The VISES of Garage Journal

[mikeswrenches]

That is a Canadian patent.

When downloaded from Canadian patent site, the patent is in .pdf form, but is a bit map image - too large a file to be uploaded.

Here is the URL to Google:
https://patents.google.com/patent/CA72266A/en?oq=ca72266

Here is the Canadian patent site URL:
https://www.ic.gc.ca/opic-cipo/cpd/...ry.html?type=number_search&tabs1Index=tabs1_1

Click on documents and download.

Will translate the bit map to jpeg later. and repost.

JKB

Actually the DATAMP link below clears this up. CA72266 was the Canadian equivalent of US Patent 673,228. I hadn’t thought to look for a Canadian patent and had forgotten that the DATAMP site now includes some foreign patents.

Thanks for the information.

http://www.datamp.org/patents/displayPatent.php?number=72266&typeCode=0&country=ca

Mike

 

[Filly]

Thanks everyone for all the info, didn’t realize this thing was so rare when I was negotiating with the guy on CL, thankfully he didn’t either!!

I posted this on a couple FB vise groups as well and have people messaging me asking me if I’d consider selling. Part of me wants to hang on to such a rare and unique vise, considering I may never come across one again, but we’ll see if they make me an offer I can’t refuse?! What would you guys say a fair price would be? Or would you not let it go?

 

[Outlawmws]

That would be a keeper for me, but that's me.

 

[Eric827]

I just finished a mild restoration for a Columbian 7-CD under mount carpenter's vise. I know they aren't the usual focus here, but I liked it. Jaw plates are 7" x 4" and it opens 9 1/4". I've since added some sacrificial plywood liners for both sides. The new paint job matches my Cadet bench vise as shown.

I received this vise about 10 years ago from a neighbor when he was planning to get rid of a basement work bench. He asked me if I wanted the whole setup. Initially, I told him no since I already had a bench in my basement work room. He knew me pretty well and told me I better check it out before I declined. As he predicted, as soon as I saw the heavy old bench with the maple butcher block top & drawers below, I changed my mind. I made some room and moved it into my basement. At that time, getting the under mount vise was an afterthought to the nice bench. It was splattered with paint, the pop-up dog was so crusty I could hardly move it, & the slides were a little rusty. But it sure cleaned up nice.

 

[dannyr]

There I was, happy with my collection of user historic quick release woodworking vises, a Record 74 Auto vice for metal and a few very small 00 size bench vices when I saw this Parkinsons Samsonia Vise.
Rusty, but good and very cheap.

Samsonia is the cast steel (as opposed to cast iron) version - this is toward the mid/upper end of the range at 4 1/2" jaw, 40lbs weight - way more than I need (also have a 6" blacksmith's leg vise set up in the garden). It's shown with a Stanley 741 and a 16oz bottle of home-brew cider (6%) for scale in my veg garden/orchard (has sheds, handy for vises).

Parkinson were the inventors of the buttress thread quick release as on Records to this day, they had several ranges of QR and the Handy non-QR range, and for several decades were arguably the main UK vise maker (1880s to 1930s) and stayed in business until about 1960.

They were based in the Bradford area of Yorkshire, as were at least three other early vise makers. Later Woden, (originally from Birmingham), Record, Paramo and others made most of the UK production of vises about 60 miles away in Sheffield, Yorkshire.

 

[dannyr]

Then, waddayaknow, a few days later appeared another rusty, but good Parky:

Parkinsons Perfect Vise Model F No 8.

5 1/2 jaw, 76 lbs.

equiv to US$40

so it's in the veg garden

 

[dannyr]

And yesterday, in the driving snow (soon cleared) I went to an old farmhouse high on the moors and collected this.

This is, I think, a very early Parkinsons (QR, as patented ) - made of thee bolted and pinned iron castings (interestingly the bolts are U form bar threaded at both ends). I have seen various catalogs with Parky vices but not seen a bolted version. Another difference is that the cast in script says Parkinson's Vice (English spelling) whereas all later Parkys I have seen say Parkinsons (no apostrophe, there were father and sons running the business) Vise (US spelling, although a very English company - maybe they didn't like the other meaning of vice.)

6 1/2" jaws (with later (?) 7" inserts)

119 lbs, according to my wife's bathroom scales (don't tell).

Cost about 35c/lb

I believe Parkinsons only made one size larger, the 9A (this one is not marked, but jaw size suggests no.9)

Be seeing you (much) later, when I have done some modest wirebrushing. The original colour of all Parkys was bright red - not my favourite, but maybe a thin coat of a dull red.

All three from farmhouses not far from where made - one stone farmhouse built in 1650.

 

[Shiftless]

dannyr:
Great story and a great deal on some great old vises.
Needless to say, we Yanks don’t see many of those on this side of the pond.

 

[Vise]

Danny - Nice find!I like those quick release Parkinsons. Can you post pictures of the catalogs you're referencing?

 

[dutchgray]

dannyr
Three nice Parkinson's vices there, the 3 piece ones are quite rare a large size in QR form must be very rare, larger sizes usually get hard industrial use and don't survive. I don't think anyone knows exactly when they stopped making them like that but they have to be 100 years plus old.
There is an intermediate design of the standard vices between the 3 piece and the most common handy design.
They were not all bright red also, I have very nice original paint examples which are burgundy or even brown, some very old ones which show no signs of ever being anything but black and ex military ones in green/ grey colours (I have a basically unused ex military Samsonia No35 with 1966 stamped into the haw top) I suspect if you were ordering a large batch you could have had any colour you wanted.
I read that Parkinson's were in business until 1984, but I don't know if they made vices until then, they made machinery as well.
I have most of the range of Perfect vices, except an 8, some Samsonia's, a rough no7 swivel jaw, some smaller handys, a wood vice, a ball vice, an incomplete Perfect vice no4, which is just like the others but smaller, its mentioned without a picture in some very old catalogues.
The 9A is indeed a beast, I have to take it apart to carry it.

 

[dutchgray]

Vise
If you go to CW's profile, there is a dropbox link with a load of British catalogues

https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/member.php?u=251427

 

[dannyr]

Thanks, Vise.
I tried a link, but didn't copy -- if you go to the "show us your bench vice" thread on the forums of mig-welding.co.uk you can see on p177 and others, a reference link to a dropbox of many vice catalogues.
My main reference is the Hawley tool collection catalogue collection here in Sheffield, but not much of that is yet available online - I used to be a volunteer at the collection and could access all information. Apart from a large number of blacksmith leg vices which most of the Sheffield tool-makers used to use, they don't have many vices but do have catalogues (and an in-house expert on Woden history).
Ap

 

[Old Radar]

Good Things Come In Threes! Nice finds!

 

[dannyr]

Thanks Dutch for that info - I'll come to you for Parkinsons -- do you agree with what I said about Parkinsons vice with or without the ' and s ? it's just guesswork on my part.

I'm even more interested in their woodwork vices and how Parkinson, Entwistle and Syers plus Bradford Cramp all were so active in vice development around 1880 - all in NW Bradford area. Also how they evolved into Woden and Record - did these latter 2 just copy, or did they buy from the Parky foundry? - their first woodworking QRs are just like the second generation of Parkinsons (short base, but cast slides, not bars).

 

[dutchgray]

The name tweaks, no idea I am afraid, might have just been changes to go with the fashion of the day.
The Hamptons copied the Parkinson's vice and I have read that Mr Parkinson was not fond of them.
Their milling machines were named "Parkson"

 

[dannyr]

And thanks also , Dutch - I'll now feel free to use some other colors when repainting (don't like to stray too far from original)

 

[Vise]

Good stuff, gents. Thank you. I will add those catalogues to vise (vice) spreadsheet.

 

[Outlawmws]

Danny, what an impressive run on the Parky's! Well done!

 

[Productbob]

Filly everybody is slightly different but for me it's much more enjoyable showing folks my special vises or looking at them with a beer in my hand; than telling them about, or remembering with said beer in hand, a cool vise I use to own.

 

[Filly]

Filly everybody is slightly different but for me it's much more enjoyable showing folks my special vises or looking at them with a beer in my hand; than telling them about, or remembering with said beer in hand, a cool vise I use to own.

Couldn’t agree more, I’m thinking a Vise this rare is borderline priceless. Plus ever since I was driving to go pick it up, I can’t stop thinking about cleaning it back up and getting it in working order, maybe even trying to fabricate the missing swivel base and post leg unit someday... and I’m the kind of guy that can’t stop thinking about something until I do it, so if I were to sell it, I imagine I’d always look back and wonder what might have been!

 

[Shiftless]

Filly everybody is slightly different but for me it's much more enjoyable showing folks my special vises or looking at them with a beer in my hand; than telling them about, or remembering with said beer in hand, a cool vise I use to own.

I feel the same way, but after a while, vises fill up all of your display/storage space and you have to be selective about what to keep and what to sell. But the rare and unusual ones, like that Ware, are always gonna have a spot on one of my shelves. If I ever found a Ware at anything close to $25, it would bump another vise out of the way.

 

[kenc184]

Couldn’t agree more, I’m thinking a Vise this rare is borderline priceless. Plus ever since I was driving to go pick it up, I can’t stop thinking about cleaning it back up and getting it in working order, maybe even trying to fabricate the missing swivel base and post leg unit someday... and I’m the kind of guy that can’t stop thinking about something until I do it, so if I were to sell it, I imagine I’d always look back and wonder what might have been!

"Borderline priceless" is a bit, well, over the top Filly. It's old and it's interesting, but I wouldn't pay much for it, because it's not a particularly good vise. Rarity ain't everything. Buy it, enjoy it, and if someone offers to double your money. Take it.

 

[PghJKB]

Filly

I have to agree with Kenc184. After all, beauty (and value) are in the eye of the beholder, and it is just a matter of time before another one pops up.

I would not be surprised if there is a lurker or two here that have one in their accumulation.

JKB

 

[NC Rick]

Some awesome pieces folks!

 

[pelletman]

I know this thread is for shop vises,but this is an unusual milling vise. Anyone ever seen one like it?

I had one of those LW CHUCK mill vises once years ago

 

[Filly]

"Borderline priceless" is a bit, well, over the top Filly. It's old and it's interesting, but I wouldn't pay much for it, because it's not a particularly good vise. Rarity ain't everything. Buy it, enjoy it, and if someone offers to double your money. Take it.

Sure, I may have been dramatic to call it borderline priceless!! But double my money... recall I only paid $25, I’m not hurting for cash that bad! I think I’d hang on to it for that (JMO)

Definitely not trying to defend my purchase or overvalue this Vise by any means (enough people have told me it was a good deal so far, and again it only was $25) but I am curious why you say “it’s not a particularly good vise”? I have plenty of user vises and never intended for this one to be anything more than just a collector piece, but to be honest with the strength of the cast steel and cold steel bar, I have to wonder if this may be one of the tougher Vises I now own?? What would make it not good? (or is it just that it’s not a “good” well-known brand I.e Reed, Athol, Wilton, etc.)

Again, definitely not trying to stir anything up here or argue, I initially asked people’s thoughts on the vise, so I value your opinion regardless, just curious is all, you may know a hell of a lot more than I do about the matter.

 

[kenc184]

LOL, Yep you're right, doubling your money would not be a great deal at $25.

The vise is sitting in front of you, so you're a better judge than I, but it doesn't look like a particularly strong or precise vise like a Reed or Athol, or Wilton Bullet.

Interesting shelf piece though for sure.

 

[Filly]

LOL, Yep you're right, doubling your money would not be a great deal at $25.

The vise is sitting in front of you, so you're a better judge than I, but it doesn't look like a particularly strong or precise vise like a Reed or Athol, or Wilton Bullet.

Interesting shelf piece though for sure.

It definitely needs to be cleaned up, that’s for sure as it has some rust, but it seems like it’s held up over time ok, jaws are actually in great shape and it actually squares up pretty nicely... actually better than the Parker or Athol I’ve recently picked up. Ill agree it doesn’t look like the most stout vise, but I was surprised at how heavy it ended up being, Weighed exactly 60lbs on my scale (and it’s missing the swivel base and leg, found one more old add that says the 4” model would come in at 70lbs complete). Maybe I’ll put its strength to the test sometime!!

But yes, if nothing else, I agree it’s one interesting shelf piece! Thanks again for your input!

 

[va.grouseman]

For the Ware Yoke Vise that weighed 175lbs., that stand looks kind of gangly.---And off-center to boot.---Must be a solid steel round stock pole.

 

[wrenchguy]

For the Ware Yoke Vise that weighed 175lbs., that stand looks kind of gangly.---And off-center to boot.---Must be a solid steel round stock pole.

Maybe not, and sleeves over a round thats meant for its lateral support.

 

[ken w.]

Who's gong to jump on this rare Yost for $ 300.00 on FB ?

https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/523813784882396/

 

[Filly]

For the Ware Yoke Vise that weighed 175lbs., that stand looks kind of gangly.---And off-center to boot.---Must be a solid steel round stock pole.

Yeah, I’d guess solid steel round stock too. At first glance I thought the same thing, off center, but it actually looks pretty in line with the static, which makes it pretty similar to the concept of a post leg blacksmith vise...maybe why they marketed these as “sufficient for use as an anvil”.

 

[Smitty]

I found this Wilton Cadet 9140 this morning. The vise has 4” jaws and weighs in at 40 lbs. I was surprised to see a cadet this big, I always thought they were smaller for some reason. Wilton’s always come in bunches for me so I’m keeping my fingers crossed that this it the start of something big.



Sent from my iPad using The Garage Journal mobile app

 

[Outlawmws]

Smitty, I had a 5" cadet (since sold), weight was 48 lbs, and I don't think it was the biggest one made.

Ken

Filly, I suspect that Ware was intended to compete with similarly sized post vises. (Why else with the leg?) I've no doubt its stout enough for heavy use.

 

[Filly]

Who's gong to jump on this rare Yost for $ 300.00 on FB ?

https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/523813784882396/

looks like they forgot to take off the $45 price tag on the side before they took pictures!!

 

[Smitty]

Outlaw
I had no idea they came that big. I must say they seem like well built vises. The real estate agent that I bought it from said she looked it up on the internet but noticed the back end was missing. She priced it pretty cheap and made a point if asking me why she had so many calls. I happily unbolted it from the bench and told her to keep me in mind if one comes up again.

 

[kenc184]

I decided I wanted a second vise mounted to my garage bench - down the other end, after much back and forth I settled on my Athol 614-1/2. I prefer a vise without a base to keep the height down, otherwise there'd be A Reed 3C or a RI 577 there, but they are too tall...and for my little bench frankly too big.
I also wanted one with smooth jaws.

Anyhow, I did the usual strip and repaint, but I have a question. What the hell does the "4-1/2 to 6" on the side of the movable jaw mean? It is a 4-1/2" wide jaw, but the vise has 7-1/4" poking out the back of the fixed jaw base, so it's nothing to do with opening. Any Athol experts know?

 

[Smitty]

Ken
I always assumed it was opening size.

 

[kenc184]

Smitty: Yep, me too but there's 7-1/4" sticking out the back, no matter how conservatively you reckon on opening, surely it's 7-1/4".

 

[Filly]

I decided I wanted a second vise mounted to my garage bench - down the other end, after much back and forth I settled on my Athol 614-1/2. I prefer a vise without a base to keep the height down, otherwise there'd be A Reed 3C or a RI 577 there, but they are too tall...and for my little bench frankly too big.
I also wanted one with smooth jaws.

Anyhow, I did the usual strip and repaint, but I have a question. What the hell does the "4-1/2 to 6" on the side of the movable jaw mean? It is a 4-1/2" wide jaw, but the vise has 7-1/4" poking out the back of the fixed jaw base, so it's nothing to do with opening. Any Athol experts know?

Looks great on the bench! I just picked up a 614 1/2 a couple weeks ago and you had me curious, went back to look but mine doesn’t have the same numbers on the dynamic... just repeats the 614 1/2. Guessing maybe from different eras? Mine does not have replaceable jaws, I know some models did... are yours replaceable?