Recent content by pachypod

I did a very similar thing for a stuck Parker 206. Eventually put it on the grill to get it hot enough, then *gently* persuaded it out with a 12lb sledge on the end of the slide... Not that I would recommend hitting cast iron with a sledge, but by that point I'd been soaking it for 6 months...

I think from a design standpoint, open screw designs are actually usually mechanically superior. The trade off is that the screw is open to debris. Here's my reasoning: On most open screw designs the screw sits between the slide and the jaws instead of inside the slide like on most closed...

Never seen that before, but it sounds brilliant. I'm going to have to try that out on an old chisel or two.

I've used regular titebond for this before without much success... I just don't think it penetrates deep enough, plus it gets most of its strength when the gap between pieces is really small (ie they are firmly compressed), and it's hard to eliminate the gaps completely even with strong clamps...

Athol 615X. 5" jaws. Don't know weight or opening.

Athol/Starrett 923 1/2. 3.5" jaws that open to 5". Weighs 41 lbs. Pictures for spreadsheet.

I've never had a vise as rusted stuck as this Parker 206. I soaked it in penetrating oil for 2 months, then a 50-50 acetone-ATF mixture for another month, giving it a few whacks every few days and it still wouldn't budge. I even tried a 12 ton bottle jack (picture). Tried heating with a heat...

Yeah I tightened the split nut, there doesn't seem to any backlash between the screw and the dynamic jaw, that feels rock solid.

I'm wondering if it's just worn threads, though it doesn't look used enough to have worn threads. By that I mean the jaws are still in great shape.

Thanks! That screw was a little loose in the 403 1/2. I tightened it, and now there's only about 2/100ths of play. Still about 9/100ths of play in the Craftsman 5182 with that screw tight. Which, admittedly now that's I've actually measured it doesn't seem like a ton. Just more than others.

Recently picked up a Reed 403 1/2R and a Reed made Craftsman 5182, both in excellent shape. I've heard and read so many great things about the Reed R series, I've been wanting to get my hands on one for a while. But even though they feel really solidly built, there's a lot more in and out play...

I was watching those, just couldn't make the pickup. Glad they went to someone on GJ. Nice score!!!!

@CRSINMICH Thanks! I agree, mine looks more like the 1920 version.

Yeah, my wife made a lot of fun of me for how excited I was about some "expensive" old metal. $175 for both.

Picked up a super clean Starrett 923 1/2 for a great deal. 926 for comparison. Also found a 4.5" coachmaker's type vise that I suspect is a Rock Island 152, though it doesn't have a brand name anywhere I can see. Anyone know if Rock Island made the 152 unmarked?