The VISES of Garage Journal

[va.grouseman]

Yep Heavy, pics aren't coming through.

 

[Outlawmws]

Who you callin' a Wizard?

 

[davethorik]

Officially my largest clamp-on vise, although it's a pipe vise. Needs spiffed up.

Ridgid no. 39, 1/8" to 2-1/2" capacity

I can think of worse ways to spend $10.

 

[Craftsman C-series]

Anyone have an idea what this Vise was used for? Made by the Pawtucket American Tool company. My brief internet search didn’t find any results. It looks like a neat little vise but with narrow jaws.

 

[txlonghorn1989]

My lineup so far. Athol ,Parker , Reed, 2 USA Craftsman,and a cool little Colombian. Have a nice little western auto wizard not in pic

Did you hit upload after adding the pics?

Did Wilton make vises for Craftsman?

Honza I don't know the answer to your question but that's a cool looking little Craftsman vise. Was it US made? Is it yours?

 

[NC Rick]

Anyone have an idea what this Vise was used for? Made by the Pawtucket American Tool company. My brief internet search didn’t find any results. It looks like a neat little vise but with narrow jaws.

Wow, that’s a cool vise! I’m sorry I can’t help identify it’s use, it seems quite specialized. Is it a ratchet mechanism with a clamp screw? Meant to mount horizontally on a bench? I am very interested in it.

 

[davethorik]

It looks like this Ridgid hasn't been used much, it's just weathered. At 15.5 lbs, that is around 65 cents per lb. Here it is with my other pipe vises...a dark corner of the collection lol. Reed no. 0, Reed no. 21 (missing latch arm), Ridgid 39.

And another shot with a Bic lighter for scale.

I know, pipe vises don't get much love here, but I think this clamp-on type is probably the best way for an occasional user to have pipe capability and not have devote bench space to a permanent mount pipe vise.
Edit: also surprised how much beefier the Ridgid is, considering Reed bench vises are tanks. Perhaps these are light duty models.

I got the Reeds from my Dad, who was going on a scrapping frenzy. Free, but had to take both. So if anyone wants a free Reed no. 21 pipe vise minus latch arm, come grab it.

 

[rusty65]

Anyone have an idea what this Vise was used for? Made by the Pawtucket American Tool company. My brief internet search didn’t find any results. It looks like a neat little vise but with narrow jaws.

My guess would be is a old battery vise.



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[Craftsman C-series]

My guess would be is a old battery vise.



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Rusty65, I bet your right. Looks like they started using batteries in the 1918ish range with advent of the electric starter. Thanks!

 

[Mr. Wonderful]

A friend from work saw a couple of my restored vises and showed some interest. He didnt want to pay for one that was already cleaned up. He's fairly new to tools and garage work and had just purchased a home. He's looking to set up a work area and wanted a "cool vise".

I search the local CL a few times a day for various items that I have interest in. So while he is standing over my shoulder I do a search for vise then vice. What pops up being posted just within the last 20 minutes? Old Wilton Vice $200.00. I almost missed that it said it was a 6"!

It actually didnt take much for me to convince my friend to call and jump on it. He drove almost two hours each way to get it! He said he told the seller that I restore vises and I was going to fix this one up for him. The seller gets a very worried look and says "Oh are these valuable?? Needless to say the deal was done.

The screenshots dont do the condition justice. The seller was up front about two of the mounting ears being repaired but it looks like it was done well. A new swivel lock will be purchased as well if anyone knows where to source a used one? This vise isnt going to see any hard use at all. The jaws are pristine! Quite a bit of the original paint is still there. I believe this is a 600S? The date on the slide is 02/79. Ive got it pulled apart now and I will put some more pictures up as soon as I can.

 

[Shiftless]

Great score Mr. W!


At the other end of the value spectrum, here is my latest buy. This one was still bolted (with rusty old square headed bolts) to the workbench at an estate sale on Sunday, the last day of the sale, so this Littco 112 was half price. Half of fifteen bucks is just $7.50

Littlestown Hardware and Foundry Company founded in 1916

Interestingly enough, most of their production during WWII was

1,200,000 Hand Grenades
3,000,000 Rifle Grenades
3,000,000 Bomb Plugs
Thousands of Anti-Personnel Mines

Anybody know the time frame these little guys were cast?
.
.
.

 

[va.grouseman]

Mr. W, JMO, but I think that one is worth springing for a new base.---That is my favorite style of Wilton.---Had the seller known, he/she could have gotten a new base and tripled his/her asking price.

 

[gman007]

A new swivel lock will be purchased as well if anyone knows where to source a used one?

MR W
For used swivel lock you might want to check eBay but be careful as there you also will find a lot of low quality home made ones too. Having said this, a nice 600S like this one deserves something much better. Your friend might consider buying a new high quality pair from Dr Scott (see link below) which are better than the originals and are fairly priced
http://www.wiltonviseparts.net/wilton-600s-hex-swivel-clamp/

Alternatively Nick (autopts) might have new originals as well.

 

[Mr. Wonderful]

Mr. W, JMO, but I think that one is worth springing for a new base.---That is my favorite style of Wilton.---Had the seller known, he/she could have gotten a new base and tripled his/her asking price.

VA, the seller had all of his other items priced in the correct ballpark. I am surprised he didnt search CL before posting though. The only other 600S on the local CL I think is a GJ member and he has his for $950!

 

[Asport]

A couple of my favorite things to collect together. Vintage vices and shop lights. From an O.C. White catalog circa 1931. Looks like mostly Prentiss's with an Athol thrown in to show them how it's done!

 

[Smitty]

A couple of my favorite things to collect together. Vintage vices and shop lights. From an O.C. White catalog circa 1931. Looks like mostly Prentiss's with an Athol thrown in to show them how it's done!

The Athol looks barely used (for obvious reasons).

 

[454ragtop]

Cool pic! I wonder if that's the huge building on the left just as you come into Boston from the south, pretty sure it used to be the Gillette building, condos or apartments now I think.

 

[va.grouseman]

I see 3 or 4 swivel jaws, just for those odd shape/tapered razor handles.


EDIt---They had the right idea about lighting.---That's a nice setup.

 

[honza.vosalik]

Did you hit upload after adding the pics?




Honza I don't know the answer to your question but that's a cool looking little Craftsman vise. Was it US made? Is it yours?

Looks like it's made in China based on the post above. It's for sale on local FB, I like it, especially since I like Craftsman vises. But since it's not USA made, I'm going to pass.

 

[Smitty]

I see 3 or 4 swivel jaws, just for those odd shape/tapered razor handles.


EDIt---They had the right idea about lighting.---That's a nice setup.

You gotta know that I’m going to stick up for the Prentiss brand. It’s all in fun like a Ford v Chevy thing. If you look closely at the lights they appear to be drawn in. I’m sure somebody just enhanced an old photo but they almost look cartoon like close up.

 

[va.grouseman]

I don't know Smitty, AC had been available for comercial use for 40 years by that time so the lights are not past the realm of possiblity.

 

[txlonghorn1989]

Looks like it's made in China based on the post above. It's for sale on local FB, I like it, especially since I like Craftsman vises. But since it's not USA made, I'm going to pass.

I've got the same view as you on that.

 

[RBarnes]

I don't know Smitty, AC had been available for comercial use for 40 years by that time so the lights are not past the realm of possiblity.

I have seen other old photos where a specific part was either added in or enhanced by the seller of the item in question. I would guess that is what is going on in that picture.

 

[LSVLance]

Okay folks...I need a bit of help picking a vise out. I'm looking for a 6"-8" decent quality bench vise that I can mount on a receiver style mount and use with the new steel workbench I'm finishing up. It'll just be a general purpose used to hold anything and everything tool and while I'm looking for a decent quality, I don't really want to break the bank either.

I found a brand new Yost ADI-8 for sale near me for $200 but was really looking to try to stay closer to the $100 range. I like it though and would fit my needs great. Is the Yost up there in the quality area and is that a decent price?

If anyone else here is in the Phoenix area and has a extra vise laying around, I'd entertain looking at it as well.

Thanks,
Lance

 

[MissileBear]

Okay folks...I need a bit of help picking a vise out. I'm looking for a 6"-8" decent quality bench vise that I can mount on a receiver style mount and use with the new steel workbench I'm finishing up. It'll just be a general purpose used to hold anything and everything tool and while I'm looking for a decent quality, I don't really want to break the bank either.

I found a brand new Yost ADI-8 for sale near me for $200 but was really looking to try to stay closer to the $100 range. I like it though and would fit my needs great. Is the Yost up there in the quality area and is that a decent price?

If anyone else here is in the Phoenix area and has a extra vise laying around, I'd entertain looking at it as well.

Thanks,
Lance

It's going to be tough to find an old 6-8" vise in that price range unless you are lucky. In all my years looking I've seen 1 8" vise in the wild; it was beat hard and the seller still wanted $800. Even 6" vises fetch a premium around here.

The Yost ADI vises are a replacement for the forged FSV vises. The FSVs were Taiwan made and reportedly held up well since they were forged & welded steel. The ADIs are Chinese cast material that is heat tempered for strength. I've heard mixed reviews on them. I haven't personally been impressed with the new, Chinese/Taiwanese/India made Yost vises.

The ADI-8 was shipped as a replacement for FSV-7, and was priced sub $250 at the time of release. The price has gone up to $400+ recently for some reason.

A consideration - an old American steel 6" vise is going to weigh anywhere from 80-ish pounds for the lighter, hollow body Columbians to well over 250 pounds for anything over 8". A receiver mount for that size vise is going to have to be pretty robust, and will surely be difficult to move around. For reference, the ADI-8 is listed at 56 pounds ^_^

 

[LSVLance]

A consideration - an old American steel 6" vise is going to weigh anywhere from 80-ish pounds for the lighter, hollow body Columbians to well over 250 pounds for anything over 8". A receiver mount for that size vise is going to have to be pretty robust, and will surely be difficult to move around. For reference, the ADI-8 is listed at 56 pounds ^_^

Thanks for the insight...

The receiver tube is 2.5 x 2.5 x 3/16" and drawbar the vise will be mounted on is 2 x 2 x 0.188 going on a bench that will end up being about 500# overall.

I tried to overbuild the bench since it's a bit on the small side (30x48). I'm guessing I'd like a vise in the 75# range or so? I appreciate the wisdom from those in here on vise selection. Maybe I need to look more in the 4-5" range?

 

[Smitty]

I don't know Smitty, AC had been available for comercial use for 40 years by that time so the lights are not past the realm of possiblity.

It appears that the lights were in the original photograph. I find it interesting that an artist would draw over each one to enhance them in the photo. It could have been for a lighting ad back in the day.

 

[Asport]

You gotta know that I’m going to stick up for the Prentiss brand.

Showing some Prentiss love for Smitty....

If you look closely at the lights they appear to be drawn in. I’m sure somebody just enhanced an old photo but they almost look cartoon like close up.

I agree they were enhanced. It was a catalog for their light so they wanted them to stand out.

 

[va.grouseman]

LSVL, you can get an 8'' Wilton that weighs 70 lbs..---I don't know how stout they would be, but even they are $239.00 and probably made in China.---That's about as small of an 8 inch vise as I know of.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Wilton-WS8...=item5b53a7c462:g:QFIAAOSwHu9ccCOT:rk:23:pf:0

 

[Asport]

It appears that the lights were in the original photograph. I find it interesting that an artist would draw over each one to enhance them in the photo. It could have been for a lighting ad back in the day.

It was a catalog for their lights
Front page


Full page with vises

 

[va.grouseman]

Asport, that is a pretty little ****** there.---Looks like some KMS jaws it's sporting.

 

[Asport]

Asport, that is a pretty little ****** there.---Looks like some KMS jaws it's sporting.

You got it! None that are better!

 

[MissileBear]

I tried to overbuild the bench since it's a bit on the small side (30x48). I'm guessing I'd like a vise in the 75# range or so? I appreciate the wisdom from those in here on vise selection. Maybe I need to look more in the 4-5" range?

A 4 1/2 jaw width would fall in the 75 lb range (like an Athol 624 1/2 -or- 924 1/2 or a Parker 205, for example). These should be more plentiful than the 6-8" varieties, and right in the price range you want. Still heavy, but not as hard to move around.

@Asport - Those OC White Fixtures have really retained their value....good lordy lordy!

Something else I'm going to have to look for at garage/estate sales.

 

[NC Rick]

My own bench is similar. I’m removing a non swivel Colombian 3.5” vise which really never was “too small”. It is old and strong. Be aware, a buddy broke two Chinese vises by just clamping something with hand strength. I’m sure that there are more than one quality of China made vises and you would hope that a real “brand” would be better. I can’t picture an application where my 3.5” columbian would be inferior to a 6” Chinese $100 vise. Your needs could well be different from mine. The tables are too close to no comment though!

 

[NC Rick]

Thanks for the insight...

The receiver tube is 2.5 x 2.5 x 3/16" and drawbar the vise will be mounted on is 2 x 2 x 0.188 going on a bench that will end up being about 500# overall.

I tried to overbuild the bench since it's a bit on the small side (30x48). I'm guessing I'd like a vise in the 75# range or so? I appreciate the wisdom from those in here on vise selection. Maybe I need to look more in the 4-5" range?

My own bench is similar. I’m removing a non swivel Colombian 3.5” vise which really never was “too small”. It is old and strong. Be aware, a buddy broke two Chinese vises by just clamping something with hand strength. I’m sure that there are more than one quality of China made vises and you would hope that a real “brand” would be better. I can’t picture an application where my 3.5” columbian would be inferior to a 6” Chinese $100 vise. Your needs could well be different from mine. The tables are too close to no comment though!

 

[Smitty]

Showing some Prentiss love for Smitty....




I agree they were enhanced. It was a catalog for their light so they wanted them to stand out.

Thanks, I’ll take it. The vise looks to be in great condition and the lighting appears to be quite unique.

 

[Smitty]

It was a catalog for their lights
Front page


Full page with vises

Thanks for shedding some light on the situation.

 

[va.grouseman]

Previously posted by NC Rick.

Be aware, a buddy broke two Chinese vises by just clamping something with hand strength.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


NC, why would the Chinese or anyone, design a vise or anything that would last for generations, when a broken one demands the purchase of another, thereby doubling sales and boosting stock prices.---Why it defies any semblance of common sense.

 

[NC Rick]

Previously posted by NC Rick.

Be aware, a buddy broke two Chinese vises by just clamping something with hand strength.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


NC, why would the Chinese or anyone, design a vise or anything that would last for generations, when a broken one demands the purchase of another, thereby doubling sales and boosting stock prices.---Why it defies any semblance of common sense.

Yea, both of my friends vises broke out the main nut, he said he wasn’t even using that much hand force.

For the budget buyer who wants new, perhaps a brand that cares made in Taiwan? I have a few branded made in Taiwan tools which I have used for years and can’t fault.

I have done my personal best to support good USA manufactures including purchasing a brand new Yost and Wilton made in the USA vise within the last 7-8 years. I won’t blame the manufacturers, it is the lack of sales with limited us manufacturing, automation and homeowners and small shops settling for junk.

I don’t think our more stringent environmental standards help companies trying to produce castings at competitive prices either.

 

[dutchgray]

If you want to buy a new vice for a reasonable cost the European made fabricated ones (steel plate and forged parts) are the best choice IMO (at least here in the UK, the Chinese Irwin Record ones are OK but are not cheap for the ones you would want, their cheapest range is the same rubbish you can get elsewhere but it costs more as its got Record on it) there are decentTaiwan made vices as well. Luckily vice prices are very reasonable here in the UK for the most part, you can pick up good English vices, say a 4" for about £30 all the time, I only paid £35 for my 6" Reed.