The VISES of Garage Journal

[kenc184]

That works!

Might I suggest that you do the same as I did with my old Reed 1C; I purchased it in nice original condition, but the vise had surface rust in many places. I used Purple Power degreaser and plastic and brass bristle brushes to clean it up nice while preserving the original paint. After it was done, I wiped it down with a light coat of boiled linseed oil and set it in the sun (mid-summer in Dallas, so it was hot) and let it cure for a day (in this current season, you can let it sit inside for a few days and it should still cure just fine).


It serves to protect the vise from rusting and preserves the original finish. Looks good and works well!

S/F,

-Matt

Matt,

Ditto! I've used a bristle brush and a brass bristle brushes also. There's not a lot of rust on this one thanks to the California climate, so I will give it the simple green/dawn dish soap treatment as I have both on hand. Not sure I need to put BLO on it though. MY 57 chevy has sat in my garage in bare metal for a decade and only has minor surface rust.
Got to get back to that car one day.....................................

I notice your Reed has pipe jaws too - nice! Isn't that unusual for a machinists vise?

 

[MayerMR]

Matt,

Ditto! I've used a bristle brush and a brass bristle brushes also. There's not a lot of rust on this one thanks to the California climate, so I will give it the simple green/dawn dish soap treatment as I have both on hand. Not sure I need to put BLO on it though. MY 57 chevy has sat in my garage in bare metal for a decade and only has minor surface rust.
Got to get back to that car one day.....................................

I notice your Reed has pipe jaws too - nice! Isn't that unusual for a machinists vise?

Ken,

I don't *think* the Reed is considered a machinist's vise, but honestly, one of the more knowledgeable fellas here should be able to confirm.

 

[trijeff]

yep, a machinist's combination bench vise, meaning a combo of regular and pipe jaws.

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[KatanaKid]

I guess Ill join the group As I recentlly picked up this one at an estate sale . Any comments as to its history would greatly be appricated .. On another note , id like input on a few findings of this Vise . First I noteced the wood between the jaws Never saw that before on any vise ! After a wash and lube I came to notice Im not sure what to call the elongated treaded part with the two holes in the rear end of it . But it seems to me the bolt on the very rear would go into it for alignment & to retain it . As that part goes into the rear Jaw . Problem I see is that if a bolt goes into either hole . It creates an obstruction in totally closing . May be the reason for the wood between the jaws ? My thought would be that there should be a 3rd hole in center . Which would alighn things and allow total closing . I thought id ask before taking things apon myself ! Thanks for any & all opinions

 

[MayerMR]

Figured I should add my vise to this thread! Picked this Reed No 205 up for free on craigslist and with the advice and help on this forum brought her back to her old glory.

k

what a nice score and even nicer restoration! Great job Ksem!

 

[IdahoMan]

Ken,

I don't *think* the Reed is considered a machinist's vise, but honestly, one of the more knowledgeable fellas here should be able to confirm.

I have to ask, what makes a vise a "Machinist Vise"? Or, what can a MV do that a "regular" vise can't?

Thx.

 

[Mark in Indiana]

I have to ask, what makes a vise a "Machinist Vise"? Or, what can a MV do that a "regular" vise can't?

Thx.

I copied the information below from this link:
https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=62716

*Technically, machinist's vises are almost always made of ductile iron, not cast iron. And yes, before some wag says "well they're cast in a mold, so it's cast iron," the phrase cast iron usually implies grey or white cast irons, which are brittle due to significant graphite content existing in the iron in flakes. Ductile iron's graphite is in a nodular shape which inhibits cracking. It's an important distinction in vises, because high quality vises are made from nodular or spheroidal (ductile) iron, and cheaply made economy vises (often imported) are made of grey cast iron. - Thanks zrexxer

The mechanic's vise is a vise designed to function as more than a mere vise. They usually have an integrated anvil area, and are made of lower grade iron.

If you go to the first page of this thread, you'll find some other links to good information on vises.

 

[Asphalt70]

Thanks Mark, great explanation.
Mechanics vises can be higher graders/ductile steel to, at least that goes for some Record vises like the earlier "Record 75". And with a hardened anvil to.

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[RBarnes]

What are the best $$$ ways to ship a 180 pound vise from Pennsylvania to Texas. I will most likely just go pick it up, but wondered what you guys have had success with? Thanks!

 

[MayerMR]

What are the best $$$ ways to ship a 180 pound vise from Pennsylvania to Texas. I will most likely just go pick it up, but wondered what you guys have had success with? Thanks!

I like to put in a request for bids on UShip.com. If you aren't in a hurry you can usually get a pretty decent price. I've shipped/had delivered saws, arbor presses, cars, motorcycles...even a cat (not joking, really shipped a cat).

 

[gman007]

I guess Ill join the group As I recentlly picked up this one at an estate sale . Any comments as to its history would greatly be appricated .. On another note , id like input on a few findings of this Vise . First I noteced the wood between the jaws Never saw that before on any vise ! After a wash and lube I came to notice Im not sure what to call the elongated treaded part with the two holes in the rear end of it . But it seems to me the bolt on the very rear would go into it for alignment & to retain it . As that part goes into the rear Jaw . Problem I see is that if a bolt goes into either hole . It creates an obstruction in totally closing . May be the reason for the wood between the jaws ? My thought would be that there should be a 3rd hole in center . Which would alighn things and allow total closing . I thought id ask before taking things apon myself ! Thanks for any & all opinions

KK

I beleive this is a FPU BISON vise made in Poland. The company still exists and makes vises. Many members here hold Bison vises in high regard.

As for the history, you can find some good info on their web site
http://www.bison-bial.com/history

As for wood and other possible modification, it is definitely not OEM.

 

[KMScott]

What are the best $$$ ways to ship a 180 pound vise from Pennsylvania to Texas. I will most likely just go pick it up, but wondered what you guys have had success with? Thanks!

I use Fastenal on heavy stuff. Look HERE for the link.

It is requested to build a crate around the vise and attach it to a pallet. I have not been disappointed with Fastenal's sevice.

 

[chrisnazzy]

Picked up a Wilton 9300 last night. My second Wilton. Saw a local FB marketplace post for workbench with grinder and vise. I knew right away of course what the vise was. I paid more for it than any other vise I've bought but @ $100 I'm still very happy.

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[MayerMR]

Picked up a Wilton 9300 last night. My second Wilton. Saw a local FB marketplace post for workbench with grinder and vise. I knew right away of course what the vise was. I paid more for it than any other vise I've bought but @ $100 I'm still very happy.

I don't think a soul on here will fault you for paying $100 for that nice little example!

 

[va.grouseman]

What are the best $$$ ways to ship a 180 pound vise from Pennsylvania to Texas. I will most likely just go pick it up, but wondered what you guys have had success with? Thanks!

RB, I've used both UShip.com and Fastenal and both are really good places to do business with, but I have to lean a little toward Fastenal.---I got the cheapest and quickest service from them.---I believe it will cost you more to make the trip than to make the ship.

 

[KatanaKid]

KK

I beleive this is a FPU BISON vise made in Poland. The company still exists and makes vises. Many members here hold Bison vises in high regard.

As for the history, you can find some good info on their web site
http://www.bison-bial.com/history

As for wood and other possible modification, it is definitely not OEM.

I appricat your suggestion . Although I guess due to age I can not find the one I have . I did clean up the Jaw and can now read " Test # 328 & Made in Poland "

But i still have to figure out the location holes and there alignment

 

[norioca]

here is my collection of Record Vices.

 

[steelkilt]

Hello all, it's been some time since I've been on the thread! Lots of new folks and that's great to see! I'm having an issue and in hoping someone can help?

I purchased a post vise (80lbs.) on ebay with the "local pickup only" because I was advised by a truck driver I work with,"go ahead and buy it,we're there all the time". Well,i guess things went sour and now i can't pick it up unless it's dropped off at our facility (30 minutes away from the sellers house). Then, i can have one of our truck drivers bring to me (900 miles away).

So, if anybody lives,or knows somebody who lives in the Denver/Brighton CO area and doesn't mind burning an hour or so to pick this up and drop it off for me that'd be great! I'll be happy to reimburse whatever expenses you incur as well compensate them for their time and effort.

I figure it's worth a try to put out the word to the folks on the trusty GJ board as a last effort.

If somebody feels they can help, please PM me. Thanks, Tom

 

[kenc184]

here is my collection of Record Vices.

That's got to be a record!

 

[1foxracing]

I appricat your suggestion . Although I guess due to age I can not find the one I have . I did clean up the Jaw and can now read " Test # 328 & Made in Poland "

But i still have to figure out the location holes and there alignment

This is what the rear of one of my Bison-Bial FPU vises looks like, have not a clue what is going on with yours.

 

[Splinterd1]

Hi, just joined you group.
I have a Morgan 40 vise. Had it sitting around my garage for ages after picking it up at a garage sale for $15.00 or so.
Anyway, in the process of cleaning my garage, I thought I would sell it. During that process, I discovered it was worth much more than the $40.00 that I was going to sell it for. So I decided to clean it up and paint it instead.
One thing my vise has that I haven't seen on other Morgans' is there is a brass plate on mine with the initials "C.A. 9782". Has anyone ever seen this on these vises before?, Were they serialized?

 

[trijeff]

Probably just an asset ID tag put on by a previous corporate owner

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[lis2323]

I came across this little “no name/ID “ with 2.5” wide jaws and 1.5” travel.

I gave the guy $ 5, which is $5 more than I would have wanted to pay for it but it had fixed front/rear moving jaws.

Only marking is the number “2”.





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[Fierljeppen]

I came across this little “no name/ID “ with 2.5” wide jaws and 1.5” travel.

I gave the guy $ 5, which is $5 more than I would have wanted to pay for it but it had fixed front/rear moving jaws.

Only marking is the number “2”.

I wish I could find a vintage German jewelers vise for $5.

The catalog scan is from 1935.

 

[KatanaKid]

This is what the rear of one of my Bison-Bial FPU vises looks like, have not a clue what is going on with yours.

Now that makes sence ! I looked through 80 pages on E Bay , found 3 . All had 2 screws on back . But they were #326 which I believe is 4 in wide Jaw . Mine again is #328 and a 5 in Jaw . Now I could drill & tap two new holes and things would be fine . But I dont want to rush into that just yet Id like to know more first . On another note . I like the paint work on yours . Where & what did you sourse there ?

 

[Shiftless]

I wish I could find a vintage German jewelers vise for $5.

The catalog scan is from 1935.

I’d buy two at that price!

 

[Splinterd1]

You're probably right.

I've read that the Morgan Chicago vises are pre 1947. Do you think this is accurate info?

 

[RBarnes]

RB, I've used both UShip.com and Fastenal and both are really good places to do business with, but I have to lean a little toward Fastenal.---I got the cheapest and quickest service from them.---I believe it will cost you more to make the trip than to make the ship.

Thank you, I really appreciate your insight on shipping. I do drive across the US quite a bit, so while picking it up is not cost sensible, I probably can schedule something else to go along with it. Just need shipping info in case that does not work out.

 

[Outlawmws]

You're probably right.

I've read that the Morgan Chicago vises are pre 1947. Do you think this is accurate info?

Yup, 29-47 was Chicago. Early were grey, later were blue.

 

[Outlawmws]

I came across this little “no name/ID “ with 2.5” wide jaws and 1.5” travel.

I gave the guy $ 5, which is $5 more than I would have wanted to pay for it but it had fixed front/rear moving jaws.

Only marking is the number “2”.


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I'll double your money Lis!

 

[Outlawmws]

My Saturday find: A No. 53-1/2 Prentiss Homeowners exposed screw vise. I can't recall seeing one of these. its heavy for a little 3-1/2" homeowners at 18 lbs!

The handle is the skiniest one I've seen for a vise this size, adn it has an Art deco "Airplane" feel to it.

 

[trijeff]

I think it's referred to as the Penny Pincher, have always loved the lines of those. Great pick up!

EDIT: wrong again lol. Columbian made the PP, but very similar in lines

 

[lis2323]

I'll double your money Lis!

Tempting, but I wouldn’t be able to sleep at night accepting such a generous offer. Thanks anyway![emoji1]


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[va.grouseman]

Here's you another one pretty cheap.---I'd buy it but I've already got one.


https://www.ebay.com/i/283176931312?chn=ps

 

[MayerMR]

Here's you another one pretty cheap.---I'd buy it but I've already got one.


https://www.ebay.com/i/283176931312?chn=ps

Hell, for $20 I couldn't pass it up. I've always liked the lines of that one too.

 

[va.grouseman]

Here's another little jewel I'd like to have, but at $53.00 a lb., I just can't see the light for the dust.


https://www.ebay.com/itm/Vintage-Em...661340?hash=item3b1b27c3dc:g:0h0AAOSwuMRbfdFm

 

[Jaydb07]

My Saturday find: A No. 53-1/2 Prentiss Homeowners exposed screw vise. I can't recall seeing one of these. its heavy for a little 3-1/2" homeowners at 18 lbs!

The handle is the skiniest one I've seen for a vise this size, adn it has an Art deco "Airplane" feel to it.

That’s quite an unusual little Prentiss.

 

[Fierljeppen]

My Saturday find: A No. 53-1/2 Prentiss Homeowners exposed screw vise. I can't recall seeing one of these. its heavy for a little 3-1/2" homeowners at 18 lbs!

The handle is the skiniest one I've seen for a vise this size, adn it has an Art deco "Airplane" feel to it.

I don't recall seeing many of these either. It's definitely not lacking any style points.

 

[Outlawmws]

Haha! It was gone before I got to the link! But glad one of ours got it and not a lurker!

When you get it Mayer, can you get me the dimensions of the cutter?

One of these is enough for me. With two of then both red, I'm thinking original paint? VA? is yours also red?

 

[protegeV]

This thread should be called the VICES of GJ.

Good lord, these clamping devices ain't no joke around here.