The VISES of Garage Journal

[Fudge]

I thought it was a great deal too! Then when I found out about Wiltons from the GJ, I really thought it was a good deal. Can anyone date them for me?

 

[rwhite692]

Fudge, just open it most of the way, and flip it over. (or, since it is mounted to your bench, look up from underneath!)

On the Keystock, it should have the "GUARantee EXPiration" date stamped on it, like this:

 

[SJK2]

Help.

Looking for any info on a vice I restored from my Dad. trying to find parts to replace. the vise is:

Parker 270

that is all of the markings on it?????

tia
Steve

 

[mjozefow]

Help.

Looking for any info on a vice I restored from my Dad. trying to find parts to replace. the vise is:

Parker 270

that is all of the markings on it?????

tia
Steve

Made by the Charler Parker company of Meriden CT, also a well-known gun maker. They are fantastic vises, post up some pics!

 

[blueflame6]

Speaking of Chas. Parker vises, this one is mine. I pulled it out of a landfill (dump) around 1991. Sandblasted it and primed with green paint to finish. Great workhorse, additional pics of jaw inserts I use; lead, aluminum, bronze, and oak. Never did find out how old this baby is..............Peter

 

[blueflame6]

On a roll now....my other 2 vises. A Wilton and a nice smaller swivel Palmgren PanaVise, great for smaller stuff..........Peter

 

[arkangel06]

Buleflame I love the green colour!

 

[BanjoSavesTheDay]

My my, we've had an explosion of vises since this thread became a sticky. Kind of made my day.

 

[mjozefow]

My my, we've had an explosion of vises since this thread became a sticky. Kind of made my day.

Me too! +10

 

[rwhite692]

My my, we've had an explosion of vises since this thread became a sticky. Kind of made my day.

This guy would seem to be less enthusiastic:

 

[CrustyD3mon]

This guy would seem to be less enthusiastic:

HAHAH what a psycho!!!!!!!!

 

[Coleman]

new coat of paint!

 

[Fudge]

Fudge, just open it most of the way, and flip it over. (or, since it is mounted to your bench, look up from underneath!)

On the Keystock, it should have the "GUARantee EXPiration" date stamped on it, like this:

Thanks for that Rwhite. I'll have to look when I get home from work tonight. I'm still wondering if anyone can date the Indian Chief blacksmiths vise.

 

[porphyre]

Just picked up this old Reed. I'm not a vise guru, but I'd never seen one with this bottom swivel attachment. Honestly, I'm not sure if I like it - dunno if I want to drill a big hole in my workbench or not. Either way, it was cheap, it seems like it's in good shape. The motion on the jaws is so smooth! It's not too big - felt around 50 lbs or so. 4" jaws, 2 patent stamps on the side, 1912 and 1914. It says "No 32" on the other site.

This is the pic from the CL ad, I just got it home and don't have my own photos yet.

 

[mjozefow]

Just picked up this old Reed. I'm not a vise guru, but I'd never seen one with this bottom swivel attachment. Honestly, I'm not sure if I like it - dunno if I want to drill a big hole in my workbench or not. Either way, it was cheap, it seems like it's in good shape. The motion on the jaws is so smooth! It's not too big - felt around 50 lbs or so. 4" jaws, 2 patent stamps on the side, 1912 and 1914. It says "No 32" on the other site.

This is the pic from the CL ad, I just got it home and don't have my own photos yet.

This style is fairly common on older vises. It offers good strength, but limits where you can position the vise. Plus, as mentioned, you gotta break out the big drill bits.

Is the center stud replaceable? That could be another disadvantage.

Those older Reeds are super smooth and feel great. I love em.

 

[porphyre]

Center stud? You mean to secure the base to the vise? Yes, it is. I'm already looking at that... maybe I can get a short one with a hex on the end and avoid drilling the center hole. It won't swivel anymore, but I'm putting this on the corner of the bench and will have plenty of working room around it.

Any idea how old it is? I see lots of information about Reed 104's and 108's but Googling "No 32" gets nothing.

I just played around with it some more. It's a little rusty and dirty, but so smooth and precise. I could mount and use this thing right now. If it's as old as I think it is (80 years?) I'll be shocked.

 

[Fudge]

Ok its a WIlton 935 with a date of 12/49 stamped on the bottom. So i guess is probably been on the bench since early 50. Thanks for the info guys, its always cool to know the history of your tools.

 

[bgott]

I finally took some pictures of my vises, here you go...

Columbian #114, Littleston woodworkers corner vise, Columbian leg vise, Reed #104 1/2, Wilton C1, Gem mill vise, 4 1/2" Indian Cief leg vise, 5" Indian Chief under a #32 Reed.

 

[bgott]

Another of the Indian Chief/ #32 Reed, Morgan #105, 10" Columbian woodworker's vise, I have another one like it stashed, 2" Wilton, 1950 date, original color, part of the sticker still on it, I don't know what brand this 2 1/2" clamp on vise is, it's a heavy little sucker though. Missing is the pic of my Reed 3C work vise, I'll try and get a picture Monday.

 

[porphyre]

BGott - I just picked up a Reed #32. Do you know anything about it? Production dates, etc? Thanks.

 

[dreamingmuscle]

My recently restored 4-1/2" Wilton #9145.

Nice!!!!!! Me like!!!!
________
Honda RC100

 

[dreamingmuscle]

Ok I didn't have any vices for vices before. But 6 pages into this thread I do know. LOL You guys are bad

I have two at the present time one fairly new bought at Home Depot. One older one giving to me by a friend from the estate of his mother. I'll get some pictures of the old one up soon.

I had one small 3'' inch vice that was shaped like a anvil. That I gave to a friend. I now regret that decision.

Glen
________
marijuana medical

 

[mjozefow]

Nice!!!!!! Me like!!!!

It does look nice! Good job with the details, they take all the time.

 

[bgott]

BGott - I just picked up a Reed #32. Do you know anything about it? Production dates, etc? Thanks.

No, I haven't got around to doing any research on it yet. I bought it from an estate sale that I had went to for a 138# anvil, I bought the vise for $25 as an afterthought. It was missing the bottom plate, I didn't even know it used one until someone on Practical Machinist mentioned it. The guy sold me the plate for $10, that and $10 shipping and I have $45 in it. I need to make another handle and find a couple of the pipe jaws for it, someday.

 

[SJK2]

Anybody know where to get parts for old Parker vises.????

 

[bgott]

Anybody know where to get parts for old Parker vises.????

What parts are you looking for? Someone might have some parts laying around, you have to mention what it is. I found the base plate for my Reed through a casual comment about the plate on someone's vise in the vise thread over on Practical Machinist.

 

[dr_clyde]

Pics I have on my PC at work -

A medium sized Wilton; an interesting one with dovetails, an adjustable gib and a rear sliding jaw; and the generic B&S mill vise...

I do want to pick up a Wilton "bullet", but only if I can grab it cheap enough.


Andy

I have this exact same vise that I just painted yesterday. I will post pics when I get it back together.

 

[SJK2]

What parts are you looking for? Someone might have some parts laying around, you have to mention what it is. I found the base plate for my Reed through a casual comment about the plate on someone's vise in the vise thread over on Practical Machinist.

Im looking for a collar w/single bolt hole and pins to hold in jaws. The vice is a
"PARKER 270" and i can find no info via web searches.???

 

[porphyre]

No, I haven't got around to doing any research on it yet. I bought it from an estate sale that I had went to for a 138# anvil, I bought the vise for $25 as an afterthought. It was missing the bottom plate, I didn't even know it used one until someone on Practical Machinist mentioned it. The guy sold me the plate for $10, that and $10 shipping and I have $45 in it. I need to make another handle and find a couple of the pipe jaws for it, someday.

I wasn't actually going to buy mine, but the guy practically gave it away. Had it posted on CL last week for $75. Reposted Friday for $40. I went and looked and was about to walk and he said "I'll take $30 for it". I couldn't pass that up. I'll hit it with the oven cleaner + power washer combo, grease and oil the entire thing, then mount it.

 

[mjozefow]

Im looking for a collar w/single bolt hole and pins to hold in jaws. The vice is a
"PARKER 270" and i can find no info via web searches.???

Join the club. There are no parts available for these vises to my knowledge.

Pins for the jaws are easy to make, reference my Parker resto thread.

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=42460

I would imagine the front collar would also be no trouble for a machinist to make. I doubt it would be much $$$.

 

[I_know_Nothing]

I am need of a good vise. Please advise on the ones below.
This one is priced at $135. I think it may be a Harbor Freight 5655 which was $90 bucks but discontinued
http://sfbay.craigslist.org/pen/tls/1696322940.html

This one he will take $150 for each one
http://sfbay.craigslist.org/sfc/tls/1696257932.html

http://sfbay.craigslist.org/sfc/tls/1696254488.html

If any one has something better for sale PM me

 

[bgott]

The Snap-on/Wilton Tradesman is the best vise of the three. The one in that CL ad is missing the swivel base. You can buy a new one from amazon.com for just over $300.

 

[I_know_Nothing]

Thanks. I did more searching and Wilton has a big sale on new equipment including all vises this month and will raise all prices across the board on May 1st. The Snap On in the CL ad has only a 3 inch throat not big enough for me. I appreciate the board and it's members for such a wealth of knowledge.

 

[mjozefow]

I am need of a good vise. Please advise on the ones below.
This one is priced at $135. I think it may be a Harbor Freight 5655 which was $90 bucks but discontinued
http://sfbay.craigslist.org/pen/tls/1696322940.html

This one he will take $150 for each one
http://sfbay.craigslist.org/sfc/tls/1696257932.html

http://sfbay.craigslist.org/sfc/tls/1696254488.html

If any one has something better for sale PM me

The Wilton is the only one worth even close to what he is asking.

 

[jeepnut24]

Got some updated pictures of mine. I found the small Columbian on ebay, then the next weekend found the machinist Columbian at a local pawn. I cleaned up the small one, but put the big one to use for the moment, but it will get cleaned and waxed eventually. The small one has a USA on it, but is the worst casting job I have ever seen??? The big one is a 504 1/2. Not sure about the date on either of them???? Pardon the focus... I missed that in camera...

Oh and two thumbs up for Evaporust, It worked wonderfully.

Oh, and thats my new work bench for my current motor swap project....

Before

After

 

[Rory Bellows]

I took a picture of my new cole drill and snapped a few of my vises. 1. Old Reed vise $10 garage sale. 2. Is a 4 inch Wilton swivel $15 auction score. 3. Is a Wilton 5" got for $40 at an auction attached to a metal table.

 

[SJK2]

As previously requested here's some pics of my dad's vise. It is only marked:
"PARKER 270"
any and all info is appreciated as to age and possible parts.
tis
Steve

 

[mjozefow]

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=42460&page=3

Read down the page. This is how I made mine, they work and look great.

Parts are basically non-existent. You will have to make everything if not generically available.

As previously requested here's some pics of my dad's vice. It is only marked:
"PARKER 270"
any and all info is appreciated as to age and possible parts.
tis
Steve

 

[trbomax]

I know this thread is for shop vises,but this is an unusual milling vise. Anyone ever seen one like it?

 

[ears]

So anybody got a 400 series Reed? I need to see a decent pic of the pin for the rear swivel jaw. Mine has been using a bolt for too long. Time to get it right.