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Hey guys, so I’ve recently been interested in cleaning up old vises and giving them a new chance at life. I tend to find them in pretty rough condition and then work hard to get them looking new but I’m just learning the techniques as I go through each vise. Just wondering if you all have any...

Thanks. I am interested because Mine is clearly a rock island 143b and even labeled 143b on the back of the slide. But mine is different than others I’ve seen because it doesn’t appear to have any branding/labeling and doesn’t actually say rock island on it. But meets all the same specs as the...

Thanks. Based on the catalogs, it looks like the older ones did not have the flat bottom and then later they switched the 614 to a flat bottom. Because as late as the 1958 catalog the base of thr 614 still had the piece that hangs over the edge of the bench, but then the catalog that is in color...

I’m hoping anyone might share of expertise with me here. I have an athol 614 that I cleaned up, and it doesn’t have a flat base—it’s designed to sit on the edge of a bench with part of the base hanging over the edge. But I see other Athol 614 vises for sale that do have a flat base and also say...

Little bit late to the thread, but I just picked up what appears to be the same vise and I was looking for information and history on it when I stumbled across your post. This forum has been a great resource for indulging my curiosity. The previous owner of my vise put an extra little handle on...

wow awesome find! who wouldnt jump at the opportunity to buy that for 20 bucks? show us the pictures when you get it cleaned up

I want to thank everyone for the input and the knowledge. It turns out that I was somewhat deceived by the seller. I made the one hour drive down to check out the three vises and then when I arrived, they all magically had become much more expensive than previously discussed. I probably...

Thank you for all the input, it’s much appreciated. I’m heading over there very soon. For a little context, I am trying to get the large Wilton for 250 or the large Morgan for maybe 150. Does anyone know the history of Morgan having Milwaukee on some and Chicago on others? Or similar question...

So I decided to go big and instead of the previously mentioned, it looks like I could get a pretty good deal and have three to pick from. I would appreciate any input: there’s a six inch Morgan Chicago and an almost identical Morgan Milwaukee, I really don’t know if there’s any difference other...

Just updating, I was wrong when I said #8. It’s a Parker #87

Just wanted to add two more pictures because I’m torn between the swivel jaw and the Parker.

Hey everyone, just asking some advice. I am thinking about buying a vise for $100 and cleaning it up a bit. I see a columbian with swivel jaws, but the original pin that locks the swivel jaw in place is missing. Also, there is a columbian 206 that is like 150+ pounds, but has a little damage to...

Hi Kevin, Regarding the specs: My sterling 245 vise weighs approximately 16 pounds and has 3 inch jaws. It opens to 5 inches. Maybe the vise in 1927 was 17 pounds and opened 3.5 inches, but then later they may have updated the model to open wider but kept the same model number? Ive been trying...

The spreadsheet does show a Sterling 245, however the images linked there are slightly different. Those images show a vise with the only markings being "245" while the pictures i posted show a vise with the markings of "Sterling 245". They may have made a change in production at some point. I...

It looks somewhat similar to a vise I have, an older Olympia 5 inch vise, made in China. Some slight differences though but not sure if it’s because yours is a 6 inch. Mine also has no markings or lettering because it originally had a little thin metal tag attached to the surface that said...

Hi everyone. I’m new to collecting and restoring, and new to working with my hands and tools in general (pharmacist by trade). Anyway, I just got this for $50 and it seems to be very functional-great working condition. After searching google, I’m at a loss. Can’t find any information about the...

Rather than removing all that metal to create an even and smooth surface, would it be possible to just sandblast the rust that is in the deeper pits and then clean the whole thing up with acetone and then wipe it with some sort of oil using a wire brush? I do have an older reed 103 that was...

I’m hoping for some general advice: I picked up my first bench vise for my new home garage that I’m trying to put together now that I have a place. I was able to get a good price (I think) on an older athol 614. I am trying to clean it up and make it look nice and shiny. I ran a wire wheel over...

Thank you, it seems so obvious now that I look at it again. I feel like an idiot for not seeing it before and for even asking. I appreciate the responses!

Hi I just joined this site, I just acquired an orchard and am setting up a workshop and learning how to manage and maintain the property. But I’ve always had a fascination with bench vises and just recently learned that I’m not the Only one. Anyway, I’m hoping anyone out there might be able to...