The VISES of Garage Journal

[Outlawmws]

Not pulled owt yet, but after the amount of my gear I've had to move over the last year, I have sworn that if I ever get another hobby, it won't involve cast iron.

Frett! Long time man! How are you doing?

 

[Fretters]

Frett! Long time man! How are you doing?

Chugging along steadily, as always. How're you keeping; All well & good I hope?

 

[Outlawmws]

Busier than ever at work, so minimal play time. Not a bad thing in these times...

Not s lot of picking going on for sure. That's beginning to wear on me.

 

[Shiftless]

Yes, it’s good to see you back Fretters.
And like you Outlaw, I’m growing restless not having the chance to rummage through boxes and buckets of rusty junk at estate sales.

I got a text yesterday from the management of a local estate sale company where I am a regular, saying that they would be running one this coming weekend by appointment only with mandatory masks, social distancing rules, etc. I thought about it, replied asking about vises and tools, and got no encouragement.

I passed.

 

[KMScott]

Thats pretty neat. in over 130 reeds I've never seen a smooth jaw R. I'm not too far from you and if you ever decide to part with it, let me know.

These two Reeds have smooth jaws. Reed 103-1/2R and the newer T-style jaws on this Reed 104-S. Both with hockey puck meatballs.

I know, what are the dates, I'll post them later on the Reed thread when I work on them. Right now they are in line for refacing the jaws on my Surface Grinder.

 

[va.grouseman]

Nice mixer, tough job 4sure. You have help? Is the a difference between a mortar mixer and concrete mixer?

No help on a single shovel full.---Each pour was so small that I couldn't afford to have it hauled in.---Too much small load fee.---I needed something to do anyway.---Each pour on the grease rack took 2 1/2 to 3 batches and there were 10 different pours on it.---The vise stand pour was a killer.---I even procured my own gravel.---I'm lucky enough to live on a river where every time it rains hard it leaves this huge gravel bar on my side of the river and no matter how much I shovel up it always replenishes itself.---So I used creek jack as a binder.---My Father told me that 3 shovels of gravel and 1 heaping shovel of cement was the equivalent of a 6 bag store bought mix.---I don't know if that is really that accurate but that's the recipe I've always used and it makes good sound concrete.---The main thing, I just took my time cause that's all I had.

As far as the mortar vs cement mixer is concerned, I don't really know cause I have never batched a single shovel full of mortar, cause I never learned to lay block, a missed talent that I really regret.---They sure look different if you go to purchase one but I guess you could use cement mixer for both.---Someone else will have to clear that up.

 

[va.grouseman]

And I just thought it was a bridge he is living under...

 

[Dandy Dave]

Digging around some more. I put this little Craftsman 5240 on this piece of plate yeas ago for welding, Cutting, and grinding stuff near the ground. I've used it a lot and it has been very handy being portable. I saw somewhere that Reed built some Craftsman Vices. Is this one of theirs? Or a different manufacturer? In the last picture you can see the tail of the vise on the plate. I had to fabricate some track pads and other track parts for an Agricat model C small crawler. That is what is laying on the plate.

 

[va.grouseman]

Previous quote by Vise.
VA - That will be an awesome setup! Any pics of the 326(s)?


I can't get really good pics right now because it's all crammed up in the middle of what Drive calls the Chain Gang.---But here are some pics of the one I'm going to mount, when Autopts owned it just before I bought it.---The other one is a NOS 326 that's in my shop buried under a whole pile of junk that has been growing for up over it for 11 years now.---Yes I'm a pack rat.


Sorry about the pics but Photobucket has infected them.---At least that's what it looks like on my end.---Someone please tell me if you can even see the pics on that end.

 

[Shiftless]

D.D.:
I don’t know whether that model Craftsman was made by Reed, but what I can say is that the design of the dynamic jaw tower is certainly unusual.

I have a 5210 and it’s jaw towers are symmetrical like just about all other vises we see. What’s up with that unusual long reach on the front jaw of your 5240? Is that for a special purpose or just a stylistic feature? The waterfall sweep on the front view is pretty cool.

To better illustrate what I’m talking about here is a side view of that model 5240. (Picture lifted from the interweb)

 

[KMScott]

I'll be curious va on how those jaws hold up to your outside environment. Even with your grease on it. Those look like my jaws, I remember that project.

 

[va.grouseman]

Yep, KMS they are your jaws.---Of course the vise don't look as fresh as it did when Autopts had it because the grease turns them brown.---but I don't care about that as long as it's not rust.---My old Yost looks pretty brown from grease which I renew about every 3 years but it don't rust and that is all I care.---The serration is as crisp as ever.---The grease does collect shavings which I have to constantly wire brush away but that is a small price to me.

 

[Mslund1]

yes. on the top side of the base it will be marked 3C-5 in the round support pocket. (have to remove the base to see it). and its on the side that touches the bottom on the static jaw.



My 205R base fits on the 3C.



Like wise a 204-1/2, 214 1/2, 404-1/2 and 2C all interchange



the 4C, 206R, 406 R all interchange.



I'm not positive on the 1C, but i'd take a gander that the 203-1/2, 403-1/2 would also interchange.



a 4" base will not fit a 2C. has to be a 4-1/2R

This is a base off of a 1929 403 1/2 it just says 3 1/2 on it, I have another 403 1/2 from 1943 that’s currently not in front of me. I’m 98% sure it says 3 1/2 and 1C on that one, and it also has the 4 hole mount pattern vs the 3 of the older style.



Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

 

[Mslund1]

Thats pretty neat. in over 130 reeds I've never seen a smooth jaw R. I'm not too far from you and if you ever decide to part with it, let me know.

This is also the first smooth jaw I have seen too. I’ve only had 4 through my hands currently but have seen quite a few that were all serrated jaws.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

 

[Dan8906]

These two Reeds have smooth jaws. Reed 103-1/2R and the newer T-style jaws on this Reed 104-S. Both with hockey puck meatballs.



I know, what are the dates, I'll post them later on the Reed thread when I work on them. Right now they are in line for refacing the jaws on my Surface Grinder.

Do you make your own handles?

 

[AngryBeaver]

These two Reeds have smooth jaws. Reed 103-1/2R and the newer T-style jaws on this Reed 104-S. Both with hockey puck meatballs.

I know, what are the dates, I'll post them later on the Reed thread when I work on them. Right now they are in line for refacing the jaws on my Surface Grinder.

haha. Am I that bad about dates?

203 1/2 looks like 10/66 and the 104S looks like 73 or 75.

 

[KMScott]

Do you make your own handles?

I've made hundred's of them. Even wrote a blog about them..

https://wiltonviseparts.wordpress.com/2017/04/07/replacing-your-bench-vise-handle/

haha. Am I that bad about dates?

203 1/2 looks like 10/66 and the 104S looks like 73 or 75.

I just knew the comment would be asked to record dates. I'll save your dates and see how close you are.

 

[Vise]

This is also the first smooth jaw I have seen too. I’ve only had 4 through my hands currently but have seen quite a few that were all serrated jaws.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

Are we ruling out that a PO milled the jaws smooth? I know some makers gave you the option for smooth jaws (Athol/Starrett comes to mind), but hadn't seen that with Reed.

 

[tin medic]

Basically unused Craftsman Long-C vise, made by Reed from what I've been told.

Follow-up. After some cleaning and oil. As others know, oil and dirt cover up a lot of use. This one had more use than I thought but still in very good shape.

 

[Mslund1]

Are we ruling out that a PO milled the jaws smooth? I know some makers gave you the option for smooth jaws (Athol/Starrett comes to mind), but hadn't seen that with Reed.

I at first thought that, but my opinion is that they are original. I have seen a few other examples of the smooth jaws after looking around to answer that exact question.

Although I haven’t come across a catalog scan or any manufactures info saying they were in fact offered with both options.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

 

[dutchgray]

No help on a single shovel full.---Each pour was so small that I couldn't afford to have it hauled in.---Too much small load fee.---I needed something to do anyway.---Each pour on the grease rack took 2 1/2 to 3 batches and there were 10 different pours on it.---The vise stand pour was a killer.---I even procured my own gravel.---I'm lucky enough to live on a river where every time it rains hard it leaves this huge gravel bar on my side of the river and no matter how much I shovel up it always replenishes itself.---So I used creek jack as a binder.---My Father told me that 3 shovels of gravel and 1 heaping shovel of cement was the equivalent of a 6 bag store bought mix.---I don't know if that is really that accurate but that's the recipe I've always used and it makes good sound concrete.---The main thing, I just took my time cause that's all I had.

As far as the mortar vs cement mixer is concerned, I don't really know cause I have never batched a single shovel full of mortar, cause I never learned to lay block, a missed talent that I really regret.---They sure look different if you go to purchase one but I guess you could use cement mixer for both.---Someone else will have to clear that up.

I have only ever mixed mortar in a tumble mixer here in the UK, plenty of concrete in them too. I know that they are not allowed on some big sites, but those usually have their own mortar batching plant to ensure consistency. I own 4 of them currently, 2 diesel and 2 electric, there was another electric in the fleet but it got borrowed buy someone and that was the last I saw of it.
We also have a pan mixer that does 3/4 cube per mix, but haven't used it for years, cheaper to pay for the air in the bottle truck by the time you have made it yourself and spent the hour it takes to wash the thing.

3 to 1 seems awfully strong for general stuff, 5 to 1 is what I would do up to 8 to 1 for lean mix for fence posts or setting drains etc.

 

[dutchgray]

Not pulled owt yet, but after the amount of my gear I've had to move over the last year, I have sworn that if I ever get another hobby, it won't involve cast iron.

Nice to see you back on here again.
Bought and moved some heavy iron myself recently, it is hard work.

 

[va.grouseman]

Well Dutch, you are right, 3 to 1 sure makes some pretty green mud but I figured with the weight of the vehicle display ramp and the weight of a car on top of that, it should be pretty solid.---All I had to buy was the dust, the binder and elbow grease had no monetary price tag..---Oh, I also added every old scrap piece of rebar, sections of ground rod, sections of chain and sections of guy wire I could find, in the ramp columns and the I-beam anchor block.---And I wanted my big vise to set steady too.---I'd rather have some overkill than be killed.---It was a good way to make some mess disappear to.---I'm going to stick to the 3 to 1, recipe in the future cause it gives me a sense of security, be it a false sense.

 

[mikeswrenches]

I at first thought that, but my opinion is that they are original. I have seen a few other examples of the smooth jaws after looking around to answer that exact question.

Although I haven’t come across a catalog scan or any manufactures info saying they were in fact offered with both options.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

This is from a 1983 catalog. Smooth jaws were also mentioned in an earlier catalog. Catalog came from the International Tool Catalog Library if you want to download it.

 

[Dandy Dave]

D.D.:
I don’t know whether that model Craftsman was made by Reed, but what I can say is that the design of the dynamic jaw tower is certainly unusual.

I have a 5210 and it’s jaw towers are symmetrical like just about all other vises we see. What’s up with that unusual long reach on the front jaw of your 5240? Is that for a special purpose or just a stylistic feature? The waterfall sweep on the front view is pretty cool.

To better illustrate what I’m talking about here is a side view of that model 5240. (Picture lifted from the interweb)

Not sure either about the long reach jaw. It was just an old vise that was given to me many years ago. One of the base plate holes was broken off when I got it. It has worked very well for what I have used it for all these years even with the broken mounting casting. I've use it a lot. Any abuse was from a previous owner. I think maybe someone tightened it to an uneven surface at one time and that is what caused the failure. I do not have the piece or I would have put it back.

 

[RBarnes]

Anyone have one of the more regular style Presto type Emmert vises that is fairly large and in decent un-restored condition they would sell? (private message me). I have a Universal Emmert k1 woodworking vise and an Emmert machinist vise, seems like I ought to have the more regular Presto style to go with the other two. Like to have one with the original paint (or what is left of it) for an old vintage look to match the Emmert machinist vise. Thinking I might put all three on one giant workbench.

 

[va.grouseman]

RB, I couldn't ever remember seeing an Emmert Presto but found one on page 1321.---It's a swivel jaw.---If you are going to get one, might as well shoot for a swivel jaw.

 

[Mohawk Dave]

Those new vises are pretty cool. Maybe it's because I've seen them several times over the last couple months that I found myself more intrigued by your Snap-on ratchet handle for your Wilton!

Did you ever do a write up or post about how you did that?

Sent from my SM-G965U using Tapatalk

Hey Chris, I totally forgot to reply to you on this. Here's the write up...and I still use my knee to knock the ratchet around to snug up items that take 2 hands to position. I really really like this design still.

https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=388958

 

[Miller72]

Pickin a few things yesterday and i came across some nice vises.

The 3 wilton are all in great shape however each is missing its tension pivot lever.

If anyone knows if i am able to get replacemet levers for these that would be greatly appreciated.

Pretty cool
Thanks for looking!

 

[AngryBeaver]

Are we ruling out that a PO milled the jaws smooth? I know some makers gave you the option for smooth jaws (Athol/Starrett comes to mind), but hadn't seen that with Reed.

This is from a 1983 catalog. Smooth jaws were also mentioned in an earlier catalog. Catalog came from the International Tool Catalog Library if you want to download it.

this was the 75 catalog. Mike, do you have the rest of the reed 83 catalog scan listing models available for 83???

 

[matad311]

Its incredible how powerful social media is!

So I found this vise in my grandpas shed half buried in the dirt floor. It has sat there for years and never did anything with it until I need one for my bench at home! So I took it home and let it sit in a bucket all winter long and would keep spraying it with PB blaster and WD-40. Well it finally unfroze and I went to work cleaning it up. Now this hole time I was never able to figure out the brand nothing. Not a single marking on this vise other then 2 words "front" and 1 saying "back" indicating how to mount the vise. So I decided to go through and paint it and make it look good again.

Now just last night 5/17/20 I post this "quarantine" project to my Instagram. Come to find out a hashtag I threw on it, a guy commented its a "Dropfo made by Fulton. Drop Forge vise, very desirable, very robust for its size". So I take a look at his Instagram, he buys, collects and fixes old vises to sell!

So from this I did some googling this morning that lead me back to this forum! So with all that being said I want to share my Fulton Dropfo Vise I knew nothing about 24 hours ago! haha

 

[RBarnes]

RB, I couldn't ever remember seeing an Emmert Presto but found one on page 1321.---It's a swivel jaw.---If you are going to get one, might as well shoot for a swivel jaw.

Yes, I could probably justify that in my "warped" justification mind that tells me to buy stuff I somehow convince myself I need. Anyone have one?

 

[Dlavallee22]

Hey guys, wanted to show a 1 7/8” jaw Kit Vise by G. ******* Tool & Die in K.C. MO. I couldn’t find much of anything about the company aside from the patent number on the vise was granted in 1945. No clue how long these were even produced. Mine has pipe jaws too which most I could find pics of don’t have and this one also has the cast iron swivel stand. The stands are definitely cool and work very well. If anyone knows anything about these little vises, I’d appreciate the insight!

Here are the before pics as I got it

 

[Dlavallee22]

I was luckily able to find a cheap parts vise to replace the main screw/handle that was destroyed from pitting and rusted solid and to replace the spring. Here it is all cleaned up

 

[Dlavallee22]

Sorry here are the pics

 

[mikeswrenches]

this was the 75 catalog. Mike, do you have the rest of the reed 83 catalog scan listing models available for 83???

Angry Beaver, there were only two pages.

https://ia800705.us.archive.org/27/items/ReedCatalog1983Part/Reed Catalog 1983 Part_text.pdf

 

[Old Radar]

...So from this I did some googling this morning that lead me back to this forum! So with all that being said I want to share my Fulton Dropfo Vise I knew nothing about 24 hours ago! haha

Nice find and refurb! Be sure to put a bolt through that rear foot!

 

[mikeswrenches]

AB, Here is a page from Catalog no. 40 which I’m guessing is from the war years.
Even the cast in jaws were available smooth.

 

[Old Radar]

Pickin a few things yesterday and i came across some nice vises.

Pretty cool
Thanks for looking!

That's a lot of nice hardware --and I'm not just talking about the vises!

A couple of those saws look in great shape and I could use that Kennedy mid-box to complete my stack.

You should post details on the 2020 Garage Sale thread.

 

[Fretters]

Not s lot of picking going on for sure. That's beginning to wear on me.

Can't see it being too long before things start returning to normal. I've not bought owt else for over a year. If owt, my collection has diminished. Had to leave a lot of stuff there. I have less space now.