The VISES of Garage Journal

[kenc184]

Fierljeppen: Thanks! Much appreciated.

So my "information" re 1890s was incorrect? Still, pre WWI and well over 100 years old isn't so bad.

I assume I can make one as a scale up of the collar on my 383-1/2 ?

Outlaw: Not sure what you are saying re the spacer can you explain?

 

[Outlawmws]

Use a slab of something as thick as the gusset under the slide support is tall, trim to size and notch that instead of your bench:

 

[kenc184]

outlaw: aha, good idea, thanks!

 

[chrisnazzy]

Yea LA is a tough area. Too many people trying to grab stuff up, do a ****** rattle can job, and sell it off for a profit. I hate seeing those vises with every inch of them painted.

That same dude wants 550 for an Athol vise in 'ok' shape lol. That rotating Chas Parker is kinda cool, shame someone welded the jaws, and for $450 bucks it must be made of gold, not steel.

https://losangeles.craigslist.org/lgb/tls/d/athol-model-626-vise-swivel/6750752852.html

https://losangeles.craigslist.org/lgb/tls/d/wiltonmachinist-vise/6749843321.html

https://losangeles.craigslist.org/lgb/tls/d/the-chas-parker-co-rotating-4/6750235182.html

Those terribly modified, welded and possibly broken jaws on that rotating Parker are even more cringeworthy than you might know. That vise in good condition is one of the best performers on eBay. Whenever they come available they almost always sell for $750 to $800.

If the original Parker jaws were intact on that 474 I'd bet alot of vise gurus here would gladly fork over $400+ for it.

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[rifleman]

Aluminum jaws added to a reed at work.

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[rifleman]

Noticed this mod at the factory that one of the guys had made to his reed vise.

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[va.grouseman]

I drove 2 hours this morning to pick up this vise. It's a Parker "no" F, as best I can determine it's an 1890's vise of their mid priced "vulcan" line. Has 5-1/2" jaws and weighs about 100lbs.
Jaws still ahve some crosshatching, screw looks nice. Not sure if the front screw retainer is original or not - did the lower priced vises have the fancy scripted retainer? did they even exist in the 1890s?
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Kenc, here is two collars on eBay that look similar to yours but may not be the same size.



https://www.ebay.com/itm/Parker-No-...h=item5d76fa13a6:g:CQYAAOSwW6BZ69H9:rk:9:pf:0

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Antique-Fr...r-3-1-4-Vise-Excellent-Condition/153177714715

 

[kenc184]

Grouseman,

Thanks for the heads up, but yikes! $50 for the collar is a fair portion of what I paid for the entire vise!

 

[va.grouseman]

Yea, they ain't too helpful to a person trying to keep the overhead in check.

 

[chrisnazzy]

Fortis Steel #10 vise made in England. I've never seen one of these until coming across this today. Anything special about them?

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[drivesitfar]

Chris: maybe a few of the guys from across the pond will have something to say about your Fortis cause I can't recall seeing one before. that said it does look OLD and looks like it has a quick release. is the quick release working like it should?

 

[Outlawmws]

Obviously the quick release is a plus. It looks stout enough for its size. Nice find!

Fret or one of the other members from across the pond should be able to comment.

 

[kenc184]

This is ridiculous!
A month ago I had a single cheap Wilton bench vise which I have owned for 30 years.
Now I have a Morgan 145 as my user, a Hollands 23-1/2, a Parker 383-1/2 and the following four vises in various states of "refurb"
OK, ones a post vise, but still.......

 

[Outlawmws]

I don't see a problem...

 

[GETRIDAONE]

Those terribly modified, welded and possibly broken jaws on that rotating Parker are even more cringeworthy than you might know. That vise in good condition is one of the best performers on eBay. Whenever they come available they almost always sell for $750 to $800.

That would be a big incentive to start selling.

 

[dutchgray]

Chris
Fortis are good, not really rare but not common either, a 10 is a 4 1/2" so a good useable size, steel means its made out of the strong malleable cast material, so it will be strong for its weight.
Fortis made a lot of vices with other names on them, you learn to spot tgem after a while. They did one with split rotating dynamic jaws for circular objects and a left sided offset vice.
You will see their casting quality was not great, they always have very rough castings.

 

[dutchgray]

Talking of Fortis
I got this one this week for £38
View media item 88370Its also a 4 1/2" No10, but its the more ugly design they did, I did not have one this style.
Got some faults, QR lever snapped off and someone has added a bit to it, QR bar badly twisted and I can't get it apart with out a little grinding as the end of the screw has been rounded over by someone hitting it, probably to get the vise open as its very tight.

 

[gman007]

This is ridiculous!
A month ago I had a single cheap Wilton bench vise which I have owned for 30 years.
Now I have a Morgan 145 as my user, a Hollands 23-1/2, a Parker 383-1/2 and the following four vises in various states of "refurb"
OK, ones a post vise, but still.......

Ken

If it is any consolation, once the vise bug bites things go down hill pretty quickly and most of us have similar stories

Now on a humorous note, this reminds me of a scene from one of the crocodile Dundee movies where a kid in New York with a switch blade tries to rub Dundee. At which point Dundee says do you call that a knife and pulls out his extra large Bowie knife and shreds Kid’s shirt. So do you call this a vise addiction? (I suggest you ask someone like VA, how many vises does he have )

Now as for sympathy, You will get as much sympathy here as a man who walks into a Jimmy Beam distillery and complains about his drinking problem.

There might be a VA (Vise Anonymous) group somewhere out there but this thread definitely is NOT it!

 

[Smitty]

I fount this rusty old post vise yesterday for $80. It cleaned up pretty nicely but I can’t figure out who made it. The only marking on the vise is “Anchor No. 2” I’m guessing late 1800s as the wrought iron is so rough.


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[JohnRork]

Folks, you have made me so envious of all your vises that after my wife listening to how cool I think these are for a long time, she's told me to buy one for my 60th birthday. My budget is $300

My purpose is for a functional vise but with some value that I could give to my son as an heirloom.

Given all this, what are the key things I should look at as I begin my search? Any deal breakers? I would prefer an old USA built unit but would also consider other countries as well.

Thanks a ton for any advice or help you can provide......john

 

[thin_concrete]

Folks, you have made me so envious of all your vises that after my wife listening to how cool I think these are for a long time, she's told me to buy one for my 60th birthday. My budget is $300

My purpose is for a functional vise but with some value that I could give to my son as an heirloom.

Given all this, what are the key things I should look at as I begin my search? Any deal breakers? I would prefer an old USA built unit but would also consider other countries as well.

Thanks a ton for any advice or help you can provide......john

Check out this thread if you haven’t already:

https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=252830

There are lots of great options out there. Off the cuff, a Prentiss Bulldog would be a great choice. I have been on the lookout for one myself.

 

[va.grouseman]

Chris: maybe a few of the guys from across the pond will have something to say about your Fortis cause I can't recall seeing one before. that said it does look OLD and looks like it has a quick release. is the quick release working like it should?

Demographic posted 5 different Fortis's back on page 362, post 7237, along with a Record Heavy Duty, A Parkinson's Ball Based Vise, A Parkinson's Perfect Vise, a good lengthy history of Alfred Herbert who started Parkinson's, and an AD showing a Fortis Steel Offset Vise.---Man I'd love to get my hands on one of those.

 

[wrenchguy]

Folks, you have made me so envious of all your vises that after my wife listening to how cool I think these are for a long time, she's told me to buy one for my 60th birthday. My budget is $300

My purpose is for a functional vise but with some value that I could give to my son as an heirloom.

Given all this, what are the key things I should look at as I begin my search? Any deal breakers? I would prefer an old USA built unit but would also consider other countries as well.

Thanks a ton for any advice or help you can provide......john

where r u?

 

[thin_concrete]

Picked this guy up just recently - apart from a hairline crack in one of the jaws, it’s in great shape. I’m planning on keeping and using this one, so the crack didn’t really bother me. I would like to find the correct hand for it if anyone knows where to go for one.

 

[va.grouseman]

Previously posted by Gman007.

So do you call this a vise addiction? (I suggest you ask someone like VA, how many vises does he have
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Actually Gman, I've been slowly accumulating for 30 years.---For the first 20 years I didn't really have a problem.---I was just a recreational buyer.---One here one there, just for an occasional high.---Always in check, always in control.---Then about 10 years ago I saw and bought my first 8 incher---Oh the high!---But now the highs don't last near as long as they used to---I need a fix right now Gman.---I need help.

 

[Smitty]

Re: VA
Take two anvils and call me in the morning.

 

[rusty65]

Any one have any catalog page scans of Massey vises. I found one that lists up to a no 36 and those ones appeared to be rebrands of prentiss vises but now I’ve got a Massey no 37 which has 7in jaws and my scale says 180 pounds but very curious on the weight the catalog lists it as. The tolerances aren’t the greatest but it should be a nice big vise to hold large and heavy objects.



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[Outlawmws]

Folks, you have made me so envious of all your vises that after my wife listening to how cool I think these are for a long time, she's told me to buy one for my 60th birthday. My budget is $300

My purpose is for a functional vise but with some value that I could give to my son as an heirloom.

Given all this, what are the key things I should look at as I begin my search? Any deal breakers? I would prefer an old USA built unit but would also consider other countries as well.

Thanks a ton for any advice or help you can provide......john

Some of of the best vises were made by Athol/Starrett and Reed. (This is coming from a guy that likes Parkers...) Others that have restored both brands will probably ring in as back this up. This is based on overall quality, and more importantly, fit of the slide & jaws.

Something you will need to consider is size, and jaw type (Smooth, lightly serrated, heavy serrations)

Is a swivel base a necessity?

How about a swivel static jaw?

 

[Outlawmws]

Previously posted by Gman007.

So do you call this a vise addiction? (I suggest you ask someone like VA, how many vises does he have
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


Actually Gman, I've been slowly accumulating for 30 years.---For the first 20 years I didn't really have a problem.---I was just a recreational buyer.---One here one there, just for an occasional high.---Always in check, always in control.---Then about 10 years ago I saw and bought my first 8 incher---Oh the high!---But now the highs don't last near as long as they used to---I need a fix right now Gman.---I need help.

Re: VA
Take two anvils and call me in the morning.

Even SWMBO -

 

[BFBOB]

454 ---

Wow.

Just... wow.

The blue might be a little bright for my DP, but on your vise ... wow!!

 

[kdubbau]

First post here and wanted share my vintage Columbians. I have a an autocrat 415 which I just finished restoring and will install on the bench in my garage and a machinist 203 1/2 M2 that I will mount in my soon to be built 20x30 workshop. These were my grandfathers vises who worked as an electrician at the Columbian Vise company in Cleveland Ohio from the 50s to the early 80s. Sadly he passed in the early 90s. Any ideas on the dates of both the autocrat and the 203?

 

[454ragtop]

Some of my vise finds from the past few weeks. Parker 974, was frozen everywhere, someone broke the collar screw trying to force it open, got everything freed up today, just need to get the broken screw out. Wilton 4" Shop king, with pipe jaws, 4" Prentiss swivel jaw swivel base, 3" Reed, 3-1/2" Craftsman, made in USA, 4" Athol, and a 3" clamp on, sadly the clamp has been welded, seems solid, would make a great candidate for a Rev. Scott type swivel base conversion.

Kind of funny story about the Prentiss, found it at a swap meet. Noticed the screw didn't pull the jaw open, didn't even flip it over to look, but figured I'd use it to negotiate the price down a little. when I mentioned it to the seller he replied "All the old vises are like that, you have to pull the jaw out to open it." Okayyyy, didn't call him on his BS since it was priced significantly lower than market value, just chuckled to myself and bought it. It's pretty minty, real nice jaws, other than a loose collar screw and it needs a swivel jaw lock pin, had a 4" long piece of rod stuffed in the hole. Has a different swivel base lock plunger lifter I haven't seen before.

 

[va.grouseman]

Kd, those are 2 nice Columbians there.---I'm not up on the dates but I do know that the Autocrat is pretty rare.---I've only seen 5 of those in this whole thread.---And being your Grandfathers, you may want to be real ginger with that one, maybe even put it up and get you another beater.---I have my Grandfathers Columbian and anvil and they are set aside.


The combo, now that's your beater and a nice one.---Of course all this is JMO, and no more.

 

[va.grouseman]

Nice haul 454.---I have to say, I've never seen a lever mechanism for releasing the swivel lock like that one on the Prentiss.---But I really like it.

 

[kdubbau]

Kd, those are 2 nice Columbians there.---I'm not up on the dates but I do know that the Autocrat is pretty rare.---I've only seen 5 of those in this whole thread.---And being your Grandfathers, you may want to be real ginger with that one, maybe even put it up and get you another beater.---I have my Grandfathers Columbian and anvil and they are set aside.


The combo, now that's your beater and a nice one.---Of course all this is JMO, and no more.

Thanks Grouseman, I hear ya on not beating on it but I think my Granfather would want me to get use out of it and have it serve me as it did him. I certainly won’t be using it as an anvil and hope that I am able to give both of these to my grandkids.

 

[chrisnazzy]

Chris: maybe a few of the guys from across the pond will have something to say about your Fortis cause I can't recall seeing one before. that said it does look OLD and looks like it has a quick release. is the quick release working like it should?

Obviously the quick release is a plus. It looks stout enough for its size. Nice find!

Fret or one of the other members from across the pond should be able to comment.

Chris
Fortis are good, not really rare but not common either, a 10 is a 4 1/2" so a good useable size, steel means its made out of the strong malleable cast material, so it will be strong for its weight.
Fortis made a lot of vices with other names on them, you learn to spot tgem after a while. They did one with split rotating dynamic jaws for circular objects and a left sided offset vice.
You will see their casting quality was not great, they always have very rough castings.

Thanks for the info. I didn't actually buy the Fortis. It popped up as a new listing on my local CL for $85. If anyone just has to have it PM me and I could look into working the deal. Ultimately my affection lies with the vintage American vises though and now that I've got 20 carefully selected examples on my bench with lots of refurb work to be done, I'm finding myself even more picky than before.

On a side note, just for fun I changed my FB Marketplace location earlier today to Pittsburgh, PA with a 100 mile radius. All I can say is wow! Now I see how some of you on the right coast go on day trips and post 5 or 6 badass vises picked up in one day. I guess it's good I don't have that much selection out here in the desert southwest. I'd be making road trips for vises weekly.

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[rifleman]

This is the first vise I ever owned and I figured after 100 years of service it could use a freshening. I do not use it anymore and since one of my sons likes it I think I'll just set it aside for him.

 

[kenc184]

Looks in mint condition, especially the jaws which are often beat up.

 

[thin_concrete]

Some of my vise finds from the past few weeks. Parker 974, was frozen everywhere, someone broke the collar screw trying to force it open, got everything freed up today, just need to get the broken screw out. Wilton 4" Shop king, with pipe jaws, 4" Prentiss swivel jaw swivel base, 3" Reed, 3-1/2" Craftsman, made in USA, 4" Athol, and a 3" clamp on, sadly the clamp has been welded, seems solid, would make a great candidate for a Rev. Scott type swivel base conversion.

Kind of funny story about the Prentiss, found it at a swap meet. Noticed the screw didn't pull the jaw open, didn't even flip it over to look, but figured I'd use it to negotiate the price down a little. when I mentioned it to the seller he replied "All the old vises are like that, you have to pull the jaw out to open it." Okayyyy, didn't call him on his BS since it was priced significantly lower than market value, just chuckled to myself and bought it. It's pretty minty, real nice jaws, other than a loose collar screw and it needs a swivel jaw lock pin, had a 4" long piece of rod stuffed in the hole. Has a different swivel base lock plunger lifter I haven't seen before.

Nice score - I need to figure out where you’re going!

 

[va.grouseman]

Here's another one of those SUPERIOR TOOL Co. vises.---Don't see them very often.


https://www.ebay.com/itm/VTG-3-SUPE...=item5d8388dd90:g:LbwAAOSwUxlb0znL:rk:13:pf:0