Blacksmith vises 101 companies that made them, catalogs and history show and tell all

[ching0n]

I agree with RTM. Buy the 1st one that is complete and functional ...or close to it. Then watch out for a special one.

I got my eyes on a peter wright that's got all the hardware but a bit far. Asked guy to send me a few photos of jaw and screw. There's another PW on my way there w/o spring and mounting hw and a Columbia w/o spring or mounting HW in the vicinity. I'll see if I can arrange a visit to all.

 

[2oolhound]

Springs are easy to make. Mounting hardware is sad because it's got the original fit and look. But there are lots of examples on here of simple makeshift mounts that will get you by until you have the skills to fashion your own cool mounts. Peter Wright all complete sounds real good though but size matters here, not like other instances where big = soft and small = real hard (so my gf tells me anyway . But, yeah, I'd like a 6 - 7" vise, have a 5", 4" and 3.5" and feel the need for one a little heavier that will take pounding with a big sledge. I'll probably get rid of one of the small ones when I find a 6 - 7".

A small vise is great for much of the work you typically do and they are nice to have for sure.

 

[gregtroy52]

I’m looking for any information on this vise. Specifically I need help with trying to make a replacement for the missing front screw handle assembly washer. I’m guessing it should sit inside the post similar to the rear screw nut, because the screw nut fits perfectly, if it didn’t have the threaded portion. It appears to be a Columbian 50 with slots for removable vertical jaws. The last picture is the closest match I’ve been able to find online. And unfortunately I didn’t take before pictures, but it has cleaned up nicely.

 

[CADjockey]

Good Afternoon!
Thank you for allowing me join this forum.
This thread looks to have been started a while ago, but I saw recent posts. So I thought I might add to it.

I recently acquired a leg vise (my first) that the surface finish was not in the best of shape. Being as it was my first blacksmith vise, I really didn't have a good idea of what to be looking for.

During the cleaning, I discovered that there was some stamping on the dynamic jaw.
Size 50 - jaw width is 4-3/4" and made in 1913. Not huge, but certainly serviceable and a solid starter piece.
There is also a capital "D" stamped into it, but as of yet, I have been completely unable to learn more about this letter or who made the vise.

The mounting plate is missing, but the mounting collar and steel wedge are intact. Overall height is ≈41". I have not weighed the vise, and I took it apart to perform a better cleaning.
I am not overly concerned about the mounting plate, as I can forge one myself fairly easily.

Does anyone have any insight on the "D" stamp? Or any guesses as to the maker?

Many Thanks!

 

[Cant_All_Be_Winners]

Ha! Funny to see this thread get bumped, cuz I was looking at these in my garage the other day and wondered, “now, what the hell is that?”





Sorry I don’t have any actual answers for you, CADjockey.

 

[ararat]

Good Afternoon!
Thank you for allowing me join this forum.
This thread looks to have been started a while ago, but I saw recent posts. So I thought I might add to it.

I recently acquired a leg vise (my first) that the surface finish was not in the best of shape. Being as it was my first blacksmith vise, I really didn't have a good idea of what to be looking for.

During the cleaning, I discovered that there was some stamping on the dynamic jaw.
Size 50 - jaw width is 4-3/4" and made in 1913. Not huge, but certainly serviceable and a solid starter piece.
There is also a capital "D" stamped into it, but as of yet, I have been completely unable to learn more about this letter or who made the vise.

The mounting plate is missing, but the mounting collar and steel wedge are intact. Overall height is ≈41". I have not weighed the vise, and I took it apart to perform a better cleaning.
I am not overly concerned about the mounting plate, as I can forge one myself fairly easily.

Does anyone have any insight on the "D" stamp? Or any guesses as to the maker?

Many Thanks!

Post a picture of the logo when you get a chance.

 

[CADjockey]

Thanks for the inquiry Ararat.
The "D" stamp isn't a logo, but rather just a stamp. I have not been able to learn anything about it so far.

Here is an attempt to post a photo of it.



Oh yeah. posting photos here is easy. I like it!

 

[ararat]

Thanks for the inquiry Ararat.
The "D" stamp isn't a logo, but rather just a stamp. I have not been able to learn anything about it so far.

Here is an attempt to post a photo of it.



Oh yeah. posting photos here is easy. I like it!

Looking around online, it seems that different manufacturers used similar markings. A few pictures claimed the markings were on Columbian vises.