The VISES of Garage Journal

[Shiftless]

Shift Gray was my original guess and that is why I had this no 3 powder coated in gray. To be honest when I saw the so call NOS NIB which was gray I was pretty happy with my choice but if there is something fishy about it , how can we say with certainty that gray is the original color?

I agree.
My 3HD is some kind of grayish off white cream color. All chipped up and not at all attractive. But the paint looks really old so for now I am leaving it as I found it. I bought it from a guy who did mechanical work in Napa CA for the wine industry and some broke *** guy owed him money so he took the vise and put it on Craigslist where I found it. Paid $80

BTW, Your model 3 patent pending looks fantastic.

 

[KMScott]

re: serrations on bullet vises

That $470 bullet discussed earlier had what looks to me like modern style serrations. Were those serrations on some of the early Wiltons or did that particular vise have replacement jaws?

This 3 inch bullet of mine has a date code of 9-45
Here is a close up of the serrations.
It is my understanding that all of the early bullets had either smooth jaws or this horizontal pattern of serrations.

Am I mistaken? NO
.

I agree, funny how I sold two pairs of straight serration jaws 6 hours apart a couple days ago. I have not sold any for a good year.

Spending time in S. Carolina and Georgia for a possible move, gonna quit making jaws in a couple years so I can retire. Kind of like it out here but colder then Colorado, what is up with that.

 

[Razorhunter]

Oh its definitely not colder out here Kevin! I assure you of that. We're just having a little glitch in our weather system at the moment.

 

[454ragtop]

Are you Wilton detectives forgetting that the vise has clearly had it jaws changed out? It's marked right there on the end of the box. Could have been sitting on the shelf, someone needed jaws, they were removed, newer jaws replaced the originals. Don't think it's nearly as fishy. I'm more wondering if it really wasn't NOS, maybe used a few times and put back in the box. Either way, since I didn't buy it, I'm not worried about it.

 

[Shiftless]

Good point 454.
I didn’t buy it either, but with those replacement jaws it certainly wasn’t 100% original and like the seller said in the description “...little used”
Seller didn’t claim the vise was 100% original.

 

[va.grouseman]

Shift & Gman, I have 5 Yorks from #60 to #150, and all have the horizontal grips on the inserts.---Now either Mr. Vogl retained the same pattern for his Wiltons for a while or he pulled a Johnny Cash, and brought along a suit-case of surplus inserts from the Czech Republic.---Check out this Ward Wilton and York.

 

[trijeff]

That Wilton No. 3 is 100% stock in my opinion. Here's a non-NOS version, with the serated jaws.

https://m.ebay.com/itm/Wilton-No-3-Swivel-Bench-Vise-3-Jaws-Early-Chicago-/173182909401?_mwBanner=1

 

[bluebolt]

A good day at the flea market!
Walk into a new seller's booth and instantly spot a Wilton Baby Bullet! "How much" I ask. "10 bucks"!!! Sold! Date code is 6-30-62.

I also picked up the unknown swivel base clamp on vise for $10 and the Palmgren angle drill press vise from the same guy for $15. Oh happy day!

Edit: Some one else correctly identified the swivel base clamp on vise as a Millers Falls.

 

[txlonghorn1989]

A good day at the flea market!
Walk into a new seller's booth and instantly spot a Wilton Baby Bullet! "How much" I ask. "10 bucks"!!! Sold! Date code is 6-30-62.

I also picked up the unknown swivel base clamp on vise for $10 and the Palmgren angle drill press vise from the same guy for $15. Oh happy day!

Congrats bb! You **** big time!!!

 

[joe.striper]

So I picked up a Reed 4CA in Rhode Island on Sunday. As Bagged s10 and Meatsis (those whiny bastards) like to point out, "Its not a Reed its a Columbian".

So now that I have THREE of these in my shop, pre-1900/mid century/post 1960 I thought I'd check them out against each other.

Don't ask me if I weighed them please. They are as heavy as...and I'm just not that curious.

Here is the interesting thing though. Look at these pictures of my pre 1900 Reed 34, bolt thru the bench, 6" jaws and pipe jaws and my newly acquired Reed 4CA. The parts almost look interchangeable.

My mid century Reed 4C looks completely different.

I have to say the mid century Reed 4C is my favorite and a BEAST but since the new Reed 4CA and early Reed 34 are so similar I will no longer disparage and besmirch the 4CA as being a lowly Columbian.

By the way I paid 150 for each of these. A good price but not a steal price. The new one had been advertised for three weeks and I was the only call he got. Go Figure!!??

 

[joe.striper]

Other vises I took home or arranged to buy this weekend:

Wilton C0 -$150
Prentiss 4" swivel jaw - $75
2 Hand Clamps - $3.50 each
2" Acco Vise (this is a representation, orig. one's coming) -$40
2.5" Bullet complete - $150
2" baby - $200
Itty-Bitty Bench Mount Colton vise - $5

 

[Razorhunter]

Joe, I've been eyeing that mid century 4C since you posted it over on Facebook. You keep throwing it in my face like this and we might have to strike a deal on it!

 

[bigredrig]

Just picked this vise up. Wasn't looking for a vise but couldn't pass it up for $20.
It's a Mohawk 6" but can't find any information on it. No other markings on it.
I'll take some pictures of it tonight.

 

[joe.striper]

Joe, I've been eyeing that mid century 4C since you posted it over on Facebook. You keep throwing it in my face like this and we might have to strike a deal on it!

Hey I've got three of those Reed 4Cs, a Rock Island 6", a Reed 3C (modern Columbian style), 6" swivel Athol, 6" Parker fixed base, 6.5" Monarch fixed base, 8" Athol, 8" Yost, 8" Simplex, and Prentiss 58 with new Kevin Scott Jaws!

I still have my very nice Fisher 5" Chain vise that a buyer never followed up on. I've tripped over that thing twice. And I've been babysitting a GJ member's Yost rotary body vise too, for going on three years I think.

I am currently working on a Holland 54H bolt through the bench which may very well become my favorite vise. I'm polishing out the anvil horn on the back like I saw here once before.

I am literally running out of space in my shop. I have no place for anything. PM me and we can make it yours. All it takes is $$$ and then come and get it baby!

 

[FMC1959]

First new one for a while, only been looking out for rare ones,
Picked this up from eBay for £215 ($300) which is quite expensive for a vice here.
View media item 81965View media item 81966Parker 429 i think it says, the small one of these at 3 and a bit inch jaws.
Condition is good, bit crusty and has many layers of paint, jaws pretty much completely smooth.

Considering what Parker double swivelers have been fetching lately, on this side of the pond, I'd say you did quite well

Other vises I took home or arranged to buy this weekend:

Wilton C0 -$150
Prentiss 4" swivel jaw - $75
2 Hand Clamps - $3.50 each
2" Acco Vise (this is a representation, orig. one's coming) -$40
2.5" Bullet complete - $150
2" baby - $200
Itty-Bitty Bench Mount Colton vise - $5

Joe, you have some nice scores there but that itty bitty Colton is the big winner for me

 

[Bottlecapdigger]

A good day at the flea market!
Walk into a new seller's booth and instantly spot a Wilton Baby Bullet! "How much" I ask. "10 bucks"!!! Sold! Date code is 6-30-62.

I also picked up the unknown swivel base clamp on vise for $10 and the Palmgren angle drill press vise from the same guy for $15. Oh happy day!

Edit: Some one else correctly identified the swivel base clamp on vise as a Millers Falls.[You picked up a baby bullet for 10$ ???? WoW!! You ****! /QUOTE]

 

[bigredrig]

This the Mohawk vise I got today. Is there any information on it? its big and heavy (about 90 lbs.)

 

[Outlawmws]

BB you still **** over here!

Joe, what are the markings on the baby Colton?

 

[Outlawmws]

Big Red, That be Asian...

 

[joe.striper]

BB you still **** over here!

Joe, what are the markings on the baby Colton?

As soon as I get it in my hands I'll detail it completely and post it here.

 

[bigredrig]

Big Red, That be Asian...

Looks like I found my next beater vise!! I cant believe how heavy it is. I have a Record No. 6 and its par with the weight.

 

[dutchgray]

Looks like I found my next beater vise!! I cant believe how heavy it is. I have a Record No. 6 and its par with the weight.

Well the design is loosely based on the typical English pattern.

 

[GETRIDAONE]

The handle in this Reed 105 is the "revised" type but secured with a standard collar. Would it have come that way or is it a replacement ? I noticed looking for images on internet not many four hole mounting bases show up. Any idea of a time frame on this one ? Thanks

 

[joe.striper]

The handle in this Reed 105 is the "revised" type but secured with a standard collar. Would it have come that way or is it a replacement ? I noticed looking for images on internet not many four hole mounting bases show up. Any idea of a time frame on this one ? Thanks

That's an odd combination to be sure. That handle definitely doesn't belong to that vise. Look underneath and I'll bet there is a collar holding it in place.

As regards the vintage...1930s is my guess. Non-removable jaws, spindle would have had a ball on it.

 

[meatsis]

The handle in this Reed 105 is the "revised" type but secured with a standard collar. Would it have come that way or is it a replacement ? I noticed looking for images on internet not many four hole mounting bases show up. Any idea of a time frame on this one ? Thanks

GET I have a 108 with the same configuration. It’s held in with the collar. I don’t think it’s a replacement.

 

[GETRIDAONE]

I have a 205 that has the round knob and thought that is what the norm was.
Joe & meat thanks for the input !!

 

[trijeff]

Hey Joe, let's see that P58 with the new bling

 

[Maui]

The Reed 106 shown in the first photo below does have the four mounting holes in the base but doesn't have the flat nose at the end of the lead screw. So I am guessing that this one is older than the ones shown above in the previous posts. But what year was it made? I have no idea. The handle is obviously not original and will have to be replaced. I should have fun restoring this vise later on this year.

I also have another Reed 106 that is unlike any other that I've seen anywhere else. The patent dates on it are Christmas Eve, 1912 and August 11, 1914. And the extra set of cast jaws that you see mounted on it are attached through the back of the static and dynamic jaws with four bolts. I've removed the extra set of jaws and examined the area of the vise where they attach. The vise was actually cast this way with this geometry at the Reed factory. It was not altered by someone down the line as an afterthought. Has anyone else seen another one like this?

Maui

 

[twertsy]

Question for some of you vise aficionados.....Who else made Snediker Vises? I have Yost, National Vise & Tool, and potentially Hermann Boker. He had a bunch of patents and I was curious if there are any other known makers? He is listed as a "Superintendent of a vise factory" in the Trenton City Directories in the 1870s so maybe that's a clue? Here's my research on him so far: http://toolarchives.com/node/3519 (scroll down)

 

[joe.striper]

Hey Joe, let's see that P58 with the new bling

I'm getting the vise soda blasted first. I may have to re-machine the static jaw or clean it up at a minimum and then I need to remove 2 sheared off bolts. Its a project and of course each piece weighs 150 lbs...baby vises are sooooo much easier to handle!

 

[joe.striper]

The Reed 106 shown in the first photo below does have the four mounting holes in the base but doesn't have the flat nose at the end of the lead screw. So I am guessing that this one is older than the ones shown above in the previous posts. But what year was it made? I have no idea. The handle is obviously not original and will have to be replaced. I should have fun restoring this vise later on this year.

I also have another Reed 106 that is unlike any other that I've seen anywhere else. The patent dates on it are Christmas Eve, 1912 and August 11, 1914. And the extra set of cast jaws that you see mounted on it are attached through the back of the static and dynamic jaws with four bolts. I've removed the extra set of jaws and examined the area of the vise where they attach. The vise was actually cast this way with this geometry at the Reed factory. It was not altered by someone down the line as an afterthought. Has anyone else seen another one like this?

Maui

That Reed is sweet. It must have had a specific use. I've never seen one before.

 

[MayerMR]

I did something kind of stupid...but I couldn't help myself. I came across this Reed No. 1C vise a few weeks ago, but passed on it for the obvious reason. That said, I'm a complete sucker for neglected things sometimes and this darn thing just wouldn't leave the back of my mind until I ran back over and picked it up. Yes, it was dumb, but I just have an affinity for this damn piece of cast iron for some reason.

So that said...can it be fixed? I'm not asking if it's *worth* fixing...but can it be fixed? I'm not a welder, so I'd need to farm the work out to someone. Does anyone know of any places that could do this kind of work? I'm not afraid to have it shipped. It's become my ugly ducking lil buddy...

Now for the photos of my shameful purchase:

Bad repairs up close:

 

[va.grouseman]

Looks like it's as fixed as it should be.---Just use it or donate it's vital organs to a worthy recipient.

 

[MayerMR]

Looks like it's as fixed as it should be.---Just use it or donate it's vital organs to a worthy recipient.

Fair enough, I suppose I meant fix as in; can I return it to it's pre-ugly weld looking state. Or atleast, can I ground the welds down some so they don't look quite so bulging?

 

[jrobb316]

Completely naked 577 sporting it's replacement swivel base. Finish options once it warms up? 3/42 date. Battleship grey would have been the original color.

 

[gman007]

Fair enough, I suppose I meant fix as in; can I return it to it's pre-ugly weld looking state. Or at least, can I ground the welds down some so they don't look quite so bulging?

You could ground them with an angle grinder but then again you could be exchanging structural integrity (what ever that means when the vise was already welded which in my books it is generally the kiss of death, specially in this case when the failure is in two such critical areas) for looks/aesthetics.

Hopefully you could use it for reasonable light work but I am with VA on this, using it as a donor vise.

PS
Based on the price tag in first photo if you paid $50 for this vise, I believe from the good parts : namely the screw and arm, the swivel base, swivel nut and lock,split retaining ring, etc you should be able to make more than you paid for it.

 

[wrenchguy]

Fair enough, I suppose I meant fix as in; can I return it to it's pre-ugly weld looking state. Or atleast, can I ground the welds down some so they don't look quite so bulging?

i can use the 2 piece spindle nut iffen u part it out.

 

[gman007]

Completely naked 577 sporting it's replacement swivel base. Finish options once it warms up? 3/42 date. Battleship grey would have been the original color.

Jrob Well congrats, you went through a lot to get the base, looks good

BTW, I am curious, what are those two bright grey spots (one on static and one on dynamic)? Are they filler, jbweld or are those grind marks?

 

[jrobb316]

Jrob Well congrats, you went through a lot to get the base, looks good

BTW, I am curious, what are those two bright grey spots (one on static and one on dynamic)? Are they filler, jbweld or are those grind marks?

They're just really smooth spots. Maybe sanded when it was cast if it was very rough? No filler or grind marks. Everything has been blasted totally clean and bare (not with sand). I've blasted 3 vises and the athol 613 1/2X I had (now sold) had a few of those too.

 

[dutchgray]

Looks like it's as fixed as it should be.---Just use it or donate it's vital organs to a worthy recipient.

Im just amazed someone managed to bust both towers of the thing yet at the same time not bent the handles into some mangled S shape mess like you usually see on abused vices, plus its got the pipe jaws in it if it gets parted out, if they haven't been welded in there.