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The VISES of Garage Journal

T

Thirdyfivepickup

Well-known member
Joined
Nov 15, 2016
Messages
1,948
Location
Portage, Indiana
So I was checking Facebook Marketplace for stuff I didn't need and a Wilton Shop King pops up locally to me for $25. It's rusty and nasty but looks to be pretty decent for the $25 asking price. Once home I started cleaning it up and found a pretty big crack under the jaw... :mad: My fault for not looking closer. Either way I probably would have picked it up for parts. This one might be smoothed out and stuck on a shelf as a display.
I'm thinking about maybe breaking the separated piece off and smoothing out that area. You might not notice its missing some material....
 

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K

KMScott

Well-known member
Joined
Feb 14, 2012
Messages
4,641
Location
Daufuskie Island, South Carolina
682bear said:
I spent a couple of hours today taking the Reed apart and cleaning it up good.

I had an issue getting the dynamic jaw to slide out... I had to stone the top of the slide where it was slightly mushroomed from being used as an anvil.

@KMScott ... the split nut appears to measure about 1.825" diameter... I only have half of it, so I'm not sure exactly how close that measurement is, though. I do have another identical Craftsman "Reedsman" vise, though, so I may take the nut out of it and see if it fits. If it does, it will make a good pattern.

I have most of it cleaned up... the date stamping is difficult to read, but appears to be "11-45".

However... after cleaning 5 pounds of gunk off, I made a discovery...

Nuts...

So... is it worth brazing that up and making a split nut, or should I part it out and help someone else maybe fix theirs? I don't have much money in it... the good parts are likely worth more than I paid for it, if I can find a buyer.

-Bear

Edit: the split nut out of the Craftsman vise does fit... it measures 1.850 diameter at the threads...
Click to expand...

Bear
Well if you decide to build a split nut then I have a drawing to share. Good luck.
 

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C

ColonelJLloyd

New member
Joined
Jun 21, 2026
Messages
2
Location
Louisville, KY
Longtime listener, first time caller. While I am well aware of this esteemed forum I only joined today as I don't think I have much to contribute beyond the knowledge here. Happy Father's Day to all you dads out there.

While I am new here, I have spent nearly two decades on a couple unrelated forums so I am aware and respectful of the etiquette, but each is a bit different and apologies in advance if I knock anything over.

This is not a covert "what's it worth" post. I grew up in a very rural area, but I've lived my adult life in the city and only now at 45 have a garage I can use as a small workshop. I recently built a rudimentary but very functional bench and have been looking for a vise. Yesterday I was given one by a family friend. It was her late father's (who would be approaching 100 were he alive), but it's unknown if he used it or picked it up later in life. It appears to be in good working condition, but I have not yet mounted it. I wanted to seek out some knowledge and advice here before I set about cleaning and lubricating it. Here's what I can say about it.

  • There are no maker's marks or any other identification that I can see
  • 36.4 pounds
  • Jaws are 3 7/8"/99mm wide and 1"/26mm tall
  • Steel jaw inserts are captive/fixed
  • Unusual (?) retainer arrangement (a piece is broken from the retainer but seems to function fine)
  • Turns easily, but the grease feels old and gummy
  • The nut spins freely
55348593180_2d637a8267_b.jpgUntitled by ColonelJLloyd, on Flickr
55348390269_6c17149d72_b.jpgUntitled by ColonelJLloyd, on Flickr
55348593185_6835f4bb6d_b.jpgUntitled by ColonelJLloyd, on Flickr
55348390289_8ddd058f24_b.jpgUntitled by ColonelJLloyd, on Flickr
55348172926_5726751a86_b.jpgUntitled by ColonelJLloyd, on Flickr
55347240607_d2acc47762_b.jpgUntitled by ColonelJLloyd, on Flickr
55348172901_26725b7ab2_b.jpgUntitled by ColonelJLloyd, on Flickr
55348172851_751fa7082e_b.jpgUntitled by ColonelJLloyd, on Flickr
55348330983_0430a882df_b.jpgUntitled by ColonelJLloyd, on Flickr
55347240567_ed996a22fc_b.jpgUntitled by ColonelJLloyd, on Flickr
55348331028_40cbbb54e9_b.jpgUntitled by ColonelJLloyd, on Flickr
 
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C

ColonelJLloyd

New member
Joined
Jun 21, 2026
Messages
2
Location
Louisville, KY
Thanks much. I searched but couldn't seem to find a general Vise ID thread.

I'm a little perplexed by the retention method here. The Acme screw just seems to be peened to keep the nut from backing off which I wouldn't think was the original intent.
 
F

four.cycle

Well-known member
Joined
Oct 19, 2015
Messages
28,808
Location
Tacoma, Washington
You found "the big vise thread". You're in the right place.
We're just waiting for one of the experts to show up and say "Oh yeah... that's an E.C. Stearns such-and-such.... "
(The "Vise Info" thread leans more towards catalog pages and patents..... THIS thread is where everyone shows off their vises... there's another thread where they discuss vise repairs and restoration.)

You'll want to keep this link handy to navigate your way around here.

and this one too

I'd make a wild guess and say "possibly Stearns", but the truth is: I don't know jack about vises. One of the other guys will most likely be able to ID it.
 
G

GOman60

Member
Joined
Jun 16, 2026
Messages
6
682bear said:
I spent a couple of hours today taking the Reed apart and cleaning it up good.

I had an issue getting the dynamic jaw to slide out... I had to stone the top of the slide where it was slightly mushroomed from being used as an anvil.

@KMScott ... the split nut appears to measure about 1.825" diameter... I only have half of it, so I'm not sure exactly how close that measurement is, though. I do have another identical Craftsman "Reedsman" vise, though, so I may take the nut out of it and see if it fits. If it does, it will make a good pattern.

I have most of it cleaned up... the date stamping is difficult to read, but appears to be "11-45".

20260617_140135.jpg

However... after cleaning 5 pounds of gunk off, I made a discovery...

20260617_140146.jpg

20260617_140208.jpg

20260617_140222.jpg

Nuts...

So... is it worth brazing that up and making a split nut, or should I part it out and help someone else maybe fix theirs? I don't have much money in it... the good parts are likely worth more than I paid for it, if I can find a buyer.

-Bear

Edit: the split nut out of the Craftsman vise does fit... it measures 1.850 diameter at the threads...

20260617_151756.jpg
Click to expand...

682bear said:
I spent a couple of hours today taking the Reed apart and cleaning it up good.

I had an issue getting the dynamic jaw to slide out... I had to stone the top of the slide where it was slightly mushroomed from being used as an anvil.

@KMScott ... the split nut appears to measure about 1.825" diameter... I only have half of it, so I'm not sure exactly how close that measurement is, though. I do have another identical Craftsman "Reedsman" vise, though, so I may take the nut out of it and see if it fits. If it does, it will make a good pattern.

I have most of it cleaned up... the date stamping is difficult to read, but appears to be "11-45".

20260617_140135.jpg

However... after cleaning 5 pounds of gunk off, I made a discovery...

20260617_140146.jpg

20260617_140208.jpg

20260617_140222.jpg

Nuts...

So... is it worth brazing that up and making a split nut, or should I part it out and help someone else maybe fix theirs? I don't have much money in it... the good parts are likely worth more than I paid for it, if I can find a buyer.

-Bear

Edit: the split nut out of the Craftsman vise does fit... it measures 1.850 diameter at the threads...

20260617_151756.jpg
Click to expand...

Regarding brazing, recently picked up a C. Parker #22 vice that a previous owner had braze up. After a couple of very light hammer blows to test it's strength the braze failed. I plan on using the vice and it obviously wasn't going to cut it.
My solution was to drill and tap the support for a couple of 5/16 x 3" socket cap bolts. The bolts are splayed out and are angled down into the thickest part of the base. Not sure if this will work for you as the design of your vice is a little different.
I realize collectors are going to balk, but as stated I plan on using the vice.

1000011986.jpg
 
O

Outlawmws

Well-known member
Joined
Aug 9, 2011
Messages
39,212
Location
The Badlands
GOman60 said:
Regarding brazing, recently picked up a C. Parker #22 vice that a previous owner had braze up. After a couple of very light hammer blows to test it's strength the braze failed. I plan on using the vice and it obviously wasn't going to cut it.
My solution was to drill and tap the support for a couple of 5/16 x 3" socket cap bolts. The bolts are splayed out and are angled down into the thickest part of the base. Not sure if this will work for you as the design of your vice is a little different.
I realize collectors are going to balk, but as stated I plan on using the vice.

1000011986.jpg
Click to expand...

I'd unbolt that, clean and prep the braze area with a proper chamfur, Bolt it back up and properly preheat, then re-braze and cool slow in hot sand.
 
P

PghJKB

Well-known member
Joined
Oct 13, 2012
Messages
489
Location
Industrial Heartland
ColonelJLloyd said:
Longtime listener, first time caller. While I am well aware of this esteemed forum I only joined today as I don't think I have much to contribute beyond the knowledge here. Happy Father's Day to all you dads out there.

While I am new here, I have spent nearly two decades on a couple unrelated forums so I am aware and respectful of the etiquette, but each is a bit different and apologies in advance if I knock anything over.

This is not a covert "what's it worth" post. I grew up in a very rural area, but I've lived my adult life in the city and only now at 45 have a garage I can use as a small workshop. I recently built a rudimentary but very functional bench and have been looking for a vise. Yesterday I was given one by a family friend. It was her late father's (who would be approaching 100 were he alive), but it's unknown if he used it or picked it up later in life. It appears to be in good working condition, but I have not yet mounted it. I wanted to seek out some knowledge and advice here before I set about cleaning and lubricating it. Here's what I can say about it.

  • There are no maker's marks or any other identification that I can see
  • 36.4 pounds
  • Jaws are 3 7/8"/99mm wide and 1"/26mm tall
  • Steel jaw inserts are captive/fixed
  • Unusual (?) retainer arrangement (a piece is broken from the retainer but seems to function fine)
  • Turns easily, but the grease feels old and gummy
  • The nut spins freely
55348593180_2d637a8267_b.jpgUntitled by ColonelJLloyd, on Flickr
55348390269_6c17149d72_b.jpgUntitled by ColonelJLloyd, on Flickr
55348593185_6835f4bb6d_b.jpgUntitled by ColonelJLloyd, on Flickr
55348390289_8ddd058f24_b.jpgUntitled by ColonelJLloyd, on Flickr
55348172926_5726751a86_b.jpgUntitled by ColonelJLloyd, on Flickr
55347240607_d2acc47762_b.jpgUntitled by ColonelJLloyd, on Flickr
55348172901_26725b7ab2_b.jpgUntitled by ColonelJLloyd, on Flickr
55348172851_751fa7082e_b.jpgUntitled by ColonelJLloyd, on Flickr
55348330983_0430a882df_b.jpgUntitled by ColonelJLloyd, on Flickr
55347240567_ed996a22fc_b.jpgUntitled by ColonelJLloyd, on Flickr
55348331028_40cbbb54e9_b.jpgUntitled by ColonelJLloyd, on Flickr
Click to expand...
Col
Looks to me like a Millers Falls Oval Slide Vise. (Kinda of a sad oval, but what the heck).

If you look through this and the Vise Info thread you will run into several old ads for this vise.

That retaining nut could save some foot pain.

JKB
 
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