The VISES of Garage Journal

[trijeff]

Never seen an orange Versa Vise, great pick up Shift! With the pipe jaws and the overall minty condition, for only $25 you *insert huge vacuum sound here*

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[gman007]

New member here, bought a Columbian 204 1/2 last week that was covered in years of oil and grease, took it home and left it in a purple power bath for 24 hours. After cleaning it up and grinding all the weld boogers off of it, I noticed it was fractured on the static arm in 2 areas... $100 down the drain. Luckily, the lady who sold it to me on CL gave me a refund after reaching out to her. As a good faith gesture, I tipped her off on parting out the vise on eBay and listed off all the good parts.

Fast forward to a few days ago, saw an ad on CL and reached out to the guy. He had 3 100lb Vises sitting in his shop and wanted $200/piece for them. They were all in fairly good condition but 3.5 hours away. Coincidentally, I had a friend of a friend headed within 5 minutes of the guys house to visit an industrial surplus. Got all three for less than $200/piece and sold my buddy the Japanese vise (star).

I ended up with a Chas Parker 49X (previously wire wheeled and greased) and a Chas Parker 288 1/2 (all original, no damage, original black paint).

I'm restoring the 49X right now and hitting it with linseed oil to daily use on my bench and will restore the 288 1/2 later with full blasting and Powder.

Attached 3 photos from the seller and one after degrease, wire wheel/flap disc/and linseed oil.
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Rad
Welcome to the vise squad! Many members have been through what you experienced but with much less positive end. One of my first vise purchases was a Parker which turned up to be busted. I called the guy on the phone but he kept insisting that there was nothing wrong with the vise. It is nice once in a while to hear that decency is still well and alive. The lady is an honors person.

Nice score on your more recent purchase!

 

[va.grouseman]

Well, Outlaw and Shift both stole a vise.---I can never find deals on quality vises in this area like that.---Always have to figure in that dreaded shipping price.---Well done gentlemen.


Corrected.

 

[gman007]

I’ve seen more than a few red Versa Vises but never an orange one in the wild. Here is one I bagged yesterday for $25. It even sports the often missing pipe jaws. The orange VersaVises seem to sell for a higher price on eBay. I looked carefully for any trace that this has been repainted and found no evidence. This is original orange paint from the factory. I spent a little time cleaning it and oiling the screw. It came from the estate of a man who (according to his son in law) had a Harley that he only quit riding when he turned 90.

(I realize that my story pales in comparison to trijeff’s tale of buying his very similiar Gyro Vise)

Does anybody know what the story is on orange vs. red?

Shift
Great score and for only $25!!!!

 

[va.grouseman]

Radas, you wound up with 2 nice Parkers there.---Looks like the 288 1/2 still has the pipe jaws.---Hard to see, the pic is real small on that one.---Your buddy got a good vise too, I got one of those Japanese 150s.---There pretty solid vises.---A darn sight better than Chicom quality.

 

[Shiftless]

Thanks Jeff, gman, and va
Here is the ad that I answered. No details, no picture, just this
Of course I contacted him. He said I was the first guy interested in the 3 days the ad was running. Let that be a lesson.

Oh yeah... and outlaw... the workmates were gone!

 

[radas]

Gman,

Appreciate it, found these threads real helpful when making the decision to buy an antique vise. That's a real bummer on the Parker vise, should have left it at the end of his driveway early morning on a weekday haha.

Radas, you wound up with 2 nice Parkers there.---Looks like the 288 1/2 still has the pipe jaws.---Hard to see, the pic is real small on that one.---Your buddy got a good vise too, I got one of those Japanese 150s.---There pretty solid vises.---A darn sight better than Chicom quality.

VA,

I wish the pipe jaws were there, the seller reached out to me the other day and said he might have a line on the pipe jaws but no guarantee. I've been scouring eBay for them with no luck. If I can locate those, I'll clean the 288 up and

I really liked the way the Japanese vise looked, minimalist but real stout. Almost thought about offering one of the Chas Parker's for the 150 but I am partial to American made.

Here's a better shot of the two as soon as I unloaded them.

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[Productbob]

wow, out of the loop for a day and you guys go wild!
Dave- nice work getting the Dropfo moving again!
Smitty- Can't keep up with all your picks; you're back on the 1-vise-a-day plan
Joe- Damn is all I can say about your 108
Outlaw- what a steal for a buck
Shift- great grab on the Versa

 

[tool_scrounge]

I recently went to a friends post-garage sale give-away. He had an Eron model 115 bench vise (4.5" wide jaws) that no one had bought. If you are not familiar, Eron is a Japanese manufacture who make all sorts of fancy CNC work holding tooling and a few drill press and bench vises. The company has been in business since 1560 and making clamping tooling since the 1940's. I have see this series of Eron bench vises in the past and they reminded me of quality made British Record vise copies.

What makes this vise a bit unusual is the added max opening stop. You cannot open it too far and break the vise by clamping down on something with the vise slide inadequately supported. The end of the vise slide is closed off, so if you open it too wide the boxed end of the slide hits the nut, preventing further opening. The stop works quite well. I have not seen other Eron bench vises with this feature. It does make disassembly a bit backwards however - Pull the leadscrew, fish out the leadscrew nut, then slide the moving jaw out.

Surprisingly, the vise has a remarkably tight slide fit. It has almost zero slop.

 

[Outlawmws]

I recently went to a friends post-garage sale give-away. He had an Eron model 115 bench vise (4.5" wide jaws) that no one had bought. If you are not familiar, Eron is a Japanese manufacture who make all sorts of fancy CNC work holding tooling and a few drill press and bench vises. The company has been in business since 1560 and making clamping tooling since the 1940's. I have see this series of Eron bench vises in the past and they reminded me of quality made British Record vise copies.

What makes this vise a bit unusual is the added max opening stop. You cannot open it too far and break the vise by clamping down on something with the vise slide inadequately supported. The end of the vise slide is closed off, so if you open it too wide the boxed end of the slide hits the nut, preventing further opening. The stop works quite well. I have not seen other Eron bench vises with this feature. It does make disassembly a bit backwards however - Pull the leadscrew, fish out the leadscrew nut, then slide the moving jaw out.

Surprisingly, the vise has a remarkably tight slide fit. It has almost zero slop.

That must make getting the thing apart (and back together if removing the nit...) a convoluted operation. I note the Nut pin has sort of a head on it...

 

[Shiftless]

T.S.:
Your friend had an Eron 115 that nobody bought so you got it free?
What was the price tag on it at the sale?

 

[davethorik]

This was too weird to leave behind. Hollands no. 625 (I think, might be 525) fixed base swivel jaw. 4" jaws, opens 5.5", weighs 49 lbs. It was also only $40.

 

[Smitty]

You’d be kicking yourself right now if you had left it behind. Straighten the handle and you’re good to go.

 

[Shiftless]

Yes Dave, Smitty is right. That’s an excellent deal. Hollands swivel jaw vises are rare. Here is my 43 1/2 still in what I assume to be original paint. All I did was scrub with SG, polish the pin and handles and coat with BLO.
I had to buy 2 other vises from that old lady in a package deal to get this one that I wanted. (Sold the other 2 of course)

 

[FMC1959]

And now for something completely different (Laugh-In reference for those who remember that far back)........

Someone selling this about an hour away from me. Pretty cool looking and probably works real nice also.

At first I thought it might be a homemade vise but there are some nice cast parts, which few DIYers could do, but there are some casting numbers also; so looks manufactured from a company.

Looks in new condition and really nice fit and finish. I wonder if this is something relatively new or old and recently restored. The only clue of it being old is the through the benchtop hold down screw; figured something new they would have had a typical base with 2 or 3 bolt holes

 

[Shiftless]

FMC:
I believe I’ve seen that style vise before on these pages.
Looks really interesting and would be a nice addition to your growing collection.

p.s. Of course I got the reference...but then again I’m in the “old timer” demographic.

 

[PghJKB]

That must make getting the thing apart (and back together if removing the nit...) a convoluted operation. I note the Nut pin has sort of a head on it...

Outlaw:
Looks kinda, sorta, just like a British Record.

Use the notched pipe to remove the screw.

This was too weird to leave behind. Hollands no. 625 (I think, might be 525) fixed base swivel jaw. 4" jaws, opens 5.5", weighs 49 lbs. It was also only $40.

Davethorik
Patent is most likely #680,439 by H(enry) F Renner of Erie PA.

Can be found here:
https://pdfpiw.uspto.gov/.piw?PageN...6S1=0680439.PN.%26OS=pn/680439%26RS=PN/680439

JKB

 

[Smitty]

Here’s a couple of pics of the Columbian clamp on that I got yesterday.


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[Fierljeppen]

I just picked up this Hollands No. 216 filers vise, which I believe is from about (1912-1916). I'm still in the process of removing the many coats of paint before I try my first attempt with what KMScott recommends, Scuplt Nouveau oil or wax. If anyone has a catalog scan for this vise, I'd really appreciate it!

3-1/2" jaws
5" opening
28-1/2 lbs.

davethorik...Nice pickup of an old Hollands vise, I've never seen before. I've dropped you a catalog scan of a swivel version of your's. Your model probably is a No. 625., maybe?

PghJKB...Please keep those patents coming! I'm adding all of them to my database.

I'm really enjoying all of the great posts, photos and stories recently. Life is Good.

 

[royce]

I just picked up this Hollands No. 216 filers vise, which I believe is from about (1912-1916). I'm still in the process of removing the many coats of paint before I try my first attempt with what KMScott recommends, Scuplt Nouveau oil or wax. If anyone has a catalog scan for this vise, I'd really appreciate it!

3-1/2" jaws
5" opening
28-1/2 lbs.

davethorik...Nice pickup of an old Hollands vise, I've never seen before. I've dropped you a catalog scan of a swivel version of your's. Your model probably is a No. 625., maybe?

PghJKB...Please keep those patents coming! I'm adding all of them to my database.

I'm really enjoying all of the great posts, photos and stories recently. Life is Good.

That is a honey, it will look grand all oiled up

Royce

 

[Smitty]

Jeppen
The vise looks to be in great condition, nice find.

 

[cretedog]

Nice Hollands FJ

 

[Kitt1993]

GabbyDuffy:

I came across a vise similar to yours. Wondering if you found any information about it. Here are a few pics of the one I have. Hopefully they upload. One of my students broke it this past school year and I was able to nickle rod it back together. I'll post more pics when its back together in working order.

Please advise,

Bryan

 

[CraigCoGuy]

The Ebay auction for the Cox & Son's vise is live.

 

[va.grouseman]

FMC1959, I think those vises are called Gun Makers or Gunsmith vises.


Here's one Shiftless posted back on page 3665.

And another on the same page, post 73297.

 

[Productbob]

Dave- great rescue of the Hollands!
Smitty- nice clamp on to add to your collection
Fier- good looking Hollands, looks like it's gonna clean up nicely

 

[Fierljeppen]

Royce, Smitty, Productbob...Thanks for the vise love!

cretedog...You rocked my world today with that Hollands 216 vise scan! I was hoping, but realistically I know old Hollands vise information is rare at best. Thanks again!

 

[joe.striper]

That looks great Joe!

Did you re-groove the jaws?

No, done by the factory it was in. I have a Prentiss 58 here i think I should compare and contrast the two before I sell it.

 

[FMC1959]

FMC:
I believe I’ve seen that style vise before on these pages.
Looks really interesting and would be a nice addition to your growing collection.

p.s. Of course I got the reference...but then again I’m in the “old timer” demographic.

After posting it, I started to think about it and I don't think it was Laugh-In, but rather it was Monty Python....anyway, it was from back in the day.

FMC1959, I think those vises are called Gun Makers or Gunsmith vises.


Here's one Shiftless posted back on page 3665.

And another on the same page, post 73297.

VA, I never saw one before but definitely nice looking vise (I should have known that with over 3500 pages, this thread would have had at least one or more pics similar to this one)

 

[radas]

Cleaned up the screw and static jaw. Decided to use ACF50 to protect after I burned in the linseed oil with a map torch. Ignore the rust o. The handle, it's residual from the inside of the slide.

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[Vise]

Late to the party, but Smitty that Craftsman is a great find.

Shift- I’m digging the orange on that Versa. And I don’t think I would have answered that ad, well earned.

Dave - that’s a great find on the Hollands Swivel jaw. Would be very excited with that, especially at that price.

Fierljeppen - nice Hollands. let me know how you like the Sculpt Nouveau products. I really liked the oil, but so far haven’t been getting great results applying the wax on top of it. I’m probably doing something wrong

Joe - you did a great job on that Columbian. Brought it back to life for sure.

 

[Djosbun]

I purchased this 4” Holland a few months ago for $25 from a guy on Craigslist. I cleaned it up, powder coated (dark gray metallic) the main vice pieces (we powder coat small pieces at work) and nickel plate the handle, screw and base adjuster. Used a red paint marker on the letters. I wasn’t trying to make it look perfect, just wanted it to look nice. Also installed a thin needle thrust bearing so you can spin the handle with one finger. Also installed oil impregnated bronze bushings inside the two main vice components. It spins amazingly smooth!

— Dave

 

[mikeswrenches]

I’ve seen more than a few red Versa Vises but never an orange one in the wild. Here is one I bagged yesterday for $25. It even sports the often missing pipe jaws. The orange VersaVises seem to sell for a higher price on eBay. I looked carefully for any trace that this has been repainted and found no evidence. This is original orange paint from the factory. I spent a little time cleaning it and oiling the screw. It came from the estate of a man who (according to his son in law) had a Harley that he only quit riding when he turned 90.

(I realize that my story pales in comparison to trijeff’s tale of buying his very similiar Gyro Vise)

Does anybody know what the story is on orange vs. red?

I believe you will find that the orange ones are marked Versa-Vise and were manufactured by the Wilburt Corporation, the original manufacturer. The red ones are marked Gyro-Vise and were made by Columbian. I’ve had both and aside from the color don’t see any difference in them.
They are based on J R Long's patent of January 29, 1901. Number 667,151.

 

[davethorik]

Smitty, Shift, Pghjkb, Fierljeppen, productbob, Vise...thanks for kind words. I didn't need or want this vise but it was too interesting to pass up.

I gifted it to my dad, who has a new to him work bench in need of a vise. He prefers fixed base, and I know the swivel jaw will get him some bragging rights among his buddies. He will give it a good home.

Yes Dave, Smitty is right. That’s an excellent deal. Hollands swivel jaw vises are rare. Here is my 43 1/2 still in what I assume to be original paint. All I did was scrub with SG, polish the pin and handles and coat with BLO.
I had to buy 2 other vises from that old lady in a package deal to get this one that I wanted. (Sold the other 2 of course)

Haha shift-
I picked this up I think late last year. It's a 44. I had a Reed 404 at the same time, and kept the Hollands for a couple reasons. Opened 1" wider, weighed 7 lbs more, generally a larger vise. The 44 is super smooth, only issues are swivel lock handle missing, swivel jaw stuck.

View media item 87444

davethorik...Nice pickup of an old Hollands vise, I've never seen before. I've dropped you a catalog scan of a swivel version of your's. Your model probably is a No. 625

If I had a gun to my head I'd go with 625 as well. This is only my 2nd Hollands (I should say 2nd I've bought, since it's my dad's now), the lettering "looks" old to me. Guesses on age?

Btw, I like that filer's vise. There was a Reed 214R that appeared on my local CL yesterday but price is too high.

 

[Shiftless]

I believe you will find that the orange ones are marked Versa-Vise and were manufactured by the Wilburt Corporation, the original manufacturer. The red ones are marked Gyro-Vise and were made by Columbian. I’ve had both and aside from the color don’t see any difference in them.
They are based on J R Long's patent of January 29, 1901. Number 667,151.

Mike:
You are mistaken. There are lots of red Versa Vises.

 

[va.grouseman]

And green.

 

[Vise]

Won’t get to work on this stand for awhile, so I braved the near 100 degree heat to get the last of the top plate holes drilled and tapped.

Next step will be to strip the paint of the stand. Then I’ll apply the Sculpt Nouveau Traditional Black Patina to the stand and top plate. Hoping for a dark grey finish to the metal.

 

[joe.striper]

Well its done. Monarch 3" swivel base. Basically unused condition. It is unusual that this is stamped on the jaw rowers and the spindle nose. Looks like 'Patented June 6' Beautifully machined.

Weight 16 lbs.

Ive ALWAYS wanted to do one of these

 

[Smitty]

It is a Prentiss after all. Beautiful work, the vise looks great.

 

[Outlawmws]

NICE, looks GREAT.