The VISES of Garage Journal

[royce]

Seeking the wisdom of the vise gods here.

I’m set to pick up this cast iron stand this weekend



Top plate is 18”x12”x1/2”
Bottom plate is 22”x10”x1/2” with 3/4” “feet”
Overall 28.5” tall.
Weighs ~110lbs

I plan to mount my Chas. Parker 955 to it.



My question is, the vise is ~10” to the top of the jaws, mounted on the stand it would be ~38” tall. Being 6’ 4” that’s a little low for my taste.

Preferably I’d like the top of the jaws to be in the 45” neighborhood.

I had a thought to fab a “riser” out of square tube and mount to the bottom. But again, maybe this isn’t the stand for me.

Any suggestions/recommendations would be lovely




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That is one nice piece of iron and even if you don't use it for that vise stand, it would be extremely difficult for me not to buy it, if I was in your shoes.
I think you are on the right track with making a riser for it.
I believe it would look wonderful and function great.
Royce

 

[Outlawmws]

MSL1, what is the height of your elbow standing like you are working at the vise?

Will parts generally be at the jaws, or up higher typically? (Hard to get much lower...)

These should drive your height decision.

 

[Smitty]

Mslund
Somebody put a ton of time and effort into that stand. The fact that it looks so simple is a testament to the makers creativity.

 

[AngryBeaver]

Well my $30 C1 is being stubborn. The slide works great and turns with 1 finger, but the swivel base is seized solid and the two lock nuts (the carriage bolts) are stripped. And the three screws heads holding the front ring on are all stripped. So now I'm debating. Do I use it as is, fix it and spend more money on it, or sell it and make a profit as is. It's the age old Garage Journal dilemma, I dont need it but I like it.

you ****......

here is my 50 dollar C1. Missing swivel base and pipe jaws, and I got a deal. I'm close to you if you decide to sell it cheap. I recommend neon green. we need another one at the shop...

 

[Mslund1]

MSL1, what is the height of your elbow standing like you are working at the vise?

Will parts generally be at the jaws, or up higher typically? (Hard to get much lower...)

These should drive your height decision.

Elbow is ~44” or so.

Parts will be at the jaws and above I would guess.

I researched the “template” for vise/anvil height and that’s how I came up with the 45” number.

I’m thinking some 6” square tube will make a great riser frame and bolt to the bottom using the existing holes. Plus it will add some extra ballast weight.



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[Mslund1]

Mslund
Somebody put a ton of time and effort into that stand. The fact that it looks so simple is a testament to the makers creativity.

Yes they did, I’ve not seen a stand like this before. I really like the “offset” on it


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[freudianfloyd]

Well I got her undressed and ready for a trip to the media blaster. There isnt any damage on this vise so no repairs will be needed.
View media item 100723

 

[freudianfloyd]

you ****......

here is my 50 dollar C1. Missing swivel base and pipe jaws, and I got a deal. I'm close to you if you decide to sell it cheap. I recommend neon green. we need another one at the shop...

I was considering neon green (yours looks great) but wanted to try something a little less showy.

 

[Productbob]

out doing some vise hunting via the 'way out in the country' route: Yost 104 and an Athol 615; both dirty and in need of some tlc but rescued from a life of neglect and indifference LOL.

 

[Smitty]

Bob
Nice pickups, that Athol looks pretty old.

 

[royce]

Elbow is ~44” or so.

Parts will be at the jaws and above I would guess.

I researched the “template” for vise/anvil height and that’s how I came up with the 45” number.

I’m thinking some 6” square tube will make a great riser frame and bolt to the bottom using the existing holes. Plus it will add some extra ballast weight.



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Mslund,
I have a drop from another project that you might could use for a riser block.
It has a interesting cross section that lends to 3 bolt vises like yours.
I sent you a message if you are interested.
Anyhow here is a pic.

Royce

 

[Productbob]

Bob
Nice pickups, that Athol looks pretty old.

Thanks, it does have an old feel and look to it. If the surface rust is any indication it's ancient

 

[Shiftless]

Thanks, it does have an old feel and look to it. If the surface rust is any indication it's ancient

Nice vise!
Athol vises are top shelf.
A M. changed to AM & F in 1921
So your vise might be as old as 99 years but not older.

 

[TLGriff]

I bought this Starrett vise new in the mid-eighties and it has served me well over the years. It isn't as pretty as it used to be, but it's every bit as functional.

 

[Shiftless]

T.L.:
Thanks for posting those pics and welcome to the group after apparently many years of membership but no posting. That Starrett has earned its keep. It’s great to see old vises brought back from the dead with fresh paint and polished steel but yours bears testimony of a life of usefulness and proper care.

 

[va.grouseman]

TLG, are those original jaws or did you replace with the smooth face?---At least they look like smooth from my vantage point.

 

[TLGriff]

T.L.:
Thanks for posting those pics and welcome to the group after apparently many years of membership but no posting. That Starrett has earned its keep. It’s great to see old vises brought back from the dead with fresh paint and polished steel but yours bears testimony of a life of usefulness and proper care.

Thanks.

I was up to my ears in a startup company around the time I signed up, so there was little time. Now that it's sold and I'm retired, there should be more time for the fun stuff.

Tom

 

[TLGriff]

TLG, are those original jaws or did you replace with the smooth face?---At least they look like smooth from my vantage point.

They are the original jaws. Smooth jaws were an option from Starrett at the time.

Tom

 

[Vise]

They are the original jaws. Smooth jaws were an option from Starrett at the time.

Tom

Nice Starrett. I too have one with factory smooth jaws. I like them.

 

[Smitty]

Vise
Game on...



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[GETRIDAONE]

My Starrett with some new paint. I think a new handle will be next.

 

[Smitty]

Get
That’s a thing of beauty.

 

[TLGriff]

My Starrett with some new paint. I think a new handle will be next.

From what I remember, you got the color spot on.

Tom

 

[GETRIDAONE]

Thanks for the comments ! I will post more pictures when it is finished.

 

[KMScott]

Wow Get, you nailed it. I have seen new ones up close and personal and yours reminds me of back then. The Research Center at IBM had benches with these.

Smitty you are sure gathering some good vises. Starrett's are the King of American made vises in my opinion.

 

[Smitty]

Thanks KMS. I never realized how stout these vises were until I owned one. I saw that Vise had four of the six the other day so I’m trying to play catch-up to complete the set.

 

[freudianfloyd]

Well I sandblasted and wire brushed the C1 for hours today. Then decided to apply a coat of paint and the color on the old wasnt even close to the actual color. It was supposed to be a dark cherry red, but came out grandma lipstick pink.

View media item 100748
So that piece will go back to media blasting.

So after going through pictures of other vises and the paints I had, my wife and I decided we really liked the wire brushed look. So I'm going to leave her in the ****. Except a clear coat to keep the rust at bay.
View media item 100747
I'm still going to polish the jaws, end cap, and handle.

 

[Productbob]

smitty great pics of your 3 Starretts! Lots of weight on that bench

Get well done on the paint

TLG Very nice and welcome to retirement!

 

[Vise]

Freud - Nice clean C1. I like the bare metal finish.

Smitty - Nice Starretts. The race to complete the 900 series has commenced. There can only be one winner.

Get - what paint did you use on the Starrett? Looks great!

KMS - What size Starrett is that?

I picked up a pretty clean Wilton 600S this week.The only issue was that the jaws were a bit rough, so I ordered up some OEM 600 jaws from Wilton. Will post some pictures this weekend.

 

[Smitty]

I’m scanning the local boards as we speak.

 

[dkroth]

When making (low ball?) offers on eBay, consider the possibility they may actually be accepted.

4.5"

This thing is a precision tool.

.

 

[Outlawmws]

I picked this up this afternoon at an estate sale!

Fly tying vise!

Herters No. 3!

 

[Shiftless]

Dkroth:

Did you put in a lowball offer, forget about it, and end up winning that Rigid?

That has happened to me on eBay once or twice. Sometimes instead of putting an item on my watch list, I just throw in an early low bid as a place holder. As most people know, eBay sends last minute reminder emails to all bidders.

Once in a while I just forget about an item and are then surprised when I get an email saying I’ve won and please pay now.

Outlaw:
That one is certainly unusual. The missing swivel pad can be remedied by sacrificing a pad from a C clamp. I’m sure you already know that but others might not know that move.
If you need one, I have a bent clamp you can have.


.

 

[freudianfloyd]

Well she is finished. Wire brush finish with clear gloss. Jaws and handles were sandblasted and shined up to give it a little contrast.

I even went to the trouble of wire brushing the bolts and washers holding it down to my bench.

I think I'm love.
View media item 100773View media item 100774

 

[CrotalusAtrox]

Well she is finished. Wire brush finish with clear gloss. Jaws and handles were sandblasted and shined up to give it a little contrast.

I even went to the trouble of wire brushing the bolts and washers holding it down to my bench.

I think I'm love.
View media item 100773View media item 100774

Nicely Done

 

[Smitty]

Freudianfloyd
Well done, the vise looks great.

 

[Productbob]

outlaw nice and pretty unusual pickup!
freud turned out great, well done

 

[Outlawmws]

Thanks Shift and PB!

And an added thanks for the offer Shift, I may have something that will work, and if not, I have a lathe to make one - leaning that way anyway.

 

[GETRIDAONE]

Get - what paint did you use on the Starrett? Looks great!


I used the Krylon blue lagoon satin as a base and then a very light mist of 1608 GM blue engine paint to darken it just a shade. A toothbrush and some satin white for the spatter effect then satin clear to finish.
I used gray & white trunk spatter paint as a base to give it a texture and cover a few blemishes. I don't think it was necessary just a personal preference.

 

[Shiftless]

Get:
Thanks for posting the description of your technique. Lots of steps but the end result looks the same as original factory finish. Well done, sir!