The VISES of Garage Journal

[txlonghorn1989]

Someone a few pages back had thought that the endcap looked like it had been repaired. After looking at your pics again I agree. I think the endcap/nut was pushed out and this bent the pins and broke the endcap.

You need to use a wire wheel with a hand grinder or wire wheel on a bench grinder or just a hand wire brush and cleanup the endcap down to the bare metal inside and out and see what the deal is.

The pins should be knocked out from the inside. The pins could be tapered and if you push them in you can break the end of the vise. Again, clean up the outside of the vise around the pins and look at it for any signs of cracks.

Kevin

I'm giving up now if those bent pins have to be knocked out from the inside! I will post pics when I get the end cap cleaned up. Thanks for the advice Kevin.

All: Can anyone confirm if these pins are tapered and have to be removed inside-out?

I'm gonna move working this to the vise repair thread. Thanks everyone!

 

[Bear 4]

I wanted to share this with the group and see if anyone knows anything about it or the company. Humphrey and Sons started up in 1860 in Joliet Illinois. Last info I found them to be still making “war effort” stuff .1940’s? The vise has 7 1/4” jaws and opens to about 16”. It weighs #165 +/-. It was real rough when I got. It had been worked with out jaws for some time. I re cut the jaw seats and made new jaws (4140) and a new handle. I have never seen this construction style. Any info would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

 

[Vise]

I wanted to share this with the group and see if anyone knows anything about it or the company. Humphrey and Sons started up in 1860 in Joliet Illinois. Last info I found them to be still making “war effort” stuff .1940’s? The vise has 7 1/4” jaws and opens to about 16”. It weighs #165 +/-. It was real rough when I got. It had been worked with out jaws for some time. I re cut the jaw seats and made new jaws (4140) and a new handle. I have never seen this construction style. Any info would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

That’s really cool. Has a British vise look to it.

 

[RTM]

see if anyone knows anything about it or the company. Humphrey and Sons started up in 1860 in Joliet Illinois. Last info I found them to be still making “war effort” stuff .1940’s?

New manufacturer to me.

Lots of patents (12 at least) from 1900 - 1914.

The first reference I can find to them making a vise is in 1909 Iron Age.

Their president was shot in a union dispute in 1910 (Harry B Humphrey)

1912 directory lists them at 209 - 219 s Ottawa Joliet (newer houses there now)

Last reference is this Centennial Biz License from 1991 (I doubt they are still at that address, urban renewal has new offices there)

http://www.idaillinois.org/cdm/ref/collection/ilcenbus/id/1309

The lineage (best I can tell)
Horace Humphrey (retired 1889)
Harry B (b 5/3/1864) & Horace Fred given 1/3 ownership in 1882
Harry S Sr
Harry S Jr
Cheryl H Mitchell

All I can dig up in an hour.

 

[dannyr]

That’s really cool. Has a British vise look to it.

Yes it does - like an early Parkinsons (pre 1900) - 3 main castings not 2 - thus the bolts - and other aspects, but no quick release.

 

[dannyr]

Hope this picture is attached ok - not from my collection I have to say, but it's in the UK - not the usual Emmert.
Is this an earlier version?
Did they make other swivel/rotating bench vices?

 

[ricleh]

I'm giving up now if those bent pins have to be knocked out from the inside! I will post pics when I get the end cap cleaned up. Thanks for the advice Kevin.

All: Can anyone confirm if these pins are tapered and have to be removed inside-out?

I'm gonna move working this to the vise repair thread. Thanks everyone!

I've removed the pins from about 20 Wiltons and I have never pushed the pins out from the inside. Sometimes you have to destroy the pins to remove them. I have been able to push the pin through the opposing hole and get them out. A few times that was not possible since the holes were offset from each other. In those cases I pushed the pin in and either bent it or cut it to get clearance to remove it from the inside. You just need to get the pin out of the casting to where you can grab it with dykes are screw removal pliers and pull it all the way out. The pins are not tapered but they are knurled on one end so they grab the metal as they are pushed in. I have replaced most of the pins on my vises with set screws like Kevin Scott showed in one of his instructional pieces. It makes it much easier to take them apart in the future.

 

[txlonghorn1989]

I've removed the pins from about 20 Wiltons and I have never pushed the pins out from the inside. Sometimes you have to destroy the pins to remove them. I have been able to push the pin through the opposing hole and get them out. A few times that was not possible since the holes were offset from each other. In those cases I pushed the pin in and either bent it or cut it to get clearance to remove it from the inside. You just need to get the pin out of the casting to where you can grab it with dykes are screw removal pliers and pull it all the way out. The pins are not tapered but they are knurled on one end so they grab the metal as they are pushed in. I have replaced most of the pins on my vises with set screws like Kevin Scott showed in one of his instructional pieces. It makes it much easier to take them apart in the future.

Thanks ricleh!

 

[M635_Guy]

Anyone here have the Yost 750 di that would give some thoughts on it?

I'm a DIY guy, and do a lot of work on my own car. I like the rotating capability. I like the idea of using the pipe-clamp to hold shocks while I build them, etc. and much prefer the idea of floating jaws for that kind of thing than fixed.

I also like the ductile iron vs .gray that everything else at the ~$100 price range seems to be (vs. about $200 for the Yost 750 di).

Any alternatives closer to $150 with similar specs or better alternatives @ ~$200?

 

[Outlawmws]

Hope this picture is attached ok - not from my collection I have to say, but it's in the UK - not the usual Emmert.
Is this an earlier version?
Did they make other swivel/rotating bench vices?

I'd be all over that Emert. They made that one in different sizes, and a wood workers/paternmakers verison

 

[rusty65]

I wanted to share this with the group and see if anyone knows anything about it or the company. Humphrey and Sons started up in 1860 in Joliet Illinois. Last info I found them to be still making “war effort” stuff .1940’s? The vise has 7 1/4” jaws and opens to about 16”. It weighs #165 +/-. It was real rough when I got. It had been worked with out jaws for some time. I re cut the jaw seats and made new jaws (4140) and a new handle. I have never seen this construction style. Any info would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

Just when I think I’ve seen all the Illinois vise makers another shows up. Very nice piece!


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[chrisnazzy]

The mythical beast does exist and for a mere $4800 it can be yours!

https://phoenix.craigslist.org/nph/pts/d/scottsdale-bugatti-vice-garage-art-cars/7057464949.html


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[Productbob]

Bear impressive vise and great work getting it that way!

Chris wonder if the stand is included at that price?

M635 sorry no experience with that one

 

[Old Radar]

All--

Another "What is it" question.

Saw this a an estate sale today. No markings whatsoever. I didn't think to measure the jaws but they're either 3" or 3.5" Note classic military elbow flashlight for size reference.

Any ideas who might have made it?

 

[kenc184]

The mythical beast does exist and for a mere $4800 it can be yours!

https://phoenix.craigslist.org/nph/pts/d/scottsdale-bugatti-vice-garage-art-cars/7057464949.html


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Am I imagining it or have we seen these EXACT pictures once before on a CL ad?

 

[AngryBeaver]

Received a pallet of vises yesterday. Mixed bag, but very excited about the minty Rock Island 543B and some nice Athols.

NICE ROCK. yours is only the second 543B I've seen in the last 3-4 years. I love mine. Its heavy than a 3C reed....out of all the combo's I have, my 543B is my favorite. yours looks pretty minty. what year is it?

mine is a 54 or 55. can't remember off the top of my head.

 

[PghJKB]

Hope this picture is attached ok - not from my collection I have to say, but it's in the UK - not the usual Emmert.
Is this an earlier version?
Did they make other swivel/rotating bench vices?

Dannyr
Emmert made a fairly complete line of vises. In addition to specific purpose models like their jeweler, machinist and woodworker vises they made a line of standard bench vises called "Tigers".

For things Emmert, try:
http://www.mprime.com/Emmert/index.htm

Note - the above is not a secure site. There is a wealth of information there, worth a look.

Cheers
JKB

 

[dannyr]

Thanks JKB

The tilting pattermakers Emmerts (the style copied by lee valley and others) were imported to the UK for much of the 20th C, but not the others.

Charles Parker seems to be the only US make sold here in serious quantities, mostly early in the century and a wide range.

Then apart from a few York from Czech, some Dawn from Australia and a few German models, the C20th UK market for standard bench vices seems to have been mostly supplied by the English makers in the Birmingham/Coventry area and the Sheffield/Bradford area -fewer swivel bases, but many more quick releases.

 

[Vise]

NICE ROCK. yours is only the second 543B I've seen in the last 3-4 years. I love mine. Its heavy than a 3C reed....out of all the combo's I have, my 543B is my favorite. yours looks pretty minty. what year is it?

mine is a 54 or 55. can't remember off the top of my head.

Thank you! Yes, saw yours when I was researching this one and at first thought it was the same exact vise. Mine has the a ton of original gray-sh paint like yours does. I think the date stamp is April 1951, but its tough to read. Agree, it's a sweet vise. Thanks!

 

[Shiftless]

Indeed!

Rock Islands rock.

I have a few myself.

BTW, your Birtman Electric tag is remarkably well preserved.

 

[Smitty]

Shift
Post up your favorite, let’s get some Rock Island action going.
For those about to Rock (FIRE) we salute you!

 

[Smitty]

I only have three but I’ve got my eye open. They’re first quality vintage vises.


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[Productbob]

picked this up today D45-M3 (new to the list) and hoping to trade it for another vise that's not on the list next week - will see
5" jaws and 37 lbs.

 

[chrisnazzy]

My favorite Rocks!

My first "real" vise and second vise restoration was this RI 853 4.5" swivel jaw and of the three 571's I have, all are in great condition but this one is mint!


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[Smitty]

That 853 is super clean.

 

[Productbob]

Vise, Smitty, Chris those are some impressive RI's you guys are showing off!

 

[KMScott]

I like Rock Islands, here are mine.

<a href="https://visejaws.smugmug.com/Rock-Island/i-hsd6bnp/A"><img src="https://photos.smugmug.com/Rock-Island/i-hsd6bnp/0/4b914af8/M/Rock%20Island%20finished%208-2017%20%289%29-M.jpg" alt=""></a>

<a href="https://visejaws.smugmug.com/Rock-Island/i-BVH4XRN/A"><img src="https://photos.smugmug.com/Rock-Island/i-BVH4XRN/0/6d432d81/M/Rock%20Island%20544B%209-18-2017%20%282%29-M.jpg" alt=""></a>

<a href="https://visejaws.smugmug.com/Rock-Island/i-xbTDjxG/A"><img src="https://photos.smugmug.com/Rock-Island/i-xbTDjxG/0/b03b7e8d/M/Rock%20Island%2075%203-24-19%20%286%29-M.jpg" alt=""></a>

<a href="https://visejaws.smugmug.com/Rock-Island/i-JHw3MVQ/A"><img src="https://photos.smugmug.com/Rock-Island/i-JHw3MVQ/0/4faabab4/M/Rock%20Island%20541B%20%2010-11-2019%20%287%29-M.jpg" alt=""></a>

I guess I like black, just noticed that. Nice vises Chris and Smitty.

 

[Shiftless]

Ok...I’ll play

Question, should we post vises in the Craftsman 519x series that many assume to have been sourced from Rock Island? (I have 3 of those)

Pictured are my:

5152 (Craftsman)
542 BX
572
90



.
.

 

[Vise]

Nice Rock Islands guys. KMS, you already sold that 544B, right?

Here are a couple more of of mine.






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[txlonghorn1989]

My favorite Rocks!

My first "real" vise and second vise restoration was this RI 853 4.5" swivel jaw and of the three 571's I have, all are in great condition but this one is mint!
...l

Not sure how you call that RI 853 mint? I'm pretty sure I spotted some fly tracks on the slide!

Nice RI vises everyone!!!

 

[Ryan_340]

Picked this Athol 622 1/2 this morning for $15 bucks!

 

[Shiftless]

WOW!

That was a fantastic find.
You ****.

 

[Vise]

Picked this Athol 622 1/2 this morning for $15 bucks!

Nice find!

 

[KMScott]

Nice Rock Islands guys. KMS, you already sold that 544B, right?

Here are a couple more of of mine.

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Yes I sell all my vises, hope to get them back to work. No room in my small shop for all these vises. Have a ball working on them.

 

[Productbob]

Picked this Athol 622 1/2 this morning for $15 bucks!

Ryan, great find!

 

[Outlawmws]

Yeah, Ryan still ***** (carryover from the Garage sale thread)

 

[Matt_Paul]

A company was clearing out its maintenance department. I picked this vice up for $20. I dont know much about it, seems to work pretty well.

Anyone have any info on it?

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[AngryBeaver]

A company was clearing out its maintenance department. I picked this vice up for $20. I dont know much about it, seems to work pretty well.

Anyone have any info on it?

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Google columbian D43/D44/D45. made in ohio (warren to be exact) by columbian. later sold to wilton. Heavy duty homeowner grade

 

[Matt_Paul]

Google columbian D43/D44/D45. made in ohio (warren to be exact) by columbian. later sold to wilton. Heavy duty homeowner grade

Nice the jaws need replacement so those models would fit?

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[AngryBeaver]

contact Nick here (autopts) or on eBay. He deals in wilton parts and can get you them a lot cheaper than any other wilton dealer