The VISES of Garage Journal

[Smitty]

Smitty strikes again and this time bigger than ever and a nice stand to boot. He is officially jointed the very exclusive 8" vise club! Congrats

Thanks Gman, I’ve been hounding this guy for a few months and he finally gave in.

 

[wrenchguy]

Just locked up this Columbian no. 508 on a heavy duty stand. The vise is in pretty good condition and the stand is massive.


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Can u do this with the Columbian 508?
I think my ridgid 608 is similar.

 

[Smitty]

Can u do this with the Columbian 508?
I think my ridgid 608 is similar.

Lol. That’s the first thing I’m going to check tomorrow when I pick it ip. My guns are pretty stout though so I’m giving it a 50/50 chance.

 

[trijeff]

What's hard to tell from that photo is that wrench is lifting the 8 inch vise and its stand with just one arm ... he's a brute

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[Smitty]

What's hard to tell from that photo is that wrench is lifting the 8 inch vise and its stand with just one arm ... he's a brute

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Hopefully he has a sense of humor.

 

[SP3]

New guy, first post.

Reed 204 I bought for next to nothing a while back. The jaw faces were badly hand-ground 'smooth'. Just not not straight, flat, parallel, or smooth.

Glass beaded the entire thing bare so I could inspect everything. Once I found that it was 'solid'. I started planning what to do. The main issue was the jaw faces.

I had found the gent in Colorado that makes them from tool steel and picked a set that was close enough. I machined the originals out (that was a pain), drilled and tapped for the jaw inserts. The intent was simply to get the vise back to point of putting it back to work and not a museum piece. I did not 'restore' it so much as 'rehabilitated' it.

The handle was bent in five directions and I got it nearly back to new. Close enough to not press my luck with further attempts to make it perfect.

A pet peeve of mine is backlash. Years ago I tried wave or Belleville washers between the screw collar and the dynamic jaw. This has always worked well so, every vise I have (or had) since has been treated to this. This one has almost zero backlash. You turn the screw only a few degrees that the jaw moves. Turn the screw back the other way a few degrees, same. Also, the screw/handle is simply gun-blued and rubbed with WD40 Specialist Long Term Corrosion Inhibitor (because it was within reach when I decided it needed something). I'd like to figure out how to make Japanese lacquer and do that. For now, it works.

I got lucky and my mill work resulted in the faces being parallel/square. The body and swivel base were hand-fit and the screw shimmed to allow it to rotate without wobbling. The screw/slide move through their full travel without any change in the force required. Nickel anti-seize there.

It was first sprayed with an industrial bare-metal primer and allowed to cure a few days. Then some run of the mill Rustoleum gloss enamel (Navy). I figure that will be available for years in case it needs a quick respray. White paint pen for the lettering (wife).

It looks acceptable, works better than I could have hoped (even with my over-the-top fettling), and it currently in use in the garage where it will remain. It's a keeper, along with my dad's Morgan (Chicago) 335 and my Columbian 604 M2 (pinned, t-insert jaws).

 

[trijeff]

Hopefully he has a sense of humor.

Pretty sure most folks don't mind being labeled as strong enough to hoist an 8 inch vise plus stand with one arm

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[Smitty]

Pretty sure most folks don't mind being labeled as strong enough to hoist an 8 inch vise plus stand with one arm

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Umm...I meant towards me for insinuating that my guns were bigger than his.

 

[MayerMR]

What's hard to tell from that photo is that wrench is lifting the 8 inch vise and its stand with just one arm ... he's a brute

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Well if he is then he must've glued that can of beer to the vise's back!

 

[trijeff]

10-4 and hahaha, I get it now. Yeah, no offense meant to anyone. I can get the P98 around but it has to be in pieces. That stand you're getting looks like it is the perfect height for a big boy.

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[Outlawmws]

SP3, that reed came out nice! Those jaws are from our own Dr Scott! (KMScott)

 

[wrenchguy]

trijeff and i go back awhile....b4 the p98. he prolly blames me 4 that beast! at that time that ridgid set-up only weighed 1100#. alls good.

 

[Smitty]

10-4 and hahaha, I get it now. Yeah, no offense meant to anyone. I can get the P98 around but it has to be in pieces. That stand you're getting looks like it is the perfect height for a big boy.

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Yeah I’m thinking the stand weighs 600 lbs easy. It needs a big railway vise, something in the 58/98 range.

 

[Smitty]

trijeff and i go back awhile....b4 the p98. he prolly blames me 4 that beast! at that time that ridgid set-up only weighed 1100#. alls good.

Your pic was great, I saved it. I’ll be posting up tomorrow afternoon for sure when I get that bad boy.

 

[RagTopTA]

A few months ago, I found a Wilton Shop King someone had dunked in black paint. I set it aside for when I needed a project to keep me busy for a day. well, that was today. Usually, I like to get the old crappy spray paint off and try to save as much original paint and patina as I can. I mean you know, they worked hard to get it! So, I worked on the vise today and got most of the black crapola off. there was some of the original red underneath! This one has 5" jaws and 5 1/2" opening span. Came out pretty good. I did notice this one has no hardy hole like most I have seen. Was that an option?

 

[KMScott]

New guy, first post.
snip
I had found the gent in Colorado that makes them from tool steel and picked a set that was close enough. I machined the originals out (that was a pain), drilled and tapped for the jaw inserts. The intent was simply to get the vise back to point of putting it back to work and not a museum piece. I did not 'restore' it so much as 'rehabilitated' it. snip

SP3, nice job on the cast jaw removal, one of the few that has done it and shown it here in the vise thread. I know what it takes to do it. Now you have a good user. Where did you put the belleville washers? I can only see them where the collar goes. Would love to see a picture of your washer stack setup. Nice job.

 

[Smitty]

Thanks KMS, that’s exactly what I was looking for.

 

[gman007]

New guy, first post.

Reed 204 I bought for next to nothing a while back. The jaw faces were badly hand-ground 'smooth'. Just not not straight, flat, parallel, or smooth.

Glass beaded the entire thing bare so I could inspect everything. Once I found that it was 'solid'. I started planning what to do. The main issue was the jaw faces.

I had found the gent in Colorado that makes them from tool steel and picked a set that was close enough. I machined the originals out (that was a pain), drilled and tapped for the jaw inserts. The intent was simply to get the vise back to point of putting it back to work and not a museum piece. I did not 'restore' it so much as 'rehabilitated' it.

The handle was bent in five directions and I got it nearly back to new. Close enough to not press my luck with further attempts to make it perfect.

A pet peeve of mine is backlash. Years ago I tried wave or Belleville washers between the screw collar and the dynamic jaw. This has always worked well so, every vise I have (or had) since has been treated to this. This one has almost zero backlash. You turn the screw only a few degrees that the jaw moves. Turn the screw back the other way a few degrees, same. Also, the screw/handle is simply gun-blued and rubbed with WD40 Specialist Long Term Corrosion Inhibitor (because it was within reach when I decided it needed something). I'd like to figure out how to make Japanese lacquer and do that. For now, it works.

I got lucky and my mill work resulted in the faces being parallel/square. The body and swivel base were hand-fit and the screw shimmed to allow it to rotate without wobbling. The screw/slide move through their full travel without any change in the force required. Nickel anti-seize there.

It was first sprayed with an industrial bare-metal primer and allowed to cure a few days. Then some run of the mill Rustoleum gloss enamel (Navy). I figure that will be available for years in case it needs a quick respray. White paint pen for the lettering (wife).

It looks acceptable, works better than I could have hoped (even with my over-the-top fettling), and it currently in use in the garage where it will remain. It's a keeper, along with my dad's Morgan (Chicago) 335 and my Columbian 604 M2 (pinned, t-insert jaws).

SP3

Welcome to GJ. Great restoration job, specially the cast jaw removal and replacement!

When I read your post that stated "I had found the gent in Colorado that makes them from tool steel ", I could not help but chuckle . By now you might know that you have crossed path with GJ own KMScott (Dr. Scott) the machinists extraordinaire who is a legend in the vise world.

 

[SP3]

SP3, that reed came out nice! Those jaws are from our own Dr Scott! (KMScott)

Thanks for the compliment and info.

SP3, nice job on the cast jaw removal, one of the few that has done it and shown it here in the vise thread. I know what it takes to do it. Now you have a good user. Where did you put the belleville washers? I can only see them where the collar goes. Would love to see a picture of your washer stack setup. Nice job.

Thanks. I wish I had recorded all the steps and tooling I used (the good and bad of it all) so I could easily repeat it if, God forbid, I needed to again.

I've attached a photo (not mine) I have edited to show where the washer goes. I'll post a photo or two of my actual vise's arrangement this evening.

Thanks for providing your services to us all. The jaw inserts really are fabulous. I can't recall sending a photo to you directly, when I was finished (it's been a while). If I didn't, I apologize. Great pieces, great customer service.

SP3

Welcome to GJ. Great restoration job, specially the cast jaw removal and replacement!

When I read your post that stated "I had found the gent in Colorado that makes them from tool steel ", I could not help but chuckle . By now you might know that you have crossed path with GJ own KMScott (Dr. Scott) the machinists extraordinaire who is a legend in the vise world.

Thank you, as well. I really am happy with how it turned out. It went from mostly useless to a permanent keeper that has seen near daily use since completion. My son will get it someday.

Glad I could also provide some comedy, too!

 

[Fierljeppen]

A few months ago, I found a Wilton Shop King someone had dunked in black paint. I set it aside for when I needed a project to keep me busy for a day. well, that was today. This one has 5" jaws and 5 1/2" opening span. Came out pretty good. I did notice this one has no hardy hole like most I have seen. Was that an option?

It wasn't an option, they changed the style in 1960. I dropped you some dated catalog scans so you can see the style and size changes over the years.

The Wilton Shop King vises are doing real well on eBay these days!

 

[454ragtop]

Thanks for those scans Fierljeppen! Might have throw one or both of my Shop Kings on Ebay, strike while the iron is hot as they say.

 

[RagTopTA]

It wasn't an option, they changed the style in 1960. I dropped you some dated catalog scans so you can see the style and size changes over the years.

The Wilton Shop King vises are doing real well on eBay these days!

Those are great, thanks for the scans!! I really like the looks of this vise. Its gonna be a keeper for sure! May have some pipe jaws for it laying around in my vise pile!

 

[SP3]

Here are a couple pics of the wave washer arrangement. While I have your attention, what do the '79' stamps indicate?

 

[ricleh]

Is this a York 80 that they made for Millers Falls?

 

[trijeff]

Sure looks like it ... too cool!

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[Smitty]

Can u do this with the Columbian 508?

I think my ridgid 608 is similar.

Actually I had to open my Columbian 508 up about a 1/2” for obvious reasons.


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[wrenchguy]

Actually I had to open my Columbian 508 up about a 1/2” for obvious reasons.


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nice, real nice!

 

[Smitty]

Thanks wrenchguy, all I need now is a swivel base for it.

 

[Smitty]

Here’s the Columbian 508 in as found condition. This vise was a daily user at a valve company, it sat right next to a huge vertical lathe. It has numerous battle scars but it’s in pretty good shape for all the work it’s seen. The vise has a double stamped casting on the Columbian logo. The base of the stand is 3/4” x 4’ x 4’ steel plate. I did some basic math on the whole stand and it worked out to about 680 lbs.


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[gman007]

Actually I had to open my Columbian 508 up about a 1/2” for obvious reasons.

Way to go Smitty

 

[gman007]

Here’s the Columbian 508 in as found condition. This vise was a daily user at a valve company, it sat right next to a huge vertical lathe. It has numerous battle scars but it’s in pretty good shape for all the work it’s seen. The vise has a double stamped casting on the Columbian logo. The base of the stand is 3/4” x 4’ x 4’ steel plate. I did some basic math on the whole stand and it worked out to about 680 lbs.

Smitty
Nice score, one handsome pair (vise and stand)

 

[Smitty]

Smitty
Nice score, one handsome pair (vise and stand)

Thanks Gman, I paid five bills for the whole ball of wax. I’m calling the vise three and the stand two. 8” vises don’t come up very often so I had to jump on it.

 

[Smitty]

nice, real nice!

I’ve watched the video of the Ridged 608 numerous times, it’s museum quality for sure.

 

[Chubbz]

Chub

I am not sure when you stated "Just tried and didn't do much to it" are you referring to Electrolysis or not. If you are, then depending on how rusty the item is, it might take several days rather than hours of continues Electrolysis to see results. The speed of processing will also depend on your setup such as how many sacrificial electrodes, what material etc you are using. Electrolysis in general needs patience and time (but no physical labor on your part).


Evapo-Rust has worked well for me, but for some the higher cost of it is a major consideration and specially if the vise is large, you might have to resort to tricks like stuffing the vise parts in sturdy and thick plastic bags to minimize the amount of Evapo-Rust that is needs to cover the entire piece. And just like Electrolysis, this method needs patience and time.

Wire brushing works fine but what I personally do not like about it is all the resulting rust dust. Plus it is a lot more work than some of the other methods. Also using this method, it is harder to remove rust from crevices and tight spots.

I do not like vinegar as one can easily over do it and end up with pitting.

As for blasting, I would not sand blast a vise which can damage the surface, but rather use softer blasting media such as glass bead blasting etc. And one needs proper setup (cabinet, ventilation etc)

For the record, I have used Wire brushing , vinegar, Electrolysis, Evapo-Rust and bead blasting.

Was referring to the scrubbing with a SOS pad. Did the vinegar method on some sockets and wrenches. Came out looking great with no pitting just blackness. Didn't end up with any pitting until I used a wire wheel on a bench grinder going 1750rpm to remove the black. Wire wheel on a old cordless drill did good but the battery died. I'm fine with taking my time and labor for those vises. First one and 2nd from father in law. So wire or Evapo-Rust would be the best? I'm iffy on the wire because of the pitting it caused on the sockets and wrenches but could do it by hand or cordless drill without the pitting. Pictures of them are on my page and I will be taking more pictures along the way that are better.

 

[PghJKB]

It wasn't an option, they changed the style in 1960. I dropped you some dated catalog scans so you can see the style and size changes over the years.

The Wilton Shop King vises are doing real well on eBay these days!

Note the change in the swivel base as well - Image #6.

Is this a York 80 that they made for Millers Falls?

I have one of those MF Yorks. Pics later

JKB

 

[wrenchguy]

I’ve watched the video of the Ridged 608 numerous times, it’s museum quality for sure.

I gotta be honest, i posted it yesterday as a 608.... but its really a 80 SN. I believe 608 is a Columbian number, and the Ridgids are very similar and maybe took over Columbian.

"museum quality".... not really, just a 40 hour custom job on newer late model vise. Compliment noted.

IMHO, older traditional (pre ww2) vises deserve a traditional looking restore/refurb. These older 1's is where i concentrate my vise interest now.

Did you see the neat really old vise posted from South Africa?

 

[gman007]

Was referring to the scrubbing with a SOS pad. Did the vinegar method on some sockets and wrenches. Came out looking great with no pitting just blackness. Didn't end up with any pitting until I used a wire wheel on a bench grinder going 1750rpm to remove the black. Wire wheel on a old cordless drill did good but the battery died. I'm fine with taking my time and labor for those vises. First one and 2nd from father in law. So wire or Evapo-Rust would be the best? I'm iffy on the wire because of the pitting it caused on the sockets and wrenches but could do it by hand or cordless drill without the pitting. Pictures of them are on my page and I will be taking more pictures along the way that are better.

Again this is my personal preference but wire and evapo-rust have worked for me but so has electrolysis. As I said bead blasting is great too but is not as readily available to everyone as other methods.

Each person has his favorite method and after some trial and error you will find yours as well

 

[va.grouseman]

Smitty, that stand is the epitome of stability.---You absolutely had to go for it.---Pity that thing wouldn't fit in a UPS van, cause I'd make you an offer you couldn't refuse.

 

[Smitty]

Smitty, that stand is the epitome of stability.---You absolutely had to go for it.---Pity that thing wouldn't fit in a UPS van, cause I'd make you an offer you couldn't refuse.

Thanks VA, you’re UPS guy will never know how close he came to the worst delivery of his life.

 

[va.grouseman]

Most people don't particularly like a larger vise as a user but if it operates as smooth as a raw oyster, a big vise makes a very good user.---JMO.


Glad to see the Columbians finally get some respect by-the-way.


Columbian #608.---Rigid's first cousin.