The VISES of Garage Journal

[kenc184]

$15!! Ooy vey Bob, you'll get a few congratulatory handshakes down at the cynogoue this weekend.

Apologies to our Jewish friends, all meant in jest.

 

[Fierljeppen]

Anybody recognize this vise? Would it be worth restoring? Only English vise I know of is a Record, but this does not look like one to me.

MacMcMacmac...I was just chilling, enjoying all of the recent vise posts, when I saw your Craftsman vise photo and did a hmmmmm. I've always associated that particular Craftsman vise model with the infamous Craftsman M# 519X, possibly the best "who made this vise" puzzle going. Your model had the same mfg. lifespan (1948-1958) as the 519X and I always thought if we knew who manufactured your model vise, it was probably the same mfg. of the 519X. So when I saw the "Made in England" on your vise, it really caught me by surprise.

I've always thought most of the 519X evidence pointed to Rock Island Mfg, with other consideration going to Morgan, Columbian and even Japan. Your vise has certainly added a new twist to an ongoing puzzle. Thanks for posting!

 

[trijeff]

MacMcMacmac...I was just chilling, enjoying all of the recent vise posts, when I saw your Craftsman vise photo and did a hmmmmm. I've always associated that particular Craftsman vise model with the infamous Craftsman M# 519X, possibly the best "who made this vise" puzzle going. Your model had the same mfg. lifespan (1948-1958) as the 519X and I always thought if we knew who manufactured your model vise, it was probably the same mfg. of the 519X. So when I saw the "Made in England" on your vise, it really caught me by surprise.



I've always thought most of the 519X evidence pointed to Rock Island Mfg, with other consideration going to Morgan, Columbian and even Japan. Your vise has certainly added a new twist to an ongoing puzzle. Thanks for posting!

Wow oh wow oh wow oh wow. Now that is one curveball I never saw coming. Wouldn't that be something if we were on the wrong continent all this time. The mystery grows! GREAT stuff as always Fierl

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[Outlawmws]

Wow. Anyone else have a half round slide Craftsman vise with "Made in England" on it? Is this a first?

By the Way - other English Vise makers besides Record include Woden and Paramo (both derived from Record during WWII to diversify production...)

Edit - and its definitely worth restoring. it may not be a heavy machinist vise but it's a decent shop vise.

 

[Shiftless]

The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly

The Good is that it’s a Fulton “Peerless” #27
4 1/2 inch jaws
(Probably 100 years old)
Cost: $0.00.
(But I did have to drive an hour each way this morning to pick it up.)

The Bad and the Ugly parts are self explanatory...
.
.

 

[kenc184]

Hi Shift,
i had bought that vise yesterday for the $25 asking price, but before I went over to pick it up I asked her to check for any cracks, welds or breaks. Lo and behold she "never noticed" the hole and crack. At that point i passed, and she uploaded the two new pictures you probably saw.
She never offered it to me for $0 though, LOL.

 

[Loydski29]

Cool find Shift to bad about the crack but can’t beat the price!

 

[Vise]

Bob - a little late to the party, but that Jacobson is very cool. Great scoop!

Here’s a big vise I picked up this past weekend: a Prentiss 58 “Heavy Chipping Vise” with 8.5” replaceable jaws. In pretty good condition, with no cracks or repairs. Will need it’s jaws replaced, but fortunately I received a set of KMScott hardened jaws that fit it. Will be cleaning this one up in my spare time.

 

[Productbob]

Shift - even more impressed that you would take a shot at fixing this than the fact it's a free Fulton!

Vise-thanks. what a monster you picked up; how the hell do you move that around? btw, do you have a stand for it

 

[va.grouseman]

Here's another English made Craftsman.---I don't know how to flip the pic.---This was posted on Page 1425, Post 28497, by Flavc3

does anybody have any info on this one?? Said its a "Craftsman" made in England vise

 

[va.grouseman]

Product, your Jacobson you say is somewhere in the range of 1901-1906.---So is the Rock Island.---Maybe 1 year older.---They didn't change much after Rock bought Jacobson.---Here's the other side of the Rock Island Autolock.---Look like first cousins.

 

[va.grouseman]

Smitty, notice the Jacobson base in your Prentiss ADs.---The Crow-foot with the broken toe base is the right base, mine is just a floor flange or some simple fix someone engineered.---You recon Old Tool Nut has one of those?

 

[Shiftless]

Shift - even more impressed that you would take a shot at fixing this than the fact it's a free Fulton!

:

Thanks for the vote of confidence. I’m not sure what I’m gonna do with the Fulton but since my little collection was missing a Fulton, I picked it up. I was also afraid that the previous owner might scrap it. Even in its current sad condition, it deserves better than a fiery death in a smelter.

ken:
I hope you’re not mad that I got it instead of you. I admit that I did a sweet talk on the seller who happened to be moving out of her house within the next 2 days and didn’t want the vise around any more. She asked me if the vise was useable in its broken condition. I told her the truth. Plus add in the time and hassle of a long drive. That’s how you get price reductions.

 

[twertsy]

Just an FYI, you can still get to all my research on catalogs, companies that made vises, early vise makers, etc. via the Way Back Machine. I'm still working on getting my site back live.

Link to Vise pages (use the menu on right) on Way Back Machine.

 

[gman007]

Here’s a big vise I picked up this past weekend: a Prentiss 58 “Heavy Chipping Vise” with 8.5” replaceable jaws. In pretty good condition, with no cracks or repairs. Will need it’s jaws replaced, but fortunately I received a set of KMScott hardened jaws that fit it. Will be cleaning this one up in my spare time.

Vise
Fantastic score! 275 lb of old American iron and in great shape too

 

[gman007]

The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly

The Good is that it’s a Fulton “Peerless” #27
4 1/2 inch jaws
(Probably 100 years old)
Cost: $0.00.
(But I did have to drive an hour each way this morning to pick it up.)

The Bad and the Ugly parts are self explanatory...
.
.

Shift
Even with the ugly issues that is a great score, can't beat free

So what is your plan for this guy. This is a little more than just a crack. do you plan to solder a patch and then using Dr. Scott and Mark_In_Indiana technique of reinforcing it with a bolt though the top portion of the slide etc?

PS

The Good: You see, in this world there's two kinds of people, my friend: Those with loaded guns and those who dig. You dig.

The Bad: Even a filthy beggar like that has got a protecting angel. [Referring to the ugly]

The Ugly: When you have to shoot, shoot. Don't talk.

ps ps
You are now the protecting angel of the ugly Peerless 27

 

[va.grouseman]

That one and the Outlaw Josey, my 2 favorites, Gman.---They have the best one liners.

 

[LNKMK8]

Wow. Anyone else have a half round slide Craftsman vise with "Made in England" on it? Is this a first?

By the Way - other English Vise makers besides Record include Woden and Paramo (both derived from Record during WWII to diversify production...)

Edit - and its definitely worth restoring. it may not be a heavy machinist vise but it's a decent shop vise.

I've come across a couple of that model, but never stamped Made in England. Wonder if it was sold through Sears Canada stores originally, seeing how they have such a strong tie to England. I could see Sears Canada having different suppliers for their tools

 

[Vise]

Thanks, guys.

Bob- I do have a couple stands to choose from. Need to decide which one of the below will work best for the Prentiss 58.

 

[kenc184]

ken:
I hope you’re not mad that I got it instead of you. I admit that I did a sweet talk on the seller who happened to be moving out of her house within the next 2 days and didn’t want the vise around any more. She asked me if the vise was useable in its broken condition. I told her the truth. Plus add in the time and hassle of a long drive. That’s how you get price reductions.

Ha Ha, no, of course not! I am just glad I got her to send me the two more pictures of the vise. Had I driven the 2 hour round trip I would've been pissed, especially after the Reed 2C debacle of the previous weekend.
I hope you can make something of it, I think I would attempt a braze welding repair.

 

[kenc184]

vise: That Prentiss is bad a$$. Do you know what the definition of "chipping vise" is?

To me, each of your stands has too small a footprint for that monster. I think I would weld a 2-1/2 to 3ft circle of 1/2" plate to the bottom of whichever one you choose. Of course I live in earthquake country so ya' got to be prepared.

 

[Vise]

vise: That Prentiss is bad a$$. Do you know what the definition of "chipping vise" is?

To me, each of your stands has too small a footprint for that monster. I think I would weld a 2-1/2 to 3ft circle of 1/2" plate to the bottom of whichever one you choose. Of course I live in earthquake country so ya' got to be prepared.

Thanks. The plan is to tap and bolt a steel plate to each of these stands for extra weight and surface area at the bottom.

 

[KMScott]

Vise This Railroad drawing was designed around a 58. Around a 40" height to the top of the jaws. I copied the Railroad stands you see in the old Rail car building with the Hollands 18 vises.

Speaking of building, making a new set of pipe jaws for my 541B Rock Island today. I have found that lifting one end at 14 degrees creates a nice tooth.

 

[Vise]

KMS - that railroad stand is phenomenal. Something to strive for.

 

[meatsis]

KMS - that railroad stand is phenomenal. Something to strive for.

VISE I agree about those railroad stands. We have a member on here who has a bunch of them. I haven’t been able to convince him to sell me one though

 

[MacMcMacmac]

Wow. Anyone else have a half round slide Craftsman vise with "Made in England" on it? Is this a first?

By the Way - other English Vise makers besides Record include Woden and Paramo (both derived from Record during WWII to diversify production...)

Edit - and its definitely worth restoring. it may not be a heavy machinist vise but it's a decent shop vise.

I have zero expertise in vise spotting, but that flat steel flip handle to lock the swivel looks like a Woden characteristic to me.

 

[Productbob]

VA they may indeed be closely related! Mine is the poor cousin who is missing some teeth (jaw insert) at the moment lol. hoping to get it back together pretty quick.

Vise nice options to pick from

 

[Smitty]

Vise:
Congrats on the 58, what a beast.

 

[Mslund1]

Snagged this Parker 955 on the way home from work tonight.

Only got it for $5 less than full asking price but this is one CLEAN vise, IMO.

Somebody along the line replaced the set screw with a thumbscrew to hold the handle in place but it’s kind of neat and also handy

I think this is going to replace my REED 104 1/2 on the bench. I’m gonna go with the bare metal on this one.

It is amazing how much bigger it is vs the reed, my first Parker too. Not sure how to date these and haven’t really found any solid info, not imperative. Just curious about it

Any help would be appreciated


















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[Smitty]

Could you take an X-Ray? I don’t want to miss anything.

 

[gman007]

Snagged this Parker 955 on the way home from work tonight.

Only got it for $5 less than full asking price but this is one CLEAN vise, IMO.

Somebody along t
he line replaced the set screw with a thumbscrew to hold the handle in place but it’s kind of neat and also handy

I think this is going to replace my REED 104 1/2 on the bench. I’m gonna go with the bare metal on this one.

It is amazing how much bigger it is vs the reed, my first Parker too. Not sure how to date these and haven’t really found any solid info, not imperative. Just curious about it

Any help would be appreciated
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Melinda
Nice score, looks to be in good shape too

I also have a Parker 955. When I posted it here a couple years back if I remember correctly consensus seemed to be that it might be a 1950s vintage

 

[Mslund1]

Could you take an X-Ray? I don’t want to miss anything.

Only because you asked


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[Vise]

955 looks clean. Nice pick up. Your’s too Gman.

 

[trijeff]

Any ideas now, Smitty?

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[Productbob]

MS nice grab! use the $5 to buy yourself a beer to celebrate

Tri- is that your paint job?? If so it looks fantastic and I like the counter weight system!

VA- was wondering why the RI had a patent date and the 'cousin' didn't. Lots of hours under paint remover yielded the Patent date on the moveable draw!
Oct 16 1901

 

[trijeff]

thanks Bob! Yes, paint job is mine from rattle can like always and I have taken more labors on this vise than just about any I have done before. Still awaiting the 2K clear coat (which I have never done before) that will go one in a few days once the base has fully cured under the CA sun. This one is going to be a show pony only, will never see any use for at least three more generations (going to follow the car upon which the paint job is based). Hope it turns out like I hoped when imaging this project. Might try to parlay it into a bit of a second side gig if all turns out well. We'll see!! Thanks for the kudos.

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[kenc184]

trijeff: I have some Toyota "impulse red" metallic basecoat left over from when I painted my truck a couple years ago. Hmmm, maybe I should do a fancy job on one of mine.......

you're a very bad influence.

 

[Vise]

Jeff - that paint job looks sweet! Reed 4C?

 

[Outlawmws]

M1, you may already know this but the Tee screw is usually a short set screw, a short sprig, and a copper/brass slug to put tension on the handle so it can still slide.

I re-did my 974, and its probably the best thing I did as i can center the handle and easily one finger spin it in and out.

 

[MayerMR]

My first response to GJ. I saw your post, MayerMR, on your Reed 405. I found one through Kijiji just west of Toronto. It is huge. Missing a ball on the handle, the non-moving head swivel pin was missing, replace with what looked like an aluminum tube from a ski pole and it was welded to a 1/4" steel plate. I got the plate off, pulled out the pin but had to do some work to get the head to swivel. I made a "ball" on my lathe and a real pin based on the tapered hole it goes in. I didn't look for examples and made the top of the pin so I could lever it out with vise grips or twist it with a pair of pliers. It works perfectly. All greased up and painted and replaced my Woden No 3 that was on my bench. I need to make soft jaws for it though and the handle for the right swivel locking arm sticks straight out the side when tight, so I need to add a washer to move it to a better position.

Dave, it sounds like the PO's of both our Reed 405s went to the same "Dun-know-how-use-tool-in-gooder-ways" school of thinking. Sounds like you have yours back up to snuff already, I've not even had a chance to look at mine yet due to competing priorities

Wow. Anyone else have a half round slide Craftsman vise with "Made in England" on it? Is this a first?

By the Way - other English Vise makers besides Record include Woden and Paramo (both derived from Record during WWII to diversify production...)

Edit - and its definitely worth restoring. it may not be a heavy machinist vise but it's a decent shop vise.

Like FJ, I was just perusing through the thread, catching up when I saw Mac's post. I stopped what I was doing and walked out to my garage to check my Craftsman 5170 - no Made in England ANYWHERE that I could see (at least without taking it apart).

I find that Made in England stamp to be exceedingly interesting and would *really* love to learn the backstory on that vise. Maybe it was a licensed build by an English vise maker for export to Europe? Maybe that one just made its way across the pond somehow? Just a thought. For some reason I feel like I've seen other half-round slide 51xx vises (variants of the one I posted) with "Made in USA" on them before.