I've had this in the works for a few weeks, lots of seat time as the dog sled team turned to a dog swim team and that wasn't going to work. So I also snagged 2 drill press vises on my way around the big lake though they were what would be considered local. Been looking for a long time for a heinrich and finally got one! Shame that this 577 is in immaculate shape except for the brute who broke the jaw. I'm wondering if someone didn't drop it and break it because even the jaws are minty. The ugly yellow one is a columbian usa that will be stripped tonight.
The VISES of Garage Journal
- Thread starter mjozefow
- Start date
chrisnazzy
Well-known member
Very nice Rock Island 851. Only the 2nd one I've seen. I have its bigger brother, an 853. 4.5" jaws that open 7" and weighs around 80lbs. Dated Oct. 1958 making it a very late Rock Island. I have been using it alot lately to work on other vises.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.
Sent from my SM-G930P using Tapatalk
Attachments
Bobioz1
Well-known member
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.
It's on eBay right now!
Attachments
va.grouseman
Well-known member
A righteous Rock Island, Chrisnazzy.---If you done the restore, that's tip top my friend.---Beautiful job.---Excellent specimen too.
chrisnazzy
Well-known member
Thank you sir. That means alot coming from you! I got it from a coworker last year. It came with the house he had just purchased and I got it and some vintage Snap-on goodies for only a small donation. I did the full restore although it was minty to begin with. I completed it over several months and put it back together each time so here are some "as found" and "in process" pics.
Sent from my SM-G930P using Tapatalk
Attachments
KMScott
Well-known member
Chris, gotta see more of your 853. Share more pictures if you have the time. Did you restore it? Thanks for sharing.
gman007
Well-known member
Chris Your restorations are always top-notch and you set a very high bar for rest of us
OmG! Who do I have to kill to get this vise?!? Truly awesome!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.
Attachments
So I picked up this Charles Parker 953 today at auction for $25. I want to refinish it and I spent some time today in the shop today using a wire wheel to get rid of the surface rust. For those who are into refinishing how should I repaint it? It looks like the color was dark green with gold lettering.
Any idea how much this is actually worth when refinished? Jaws are parallel, no chips or cracks, no pitting, the spring and ball function still works great and the action is smooth but could use some grease.
Any idea how much this is actually worth when refinished? Jaws are parallel, no chips or cracks, no pitting, the spring and ball function still works great and the action is smooth but could use some grease.
Attachments
Razorhunter
Well-known member
- Joined
- Apr 25, 2013
- Messages
- 393
AMT,
Well I'll tell you like this. I once was into using all the high dollar paints such as Sherwin Williams Polane Plus and all sorts of two-part epoxies and high dollar primers etc, and for machinery like lathes and milling machines, I still use those. However, when it comes to bench vises, I have found that its hard to beat the spray paints like Rustoleum. Especially the hammered finishes. I've recently rediscovered good ol spray paint and have found that IF you prep your surface properly, and remove all rust/grease etc, then wipe good with denatured alcohol, you will have as good a finish as you could possibly want on a vise, without all the hassles that come with other more expensive methods. I cannot stress this enough.
Well I'll tell you like this. I once was into using all the high dollar paints such as Sherwin Williams Polane Plus and all sorts of two-part epoxies and high dollar primers etc, and for machinery like lathes and milling machines, I still use those. However, when it comes to bench vises, I have found that its hard to beat the spray paints like Rustoleum. Especially the hammered finishes. I've recently rediscovered good ol spray paint and have found that IF you prep your surface properly, and remove all rust/grease etc, then wipe good with denatured alcohol, you will have as good a finish as you could possibly want on a vise, without all the hassles that come with other more expensive methods. I cannot stress this enough.
Razorhunter
Well-known member
- Joined
- Apr 25, 2013
- Messages
- 393
Many dont bother, but you can use rustoleum primer. For ultimate paint adhesion, blast it in a blasting cabinet. If no access to one personally, you might find a smaller fab or machine shop that would do it for you real quick.
I have access to both a sand blaster and a walnut shell blasting cabinet. I'm definitely going to run it through a cabinet prior to paint. Thanks for the help.
Outlawmws
Well-known member
Nice find VA! even if it did deplete the "fund"
I have one of those; Unfortunately it has a crack at the to guide bar on the D jaw...
Outlawmws
Well-known member
Before blasting, do tape off the parts that don't get paint like the slide and other parts.
I tapped out at $2500. Was going to go to $3000, thought it would top 3g.
va.grouseman
Well-known member
I had every intention of being the new owner of the Rotator, but I got that $10.00 aluminum table vise and that taped me out.
---Not only that, but the wife caught me watching the time click down on it and said ("You ain't bidding that are you?), and I said no no no, you know me better than that.---So if I had of had $3000.00 to blow, she had me hamstrung anyway.---Twas not to be.
Congrats to the winner, whoever you are.---A museum piece there.
---Not only that, but the wife caught me watching the time click down on it and said ("You ain't bidding that are you?), and I said no no no, you know me better than that.---So if I had of had $3000.00 to blow, she had me hamstrung anyway.---Twas not to be.Congrats to the winner, whoever you are.---A museum piece there.
BlueBomber
Well-known member
I was not the winner, but certainly was in the crowd of watchers.
Sent from my SM-G950U using Tapatalk
Sent from my SM-G950U using Tapatalk
Outlawmws
Well-known member
The winner sniped it. Only the one bid.
BlueBomber
Well-known member
Hey, always bid to your max. I've seen people try to snipe at the last second, only to lose out to the auto-bid.
Sent from my SM-G950U using Tapatalk
Sent from my SM-G950U using Tapatalk
gman007
Well-known member
There were so many people watching it, eBay could have made more money by selling tickets to the show than they made from the commission
SRU1436
ALLIANCE MEMBER
Finally got the pin out of the reed 406, a lot of pounding.
SRU1436
ALLIANCE MEMBER
SRU1436
ALLIANCE MEMBER
Thanks for all the tips and advice. Luckily it didn't take much, i just needed a stronger, heftier punch and a heavier sledge hammer. No damage done to the vise. The swivel pin appears as if the previous owner cut it short. In fact the guy didn't even know the rear jaw swiveled.
Razorhunter
Well-known member
- Joined
- Apr 25, 2013
- Messages
- 393
SRU, glad to see another 406 owner here. I just got mine torn down. Currently looking a swivel base for it.
I look forward to more pics of yours. What color paint will you use?
I look forward to more pics of yours. What color paint will you use?
SRU1436
ALLIANCE MEMBER
That is a good question, I am not sure. I am always open to suggestions. The vise is in good condition minus the handle...not sure WTF the previous owner was thinking. See below.
SRU1436
ALLIANCE MEMBER
I love those swivel jaw Rock Islands....Rock Island is probably my favorite, I'm partially biased to them as it was my first vise. A 542-bx that I got from my grandfather after he passed away.
Agreed!!
va.grouseman
Well-known member
Outlaw turned me on to the auto-bid.---I like it, I like it a lot.---Just set it and forget it.---But you got to know your limitations.
va.grouseman
Well-known member
Previously posted by SRU1436.
That is a good question, I am not sure. I am always open to suggestions. The vise is in good condition minus the handle...not sure WTF the previous owner was thinking. See below.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
SRU, I know what he was thinking.---He's thinking he just did the very best he could.---He welds like I do.---He finished up, took one look at it and said, ''that's not bad".---I swany, that's looks like my work.
That is a good question, I am not sure. I am always open to suggestions. The vise is in good condition minus the handle...not sure WTF the previous owner was thinking. See below.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
SRU, I know what he was thinking.---He's thinking he just did the very best he could.---He welds like I do.---He finished up, took one look at it and said, ''that's not bad".---I swany, that's looks like my work.
FMC1959
Well-known member
Maybe, but might not have been a true snipe, but a simple game of attrition.
r***d and 1***c had been battling it out with 7-8 bids each, but looks like they gave up the ghost at $2300, when h***3 placed a max bid bid of $2500, but held top bid at $2325.
My guess is the winner (e***g) probably was looking to snipe with something like a $2600-$3000 max bid, but $2550 did the trick taking out h***3 $2500 max bid placed almost 2 hours earlier. No other late bids would indicate everyone else was worn out (or their wives had caught them).
Great vise, lots of money, lots of action...should get a nomination for top vise auction of the year
Outlawmws
Well-known member
I don't see how this is not a snipe:
Condition:Used
Ended: Mar 10, 2018 , 6:22PM
Winning bid:US $2,550.00
[ 21 bids ]
Bidder Bid Amount Bid Time
e***g(695) $2,550.00 10 Mar 2018 at 6:22:20PM PST
h***3(873) $2,500.00 10 Mar 2018 at 6:20:38PM PST
r***d(792) $2,300.00 8 Mar 2018 at 6:39:42AM PST
1***c(295) $2,250.00 6 Mar 2018 at 8:22:19AM PST
r***d(792) $2,125.00 7 Mar 2018 at 6:45:24AM PST
r***d(792) $2,050.00 7 Mar 2018 at 6:45:10AM PST
1***c(295) $2,000.00 6 Mar 2018 at 8:22:03AM PST
r***d(792) $1,900.00 6 Mar 2018 at 7:47:29AM PST
1***c(295) $1,800.00 5 Mar 2018 at 6:29:45AM PST
s***r(1597) $1,750.00 5 Mar 2018 at 10:30:49AM PST
s***r(1597) $1,700.00 5 Mar 2018 at 10:30:11AM PST
r***d(792) $1,625.00 5 Mar 2018 at 6:25:45AM PST
1***c(295) $1,600.00 4 Mar 2018 at 7:10:56PM PST
r***d(792) $1,600.00 5 Mar 2018 at 6:25:39AM PST
r***d(792) $1,550.00 5 Mar 2018 at 6:25:29AM PST
r***d(792) $1,299.00 4 Mar 2018 at 7:02:27PM PST
1***c(295) $1,200.00 4 Mar 2018 at 12:59:58PM PST
1***c(295) $800.00 4 Mar 2018 at 7:54:22AM PST
h***y(47) $700.00 4 Mar 2018 at 12:38:36PM PST
h***y(47) $650.00 4 Mar 2018 at 12:38:30PM PST
1***c(295) $400.00 3 Mar 2018 at 6:39:01PM PST
Starting Price $50.00 3 Mar 2018 at 6:22:23PM PST
Condition:Used
Ended: Mar 10, 2018 , 6:22PM
Winning bid:US $2,550.00
[ 21 bids ]
Bidder Bid Amount Bid Time
e***g(695) $2,550.00 10 Mar 2018 at 6:22:20PM PST
h***3(873) $2,500.00 10 Mar 2018 at 6:20:38PM PST
r***d(792) $2,300.00 8 Mar 2018 at 6:39:42AM PST
1***c(295) $2,250.00 6 Mar 2018 at 8:22:19AM PST
r***d(792) $2,125.00 7 Mar 2018 at 6:45:24AM PST
r***d(792) $2,050.00 7 Mar 2018 at 6:45:10AM PST
1***c(295) $2,000.00 6 Mar 2018 at 8:22:03AM PST
r***d(792) $1,900.00 6 Mar 2018 at 7:47:29AM PST
1***c(295) $1,800.00 5 Mar 2018 at 6:29:45AM PST
s***r(1597) $1,750.00 5 Mar 2018 at 10:30:49AM PST
s***r(1597) $1,700.00 5 Mar 2018 at 10:30:11AM PST
r***d(792) $1,625.00 5 Mar 2018 at 6:25:45AM PST
1***c(295) $1,600.00 4 Mar 2018 at 7:10:56PM PST
r***d(792) $1,600.00 5 Mar 2018 at 6:25:39AM PST
r***d(792) $1,550.00 5 Mar 2018 at 6:25:29AM PST
r***d(792) $1,299.00 4 Mar 2018 at 7:02:27PM PST
1***c(295) $1,200.00 4 Mar 2018 at 12:59:58PM PST
1***c(295) $800.00 4 Mar 2018 at 7:54:22AM PST
h***y(47) $700.00 4 Mar 2018 at 12:38:36PM PST
h***y(47) $650.00 4 Mar 2018 at 12:38:30PM PST
1***c(295) $400.00 3 Mar 2018 at 6:39:01PM PST
Starting Price $50.00 3 Mar 2018 at 6:22:23PM PST
FMC1959
Well-known member
Drives:
Yes, mine says patent pending right below the Columbian stamping.
That is another unusual feature of this vise. As all of us know, such markings are almost always cast in rather than this which is obviously stamped.
My 3rd photo shows a close up of that mark, but the surface is faded, chipped and weathered looking so it is hard to read without studio grade lighting.
Does anybody else have one of these unusual welded steel Columbians and does it also say patent pending?
BTW, jaw width on mine is 4 inches. The model number is 804 although I cannot see that stamped into my vise anywhere. Many restored examples have large paper labels so that may be why the model number is not stamped in.
.
.
.
About 10 pages late, but unless Jakemac sold on of his, he had 2 of them. Also, there have been a half dozen or more on the pages of GJ over the years, but definitely not a common vise. Personally, I would love to have one just because it is so different.
My eyes are a disaster (which leads to my brain, so it could be the problem), I saw the $2500 bid as 2 hours earlier, when it was actually 2 minutes earlier....you are right....my apologizes sir
dkroth
Well-known member
gman007
Well-known member
This was a indeed a classic snipe. Now continuing the post Super Bowl (no wait I mean Super Vise) game analysis
, this one in particular reminds me of what sometimes happens in nature! There were two main opponents that were duking it out all the way and then a third one just showed up and snatched it.
Sometimes in nature, two bighorn rams get so busy butting heads over the females, that they do not notice a third ram who comes along and leads the females away.
Last edited:
gman007
Well-known member
My understanding from the previous posts on this thread is that at least one GJ member had directly talked to the seller and made a good offer, so chances are the seller must have known something as it seems he had not accepted the offer (just my guess!).
Elsinore13
Well-known member
- Joined
- Sep 20, 2017
- Messages
- 504
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 3/11/2018
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. 
