The VISES of Garage Journal

[AngryBeaver]

Here’s something you don’t see everyday 9-47.


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nice score

 

[Loydski29]

Here’s something you don’t see everyday 9-47.


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WOW nice find! Looks like it’s in great condition!

 

[Smitty]

Thanks guys, I don’t recall seeing a clamp on base on a toddler before.



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[AngryBeaver]

Thanks guys, I don’t recall seeing a clamp on base on a toddler before.

I have not either, just the baby's

 

[Productbob]

Smitty great find and the first clamp on in a while! Love the grenade in the background; is that part of your home security system?

 

[Fierljeppen]

Rare bird indeed...the clamp was offered by Wilton from (1945-1967) for the 20N and 25N.

 

[XCMTB83]

Found my first vise score of 2020 today.

This little 3 1/2 jaw Oswego Tool Co 23 1/2

There isn’t much info on this maker, some speculation that they made products for other mfgs. I believe sawyer acquired them at some point. This one looks very “Colombian esque” to me, aside from the details on top of the jaws and the swivel lock handle.

Either way, a nice stout little vise in great shape. Under the dynamic jaw behind the spindle is stamped “51”. I’m guess that to be a date stamp?








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I haven't been able to find much information about the Oswego Sawyer Tool Co vises either. I have a 4" non-swivel base, model 14. Mine does not have any additional stamping like your "51" stamp.

 

[dannyr]

Jaws --- flush or stand proud??

I notice on several ads, such as this Wilton and in some (especially older) English catalogues I have, that the replaceable jaws stand significantly proud of the backing, but most refinished vices they are (nicely?) flush.
Just a matter of fashion, taste or choice for different uses?

Oh - don't have enough posts -not allowed to submit images -- but I'm looking at the ad for the bench clamp Wilton (see above)

 

[Smitty]

Thanks Bob, I bring the grenade on CL buys for extra leverage. I put it on the dashboard before I roll up. If you look closely there’s a 2nd grenade in the photo.
Thanks for the scan Jeppen, you don’t disappoint.

 

[Outlawmws]

Smitty does it again! dang you are consistent!

 

[KMScott]

Nice stuff Smitty, another vise for the spreadsheet.

 

[Shiftless]

Smitty:
That’s another great find. A rare one indeed.

I hate to point this out, but less than 5 days ago you posted this...

“Won’t be jonesing for a month at least.”

But there is really NO excuse or reason NOT to buy a clamp on bullet when the opportunity comes around.

 

[txlonghorn1989]

Thanks Bob, I bring the grenade on CL buys for extra leverage. I put it on the dashboard before I roll up. If you look closely there’s a 2nd grenade in the photo.
Thanks for the scan Jeppen, you don’t disappoint.

That was actually the first grenade I spotted then the other one on the shelf below. You're a bad man Smitty!

 

[rhp!]

Taking advantage of it being off the bench, here are some additional photos from perspectives I could not really properly show before.

I'd love to soak one of those and freeze it solid and see if ice expansion would help.

 

[va.grouseman]

Here's a pretty nice Mercury for some one.


https://www.ebay.com/itm/Large-Vint...709796?hash=item3b3ffe6fa4:g:RXUAAOSwRS9eF39V

 

[Shiftless]

Speaking of smaller vises, here is one I bought a while back. It’s damaged in a few places. Most notably where the support shelf was snapped off.

No markings other than the “20” you see here.

Jaws are 2 1/4 inches wide and they open 2 1/2 inches.

Does anybody recognize this little guy?

BTW, I made the little stand from some scraps of rosewood T&G flooring. Much better way to display on a shelf.

 

[wrenchguy]

Here's a pretty nice Mercury for some one.


https://www.ebay.com/itm/Large-Vint...709796?hash=item3b3ffe6fa4:g:RXUAAOSwRS9eF39V

Yes, beats the 4"er on CL near me by $90. Not mine, nor any connection. He has alot up though.
https://chicago.craigslist.org/nwi/tls/d/valparaiso-mercury-vise-no-4-vise/7048792226.html

 

[va.grouseman]

Previously quote by XCMTB83.

I haven't been able to find much information about the Oswego Sawyer Tool Co vises either. I have a 4" non-swivel base, model 14. Mine does not have any additional stamping like your "51" stamp.
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Here's PghJkb's answer to XCMTB83's dilemma, on page 2594, post 51874.
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The Oswego vise companies were a very tangled web of businesses, much of it revolved around E.W. Fulton. Fulton bought the Oswego Tool Company in 1930 and reorganized it into the INT Corporation - International NuTyp Tool Company. INT produced the NuTyp Vise as well as other vises.

From my research, it looks like E.W. Fulton's vise businesses went into bankruptcy in 1935. This legal notice appeared n a number of Oswego area (Fulton County, New York) papers:

1935 Bankruptcy Notice:
UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT for the Northern District of New York in the Matter of International NuTyp Tool Corporation, Bankrupt.
To the creditors of the International NuTyp Tool Corporation, of the City of Oswego, County of Oswego and District aforesaid, a Bankruptcy.
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that on the 23rd day of January 1935 the said International NuTyp Tool Corporation was ???? adjudicated a bankrupt and that the first meeting and hearing of its creditors will be held at the office of Avery H. Wright referee in Bankruptcy Room 3, Oswego City Savings Bank Building, Oswego N.Y. on the 14th day of March, 1935 at 10 o'clock A.M. at which time the said creditors ??? attend, prove their claims, approve a Trustee, examine the bankrupt and transact such other business as may properly come before said meeting.
NOTICE IS ALSO GIVEN that you and each of you are hereby required to show cause at the time and place heretofore mentioned why the business of the above named bankrupt corporation should not be continued under the Trustee hereinafter to be named.
Dated at Oswego, N. Y. this ?? day of March, 1935.
AVERY H. WRIGHT
Referee in Bankruptcy

My guess is that the Oswego Brass and Iron Foundry bought the rights from Fulton's company, took on the name of Sawyer Tool and started producing Fulton's vise line in 1935. There were some ads for the NuTyp (now a Sawyer product) into the early 1940's. Another guess, Sawyer Tool was a causality of WW2.

My research into Sawyer is mostly a dead end. There was a Sawyer Tool of Fitchburg, MA in the early 1900's, but they made precision tools.
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And Bluebolts post in the "Fulton Peerless 26 vise" thread, Post 5, is a pretty good time line for Oswago Tools.
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Here is some more Fulton and Lowville history I did a while back.

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/s...28&postcount=5

The Fulton (F. M. V.) and L. M. V. timeline is fuzzy but I think I just figured it out.

Timeline I have found.
1898 Lafayette Wetmore (1857-1910) acquired the Lowville Iron works.
1902 After a fire Wetmore built a new factory near the Lowville rail yard.
https://books.google.com/books?id=gH...20vise&f=false

1905 "The Fulton Machine and Vise Co. has been incorporated to manufacture vises, pumps, etc. The incorporators are Edwin W. Fulton and Mason M. Swan, both of Watertown N.Y.; Lafayette Wetmore, Lowville N.Y. and others. The capital is $30,000
https://books.google.com/books?id=ei...20vise&f=false

1907 the 5 year old plant burns down! "The company was organized for the purpose of manufacturing swivel vises of Mr. Fulton's invention. The entire plant was destroyed by fire, May 19, 1907, causing a loss of $22,000, of which $10,000 was not covered by insurance. Arrangements were immediately made to rebuild. A new two-story modern concrete factory was erected and equipped with the latest machinery and tools, and business resumed in the new plant Oct. 1, 1907. In June the capital stock of the corporation was increased from $30,000 to $50,000 in order to provide for the new plant and increased volume of business. The company is now (1910) making a large assortment of high-grade vises and pumps, and find a market for the product in all parts of the world."
http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb....ex/fulton.html

1924 Fulton goes to work for Oswego. My computer has a hard time downloading this PDF from the Aug 19, 1924 Oswego Daily times. The highlights are:
1. At the time he controlled the Atlas Vise Co, Inc and Velox Vise Co, Inc, of Lowville N.Y.
2. He was for many years with the Prentice Vise Co.
3. Up to 3 years ago he was with the Fulton Machine and Vise Co WHICH HAS RECENTLY REORGANIZED AS THE LOWVILLE VISE CO.http://www.fultonhistory.com/Process...20- 0508.pdf

1930 The Fulton, now Lowville, vice company apparently closes.
https://books.google.com/books?id=i1...20vise&f=false

So apparently Fulton was BEFORE Lowville.
And Fulton marked vises are from approximately 1905-1924, LMV from 1924-1930.
My head hurts. Time for a beer!

 

[Smitty]

Thanks guys for the kind words about the Wilton. It’s always fun to find a rare piece and making the spreadsheet is icing on the cake.

 

[PghJKB]

Found my first vise score of 2020 today.

This little 3 1/2 jaw Oswego Tool Co 23 1/2

There isn’t much info on this maker, some speculation that they made products for other mfgs. I believe sawyer acquired them at some point. This one looks very “Colombian esque” to me, aside from the details on top of the jaws and the swivel lock handle.

Either way, a nice stout little vise in great shape. Under the dynamic jaw behind the spindle is stamped “51”. I’m guess that to be a date stamp?

VA, et al, got some more info on Sawyer/Oswego. Some known, hopefully some new.

EW Fulton moved to Oswego to take over as manager of the Oswego Tool Company (to replace Benjamin W. Dow) in 1924.

Text of an article from the Oswego Daily Times:
URL: http://www.fultonhistory.com/Proces... Oswego Daily Times June-Aug 1924 - 0508.pdf

"Benjamin W. Dow, who has for the last five years been works manager of the Oswego Tool company, has tendered his resignation to take effect at the convenience of the company.

The Oswego Tool company has been particularly fortunate in securing the services of Edwin W. Fulton of Lowville, N. Y., who will take over Mr, Dow's duties as soon as convenient.

Mr. Fulton controls the Atlas Vise Company, Inc., and the Velox Vise Company, Inc., of Lowville, N. Y,, and by this connection the Oswego Tool Company acquires the rights to manufacture and sell the celebrated Velox quick action machinists bench vise and the Nutyp combination pipe and bench vise, and the business of these companies will be transferred to, Oswego.

The Velox vise is a patented quick action bench vise used by the larger manufacturers where speed of production is essential and the NuTyp vise meets with a ready sale in garages, repair shops and homes where a combination pipe and machinist vise is needed.

In addition to the above patented vises, under Mr. Fulton's direction the Oswego Tool company will also manufacture a line of standard machinists bench vises in a full range of sizes of stationary and swivel base types. It is estimated that the addition of these lines will necessitate the employment of at least 50 new men land increase the sales of the company materially.

The Oswego Tool company already manufactures combination vises and is thoroughly equipped to manufacture these additional lines.

Mr. Fulton, who will shortly become a permanent resident of Oswego, was for many years with the Prentice Vise company, who are one of the largest manufacturers of vises of this type and was six years With the Bagley & Sewall company of Watertown.

Up to three years ago Mr. Fulton was connected with the Fulton Vise and Machine company of Lowille, which has recently been reorganized the Lowville Vise company.
."

In 1930 Fulton forms INT (International NuTyp Tool Company) via a buyout of Oswego Tool.
URL: https://books.google.com/books?id=V...ved=0ahUKEwifv5-W9I7KAhWMSiYKHXUBAP8Q6AEINTAB

Your vise has the "Swivel Wrench" patented by Connell (Patent 1,684,215) and licensed to Owego (via Fulton).
Patent URL: https://pdfpiw.uspto.gov/.piw?PageN...4,215.PN.%26OS=pn/1,684,215%26RS=PN/1,684,215

The patent of 9/11/1928 suggests your vise was manufactured between 1925 and 1930 (submission of patent to the demise of Oswego Tool).

Another 2¢ by JKB

 

[Private Lugnutz]

I'd love to soak one of those and freeze it solid and see if ice expansion would help.

I think you're underestimating the tremendous amount of pressure that water causes when it freezes. It might have separated the pin from the swivel jaw and the body. It might have also cracked the cast steel in places it was not meant to withstand tremendous amounts of pressure.

My research into Sawyer is mostly a dead end. There was a Sawyer Tool of Fitchburg, MA in the early 1900's, but they made precision tools.

Just as a quick side-note, they also made a screwdriver with replaceable tips. Yes, that's right. I have one, 15" OAL, made between 1898 and 1911! Link to photos in a GJ thread down on the Vintage Forum here.

 

[Outlawmws]

I think you're underestimating the tremendous amount of pressure that water causes when it freezes. It might have separated the pin from the swivel jaw and the body. It might have also cracked the cast steel in places it was not meant to withstand tremendous amounts of pressure.

if it can slit huge chunks of granite and the like...

 

[Fierljeppen]

Good stuff PghJKB! I need to get my Oswego Tool Co. information better organized and tie all of the information from you and Bluebolt into -1- easily searched thread.

It would be wrong to have a conversation about the Oswego Tool Co., without talking about the founder, John J. Tonkin. While his company was established in 1887, they didn't start making vises until around the turn of the century.

The Sawyer Tool Co. of Fitchburg MA is a non-player in this conversation. The Sawyer Foundry & Machine Works of 244 W. Seneca, Oswego NY is the company that continued to make vises at least into the late 1950's.

Much more to come, eventually.

 

[Private Lugnutz]

The Sawyer Tool Co. of Fitchburg MA is a non-player in this conversation.

Yes, va.grouseman recognized that, and so did I. Just a side-note. Sorry for any confusion.

 

[BrettJ74]

Yea 136 is right.---Nice vises.

If ever you want to sell that vise please let me know I've been looking for one for years. Rock Island was the first vise I ever restored, and my birthday is cast onto the side of that vise..
Thank you sir, have a wonderful day, Brett

 

[BrettJ74]

I've been away for a while, busy on many other projects but I recently acquired a Athol 624 that I wanted to clean up and give to my dad, to replace his Wilton homeowners style vise. Decided to go with a baked BLO finish, it turned out nicely and works like new. These Athol's definitely are nice quality vises and dads bench is now outfitted properly.. Good to be back now I've got some reading to do some catching up..

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[Outlawmws]

Brett, you are 112 years old?

 

[BrettJ74]

Im doing pretty well for my age, thank you, and it's Oct 5 1901 which makes me 119..
I kind of saw this coming..

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[Vise]

This was posted in one of the vise groups on FB and thought I’d share: 80 page Parker catalog from 1912.

https://archive.org/details/CharlesParkerCoCatalogue1912

 

[M635_Guy]

Jeebus this place is dangerous...

Any reason this Simplex 400 wouldn't be worth $60?

Looks like it could use some love, but my intentions would be to put it on my workbench. Any way to get replacement jaws for it? (I'd keep the originals)

 

[22george]

I've been away for a while, busy on many other projects but I recently acquired a Athol 624 that I wanted to clean up and give to my dad, to replace his Wilton homeowners style vise. Decided to go with a baked BLO finish, it turned out nicely and works like new. These Athol's definitely are nice quality vises and dads bench is now outfitted properly.. Good to be back now I've got some reading to do some catching up..

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How is a "Baked BLO finish" done? Baking Temp? Before or after BLO applied? Never heard of it before. Like the look.
Thanks

 

[AngryBeaver]

Jeebus this place is dangerous...

Any reason this Simplex 400 wouldn't be worth $60?

Looks like it could use some love, but my intentions would be to put it on my workbench. Any way to get replacement jaws for it? (I'd keep the originals)

pic or link doesn't work...replacement jaws are not easy to find. they haven't been made or in business in almost 50 years.

 

[Outlawmws]

Jeebus this place is dangerous...

Any reason this Simplex 400 wouldn't be worth $60?

Looks like it could use some love, but my intentions would be to put it on my workbench. Any way to get replacement jaws for it? (I'd keep the originals)

You have to remove the "S" in "HTTPS" for Imagur pics to work her... (fixed in your Quite)

I personally wouldn't - but I'm not in need of another 4" U channel vise... Its probably not an outrageous price...

Any jaw replacement will need to have the jaws made. if you are looking for soft jaws, not a difficult task.

 

[M635_Guy]

You have to remove the "S" in "HTTPS" for Imagur pics to work her... (fixed in your Quite)

I personally wouldn't - but I'm not in need of another 4" U channel vise... Its probably not an outrageous price...

Any jaw replacement will need to have the jaws made. if you are looking for soft jaws, not a difficult task.

Thanks - posting the pic again just to make sure:

I'm not sure it requires new jaws, just wanted to know if there's any standard part available. I mainly just need one (occasionally) for general garage stuff. I have a carpenter's vise on my bench, but it obviously has limitations.

Any condition things jump out from the pic (obv. not lots to look at, but...)

 

[Dlavallee22]

Here is my Howard Iron Works No. 2 I picked up recently for $60. This vise doesn’t match the No. 2 on the spreadsheet with pics as that one may have been a swivel base. This vise has 4” jaws, opens 5”, and weighs in at 45 lbs. It’s definitely seen some use over the years but is potentially 150 years old! It’s a unique design as the main nut seems to have been cast into the static body. Jaws and collar are similar to Parkers

 

[KMScott]

Nice vise Dlavallee22. I added it to the Spreadsheet. Seems Howard Iron Works built a Swivel base and a Stationary vise with the same model number. The big gusset on the dynamic is original. You also mentioned the nut is part of the casting and not removable. That is a 1st. Paramo does that too.

 

[BrettJ74]

How is a "Baked BLO finish" done? Baking Temp? Before or after BLO applied? Never heard of it before. Like the look.
Thanks

So what I have previously done and had success with is applying 3-4 liberal coats of BLO allowing some drying time in between. Then I fired up the charcoal BBQ, I get it nice and hot and leave it in until I get the desired effect.. The hotter the part gets the darker the BLO will turn.

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[Smitty]

Sunday R&R


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[WickedJP]

Just picked up this guy tonight. It’s a Wilton 835. Appears to be in very nice original shape. Going to keep it that way. Just going to clean it up and bolt it down.

 

[Smitty]

Wicked, that 835 is in great condition. The jaw towers look super clean, nice find.