The VISES of Garage Journal

[akasrick]

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.
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Great footwork rusty65!

A found a link through oops (trijeff's) Twertsy's excellent site ' http://www.toolarchives.com/ '
Then a $5.00 donation which was matched 3x's bought me to an extensive Prentiss tool line PDF, which stated that their Peerless pipe jaws were new and improved.
An older Parker without vice jaws but with drilled holes for something or other disappeared off of eBay recently.
You would'nt know if Parker had a Vulcan line of vises?

akasrick

 

[drivesitfar]

LUG: the #'s on Prentiss' vises that are stamped are usually part #'s. as far as I know Prentiss didn't date their vises.

Hanson: that fix is not an easy one, but i've seen a few members with some serious skills (yes they could probably make a vise if they had to from scratch) have so maybe posting your Wilton over in Vintage tools section in the vise repair 101 might get you some help. or it's a parts vise

AKA: actually that is Twertsy's tool forum, but I can see how you would maybe have TJ on the mind after he posted his latest restoration.

TJ: WOW!!

 

[jonshonda]

Unfortunately I was never able to connect with the seller of the large reed vise this wknd. He answered a few texts then totally stopped communication. Guessing either a scammer or something fishy. The hunt continues.

 

[Private Lugnutz]

Well, I was all excited to post my finished pictures of my little Wilton....

Well, I think it looks fantastic, Mr. W. Your blue-green choice is a very close match in color to a more modern Wilton I own, actually, whether that was a coincidence or you did some research. I am more of a 'preserve first, restore only as a last resort' kind of guy, with all vintage tools, not just vises. But if I have to restore, I prefer an original color or at least a more vintage touch. All of this is a matter of personal preference, of course. I don't mind being in the minority on that.

LUG: the #'s on Prentiss' vises that are stamped are usually part #'s. as far as I know Prentiss didn't date their vises.

As it turns out, the stamping on the handle of the clamp-wrench actually says, "PRENTISS". It was very hard to read, with the tops and bottoms worn off (or perhaps just poorly stamped), it looked like numbers.

 

[akasrick]

AKA: actually that is Twertsy's tool forum, but I can see how you would maybe have TJ on the mind after he posted his latest restoration.

TJ: WOW!!

Fixed. Thanks Drives
Twertsy: WOW!

akasrick

 

[Mr. Wonderful]

Well, I think it looks fantastic, Mr. W. Your blue-green choice is a very close match in color to a more modern Wilton I own, actually, whether that was a coincidence or you did some research. I am more of a 'preserve first, restore only as a last resort' kind of guy, with all vintage tools, not just vises. But if I have to restore, I prefer an original color or at least a more vintage touch. All of this is a matter of personal preference, of course. I don't mind being in the minority on that.


As it turns out, the stamping on the handle of the clamp-wrench actually says, "PRENTISS". It was very hard to read, with the tops and bottoms worn off (or perhaps just poorly stamped), it looked like numbers.

Lugnutz,

Thanks! I was looking for that Rustoleum Verde Green online but it was $35 a can. I looked through all the cans in my locker and it turns out I had a can of Verde Green from a project I did about 12 years ago. It couldn't have worked out better. I really like the original color of the Wiltons.

 

[trijeff]

So in late 2016 I did quite a bit of research on the Prentiss 98 which has the split base swivel design. Here is what I was able to come up with ... I think the design started in the late 1930's. The earliest catalog in which I was able to find it was a Keen Kutter from 1939, which describes the style as new.

Then some discussion board chatter that talks about 1939 being the earliest, and also that the 9X series (swivel) pre-dated the 5X series (non-swivel).

But still nothing definitive. Have never seen the Prentiss 98 in any catalog. Believe if it were in one it would be the "Fifty-third Illustrated Price List" from Prentiss, but I have never been able to lay my hands on that very particular edition. The hunt continues, but I do think we can say 1939-ish fairly cofidently as the date the split-ring base came out for Prentiss.

 

[Shiftless]

Mr. W.:
I think you did a great job on your restoration. No apologies necessary!

 

[lis2323]

Hi guys. Does anyone know the manufacturer of this 4” “Made in England”? 29 pounds and comparable quality to Woden and Record (IMHO)

My comparable Record’s are 33 pounds.

 

[rusty65]

Hi guys. Does anyone know the manufacturer of this 4” “Made in England”? 29 pounds and comparable quality to Woden and Record (IMHO)

My comparable Record’s are 33 pounds.

I can’t help with who was the maker but I found pictures of a twin of your vise and I think the sticker might fabrex? Also I noticed your vise is green and the one i found was blue.




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[lis2323]

rusty: thanks. That's the twin alright. That (more) complete sticker may provide a clue.

Edit: looks like Fabrex vises were made by Record in the '60's.

 

[Outlawmws]

I'm going to go out on a limb and say Jan 1950 for Mr W's Wilton? The Glare is killing me...

 

[drivesitfar]

Mr.W: I’m guessing your vise was made in the 80’s so maybe 1/30/87 for a stamped date

TJ: thanks for the Prentiss research!!

Liz: yep looks like an English made record, but a lot of vises in Canada have that look. Nice!!

 

[Alamedasam]

I found this old vise in a junk car. The crack head had a broken seat support bracket on an old F-250, & had used the vise clamped onto the lower seat support so the vise would sit flat on the floor when he sat down!
I took it apart, cleaned it up, took a scotch brite pad to it, painted it, greased it up, & put it back together.
It’s missing the handle, so I put a bolt & nut on it till I can find or build one.
The big question is does anybody know the brand or age? No id anywhere that I could find, just the spot where someone took off the tag. The things you find in a junker digging thru it before it goes to the junk yard!

 

[trijeff]

Great story! Nice refresh. Chinesium vise.

 

[Gerard]

I found this old vise in a junk car.

Well the big "4" is usually an Asian characteristic, but unlike most Asian vises it has a styling more along the lines of an American machinist vise, even with the nice [ ] shape jaws which I don't think I've ever seen on an Asian vise before.

Any idea on the weight?

 

[rusty65]

I believe the no name vise is a Japanese made Jet vise probably in the 70s or so. I believe there is also another version of the same vise with a star on it.



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[Alamedasam]

It don’t weigh to much, maybe 60-70 lbs.

 

[gman007]

It don’t weigh to much, maybe 60-70 lbs.

What is the jaws width?

For example at 60-70 lbs a 4" vise would be pretty hefty for any brand (may be with the exception of Parker Superior series, etc) but 60-70 lbs is not much (for American vises) for a 6" vise (or for that matter even for most American 5" vises)

Point being that the weight and jaw ratios for a vise can give much better idea of how stout a vise is than any of these dimensions on their own.

 

[gman007]

I believe the no name vise is a Japanese made Jet vise probably in the 70s or so. I believe there is also another version of the same vise with a star on it.

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Rusty, Is that the one with the Star of David on it? Kind of bizarre on a Japanese vise! Almost every time I see one, my first inclination is to think it is an Israeli vise. The one in this photo has the star on the static housing but I could swear I have seen a bigger star on the dynamic jaw as well but can not find a photo of it.

Edit
Found another photo but even though the star is bigger, it is still on the static housing , so my memory was half correct

 

[va.grouseman]

Star of David and Morgan Star.

 

[gman007]

Star of David and Morgan Star.

VA, Thanks for the info and the side by side comparison!

One corner of the world where respect for intellectual property, decency, honestly and fair trade means nothing

 

[t4runner]

Picked up a nice Reed 204 for $45. The paint was just ok so I cleaned it up and repainted it. The vise looked like it was hardly used.

 

[gman007]

Picked up a nice Reed 204 for $45. The paint was just ok so I cleaned it up and repainted it. The vise looked like it was hardly used.

T4, that is a very nice find at a very good price and as you said this 204R is in mint condition. I have an older 204 but really want a Reed R (4” or higher) series as I think they just look much neater with short nose and oil holes etc

 

[honza.vosalik]

Anyone here have a catalogue with Athol 614 1/2? Thank you!

 

[Firewire]

Picked up a nice Reed 204 for $45. The paint was just ok so I cleaned it up and repainted it. The vise looked like it was hardly used.

Great score! Looks clean and straight!

 

[chrisnazzy]

Anyone here have a catalogue with Athol 614 1/2? Thank you!

I haven't really seen any catalog pages with pictures of Athol vises but I did have this saved.

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[Firewire]

Picked up this Wilton Bullet 101020 3.5" stamped 1/74. Gave it a new lease on life. I picked up the stand the same day, but it wasn't mounted with the vise. Gave it some flair too. Thanks to KMScott for replacement swivel clamps.

 

[Outlawmws]

Anyone here have a catalogue with Athol 614 1/2? Thank you!

I haven't really seen any catalog pages with pictures of Athol vises but I did have this saved.

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All I have is similar to the above:

 

[Dynasty]

There is a local vise that I'm thinking about picking up. I have no use for it, but it seems like a good deal? Appears to be in excellent shape. Only has minor surface rust. Seller is asking $55

Some of the markings include:

Side 1:

Fixed part - Simplex
Slide part - Steel Slide

Side 2:

Fixed part - The Ridge Tool Co Elyria, Ohio USA NO 41
Slide part - ? (does not show picture)

Can anyone share some knowledge on this one?

 

[bhydro]

Picked up this real nice Reed 5” last week. It’s the “N” model “fixed base”. This later model has replaceable T-Jaws and still has the dual oil ports and split nut at the spindle/handle. Gone is the big split pin behind the main nut. It has a traditional 5/16 tapered pin. This will be used in my garage real soon. It was treated well so far and it will continue to be. Keeping an eye out for a swivel base to make it more usable. It’s getting a coat of BLO for now.

 

[bhydro]

There is a local vise that I'm thinking about picking up. I have no use for it, but it seems like a good deal? Appears to be in excellent shape. Only has minor surface rust. Seller is asking $55

Some of the markings include:

Side 1:

Fixed part - Simplex
Slide part - Steel Slide

Side 2:

Fixed part - The Ridge Tool Co Elyria, Ohio USA NO 41
Slide part - ? (does not show picture)

Can anyone share some knowledge on this one?

https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=44782&page=265
from post #5292

 

[trijeff]

Reed 406, Bay Area, CA. $250. Not affiliated.

https://sfbay.craigslist.org/eby/tls/d/reed-vise-large-old-opens-9/6471969509.html

 

[Shiftless]

Nice find TJ
How much you wanna bet that the swivel jaw locking pin is frozen in place?
It looks to me that the pin itself has been sawed off so it wasn’t in the way or some other crazy reason.
Probably worth more than $250 even in its current condition.

I already have one so I won’t be driving to Hayward.

 

[BeardedOne]

Nice work Firewire. I like the look you put on your Wilton.

 

[gman007]

Picked up this Wilton Bullet 101020 3.5" stamped 1/74. Gave it a new lease on life. I picked up the stand the same day, but it wasn't mounted with the vise. Gave it some flair too. Thanks to KMScott for replacement swivel clamps.

Firewire, Looks very nice, well done!

 

[[email protected]]

Does Wilton make T-shirt’s and hats ? Wouldn’t it be awesome if they did?


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[[email protected]]

Where are bessey vises made ?


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[CRSINMICH]

General Vise Information​

Here's a page from an 1895 Chas. Strellinger (Detroit) hardware catalog. It's good information but look at the paragraph that is highlighted. Even as early as 1895, Parker had 34 styles of vises in over 100 sizes. Good luck and good hunting to all you Parker collectors. (Catalog page from Twertsy's site)

 

[gman007]

General Vise Information​

Here's a page from an 1895 Chas. Strellinger (Detroit) hardware catalog. It's good information but look at the paragraph that is highlighted. Even by 1895 Parker had 34 styles of vises in over 100 sizes. Good luck to all you Parker collectors. (Catalog page from Twertsy's site)

CRS; Thank you for posting this, I honestly found this very fascinating in several respects.

First of all your point regarding how prolific Parker was, is well taken.

Beyond that in general given the amazing age of such documents, the content for most part could have been written just yesterday. And furthermore the points they make could be relevant today!

For example I love the first paragraph where it states "The man who wouldn't look at a Milling Cutter that didn't have Brown & Sharpe stamped on it, or hardly any tool that was not of standard make, will buy the first Vise he comes across if the price is low and if the face of the jaw is of certain width "

Been there and done it. And in fact I kept buying Chinese junk which kept breaking on me, so I kept buying even cheaper ones as I knew they had very limited useful life. That is when like many here finally I had the obvious epiphany to just get an old American vise which give or take a few years, has lasted 100 years and most likely will last at least another 100!

Well the down side was that I got addicted to the American vises and end up with few more than one vise.

For the record, between joe.striper, Drives and I, we have all the 34x100=3400 varieties covered! Drives has ZERO, I have THREE and Joe has the REST!