Beerhippie
Well-known member
Fingers crossed. I love mine--it's the most used out of three vises mounted in the shop--the others are a Reed 4041/2 and a Chas. Parker 4 1/2. Both great, but the versatility of the rotary-jaw and pipe clamps....
The VISES of Garage Journal
- Thread starter mjozefow
- Start date
Andy FitzGibbon
Well-known member
- Joined
- Apr 7, 2011
- Messages
- 173
Dad did the same to one for 30 years in a full time blacksmith shop, and it never broke. Went to the next owner with the bench it was on when he retired.
Yes fingers crossed. If I holds up because of its versatility I’m sure I’ll like having it around. I’ll be posting some other vises that I have, one of which a Yost 34c. My intentions weren’t to have a collection of vises but it’s funny how’s it’s turned into that. Having hobbies of machining & welding, along with enjoying antique store, estate sales, and garage sales - I’ve made some nice scores with machinists and bench vises I’ve the years.
Shiftless
Well-known member
Don’t put yourself in harm’s way. Injured bodies are far worse than broken vises.
Shiftless
Well-known member
Same thing happened to me.
15 years ago I owned just 2 vises.
(here you see about 3/4 of my collection)
Very nice! That’s one hell of a collection.Same thing happened to me.
15 years ago I owned just 2 vises.
(here you see about 3/4 of my collection)
M.Brane
ALLIANCE MEMBER
The first one is free kid.
Shiftless
Well-known member
48windsor
Well-known member
I have an old Columbian I'm willing to part w . Wondering valueI don’t have a pic of that vise with the GJ obligatory beer can but here is a pic of it sitting next to a few of its distant cousins. Those are serious vises no matter what label they have, Columbian or Reed.
Shiftless
Well-known member
That’s like saying I have an old Chrysler I’m willing to part with.
GJ is not an appraisal service but with that being said, one of the regulars might hazard a guess for a starting point if you’d like to list it on the GJ classified pages. But we need pics, model numbers and a bit more to go on.
Outlawmws
Well-known member
You ask this group of enablers this?
3 hours? what else is there on the route? You can do this!
PeterPeter
Well-known member
Bought a tired, old 974 1/2 Parker (1903 patent) last week. Boy was the screw sloppy. This 7/8’x1” bronze bushing had to have its flange thinned down a bit to fit in nicely, and fit nicely it did. Almost like the vise was made to have one. Which makes me think it might have. Did it? Or is it just very worn? I have had a couple other C. Parker’s and they did not have it; It’s now the smoothest C.Parker I’ve ever owned.
Peter etc.
Peter etc.
Beerhippie
Well-known member
How much are you willing to spend on the upholstery? I doubt that can be cleaned....
Beerhippie
Well-known member
My '30s (?) 954 1/2 had nothing there--just the brass collar to retain the screw. It had lots of play, but axial, not lateral. I added a bronze thrust washer and tightened it right up. The nut was also very loose in the base, so I added a shim and peened the pin over a bit more. Minimal play now.Bought a tired, old 974 1/2 Parker (1903 patent) last week. Boy was the screw sloppy. This 7/8’x1” bronze bushing had to have its flange thinned down a bit to fit in nicely, and fit nicely it did. Almost like the vise was made to have one. Which makes me think it might have. Did it? Or is it just very worn? I have had a couple other C. Parker’s and they did not have it; It’s now the smoothest C.Parker I’ve ever owned.
Peter etc.
Outlawmws
Well-known member
Isn't the patent 1930 for the 97X vises?
I've gone a little sideways, as well as trying to find vices in Original boxes, Bought a Lock and Tool Co Vice last week, (30's- 50's ?) Aussie made, then found and bought 2 shifters Kinda made sense, hadn't known about that brand before.Same thing happened to me.
15 years ago I owned just 2 vises.
(here you see about 3/4 of my collection)
Continued that on this week bought a British Gordon vice and shifter ( been looking for a vice- the excuse for that is one of my middle names is Gordon
)And already have a few Dawn Tools-
Over 80 vices now, not sure how that happened and only 200 behind your collection
PeterPeter
Well-known member
Yup. The ol‘ lisdexia playing with me numbers. Thx.
PeterPeter
Well-known member
This had a thrust washer- no room/need for it now. The nut is what I need to work on next, as it is loose as a goose. Unfortunately, a bolt is stuck hard where the pin should be. It’s always something.
peterpeter
TheRealZeus
Well-known member
Back with her yet?Someone please talk me out of buying this...!
I'm not sure what it is... but it work great!
Do I need to drive 3 hours one way to get it?
How do I know if I can't live without it?
AHHH... somebody HELP!
-Bear
PeterPeter
Well-known member
Ended up drilling out the galvanized bolt, and found a nut and bolt solution to the whole lash issue. Took off enough threads on the bugle bolt to make it less bolt, more pin. I filed the square nut into a wedge, and tapped it into place. The last issue I have is that the dynamic jaw is a replacement, and it’s pad is smooth. The static pad is very worn textured. I’ve been working it with the jaws closed on a flat file. A knee mill would be nice.
Peter, ditto.
1Bad55Chevy
Well-known member
- Joined
- Feb 20, 2025
- Messages
- 623
Saw this Rock Island on an episode of The Twilight Zone yesterday!
Apparently a Rock Island vise is not strong enough to take out Talky Tina... He would probably need a Fireball Hardtail to take her out!
Apparently a Rock Island vise is not strong enough to take out Talky Tina... He would probably need a Fireball Hardtail to take her out!
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Outlawmws
Well-known member
Saw this Rock Island on an episode of The Twilight Zone yesterday!
Apparently a Rock Island vise is not strong enough to take out Talky Tina... He would probably need a Fireball Hardtail to take her out!
Telly Savalas wielding the torch, right?
1Bad55Chevy
Well-known member
- Joined
- Feb 20, 2025
- Messages
- 623
Ya! Good eye
TheRealZeus
Well-known member
Valid point.. Every guy got 99 problems.. not having 10 fingers was one of his already, Man.
four.cycle
Well-known member
Yes. "Talky Tina". Episode title was "The Living Doll"
Outlawmws
Well-known member
Valid point.. Every guy got 99 problems.. not having 10 fingers was one of his already, Man.
Hmmm, I wonder if he and Mel Brooks were friends? (Mel has 6 fingers on one hand)
RTM
Well-known member
I think you've been had. Or you are playing along.
Mel Brooks leaves 6-finger handprint on Hollywood Walk of Fame
Comedian Mel Brooks left future fans a final joke during his hand and footprint ceremony Monday outside the TCL Chinese Theatre in Hollywood.
abc7.com
TheRealZeus
Well-known member
The jokes would be hand over fist. 
micahd1997
Well-known member
- Joined
- Apr 27, 2022
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- 250
This past week, I received the only piece of stationery by the Fulton Machine & Vise Company that I’ve ever seen. The bill details the purchase of two plow shoes for Frank Doyle of Lyons Falls.
For nearly a year now, my interest in the company, its owner, its roots, and its history have fueled a lot of my research. Surprisingly, there are pages, and pages…and pages of incredibly helpful historical documentation about the business thanks to its large presence in the town of Lowville, NY and its employment of up to 100 men at a time in in the early 1900s. Between the years of 1905 (when the business was incorporated) and 1921 when the company was reorganized due to financial difficulties, the Fulton Machine & Vise Company manufactured nearly 40 vises of different styles/sizes as well as centrifugal pumps, plows, and other machinery. The business was overseen by its founder, president, secretary, and treasurer, Edwin W Fulton, who worked from roughly 1896-1902 at Bagley & Sewall’s in Watertown, manufacturing vises for the Prentiss Vise Company. He would go on to patent several different vises and run both the Atlas Vise Company and the Velox Vise Company until ultimately landing at the Oswego Tool Company in 1924 where he continued to manufacture and sell both his Velox and NuType vises. Having founded the Fulton Machine & Vise Company when he was only 33, he was a self-made giant in the vise business until his passing at the age of 64 in 1936.
I couldn’t be happier to own this minuscule but wonderful snapshot of the company’s history.
For nearly a year now, my interest in the company, its owner, its roots, and its history have fueled a lot of my research. Surprisingly, there are pages, and pages…and pages of incredibly helpful historical documentation about the business thanks to its large presence in the town of Lowville, NY and its employment of up to 100 men at a time in in the early 1900s. Between the years of 1905 (when the business was incorporated) and 1921 when the company was reorganized due to financial difficulties, the Fulton Machine & Vise Company manufactured nearly 40 vises of different styles/sizes as well as centrifugal pumps, plows, and other machinery. The business was overseen by its founder, president, secretary, and treasurer, Edwin W Fulton, who worked from roughly 1896-1902 at Bagley & Sewall’s in Watertown, manufacturing vises for the Prentiss Vise Company. He would go on to patent several different vises and run both the Atlas Vise Company and the Velox Vise Company until ultimately landing at the Oswego Tool Company in 1924 where he continued to manufacture and sell both his Velox and NuType vises. Having founded the Fulton Machine & Vise Company when he was only 33, he was a self-made giant in the vise business until his passing at the age of 64 in 1936.
I couldn’t be happier to own this minuscule but wonderful snapshot of the company’s history.
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Hooterville
Well-known member
Nice historical document, with awesome letterhead! I didn't know Edwin Fulton was so accomplished at such a young age. On my to-do-list is the nut repair of my Fulton Peerless #28 vise.
micahd1997
Well-known member
- Joined
- Apr 27, 2022
- Messages
- 250
That’s a beauty, Hoot! An excellent vise from a super cool era of American history. I hope the but repair goes wellNice historical document, with awesome letterhead! I didn't know Edwin Fulton was so accomplished at such a young age. On my to-do-list is the nut repair of my Fulton Peerless #28 vise.
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I have never posted on GJ before so I figured I should start in the deep end of the pool. I just got a 6” Hi-Test Quality (FPU) vise cleaned up. I got it in Texas when I left California for Tennessee about 2 years ago. It is all original paint and was not broken at the forward gib screw as many of this style are. I got super lucky and look forward to showing it some love in the form of work soon.
Not a remarkable vise but mine has some different date and model markings than I have not seen referenced anywhere else. Thought it might help others if they are on the search for information. The model number “NO 598” is also accompanied by what appears to be a triangle with a 1 inside of it and it is stamped on the top surface of the static (forward) jaw. The date code is stamped on the side of the static jaw, opposite the gib. Mine is stamped “71 4” which I am guessing is April 1971 and would be in the correct time period for the vise. There is some ghosting left of the Hi-Test Quality marking on the front just above the handle but it is not really legible.
I also have a what I believe to be a 1950’s era 4 1/2” Wilton Bullet vise. That date is based on the fact that it still has Chicago on it and not Schiller Park. Before anyone asks, there is not date on either side of the key so it is an educated guess. Also in the shop is a random 5” Columbian 3050 that I found rusted in the backyard of a house we rented. It got cleaned and was my first vise that did not come from HF.
Not a remarkable vise but mine has some different date and model markings than I have not seen referenced anywhere else. Thought it might help others if they are on the search for information. The model number “NO 598” is also accompanied by what appears to be a triangle with a 1 inside of it and it is stamped on the top surface of the static (forward) jaw. The date code is stamped on the side of the static jaw, opposite the gib. Mine is stamped “71 4” which I am guessing is April 1971 and would be in the correct time period for the vise. There is some ghosting left of the Hi-Test Quality marking on the front just above the handle but it is not really legible.
I also have a what I believe to be a 1950’s era 4 1/2” Wilton Bullet vise. That date is based on the fact that it still has Chicago on it and not Schiller Park. Before anyone asks, there is not date on either side of the key so it is an educated guess. Also in the shop is a random 5” Columbian 3050 that I found rusted in the backyard of a house we rented. It got cleaned and was my first vise that did not come from HF.
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Outlawmws
Well-known member
micahd1997
Well-known member
- Joined
- Apr 27, 2022
- Messages
- 250
Nice, man! That FPU is in great shape. Stamped markings like those on vises are so helpful. It’s great when it hasn’t been beaten so much that use has obscured or muddled what would’ve otherwise helped identify the age, model number, or other designations.I have never posted on GJ before so I figured I should start in the deep end of the pool. I just got a 6” Hi-Test Quality (FPU) vise cleaned up. I got it in Texas when I left California for Tennessee about 2 years ago. It is all original paint and was not broken at the forward gib screw as many of this style are. I got super lucky and look forward to showing it some love in the form of work soon.
Not a remarkable vise but mine has some different date and model markings than I have not seen referenced anywhere else. Thought it might help others if they are on the search for information. The model number “NO 598” is also accompanied by what appears to be a triangle with a 1 inside of it and it is stamped on the top surface of the static (forward) jaw. The date code is stamped on the side of the static jaw, opposite the gib. Mine is stamped “71 4” which I am guessing is April 1971 and would be in the correct time period for the vise. There is some ghosting left of the Hi-Test Quality marking on the front just above the handle but it is not really legible.
I also have a what I believe to be a 1950’s era 4 1/2” Wilton Bullet vise. That date is based on the fact that it still has Chicago on it and not Schiller Park. Before anyone asks, there is not date on either side of the key so it is an educated guess. Also in the shop is a random 5” Columbian 3050 that I found rusted in the backyard of a house we rented. It got cleaned and was my first vise that did not come from HF.
four.cycle
Well-known member
Just an FYI for local vise collectors:
I was not previously aware that Earthwise Salvage will do inter-store transfers for a minimal fee.
I just ordered an item from their Seattle inventory that they're bringing down here to Tacoma for $5 bucks. No way I can drive to Seattle for $5 bucks.
They have a few vises at their Aberdeen location:
Worth 3.5" $65 (confirmed this unit is stamped "WORTH" on the tail end of the slide)
4" jaw unknown $110
RAE 4" $65
I have no idea whether those prices are high, low, or in between - just passing this along because I just learned I do NOT have to drive to Aberdeen to buy stuff from them. (Like my lovely Judd & Leland dual-cylinder tire pump. )
I was not previously aware that Earthwise Salvage will do inter-store transfers for a minimal fee.
I just ordered an item from their Seattle inventory that they're bringing down here to Tacoma for $5 bucks. No way I can drive to Seattle for $5 bucks.
They have a few vises at their Aberdeen location:
Worth 3.5" $65 (confirmed this unit is stamped "WORTH" on the tail end of the slide)
4" jaw unknown $110
RAE 4" $65
I have no idea whether those prices are high, low, or in between - just passing this along because I just learned I do NOT have to drive to Aberdeen to buy stuff from them. (Like my lovely Judd & Leland dual-cylinder tire pump.
)Attachments
Private Lugnutz
Well-known member
I picked up this Wilton Flip-Grip at the flea market this morning.
These are often identified in the wild or elsewhere on the interwebz (and even by some right here on this thread) by the casting number on the housing (121079), but they were Model No. 594. The excerpt is from Catalog No. 123 (1971), which is when they were introduced. I am not sure if they were ever made bearing a patent number, and if a patent was ever granted, I have never seen the number published on DATAMP, vintagemachinery.org, or anywhere else.
They're not rare, but they're not exactly common, either. I know that @Mark in Indiana, among others, have or have had them, and provided good info here, and @KMScott has posted a drawing for a pair of insertable jaws, which are often missing. I also have seen them with a red finish and @bluebolt posted a NOS example of a red one with both sets of jaws, linked here. The jaws on these looks shop made, too long, and loose, and I will be removing them. Not a heavy-duty vise, but fairly solid and kinda nifty for home use. Little to no slop in the screw and the swivel base and the tilting action work fine, once I loosened it up.
(Funny aside on olfactory differences and the penetrating oil debate. The tilting mechanism was stuck solid. I asked the seller if I could tap it with a rubber mallet he had on the same table, he produced some PB Blaster, which helped on the spot with a few taps. An hour or so later, as soon as I walked it down the basement, through the outside Bilco doors entrance mind you, Mrs. Lugz piped up from upstairs about the smell! She can't smell Kroil or WD40 if it's under her nose, but just a skosh of PB Blaster and she's suddenly a bloodhound through floors with the "You're not using that other stuff again are you?!" comments. )
These are often identified in the wild or elsewhere on the interwebz (and even by some right here on this thread) by the casting number on the housing (121079), but they were Model No. 594. The excerpt is from Catalog No. 123 (1971), which is when they were introduced. I am not sure if they were ever made bearing a patent number, and if a patent was ever granted, I have never seen the number published on DATAMP, vintagemachinery.org, or anywhere else.
They're not rare, but they're not exactly common, either. I know that @Mark in Indiana, among others, have or have had them, and provided good info here, and @KMScott has posted a drawing for a pair of insertable jaws, which are often missing. I also have seen them with a red finish and @bluebolt posted a NOS example of a red one with both sets of jaws, linked here. The jaws on these looks shop made, too long, and loose, and I will be removing them. Not a heavy-duty vise, but fairly solid and kinda nifty for home use. Little to no slop in the screw and the swivel base and the tilting action work fine, once I loosened it up.
(Funny aside on olfactory differences and the penetrating oil debate. The tilting mechanism was stuck solid. I asked the seller if I could tap it with a rubber mallet he had on the same table, he produced some PB Blaster, which helped on the spot with a few taps. An hour or so later, as soon as I walked it down the basement, through the outside Bilco doors entrance mind you, Mrs. Lugz piped up from upstairs about the smell! She can't smell Kroil or WD40 if it's under her nose, but just a skosh of PB Blaster and she's suddenly a bloodhound through floors with the "You're not using that other stuff again are you?!" comments.
)Attachments
PghJKB
Well-known member
LugzI picked up this Wilton Flip-Grip at the flea market this morning.
These are often identified in the wild or elsewhere on the interwebz (and even by some right here on this thread) by the casting number on the housing (121079), but they were Model No. 594. The excerpt is from Catalog No. 123 (1971), which is when they were introduced. I am not sure if they were ever made bearing a patent number, and if a patent was ever granted, I have never seen the number published on DATAMP, vintagemachinery.org, or anywhere else.
They're not rare, but they're not exactly common, either. I know that @Mark in Indiana, among others, have or have had them, and provided good info here, and @KMScott has posted a drawing for a pair of insertable jaws, which are often missing. I also have seen them with a red finish and @bluebolt posted a NOS example of a red one with both sets of jaws, linked here. The jaws on these looks shop made, too long, and loose, and I will be removing them. Not a heavy-duty vise, but fairly solid and kinda nifty for home use. Little to no slop in the screw and the swivel base and the tilting action work fine, once I loosened it up.
(Funny aside on olfactory differences and the penetrating oil debate. The tilting mechanism was stuck solid. I asked the seller if I could tap it with a rubber mallet he had on the same table, he produced some PB Blaster, which helped on the spot with a few taps. An hour or so later, as soon as I walked it down the basement, through the outside Bilco doors entrance mind you, Mrs. Lugz piped up from upstairs about the smell! She can't smell Kroil or WD40 if it's under her nose, but just a skosh of PB Blaster and she's suddenly a bloodhound through floors with the "You're not using that other stuff again are you?!" comments.
The patent is number 3675916 issued on 11 July 1972 to Raymond A. Kartasuk and Walter Smierciak, assigned to Wilton Corp of Schiller Park.
Hope this helps
JKB
Private Lugnutz
Well-known member
Thanks. I am guilty of skimming. When I was looking at patents assigned to Wilton in the same timeframe as the production of the Flip-Grip, I saw that patent and another (3768797 / 1973, pertaining to the versatile jaws), on both DATAMP and vintagemachinery.org, but neither the titles (both filed as "Vise Assembly") or the drawings screamed Flip-Grip to me. They are actually both related.
Have you seen any examples with the patent forged in?
I'm not sure what sequence the finishes came, soylent green or red, but all the examples I have found have the forged-in "PAT. PEND." marking.
// BREAK //
When searching for other examples of the Wilton "Flip-Grip", I found a completely different Wilton vise, with a completely different tilting feature - a single long pin running the entire length of the body, allowing the entire vise to tilt on any angle, anywhere from, oh, say, 10* to 170*. Example here. For future reference for anyone else who might be equally confused, this is the Flip-Grip II. Introduced in 1980, as far as I can tell (does not appear in 1978 or 1979 catalogs).
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