The VISES of Garage Journal

[va.grouseman]

Craft, here's eBay's pricing rang for used and new C3s to give you some kind of idea.---It must have been a real nice one not to have the P jaws and still go that high.


https://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_from=R40&_trksid=p2380057.m570.l1313&_nkw=wilton+c3+vise&_sacat=0

 

[b.well]

It's 273 I can see the gap in the "8"...

Thanks Outlaw. I would have sworn the same. Saw it from the side and it is a 278. Also a pic measuring the jaws at 4".

 

[Solaris]

This is my today's CL acquisition. $40 cash for American Scale vise 4 inch in great condition. A nice restoration project and later a gift to a nephew.

 

[Shiftless]

Solaris:
You got a great deal on that American Scale. I have vises from about 20 different manufacturers but I’m still missing an A.S. My sister in law’s husband has a nice one that if necessary I could trade my way into.

 

[b.well]

Vise in the shadows. What could it be? The body looks like a little wilton, but the base is very different. Paint is really good if it's an old wilton. Any ideas?

There are two vises on this interesting shelving. Less to go on for the vise to the left.

Thanks!

 

[Outlawmws]

Mini "Chinese wonder vise" - rotating head (note the rubber tips in the handle) Probably 60's and probably Japanese made. (I have 2 and had one I broke when I was a kid)

 

[chrisnazzy]

Vise in the shadows. What could it be? The body looks like a little wilton, but the base is very different. Paint is really good if it's an old wilton. Any ideas?



There are two vises on this interesting shelving. Less to go on for the vise to the left.



Thanks!

The vise on the left is more than likely an older homeowners grade exposed screw swivel base vise. Could be any number of brands and could normally be picked up for $20-40. The vise on the right is a hobby vise, maybe vacuum base and usually aren't very desirable.

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[Outlawmws]

Closer look - these also have a suction cup base for kitchen table use.

 

[chrisnazzy]

Oxwall Taiwan??

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[b.well]

The vise on the left is more than likely an older homeowners grade exposed screw swivel base vise. Could be any number of brands and could normally be picked up for $20-40. The vise on the right is a hobby vise, maybe vacuum base and usually aren't very desirable.

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Mini "Chinese wonder vise" - rotating head (note the rubber tips in the handle) Probably 60's and probably Japanese made. (I have 2 and had one I broke when I was a kid)

Thanks for the quick replies. I never got into the suction cup vises. Never thought about them for kitchens. That does make more sense. Who is using them in the kitchen? Mr or Mrs?

Pic was from a basement sale in my area. Looked like a messy picked over work shop. Still alot of stuff but not functional for some time.

 

[davethorik]

Snagged this very nice little Prentiss 353-1/2 combo vise.
3.5" jaw, opens 5", weighs 44 lbs. Marked "Meriden CT" so this was made after Parker bought out Prentiss.

It has 2 large, wide pipe jaws like Reed C-series vises.

 

[pelletman]

Gave the Hotsy treatment to the Parker and Western Stand I found this week. The shelf has a split in it to get it over the post which I hadn't noticed before. Vise is a 25X

 

[wrenchguy]

Gave the Hotsy treatment to the Parker and Western Stand I found this week. The shelf has a split in it to get it over the post which I hadn't noticed before. Vise is a 25X

Some awesome there! Maybe that 25x original to stand??? What a great find!
good luck with ur project!

 

[ncgun99]

Gave the Hotsy treatment to the Parker and Western Stand I found this week. The shelf has a split in it to get it over the post which I hadn't noticed before. Vise is a 25X

I can't wait to see this done.

 

[rusty65]

Gave the Hotsy treatment to the Parker and Western Stand I found this week. The shelf has a split in it to get it over the post which I hadn't noticed before. Vise is a 25X

Crazy Parker and there numbering systems. 25x comes out to be a 130lb 9 1/2 opening 5 1/2 jaw like you stated.


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[ncgun99]

Picked up the semi brake drum stand for cheap. Going to cut the top and bottom off of the vertical pipe and redo them to clean it up. I think that I'll mount the base from underneath the drum and cut the top to fit.

Was going to put the old Wilton on top of it but then found this Prentiss No 22.

Just finally got the Prentiss taken apart last night. The swivel jaw was the most difficult to get off.

 

[ncgun99]

“New” Yost.
Picked up from a guy for 2x20’s. Good shape. Anyone know age? It’s stamped USA on the side but their new ones say the same but are from Taiwan.


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Follow up from an old post.

 

[Old Radar]

Picked up the semi brake drum stand for cheap. Going to cut the top and bottom off of the vertical pipe and redo them to clean it up. I think that I'll mount the base from underneath the drum and cut the top to fit.

Mounting from underneath is the way to go! This is the base for my dual grinder stand.

 

[ncgun99]

Mounting from underneath is the way to go! This is the base for my dual grinder stand.



That looks great. I was having a hard time deciding what color to paint the base but seeing yours, I might just clear coat it. Thanks for the pictures!


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[va.grouseman]

Snagged this very nice little Prentiss 353-1/2 combo vise.
3.5" jaw, opens 5", weighs 44 lbs. Marked "Meriden CT" so this was made after Parker bought out Prentiss.

It has 2 large, wide pipe jaws like Reed C-series vises.

Dave, really clean Prentiss.---Has all the bells and whistles in one package.---Nice score, needs to loose some of the paint though.

 

[va.grouseman]

Picked up the semi brake drum stand for cheap. Going to cut the top and bottom off of the vertical pipe and redo them to clean it up. I think that I'll mount the base from underneath the drum and cut the top to fit.

Was going to put the old Wilton on top of it but then found this Prentiss No 22.

Just finally got the Prentiss taken apart last night. The swivel jaw was the most difficult to get off.

Ncgun, another fine Prentiss specimen.---#22s that clean are hard to find.---Congrats.---That's a keeper for sure.

 

[ncgun99]

Ncgun, another fine Prentiss specimen.---#22s that clean are hard to find.---Congrats.---That's a keeper for sure.

Thanks Va. The wife thinks I’m nuts but it’s all good.

In a bath of purple power now. More to follow.


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[jonshonda]

Thanks Va. The wife thinks I’m nuts but it’s all good.

In a bath of purple power now. More to follow.

It's kinda funny cuz around me vises are hard to come by. I had won an auction for a Prentiss No5 (6" swivel jaw stationary base). I was really happy, the only 6" vise I had seen locally in the 3 years I have been interested. Then, ONE WEEK LATER......a really nice No22 comes up for sale. Well, I just had to have it.

Now there is a No96 (6" fixed jaw, swivel base) for sale fairly local, that needs some work. But I am temped to own all the 6" Prentiss models. So I might just pick it up. I also noted another No22 for sale that is 3.5 hrs away, that I am tempted about getting. But that is a long drive.

 

[b.well]

Picked up the semi brake drum stand for cheap. Going to cut the top and bottom off of the vertical pipe and redo them to clean it up. I think that I'll mount the base from underneath the drum and cut the top to fit.

Was going to put the old Wilton on top of it but then found this Prentiss No 22.

Just finally got the Prentiss taken apart last night. The swivel jaw was the most difficult to get off.

Nice Prentiss 22.

It's a bit of a sore subject for me this week. A guy posted one on FB Market that looked in great shape. We agreed on a price Tuesday and that I would pick it up this week. It is interesting how something can be sitting in someone's garage/basement/shed for decades but once it's up for sell there is a fire to sell it fast. I asked the seller to list the vise in pending status after we made the deal which is what I do when selling something and others are usually happy to do as well. He replied, "No need to treat me like a child, I'm not going to sell it out from under you." Then I knew I needed to move fast. Tuesday night he messaged and was much nicer, started telling me about the vise and offered to load it in my car. I felt better. Wednesday early afternoon he messaged me and asked when I was coming. I was about to message him and tell him that same day, Wednesday. I relayed the same and he gave me his address. His town was over an hour away and his address was another 10 miles past that (looked like the next town over actually). I have two young kids and it's tough to get out that far especially evening time. Seller knew this as we talked about our kids the night before. I asked if he would meet me a little closer. He replied, "Dude, **** off. Don't come. Bye.". I said I was sorry if I offended him and I would drive the full distance. He replied, "No do not come. I am not selling it to you." I asked why the change. He replied, "Leave me alone. Next time don't be such a ****. I don't know how to say this any clearer... if you show up, I will call the police." I replied I would never know what happen to the helpful man I had messaged with the night before. Later the same day he sold the vise. So clearly others were messaging about the vise still listed in active status and getting in line.

Overall I have had great experiences both buying and selling on FB Market. And most people are happy to meet in some middle ground. Just sad running into people like this. I wasn't going to write about it but your coincidental Prentiss 22 posting just sparked the recent memory.

 

[ncgun99]

Nice Prentiss 22.



It's a bit of a sore subject for me this week. A guy posted one on FB Market that looked in great shape. We agreed on a price Tuesday and that I would pick it up this week. It is interesting how something can be sitting in someone's garage/basement/shed for decades but once it's up for sell there is a fire to sell it fast. I asked the seller to list the vise in pending status after we made the deal which is what I do when selling something and others are usually happy to do as well. He replied, "No need to treat me like a child, I'm not going to sell it out from under you." Then I knew I needed to move fast. Tuesday night he messaged and was much nicer, started telling me about the vise and offered to load it in my car. I felt better. Wednesday early afternoon he messaged me and asked when I was coming. I was about to message him and tell him that same day, Wednesday. I relayed the same and he gave me his address. His town was over an hour away and his address was another 10 miles past that (looked like the next town over actually). I have two young kids and it's tough to get out that far especially evening time. Seller knew this as we talked about our kids the night before. I asked if he would meet me a little closer. He replied, "Dude, **** off. Don't come. Bye.". I said I was sorry if I offended him and I would drive the full distance. He replied, "No do not come. I am not selling it to you." I asked why the change. He replied, "Leave me alone. Next time don't be such a ****. I don't know how to say this any clearer... if you show up, I will call the police." I replied I would never know what happen to the helpful man I had messaged with the night before. Later the same day he sold the vise. So clearly others were messaging about the vise still listed in active status and getting in line.



Overall I have had great experiences both buying and selling on FB Market. And most people are happy to meet in some middle ground. Just sad running into people like this. I wasn't going to write about it but your coincidental Prentiss 22 posting just sparked the recent memory.

Sorry to hear about the bad interaction. I think that all of us have had at least some sort of bad interaction with internet peoples. Hopefully it works out next time.

Hate to say I almost got taken for about $700 on the internet…thank you PayPal. They made it right and hopefully are going after the guy.


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[ncgun99]

It's kinda funny cuz around me vises are hard to come by. I had won an auction for a Prentiss No5 (6" swivel jaw stationary base). I was really happy, the only 6" vise I had seen locally in the 3 years I have been interested. Then, ONE WEEK LATER......a really nice No22 comes up for sale. Well, I just had to have it.



Now there is a No96 (6" fixed jaw, swivel base) for sale fairly local, that needs some work. But I am temped to own all the 6" Prentiss models. So I might just pick it up. I also noted another No22 for sale that is 3.5 hrs away, that I am tempted about getting. But that is a long drive.

I was impressed on how big the no 22 actually was. There are plenty of guys in here with bigger vises but the 22 is big! I would drive for it if it’s in good shape.
Mine is a keeper for sure.


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[Outlawmws]

It's kinda funny cuz around me vises are hard to come by. I had won an auction for a Prentiss No5 (6" swivel jaw stationary base). I was really happy, the only 6" vise I had seen locally in the 3 years I have been interested. Then, ONE WEEK LATER......a really nice No22 comes up for sale. Well, I just had to have it.

.

That is almost a given after a long search, and spending maybe more than you would have...

I spent a YEAR looking for a fairly rare 1920's Kamp Kook No 3 stove (Very Small...) and after I finally scored off Eprey. a year later I have 3, and one was a local buy and the least I spent on any of them! Also in the best condition "out of the box"

 

[pelletman]

I can't wait to see this done.

It just might be! LOL

 

[wmb67]

I'm looking for thoughts on this Craftsman 5154 that I'll be looking at later, for sale for $50. It looks to be in pretty good condition.
Seller says it's missing the screws for the jaw inserts, otherwise it's all there and functioning.

 

[wmb67]

In my searching, I found this thread which discusses the jaw inserts and that the vise did not come with holes in the back of the static jaw, but the vise I've posted has hole in the back of the dynamic jaw.
Was it a common repair for these vises to drill new holes through the jaws to attach the jaw inserts?

https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=412465&highlight=Craftsman+5154+vise

 

[Shiftless]

From looking at those rather poor pictures, it seems to me that there are several areas that are missing a lot of metal. There is a good chance that vise was badly abused and pieces broke off. Unless you are well equipped and enjoy cast iron restoration, I suggest either passing, or picking it up at a lower price for parts to keep it out of the scrap pile. Those are popular collector model Craftsman vises so somebody might need a main nut or spindle. It’s hard to be sure, but the handle looks to be bent on top of the other problems.
To me, it’s scrap. If the main nut is even still there and in OK shape, I’d pay $10

You could strip it, fill in the voids with epoxy, cut the slide, repaint, and make it into a set of bookends. That would look pretty cool!

 

[AngryBeaver]

From looking at those rather poor pictures, it seems to me that there are several areas that are missing a lot of metal. There is a good chance that vise was badly abused and pieces broke off. Unless you are well equipped and enjoy cast iron restoration, I suggest either passing, or picking it up at a lower price for parts to keep it out of the scrap pile. Those are popular collector model Craftsman vises so somebody might need a main nut or spindle. It’s hard to be sure, but the handle looks to be bent on top of the other problems.
To me, it’s scrap. If the main nut is even still there and in OK shape, I’d pay $10

You could strip it, fill in the voids with epoxy, cut the slide, repaint, and make it into a set of bookends. That would look pretty cool!

Look at the spindle....

those craftsmans didn't come with that spindle, This might be a very rare vise that led to the production of the 519x series...... I don't see the wear you are talking about. the rock islands don't have much of a "ledge" where the jaws fit on.

 

[Fierljeppen]

Look at the spindle....

those craftsmans didn't come with that spindle, This might be a very rare vise that led to the production of the 519x series......

Good eye! The Craftsman model no.5154 was definitely a Rock Island Mfg Co. vise, so if the screw spindle in the photo is in fact OEM, then you may have found a critical piece to the greatest vise puzzle of all time.

 

[Shiftless]

I don’t know how I missed that detail. I was too focused on possible damage up at the top of the jaw towers to look much at the nose. You guys are right about that.
It sure would be interesting to see if there were stamped in numbers under the red paint on that nose.

Here is the area that concerned me. From this angle there seems to be a chunk gone.
Nevertheless, ignore my earlier appraisal. Buy it for the asking price of $50.

 

[wmb67]

Thanks guys.
Shiftless, I too have concerns about the condition of the jaws including the part you circled, though I almost think it’s missing paint and surface rust- not damage. But I won’t know until I see it in person later in the week.

Fierljeppen- Could you explain “the greatest vise puzzle of all time “?

 

[AngryBeaver]

Thanks guys.
Shiftless, I too have concerns about the condition of the jaws including the part you circled, though I almost think it’s missing paint and surface rust- not damage. But I won’t know until I see it in person later in the week.

Fierljeppen- Could you explain “the greatest vise puzzle of all time “?

I'm not him, but the maker of the Craftsman 519x series has been a mystery for years. People have thought for a long time they were columbian made based on the shape of the spindle. but the size of the columbian made craftsmans later on were MUCH MUCH SMALLER.

I have said for a long time, that I believed they were made by rock island, due to the construction, jaws interchanging, date stampings on top of the slide, the peened handle ends, etc. A lot of experts thought I was nuts, just like they said the numbers stamped on reeds weren't date stamps...

(the one you posted a pic of is a rock island made, for craftsman. That particular spindle has only been seen on the 05195, 05196, 05197, 05198 and 05191.

That vise you have pictured its a pretty rare vise. I believe it to be the right spindle based on the fact that the collar isn't threaded like it is on the 0519x series. It has a normal set screw like that era rock island would normally have, but with a meatball style spindle

here's the thread to give you an idea..

https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=351100&highlight=craftsman+0519x

 

[wmb67]

AngryBeaver- thanks for the explanation, I will dig into that thread.

 

[Shiftless]

A.B. knows what he’s talking about.
w.m.b. Please buy that vise and report back.
I have 3 vises from the 519x series. Here are 2 of mine. A 5191 and a 5197

 

[TOTO]

Found this 300S on Craigslist. It is dated 8 91. It's in good shape just needs a good clean and lube. It will be a daily user along side my 600S.

 

[Fierljeppen]

Thanks guys.
Shiftless, I too have concerns about the condition of the jaws including the part you circled, though I almost think it’s missing paint and surface rust- not damage. But I won’t know until I see it in person later in the week.

Fierljeppen- Could you explain “the greatest vise puzzle of all time “?

"The greatest vise puzzle of all time" because of the amount of interest and difficulty in finding the OEM of this vise, as well as the detailed clues given and interesting opinions.

"The Wilton date code puzzle" was really good as well.