The VISES of Garage Journal

[Shiftless]

While we‘re on the subject of open screw vises, here is one I rehabbed.

 

[Shiftless]

I found this basic homeowner grade Wilton new in the box at an estate sale.


.

 

[Randydrummer]

That's a great find. Even has the box. Very cool.

 

[Catcher1984]

While doing some research on newer Wilton bullet vises I found that they include a metal circular shim in between the screw shaft and the dynamic jaw.

I don’t know when they started putting these on their vises but they didn’t have them for older vises like my Wilton 1760 from 1986. I also added some anti-seize on the horseshoe collar where it holds the shaft in place. You can see where the shim is supposed to go on the 3rd picture.

I noticed immediately that it operates extremely smooth with no more slop. If you have an older Wilton bullet vise I highly advise to add a shim. I originally used a rubber one but while tightening down the jaws it wouldn’t bite down like normal.

 

[Smitty]

I’ve been thinking about making a Wilton baby bullet shelf using power arms as supports. After wandering around Home Depot I found the perfect solution for the extensions I needed to raise the shelf up to the right height. One inch gas pipe fit snugly over the power arm studs and the floor mount pipe brackets worked for the shelf support. I sized up a shelf and painted it in a flat iron color. It’s something I haven’t seen before so I was happy with the results.

 

[Catcher1984]

I kept seeing a picture of a Wilton 1750 compared to the 500S and wanted to know the differences between them.

I didn’t see any brochures with the tradesman until I found these and was surprised to see that the Wilton 1760’s are much closer in specs to the machinist 450S and combination C1

Weight C1 - 77lbs, 450S - 72lbs, 1760 - 70lbs
Throat depth C1 4-3/4”, 450S 4”, 1760 4”
Jaw Opening C1 6”, 450S 7.5”, 1760 6.5”

You can also see that the 1750 is spec’d much closer to the 350S vise.

Does anyone know when they changed the style of the machinist vises and combination C series vises? I have seen some earlier C series with two pins holding the pipe jaws, and newer machinist vises like the one in the brochure that have a larger throat depth.

 

[Outlawmws]

That's awesome Smitty! you just need more shelf!

 

[Smitty]

That's awesome Smitty! you just need more shelf!

Thanks Outlaw, onward and upward.

 

[JonesRestorationCo]

I’ve been thinking about making a Wilton baby bullet shelf using power arms as supports. After wandering around Home Depot I found the perfect solution for the extensions I needed to raise the shelf up to the right height. One inch gas pipe fit snugly over the power arm studs and the floor mount pipe brackets worked for the shelf support. I sized up a shelf and painted it in a flat iron color. It’s something I haven’t seen before so I was happy with the results.

How did you even acquire all of these. Ive only seen 1 on ebay and it went for upwards of 800 dollars.

 

[Shiftless]

How did you even acquire all of these. Ive only seen 1 on ebay and it went for upwards of 800 dollars.

Look at his avatar…he casts a HUGE net. Smitty is a resourceful guy, has developed lots of contacts, and is willing to drive for hours at the drop of a hat to get a desirable vise. He has more than a few Prentiss vises to go with all of his bullets.
All of the guys who complain about the time needed to search FB or C/L or something being too far away or not being sold at a “you ****” price with a seller willing to hold it until they get around to going over to check it out can learn from accomplished collectors like Smitty. I certainly have.

 

[Private Lugnutz]

What is this and how stupid was I for passing it up this morning?

 

[Shiftless]

The only one anywhere close to that one in my collection (moveable jaw in back) is marked “little giant”. Maker unknown.
Parker made a line of vises very similar to that one in overall shape but they had the dynamic jaw in the front, like most other vises.

 

[Private Lugnutz]

The whole look of it drew me in, but when I saw that the dynamic jaw was on the table (you know how much I like my Bial-Bison), I decided to check it out in earnest. I didn't take enough photos because the seller was bothering me, but the mounting is bizarre. It seems like it would have to go on a rail. Action was very smooth but the jaws (7") and jaw inserts were really chewed up. No branding or other markings whatsoever. It must have come out of a plumbers' shop because everything else they were selling was vintage plumbing stuff (giant benders, threaders, cutters, etc).

 

[ViceRoy2030]

Picked up one of my bucket listers, C. Parker 974. Love this series! Originally, I was going to do a full resto, then I realized the excellent condition she was in and decided just to clean 'er up and apply some fluid film.

 

[RTM]

Strikes me as a Backus, based on secret background information. (Vise spreadsheet)

Millers Falls Company : Catalogue B : Millers Falls Co. : Free Download, Borrow, and Streaming : Internet Archive

84 p., illus., 28.2 cm (image size), trade catalog

archive.org

Here's another

Millers Falls Company : Catalogue No. H : Millers Falls Co. : Free Download, Borrow, and Streaming : Internet Archive

162 p., illus., 14.2 cm, trade catalog

archive.org

Quimby S. Backus biography

 

[ray h]

Smitty again you've raised the bar, great display.

 

[Smitty]

JonesR…I’ve gotten pretty good at finding these over the years. The cheapest one I’ve found was $99 and it was an hour away.

Shift…Thanks for the kind words, I do go the extra mile now that you mention it.

Ray H…Your move James Cameron

 

[va.grouseman]

What is this and how stupid was I for passing it up this morning?

Looks like a Backus.---Check this link.

https://www.google.com/search?q=picture+of+bacus++bench++vise&sxsrf=AOaemvIsbudZ9oPDEFEfrxvb4X3v-R3LAg:1636673201667&tbm=isch&source=iu&ictx=1&fir=wgdvW4C-etpWOM%2Czh1gx9F3gQv_pM%2C_%3BFSpLwICXbqmx1M%2CZBtTc4YpkmsiKM%2C_%3BOxUceHaqc70jeM%2Czh1gx9F3gQv_pM%2C_%3BFf-Ylgc3UjHZbM%2CZKtoAr5Jq3AYkM%2C_%3BHBQtNA1rdcpIgM%2CZBtTc4YpkmsiKM%2C_%3BfTGME4HhElxjnM%2C39eOMuGL0zFiXM%2C_%3BZAtTjfH4nGZbGM%2Cc6HVVgR6i5coGM%2C_%3BzpNNUTme-71A4M%2CYg2GjyA5SVyM5M%2C_%3BO-zBdcFm7JXWaM%2Cfk0B0puSHST4KM%2C_%3BwWLroNbp9vsL0M%2CYg2GjyA5SVyM5M%2C_&vet=1&usg=AI4_-kTyIRnwE1WDC5mb4QuKTarjIZvShw&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwiIurHmupH0AhVcqHIEHb2RDlgQ9QF6BAgLEAE#imgrc=Ff-Ylgc3UjHZbM

 

[Private Lugnutz]

Strikes me as a Backus,

Looks like a Bacus.

Thanks, gents.

 

[TailGunner3000]

Lugz, what was the asking price on that vise?

 

[dannyr]

I’ve been thinking about making a Wilton baby bullet shelf using power arms as supports. After wandering around Home Depot I found the perfect solution for the extensions I needed to raise the shelf up to the right height. One inch gas pipe fit snugly over the power arm studs and the floor mount pipe brackets worked for the shelf support. I sized up a shelf and painted it in a flat iron color. It’s something I haven’t seen before so I was happy with the results.

Impressive collection, and I know you have many more.

Coupla questions: (based on v similar Spencer Franklin UK hydraclamp ball joints) .... is the power arm on the left cam/wedge action and the one on right hydraulic (in the second picture)? and, is there a vacuum base available for the power arm
usually shown with baby Wiltons?

image shows small S F hydraclamp with vac base

 

[Private Lugnutz]

Lugz, what was the asking price on that vise?

$100.

 

[Smitty]

Impressive collection, and I know you have many more.

Coupla questions: (based on v similar Spencer Franklin UK hydraclamp ball joints) .... is the power arm on the left cam/wedge action and the one on right hydraulic (in the second picture)? and, is there a vacuum base available for the power arm
usually shown with baby Wiltons?

image shows small S F hydraclamp with vac base

Thanks Danny. You are correct, it is a hydraulic model no. 303 in the second pic. When I got it there was a fixture in the box that was mounted to it. I still can’t figure out what it was used for. I don’t believe that Wilton made a vacuum base for their power arm Jr models but I’m not 100% sure.

 

[Smitty]

The Prentiss vise gods were smiling down on me today for sure. I just got these two Prentiss jewelers vises in the mail and I couldn’t be happier. They are both #39’s with 2” jaws and the one on the right is in beautiful condition. The vise on the right has most of the original maroon japanning and it’s in great condition. Thanks Josh for all you do for my collection.

 

[Outlawmws]

He Shoots! He Scores! He *****!

 

[Smitty]

Outlaw…Yeah, I popped the water bottle with these two. Btw you’re getting five for fighting for your last comment.

 

[ncgun99]

I was doing some research on some vises and was wondering how much difference there is between the Wilton C1 combination vise Vs a Wilton 1760 tradesman vise.

They both seem to open about the same around 6”, have pipe jaws, throat depth seems to be similar as well. And I think weight is about 80lbs for the C1 and 70lbs for the tradesman. Besides the obvious price difference, I know tradesman were the value Wilton bullet vises, but are there any major drawback?

I’ve been looking for a C1 for a while but managed to get a 1760 recently that is pretty stout and beefy. I don’t really need pipe jaws I just like the extra throat depth that come with combination vises. Are C1’s a much better vise? Would a reed 2C be comparable or even better? How about a Yost 32C or 33C? (I was initially looking for one of these). And I love the 1760 but I miss having the larger jaw opening, and was wondering if there were 4-1/2” or 5” jaw combination vises that open farther.

I have owned both the 17 series and the C series. There is a clear difference between the two. I have a C2 on my bench and got rid of the 1760.
I would still like to have a nice Reed.
IMO the enclosed slide is why I like the Wilton.

 

[Catcher1984]

I have owned both the 17 series and the C series. There is a clear difference between the two. I have a C2 on my bench and got rid of the 1760.
I would still like to have a nice Reed.
IMO the enclosed slide is why I like the Wilton.

Yeah I kind of answered my own question earlier above. I found the Wilton tradesman were more easily comparable by jaw opening rather than actual jaw size with the 1750, 350S, and C0 being similar. And also the same thing with the 1760, 450S, and C1.

There wasn’t much information about the Wilton tradesman vises but once I saw the brochures for all the models it became easier to compare them.

Im still on the hunt for a newer style Wilton C2 but its so pricey. Maybe even a C1 if it’s cheap enough.

 

[Shiftless]

Smitty:
It looks like your Prentiss net is working just as well as ever. Great scores! Scoop them up!

 

[Smitty]

Smitty:
It looks like your Prentiss net is working just as well as ever. Great scores! Scoop them up!

Thanks Shift, I’m always happy to find these. I have you and your computer skills to thank for my avatar.

 

[compunaut]

I was able to pick up this Prentiss Bulldog No 50 at a local auction. After bidder fee & sales tax, total was just under $39.
Don't really have bench space for it right now, so it's in storage.
Is there any way that this olive green color is original?

 

[JradM]

I was able to pick up this Prentiss Bulldog No 50 at a local auction. After bidder fee & sales tax, total was just under $39.
Don't really have bench space for it right now, so it's in storage.
Is there any way that this olive green color is original?

Damn! There's one of those in my local classified right now. I'd love to own it - but the seller wants $350.

 

[Outlawmws]

Almost none as they would not paint the slide or the jaw faces (I see some between the teeth)

 

[Shiftless]

Almost none as they would not paint the slide or the jaw faces (I see some between the teeth)

I agree 100%
That‘s not original paint but for $39 I wouldn’t care what paint was on that vise. SCORE!

 

[Smitty]

I was able to pick up this Prentiss Bulldog No 50 at a local auction. After bidder fee & sales tax, total was just under $39.
Don't really have bench space for it right now, so it's in storage.
Is there any way that this olive green color is original?

I must say you did great on that one. This vise is right around 100 years old and it’s in beautiful condition. These were typically used hard back in the day so it’s nice to see one that was spared the hammer.

 

[Smitty]

If you look closely you can see the word Prentiss double double cast on the dynamic jaw. Very cool.

 

[Shiftless]

If you look closely you can see the word Prentiss double double cast on the dynamic jaw. Very cool.

A 1969 S penny with double die stamping on the word “Liberty” is worth maybe $50,000 -$100,000

Somehow, I doubt that double cast Prentiss vises are worth more than a million times as much as one without that abnormality.

 

[compunaut]

I must say you did great on that one. This vise is right around 100 years old and it’s in beautiful condition. These were typically used hard back in the day so it’s nice to see one that was spared the hammer.

Thank you. I love the cast-in script/lettering on this. I guess when there's time for a project, I'll clean off the paint with Simple Green or something; maybe the whole BLO thing.

 

[ejot]

That vise is beautiful, great snag, congrats. The old green repaint has a lot of character. I would probably strip the slide, refinish the meatball/handle and jaw faces, and throw a coat of paste wax over the rest of the green. Fully stripped and BLO would look great too! Heat the vise up before BLO finish for a deeper, darker finish.

I had a rotten day but it's all good cause there's a nice clean Reed 208 in my car.

 

[Shiftless]

ejot:
That‘s an amazing find and to top it off, it looks to be in excellent condition. Great score!

For any readers who aren’t familiar with big Reeds, the 208 models, the largest in the line, weigh almost 300 pounds. I have one of its baby brothers, the 204, and I think it could handle just about anything I could throw at it.