The VISES of Garage Journal

[va.grouseman]

They are not rare Drive.---I have 5 of the Quickcets and one of the military style without the quickcet mechanism.---There are 8 on EBay right now.---I pick them up when they are on the cheap, like $15.00, but I have seen some sellers price them as high as $129.00.---I really like them because they work smooth and are heavy duty clamps.---Wheather they are still made, I don't know.


Same company that made the Grand Vise Master.


https://www.google.com/imgres?imgur...c_ZAhWOdN8KHRDlB0YQMwhAKAMwAw&iact=mrc&uact=8

https://www.google.com/imgres?imgur...c_ZAhWOdN8KHRDlB0YQMwg-KAEwAQ&iact=mrc&uact=8

 

[drivesitfar]

VA: thanks and since they might fit in a flat rate box maybe we can make a trade since you have more than you need? not sure i have anything you NEED, but i might have something I don't need that you'd like.

ALL: here's a Grand quick release clamp that I really like and not sure why other clamp makers didn't make this style cause i don't recall any of my other few hundred clamps having this option.

 

[va.grouseman]

Drive, here's another Grand Clamp I got off EBay.---Kind of an odd style.---Has a quickset mechanism.

 

[tool_scrounge]

Just picked up a Polish Turtleback. A 100mm FPU vise. On top of that, beautiful day for a 200 mile road trip. This one has a date code on the front jaw of March, 1975. Ive never seen a FPU with a date code.

Nice vise!


Oddly, i see most of them with dates stamped on the front jaw.

 

[454ragtop]

While we're on the subject of Grand clamps, here's another you may not have seen before. I have some like Drives and VA show as well, and had to grab this one when it turned up for cheap at a tiny swap meet.

Now back to our regularly scheduled vises..........

 

[va.grouseman]

454, these are regularly scheduled vises.---Hybrids of a sort.

 

[drivesitfar]

454: I have to agree with VA that these old Grand clamps are a lot more interesting than talking about a regular vise we've seen hundreds of that a member bought for $4.

i don't care how much you spent on yours, but i'd like to own one. is that a regular piece of pipe used for the handle? how long and do you have a full size picture handy?

VA: great looking clamp and another one i've added to my WATCH LIST!!

ALL: any of you that own a Grand quick release clamp on vise ever taken it apart? not that i'm going to today cause it's sunny and i need to catch up on outside stuff, but i'd like to know if there is any tricks or tips about it before i ****** it up as Fretters would say.

 

[454ragtop]

Drives, it a pipe clamp like the more common Pony type, you can substitute whatever length piece of pipe you want to get the clamp size you need. The piece that came with it is about 30" long. Obviously heavier duty and just way cooler than a common pipe clamp though. As for the pics, if you click on them they open bigger, click again and they can be opened even bigger in their own window.

 

[CRSINMICH]

As long as we're expanding the definition of 'vise' - Colt Eccentric Clamp
Although I don't think Colt made proper vises.

 

[Mark in Indiana]

Nice vise!


Oddly, i see most of them with dates stamped on the front jaw.

Thank you for your compliment.

This is the seventh vise I've had that was manufactured by Bison-Bial (FPU, Bison & Rapid). My little 80mm FPU doesn't have a date stamp. However, all of the rest of them have date stamps from the 1970s.
Could Bison-Bial have started date stamping their vises in the 70s?

 

[Outlawmws]

Cool clamps, but just a reminder there is a clamps thread as well!

 

[va.grouseman]

This little Oswego Rotator did fairly well.---I have the 6'' Sawyer Rotator, I' like to have one of those babies to go with it.---But I just can't stand that kind of a jar.


https://www.ebay.com/itm/Antique-Vi...UhqbhfXKy2NoCcDQkkGY8%3D&orig_cvip=true&rt=nc

 

[drivesitfar]

VA: so the smallest made in USA pre Chinese Wonder Vise is worth more than most big ones?

if you have a minute to post up your Grand clamp on the Clamps 101 thread here's the link:

https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=293054&highlight=Clamps+101

CRS: if you want to post your cool one over there too that would be great.

454: I did click on the picture twice and the end of the pipe is cut off in the picture so i couldn't tell what was on that end if anything. please post that cool clamp over on the 101 thread if you have time cause i'm not sure i've seen that one before.

All: anybody find a good vise today cause I was looking and all I saw were a few common ones locally?

 

[damon18]

Damon I am not sure what do you mean by " Is there a front and back", the back and front are obviously different. Are you asking if the two pipe jaws are interchangeable?

Yes, I meant if both pipe jaws are the same.

As far I know the no 14 has 3 1/2" jaws (if you want to I can measure mine and let you know for sure).

I finally got around to measuring mine and the it is 5 5/8" wide, so they must have made the Model 14 style in other sizes. See new pictures, the smaller vise is a Sears 391.5178 with 3 1/2 inch jaws. The little anvil I found is interesting too, think it's also from Sears.

So I'm assuming that since mine is so much bigger than the 3 1/2 inch versions that the pipe jaws would be different also?

At least the size makes the Shop King a little more interesting, but maybe harder to get parts to restore.

 

[gman007]

Yes, I meant if both pipe jaws are the same.

I finally got around to measuring mine and the it is 5 5/8" wide, so they must have made the Model 14 style in other sizes. See new pictures, the smaller vise is a Sears 391.5178 with 3 1/2 inch jaws. The little anvil I found is interesting too, think it's also from Sears.

So I'm assuming that since mine is so much bigger than the 3 1/2 inch versions that the pipe jaws would be different also?

At least the size makes the Shop King a little more interesting, but maybe harder to get parts to restore.

Damon:
Drives correctly pointed out that 14 is in fact the old Chicago zip code and not model number!

As for size of the pipe jaws I would imagine that since the screw on larger shop Kings would have greater diameter and hence the pipe jaws would have to be bigger too!

 

[damon18]

FINALLY took the opportunity this week to restore my own personal 3.5" Sears Craftsman 5178 vise that I have had since I was a kid. it's been on the opposite side of my workbench for the last couple of years, and now it matches my 4.5" Shop King in Hazet teal.

ApexSpeed Great Job! ( i know your post is from 2015 but hope you see this) Interesting coincidence that I have the same two vises, both belonged to my Father. I'd like to do the same thing to them. (maybe not the color )

My Shop King 14 is bigger, 5 5/8 inch across the jaws and the 5178 may be newer than yours. What do you think?

 

[va.grouseman]

Drive, thanks for the link.---I looked for it, but didn't know what to look for.

 

[chrisnazzy]

Check out this Prentiss 19 1/2 for $275 with a massive weld around the whole dynamic. Not that I haven't seen this before, but this seller really takes the cake in my mind. Asking about double what a good price would be for a good condition example of this vise. Even points out how beautiful, rare and in excellent working condition it is and touts how happy you will be with this antique vise.

So partially for the fun of it and partially because I thought maybe just maybe the seller is naive and didn't notice the repair, I messaged them. Simply pointed out the repair, advised value is really only for spare parts and warned that they are really leaving themselves wide open for a "not as described" claim. Told them that if that happened they would end up eating shipping both ways if they wanted the vise back. Even told them there might be someone out there who would buy it just to file this claim with the hopes of getting it free if they didn't want to pay the shipping back.

Check out the response I got back from them. I know.......should have just minded my own business.
https://rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0?mpre=https://www.ebay.com/ulk/itm/183106205784



Sent from my SM-G930P using Tapatalk

 

[Outlawmws]

Stupid is as Stupid does...

 

[rusty65]

That seller flat out didn’t respond to me when I told him it was welded. I know you can sell and ask whatever you want but come on the seller should show some respect to the buyers and provide a honest description.


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[Elsinore13]

Found this one today! From the logos cast into the body it looks like this one is a copy of a Wilton cast locally here in Beaumont, Texas by American Flow Control / American Valve and Hydrant for Lamar University also in Beaumont. Would like to find out a little more about it if anyone here has any input. The main body and the inner "nut" don't appear to have ever been drilled for any retainer pins like the Wilton has so the end cap was the only thing in place to keep it all together and opening as you loosen it. I've located a source for replacement end caps so I'll be ordering one up and getting this one cleaned up soon.

Update 3/6/18

Got it all apart, degreased and through the blasting cabinet. Treated the cast pieces to a coat of PPG DP40 epoxy primer and 2 coats of Lamar Cardinal's red urethane. Need to figure out what to do with the unfinished pieces. May zinc those.

Update 3/11/18

I quoted this so it would be seen as updated several pages down the list but wanted to update here also.

All the hardware went into Evaporust overnight to get cleaned up. Cleaned, oiled, greased and back to reassembly. Still may zinc those pieces in the future when I get a batch done for one of my motorcycle resto projects.

Had to get a replacement end cap, cost as much as the vise... No way was I going to paint it, have to show this machined bit off.

 

[Outlawmws]

That's cool! a couple of collage cast "Wilton" have surfaced over the years! I would not mind finding one... (Would LOVE to find a Baby! )

 

[gman007]

That's cool! a couple of collage cast "Wilton" have surfaced over the years! I would not mind finding one... (Would LOVE to find a Baby! )

Outlaw are these technically even legal? I am getting more and more confused as to the value of patents and intellectual rights even in this country! A couple days back I posted photos of Chinese made craftsman copy of Wilton tradesman and now this college copy
And a US college copying others product is even more disturbing and shameful, WTF?????

 

[gman007]

Stupid is as Stupid does...

This personal might or might not be stupid but is definitely a crook and what is driving the responses and behavior is dishonestly and deceit to make a buck probably more than anything else!

 

[Outlawmws]

If the patents have run out, no harm nor foul can be claimed.

Assuming a patent was still in force, and if done not for resale, but for teaching/research, I doubt they even have a case, as it's for "personal use". My understanding is for a patent infringement to be enforced they have to show damage. Where is the damage to Wilton in a teaching/research venue?

 

[Outlawmws]

This personal might or might not be stupid but is definitely a crook and what is driving the responses and behavior is dishonestly and deceit to make a buck probably more than anything else!

Did Forest Gump live in vain?

My quote was in reference to Chris's very thoughtful and well thought out cautions to the seller, who gave a response like he'd not even read the message. That's just stupid.

 

[gman007]

If the patents have run out, no harm nor foul can be claimed.

Assuming a patent was still in force, and if done not for resale, but for teaching/research, I doubt they even have a case, as it's for "personal use". My understanding is for a patent infringement to be enforced they have to show damage. Where is the damage to Wilton in a teaching/research venue?

The damage to Wilton is loss of sale to this college as the college seem to have wanted a Wilton. And would it not be cheaper to buy a Wilton than to reproduce a single or even a few custom casted and machined vise?

 

[Outlawmws]

They are not making these to avoid buying from Wilton. They probably have and do. This has been happening as a teaching exercise for teaching/learning the process. Several of these have come up as I mentioned. In that venue, Wilton has no claim, assuming the school even violated a current patent, which I doubt.

 

[gman007]

Did Forest Gump live in vain?

My quote was in reference to Chris's very thoughtful and well thought out cautions to the seller, who gave a response like he'd not even read the message. That's just stupid.

Sellers response is stupid but is also a response I would expect from a crook who knows but does not give a damn

 

[Bcom]

Found this one today! From the logos cast into the body it looks like this one is a copy of a Wilton cast locally here in Beaumont, Texas by American Flow Control / American Valve and Hydrant for Lamar University also in Beaumont. Would like to find out a little more about it if anyone here has any input. The main body and the inner "nut" don't appear to have ever been drilled for any retainer pins like the Wilton has so the end cap was the only thing in place to keep it all together and opening as you loosen it. I've located a source for replacement end caps so I'll be ordering one up and getting this one cleaned up soon.

Hey guy, I sent you a PM about this vise.

 

[CRSINMICH]

I couldn't resist so I went back to the used tool store that is going out of business. (Very slowly it seems). I was able to get this early Meadville Yost 103 for $40. I was a little puzzled about the lack of a lip on the leading edge of the bottom until I turned it over. There in the center was the threaded hole for the center post but notice that there are three mounting holes too. All appear to be original. The paint color on the underside of the dynamic jaw support is the original light greenish gray or grayish green.

 

[gman007]

I couldn't resist so I went back to the used tool store that is going out of business. (Very slowly it seems). I was able to get this early Meadville Yost 103 for $40. I was a little puzzled about the lack of a lip on the leading edge of the bottom until I turned it over. There in the center was the threaded hole for the center post but notice that there are three mounting holes too. All appear to be original. The paint color on the underside of the dynamic jaw support is the original light greenish gray or grayish green.

CRS That is a very nice find specially for $40! It is kind of sad though to hear such a store is going out of business. Are there any other treasures there that you can rescue?

 

[drivesitfar]

ALL: i'm guessing with all the Wilton vises that Wilton sold to Uncle Sam and the Schools that they were part of the program with all the Wilton vises with school names cast on their sides. i'm not sure to what degree, but there were so many different names on these Wiltons that Wilton had to be involved.

part of the reason Wiltons are in such high demand is the name we all grew up using in our shop classes. they still make a quality product, but from what i've seen in their shipping process on new vises they better get that fixed or Wilton will be another casualty of a failing vise company.

CRS: nice find and didn't you say that that company that is going out of business maybe had their prices too high for sales to happen. I know the cost of doing business is high especially around me with the cost of just rent going to the moon now, but you still need to sell at a decent price even if the new stuff isn't even half the quality or it just won't sell. I personally hate the new generation of items to buy that are not built to last. nice find on the Yost and was it marked up a lot higher originally? maybe the place just had bad marketing or wasn't well known or it was hard to find unless you had a nose for old tools?

ALL: thanks to all of you that reposted your cool clamps over on the clamps 101 thread. there was a question about what VISE GRIPS are? clamp or vise or? well ask FRETTERS and he'll say they are MOLE GRIPS so I guess it just depends where you live and what you have to use doesn't it? I used one of my favorite clamps as sort of a vise to cut some unistrut a few weeks ago cause I didn't have a bench vise free to use.

 

[Outlawmws]

Chris, if you notice, the lip stops so you can still clear the edge of the bench with something long. it stops just short or even with the static jaw face.

 

[CRSINMICH]

CRS That is a very nice find specially for $40! It is kind of sad though to hear such a store is going out of business. Are there any other treasures there that you can rescue?

As a matter of fact there was a 6" Desmond Stephans Simplex 61 P sitting next to a turtleback Emmert Pattern Makers'. Even at their current sale prices they were both still too bucky to consider. You can just see the top of the Emmert behind the DSS in the second picture.

 

[CRSINMICH]

Drives: The place is easy to find. It is also well known - well known for high prices. Anyone who knows about it has the same opinion. Here's an example, remember that immaculate Versa Vise I got a few weeks ago for $25? They have several that have really crappy finishes and they're priced from $185 to $250 - and that's the sale price! Don't even ask about the Shop Kings.

 

[trijeff]

Get out the popcorn boys ... a triple-swiveler Pittsburgh! Never even knew they had the swiveling jaw model.

http://https://www.ebay.com/itm/Rare-Antique-Double-Rotating-Vise-Pittsburgh-Automatic-Tool-Co-1903/372238770804?hash=item56ab28e274:g:b6wAAOSw2ilam1O1

 

[drivesitfar]

CRS: yep the FPU's are worth a lot more than what you paid for it, but their name just doesn't demand the dollars that a Wilton does even though i probably like it more. with all the vises that seem to come out of your area I guess the store thought they were located in SEATTLE where most of the ones i see are MADE IN CHINA lately unless i go in my own garage.

TJ: cool looking vise and FYI your link doesn't work. any more full view pictures of the tiny prentiss sitting on the HUGE ONE?

ALL: my bride hasn't run into my stout shelving unit with about 40 vises on it AND she hasn't said ONE WORD about them being there either so i'm doing something right. i'm doing a few HONEY DO'S which always helps.

hope you are all having a great weekend!!

 

[va.grouseman]

Get out the popcorn boys ... a triple-swiveler Pittsburgh! Never even knew they had the swiveling jaw model.

http://https://www.ebay.com/itm/Rare-Antique-Double-Rotating-Vise-Pittsburgh-Automatic-Tool-Co-1903/372238770804?hash=item56ab28e274:g:b6wAAOSw2ilam1O1

Ain't that something!---Joe ain't going to get his hands on that one on the cheap.---But he'll be in there swinging.---I might take the Hobo Express myself, just for a ways of course.---Hate to get caught with my britches down and have to take out a second mortgage.

That's going to be a wild ride.---We are getting ever closer to finding that 700 pounder.

 

[gman007]

Ain't that something!---Joe ain't going to get his hands on that one on the cheap.---But he'll be in there swinging.---I might take the Hobo Express myself, just for a ways of course.---Hate to get caught with my britches down and have to take out a second mortgage.

That's going to be a wild ride.---We are getting ever closer to finding that 700 pounder.

VA It appears to is a local pickup only (says local pickup from Baden PA). If so, I am not sure how many bidders are there from around Baden PA. So someone who is willing to travel to get it, might snag a good deal!