The VISES of Garage Journal

[b.well]

b.w, that is a versa vise as mentioned, - gun smiths vise. that one is a parrot jaw, most you see are Bull dog jaws.

The last pic is a Parker, I think an old one.

Thanks for all the responses.

I could definitely use the first one with the "parrot jaw" and then still a ~4" machinist vise. The old "parker" would work (last pic).

The restored looking black paint vise still unsure about that one. "looks" to have the widest jaw. It's got a full body (lots of metal). but still could be anything as far as I can tell.

va.grouseman, which one do you think is the wilton in my pics?

 

[b.well]

A funky clamp on that I've had a while. I don't know who made it but it's nice to use, smooth jaws which are 2 7/8" wide.

I think it looks great. Old and functional!

 

[va.grouseman]

B.well, sorry about that. It kinda looks like a Wilton from that angle but that is clearly a Charles Parker.---That's the one I meant for you to grab along with the Versa.---If you are not going into some big operation, those 2 would do you nicely providing the Charles Parker is in good mechanical shape..

 

[va.grouseman]

Do you recon this is where Hugh Vogl got his York idea or visa-versa?


https://www.ebay.com/itm/VINTAGE-TA...BBEV2bDemotion&_trksid=p2047675.c100012.m1985

 

[b.well]

B.well, sorry about that. It kinda looks like a Wilton from that angle but that is clearly a Charles Parker.---That's the one I meant for you to grab along with the Versa.---If you are not going into some big operation, those 2 would do you nicely providing the Charles Parker is in good mechanical shape..

Thanks. I just noticed the Parker is fixed. I really feel I need swivel. If I can get a good price it'd be hard to pass it up though.

 

[va.grouseman]

Yea B.well, I'm partial to swivels too.---I love the versatility of multiple positioning in a vise, which the black one does have.---The only thing is, it looks like a Chicom or Taiwan made vise, which are made of very brittle cast.---They won't stand a lot of aggressive wrenching or pounding.---Even if the black one is a Wilton it looks like a China made Wilton.---But if you are just going to use it as a convenient third hand for common shop work, then it would probably be just fine.---But I still like good old USA made machinery.---Can't help it.

 

[Private Lugnutz]

Do you recon this is where Hugh Vogl got his York idea or visa-versa?

The question of the origin of a fine threaded spindle accurately fit into a horizontally anchored malleable nut completely enclosed in a fat bullet shaped body is a good one, va., but the answer is almost certainly not Hugh Vogl.

He didn't design the vises made by York in Czechoslovakia for export to England and the US that he was selling in Chicago; he appropriated the design from York and submitted a US Design Patent (not a Utility Patent) for the general shape of the vise only.

Whether that Russkie vise preceded the York, or vice-versa, or whether they were both influenced by an even earlier and unknown vise with the characteristics of the "Bullet" type vises made popular in the West by York and Wilton, is an interesting question. We need to sic Fierljeppen on that one!

 

[b.well]

Yea B.well, I'm partial to swivels too.---I love the versatility of multiple positioning in a vise, which the black one does have.---The only thing is, it looks like a Chicom or Taiwan made vise, which are made of very brittle cast.---They won't stand a lot of aggressive wrenching or pounding.---Even if the black one is a Wilton it looks like a China made Wilton.---But if you are just going to use it as a convenient third hand for common shop work, then it would probably be just fine.---But I still like good old USA made machinery.---Can't help it.

Swivel and USA for me too! The hunt continues.

If anyone on GJ is ready to let go of one let me know

 

[txlonghorn1989]

Swivel and USA for me too! The hunt continues.

If anyone on GJ is ready to let go of one let me know

You're in the Northeast part of the country. I would strongly suspect that if you check garage & estate sales, even flea markets, it would not take you long at all to find a great old US made vise. Just sayin'. Down here in Texas they are few and far between. Patience is your friend grasshopper. Good luck b.w.

 

[htw]

Wilton apparently made several versions. The original, patented in 1961, had a single square slide bar, and the later had a pair of rods. I would guess that round holes are easier to drill than broached square holes.

Wilton also private labeled their vise to Sheldon, and they are are the exact same vise: same Wilton casting marks, etc. As far as value, I would think that $200 for a complete working vise would not be out of the question.

Thank you exmaxima1 for the information. Let me see what I get and report back.

 

[b.well]

You're in the Northeast part of the country. I would strongly suspect that if you check garage & estate sales, even flea markets, it would not take you long at all to find a great old US made vise. Just sayin'. Down here in Texas they are few and far between. Patience is your friend grasshopper. Good luck b.w.

Thanks. I do have alot of irons in the fire; open leads. Patience is a virtue!

I do wish there was a flea market near me. Closest I know for sure is about 2hrs away....close to my old house....

 

[1NRO]

I like everything about that vise, including the hex cap knobs on the spindle. Assuming that anvil is stationary, right?

It's a very poor pic now I'm not looking on my phone. The anvil is fixed in relation to the jaws but swivels when the wing nut is backed off to move the whole within the range of the crescent. It's got a bit of age I'm sure, the condition is nice.

 

[Private Lugnutz]

b.well
I agree with Tex. You shouldn't have any trouble finding one, but I am in Central Jersey shore area, I am planning to sell a few. See vise 7 (Prentiss) and 12 (Wilton) in my inventory on Shiftless's poll thread, linked here: https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showpost.php?p=8587217&postcount=10

 

[Shiftless]

b.well:
If you’re not too far away I would recommend taking Lugz up on his offer. Either of those 2 vises would be excellent. I have a few Prentiss Bulldogs and they are top notch. The Wilton bullets, especially the earlier HD models are true classics and built quite well. If you were near me, I would have a few vises for you to chose from as well.

 

[dannyr]

The question of the origin of a fine threaded spindle accurately fit into a horizontally anchored malleable nut completely enclosed in a fat bullet shaped body is a good one, va., but the answer is almost certainly not Hugh Vogl.

Whether that Russkie vise preceded the York, or vice-versa, is an interesting question. We need to sic Fierljeppen on that one!

No expert like Fierljeppen, but always thought the bullet shape is reminiscent of the 'box' ie nut in tube of the centuries old blacksmith's leg vice or the 'parallel' Wright bench version of 150 yrs old - (but not 'fine threaded').

 

[Fierljeppen]

No expert like Fierljeppen, but always thought the bullet shape is reminiscent of the 'box' ie nut in tube of the centuries old blacksmith's leg vice or the 'parallel' Wright bench version of 150 yrs old - (but not 'fine threaded').

I completely agree and second the motion.

A funky clamp on that I've had a while. I don't know who made it but it's nice to use, smooth jaws which are 2 7/8" wide.

It's a late 1800's French Jewelers vise. I got sniped on the vise below.

 

[b.well]

b.well
I agree with Tex. You shouldn't have any trouble finding one, but I am in Central Jersey shore area, I am planning to sell a few. See vise 7 (Prentiss) and 12 (Wilton) in my inventory on Shiftless's poll thread, linked here: https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showpost.php?p=8587217&postcount=10

Thanks Lugz. PM sent!

I have found plenty restored for alot more money than estate/garage prices. I did find a flea market 55mins north of me but it's still closed down. I think they are hoping to open in September. I heard the flea market in south jersey (Columbus) is open. It's a crazy world out there now!

 

[Shiftless]

fierljeppen:

Said...

“It's a late 1800's French Jewelers vise. I got sniped on the vise below.”

It wasn’t me.
But that would be another little jewel in anybody’s collection.

 

[Outlawmws]

a bit more light on 1NRO's pic:

 

[1NRO]

It's a late 1800's French Jewelers vise. I got sniped on the vise below.

Excellent knowledge as always mines still got the cover for the screw which I don't imagine survives very often, the patches of paint also to show how it was once dressed. I like it more now I know it's approx age, one of my older ones.

 

[1NRO]

Thank you Outlawmws

 

[Z3K3Y]

A few pages back I posted a No. 5 Paramo , heres some clearer shots now that ive made it to the work shop

 

[bastel]

No expert like Fierljeppen, but always thought the bullet shape is reminiscent of the 'box' ie nut in tube of the centuries old blacksmith's leg vice or the 'parallel' Wright bench version of 150 yrs old - (but not 'fine threaded').

Tube vise designs were patented long before Dohnal's parent in 1937, vises with a shelf/corbel are way older and well known (Koch, 1889, many german tube vises were stamped "System Koch" to show this). There are other bullets out there.

Hard to believe, but what he actually patented was making the hole of the static jaw smooth and recessed on the top, so that the contact area there between dynamic and static vise would be further inside of the tube compared to the bottom. The idea was that the bending force would then not be circle right at the edge of a normal tube vise (imagine a | cut through the dynamic jaw tube) but a diagonal line "/" from the bottom edge to the deeper top edge, increasing the material thickness (elipse). See the line on the patent drawing.

The patent shows the normal York/Wilton vise without dynamic jaw support, which is briefly mentioned in the patent, i.e. this support being a sign of the old vises with the sharp corners/edges. Not needing this support is not claimed as "new".

The patent also mentions (but also doesn't claim): advantageously bulb shape for the dynamic jaw, oversized bulb shape compared to tube (both would help with forces).

 

[KMScott]

That is a nice vise 1NRO. Great score. i am curious on that wing nut under the split nut. Is it a semi quick release or a way to tighten the backlash. Any model number? This should be in the spreadsheet.

 

[Z3K3Y]

two posts for me, So yesterday I emailed REED vises in the states (Im in Canada) asking if I could buy some stickers for my toolboxes . etc. Well the insanely kind lady (Joyce) emailed me back within minutes asking for my address and no payment info. today I get a package in the mail marked URGENT. a wack load of REED stickers! too many lol.

I also picked up the Parker Big Bear missing the jaw.. pics to come soon!

 

[Z3K3Y]

heres the 5 inch parker I picked up today. im on crutches and havent got a great look yet. but appears to be a No 135 marked 1926. I really want to get a set of jaws made for this. there must be a pin broken inside somewhere as I had to open by hand after unscrewing.

Never seen a meatball handle like this in person. it looks like a 3 inch towing ball haha.

I want to stash away some cash for when KMScotts apprentice is pumping out jaws.. any idea on a cost? are we talking a few hundred dollars?

Edit. hope to have this wire wheeled by the end of the summer. unfortunately its going to have to sit like this for a while.

 

[Private Lugnutz]

The anvil is fixed in relation to the jaws but swivels when the wing nut is backed off to move the whole within the range of the crescent.

Thanks. I want one!

It's a late 1800's French Jewelers vise.

Thanks. Very cool. The base on that one (cruciform) is different than 1NRO's (crescent) if I'm not mistaken. Does the anvil swivel? EDIT: Scratch that question. Appears to be two different versions, stationary and swivel base, of the same vise.

 

[Private Lugnutz]

...always thought the bullet shape is reminiscent of the 'box' ie nut in tube of the centuries old blacksmith's leg vice or the 'parallel' Wright bench version of 150 yrs old - (but not 'fine threaded').

Tube vise designs were patented long before Dohnal's parent in 1937, ....

Thanks, guys.

 

[Private Lugnutz]

I have found plenty restored for alot more money than estate/garage prices.

These are not restored. The Wilton has some original paint remaining, but not much. The Prentiss is surplus out of the maintenance shop at Walson Army Hospital on Fort Dix. Army grey-green. The jaws are dinged up some on both, but they are very intact and tight. The jaws on the Wilton are not original and have been re-tapped for metric hex screws, but probably several decades ago. No cracks anywhere that I can detect. No issues with the swivel bases or lockdowns. The dynamic jaws on both these vises open and close smooth and true like butter with one index finger. Full admission, though - I wasn't thinking of letting these go at estate/garage sale prices. I wouldn't ask for full eBay/CL type retail prices, either. I'd be happy with something to the left of the low end of the fair range. I'll send you more photos. Feel free to ask GJ members for their assessment.

 

[Outlawmws]

Z3, better pics of the ball and in particular the collar? I'm initially thinking the collar isn't right, or the screw was replaced with a non-Parker?

 

[Private Lugnutz]

b.well

I posted more photos of each vise in the GJ Classifieds. You have first dibs. It was just easier than reducing for email etc. This way you can look them over right here on the site and other can as well. The Wilton HD 9400 is linked here. And the Prentiss Bulldog 524 is linked here.

 

[Shiftless]

Here is an unusual clamp on.

Anybody recognize this or have any historical information?

2 1/2 inch wide jaws.

It was given to me by a relative who is 88 years old. He told me it used to belong to his father long ago. When I got it it was broken but KMScott generously offered to braze it back together.

I am planning to soak in Evaporust, clean up the handles, paint the body, highlight the lettering, and present the vise to my first cousin twice removed because he is the great grandson of who I suppose to be the original owner.


.

 

[Z3K3Y]

Z3, better pics of the ball and in particular the collar? I'm initially thinking the collar isn't right, or the screw was replaced with a non-Parker?

hex socket cap screw on the collar, obviously replaced, tried to get some better shots.. let me know your thoughts, I know ive seen the branded collars with PAR KER on them. should mine have that? . im not sure its original. but it looks machined to fit the profile

 

[Outlawmws]

OK the collar looks functional, if not original (It should be cast and as you said "Parker" on it)

So the nut inside must be missing the pin to captivate it. Use something soft like a nail the right diameter.

 

[Z3K3Y]

OK the collar looks functional, if not original (It should be cast and as you said "Parker" on it)

So the nut inside must be missing the pin to captivate it. Use something soft like a nail the right diameter.

If my medication and time allows it. Ill try to start taking apart tomorrow and get a bunch of more pictures. I think you are rite about a pin missing somewhere. it will screw closed, but to open you have to unscrew and hand pull it open. probably just a sheared pin in there somewhere.. After a quick chat with KMScott I have no hope in finding jaws. Not too sure weather to scrap the front jaw and just use the anvil. or attempt to make some hardwood jaws.

 

[Shiftless]

Consider making jaws from HDPE (high density poly ethylene)

I think that would be more durable than wood which would tend to splinter.

You could also try aluminum.


.

 

[1NRO]

That is a nice vise 1NRO. Great score. i am curious on that wing nut under the split nut. Is it a semi quick release or a way to tighten the backlash. Any model number? This should be in the spreadsheet.

I've not been able to see any branding on it I'm afraid, I'm wary of stripping all the paint in the search for something but will look closer today and take some better pictures. The wing nut is the swivel point, loosening it allows the body to swing within the range of the crescent.

 

[Z3K3Y]

Consider making jaws from HDPE (high density poly ethylene)

I think that would be more durable than wood which would tend to splinter.

You could also try aluminum.


.

My biggest problem is finding a machinist willing to make them. I would be happy with any material. aluminum, copper, hardened steel. i would order a pair of sets to make it worth the setup. If you have any links other then KMScott please let me know.

I have no idea how 3d printers work. but im wondering if i could get some jaws printed that i could easily sand down to fit, then just use a copper or aluminum covers. i think that would work fine for what i do. i have other vises to really crank on stuff if need be

 

[1NRO]

That is a nice vise 1NRO. Great score. i am curious on that wing nut under the split nut. Is it a semi quick release or a way to tighten the backlash. Any model number? This should be in the spreadsheet.

Well knock me sideways, must of been what womenfolk call a "bloke's look"

 

[1NRO]

Dismantled to a point