The VISES of Garage Journal

[RBarnes]

RBarnes. I've brought home a much larger load a couple of times.. I'll see if I can find the post or the photos and repost them.. twice I bought out a former vise collection at an estate sale..
As for that word about bringing home so many vises, I hope it isn't one that cast's my collection 'vice' in a bad light.. It's not like I robbed a widow, or anything... there were plenty of other vise collectors who were bidding and buying too !! .


PierceA

No, I was not meaning to cast a bad light. Just was not sure the right "amazing" word to use...

 

[Smitty]

Asking for a friend. He got this little 2-1/2” Franklin and can’t find anything on it. Any help would be appreciated.


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[Shiftless]

I’d like to know too. I have a Franklin in my little collection.

 

[PghJKB]

Asking for a friend. He got this little 2-1/2” Franklin and can’t find anything on it. Any help would be appreciated.


Sent from my iPad using The Garage Journal mobile app

I’d like to know too. I have a Franklin in my little collection.

Here:

https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?p=8564524&highlight=franklin#post8564524

And here:

https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?p=8947078&highlight=franklin#post8947078

JKB

 

[PierceA]

RBarnes, I reacted with those words due to my embarrassment about how OBSESSED I have become about collecting vises.. I started roughly 10 months ago. I have not counted them lately.

I had not been very interested in the Craftsman line of vises, except for one that I found that was made by Reed. But Friday I saw two on FB and pursued them.
One 4" one 4.5". Both have crisp jaw serrations and tight clearances.. they were barely used. I want to find a thread on Craftsman vises. These are very similar but still different, the 4.5" one is a 5197, the last of the good Craftsman vises from what I remember reading, and likely made by Rock Island. This one is date stamped 11-52. It's one month older than I am! LOL. And in MUCH better condition!

The 4" one has the dual chevrons on the sides of the dynamic, and slightly lighter-duty construction. But still a quality product.

PierceA

 

[Shiftless]

P.A.:
Nice score on those 2 Craftsmans.

Welcome to the 519x club.
Here is my 5197

 

[Outlawmws]

Pierce there are a couple of Craftsman Vise threads:

General:

Mr W's one on the 5197'e and 8's

and one that tries to establish the maker for the above.

(Sorry, I'm musing links for the other two)

 

[va.grouseman]

Anybody in Ohio need a big clamp?---A 608 Columbian with stand is a good starter vise for a first time homeowner.---A 608 is my user in my shop, no complaints.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/154437195067?ssPageName=STRK:MEBIDX:IT&fromMakeTrack=true

 

[drivesitfar]

Pierce: here's the link for the Craftsman 5197 you have to post on the WHO MADE THE 5198 (519x's) thread which i'm about 99% sure it was ROCK ISLAND.

https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=351100

since you'll probably have your 5197 taken apart, cleaned, greased and back together by sundown let me (us) know how you like it on that thread and what your thoughts are. as far as vises made after WWII I think the Craftsman 519x's and the Starretts are some of the best USA made ones and I think Starrett stopped making theirs in the 90's.

as far as your smaller Craftsman (crowntop) made by Columbian it was probably Sear's last better made vises that were made OLD SCHOOL even though there are a ton of guys and gals using the ones made after the 70's that are smaller and not as well built.

NICE FINDS (AGAIN) and yep you've gathered quite a collection in a short amount of time. WELL DONE!!

 

[Maui]

Drives, I found and brought home the elusive Craftsman 5198 last night! It is missing the collar on the lead screw and the main nut is damaged. I’m machining a collar for it right now, and I’ll repair the nut at some point after the collar is finished. Now I have a 5197 and a 5198.

Maui

 

[Smitty]

PghJKB: Thanks for the link, I appreciate it.

 

[bbbarracuda]

In case anyone is interested. Vises start at Lot #112
edit. oops forgot the link
https://bid.aumannauctions.com/auctions/catalog/id/27590/

 

[va.grouseman]

Drives, I found and brought home the elusive Craftsman 5198 last night! It is missing the collar on the lead screw and the main nut is damaged. I’m machining a collar for it right now, and I’ll repair the nut at some point after the collar is finished. Now I have a 5197 and a 5198.

Maui

I think that makes 9 now.

https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=432769&highlight=craftsman+5198&page=2

 

[Maui]

I think you’re right.

 

[RBarnes]

HELP!!!
Just bought what was advertised as an old original Reed Manufacturing sign on ebay buy it now. I know these were reproduced, but the ones I have seen that are new reproductions are flat. Seller guarantees this one to be old original and real from early 1900s and I can send it back if it is fake. This metal sign has the cardboard backing, with the beveled front edge like the originals and looks right (little bits of wear, denting and some pitting around the bottom letters), but want to hear from people that know more about them than I do - PLEASE let me know your thoughts. THANK YOU in advance for any insight you can give!!!

Just got text from my wife as I was working on this posting, saying "Are you the one that just spent over $500 on my paypal account). Looks like I have some explaining to do when she gets home from work...
Be nice to tell here it is verified by you guys to be a good old one (or that I am sending it back).

Why I like to deal directly with folks and spend real money as opposed to having my "bean counter" be involved!

 

[txlonghorn1989]

Love the sign RB! Great find!!! I hope it's legit.

 

[exmaxima1]

Wilton Label

Saw this vise for sale locally and the "Wilton" logo plate looks weird. The font in particular. Is that a REAL Wilton label?

 

[Mr. Wonderful]

Looks like it's been repainted and the label is smaller than the recessed area. Makes me suspicious as well.

 

[drivesitfar]

RB: PayPal accounts are free to set up and if you set up a separate bank account where your family funds are not involved might help you solve that little bride issue next time?

I’m on my cell so can’t see pic that well but sign sounds great. Only other member I recall that has a big Reed sign hasn’t posted in a year but he’s only about 35 so he should still be around. Send Filson a pm and maybe he can help you.

Nice find and good luck at home tonight!!

 

[Mark Stansbury]

Another vise manufacturer added to Vintage Machinery:
Fulton Drop Forge Co. Thank you to GJ member davethorik for telling me about this company and the Dropfo vise.

 

[Vise]

RB - Show us a picture of the back of the Reed sign. I thought the original ones I've seen may have had wood on the back, but there could have been variation. I have one of the recent re-popped ones, so I could give you some dimensions on mine to at least exclude it from being the very recent repro version.

 

[RBarnes]

Vise,
I don't have it yet to take photo of back. I use to deal in antique advertising signs years ago (before they started reproducing everything) and set up at the Indianapolis advertising show for a couple of years. All of this type sign , with the metal folded over it on each edge holding in the back, that I ever saw, had cardboard on the back. The WOOD framed signs I saw, usually from the late 19th century, often had wood slats used as backing. They were almost always a paper or reverse glass sign that was framed in wood, as opposed to a metal sign. Often times this wood backing was replaced as the wood backing would leech into the paper and damage the sign over the years.
Usually the lithographed tin ones had a self framed frame that was part of the metal itself (stamped out of a large single piece of metal). Still have several of these I have had for 30 years. The type construction of this Reed sign, was essentially an inside the store sign with the WRAP around metal edges always had a cardboard backing that I remember seeing. I have had several with other advertising on them years ago. They tend to be early 1900s to 1930s or so.
I was not worried about a cardboard back unless it obviously turns out to be brand new, but wonder if someone was now reproducing these with the cardboard back etc.

I you have a photo of one with and old wood water stained back etc., I would really like to see it.
Is your reproduction sign flat or does it does it have the beveled edge and then metal wrapped around each edge to hold in the backing material?

 

[RBarnes]

Seller just sent this email after further inquiry, thought it interesting and I should post it. Would explain why a few of these have shown up, besides the brand new flat reproductions.

" I have worked for Reed since 1981. The Houston salesman at the time had the sign and gave it to me. At that time, there was a box of these signs at the factory in Erie but they are no longer there. "

PS, I already have asked him about other vise/Reed related stuff...

Having posted all of this, I am still all ears if anyone has more info.

 

[PierceA]

RBarnes: What a great find !! If you see any of the reproduction ones, please contact me, I like adding signage in my shop around the pallet-racks of vises..
I have the Prentiss and Parker Bear repop signs, but nothing from Reed.

PierceA

 

[PierceA]

Mark Stansbury: The DropFo vises have been mentioned here for quite a while. I posted a message about my 4" one about 10 months ago. Then posted another message about acquiring a 5" Heavy Duty DropFo vise.
And recently, a few weeks ago I acquired a 3" Dropfo vise.. So I'm hoping to find a 4-1/2" version to complete the product line..
I really like their advertising showing the workman with a 3' cheater on the handle, implying that the vise could and would take that type of abuse..

Below find images of my 3", 4" and 5".
From reading the ads found and posted here and there, I thought ALL Dropfo vises were swivel-enabled. BUT now I own a non swiveling 3" and a non-swiveling 5". And the method of retaining the mainscrew nut is different.

On the 3" vise, the nut is apparently the same as the ones on the larger vises, but since this one is a non-swiveling version, the nut is pressed into the base, and there are 4 large peened-over edges overlapping the end of the nut, keeping it in place.
The 4" one has the split machined in the static jaw, and is held in place by the smaller swivel-lock screw, under the mainscrew.
The 5" has the same type nut as the 4", but the static does not have the machined slot, instead the static is pressed into the base and will not rotated. The nut has a square-headed forged bolt inserted under the mainscrew just like the swiveling base version.

PierceA

 

[txlonghorn1989]

RB: PayPal accounts are free to set up and if you set up a separate bank account where your family funds are not involved might help you solve that little bride issue next time?

I’m on my cell so can’t see pic that well but sign sounds great. Only other member I recall that has a big Reed sign hasn’t posted in a year but he’s only about 35 so he should still be around. Send Filson a pm and maybe he can help you.

Nice find and good luck at home tonight!!

drives eprey won't be using Paypal soon (if they aren't already). I got an email Sat saying that ebay would start making payments directly to bank accounts. The email says to "update account details by May 28, 2021". FYI.

 

[macgee]

Here's newly USA made rotating vise that looks pretty interesting and has a cool factor to it; however I'm fairly sure 99.999% of you (including me) wont find the price too palpable. It is an interesting concept using this type of vise design for milling and other uses when needing critical tolerances.

https://www.orangevise.com/orange-bench-vise/

 

[exmaxima1]

drives eprey won't be using Paypal soon (if they aren't already). I got an email Sat saying that ebay would start making payments directly to bank accounts. The email says to "update account details by May 28, 2021". FYI.

AFAIK you will still be able to buy things with Paypal on the auction. If you are the seller, eBay converts the Paypal payment to their system so you get paid directly to your bank.

 

[txlonghorn1989]

AFAIK you will still be able to buy things with Paypal on the auction. If you are the seller, eBay converts the Paypal payment to their system so you get paid directly to your bank.

The email I received only mentioned what I posted so you're likely correct exmax.

 

[ejot]

^They've been switching people over in seemingly random batches for something like a couple years. I got hit in December. They force you to surrender your SSN or bar you from selling. Much unhappiness abounds.

macgee, I enjoyed checking out the Orange site. I like how they supply info on the linear calibration between handle position and holding force.

 

[drivesitfar]

I haven't read any of my Paypal notices for years, but I still use it occasionally to hold items on CL or auctions. I'm sorry to say I don't shop EBAY which maybe has kept me from being broke or having to rent another storage facility or two.

i'm guessing with Paypal being owned by Ebay that uncle sam or his buddies said that needs to stop, but you can still get a FREE PAYPAL account instead of using your credit card for other purchases like WALMART, ...

why does Pierce have so many DROPFO vises and i've never even seen one in person? man that guy not only has talent fixing and repairing these old vises he surely has a nose for finding them too. nice finds!!

 

[Shiftless]

Re: Wilton Label

Saw this vise for sale locally and the "Wilton" logo plate looks weird. The font in particular. Is that a REAL Wilton label?

That looks to be a genuine Wilton 745 vise. I bet the label is not original and not a Wilton part.
If I remember correctly, the Wilton 745 was manufactured overseas maybe around 20-30 years ago. Before that...in the USA. Look for markings.
I have one in my collection (USA) and I’d say it’s a fine vise for what it is.

 

[1982fxr]

Re: Wilton Label

Saw this vise for sale locally and the "Wilton" logo plate looks weird. The font in particular. Is that a REAL Wilton label?

Not original label. Good vise if it's the older USA one. Been made in china for a good few years now.

 

[PierceA]

The #4 DropFo vise was one i played with or 'used' when I was 8 years old. It was on a workbench my Grandfather had. I still have the workbench and it's drawer full of old tools, and some supplies.. i found a pair of new copper jaw covers in the drawer.

The remaining DropFo vises showed up on either CL or FB. Both required at least an hour or two drive each way to procure. BUT they are a regional product: Fulton Ohio. and i don't think they made much progress spreading their products to many companies..

It's an odd-ball vise and for me a bit nostalgic.

PierceA

 

[RBarnes]

I haven't read any of my Paypal notices for years, but I still use it occasionally to hold items on CL or auctions. I'm sorry to say I don't shop EBAY which maybe has kept me from being broke or having to rent another storage facility or two.

I buy a lot of stuff on ebay, mainly vintage smaller hand and lathe tools I use in my shop. Historically it has not been a good place for me to buy heavy vises. By the time I pay shipping and sales tax, they are usually higher than I care to admit. Last one I bought, despite my begging (and ignoring my suggestions) to wrap it well, totally fell out of the bottom of the box on the way here and UPS tracking said they were not delivering it, returning to shipper, as it was damaged in shipping. Shipper had just decided to throw it in with some loose packing peanuts around it. Unfortunately a lot of people I have run across on ebay could care less about anything other than the money they get for something. Drives me crazy, I offer to pay them MORE money to wrap better and they just ignore me. Lazy I guess?

Bought a vise a couple of years back on ebay in Pennsylvania and drove from Texas to get it - just was not going to have it damaged if I could help it.
Just bought a sign on there and I am going to go get it. Not worth the damage risk to me. People seem to not have any concept of how packages are really thrown around in shipping.
I am not totally bashing ebay as a venue, just tired of the "who cares" attitude I get from some people on there. Don't even get me started on what happens when you have to send something back that was mis represented...

 

[1982fxr]

For shipping, what if you wrapped it in plastic and covered it in expandable foam to the form of a box?

 

[RBarnes]

For shipping, what if you wrapped it in plastic and covered it in expandable foam to the form of a box?

HA HA, I want to see an ebay shipper willing to do that! I like the idea though. Funniest part is they often get mad when I try to suggest how to wrap something. Wish I had 20 bucks for everyone that has told me they ship things all the time and never had a problem (and then it gets damaged in shipping to me). I could probably buy a pretty good vise with that money. There must be something in ebay sellers help that tells them to say that? I bought a vintage machinist vise that rotated on ebay and told the seller to please take the handles off of it or they would probably get damaged like the last one I had shipped (all they had to do was remove the nut holding the small round protruding handles on it and slide them off). They cancelled the sale and would not sell it to me. Guess the concept of a wrench, and the skill to use it, was too much for that millennial.

Main problem is when something that is heavy shifts around inside a box. As it gets thrown around, it either can get damaged inside or come partially out of the box. Have bought a lot of things where one edge of the box has a hole in it where that happened. If a heavy vise is NOT bolted to the bottom of a wooden crate...good luck. The price of wood lately reminds me why I am usually getting in the car to go pick something up...

 

[rusty65]

If I’m not mistaken but to buy and sell using PayPal one pretty much has to give there SSN any ways. Basically so that young kids can’t sign up at least that’s how it was when I tried setting a PayPal up for my younger brother. I think it has a lot to do with PayPal charging fee and charging for transfer money. Tbh sounds like a step in the right direction for sellers.



Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[RBarnes]

If I’m not mistaken but to buy and sell using PayPal one pretty much has to give there SSN any ways. Basically so that young kids can’t sign up at least that’s how it was when I tried setting a PayPal up for my younger brother. I think it has a lot to do with PayPal charging fee and charging for transfer money. Tbh sounds like a step in the right direction for sellers.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I honestly do not know what you have to do now to set up an account, but the recent oil pipe line computer attack hacking shutdown in the news this week is just another example of why I am going to pass on giving my information to ebay to put on a foreign server. That is great for those of you that sell on ebay, just less selling competition.

I have bought and sold a lot of things for 40 plus years. If someone on here wants to sell me something we will figure it out!

Nice clean looking machinists vises in the photos. I am looking for something vintage American that would seem like something that would have been originally used on this early 20th century drill press. The one I got with it was a cam actuated giant machinist vise (I don't think it used a threaded rod) , but was missing the cam and lever and I have yet to be able to find anything close to looking like it might work. Don't have a mill so I am pretty much resolved to getting a different vise. Second photo shows the vise when I first bought it, vise actually cleaned up pretty nice, just missing parts. Thing is heavy.

 

[javyLSU]

If I’m not mistaken but to buy and sell using PayPal one pretty much has to give there SSN any ways. Basically so that young kids can’t sign up at least that’s how it was when I tried setting a PayPal up for my younger brother. I think it has a lot to do with PayPal charging fee and charging for transfer money. Tbh sounds like a step in the right direction for sellers.

It has to do with PayPal being a financial institution, and the requirement to report certain transactions to the IRS and FinCen to comply with the Patriot Act. eBay is also under requirement to report total annual payouts over a certain amount to the IRS (as does Facebook marketplace).