The VISES of Garage Journal

[PierceA]

Irishlad: post a photo of the front of your vise. A Parker vise usually has a 'collar' that is attached to the front jaw with a screw just above the mainscrew/handle.
Your vise appears to have some sort of block in the locaton of the usual collar.

When you unscrew the handle, does the vise open up? if not, then you need to make or have made an attachment like shown in the like Kevin posted for you in his answer.

If your vise works normally, that is the moveable jaw moves in and out normally, then I think you can skip getting the part made for the end of the mainscrew.

PierceA

 

[va.grouseman]

It's sad for me to see how the girls in Colorado are not keeping up with inventory on my old websites. Here is a drawing of your jaws and maybe you might know of someone close to you that can at least make you a set of smooth jaws.

KMS, are they turning out any jaws atall?

 

[steaks&anvils]

Irishlad: post a photo of the front of your vise. A Parker vise usually has a 'collar' that is attached to the front jaw with a screw just above the mainscrew/handle.
Your vise appears to have some sort of block in the locaton of the usual collar.

When you unscrew the handle, does the vise open up? if not, then you need to make or have made an attachment like shown in the like Kevin posted for you in his answer.

If your vise works normally, that is the moveable jaw moves in and out normally, then I think you can skip getting the part made for the end of the mainscrew.

PierceA

Oddly... ejot has posted quite a few pictures of what looks like the same vise over on the vise info thread, post #1925

https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?p=9020757#post9020757

 

[KMScott]

KMS, are they turning out any jaws atall?

I have tried to call them and send e-mails but have not received any responses. We are going to Colorado for 5 months and I will stop by the shop and see what is going on. Seems they are still making jaws but not for the Wilton site which is the website that pays the bills. I would go nuts with 8 jaws out of stock, looks like they are out of 70% of their jaws. At least we have Nick making Wilton jaws.


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[RBarnes]

That's a very cool vise!

You have good taste, this one came from a lady whose father bought it in the 1920s and used it all his life. I like the gently used look it has. I don't plan to use all the functions very often since I have other vises, but the original removable triangle jaws are great for holding SMALL diameter round metal. Like the 18" Emmert wood working vises, it tilts just about any way one could ever need a vise to.

Hoping someone on here can recommend or sell me the right looking vintage metal stand for this 8 inch Wilton bullet. Would like something 34 inches tall (or maybe a little taller?), heavy with a decent footprint to support the weight of the vise so I can use it. A good looking stand the looks like it would go with this vise style wise or just a great stand that is as impressive. Could even see using a railroad stand or something else pretty stout? Private message me, lets make a deal!

Btw, I sold the small Wilton in the picture some time back since I was not using it. Anyone have an early BIG Prentiss with older paint and the early style lettering and swivel rear jaw? Seems like that would round out my group of one good vise from most of the popular makers?

 

[Mr. Wonderful]

I have tried to call them and send e-mails but have not received any responses. We are going to Colorado for 5 months and I will stop by the shop and see what is going on. Seems they are still making jaws but not for the Wilton site which is the website that pays the bills. I would go nuts with 8 jaws out of stock, looks like they are out of 70% of their jaws. At least we have Nick making Wilton jaws.


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I am restoring a C3 for a friend that bought a set of jaws from them just last week. He really wanted the smooth ones that are out of stock. They sent the wrong style jaws. It sounds like he did get a hold of someone and they are going to make it right. So at least there is hope that things will get up and running. I'd love to get a set for a couple of mine.

 

[Mark Stansbury]

The Majestic vise mystery has been solved, thanks to the Hardware Age magazine scans recently added to Archive.org. I have updated an entry already on Vintage Machinery, Majestic Tool Mfg. Co.

 

[Mark Stansbury]

Another US vise manufacturer that I just added to Vintage Machinery, Blue Devil Products, c. 1947.

 

[WhoWhatNow]

Finally found a stand I felt worthy of this Emmert Machinist vise. It is a Black & Decker six sided cast iron stand that is found in their 1923 catalog (see 3rd photo). Was a little worried that it would not be stout enough, but was pleasantly surprised. Now I can put that Emmert to work!

Any chance you could post a drawing and dimensions of the triangle jaws for your Emmert vise? I would like to make a pair for mine.

 

[Drkuhar]

This is the 4" wilson i got for free at a yard sale. It was on a trailer hitch but the teeth looked new. So it got redone. The big 8" on the stand is a wilson mechanic vise

 

[Mark Stansbury]

Another "new" vise maker c. 1943, Western Hardware & Specialty Manufacturing Co., Milwaukee, WI, that I just added to Vintage Machinery.

 

[RBarnes]

Any chance you could post a drawing and dimensions of the triangle jaws for your Emmert vise? I would like to make a pair for mine.

I could lay one out by a ruler and photograph, but I am guessing KM Scott will have a cad drawing of them which would make your replicating much easier. Politely pm him and see. If not pm me and we will figure out something.

 

[CRSINMICH]

MAJESTIC/MORGAN

Some time ago I found a 1958 list of vise manufacturers. Majestic and Morgan are both on the list. Notice that they are both listed at the same address on Jefferson in Chicago. The Vintage Machinery entry says that there's is a suggested connection between the two companies. This might be it.

 

[GETRIDAONE]

I could lay one out by a ruler and photograph, but I am guessing KM Scott will have a cad drawing of them which would make your replicating much easier. Politely pm him and see. If not pm me and we will figure out something.

My jaws are missing also. I suggested to Kevin a long time ago about making them.
I think he said the volume would not be worth the time involved from a business standpoint.

 

[Mark Stansbury]

Another US vise manufacturer that I just added to Vintage Machinery, Henry Cheney Hammer Corp., c. 1948.

 

[bastel]

Anyone ever seen such a vise?
Front jaw swivels.
I have no idea at all, it's in the UK.

 

[Jberger93]

Just picked up this bad boy for 100 bucks today.

 

[NYBODYMAN]

Posting for a friend who recently picked this up. The vise with the built in anvil. He can't seem to find any info on it. Wondering if anyone knows about it.

 

[CRSINMICH]

Mark Stansbury:

Henry Cheney Hammer Corp. Vise​

 

[Outlawmws]

CRS, that looks like the grownup version of the ubiquitous Millers falls clamp on (and ripoffs...)

 

[CRSINMICH]

Outlaw: They do look like they're related but the Cheney is larger and made of forged steel.

 

[Outlawmws]

I wasn't implying any negative about the Cheney. I'd grab one if it came up. I am surprised however that its forged; that's pretty rare in most vises!

 

[LesserSon]

Posting for a friend who recently picked this up. The vise with the built in anvil. He can't seem to find any info on it. Wondering if anyone knows about it.

That is a Carl E Shields 20Aug1912 patent farmers vise; Rock Island.

 

[CRSINMICH]

I wasn't implying any negative about the Cheney. I'd grab one if it came up. I am surprised however that its forged; that's pretty rare in most vises!

I didn't think you had implied that. It was just my clever way of drawing attention to the size of the Henry Cheney and the fact that it was cast steel. I saved pictures of it when I saw them years ago. It's been on my BOLO list since then.

 

[Smitty]

Another US vise manufacturer that I just added to Vintage Machinery, Henry Cheney Hammer Corp., c. 1948.

Mark, this is the first time I’ve seen you post here. I’ve spent countless hours researching vises and vintage machinery and I’ve seen your name a thousand times. I want to thank you for all of the hard work you’ve done to preserve the legacy of past generations.We need more historians with your dedication, your hard work will live on for generations to come.

 

[va.grouseman]

I have tried to call them and send e-mails but have not received any responses. We are going to Colorado for 5 months and I will stop by the shop and see what is going on. Seems they are still making jaws but not for the Wilton site which is the website that pays the bills. I would go nuts with 8 jaws out of stock, looks like they are out of 70% of their jaws. At least we have Nick making Wilton jaws.


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Well I'll be dogged.---I knew Autopts sold them but I didn't know he made them.---I bought a pair of 8'' jaws off eBay about 3 years ago for my 800S Wilton.---Didn't need them as the 800 is NOS.---But it was a great deal I couldn't pass on, so now it has a sweet pair to spare.---So either You or Autopts made them.---They are pretty.

 

[PierceA]

NYBODYMAN: Take a look at this post:

https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=355753&page=95

The 'Farmers Vise' was sold by many tool companies. Most looked the same, but with different names on them.. I have two that have NO names on them.. I think they had a glued on paper label when new.

PierceA

 

[KMScott]

Well I'll be dogged.---I knew Autopts sold them but I didn't know he made them.---I bought a pair of 8'' jaws off eBay about 3 years ago for my 800S Wilton.---Didn't need them as the 800 is NOS.---But it was a great deal I couldn't pass on, so now it has a sweet pair to spare.---So either You or Autopts made them.---They are pretty.

Nick actually has a machine shop down here in SC making his jaws. He does a nice job, don't know what steel he makes them out of. To Machinists jaws are pretty easy to make, a rectangle block with a couple holes and serrations cut at 30 degrees.

 

[Mark Stansbury]

My list of all combined vise and anvil manufacturers in US and CA. I keep this in spreadsheet form, converted to pdf. Link to Google Drive.

 

[Mark Stansbury]

Wow, thanks (to Smitty)! I mainly just do research and am not good at keeping up with forums. However, I have gotten LOTS of good info here and link to GJ whenever possible.

 

[Smitty]

This Prentiss catalog just sold for a small fortune yesterday. It would great if they scanned it and put it in the archive.


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[va.grouseman]

This Prentiss catalog just sold for a small fortune yesterday. It would great if they scanned it and put it in the archive.


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The Road Show Boys wouldn't give it that kind of money.---But then again I don't think they know a lot about bench vises, or want to.

 

[dannyr]

Anyone ever seen such a vise?
Front jaw swivels.
I have no idea at all, it's in the UK.

It's now sold - did you buy it, Bast? - the seller thought it might be US made, but to me it has an English look - I have a couple somewhat similar but non swivel-jaw - they're like a transition from blacksmith leg vises to 'modern' types - unfortunately many makers did not mark their names at that time (1860-1910?)

It's an interesting vise and might be a 'missing link'?

 

[NYBODYMAN]

That is a Carl E Shields 20Aug1912 patent farmers vise; Rock Island.

NYBODYMAN: Take a look at this post:

https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=355753&page=95

The 'Farmers Vise' was sold by many tool companies. Most looked the same, but with different names on them.. I have two that have NO names on them.. I think they had a glued on paper label when new.

PierceA

Awesome!!! Thank you for the help fellas.

 

[akasrick]

Don't know. At the time of me posting it was up for sale on eBay I just cut out what was pertinent and hoped the buyer or seller didn't get pissed and now I don't see the Hardy on the stand. The fishing tie in is another guess. An attempt to explain the logos, (also Reading Line). Think anniversary or whatever trinket. I'm sure(Biddle) knew their suppliers.
I'll look here further.

akasrick


Edit

akasrick

Edit

What year Biddle ad? I did not see it in the 1910 catalog.

Maybe that vise got caught up in the Hardy fishing equipment ad, and thought it was a fly tying vise. (Some of those Hardy's are quite nice compared to my cheap cast aluminum one.)

I turned the photo inside out, at least the stand now views again.
It's common knowledge that Bonney exported, possibly a relationship was built with Hardy fishing, or maybe a completely different Co.
Like a lot of relationships it could have they broken down arguing over lbs. or whatever.
Me trying to make a pretzel stick out of pretzel logic again.

akasrick

Edit

akasrick

 

[LesserSon]

Here’s the same model RI farmers vise sitting with a Chas Parker, a Champion, and a Prentiss No67 Gypsy. Very cool grouping, priced about $200 for all, but I’m not actively seeking said objects.

 

[Smitty]

VA, they’re playing old episodes of antique roadshow from 2007. They include today’s current value after each showing. The majority of items have gone down in price.

 

[67vetteguy]

Just completed this restoration on this Chas. Parker 23x Vise (4.25 inch jaws, 70 pound). Had to make a new "T" handle to lock the swivel base. Rustoleum paint. I believe that it is pre 1912 since it has doesn't have the "brake shoe locking swivel cam" that Parkers are noted for. Project took me about 16 hours.

 

[RBarnes]

VA, they’re playing old episodes of antique roadshow from 2007. They include today’s current value after each showing. The majority of items have gone down in price.

The values may go down on the show, but not in the real world when I try to buy stuff.

 

[bastel]

It's now sold - did you buy it, Bast? - the seller thought it might be US made, but to me it has an English look - I have a couple somewhat similar but non swivel-jaw - they're like a transition from blacksmith leg vises to 'modern' types - unfortunately many makers did not mark their names at that time (1860-1910?)

It's an interesting vise and might be a 'missing link'?

No, a guy on instagram living 20 miles away bought it. He is looking for information. Maybe I can find some patent...