The VISES of Garage Journal

[MissileBear]

My old man called me this week and said he had a big vise for me. I couldn't figure out what it was from the pics; it's a non-swiveling Meadville Vise Co. 305; 5" non-removable jaws, ~69 pounds, 6" opening.

Unfortunately this vise is hardly more than scrap at this point. The static jaw was cracked in half and welded, the dynamic slide is cracked, and retaining collar is stripped/worn/broken (can't see it yet). The previous owner hammered a 3/8" bolt into the hole for the nut retaining pin on the static body which may have damaged the nut itself.

What a bummer....this was an uncommon one. @ Dr. Scott - I didn't see this one on the master list.

 

[Slednut]

Earlier I mentioned my SIL has been restoring vises. Here's a base he made with a water jet for a small vise.

Another photo of a vise he hasn't finished yet. The two pieces laying next to the vise are for the ends of the handle.

 

[davethorik]

Nice find on the 733 Dave!

Not sure on the Pre-Sweetheart vises for color? I have a Sweethart that is black and orange and I believe its original.


Something I collected on the history:

Stanley bought the P.J. Leavens Co. of Vineland, New Jersey in 1911, and introduced two new lines of vises named Stanley "Jersey" and Victor "Jersey" to make use of the familiar Leavens' "Jersey" vise name. When Stanley made their big internal merger and introduced the Sweetheart logo in 1919, they also dropped the "Jersey" name and began casting the Stanely name in the side of their vises. A few years later they also added the model number to the side of the vise. By 1929 they started to pare down the number of vises they offered, and did the same in 1934, then again in 1939 (although they also introduced 3 new styles of vises in 1934 that were much cheaper to produce)

So 1911-1919, Victor & Jersey
1919/20 - to 1935 SW "Sweetheart"

Thanks outlaw. That's where my 100-104 number came from. The 772 bears a 1915 patent, so that narrowed it down 1915-1919.

 

[Smitty]

Davethorik:
I felt it necissary to report you to the proper authority’s. You stole that 733 for $30

 

[Smitty]

Here’s a cool piece I picked up this week. Needs some jaw work, but you don’t see a lot of 8.5” jaw vises. A Rock Island 67 that weighs 285.6 lbs:

Wow, what a find. I look forward to seeing some side shots.

 

[Vise]

Wow, what a find. I look forward to seeing some side shots.

Thanks, KMS, Angry and Smitty.

Smitty- Here’s the money shot on the vise:

 

[Mslund1]

Does anyone else have such a roughly cast Wilton?

Seems very rough compared to others I’ve seen

Most of it is proud of the rest of the surface with the exception of the circled portion which leads me to believe it is from the casting process. This Wilton has 3 small hammer divets on the dynamic jaw, other than that it’s virtually unused. That’s what I’m basing my assumptions on, not use and abuse.

I could be completely wrong too.




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[AngryBeaver]

thats normal. Wiltons castings are all over the place. that one looks rather good actually

 

[Mslund1]

thats normal. Wiltons castings are all over the place. that one looks rather good actually

Ok, I figured that it was probably normal considering the shape this one is in. Just wanted to check, have paint drying on it currently.




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[freudianfloyd]

Picked this post vise up last week at a yard sale.
View media item 96527
Does anybody recognize the maker?

Looks like
*astley Nelson
Pittsburgh
42 1/2

View media item 96866
But Google isnt helping much.

 

[TTMotorsports]

Postley Nelson & co

See post #56708

 

[Serrat Yasargil]

Not sure where is best to post such info. A 4” Acme Co. vise popped up on EBay just today and sold a little while ago today for $200. That was my first to see... fairly old. They didn’t accept my offer
Slednut, I like the rifle in the garage, looks like your place isn’t different from my state, though yours is probably for wildlife and over here it is for the bipedals! Although just this early afternoon I had a bobcat catch a rabbit in my front yard so that was pretty cool.

 

[freudianfloyd]

Wow, thank you.

Are they a desirable vise? I paid $50 for it.

 

[va.grouseman]

Not sure where is best to post such info. A 4” Acme Co. vise popped up on EBay just today and sold a little while ago today for $200. That was my first to see... fairly old. They didn’t accept my offer
Slednut, I like the rifle in the garage, looks like your place isn’t different from my state, though yours is probably for wildlife and over here it is for the bipedals! Although just this early afternoon I had a bobcat catch a rabbit in my front yard so that was pretty cool.

Did it look like this?

 

[akasrick]

Mystery to me vise

akasrick

 

[Outlawmws]

Poor li’l guy; ripped out of a bench, roots and all, so never had a chance to grow up to be a monster vise...

Just a little bonsai vise now...

 

[rtdgfd]

These are working vises in my metal shop. The holes under the plate at the Rock Island are drilled to accept 5 other vise s that I keep under the bench. (In case of emergencies)

 

[rusty65]

Did it look like this?

It looked like a oval slide Erie or Holland’s vise.


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[rtdgfd]

These vises are from the softer side of my shop.

 

[va.grouseman]

Rtdgfd, that is some fine looking tools to work with.---You keep them in genteel condition.---Respect.

How big is the Stevens.

 

[rtdgfd]

Thank you. I do like my tools a little too much. This site has inspired me to clean them up a bit. The Stevens is as I got it ,in nice condition. I am pretty sure it has 4" jaws. I baby it .

 

[rtdgfd]

I will stop after this but will show my vise that is not really in the main line of this site,still hopefully of interest. A cast iron vise by Acme of San Jose California for saw sharpening.

 

[Vise]

Sled - nice work on those restores.

Rtd- very nice collection of vises you have there. Thanks for sharing.

 

[va.grouseman]

That's a whopper of a saw vise.---What kind of saw blades do you whet on in that monster?

 

[Serrat Yasargil]

Agreed.
If I could post pics I would post its image

 

[rtdgfd]

I use it to sharpen hand saws. Typical rip and cross cut saws by Disston etc. My Dad encouraged(!) hand saws over stringing out an extension chord,generator and all that that entailed. A sharp hand saw is pretty quick but the new battery powered saws are taking over. I still like to keep a few saws sharpener and ready to go. The kids are kind and don't make too much fun of me.

 

[Serrat Yasargil]

Rtdgfd that is quite a nice setup you have! I am envious! - hopefully you got my pm earlier with my email.
Grouseman, the Acme was not like a bullet and more as rusty65 said

 

[Craftfab]

Pretty cool video of owner of Fireball Tools making his own vise. I have no affiliation with owner or company etc. just thought folks here may enjoy.

 

[royce]

Pretty cool video of owner of Fireball Tools making his own vise. I have no affiliation with owner or company etc. just thought folks here may enjoy.

That is great video and the vise is really nice.
The man is sure enough a hand and a good designer/fabricator.

Royce

 

[doubletroubledan]

I'm guessing it's a 405

Yes , it is a 405 .
I cleaned it up some getting it ready for restoration and found the number.

 

[Packers]

Hey, just looking for parts for a Wilton Shop King #13-633. Need a clip on the front jaw on the leadscrew, jaw inserts/plates and the swivel knob on the base. Please let me know if there are any ideas.

Thanks,

 

[Mr. Wonderful]

I finished up the Craftsman 5184 this weekend. I love this little vise! It is also my first Reed. Wow I can see why there are so many fans on here. That front split ring is a very interesting design. None of my other vises with the cast in jaws have quite the contrast visible in the metals. Thanks to all those on here that provided the information on this somewhat rare vise.

 

[ed4banger]

Not sure where is best to post such info. A 4” Acme Co. vise popped up on EBay just today and sold a little while ago today for $200. That was my first to see... fairly old. They didn’t accept my offer
Slednut, I like the rifle in the garage, looks like your place isn’t different from my state, though yours is probably for wildlife and over here it is for the bipedals! Although just this early afternoon I had a bobcat catch a rabbit in my front yard so that was pretty cool.

It looked like this:

 

[Mr. Wonderful]

I also completed the Starrett 323 1/2. This vise was in horrible condition and was about to parted out. The dynamic was broken off at the slide and it had been buried in the dirt for a very long time. A big thanks to salvage garage for the video that made this possible! I followed his example exactly and I think this vise will hold up for quite a while. I am trying to figure out what to do about the missing pipe jaw. I may try my hand at making one in the near future.

I have been wanting a Starrett for a long time and I figured this might be my only chance to own one. I have only ever seen one other come up for sale before. This vise has some interesting features that I really like.

 

[ed4banger]

I finished up the Craftsman 5184 this weekend. I love this little vise! It is also my first Reed. Wow I can see why there are so many fans on here. That front split ring is a very interesting design. None of my other vises with the cast in jaws have quite the contrast visible in the metals. Thanks to all those on here that provided the information on this somewhat rare vise.

Nice, I finished a 5184 a week ago. I think the differences are interesting. With heritage logo, and flat meatball guessing yours is much newer. Mine has 1945 slide date.

 

[Mr. Wonderful]

Wow, now I feel bad about myself lol. That is a beautiful specimen. What is that color???? Mine dated 12/48 which is eight months later than my 5197.

 

[ed4banger]

Wow, now I feel bad about myself lol. That is a beautiful specimen. What is that color???? Mine dated 12/48 which is eight months later than my 5197.

Heritage logo on yours making sense, as they were already making the heritage logo 519x vises in '48. I'd really love to get hold of some heritage logo Reeds, but every time I see one for sale, its not in the condition I would prefer. Color is Rustoleum professional 7527 royal blue.

 

[Shiftless]

ed and Mr.W.

Thanks for posting those beautiful restorations. Excellent work!

 

[honza.vosalik]

I finished up the Craftsman 5184 this weekend. I love this little vise! It is also my first Reed. Wow I can see why there are so many fans on here. That front split ring is a very interesting design. None of my other vises with the cast in jaws have quite the contrast visible in the metals. Thanks to all those on here that provided the information on this somewhat rare vise.

LOVE IT! Wish I had one too!

 

[Serrat Yasargil]

Ed4banger - that is the vise!