The VISES of Garage Journal

[4Nines]

The vise you are looking for is certainly a big un but I'm sure you know that already. The biggest spread on a 3 bolt swivel base I have is a Prentiss 21 which is right at 7".

Sent from my SM-G930P using Tapatalk

That's the odd part! The base is massive, but a 7 or 8 inch vise would take up most of the tool tray, which I would think would reduce the functionality of the cart. I would love it if the vise were that big, but I'm thinking it's a really early 1900s vise that's in the 4 to 6 inch jaw range. Maybe a real early Prentiss

 

[bagged89s10]

Any of you ever ship a vise cross country before?

I'm currently selling my Morgan #40, and I don't want to go overboard on the packaging, but at the same time don't want something that will break apart in transit.

What do you suggest? Maybe some plywood on the outside, reinforced at the corners? Maybe a crosspiece tightened in the jaws and screwed to the side?

-Splinterd1

I’ve used old pallets or cheap 1x2 and plywood and made a crate to ship vises before. Usually adds a max 15lbs to the vise. I have also shipped smaller vises just in a box with a s?@t ton of bubble wrap.




Sent from my iPhone using Garage Journal

 

[4Nines]

If anyone can help me find the vise for this old girl I will owe you big time

 

[bagged89s10]

Lucky guy checking in . 647 cast on the fixed jaw, 617 on the dynamic jaw. 10-inch diameter base. Swivel jaw which the seller didn't even know about!

Lucky *******! I was ready to go get it when someone told me about it.

 

[bagged89s10]

If anyone can help me find the vise for this old girl I will owe you big time

I think you should just ship that stand to me. It’s from New Britain, CT, and I live 5 min from there. It should be close to home.

 

[oak_park]

Wish I had more pics, it's already sold at an estate sale....looks like a Wilton to me but the anvil makes me wonder. Lane Tech is a high school here in Chicago.

 

[Fierljeppen]

If anyone can help me find the vise for this old girl I will owe you big time.

Ok, the photo says it all. Now I can see why you want to get the corresponding vise.

I think you should be looking for a standard 5" stationary machinist vise from (1910-1920s) New Britain didn't specify what vise they used other than 5" standard.

Prentiss, Parker, Reed, Rock Island, Massey and Athol should be on that list.

Be patient, enjoy the hunt!

 

[Woolfat]

MayerMR
I don't have any scans of Miller Falls vises. What I posted is Stearns information, taken from a page with non relevant advs. Will post if you want.
Maybe the OP will post the vise weight and maybe a pic of the rear of the vise. Looks as if the oval slide was made by more than one company. No other thoughts here.
akasrick

Thank you, akasrick. I'm not sure how much it weighs exactly, maybe tomorrow I'll bring it to work and use one of the scales there. I don't think my bathroom scale would be very accurate on a vise that small.

Thanks for adding those pics, MayerMR. I'm just now getting a chance to check in on this thread or I would have put those up. If additional pics would help please let me know and I'll get some more.

 

[4Nines]

Ok, the photo says it all. Now I can see why you want to get the corresponding vise.

I think you should be looking for a standard 5" stationary machinist vise from (1910-1920s) New Britain didn't specify what vise they used other than 5" standard.

Prentiss, Parker, Reed, Rock Island, Massey and Athol should be on that list.

Be patient, enjoy the hunt!

I’m pretty sure my stand is for a standard make vise of the era because my base is not for a stationary vise that is shown in the stock photos. I’ve seen a picture of a stand with this base and it’s nothing like mine. The mystery continues!

 

[4Nines]

Notice the relief cast into the top for the stationary vise that New Britain sold for the stand. My casting is completely different.

 

[4Nines]

I think you should just ship that stand to me. It’s from New Britain, CT, and I live 5 min from there. It should be close to home.

Please keep an eye out for vises with mounting holes on 8.75” centers since you’re near the motherland

 

[steaks&anvils]

"If anyone can help me find the vise for this old girl I will owe you big time."

4Nines,

Your stand has a tab, with a hole, on the bottom edge of the stand (below the vise). Your sales brochure picture has that, but the others do not. Could this be a model that was made for a post vise?

Also, yours' has another set of holes inside the "foot print" of the the mounting area. Could this be for smaller vises? It does look like some sort of "adapter" plate would be needed though? A cover for the bigger area, that also supported the mounting holes for a smaller vise? Perhaps they sold that as an option? They do state to ask about other vises and such...

 

[chrisnazzy]

Stopped by an estate sale this morning that came up last night in my CL search for "vise". I was sure the vise I could see on the garage floor in the pic was an Athol of decent size.I got there about 10 minutes before opening and there were 50-60 people lined up from the front door down the driveway and up the street. I had to park what seemed like 200 yards away. Once they started letting everyone in lots were obviously making their way through the house to the garage. When I made it to the garage there sat an Athol 624 1/2 w/ a $45 price tag on it. Looked it over really well and only noted a small chip out of the lower jaw facing on the static. I've got two 4" Athols so I knew how these things are built and for the price I couldn't pass it up. Gotta say it sucked carrying all 85lbs of it back to my truck. For this one I'm thinking maybe (but probably not) I'll restore it and actually resell it. Here's a couple pics after getting it home tonight from work. This is one if the rustiest vises I've taken apart. I'm sure it's nothing compared to what some of you have dealt with but out here in AZ, this would be considered pretty bad! Another funny part of this vise acquisition story......after I had initially looked the vise over I was standing next to it looking around the rest of the garage. A guy comes over and squats down to look at it and I politely told him I had already decided to purchase it. He grabs the handle and flops it 90 degrees side to side and says "too bad the lead screw is all worn out". I kind of chuckled under my breathe. Initially I thought he was super naive about a bit of backlash but later I realized he was probably trying to bait me into thinking something was wrong with it. He couldn't in his right mind have guessed that for a year and a half now I am pretty much working on, searching for, researching or reading about vintage American bench vises every day. The buttessed threads on the lead screw and nut look to be in great condition by the way!

Sent from my SM-G930P using Tapatalk

 

[va.grouseman]

Ok, the photo says it all. Now I can see why you want to get the corresponding vise.

I think you should be looking for a standard 5" stationary machinist vise from (1910-1920s) New Britain didn't specify what vise they used other than 5" standard.






How about a 4 inch Standard

 

[FMC1959]

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 wouldn't really consider it a combo vise as it lacks the weight and heft of classic American combo vises, but a Wilton 1780 would be 8" and has pipe jaws. But like I said, an 8" weighing all of 105 pounds, it is not as stout as classic combo vises......still, a nice "made in the USA" vise

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.

Gibraltar, from what I know, is sold by MSC as their house brand and is a rebranded Yost.

A couple of more "reasonably" priced new 6" vises, not as hefty, but excellent quality as they are forged steel, the Ridgid and Yost;
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B001T9J68I/?tag=atomicindus08-20

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00DMDO9AE/?tag=atomicindus08-20

Good point on the base.....

Most swivel bases are in the 10-15 pound range, on an 8" vise it is more like 30 pounds or more. Mile-x sell new Wilton 800s and they list them at 238 pounds....probably 30 pounds just for the base.

 

[akasrick]

Thank you, akasrick. I'm not sure how much it weighs exactly, maybe tomorrow I'll bring it to work and use one of the scales there. I don't think my bathroom scale would be very accurate on a vise that small.

Thanks for adding those pics, MayerMR. I'm just now getting a chance to check in on this thread or I would have put those up. If additional pics would help please let me know and I'll get some more.

Another of the same style https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showpost.php?p=2565040&postcount=5908

Good Luck
akasrick

 

[4Nines]

"If anyone can help me find the vise for this old girl I will owe you big time."

4Nines,

Your stand has a tab, with a hole, on the bottom edge of the stand (below the vise). Your sales brochure picture has that, but the others do not. Could this be a model that was made for a post vise?

Also, yours' has another set of holes inside the "foot print" of the the mounting area. Could this be for smaller vises? It does look like some sort of "adapter" plate would be needed though? A cover for the bigger area, that also supported the mounting holes for a smaller vise? Perhaps they sold that as an option? They do state to ask about other vises and such...

Good eye! Whoever had the stand before me mounted a leg vise to the stand. They added that mounting tab at the bottom and drilled new holes inside the old mounting holes. Thankfully, the modification didn't alter the stand too much from stock.

Ok, the photo says it all. Now I can see why you want to get the corresponding vise.

I think you should be looking for a standard 5" stationary machinist vise from (1910-1920s) New Britain didn't specify what vise they used other than 5" standard.

How about a 4 inch Standard

Ah, so Standard is a brand! What do the mounting holes on that 4'' measure?

 

[gman007]

How about a 4 inch Standard

VA
Funny that you should mention 4 inch Standard, just this morning I saw one listed for sale and scratched my head a bit as the shape definitely looked familiar but never heard of the brand. I thought it might be an Asian knockoff but looked very well made.

So I went to the vise spreadsheet and found the single entry for Standard vise and then followed the photo link. Lo and behold there at the back of your truck (yes your truck is famous and I recognized it right away, honest) there were 4 nearly identical but differently branded vises.

What is the story with Standard and these other brands, were they all made by Morgan? Who sold them? Is it worth getting the standard (the vise in excellent shape, the price is really good but it is a 3 hours drive round trip)?

 

[gman007]

He couldn't in his right mind have guessed that for a year and a half now I am pretty much working on, searching for, researching or reading about vintage American bench vises every day. The buttessed threads on the lead screw and nut look to be in great condition by the way!

Sent from my SM-G930P using Tapatalk

Chris
That is a really nice score and great price.

You should have simply just flashed your GJ Vise squad badge at the guy

 

[Asport]

I’m pretty sure my stand is for a standard make vise of the era because my base is not for a stationary vise that is shown in the stock photos. I’ve seen a picture of a stand with this base and it’s nothing like mine. The mystery continues!

4Nines,
That is a really cool piece of vintage metal. What are your plans for it? Your's definitely looks like a swivel base. I found a picture of one from an auction that looks like a stationary mount. Maybe they did custom adapter plate mounts. Good luck in finding the mate to the stand.

 

[Fierljeppen]

How about a 4 inch Standard

You cease to amaze me! Keep them coming...please.

 

[4Nines]

Hopefully, VA can put a tape measure up to his Standard and let us know if all the mounting holes are equally spaced. If that’s the case, then I would be looking for the unicorn 5” jaw swivel base Standard vise.

 

[Mr. Wonderful]

Stopped by an estate sale this morning that came up last night in my CL search for "vise". I was sure the vise I could see on the garage floor in the pic was an Athol of decent size.I got there about 10 minutes before opening and there were 50-60 people lined up from the front door down the driveway and up the street. I had to park what seemed like 200 yards away. Once they started letting everyone in lots were obviously making their way through the house to the garage. When I made it to the garage there sat an Athol 624 1/2 w/ a $45 price tag on it. Looked it over really well and only noted a small chip out of the lower jaw facing on the static. I've got two 4" Athols so I knew how these things are built and for the price I couldn't pass it up. Gotta say it sucked carrying all 85lbs of it back to my truck. For this one I'm thinking maybe (but probably not) I'll restore it and actually resell it. Here's a couple pics after getting it home tonight from work. This is one if the rustiest vises I've taken apart. I'm sure it's nothing compared to what some of you have dealt with but out here in AZ, this would be considered pretty bad! Another funny part of this vise acquisition story......after I had initially looked the vise over I was standing next to it looking around the rest of the garage. A guy comes over and squats down to look at it and I politely told him I had already decided to purchase it. He grabs the handle and flops it 90 degrees side to side and says "too bad the lead screw is all worn out". I kind of chuckled under my breathe. Initially I thought he was super naive about a bit of backlash but later I realized he was probably trying to bait me into thinking something was wrong with it. He couldn't in his right mind have guessed that for a year and a half now I am pretty much working on, searching for, researching or reading about vintage American bench vises every day. The buttessed threads on the lead screw and nut look to be in great condition by the way!

Sent from my SM-G930P using Tapatalk

Chris, It almost makes all the near misses worth while doesn't it? When I bought those three vises last week. A guy rolled up just after we had forklifted the big morgan into my truck. I see the look of dispair when he asks if I cleaned him out of vises. Then he sees the 5197 and the Wilton in my truck rolls his eyes and leaves. I could feel his pain after being that close but missing out myself. That looks like its going to be a nice athol!

 

[bagged89s10]

I stopped by an estate sale which showed a picture of a workbench with a small vise. Turned out to be a $20 Columbian 2.5” vise. It has screw in jaws with a jaw shelf. I know most older Columbian vises have T style inserts. Does anyone have info on age? Also does anyone have a smaller 2” Columbian?

 

[MissileBear]

...I could feel his pain after being that close but missing out myself...

Rough morning for me - hit two estate sales on my way into work. I missed out on a mint Wilton 4" bullet this morning at an estate sale....looked hardly used. $40. Guy that bought it was smiling ear to ear.

Also missed an older Parker 434 1/2 that was complete but had a cracked retaining collar....$40 for that one too. Guy was struggling loading it into his trunk. Wouldn't sell/trade it to me. Said he needed a good welding vice

I can't complain though....I did pick up a pair of gorgeous panel saws for $2. Made the stops worthwhile, even though I missed both vises by a couple of minutes.

 

[va.grouseman]

Gman, Wrenchguy said that they were all Morgans, just 3 rebranded ones.---I don't know if that is just his opinion or he has providence to that claim.---You can see those vises on post 23118 with more pics of them, and Wrench's comment.---And closeups of the Stainless Steel #40 Morgan on post 23124.---That's one of my favorites.

I really don't know anything about the Standard.---Outlaw, KMS, FMC1959, and some of our other fine historians, (too many to remember), would come nearer having info than me.---And Fierljeppen, or Rusty 65, or B100 could possibly come up with a SCAN or AD.---It was on eBay one day and I pulled the trigger, that's as much as I know about it.




4Nines, I'll try to get those measurements for you but it may take a little time.---I cain't remember right off where exactly, or what pile it's in.---I'm not very organized, but as Cramer said, (Oh I get buy).

 

[Maui]

Here's a Morgan that I missed out on last year at an estates sale. We were lined up outside of the garage, and I was probably number 20 or so in line. When they opened up the door it was a mad dash inside to find what you were looking for. There were two vises that I wanted to buy, this Morgan 80 and a Starrett with what I think were 5" wide jaws, also in pristine condition. The Morgan was sitting on the floor of the garage underneath a table. I had no idea where it was until I had a chance to search around. One of the guys in front if me must have known exactly where both of them were because as soon as he entered the garage he slapped "SOLD" tags on both of them. I never had a chance.

He bought the pair for $150. $#%^&*!

Maui

 

[va.grouseman]

Missile, that's been PAR for me in 50% of the inquiries I've made.---("Sorry, just sold it 5 minutes ago"), or ("Guy's coming to pick it up in the morning").---That's where I should leave it but I always have to ask that proverbial question, ("How much were you asking for it by the way").---That's when I really get my heart broke.

 

[Mr. Wonderful]

Here's a Morgan that I missed out on last year at an estates sale. We were lined up outside of the garage, and I was probably number 20 or so in line. When they opened up the door it was a mad dash inside to find what you were looking for. There were two vises that I wanted to buy, this Morgan 80 and a Starrett with what I think were 5" wide jaws, also in pristine condition. The Morgan was sitting on the floor of the garage underneath a table. I had no idea where it was until I had a chance to search around. One of the guys in front if me must have known exactly where both of them were because as soon as he entered the garage he slapped "SOLD" tags on both of them. I never had a chance.

He bought the pair for $150. $#%^&*!

Maui

Ya you got to hate it when someone has inside knowledge on the goods before it starts. Unless its me I will zoom in every possible photo of a garage or estate sale ad to try and figure out where to go first. My friends say I have a problem

 

[Maui]

That's a sledge hammer head you can see in the photo sitting on the floor next to the Morgan.

Maui

 

[kwoswalt99]

That's a sledge hammer head you can see in the photo sitting on the floor next to the Morgan.

Maui

Looks like it’s broken.

 

[4Nines]

about it.

4Nines, I'll try to get those measurements for you but it may take a little time.---I cain't remember right off where exactly, or what pile it's in.---I'm not very organized, but as Cramer said, (Oh I get buy).

You're the man! I will be patiently waiting

 

[oldn_rusty]

A couple of days ago, this was given to me, i can’t identify it. Hope someone here can tell me more about it.

The fellow that gave it to me said it had been mounted on the rear of a work truck and had been hit by a car and wasn’t any good... I disassembled it and greased every part and seems to work well, now. Except the bar used to tighten the vise. It has been bent and won’t slide at all.

It’s very heavy but at my age there are more tools that are too heavy...

On one side it has cast into the tool a “6”, on the other side a “150”, but no brand name or icon.

Any ideas.
Thanks, Rusty


Sent from my iPad using The Garage Journal mobile app

 

[oldn_rusty]

Opps, here’s the pictures...

Thanks for any info

Rusty


Sent from my iPad using The Garage Journal mobile app

 

[Maui]

Looks like it’s broken.

You can use it for size comparison. That Morgan has 8” wide jaws.

 

[FMC1959]

Opps, here’s the pictures...

Thanks for any info

Rusty


Sent from my iPad using The Garage Journal mobile app

It looks like a Record "copy". I don't believe Record ever made any vises with no writing, for re-branding by another company. If they did, I highly doubt they have ever had 150 (mm) making it 6", like on the other side. For these reasons, I believe it is a generic copy of a Record 6".

 

[chrisnazzy]

Opps, here’s the pictures...

Thanks for any info

Rusty


Sent from my iPad using The Garage Journal mobile app

Eron no. 150 maybe? I don't know anything about Eron. I had just seen the no.150 before on an English style vise and I found this image.

Sent from my SM-G930P using Tapatalk

 

[oldn_rusty]

The Enron does look a lot like it, but mine has no icon and no oil hole. Is it 6” also? I’m assuming that’s what the 159 means...

Thanks for all the help, fellas

Rusty


Sent from my iPad using The Garage Journal mobile app

 

[va.grouseman]

A couple of days ago, this was given to me, i can’t identify it. Hope someone here can tell me more about it.

The fellow that gave it to me said it had been mounted on the rear of a work truck and had been hit by a car and wasn’t any good... I disassembled it and greased every part and seems to work well, now. Except the bar used to tighten the vise. It has been bent and won’t slide at all.

It’s very heavy but at my age there are more tools that are too heavy...

On one side it has cast into the tool a “6”, on the other side a “150”, but no brand name or icon.

Any ideas.
Thanks, Rusty


Sent from my iPad using The Garage Journal mobile app

Resembles a Paramo.---This was found on the (Paramo #6 Vise Find) thread, Page 1, Post 1.---Posted by Gatewaysysop.

 

[Outlawmws]

I suspect it's an unmarked Eron for someone else. If it had to be Asian made, Erons is the the one you want it to be...