The VISES of Garage Journal

[Mr. Wonderful]

Finishing up this 3-1/2" 5241.The 5222 pictured was only offered 1934, while the 5241 was on sale 1935-1936.

VERY nice! I have been messaging a seller on a 5241 for months now with no response. I wish I could let it go. I blame you!

 

[ed4banger]

VERY nice! I have been messaging a seller on a 5241 for months now with no response. I wish I could let it go. I blame you!

I have one on ebay, its actually in nicer condition than this one......

 

[dannyr]

Utility patents only last 20 years and design patents 14 years.
It should be noted that, just as Taskmaster, Duracraft, and other vises clearly riffed on Wilton, the founder of Wilton blatantly stole the design of his vise from his former employer: York.

As a reminder, here is a Czech made York 60 swivel (2 3/8in wide jaws) with an English made Hydraclamp (still made, this is one size up from the Powerclamp usually shown with baby Wiltons -- Spencer Franklin still make these in all sizes - very high quality).

I call this one a 'toddler' size, - I don't know if York made a baby size.

Whatever the origin, Wilton made and make great American vises

 

[MayerMR]

As a reminder, here is a Czech made York 60 swivel (2 3/8in wide jaws) with an English made Hydraclamp (still made, this is one size up from the Powerclamp usually shown with baby Wiltons -- Spencer Franklin still make these in all sizes - very high quality).

I call this one a 'toddler' size, - I don't know if York made a baby size.

Whatever the origin, Wilton made and make great American vises

Both of those are vise nice, but what I'm really interested in is the light blue vise the York is sitting on! What is that? Very old Fortis?

 

[RTM]

I cleaned up this little clamp on that friend and fellow GJ member D42jeep gave me out of the pile of tools he recently scored from a garage clean out rescuing them right before they were doomed to the dumpster.

What do you guys think? One side is marked with a B on one part and a C on another.

The other side has 25 in a rather vintage looking font.

Maybe Brink and Cotton?

The jaws are about 1 inch wide.

This is sort of a thread bump. I have the same vise, and would love to know who made it. It is my smallest clamp on vise. Does yours have the vertical hole in one side of the jaw? Mine has 21 cast into the body I think.

 

[dannyr]

thanks Mayer

It's a Parkinson's Perfect Vice of the first generation so probably about 1890-95 6 1/2in wide jaws (with old replacement 7in inserts) and it's sitting on a Parkinson's adjustable height stand of about 1910 - both had plenty of use, but in good condition.

 

[Fierljeppen]

I need some help identifying this vise. It is clearly marked "No.131 3 Inch" with no other markings. I believe it to be circa (1900-1910), give or take. I've searched the spreadsheet for all of the no.131's as well as my own database to no avail.

If anyone has any leads on this vise, I'd really appreciate it. I'm possibly interested in purchasing it for historical reasons, and need a printed or photographic reference before that can happen.


<hr>

 

[LesserSon]

Yost?
It’s got that Reed/Erie/Hollands/Yost look to it, doesn’t it? A very heavy top to the slide, though. Big balls on the handle.
slussii, eh?

 

[Outlawmws]

Argagagahhh

- 'nuff said!

 

[wrenchguy]

The heating and cooling company that offered these items in a online auction today my FIL started using 76 years ago when he started building houses right out of the army. I joined him in 71 building homes right out of the army. We used Meyers H&C up into the mid 90's.

The vise on the stand is a Parker 4x (not 1x like listed) original to the stand best i could tell removing it yesterday. Its badly damaged with nasty looking repair.
The stand is the smaller model but well marked "Western Steel Tool & Mfg Co. Springfield O." No breaks anywhere but missing the drawer with locks. The drawer can open both directions.

The other auction vise, so called "Parker 117" is actually a "955" with a brass H.G. Meyer id tag riveted to it. I'm hoping the bolt pattern matches the 4X and will switch it out. Bad auction help made alot mistakes in this sale.
HG Meyer built the building in 1927 and was plumbing and heating business when family by marriage took it over in 1982.
Thanks for the strong competition, I'd not expect less.
These were 18 miles from the house and will stay in the "Calumet".
VISE ON!

 

[Shiftless]

RTM:
Mine has 25 on the side. And no hole. I bet yours was used in a drill press and that hole is an oops.

 

[Shiftless]

Friend and fellow GJ member d42Jeep acted as a go between to let me get this Prentiss 622 on a trade deal with an old friend of his.
Here are some pics. I haven’t even cleaned off the dirt and dust yet.

THANKS!!

 

[Outlawmws]

Cool deal Shift! I was just showing my eldest daughter that vise, as one that would suit her for her jewelry making and wire bending art. The only hammering would be copper, maybe brass...

She has a Stanley clamp-on I gave her, and my dad's little 1 Lb, Mad in japan "ASO", but she really needs something a step bigger. Someday I'l find one like that that is not stupid $$

 

[d42jeep]

This is sort of a thread bump. I have the same vise, and would love to know who made it. It is my smallest clamp on vise. Does yours have the vertical hole in one side of the jaw? Mine has 21 cast into the body I think.

Here is a top view of the little guy I took while it was in my possession. No vertical hole.
-Don

 

[Shiftless]

Thanks for the additional view, Don

The mystery continues about who made that little vise and what the numbers mean. 21? 25?

 

[akasrick]

Cool deal Shift! I was just showing my eldest daughter that vise, as one that would suit her for her jewelry making and wire bending art. The only hammering would be copper, maybe brass...

She has a Stanley clamp-on I gave her, and my dad's little 1 Lb, Mad in japan "ASO", but she really needs something a step bigger. Someday I'l find one like that that is not stupid $$

Just so happens, bits and pieces, and I still have my fingers.

akasrick

 

[RTM]

Thanks for the additional view, Don

The mystery continues about who made that little vise and what the numbers mean. 21? 25?

Casting number?

Here is a Brink & Cotton advert page from a magazine, only one I’ve found so far.

https://archive.org/details/sim_har...1-07-26_168_2/page/84/mode/1up?q=Brink+cotton

 

[wrenchguy]

Here's a cripple trying to survive. It's in online auction located in chicago. This sale has over 1000 items for bid but only handful of bids noted. The cripple has 2 bids, most of any item in sale so far. What make is this 1?

 

[Shiftless]

wrenchguy:
Based on that picture, it’s hard to say just how much of that damaged slide is even still there. The jaws look like they’re only open maybe 2 inches and we can’t see any of the slide at the back. Two inches might be overextending the slide as it is. I can’t see much use for a big vise that won’t open more than an inch or two.

Looks to me like a donor. The base might be OK. The spindle might be OK. The main casting looks OK. If you can get the jaws loose, they might be good donors for somebody. One swivel lockdown is missing but the other is there.

It looks like the kind of vise that when new, had cast in lettering with the manufacturer info. Curious that it’s now gone. Ground off for some reason?

What say you GJ experts?? Athol maybe? Reed? Columbian?


.

 

[wrenchguy]

To me it looks 2b a 2piece cast spindle nut reed. If i wasbidding on it i'd keep it intact. I have a bunch of cripples, but totally understand "cripple for parts".

edit, Maybe i could use that base, i got 1 with a broke mount foot. Might have to go check it out.

 

[GForceJunky]

The heating and cooling company that offered these items in a online auction today my FIL started using 76 years ago when he started building houses right out of the army. I joined him in 71 building homes right out of the army. We used Meyers H&C up into the mid 90's.

The vise on the stand is a Parker 4x (not 1x like listed) original to the stand best i could tell removing it yesterday. Its badly damaged with nasty looking repair.
The stand is the smaller model but well marked "Western Steel Tool & Mfg Co. Springfield O." No breaks anywhere but missing the drawer with locks. The drawer can open both directions.

The other auction vise, so called "Parker 117" is actually a "955" with a brass H.G. Meyer id tag riveted to it. I'm hoping the bolt pattern matches the 4X and will switch it out. Bad auction help made alot mistakes in this sale.
HG Meyer built the building in 1927 and was plumbing and heating business when family by marriage took it over in 1982.
Thanks for the strong competition, I'd not expect less.
These were 18 miles from the house and will stay in the "Calumet".
VISE ON!

This is amazing! I need that vise stand badly. Haha...it would be perfect for my heavily space limited garage.

What sites are you using to find auctions? I've seen you mention auctions multiple times so I'm curious as I'd love to find some closer my way!

 

[Woods_Wanderer]

I finally came across a nice older vise local to me yesterday. This 3-1/2" Morgan had been out on the shelf for less than a day before I found it. They didn't want to come down much on the price but it's difficult to find anything locally so I got it anyway. It's in good shape except some hammer scars on the slide. I'll be restoring this once I finish my current project, a welding table I'm about half done with.

View media item 111227
View media item 111226

 

[rusty65]

Woods: Nice score on that Morgan swivel jaw! Morgan made fantastic vises. I’d say yours is from 1940-1947 in my humble opinion. I wish I could have gotten a better catalog picture uploaded but my others keep failing.



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[rusty65]

Here is a better one finally got it to work


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[Fierljeppen]

I need some help identifying this vise. It is clearly marked "No.131 3 Inch" with no other markings. I believe it to be circa (1900-1910), give or take. I've searched the spreadsheet for all of the no.131's as well as my own database to no avail.

If anyone has any leads on this vise, I'd really appreciate it. I'm possibly interested in purchasing it for historical reasons, and need a printed or photographic reference before that can happen.

Yost?
It’s got that Reed/Erie/Hollands/Yost look to it, doesn’t it? A very heavy top to the slide, though. Big balls on the handle.
slussii, eh?

I agree, the vise was most similar to the Yost "Gem" model vise from the 1910's, but slightly different. I was ready to give it a break, when GJ member, davethorik strongly encouraged me to consider Rock Island. He was very specific with the details that made him think so.

I got to thinking that it looked like an early Sears Roebuck "Samson" model vise mfg by the Rock Island Mfg. Co., so I checked the old catalog ads and sure enough, I believe that's what it is. The specs are exactly the same and the style is pretty damn close. Close enough for me to call this "vise puzzle" solved.

Knowledge is power and now I'm not sure if I'm still interested in adding this vise to my collection.

<hr>

 

[wrenchguy]

Another busted workhorse at auction near me.

 

[Shiftless]

wrenchguy:
Too bad about that latest Parker.
You could get over $200 for the pipe jaws, collar, and base. The nut is probably OK too.
But somebody will probably out bid that amount. Six inch Parkers are big money finds even with that big weld repair.

 

[txlonghorn1989]

Is there a way to date the Parker vises? I've got the main components of my 975 broken down and wire wheeled. Still need to remove the main nut and clean the static jaw out good. Also, still need to take the spindle apart. It's in great shape. I haven't seen anything that looked like a date stamped anywhere. It doesn't have the "Pat 1930" on the side like I've seen on many posted here. Tried searching but grew weary after looking through 5 pages. Oh, one more thing, how do I get the "swivel brake" off? I was concerned about forcing it through after I removed the single swivel lock. Thanks for any info!

 

[wrenchguy]

wrenchguy:
Too bad about that latest Parker.
You could get over $200 for the pipe jaws, collar, and base. The nut is probably OK too.
But somebody will probably out bid that amount. Six inch Parkers are big money finds even with that big weld repair.

Yea, even with a certified repair done last week.
I just got out bid by a buck this AM.
FYI, anyone here using this auction company beware, They're big time but not thorough with descriptions. Know your shipping cost before you bid.

 

[PierceA]

TexasLonghorn: The pivot pin for the brake shoes is just a thumb-push fit. Your's might have some rust holding it in place.. A gentle tap with a brass drift or maybe even a wood dowel might push it out of the hole in the static.
Be careful of the narrower overlapping ends of the shoes that the pin goes through. Those thin loops get broken often. I've repaired several broken ones..

Nice looking 975.. as far as I know there are no date stamps on Parker vises.. And I have about ? 20 Parkers that I've disassembled, cleaned and reassembled. The best way to determine age is look at various features and old catalogs or brochures..


PierceA.

 

[PierceA]

WrenchGuy: am I missing something? you mentioned the auction company, shipping costs etc, and lack of descriptions.. but no auction company name or link?

If you bought that Parker 436, I'll pay a handsome profit to you for it !! That's the ultimate Parker Combination vise. !! Almost a Unicorn !

It would keep my Parker 978 company !! I think the 436 is every bit as tall as the 978 ?

The photos posted show the burns from a weld, but they sure are not proud of their welding, the jaws are closed.. I wonder if the slide is rusted tight and some gorilla drove a wedge between the jaws to attempt to force the slide out of the static? and the dynamic is welded back to the still stuck slide?

If it got away, really sad,, I'd be able to do a workman-like repair on that vise.. it likely would not be as strong as original, but the inside of the dynamic can be bored and sleeved to strengthen a weld in that area..

PierceA.

 

[PierceA]

WrenchGuy: yep, according to the spreadsheet the Parker 436 is 16" high. I think my Parker 978 is 16.5" high.

Would be a great pair to have displayed next to each other..

PierceA

 

[wrenchguy]

955 i got the other day. Not bad, dried grease and rust from sitting 60+ years in nonheated cinder block tool room.

 

[Andy FitzGibbon]

This is sort of a thread bump. I have the same vise, and would love to know who made it. It is my smallest clamp on vise. Does yours have the vertical hole in one side of the jaw? Mine has 21 cast into the body I think.

I have one similar, but not identical. No markings on mine that I can find.

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[Posi]

WrenchGuy: am I missing something? you mentioned the auction company, shipping costs etc, and lack of descriptions.. but no auction company name or link?........

PierceA.

Did you get an answer or figure this out? I too was wonder which company.

 

[txlonghorn1989]

TexasLonghorn: The pivot pin for the brake shoes is just a thumb-push fit. Your's might have some rust holding it in place.. A gentle tap with a brass drift or maybe even a wood dowel might push it out of the hole in the static.
Be careful of the narrower overlapping ends of the shoes that the pin goes through. Those thin loops get broken often. I've repaired several broken ones..

Nice looking 975.. as far as I know there are no date stamps on Parker vises.. And I have about ? 20 Parkers that I've disassembled, cleaned and reassembled. The best way to determine age is look at various features and old catalogs or brochures..

PierceA.

Thanks PierceA! And double thanks for the heads up on the overlapping ends of the shoes!

As far as dating the Parker vises I guess they are not as popular as the Reeds and Wilton bullet vises where date studies exist. This is my first Parker and it appears to be one heckuva well made vise!!! Got an extra Parker No 3 wrench laying around you wanna let go?

 

[Fierljeppen]

Thanks PierceA! And double thanks for the heads up on the overlapping ends of the shoes!

As far as dating the Parker vises I guess they are not as popular as the Reeds and Wilton bullet vises where date studies exist. This is my first Parker and it appears to be one heckuva well made vise!!! Got an extra Parker No 3 wrench laying around you wanna let go?

Dating a vise without a date-stamp, like Reed and Wilton is going to be a little different. You try to come up with an era instead of a specific date. For your vise and wrenchguy's recent Parker "955" vise pickup, the following information applies.

The earliest catalog with the "95X" and "97X" models I could find was 1938, while the Union-Parker Eclipse vises came out in 1965. So, I'd put your Parker "975" and wrenchguy's "955" in the (mid-1930's-1965) era.

As far as the missing wrench, they do become available on eBay from time-to-time, but anything other than the no.2 wrench is pretty rare. I picked up my no.4 wrench there and paid a premium for sure.

It's no secret that I'm big Charles Parker vise fan, but the only one in my collection that is a user is the big brother to yours, the no.978.

<hr>

 

[wrenchguy]

A Patent question for Patent knowledgeable guys.
Can a date range/era of manufacture be determined when a piece is marked like this ?
Reason I ask is I believe the 4x is original to the stand and think it's 1910's vintage.
Trying to get the stand&vise into the 100 year old club.
Its markings.

 

[Andy FitzGibbon]

A Patent question for Patent knowledgeable guys.

Can a date range/era of manufacture be determined when a piece is marked like this ?

Reason I ask is I believe the 4x is original to the stand and think it's 1910's vintage.

Trying to get the stand&vise into the 100 year old club.

Its markings.

All you can really establish with a patent date is that the object wasn't made before that date.

In this case, though, since they claim there are some patents pending, you could search and see if you can find whether any patents related to the stand were granted at a later date. If they were, that would give you a theoretical date range. It could be a complicated search, because you don't know what those patents are specifically for. I'd start by looking through all the patents granted to Western and see if anything related to the vise stand was patented after 1904. The patents may not have been directly granted to Western, though... the inventor may have assigned their patent for Western to manufacture.

Since Western made their own line of vises, I'm not sure the Parker would be original, but it could have been added when the stand was new.

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[txlonghorn1989]

Thanks Fierljeppen! An era is helpful. Also thanks for posting the catalog pics. These could possibly be further narrowed down if there were pics from catalogs of the opposite side of the vises where the "Pat 1930" was cast. But I'm happy with 1938-1965. I can only imagine how big your 978 is based on my 975. I'm gonna love this vise!