The VISES of Garage Journal

[Mark Stansbury]

Here's an odd vise manufacturer, Neverslip Tin Cover Co. of Watertown, NY, with my one-sentence Vintage Machinery article. The company's main product was universal-fit lids for kettles and pans. Anyone know anything more?

 

[tombat]

I was looking through an old Couch & Heyle catalog for something irrelevant to vises when I ran across this ad. Brad54 posted one he owns way back in 2012, and they have popped up in videos and CL notice posts, but search didn't pull up any others in GJers garages or shops unless I missed them. Kind of neat!

There's one sitting in my garage. Maybe some day I'll get around to restoring it.

 

[dannyr]

One inch brass jaws, nine ounces, nickel plated
Sitting on top of 7in, 120lbs Parkinson c1885.
Both quick release
Thought it was a one-off demo but then found a Manufrance catalog 1912 with same in sizes up to 4in, 30lbs.
QR is lift off, pull or push, drop down turn (which moves dynamic front jaw).
Anyone know more?

 

[CRSINMICH]

One inch brass jaws, nine ounces, nickel plated
Sitting on top of 7in, 120lbs Parkinson c1885.
Both quick release
Thought it was a one-off demo but then found a Manufrance catalog 1912 with same in sizes up to 4in, 30lbs.
QR is lift off, pull or push, drop down turn (which moves dynamic front jaw).
Anyone know more?

That's a sweet little etau you've got there. (Thank you Google translate) I like the quick adjust mechanism. I'm not sure I'd like it on that big Parkinson though. By the way, Google translates it to "vice" not "vise".

 

[kenc184]

dannyr: show some pics of your big Parkinson! Father of my Paramo. Interesting that the fixed jaw is bolted on?

 

[Private Lugnutz]

Here's an odd vise manufacturer, Neverslip Tin Cover Co. of Watertown, NY,

Hi Mark. I fondly own several linesman type pliers with replaceable cutters made by Neverslip Mfg/Neverslip Works, of New Brunswick, NJ, thread linked here. They also made farriers tools - pincers and wrenches for removing horseshoe calks for snow and mud. The name goes back to an earlier venture in Boston making the calks themselves, and the history of how the enterprise landed up in NJ (...and in the hands of one of the Johnson & Johnson brothers...) is a little murky. I wonder if there's a connection. If not, it's hard to believe there was no legal issues.

There's one sitting in my garage. Maybe some day I'll get around to restoring it.

Wow! You should. Looks like all you need is hoses, fittings, and maybe some valve gaskets.

 

[dannyr]

dannyr: show some pics of your big Parkinson! Father of my Paramo. Interesting that the fixed jaw is bolted on?

So, 'thar she blows', on a Parkinson adjustable height stand.



The two part static was from the first ten years of manufacture by j Parkinson of Shipley, Bradford from about 1880(when he patented this type of buttress thread QR)-1890, then his sons joined the board and the vises are marked 'and sons' and it changes from the usual English vice to vise on the markings, soon after the two part changed to one casting. This no 9 is nearly the biggest such QR made but they produced a 9A for a while -- it'll do me tho', and I like an old vise with a history, both these were from workshops in Bradford, close to where made and the stand may even have come from their own works (a big operation making many large machines). They also made a wide range of non QR called Handy, starting a few years earlier, but for some reason these are often not maker marked.

Your Paramo is one of the well-made Sheffield versions of these Parkys (along with Record, Woden, and others)

 

[kenc184]

So, 'thar she blows', on a Parkinson adjustable height stand.



The two part static was from the first ten years of manufacture by j Parkinson of Shipley, Bradford from about 1880(when he patented this type of buttress thread QR)-1890, then his sons joined the board and the vises are marked 'and sons' and it changes from the usual English vice to vise on the markings, soon after the two part changed to one casting. This no 9 is nearly the biggest such QR made but they produced a 9A for a while -- it'll do me tho', and I like an old vise with a history, both these were from workshops in Bradford, close to where made and the stand may even have come from their own works (a big operation making many large machines). They also made a wide range of non QR called Handy, starting a few years earlier, but for some reason these are often not maker marked.

Your Paramo is one of the well-made Sheffield versions of these Parkys (along with Record, Woden, and others)

Wow, what a rarity that vise on that stand would be on this side of the pond. That stand is killer! What was the original colour of the Parkys? I've seen some in Plum red? Are the jaws standard?

 

[dannyr]

Wow, what a rarity that vise on that stand would be on this side of the pond. That stand is killer! What was the original colour of the Parkys? I've seen some in Plum red? Are the jaws standard?

Thanks.

Well spotted, the jaws are oversize replacements fitted by previous user. They're good 7in tool steel serrated jaws of the correct width for a model 9A, the largest, should really be 6.5in for my 9 but I'll stick with 'em (still to fit a pair of correct jaw face screws or modify the incorrect ones).

Original color was usually red as you say, but some sold with other, to order. This was just hand wire brushed and given a single brush coat of a color I liked and mixed on the day (base shows some dark gray-green, which may be original?) - hides nothing and easy to remove. The stand color is near original.

 

[ViceRoy2030]

Just finished my Shop King project:




(Credit: Mr. Wonderful restored the C3 !!!)

 

[Woods_Wanderer]

Viceroy, that's a beautiful vise! Nicely done.

 

[Woods_Wanderer]

Here's my latest, I picked this Vanderman #3 steamfitter's vise up yesterday. It has a small piece missing from the top of the dynamic jaw and it needs a replacement for the non-original handle, but it comes with the original bottom screw and clamp washer. The slide looks a little comical next to the massive lead screw, but according to their old catalogs this slide is steel, and you can see where it fits into the cast dynamic jaw.

 

[PierceA]

I finally found a Parker Coach Maker's vise. But it's an interesting and very old one I'm thinking.

There is ample lettering on the vise telling that is a Parker, and it's patents dates. One patent is followed by 'EXT'D'

The vise has NO MODEL NUMBER on it anywhere.. I does plainly state in cast on raised letters: Coach Maker's

I don't know where Kevin might put this vise in the lineup of Parkers, they all as far as I know have a model number on the vise somewhere.
The jaws are 4" wide, it opens to 8-1/4" with the screw fully engaged in the nut. Weight about 35#..

Parker advertises that their dynamic jaw is solid for most of the area under the dynamic jaw tower. This vise however, was cast much like a non-Parker vise, leaving access to screw a collar on the main screw inside the dynamic. So in theory this is a weaker design.
Of course, this vise has the typical external Parker-style collar .

I'm looking forward to reading some info about this vise, I think it must be pretty early, considering Parker has an abundance of models and model numbers on their array of vises.. So I'm thinking that they didn't feel a need to assign a model number? Just label it as a CoachMaker's vise..

PierceA

 

[ViceRoy2030]

Viceroy, that's a beautiful vise! Nicely done.

Thanks Woods, I was lucky it started out in pretty good condition, I didn't have to do much. Easy off did all the work

 

[d42jeep]

I spotted this at a Tahoe garage sale yesterday. I don’t have one and the price wasn’t bad so I grabbed it.
-Don

 

[CRSINMICH]

I finally found a Parker Coach Maker's vise. But it's an interesting and very old one I'm thinking.

There is ample lettering on the vise telling that is a Parker, and it's patents dates. One patent is followed by 'EXT'D'

The vise has NO MODEL NUMBER on it anywhere.. I does plainly state in cast on raised letters: Coach Maker's

I don't know where Kevin might put this vise in the lineup of Parkers, they all as far as I know have a model number on the vise somewhere.
The jaws are 4" wide, it opens to 8-1/4" with the screw fully engaged in the nut. Weight about 35#..

Parker advertises that their dynamic jaw is solid for most of the area under the dynamic jaw tower. This vise however, was cast much like a non-Parker vise, leaving access to screw a collar on the main screw inside the dynamic. So in theory this is a weaker design.
Of course, this vise has the typical external Parker-style collar .

I'm looking forward to reading some info about this vise, I think it must be pretty early, considering Parker has an abundance of models and model numbers on their array of vises.. So I'm thinking that they didn't feel a need to assign a model number? Just label it as a CoachMaker's vise..

PierceA

Pierce: Here is the patent drawing for the earliest date on your Parker. Your vise appears to be a No.40 as shown by the catalog excerpts- one from 1883, one from 1890, and one from 1902. It's hard to read but the 1883 excerpt looks like the model number is 43 and the jaws are 4.25" wide so there might be another unicorn out there for you to hunt.

 

[Fierljeppen]

I finally found a Parker Coach Maker's vise. But it's an interesting and very old one I'm thinking.

There is ample lettering on the vise telling that is a Parker, and it's patents dates. One patent is followed by 'EXT'D'

The vise has NO MODEL NUMBER on it anywhere.. I does plainly state in cast on raised letters: Coach Maker's

I don't know where Kevin might put this vise in the lineup of Parkers, they all as far as I know have a model number on the vise somewhere.
The jaws are 4" wide, it opens to 8-1/4" with the screw fully engaged in the nut. Weight about 35#..

Parker advertises that their dynamic jaw is solid for most of the area under the dynamic jaw tower. This vise however, was cast much like a non-Parker vise, leaving access to screw a collar on the main screw inside the dynamic. So in theory this is a weaker design.
Of course, this vise has the typical external Parker-style collar .

I'm looking forward to reading some info about this vise, I think it must be pretty early, considering Parker has an abundance of models and model numbers on their array of vises.. So I'm thinking that they didn't feel a need to assign a model number? Just label it as a CoachMaker's vise..

PierceA

It looks like a nice early example of a Parker no. 4000 Coachmaker's vise that was first introduced around 1894. The earlier Parker no. 40 vise, as seen in CRSINMICH catalog scans, was a completely different design that pre-dated the no. 4000 and eventually became a 4-1/2" jaw model.

Maybe not as old as you anticipated, but a very nice pickup none the less.

 

[JradM]

Anyone recognize this? After studying the photo I think the letters above the swivel lock are "MX" - although I first thought it was "MN". Popped up locally for cheap.

 

[royudc]

Anyone recognize this? After studying the photo I think the letters above the swivel lock are "MX" - although I first thought it was "MN". Popped up locally for cheap.

Nope, it's screaming "off shore import" to me though.
The stand looks interesting, looks like it might be adjustable height.

Ron

 

[PierceA]

Hey CRS, thanks for looking up that patent and the brochures.
The patent drawing shows the first version of the Parker collar: it has a vertical screw threaded through the upper 'LIP' over the mainscrew and handle. There is a thread on GJ showing this version of the Parker collar.
My vise is like the 1902 brochure you posted, with a 'normal' Parker collar with a single horizontal screw holding the collar in place.

I guess if I really want a more complete historical lineup, I ought to look for a really early Coach Maker's vise with the vertical collar retaining screw. But for some reason Parker Coach Maker's vises of any flavor are hard to find. The Filer's vises are more common in my hunting experiences.

The mystery for me is why there is no model number on the vise.. I've looked through my selection of Parker vises and all of them, if they have C. Parker on the vise, also have a model number..
And since the patent info covers both sides of the static, I guess the only place a model number would be put would be on the dynamic.

All interesting stuff. I'm just glad to finally have found a nice, unbroken Parker Coach Maker's vise.

Thanks again for posting the info.

PierceA

 

[PierceA]

Fierljeppen: Thanks for the reply and information. I think having a vise likely to have been made in the late 1800's is plenty 'old' enough for me.. LOL.
I went and took a very close look with a flashlight and from many angles and can't see a hint of any number on the dynamic. So apparently Parker just didn't bother with a model number on this version.
I've seen a few vises with the model number ground off.. I have no idea why, but it was purposely ground off. I thought this might have a similar 'ghost' of a number..

Thanks again,
PierceA

 

[ChefRex]

Anyone recognize this? After studying the photo I think the letters above the swivel lock are "MX" - although I first thought it was "MN". Popped up locally for cheap.

China.

 

[freudianfloyd]

Finally got my Parker 272 painted and reassembled. Not sure how much I like the color, it didn't show the hammered look I was hoping for, but still much better than it was when I got it.






The problem with vises like this, is you can't just set them on a shelf. Not sure how to store this one.

 

[jakemac]

Drill a hole in the shelf ?

 

[royudc]

FF, great job on the Parker!
Personally, I'm not thrilled with the colour, and I agree about the "hammered" thing.
I just used hammered silver on one of mine, it just looks like regular silver to me

As for storing/displaying that 272, maybe a couple of nice wood blocks?

Ron

 

[RedVise]

Looks like Parkers to the top this weekend..
I came across a Rev-O-Noc No. 163 1/2 made by Parker.
Clean !!!
Also grabbed a Millers Falls swivel clamp on that still has the label, a Wilton swivel clamp on and a light duty Craftsman clamp on.

 

[Mark Stansbury]

Hi Mark. I fondly own several linesman type pliers with replaceable cutters made by Neverslip Mfg/Neverslip Works, of New Brunswick, NJ, thread linked here. They also made farriers tools - pincers and wrenches for removing horseshoe calks for snow and mud. The name goes back to an earlier venture in Boston making the calks themselves, and the history of how the enterprise landed up in NJ (...and in the hands of one of the Johnson & Johnson brothers...) is a little murky. I wonder if there's a connection. If not, it's hard to believe there was no legal issues.

Wow! You should. Looks like all you need is hoses, fittings, and maybe some valve gaskets.

Yeah, I wondered too. I found almost nothing on Neverslip Tin Cover, including on Newspapers.com. It's possible it vanished completely or the name changed quickly. I was hoping a vise patent would show up that would lead to another manufacturer.

 

[454ragtop]

Found this minty Bison Bial at the flea market today, here it is after a quick cleanup, dates to 1973.

 

[Badgerstate]

On Saturday, on picked up a 6" Masterforce vise from Menards. Before that, I had a cheap little light duty Bessey but the lock on the Bessey never quite kept the vise from turning when you really cranked on something, so I decided to upgrade.
The Masterforce has 2 locks on it and is an absolute tank compared to my old Bessey, so I cant see it having the same issue.
The only thing was that I had to extend the park of my work bench that I reinforced with 2x4s because the Masterforce is about twice the size that the Bessey was. Its a heck of a vise though, probably overkill for what I will use it for.
I actually wanted the 4" version but they were sold out, so we went with the 6.

 

[Shiftless]

Drill a hole in the shelf ?

That’s what I did for my old Prentiss Monarch “lion head”

 

[tjpavlov]

Well I have been pecking away at the restoration on my Desmond Stephan vise. See post 85,306 for the before photos.

Need some help though:
1. Does anyone know where I can find a screw retainer? I’ve found some replacements for Wiltons for around $8 online. Do you think one of those would work?

2. There was a little piece of rectangular metal added to the front of the vise. Apparently that was holding in the main screw. The original must have broken (the original was horse shoe shaped from what I can tell). Anyone know where I might find something better that would fit? I don’t really have any metal machining skills.

 

[Old Radar]

Well I have been pecking away at the restoration on my Desmond Stephan vise. See post 85,306 for the before photos.

What? No one has jumped on you for pointing us to pictures 35 posts into the future?

 

[Shiftless]

What? No one has jumped on you for pointing us to pictures 35 posts into the future?

Upcoming GJ thread… show us your time machines
Next in person get together is scheduled for last Thursday 5:00 PM dinner will be served.

 

[tjpavlov]

What? No one has jumped on you for pointing us to pictures 35 posts into the future?

Sorry! Post 85,036 was the original!

 

[2baditsnotachev]

Cleaned up my 6" prentiss, did electrolysis and a purple power bath. Going to finish it with sculpt black metal oil.

 

[CRSINMICH]

tjpavlov: There hard on tipos on this thred (that's a joke). Your DSS did have a horseshoe collar. Here's a picture of mine which shows the collar. It cleaned up just fine and it's my main user. I'm sorry but I don't know of a source for the collars.

 

[freudianfloyd]

Drill a hole in the shelf ?

Yeah, that would be the obvious solution, however, I have my vises along the bottom metal shelf of my Craftsman workbench. I really don't want to drill a hole in it if I can help it. I may try using some wood blocks, or maybe fab up it's own stand.

 

[KMScott]

Well I have been pecking away at the restoration on my Desmond Stephan vise. See post 85,306 for the before photos.

Need some help though:
1. Does anyone know where I can find a screw retainer? I’ve found some replacements for Wiltons for around $8 online. Do you think one of those would work?

2. There was a little piece of rectangular metal added to the front of the vise. Apparently that was holding in the main screw. The original must have broken (the original was horse shoe shaped from what I can tell). Anyone know where I might find something better that would fit? I don’t really have any metal machining skills.

The collar you need has to be made or maybe if you are lucky that someone is parting out a vise like yours. I have made many Parker collars like what you are looking for and many dimensions are needed to make one right. Find a local machinist and maybe he can help you finish your vise. I gave my collars away at $50. Buying a vise with missing parts either costs $$'s to remake or being patient by watching e-bay. I no longer make vise parts. Good luck.

 

[jonshonda]

Cleaned up my 6" prentiss, did electrolysis and a purple power bath. Going to finish it with sculpt black metal oil.

Nice Prentiss! Just as an fyi the electrolysis will leave a nice protective coating on the metal that will prevent flash rust if that is a concern for you.

 

[2baditsnotachev]

Interesting, i didn't know that. I doused everything with wd40 for now until the oil shows up. I would like to darken it up just a bit.