The VISES of Garage Journal

[Shiftless]

Thanks for posting that big Reed pipe vise. Those “don’t get any respect”.

When was the last time any of us had to fasten down a length of 6 inch pipe to thread an end? I have a one inch pipe thread cutting die and don’t really ever expect to use it.

I sold a couple of pipe vises to make room on my shelves and kept just one...a Craftsman that seems to be somewhat rare.

 

[dutchgray]

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).

That is their Rd number, the Handy's were only branded with a label, an earlier design did have the branding cast in though.

I can't help with the 3 piece, only that they are much older, the two piece designs replaced them, Parkinson made them but the other makers of the time would have as well.

 

[wrenchguy]

 

[davethorik]

Picked up this Massey Vise Co. no. 17 quick release woodworking vise for $40. Already had a matching 3.5" bench model, both called "Lightning Grip"

 

[Shiftless]

Here’s another Memorial Day vise post...

This Columbian 505 1/2 was salvaged during the postwar demolition of the Kaiser Shipyards in Richmond CA where it served building Liberty Ships during WWII. It was probably working around the clock just 6 miles from my house.

Instead of restoration, I chose to maintain its hard earned patina. All I did to it was scrub off some loose dirt and grease the screw.

(I posed a baby bullet in the shot for scale)

Am I sure if its provenance? NO
Do I have a COA? NO
Does an old guy living only 2 miles from the former shipyard and selling me that vise for $35 have a reason to tell a lie about where it came from? NO

Side note... That particular ship yard set a record for the fastest build of a Liberty Ship; less than 5 days!


.

 

[dannyr]

Picked up this Massey Vise Co. no. 17 quick release woodworking vise for $40. Already had a matching 3.5" bench model, both called "Lightning Grip"

another find

great pair of historical vises (1890+/- ?)

 

[TonyCH]

I am about to use a needle roller thrust bearing (or 2) in my Record No.5. Should I use oil or grease with it?

EDIT, SKF recommends:

The first step in the lubrication selection process is to decide whether to use grease or oil. In most cases, grease is the appropriate choice for open bearings.

This kind:

 

[Outlawmws]

Grease, in this case well packed full, so it squeezes out a bit to help provide somewhat of a seal.

 

[wrenchguy]

Here’s another Memorial Day vise post...
Side note... That particular ship yard set a record for the fastest build of a Liberty Ship; less than 5 days!

thanks.

 

[Shiftless]

wrenchguy:
Your “extra large“ Ridgid was looking good in the sun under the Stars and Stripes .

My FIL served on a Liberty Ship for 2 years in the South Pacific during WWII. Their primary cargo was barrels of aviation fuel and 500 pound bombs.

 

[Smitty]

Well done Wrench Guy, it’s a good day to fly the Stars and Stripes.

 

[wrenchguy]

Photo was from a few years back with a great crop of grandaughters red white blue ptunnies. Wasn't home 2day to display it, kinda my stock pic for patrotic holidays. thanks.

 

[Smitty]

That planter does look patriotic now that you mention it.

 

[lucasd2002]

My first vise restoration began with this Parker 205 earlier this month. Bought on the bay as vise restoration syndrome took hold.



Unfortunately, it arrived with a broken main screw.



You can see that the front collar has been brazed to repair a crack (this damage was known before my purchase). Other than the main screw and the brazed collar, the only other damage is the evidence of a relatively hard life (or ownership by a blind gorilla with a claw hammer).



After some hand wringing, off to ebay again and I was able to find a main screw that *should* work. I couldn't find anyone who said they have a spare 205 main screw, but after the ebay seller sent me some more pictures and measurement for this item, I thought it would probably work. This is from a Parker 272 (another from the family of Parker 4-1/2" jaw width vises). I thought the 974 1/2 (which I think is a newer version of my 205) would work, but not sure.



Happily, this screw threads right into my vise's nut. So full steam ahead. Bonus: the new handle is less bent than the handle that came with my 205.

I have completely disassembled the vise, given everything an initial cleaning, and become better acquainted with my angle grinder. Most of the vise is down to bare metal now and I haven't found any other major structural damage.

Tonight was the first reassembly with the replacement screw/handle assembly.



I think the next step is to take the vise to work and use our blast cabinet (media is glass bead). I'm not worried about saving the patina as this one has no sentimental value to me. But, if the gurus here have some concern of precautions about blasting, I would appreciate hearing about it.

There are plenty of scars, but (at this point) I'm not planning to use fillers. Whatever the wire wheel and glass beading do to the surface will be the the final paint prepping.

Does anyone know the estimated production years for the Parker 205? I would love to have some more info about this vise. My understanding is that Parkers generally do not have dates like the Reeds (I'm also working a Reed 204 1/2 - more on that later).

 

[TonyCH]

Grease, in this case well packed full, so it squeezes out a bit to help provide somewhat of a seal.

Thanks. As this vise will be stationed outside I think I will use Red Line CV-2 which has good water resistance. Nowadays I even put it into my ratchets, bicycles, wheel bearings etc.

 

[dannyr]

Picked up this Massey Vise Co. no. 17 quick release woodworking vise for $40. Already had a matching 3.5" bench model, both called "Lightning Grip"

Here's a picture of the matching English Entwistle and Kenyon Lightning Grip QR vices, also in the rough grass.

the knob's broken off the woodworking vise and I have a cast iron doorknob which I'll fit on - the handle of the bench vise seems to be made of wrought iron and has taken a lot of hammer.

possible remnants of original paint finish seem to be pale grey/green

 

[Shiftless]

A bit slow lately...

Post a pic of your favorite, or biggest, or smallest, or shiniest, pipe vise.

Here is my Craftsman..the only one I still have

 

[steaks&anvils]

A bit slow lately...

Post a pic of your favorite, or biggest, or smallest, or shiniest, pipe vise.

Here is my Craftsman..the only one I still have

Toledo No"0" pipe vise.

It is 12 high.

As bought at the flea market condition. All I did was wipe any extra grease and dirt off. This vise had been welded to a bench, two welds had been cut and ground smooth-ish on the short ends. The mounting holes show no sign of ever having been used to bolt it down. Jaw teeth are great.

It can be tightened with one finger.

 

[American Iron]

(PRICEY)!! Athol 326 Vise. (New Condition)

https://albany.craigslist.org/tls/d/yorktown-heights-starrett-athol-
326/7128328672.html

$1500.. Maybe yes? maybe no? I know this vise is rare but I don't know if it's $1500.00 rare.. Been for sale for approx 2 weeks.. Opinions??

 

[Outlawmws]

IMO a dreamer...

 

[Old Radar]

(PRICEY)!! Athol 326 Vise. (New Condition)

https://albany.craigslist.org/tls/d/yorktown-heights-starrett-athol-
326/7128328672.html

$1500.. Maybe yes? maybe no? I know this vise is rare but I don't know if it's $1500.00 rare.. Been for sale for approx 2 weeks.. Opinions??

Ad says it's never been used. Appears to have been stored in salt water for some time.

 

[mikeswrenches]

Here is an unusual George S Searle pipe vise.
It was patented July 7, 1891, no. 455,414 and was manufactured by Smart & Spencer in Salem, Mass

 

[mlam]

My Bison 125 powder coated to match other stuff.

 

[Mohawk Dave]

My Bison 125 powder coated to match other stuff.

mlam, that looks like a clean room. I see an orange caster frame on something? My interests are piqued...

 

[Fierljeppen]

mlam...I'm going to go out on a limb and say your shop is probably cleaner than my shop.

mikeswrenches...Very nice! That's the first of those vises I've seen. Pipe vises deserve a lot more love than they seem to get.

 

[davethorik]

Here's a picture of the matching English Entwistle and Kenyon Lightning Grip QR vices, also in the rough grass.

the knob's broken off the woodworking vise and I have a cast iron doorknob which I'll fit on - the handle of the bench vise seems to be made of wrought iron and has taken a lot of hammer.

possible remnants of original paint finish seem to be pale grey/green

Nicely done! I don't normally keep my vises on the lawn but It's the only spot at high noon i can get a good pic. Pics in the garage or basement always look like a tomb.

 

[lucasd2002]

Found a Reed 204 1/2 on craigslist recently. This is how i found it in the wild.



The first thing I noticed after bringing it home was that the main fastener on the bottom is not the typical style that I see online for Reeds (they seem to usually have a round with a large slot). This 204 1/2 has a hex head fastener (similar to my Parker 205) but larger. I used a 1 3/4" socket on it. The second thing I noticed was that this fastener did not want to give up. I used anti-rust soak, heat, and vibration before it eventually succumbed to my 18" breaker bar (with cheater bar attached). This effort bent the metal table that the vise was clamped to at the time. (!)



For the Reed experts, is this a replacement added by a former owner? I think this vise is fairly old (see below) so maybe they used different fasteners back then?

Age? I was worried I wouldn't be able to find any production markings. But after some basic cleaning, I found some markings on the passenger side of the dynamic.



I see a "515" in the red box. My understanding is that this would make this vise a May 1915 production. The 3 patent dates on the static are from 1908, 1912, and 1914 (so that shouldn't preclude May 1915). Any Reed experts know if they updated their casting the very next year after the 1914 patent(s)? Assuming this is correct, I acquired and started working on this vise when it was exactly 105 years old. Seems really cool to me.



One more question for the Reed experts, even after removing the main fastener on the bottom of the base, I can't get the swivel fastener (see last picture) to budge. Are there any good tricks to loosen a frozen swivel base lever/fastener?

 

[mikeswrenches]

mlam...I'm going to go out on a limb and say your shop is probably cleaner than my shop.

mikeswrenches...Very nice! That's the first of those vises I've seen. Pipe vises deserve a lot more love than they seem to get.

Jeppen, Thanks for posting the catalog cut. I didn’t know that they made 3 different sizes. Mine is the 2 inch one. As usual the wrench is long gone, but at least I know what it looks like.

 

[mlam]

Mohawk Dave your gif is right on! Fierljeppen, not sure if my shop is clean, but its easy to find that little stray part that flies away.
I hope all are safe and well!

 

[mlam]

Sorry, had to monkey photo size to attach.

 

[dannyr]

Sorry, had to monkey photo size to attach.

waaaa

 

[wrenchguy]

Looks chicom to me.

 

[davethorik]

Looks chicom to me.

Poland

 

[davethorik]

And here is a lil guy i just picked up.
Bonney Champion, 1-5/8" jaws

 

[wrenchguy]

Poland

Oh, I thought CHICOM in the wide shot posted on the "VISES" thread.

 

[Mslund1]

Sorry, had to monkey photo size to attach.

Wow, nice setup!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

 

[j.t.d.]

I bought this vise last year, the only markings are casting marks 3_ etc. I don't know who made this. I found in the driveway at a garage sale in the rain.

 

[va.grouseman]

Prentiss made that split base.---Yours's is a no makers mark version.---Probably made by Prentiss for some hardware line.

 

[j.t.d.]

Thanks VA.

 

[Bab029]

This belonged to my great grandfather. Brought it out and disassembled and started knocking to rust off. Want to put a coating of some kind on it and couldn’t find any marks of any kind that I might obscure. Honestly almost looks handmade. Any guesses on vintage?