The VISES of Garage Journal

[Smitty]

Gman, my mistake, I was thinking the Columbian and stand was yours and I should have been inquiring from Smitty.---Missed a crucial post.---Sorry.

The pipe jaws are long gone.

 

[Nfenimore]

Wanted to share a nicely restored Columbian vise I purchased on Ebay. I can find no detail missed on this one - looks and feels like new!

 

[Nfenimore]

I thought too that I would post this vise that resides in the warehouse of a company I am contracted to work for a couple days a week. Before lunch I strolled over and took these. Its smaller than my own I just posted.

 

[Maui]

Nfenimore, you certainly paid up for that vise, but it does look good!

 

[va.grouseman]

Columbians didn't use to get any respect, but it appears they are catching up as far as premiums goes.---Prices sure have changed on them in the last 4 years.

 

[DFB]

Any one seen a vise like this little 2 inch stationary base model. Just started restoring it. Pretty well built, I am surprised that there is no makers name cast.

I found a very similar looking vise other than the base and the 1902 catalog has no manufacturing information. Smells a little like Millers Falls to me.

Good stuff!

Who ever said millers falls is correct.
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I believe have the same vise.

Mine had weld reinforcement about the mounting ears But best I can tell t's not any kind of repair and nothing had been broke.

I have been cleaning it all up with rotary tool and some stone bits...a tedious chore. Curious to any suggestions on other type of bits to use... carbide burrs maybe?

And it is actually the second vise from my area I found that had the same weld buildup. I pondered here before if it was some regional thing to reinforce the weakest spots.

This one also has a nice cutout ground in the front jaw to hold a bolt secure. A old machinist trick I'm guessing

 

[bubinga]

I believe have the same vise.

Mine had weld reinforcement about the mounting ears But best I can tell t's not any kind of repair and nothing had been broke.

I have been cleaning it all up with rotary tool and some stone bits...a tedious chore. Curious to any suggestions on other type of bits to use... carbide burrs maybe?

And it is actually the second vise from my area I found that had the same weld buildup. I pondered here before if it was some regional thing to reinforce the weakest spots.

This one also has a nice cutout ground in the front jaw to hold a bolt secure. A old machinist trick I'm guessing

I have it's big brother I think.
Have to restore it yet. No Name at all on it.Have to Find some jaws for it too.

 

[M6erfan]

Here is my last restore, a 5190.

Nice looking vise

 

[lafester]

Picked up the Rock island for $150 with a very heavy stand.

Pic is from the seller....

The handle is slightly bent so I looked pretty hard for damage and didn't see any. Jaws look almost new. Of course it was in a storage container with little light. Reminder to always carry a flashlight.

Looks like it is a ’53.



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[Outlawmws]

I always carry a single AA single LED Dorcy, and have for around 20 years now.

Some nice finds guys!

 

[Smitty]

Picked up the Rock island for $150 with a very heavy stand.

Pic is from the seller....

The handle is slightly bent so I looked pretty hard for damage and didn't see any. Jaws look almost new. Of course it was in a storage container with little light. Reminder to always carry a flashlight.

Looks like it is a ’53.



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Nice pick up, the lines on the slide look really crisp. When I purchase a vise and a stand I value them separately. A good quality stand is worth $75 easy meaning you got the vise for $75. As far as my wife is concerned I’ve yet to buy a stand.

 

[lafester]

Yeah I was thinking $50 but same idea. There's some damage behind the jaw on the other side so I think they have been replaced. I finally get to go mess with it so I'll post some more pics.

Nice pick up, the lines on the slide look really crisp. When I purchase a vise and a stand I value them separately. A good quality stand is worth $75 easy meaning you got the vise for $75. As far as my wife is concerned I’ve yet to buy a stand.

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[lafester]

Some quick pics...



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[KMScott]

Nice pick up, the lines on the slide look really crisp. When I purchase a vise and a stand I value them separately. A good quality stand is worth $75 easy meaning you got the vise for $75. As far as my wife is concerned I’ve yet to buy a stand.

Seems pretty cheap to me Smitty. Steel material is pretty expensive now a days. Maybe my idea of quality stand is different than yours.

 

[Smitty]

Seems pretty cheap to me Smitty. Steel material is pretty expensive now a days. Maybe my idea of quality stand is different than yours.

Nice, that looks like it could hold a Prentiss 58 with a 100 lb anvil in its jaws.

 

[KMScott]

Nice, that looks like it could hold a Prentiss 58 with a 100 lb anvil in its jaws.

Nope, need one bigger then that one. mine is only 300lbs, Demomans is the stand you need for 8" vises.

 

[Smitty]

Nope, need one bigger then that one. mine is only 300lbs, Demomans is the stand you need for 8" vises.

Did you weld up the first stand that you posted?

 

[KMScott]

Did you weld up the first stand that you posted?

Yes, need to build a couple more.

 

[Smitty]

Yes, need to build a couple more.

Pretty impressive. Tapered panels that are beveled is no easy task. The styling of the Parker really seems to go hand and hand with the almost Victorian style of the stand. A Wilton for instance would look out of place on it. My compliments on a job well done from design to fabrication to finish.

 

[va.grouseman]

KM, mass producing fine stands can be your South Carolina business.---Got to keep the old cogs greased you know, or you'll forget how to spell your name.

 

[RBarnes]

Yes, need to build a couple more.

That has got to be the best looking newly made stand I have ever seen! I also like the idea of your producing these and selling them.

 

[KMScott]

That has got to be the best looking newly made stand I have ever seen! I also like the idea of your producing these and selling them.

Nope, just build them for me, thanks RB, you guys ever seen the stands Royce makes. VA, gonna do woodworking out in S Carolina. I'll leave the metal work out here in Colorado.

 

[kenc184]

Picked up the Rock island for $150 with a very heavy stand.

Pic is from the seller....

The handle is slightly bent so I looked pretty hard for damage and didn't see any. Jaws look almost new. Of course it was in a storage container with little light. Reminder to always carry a flashlight.

Looks like it is a ’53.



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Some guys here get ridiculously cheap deals but by my standards that's a very fair deal indeed.

 

[kenc184]

Guys,

A couple months ago, all I had was a generic Wilton 5" vise, I used it for grinding, welding, the works. Never did much grinding or welding damage to is as I do value my tools even crappy big box Wiltons. (it is at least made in USA)

Anyway, now I have a dozen or so bench vises from a 3-1/2" Reed to a 6" Rock Island and was wondering:

What do you guys use for a grinding and/or welding vise? One of your "collection" or a not-worth-very much vise like my Wilton?

I was thinking of offing it on C.L. for $40, but maybe I should keep it for welding etc rather than use one of my "good" vises?

 

[lafester]

Yep, fair deals are fine with me. I'll make enough on the tradesman with the new stand to make it a great deal. Going to be hard to give it up though.

Some guys here get ridiculously cheap deals but by my standards that's a very fair deal indeed.

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[Outlawmws]

Ken, My basic welding bench vise is an old Lakeside exposed screw homeowners, that has an extra long slide and screw (relatively speaking) so its a good Gounod (grounds for the vise, and steel top (separate) are all tied together...) and fair for grinding and freehand cutting. It's been adequate to build most anything I've tackled over the years.

Your Wilton sounds good for the purpose. Get some anti spatter spray for MIG guns and keep the exposed slide coated and you should be fine.

 

[gman007]

Guys,

A couple months ago, all I had was a generic Wilton 5" vise, I used it for grinding, welding, the works. Never did much grinding or welding damage to is as I do value my tools even crappy big box Wiltons. (it is at least made in USA)

Anyway, now I have a dozen or so bench vises from a 3-1/2" Reed to a 6" Rock Island and was wondering:

What do you guys use for a grinding and/or welding vise? One of your "collection" or a not-worth-very much vise like my Wilton?

I was thinking of offing it on C.L. for $40, but maybe I should keep it for welding etc rather than use one of my "good" vises?

Ken
I use cheap, crappy Chinese made Pony vise for "dirty" jobs (jobs like grinding and/or welding or anything else that has higher probability of damaging the vise). I vote for keeping your Wilton.

 

[gman007]

Nope, just build them for me, thanks RB, you guys ever seen the stands Royce makes. VA, gonna do woodworking out in S Carolina. I'll leave the metal work out here in Colorado.

Dr. Scott
Royce for sure makes outstanding stands (among other things) but your stand is also exceptionally impressive as well

 

[Asport]

Can anyone identify this vise? This is the only picture I have.

 

[Shiftless]

Can anyone identify this vise? This is the only picture I have.

I don’t recognize it but it looks to me like a
“I should buy it right now before somebody else does” vise.

 

[Smitty]

I guess while we’re talking about stands I’d throw this gem into the mix. I got it a few months ago from a biker in the desert. They welded the Chanel to the semi brake drum, the top plate isn’t centered, the Parker vise isn’t centered and if that wasn’t enough they welded 420 on the side plate. Needless to say it’s my favorite stand. He threw in the other brake drum for ten bucks.


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[lafester]

First round of cleaning is done.


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[Bottlecapdigger]

Nice looking user, what size is that? BCD.

 

[txlonghorn1989]

I don’t recognize it but it looks to me like a
“I should buy it right now before somebody else does” vise.

Yeah, like any of us have ever seen a “I should buy it right now before somebody else does” vise!

 

[va.grouseman]

Yeah, like any of us have ever seen a “I should buy it right now before somebody else does” vise!

Yea I've seen'em, and many-a-time, by the time I call, "Someone Else Does".

 

[Shiftless]

Yea I've seen'em, and many-a-time, by the time I call, "Someone Else Does".

Yep!
A lot of it is just being in the right place at the right time. Or checking C/L again even though you just checked it an hour ago. If somebody doesn’t enjoy the thrill of the hunt, just go out and buy new stuff at a store and pay full retail.
If you want a nice vintage vise, buy a nicely restored one from a member.
If your time is worth $$, you’ll actually come out ahead.

Me, I prefer the thrill of the hunt and spending the hours it takes to properly overhaul the classics.

 

[tool_scrounge]

Yep!
A lot of it is just being in the right place at the right time. Or checking C/L again even though you just checked it an hour ago. If somebody doesn’t enjoy the thrill of the hunt, just go out and buy new stuff at a store and pay full retail.
If you want a nice vintage vise, buy a nicely restored one from a member.
If your time is worth $$, you’ll actually come out ahead.

Me, I prefer the thrill of the hunt and spending the hours it takes to properly overhaul the classics.

Sadly, if you wanted a quality US made vise and was willing to buy new, what would you buy?

Wilton - no
Yost- no
Morgan - maybe. I do not see COO listed on their web site.

 

[Shiftless]

Sadly, if you wanted a quality US made vise and was willing to buy new, what would you buy?

Wilton - no
Yost- no
Morgan - maybe. I do not see COO listed on their web site.

If you REALLY want a new vise and you have deep pockets, consider the Wilton C series. My user vise is a Wilton C1 it has 4 1/2 inch wide jaws and weighs about 75 pounds. It’s a combination vise and the pipe jaws are handy once in a while.
I didn’t buy mine brand new but they are still being manufactured. A new C1 costs about $1000. There is one model that is smaller and 2 models that are larger.
Why not consider a classic Reed vise that somebody else has rehabbed for WAY less money. I bet there are GJ members near you who would sell you one. Place a wanted ad on the GJ Classified.

If you want to drop by sometime, I’d be willing to part with my Reed 3C for the right $$$. Or for a much lower price, you could get my Morgan made in Chicago.

 

[tool_scrounge]

If you REALLY want a new vise and you have deep pockets, consider the Wilton C series. My user vise is a Wilton C1 it has 4 1/2 inch wide jaws and weighs about 75 pounds. It’s a combination vise and the pipe jaws are handy once in a while.
I didn’t buy mine brand new but they are still being manufactured. A new C1 costs about $1000. There is one model that is smaller and 2 models that are larger.
Why not consider a classic Reed vise that somebody else has rehabbed for WAY less money. I bet there are GJ members near you who would sell you one. Place a wanted ad on the GJ Classified.

If you want to drop by sometime, I’d be willing to part with my Reed 3C for the right $$$. Or for a much lower price, you could get my Morgan made in Chicago.

I was just trying to see what you would buy new if you wanted USA made since you made the "buy it new" comment. Sadly Wilton and Yost are now making everything in Taiwan. Reed does not show high end vises on the web site, just utility vises. Milwaukee Morgan vises may be the last of the US made vises. I fear that we are close to the point if you want a quality US vise, you need to buy used. Not a problem of private parties. But can be a problem for purchasing departments.

 

[gman007]

I was just trying to see what you would buy new if you wanted USA made since you made the "buy it new" comment. Sadly Wilton and Yost are now making everything in Taiwan. Reed does not show high end vises on the web site, just utility vises. Milwaukee Morgan vises may be the last of the US made vises. I fear that we are close to the point if you want a quality US vise, you need to buy used. Not a problem of private parties. But can be a problem for purchasing departments.

I believe all the Wilton bullets are still made in USA