Everything you need to know about bench vises...

[exmaxima1]

Anyone know anything about this vise? I just got it yesterday for $50. It's a "Mighty" bench vise, made in China according to the sticker.

I hope that vise has 6" wide jaws if you paid $50 for it..

BTW, is that a chunk of the casting missing on the dynamic jaw?

 

[trekgod3]

I hope that vise has 6" wide jaws if you paid $50 for it..

BTW, is that a chunk of the casting missing on the dynamic jaw?

I'll post more pics when I get home from work

 

[trekgod3]

Turns out it's only a 4" vise

 

[Dussemberg]

Hi Everybody. I love vintage vises and this week I came across this one. I Have a bigger model of the same design. What really caught my attention was the condition of the vise. I’m assuming that this vise was produced anywhere between 1967-1974 but Sometimes they re-issue the same models many years later. In this case I was surprised to find the original box and the original paperwork inside the box. It has never been used as far as I can tell, and the paint is in amazing condition. My question is: Is this a survivor from the 60's or 70's or is it something else? It's a Crafstman - MADE IN U.S.A model 506.51801. I posted some pictures the best I could to show you guys and see if you can help me out with more info about it. I'm going to keep the vise regardless but would be cool if this is a survivor original old stock wouldn't it? Thanks guys

 

[Outlawmws]

That is certainly NOS. See if you can find a date code on any of the paperwork or box.

 

[scooternut]

I have a few of these old Craftsmans and have seen a few ads posted somewhere in these threads.

I say that you have a later one, like 70's-80's. The earlier made ones have handles and main screw ends shaped like the ones on the picture on the box. Notice the difference?

I just assume that the later rounder ones were easier and cheaper to produce without the extra machining steps.

 

[dpasek]

Technically, machinist's vises are almost always made of ductile iron, not cast iron. And yes, before some wag says "well they're cast in a mold, so it's cast iron," the phrase cast iron usually implies grey or white cast irons, which are brittle due to significant graphite content existing in the iron in flakes. Ductile iron's graphite is in a nodular shape which inhibits cracking. It's an important distinction in vises, because high quality vises are made from nodular or spheroidal (ductile) iron, and cheaply made economy vises (often imported) are made of grey cast iron.

Actually, ductile iron *is* a cast iron, and also malleable iron is a cast iron. This is not because they are poured into molds, but because they have similar carbon content (above about 1.8%) and thus have similar melting and pouring temperatures, considerably lower than for steels. (BTW, there is also cast steel, such as Stellite, usually investment cast.) Malleable iron starts life as white iron but then is heat treated to form characteristic graphite particles. Ductile cast iron starts out similar to grey cast iron, but the graphite precipitation is nucleated with special additives during pouring to cause the graphite to form into balls instead of flakes. Without the small amounts of nucleation additives, the same heat of iron would solidify as grey iron instead of ductile iron. For more info on the different types of cast irons, see:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cast_iron
You can also look it up in American Society for Metals publications.

 

[NYBODYMAN]

Hi Everybody. I love vintage vises and this week I came across this one. I Have a bigger model of the same design. What really caught my attention was the condition of the vise. I’m assuming that this vise was produced anywhere between 1967-1974 but Sometimes they re-issue the same models many years later. In this case I was surprised to find the original box and the original paperwork inside the box. It has never been used as far as I can tell, and the paint is in amazing condition. My question is: Is this a survivor from the 60's or 70's or is it something else? It's a Crafstman - MADE IN U.S.A model 506.51801. I posted some pictures the best I could to show you guys and see if you can help me out with more info about it. I'm going to keep the vise regardless but would be cool if this is a survivor original old stock wouldn't it? Thanks guys

I just found this same vise at my grandfather's house. It is in lightly used condition and is nice. Does anyone know where a date code can be found on these?

 

[drivesitfar]

NY: post up a few pictures and really the only way to date those Craftsman vises is by changes in designs in their catalogs. some of Sears vises stayed the same without any changes for years so you'd have a range of years it could be.

if it's an old Rock Island made Craftsman vise like this one which i don't think it is Rock Island stamped the back of their slides.

not very many vise companies stamp dated their vises.

 

[NYBODYMAN]

Here she is. Let me know what you think. Thanks.

 

[scooternut]

Link to Craftsman catalog pages originally posted by outlaw. Good Craftsman info here.
https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=149519

 

[Firewire]

Here are the catalog pages from the 1931 Samuel Harris & Co catalog.

View media item 7914View media item 7896
For reference, a modern 305S (Machinist, Swivel base, 5" jaws) runs $575-$650. $30 for a 205 in 1931 is about $330 now.

So yeah, things were cheaper back then!

7 year old post, but holy **** exactly what I needed to find to learn more about my barn find Reed 224 1/2 R! It's a 78lb Coachmakers Vise! So cool to learn!

 

[Chili Dog]

Now THAT is a good looking bench vise. What color/finish did you use? Yes. I am totally going to steal your fire. Lol

 

[Shelbylex]

Good morning.
Came across the ad for this vise today.
Tried to look up Atlas Tool Company, NY and did not find much.
Does anybody know any history on this company? I sometimes see this company name on old tools, but can not find much information... I assume it dissolved some time ago.
How old is this vise and is it a good quality?

Thank you

P.S. Please add it to the list of the companies in the beginning of the page

 

[Shelbylex]

The only thing I found from another site listed at the bottom...
"R.L. Polks & Co's 1915 directory for Trow NY copartnerships and corporations list a "Atlas Tool Co" with Franklin Bien Jr as President, Thos Adam as Secretary, and Chas Marks as Treasurer. Capital of $5,000, and Franklin Bien Jr, Thos Adam, and Chas Marks as directors. It lists an address of 356 B'way

Stanford University Library has a R.L. Polk & Co's 1918-1919 Trow New York Copartnership and Corporation Directory which list a "Atlas Tool Co" in NY as (inoperative) at 356 B'way

I have this 8" pipe wrench marked "Atlas Tool Co New York".

And, in the "for what it's worth" department, there is a 356 Broadway in Troy...still."

From: http://www.papawswrench.com/vboard/index.php?topic=8258.0

Any luck from anybody else?

How much would you pay for it (it's a 3 inch vise)? (thinking about making an offer and restoring)

 

[drivesitfar]

Shelby: these small lighter duty open screw vises are not worth a lot, but i've seen several on some very handy guy's bench tops. that said there might be 20 or so companies that made these and Littlestown brand seems to be the most common and they also have the diamond shape on their dynamic jaw.

i wouldn't think this vise is worth very much unless to a guy that might have an old Atlas drill press

look at post #314 in this thread so see an Atlas drill press if you hadn't seen one yet: https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=377463

I think Atlas was one of the manufacturers for Craftsman brand for Sears, but i don't recall all the tools they made for them or when.

 

[Shelbylex]

Thank you, Drivesitfar
Great referral to the post - never saw an Atlas drill press. The whole thread of polishing is very inspirational!
I have a small 3in vise and while slowly looking for a low priced Wilton Bullet (and Wilton Shop King) saw this one. I want to see both in person and can not find anything locally so on for a good price.
People just think that money are growing on the trees our days: recently found a 3in Wilton Bullet vise locally in below average condition with the broken inserts, the seller does not want to go below 300. Given enough stories for 50-100 range complete vise good for restoration, will keep searching till get lucky!
Wilton Shop kinds are not that rare or expensive - just hard to find with all parts being present. I like it's Art Deco design - might look nice in grey with red stripes or similar color restored...

 

[1970novaguy]

do any other main screws fit a athol 614

 

[KMScott]

do any other main screws fit a athol 614

Athol uses a buttress thread. It is good to know the thread size and pitch and the length to help in your search.

 

[Putnam]

Very informative, thank you!

 

[pjm7]

Hello, I am seeking information about an old 6 inch vise. It is branded as ACME 16 and made by Colborne Mfg, Co of Chicago. They apparently made gas engines around turn of 20th century but no mention of making vises. Anyone heard of this brand?

Thanks!

 

[WolffWelder64]

Hello I just got
a simplex vise any info on 41fs

 

[drivesitfar]

Wolf: check out Ridge tool company and Ridgid who bought out or took over Simplex after it took over Desmond Stephen around WW2.

i'm guessing your vise left the factory in the 1950's, but I'm not sure.

if you want to read about 100,000 posts on vises there is a huge vise thread on GJ. this is an older thread that sort of died years ago, but for some reason it's still marked as one of my favorites maybe cause I do like a nice old vise.

welcome to the group!!

 

[motoretro]

Can anyone ID a large Machinist Vice? It has a big star on side of body, circled with dots. Vice swivels. Appears to be very good quality.
Thanks.

 

[drivesitfar]

If it looks like it left the factory in the 1980’s or later and the handle has chrome in it then it might be a Jet brand vise. If older I think a few members on the big vise thread might own one and sorry I forgot who they said made them. Post up a few pics if you can and that might help.

 

[motoretro]

Here's a pic, I believe the swivel handle is cad plated, not sure on the main handle although don't believe it's chrome. There's a bit of very dark blue paint on lower front Jaw. It's sitting in a shop nearby for $125...
thanks.

 

[1982fxr]

Can anyone ID a large Machinist Vice? It has a big star on side of body, circled with dots. Vice swivels. Appears to be very good quality.
Thanks.

American scale maybe?

Almost looks like a Morgan?

 

[motoretro]

This one has me stumped, unless there's a indication of brand under base of vice, I don't have a clue. The star on side of body is only identifying mark. I'll dig into Morgan and American Scale. Will try to get a picture of Star side. thanks.

 

[drivesitfar]

MOTO: since you are in my part of the USA and JET was and still is a pretty popular brand of tools I'd bet it's a JET brand vise.

that said Morgan did put a star on some of their vises, but they had the name on the other side like this 4 inch wide jaw one i owned for a while a few years ago. if you look at the jaws on the vise you posted they are different than the jaws on the Morgan star vise.

how wide are your jaws? Jet makes a good vise and I think I have a couple of their quick release woodworking vises around here someplace that were pretty good quality if I recall. here's a pic of their woodworking vise while i'm posting a couple pics of the Morgan star vise. the other older vise I posted that looks like it's got more surface rust than paint i think was a Jet vise i saw a while back so I saved a picture. that old Jet vise with the #5 on it was maybe their cheaper line of vises cause I do recall seeing some nicer Jet vises and maybe I own one of them, but not sure.

 

[1982fxr]

Also hard to tell but I don't think the lever and handle on his are correct for Morgan...

 

[Shiftless]

I’d say that vise is a Milwaukee.
Morgan Star

 

[drivesitfar]

Shift: did you see I posted the Morgan star with the same jaws and their jaws are different than the vise Moto posted. granted the jaws on his vise I think were made by morgan too it's just the Morgan star vises and your Milwaukee have columbian style T shaped jaws.

nice catalog pic and thanks for chiming in. maybe you've got a JET on your shelf?

 

[Shiftless]

Drives:
Moto’s vise has T style jaws. See his photo below that I enhanced.

Here is another one I found in the GJ past postings.

Also with T style jaws


https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showpost.php?p=6224149&postcount=20

 

[drivesitfar]

SHIFT: now you have the right jaws, BUT the MORGAN name is pretty easy to see and it isn't on the vise we are looking at. I don't ever recall Morgan not putting their name on their vises even though they made vises for other companies like Milwaukee, Standard and maybe a few others.

keep thinking sir cause you are doing great. does your searching skills give you the ability to find a few JET bench vises?

 

[Shiftless]

Drives:
Check Baja scout’s vise...

https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showpost.php?p=6224149&postcount=20

“Morgan” is on the other side of the vise, opposite the side with the star.

I assume moto only has one pic (and not a very good one) of a vise he is considering buying.

 

[drivesitfar]

Shift: yep Moto said there is a star on one side and the side he's got a picture of doesn't have a star or Morgan so i'm still guessing JET.

we might need VA's search function to find some good old JET bench vises on GJ cause i know I posted a few.

keep thinkin there sir and maybe MOTO can get us a few more pics and the jaw size so we can tell him if his $125 would be well spent.

cheers and it looks like your wall of vises needs an addition at home?

 

[motoretro]

Yes, I'll try to get over there and take a few closeups of the vice. The star on side appears to be more like the "Star of David". Hopefully a few more pics will help shed some light on things. Thanks.

 

[drivesitfar]

MOTO: is the one side of the vise you posted empty/blank like it looks or are my old eyes missing something?

more pictures would be great and even if it's not a Jet or Morgan or Milwaukee it looks like a well made vise.

SO while you are taking a few more pictures can you measure the jaw width cause your costs to buy would be different if it's a 4 inch wide jaw and a 5 or 6 inch jaw.

good luck!!

 

[Gladiator]

Just a couple of vise stories.
Years ago I worked at a VA hospital. We could order stuff from GSA. I ordered a 4" mechanics vice. I didn't read the whole description carefully. When it arrived it weighed 80 pounds.

When I bought a vice for my personal use I bought a big one made in China. I was trying to break a nut on a farm piece. Socket breaker with cheater. The vice broke in half and I flew through the air about 6 feet and hit the wall.
I replaced that vice with a Columbia made in America!

 

[drivesitfar]

Gladiator: there are other ways to get a nut loose cause a pipe (or cheater of some sort) on any old vise can break them.

I wish I had a video of you breaking that old made in China pot metal vise and then being thrown across the room. the visual with your story put it to light though pretty well.

would have gone viral for sure. hope you didn't get injured.

yes the old made in USA vises were built to take a little lickin and keep on ticken, but using a vise as a press or an anvil cause you don't own one of those is just asking for your vise to have a shorter life.

nice story though and thanks for sharing. BTW i think you meant Columbia(N), but we all probably figured that out.

cheers and have a great weekend and welcome to GJ (another cheesehead?)