The VISES of Garage Journal

[Outlawmws]

Rick, in addition to what NJ and others have said, I don't think you have anything to feel bad about. you didn't miss a crack, or a missing foot, or D jaw support. or some other major issue.

I'd guess 90% of us would have missed that minor detail. Does it detract from its collect-ability? A bit. does it affect its usability? Not even a little bit.

For what you paid you did fine. I only called out the jaw profile because it was odd. Not to make you feel bad. I don't think you got hurt or could get hurt. it's still worth more than what you paid.

I once missed a missing jaw support until I got the thing home. That sucked; the bad way.... and it could have been a great score if that support was still there!

You did fine.

I’m feeling a little dumb and “taken”.

Rick,
This is just a learning experience along the way, for you and for us. Your pictures and everyone explaining what they are seeing helps all of us to recognize the good and the not so good.

I really think one of the reasons that a refurb vise sells for what it does on Ebay is that the seller took a gamble with the original purchase. Some vise's are so covered in gunk and dirt you cannot fully inspect and once cleaned hidden cracks and repairs are found and the potential profit and collectability just went down the toilet.

The Ebay buyer will understand exactly what they are buying and will pay more for that.

Kevin

 

[Outlawmws]

Smitty, Love that mini! Great pickup!

Everybody cut the Gman some slack. I suspect every one of us has done something similar at least once. (But don't let it happen again Gman! )

 

[chrisnazzy]

I have a "picker" friend who has a shop on the other side of town. He used to own an antique store downtown but they closed that last year. Now by shop I mean a depository of sorts where he takes all the stuff he finds and tinkers with things. I like to go by on my day off sometimes and look around, hang out for a bit and he's always got great stories and stuff to show me.

I messaged him Tuesday about coming by but we didn't end up getting together. He of course knows I'm into vises so he did let me know he had found a Wilton Tradesman and asked me if I'd be interested. Of course I indicated I might be if the price was right and asked him to text me some pics and the 17xx model number. This is the lone pic I initially got: I obviously knew a C1 was in a slightly different class than Tradesman but I just asked how much at first. He said he was looking for $350. My frame of mind switched at this point a bit as I knew it was worth that but it was outside what I usually limit myself to pay for vises. At this point I did text him back and let him know it wasn't a Tradesman and gave him some details about it. I told him it wasn't that old but was very desirable. I actually guessed mid 80's to early 2000's and it ended up being dated 1986.

I told him I'd been trying to get the owner of my shop to invest in a good vise for our mechanics who have been using a half broken chinesium wonder vise with missing jaws for some time now. I went into salesman mode and printed off the $1079-$1250 amazon and google shopping prices and went upstairs to get it bought. Shop owner asked me to offer him $300 cash or $400 in store credit as my friend is also a longtime customer of ours. Ended up giving him a new Interstate battery for his truck and $200 cash.

This afternoon I removed the broken Chinese Bessey rotator, drilled new holes and got the Wilton mounted. Also took some time to wipe it down, disassemble, clean and re-lube and as expected it's buttery smooth. Check out the minty jaws and lack of hammer marks on the handle. It's definitely used but has been well taken care of! To say our mechanics were happy is an understatement.

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[graywarrant]

First time poster -

I've used a little 4" Fuller for the past 25 years or so - it's done everything I've needed, up until recently when I torqued it too much and broke the cast swivel base. I'd finally picked up a welding table and while working on project at my friend's shop, I had grown jealous of my his large vise (no jokes please) so I started searching. I found this one from an older gentleman who was retired from the machine shop business and was relocating & downsizing his personal shop. I also got a steal of a deal on a NOS Miller TIG torch kit, with Smith gauge, ground and electrode leads as well as a 56" cylinder full of Argon and got to meet a nice person to boot!

It is a Columbian Model 505 (not 100% on that last digit?) that was in good working condition for my purposes. I mounted it to my table and started using it. My BIL decided to jokingly say "Hey, you ought to clean that thing up and paint it if your going to leave it outside...".

I eventually convinced myself to do that and took it apart, wire brushed, then sandblasted and then repainted. It turned out ok. One jaw was missing and a PO had ground the one jaw face flat. These jaws are three hole style that I could not find a replacement for. I eventually decided to make some out of aluminum and that is what I did.

Hopefully I didn't screw up a rare vintage vice - I really can't find much on this model being that it has three screws for the jaws and the embossed scripting on the sides doesn't appear to match other Columbian 505s I've seen on the web and some of the reading I have done. For example, the model NO on other Columbians is embossed NO with a raised flat area that had the model number stamped in. And the layout of the script is different from pictures of other Columbians I've looked at online. Nor have I seen one with the large Triangle with a C in the center.

Anyway, it will serve me well in my light DIY life and will likely serve someone well long after me.

Thanks for the all the tips, tricks and knowledge on this site, with your help I think I made a good purchase at a good price.

Ray

 

[gman007]

My mini post vise arrived in the mail today and I couldn’t be happier. It has a beautiful original patina and looks to be hand made in the late 1800’s. You can tell an artisan back in the day put quite a few hours of hammer time into this piece getting it just right.

Smitty

Great score again!

 

[bagged89s10]

My mini post vise arrived in the mail today and I couldn’t be happier. It has a beautiful original patina and looks to be hand made in the late 1800’s. You can tell an artisan back in the day put quite a few hours of hammer time into this piece getting it just right.


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i’m still regretting selling mine. great find.

 

[Smitty]

Thanks all for the kind words.

Chrisnazzy- Way to take one for the team, it looks great on the bench.

 

[KillNThrill24]

Really nice Columbian there KillN.

Thanks! I love it. Just owning a piece of manufacturing history and being able to use it as my main vise makes it so cool to me.

Smitty:
Wow! That is an amazing piece to add to your growing collection. Great score.

KillN:
That’s a good one. Is that your first vise?

I appreciate that, and yessir it is. Well first one that's actually mine. I borrowed a little red (I think 3in) Columbian from a similar era, from my dad when I moved. But I'm happy to have my own. You can feel the quality difference between this one and the ones sold at home depot.

Sent from my Note 9 using The Garage Journal mobile app

 

[KillNThrill24]

First time poster -

I've used a little 4" Fuller for the past 25 years or so - it's done everything I've needed, up until recently when I torqued it too much and broke the cast swivel base. I'd finally picked up a welding table and while working on project at my friend's shop, I had grown jealous of my his large vise (no jokes please) so I started searching. I found this one from an older gentleman who was retired from the machine shop business and was relocating & downsizing his personal shop. I also got a steal of a deal on a NOS Miller TIG torch kit, with Smith gauge, ground and electrode leads as well as a 56" cylinder full of Argon and got to meet a nice person to boot!

It is a Columbian Model 505 (not 100% on that last digit?) that was in good working condition for my purposes. I mounted it to my table and started using it. My BIL decided to jokingly say "Hey, you ought to clean that thing up and paint it if your going to leave it outside...".

I eventually convinced myself to do that and took it apart, wire brushed, then sandblasted and then repainted. It turned out ok. One jaw was missing and a PO had ground the one jaw face flat. These jaws are three hole style that I could not find a replacement for. I eventually decided to make some out of aluminum and that is what I did.

Hopefully I didn't screw up a rare vintage vice - I really can't find much on this model being that it has three screws for the jaws and the embossed scripting on the sides doesn't appear to match other Columbian 505s I've seen on the web and some of the reading I have done. For example, the model NO on other Columbians is embossed NO with a raised flat area that had the model number stamped in. And the layout of the script is different from pictures of other Columbians I've looked at online. Nor have I seen one with the large Triangle with a C in the center.

Anyway, it will serve me well in my light DIY life and will likely serve someone well long after me.

Thanks for the all the tips, tricks and knowledge on this site, with your help I think I made a good purchase at a good price.

Ray

That's an awesome looking piece! Nice choice of color for it too. Sounds like you got a good pickup on the Miller rig as well. Makes me want to clean mine up and repaint it. But I won't do that yet, because then I'll never want to use it haha.

Sent from my Note 9 using The Garage Journal mobile app

 

[gman007]

I have a "picker" friend who has a shop on the other side of town. He used to own an antique store downtown but they closed that last year. Now by shop I mean a depository of sorts where he takes all the stuff he finds and tinkers with things. I like to go by on my day off sometimes and look around, hang out for a bit and he's always got great stories and stuff to show me.

I messaged him Tuesday about coming by but we didn't end up getting together. He of course knows I'm into vises so he did let me know he had found a Wilton Tradesman and asked me if I'd be interested. Of course I indicated I might be if the price was right and asked him to text me some pics and the 17xx model number. This is the lone pic I initially got:

I obviously knew a C1 was in a slightly different class than Tradesman but I just asked how much at first. He said he was looking for $350. My frame of mind switched at this point a bit as I knew it was worth that but it was outside what I usually limit myself to pay for vises. At this point I did text him back and let him know it wasn't a Tradesman and gave him some details about it. I told him it wasn't that old but was very desirable. I actually guessed mid 80's to early 2000's and it ended up being dated 1986.

I told him I'd been trying to get the owner of my shop to invest in a good vise for our mechanics who have been using a half broken chinesium wonder vise with missing jaws for some time now. I went into salesman mode and printed off the $1079-$1250 amazon and google shopping prices and went upstairs to get it bought. Shop owner asked me to offer him $300 cash or $400 in store credit as my friend is also a longtime customer of ours. Ended up giving him a new Interstate battery for his truck and $200 cash.

This afternoon I removed the broken Chinese Bessey rotator, drilled new holes and got the Wilton mounted. Also took some time to wipe it down, disassemble, clean and re-lube and as expected it's buttery smooth. Check out the minty jaws and lack of hammer marks on the handle. It's definitely used but has been well taken care of! To say our mechanics were happy is an understatement.

Chris
Well done Sir! Very admirable

 

[Bookshelf]

I just bought a Reed 1c, It doesn’t look like the jaws are separate pieces, and there are only 3 points on the swivel base to mount it to the bench, anyone know if this is a really early version or ?

 

[MayerMR]

I just bought a Reed 1c, It doesn’t look like the jaws are separate pieces, and there are only 3 points on the swivel base to mount it to the bench, anyone know if this is a really early version or ?

Post up some photos of the vise. Otherwise it will be exceedingly difficult to assist you.

 

[Shiftless]

Bookshelf:
Yes, pics are needed.
But I can say that the early ones had cast in jaws and a round “meatball” nose where the handle is attached to the screw.
Is one of the swivel base mounting lugs broken off leaving only 3?

 

[chrisnazzy]

Thanks all for the kind words.

Chrisnazzy- Way to take one for the team, it looks great on the bench.

Chris
Well done Sir! Very admirable [emoji106]

Thanks fellas. Now I don't have to feel guilty every time I pull in my garage and look at 20+ badass vintage American vises.

Sent from my SM-G930P using Tapatalk

 

[pchp]

I've been waiting for this sucker since Dec28, so almost 3 months! Had it shipped from oversees, this week it finally washed up in LA, this morning it made it through customs and if I'm lucky, I'll have it at home this weekend!

Nice vise, is a Carl Froh

 

[Shiftless]

Nice vise, is a Carl Froh

I’ve never heard of Carl or Karl Froh vises. After spending a few minutes I couldn’t find any info on Google.

 

[va.grouseman]

pchp, could you elaborate on the Carl Froh please?

 

[pchp]

I’ve never heard of Carl or Karl Froh vises. After spending a few minutes I couldn’t find any info on Google.

I was looking for information about a very similar vise and I found that brand. It seems that this type of vise was produced in Germany, East Germany and maybe in Russia too.

 

[va.grouseman]

Pchp, that's a new one for the books.---I've never seen a pic of one that someone had.---Good info.

 

[pchp]

Pchp, that's a new one for the books.---I've never seen a pic of one that someone had.---Good info.

I found this video of a vise of the same type

 

[honza.vosalik]

I was looking for information about a very similar vise and I found that brand. It seems that this type of vise was produced in Germany, East Germany and maybe in Russia too.

So that's what CFROH stands for! Would it be possible to get those pictures in higher resolution?

 

[Shiftless]

so that's what cfroh stands for!

bingo!
.
.
.

 

[honza.vosalik]

I found this video of a vise of the same type

The one in the video is VERY similar, but I think it's different. It doesn't have the stamping on the side. The shape of the body around the jaws is a bit more square looking.

 

[akasrick]

I just bought a Reed 1c, It doesn’t look like the jaws are separate pieces, and there are only 3 points on the swivel base to mount it to the bench, anyone know if this is a really early version or ?

Jaws look something like this? This is a 2ndWW era vise. I'm not going any further with this one.
I see this is allready on the spreadsheet.
https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showpost.php?p=1211322&postcount=1469
Due to the positive influence of this group, when one of these
swiveling jaw vises came available I bought for 60 dollars.
Preserved in paint with swivel jaw and pin stuck, no amount of soaking or heat
would free it. Had to get rescued by the kid with with his oxyacetylene, did the trick.
Will not be an not often user, but the tool is there.
It has the electromagically welded non removable jaw inserts, with a pretty aggressive cut, needs soft caps.
3 1/2"jaws, 4 !/4"opening, 43lbs.

akasrick

 

[Outlawmws]

A little more light on the topic:

 

[va.grouseman]

Thanks Outlaw.---My hearing, smelling, and especially seeing are fading fast.---I need all the help I can get.---Wished all the posted ADs came in that big.

 

[Rich.]

Finished up restoring an old 112 today.

 

[ZeroByte]

Hey everyone - I am just getting started on working on projects around the house or on the car. I stumbled across this forum, and there is a wealth of information here! I picked up my first vise today: a Record #6.




I have a quick question about it. Can I add the swivel base to it, like this one?

If so, I have what is probably a dumb question. If I can attach the swivel base, how do I lock it at a given angle? It looks to me like the bolts would attach the vise to the base, but there does not seem to be a mechanism for locking it. What am I missing?

Thanks!

 

[rusty65]

Hey everyone - I am just getting started on working on projects around the house or on the car. I stumbled across this forum, and there is a wealth of information here! I picked up my first vise today: a Record #6.




I have a quick question about it. Can I add the swivel base to it, like this one?

If so, I have what is probably a dumb question. If I can attach the swivel base, how do I lock it at a given angle? It looks to me like the bolts would attach the vise to the base, but there does not seem to be a mechanism for locking it. What am I missing?

Thanks!

I suspect that the bolts that hold the vise to the base double as the swivel lock. I’m just going off what I saw in the video review so I’m not 100% positive on how it works but that’s what I would wager a guess at.

Also any one looking for reed swivel bases it appears that Parker bases may work. I’m not sure what size Parker base but the vise is a reed 1 c. Just something I saw on Craigslist and I wanted to include some vise picture action.



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[LNKMK8]

Cole Tool Vise (http://www.rustyiron.com/literature/ColeDrill.pdf) I picked up this week.

 

[dutchgray]

Hey everyone - I am just getting started on working on projects around the house or on the car. I stumbled across this forum, and there is a wealth of information here! I picked up my first vise today: a Record #6.

I have a quick question about it. Can I add the swivel base to it, like this one?

If so, I have what is probably a dumb question. If I can attach the swivel base, how do I lock it at a given angle? It looks to me like the bolts would attach the vise to the base, but there does not seem to be a mechanism for locking it. What am I missing?

Thanks!

I suspect that the bolts that hold the vise to the base double as the swivel lock. I’m just going off what I saw in the video review so I’m not 100% positive on how it works but that’s what I would wager a guess at.

Also any one looking for reed swivel bases it appears that Parker bases may work. I’m not sure what size Parker base but the vise is a reed 1 c. Just something I saw on Craigslist and I wanted to include some vise picture action.



Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Rusty 65 is correct, the mounting bolts lock the swivel when fully tightened, you might get lucky and find a swivel base for an English vice with a separate lock, Paramo made ones like that and if you could find one the right size it should fit the Record, but all swivel bases are rarely found for English vices. Swivel bases from the English makers are somewhat of an afterthought, they are no where near as good as found on USA vises.

 

[ZeroByte]

Rusty 65 is correct, the mounting bolts lock the swivel when fully tightened, you might get lucky and find a swivel base for an English vice with a separate lock, Paramo made ones like that and if you could find one the right size it should fit the Record, but all swivel bases are rarely found for English vices. Swivel bases from the English makers are somewhat of an afterthought, they are no where near as good as found on USA vises.

I suspect that the bolts that hold the vise to the base double as the swivel lock. I’m just going off what I saw in the video review so I’m not 100% positive on how it works but that’s what I would wager a guess at.

Also any one looking for reed swivel bases it appears that Parker bases may work. I’m not sure what size Parker base but the vise is a reed 1 c. Just something I saw on Craigslist and I wanted to include some vise picture action.



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Thanks guys! The swivel is not a deal breaker for me, and I am happy with the vise as is. Thanks for the info about the bases. I think I will order the swivel base and try it out.

 

[lilredex]

Pictured is my Record Fiver with the swivel base, and it is locked as suggested. Yours is a later version which has the slotted mounting holes. Mine has the closed in mounting holes. No idea where I got that base, but have had it since 1973.

And, my No.6, same as yours.

 

[ZeroByte]

Ahh very interesting. Your #5 has the lock on the vise. I have not seen that before on a Record vise. Neat! How old is your #6? I have no idea how old mine is. I imagine it is one of the last English made Record vises, like yours.

 

[Smitty]

I found this old Parker 205 today for forty bucks. The front collar is missing but it’s in pretty good condition for a 100 year old vise. This will make a great restoration project



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[Loydski29]

Nice find Smitty Congrats! That one should clean up well.

 

[Smitty]

Nice find Smitty Congrats! That one should clean up well.

Thanks loydski. I’m fairly confident that I can find a collar for it.

 

[honza.vosalik]

bingo!
.
.
.

Shoot, I guess I'm not getting my vise after all! It never made it out of LA up to NorCal. I don't get this, they didn't even attempt the delivery!

Your item was returned to the sender on March 23, 2019 at 4:20 pm in ISC LOS ANGELES CA (USPS), CA 90009 because the addressee was not known at the delivery address noted on the package.

 

[lilredex]

Ahh very interesting. Your #5 has the lock on the vise. I have not seen that before on a Record vise. Neat! How old is your #6? I have no idea how old mine is. I imagine it is one of the last English made Record vises, like yours.

It is from the early nineties. Little story... in the seventies I saw a #6 hanging out a garbage bin, it had a broken front jaw. Got it welded for $10 and it lasted 20 years then broke next to the weld. In my search for a new front jaw, I remembered PAL sold them. A friendly employee that I talked to often, said they offered a life time guarantee on Records. I explained the story and he said bring it over....couldn't get it there fast enough!! So that is how I acquired mine.

 

[sandman54]

Look here!! Bye!