The VISES of Garage Journal

[AndrewH]

Thanks Productbob
The vise gets a prime spot on the bench for a few days so I can check it out.


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Nice find, I found a mint one in a basement a couple hours from my house a few years back for $100, looks like it had hardly been used and never abused. I was fortunate to call just a few minutes after he posted and immediately jumped in the car. When I got there he said that so many people were calling that he had to delete the ad, definitely one of my better finds.

 

[rusty65]

Pretty surprised no one bid against me on these sweet jaw covers

Patent here: https://patents.google.com/patent/US1397409

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I saw those and forgot to bid. I believe I payed around the same price for the last pair I bought.


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[jonshonda]

I have been trying to throttle back on CL and FB purchases lately but this little fella just popped up, which is rare for my area. I told myself I will only buy vises from manufacturers that I haven't owned yet or that I find aesthetically appealing, and this Athol 624-1/2 meets that criteria from the "vises from manu I haven't owned yet".

My only concern is that I have really been liking the finish achieved by wire brushing and finishing in BLO, and think the condition of the top of the static jaw would really bother me if I didn't repair it.

<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/154822526@N03/47686611101/in/dateposted-public/" title="ATHOL"><img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/47686611101_7925d1fa0b_c.jpg" width="600" height="800" alt="ATHOL"></a><script async src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

 

[jonshonda]

I found this old Chas Parker vise no. 956 today, it has 6” jaws and weighs in at 131 lbs. The vise has been well used but somebody took care of it over the years.

Haven't we already had a conversation regarding the use of an unopened can of beer in a photograph on GJ?

 

[wrenchguy]

Haven't we already had a conversation regarding the use of an unopened can of beer in a photograph on GJ?

Yea it needs tobe closer to the clamper 4 better perspective.

 

[RBarnes]

Haven't we already had a conversation regarding the use of an unopened can of beer in a photograph on GJ?

Maybe he is saving that beer for when his wife comes home and finds out he has bought another vise.

 

[KMScott]

I restored a 956 and it was the first set of Parker jaws I made. Very nice vise and Smitty you are lucky to find one in such good shape.

<a href="https://visejaws.smugmug.com/Chas-Parker-Vises/i-tWqjPB8/A"><img src="https://photos.smugmug.com/Chas-Parker-Vises/i-tWqjPB8/0/ead10a25/M/956-Parker-02-2015-M.jpg" alt=""></a>

<a href="https://visejaws.smugmug.com/Chas-Parker-Vises/i-4WMr3z8/A"><img src="https://photos.smugmug.com/Chas-Parker-Vises/i-4WMr3z8/0/4f91ee5c/M/Parker%20956-02-2015%20%286%29-M.jpg" alt=""></a>

 

[jonshonda]

What's with the rash of unopened beverages being displayed in pictures? Its a plague!

 

[Heyduggee]

Afternoon all. Been following this thread for a long while and finally summoned up the courage to post my small collection from my shed! Nothing like some of the monsters above but certainly in keeping with the scale of my shed workshop.

A small Woden 186B/1 and a slightly larger Record No. 2

My Fortis Steel No. 9 with quick release.

The Record and Fortis have been cleaned up and repainted, the Woden is on the to-do list and will probably go to a new home with a modeller friend of mine. I'm keeping an eye out for either a Parkinson F 6 or 7 or maybe a Samsonia if one rears its head.

 

[va.grouseman]

Nice iron Heydug.---I really like the paint job on the Fortis, and that is a fine vise in and of itself.---The fellows here don't usually paint the anvil area but that is a good way to remind yourself not to use it as one.---The anvil area on a vise just invites stupidity IMO.

By the way, you don't need courage to post on this thread, just a lot of pictures and back stories.

And welcome.

 

[RBarnes]

What's with the rash of unopened beverages being displayed in pictures? Its a plague!

Free advice - smarter to wait to drink AFTER you make the deal and unload a heavy vise.

 

[Smitty]

Thanks all
KMS, those jaws look great. I can just imagine how much work goes into a set from start to finish.
As far as the cold ones are concerned, those usually stay behind the camera.

 

[boostbaron]

Hey Guys,
I have an official f/s post in the classified section but i am selling a Hollands H4 vise and a smaller Dunlap vise. Asking $200 for both.

 

[Outlawmws]

Boostbarron, we have a classifieds as its against the posting rules to sell in the regular threads.

 

[AndrewH]

My apologies if anyone else here tried to win that aluminum Parker 973 on eBay, it’s coming home to me!

 

[rusty65]

My apologies if anyone else here tried to win that aluminum Parker 973 on eBay, it’s coming home to me!

As long as we got some quality pictures of it no apologies necessary. I was the opening bidder and I was watching it end and was thinking surely it’s not going end for the opening bid. Random vise picture to stay on topic.



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[AndrewH]

As long as we got some quality pictures of it no apologies necessary. I was the opening bidder and I was watching it end and was thinking surely it’s not going end for the opening bid. Random vise picture to stay on topic.



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It’s funny because I was almost fooled into thinking no one was going to bid on it, I placed a $250 bid and got out bid at 2 seconds. I was fortunately fast enough to place a bid at the 1 second mark and ended up winning it. Close call!

 

[ZRX61]

My Fortis Steel No. 9 with quick release.

The bolts holding to the bench are installed upside down

 

[Josh C]

Good evening all. Have a Reed disassembly question for anyone who has run across a Reed with the feature that is totally new to me. This will make my fifth Reed that I have torn down and cleaned up and this is a first. I’m struggling to get the nut removed. This 105 has a sectional dovetail (probably incorrect term) with I believe a section between the front and back where there is no dovetail. It also has a depression or stopped half circle in the base which possibly is to “drop “ one of the dovetail sections in for installing the nut but I haven’t been successful at getting it out. Anyone have experience with this issue? Or do I have a prototype that they realized was a bad idea and canned? It only says “pat. Pend” on it and has a date stamp of 231. I will be impatiently waiting for a solution Thanks in advance
I also threw in a picture of a very intimidating drill press that’s at an estate sale not too far away from me this Friday because it was next to the Reeds pictures and just felt other folks might enjoy seeing it.

 

[Shiftless]

That vise looks pretty clean. Why do you want to complicate your life by trying to remove the nut? If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.
From where I sit, there looks to be a crack. I would leave that area alone, finish cleaning, painting, lubing, whatever and move on.
This pic shows where the retainer pin should be. If you must remove the nut, you have to drive out the pin. But remember that it is probably bent. So it is tricky to reassemble and get the positioning correct. Incorrect positioning will result in too tight for the opening and closing (binding) or too much slack.

Personally, I would leave it alone.

 

[RBarnes]

Boostbarron, we have a classifieds as its against the posting rules to sell in the regular threads.

After seeing your posting I tried to find the rule you mention on the Garage Journal home page. I did not see it. Please post a link to this rule so that us newer members can read the rules and not unintentionally upset anyone.

 

[Outlawmws]

After seeing your posting I tried to find the rule you mention on the Garage Journal home page. I did not see it. Please post a link to this rule so that us newer members can read the rules and not unintentionally upset anyone.

https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showpost.php?p=1391102&postcount=1

 

[Heyduggee]

Grouseman -- thank you for the welcome. The paint job leaves a lot to be desired but the upside is that as you say, I'll be reminded not to use it as an anvil.

ZRX - They are the right way up, but the wrong kind of bolt. A temporary measure!

 

[RBarnes]

https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showpost.php?p=1391102&postcount=1

Reading the rules, technically I don't really see where he broke any rule (as I read it, the way it is written, you just are not allowed to post items for sale in other sections if you have less than 5 posts). I understand though that the spirit of the rule was for people to put items for sale in the classified section.

I myself do not see much difference between discussing price other people are selling or asking for vises, talking about the price of a vise on ebay or craigslist, asking what items are worth, telling what you just paid for something or finally someone saying what they would sell something for. That is just me though. I enjoy reading it all for the knowledge everyone shares. What items are being marketed for is part of that knowledge for me, as I do not know everything about vises and am always learning. I want to know what I reasonably should expect to have to pay for a vise I would like to own.

It sometimes appears that collectors on here are trying to keep prices down (except when they are selling things), but in this world if you have a computer it is pretty easy to just go online and see what most items are being marketed at. The problem is that people tend to pay too much attention to asking prices as opposed to what something actually sells for. . From a buying point of view I enjoy it when someone has a totally restored vise for sale since I rarely find totally restored vises for sale in the wild. Pretty easy for most people to realize that since one could buy a fully restored one at that price, theirs should be priced lower since it is not in fully restored condition.

Although you would probably not believe it after this long posting, I am pretty laid back about it all. When I have extra money I pay too much, when I am short on funds, I cannot sometimes buy things for what they are selling for. In the end, I am enjoying the vises for what they are, not for a good or bad deal I think I got on them.

 

[Josh C]

Shiftless- thanks for the reply. I was disassembling it to clean it and since I have done four other Reeds I figured it would be straight forward. The pin is already out of the vise, and I posted the question because it’s very different than the other Reeds I have done and didn’t know if anyone else had seen that type of nut before. I completely understand the thinking behind leaving the nut where it is and reassembling it, just wanted it cleaned out before I did but if I don’t get any more info on it I may just stick it back together. Have a great day! Josh

 

[Shiftless]

ZRX and heyduggee

I can’t recall anybody here ever discussing the proper bolts to use to hold down a vise. Seems to me there is nothing wrong with that set up. Maybe there is a situation under the bench that makes it tough to swing a wrench to tighten up a nut. Perhaps it would be more “elegant” or more “trick” to use shorter bolts and then fasten with acorn nuts. But quite a few guys don’t care a bit about touches like that and just go with what is readily available.

 

[Josh C]

RBarnes- Thanks for the post, I agree wholeheartedly with your view there. Josh

 

[davethorik]

Reading the rules, technically I don't really see where he broke any rule (as I read it, the way it is written, you just are not allowed to post items for sale in other sections if you have less than 5 posts). I understand though that the spirit of the rule was for people to put items for sale in the classified section.

I myself do not see much difference between discussing price other people are selling or asking for vises, talking about the price of a vise on ebay or craigslist, asking what items are worth, telling what you just paid for something or finally someone saying what they would sell something for. That is just me though. I enjoy reading it all for the knowledge everyone shares. What items are being marketed for is part of that knowledge for me, as I do not know everything about vises and am always learning. I want to know what I reasonably should expect to have to pay for a vise I would like to own.

It sometimes appears that collectors on here are trying to keep prices down (except when they are selling things), but in this world if you have a computer it is pretty easy to just go online and see what most items are being marketed at.

It was a newbie mistake to list f/s here, regardless dude must be smoking some good stuff if he thinks he's gonna get $200 for those little vises.

 

[Heyduggee]

Shiftless right now it's a carriage bolt, which as you imagine, works nicely that way around due to lack of space but I admit feels like a bit of a bodge.

It's not caused any problems though and the vice is used regularly.

 

[va.grouseman]

RBarns, that $2750. is not going to get it.---You are going to have to greatly increase your reward for the #408.---Perhaps a Go-Fund-Me would help.---People will give to most any good cause.---If you describe just how desperately you need a 408 Reed, help is on the way.

 

[Jeffcmz]

RBarns, that $2750. is not going to get it.---You are going to have greatly increase your reward for the #408.---Perhaps a Go-Fund-Me would help.---People will give to most any good cause.---If you describe just how desperately you need a 408 Reed, help is on the way.

VA what do you think the 408 is worth? Just curious what the actual value between collectors is.

 

[Josh C]

Shiftless- I realized I hadn’t replied to part of your post. The “crack “ is actually a mark from me scraping the gunk off the vise with a small scraper. I had stopped breathing for a second when I first saw it and should have rubbed it off before taking the pictures but forgot. Also, the spot that looks like the pin is actually the indent in the nut left by the pin. The nut is slid back covering the flat where the pin is inserted. Kinda perplexing to be at the point where the nut is half out and can be wiggled a bit but that’s as far as it has gone..... had been hoping that someone would be able to shed some light on this hurdle of mine but probably gonna do as you mentioned and leave the dirt and grime in around the nut and put it back together as I’m currently tying up two of my other Reeds while it’s apart. Thanks again

Yeah, it’s a pretty messy workbench I know. Josh

 

[va.grouseman]

VA what do you think the 408 is worth? Just curious what the actual value between collectors is.

Well remember, Mr. Barns is wanting a Ball Front in Excellent Condition.---A pretty tall order.

But to answer your question, one is worth just about whatever a seller wants to ask for it.---And there will probably be buyers fighting for pole position.

 

[RBarnes]

Well remember, Mr. Barns is wanting a Ball Front in Excellent Condition.---A pretty tall order.

But to answer your question, one is worth just about whatever a seller wants to ask for it.---And there will probably be buyers fighting for pole position.

There seems to be a big difference between what people claim something is worth and what they will actually pay for one. My favorite thing is when someone says "I would not sell mine for that". That might impress younger readers, but that does not assess any true value of something. It is really only worth what someone will pay for it. Show me a previous sales record for a Reed 408? Was it on ebay where the seller had to give up 15% ebay and paypal fees, Was it at a different type auction where the seller had to give a percentage to the auction house? Did the seller get one of those fun forms that you have to pay tax on from the auction house? Was it a private sale where someone had to ship it or travel to get it? Just stating on this form that it is worth more than that does not prove anything. Just because someone buys one and then decides it is "worth" more than they paid does not necessarily translate into what someone else will pay for it. Remember the old saying "you find out what you really have when you try to sell it".

I am willing to travel anywhere in the continental United States (48 states) and pick up a Reed 408 because I happen to want that particular vise. There are better rarer vises out there and I do not plan to have a giant collection of vises so I can probably pay more than most - simply because I only want this one big vise. Yesterday was my birthday and so I thought what the heck. Nothing ventured, nothing gained? However, life will go on if I never get one of these.

In my own defense, I did put $2750+ . The PLUS sign means "at least". If you have a 408 you want sell, shoot me a price and photos privately. I am not going to tell anyone your price and you can always try to sell it for less to someone else. If you actually own one you are sincere about selling and that is not a good enough offer - tell me what is?

 

[ken w.]

I picked up this Reed No. 104 off CL the other day. I noticed that it has smooth jaws. Is this common for this model ? Other pics I've seen online also show 3 mounting holes and this one has 4 mounting holes.

 

[RBarnes]

RBarnes- Thanks for the post, I agree wholeheartedly with your view there. Josh

Josh, thanks for the vote of confidence. I am not a bad guy I just get a bad rap. The NFL draft is tonight, so I could not have a bad day today if I tried!!!

 

[RBarnes]

By the way, educate me further. Are there Reed 408's known without the ball front? If so, someone please post a photo of one? I have yet to see a 408 without the ball front, I just like the ball front style. If a 408 exists without the ball front, it would be rarer from what I have seen.

 

[Legion Prime]

Just got a Wilton 745 from Amazon warehouse. Despite their shipping dept's best efforts it did arrive in one piece. Now I need to start working on a stand for it, junkyard steel rim here I come!

 

[Shiftless]

There’s a novel idea...spend your $300 on a NEW vise! No wasted hours haunting C/L...no waiting for responses from flaky sellers...no driving long distances hoping that a seller didn’t sell you out to a higher offer...no worries about hidden damage...no wasted time and the toxic dust and fumes from all the stripper, wire brushing, primer and spray paint refinishing an old one...
.
.

 

[ken w.]

That kinda takes the fun out of it.