va.grouseman
Well-known member
Where are you Zoomie?---Your not looking at that one.---Zoomie needs a PM.
The VISES of Garage Journal
- Thread starter mjozefow
- Start date
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.
I’m sorry I can’t help you with the exact mfg who made that one but I know there was another posted a while back in this thread and they did find the maker. And I think zoomieport has that style in the smaller sizes clamp on I think.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
txlonghorn1989
Well-known member
- Joined
- Feb 27, 2017
- Messages
- 2,786
Earlier today I indicated I was waiting. I was waiting to hear back on my first Prentiss vise. I don't actually have it yet but my brother-in-law picked it up for me this evening. I'll get it next time I'm up in DFW area to visit family. The jaw pads need to be replaced for sure and at least one of the pad bolts is broken off in the jaw. The handle has a little bend in it. My BIL said he could see no welds, no cracks and it opened and closed nicely.
What can folks tell me about the Prentiss Bulldog vises? I'm ready to learn. I can't wait to pick it up and get started cleaning it up. The jaws are 3-1/2".
It looks pretty rough from some angles. I hope you guys will be honest about the prospects of rehabilitating this vise? I suppose if it isn't worth fixing it'll make an interesting door stop. So far I'm out $25.
The first two pics are from the CL ad. Third pic was the best of the ones from my BIL.
Thanks!
Mike
What can folks tell me about the Prentiss Bulldog vises? I'm ready to learn. I can't wait to pick it up and get started cleaning it up. The jaws are 3-1/2".
It looks pretty rough from some angles. I hope you guys will be honest about the prospects of rehabilitating this vise? I suppose if it isn't worth fixing it'll make an interesting door stop. So far I'm out $25.
The first two pics are from the CL ad. Third pic was the best of the ones from my BIL.
Thanks!
Mike
Attachments
Last edited:
twertsy
Well-known member
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.
Looks kinda like the Joseph Ware U-Slide but I haven't seen the U in square stock. Here's a link to a drawing from his patent and description.
gman007
Well-known member
Mike I am no vise historian but this is the little that I know about Prentiss.
Your Bull Dog 513/523 weighs 28 lb, has jaw width of 3 1/2 and opens 5".
The company was started by Mason Prentiss around 1868. The Bull Dog series might have first been manufactured starting around 1904. Prentiss as an independent company was in business until late 1940s (~1948) and then was acquired by Charles Parker. And Parker (and hence Prentiss) was then in turn acquired by Union Manufacturing in 1957.
I am sure there are other members here that have a lot better and more accurate info.
twertsy
Well-known member
According to the Trademark document, Bull Dog was first used in 1886 on vises.
RedVise
Well-known member
Posted this over in the Yard sale thread but thought I would share with you.
Came across a Colombian 504 that has not been beat on and has clean jaws, just a little surface rust. I guess I have not seen a model number stamped like that before, sorry the pic isnt very clear.
Brian
Came across a Colombian 504 that has not been beat on and has clean jaws, just a little surface rust. I guess I have not seen a model number stamped like that before, sorry the pic isnt very clear.
Brian
Attachments
Last edited:
1foxracing
Well-known member
^ Every Columbian I've seen is stamped like that, here is mine.
Set your camera to "close-up" - usually the indicator is a little picture of a flower. Your pix shot at the range of your vise will be in focus and much sharper/clearer, and it will still focus at long range. There's really no reason not to leave it in closeup mode all the time.
*my experience with digital cameras is only Nikon, but my Samsung smartypants phone-cam has the same flower icon.
txlonghorn1989
Well-known member
- Joined
- Feb 27, 2017
- Messages
- 2,786
Thanks gman! Sounds like there isn't a way to date these vises. I know I've seen the early Bulldog vises which look different.
Mike
Well, it looks to be in good shape other than the jaws. The replacement jaws will probably cost you almost what the entire vise will be worth when it's restored, but afterwards it will be a nice vise that you'll have rescued and can put to good use.
I've seen a handful of Prentiss jaws with cracks/breaks in them. I wonder if they might have gone a bit too far on the hard and brittle side with them. I imagine yours took some hits from a large hammer or something to break that badly though. If nothing else, it's a testament to the strength of the rest of the vise.
txlonghorn1989
Well-known member
- Joined
- Feb 27, 2017
- Messages
- 2,786
That's good to know Gerard. Any idea what kind of money I'm looking at for replacement jaws?
I'll have to decide whether this is a keeper or if I just pass it on.
Mike
chrisnazzy
Well-known member
Contact esteemed vise guru and resident GJ vise jaw machinist, Kevin Scott
http://benchvisejaws.com/
Sent from my SM-G930P using Tapatalk
I don't know of anyone who sells Prentiss jaws other than KMScott who is well known on this forum. I don't see your particular model listed but there is a 3 1/2" Prentiss jaw that might fit. Those are listed at $70 which in my opinion isn't a bad investment if the vise checks out as solid and will be put to good use. I think you'll just have to take some measurements and inquire.
His website is http://www.benchvisejaws.com/
gman007
Well-known member
It never ceases to amaze me the crazy things that people do with vises!
If you want not want to watch the whole clip just skip to about two third of the way in the video where the guy uses his vise.
If you want not want to watch the whole clip just skip to about two third of the way in the video where the guy uses his vise.
txlonghorn1989
Well-known member
- Joined
- Feb 27, 2017
- Messages
- 2,786
Thanks guys. I've read many comments regarding Kevin's USA made vise jaws and figured he was going to be the source for mine. I had never seen his website though. When I eventually get this Prentiss vise home, I'll assess whether I want to keep it or not and then proceed accordingly. I'm sure I'll be back for advice on the Vise 101 thread.
Mike
RagTopTA
Well-known member
I found this Columbian 504 1/2 a few months ago, I can't find a stamp like that anywhere on it...^ Every Columbian I've seen is stamped like that, here is mine.
Attachments
Outlawmws
Well-known member
Attachments
RagTopTA
Well-known member
RT its right there in your pic...
I see that one hah I thought he was talking about the long string of numbers to the left on his pic... see it ?
Outlawmws
Well-known member
I saw that and it confused me for a moment until I realized he was talking about the model number.
RagTopTA
Well-known member
ohh.... I was confused too I had to dig up the pics of mine to see... while you are here. whats the difference in a 504 and a 504 1/2 ?
Outlawmws
Well-known member
1/2" jaw width, and a few more pounds...
RagTopTA
Well-known member
ahh ok! thanks for the info Outlaw still learning : )
Drivesitfar and gman007On Prentiss and needing model or jaw width
Mlutra
Not knowing the jaw width it might in principle be any of the models listed in the photo below (Prentiss with swivel base and swivel jaw). Now based on the only two provided dimensions namely the length of draw bar and length of the static jaw housing, the usable opening might be 5-6". So based just on this fact a shorter list of candidates might be
model 19 1/2 with 4" jaws and opening 5 1/4"
model 20 with 4 1/2 " jaws and opening 6"
model 504 with 4" jaws and opening 5"
Model 505 with 4 1/2" and opening 6" .
But even though it is hard to tell from the photo it seems the jaws might be none replaceable. If so it might even be a model 47 with 4 1/4" jaws and opening 5 1/4".
Again these are best guesses based on only the length measurement. And as Drives said a model number or jaw width will go a long way to provide a more accurate information.
Thanks for your Quick reply. I started to take apart it.
They jaw width is 4 inchs for sure.
I'm attaching 3 photos of static jaw showing the swivel jaw's pin off
Attachments
sparty569
Active member
Rusty, Is that the one with the Star of David on it? Kind of bizarre on a Japanese vise! Almost every time I see one, my first inclination is to think it is an Israeli vise. The one in this photo has the star on the static housing but I could swear I have seen a bigger star on the dynamic jaw as well but can not find a photo of it.
Edit
Found another photo but even though the star is bigger, it is still on the static housing , so my memory was half correct
I JUST picked up this same vise last night. I have been racking my brain trying to figure out who makes it. It's a 90lb BEAST!
So, who does make it?
gman007
Well-known member
Sparty At least for me the photo is not showing up. To attach a photo use the Advanced button first and then you will see an icon of a paper clip on the top tool bar. Click on the icon and then use the browse button to find your photo and then use the upload button and make sure that it says it has uploaded it before closing the upload window.
Meanwhile, if the star of David has an N in the center or there are numbers such as No 150 on the vise, the vise was made in Japan! Some think it might be a copy of a Morgan and as we know Asian companies have never been shy about copying!
sparty569
Active member
I know that. I was just curious as I had never seen this logo before and this was the first place I saw that had a similar vise. I'm just happy to have a monster vise sitting next to my anvil.
Attachments
gman007
Well-known member
If you turn over the vise and look at the bottom of the swivel base, it should say Made in Japan
sparty569
Active member
It does.
gman007
Well-known member
I do not want to be a party popper and dampen your enthusiasm but check the area where the slide meets the dynamic jaw and make sure there are no weld or brazing done there (from the photo it seems some work might have been done there). If there is, you might want to be gentle with this vise as that kind of fixes will generally not handle a lot of pressure.
Are you planning to do any kind of fix for the jaw inserts?
Last edited:
sparty569
Active member
I'll look into that when I clean it up. Thanks for that.
I was going to take them off, clean them up and see what screws I need to put them back in. I will be using it mostly for holding hot metal while I twist or bend it, or to hold metal while cutting. I'll keep the hard hammering for my anvil.
va.grouseman
Well-known member
There is a Japanese, Star of David Vise on page 360, post 7181.---Another one on page 606, post 12109.---And another one on page 1154, post 23066.---All have the star on the static housing.
Maybe the CEO of a Japanese foundry was enamored with the Jewish religion or actually converted to Judaism or had a Jewish partner, or none of the above.
Maybe the CEO of a Japanese foundry was enamored with the Jewish religion or actually converted to Judaism or had a Jewish partner, or none of the above.
sparty569
Active member
There is a Japanese, Star of David Vise on page 360, post 7181.---Another one on page 606, post 12109.---And another one on page 1154, post 23066.---All have the star on the static housing.
Maybe the CEO of a Japanese foundry was enamored with the Jewish religion or actually converted to Judaism or had a Jewish partner, or none of the above.
That's awesome! Thanks for that. I cant wait to take it apart, clean it up a bit and mount it. It actually weighs more than my anvil. Anvil is 60lbs (about 90 with chain wrapped) and the anvil is 90lbs.
Attachments
Last edited:
gman007
Well-known member
Sparty While 90 lbs might appear to be a monster to most people outside this forum, to the many of the vise nuts here, it might not be as impressive. Keep in mind US made vises are in general very hefty. Many of the 5" USA made vise with swivel base weigh more than 100 lbs and some like Parker 825 which weighs 130 lb. And that is just a start. Many members here have 6" US vises and those weigh 150 lb to 200 lb. Then again a number of members own larger vises say 8" US vises that weight 250-300 lb. But if you really want to get impressed check the post below and let us know what you think
https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?p=7241733#post7241733
Mr. Wonderful
Well-known member
https://seattle.craigslist.org/see/tls/d/wilton-vise-withinch-jaw/6614393744.html
I spotted this just today. It looks like a drill press base. Is that just an unreasonable price? $750 seems very high. Either way it seems like a great idea!
I spotted this just today. It looks like a drill press base. Is that just an unreasonable price? $750 seems very high. Either way it seems like a great idea!
Attachments
sparty569
Active member
Sparty While 90 lbs might appear to be a monster to most people outside this forum, to the many of the vise nuts here, it might not be as impressive. Keep in mind US made vises are in general very hefty. Many of the 5" USA made vise with swivel base weigh more than 100 lbs and some like Parker 825 which weighs 130 lb. And that is just a start. Many members here have 6" US vises and those weigh 150 lb to 200 lb. Then again a number of members own larger vises say 8" US vises that weight 250-300 lb. But if you really want to get impressed check the post below and let us know what you think
https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?p=7241733#post7241733
Good Gawd man! That thing is....just wow.
For my needs, this vise will be plenty. The only other vise I would need is a post leg vise that is made to take a beating.
gman007
Well-known member
There is a Japanese, Star of David Vise on page 360, post 7181.---Another one on page 606, post 12109.---And another one on page 1154, post 23066.---All have the star on the static housing.
Maybe the CEO of a Japanese foundry was enamored with the Jewish religion or actually converted to Judaism or had a Jewish partner, or none of the above.
VA None of the above seems to be the correct answer!
First lets start with easy part. The N in middle of the star might be a reference to Nippon and Nihon which are the Japanese names for Japan (which mean "the sun's origin", and are often translated as the Land of the Rising Sun)
Now as for the star and I am going to quote
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kagome_crest
The Kagome crest or Kagome mon (籠目 kagome, “basket eye” + 紋 mon, “crest, pattern”), is a star shaped (hexagram) crest related to the kagome lattice design. It can be found in many of the oldest Shinto shrines dating back to at least the 5th century BCE, and is present on almost all the stone lanterns approaching the Ise-jingu. The Kagome crest is also sometimes depicted as an eight pointed star (octagram) composed of two interlocking squares, similar to the Star of Lakshmi.
In regards to heraldry, the Kagome crest is often associated with the Hata clan.
To a Western audience the Kagome crest as religious symbol perhaps most closely resembles the Star of David, however any direct connection between the two is unlikely. If a cultural connection involving the Kagome crest does exist, it is most likely related to the satkona of Hinduism.
Attachments
Last edited:
gman007
Well-known member
454ragtop
Well-known member
That WAS a Delta 17" drill press, seems like a shame, not sure how well that will work as a vise stand. While strong, not made for hammering or other typical vise abuse.