The VISES of Garage Journal

[Smitty]

Here’s a Prentiss no.22 pin with the Prentiss jewelers vise.


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[Shiftless]

Nice contrasting size pic, there Smitty

I know you know how big a 4C is because you have one on one of your benches. But in case somebody else browsing these pages doesn’t know, here is a pic I took when mine was for sale.

 

[Dan8906]

Nice contrasting size pic, there Smitty

I know you know how big a 4C is because you have one on one of your benches. But in case somebody else browsing these pages doesn’t know, here is a pic I took when mine was for sale.

And a racer 5, good choice!

 

[Shiftless]

Yeah, I’m a big IPA fan.
Fortunately, my local Mom and Pop microbrewery is still open for “to go” business. It’s only 2 1/2 miles from my house. I just got a growler fill there yesterday. They have an elaborate anti viral protocol.

 

[Dan8906]

Yeah, I’m a big IPA fan.
Fortunately, my local Mom and Pop microbrewery is still open for “to go” business. It’s only 2 1/2 miles from my house. I just got a growler fill there yesterday. They have an elaborate anti viral protocol.

What brewery is that? Field work was my favorite. I just don’t really like all the hazy IPAs they put out now. I like the hoppy dank IPAs.

 

[dutchgray]

That's why i hope to never find one of those rotating Parkers, it would be a money pit, but i would "have" to buy it if the price was right. That one needs not 1 but 2 wrenches. And it looks like the d-jaw was broken off? Good luck, those are cool vises, good for you to rescue it. Seems they are broken more often than your standard Parker vise, if its any consolation.

I own 2 of them, both picked up in the UK, one is very broken, really just a parts vice.
There is quite a few Parkers in the UK, but more often than not they have some damage.

 

[Svt_ivan]

ivan:

Nice score! It will be interesting to follow along with your repair and restoration of that rare Parker. Exactly how is it “broken”?



What’s going on in the area I circled in red?

That's why i hope to never find one of those rotating Parkers, it would be a money pit, but i would "have" to buy it if the price was right. That one needs not 1 but 2 wrenches. And it looks like the d-jaw was broken off? Good luck, those are cool vises, good for you to rescue it. Seems they are broken more often than your standard Parker vise, if its any consolation.

Shift, Thanks!

The circled area is broken like Dave mentioned in the comment below yours. Looks like the dynamic jaw was snapped clean and someone did a horrible job on the repair. I plan to give it a proper fix and give it an easy life after!

Dave,

Actually this one uses regular swivel locks (found a couple of same configurartions online) but it is missing the handles on both. Another reason why I wanted to see if anyone had a lead on any sort of documentation.

Anyhow, I’ll be posting more of it as I progress with its’ restoration.

-Ivan

 

[KMScott]

Smitty nice job on the pins for the small Prentiss. If I remember right there is two different sizes. They were hard for me to make since my arthritis makes it hard to handle small stuff but it looks like you have it figured out. Enjoy seeing you guys making vise parts.

 

[akasrick]

Shift, Thanks!

The circled area is broken like Dave mentioned in the comment below yours. Looks like the dynamic jaw was snapped clean and someone did a horrible job on the repair. I plan to give it a proper fix and give it an easy life after!

Dave,

Actually this one uses regular swivel locks (found a couple of same configurartions online) but it is missing the handles on both. Another reason why I wanted to see if anyone had a lead on any sort of documentation.

Anyhow, I’ll be posting more of it as I progress with its’ restoration.

-Ivan

From the spreadsheet:
https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showpost.php?p=1160922&postcount=41

akasrick

 

[Svt_ivan]

From the spreadsheet:
https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showpost.php?p=1160922&postcount=41

akasrick

Awesome! Thank You, much appreciated.

-Ivan

 

[Smitty]

Thanks KMS. I know I had zero chance of finding one so I had to make do with what I have. Your pins look a bit more true I must say.

 

[Outlawmws]

Nice job(s) on the Pins Smitty and Dr. Scott!

 

[Josh C]

Smitty- as several already said, nice work on making that swivel pin. I myself have never had the pleasure of having any lathes or mills at my disposal and your methods resonate with my outlook of using what’s available to reach the same (similar) goal. Yeah not as exact, but will work just fine ����
Your comparison photo of the #22 pin in the jewelers vise made me bust out laughing! Thanks for that!!! Josh

 

[Smitty]

Thanks Outlaw and Josh.

 

[Dan8906]

What’s your out look on blueing some of the internal parts to help things from rusting in the future? Here what I was thinking of doing

 

[va.grouseman]

Smitty- as several already said, nice work on making that swivel pin. I myself have never had the pleasure of having any lathes or mills at my disposal and your methods resonate with my outlook of using what’s available to reach the same (similar) goal. Yeah not as exact, but will work just fine????
Your comparison photo of the #22 pin in the jewelers vise made me bust out laughing! Thanks for that!!! Josh

Josh, here's 3 that I made using the old 1/2'' drill in the vise as a lathe trick.---And a pic of the copper vulcanized ground rod I used to make one of them.---A lot of filing, testing, filing, testing, filing, testing, to get the right pitch, right length, desired shape.---It files pretty easy while the piece is turning, just let the file do all the work.---Not to the 1000th of an inch pitch perfect that KMS gets them but satisfactory for me.---I made a 4th one for a for a swivel jaw Morgan but can't find the pic.

Smitty, with a little patience, filing, and sanding, you can whittle that #22 pin down to fit that little mini.

 

[Outlawmws]

What’s your out look on blueing some of the internal parts to help things from rusting in the future? Here what I was thinking of doing

Dan, While bluing is a sort of protective coating, It will still easily rust. It needs a coat of oil to prevent that.

 

[AngryBeaver]

have a reed on the repair table.. Many here are anti welding. stay tuned for this one going on my new heavy fab table at my day job.....

 

[TonyCH]

Dan, While bluing is a sort of protective coating, It will still easily rust. It needs a coat of oil to prevent that.

Yes, bluing will rust unless kept well oiled. Parkerizing/phosphatizing is better for corrosion protection.

 

[Dan8906]

Ok here’s the Reed 203 I was working on. I’m going to do the lettering in white, just waiting for paint to come in. It had some large putting once the paint came off.

 

[davethorik]

Got the pin free on the 6" Barrett today. The whole dynamic jaw and slide swivels, vs the static jaw on a conventional swivel jaw vise.

Unfortunately, the Hulk overtightened one of the swivel locks, and it is snapped off flush with the casting. Which prevents the swivel base from moving. Gonna have fun getting that out then I'll probably just make 2 new ones.

 

[Productbob]

Little more free time than usual so have been cleaning up some Reeds this past week or so. Got to a 104 4 hole base; a 105 R and a 104 1/2 R. Lined up all the Reed 4 hole stationary vises for a group shot before putting them on the shelf.

 

[dannyr]

have a reed on the repair table.. Many here are anti welding. stay tuned for this one going on my new heavy fab table at my day job.....

ABeaver
Looks like some casting defects (porosity) in this area (also on the unbroken side) - might make your weld repair more tricky? - a Friday night-shift casting?
d

 

[Josh C]

VA- Thanks for sharing your swivel pin making examples and experience. As always any time I see the octagonal picnic table some sweet vise’s are getting displayed and you did not disappoint Clean Prentiss pair and a seldom seen Rock swivel ����

Dan- Nice cleanup on that Reed 203. I am disappointed that that casting made it out of the factory as shown. Probably not an issue at all structurally but just not the standards that I have experienced with their castings and I am a big Reed fan and have had several pass through my hands. Side note I have a very clean 203S with replaceable jaws that I was thrilled to acquire. Was a day and a half after getting it I finally slowed down enough to go wipe it down and immediately noticed that I had not inspected it very well. The slide support is MIA sadly, and I learned that when I am excited about the find I have a tendency to not give much time to checking over the piece. Doh! It’s probably fine for sticking on one of the benches and using as I wouldn’t be stressing it to where the missing support would factor in but having such a clean Reed swivel that’s broken is kinda sad to look at so it’s sat off to the side since getting it.

Dave- Interested in seeing more of this swiveling dynamic jaw vise! Really intriguing. Good luck with the snapped swivel lock. Doesn’t sound like a fun time.

Product- Very nice Reed collection, top notch ����!! (Ok I’m a little bit of a fan so they could have been all greasy and painted multiple colors and I would have said something similar �&#56833 Someday I will have to get some family photos of the ones I currently have in my care. Will have to be a couple of photos since my 206R is bolted to a separate bench then the 107 and I am not moving either one without a good reason. Don’t wanna have to move the 205S or 405 either so might be estranged family photos LOL Josh

 

[ZackN]

Hi all,

I have had these three for a while, all three need some attention.
The (select??) #5 has a decent amount of play in the jaws, I would like to rebuild this one. The Eron needs jaws and the machine vise (nikken? or ikken?) need a good cleaning and oiling, well they all need a good cleaning and oiling!

 

[Vise]

Dave - that Barrett swivel jaw is so cool. I’m intrigued by that swivel mechanism.

I’ve had a Parker 272 for awhile that I bought for $50 with a broken spindle, no collar and smashed in swivel pin. Have been trying to track down at least a spindle to no avail. Well yesterday I found a 272 (pictured below) with a jacked up dynamic and destroyed jaws (among other issues), but it’s spindle, collar and swivel pin were all in good condition. So now I have a complete 272 to restore.




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[Smitty]

Dave, It’s really interesting to see how that front jaw swivels, I’ve never seen anything like it.

Bob, It looks like you’re cornering the market on Reeds in your area. I saved the family shot to files.

Vise, Buy a lottery ticket, you’re on a hot streak.

 

[Smitty]

VA, whew!


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[Outlawmws]

Smity, I'm impressed with the unbroken chips you gt off your filing technique!

 

[Smitty]

It’s a trade secret.

 

[Productbob]

AB- looking forward to seeing the repair, good luck!
Dave- Cool Barrett, bummer about the swivel lock problem but sure you'll get it fixed.
Josh- Thanks! Have also experienced the "so excited forgot to check this..." moment, LOL.
Sounds like you've got some big Reeds on hand, looking forward to the pics.
Vise- nice bit of luck coming across a donor 272 with the right parts intact!
Smitty- thanks, moving on to some swivel Reeds next. Need to get me a set of those magic files you use

 

[Outlawmws]

Bob, it's arm strength. We need to sign Smitty up got an arm wrestling contest when this is all over!

 

[scooternut]

Craftsman 5198 cleaned up with BLO finish. Need a badge.



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[Smitty]

Wow...Nice Vise


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[va.grouseman]

Smitty, did you make the pig sticker in the background?


Dave, and Scooter, a Barrett Swivel Jaw and a Craftsman 5198 on the same page.---MAN, it don't get no better than that.

 

[Lesserstore]

I have this old Morgan Chicago No. 3 1/2 vise. I think it is quite old because of the round logo which I have never seen before and I have not seen it in any of the old catalogs available online, what do y'all think.

 

[Outlawmws]

Chicago era was from 29-47, so reasonable assumption

 

[Fierljeppen]

Chicago era was from 29-47, so reasonable assumption

The only data I can find, has Morgan moving to Aurora in 1968, what information am I missing about 1947?

Thanks!

 

[Outlawmws]

The only data I can find, has Morgan moving to Aurora in 1968, what information am I missing about 1947?

Thanks!

My notes for what they are worth on Morgan:

Chicago '29-'47-Early were grey, later blue
Aurora '47-'70
Milwaukee '70 to present

 

[va.grouseman]

Here's a post by Exmaxima1.---Coincides with Outlaws timeline.


Quote:
Originally Posted by exmaxima1
I'm not sure how accurate that dating is. I've owned a half dozen Morgan vises and they were all "Chicago". I doubt they were ALL pre-1947. If all the Morgans built 1947-1970 were "Aurora" (especially since I live only a few miles from the original Aurora factory), why would I NEVER see one?

Basically, I think that most Morgans still read "Chicago" up until the move to Milwaukee. I can't say it definitively, but I can't explain how a factory in my own backyard would not have craploads of their vises in all the local shops.
Those are the years when Morgan was located in those places.

That portion is accurate, at least to with a few months or years at either end of the date ranges.

Whether or not they changed the wording on the products to reflect that is a valid point, and I've rarely seen Aurora marked Morgans myself, but we do know Aurora-marked Morgans exist.

The vast majority of Morgan vises I've seen have been marked "Morgan Chicago" yet they were only located in Chicago for about 18 years. Then for about 23 years in Aurora, and now owned by Milwaukee Tool and Equipment Co. for about 44 years, more than the other 2 locations combined, yet still, at least from my own experience, "Morgan Milwaukee" marked vises aren't as commonly seen as "Morgan Chicago" marked vises.

It may be safe to assume that Morgan was more prolific in the pre-1947 or "Morgan Chicago" era, which included WWII when they probably made a lot of vises for the government, and a lot of those vises have found their way into the used marketplace in recent years.

I've asked the Milwaukee Tool and Equipment people about details like that in the past, and I think they really don't know the answers themselves. They've also been less than accurate (or less than interested) about certain historical details on the vises themselves, like when (or if) thrust washers were used on the screws, and when certain styles of pins were used to hold the jaw inserts; i.e., type A groove pins vs their current use of spring pins or roll pins.

And while on the subject of such **** details, it's been oft-repeated on internet forums, and on the Milwaukee Tool and Equipment website, that Morgan vises have (always) been painted (some government spec.) blue, or words to that effect, and while that may be true for Morgan vises made by Milwaukee Tool and Equipment Co., it isn't true for older Morgan vises, especially Morgan Chicago marked vises, which were originally a flat black or charcoal color, not blue