The VISES of Garage Journal

midnightcruise · Aug 8, 2010

Re: The "VICES" of Garage Journal?

ersatzs2 said:
I think it's time to take the thread in a new direction. No vises without including vices...

Since i started my vise restore project, my wife told me my vise is my new vice...

29bowtie · Aug 8, 2010

Wow! Nice vise, but fantastic vise base![/QUOTE]

Built by Dan Woods, One of them belongs to Jessie James and the other I understand is Cole Foster's. I added some pics to the others.

ersatzs2 · Aug 8, 2010

Re: The "VICES" of Garage Journal?

KLars1 said:
Is that a C-1? How do you like it and what made you choose that over say, a tradesman (1755) or machinist (450s) model?

Mostly just opportunistic; I got it on ebay for ~$300 brand new, which was what I'd seen used ones go for frequently. My sense it is in a different league than the tradesman, and the machinist doesn't have pipe jaws (may be wrong?) mostly it was just getting lucky.

demoman · Aug 8, 2010

Here is my Hollands 19 with 9 inch jaws. It opens about 14 inches. It is 3'long. It weighs about 300 # but is a non swivel base. I have another Hollands with 8 inch jaws that weighs in at 325#. It came out of the US Steel plant. I have never been able to come up with any literature on Hollands vises. They are right up there with Reeds. There is a vintage new Reed 1C that was in the box never used from the 60's. Perfect paint for reference. Also a Reed 407 with rear swivel jaw. I will post more big vises when I get more photos. I love the heavy ones!

Call me the Breeze · Aug 12, 2010

These are the ones I have in my shop.

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Mark in Indiana · Aug 13, 2010

I'm glad to see the interest in restoring old tools and vises. You just can't get the quality and workmanship that the old stuff has. I've attached 3 pictures of my Charles Parker 205 that I restored last winter. I bought it at a yard sale for $50.00 about 20 years ago. It is mounted on a Chicago Rivet rivet machine pedestal, circa 1960.

Mark in Indiana

mjozefow · Aug 13, 2010

demoman said:
Here is my Hollands 19 with 9 inch jaws. It opens about 14 inches. It is 3'long. It weighs about 300 # but is a non swivel base. I have another Hollands with 8 inch jaws that weighs in at 325#. It came out of the US Steel plant. I have never been able to come up with any literature on Hollands vises. They are right up there with Reeds. There is a vintage new Reed 1C that was in the box never used from the 60's. Perfect paint for reference. Also a Reed 407 with rear swivel jaw. I will post more big vises when I get more photos. I love the heavy ones!

NICE! I love the bigguns. :thumbup:

cnyeco1 · Aug 13, 2010

Posted mine on another thread but here it is again. 1993 Craftsman 5 1/2, re-stored in Chrysler green and POR-15 black.

Nightshift · Aug 16, 2010

Guys, I'm planning to clean up an old Columbian 605 machinist vice I got recently and am wondering if the vice experts here know what color these vices were originally painted? Right now it's orange, but I can see it's been painted several times before me. Thanks in advance, Bill

wilb1976 · Aug 16, 2010

Been lurking for awhile now, finally something worth posting. CL find - Wilton 6" for $50 last weekend - Can I get a U ****! :thumbup:

autopts71045 · Aug 16, 2010

bmwpower said:
Damn. Those Records still have style.

All you guys with gloss paint, do you regret it? Just looks really shiney to me. I was thinking more of an original sheen either semi or matte. I guess it's easy to clean up, but I'm not putting a lot of filthy parts in my vise.

I'm with you, I saw a Chas Parker Steet metal vise in just a black semi-gloss. or maybe it was a matte finish and it looked great. I think the details are more defined with it its not real glossy. I would go semi gloss on the 605.

bluebolt · Aug 16, 2010

wilb1976 said:
Been lurking for awhile now, finally something worth posting. CL find - Wilton 6" for $50 last weekend - Can I get a U ****!

Sure U **** LOL

So do I get a double U **** :beer:

for my $20 Rock Island I picked up two weeks ago? post 668

Mark in Indiana · Aug 17, 2010

I have many old c - clamps, pipe wrenches and vises that I've restored and use regularly. every few years they get repainted. It's very satisfying to keep them like new.

Eljefe640 · Aug 19, 2010

I have a Craftsman 6" vise, number 51856 that has broken jaws. I can't for the life of me find replacements. Any ideas for sources besides custom?

Thanks!!
Jeff

anodyne33 · Aug 19, 2010

Anybody want to take guess on what this thing is? 4" jaws, probably around 40-50#. There's a piece that hangs down from the base which is why it came with the plank of wood to mount flat. And I'm not sure what's going on with the jaws, but it seems like they may have been replaced at one point.

old salvage · Aug 19, 2010

Vise above is by Parker.

K and K · Aug 19, 2010

Im an Oakland fireman so when I saw this on craigslist I checked it out. I know Babco used to have a big steel facility in Oakland but like so much else its long gone. This vise is strange because it says Oakland Ca. and the zip of Babco, then says made in Japan under the 140.
Im sure many of you on here know why, but I dont. Too bad because I would have liked it to have been made here.

jabberwoki · Aug 19, 2010

Ive posted a picky on another thread but it needs to be here. The small winton was a estate sale find for $8 and the other vice (any idear what brand? no stamping) was $20 at a swap meet

mjozefow · Aug 19, 2010

anodyne33 said:
Anybody want to take guess on what this thing is? 4" jaws, probably around 40-50#. There's a piece that hangs down from the base which is why it came with the plank of wood to mount flat. And I'm not sure what's going on with the jaws, but it seems like they may have been replaced at one point.

As OS said, shes a Parker. The dovetailed jaws are a give away.

Skin · Aug 19, 2010

K and K said:
Im an Oakland fireman so when I saw this on craigslist I checked it out. I know Babco used to have a big steel facility in Oakland but like so much else its long gone. This vise is strange because it says Oakland Ca. and the zip of Babco, then says made in Japan under the 140.
Im sure many of you on here know why, but I dont. Too bad because I would have liked it to have been made here.

Just a rebadged vise, dont be sad though i think the Japanese Vises are really good. I have a Fuller that problably came out of the same plant that i beat on daily, still holding up great. Craftsman also rebadged vises from Japan.

Honestly i'd buy another for personal use but they dont seem to be overly common, at least not locally.

pst496 · Aug 20, 2010

I am addicted to this thread. I am surprised though, that given the diversity of people, their professions and walks of life I see here, we have not seen two things; a hydraulic vise and a vise that was custom/home made.

dawford · Aug 20, 2010

Hi,

I just found this forium and am a new member.

I bought this large 10" opening vice from an old Hit and Miss gas engine friend about a year ago.

It was made in England by Paramo and is marked No.6, Hi Duty, Made in England.

It has been well used but is still in great shape.

It has had the swivel base bolted to a steel plate cut to match the base.

The plate has been connected to a cast Iron base that is so heavy that it is almost impossible to move while prying on something clamped in the vise.

I think that the base might have been the base for a Tire mounting machine or a very heavy grinder. If you recognize the base let me know what it is for sure.

I took a couple of quick pictures of the vise and base. Excuse the clutter in my partially completed shop extension. It will probably get worse once I have it completed.

****

noid · Aug 21, 2010

Heres my swivel Rigid F-60 measuring with a digital caliper it spans just over 6 inches at the jaw.

Any information about it would be appreciated!

mikevango · Aug 21, 2010

here's my three. the chas parker was in the garage when i moved in and i love it. it also doubles as my shop press. 4 1/2 craftsman/columbian is/was my brothers. just got another 4 1/2 columbian that i mounted to my tool cart.

senlow · Aug 22, 2010

mikevango said:
here's my three. the chas parker was in the garage when i moved in and i love it. it also doubles as my shop press. 4 1/2 craftsman/columbian is/was my brothers. just got another 4 1/2 columbian that i mounted to my tool cart.

The Chas Parker... it's, it's pink.

spongerich · Aug 22, 2010

senlow said:
The Chas Parker... it's, it's pink.

I didn't even notice. I was too horrified by that big cheater bar that's on the handle. :shocking:

mjozefow · Aug 22, 2010

spongerich said:
I didn't even notice. I was too horrified by that big cheater bar that's on the handle.

+10000.

I promise you the old timers figured out how long to make the handle by doing mathematical analysis, likely with slide rules. They then decided to make the handle "x" length to be sized for the average guy, and factored in a safety margin. Don't use a cheater on it, it is irreplaceable. And just b/c it didn't break this time, does not mean you are not fatiguing the metal.

<end rant>

edit: I see someone already snapped the collar off, how did that happen? Try using it as a spreader?

mikevango · Aug 23, 2010

spongerich said:
I didn't even notice. I was too horrified by that big cheater bar that's on the handle.

well i know it wasn't right but i had a task to finish. i had to use what i have. i got the job done and nothing broke. i would like a real shop press tho

Nightshift · Aug 24, 2010

Nightshift's Collection

Finally got around to snapping some pics of my vice collection (so far). 20 ... and counting ...

1. 6" Record (England)
2. 6" Rae (Canada)
3. 6" Gray (Canada)
4. 5" Columbian 605 Swivel (USA)
5. 5" Record (England)
6. 5" AllTrade Swivel (Asia)
7. 4" Henry model 3 (Canada)

Nightshift · Aug 24, 2010

And a few more ...

8. 4" Woden (England)
9. 8" Kearney Trecker Swivel Mill Vice
10. 6" Yuasa Swivel Mill Vice
11. 6" Eron CamLock Quick Release Drill Press Vice
12. 4" CamLock Quick Release Drill Press Vice
13. 2.5" Palmgren Drill Press Vice
14. 4" 3-way Angular Tilt-Swivel Machinist Vice

Nightshift · Aug 24, 2010

Still more ...

15. 3" Screwless Precision Machinist Vice
16. 5" Custom made Wide Mouth Horizontal Vice
17. 6" x 18" Eclipse Magnetic Vices (England)
18. 3" x 6" Surburban Magnetic Vice (USA)
19 & 20. 5" Wilton 500S Machinist Swivel Vices (2)

Mark in Indiana · Aug 28, 2010

I know that we're loyal to the vise that we own. I'm biased toward the Charles Parker vises. Objectively speaking, Who has the best vise? What features make a vise the best brand? Also, what other vise manufactures had the same swivel locking mechanism that the Charles Parker vises had? (See attached photo)

Mark in Indiana

Nightshift · Aug 28, 2010

Mark, I think there are a lot of great vices out there. The best ones (IMHO) are made in USA, Canada or England. I don't have a Chas Parker vice, but from your photo, the swivel is different than either my Wilton or Columbian. In fact, I would say I prefer the Columbian swivel mechanism over the Wilton ... it's much beefier with bigger (and more) teeth to engage. But with either, once you tighten down the lock nuts on the swivel, they don't move.

My favourite bench vise is the Wilton swivel machinist (aka bullet) vice. I just like the look of it with the screw completely enclosed. But I don't think it's any better than any of my other vices from USA, Canada or England. I'm not real hard on a vice, so I guess I don't really put them to the test. But that's my $0.02 worth. Bill

autopts71045 · Aug 28, 2010

Nightshift said:
Mark, I think there are a lot of great vices out there. The best ones (IMHO) are made in USA, Canada or England. I don't have a Chas Parker vice, but from your photo, the swivel is different than either my Wilton or Columbian. In fact, I would say I prefer the Columbian swivel mechanism over the Wilton ... it's much beefier with bigger (and more) teeth to engage. But with either, once you tighten down the lock nuts on the swivel, they don't move.

My favourite bench vise is the Wilton swivel machinist (aka bullet) vice. I just like the look of it with the screw completely enclosed. But I don't think it's any better than any of my other vices from USA, Canada or England. I'm not real hard on a vice, so I guess I don't really put them to the test. But that's my $0.02 worth. Bill

Those 2 Wiltons will restore beautifully, both look to be pre 1968, one older, If I'm seeing them right, one looks to have a larger dia handle, thats probably the older one. Painters Touch "Sage Green" will come close to the original paint from the era. If its got the original phillips screws holding the jaws on, I usually take the front jaw assy off and place it "Jaw up". get a Phillips screwdriver and tap the driver onto the head of the screw. Messing up a screw can cost 1/2 a day. at least for me.

Flash21 · Aug 28, 2010

NightShift - LOVE your 5" Columbian 605 Swivel (USA)

Very, Very Nice

mjozefow · Aug 29, 2010

Parkers are the best. :lol_hitti

bgott · Aug 29, 2010

The feature I like best about the Parkers is the spring loaded pin in the center of the screw that keeps the handle from dropping through.

Nightshift · Aug 29, 2010

KLars1 said:
NightShift - LOVE your 5" Columbian 605 Swivel (USA)

Very, Very Nice

Thanks. It is a cherry indeed. Handle has some wear from (previous) owners pounding it with a hammer, but other than that, it's tight and strong. Couldn't decide what color to paint it, since it had been painted about 4 times by the time I got it. I have no idea how old it is, but in removing the layers, it appeared to be originally a red-orange color. I had some "Record" blue left over, so that's what it got. I'm happy with it now. Bill

Nightshift · Aug 29, 2010

autopts71045 said:
Those 2 Wiltons will restore beautifully, both look to be pre 1968, one older, If I'm seeing them right, one looks to have a larger dia handle, thats probably the older one. Painters Touch "Sage Green" will come close to the original paint from the era. If its got the original phillips screws holding the jaws on, I usually take the front jaw assy off and place it "Jaw up". get a Phillips screwdriver and tap the driver onto the head of the screw. Messing up a screw can cost 1/2 a day. at least for me.

I took that picture when I brought them home. Within an hour, I had them both reduced to pieces! Yes, they had the original phillips screws in the jaws, which came out fairly easily with my impact screwdriver. The white vice was missing one jaw (the 2 screws broken off), but after drilling pilot holes in them, was able to remove them easily with a screw extractor and run a tap in all the holes to clean up the threads. 3-4 hours later, they were both naked and ready for paint.

I agree with you about the original color ... as that's what I found for the bottom layer of paint. I have a rattle can of light green hammertone which I was planning to paint them with. It's pretty close too.

The handles are both the same size.

The swivel base on the white one has a tab broken off. Not sure yet how I'm going to fix that as it's all cast iron. Gotta noodle that for a while. And I gotta get a set of jaws from you. Bill

Greg-nwo · Aug 29, 2010

Do you have the broken piece off the base?

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