The VISES of Garage Journal

[Outlawmws]

I hope that all thread is NOT plated. Electrolysis is a nice clean non toxic solution IF you keep all plating and heavy metals out of the soup. Don't use copper wire, use rebar tie wire (cheap - a couple of bucks a roll in the rebar section of any BB store) use rebar or other plain steel/iron for the anode. Stay away from stainless (some stainless WILL work but its not known (to me) which is safe. - Look up hexavalent chromium...) Graphite works well as an anode.

Too large an anode can load up the power source and burn it up. A guy I know is successfully using a PC power supply (for both an E-tank and nickle plating) and once he got the anode size/mass down, stopped burning them up

 

[Tinkerer2]

Did they use lead based paint on vises? Is it assumed that all of the paint has rusted off?

 

[Shiftless]

Heres a few others from the shop. New Wilton, most likely made in China, no one uses it as you can see. The other is an unbranded bullet look alike. Has a bunch of codes stamped, but no brand, anyone know who made these, and if they are USA made. I'd say it's an early to mid 90's vise. It gets beat on pretty good.

Your unbranded vise is a Wilton Tradesman vise. Up until recently, they were made in the U.S.A. The rectangular recess used to have a metal tag glued into that space that said Wilton. Wilton also sold those vises to SnapOn so there might have been a SnapOn tag on some of them. Those were painted red.

 

[va.grouseman]

My Starrett

Man after my own heart.

 

[Aldochina]

Thanks for the info shiftless. I did a quick wire wheeling of the rod. Ended up swapping it out for some flat stock that has a bit more surface area anyway, just to compare. I use the copper wire just because its everywhere around here. I'm an electrician, so unless it is detrimental to the process I'll use it. I'd like to hear more about the process after the dip to prep for finish. And should you ladle off the froth or just leave it?

 

[Outlawmws]

Aldo get the copper wire out of the soup. Use rebar tie wire (iron/steel) A couple of bucks a roll at any BB store near the rebar (concrete section).

You do not want ANY heavy metals in your E-tank.

The "dissolved" iron and iron oxide is harmless, Heavy metals (Like Copper) are a superfund site in the making...

 

[Aldochina]

Thanks outlaw, makes sense. How long does a nasty vise need to usually soak? Full day, 2?

 

[Outlawmws]

It can be anywhere from 1/2 a day to 2. Partly driven on how much accumulates on the anode. When things slow down I roughly clean the loose crud off

 

[Vise]

Fine vise (Craftsman 5191) horribly abused for sale near me...asking $125
Anybody up for a big project? Not me. (I already have a nice 5191)


.

I opened up one of these 519X vises this weekend (a 5195). It was my first one and while I'm pretty sure they were made by Rock Island, there are some weird features on it I've never seen before. Two different backlash mechanisms on the nut and, oddest of all, the collar inside the vise THREADS onto the main screw, so the set screw on the collar digs into the threads???

Would also be interested to see anyone's pictures of the internal swivel lock studs on the swivel base models. Mine doesn't have the original stud or swivel lock and I need to get one made.

 

[va.grouseman]

Vise, looks like to me that the set screw would eventually ****** the threads to where the collar would jump thread or bind and be thread froze in place, .---Does it really look like factory fixings?

 

[Vise]

Vise, looks like to me that the set screw would eventually ****** the threads to where the collar would jump thread or bind and be thread froze in place, .---Does it really look like factory fixings?

Yes it does look factory to me, but could be wrong. Does anyone else have one of the Craftsman 519X models that can check theirs?

 

[Ww7573]

Yes it does look factory to me, but could be wrong. Does anyone else have one of the Craftsman 519X models that can check theirs?

That kinda sounds the reed version vs the rock island one.

Can you post pictures of yours as well?

 

[Fierljeppen]

Can someone please explain this recent insanity to me? Wilton claims to have built tens of thousands of this vise, they're available on eBay everyday, yet the price continues to rise to epic proportions?

On the flip side, congratulations to the sellers.

 

[rusty65]

Can someone please explain this recent insanity to me? Wilton claims to have built tens of thousands of this vise, they're available on eBay everyday, yet the price continues to rise to epic proportions?



On the flip side, congratulations to the sellers.

Notice the $950 one is reposted. But seriously 1k for the top one is insane. I believe it’s a way to artificially raise the prices. By faking high sale price that makes the ones in much better shape seem more valued then before. Just my thinking.


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[b.well]

Got one of these couple of weeks ago, 6" ridgid with the pipe jaws and the pipe jaws aren't even missing. These don't ever come up for sale around here. Pretty excited to get it. Haven't weighed it but must be close to 200lbs. BCD

Nice find. HUGE vise!!!!

 

[va.grouseman]

Now there's 1 up for $1100.00.---I couldn't prove it, but people are always scheming, and studying a new way to con his fellow man.---I think that there are some that constantly monitor to see just what are the hot items of the day, corner the market, (buy up as many Baby Bullets as they can for ex.), then inflate the market by having a relative or co conspirator purchase the item at a ridiculous price to establish an inflated value.---Then they can start to unload the others sequentially---Basically, it's just exactly what Rusty said.---It's dirty but effective.


https://www.ebay.com/itm/Wilton-2-B...239029?hash=item3da6d8ebb5:g:3DwAAOSw1b1fCRo9

 

[b.well]

Notice the $950 one is reposted. But seriously 1k for the top one is insane. I believe it’s a way to artificially raise the prices. By faking high sale price that makes the ones in much better shape seem more valued then before. Just my thinking.


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One part is supply and demand. The baby bullets are a better fit in the average DIY workshop so seemingly sought after by more people. The ball base makes it more versatile like a versavise and probably more rare. None the less an upgrade from the standard swivel. I see a bare metal baby swivel for 420 and a restored one for 500. Higher sale prices also brings out more sellers; so as the prices rose so did the supply.

It's possible someone bought the 950 baby vise then didn't pay. VERY BAD if the seller is faking sales.

 

[GETRIDAONE]

I think this one was made on Monday after a big weekend

 

[nutjob]

inflate the market by having a relative or co conspirator purchase the item at a ridiculous price to establish an inflated value.

If someone is doing this how do they get around the 10% fee from Ebay? I think Ebay has made some changes so you pay even if the auction is canceled?

Or they are making enough on legit sales to cover the fee from the fake ones?

Kevin

 

[cbacres]

Here’s a Prentiss 526 I picked up last week.


It’s a pretty clean vise.

Smooth as hell on the swivel and thread.




Bought online with no inspection, but real happy with.


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[Vise]

That kinda sounds the reed version vs the rock island one.

Can you post pictures of yours as well?

This is from the 519X Craftsman series, believed by most to have been made by Rock Island. You can see the threaded collar in the pics and how it threads onto the main screw. Also took a picture of the static and the two different backlash adjustment mechanism on the nut for posterity. It’s a Craftsman 5195. I have to believe that anyone who has opened one of these vises has noticed this, no?











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[Ww7573]

This is from the 519X Craftsman series, believed by most to have been made by Rock Island. You can see the threaded collar in the pics and how it threads onto the main screw. Also took a picture of the static and the two different backlash adjustment mechanism on the nut for posterity. It’s a Craftsman 5195. I have to believe that anyone who has opened one of these vises has noticed this, no?











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I have not seen that before, and that is not the Reed, I completely misunderstood what you were describing.

 

[Outlawmws]

I can confirm it's a threaded on stop, set screw on the screw threads. 5195

 

[va.grouseman]

Vise, I misunderstood the description also.---I thought from your description that there were raised fine threads at the end of the main screw that the collar threaded onto.---That's why I thought the threads would get buggered real easy by the set screw.---Probably wouldn't effect those bit screw threads at all.---First time I've ever seen a collar that matched the big screw threads.

I'm getting my late FIL's 05195 from his estate but haven't taken possession yet, so I will see if it matches yours.---Mine has the same problem yours does, it's missing the swivel base and the locking mechanisms and center bolt.

Now I'm wondering if just the 5195 has that unique collar or does all the sizes in the 519 series have it.

 

[harley jim]

I ran into this for sale today. I'm not interested in buying it but got a pic for you guys here. 800.00 asking.

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[Vise]

VA - will be interested to see yours.

Had never seen this feature. It does marr the screw a bit when you tighten it, but that part of the screw is never going through the nut anyway. I spoke to JoeStriper and he told me he likes to drill a detent into the shaft (after measuring and marking the right location). Will see how this one cleans up. Thanks, guys.

 

[rbannon]

I have seen similar applications of a setscrew into a threaded feature where a lead slug was used under the setscrew to prevent damage to threads.

 

[b.well]

I ran into this for sale today. I'm not interested in buying it but got a pic for you guys here. 800.00 asking.

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Thanks for posting a deal you found for other GJ members. I think that's a great practice!!!

Wilton bullet prices do get crazy. I see people "asking" up to $1500 for the 600. Here is an auction starting at $600 if you are a lucky Illinois local

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Vintage-Wi...rge-145-lbs-6-x-1-Jaws-Restored/313141927896?

 

[chrisnazzy]

Can someone please explain this recent insanity to me? Wilton claims to have built tens of thousands of this vise, they're available on eBay everyday, yet the price continues to rise to epic proportions?



On the flip side, congratulations to the sellers.

I've got $40 into mine. Even if I could get that kind of money for it, I'd still keep it. Now if I find another one at a bargain someday I may be tempted!

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[va.grouseman]

I wasn't as lucky Chris, had to give $190.00, which included shipping, for mine.---I thought I was doing a very foolish thing at the time and knew I would regret it, but that was 8 years ago.

But I'm like you, if I could find a real deal on one I'd spring for another.

 

[Shiftless]

I only have 2 babies

 

[Shiftless]

Here is a good example of abuse. This little gem is listed with an asking price of $45
I have to admire the reinforcing loop installed to bolster the dynamic support shelf.

IMHO this is a good candidate for making a pair of bookends and that’s it.

.

 

[Z3K3Y]

Picked up this little Chas Parker 973 1/2 today. Collar has something funky going on I need to inspect. Previous owner has some washers in there. I was glad to find it with the wrench too!. This was the same person I got the "Big Bear" vise off of. I had a look around their barn today for the missing jaw, but had no such luck.

 

[Outlawmws]

Looks like the "Parker" was ground off?

 

[Z3K3Y]

Looks like the "Parker" was ground off?

Yes. Someone took an angle grinder to it at some point. I can deal with that. Though the screw hole that holds the collar on the vise is stripped out. im going to have to tap it and use a slightly larger screw.

 

[Outlawmws]

Or put in a Helicoil

 

[Z3K3Y]

Or put in a Helicoil

ya I havent even really looked at it too much. I may do the helicoil option. It might just be the screw that is stripped not the hole now that I think of it. Im really useless at the moment in cast and on crutches haha. thankfully I have a big brother here to carry this stuff for me while im on the 'out'.

I did open it up to check out the jaws. they are pretty worn down but I wont be looking for new ones. maybe just a copper liner.

On the vise spread sheet, this model links to KMScotts NOS 937 1/2 in the factory box. I will be shooting for exactly that look when I get around to it (minus the box of course).

 

[Nopd9494]

I have a Reed 108 with swivel base. Taking it apart now to refinish will post finished product. Next project is a Starrett 924 you’ll also see a Rock Island

 

[rusty65]

I have a Reed 108 with swivel base. Taking it apart now to refinish will post finished product. Next project is a Starrett 924 you’ll also see a Rock Island

Nice vises! I don’t believe seeing you post before so welcome to the forum.


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[Nopd9494]

Thanks now I’m going to make you sick. I got the Reed for $75