The VISES of Garage Journal

[Razorhunter]

I'd love to read that thread if you find it gman.

 

[KMScott]

I'd love to read that thread if you find it gman.

That was back when Joe talked me into making one for his Reed 206. It was around 7-2017. I made them tight against each other so the threads do not lock up, that is why Reed created a break joint in the casting.

 

[Razorhunter]

Nice work Mr Scott. I'm glad my collar is good and I'm not having to coax you into making me one also!
On a separate note, I actually tried sending you two private messages this am, neither of which seemed to go through. Tried it from mobile, and also a desktop, but upon hitting SEND, I get redirected back to my Private Messaging inbox.
Would you or anyone have any idea why? Is this forum having issues with sending PM's?

 

[tool_scrounge]

Finally found a real vise for my shop today! It's not in the class of a Reed, Wilton, Starrett, Prentiss, etc but I'm super delighted with it. I did a tad of clean-up this evening for the unveiling. WIthout further ado, drum roll please... Oh wait! It set me back $40.

PS Thanks va and drives for the advice!

PPS Any info on the vise would be appreciated. Like when they were produced?

Mike

Nice vise. I have a similar columbian made Craftsman and it is 1971 vintage. I think that folks prefer the other USA made vises (wilton reed Parker yost) since they are a bit more heavy duty (More iron). But provided you do not use it as an anvil or press you should be fine.

 

[Blazinzuk]

Picked up my first USA made vice.

A Columbian D45. Don't know much about it but I plan on taking it apart, cleaning and painting.

No pics for now but it seems to be in good shape. Best part, it didn't cost me anything but helping a guy out.

 

[Fretters]

Guess I wouldve thought they would've figured out a way around this issue of having to actually break the collar.

It's not an issue, but rather the perfect method. No removal of material, impossible to fit the halves together incorrectly, simple & highly effective etc. Why recreate a method which has no faults.

 

[GETRIDAONE]

Good to know. Thanks.

Anyone recommend a good paint for a paint job?

Rust Oleum or Krylon primer and paint in one is easy. The light machine gray is just to plain for me. I have painted about 75 vises and only one has been light machine gray only because it was a hard to find Dodge slide vise. It's your vise so pick your color and let us see the results when done.

 

[gman007]

Nice work Mr Scott. I'm glad my collar is good and I'm not having to coax you into making me one also!
On a separate note, I actually tried sending you two private messages this am, neither of which seemed to go through. Tried it from mobile, and also a desktop, but upon hitting SEND, I get redirected back to my Private Messaging inbox.
Would you or anyone have any idea why? Is this forum having issues with sending PM's?

Razor

I send you a Test PM and another Test one to myself. The behavior you see is normal and message should have been sent. If you are interested in vise parts, I believe you can also contact Dr Scott through the info on his business website's contact page

http://www.benchvisejaws.com/contact-us/

 

[gman007]

It's not an issue, but rather the perfect method. No removal of material, impossible to fit the halves together incorrectly, simple & highly effective etc. Why recreate a method which has no faults.

Fret Now I am confused, from early age we are taught "If it ain't broke, don't fix it", but in reference to broken collar are you now saying "If it IS broke, don't fix it"?

 

[KMScott]

Nice work Mr Scott. I'm glad my collar is good and I'm not having to coax you into making me one also!
On a separate note, I actually tried sending you two private messages this am, neither of which seemed to go through. Tried it from mobile, and also a desktop, but upon hitting SEND, I get redirected back to my Private Messaging inbox.
Would you or anyone have any idea why? Is this forum having issues with sending PM's?

I got your PM's and returned a message to you. I mentioned that you should call me since my arthritis fingers were not in the mood to write answers to all your questions. Check your PM page. I do not think you understand what you are looking for in your swivel base. You also need a shoulder bolt, two cat paw swivel grips and two swivel clamps with the sliding handles. The swivel bofy has a 45 degree angle cut to match your Static, look at your vise and you will see what I mean. I added a picture of what you are looking for. Good luck and give me a jingle today if you want. Kevin

 

[twertsy]

Picked this swivel jaw rotating base Reed 405 up for 3 bills today. Good deal?

Sent from my VS990 using Tapatalk

 

[Elsinore13]

Any idea what kind of vise this is? Pic from gun show in Germany.

 

[ROCKNMUD]

I could use some help figuring out who made this.
They are asking $300. Thanks!

 

[drivesitfar]

Twertsy: your Reed 405 is a great vise. you didn't steal it, but it's a worth every penny of what you paid for it especially if you didn't have to work too hard to get the swivel pin and swivel jaw moving cause some members spend weeks of their time doing just that. WELL DONE!!

Elsinor: more than likely if it's in Germany it's a Leinen which is one of my favorite European vices. or it could maybe be a FPU Bison Polish made vice that are also one of my other favorites.

Rock: it's hard for my old eyes to make out the #'s on the side of that quality old and looks like a BIG UN swivel jaw vise. with the jaws and handle i'd say it's a American Scale, but it could be a Morgan. either are quality vises so best of luck bringing that big guy home. i'm guessing it weighs about 150 pounds so you might want to see if you can pull out the dynamic jaw to carry it home in two pieces. also while you have it apart it's a good time to check out the insides before you give the seller his cash.

good luck

 

[exmaxima1]

Finally found a real vise for my shop today! It's not in the class of a Reed, Wilton, Starrett, Prentiss, etc but I'm super delighted with it.

I've owned a few Columbians of that era, and think they are very good vises. Yours will be "unbreakable" ductile iron and the jaws will have a tight fit. I'd take that vise over any Prentiss, as it has better machining and stronger parts. In fact, I'd take it over most older Reeds that don't have replaceable jaws. You did well.

 

[drivesitfar]

007: just a little CORRECTION!! I never said Columbian didn't make a good old vise cause they did make GREAT VISES especially prior to WWII. SAME statement holds true with PARKER VISES. what you might have heard is that I DON'T LIKE THEM AS WELL to buy cause they don't have the LOOK I like. I probably own a few of each, but I usually pick them up if I think i can pass them on to another member that needs a vise or likes them better than I do.

even Columbian vises made after WWII in Japan are good vises and their ones made in the USA like Tex just bought are even better, but I still like my Rock Island, Reed, Athol, Starrett, Leinen, FPU, Records and about 20 or 50 other brands better.

OK?

 

[Razorhunter]

Thanks for the help with private messaging gentlemen. I have received both messages. What threw me off is any messages I send FAIL to show in the sent folder, and there is zero confirmation given when you actually do send out a PM. They are going through though.

 

[drivesitfar]

RAZOR: you can go in your GJ profile and set up to be notified by email when you get a PM and mine is working ok while GJ is going through this chang over. also since you might like to read long threads like this one GJ set up an option to view 100 posts at a time instead of the 10, 20 and 40 we only had in the past.

on your jaw fix i've heard Nickle is the welding material that might work, but since i don't weld much or at all yet i'm not sure what brand or # of your rod. also some guys have cut in a steel bar to weld those broken jaws tower supports back together. i suppose if you or a friend can braze that might be another option, but heating up the cast before and putting it in sand, heated oven or BBQ and lowering temps or wrapping it in blankets for slow cooling is necessary.

good luck

 

[gman007]

007: just a little CORRECTION!! I never said Columbian didn't make a good old vise cause they did make GREAT VISES especially prior to WWII. SAME statement holds true with PARKER VISES. what you might have heard is that I DON'T LIKE THEM AS WELL to buy cause they don't have the LOOK I like. I probably own a few of each, but I usually pick them up if I think i can pass them on to another member that needs a vise or likes them better than I do.

even Columbian vises made after WWII in Japan are good vises and their ones made in the USA like Tex just bought are even better, but I still like my Rock Island, Reed, Athol, Starrett, Leinen, FPU, Records and about 20 or 50 other brands better.

OK?

Drives Sorry for confusion but I did not meant to imply that you did not like Columbian or that you think they are not any good but rather despite being good they do not get as much attention and love as others

 

[Fretters]

Fret Now I am confused, from early age we are taught "If it ain't broke, don't fix it", but in reference to broken collar are you now saying "If it IS broke, don't fix it"?

Yup. On that note, I once saw a lathe on Ebay where the seller had "repaired" the broken collar for the tailstock, and proudly stated so in his advert. The penny obviously hadn't dropped that he'd now made it impossible to remove that collar from the handwheel without cutting or breaking it, again, as originally designed.

 

[gman007]

Picked this swivel jaw rotating base Reed 405 up for 3 bills today. Good deal?

Twertsy Nice find! For as old as it is, except for possibly the handle bar, it is in near mint condition. Even the serration on the jaws are great and letters are sharp and crisp, swivel jaw and pin are not ceased.

While at $300 this might not be the deal of century, personally I would pay that amount for this vise any day.

 

[va.grouseman]

Fret Now I am confused, from early age we are taught "If it ain't broke, don't fix it", but in reference to broken collar are you now saying "If it IS broke, don't fix it"?

That's a good one.

 

[txlonghorn1989]

I've owned a few Columbians of that era, and think they are very good vises. Yours will be "unbreakable" ductile iron and the jaws will have a tight fit. I'd take that vise over any Prentiss, as it has better machining and stronger parts. In fact, I'd take it over most older Reeds that don't have replaceable jaws. You did well.

007: just a little CORRECTION!! I never said Columbian didn't make a good old vise cause they did make GREAT VISES especially prior to WWII. SAME statement holds true with PARKER VISES. what you might have heard is that I DON'T LIKE THEM AS WELL to buy cause they don't have the LOOK I like. I probably own a few of each, but I usually pick them up if I think i can pass them on to another member that needs a vise or likes them better than I do.

even Columbian vises made after WWII in Japan are good vises and their ones made in the USA like Tex just bought are even better, but I still like my Rock Island, Reed, Athol, Starrett, Leinen, FPU, Records and about 20 or 50 other brands better.

OK?

Thanks guys! Does anyone have an idea when these were produced by Columbian?

 

[drivesitfar]

TEX: until somebody shows up or you find the Craftsman catalog threads (take a look for them and I think Outlaw's was the most complete one) i'd guess your old Columbian is late 60's and maybe early 70's.

ALL: one of our members actually cast a split nut and broke it nicely in his press to replace the broken one on his Reed 4c a few years ago and it worked great as far as i heard.

Fretters: did you give the guy a call or see his fix in person to tell him or just smile when you saw it? i agree if it's broke and working as it was designed sometimes fixing it might not be the best.

 

[va.grouseman]

You did OK Twerst.---That's a good looking Reed.---Good sharp corners, no visible abuse.---A five incher ain't no slouch.---Notice the tight tolerances on their machine work.---Looks like KMS machined it, doesn't it.---I always say that Reed gave more attention to their machine work than any other brand except maybe Starrett, and I'd hate to live on the difference.---Reed's parts fit together like OJ's glove.

 

[Outlawmws]

Nice work Mr Scott. I'm glad my collar is good and I'm not having to coax you into making me one also!
On a separate note, I actually tried sending you two private messages this am, neither of which seemed to go through. Tried it from mobile, and also a desktop, but upon hitting SEND, I get redirected back to my Private Messaging inbox.
Would you or anyone have any idea why? Is this forum having issues with sending PM's?

Once sent it does drop you into your incoming folder. Sent messages are in a separate folder. Go look

Also just sent you a test message.

 

[rusty65]

Here is a rare one it’s the smallest rock island auto swivel they made and one of the vises I hope to find someday. 1 1/2 in jaws and 3 pounds. This is the only one I’ve ever seen if any one has seen another it would encourage me for my search.

 

[CRSINMICH]

tx: 1974 Columbian ad

 

[BeardedOne]

Picked up my first USA made vice.

A Columbian D45. Don't know much about it but I plan on taking it apart, cleaning and painting.

No pics for now but it seems to be in good shape. Best part, it didn't cost me anything but helping a guy out.

Pretty cool Blazinuk. Finding a D45-M4 is on my wish list this year and enjoy the project!

 

[Razorhunter]

Once sent it does drop you into your incoming folder. Sent messages are in a separate folder. Go look

Also just sent you a test message.

PM's can be sent and received. They still do not show in my sent folder however. Sent folder just shows as empty.

 

[CRSINMICH]

COLUMBIAN REFERENCE CHART​

I've posted this before but there have been a lot posts about Columbians lately so here it is again.

 

[gman007]

COLUMBIAN REFERENCE CHART​

I've posted this before but there have been a lot posts about Columbians lately so here it is again.

CRS Thanks for great charts man, as usual they are very useful. I saved both the ones that you posted today.
Cheers

 

[gman007]

PM's can be sent and received. They still do not show in my sent folder however. Sent folder just shows as empty.

Razor When I send you the Test pm this morning, I noticed the same thing. In fact out of all the messages that I have ever send I see a single one (and that is like from last July). So while PM send and receive works, at least for some of us the send folder is not showing the send messages. So while this is by no means a show stopper for the PMs, it would be nice to see the send messages!

Perhaps GJ is already aware of the issue and if not may be one of the moderators will see our posts and let GJ admin know.

 

[va.grouseman]

Well fellows, made up mind I was going to snag that Rotating Pittsburg.---Going to do some serious snipeing today.---But if by chance I did get out sniped, I go to plan B.---Going to buy me one of those Bugatti's.---So I went to the bank to draw out all of my MAD MONEY and told the teller, I want it all.---She gave me everything in the account and I blew it all in one pop.---Got this Aluminum Speedmaster.---$9.99 and $10.69 to ship it.

 

[Razorhunter]

Thanks for the update gman. Glad to see I'm not the only one experiencing this issue. Now, if only I could post pics that come out vertical and not canted! (Without having to preemptively take canted pics with phone turned sideways just for this forum)

 

[gman007]

Well fellows, made up mind I was going to snag that Rotating Pittsburg.---Going to do some serious sniping today.---But if by chance I did get out sniped, I go to plan B.---Going to buy me one of those Bugatti's.---So I went to the bank to draw out all of my MAD MONEY and told the teller, I want it all.---She gave me everything in the account and I blew it all in one pop.---Got this Aluminum Speedmaster.---$9.99 and $10.69 to ship it.

VA For 9.99 plus shipping and handling, you can't go wrong (but why does this sound like an infomercial and wait, that is not all, you will also get a second one for free )

As for draining your bank account, what on earth made you do a crazy thing like this man???? What about your retirement and your kids college expenses ?? Does your wife know your viCe has finally ruined the family finances?? and you had to blow it ALL on an Aluminum Speedmaster

 

[lis2323]

I was given a Rock Island 851 in exchange for some work I did. It is in excellent shape, except for one major problem: it is missing the main bolt that it swivels on. If anyone knows where I can get a replacement, I would appreciate any information.

Sent from my Pixel XL using Tapatalk

 

[geojag]

Previous post was mine, not sure how I posted without being logged in but apparently I did.

I was given a Rock Island 851 in exchange for some work I did. It is in excellent shape, except for one major problem: it is missing the main bolt that it swivels on. If anyone knows where I can get a replacement, I would appreciate any information.

 

[txlonghorn1989]

tx: 1974 Columbian ad

Don't know why but I was feeling a '70s vibe from that vise. Very cool! Thanks CRS!

 

[va.grouseman]

Well Gman, It was my Mad Money Account that I thought would be fat and sassy by now.---So I bought everything it would afford.---Even had enough left over to get me a couple of jaw-breakers.---Pears like I set the bar about $3000.00 to high when I woke up this morning.