The VISES of Garage Journal

[Shiftless]

Just pulled the main vise body out of the crock pot full of hot Simple Green. The dynamic and the base were stripped last week. Here is how it looks with preliminary assembly. I got this vise in a rusty and stuck closed condition.
I plan to paint it with the old grayish sage green color that I believe is period correct.
The original handle and the swivel lock handles are still around and will be mounted after a bit of polishing.

 

[RBarnes]

Wow! A literal “barn find” just like in the classic car biz.

That RI looks like it will clean up quite nicely and go back to work for you. Even though it’s (most likely) way older than you are, it’s still better than just about any vise you could go out and buy new.

Even though it was not specifically related to a vise, I had another "chinese day from hell" today - a day when a low quality foreign made part only lasted two months after replacing an American one that had lasted 70 years...my point being that these older American made vises are actually MUCH better than new, maybe not always prettier, but a lot better than most people would believe.

 

[gman007]

Just pulled the main vise body out of the crock pot full of hot Simple Green. The dynamic and the base were stripped last week. Here is how it looks with preliminary assembly. I got this vise in a rusty and stuck closed condition.
I plan to paint it with the old grayish sage green color that I believe is period correct.
The original handle and the swivel lock handles are still around and will be mounted after a bit of polishing.

Shift
I am curious about the setup in the 2nd and 3rd photos. I am assuming that the dynamic jaw was seized which can happen a lot with the bullet vises. For our edification (a good technique can always be very handy), can you please elaborate a bit how does the setup in these photos work. Alternatively if you prefer to post the details in the vise repair thread, just let us know.

Thx

 

[gman007]

Just a hair over 3.5”

Trucker
It looks like there is a RI 443 (there is even one for sale on ebay! see photos below) which is not listed in the vise spread sheet (this is the extensive main database for members here to refer to. If memory serves me right, GJ member FMC1959 created this spreadsheet. Currently this spread sheet is maintained and updated by Dr. Scott (KMSCOTT) and can be found under his profile.

Can you weigh your vise and measure the effective opening? You might want to ask Dr. Scott to add it to the spread sheet.

 

[LNKMK8]

Saw this on the Facebook Marketplace... 3 New in Box Wilton 600 vises in Burbank, OK (Tulsa area). Thought someone here might be interested...

https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/223247171816090/

 

[Shiftless]

Gman:
I just posted the gory details over on the vise repair thread.

My second photo I posted here yesterday shows oversized washers at the rear. At first I tried a set up applying force to squeeze the jaws together figuring that if the slide was stuck, some Kroil and force in that direction would pop it loose and free up the slide. THAT DIDN’T WORK!
So I modified the setup to apply force to move the jaws apart. That worked. See the vise repair thread for more details.

 

[gman007]

Gman:
I just posted the gory details over on the vise repair thread.

My second photo I posted here yesterday shows oversized washers at the rear. At first I tried a set up applying force to squeeze the jaws together figuring that if the slide was stuck, some Kroil and force in that direction would pop it loose and free up the slide. THAT DIDN’T WORK!
So I modified the setup to apply force to move the jaws apart. That worked. See the vise repair thread for more details.

Shift
Thank you very much, I saw your update and have a follow up question that I posted there

 

[Cranehead]

5-46 date code probably would have originally been that satin sage green color. I believe around 2-46 was the date of the switch. Although if you also find the match for the grey color that would also be neat to paint it being a early vise model.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I have a 3' bullet from 2-46 that is the green, just to add a data point to the paint color conversation.

tc

 

[Shiftless]

Thanks for that bit of information Cranehead.

 

[Trucker88]

Even though it was not specifically related to a vise, I had another "chinese day from hell" today - a day when a low quality foreign made part only lasted two months after replacing an American one that had lasted 70 years...my point being that these older American made vises are actually MUCH better than new, maybe not always prettier, but a lot better than most people would believe.

It’s actually a very valid point. I had a cheap little swivel vise that broke about a year ago and it looked like pot metal inside. Then I bought this little cheap flat vise at HF (I am not knocking HF as I own several things that have lasted over 20 years) and the very first time I cranked the handle it bent. And I have used it like that from day one. I don’t use a vise very often but nice to have one around. And I have big plans for my newly found treasure. I am assuming this RI vise has served multiple generations and after a quick cleaning and lube it operates very smoothly. I will update a pic when it’s mounted.


Sent from my iPhone using The Garage Journal mobile app

 

[Private Lugnutz]

I picked up this vintage compound vise for a milling machine with hand wheels for the vise screw and the slide screw.

It sets up pretty high on a small round base with slots for rotating the whole thing. Looks 1930's or so to me, maybe later. For how small it is (2-1/4" jaw capacity, 2-3/4" slide capacity), it's heavy (8 lbs). No mfgr's markings, perhaps because it was an attachment to a larger machine.

I know it's mainly machinists' bench vises up here, but I am wondering if anyone can identify it from the features.

Link to a lot more photos on a GJ Vintage Board thread here. Thanks.

 

[txlonghorn1989]

Thought I had better post something on here related to vises. My dream of original green paint under the heavy black paint was short lived when I started removing paint. This vise had been painted 5 times, with just a little of the what looks to be original grey as the very bottom coat!

Chicago with 1947 warranty date, I appreciate the Wilton vises made during the WWII years. Noticed similar vise posted by Ragtop TA yesterday, with 1946 date, his has the acorn nuts on the swivel, but not the bars that run through the nuts to adjust them. Guessing they changed that sometime during the 1946 warranty dates?

Nice vise RB!

 

[RiseAbove]

I picked up this vintage compound vise for a milling machine with hand wheels for the vise screw and the slide screw.

It sets up pretty high on a small round base with slots for rotating the whole thing. Looks 1930's or so to me, maybe later. For how small it is (2-1/4" jaw capacity, 2-3/4" slide capacity), it's heavy (8 lbs). No mfgr's markings, perhaps because it was an attachment to a larger machine.

I know it's mainly machinists' bench vises up here, but I am wondering if anyone can identify it from the features.

Link to a lot more photos on a GJ Vintage Board thread here. Thanks.

Great looking Vise. Good find

 

[Smitty]

Kind of a slow day on the boards. It was a good time to clean up a couple of Prentiss vises.


Sent from my iPad using The Garage Journal mobile app

 

[Oily Nails]

..... good time to clean up a couple of Prentiss vises.

Wow! Smitty I'm jealous and drooling.

But weirdly its a small clamp on hinge vice that's caught my eye in that picture... Any info on it as it looks very similar to one I've recently found here in the UK.

 

[Smitty]

Wow! Smitty I'm jealous and drooling.

But weirdly its a small clamp on hinge vice that's caught my eye in that picture... Any info on it as it looks very similar to one I've recently found here in the UK.

It’s an old style mini post vise. It doesn’t have any markings on it. I really like the small vises, they’re fun to collect.


Sent from my iPad using The Garage Journal mobile app

 

[gman007]

Kind of a slow day on the boards. It was a good time to clean up a couple of Prentiss vises.

Smitty
Well there is the smithsonian museum and now pretty soon at rate that you are collecting vises there will be a grand opening for the Smittyonian Vise Museum

Very nice

 

[LNKMK8]

Got my Charles Parker 974 finished up today Last picture is from the Craigslist Ad when I bought it last Summer.

 

[Smitty]

Smitty
Well there is the smithsonian museum and now pretty soon at rate that you are collecting vises there will be a grand opening for the Smittyonian Vise Museum

Very nice

Lol. We need more museums on the west coast, start planning the Gman wing now.

 

[gman007]

Got my Charles Parker 974 finished up today Last picture is from the Craigslist Ad when I bought it last Summer.

LNKMK
Looks great! Well done

 

[Ryan_340]

Got my Charles Parker 974 finished up today Last picture is from the Craigslist Ad when I bought it last Summer.

Nice! What paint did you use on it?

 

[F111C]

Kind of a slow day on the boards. It was a good time to clean up a couple of Prentiss vises.


Sent from my iPad using The Garage Journal mobile app

Showoff........

Cheers
Jim

 

[GETRIDAONE]

Got my Charles Parker 974 finished up today Last picture is from the Craigslist Ad when I bought it last Summer.

Nice job on the restoration ! I see you have the snap ring on the base lock nut, most are missing and never get replaced. To finish up you could install a set screw and spring in the spindle end. That will put tension on the handle and hold it where ever you want it.

 

[NC Rick]

I picked up a free vise (actually two different ones) from a friend who was cleaning out a rental property. This one is a Craftsman 5242 and I my reading of the catalog pages on GJ is correct was made around 1940. I’m shocked by the condition of the vise. It’s a pretty crappy design with the screw exposed to most every abuse but has some nice features including 360 degree swivel capability.

I tossed it into the parts washer only to find that it was blue and the paint WAS good. The parts washer attacked the paint.

I went from the nice dark blue to a less nice but on the shelf light blue engine enamel (after treating with phosphoric acid).

 

[gman007]

I picked up a free vise (actually two different ones) from a friend who was cleaning out a rental property. This one is a Craftsman 5242 and I my reading of the catalog pages on GJ is correct was made around 1940. I’m shocked by the condition of the vise. It’s a pretty crappy design with the screw exposed to most every abuse but has some nice features including 360 degree swivel capability.

I tossed it into the parts washer only to find that it was blue and the paint WAS good. The parts washer attacked the paint.

I went from the nice dark blue to a less nice but on the shelf light blue engine enamel (after treating with phosphoric acid).

NC

Nice cleanup job!

Now as for the quality keep in mind that vises range form the low end home shop user quality to mechanics and ultimately the machinist (highest quality). Also even in the home shop category (like your find) there are covert screw vises which are a step up form the exposed screw vises.

In short in general (with exception of couple very old vise brands) the exposed screw vises are near the lowest end of the vise spectrum both as far as quality and size is concerned. As I mentioned there a couple very old monster quality vises that have exposed screws but those are the exceptions to the rule.

 

[RG Rude]

Nice job on the restoration ! I see you have the snap ring on the base lock nut, most are missing and never get replaced. To finish up you could install a set screw and spring in the spindle end. That will put tension on the handle and hold it where ever you want it.

Do you know where those set screws and springs might be found? Are those scrounge items or fabrication? I have the same vise in the same condition as LNKMK8 and really like it but i need it for my 974 1/2 and 804 1/2.

 

[GETRIDAONE]

I cut a short piece (4 threads) of 5/16" 18 thread and put a screwdriver slot on the end. You can try and put a point on it but I don't think it makes much difference. The spring (about 3 coils) in the picture came from Ace hardware. Find something 1/4" diameter, brass, copper, nylon, mild steel, for the bumper against the handle.
It not bad except for handling the small pieces.

 

[RG Rude]

I cut a short piece (4 threads) of 5/16" 18 thread and put a screwdriver slot on the end. You can try and put a point on it but I don't think it makes much difference. The spring (about 3 coils) in the picture came from Ace hardware. Find something 1/4" diameter, brass, copper, nylon, mild steel, for the bumper against the handle.
It not bad except for handling the small pieces.

Thanks!!

 

[LNKMK8]

Nice job on the restoration ! I see you have the snap ring on the base lock nut, most are missing and never get replaced. To finish up you could install a set screw and spring in the spindle end. That will put tension on the handle and hold it where ever you want it.

Was that original to the vise? If so, mine is missing

 

[LNKMK8]

Nice! What paint did you use on it?

Rust-Oleum Farm and Implement Low Gloss Black
https://www.menards.com/main/paint/...paint-12-oz/280130/p-1486020089171-c-8048.htm

Ended up being just the look I was going for. Not too glossy, but not flat either.

 

[Outlawmws]

Was that original to the vise? If so, mine is missing

It was, and on most the brass button and half the spring are worn or corroded away. I got mine back in operation and love being able to center the handle and one finger it easily without the handle flopping around.

It can also keep you from getting a blood blister from a pinch, (I put fat O-rings on mine after the first time it bit me...)

 

[Mr. Wonderful]

The Hollands 46 project is finally at an end. It seemed to take forever to get everything together. I had the stand mocked up for a while and found it needed more weight. I ran the bolts long on the inside of the brake drum with a nut and washer on the inside. The heads and threads on the bolts should hold the concrete in place.

The drum weighs about 80lbs, about 150 lbs of concrete, about 80lbs for the two plates and section of oxygen tank, and 175lbs for the vise. I'm happy now! It was a long road from where this vise started over eight months ago.

 

[Smitty]

The Hollands 46 project is finally at an end. It seemed to take forever to get everything together. I had the stand mocked up for a while and found it needed more weight. I ran the bolts long on the inside of the brake drum with a nut and washer on the inside. The heads and threads on the bolts should hold the concrete in place.

The drum weighs about 80lbs, about 150 lbs of concrete, about 80lbs for the two plates and section of oxygen tank, and 175lbs for the vise. I'm happy now! It was a long road from where this vise started over eight months ago.

Wow, that’s one bad *** setup. Nice job

 

[MayerMR]

Do you know where those set screws and springs might be found? Are those scrounge items or fabrication? I have the same vise in the same condition as LNKMK8 and really like it but i need it for my 974 1/2 and 804 1/2.

I can't answer your question directly, but I vaguely remember reading somewhere awhile back that those set screws have a funky thread.

Honestly, I'd probably just re-tap it for a standard/common thread and get a short set-screw, spring, and pin.

 

[RG Rude]

I can't answer your question directly, but I vaguely remember reading somewhere awhile back that those set screws have a funky thread.

Honestly, I'd probably just re-tap it for a standard/common thread and get a short set-screw, spring, and pin.

Thanks for the idea.

 

[Mr. Wonderful]

Wow, that’s one bad *** setup. Nice job

Smitty, thanks!

 

[oldldh]

Mr. Wonderful -----

After all that work...

You definitely deserve one...

YA DUN GUD, BUBBA!!!

(Just don't stub your toe on that wee beastie!!!)...

 

[Fierljeppen]

Mr.Wonderful...What a stylish and practical setup! Really nice job!

 

[NC Rick]

The Hollands 46 project is finally at an end. It seemed to take forever to get everything together. I had the stand mocked up for a while and found it needed more weight. I ran the bolts long on the inside of the brake drum with a nut and washer on the inside. The heads and threads on the bolts should hold the concrete in place.

The drum weighs about 80lbs, about 150 lbs of concrete, about 80lbs for the two plates and section of oxygen tank, and 175lbs for the vise. I'm happy now! It was a long road from where this vise started over eight months ago.

Nice work. I like your style! Now bolt that baby to the foundation and you’ll have something

 

[GETRIDAONE]

I can't answer your question directly, but I vaguely remember reading somewhere awhile back that those set screws have a funky thread

Honestly, I'd probably just re-tap it for a standard/common thread and get a short set-screw, spring, and pin.

The odd thread is on the old style surface mounted collar retaining screw.

I have re-tapped up to 3/8" when stripped out. I think 5" wide and above are 3/8" anyway.