Recent content by NotStock

Picking away at this vise as I get held up on other projects. Old broken jaw screws are out, cut out two huge cracks on the lower twin beam. Waiting on 55 nickel rods to fill it back up. Also waiting on a face mill and inserts to clean up the destroyed static jaw ledge. Its coming along slowly...

Ok, perfect. Mine is pinned, so later than 65. That is a good start. Wondering if I should be applying any oil to the ball mechanism. I cleaned it all out, but I can't decide if I should be adding oil back in. It had some grease on the brass cup, but who knows if that was correct or not.

Hah, had the same thought, but the 1 is written in a font that makes it only go one direction. I actually saw another thread where a guy mentioned a similarly marked baby bullet with a 1 and an 8, but he didn't get any more info back unfortunately.

Very difficult to read, but only two numbers on this one. Reads "1 9" no hyphen, no other marks. Would love to know what date this implies.

Yeah, this is a mystery vise for sure. Its bigger than anything I can find listed for Lewis, but the details are so similar that it has to be made by them or at least at the same foundry.

Seems to have a ton in common with the Lewis marked vises. I'm sure these bars are steel as noted. Someone managed to slightly bend one, so its not likely cast iron. The rounded chunk under the jaws is there, the split beam as well. Its also go a lot in common with the swivel base cam/plunger...

Picked it up. Now I’m back on the prentiss theory. The cam/pin arrangement is missing, but it was definitely the way the swivel lock worked. Seems pretty much the same as the way prentiss did it. The strange twin beam arrangement is also a prentiss thing. Interested to hear opinions...

Yeah, the handle is definitely wrong for a Prentiss. I am going to go look at it. If I bring it home, I'll strip it and look for anything helpful. I'm sure its marked, just need to find it.

Just found the spreadsheet you're looking at. Thanks!! Man, Its close to an early semi-exposed prentiss, but the meatball is square instead of round. Maybe a repair? thats all that makes sense to me right now. The swivel lock hole looks correct for a prentiss, but it doesnt have the lock...

I've been scrolling the vise picture thread and I haven't seen anything with the lead screw open on the side like this. She's old, but maybe import? Unmarked has me worried, although it would be unusual for a vise this size to be import. I also don't like that the fixed jaw seems chewed up and...

Hey everyone, There is a big boy vise for sale in my area and every time one comes up I can’t help myself and have to have it. Problem is this one is unmarked. If it was branded I’d make an offer, but without IDing it, I can’t really decide if it’s worth making an offer on or driving the...

Blasted it to smooth out the pecker tracks and remove the grunge. Fresh coat of paint to match the reed. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Been a good week on vises. Picked up this beauty early 4” Wilton. Think it’s a 744 maybe? Anyway, it is in ridiculously good condition and was a hell of a score for the price. Guy had upgraded to a Pittsburg with the pipe jaws. I was happy to buy his old vise. And then I found a Prentiss 56...

Freshened up and working right. Not in love with the black swivel jaw.... Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Tossed everything in the parts washer, evaporust bath, then a quick media blast. Filled the idiot marks in with epoxy and rebuilt the broken out sections with metal putty. You can see the metal putty on the round edge at the back of the swivel jaw. Should hold up fine for me and any future owner...