The VISES of Garage Journal

[gman007]

Regarding stories, I would have to say that my Parkinson swivel jaw & stand is my best purchase, whilst also being my most expensive. I paid more for that vice than any other. I was just bidding on the vice initially, but noticed what appeared to be the foot of a vice stand in the background, (the vice itself was stood & photographed upon the floor). I contacted the seller to ask if it was indeed a vice stand, and would they be willing to sell that also. It was, and they were. It had been, since her late husband's passing, in use as a potting stand outside the greenhouse. Hence, I ended up with a swivel jaw Parkinson 8A, and an original, (minus the drawer & file rack), Parkinson vice stand. Either rarely come up for sale, so finding both together definitely sits as one of my favourite acquisitions.

Fret There is a indeed but a single entry for Parkinson with swivel jaw vise in the vise (vice) spreadsheet which points to a post by Dutch from 2014 and he does say this is a very rare vice and I quote "The only one in existence that I am aware of, though there probably is a few about somewhere." So very nice find

https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showpost.php?p=6357431&postcount=16

By the way spread sheet does not have any of the stats (model, weight, jaw width, opening etc). Do either of you Gents care to provide these stats?
Cheers

 

[va.grouseman]

Previously posted by Gman007.

As for just purely "streamlined" vises, IMO bullet type vises such as Wilton and Bugatti vises are among the streamlined vises.
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----Here's another style that's not streamlined but is Art-Deco to a degree.

 

[Shiftless]

Since the Bugatti vise was mentioned here, and being as how many readers are relatively new to this thread and haven’t seen one before, I thought it appropriate to post a photo.
No this is NOT in my collection!
And speaking of prices, rumor has it that one of these (NOS in the original crate) sold at auction here in the USA for over $60,000.

(Personally, even though that vise would look great on my shelf, for the streamlined look factor MY 60 G’s would go to a ‘67 XKE)

 

[Shiftless]

Here is my Parker 63 1/2 in unrestored condition. I believe the paint is original. It’s a shade of burgundy red. Like many others, I plan to repaint and highlight the stripes and lettering.

 

[gman007]

Previously posted by Gman007.

As for just purely "streamlined" vises, IMO bullet type vises such as Wilton and Bugatti vises are among the streamlined vises.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


----Here's another style that's not streamlined but is Art-Deco to a degree.

And lest we forget (by some accounts Wilton's Daddy), York vises

 

[dutchgray]

Fret There is a indeed but a single entry for Parkinson with swivel jaw vise in the vise (vice) spreadsheet which points to a post by Dutch from 2014 and he does say this is a very rare vice and I quote "The only one in existence that I am aware of, though there probably is a few about somewhere." So very nice find

https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showpost.php?p=6357431&postcount=16

By the way spread sheet does not have any of the stats (model, weight, jaw width, opening etc). Do either of you Gents care to provide these stats?
Cheers

Fretters No8a swivel will be a 6" and my no 7 is a 4 1/4", dimensions are the same as the standard models but the weight will be a touch different. Still haven't seen any others.

 

[gman007]

(Personally, even though that vise would look great on my shelf, for the streamlined look factor MY 60 G’s would go to a ‘67 XKE)

Alternatively, for 2x60 G you could mount your Bugatti vise on hood of your 67 XKE for a doubly streamlined look factor

 

[Fretters]

Gman', the spec's & weights for most of the Parkinson gear should be in the catalogue which CW scanned. Here's a link to a copy of it:

http://fyrtor.uk/file?807b2836-3b09-48cc-92cb-c8ca6cda6e8e/zvtkvvurwn_parkinson_catalogue_1940.pdf

 

[Fretters]

Fretters No8a swivel will be a 6" and my no 7 is a 4 1/4", dimensions are the same as the standard models but the weight will be a touch different. Still haven't seen any others.

Me neither. I honestly thought that one of yours would be the only one to surface, until this one popped up. Never noted another since though.

 

[gman007]

Dutch and Fret
Gents,
Cheers

 

[txlonghorn1989]

Previously posted by Gman007.

As for just purely "streamlined" vises, IMO bullet type vises such as Wilton and Bugatti vises are among the streamlined vises.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


----Here's another style that's not streamlined but is Art-Deco to a degree.

Another new vise for me...I really like the swivel lock on those GripOn vises! How in the world did that not catch on with all the manufacturers?

 

[Shiftless]

Here is a more appropriate photo of my unrestored Parker bear proudly standing in the spotlight on an unrestored Parker 954.

These bears were a promotional item cast in bronze back in the 1930’s.
Does anybody know more about these little guys? (The little plate below his feet is not original)

Edit: After reading the post from va. below, I tested my bear with a magnet and it proved to be cast iron.
.
.
.

 

[lowdowndodge]

My wife came home with one of those Parker bears one day while antique shopping she had a huge smile on her face like she did something good....

 

[Shiftless]

lowdown:
I hope you held on to it. If it is taking up too much room at your place, let me know.

 

[va.grouseman]

txlonghorn1989[/B];7273022]Another new vise for me...I really like the swivel lock on those GripOn vises! How in the world did that not catch on with all the manufacturers?

Just a novelty vise.---The void that the lockdown creates, makes (2) weak stress points that would surely give way under heavy use.---A vise weighing around 350 to 400 lbs., with that design, might have enough beef to withstand some moderate use/abuse in a shop environment.---I'd still be afraid to use it.---BECAUSE,

 

[va.grouseman]

Weren't some of those Bears cast in cast iron?

 

[Josh C]

Oldldh- thank you, much appreciate the YDGB, as I am a newbie as a registered GJ poster and haven’t posted enough for ya’ll to know much about me. Sorry you hated doin it . Have a great weekend and may the vise gods drop your holy grail in your lap before it’s over. Josh

 

[ed4banger]

Finishing up another Rock Island Automatic.

 

[Shiftless]

Weren't some of those Bears cast in cast iron?

Thanks va.
You’re right!
When I was researching I found more than one article that said they were cast in bronze.
After I read your post, I found a magnet and tested mine. It tests positive for iron.
Maybe some of them were bronze or maybe it’s a myth. To me, it makes sense that Parker would make them out of the same material as their vises.

 

[va.grouseman]

This is Exmaxima1's on page 1660, post 33183, and mine on page 162, post 33232.


https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=460208&d=1436841814

https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=460210&d=1436841868

http://s1127.photobucket.com/user/weakmanfor2things/media/100_0427.jpg.html

http://s1127.photobucket.com/user/weakmanfor2things/media/100_0429.jpg.html

http://s1127.photobucket.com/user/weakmanfor2things/media/100_0432.jpg.html

http://s1127.photobucket.com/user/weakmanfor2things/media/100_0424.jpg.html

 

[va.grouseman]

Shift, there were some cast in bronze.---I missed one on eBay back when you could actually afford one, that was made of bronze.

 

[dkroth]

... rumor has it that one of these (NOS in the original crate) sold at auction here in the USA for over $60,000.

I don't believe it.

Garage Journal is the center of the universe for vise collecting. If there was a Bugatti going up for auction someone here would have found out about it and posted the info.



.

 

[Shiftless]

Dkroth said:

Garage Journal is the center of the universe for vise collecting. If there was a Bugatti going up for auction someone here would have found out about it and posted the info.

......................................................................................


I am not a registered user for Mechams auctions so I can’t find the results, but here is a page referencing the auction from 7 years ago.
Maybe this is the one I heard about that hit 60 grand.

 

[gman007]

Dkroth said:

Garage Journal is the center of the universe for vise collecting. If there was a Bugatti going up for auction someone here would have found out about it and posted the info.

......................................................................................


I am not a registered user for Mechams auctions so I can’t find the results, but here is a page referencing the auction from 7 years ago.
Maybe this is the one I heard about that hit 60 grand.

Shift
I found an old GJ thread from 2014
https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/archive/index.php/t-236895.html
(interestingly Outlaws was in the discussion too) in which Mohawk Dave states:
Mohawk Dave
02-16-2014, 06:03 PM
Google it, these Bugatti vises have come up for discussion before...
Holy Moly! NOS went for $76k!!!! Ok, they are valuable!
and then references another site (UK site)

http://www.mig-welding.co.uk/forum/threads/bugatti-vice.18223/

in which someone called tigler makes a statement "A brand new one in it's original crate went at auction in the USA for $76,000 !!!"
but then again there is no link to the auction site, so is it true or not ?

But something is nagging me about having seen a number around 10-12k USD. There is also an eBay listing starting at $6000 but there were no bids. It is not clear what the condition of the vise was and the photos are gone.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/BUGATTI-FACTORY-VISE-/301098952890?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item461ae568ba

Somewhere there must be a list price for the darn thing!

 

[rusty65]

Apologies to all for such a long post. Not sure what got into me. I’m hoping the pictures of one of my vises are going to be attached when I post this. If not then I’m not sure how. Not so savvy with such things. Well, guess we shall see

Seriously like the color scheme. I’m actually getting ready to head out to pick up a no 206 Reed.


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[Steelheader]

Howdy folks! Long time lurker here...

I have been looking for an solid American vice for the last 8-10 months with no luck until last week. I was vacationing in northern Wisconsin and had a day to kill due to bad weather.

I stopped at a tiny antiques place and found this Reed 403 1/2 tucked back in the corner. No signs of repair, with a tight and smooth spindle, and a totally straight main handle. It has some minor surface rust with some leftover layers of paint here and there. The only issue was the swivel handle is minorly bent and the swivel pin was seized and looked like a gorilla was hammering it as it was pretty mushroomed.

I walked out with it for $50 which seems like a decent price after going through hundreds (thousands?) of pages in this thread.

The plans are to do a decent restore and paint it up.

Everything came apart easily except for main nut and that pin, which took about 4 or 5 days of penetrating oil, c-clamps, and minor tapping, and a lot of praying (and some swearing).

I have been looking at the Reed restoration threads and videos about removing the retaining pin that holds the main nut. This is the older straight pin that bent over and not the split pin. It seems like it should be driven out from the bottom but it looks like it was mushroomed then ground as the bottom side is substantially larger than the internal side. see pics...

• Am I correct in assuming that I can grind off the head of the pin on the bottom and then drive it through fro the bottom?
• Once that is accomplished, do I reuse the original pin or fit a new one?

Thanks for any input!

Frank

 

[chrisnazzy]

Howdy folks! Long time lurker here...

I have been looking for an solid American vice for the last 8-10 months with no luck until last week. I was vacationing in northern Wisconsin and had a day to kill due to bad weather.

I stopped at a tiny antiques place and found this Reed 403 1/2 tucked back in the corner. No signs of repair, with a tight and smooth spindle, and a totally straight main handle. It has some minor surface rust with some leftover layers of paint here and there. The only issue was the swivel handle is minorly bent and the swivel pin was seized and looked like a gorilla was hammering it as it was pretty mushroomed.

I walked out with it for $50 which seems like a decent price after going through hundreds (thousands?) of pages in this thread.

The plans are to do a decent restore and paint it up.

Everything came apart easily except for main nut and that pin, which took about 4 or 5 days of penetrating oil, c-clamps, and minor tapping, and a lot of praying (and some swearing).

I have been looking at the Reed restoration threads and videos about removing the retaining pin that holds the main nut. This is the older straight pin that bent over and not the split pin. It seems like it should be driven out from the bottom but it looks like it was mushroomed then ground as the bottom side is substantially larger than the internal side. see pics...

• Am I correct in assuming that I can grind off the head of the pin on the bottom and then drive it through fro the bottom?
• Once that is accomplished, do I reuse the original pin or fit a new one?

Thanks for any input!

Frank

Now that's how you introduce yourself in the GJ vise thread!

Welcome Steelheader and congratulations on the awesome Reed vise acquisition. That is a great first vise to cut your teeth on and certainly if my first was a Reed swivel jaw I wouldn't ever let that one go.

As for the pin, I'm not aware of the early Reed pins being tapered so you should be able to drive that pin out from the bottom or top. On a couple of my Rock Islands I've driven the pin back down by setting the static on a couple blocks of wood but I'm pretty sure it'll move in either direction.

Chris

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[gman007]

Howdy folks! Long time lurker here...

I have been looking for an solid American vice for the last 8-10 months with no luck until last week. I was vacationing in northern Wisconsin and had a day to kill due to bad weather.

I stopped at a tiny antiques place and found this Reed 403 1/2 tucked back in the corner. No signs of repair, with a tight and smooth spindle, and a totally straight main handle. It has some minor surface rust with some leftover layers of paint here and there. The only issue was the swivel handle is minorly bent and the swivel pin was seized and looked like a gorilla was hammering it as it was pretty mushroomed.

I walked out with it for $50 which seems like a decent price after going through hundreds (thousands?) of pages in this thread.

The plans are to do a decent restore and paint it up.

Everything came apart easily except for main nut and that pin, which took about 4 or 5 days of penetrating oil, c-clamps, and minor tapping, and a lot of praying (and some swearing).

I have been looking at the Reed restoration threads and videos about removing the retaining pin that holds the main nut. This is the older straight pin that bent over and not the split pin. It seems like it should be driven out from the bottom but it looks like it was mushroomed then ground as the bottom side is substantially larger than the internal side. see pics...

• Am I correct in assuming that I can grind off the head of the pin on the bottom and then drive it through fro the bottom?
• Once that is accomplished, do I reuse the original pin or fit a new one?

Thanks for any input!

Frank

Frank Welcome to GJ. @$50 you did well. Your plan for removing the pin should work. If after grinding off/ cutting off the head , you still can not pound it out through the bottom , you might try drilling it.

 

[Shiftless]

gman007:
I believe there are some reproductions floating around.

 

[chrisnazzy]

Steelheader:

I happen to have a pic of a 403 1/2 on my phone. This one was stripped and spiffed up by GJ member Crotalusatrox. It's a bit later version with the flattened nose but I thought you might enjoy it nonetheless.

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[BenG76]

What an awesome thread. Lots of great pics. I wish I had the time to look through it all.

 

[KMScott]

Finishing up another Rock Island Automatic.

ed... nice job, those are pretty rare vises. I like the finish and the look of that auto swivel lock Rock Island.

 

[dkroth]

I am not a registered user for Mechams auctions so I can’t find the results, but here is a page referencing the auction from 7 years ago.
Maybe this is the one I heard about that hit 60 grand.

Ha! I can help with that one.

Frankly, I'd be very tempted to raise my hand at $3100.

.

 

[Steelheader]

Thanks everyone!

Writing up that first post, I forgot to mention how completely stoked I am with that vise. It is so substantial and well made. I find myself going to my work area and just kind of "fondling" the pieces and playing with the swivel jaw.


chrisnazzy: I am hoping that i can drive it out from the bottom as i tried getting into the area from the top but is was recessed to far back to get a good angle on the punch. Also, that newer 403 1/2R looks great. I am torn on the color but I am kind of thinking the sage green used on industrial machinery. Oh decisions, decisions.

gman007: Drilling is always an option but I would like to save that for a last ditch effort.


Thanks,
Frank

 

[dkroth]

Shift
I found an old GJ thread from 2014
https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/archive/index.php/t-236895.html
(interestingly Outlaws was in the discussion too) in which Mohawk Dave states:
Mohawk Dave
02-16-2014, 06:03 PM
Google it, these Bugatti vises have come up for discussion before...
Holy Moly! NOS went for $76k!!!! Ok, they are valuable!
and then references another site (UK site)

I remember that thread though I don't recall the ebay listing.





.

 

[va.grouseman]

Steelheader. $50.00 well spent.---My favorite brand.

 

[gman007]

gman007:
I believe there are some reproductions floating around.

Shift I believe there is a company in UK called Tula Engineering LTD that claims to make Bugatti vises. Here is the web site and it loads pretty slow
http://Tula-bug.co.uk/vices

Ps
I just had a quick look at the web site they are definitely copies supposedly made to exact Bugatti specs

 

[454ragtop]

Steelheader, why do you think you need to remove the nut? Probably been in there for close to 100 years with no problems, why make one now? Your vise, do what you like, but I hate to see people make a problem where none existed.

 

[Shiftless]

Steelheader, why do you think you need to remove the nut? Probably been in there for close to 100 years with no problems, why make one now? Your vise, do what you like, but I hate to see people make a problem where none existed.

to that ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
I don’t take them out unless I absolutely have to.

 

[trijeff]

Except of the P98 none of my daily users have been cleaned, disassembled or even greased. And like KMScott, not one of them is bolted down. I'm like the car mechanic with the broken down car.

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