The VISES of Garage Journal
- Thread starter mjozefow
- Start date
superslinky
Member
- Joined
- Jul 20, 2010
- Messages
- 7
here's my contribution to this gigantic thread...
sharpie pen is for scale.
-p
sharpie pen is for scale.
-p
DHS
Well-known member
here's my contribution to this gigantic thread...
sharpie pen is for scale.
-p
[/IMG]
I love this vise!
whelenfan
Well-known member
ZRX61
Well-known member
well if you end up being my secret santa person it's yours
Hmmmm... How do i bribe moose??!
-Dane
here's my contribution to this gigantic thread...
sharpie pen is for scale.
-p
What is the COO on the Fuller vises?
Gary Indiana
Well-known member
In the 1980's Fuller tools were pretty common in Australia and NZ. They were all made in Japan then and decent quality = didn't break too easily. The very bottom part of the vise may have the COO stamped on it.
BTW, this particular vise is mounted too far from the edge of the table.
Here is some info about Fuller company.
Last edited:
Canadian Charlie
Banned
Here is my Record vice, it's a bit dirty from being painted on and so, but its made in England.
superslinky
Member
- Joined
- Jul 20, 2010
- Messages
- 7
Thanks. Looks like you answered the question about COO for me. I don't know about my particular one, but I'll look for it on the bottom when I move it closer to the table edge as suggested! It's actually mounted to a short piece of 2x8 and then C-clamped to an available table edge.
Last edited:
In the 1980's Fuller tools were pretty common in Australia and NZ. They were all made in Japan then and decent quality = didn't break too easily. The very bottom part of the vise may have the COO stamped on it.
BTW, this particular vise is mounted too far from the edge of the table.
Here is some info about Fuller company.
Thanks - My father had a 4 1/2" model in his shop just like the one pictured but slightly bigger.
superslinky
Member
- Joined
- Jul 20, 2010
- Messages
- 7
Ok I just looked and this one was made in Japan.
whelenfan
Well-known member
Here is my Record vice, it's a bit dirty from being painted on and so, but its made in England.
regardless of where it was made, that is still a very nice looking vise.
Gary Indiana
Well-known member
If it's only C-clamped to the table then it might better stay further away from the edge.demographic
Well-known member
Here is my Record vice, it's a bit dirty from being painted on and so, but its made in England.
I have a number 6 version of that but its painted red for some reason. Doesn't even look like its red painted over blue so its either been stripped in the past and re-painted or it was painted red in the first place, which I know Record did with some of their vices (I have a Record 74 Auto Vice as well which always seem to be red so must be a factory colour on those at least.
asp
Well-known member
This is my first post here, but I've been reading for a while and only just registered. I got fed up with not being able to read the attachments 
I used this forum (and a little bit on Practical Machinist) in my research. This thread (and a few others) were instrumental in figuring out what I had or wanted. The first real vise I bought was sort of on a whim because I needed a vise for my new [to me] workshop. and I didn't realize what I found until I brought it home and read up on it, the history of the company, etc. Turns out, it's a C. Parker 974 in excellent condition (but it was missing the No. 2 wrench - more on that later.)
I went to a friend's grandfather's shop a couple nights ago knowing that he had a pile of old vises he wanted gone. There were 18 bench vises and 3 drill press vises. The drill press vises had been beaten, drilled into, and were all missing one jaw. It's sort of a shame, but I didn't take any of those home. I did take home a smaller Wilton torpedo style that's missing the back cap, a C. Parker 975 (5" wide jaws, opens 8", weighs 104, swivels), a C. Parker 994 'Big Bear' (4" wide jaws, opens 5", has anvil, weighs 89 lbs, very beefy), a small Columbian, and lastly a Simplex (mfg in Woonsocket circa 1941, a little smaller than my 974 Parker).
His grandfather purchased the shop in the 60's (maybe late 50's?) from a welding company that did work for nuclear plants. He told me some of the names of the plants that the shop helped build, but I was overwhelmed with all the old iron... To make a long story less verbose, he wants the space in the shop cleared out. I'm going to buy the remaining 13 bench vises, probably keep a few, and I'll post the rest for sale. There were mostly Parkers, a couple Simplexes, and a couple Columbians. IIRC there were at least 2 more 994's, there was a 674 1/2 (same as a 974 1/2, just made for sheet metal work), at least one 294, and several others. Some swivel, some don't. I felt like the guys from American Pickers digging through this stash... I don't plan on keeping all of them for myself, though. I want to give them all a new home where they will either get used or restored (both, perhaps?).
There were a few extra Parker No. 2 wrenches there too, so I grabbed one to put on my 974. To the owner and his grandson, these were all just old bench vises taking up space in their shop and it worked out in my favor when it came time to pay for them.
Here's the Simplex 41S (49lbs, made in Woonsocket) that I gave to my father. The ruler in the pictures is 16" long.
From L to R, C. Parker 994, C. Parker 975 (missing the anti-finger pinching device), C. Parker 974, Columbian with bent handle, Wilton. The 994 is going to my friend.
My 4
The Wilton got beat on (it's also missing its back cap)
Little guys (that's a 24" ruler)
Same ruler next to the C. Parker 994. It weighs 89lbs.
5 minutes with my torch and hammer on the purple Columbian.
I'm going to buy the rest of them with the intent to keep a couple for myself and sell most of the others. I might go get them Saturday... We'll see.
I realized I didn't have one of the 975 next to the ruler... I'll be making a spring loaded brake thing for the handle too. A quick trip to the hardware store should do the trick.
I used this forum (and a little bit on Practical Machinist) in my research. This thread (and a few others) were instrumental in figuring out what I had or wanted. The first real vise I bought was sort of on a whim because I needed a vise for my new [to me] workshop. and I didn't realize what I found until I brought it home and read up on it, the history of the company, etc. Turns out, it's a C. Parker 974 in excellent condition (but it was missing the No. 2 wrench - more on that later.)
I went to a friend's grandfather's shop a couple nights ago knowing that he had a pile of old vises he wanted gone. There were 18 bench vises and 3 drill press vises. The drill press vises had been beaten, drilled into, and were all missing one jaw. It's sort of a shame, but I didn't take any of those home. I did take home a smaller Wilton torpedo style that's missing the back cap, a C. Parker 975 (5" wide jaws, opens 8", weighs 104, swivels), a C. Parker 994 'Big Bear' (4" wide jaws, opens 5", has anvil, weighs 89 lbs, very beefy), a small Columbian, and lastly a Simplex (mfg in Woonsocket circa 1941, a little smaller than my 974 Parker).
His grandfather purchased the shop in the 60's (maybe late 50's?) from a welding company that did work for nuclear plants. He told me some of the names of the plants that the shop helped build, but I was overwhelmed with all the old iron... To make a long story less verbose, he wants the space in the shop cleared out. I'm going to buy the remaining 13 bench vises, probably keep a few, and I'll post the rest for sale. There were mostly Parkers, a couple Simplexes, and a couple Columbians. IIRC there were at least 2 more 994's, there was a 674 1/2 (same as a 974 1/2, just made for sheet metal work), at least one 294, and several others. Some swivel, some don't. I felt like the guys from American Pickers digging through this stash... I don't plan on keeping all of them for myself, though. I want to give them all a new home where they will either get used or restored (both, perhaps?).
There were a few extra Parker No. 2 wrenches there too, so I grabbed one to put on my 974. To the owner and his grandson, these were all just old bench vises taking up space in their shop and it worked out in my favor when it came time to pay for them.
Here's the Simplex 41S (49lbs, made in Woonsocket) that I gave to my father. The ruler in the pictures is 16" long.
From L to R, C. Parker 994, C. Parker 975 (missing the anti-finger pinching device), C. Parker 974, Columbian with bent handle, Wilton. The 994 is going to my friend.
My 4
The Wilton got beat on
(it's also missing its back cap)
Little guys (that's a 24" ruler)
Same ruler next to the C. Parker 994. It weighs 89lbs.
5 minutes with my torch and hammer on the purple Columbian.
I'm going to buy the rest of them with the intent to keep a couple for myself and sell most of the others. I might go get them Saturday... We'll see.
I realized I didn't have one of the 975 next to the ruler... I'll be making a spring loaded brake thing for the handle too. A quick trip to the hardware store should do the trick.
Last edited:
Amitygravel
Well-known member
Man that's quite the lineup ! How about some photos of the place they came from if you go back.
asp
Well-known member
Thanks I have one shot of the jumbled mess of them sitting on the carts they were on, but I'll see what I can do. My friend will be bringing me the rest of the vises in my truck. I don't think my 2007 VW GTI would really appreciate being loaded down with that much weight.
I forgot to mention that the reason I decided to get more vises is that I will be the new owner of a 6' long, 2" thick butcher block top bench next weekend. Hopefully I can get the 975 cleaned up well enough to use by the time I take delivery of the bench.
I have one shot of the jumbled mess of them sitting on the carts they were on, but I'll see what I can do. My friend will be bringing me the rest of the vises in my truck. I don't think my 2007 VW GTI would really appreciate being loaded down with that much weight.I forgot to mention that the reason I decided to get more vises is that I will be the new owner of a 6' long, 2" thick butcher block top bench next weekend. Hopefully I can get the 975 cleaned up well enough to use by the time I take delivery of the bench.
old salvage
Well-known member
Oooh asp how do you know that Simplex was made around 41 ?
I see it has a little patch of original paint left on it .Is it a greenish grey or is it just grey grey ?
I painted mine but may have to do over again. Hmmmm
Anyway, great collection !!
I see it has a little patch of original paint left on it .Is it a greenish grey or is it just grey grey ?
I painted mine but may have to do over again. Hmmmm
Anyway, great collection !!
asp
Well-known member
I saw another 41S that was restored (seen here) that said it was manufactured that year. That one looks a lot like this, so I figure it had to be about the same age. I have a feeling Desmond bought the Simplex brand - so there's a chance that my father's new vise is even older than the 40's. I haven't been able to find much information on it other than what I've posted about already.
I have no idea what the original color of the vise is, but the other one was green. I don't even know for sure if the paint that is on it is original. But in my opinion, the paint was slightly greenish gray and I would guess that it's original - but once again, I have no way of knowing for sure.
The topic of original paint schemes seems to be lacking more information than any other topic as far as old vises are concerned...
Last edited:
Gary Indiana
Well-known member
Here is my "Before and After"
$10 dollar garage sale vise in her original "as is" condition:
<img src="http://img839.imageshack.us/img839/337/1newoldvise.jpg" width="800" height="607">
Cleaned up with wire cup:
<img src="http://img839.imageshack.us/img839/6257/2brushed.jpg" width="800" height="614">
<img src="http://img19.imageshack.us/img19/1458/3brushed.jpg" width="800" height="600">
Hammered gold Rustoleum complements her inner and outer beauty:
<img src="http://img51.imageshack.us/img51/9838/4finished.jpg" width="800" height="552">
$10 dollar garage sale vise in her original "as is" condition:
<img src="http://img839.imageshack.us/img839/337/1newoldvise.jpg" width="800" height="607">
Cleaned up with wire cup:
<img src="http://img839.imageshack.us/img839/6257/2brushed.jpg" width="800" height="614">
<img src="http://img19.imageshack.us/img19/1458/3brushed.jpg" width="800" height="600">
Hammered gold Rustoleum complements her inner and outer beauty:
<img src="http://img51.imageshack.us/img51/9838/4finished.jpg" width="800" height="552">
old salvage
Well-known member
asp
Well-known member
Nice job straightening the handle. I think it's missing a set of pipe jaws and the pin thing that goes in the anvil area.
I think your right. I edited my post a few times shortly after posting.
Last edited:
Nice save. I love the look of those ward's master's.
meatsis
Well-known member
any suggestions on how to remove the jaws on my parker 4x. it sat for over 70 years on a farm in ohio and was is pretty rough condition when i got it. i let it soak in the electrolysis tank for 3 days and it cleaned up great and actually seems to have seen very little use. the only problem is that it looks like it sat on its side in the mud all those years because the jaws were rusted so bad on 1 side that they dont even close together on that 1 side anymore. the other side is fine. whats the best way to get those pins out without breaking the vise? also where can i get replacements? 5 1/2 jaws. any help would be appreciated. thank you
SweetD
Well-known member
Obtained this little vise over Thanksgiving. My Dad had it tucked under his bench in the garage - hasn't been used in years. According to him, it was his great-grandfather's and it's been passed down.
It took me awhile to find any markings on it, but I finally looked at the top rear of the slide and found the maker's mark: It's a Stanley. It has the Stanley logo with the box around it, along with the letters "SW" under the "STANLEY" lettering. It says "MADE IN USA, No. 763" under that. It has a 2" jaw width, and opens to about 2.75". Small and well made. It's in GREAT shape and has not been beaten up at all. Even the little anvil is in mint condition.
Unfortunately it's missing one of the jaw inserts. My Dad and I looked for it this morning, but to no avail. Wondering if I can get a set made through one of the guys here? Here it is:
Anyone have a similar Stanley vise? I'm thinking it has to be at least 70 years old. Doesn't have the city of manufacture imprinted on it...maybe New Britain, CT?
Dave
It took me awhile to find any markings on it, but I finally looked at the top rear of the slide and found the maker's mark: It's a Stanley. It has the Stanley logo with the box around it, along with the letters "SW" under the "STANLEY" lettering. It says "MADE IN USA, No. 763" under that. It has a 2" jaw width, and opens to about 2.75". Small and well made. It's in GREAT shape and has not been beaten up at all. Even the little anvil is in mint condition.
Unfortunately it's missing one of the jaw inserts. My Dad and I looked for it this morning, but to no avail. Wondering if I can get a set made through one of the guys here? Here it is:
Anyone have a similar Stanley vise? I'm thinking it has to be at least 70 years old. Doesn't have the city of manufacture imprinted on it...maybe New Britain, CT?
Dave
demographic
Well-known member
Obtained this little vise over Thanksgiving. My Dad had it tucked under his bench in the garage - hasn't been used in years. According to him, it was his great-grandfather's and it's been passed down.
It took me awhile to find any markings on it, but I finally looked at the top rear of the slide and found the maker's mark: It's a Stanley. It has the Stanley logo with the box around it, along with the letters "SW" under the "STANLEY" lettering. It says "MADE IN USA, No. 763" under that. It has a 2" jaw width, and opens to about 2.75". Small and well made. It's in GREAT shape and has not been beaten up at all. Even the little anvil is in mint condition.
Unfortunately it's missing one of the jaw inserts. My Dad and I looked for it this morning, but to no avail. Wondering if I can get a set made through one of the guys here? Here it is:
Anyone have a similar Stanley vise? I'm thinking it has to be at least 70 years old. Doesn't have the city of manufacture imprinted on it...maybe New Britain, CT?
Dave
With Stanley woodworking tools they sometimes have S.W. inside a heart shaped design, that's the "Sweetheart" logo. I can't say I've seen any sweetheart metalworking stuff but suppose its possible.
That vice looks fairly close to (but not exactly like) the ones shown on pages 114 and 115 of this PDF copy of a Stanley catalogue from 1914 HERE.
There's more old Stanley catalogues HERE and more general ones on the sidebar of that link.
Last edited:
SweetD
Well-known member
Wow demo - thanks for the info! The "SW" on this vise is in fact inside a heart-shaped design. The jaw inserts look different in the catalog pictures, along with a couple of other subtle things like the clamp, etc...but they are really close. Pretty cool to think this vise is probably closing in on 100 years old. Thanks again! Dave
asp
Well-known member
I came up with this little band aid for my Parker 975. It took some trial and error, but I was able to make another very quickly to fix the one in the 994 after I figured out what worked. Threads are 7/16-14, for a size reference.
Clarifixer
Well-known member
old salvage
Well-known member
demographic
Well-known member
No worries mate, its interesting to me so I like finding it out.
I have heard of Stanley Sweetheart era tools having a good reputation a few times but to be totally honest I don't rightly know what years they used the Sweetheart logo for.
They have recently resurrected the Sweetheart range and I saw a woodworking block plane at a tool show, I had high expectations of it and on the face of it they looked good but I was disappointed to find that the fit and finish let the side down.
Till now I didn't realise that the Sweetheart range of old covered any metalworking tools and I only spotted that page with all the old tools catalogues last week.
Regards Scott.
asp
Well-known member
Fixed that for you
I know...Great idea, and the handle is dented too. I think I have some ball bearings just about the right size leftover from another project. I had two bad manual transmissions with different ailments so I took them apart and made one good one- I know there are interlock balls leftover.
mazak mark
Active member
- Joined
- Nov 14, 2010
- Messages
- 37
disaster1277
Member
- Joined
- May 27, 2010
- Messages
- 14
hey they all look great would also like to know if anyone has seen an all aluminum table clamp vise i belive i came across one that i bought for 7 dallors only letters on it are on the jaw KAL does anyone have an idea
old salvage
Well-known member
Fixed that for you
Great idea, and the handle is dented too. I think I have some ball bearings just about the right size leftover from another project. I had two bad manual transmissions with different ailments so I took them apart and made one good one- I know there are interlock balls leftover.
It was steel? Wow. That must have been hard over rough spots. Mine was brass and was worn to the shape of the handle.
I hope it works good for you.