The VISES of Garage Journal

[Productbob]

Here's the Reed 203 that I picked up in April finally cleaned up. Yes, it's orange and yes, the paint was on sale! I'm ready for Halloween

 

[Productbob]

scotts nicely done on the Athol!

Wsyk51 that parker is quite the vise, great pickup. In terms of worth- I figure if I paid what I was comfortable with, and I liked what I bought, then I didn't overpay.

 

[lowdowndodge]

I like the color.... good job

 

[KMScott]

Hi, I recently purchased a C Parker Co. No. 880 vise. I had never seen one like it, can anyone tell me anything about it? Is it worth any money, hate to think I over spent. Thanks, Bob

Boy is that a find. welcome to the vise thread wsyk51. I am sure a few here would love to own your vise. There is a few here that might have a catalog page and a idea when it was made. Missing pipe jaws. Thanks for sharing.

 

[Fierljeppen]

Holy smokes KMScott! Ain't she a beaut! That model was advertised from (1894-1912).

That's a heck of a 1st posting wsyk51. Could you please give us a few more photos with a front-side and rear-side perspective?

 

[BFBOB]

Here is an athol 614 1/2 that I picked up on Facebook marketplace for $60. Guy was asking $100 and I'm glad I didn't look at it In person before agreeing on $60 because it is in great shape (though rusty) and I may have paid the $100. Thus vice will be a gift for my brother.

I took the vice apart and cleaned it up with a wire wheel and brushes. Took the nut out and cleaned it and the lead screw and lubed with anti seize. Got her all taped up and put a few coats of self etching primer. I also picked up some spruce green paint that I saw on a vice here on GJ. I think it came out pretty good and am kind of jealous that it's not going on my bench!



I'm letting the paint dry for a day or 2 before reassembling. Should have more pics today or tomorrow.



-scott

Got it put together!





-scott

Ya dun gud, Bubba!
Just one quibble (it's the GJ Way donchaknow) I think I would have filled the worst of the divots with JBWeld - it's looks like they're casting flaws, and some manufacturers fill them at the factory. I like the color - I've used that paint on several C-clamps I've renovated. May do a vise in that color too.

 

[kenc184]

I believe they came either smooth or patterned from the factory.

This 614 of mine has very lightly patterned teeth on the jaws. I assume that they are factory. I have another 614 with smooth jaws...no hint of cross hatching. I can only assume that smooth or cross hatched was an option.
Does anybody have catalog pages to back up this theory?

BTW, I paid $40 for mine but it took some work to get into this condition. (As found condition in pic #2)

Nice save Shift, you turned a rust heap into a beauty, and for $40 you did really well. I'd show pics of mine restored but it's about 8th in line at the moment! Here it is as purchased.

 

[Smitty]

Hi, I recently purchased a C Parker Co. No. 880 vise. I had never seen one like it, can anyone tell me anything about it? Is it worth any money, hate to think I over spent. Thanks, Bob

I’d go out and buy some lottery tickets if I were you, your on a hot streak.

 

[scotts_4x]

Yes the jaws of the vise are smooth.

The divots on the front are indeed casting flaws which I considered filling but chose not to. I had some spot putty at the shop but got impatient with getting it done.

-scott

 

[ken w.]

I picked this Reed No. 203 R at an estate sale. Someone tried to unbolt this before I got to the sale. They got 3 of the 4 bolts out. The 4th one was stripped. It was held on buy a 1/4" bolt pushed up from the bottom with a special lock nut on top. The nut had 2 thin nuts with a sheet metal cover ment to crush when tightened. But they couldn't get it off. I had to chisel the cover down over the first nut and then the second nut. It took 45 minutes to get it off. I got them to reduce the price from $ 30.00 to $ 15.00. I felt a little better. I'm really starting to like these Reed vises. They work so smooth line up straight. What does the R mean and what year is this from ?

 

[Fierljeppen]

For you Wilton experts out there. I have two 1750 tradesman vises that I am going to refurb and sell. One of them has the "modern" shape and no casting data on the side, the other has a more boxy profile and has "5 inch jaws, made in usa" cast into the side.

I know the current model tradesman does not have anything cast into the side of the fixed jaw body so ASSUMED that the one of mine that did was older. Well, according to the keys, the "newer" one is 1991 and the "older" one is 1995! My preconceptions are shattered, what is the truth?

kenc184...Shiftless made a good point about the Wilton Tradesman timeline today and I think since I have so much data, it would make more sense to start a new thread just for the Tradesman history and general questions like yours. This thread is just too dynamic to use effectively as a future reference for a vise of the masses.

With that said, I will try to answer your current question. Your date stamps didn't lie. I've added a 1987 and 1998 photo of Tradesman vises so you can see how they relate to your vises. The 1998 tradesman is the 1st year of the newer model vises with the increased jaw width, but it still represents the style of your 1995 vise. Please remember that the date stamp represents the shipping date and not the manufacture date. It's hard to say how much and how fast Wilton's inventory moved.

Hope this helps.

 

[va.grouseman]

Boy is that a find. welcome to the vise thread wsyk51. I am sure a few here would love to own your vise. There is a few here that might have a catalog page and a idea when it was made. Missing pipe jaws. Thanks for sharing.

Boy is that a big.---WAKY, KMS called that shot.---There has been a couple of those turn up in these 3600 pages, but I can't remember where.---Wait, found it.---I think it is Oldldh's.---It's on page 1020, post 20387.---But it's an 870.

 

[Shiftless]

fierljeppen:

Here is my contribution to your upcoming thread about Wilton Tradesmens. I marked it with the year using my photo editing software.

The original paint was not worth saving so I decided to give it my hot Simple Green spa treatment and then paint it a close match to SnapOn red. This vise sits next to its cousins both larger and smaller so it’s always easy to find the one Tradesman in and amongst the machinist grade bullets.

 

[kenc184]

But the current generation of tradesman vises don't have the cast lettering on the side. Or am I wrong there?

 

[honza.vosalik]

Today's acquisition#1 - Reed 104-S. Pretty happy about it.

 

[honza.vosalik]

Reed 1C, today's acquisition#2. ;-)

 

[Shiftless]

honza:
Great score!

Ken:
And now they are made in China.

 

[Tgbrendoni]

Been lurking around, trying to learn as much I can about bench vises. Have several Record vises, made in England, no. 100 (3”), a no. 4 and a no. 5 which I’ve bought recently. But now I have a couple chances to buy something real Made in America. One is a Columbian 504 that has been refinished. Seller is asking $150.

The other is a vintage Parker no. 69, from which I understand from here is a 5-1/2”, and weigh 129lbs.

I like them both, but I’m inclined more to the Parker because it’s bigger than what I have now. Only two things that make me hesitate; as you can see from one of the photos, it has a hole in the movable jaw at the top. Wondering if it worth repairing by filling by welding? The other thing is that the seller’s location is far and he hasn’t told me what he’s asking for it.

If you were in my place, would you be content with the Records as wife say, or should I go for one of the others??

By the way, I hope I posted this in the correct forum as I’m a little technologically challenged. Wasn’t able to included photos as I have not reached the required numbers of posts yet, just hope they haven’t been sold yet!

Cheers!

 

[Fierljeppen]

kenc184...Correct, the current Tradesman vises don't have the cast lettering on the side, but a lot has changed in the last 20 years.

Shiftless...The photos are perfect, thankyou!

Tgbrendoni...Some of your comments made me chuckle. "but I’m inclined more to the Parker because it’s bigger" "would you be content"

No one here has ever been content, buy them all. Cheers!

 

[Productbob]

honza nice grabs

ken w. good pickup on the Reed

Tgbrendoni stop anguishing over your decision, buy both and the stress will melt away.

 

[va.grouseman]

Tgb, Records are very good and solid vises, so it depends on your mindset and your situation as to what is RIGHT for you.---Are you a machinest, do you have a monstrous operation, is it a just a home shop, are you wanting to begin a collection.---Lot of variables.---Also, it's the condition of the CP in question and the price as to a rational decision.---First I want to see the pics.

 

[kenc184]

honza: The Reed 1C is SWEET, and it top shape! Lucky boy!

What delineates the Reed "S" models from other Reeds?

 

[Shiftless]

TGB:
va has everything right. That’s exactly what I would have said.
I have used Record vises. They are quite well made and, if bolted down to a heavy solid bench, a 5 incher will serve you quite well for the rest of your life.

On the other hand, the 4 1/2 inch Wilton C-1 on my workbench is also a top notch vise and a great user. But I also have about 70 other ones sitting around because I just seem to like to collect vises.

If your restoration projects start to look like this, the above advice does not apply.

 

[Tgbrendoni]

Thanks for the replies. If I had the space, I definitely would get both. It will be more a case of ‘upgrading’ my equipment. Call me crazy, but I just like my tools BIG. Like my prided 48” 1-1/4” thick crow bar that I found in garage sale and have never been able to find another one. Also nearly bought a Ridgid 48” aluminum wrench. Big tools just make my tasks easier. At least, that is what I tell the wife.

 

[Tgbrendoni]

Shiftless: My projects are nowhere that size, like a railroad car restoration. [emoji1] More of a residential renovator here who does many unfinished projects around the house, much to wife’s chagrin. [emoji51]

 

[Tgbrendoni]

Gotta figure out how to highlight posters’ names in bold when replying to them.

 

[Tgbrendoni]

Finally, here are the pics of the two vises I’m interested in! What do you think of the hole in the Parker vise, should it be a reason to pass? Still haven’t heard back from the seller, seems to be more of a language issue as he only speak French.

Here’s the Columbian 504







And the Parker 69

 

[mike_paxton]

Just a couple small items picked up today.

The small hand vise clamp is a William Friedrichs with 1-1/2" jaws

The small clamp on vise is a Shephard #153 with 1-3/4" jaws

Was able to find online on the last attached picture, a 1901 document advertising three Shephard clamp vises (152, 153 and 154).

Mike

 

[Shiftless]

Thanks for the replies. If I had the space, I definitely would get both. It will be more a case of ‘upgrading’ my equipment. Call me crazy, but I just like my tools BIG. Like my prided 48” 1-1/4” thick crow bar that I found in garage sale and have never been able to find another one. Also nearly bought a Ridgid 48” aluminum wrench. Big tools just make my tasks easier. At least, that is what I tell the wife.

I have a 24 inch Crescent wrench hanging on the pegboard over one of my workbenches. I got it in a bulk tool trade deal. It looks cool hanging on the wall but I’ve never actually used it. But as the old saying goes...
“I’d rather have a tool and not need it than need a tool and not have it”

 

[Smitty]

I have a 24 inch Crescent wrench hanging on the pegboard over one of my workbenches. I got it in a bulk tool trade deal. It looks cool hanging on the wall but I’ve never actually used it. But as the old saying goes...

“I’d rather have a tool and not need it than need a tool and not have it”

I’ll save these for you. That wrench must be dying for some action.


Sent from my iPad using The Garage Journal mobile app

 

[va.grouseman]

Tgb, I was thinking it might be a hole clean through the static or dynamic tower.---What I see, you could live with and repair pretty easy if you were a mind to.---The Columbian has a nice restoration job it appears.---But sounds like you are not going to have to decide on them anyway.



Mike_Paxton, I have 3 Shepards with swivel bases, but that's the first clamp-on I've seen.---Nice.

 

[KMScott]

Just a couple small items picked up today.

The small hand vise clamp is a William Friedrichs with 1-1/2" jaws

The small clamp on vise is a Shephard #153 with 1-3/4" jaws

Was able to find online on the last attached picture, a 1901 document advertising three Shephard clamp vises (152, 153 and 154).

Mike

Nice couple of vises there Mike. Added them to the Spreadsheet. Those are ready for work.

 

[Productbob]

smitty & shift this is why I enjoy the GJ. nice finding others who have the same unusual interests like big tools that you'll never use. pic is a 26" Lowell wrench and a 28" screwdriver that just hang there looking cool.

 

[kenc184]

I have a 24" "Crescent" wrench - actually one of the few Horror Fright hand tools I own. Used it once to disassemble the hydraulic cylinder on my pallet jack. My 18" actual Crescent wrench was about 3/16" too small and I wasn't about to spend well over $100 for one use.

 

[Smitty]

Just found a really clean Wilton C2 for $210. It’s missing the swivel base but that an easy fix from Autopts eBay store.


Sent from my iPad using The Garage Journal mobile app

 

[BFBOB]

Made in America. One is a Colombian 504 that has been refinished. Seller is asking $150.

The other is a vintage Parker no. 69, from which I understand from here is a 5-1/2”, and weigh 129lbs.

I like them both, but I’m inclined more to the Parker because it’s bigger than what I have now.
Cheers!

Colombia is the country. Columbian is the vise brand.

C'mon, did you really need to ask?? This is Garage Journal where Bigger=Better.
ALWAYS!!

By the way, Welcome! Love my Marples wood chisels.

 

[BFBOB]

big tools just make my tasks easier. At least, that is what I tell the wife.

Wink, wink, nudge nudge, know what I mean, say no more!

 

[kenc184]

Smitty: You're amazing, I just don't know how you do it. Great price.

Got the screw out of my Prentiss 518, the collar arrangement is strange I am not sure how it was supposed to be located. Someone had globbed weld in there so I had to use a carbide burr to loosen it all up then the oxy and a cold chisel to cut off the two offending tabs. The tabs (that are left) are not all the same length which is also strange. Did Prentiss just bend down the tabs into the two "ramps" on the screw shaft?
Seems like a crappy arrangement?



Also got three of the four jaw screws out with my impact driver but shattered two bits trying to get the last one out. Had to drill out the last one.

 

[Miller72]

I recently brought home this fella here...

https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showpost.php?p=7156769&postcount=18

I hope to get to it soon. Break it down, Check the screw, the box, check the spring action. If the screw and box are goo...and I hope they are good still...I will have a real gem.

Thank you for any thoughts, feedback or advice

 

[Vise]

Honza - love that 1 C. Nice score.

Smitty - that’s a great find. Looks to be in fantastic condition.