The VISES of Garage Journal

[davethorik]

Tell your dad that his Hollands vise no. 625 is pre-World War I for sure. Most likely somewhere from (1908-1916). I found the -3- different models with catalog dates to get that information. Be sure to let him know how rare his vise is also. That's the 1st one of that model I've seen.

I think it's really cool that you got your dad interested in collecting vises.

Thanks again for your wealth of information!
My dad loves all things old. He was stoked to hear the Hollands is pre-WWI, heck, so was I!

 

[MayerMR]

Tell your dad that his Hollands vise no. 625 is pre-World War I for sure. Most likely somewhere from (1908-1916). I found the -3- different models with catalog dates to get that information. Be sure to let him know how rare his vise is also. That's the 1st one of that model I've seen.

I think it's really cool that you got your dad interested in vise collecting.

Fierljeppen,

Does that dating hold true for the Hollands 43 1/2 double swivelers as well? I traded another member for this little guy a few weeks back but have to wrap up a few other projects before I can get to it.

 

[Smitty]

May have found my new signature. Future generations will thank me.


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It was a selfless act now that you mention it, nice job.

 

[Shiftless]

Mayer:
Your 43 1/2 looks to be in pretty good shape. Do you plan to paint it or go bare?
Here is mine. Our locking pins look a bit different. I wonder if the green on mine is original? Does anybody know?

 

[Mr. Wonderful]

Shift, my Holland's 46 had a sort of light Ford blue inside when I got it all cleaned up. It looked to be the original paint but I have no idea.

 

[Smitty]

I gave my load lifter a little test today with a 120 lb vise. The hand crank works on a pulley system so it only took eight easy cranks to get to bench height.


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[Shiftless]

Smitty:
That’s a valuable tool for anyone with vises of even less weight than that. I wonder what limits the capacity to “only” 200 pounds? Is there a structural piece that seems at risk or is it just an estimate based how hard an average guy can turn that big crank?

 

[va.grouseman]

Shift, I think it's the pneumatic tires versus hard rubber.



https://www.ebay.com/itm/Genie-GL-8...051648&hash=item4699722709:g:AlgAAOSwgQdbt56U

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Genie-GL-4...201665?hash=item5b598969c1:g:OtQAAOSwN9NdL1KL

https://www.ebay.com/itm/GENIE-SLC-...423632&hash=item46999950de:g:vuMAAOSwVCldHRHD

 

[Smitty]

Smitty:
That’s a valuable tool for anyone with vises of even less weight than that. I wonder what limits the capacity to “only” 200 pounds? Is there a structural piece that seems at risk or is it just an estimate based how hard an average guy can turn that big crank?

This particular model is aluminum it only weighs 58 lbs. They have heavier models that can lift up 1,000 pounds but they aren’t very portable. I was shocked to see that this model sells for around $1,000. I bought my Reed 4C from an elder lady so I had to get it in the truck by myself. I took the vise apart but it was still quite a task. The genie would have helped emensely.

 

[Smitty]

Shift, I think it's the pneumatic tires versus hard rubber.



https://www.ebay.com/itm/Genie-GL-8...051648&hash=item4699722709:g:AlgAAOSwgQdbt56U

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Genie-GL-4...201665?hash=item5b598969c1:g:OtQAAOSwN9NdL1KL

https://www.ebay.com/itm/GENIE-SLC-...423632&hash=item46999950de:g:vuMAAOSwVCldHRHD

The winch mechanism looks a lot stronger on the models you just posted.

 

[Fierljeppen]

Fierljeppen,

Does that dating hold true for the Hollands 43 1/2 double swivelers as well? I traded another member for this little guy a few weeks back but have to wrap up a few other projects before I can get to it.

MayerMR...Yours, Shiftless and Mr.Wonderfuls vises are the 3rd generation of Hollands models. Those models first came out around 1917 and lasted well into the late 1960's with The Erie Tool Works Co. Without a date stamp, it would be pure speculation as to how old all of those vises are. I've attached some dated catalog scans for reference.

I really like all of the said vises a lot! They're all keepers to me.

Smitty...What a smart purchase your Genie lift was. I really like the fact that it's so portable.

 

[kenc184]

Shift,

I have a 23-1/2H with original paint and it is a very dark green, almost black. I wouldn't be surprised if yours is original although it is a lot brighter than mine.
I'm sure the tint and brightness of the OEM paint changed over time.

Mayer:
Your 43 1/2 looks to be in pretty good shape. Do you plan to paint it or go bare?
Here is mine. Our locking pins look a bit different. I wonder if the green on mine is original? Does anybody know?

 

[Shiftless]

Shift,

I have a 23-1/2H with original paint and it is a very dark green, almost black. I wouldn't be surprised if yours is original although it is a lot brighter than mine.
I'm sure the tint and brightness of the OEM paint changed over time.

I scrubbed mine clean with Simple Green and a brass brush, dried thoroughly, and applied one coat of BLO. Looking carefully in all the nooks and crannies, I couldn’t find a trace of any other color paint.

 

[MayerMR]

Mayer:
Your 43 1/2 looks to be in pretty good shape. Do you plan to paint it or go bare?
Here is mine. Our locking pins look a bit different. I wonder if the green on mine is original? Does anybody know?

Thanks! It really is. I intend to repaint it. I would agree that the original paint color was some version of a deep green, which I may replicate.

Shift, my Holland's 46 had a sort of light Ford blue inside when I got it all cleaned up. It looked to be the original paint but I have no idea.

That's a big guy!

MayerMR...Yours, Shiftless and Mr.Wonderfuls vises are the 3rd generation of Hollands models. Those models first came out around 1917 and lasted well into the late 1960's with The Erie Tool Works Co. Without a date stamp, it would be pure speculation as to how old all of those vises are. I've attached some dated catalog scans for reference.

I really like all of the said vises a lot! They're all keepers to me.

Thank you Fierljeppen for the comments and the resources. I would certainly agree that this one is a keeper. Really neat little vise.

 

[davethorik]

That's funny, yours is missing the swivel lock handle, too. I posted my 44 a few pages back, same good shape as yours minus the swivel lock handle. I like this 44, I can see why you guys like yours.

 

[MayerMR]

That's funny, yours is missing the swivel lock handle, too. I posted my 44 a few pages back, same good shape as yours minus the swivel lock handle. I like this 44, I can see why you guys like yours.

Ha! I actually wondered if perhaps the ends weren't peened over but were screws and one backed out? That would explain how they keep getting lost? Just speculation on my part though.

 

[kenc184]

This is my catch of the day, not exciting but for $35 I couldn't resist. A Reed 203-1/2 in pretty good shape.

 

[Mr. Wonderful]

This is my catch of the day, not exciting but for $35 I couldn't resist. A Reed 203-1/2 in pretty good shape.

Ken, I'd say you did pretty damn good for $35! That vise would be $200 on my local CL.

 

[exmaxima1]

Ken, I'd say you did pretty damn good for $35! That vise would be $200 on my local CL.

You aren't kidding! I just checked CL in the Seattle area and see laughably priced Reeds such as this 4-1/2" version for $400---and it's the old style without the split spindle collar:

https://seattle.craigslist.org/skc/tls/d/kent-reed-vise-vice-jaws-huge-70-pounds/6929986210.html

 

[Shiftless]

Ken:
I concur. You rarely hear “Reed” and “$35” in the same sentence.
You got a great deal! I would have been excited.

 

[Mr. Wonderful]

You aren't kidding! I just checked CL in the Seattle area and see laughably priced Reeds such as this 4-1/2" version for $400---at it's the old style without the split spindle collar:

https://seattle.craigslist.org/skc/tls/d/kent-reed-vise-vice-jaws-huge-70-pounds/6929986210.html

I believe that seller is a GJ member and I will certainly give him credit for being patient. His vises look nice but have been for sale for a very long time. There has been some other sellers that are going on a couple years. I wonder at what point they may decide they need to lower the price???

 

[kenc184]

Thanks everyone.
I told myself I wouldn't buy any more vises under 4-1/2", but I just couldn't resist the price. I am TRYING to moderate my buying, at first I bought everything I saw at any price, now it has to be either cheap or close or "special".
My woodworking shop is currently a disaster with about 25 large bench vises on every surface!

 

[kenc184]

We have a lot of vises on Bay Area CL currently, but most are priced at a ridiculous level. One guy has been trying to get $350 for a 4-1/2" Parker double swivel with what looks like a brazed up jaw swivel pin hole for a year, posted regular as clockwork three times a week. A number of 6" vises for sale - all at $400-$600. A wilton C3 for $1000.
A 4-1/2" restored Mercury which has just come down from $275 to $225. A 4-1/2" Reed sold under "Acco" just come down from $300 to $250 "FIRM" - he's also been trying for probably a year.

I believe that seller is a GJ member and I will certainly give him credit for being patient. His vises look nice but have been for sale for a very long time. There has been some other sellers that are going on a couple years. I wonder at what point they may decide they need to lower the price???

 

[Mr. Wonderful]

Thanks everyone.
I told myself I wouldn't buy any more vises under 4-1/2", but I just couldn't resist the price. I am TRYING to moderate my buying, at first I bought everything I saw at any price, now it has to be either cheap or close or "special".
My woodworking shop is currently a disaster with about 25 large bench vises on every surface!

That's hilarious! I tell myself I'm trying to stay at 4" or under and I buy two big five inchers in one day!

 

[Productbob]

Ken nice Reed for a great price! You, Mr. Wonderful and I'm sure a lot of us all have that 'sticking to the plan' problem. I have my no more than 100lb carry rule into the basement so in past couple of weeks have had to pull 4 vises apart to stay within guidelines. Heard my wife mutter 'Stupid' loud enough for me to hear as I was grunting down the stairs with the swivel half of the Starrett yesterday. Pretty sure she wasn't talking about me LOL

 

[honza.vosalik]

I just had a delivery from a fellow collector which turns out to be a nice Craftsman 05196. The bottom central swivel base screw is not original, besides that seems to be in good shape.

 

[Shiftless]

Honza:
Nice score on that original 5196
What’s your plan? Restore or preserve?

 

[honza.vosalik]

Honza:
Nice score on that original 5196
What’s your plan? Restore or preserve?

The plan is to just fix the swivel screw issue, the current screw is too long. So either shorten it or get a shorter screw. I might wire wheel the jaws, they're in good shape, would just use some clean up. That's about it. I might actually put it up on my workbench as my second vise - my second 05196. I wish it had more original paint though.

This makes it my second 05196. I also have 05195. I sold my 05191 as I'm not much into fixed base vises.

 

[Smitty]

MayerMR...Yours, Shiftless and Mr.Wonderfuls vises are the 3rd generation of Hollands models. Those models first came out around 1917 and lasted well into the late 1960's with The Erie Tool Works Co. Without a date stamp, it would be pure speculation as to how old all of those vises are. I've attached some dated catalog scans for reference.

I really like all of the said vises a lot! They're all keepers to me.

Smitty...What a smart purchase your Genie lift was. I really like the fact that it's so portable.

Thanks Jeppen, I initially bought it with shop use in mind but I’m thinking it’s going to be traveling with me. I’ve purchased quite a few back yard vises and anvils where a dolly just won’t roll. The fat tires just might prove beneficial.

 

[trijeff]

Maybe a little warm to be in front of a bench grinder

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[Smitty]

OSHA takes the fun out of everything.

 

[va.grouseman]

Danger Will Robinson, danger Will Robinson!

 

[Shiftless]

Jeff:
Bring your project down here to my garage. It’s not insulated, heated or cooled.
Here’s a pic I shot 5 minutes ago.
(It’s just 2 miles to the bay.)

 

[Outlawmws]

Shift, you ****....

 

[va.grouseman]

That's a big variation to be in the same state.


But it is a big state.

 

[kenc184]

Maybe a little warm to be in front of a bench grinder

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I get the eye protection for standing in front of a bench grinder, but what's the rest of it for? That's more safety gear than I use spraying polyisocyanate paint!

 

[chrisnazzy]

Maybe a little warm to be in front of a bench grinder

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I wish it was only 105° in my garage. It feels like 125°!

Jeff:
Bring your project down here to my garage. It’s not insulated, heated or cooled.
Here’s a pic I shot 5 minutes ago.
(It’s just 2 miles to the bay.)

Shift, I'd love to be working in my garage right now @ 70°. For that I'll also add.....you ****!

Oh yeah, I like your wall hanging too!

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[trijeff]

Yeah, but at least the union got me triple time for hazardous conditions

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[trijeff]

I get the eye protection for standing in front of a bench grinder, but what's the rest of it for? That's more safety gear than I use spraying polyisocyanate paint!

The safety glasses and face shield because I have seen too many grinding gone bad videos, the respirator because I have seen too many black boogers. Probably nothing will ever go wrong in my entire life but man all it takes is a wire in the eye or exploding wheel to really change your day. I never used to wear any of this stuff and then had a pretty close call, so now it's always safer than sorry as much as I can.


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[chrisnazzy]

I was able to pick up this Craftsman 5195 off a FB ad in CA today and arranged for family who live in the area to pick it up for me.

I probably would have passed on almost any other 3.5" vise but since I haven't gotten to own one of these yet, I had to try to get it.

After it was bought and paid for I was sent a pic of the other side and initially I was super scared it had a crack or big weld but they sent me another close up pic and put my mind at ease. Looks like I'll need to straighten the handle but otherwise I'm hoping it'll clean up nicely.

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