Recent content by rtdgfd

Thanks for the response on the Rock Island 136. It doesn't seem to be listed in RI literature.Mine is missing the base but I am happy to have it anyway.

Does anyone know about a Rock Island 136 swivel jaw. I may have the number wrong, but it looks like 136 on the casting.

Is there a Rock Island 136 This is the best I can make out on the casting. It is a swivel jaw vise. Thanks

Put the vise in the corner of the garage,your wife will never notice. Congratulations!

Thanks for the information on the Ridgid production dates. As much as I am attached to my 6" Ridgid it is interesting how coarse the casting and finish are when compared to the older vises in the shop. We should be able to make things better. Even by the 1970's a decline in finishing is...

Thanks for the info,much appreciated.

The numbers are 543 on the RI 571, on the RI 574 The numbers are 4212. Thanks for the question and information. I got my first Rock Island vise this year and it is now on my bench, quickly becoming my favorite,very smooth and secure swivel action. rtdgfd

Is the date on the 571 casting? I will look. It is a nice clean little vise. Probably will end up on my Daughter's garage bench. Thanks rtdgfd

Dad and I bought this vise new in the 1970's. We used it for years then it set under my bench until I cleaned it last week. Too nice to repaint.

I use it to sharpen hand saws. Typical rip and cross cut saws by Disston etc. My Dad encouraged(!) hand saws over stringing out an extension chord,generator and all that that entailed. A sharp hand saw is pretty quick but the new battery powered saws are taking over. I still like to keep a few...

I will stop after this but will show my vise that is not really in the main line of this site,still hopefully of interest. A cast iron vise by Acme of San Jose California for saw sharpening.

Thank you. I do like my tools a little too much. This site has inspired me to clean them up a bit. The Stevens is as I got it ,in nice condition. I am pretty sure it has 4" jaws. I baby it .

These vises are from the softer side of my shop.

These are working vises in my metal shop. The holes under the plate at the Rock Island are drilled to accept 5 other vise s that I keep under the bench. (In case of emergencies)

The Dow Jones average for 1990 varied between low 2000's to almost 3000. All the tool collectors on this site that helped preserve our wonderful industrial heritage should be rewarded for their efforts. What a great site!