The VISES of Garage Journal

[Fretters]

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

Cheers. It seems to get heavier too, with each year we age.

 

[Miller72]

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.

Thank you. I forgot about that thread...have even posted in it before.

That chest is probably a kennedy but the base is a JCPenney.
The chest came fully loaded, a machinist from Pratt and Whitney i believe.

Would you have any idea where i might be able to fimd replacement parts for the Wilton Turret vises?
The threaded tension release on all three are missing.

Thank you
Miller

 

[Old Radar]

Would you have any idea where i might be able to find replacement parts for the Wilton Turret vises?
The threaded tension release on all three are missing.

Thank you
Miller

I cannot, but I'm sure the many experts on this thread will chime in soon.

 

[Mslund1]

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.

That seems to answer the question, thanks for the scan!


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[va.grouseman]

Here's a nice side-by-side comparison.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/5-in-Heavy...870964?hash=item4dab90bbb4:g:EPIAAOSwtK1er-tI

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Pony-30105...403693&hash=item3d9e400b03:g:UIoAAOSwoyleVlGI

 

[chrisnazzy]

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



[emoji481]

Thanks Dave. Enjoyed the write up. I'd like to try something like this one day for sure!

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[PghJKB]

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

Here are a couple of DropFo ads:

JKB

 

[matad311]

Here are a couple of DropFo ads:

JKB

I saw the first AD you posted but the second one I haven't seen yet, very cool! Thanks JKB!

 

[M635_Guy]

Shipping $1 per vise - lol!

 

[Mohawk Dave]

Shipping $1 per vise - lol!

That's probably more than what it used to cost to ship a human child! Lol

 

[dannyr]

some may be interested in this vice for sale on gumtree near me (ie also near fretters) in Mansfield UK

Bugatti - 'official reproduction for Bugatti owners club by Paramo Sheffield, using original drawings and patterns' - colour black, cast-in Bugatti one side, England the other

I can't copy the picture, but seems in good used condition with surface rust about $4000

I guess this means there may be good info in the owners club archives

 

[PatinaMan]

Picked up an old Walworth vise, very cool old setup, thankfully with very few apprentice-marks on it. Nearly pre-swivel with the round mounting and complete when I pulled it off the bench, definitely some history in this thing and many gravities of weight.

Looking at other posts here, looks like max date is 1911ish when the company went teets-up.

Anyone know if this white-ish paint under the schmooo might be the original color?


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[mikeswrenches]

I got this some years ago because it looked interesting and I had never seen one before.

The vise was patented by Charles E. Billings on August 28, 1894(no. 525,311) and produced by the Billings & Spencer Co. The DATAMP link is below.

http://www.datamp.org/patents/displayPatent.php?number=525311&typeCode=0

When I bought it I thought it was just another good quality unusual clamp on jewelers vise. After I bought it I looked up the patent and also searched the internet for any information. One of the old magazines had an article about the vise showing both parts.

It took a bit but the light finally came on and I realized that what I had was an extremely well made hand vise and a holder for it that could be clamped on the bench. Much like a Starrett, although I think this is a better design.

The captive thumbscrew on the bottom of the long tube turns a screw that threads inside the body of the hand vise,thus locking it at any position you choose.

The hole below the 1 1/2in. jaws allows a wire or rod of any length to pass all the way through, since the thumbscrew that tightens the hand vise in the holder is also drilled.

The jaws are self centering as are most hand vises. What is unusual is the offset position of the actuating threads that then allows a larger than normal hole to be drilled through the jaw supports. A very unusual solution.

I have a number of small vises but this is one of the highest quality and most versatile that I have ever seen.

Notice that the first section under the jaws is an octagon shape. This was done so that it could be placed securely in a conventional vise and oriented in one of eight different positions.

This must have been very expensive to produce because it is forged rather than cast, and also extremely well finished. Even the thumbscrews are forged and nicely finished! Since B & S was in the drop forge business this was probably a logical way to do it.

Total weight is 3 lb. 2 ozs., with the vise weighing 14 ozs. And the bench mount at 2 lb. 4 ozs.

Since getting this I have found out several more facts. In addition to the bench bracket like the one I have shown, they also made a rather rare variation that had a hollow boss on the rear that would be able to hold different shapes of interchangeable anvils. I have seen pictures of the bracket but none of what the anvils looked like, nor have I seen any catalog information.

In addition to the aforementioned items B & S also made a smaller version of the hand vise part.
Unlike the larger one, it was made with a long slender handle like that found on most hand vises, but with the jaw portion identical, just smaller. Judging from the few pictures I have seen of these I have an idea that the small handle of this vise was made to go through the hole in the larger vise, thus allowing it to be conveniently held.

For whatever reason catalog information on these vises seems to be very scarce. My 1939 catalog only shows a pipe vise. Actually I have no idea when these were made.

 

[mikeswrenches]

I wanted to ad this to the above post but didn’t know how, so I put it here.
Looks like B & S made these hand vises in 1899 at least. How much longer is unknown at this time.

 

[SP3]

SP3, that Ridge is a really sleek looking vise but I have always had a problem trusting cast in pipe jaws.---I just don't think they can or will stand the strain of serious torque that removable tool steel pipe jaws can stand.---And some of those cast iron pipe jaws that ride the open screw I wouldn't trust either.

I believe they are welded in. The vise is 'all forged' and the pipe jaws are hardened and so, either way, they're not cast. Point taken though.

 

[Smitty]

I found a beautiful little Prentiss vise no 50, it has 3 1/4” jaws and weighs in at 22 lbs. This is a first generation Bull Dog with the drivers side arched lettering and large meatball. I only have a couple with this side plate, they’re really hard to find in good condition.


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[Fierljeppen]

Smitty...Really nice Bulldog in original condition.

So if "drivers side arched lettering and large meatball" is 1st generation, is "passenger side arched lettering and large meatball" the 2nd generation?

 

[Shiftless]

Mike:
That’s a beautiful little vise. Very interesting design.

Smitty:
Nice find.

I’m currently working on another oldie about the same size... a Reed 103 1/2 dated October 1935


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[Smitty]

Jeppen
That would be correct. I would refer to the first two generations as rear facing arched lettering. After the grafitti script Prentiss did the foreword facing arched lettering that everybody is familiar with.

 

[Smitty]

Shift
The small reeds are my favorites.

 

[Smitty]

Jeppen
This is the cleanest example of passenger side rear facing arched lettering that I have.


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[Shiftless]

Shift
The small reeds are my favorites.

How can anybody not like ‘em?

You have to be impressed with a design that even for a lowly 3 1/2 inch wide jaw model, they provide 4 holes for mounting, each of which is 5/8 inch diameter! Serious business here.

 

[Smitty]

Here’s something you don’t see very often. This is a Charles Parker model no. G, it hat 6” jaws and weighs in at 150 lbs. this vise has been well used but I think it’s going to clean up really well.


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[Shiftless]

Smitty: You’re still on a roll. That Parker is quite rare. You’ll have fun forging a new custom front collar.

(Nice anvil as well!)

 

[Smitty]

Shift
That Reed looks really clean, I can’t wait to see it when it’s finished.
Good eye, the collar has been broken in half. The poster here that goes by the name jeffcmz has been casting Parker collars and wrenches and they’re selling like hot cakes. He even has a wrench for the the little 2 1/2” Parker.

 

[Shiftless]

You’ve got the 2 screw model collar. Does he make both one and two hole models?

 

[Smitty]

He has them cast for all of the various sizes. He’s also doing the full sized Parker wrenches and the smaller ones to. This is the size that will fit the little Parker you restored last month.

He’s got an order coming from the foundry this week.


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[Shiftless]

Thanks for the tip, Smitty. Email sent.

 

[Shiftless]

I just finished assembling my Reed 103 1/2
Date marking is 10 35

Once again, I regret not taking a “before” picture. It was half old grayish black paint and half surface rust. Quite a few saw or grinder marks and hammer dings. One chunk of weld spatter. The cast in place jaws are mostly worn out.

 

[Fierljeppen]

Jeppen
That would be correct. I would refer to the first two generations as rear facing arched lettering. After the grafitti script Prentiss did the foreword facing arched lettering that everybody is familiar with.

Smitty...Thanks for the information, I've been meaning to ask you that for a while.

Shiftless...I really like that finish on the Reed!

 

[KMScott]

Nice Parker Smitty, I really like it. I have several machined collars if the boy's can't help you, mine are machined and don't look as good as theirs.

Shift, ya gotta mention your finish on your Reed. Great job.

Getting close to finishing my Prentiss 58. It is coming out great.

 

[Smitty]

Shift- You did a beautiful job on that reed and the color really suits it.

Jeppen- Thats it, I call the circle side Meriden the sixth and final design.

KMS- Thanks, I’ll keep that in mind.

 

[Shiftless]

Thanks guys.
Since you asked...

I used Modern Masters satin metallic. The color is Oxford Brown. It’s a very dark brown. Really more of a black with some brown in it. 2 coats on the sides directly over iron that was stripped using the Simple Green soak. The jaw towers got Rustoleum self etching sandable primer and then 3 coats of the MM satin metallic. No clear coat.
After cleaning up the handle and meatball with sandpaper, a wire wheel and finally a Scotchbrite flap wheel, I rubbed on some Fluid Film to preserve the finish.
The slide had a lot of rust and uneven staining. I attacked that with a knotted wire wheel on my angle grinder. Then I sprayed on a bit of Fluid Film and rubbed it off with a paper towel (which will be removing black oily residue). Then repeat. Then repeat again. This gives you control on the degree of blackness you want to end up with on the steel. Personally, I’d never want a polished slide on an 85 year old vise.

 

[Mohawk Dave]

I was so excited today. I saw a Wilton 6" tradesman vise for $50 advertised, but when I had him send me additional pictures it had a large casted "6" in the side. Obvious copy, but a dead ringer.

Someone else just posted about one of those....I'd say a perfect vise for an outdoor bench.....protected slide... Great to spray paint items, weld items, etc without damaging an expensive nicety.

 

[royce]

Thanks guys.
Since you asked...

I used Modern Masters satin metallic. The color is Oxford Brown. It’s a very dark brown. Really more of a black with some brown in it. 2 coats on the sides directly over iron that was stripped using the Simple Green soak. The jaw towers got Rustoleum self etching sandable primer and then 3 coats of the MM satin metallic. No clear coat.
After cleaning up the handle and meatball with sandpaper, a wire wheel and finally a Scotchbrite flap wheel, I rubbed on some Fluid Film to preserve the finish.
The slide had a lot of rust and uneven staining. I attacked that with a knotted wire wheel on my angle grinder. Then I sprayed on a bit of Fluid Film and rubbed it off with a paper towel (which will be removing black oily residue). Then repeat. Then repeat again. This gives you control on the degree of blackness you want to end up with on the steel. Personally, I’d never want a polished slide on an 85 year old vise.

Great color Shift and a dandy vise.

Royce

 

[Shiftless]

Thanks Royce

 

[davethorik]

That's probably very true. You know the world is changing when you search on offerup for "vise" and it autocorrects your result to "vase."

Actually, it only started doing that about a month or two ago for me. Very annoying especially since it is a saved search.

 

[chrisnazzy]

Thanks guys.
Since you asked...

I used Modern Masters satin metallic. The color is Oxford Brown. It’s a very dark brown. Really more of a black with some brown in it. 2 coats on the sides directly over iron that was stripped using the Simple Green soak. The jaw towers got Rustoleum self etching sandable primer and then 3 coats of the MM satin metallic. No clear coat.
After cleaning up the handle and meatball with sandpaper, a wire wheel and finally a Scotchbrite flap wheel, I rubbed on some Fluid Film to preserve the finish.
The slide had a lot of rust and uneven staining. I attacked that with a knotted wire wheel on my angle grinder. Then I sprayed on a bit of Fluid Film and rubbed it off with a paper towel (which will be removing black oily residue). Then repeat. Then repeat again. This gives you control on the degree of blackness you want to end up with on the steel. Personally, I’d never want a polished slide on an 85 year old vise.

Great job on your 103 1/2 Shift!

I've got the exact same vise and I only recently found the date code of 835. Our vises are 85 years old and could have had the same worker's hands on them back then!

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[iwantone]

Here is my first vise restoration: Chas Parker 953 1/2. Picked it up for a good price but was very rusty all over. Some electrolysis, wire wheeling, and Rust-Oleum Hammered Deep Green paint later...

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[Shiftless]

chris:
Thanks for posting that pic. It certainly is likely that the same workman touched both. Born 2 months apart 85 years ago.

Iwantone:
Welcome to the group. Parkers are great vises. That one seems to have endured a lot of abuse and you got it back up and running again. It will make a great user for you. Good work!