The VISES of Garage Journal

[nickelTwin]

another one

 

[kayaker2]

I picked this up today at a garage sale $12.00 for my 6X12 trailers workbench.

 

[Smitty]

another one

You did a great job cleaning that one up and it’s in beautiful condition. Your vise is quite old, I would put it in the 1911 - 1915 range.

 

[CRSINMICH]

nickleTwin: Your vise could be a bit older than that. Here is a cut from an 1895 catalog and one from 1897. Good find.

 

[nickelTwin]

Wow,
Thanks for the info.

I was expecting a crack or repair under the paint, but didn't find any. My lucky day

 

[Dave600]

after ugly paint removed

The Prentiss No 3 has been around since 1880s (as far back as I have catalog pages). Yours has replaceable jaws so that moves it up to approx. 1910 or so. They changed the printed markings around 1920. Here is a copy of a 1910 catalog. The person who drew the replaceable jaws used the Charles Parker version, not the "C" shape that is on yours, which is actually what was used.

 

[90roadster]

Here is Holland’s 18 4 bolt on roundhouse vise stand. Set up is just shy of 800 pounds.

 

[stock z/28]

Hi Guys

Its been a while since I had any free time, and I dont want to be a bother, but I recently picked up a Craftman Machinist vise that is very large. Its pretty old and has the craftsman name plate attached in the center of the body, and the jaws measure about 4 1/2". I cant find a number on it, but it need a good cleaning.

I also have its little brother with about 3 1/2 jaws, but the "new" one is much larger.

Does anybody have an idea of what the No. of this may be?

Thanks

Jeff

 

[Smitty]

nickleTwin: Your vise could be a bit older than that. Here is a cut from an 1895 catalog and one from 1897. Good find.

His vise has removable jaws that were patented on June 6th 1911. They were also marking them a bit differently in 1897.

 

[Smitty]

The Prentiss No 3 has been around since 1880s (as far back as I have catalog pages). Yours has replaceable jaws so that moves it up to approx. 1910 or so. They changed the printed markings around 1920. Here is a copy of a 1910 catalog. The person who drew the replaceable jaws used the Charles Parker version, not the "C" shape that is on yours, which is actually what was used.

I’ve looked at hundreds of Prentiss scans and have never seen Parker jaws drawn on a Prentiss vise. Good eye, scan saved to files.

 

[Outlawmws]

Without pics, No.

 

[Smitty]

Here are the five different markings that Prentiss used over the years for their swivel jaw machinists vises. In chronological order clockwise from the bottom. Top lettering, graffiti script, forward facing arched lettering, circle side New York with new numbering system and circle side Meriden by Parker also with new numbering system. There are variations on the top lettered models from the early days. The Prentiss Bull Dog vises took a different side plate path over the years. They have two different side plates that the machinist vises never had. These are all Prentiss no.19 vises In the pic.

 

[90roadster]

Here are the five different markings that Prentiss used over the years for their swivel jaw machinists vises. In chronological order from the bottom. Top lettering, graffiti script, forward facing arched lettering, circle side New York with new numbering system and circle side Meriden by Parker also with new numbering system. There are variations on the top lettered models from the early days. The Prentiss Bull Dog vises took a different side plate path over the years. They have two different side plates that the machinist vises never had. These are all Prentiss no.19 vises In the pic.

good visual aid Smitty! Unfortunately 23s never had graffiti script model

 

[Shiftless]

Hi Guys

Its been a while since I had any free time, and I dont want to be a bother, but I recently picked up a Craftman Machinist vise that is very large. Its pretty old and has the craftsman name plate attached in the center of the body, and the jaws measure about 4 1/2". I cant find a number on it, but it need a good cleaning.

I also have its little brother with about 3 1/2 jaws, but the "new" one is much larger.

Does anybody have an idea of what the No. of this may be?

Thanks

Jeff

As outlaw said, pics would certainly help.
But based on your general description, it might be of the Craftsman 519x series. If so, there should be etched numbers on the front of the nose where the handle slides through.

 

[Smitty]

good visual aid Smitty! Unfortunately 23s never had graffiti script model

Hey T.
Are you sure Prentiss didn’t make a graffiti script no.23?

 

[Smitty]

The seldom seen graffiti script Prentiss no. 23

 

[90roadster]

The seldom seen graffiti script Prentiss no. 23

Wow I’m impressed !

 

[ecotec]

Hey T.
Are you sure Prentiss didn’t make a graffiti script no.23?

Awesome…

 

[90roadster]

The seldom seen graffiti script Prentiss no. 23

How if only they made script 58!

 

[nickelTwin]

wow
thanks for all the info.

I wasn't expecting all that

 

[Smitty]

How if only they made script 58!

That would be something to see indeed, we’ll just have to dream about that one.

 

[Shiftless]

wow
thanks for all the info.

I wasn't expecting all that

The combined knowledge and experience of the regulars and a few others here on the main vise thread is unsurpassed. Stick around and add your 2 cents worth and more.

 

[SRU1436]

Here is Holland’s 18 4 bolt on roundhouse vise stand. Set up is just shy of 800 pounds.

damn thats awesome.

 

[Outlawmws]

That would be something to see indeed, we’ll just have to dream about that one.

For a number of years the search for a Craftsman 5197 and 5198 was a chimera. Never say never!

 

[Shiftless]

For a number of years the search for a Craftsman 5197 and 5198 was a chimera. Never say never!

I’m one of the fortunate ones to have a 5197 in my collection.

 

[Smitty]

For a number of years the search for a Craftsman 5197 and 5198 was a chimera. Never say never!

I hear what you’re saying, just when I think I’ve seen it all regarding Prentiss vises something new pops up to humble me. That being said the Prentiss 58 followed its own path as far as side markings went. they kept the same basic passenger side marking with just a couple of minor changes over the years. The only major side plate redesign was when Parker bought out Prentiss. They went with the circle side design and renumbered the vise to 258-1/2, they also incorporated the cylindrical meatball and the Parker style handle. I have only seen two of these and I was lucky enough to find one. I bolted it to my main bench, it has 8-1/2” jaws and weighs in at 275 lbs.

 

[mark-NJ]

Nothing special...just an open-screw Rock Island 503A. I got it for free in horrid condition, but after a lot of cleaning, it's a nice little vice. Don't really need it, but couldn't say "no". Why purple? "Why not purple?"!!!

 

[Wiz02]

Nothing special...just an open-screw Rock Island 503A. I got it for free in horrid condition, but after a lot of cleaning, it's a nice little vice. Don't really need it, but couldn't say "no". Why purple? "Why not purple?"!!!

The purple is cool and I like the white lettering

 

[mark-NJ]

I learned a cool trick right here on GJ: very gently run a flat file across the raised letters...it flattens the tops of the letters just a smidge, giving just a little more surface area to them, making the white paint really pop.

 

[Wiz02]

I learned a cool trick right here on GJ: very gently run a flat file across the raised letters...it flattens the tops of the letters just a smidge, giving just a little more surface area to them, making the white paint really pop.

Tips like the above are what makes GJ great!

 

[KMScott]

I hear what you’re saying, just when I think I’ve seen it all regarding Prentiss vises something new pops up to humble me. That being said the Prentiss 58 followed its own path as far as side markings went. they kept the same basic passenger side marking with just a couple of minor changes over the years. The only major side plate redesign was when Parker bought out Prentiss. They went with the circle side design and renumbered the vise to 258-1/2, they also incorporated the cylindrical meatball and the Parker style handle. I have only seen two of these and I was lucky enough to find one. I bolted it to my main bench, it has 8-1/2” jaws and weighs in at 275 lbs.

Wow nice vise Smitty. Looks like a set of my jaws installed too.

 

[Smitty]

Wow nice vise Smitty. Looks like a set of my jaws installed too.

Good eye Kevin, you’re exactly right. This vise came out of a rope factory in the Midwest. They had mounted fixtures to it so the operator could pull rope through and braid the ends. the Vise led the easy life and there’s not a hammer mark on it. I was pleasantly surprised when I got the fixtures off because the bosses were like new. Your jaws fit like a glove and made the vise whole again.

 

[F-22]

Nothing special...just an open-screw Rock Island 503A. I got it for free in horrid condition, but after a lot of cleaning, it's a nice little vice. Don't really need it, but couldn't say "no". Why purple? "Why not purple?"!!!

While an open screw is an obvious disadvantage, it's probably much better in terms of force distribution to have about the same distance from the spindle to the guide/slide as from the spindle to the jaws. Force from the spindle is more directly applied to whatever you're clamping, less torque/moment on the connection between the slide and the front moving jaw "holder", and thus also less binding on the slide so you can tighten it more...
I expect that's why Heuer uses this setup too (but they have it arranged so the threads are only made where it's needed, on this Rock Island it almost looks like they used a threaded rod as the threads go the whole length but I guess that wasn't really the case.

 

[ranger08]

I’m one of the fortunate ones to have a 5197 in my collection.

Damn that’s cool

 

[wtn1271]

Found this one in a barn at a recent estate sale. The dynamic jaw has some damage on the top edge but otherwise it looks good. 3.5" jaw width. No obvious markings or identifiers. Internet search reveals it is commonly described as an 'oval slide' vise and that many companies (Millers Falls, Farmers, Phoenix, probably more ???) made this type of vise. Anyone recognize this vise, and/or have a rough idea if it age? Thanks.

 

[ejot]

Speaking of Prentiss text...
My two favorites are the graffitis and the late post-acquisition circles.
Actually picked up one of ea. a little while back.

This one is especially crisp and original (well, by my standards, haha)-



And this is the first free-moving swivel jaw I've found in the wild. Also in good shape under terrible paint-

 

[Shiftless]

While we’re on the topic of Prentiss labelling, does anybody have any knowledge about when and why the company did these special brass and black enamel or Japanning badges? Was it an anniversary model? Or ???

Here is the one that I have.

(It didn’t look nearly this clean when I bought it from a C/L ad… drove about 45 min each way to pick it up) I neglected to take a “before” picture.

 

[454ragtop]

wtn1271, your oval slide is likely 100 years old, give or take a decade or 2. It's similar to the ones shown in this 1902 catalog cut. Doesn't say who the maker was.

Found this one in a barn at a recent estate sale. The dynamic jaw has some damage on the top edge but otherwise it looks good. 3.5" jaw width. No obvious markings or identifiers. Internet search reveals it is commonly described as an 'oval slide' vise and that many companies (Millers Falls, Farmers, Phoenix, probably more ???) made this type of vise. Anyone recognize this vise, and/or have a rough idea if it age? Thanks.

 

[wtn1271]

454, it sure looks like the one in the upper right corner of your picture, thanks.

 

[Smitty]

While we’re on the topic of Prentiss labelling, does anybody have any knowledge about when and why the company did these special brass and black enamel or Japanning badges? Was it an anniversary model? Or ???

Here is the one that I have.

(It didn’t look nearly this clean when I bought it from a C/L ad… drove about 45 min each way to pick it up) I neglected to take a “before” picture.

I believe these were anniversary models but I don’t have any factual evidence to back this up. This time period could fit into a 70th or 75th anniversary. Your badge is in beautiful condition btw.