Help Identify Rare Vintage 5” Universal Rotating Head Bench Vise – Double Swivel, Missing Badge

[cgharrington]

Hello everyone,


I’m hoping the experts here can help identify this unusual vintage bench vise. I’ve spent several days disassembling it and researching patents, but I still haven’t been able to determine the manufacturer or model.


Here are the details:

• Approximately 65 lbs
• 5-inch replaceable serrated jaw faces
• 360° swivel base with locking pin
• 360° rotating jaw head (the entire jaw assembly rotates independently of the base)
• Long Acme screw with approximately 16–18 inches of travel
• Large cylindrical guide housing
• Removable hardened jaw inserts
• Original paint appears to have been green, with an older repaint in red
• Casting marks found so far:
  • 873
  • A separate C (or stretched letter that resembles a C)
• No visible manufacturer name or badge remains.

What I’ve discovered so far


The rear rotating collar was completely seized. After removing the countersunk screws and carefully working it apart, I was able to begin freeing the mechanism. The rotating head is now starting to loosen after years of being stuck.


The vise appears to have two independent swivel functions:

1. Swivel base (360°)
2. Rotating jaw head (360°)

The jaws also contain both flat jaws and V-jaws for holding round stock.


I’ve compared it to several old patents and it appears to be an early universal machinist’s vise, but I still haven’t identified the manufacturer.


My questions

1. Does anyone recognize this design?
2. Is it Diamond, Prentiss, Parker, Reed, Yost, Columbian, Palmgren, or another manufacturer?
3. Does anyone have an old catalog showing this exact vise?
4. Does anyone know approximately what years it was produced?
5. Does anyone know how the rotating head locking mechanism was originally designed to work?

I’m restoring it but have intentionally stopped before repainting until I know exactly what it is. I’d really like to preserve it correctly if it’s an uncommon model.


Thanks in advance for any help. I’ll attach plenty of photos of both the exterior and the internal mechanism, and I’m happy to provide any measurements that would help identify it.

 

[ecotec]

Chinese wonder vise. I have heard that there were USA iterations at some point. Every single one that one that I have seen was Chinese, though.

People love them. As long as you mount it with the jaws beyond the edge of the workbench (like in your picture), it is a great vise.

 

[1982fxr]

Chinese generic. Sold under many names. I think that's an older one as they eventually switched to cast in main pipe jaws. Older meaning 80s or 90s.

 

[RTM]

Occasionally sold under “US” brands like Olympia and Larin. 90% of what people ask about are Chinese made, with a sticker for the “brand” name, since they all come out of the same factory (joke). Mine is a Diamond, proudly made in Chine, it’s on here somewhere, along with probably 30 or more, asking similar questions to yours.

They are peoples favorite beater vise, you are often in to it $10-50 bucks, so no concerns about leaving it outside, the bondo won’t rust.

Look for the term double rotator vise. On google, not very rare at all.

 

[cgharrington]

Man, I hoped it was something special. But, if it’s a good functional vice I guess I’ll use it.

I paid $50 so F it.

 

[LXCam]

Man, I hoped it was something special. But, if it’s a good functional vice I guess I’ll use it.

I paid $50 so F it.

That’s pretty much what those cost 20yrs ago. At lease you can rest assured it maintained its value.

And welcome to the forum Harrington. Hope you stick around, this place is full of great information.

 

[1982fxr]

I had one identical to the OP. Olympia tagged. My only complaint was when you started beating on a work piece it would not stay tight.

Anyone else have that issue with these style of vises?

 

[genog]

I had one identical to the OP. Olympia tagged. My only complaint was when you started beating on a work piece it would not stay tight.
Anyone else have that issue with these style of vises?

I had one of these "Wonder" vises that wouldn't stay tight either.
So, I used a big azz cheater bar to get the darn thing to tighten....AND it blew up!
Exploded!
Broke into several pieces!
Not only that, but the explosion sent a piece of pot metal that stuck into the wall behind me!
Sheetrock, but nonetheless.....
I am thankful the darn potmetal bullet didn't hit me in the head!

I laugh about it now....
It wasn't funny when it happened, so ever since...sometime in the late 1980's, it's been all USA for me

 

[30-30remchester]

Somewhere on vintage vise thread, a member bought an American made one of these from long ago. Does anyone remember the maker?

 

[RTM]

Somewhere on vintage vise thread, a member bought an American made one of these from long ago. Does anyone remember the maker?

Sawyer Nutyp was my guess, someone countered around here.

ID Vise and rough value

This is a large pipe vise. I can't make out the brand, and the seller isn't very knowledgeable about it. Ask is $40. Any idea from the crappy picture if it's a cheap import or something that might be of some use. Thanks.

www.garagejournal.com

 

[Oregon rock crusher]

If those have a tag, holes where one was, or no marking cause the sticker wore off, assume it's Asian. If the name is cast in the body...look closer. I use one for my welding vise equipped with copper jaws. Works very well for that. Ed.

 

[txvwnut]

I think I paid around ninety bucks for the one I got from Northern Tool twenty or so years ago. I'm really surprised I haven't broken it yet.

 

[crguy]

Most of the old high quality US makers proudly cast their name into their products. The Chinese obviously knew their name wasn't going to help sell something so they didn't do that.

 

[cgharrington]

If those have a tag, holes where one was, or no marking cause the sticker wore off, assume it's Asian. If the name is cast in the body...look closer. I use one for my welding vise equipped with copper jaws. Works very well for that. Ed.

The tag was removed.

 

[cgharrington]

Chinese wonder vise. I have heard that there were USA iterations at some point. Every single one that one that I have seen was Chinese, though.

People love them. As long as you mount it with the jaws beyond the edge of the workbench (like in your picture), it is a great vise.

Any idea how the clamps rotate? Disassembly instructions?

 

[ecotec]

Any idea how the clamps rotate? Disassembly instructions?

No idea. I have two estate sale Wilton bullet vises.

 

[Oregon rock crusher]

Some have a thumb screw or similar to release the barrel so it can rotate. They are prone to failure. Some pull a "brake" disc into engagement at the rear of the barrel when you tighten the handle on the work to stop rotation. This type is more secure but it means you have to release the handle to rotate clamped work.

 

[RTM]

Some have a thumb screw or similar to release the barrel so it can rotate. They are prone to failure. Some pull a "brake" disc into engagement at the rear of the barrel when you tighten the handle on the work to stop rotation. This type is more secure but it means you have to release the handle to rotate clamped work.

And here I thought the 2nd release handle was a better thing than loosening the main screw to rotate. Prone to failure how.? thanks

 

[Oregon rock crusher]

It does on the surface seem to be better rotation lock but when you go to putting actual "get the job done" torque on the work that grub screw can and does allow movement. That leads you to tighten it up more leading to barrel galling, stripped thread, or even a broken casting at the threads. Just my observations. If it was a better engineered rotation clamp it would have the definite advantage of rotation with the work clamped.

 

[30-30remchester]

Sawyer Nutyp was my guess, someone countered around here.

ID Vise and rough value

This is a large pipe vise. I can't make out the brand, and the seller isn't very knowledgeable about it. Ask is $40. Any idea from the crappy picture if it's a cheap import or something that might be of some use. Thanks.

www.garagejournal.com

You are correct it was the Sawyer Nutyp American made model the Chinese copied.

 

[cgharrington]

Do you think this is definitely a Chinese knockoff

 

[cgharrington]

Update after disassembly:


I tore this vise down much further today, and a few things surprised me.


The Acme screw, guide tube, and rear Acme nut carrier all come completely apart. The guide tube is heavy-wall, fully machined inside with a full-length keyway, and the rear nut carrier has an integral anti-rotation key that rides in that slot. The machining quality is much better than I expected, and the guide tube shows very little wear.


The swivel base works perfectly, and it also appears the entire front jaw/head assembly was designed to rotate independently on a large machined circular bearing surface, although that portion is still seized after decades of sitting.


The casting quality and internal machining have me wondering if this might be one of the earlier designs rather than one of the later generic copies.


One member mentioned an American-made version may have existed years ago, and another mentioned Sawyer Nutyp as a possibility.


Do you guys think this could be one of the original American designs that Taiwan (and later China) copied, or is it more likely an early Taiwanese version that was later sold under dozens of different brand names (Diamond, Olympia, Larin, etc.)?


If anyone has one with a cast-in manufacturer name, patent number, old catalog, or firsthand knowledge of who actually designed this style of double-rotating vise, I’d really appreciate it. My goal is to identify the original manufacturer before I finish restoring it.

 

[Beerhippie]

FWIW, mine's a Roughneck, cast into both sides of the static jaw/body. No idea who made it or where, but likely purchased new in the mid-late '90s.



I posted a complete rebuild thread here some where... maybe someone can find it? I'm struggling to find my *** with both hands right now... long, hot day.

 

[RTM]

Here is mine.

I.D. this Vise?

Anyone know what this is? Thx, m

www.garagejournal.com

 

[cgharrington]

FWIW, mine's a Roughneck, cast into both sides of the static jaw/body. No idea who made it or where, but likely purchased in the mid-late '90s.



I posted a complete rebuild thread here some where... maybe someone can find it? I'm struggling to find my *** with both hands right now... long, hot day.

Mine rotates both jaws

 

[cgharrington]

Here is mine.

I.D. this Vise?

Anyone know what this is? Thx, m

www.garagejournal.com

Mine is built differently than your Diamond.

 

[crguy]

Update after disassembly:


I tore this vise down much further today, and a few things surprised me.


The Acme screw, guide tube, and rear Acme nut carrier all come completely apart. The guide tube is heavy-wall, fully machined inside with a full-length keyway, and the rear nut carrier has an integral anti-rotation key that rides in that slot. The machining quality is much better than I expected, and the guide tube shows very little wear.


The swivel base works perfectly, and it also appears the entire front jaw/head assembly was designed to rotate independently on a large machined circular bearing surface, although that portion is still seized after decades of sitting.


The casting quality and internal machining have me wondering if this might be one of the earlier designs rather than one of the later generic copies.


One member mentioned an American-made version may have existed years ago, and another mentioned Sawyer Nutyp as a possibility.


Do you guys think this could be one of the original American designs that Taiwan (and later China) copied, or is it more likely an early Taiwanese version that was later sold under dozens of different brand names (Diamond, Olympia, Larin, etc.)?


If anyone has one with a cast-in manufacturer name, patent number, old catalog, or firsthand knowledge of who actually designed this style of double-rotating vise, I’d really appreciate it. My goal is to identify the original manufacturer before I finish restoring it.

Take it from the people that have already told you: it's a cheap import vise.

 

[Beerhippie]

Take it from the people that have already told you: it's a cheap import vise.

One that might just last over thirty years of having the stuffing beat out of it in a plant mechanical shop. Or break the first time you really crank on it. Bit of a crapshoot, these, but worth giving it a shot. The pipe jaws and rotating jaws make it exceptionally handy on the shop bench--unless it's of the craptainium variety.

I'll just keep beating the hell out of ours until it does break.

This design is so versatile I'm kinda surprised no quality manufacturer has made one in the last fifty years.

 

[paulsomlo]

Take it from the people that have already told you: it's a cheap import vise.

And even if early USA AND you can prove it, you're still not looking at much $. Either use it, or try to get your money back out of it.

 

[pelletman]

I have seen an American made one, there is one in my town. I have pictures but I am not sure I can find them

 

[cgharrington]

Take it from the people that have already told you: it's a cheap import vise.

I’m not so sure. I fully disassembled it and the machining and overall quality isn’t cheap at all

 

[cgharrington]

The anvil plate is hardened and there is quite a bit of machining and thick metal

 

[cgharrington]

And even if early USA AND you can prove it, you're still not looking at much $. Either use it, or try to get your money back out of it.

I want to use it if it’s quality

 

[cgharrington]

After a complete teardown, I wanted to summarize what I’ve found and see what the experts think.

The vise has 5” removable jaws, approximately 15” of screw travel, an 18” handle, and weighs about 65 lbs. The entire rotating jaw assembly rides on a massive machined journal roughly 5” in diameter inside a threaded retaining ring approximately 7½–8” in diameter. The ring appears to function as both the bearing retainer and preload adjustment.

The guide tube is approximately 3” OD with a full-length internal keyway, and the moving jaw casting slides on this tube. The Acme screw threads into a separate internal nut/carrier that rotates independently of the outer housing.

During disassembly I also discovered that the fixed jaw casting appears to be designed to rotate within the main housing as well. it was intended to rotate, giving the vise two independent axes of rotation in addition to the swivel base.

Construction quality is much better than I initially expected. Nearly every bearing surface is machined, the castings are heavily ribbed, and the design appears intentionally engineered rather than simply overbuilt.

This has me wondering if the Taiwanese and later Chinese versions were actually copies of an earlier American design rather than the original product. Has anyone seen an American-made version of this exact mechanism, patent, or catalog illustration? Any thoughts on the original manufacturer or corrections to my observations would be greatly appreciated.