The VISES of Garage Journal
- Thread starter mjozefow
- Start date
I always forget to "not hammer the beam!" Cool piece.
CRSINMICH
Well-known member
PARKER Handbook on Vises
In 1937 Parker published a handbook. Here is the Table of Contents and the section on How to Use a Vise. I have the whole handbook so if there is any interest in another section let me know.Attachments
Shiftless
Well-known member
Indexmill
Well-known member
Hi All,
I recently was fortunate enough to come up with a very nice Starrett 624 vise. I searched www.benchvisejaws.com for a new set of jaws for this vise. The website lists the length of the jaws as 4-1/16".
However, the original jaws on this vise are exactly 4.000 " long, so the new ones are 1/16" too long. I emailed benchvisejaws and the owner confirmed that the drawings for the jaws for the Starrett show 4.0625 long. So, I am out of luck?
Has anybody come across this issue before? Or am I just lucky? Seriously, it seems very surprising to have this issue. I would appreciate anybody's insights and the actual length of their 634 jaws. Many thanks. Indexmill.
I recently was fortunate enough to come up with a very nice Starrett 624 vise. I searched www.benchvisejaws.com for a new set of jaws for this vise. The website lists the length of the jaws as 4-1/16".
However, the original jaws on this vise are exactly 4.000 " long, so the new ones are 1/16" too long. I emailed benchvisejaws and the owner confirmed that the drawings for the jaws for the Starrett show 4.0625 long. So, I am out of luck?
Has anybody come across this issue before? Or am I just lucky? Seriously, it seems very surprising to have this issue. I would appreciate anybody's insights and the actual length of their 634 jaws. Many thanks. Indexmill.
Shiftless
Well-known member
Those Athol Starrett vises are top notch. Congrats on bagging a good one.
If the holes line up, just use them.
Are you absolutely sure your “original” jaws weren’t ground down a bit perhaps to eliminate scratches or dings?
Buy the new jaws and if they are .06 inches too long just use them as is or file them to fit. Is it a big deal if they end up overhanging by 30 thou’s on each side?
If the holes line up, just use them.
Are you absolutely sure your “original” jaws weren’t ground down a bit perhaps to eliminate scratches or dings?
Buy the new jaws and if they are .06 inches too long just use them as is or file them to fit. Is it a big deal if they end up overhanging by 30 thou’s on each side?
davethorik
Well-known member
KMScott
Well-known member
I remember when I was figuring out the Starrett jaws and had one customer come back to me and said the 4” jaws are to narrow so I added a 1/16 to the width since these fit the Athol models too. Better to have the jaws wider then a little to narrow. Same situation with Prentiss jaws. Indexmill nailed it with .030 per side extra.
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Indexmill
Well-known member
Thanks to all for feedback on my 624 jaw question.
Peter Burritt
Active member
So here is a No. 1 Vulcan chain vise that I bought for $20 off FB marketplace. The thing is in amazing shape & works like a charm. I don't have much information about it, but I felt that I should post it here for people that might appreciate seeing it
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Mr. Wonderful
Well-known member
I picked up this vise at a garage sale. It's 6-1/2" jaws with a couple "cosmetic" flaws. I have spent decent money on vises before. This one was $25. If it wasn't for me taking chances on basket cases or "zombie" vises as outlaw put it I wouldn't have many at all. Nothing against those that step up and pay big money, I just cant do it often.
Back to the vise. I think it's a Prentiss? I haven't had a chance to clean it off. It also appears to be a quick release. I've never seen a Prentiss quick release. And yes, the static jaw has multiple breaks. I think I can save it though
.
Any info on what this is would be appreciated.
Back to the vise. I think it's a Prentiss? I haven't had a chance to clean it off. It also appears to be a quick release. I've never seen a Prentiss quick release. And yes, the static jaw has multiple breaks. I think I can save it though
.Any info on what this is would be appreciated.
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Shiftless
Well-known member
Mr. W.:
That is indeed a Prentiss and based on the arched shape of the lettering I’d guess it’s over 100 years old.
I know you enjoy a challenge. You certainly signed up for one with that vise.
It appears to have an uncracked slide tail and decent jaws. As we all know, that is common damage on abused Prentiss vises.
I bet there is somebody that would buy that dynamic half from you for more than you paid for the whole project. And you’d still have the main nut etc. to sell.
That is indeed a Prentiss and based on the arched shape of the lettering I’d guess it’s over 100 years old.
I know you enjoy a challenge. You certainly signed up for one with that vise.
It appears to have an uncracked slide tail and decent jaws. As we all know, that is common damage on abused Prentiss vises.
I bet there is somebody that would buy that dynamic half from you for more than you paid for the whole project. And you’d still have the main nut etc. to sell.
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Mr. Wonderful
Well-known member
any idea what model this is? Have you ever seen one with quick release? Prentiss 75?
CRSINMICH
Well-known member
1919 Prentiss catalog
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wrenchguy
Well-known member
I picked up this vise at a garage sale. It's 6-1/2" jaws with a couple "cosmetic" flaws. I have spent decent money on vises before. This one was $25. If it wasn't for me taking chances on basket cases or "zombie" vises as outlaw put it I wouldn't have many at all. Nothing against those that step up and pay big money, I just cant do it often.
Back to the vise. I think it's a Prentiss? I haven't had a chance to clean it off. It also appears to be a quick release. I've never seen a Prentiss quick release. And yes, the static jaw has multiple breaks. I think I can save it though
Any info on what this is would be appreciated.
I think that was posted here maybe 10 years back, i like it just the way it is.
Shiftless
Well-known member
Mr. W.:
I take back my hint of parting that one out. With the quick release function there is no way any rational person would part that out.
That’s a great find. Congrats
CRS:
Thanks for posting that catalog page.
I take back my hint of parting that one out. With the quick release function there is no way any rational person would part that out.
That’s a great find. Congrats
CRS:
Thanks for posting that catalog page.
wrenchguy
Well-known member
Check for markings at rear edge of (godforbid) anvil top. Right near that flat stock. Here's marking of a unknown year prentiss i have. I didn't get beat on so it remains. Smitty knows.
Mr. Wonderful
Well-known member
shift,
Ya I dont think I could part it out. Unless I completely blow the crack repairs that is. I couldnt tell how much the slide had been hammered on but it's not cracked. The jaw towers are actually pretty nice as well as the jaws.
CRS thanks as well!
Wrench, I'll hit it with the big wire wheel and see what else is under the crud. I will post results of any date markings.
I don't own a Prentiss so I will probably be willing to go further than I should to get this one functional again. I'll ad some pictures to the vise info thread (my first contribution!) and the vise repair thread.
Kind of a funny side note, some of my rarest vises have come from the same garage sale. He gouged me on a morgan 160 with welded jaws. Over the last few years I have gotten a Craftsman 5197, 5184 with heritage badge, wilton cadet, and now this Prentiss for a total of about $100.
Ya I dont think I could part it out. Unless I completely blow the crack repairs that is. I couldnt tell how much the slide had been hammered on but it's not cracked. The jaw towers are actually pretty nice as well as the jaws.
CRS thanks as well!
Wrench, I'll hit it with the big wire wheel and see what else is under the crud. I will post results of any date markings.
I don't own a Prentiss so I will probably be willing to go further than I should to get this one functional again. I'll ad some pictures to the vise info thread (my first contribution!) and the vise repair thread.
Kind of a funny side note, some of my rarest vises have come from the same garage sale. He gouged me on a morgan 160 with welded jaws. Over the last few years I have gotten a Craftsman 5197, 5184 with heritage badge, wilton cadet, and now this Prentiss for a total of about $100.
Shiftless
Well-known member
“... some of my rarest vises have come from the same garage sale. He gouged me on a morgan 160 with welded jaws. Over the last few years I have gotten a Craftsman 5197, 5184 with heritage badge, wilton cadet, and now this Prentiss for a total of about $100.”
Not such a bad deal at all!
.
Not such a bad deal at all!
.
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Not bad at all. I wouldn't admit to what I pay for a lot of mine........
dodge610
Well-known member
Need some help from the vise gurus i am in the market for a vise been looking for a while found one but no info on it. Vise has STECO casted in one side 5 casted in the other side so figured i would come to the people in the know PO says he thinks Steco sold to a place called lion. Any help would be appreciated thanks.
PierceA
Well-known member
Dodge610: That vise sounds like from your description to be an Asian Import vise.
PierceA
PierceA
Shiftless
Well-known member
Dodge610:
I agree with PierceA. I’ve seen “Lion” branded stuff and it’s certainly not top quality. Can you post a pic?
If it’s what I’m thinking of, maybe for $20 or so it has its place.
HOT TIP FOR YOU: If you want a top quality vise at a great price, check out this CL ad not too far from you that is only one day old. Hurry! It’s a Reed 105 with 5 inch jaws. It’s big and heavy enough for just about anything you can throw at it unless you work on locomotives.
$110 is a good price. It does have a crack at the back of the slide but that might not interfere with using it for most guys. That can be repaired. Might serve for a negotiating tool. Check it out before handing over your $$.
https://akroncanton.craigslist.org/tls/d/navarre-reed-vise/7290110569.html
I agree with PierceA. I’ve seen “Lion” branded stuff and it’s certainly not top quality. Can you post a pic?
If it’s what I’m thinking of, maybe for $20 or so it has its place.
HOT TIP FOR YOU: If you want a top quality vise at a great price, check out this CL ad not too far from you that is only one day old. Hurry! It’s a Reed 105 with 5 inch jaws. It’s big and heavy enough for just about anything you can throw at it unless you work on locomotives.
$110 is a good price. It does have a crack at the back of the slide but that might not interfere with using it for most guys. That can be repaired. Might serve for a negotiating tool. Check it out before handing over your $$.
https://akroncanton.craigslist.org/tls/d/navarre-reed-vise/7290110569.html
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dodge610
Well-known member
Dodge610:
I agree with PierceA. I’ve seen “Lion” branded stuff and it’s certainly not top quality. Can you post a pic?
If it’s what I’m thinking of, maybe for $20 or so it has its place.
HOT TIP FOR YOU: If you want a top quality vise at a great price, check out this CL ad not too far from you that is only one day old. Hurry! It’s a Reed 105 with 5 inch jaws. It’s big and heavy enough for just about anything you can throw at it unless you work on locomotives.
$110 is a VERY good price. It does have a crack at the back of the slide but that might not interfere with using it for most guys. That can be repaired. Check it out before handing over your $$.
https://akroncanton.craigslist.org/tls/d/navarre-reed-vise/7290110569.html
Thanks gonna email this guy and go check it out.
Here’s something I picked up last week: a Prentiss 98. It has 8.5” wide jaws and weighs 315lbs. It’s basically the swivel base version of the Prentiss 58. Needs new jaws (luckily they are replaceable), is missing the wrench for the unique, late model Prentiss base, and has a few small chips at the top of the static. Otherwise, very clean. Will mount this on the Burke Machine Tool Co stand I picked up a couple weeks ago.
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Shiftless
Well-known member
Vise:
That’s a fantastic score. There are very few of those around.
I had the honor of seeing and cranking on a nicely restored P98 formerly owned by friend and fellow GJ member trijeff .
Yours should clean up quite nicely.
That’s a fantastic score. There are very few of those around.
I had the honor of seeing and cranking on a nicely restored P98 formerly owned by friend and fellow GJ member trijeff .
Yours should clean up quite nicely.
Can anyone help me identify this little vise ?
3.5" jaws. 21 pounds.
Drives thinks it may be from the 1930's.
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3.5" jaws. 21 pounds.
Drives thinks it may be from the 1930's.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
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Shiftless
Well-known member
CRSINMICH
Well-known member
CRSINMICH
Well-known member
VISE: I had the good luck to see PierceA's 8" Parker last week so I have some idea of the scale of your Prentiss. It will be perfectly displayed on that machine stand. Well done!
robmack
Well-known member
I've been wanting to get a set of copper jaws for my Wilton 500S for a while now. I looked at various options - have a custom set machined out of solid metal, buy a set of Wilton copper jaws that wrap around the vice, or make a set out of copper pipe. Recently, I got a great deal on a copper bus bar from a surplus shop and this week manufactured a set for my vice.
I had previously purchased a set of inserts which were aluminium extrusions faced with rubber and held to the vice with strips of flexible but weak magnetic material. They were too soft to use. I cut 5" lengths of the bus bar, removed the rubber facing from the inserts, epoxied 8mm round neodium magnets in place of the magnetic strips, and then epoxied the copper cutoffs to the extruded aluminium.
The pictures below shows the finished product on the vice, from the back with the neodium magnets and front with the cutoffs, the original inserts and the remains of the copper bus bar that I bought for a song.
The result looks good. They seem to work well as well. I hope they hold up in the long term.
I had previously purchased a set of inserts which were aluminium extrusions faced with rubber and held to the vice with strips of flexible but weak magnetic material. They were too soft to use. I cut 5" lengths of the bus bar, removed the rubber facing from the inserts, epoxied 8mm round neodium magnets in place of the magnetic strips, and then epoxied the copper cutoffs to the extruded aluminium.
The pictures below shows the finished product on the vice, from the back with the neodium magnets and front with the cutoffs, the original inserts and the remains of the copper bus bar that I bought for a song.
The result looks good. They seem to work well as well. I hope they hold up in the long term.
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Andy FitzGibbon
Well-known member
- Joined
- Apr 7, 2011
- Messages
- 173
The meatball may be stamped "Hollands Erie PA" in very small letters. My Keystone is.Can anyone help me identify this little vise ?
3.5" jaws. 21 pounds.
Drives thinks it may be from the 1930's.
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Andy
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Cameron
New member
Anyone out there know anything about a 5" Workforce vise?
PierceA
Well-known member
Cameron; I believe 'Workforce' is a box-store brand, Like Home Depot, Sears, Lowes etc. An Asian import most likely.
If you can please post a photo so we can see what it is.
PierceA
If you can please post a photo so we can see what it is.
PierceA
Vise...Wow, that’s an epic find. I think only a handful of these have surfaced over the years and yours appears to be in beautiful condition. The slide looks crisp, the handle is original and the brow over the meatball is fully intact. I don’t mind saying this...I’m green with envy.