The VISES of Garage Journal

[Indexmill]

Hi Kevin,

I want to buy a set of serrated jaws from you for my Wilton Tradesman 1745. But, I cannot find them on your website(s). Can you please provide the link to the correct set?

Thank you, Indexmill.

 

[Outlawmws]

I was thinking of raising my prices on 8+ jaws Joe. They are hard to make.

On another not, I have sold more then 6,000 jaws

Unbelievable Dr. Scott! I'm MORE than impressed with those numbers!

 

[KMScott]

Unbelievable Dr. Scott! I'm MORE than impressed with those numbers!

Outlaw, my biggest customers are buisness's not collectors or garage owners. Some of these company's have rows of old vises like Starretts, Prentiss's and Reeds that are still good vises but have very worn out jaws. Once the bean counters get involved they look at the new vises and search the web where they find me. Believe me when I say that I am not getting rich building jaws, just biding my time before retiring.

 

[BeardedOne]

Thanks topp64. I'll read thru that thread.

Edit: Read thru the thread. Good info. Sad that the dang PB debacle doesn't allow all the pics to be viewed. First and most importantly was the "Parts of a bench vise". But I think I got it figured out from other places and videos.

Depending on what browser you're using, there might be a hotlink fix written by someone to make those PB pictures viewable again.

I am using Chrome and there are a couple that attach themselves to the browser and will show the pictures.

I've tried a few different ones and some of them make the browser slower, but you'll gain all the information that has historically been available.

Hope this helps!

 

[gman007]

I was thinking of raising my prices on 8+ jaws Joe. They are hard to make.

On another not, I have sold more then 6,000 jaws and this is the first set broken. Guy said he was clamping on a pipe and they shattered. Just a note about Prentiss jaws, they were not very accurate back in the day and many of my Prentiss jaws need adjusting, this guy missed my comment on Prentiss jaws and just threw them on. Most Prentiss jaws are built to nominal numbers like a 1/4" deep channel and 3/4 wide but I have seen Prentiss vises that are built to a 1/64th out of tolerance, they must have adjusted the jaws at the factory since original Prentiss jaws are hard too. To guys like me that is a bunch. (.015) when you have a gap and clamp a pipe or something round that puts pressure on jaw surface's and my stuff is hard. Max fitting should be .005 on the depths. The guy is pissed and said a few words that should not have been said. OK, I got that off my chest.

Dr Scott I keep looking at these photos and something seems amiss and I have a feeling your customer is not up-and-up with you and he is not telling the whole story.

But before we get to that point, even assuming that there was a defect in the steel, this would make the failure rate for your jaw inserts 0.017%! I challenge any product of any kind to have that kind of exceptionally low failure rate but I believe your jaws have 0% failure rate for reasons below.

Now if he claims he was clamping a pipe, if the pipe was being horizontally clamped then all the force would be applied to the center of the face of the jaws and not top edges where it is broken. If the pipe was being clamped in vertical position (which would be kind of odd thing to do) then again most of the force would be on the main face area (bigger contact surface) and even assuming that because of the tolerance issue and gap behind the top edge, then if the edges were to deflect back even the slightest, then all the force will be on the main jaw face. So again it make no sense for the top edge to break.

Even if one assumes that say the pipe was horizontally clamped by only the jaw edges area so that top half of the pipe was above jaw edges, then why is the failure not uniform across the edge and only on one side and also why is the failure simultaneous and on both sides symmetrical. The chances that the forces on both sides were so even and the jaws were so identical and the tolerance gap behind each edge was so identical to cause both sides simultaneously, instantaneously and symmetrically give is phenomenally low.

I bet if one tried an experiment 1000 times to achieve such a symmetrical break, one side or other would give before the other and when it does the other side will be fine as pressure is already released. So I have a feeling what this guy says is dubious and regardless to throw a tantrum and have an attitude is uncalled for in the first place.

 

[KMScott]

007, you are right but still if you install the jaws correctly and have the jaws totally backed up by the vise casting then clamping just about anything would not break the jaws. I noticed the casting is pretty rough n the top edge, looks like they did not even clean the vise let alone run a file or stone across the faces. It is hard to say what they was doing, he wrote back and said they was clamping SS bar. ???
Thanks for your posting and it is a great thought that honestly I did not think about.

 

[hitthewall79]

Alright guys, so I really need your help on this one, I'm going to a huge auction tomorrow, and I've been trying to research prices so I don't overpay, these are the following vises that I can't seem to find any information on, I even looked in the vise excel sheet, and these vises aren't even in there. So any guess on price from you guys would be highly highly appreciated.
Pic 1. Athol 83
Pic 2. Wards v115/v114
Pic 3. Rock island 502a
Pic 4. Rock island 122/121

Sent from my SM-G955U using Tapatalk

 

[txlonghorn1989]

Depending on what browser you're using, there might be a hotlink fix written by someone to make those PB pictures viewable again.

I am using Chrome and there are a couple that attach themselves to the browser and will show the pictures.

I've tried a few different ones and some of them make the browser slower, but you'll gain all the information that has historically been available.

Hope this helps!

I've heard something about that but I'm not going to install something like that because of PB pics.

There's the old adage...if it seems to good to be true it probably is. Do you think people REALLY thought they'd have unlimited storage in the cloud (or PB) for free forever?

Just one of the reasons why I've never stored anything in the cloud. Sure is convenient. Until it isn't.

Thanks though BeardedOne.

 

[drivesitfar]

Hit: none of those 4 vises are very valuable. i'd consider maybe paying a little more for the last Rock Island with the unique swivel base, but it looks like it's missing part of it's jaw. the Athol is missing it's parts that go on the screw below to attach it to the bench and the dynamic jaw looks pretty awful. the other two open screw vises are probably never going to be worth much, but if i didn't own a vise that little Rock Island would work pretty good for light duty stuff. unless there are other things at that auction i'd spend the time getting my truck or car fixed like you were talking about and keep finding big old Reeds and keep looking.

Tex: isn't that the truth. I stopped using Photobucket just before i joined here cause the signs were heading the wrong direction and i'm glad i just posted pictures on GJ. I'm still leary of the CLOUD or ICloud and haven't quite bitten that bug yet for 200 Gigs for $3.99 per month cause what happens when i have a bunch of stuff on there and they up the price or even worse lose it. i had to laugh yesterday when an IT guy i know gave me the 411 on my new Iphone 8+ cause the i'm having issues with the pictures being upside down. I asked how Apple was using the Cloud and he said it was actually called ICloud and 20 years ago it was called THE INTERNET.

cheers and stay cautious I think is a good idea!!

 

[KMScott]

Hitthewall, I would be all over that Rock island 122/121, it is a fairly rare vise and I believe the swivel locks up when you tighten on your work piece. I need to add these to the sheet.

 

[E.E.]

 

[Fierljeppen]

Pic 1. Athol 83
Sent from my SM-G955U using Tapatalk

Hitthewall79...I'm a sucker for old Athol's. Pic #1 looks promising. It's missing the wrench and bottom support plate, but that's not critical for me. I'd date that vise anywhere from 1880's to 1910.

Check out the attachment for the specs on that vise. I couldn't value it without seeing the actual condition in person.

 

[E.E.]

I picked up this beautiful Wilton at a garage sale along with a bench grinder of about the same vintage. Price for both was $35 This was around 15 years ago--I always knew it was special, just because it was such a pleasure to work with and so beefy and overbuilt. It was only recently that I realized they were so collectable.

 

[gman007]

I picked up this beautiful Wilton at a garage sale along with a bench grinder of about the same vintage. Price for both was $35 This was around 15 years ago--I always knew it was special, just because it was such a pleasure to work with and so beefy and overbuilt. It was only recently that I realized they were so collectable.

E.E. That is indeed a nice one and you got it at the right time for peanuts. I came to this vise party very late (story of my life) and boat had long back sailed.

I have a feeling that while the success of this vise and other GJ threads has been great in awaking interest and awareness of old quality tools such as vises etc, it also has been like a double edge sword in that it has also pushed up prices (and sometimes frankly IMHO to ridiculous levels) which is not a good thing for us. And just to contradict myself in the same sentence the high prices do have a positive side effect in that people will preserve and nurture these old tools because they are now valuable!

 

[RG Rude]

And then weld/fill in the removed area with 1" steel tread plate or catwalk material.



You would return the base to its original stability whilst making it look pretty cool. IMO of course.[/QUOTE]

Neat idea.

 

[E.E.]

E.E. That is indeed a nice one and you got it at the right time for peanuts. I came to this vise party very late (story of my life) and boat had long back sailed.

I have a feeling that while the success of this vise and other GJ threads has been great in awaking interest and awareness of old quality tools such as vises etc, it also has been like a double edge sword in that it has also pushed up prices (and sometimes frankly IMHO to ridiculous levels) which is not a good thing for us. And just to contradict myself in the same sentence the high prices do have a positive side effect in that people will preserve and nurture these old tools because they are now valuable!

Yeah, recently I looked up the price of a new Wilton, just for laughs, and wow, they are expensive. I bought it because I needed a vise and it looked like a good one. Over the years I've come to appreciate just how good it really is.

 

[va.grouseman]

Here's a right nice rotating head vise.---Looks to be an Oswego Sawyer but doesn't say so.---It's a small one so it really doesn't have to say anything.---Small is in.---Think I'm going to jump on at about $290.00 and ride it to about $460.00, then bail.---Don't want to get it dumped on me at those big numbers, but it's been raining here and I got the cabin fever, just wanted to take a little ride.


https://www.ebay.com/itm/INT-Baby-C...e=STRK:MEBIDX:IT&_trksid=p2055119.m1438.l2649

 

[Fierljeppen]

E.E.
I have a feeling that while the success of this vise and other GJ threads has been great in awaking interest and awareness of old quality tools such as vises etc, it also has been like a double edge sword in that it has also pushed up prices (and sometimes frankly IMHO to ridiculous levels) which is not a good thing for us. And just to contradict myself in the same sentence the high prices do have a positive side effect in that people will preserve and nurture these old tools because they are now valuable!

+1

 

[gman007]

Good morning all
I am curious about this funky Columbian. I am not sure if this is a redneck ingenuity contraption or did Columbian ever produce "Hydraulic foot controlled" vises.

The vise itself is a bit peculiar too! Did someone neatly cut off part of the static jaw housing at 45 degree angle (can see only one side) and why or is the original design and why? It seems to have fixed jaw inserts which is not usual for Columbians and very small dynamic jaws support shelf. And it is not clear to me how does the hydraulic operate the vise (how would the Hydraulic rotate the screw, etc?).

 

[trijeff]

Looks factory. Also looks like a ******.

 

[6pony6]

Can anyone tell by this picture if this vise is a real Bison or a copy?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[va.grouseman]

Gman, here's a 608 Columbian HYDRAULIC vise, but it may have been converted.---The whole story, on page 117, from post 2323, to post 2334.

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/picture.php?albumid=1201&pictureid=9956


http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/picture.php?albumid=1201&pictureid=9959


http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/picture.php?albumid=1201&pictureid=9960


http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/picture.php?albumid=1201&pictureid=9961

 

[zendriver]

Someday, I'll have the time to mount this to my workbench.




Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[lis2323]

007: my guess is the threaded piece is for an adjustable stop for the jaw "open" width. Maybe for repeatable work?

Since the jaw had to be closed with tedious foot pumping action, the adjustable screw stop would limit opening the dynamic any more than necessary.

 

[Fretters]

Can anyone tell by this picture if this vise is a real Bison or a copy?

It's real, else an excellent fake.

 

[Bcom]

Alright guys, so I really need your help on this one, I'm going to a huge auction tomorrow, and I've been trying to research prices so I don't overpay, these are the following vises that I can't seem to find any information on, I even looked in the vise excel sheet, and these vises aren't even in there. So any guess on price from you guys would be highly highly appreciated.
Pic 1. Athol 83
Pic 2. Wards v115/v114
Pic 3. Rock island 502a
Pic 4. Rock island 122/121

Sent from my SM-G955U using Tapatalk

Oh WOW ! That's one of those Rock Island vises that the swivel tightens up the same time you are tightening down on your workpiece. Very very cool! One of those was just posted in our Facebook group and it was fully restored. What on exceptionally cool vise! Id love to have that Rock 122.

 

[Bcom]

Im gonna have to find out where Hitthewall lives so i can steal that 122 Rock Island from him!

 

[drivesitfar]

EE: welcome to the forum and you had a good thought years ago when you bought that old Wilton bullet.

Fier: I agree 100% with you and 007's words. a few years ago several members would ARGUE that they should be able to use AN OLD USA MADE PRE WWII vise as a press or hammer and beat the **** out of them cause if it broke they'd just go buy another one for $10 to $40. I for one am damn happy the prices went up and not just because i own more than a few extra ones.

6Pony: i'd probably buy it cause I like FPU vices, but I think Mark of Indiana mentioned a while back that there was a nice knock off made in Taiwan of that style where the dynamic jaw moves unlike the other style where the static jaw moves backwards.

007: while that old Columbian is UNIQUE it sure looks cheesy with that bolt on open threads coming out the back of it.

 

[gman007]

VA and Liz

Thanks for the info/links/comments and input.

Drives
I agree with you, even though the jaws look hefty (specially for a 4" vise) the rest of the vise looks rather cheesy and honestly I still can not make head or tails of how the mechanism is supposed to work.

TJ Thanks to you, I have now added a new adjective for a vise to my vise dictionary. In the past I have referred to vises as ruggedly handsome, I guess we needed an opposite adjective . Thanks for the laughs. By the way the seller is asking $300 for the said ******.

 

[KMScott]

Can anyone tell by this picture if this vise is a real Bison or a copy?

The 150 means MM. Converts to 5.900" It looks like a pretty well built vise, Canadian, German? It is hard to say but worth a look at. The slide and Static has a dovetail and that resinates quality. not crazy on how they attached the handles, just pinching the handle stock is uncomfortable to use. Post more pic's if you can.

 

[gman007]

Oh WOW ! That's one of those Rock Island vises that the swivel tightens up the same time you are tightening down on your workpiece. Very very cool! One of those was just posted in our Facebook group and it was fully restored. What on exceptionally cool vise! Id love to have that Rock 122.

Bcom Something is puzzling about this locking concept! Personally many times as I work on a piece and want to access it from another angle, I simply rotate the vise (with piece still locked in the jaws) using the swivel mechanism (by loosening and tightening the swivel lock). Which at least in my books is one of the main advantages of the swivel base.

With this mechanism the only way to rotate the vise is to loosen the piece, and possible removed it so that it will not fall off, then rotate the vise and then put the piece back between the jaws and tightening down. Why would one need a swivel base if one is to take the piece in and out of the vise (or at the very least loosen and tighten the piece) every time one needs to access the piece from a different angle. The desired action can be achieved by taking the piece out and clamping at a different angle in static base vise too!

 

[AngryBeaver]

Haven’t been around much. Been stuck in Minneapolis since January 2nd working the super bowl. Was able to find a C3 and pick it up in Illinois on my way home. She needs a little love but should turn out just fine after I get some jaws from the master. No normal person needs a vise this size. But it will make a good large vise in my fab shop with my family of wiltons. Blue one is a c2 for size reference

 

[Fretters]

The 150 means MM. Converts to 5.900" It looks like a pretty well built vise, Canadian, German? It is hard to say but worth a look at. The slide and Static has a dovetail and that resinates quality. not crazy on how they attached the handles, just pinching the handle stock is uncomfortable to use. Post more pic's if you can.

Polish, I believe. The slide isn't dovetailed on that model of vice. It's just of standard vice design. They are quite nice vices.

 

[va.grouseman]

Angry, every normal person needs a vise that big.---JMO

 

[gman007]

Haven’t been around much. Been stuck in Minneapolis since January 2nd working the super bowl. Was able to find a C3 and pick it up in Illinois on my way home. She needs a little love but should turn out just fine after I get some jaws from the master. No normal person needs a vise this size. But it will make a good large vise in my fab shop with my family of wiltons. Blue one is a c2 for size reference

AB Welcome back. That is one heck of nice Wilton collection you have! And congrats on the C3 acquisition. There was an old American Express commercial with the punch line “don’t leave home without it” , well in your case it should say “C3 , no home should be without it”

As for the super ball, did you have to work during the game or did you get chance to see it?

 

[jpickar]

Haven’t been around much. Been stuck in Minneapolis since January 2nd working the super bowl. Was able to find a C3 and pick it up in Illinois on my way home. She needs a little love but should turn out just fine after I get some jaws from the master. No normal person needs a vise this size. But it will make a good large vise in my fab shop with my family of wiltons. Blue one is a c2 for size reference

I agree with you. No "normal" person needs a C3. So I sold my C3 and bought a C2! LOL But who on this thread is "normal"?

 

[Bill Vise]

Can anyone help me determine the year this Parker 229X was made? I think it was after 1910 and before 1920.

 

[red94chev]

Anyone know what this little baby vise is? My grandfather gave it to me today and he wasn't sure exactly what it is. It has "No 3" marked on it.

Sent from my Pixel XL using Tapatalk

 

[jpickar]

Anyone know what this little baby vise is? My grandfather gave it to me today and he wasn't sure exactly what it is. It has "No 3" marked on it.

Sent from my Pixel XL using Tapatalk

I don't know what it was made for, but I use mine to do gun smithing work.

 

[hitthewall79]

Huge haul today at the auction, yes, the wilton gets to ride in the cab, while everyone else sits in the back

Sent from my SM-G955U using Tapatalk