The VISES of Garage Journal

[gman007]

Funny, I just sold a Prentiss No. 21 to a local farmer for $100.

Maui
Was there brazing done to the dynamic jaw on this vise?

 

[Outlawmws]

That one looks like it may have been brazed twice..

 

[Maui]

Yep, not only was the jaw brazed, but the slide was cracked on top where it usually is with these Prentiss vises and one of the feet on the swivel base was broken off. The farmer didn’t care. The swivel jaw and swivel base worked, and he needed it to replace the Chinese vise he had broken in half. I used it myself for working on parts that I used to restore other vises, and it worked well with no problems. I was actually going to keep it, but he said he needed it so his son came and picked it up. He offered to pay me more for it but I said no, $100 is all I want.

 

[Razorhunter]

Hey guys, I got a couple vises I'm restoring right now, and have a couple questions. First up, a Paramo No 6. It has 6.5" jaw inserts, but the castings are 6" wide. So basically the inserts hang over .25" on each side. Is this possibly factory, or should my inserts be a true 6"?

 

[dutchgray]

Hey guys, I got a couple vises I'm restoring right now, and have a couple questions. First up, a Paramo No 6. It jas 6.5" jaw inserts, but the castings are 6" wide. So basically the inserts hang over. 25" on each side. Is this possibly factory, or should my inserts be a true 6"?

It should have 6" inserts, but that is not to say its impossible that the factory made it like that, but it was more likely someone else replaced them with whatever they could find that would fit. 6.5" is not a size that is common with English vises.

 

[drivesitfar]

Razor: i've owned and own a few English made vices and i'd say your jaws are replacements cause they mine are usually pretty flush with the edge of the dynamic and static jaw towers. they might hang over a 1/16 or 1/8, but as much as yours if I recall correctly.

those Paramos are built right so nice find!!

 

[AngryBeaver]

Interesting, I've never seen one either. Maybe a Reed or Rock Island?

Look at the part numbers of each vise...they alll Start with RI. Based on the model numbers and sizes, along with the jaw shape and spindle shape I’d put my money on rock island.

 

[Shiftless]

Yep, not only was the jaw brazed, but the slide was cracked on top where it usually is with these Prentiss vises and one of the feet on the swivel base was broken off. The farmer didn’t care. The swivel jaw and swivel base worked, and he needed it to replace the Chinese vise he had broken in half. I used it myself for working on parts that I used to restore other vises, and it worked well with no problems. I was actually going to keep it, but he said he needed it so his son came and picked it up. He offered to pay me more for it but I said no, $100 is all I want.

Wow!
Broken and repaired jaw tower, snapped off and missing mounting foot, cracked slide and the buyer didn’t care and still wanted to give you extra money...
How different from most of the rest of us who pass on good vises with fewer problems.

 

[Razorhunter]

Thanks Drives and dutchgray!
Ok, so here's my next issue, a Parker 23x (or 28x?) with approx 4.25" jaws. Can someone tell me what size/length swivel lock bar/handle I should buy from Kevin? He sells various lengths. I'm thinking about 4"or 5" would be correct?
Also from Kevin, I'll be buying a Parker collar/spindle plate, but here again, unsure of size to order? Perhaps his "for 4 inch Parker vises" size is the correct one to order for this vise??? Thanks for the help guys. Again, this is a Parker 23x or 28x? I havent really seen this particular model mentioned very often...


ETA- note the split collar here is not original, or at least I'm 99% sure it isnt. I've never owned many Parkers, but I'm thinking the collar plates always had "Parker" cast into them, no?

 

[mike_paxton]

Picked up following two vises today. Both are 3-1/2" jaws.

Pic 1-4--Reed 203 1/2 R

Pic 5-7--Wilton Made in USA #111099

Mike

 

[gman007]

Thanks Drives and dutchgray!
Ok, so here's my next issue, a Parker 23x (or 28x?) with approx 4.25" jaws. Can someone tell me what size/length swivel lock bar/handle I should buy from Kevin? He sells various lengths. I'm thinking about 4"or 5" would be correct?
Also from Kevin, I'll be buying a Parker collar/spindle plate, but here again, unsure of size to order? Perhaps his "for 4 inch Parker vises" size is the correct one to order for this vise??? Thanks for the help guys. Again, this is a Parker 23x or 28x? I havent really seen this particular model mentioned very often...


ETA- note the split collar here is not original, or at least I'm 99% sure it isnt. I've never owned many Parkers, but I'm thinking the collar plates always had "Parker" cast into them, no?

Razor Very nice find

The collar is definitely NOT a Parker OEM and looks in fact rather crude. I have posted theee photos of my Parker collar for reference. While I do not have the particular Parker model based on what I have 4”-6” swivel arm seems to be reasonable for that size vise.

 

[gman007]

Picked up following two vises today. Both are 3-1/2" jaws.

Pic 1-4--Reed 203 1/2 R

Pic 5-7--Wilton Made in USA #111099

Mike

Mike Very Nice finds. Personally I am particularly partial to the Reed R series

 

[Bunk]

Did a quick and dirty resto on that Morgan I picked up Saturday night...

Ford - That's a really great color scheme. Nice job.

 

[mike_paxton]

Mike Very Nice finds. Personally I am particularly partial to the Reed R series

gman007:

I agree with you on the Reed, as they made some great stout vises.

Mike

 

[yjWrangler]

Just got my first vise. Well, it's really a birthday gift for my dad, but secretly it's mine. (The man wanted to get a HF vise, I can't have that.) Craftsman USA, paid $40 for it. Jaws look brand new and everything works great. Plans are to give it a 2 tone resto like this one I found on Google images. Gotta practice my lettering for the thing.

 

[Outlawmws]

That google images pic is from this thread... I recognize the stump.

 

[yjWrangler]

That google images pic is from this thread... I recognize the stump.

Whoever you are (if you're still here), your vise looks great and I'm stealing your idea

 

[demoman]

OK boys and girls here we go. 10" jaws , 455 lb bench vise. The owner allowed me to post these pics

I haven't been on here in a long time but I caught this. What a monster!! What i can't believe is that it only got 5 or 6 responses. This is the best vise to appear on here in years and nobody is talking about it. I honestly quit looking on here much because I don't want to see another common Wilton Columbian , Dunlap or Craftsman whatever. Those vises are easy to find and so common I really quit picking them up unless they were dirt cheap. Im not bagging on anybody that has one I'm just saying we should post the stuff that a little more scarce.

 

[GETRIDAONE]

Whoever you are (if you're still here), your vise looks great and I'm stealing your idea

"balane" is the member that did that one and many, many more. Here is one more of another Craftsman he did. There are so many different ways to paint those classic Craftsman vises.

 

[va.grouseman]

Yea Demo, I thought there would be more follow up pics, stats, and history with that monster, nothing ever came.---It faded away.

 

[gman007]

Yea Demo, I thought there would be more follow up pics, stats, and history with that monster, nothing ever came.---It faded away.

Va Funny that you mentioned history, when I saw the post the first question that came to mind was who manufactured these vises. I seem to recall that there have been other posts in the past about massive “railroad “ vises but can not recall if the railroads contracted out manufacturing of these vises to some of the established vise manufacturers or did railroad companies have their own foundry? Or perhaps their rail road track suppliers manufactured them?

The other Puzzle regardless of who manufactured these vises, is the question of volume and hence cost! I mean it’s not like they manufactured a large number of these so the initial cost of molding and machine setup etc to manufacture a limited number of massive vises should mean these vises were manufactured at a real high cost.

It would be great if someone could shed some light and provide some background about these vises.

 

[va.grouseman]

Agreed, Gman.

 

[gerald68]

help identifying vise

There is no brand or other identification on the vice other than the number 4 as shown in the picture. Any ideas on brand/year???

 

[gman007]

Re: help identifying vise

There is no brand or other identification on the vice other than the number 4 as shown in the picture. Any ideas on brand/year???

Gerald
I believe this is an Asian vise and not that old.

 

[Outlawmws]

Asian

 

[KMScott]

I haven't been on here in a long time but I caught this. What a monster!! What i can't believe is that it only got 5 or 6 responses. This is the best vise to appear on here in years and nobody is talking about it. I honestly quit looking on here much because I don't want to see another common Wilton Columbian , Dunlap or Craftsman whatever. Those vises are easy to find and so common I really quit picking them up unless they were dirt cheap. Im not bagging on anybody that has one I'm just saying we should post the stuff that a little more scarce.

I hear ya Demo.

 

[RagTopTA]

Picked up my first Hollands vise at the big flea market yesterday. Got her cleaned up today. works pretty smooth and seems to have no real damage or repairs any where on it. Is there a way to date these vises ?

13 1/2 marking
3 1/2" Jaw width
6" max opening
28 lbs
$46 stamped on both parts of the vise on the back side

 

[Outlawmws]

Picked up my first Hollands vise at the big flea market yesterday. Got her cleaned up today. works pretty smooth and seems to have no real damage or repairs any where on it. Is there a way to date these vises ?

I'd suggest dinner and a movie. Flowers might be a bit much for a first date for a lady that old.

 

[KMScott]

Picked up my first Hollands vise at the big flea market yesterday. Got her cleaned up today. works pretty smooth and seems to have no real damage or repairs any where on it. Is there a way to date these vises ?

RagTop, you forgot to add the spec:s. Jaw width, max opening and weight. I like Hollands and yours looks pretty old.

 

[drivesitfar]

Rag: love those old Hollands. i'm guessing the 13.5 is a 3.5 inch jaw and also curious what it weighs (maybe 35 pounds?)?

i'm going to take a stab at the date it left the factory as mid 20's to mid 30's.

nice find!!

ALL: the cool vises on the stumps were BALANE'S and I"m pretty sure he's still buying and spiffing up a few, but not as often as he once was.

 

[RagTopTA]

I'd suggest dinner and a movie. Flowers might be a bit much for a first date for a lady that old.

lmao!! Vise dating etiquette!!

RagTop, you forgot to add the spec:s. Jaw width, max opening and weight. I like Hollands and yours looks pretty old.

I knew I forgot something! This vise weights 28 pounds, 3 1/2" jaw width, and a 6" max opening. Also noticed its stamped 46 on the back side on both large parts of the vise.

Rag: love those old Hollands. I'm guessing the 13.5 is a 3.5 inch jaw and also curious what it weighs (maybe 35 pounds?)?

i'm going to take a stab at the date it left the factory as mid 20's to mid 30's.

nice find!!
Thanks! I was happy to see it! guy was asking $65 I got it for $40. thought it was an ok deal since I could find no damage and the support was intact.

ALL: the cool vises on the stumps were BALANE'S and I"m pretty sure he's still buying and spiffing up a few, but not as often as he once was.

 

[gman007]

I'd suggest dinner and a movie. Flowers might be a bit much for a first date for a lady that old.

 

[meatsis]

What can you guys tell me about this one? I know I’ve seen a few on here before but I don’t can’t seem to find them. Picked it up at a flea market yesterday for $25.

 

[GETRIDAONE]

There was another one like yours on Kevin's vise info thread. Nobody had any info there ? Maybe it will get exposure here.

 

[Josh C]

Greetings all. I’ve been enjoying all the pictures, info, and stories posted here for some time. I even force the wife to read some of the posts and look at a few pics occasionally. Not sure how she can act interested so darn well. Anyway saw a vise on Craigslist that is not exactly local but within reasonable driving distance and I really felt like it should be seen by some of you folks who might appreciate it a little. Not sure if this will work but I’m gonna try to paste a link to the add. If it does then you might check out the sellers other add which is alongside this one.
Pretty special. Hopefully the link works as I occasionally see stuff that should really be passed on and would feel good about being able to do so. Anyway, enjoy your day!
Josh
EDIT- cannot post links as I don’t have enough posts yet, so you (if you have time) will have to follow my clues and search Craigslist. It’s worth it I think. Go to Hickory, NC, tools and vise. It’s a Prentiss ify

 

[txlonghorn1989]

Greetings all. I’ve been enjoying all the pictures, info, and stories posted here for some time. I even force the wife to read some of the posts and look at a few pics occasionally. Not sure how she can act interested so darn well. Anyway saw a vise on Craigslist that is not exactly local but within reasonable driving distance and I really felt like it should be seen by some of you folks who might appreciate it a little. Not sure if this will work but I’m gonna try to paste a link to the add. If it does then you might check out the sellers other add which is alongside this one.
Pretty special. Hopefully the link works as I occasionally see stuff that should really be passed on and would feel good about being able to do so. Anyway, enjoy your day!
Josh
EDIT- cannot post links as I don’t have enough posts yet, so you (if you have time) will have to follow my clues and search Craigslist. It’s worth it I think. Go to Hickory, NC, tools and vise. It’s a Prentiss ify

That's an awesome little beauty! Here's a pic from CL...

 

[txlonghorn1989]

I'm waiting on news...
but not on that baby Prentiss (I wish).

 

[Josh C]

If I was filthy rich I would take a shower and go buy the vise for sure. I such a sucker for heavy metal I’ve thought about going just to see it in person. Yeah, guess I’ve got the sickness

 

[MayerMR]

Greetings all. I’ve been enjoying all the pictures, info, and stories posted here for some time. I even force the wife to read some of the posts and look at a few pics occasionally. Not sure how she can act interested so darn well. Anyway saw a vise on Craigslist that is not exactly local but within reasonable driving distance and I really felt like it should be seen by some of you folks who might appreciate it a little. Not sure if this will work but I’m gonna try to paste a link to the add. If it does then you might check out the sellers other add which is alongside this one.
Pretty special. Hopefully the link works as I occasionally see stuff that should really be passed on and would feel good about being able to do so. Anyway, enjoy your day!
Josh
EDIT- cannot post links as I don’t have enough posts yet, so you (if you have time) will have to follow my clues and search Craigslist. It’s worth it I think. Go to Hickory, NC, tools and vise. It’s a Prentiss ify

What a neat little vise! What is his asking price?

 

[mcmlvif100]

Greetings all. I’ve been enjoying all the pictures, info, and stories posted here for some time. I even force the wife to read some of the posts and look at a few pics occasionally. Not sure how she can act interested so darn well. Anyway saw a vise on Craigslist that is not exactly local but within reasonable driving distance and I really felt like it should be seen by some of you folks who might appreciate it a little. Not sure if this will work but I’m gonna try to paste a link to the add. If it does then you might check out the sellers other add which is alongside this one.
Pretty special. Hopefully the link works as I occasionally see stuff that should really be passed on and would feel good about being able to do so. Anyway, enjoy your day!
Josh
EDIT- cannot post links as I don’t have enough posts yet, so you (if you have time) will have to follow my clues and search Craigslist. It’s worth it I think. Go to Hickory, NC, tools and vise. It’s a Prentiss ify

What a neat little vise! What is his asking price?

VINTAGE BABY PRENTISS JEWELERS VISE - $275

https://hickory.craigslist.org/tls/d/vintage-baby-prentiss/6588190440.html