Picked up this Yost 202(?) connected to a workbench, cleaned up quite nicely.
After
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After
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The VISES of Garage Journal
- Thread starter mjozefow
- Start date
Mr. Wonderful
Well-known member
I had a chance to get some better pictures of 5197 over the weekend. It looks like April of 1948 on the slide. It's a little rough but it can be saved. I wish I had a time machine to go back and find who beat on the front of this vise! I dont think there is anything that can be done to fix the dents on the end of the nose? From what I have seen on here a few battle scars are a nothing to worry about. If anyone has a line on some swivel locks I would be interested.
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dutchgray
Well-known member
I returned home from my work trip this morning and went and met up with a former colleague from "across the pond" who was nice enough to act as a vise mule for me and brought me this pretty little Portuguese-made Oliva No.2. I don't know how uncommon they are over in England and Europe, but they aren't too common over here in the states as far as I've seen. I was set on my mission to acquire one after seeing a No. 0 Oliva posted by Kevin (KMScott) in the Vise Information thread - such a nicely styled little vise.
Was that the £35 ebay one? I had been watching it for a couple years, was originally listed for more, never bought it myself as I would never have used it and as a practically unknown make it would never have been worth much, very cool vice though.
https://chicago.craigslist.org/sox/tls/d/bench-vise/6729156437.html
It's a No2 I forgot to upload the photo
It's a No2 I forgot to upload the photo
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Asport
Well-known member
CrotalusAtrox
Well-known member
Finest Jaws produced much better then the originals.
trijeff
Well-known member
nice work Asport
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chrisnazzy
Well-known member
That is a very fine job on the restore. When your original meatball / handle and newly machined swivel pin can stand up against a new set of Kevin's jaws, you know you've done well.
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MissileBear
Well-known member
Finally finished the Wilton No. 6 after 15 months. This one took a good amount of time to remove the old jaws, disassemble, remove many coats of paint, and clean out 70+ years of grease packed into the deepest crevasses. I also spent some time smoothing out some of the rough casting marks and a lot of welding splatter. This vise saw some work for sure.
Jaws had horizontal knurling, and there is no stamp on the slide. I have the jaws stashed for safe keeping and opted for some replacement smooth jaws from Reverend Scott.
Tried to keep the original color close to the same. The ol' lady picked maroon for the lettering....I like it.
Just shy of 107 pounds, 6" jaws, opens to almost 10 inches. Getting mounted on my main workbench until I find that 8"
Jaws had horizontal knurling, and there is no stamp on the slide. I have the jaws stashed for safe keeping and opted for some replacement smooth jaws from Reverend Scott.
Tried to keep the original color close to the same. The ol' lady picked maroon for the lettering....I like it.
Just shy of 107 pounds, 6" jaws, opens to almost 10 inches. Getting mounted on my main workbench until I find that 8"
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You’re right about the maroon lettering! Nice job[emoji481]
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KMScott
Well-known member
Nice job Asport, your handle and swivel pin is machined perfectly, glad I could help.
Not very many of those vises around, most Wilton jaws in that era was 3/4 tall not 1" tall like yours. Wilton kept the screw holes the same like your vise and it is the same for their Tradesman vise's at 4" center to center. Looks great Missile.
davethorik
Well-known member
MayerMR
Well-known member
That's the one. I prefer to call it an "obscure" make rather than unknown though
I really just like the lines of the vise a lot and didn't really care if it was a bad mamma jamma. That said, after receiving it, I feel that the vise is extremely well-made. I'd put it in the same bracket as an English Record, easily. Quite a nice little item. I hope to locate and collect the other sizes as well.
Extremely nicely done. Love the work you did on the handle. Did you machine it from a single piece (handle notwithstanding)? What made you need to make a new one? Was the original missing or broken - just curious...
Couldn't agree more.
Really nice job on that restoration, looks great!
I've paid more than $25 for much, much less desirable vises. Hell of a score there Dave.
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va.grouseman
Well-known member
You couldn't.
As I always point out,---just look at those fine machined tolerances between the swivel jaw and the static body.---That's not by accident.
Shiftless
Well-known member
dave...
Reed 404 for only $25?
YOU ****!
Reed 404 for only $25?
YOU ****!
dutchgray
Well-known member
That's the one. I prefer to call it an "obscure" make rather than unknown though
I really just like the lines of the vise a lot and didn't really care if it was a bad mamma jamma. That said, after receiving it, I feel that the vise is extremely well-made. I'd put it in the same bracket as an English Record, easily. Quite a nice little item. I hope to locate and collect the other sizes as well.
Good luck finding them all, that was only the second one I had ever seen for sale available to me in the UK, think a trip to Italy may be in order.
Asport
Well-known member
No doubt about that. It took hours to fit because they are so f'n hard.
Thanks! The old handle was hammered on and bent. I machined the new one similar to how Kevin does it. Handle turned from stressproof the balls drilled and turned on a lathe then peened.
-Roger
davethorik
Well-known member
Thanks guys...this was listed as a 'vise clamp' on Letgo. I didn't even haggle.
Ironically I just picked up a Hollands 44 swivel jaw swivel base 4"er. The Hollands is a bigger vise in just about every aspect, surprisingly. I may end up flipping the Reed.
chrisnazzy
Well-known member
If you get a chance, I'd bet I'm not the only one who would enjoy seeing some pics of the Hollands and Reed 4" swivel jaws together.
It's hard to conceptualize differences between the two, especially in size, because they are so similar in design.
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Woolfat
Member
Hi folks, I'm new to GJ and I keep returning to this thread to look at your vises and read up on the great info and history, it's really helpful and much appreciated. I've recently started a small collection and I've been fortunate to find some locally in pretty good shape for decent prices. I've been helped a lot by a fellow member (MayerMR) who has the patience of a saint, has been willing to share what he knows, and has a great passion for vises.... not to mention he's a terrific enabler (in a good way, right?) for a new collector like me.
I'd like to share a recent find which was kind of an afterthought as I was picking up a couple other vises, I noticed this little vise blending in to the other rusty rubble on this guy's front porch and he was glad to let it go. It's similar to the Miller's Falls example from a few pages ago, but I can find no markings as to the maker anywhere on it. Neat little vise.
I'd like to share a recent find which was kind of an afterthought as I was picking up a couple other vises, I noticed this little vise blending in to the other rusty rubble on this guy's front porch and he was glad to let it go. It's similar to the Miller's Falls example from a few pages ago, but I can find no markings as to the maker anywhere on it. Neat little vise.
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akasrick
Well-known member
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Woolfat
Member
Possibly one of these?
akasrick
It very well could be, it sure looks like it. I looked very closely and didn't see any markings anywhere. I'll look again for that Stearns mark though. Thanks, akasrick.
akasrick
Well-known member
There may be no name as pictured in the drawing. Check the vise spreadsheet for weight and jaw size you may get a match there. You have smooth jaws, not like pictured. It's a good looking vise, congrats.
akasrick
njc41980
Well-known member
Who makes a quality vise today that stacks up with these great vintage ones?
And how much does it cost?
I'm considering buying a big No. 6 Paramo swivel base, but I plan to use it, and don't really want to pay more for used than I can get new.
And how much does it cost?
I'm considering buying a big No. 6 Paramo swivel base, but I plan to use it, and don't really want to pay more for used than I can get new.
MayerMR
Well-known member
To answer your first question, you can still get a good vise made by Wilton, but you are going to lay out some dough for it.
As a secondary comment, I just recently picked up a No 5 Paramo and that is one stout vise. I highly recommend them.
Asport
Well-known member
Tide, That's one nice vise that dates probably from the mid 1970's or newer. It was expensive back then almost $200. They were made to last like Reeds! Paint looks pretty good now. The original paint was some funky multicolor green almost looked like a trunk paint.
va.grouseman
Well-known member
That's a 
Asport.---Those are my 2 favorite vises for quality and durability.---They're top of the line.---JMO of course.
Asport.---Those are my 2 favorite vises for quality and durability.---They're top of the line.---JMO of course.MissileBear
Well-known member
I don't know what kind of paint they used....might be some kind of epoxy paint. It is very difficult to remove. Paint stripper didn't do much but give it a slimy feel, electrolysis hardly touched it after 2 days, and even wirewheeling it off is difficult. My electrolysis bath now imparts a slight green/blue tint to everything I dunk in the tank from whatever dyes are in the Athol green.
That is the only reason I haven't finished my 924 yet....
MissileBear
Well-known member
I know that the 4C, Wilton C3, and Parker 436 all pretty close in weight & size- I thought the C3 was the heaviest of the bunch?
gman007
Well-known member
In descending order
Prentiss 186 240lb 7"
Athol/Starrett 326 225lb 6"
Rock Island 544B 205lb 6"
Wilton C3 204lb 6"
Prentiss 356 203lb 6"
Atlas 144 185lb 6"
Blake (Prentiss) 183 185lb 6"
Charles Parker 289 1/2 185lb 6"
Charles Parker 436 185lb 6"
Hollands 129 185lb 6"
Prentiss 183 185lb 6"
Reed 4C 185lb 6"
Reed 34 178lb 6"
meatsis
Well-known member
Here’s a starrett 326 sitting next to a 4” Prentiss. Weighing in at 225 pounds. I’ve never seen a 8” with pipe jaws.
I was asked for some additional pics and measurements on the Reed 103 - N, so here they are:
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![IMG_1508[1].jpg](/forum/data/attachments/674/674909-0753404e0465e3a1649073e11b26588b.jpg)
![IMG_1509[1].jpg](/forum/data/attachments/674/674942-e41e7755c7bb770a25ceafd7f748e316.jpg)
Great list, thanks!
I would have to say that the Wilton C3 should be on the bottom of this list. I've had a C3 and it wasn't anywhere near the vise at the 4C is. For some reason, I didn't weigh my C3, but I would have a hard time believing it weighs more than a 4C. I did weigh my Wilton 800N and it came in at 207 lbs and that vise seems to be a lot more vise than a C3. Does anyone have a real-world weight of a C3?
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njc41980
Well-known member
What would be the modern equivalent be for that big Paramo No 6?
gman007
Well-known member
Do not forget that your 800N does not have a base. C3 has a base which I am GUESSING alone might weigh who knows may be 15-25lb.
PS
There could also be a weight variation over the years and depending on the age of C3 there might be different weights.
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MayerMR
Well-known member
I'm sure other's may have some input/differing opinions, but probably something along these lines:
Wilton 600S 6":
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0008JF9MW/?tag=atomicindus08-20
Gibralter 6":
https://www.mscdirect.com/product/details/63494199
Bessey 6":
https://www.mscdirect.com/product/details/33831637
Yost 6":
https://www.mscdirect.com/product/details/79207064
None of them are remotely cheap. Additionally, I've never heard of the "Gibralter" brand, but it does look stout...
Regardless, I think a person has to be just about crazy to want to spend that kind of dough on a brand new vise when there are so many great quality used vises to be had for comparative pittances. Just my opinion, however.
Quick Edit:
That Paramo No.5 that I have is an utter beast of a vise. I can only assume that No. 6 that you're considering is a slightly larger sibling. You would most certainly be happy with it and likely have *a lot* of extra money in your pocket at the end of the day.
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chrisnazzy
Well-known member
Very nice list gman!
I don't have a catalog page or the weight but I can assure you guys this 6" jaw American Scale no. 25 I saw would fit in that list somewhere. It's missing it's pipe jaws and swivel base but should be north of 200lbs. Anybody have a catalog scan on it?
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I don't have a catalog page or the weight but I can assure you guys this 6" jaw American Scale no. 25 I saw would fit in that list somewhere. It's missing it's pipe jaws and swivel base but should be north of 200lbs. Anybody have a catalog scan on it?
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