The VISES of Garage Journal

[ZRX61]

I actually picked up a vise today also!

My first Morgan is a Morgan Chicago 140 in what looks to be very good condition.

Negotiated to buy just the vise that was in a FB Marketplace ad for a workbench w/ good vise.

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Looks familiar


https://scontent-lax3-1.**.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/182660_1707254773978_1966472_n.jpg?_nc_cat=111&_nc_eui2=AeGroOXqSPvgUb3-DFOE5I8W6xPXSPRb-oqRy7GJBTUAbDj-Z751KQN9v2kU5BM7IOaeBiD_yuHdRzixpkhqIiA4U7lKW-6svh8p47Zkf8n0lQ&_nc_pt=1&_nc_ht=scontent-lax3-1.**&oh=1b62aea16c8e76a7ff83dcfaf8699fa0&oe=5D40CFC6


After:
https://scontent-lax3-1.**.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/181695_1711165071733_3850663_n.jpg?_nc_cat=104&_nc_eui2=AeFEISNHJyGDean-27LT2LII-HQEO29IX992-H0m4lRMcdreRF84qrYsIN4Pl0frqOtu58NtefDKRu84ynhwjKBYnUTELg_OlPIRzpiC_5nweg&_nc_pt=1&_nc_ht=scontent-lax3-1.**&oh=a6a8e9f17e1da59cddb8cf85ca9d4325&oe=5D317039


Put it on the opposite end to my 40.

https://scontent-lax3-1.**.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/199741_1793792297362_3149785_n.jpg?_nc_cat=104&_nc_eui2=AeHQvkyLelv9gFXUM4luqG6xvhBMd_8RMh5vcGd2tRsu1sAVPbioJIV2b5AgWXRuqVGdhIUIehCSriA2u3nvgW5i2C4huVJmimGR86e-9yV07A&_nc_pt=1&_nc_ht=scontent-lax3-1.**&oh=58d9a61eb76e0696e124dbe51488e949&oe=5D33C513

 

[ZRX61]

The 140 came out of Lockheed Skunkworks in Burbank & the 40 came out of Lockheed Skunkworks in Palmdale

 

[Shiftless]

You guys are really hittin’ it...
I feel so left out.

 

[AndrewH]

You guys are really hittin’ it...
I feel so left out.

I don’t want to jinx anything but if this weekend goes well I will be picking up a Wilton 450SJ and a Reed 108. More details to follow..

 

[ScopinBill]

Well sir, your free vise is actually a Wilton Tradesman 1750 or could have possibly originally been a Snap-on vise made by Wilton. Either way, great score!

Wow! Didn’t expect to hear that given that there’s no brand anywhere on it - at least not that I could find. Thanks so much for the info! I guess this will be my first vise restoration project... and likely the beginning of my transition from vise user to vise collector

The red paint appears to be original. Does that mean it’s a Snap-On (made my Wilton) or did Wilton sell red 1750’s under their own brand as well?

 

[trijeff]

The Wilton and Snap On Tradesmans are the exact same vise with a different metal sticker. Wilton makes 'em both. So far as I know, Snap On has never manufactured a vise itself, all rebranded Wilton.

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[chrisnazzy]

Wow! Didn’t expect to hear that given that there’s no brand anywhere on it - at least not that I could find. Thanks so much for the info! I guess this will be my first vise restoration project... and likely the beginning of my transition from vise user to vise collector



The red paint appears to be original. Does that mean it’s a Snap-On (made my Wilton) or did Wilton sell red 1750’s under their own brand as well?

If the red was indeed the original color I'd say in all likelihood it was originally branded Snap-on.

As trijeff said though, the only difference other than color is the metal tag on the blank side (yours is obviously missing).

If you do decide to do a full restore send me a PM with your address and I'll send you a new Snap-on badge for it. I've got a few tucked away and I'd be happy to part with one to help you make your vise new again.

Chris

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[Shiftless]

I don’t want to jinx anything but if this weekend goes well I will be picking up a Wilton 450SJ and a Reed 108. More details to follow..

A Wilton SJ is on my dream list. What would shipping be to CA?

 

[ScopinBill]

If the red was indeed the original color I'd say in all likelihood it was originally branded Snap-on.

As trijeff said though, the only difference other than color is the metal tag on the blank side (yours is obviously missing).

If you do decide to do a full restore send me a PM with your address and I'll send you a new Snap-on badge for it. I've got a few tucked away and I'd be happy to part with one to help you make your vise new again.

Chris

Thanks for the info Chris and I’m absolutely floored by your offer. I’ll definitely take you up on that when I start the restoration and will be sure to pay it forward.

Bill

 

[dutchgray]

So they actually did have a different model late in production. The hunt continues for the extra 1/2 then... numbers updated.

Interesting that the other vice picture lists itself as steel, as the catalog entries are all iron or pearlitic iron. That means there’s yet another variant.

Thrumcap

They will all be made from the same metal, it was just called different things at different times, there are a lot of old British vices which say they are steel but are actually high strength malleable cast iron, it was to differentiate them from the normal cast ones, at some point in time they stopped doing that.
The heavy chipping range is very rare even here so that is a great find and a very useful vice to have.

 

[sch]

sch:
I see you’re growing your collection. Nice find on the Keystone. That looks like an appropriate color too.
Here is the little brother to your model F
Mine is a B.
I saw that the braze repair was well done and settled on an appropriate price. I picked it up at a dusty flea market in Northern Missouri for $11

Thank you, Shift!

That Keystone B is....adorable. If that word is allowable here. I may have a side goal of collecting the alphabet, as much as there is of it. The line appears to go from B to H, based on this catalog page I downloaded from somewhere on the internet, possibly this very thread.

 

[Shiftless]

Sch:
Is this vise a Keystone L ??
Image found on google. Weight says 255 pounds
If so, you’d better start building stronger shelving.

 

[Mr. Wonderful]

Sch:
Is this vise a Keystone L ??
Image found on google. Weight says 255 pounds
If so, you’d better start building stronger shelving.

Ive had some pretty nice 6" vises come my way this year (hollands, morgan, and wilton) I feel pretty good about them until I keep seeing these 8" monsters. I keep telling myself I'd pass if I ever found one. I must be in denial. I wish I knew what draws me to these. Great finds all!

 

[va.grouseman]

Sch:
Is this vise a Keystone L ??
Image found on google. Weight says 255 pounds
If so, you’d better start building stronger shelving.

Shift, that looks like Demo's line-up.---Am I close?

 

[AndrewH]

A Wilton SJ is on my dream list. What would shipping be to CA?

It would be terribly expensive, especially once I added on all of the finders and collectors fees!

 

[hitthewall79]

Hey everybody, been a while since I've posted on here, figure I'd share what my collection has grown to, along with my newest find

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[KMScott]

Shift, that looks like Demo's line-up.---Am I close?

Yep, it is. Been there and seen that.

 

[va.grouseman]

Hitt, nice family photo.---You been busy.

 

[hitthewall79]

Hitt, nice family photo.---You been busy.

Yup, I have. I gotta start refinishing some of those little ones, for some reason no one around here wants them, unless they're refinished. But once they're refinished they pay out the nose for them

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[Smitty]

Yup, I have. I gotta start refinishing some of those little ones, for some reason no one around here wants them, unless they're refinished. But once they're refinished they pay out the nose for them

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Nice job on the Columbian, it looks like a beast.

 

[hitthewall79]

Nice job on the Columbian, it looks like a beast.

Thanks, it's a 108... 8 inches, 268lbs, and opens a foot

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[Productbob]

hittthewall, love the wall. showed your pic to my wife in the hopes she stops complaining about the vises we have downstairs. "see honey, this is what the basement would look like if I really had a vise problem".

 

[KMScott]

Wrapped up a couple Parker's today. They are a lot of work getting them back in good working condition. It's more like a challenge restoring Parkers then a job.

Parker 229x, 3-1/4 jaws and weights around 40lbs. Parker 272 with 4-1/2" jaws and weights over 60lbs.

 

[Shiftless]

KMS:
Spectacular work on those Parker’s. Your level of perfection never ceases to amaze me.

Thanks to va and KMS for verifying where that monster Keystone pic came from. Google images didn’t give me that info.

 

[hitthewall79]

hittthewall, love the wall. showed your pic to my wife in the hopes she stops complaining about the vises we have downstairs. "see honey, this is what the basement would look like if I really had a vise problem".

I showed this to my girlfriend and she laughed. She helps me restore them. I do all the painting, and she does the fine detail of the lettering.

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[royce]

Wrapped up a couple Parker's today. They are a lot of work getting them back in good working condition. It's more like a challenge restoring Parkers then a job.

Parker 229x, 3-1/4 jaws and weights around 40lbs. Parker 272 with 4-1/2" jaws and weights over 60lbs.

The details of your work are always a treat.
On the 272, I like the way you left the end of the slide as cast and painted it, also the way you made the buttons on the swivel lock handle.
Thanks for sharing

Royce

 

[Mike W.]

Wrapped up a couple Parker's today. They are a lot of work getting them back in good working condition. It's more like a challenge restoring Parkers then a job.



Parker 229x, 3-1/4 jaws and weights around 40lbs. Parker 272 with 4-1/2" jaws and weights over 60lbs.

Hi end craftsmanship bordering on art [emoji2956]


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[sch]

Sch:
Is this vise a Keystone L ??
Image found on google. Weight says 255 pounds
If so, you’d better start building stronger shelving.

Shift:
Now I'm wondering if the there are Keystones I, J, K out there! Collecting the alphabet just got harder. Thanks for posting - that L is a beast.

 

[Outlawmws]

Beautiful work as always Dr. Scott!

 

[KMScott]

Thanks guys for all your comments, these Parker's test my jaw building, never built a set for the swivel jaw Parker's. I might add the 272 Parker was built pretty loose, something out of my control. I feel good that the work I did put this vise back in shape to grab anything at most angles.

 

[Woot]

Very inspiring thread. I'm trying to get an all purpose tool cart together. That I can possibly leave in a trailer at jobs or just put it somewhere that gives me some sense of security. After all "locks only keep out honest people". But a bench vise is one option I definitely want. The weight will make it less mobile (a long with the weight of pnumatic wheels) but I'm good with that. I have a little husky cart I can carry up steps by myself if need be. So I have been at it. I'm no painter or restoration guy. That's for sure. I'm just hoping to get a coat of paint on it that wont fall off by itself. Lol. It is going to be in the field so scratches and hammer dings will be expected. But I'm going to clear coat it anyway. To try to keep the rust and scratches to a minimum. But I got the rubbermaid cart and a wilton vise for like 40-50 bucks from an estate sale 10 mins from my house. So, if it helps on 4-5 job sites before breaking/being stolen/just getting to be to much of a pita to move to the next job... That's a W in my book. I'm a commercial electrician and these jobsites are murder on tools. Painters/foam guys/sheet rockers/young kids that could care less who's tools they use/ppl that dont understand English very well/day labor... it's just a ticking time bomb before stuff is damaged or missing, if it's not locked in a steel box. So, my long *** point is= I dont want it to look to nice. But pics later today. Awesome thread guys!!

 

[va.grouseman]

KM, how many hours in the shop does the 272 represent, if you can ballpark it.

Much better than factory as always.

 

[nutjob]

I picked up this Millers Falls 100 vise today. It appears it may have been made by York? I did find a post that this may have bondo under the MF label with more casting info. No stampings on top next to the jaws or any other ID.

Weights 33lbs and the jaws measure 100mm

Anyone have more info on these? Not sure to just do a simple cleanup or complete refurb

Thanks

Kevin

 

[KMScott]

KM, how many hours in the shop does the 272 represent, if you can ballpark it.

Much better than factory as always.

Clean and inspect. 2hr
Jaws- 6hr
Spindle Handle 1-1/2hr
Machine base and fab bronze bushing. 1-1/2hr
Machine Collar and Dynamic to tighten up Backlash. 2hr
Paint 2-1/2hr
Assemble and adjust. 2-1/2hr

So the question is what am I worth, not much in my book but I do enjoy working on something that matters to me.

 

[Productbob]

Refurbishing a Wilton 161089/161090 rotating vise and need some help. Anyone have any experience with the rotating lock mechanism on this type of vise? The locking bolt (or what I'm assuming to the locking bolt) screws through the locking housing, which is cast into the outer rotating housing. When I remove the bolt I can see through the bolt hole but don't see anything within the hole that the bolt would come in contact with to lock/unlock the rotating barrel. Any help would be appreciated.

 

[ricleh]

I picked up this Millers Falls 100 vise today. It appears it may have been made by York? I did find a post that this may have bondo under the MF label with more casting info. No stampings on top next to the jaws or any other ID.

Weights 33lbs and the jaws measure 100mm

Anyone have more info on these? Not sure to just do a simple cleanup or complete refurb

Thanks

Kevin

I got one that looked exactly like yours except it was an 80. It was NOS and still in an unmarked cardboard box. I stripped it down to check for any bondo hiding a casting mark and there was none. It is definitely a York.

 

[Fierljeppen]

Clean and inspect. 2hr
Jaws- 6hr
Spindle Handle 1-1/2hr
Machine base and fab bronze bushing. 1-1/2hr
Machine Collar and Dynamic to tighten up Backlash. 2hr
Paint 2-1/2hr
Assemble and adjust. 2-1/2hr

So the question is what am I worth, not much in my book but I do enjoy working on something that matters to me.

It's very refreshing to see someone "who does what they love and loves what they do", instead of always chasing the almighty dollar. I'd say your worth is invaluable.

I've been mulling about my current professional situation and I think it's time to make a change toward a more enjoyable environment.

Much respect KMScott, much respect.

 

[va.grouseman]

Clean and inspect. 2hr
Jaws- 6hr
Spindle Handle 1-1/2hr
Machine base and fab bronze bushing. 1-1/2hr
Machine Collar and Dynamic to tighten up Backlash. 2hr
Paint 2-1/2hr
Assemble and adjust. 2-1/2hr

So the question is what am I worth, not much in my book but I do enjoy working on something that matters to me.

WOW.-----I had no idea.---That's the reason yours looks better than original.
C.P. didn't even spend that much time on it, and he started with molten metal.

 

[Smitty]

Clean and inspect. 2hr
Jaws- 6hr
Spindle Handle 1-1/2hr
Machine base and fab bronze bushing. 1-1/2hr
Machine Collar and Dynamic to tighten up Backlash. 2hr
Paint 2-1/2hr
Assemble and adjust. 2-1/2hr

So the question is what am I worth, not much in my book but I do enjoy working on something that matters to me.

Enjoying what you do is priceless.

 

[trijeff]

Kevin, incredibly fantastic work as always. I always wondered how much time you put into these. In a perverse way, I'm glad to see it takes even a complete master a pretty significant chunk of time to produce these results. You know, that it doesn't take just a few hours to pump out those sweet sweet Parkers.

But, WITHOUT TAKING AWAY FROM THE REV AT ALL, this is also a shout out to the other guys that have nowhere the skill, experience and/or tool resources to ever produce those results in close to that time frame. But somehow with lesser tools and/or more time are also coming up with some really really nice restorations!! Never gonna paint the Mona Lisa but continuing to try

Back in my triathlon heyday I will never forget meeting a few of the world champs and they all downplayed their fantastic accomplishments in favor of those weekend warrior athletes who weren't born with the God given talent and training resources as themselves. The Rev is similar in the way he freely gives fellers compliments for their restores.

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