The VISES of Garage Journal

[twagler]

Here is my $5 "job lot" purchased at a farm auction this past weekend. (No, I didn't bid on it because of the leg catch trap or the hammer.)

The vise is a Model 35 "Canadian", 3.5" wide jaw, 4" opening, 21 lbs weight. Living in Canada, I have a special interest in finding vises manufactured here (Rae being the only broadly distributed manufacturer). I think I've only seen one of these "Canadian" branded vises being sold before. There is only one mention of Canadian in the vise info spreadsheet as a manufacturer and absolutely no mention of this brand anywhere on-line.

However, after examining the styling of this vise more closely, I'm strongly suspicious that the "Canadian" was likely just a rebranded vise manufactured by Rae, as opposed to a stand-alone foundry. Here is a comparison to a Rae 35. It is also a 3.5" wide jaw, obviously less heavy-duty, but the styling similarities are unmistakable.


The backside (slanted and closed-in) is a bit different.


Just curious if anyone else here owns a "Canadian" vise, or knows more about their history?

 

[pdubss]

Moved this here from the cise repair thread. Got started cleaning up this Craftsman today. Looking forward to it as it is my first vise without an exposed screw. Currently it is disassembled, soaking in Evaporust. Kind of messed up the badge removing it, so if anyone has a lead on a replacement that would be most appreciated.

 

[Fierljeppen]

Just curious if anyone else here owns a "Canadian" vise, or knows more about their history?

I've got one lead for you from a 1922 magazine. It's a true Canadian vise that lists the foundry as well.

Good luck with a difficult search, would love to see any results.

 

[Jaydb07]

Hello. Bought a Reed vise today. Has “Patent Nov 3 1908” on one side and “424” on the other side. I researched this site and Google and was not able to locate a model 424. It has the swivel rear jaw like other 400 series and it has has 4 inch jaws. Just curious if anyone has any more info on the 424? Thanks.

Envy. Wonderful vise.


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[joe.striper]

I believe that’s actually a coach makers vise some one has cut the jaw height down on. I have a 414 1/2 reed which is a fillers model swivel jaw with swivel


That vise is unmolested and original. I have its twin but no swivel jaw. It is the only Parker with that style jaw. Very interesting!

 

[joe.striper]

GREAT picking weekend. Every piece was a different seller and all within 20 miles of each other. Here is half of my pics. Reed split nut 224 1/2, just pristine.

4.5" Stephens

Chicago Wilton 820. Original finish. 06/53 slide stamp

 

[joe.striper]

Here is a very nice Reed 324 1/2.

I also bought a 6" Parker with fitted jaw covers but I don't have pics.

 

[eclou]

Garage sale $10 Buffalo 3" bench vise. Was bound up by surface corrosion. Disassembled, cleaned and lubed and now functioning well

 

[chrisnazzy]

GREAT picking weekend. Every piece was a different seller and all within 20 miles of each other. Here is half of my pics. Reed split nut 224 1/2, just pristine.

Hey Joe, When I was posting the Reed catalog scans last night I was thinking of these 2 Coachmaker's you just picked up. I had just seen your FB post a few hours earlier. That 224 1/2R looks completely unused and it is definitely on the top of my list of vises I'd like to acquire. Congratulations on all the excellent finds!

Chris

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[RagTopTA]

thought this little guy was a Milwaukee at first but now Im not so sure after looking them up. Any idea?

 

[Jaydb07]

GREAT picking weekend. Every piece was a different seller and all within 20 miles of each other. Here is half of my pics. Reed split nut 224 1/2, just pristine.



4.5" Stephens



Chicago Wilton 820. Original finish. 06/53 slide stamp

What on earth is that Stephens lever arm thing about?


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[Jaydb07]

Garage sale $10 Buffalo 3" bench vise. Was bound up by surface corrosion. Disassembled, cleaned and lubed and now functioning well

Looks like a vise that pumps iron


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[justin.d.richards.9]

Well come to find out in conversation with the gentleman about that Parker I posted the other day he paid $300 for it!! He initially called me wrong but did some research and still doesn't believe anything is broken though.. He said he got an offer for $150 for it he turned down so another that doesn't know. I try and do research before I purchase anything like any normal person should do.


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[454ragtop]

thought this little guy was a Milwaukee at first but now Im not so sure after looking them up. Any idea?

With those handles, it has an Asian import look about it...…..

 

[RagTopTA]

With those handles, it has an Asian import look about it...…..

that's kinda what I was thinking too.

 

[bulletpruf]

Got an interesting e mail from a buddy of mine -

"I didn't know you collected vises. I might have one you might like it's old and I believe it has 10 inch jaws. Takes 2 people to lift it and the handle is probably 3 feet long. I can't remember the brand off hand."

This guy has a shop and he works on BIG stuff - farming machinery, big trucks, etc., so not surprised that he has a monster vise. But 10"? Are there really vintage 10" vises out there???

Bad news...it's not a 10" vise. Just a puny 8" one -- Parker 600. He thinks it's about 260 lbs. Anyone got a clue on value on one of these? It's complete and solid (not missing any chunks) but it's seen some use over the years.

Scott

 

[joe.striper]

Bad news...it's not a 10" vise. Just a puny 8" one -- Parker 600. He thinks it's about 260 lbs. Anyone got a clue on value on one of these? It's complete and solid (not missing any chunks) but it's seen some use over the years.

Scott

Parker 600 is 240 lbs 8.5" jaws

 

[va.grouseman]

And is a Stationary base.


Here's a pic of a #400.---Just have to extrapolate.

https://www.ebay.com/i/201615090473?chn=ps

 

[va.grouseman]

Here's a nice little table clamp vise I picked up.---Don't know who made it.---No maker's mark anywhere, but is pretty well made.

 

[454ragtop]

Pretty cool VA, I like it! Never seen one like it, but like you said appears to be very well made.

 

[gman007]

Here's a nice little table clamp vise I picked up.---Don't know who made it.---No maker's mark anywhere, but is pretty well made.

VA
Pretty neat little vise and well constructed and it does not surprise me that person finding such a unique vise is you, as you always do.

At least from the photos it almost looks like some parts were machined rather than cast.

 

[KMScott]

VA, I like that vise you picked up, seems to follow your sig line in years past. Any vise built like that is a true prize. Check out those serrations, very aggressive.

 

[bulletpruf]

Bad news...it's not a 10" vise. Just a puny 8" one -- Parker 600. He thinks it's about 260 lbs. Anyone got a clue on value on one of these? It's complete and solid (not missing any chunks) but it's seen some use over the years.

Scott

Someone put some nuts on the handle, so that may not be original.

 

[Jaydb07]

Someone went to the trouble to put solid copper jaws in this Columbian barn find that I restored. Right?


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[KMScott]

Hey Scott, you remember how to add handles, I remember mailing you one a while back. You sure find nice vises over there. Thanks for the picture since it was missing in the spreadsheet along with the max opening.

 

[gman007]

Someone put some nuts on the handle, so that may not be original.

Scott
Congrats on finding an 8.5" unicorn, it is for sure a beast

 

[Maui]

Joe Striper,

Could you post the dimensions for the top and bottom diameters as well as the length of the taper pin in your Reed 324 1/2 swivel jaw vise? I have the same vise but am missing the taper pin and plan to make one on my lathe. But in order to do that I'll need to know what the taper is supposed to be. And I can figure that out from the dimensions. Thanks!

Maui

 

[bulletpruf]

And is a Stationary base.

Here's a pic of a #400.---Just have to extrapolate.

https://www.ebay.com/i/201615090473?chn=ps

Thanks for the info and the link.

Scott

 

[bulletpruf]

Hey Scott, you remember how to add handles, I remember mailing you one a while back. You sure find nice vises over there. Thanks for the picture since it was missing in the spreadsheet along with the max opening.

Yes, I certainly do remember!

I have found a few nice vises, but this one isn't mine yet. Working on it, though.

Thanks,

Scott

 

[bulletpruf]

Scott
Congrats on finding an 8.5" unicorn, it is for sure a beast

Thanks

 

[SGHinds]

My first real find! Went to my first estate sale. I ended up finding what I went for in the first place. While looking around the dirty garage, I saw the base of this vise sticking out of a pile of trash. I offered the guy $25 more than our agreed upon price for the other stuff I had already picked out.

I took it home and did some quick searching online only to find there isn't much information besides its a woodworking vise. Don't see any prior ones that sold so I don't know of an approximate value. I cleaned up the rust and grime figuring I might sell/trade it for a larger vise I might actually use. I have a small Wilton 8300N that does the job but figure I might be able to get something a bit larger.

 

[Jaydb07]

That is a helluva score, brother. Have fun with it!


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[va.grouseman]

SGH, that's probably the best vise deal you are ever going to score.---It's downhill from here.---You aught to keep that one, cause one day you will be mad at yourself if you didn't.

 

[Outlawmws]

SGH, that's probably the best vise deal you are ever going to score.---It's downhill from here.---You aught to keep that one, cause one day you will be mad at yourself if you didn't.

THIS^^^!!!

Also, its a larger vise than the 3" Wilton but keep in mind, its is a pattern makers wood working vise. Don't try to use it as a press. It has a much longer slide so it can handle much larger work pieces, but its intended to hold the work (not press on ball joints and U joints...)

Great find and score!

 

[akasrick]

My first real find! Went to my first estate sale. I ended up finding what I went for in the first place. While looking around the dirty garage, I saw the base of this vise sticking out of a pile of trash. I offered the guy $25 more than our agreed upon price for the other stuff I had already picked out.

I took it home and did some quick searching online only to find there isn't much information besides its a woodworking vise. Don't see any prior ones that sold so I don't know of an approximate value. I cleaned up the rust and grime figuring I might sell/trade it for a larger vise I might actually use. I have a small Wilton 8300N that does the job but figure I might be able to get something a bit larger.

Looks like you paid $12.00 over the for new price. There is another listed on the spread sheet.

 

[va.grouseman]

THIS^^^!!!

Also, its a larger vise than the 3" Wilton but keep in mind, its is a pattern makers wood working vise. Don't try to use it as a press. It has a much longer slide so it can handle much larger work pieces, but its intended to hold the work (not press on ball joints and U joints...)

Great find and score!

Yep, what Outlaw said.---If you was to gamble and try to use that nice piece as a machinist vise, in the mirror you can watch a grown man cry.

 

[mgmlvks]

SG - My Prentiss 26 - paid a bit more than you - but it is great shape! Is the pin original and can you get a pic of it?

More pics here - https://www.flickr.com/photos/46064258@N08/albums/72157695927853762

 

[chrisnazzy]

Color me jealous! All of the coachmaker's over the last few days are awesome. I really want one (and I promise to only use it for its intended purpose!)[emoji16]

I've been a bit bummed lately because its been teetering around 120 degrees here which means it's even hotter in my garage. I can't even stand to be out there for a minute or two but I've got vises calling my name. I've got 3 done just awaiting paint or final finish and 3 more I haven't even started started yet. Funny how in so much of the country this is a great time of year to be outside. I'm not complaining though. 4 months of sweltering and 8 months of awesome sure beats ice and snow and everything that goes along with winter.

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[davethorik]

Color me jealous! All of the coachmaker's over the last few days are awesome. I really want one (and I promise to only use it for its intended purpose!)[emoji16]

I almost bought a Prentiss double swivel coachmakers vise a long time ago, unfortunately it had one of the worst slide cracks I've ever seen (think slightly ***********) it would only open about 4" or so, I passed.

However those Reed filers vises get my naughty bits tingling, I think they are a good halfway between coachmakers and standard machinist. They must not be very common.

 

[Outlawmws]

Chris and Dave It took me years to fined a pattern makers vise, and then it was at an auction, and no where near a Usuck price. I bought it. (and two other vises...)