The VISES of Garage Journal

[Dan8906]

Well I got a few vises today [emoji16][emoji16][emoji16] and a few other goodies

 

[dannyr]

dan - wow
but most interested in the w-w vice bottom right that looks like it was living in a swamp - is this a rack type action (ie not screw thread?) -- maker?

 

[Dan8906]

dan - wow
but most interested in the w-w vice bottom right that looks like it was living in a swamp - is this a rack type action (ie not screw thread?) -- maker?

Not sure about the maker on that one yet, the handle it crazy big for it!

 

[Shiftless]

Dan8906:
You scored big time. Looks like a large number of clamp ons. What are your plans?

I think it’s safe to say that your huge handle is not factory original.

 

[Dan8906]

Dan8906:
You scored big time. Looks like a large number of clamp ons. What are your plans?

I think it’s safe to say that your huge handle is not factory original.

Restore few that need it and find homes for most of them. If you are interested in any of them Shift, just shoot me an email!

 

[dannyr]

dan - I think I can see now - it's a screw not a rack, but just a half screw for quick release -- yes as shift implies --- should be able to bust the whole vise with that tommy bar

 

[RTM]

Nice haul, probably made the springs sag a bit on the way home, and the back too.

 

[2stroke1971]

Here's my vises....

First of all is my Big Mac....I got this about 15 years ago, while we were living in a Baltimore rowhouse. From time to time, people would have yard sales down on the corner of the nearby School field, and we'd sometimes walk over and take a look.

My oldest son was working his first job at a snowball stand and his walk to work took him past the spot where people would set up. Apparently, he saw this sitting on a blanket one day with a $20 sign on it and he bought it as a Fathers day gift for me with his own money.

It was BRAND NEW. I didnt have a place to put it, but I used it anyway, sitting it on the cement pad out back. It came in handy. 4 years ago, when I finally got out of the 'hood and had a space to set up a work shop, I was near tears when I finally bolted this beast down to my newly constructed work bench.

MAC Made in USA even so its an older one. At least 15 years old anyway

It works great and it means a lot to me.

Here also is a Made in USA tilt vise...it had been drilled into so many times...I milled out the damaged surface and welded in two stainless sliders in place.

Lastly is a plastic tilting hobby vice, I got it at a Goodwill with everything with it...the rubber soft jaws and also the mounting rack. It cost me $8

 

[mikeswrenches]

2stroke, give your son a big hug! He did real good! A great Father’s day gift.

 

[Outlawmws]

Dan, you killed it with that score!

 

[Dan8906]

Dan, you killed it with that score!

Thanks! Been working on this deal for a few months.

This one didn’t mAke it into the picture, wonder what it was used for?

 

[Outlawmws]

Hand vise. Clamp something in it, then grind or wire wheel

 

[2stroke1971]

Hand vise. Clamp something in it, then grind or wire wheel

Wow! I have something just like it! 9The hand vise-never knew just what it was for! It came with a cache of old tools from my Father in laws basement when he moved years ago, the stuff was there before he moved in.

Dang! I will have to make another vise post myself....this hand vise reminded me..Ive got one of these a few more weird old vises buried in my shed!!

 

[Shiftless]

2stroke:
We’d love to see pics of your “weird” vises.

 

[sqyards]

I picked up 3 today at flea market paid 15.bucks total for them, a few non-vise finds also littletown #112. A Sears clamp and a unknown 1 1/2 clamp and tomorrow is the better day to go..

 

[Woodreaux]

I'm considering a couple of vises for sale in my area. One is a Parker 904. The seller is asking $200. (Red vise below).
The other is a Reed 106r. That one is at auction.

Two questions:
1. What do you all use a 6" vise for? I'm tempted to try to buy it, but I have a small shop and can't quite figure out how I would use it, much less where I would even put a 24" long, 130# vise.
2. What would you all think is a reasonable price for each of these vises?


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[mike_paxton]

That rough looking Woodworking Vise may be a W.C. Toles and a quick release version.

 

[mike_paxton]

I'm considering a couple of vises for sale in my area. One is a Parker 904. The seller is asking $200. (Red vise below).
The other is a Reed 106r. That one is at auction.

Two questions:
1. What do you all use a 6" vise for? I'm tempted to try to buy it, but I have a small shop and can't quite figure out how I would use it, much less where I would even put a 24" long, 130# vise.

Woodreaux:

If I had to choose, I'd probably go for the Reed 106R. It looks like from pic of Reed, that it is secured onto to a post base and if it is secure, that also would allow you to use it without hooking it up to a bench.

Price for vises are regional, so decide what you feel you want to pay and go from there. Either vise will also take some cleaning up as well.

I've used my 6 inch jaw vises to hold onto other vises that I've been working on.

Mike

 

[dannyr]

Enough of 6,7,8in vices - here are some English 00 size:

From left to right Leader 00B 4.25lbs; Paramo HIDUTY 00 5lbs; ? Made in England Reg Des 689821 4.5lbs; Marples 00 5lbs and Ward Anvil 00 4lbs

all 2.25 width jaws opening 3in

more coming, with comment

 

[AngryBeaver]

I'm considering a couple of vises for sale in my area. One is a Parker 904. The seller is asking $200. (Red vise below).
The other is a Reed 106r. That one is at auction.

Two questions:
1. What do you all use a 6" vise for? I'm tempted to try to buy it, but I have a small shop and can't quite figure out how I would use it, much less where I would even put a 24" long, 130# vise.
2. What would you all think is a reasonable price for each of these vises?

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I have a 106R on my welding table. she is a big *****. but not too big to where its not usable like some of the monsters are. I believe it opens to 9-10". If you've never seen one in person, they are bigger than 99% of what most people will ever need.

for most of my work, I use a 104R (4") on the work bench or wilton c1 (4.5") on another bench.

Heres a pic of one compared to a 2c (4.5" vise with pipe jaws). a 24oz ball peen hammer, 24" ratchet and 24" pry bar for reference.

These go for pretty decent coin up here 4-500 in nice shape. that one has missing balls on the end of the handle.

 

[dannyr]

and here are some more small English vices - 00 not found for all

again from left to right: Rededa 251 2.125 wide jaw, opens 2.5in, 2lbs; Woden 186/B 00 2.25, 3ins, 4.5lbs; an earlier Woden 00 (?) 1.75 1in, 1.25lbs; DOHM swivel jaw C201 2 2.75ins, 2.5lbs; Governor 0 2.5 5in 7.5lbs and a ? Lewis Anglo 0 2.5 4ins 6.5lbs

what's missing - the 2 most obvious - Record (but easy to find) and Parkinson (who used the name Handy for their non-quick release bench engineering vices but seem to reserve the name Parkinsons for their more specialist vices)

the size 00 generally marked the smallest of a range of solid, acme thread, removeable jaw bench vices, with sizes up to 4, 5, 4c, 7 depending on maker (6,7 even 8in jaws, but not all made the bigger vices) those shown in these two posts were probably made 1920-1970, mostly in Sheffield or Bradford (DOHM in London), but, except for the Paramo and Marples, all have different details, and not made from the same foundry pattern.

The catalogues wouldn't call these jewellers vices, but aimed at small scale work and home use. Jewellers/clockmakers were generally of a different design and often clamp-on.

The DOHM is obviously quite different and the final vice is probably older and possibly made in the Birmingham area (more in another post).

Of the names I know nothing of Leader (a name used later by Record for their all-steel fabricated vices - so maybe they bought the co) governor was the brand of a large London tool store, which bought mostly from Sheffield, Wards and Marples were the two biggest edge tool makers/sellers, not generally known for vices.

 

[Woodreaux]

Mike_paxton. Unfortunately the post/base doesn't come with the vise. I think it's probably permanently fixed to/in the floor. So I would have to find a place on a bench somewhere in my shop.

Angrybeaver. Your 106r looks great. Your statement about 99% of people not needing one that big would certainly include me.

This post is probably my attempt to justify buying a beast that I would look at and admire and use very little. In fact, I probably already have 99+% of my vise needs covered.

My current stable:
-Parker 674 1/2 (carriage makers vise)
-Columbian 4" post vise
-Custom 12" wooden screw woodworking leg vise
-Yost face vise (currently looking for a new spot)
-1.5" hand vise.

If I added a 4-5" machinist vise (like the Parker that's for sale nearby) and an engravers block, I would have a hard time finding a job in my shop that I couldn't handle.

To that point, I have a 6.5" Wilton tradesman that is sitting in my shop waiting to be sold.

But that 106r sure is nice to look at...



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[AngryBeaver]

If I added a 4-5" machinist vise (like the Parker that's for sale nearby) and an engravers block, I would have a hard time finding a job in my shop that I couldn't handle.

To that point, I have a 6.5" Wilton tradesman that is sitting in my shop waiting to be sold.

But that 106r sure is nice to look at...



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the 6.5" tradesman is comparable in size to a 4.5" machinist vise, and the machinist vise will open farther by an inch or two.

the 106R is about 2 or 2.5x times the size of the 1765 tradesman. maybe later tonight or tomorrow I can unbolt the 1760 (same vise, same size as the 1765 minus the 1/2" jaw width) and put it beside the 106R for reference if you are really interested.

i'm a reed fan. I don't care much for parkers, although they have a cult following just like ever over brand does. I just like the precision machined Reeds and the adjustable features of the R series.

 

[Outlawmws]

Wood,

I've had a 4" Parker on the bench for > 30 years. I'm probably way past average user, particularly in the past when I was building race cars, and I can count on one hand when a "bigger" vise (meaning opening wider) was needed. 4 or 4-1/2 inch is normally more than enough for Joe average or the average shop, and overkill for some.

My welding setup has a little 3" (but opens extra wide) Lakeside homeowners vise (open screw), and that is my primary ground clamp for welding. If I need to clamp bigger its often something I'm assembling and I just clamp with a pipe clamp and clamp either the pipe or the part in the small vise. I "lube" the exposed screw with anti spatter...

The Reeds are great vises, but If I were you, unless you have a specific need (and it doesn't sound that way) I'd either go for the Parker, or wait for a Reed or maybe an Athol/Starrett.

Mike_paxton. Unfortunately the post/base doesn't come with the vise. I think it's probably permanently fixed to/in the floor. So I would have to find a place on a bench somewhere in my shop.

Angrybeaver. Your 106r looks great. Your statement about 99% of people not needing one that big would certainly include me.

This post is probably my attempt to justify buying a beast that I would look at and admire and use very little. In fact, I probably already have 99+% of my vise needs covered.

My current stable:
-Parker 674 1/2 (carriage makers vise)
-Columbian 4" post vise
-Custom 12" wooden screw woodworking leg vise
-Yost face vise (currently looking for a new spot)
-1.5" hand vise.

If I added a 4-5" machinist vise (like the Parker that's for sale nearby) and an engravers block, I would have a hard time finding a job in my shop that I couldn't handle.

To that point, I have a 6.5" Wilton tradesman that is sitting in my shop waiting to be sold.

But that 106r sure is nice to look at...



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[Mohawk Dave]

Woodreaux, I use a 6" out back on a big azz stand to hold large or long metal that I need to do heavy grinding on. The last project was my rock sliders and gas tank skid plate for my 4x4.

But the vise is also super handy for rough lumber stuff.... I needed a 2x6 strong back... The vise made that easy as well.

 

[poppakap]

Anyone clear coat a vise? Thoughts?
https://imgur.com/izqSmgg

 

[dutchgray]

Enough of 6,7,8in vices - here are some English 00 size:

From left to right Leader 00B 4.25lbs; Paramo HIDUTY 00 5lbs; ? Made in England Reg Des 689821 4.5lbs; Marples 00 5lbs and Ward Anvil 00 4lbs

all 2.25 width jaws opening 3in

more coming, with comment

The red one is a Parkinson
You have quite the collection of the 00 size, more than me but I only pick them up if they are very cheap.

 

[Woodreaux]

Wood,



I've had a 4" Parker on the bench for > 30 years. I'm probably way past average user.... QUOTE]

Thanks for the input. I'm certainly not on the end of the spectrum that needs anything very big. I like to work on old shotguns and I do some knife making. Though I'm partial to old British side by sides, it's nice to clamp a vintage shotgun in a vise made by Parker.




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[dannyr]

The red one is a Parkinson
You have quite the collection of the 00 size, more than me but I only pick them up if they are very cheap.

Thanks, Dutch, is that their reg design no for the Handy? - except for the Marples, I've not paid more than £20 for any one - thus no Record, but anyway, stopping on the 00, I think - more interested in older or unusual vices.

Do you know anything about who made the last vice (3 main castings?) - this type is featured in the 1909 catalogues of Marples and Preston and I have one v similar with Anglo Lewis marked (who did make tools and listed vices).

 

[TonyCH]

and here are some more small English vices - 00 not found for all

Danny, looking great.

I am into smaller ones too. In my projects they are usually more useful than the huge ones.

 

[dannyr]

Danny, looking great.

I am into smaller ones too. In my projects they are usually more useful than the huge ones.

Thanks Tony .. Of mine I'd say the Paramo was the best made (but maybe it was just treated better)

 

[Smitty]

I found this big old Columbian 206 today. The vise has 6” jaws and weighs in at 160 lbs. I’m going to do a black oil finish on this one.



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[Mohawk Dave]

Smitty,

I've had probably 5 or 6 205s and 206s... Every one had a copious amount of play from left to right. Is yours like that? I suppose all mine could've been worn out, but they didn't look beat on.

I know this doesn't really affect the function of the vise, but it sure drove me nuts. Enough so that I pass on the big Colombians nowadays.

 

[va.grouseman]

Play or no play, it sure looks pretty Smitty.---That's going to look real good with a dark finish.---Looking forward to the finished product.

 

[Smitty]

Actually this one's pretty tight but I have an older 206 that a bit loose. Combo vises seem to always see a lot of hard use.

 

[Smitty]

Thanks VA, this one was well cast so it should take an oil finish pretty well. This is going to be a good Saturday R&R project. You’re the first person I thought of when I saw it had the pipe jaws.

 

[Shiftless]

Smitty:
Yep, you found a big solid looking Columbian combo.
And it’s gonna be much nicer looking with black oil.

 

[KMScott]

My first restoration's in 2012 included a Columbian 205 along with three others, little smaller then yours Smitty. Wanted to see how much work it was making the jaws, Pipe jaws, swivel clamps and Bronze wear plates behind the handle support. The Columbians seemed a little light to me but I did not notice much slop in the square slider. I decided after these restorations that I did not want to make any more Columbian jaws. Good luck on your Smitty, looking forward to seeing it fixed up.

 

[Smitty]

Thanks Shift, there’s nothing like an oversized quarry after a good hunt.

Thanks KMS, you always go full bore on your restorations. Those look great.

 

[davethorik]

Pipe vises...I generally overlook them unless they are big, and cheap. This fit the bill nicely

This is a Reed #64. Rated 1/4" to 6" pipe
21" tall closed
Weighs 49 lbs

12 oz Fluid Film for scale.