Chas Parker 974

[Brindledog]

This is my first post on garage journal. I was researching this vise and found that this website has the most information. I picked this vise up off Craigslist for $80 last night. I’m wondering if anyone here can date it or tell me what they were typically used for. Thanks for any info. Here are some pictures.

 

[thehorse13]

Pre WWII, likely the latter half of the 1930s.

It's a high quality machinist's vise. 80 bucks is a fair deal for a vise like this one around here where I live.

Looks like you have some slop in the main screw but that can easily be remedied. Welcome.

 

[Brindledog]

Thanks for the info. How are you able to determine that there is slop in the screw? What do I do to fix it? I’m new to these tools and pretty clueless. Thanks again.

 

[thehorse13]

Have a look at the area circled in red. See how there is a small gap there? That appears to be slop. There are a number of easy fixes for this. Parker vises are well respected here on this site. A lot of guys use them everyday, including myself.

 

[Brindledog]

Okay thanks, I’ll research the fix. Is it something I should address or can I just live with it?

 

[thehorse13]

You can live with it. That vise will outlive you just as it is.

 

[Brindledog]

Another question, when I tried to swivel it, I couldn’t move it. Granted it’s not bolted down, but should I spray the swivel plate with penetrating oil? I’m pretty happy with the vise for $80. Luckily my wife tolerates my tool collecting habits.

 

[thehorse13]

I would flip it upside down and remove the center screw in the base. Go in there and clean everything, add grease, then reassemble. I bet it will work great after that.

 

[Cleave]

I have a very similar Chas Parker, I think mine is a 974, but doesn't have the swivel.
If I could only have one vise it would be the Chas.
Oil and adjust it, and mount it up and you'll fall in love.

 

[Terry D]

That is awesome that it came with an original wrench for the swivel. A lot of times they are missing

 

[Brindledog]

Thanks for the replies. We mounted the vise in the school shop where I work, and will probably use it there for a few years at least. The guy I work with was really pumped about it. We’ve been using a Columbia 4… something or other that is really beat up, so this is a big upgrade. Do you guys know if Morgan vises are quality? I’ll grab the link of the vise I’m talking about. The guy was willing to trade for woodworking tools.

 

[thehorse13]

Morgan vises are top quality like many of the old manufactures such as your Parker.

 

[Brindledog]

Bench Vise Morgan 4 1/2" - tools - by owner - sale

Vintage Morgan Chicago 45, 4 1/2” stationary bench vise in very good working condition. Opens to 8"+, good jaws. Located near North Bend Rd and West Rd.

cincinnati.craigslist.org

 

[Brindledog]

What do you think is a good price for that vise?

 

[thehorse13]

Vises are plentiful here where I live and a vise like this one would sit for eons priced at 40 bucks. Reality is that vise prices vary widely based on where you live. Personally I would pass over this one because someone modified (threaded a nut on the one end) the handle. That has me wondering if the vise was abused and the original handle was bent, broken or replaced.

 

[txlonghorn1989]

Here in Central Texas, $80 for a Parker 974 with swivel wrench and in that condition is a GREAT deal. I got a great deal on my 975 last year at $100 with no wrench. Congrats!

 

[Brindledog]

The guy knew it was worth more. I’m not sure why he was in such a hurry to sell it. I felt like it was going to be bought quickly so made him a $100 offer but he took $20 off if I bought it right then. It was like 9pm yesterday haha. I bet he would have sold it for $50. I’m thinking about finding another vise to replace the chas Parker at the school. I’m happy to keep it there for a while but I’d like to make it sort of an heirloom tool.

 

[ViceRoy2030]

Just bought my 974 for $200 and dang happy about it! The 97 series vises are awesome and irreplaceable.

 

[Chris Christiansen]

Today, i bought a 954-1/2, which is a 4-1/2" jaw, slightly bigger than yours.
It was in good shape, $85, northern Illinois. Vise prices vary, as others have said based on region.

 

[ViceRoy2030]

Today, i bought a 954-1/2, which is a 4-1/2" jaw, slightly bigger than yours.
It was in good shape, $85, northern Illinois. Vise prices vary, as others have said based on region.

Great price! Love those Parkers!!!

 

[Chris Christiansen]

Hey Brindledog...congrats on your nice Parker vise! As I mentioned earlier, I also snagged a Parker last week. Sheesh, they can be hard to find in good shape. Here's a few pics, for you vise obsessed folks: