The VISES of Garage Journal
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Shiftless
Well-known member
Smitty:
Great find! That Starrett is still wearing its original paint.
Some readers here might not know that the Athol Starrett vises are considered by many to be at the very top of the heap.
Mslund1:
Those swivel jaw Hollands are not easy to find. Yours looks to be in excellent condition. I have it’s slightly bigger brother, the 43 1/2, which also has smooth jaws.
That big bullet is pristine! Nobody spent their time hammering on it like so many other big vises we find.
Great find! That Starrett is still wearing its original paint.
Some readers here might not know that the Athol Starrett vises are considered by many to be at the very top of the heap.
Mslund1:
Those swivel jaw Hollands are not easy to find. Yours looks to be in excellent condition. I have it’s slightly bigger brother, the 43 1/2, which also has smooth jaws.
That big bullet is pristine! Nobody spent their time hammering on it like so many other big vises we find.
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Found this mysterious vise locally. No idea who made it.
Will dig deeper on the weekend, but maybe somebody knows something.
Looks american, but over here? Unlikely. UK? USSR?
Has double jaw inserts, very strange.
Will dig deeper on the weekend, but maybe somebody knows something.
Looks american, but over here? Unlikely. UK? USSR?
Has double jaw inserts, very strange.
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I paired up the Wilton 800 that I got a couple of weeks ago with a cast iron stand. The vise has 8” jaws and weighs in at 225 lbs, the stand was made in the early 1900’s and weighs in at 175 lbs. I decided to leave the machine shop patina on the vise and tried to paint the stand to match, I made an 1 1/2” top plate for the stand and rounded the edges to match the base. It’s now a top five favorite vise of mine.
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I paired up the Wilton 800 that I got a couple of weeks ago with a cast iron stand. The vise has 8” jaws and weighs in at 225 lbs, the stand was made in the early 1900’s and weighs in at 175 lbs. I decided to leave the machine shop patina on the vise and tried to paint the stand to match, I made an 1 1/2” top plate for the stand and rounded the edges to match the base. It’s now a top five favorite vise of mine.
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That thing is a beast! Why the wood top?
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txlonghorn1989
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Smitty That stand with the HUGE vise looks great. I've been thinking about doing exactly what you did with an old cast iron grinder stand for one of my vises. Make a wood top and paint it to match the stand. You just confirmed that it's a good idea. Thanks!!! Did you use a time machine to find that Starrett? I assumed you've cleaned it up? That vise looks great!
Outlaw You **** on that Prentiss swivel jaw vise!!!
Outlaw You **** on that Prentiss swivel jaw vise!!!
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txlonghorn1989
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RB You are not getting much help to identify that vise like hunk of steel are you? I wonder if it's got the GJ vise experts stumped? Post it over in the SWARF forum on the OWWM website. I'll bet they can tell you something about it!
txlonghorn1989
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Why?
Old Radar
Well-known member
I found this Wilton bullet at an estate sale last week. I don't think it has been touched in the last decade. After clean up it appears to have 80-85% original paint so I will keep it that way. This is my first bullet--not counting a Cadet--and I'm having trouble determining what model it is. S2 is forged into the dynamic but I cannot find any reference to that as a model number. It has 3.5 inch jaws, opens 6 inches and weighs 40 pounds.
Considering the overall condition, I was surprised at how pitted the key was when I went looking for a manufacture date, but I guess years of not using it gave the rust monster a quiet home. I initially thought it was built in 62 but was having trouble reconciling the shape of the "2". When I flipped it over, 79 jumped out at me. But I don't understand the horizontal "1"--Friday afternoon stamping?
Considering the overall condition, I was surprised at how pitted the key was when I went looking for a manufacture date, but I guess years of not using it gave the rust monster a quiet home. I initially thought it was built in 62 but was having trouble reconciling the shape of the "2". When I flipped it over, 79 jumped out at me. But I don't understand the horizontal "1"--Friday afternoon stamping?
The jaws were showing wear and had a belly in them, showing it some love before putting to work.
txlonghorn1989
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Ok. Was just curious.
Chefrex
Thanks, I went with the wood top so I could shape it better and it was the thickness I wanted. I really wanted to match the top to the very bottom of the base for continuity. It’s
1 1/2” thick hard rock maple and it’s brick shythouse solid.
Tex
The photo of the Starrett is how it looked when I took it off the bench, I really like when people take care of their tools. I got that big grinder stand for cheap and I couldn’t be happier. The second I put the vise on the stand I knew they belonged together. The top is bolted to the stand and the vise is through bolted to the wood top.
Thanks, I went with the wood top so I could shape it better and it was the thickness I wanted. I really wanted to match the top to the very bottom of the base for continuity. It’s
1 1/2” thick hard rock maple and it’s brick shythouse solid.
Tex
The photo of the Starrett is how it looked when I took it off the bench, I really like when people take care of their tools. I got that big grinder stand for cheap and I couldn’t be happier. The second I put the vise on the stand I knew they belonged together. The top is bolted to the stand and the vise is through bolted to the wood top.
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Here’s a pic of the stand with the original top. I used gray, tan and brown paint to try and match the patina of the vise. I even tore a sponge apart and used it to create more texture and depth on the stand.
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pelletman
Well-known member
Yeah Smitty, great stand, great vise, nice!
Shiftless
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ALLFAST
Well-known member
I will post my very recent refurbishment of my October 1943 Rocky 542-BX here( which I've given to a good friend ) , as I am now reacclimated to the board!
She's been sitting idle for a couple years and I wrapped her up at 0100 Sunday morning. The little intro story is on page 3 or so our Vintage Tool discussion area. I don't have the energy at the moment to rehash all that here, but I'll update her total completion and restoration photos soon as the new Birtman Badge and pipe jaw inserts get installed.
Thanks to you dedicated folks for all of the inspiration !
Shawn
She's been sitting idle for a couple years and I wrapped her up at 0100 Sunday morning. The little intro story is on page 3 or so our Vintage Tool discussion area. I don't have the energy at the moment to rehash all that here, but I'll update her total completion and restoration photos soon as the new Birtman Badge and pipe jaw inserts get installed.
Thanks to you dedicated folks for all of the inspiration !
Shawn
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ALLFAST
Well-known member
That big Wilton and beautiful stand are very impressive Smitty. Great work !
Shawn
Shawn
ALLFAST
Well-known member
Shiftless
Well-known member
ALLFAST:
Nice work! I’m loving that green color.
Here is a link for readers looking for your back story.
https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=463787
Nice work! I’m loving that green color.
Here is a link for readers looking for your back story.
https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=463787
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ALLFAST
Well-known member
Thanks for the link and good vibes Shiftless! There will be more to follow once I get the jaws and badge in hand��.
A "Wilton" vise?
I have a question regarding the 4-inch vise shown below. As found (a Mesa, Ariz. antique mall), this had a vertical strip of paper saying "WILTON" (in the proper logo style) glued onto the dynamic jaw above the spindle.
In the process of cleaning it and repainting (Rustoleum hammered Verde Green), the paper label came off. There's no cast-in maker name on the vise in either of the two side panels, a feature generally found, I think, on Wilton vises with this design.
The images show that the only cast-in markings on it are numbers. The left side has "1644" on both jaws, while the right side has "110008" (dynamic jaw) and "111037" (static). There's also a mark of some kind and the numeral "2" on the dynamic jaw above the 110008.
Over the last year, the vise has worked well enough, although I have always assumed it's a Chinese knock-off of some Wilton model. (I call it the "Wilton" in quotes.)
However, when I replaced the original swivel lock knob-and-handle with a lock nut, the bolt turns out to have a 1/2-13 thread, which isn't metric as you'd expect on a foreign-made vise. So now I'm wondering who and where this thing was made.
Any ideas from the community on its parentage?
I have a question regarding the 4-inch vise shown below. As found (a Mesa, Ariz. antique mall), this had a vertical strip of paper saying "WILTON" (in the proper logo style) glued onto the dynamic jaw above the spindle.
In the process of cleaning it and repainting (Rustoleum hammered Verde Green), the paper label came off. There's no cast-in maker name on the vise in either of the two side panels, a feature generally found, I think, on Wilton vises with this design.
The images show that the only cast-in markings on it are numbers. The left side has "1644" on both jaws, while the right side has "110008" (dynamic jaw) and "111037" (static). There's also a mark of some kind and the numeral "2" on the dynamic jaw above the 110008.
Over the last year, the vise has worked well enough, although I have always assumed it's a Chinese knock-off of some Wilton model. (I call it the "Wilton" in quotes.)
However, when I replaced the original swivel lock knob-and-handle with a lock nut, the bolt turns out to have a 1/2-13 thread, which isn't metric as you'd expect on a foreign-made vise. So now I'm wondering who and where this thing was made.
Any ideas from the community on its parentage?
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Picked up this Wilton Bullet in an auction a while back. I had to buy the workbench it was attached to to get it, but the price was right. It was more worn out than I have hoped, but a buddy with a lathe is a heck of a handy thing to have around. We cut a washer to weld in place on the back side of the lead screw to create a new groove for the retaining plate to remove all the slop. I threaded the retaining pin holes for the backnut, and bought a set of jaws for it. It took 40 years in a heavy manufacturing facility to get to this point, I figure it will last me a couple of lifetimes.
I had been hunting for a decent size, but not huge, vise to mount on my workbench for general use. I stumbled into this Japanese Craftsman at an estate sale. For $20, I couldn't pass it up. A fresh coat of paint, and its exactly what I was hunting.
I picked this unusual little vise up at a garage sale a while back. Its a Jordan No. 4 Special. Seems to be a very well made vise, but couldn't find a ton of info about it. I refurb'd this one, and ended up passing it along to a friend.
I had been hunting for a decent size, but not huge, vise to mount on my workbench for general use. I stumbled into this Japanese Craftsman at an estate sale. For $20, I couldn't pass it up. A fresh coat of paint, and its exactly what I was hunting.
I picked this unusual little vise up at a garage sale a while back. Its a Jordan No. 4 Special. Seems to be a very well made vise, but couldn't find a ton of info about it. I refurb'd this one, and ended up passing it along to a friend.
Good Morning. Hope everyone is well.
I found this Reed 404 vise for sale locally today. I like it. My only concern is the lower part of the static jaw face. It appears to have a crack. However, ductile is not prone to cracking (just denting) and the line is very straight. The jaw faces do not look removable. Is this just the factory line where the jaw faces were attached at the factory?
Is the crack/seam an issue?
What would you value the vise?
Thank you!
I found this Reed 404 vise for sale locally today. I like it. My only concern is the lower part of the static jaw face. It appears to have a crack. However, ductile is not prone to cracking (just denting) and the line is very straight. The jaw faces do not look removable. Is this just the factory line where the jaw faces were attached at the factory?
Is the crack/seam an issue?
What would you value the vise?
Thank you!
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akasrick
Well-known member
Good Morning. Hope everyone is well.
I found this Reed 404 vise for sale locally today. I like it. My only concern is the lower part of the static jaw face. It appears to have a crack. However, ductile is not prone to cracking (just denting) and the line is very straight. The jaw faces do not look removable. Is this just the factory line where the jaw faces were attached at the factory?
Is the crack/seam an issue?
What would you value the vise?
Thank you!
I call that jaw rot. I see that on some of the Bonney vises.
I attribute that to the weld. Left of pic.
On the right is a hacksaw mark over the hollow jaw and jaw insert.
Some could be returned to the factory for jaw refitting.
These vices are for wondering about.
And another,
akasrick
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akasrick, thanks for the response and pictures. I haven't heard of jaw rot before. What is it exactly? Not pitting, Not user abuse?
I also think the seam running along the bottom of the jaw face was probably covered up at the factory. Now the exposed seam seems to run about 3/4 across the jaw face.
Any of these deal breakers?
I also think the seam running along the bottom of the jaw face was probably covered up at the factory. Now the exposed seam seems to run about 3/4 across the jaw face.
Any of these deal breakers?
That seam you are referring to seems to show up on pre R series reeds. The biggest issue I see is the possible slide crack on top of the rear slide area.
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akasrick
Well-known member
Jaw rot is my term for it. Dirty weld? I've read they were electrically
(electro magically welded) another of my terms, welded.
akasrick
ALLFAST
Well-known member
A good buddy of mine refurbished an exact duplicate of this verde green Wilton vise and a coworker bought it from him. I'll send him this thread and he can hopefully weigh in on the part numbers, which I believe he researched well. He's on an extended road trip vacation but is touching base with me on occasion. I'll keep you posted. it's a great vise and my coworker loves his .
Shawn
Shawn
royce
Well-known member
Picked up this Wilton Bullet in an auction a while back. I had to buy the workbench it was attached to to get it, but the price was right. It was more worn out than I have hoped, but a buddy with a lathe is a heck of a handy thing to have around. We cut a washer to weld in place on the back side of the lead screw to create a new groove for the retaining plate to remove all the slop. I threaded the retaining pin holes for the backnut, and bought a set of jaws for it. It took 40 years in a heavy manufacturing facility to get to this point, I figure it will last me a couple of lifetimes.
I had been hunting for a decent size, but not huge, vise to mount on my workbench for general use. I stumbled into this Japanese Craftsman at an estate sale. For $20, I couldn't pass it up. A fresh coat of paint, and its exactly what I was hunting.
Lilliysdad,
What a cool and unique stand
Well done
Royce
As we look and talk about this more I believe we agree the seam along the jaw face is factory and does continue around the side of the jaw face. However, the continuation of that seam at about 45 degrees downward is a crack. Agree?
Good to have your terms defined in common terms
I picked this unusual little vise up at a garage sale a while back. Its a Jordan No. 4 Special. Seems to be a very well made vise, but couldn't find a ton of info about it. I refurb'd this one, and ended up passing it along to a friend.
Interesting - your Jordan has some of the design flourishes of the Wilton Shop King. The overall shape, how the the jaw ends flow into the body, and the swoops on the tops of the jaw towers. Wonder if there is some connection??
Hi Shawn,
I believe you are referring to the "Wilton" (as I call it, with quotes) in post #81265. If not, my apologies.
I'm undecided whether is this an odd but real Wilton that has the correct numbers for a 1644, but somehow didn't get the WILTON name cast into the frame — or if it's a knock-off / pirate / counterfeit, probably from China. At this point, I'm leaning toward the latter.
Indeed, whoever made it, it's a great vise for my purposes (general home projects). When you hear from your friend, please pass along his info.
Outlawmws
Well-known member
ABB, Wilton did make the Tradsman models with only a "window" for a paper label - I believe both Wilton and SO (who sold the Wilton's under their name) will mail you a new label for free.
As to COO, IIR both US and Asian made version were/are made. Not sure if Wilton brought it back of not.
As to COO, IIR both US and Asian made version were/are made. Not sure if Wilton brought it back of not.
