The VISES of Garage Journal

[RG Rude]

Whom amongst you owns a Reed 3C or 4C. Would anyone eith either vise in their possession be kind enough to help me with a couple questions via PM or text?

I have both. Hopefully more competent help answered up but if not I pm'd you.

 

[tool_scrounge]

Anyone seen a Lewis machine tool kit vise?

Has anyone seen a Lewis machine tool kit vise? They sold them to vo-tech schools, etc. Per the attached catalog, you could buy them as rough castings and un-threaded parts to finish your very own bench vise. At 45 lbs shipping weight for a non-swivel 4" vise it looks to be relatively beefy. From what I can see, they were selling casting kits for various tools (shaper, horizontal mill, band saw, etc.) from 1935 to 1957 (the last ad folks have seen). The did not mark their name in tools so identification may be a problem.

 

[Razorhunter]

I wonder if there is any relation to the current LMT Lewis Machine Tool Company that produces AR15's and other firearms today. They make quality stuff. I dont think LMT of today is in Cali, but they could've moved I suppose.

 

[va.grouseman]

Picked this up last week.---Can't make out the origin, it's Greek to me.

4'' jaw.
Opens 5 1/2''
Weighs 19 lbs.
Has 3/8'' slabs.
Looks like it was a swivel base at one time.
Might have had some sort of quick release mechanism.

See what yaw think.

Oh, by the way this one reminds me of another vise that I'll bet some of you are familiar with.---Does anybody know?

 

[va.grouseman]

Here's a few more pic and the place I think a quick release might have been.---It has a threaded hole for no reason at all.

 

[454ragtop]

Interesting vise VA, reminds me of the Columbian 804 fabricated/welded vise. I don't think that one of yours ever had a swivel base, but I could be wrong.

 

[Outlawmws]

That's about the coolest design I've seen on a small(ish) exposed screw vise!

It does remind me of something, but its not clicking...

 

[Razorhunter]

Anyone here seen one of these before? Not particularly interesting to me as for purchasing, but I thought it was kinda coil nometheless.

 

[rusty65]

VA the closest vise I know of to yours is a Holland’s brand. I saw the one you purchased and just didn’t pull the trigger for one reason or another. Any how here are some pictures of a Holland’s that sold a while back not mine.





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[Riverlos]

Got myself a small columbian vise and my first attempt at restoring it


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[OCD]

Nice work Riverlos!!

 

[Summersteel]

I saw it suggested elsewhere on the vintage thread that I might post my most recent vise acquisition.
Should I paint, or no paint?
If I don't paint it, how do I keep it from surface rusting in the shop?

Thanks for the help.

 

[va.grouseman]

Rusty, that's the one that I was thinking of.---Zoomie has one of those and that might be it.---His is on page 1498.---Here's the links to his pics.

https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=442477&d=1431609711

https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=442478&d=1431609711

https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=442479&d=1431609711

https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=442480&d=1431609711

https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=442481&d=1431609711

https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=442482&d=1431609711

 

[va.grouseman]

That's about the coolest design I've seen on a small(ish) exposed screw vise!

It does remind me of something, but its not clicking...

Thanks Outlaw.---I'm thinking now, like Rusty that it might have been stationary, but what's with the big square void underneath?

And I still don't where the origin of the logo.

 

[Razorhunter]

I saw it suggested elsewhere on the vintage thread that I might post my most recent vise acquisition.
Should I paint, or no paint?
If I don't paint it, how do I keep it from surface rusting in the shop?

Thanks for the help.

Hey Summersteel that is a very nice Craftsman vise you have there. I believe it might be a rebranded Reed. WhileI normally think the Reeds look best unpainted, I think the Craftsman vises like that tend to really pop with a nice paint job. This is just my humble opinion of course, but I vote to paint that one for sure. Maybe a nice fire engine red or a blue, the specific shade of which I do not have a term for.
KMScott recently posted these photos in another thread, showing rear views of various vise nut pins etc. T I dont know ehy, but for some reason I just think this blue and red he used are just perfect for little Craftsmans like yours. There's just something about those little vises, when painted up right. They just look really sharp to me.

 

[va.grouseman]

Well I see the little split swivel, anvil vise, Prentiss did rather well.---I was in there at $140.00 and $145.00.---Wasn't about to take another haircut like the last time.---I'm sporting a flattop till my hair grows back out because that last ride.


https://www.ebay.com/itm/Vintage-Pr...e=STRK:MEBIDX:IT&_trksid=p2055119.m1438.l2649

 

[NJ Marty]

Well I see the little split swivel, anvil vise, Prentiss did rather well.---I was in there at $140.00 and $145.00.---Wasn't about to take another haircut like the last time.---I'm sporting a flattop till my hair grows back out because that last ride.


https://www.ebay.com/itm/Vintage-Pr...e=STRK:MEBIDX:IT&_trksid=p2055119.m1438.l2649

Yes it did quite well. My $412.87 didn't bag it in the last few seconds. Was hoping it would be enough.

 

[va.grouseman]

Wow, NJ, just $5.00 from decapitation.---You was really serious about that thing, wasn't you?

 

[GETRIDAONE]

Anyone here seen one of these before? Not particularly interesting to me as for purchasing, but I thought it was kinda coil nometheless.

That is a Adams Diamond. I woulldn't mind having it but not for a $100

 

[GETRIDAONE]

Rutsy & VA My Hollands has a different lock handle but the rest looks the same. It was the last day of the sale and it was in a pile that appeared to be destined for the dumpster. It was completely covered with rust and stuck shut. I think I gave 3-4 bucks for it.

 

[gman007]

Gents
Does anyone recognize this vise (sorry there is only one bad photo and it is hard to read the inscription on the side of the vise) ? It seems to be stout but the screw nose and swivel arm look cheesy (the handle bar obviously is busted) which makes me think it could be Asian.
Thx much

 

[davethorik]

Gents
Does anyone recognize this vise (sorry there is only one bad photo and it is hard to read the inscription on the side of the vise) ? It seems to be stout but the screw nose and swivel arm look cheesy (the handle bar obviously is busted) which makes me think it could be Asian.
Thx much

Looks like it says:
U.S. Patent no.
(Can't make out #)
Made in USA

 

[rusty65]

Gents

Does anyone recognize this vise (sorry there is only one bad photo and it is hard to read the inscription on the side of the vise) ? It seems to be stout but the screw nose and swivel arm look cheesy (the handle bar obviously is busted) which makes me think it could be Asian.

Thx much

That’s one of those dodge slide set vises at least that’s what I would wager on.


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[gman007]

Picked this up last week.---Can't make out the origin, it's Greek to me.

4'' jaw.
Opens 5 1/2''
Weighs 19 lbs.
Has 3/8'' slabs.
Looks like it was a swivel base at one time.
Might have had some sort of quick release mechanism.

See what yaw think.

Oh, by the way this one reminds me of another vise that I'll bet some of you are familiar with.---Does anybody know?

VA Well it is not Greek but it seems to be Italian and I think "Sorgi Verginelli " is simply the name (Verginelli is definitely an Italian last name). So who knows may be it is an Italian vise!

 

[gman007]

Looks like it says:
U.S. Patent no.
(Can't make out #)
Made in USA

Dave, thanks for the help.

That’s one of those dodge slide set vises at least that’s what I would wager on.


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Rusty I am sorry you lost me here, what are "dodge slide set vises", any clarification (brand, COO, etc) would be appreciated .
Cheers

 

[454ragtop]

Think Rusty nailed it, a search shows that exact vise. Gman, Dodge is the manufacturer.

 

[drivesitfar]

There's mine.. Can anyone fill me in on the model..
I've had a good look around and can't see any other marks.
Cheers drive.

Groucho: great find!! I love Rock Island vises and I think that is the first quick release one i've seen. I'm guessing you are in Europe or did you find it there cause as has already been said it looks a lot more like a Parkinson or Record. where are you located? if you are able to post up a few more pictures please do and maybe some of it's history if you know more. i'm thinking the 1917 is a date and maybe that vise was made for WWI?

VA: that vise you posted is a lot like these Guitar vises that some use for their gunsmithing too. here's pictures of the newer versions that sell for about $130 that might help you find out more information about yours.

 

[gman007]

That’s one of those dodge slide set vises at least that’s what I would wager on.


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Think Rusty nailed it, a search shows that exact vise. Gman, Dodge is the manufacturer.

Gentlemen
Dang, you guys are good! After you told me it is a Dodge, I checked the spreadsheet and sure enough there is is a single entry (it seems Bcom has one and made the entry -see attached photo). Based on having a single entry in the spreadsheet, I am assuming this is not a very common brand and kind of a obscure, which makes it even more amazing that you guys nail it!
Much appreciated!

 

[MayerMR]

Anyone here happen to know the size (width, thread pitch, full-threaded or half threaded, etc) of the center swivel pivot bolt on a Reed 1C vise? My vise is missing this bolt and I'm coming up empty handed on doing a search for a replacement. I'm thinking I may need to just take the main body into a hardware store and find one that fits then cut it down to length. I'm assuming it's a shouldered bolt to keep it centered on the swivel base?

Thanks for any insight y'all may have!

 

[KMScott]

Anyone here happen to know the size (width, thread pitch, full-threaded or half threaded, etc) of the center swivel pivot bolt on a Reed 1C vise? My vise is missing this bolt and I'm coming up empty handed on doing a search for a replacement. I'm thinking I may need to just take the main body into a hardware store and find one that fits then cut it down to length. I'm assuming it's a shouldered bolt to keep it centered on the swivel base?

Thanks for any insight y'all may have!

I have a drawing for the one that I made. See if it compares to your vise. The important dimensions are thread size, shoulder diameter and shoulder length. You want the shoulder diameter a little longer then the swivel base bore height.

 

[MayerMR]

I have a drawing for the one that I made. See if it compares to your vise. The important dimensions are thread size, shoulder diameter and shoulder length. You want the shoulder diameter a little longer then the swivel base bore height.

Thanks so much Kevin! I think I'll be able to make something work with this!

 

[GETRIDAONE]

Gentlemen
Dang, you guys are good! After you told me it is a Dodge, I checked the spreadsheet and sure enough there is is a single entry (it seems Bcom has one and made the entry -see attached photo). Based on having a single entry in the spreadsheet, I am assuming this is not a very common brand and kind of a obscure, which makes it even more amazing that you guys nail it!
Much appreciated!

If you go to look at it check the teeth and the locking mechanism. It works by unscrewing about half to one turn and it will slide back and forth. Tighten handle and the pawl drops onto the teeth. The design is not very strong and I would guess a lot of them were broken. I got lucky and mine works perfect.

 

[va.grouseman]

Gman, here's you one and the wording on the side.---They don't pop up very often, but there is always 2 or 3 on EBay that rarely sell because they want around $400.00 for them.---Also when buying one, pay close attention to the slide support.---Because of it's hollowness for the quickset mechanism, it's the weakest point on the vise and normally they will show a crack right at the static body.---Or it will have been welded up or just missing altogether as this one was.

 

[va.grouseman]

Gman, here's one that isn't missing the slide support.---It would be very hard to duplicate a slide support with it's hollowness so it's much easier just to get a Dodge all intact.---I guess the Doc. could do it but I would have to Jerry-rig something.---I think Zoomie has 2 or 3 of these.

 

[Groucho21]

Thanks for the info so far. I am in England and found the vise in an oddities shop locally.
Other than being rusty and a broken screw in the plate securing the twist it seems in good order. A slight bit of damage that has been welded and the quick release lever has been fitted upside down.
Its green and doesn't have any other marks that I can see.

 

[rusty65]

Thanks for the info so far. I am in England and found the vise in an oddities shop locally.

Other than being rusty and a broken screw in the plate securing the twist it seems in good order. A slight bit of damage that has been welded and the quick release lever has been fitted upside down.

Its green and doesn't have any other marks that I can see.

Wow that’s very interesting I can’t say I’ve ever seen a English rebranded Rock Island vise and thought every one made and had name on was produced in the rock island factory.

 

[gman007]

If you go to look at it check the teeth and the locking mechanism. It works by unscrewing about half to one turn and it will slide back and forth. Tighten handle and the pawl drops onto the teeth. The design is not very strong and I would guess a lot of them were broken. I got lucky and mine works perfect.

Gman, here's one that isn't missing the slide support.---It would be very hard to duplicate a slide support with it's hollowness so it's much easier just to get a Dodge all intact.---I guess the Doc. could do it but I would have to Jerry-rig something.---I think Zoomie has 2 or 3 of these.

GET and VA Thank you very much for the great tips. I will see what i can do, hopefully the teeth and slide support are intact.

 

[Fialaja]

A craftsman, a trustworthy and a sears

 

[ptgarcia]

Is that Craftsman bent, or is that just the angle of the picture?

 

[Bcom]

Just got these new badges from JPW today!