly this design seems to be bit of pain in rear end to use!

 

[Firewire]

also guys if you don't think BLO is a good finish my Reed 4c has been patiently waiting in unheated storage for maybe close to 3 years now and it still looks pretty good I think.

also the shelves on this STOUT 5 foot cabinet is rated for 2500 pounds per shelf and the 4 grade 8 bolts on each corner are the weak points so i'm going to put a few on it even though it's on my bride's side of our garage.

Man, not even a slight bend in that stout shelf!

 

[Private Lugnutz]

Lugz, there is something on my 524 handle but it is all letters and I think In fact might spell Prentiss

Thanks! That's what it is. Mine is worn on the edges, which made it look like numbers.

BTW mine turns with one finger too but I am not a big fan of its swivel wrench and frankly this design seems to be bit of pain in rear end to use!

Haha. Okay, I was trying to be positive. It's probably somewhere in between my 'a little awkward' and your 'pain in the ****.' It sure isn't as easy as a little spindle, that's for sure.

 

[Outlawmws]

The advantage to the design you have on those Prentiss Vises is they won't slip. I've managed to make a Parker slip twisting on the thing that was in the vise. (ripped the bench off the wall it was anchored to as well in one case...) So for as often as the get swiveled. (haven't let mine loose in years..) I wouldn't complain! the measly Carriage bolt clamps are not nearly as good.

 

[trijeff]

Here's the finished product

 

[gman007]

Here's the finished product

TJ, super job. Just like it came fresh out of factory. Love the mirror shine

 

[Bunk]

Here's the finished product

That is art right there!

 

[Firewire]

Here's the finished product

Looks great! The green combined with the black lettering and finished with the polished parts are a great choice.

 

[gman007]

The advantage to the design you have on those Prentiss Vises is they won't slip. I've managed to make a Parker slip twisting on the thing that was in the vise. (ripped the bench off the wall it was anchored to as well in one case...) So for as often as the get swiveled. (haven't let mine loose in years..) I wouldn't complain! the measly Carriage bolt clamps are not nearly as good.

You know what would have been much more user friendly and neat? A ratchet mechanism! Parker wrenches could have used the same ratchet mechanisms too! Darn, I was born 60 years too late to give them the idea

 

[KMScott]

Here's the finished product

Whew, your Wilton came out nice Jeff. That polishing took some time. Good work.

 

[Shiftless]

trijeff:

Did you figure out a way to put the dynamic jaw assembly on a slow moving lathe with counterbalancing weights? How else can a guy assure that it stays round within the tight tolerances of the Wilton factory. Like what maybe .003?

 

[hansen1]

Found this 4” Wilton at a local estate sale. Overall in pretty decent shape. Has the broken area around the pin. While this is my first restoration, none of the information I could find shows one long pin. Is this original?

Everything seems very tight and true. Was missing the ring to hold the screw in place and one of the 3 screws was broken off. I could not find any date on the bottom key way. I am thinking this should be a model 400 or 9400 but don’t know how to find out for sure.

Anyone have any thoughts about model and age?

Should I worry about the 2 broken parts of the casting?

 

[trijeff]

trijeff: [emoji106]

Did you figure out a way to put the dynamic jaw assembly on a slow moving lathe with counterbalancing weights? How else can a guy assure that it stays round within the tight tolerances of the Wilton factory. Like what maybe .003?

Wire wheel and buffer, that's it. Not much metal coming off at all. Just a long time at the buffer like Kevin says. I like shiny things, what can I say?!?!?!

 

[va.grouseman]

The problem with the finished product Ttijeff, You can never use the thing.---You wouldn't use the Mona Lisa as TV tray.---Or would you?

 

[gman007]

small 60mm York vise

Monte, that is a nice looking vise. It is always interesting to see different York vises as there are not that many of them on this side of the ocean. Thanks for posting it

 

[OCD]

Here's the finished product

Awesome!!

 

[Mr. Wonderful]

Well, I was all excited to post my finished pictures of my little Wilton. .... until I saw that neon green beauty! I'm going to have to step up my game if I can get my hands on a larger one. If anyone can make heads or tails of the date stamp it would be appreciated.