The VISES of Garage Journal

Outlawmws · Dec 22, 2011

I used to paint nearly every tool with "Tool gray": Durable within reason, and wore well. resistant to most chemicals. I've been deviating away from that lately, as I'm just tired of everything being gray. If it doesn't were as well, I can paint it again...

Some of my tool boxes I've hit with Hammertone paint, which can cover a multitude of sins. I'm reluctant to start painting tools with it as that is a common trait of cheap import tools...

demoman · Dec 22, 2011

Look what I got my wife for Christmas!!! I can't wait to see what she got me.
I think these are Parker 958's. Will have them home soon.
Merry Christmas

Geurt · Dec 22, 2011

Lump said:
Nice stuff. Thanks for sharing. Happy Holidays to you.

Thanks! And happy holidays to you too and to all of you fine people from the GJ!

Mark in Indiana said:
I believe that the unknown vise is a Bison. It's a high quality vise manufactured by a Polish company that makes machinists equipment. It looks like my Dad's #80 which has a 3.5" jaw. I assume that your vise has a 4" jaw. If you google bison vise, you will be able to find a lot of information about the company.

Awesome! That makes my humble collection of an Eastern European kind. I found them indeed and contacted them for decals. Now I want to restore her as well :lol_hitti

Steevo · Dec 22, 2011

I forgot to post a pic here in the vises thread when I picked up this vise a week or two ago.
Was weighing it in this picture. Came in at 60#

Steevo · Dec 22, 2011

Baby Bullet

Here are pics of my Wilton Baby Bullet, found on C/L when visiting my daughter in Minneapolis in October.

I posted a thread on this when I found it, but wanted to get it into the "vises" thread for reference.

demoman · Dec 22, 2011

Very nice baby wilton! I do not have one yet. They are soooo hard to find a deal on. Most of them I see are in the $200 range.

Mark in Indiana · Dec 22, 2011

Geurt said:
Thanks! And happy holidays to you too and to all of you fine people from the GJ!

Awesome! That makes my humble collection of an Eastern European kind. I found them indeed and contacted them for decals. Now I want to restore her as well

I don't recall any decals. That's why it was hard to find it's origin. It looks like they are painted Hammertone blue. BTW, Merry Christmas to all.

outlander800 · Dec 22, 2011

Here is a Reed 4c that im working on. Pretty rusty so im taking my time with it, needed lots of penetrating oil to get it apart. Looks like it wasnt used very much as there is very little damage on it. Not sure what color to paint it, might leave it naked. the base is a bit rotted on the feet so im going to weld them up and mill them flat at work. Included a pic of my 1c and 3c.

autopts · Dec 23, 2011

"QUOTE"
After some new bolts, cleanup and penatrating oil both the vise and swivel base work perfect. The Craftsman 4-1/2 next to it was bolted in the spot where the new Columbian is now. I will sell it now that I have a larger swivel base vise.

Very nice! was there a ring underneath to hold the swivel bolts? And did the swivel handles come with the base assy?

autopts · Dec 23, 2011

outlander800 said:
Here is a Reed 4c that im working on. Pretty rusty so im taking my time with it, needed lots of penetrating oil to get it apart. Looks like it wasnt used very much as there is very little damage on it. Not sure what color to paint it, might leave it naked. the base is a bit rotted on the feet so im going to weld them up and mill them flat at work. Included a pic of my 1c and 3c.

Gee Mike, it didn't take you long to free everything up. I'm sure that base assembly alone weighs more then a average DIY vise at home. I really don't see any problem areas on that base besides some rust. Guys, that vise assembled sits higher then my old computer tower next to me and thats 15"

outlander800 · Dec 23, 2011

Hey nick, I soaked it down for a few days and worked it apart gently. The center bolt is seized in the base still, I was able to tap the base around till I got it apart from the body. I'm letting the bolt soak in there now and will get that out in a day or two. Still have to get the rest of the jaws removed and the main nut. These are my favorite vises and nick (autopts) has been the guy that has showed me the way to these. He is a stand up guy and has taken very good care of me on our vise wheelin and dealin. If there is ever a person you want to deal with Nick is that guy. Thanks for all the help.

zoomieport · Dec 25, 2011

I am a newbie... This site has opened my eyes to some real American Beauty, Thank you all. NOW... I was looking for a vise when I found and old work bench for $75 and the guy was goig to throw the vise attached to it in for free, he inherted it from grandpa and didn't have the room... so not knowing a single thing about vises, other than I wanted one, I bought the bench ($75) with the free vise.... This is where my addiction started.... I took the vise to my shop, startd to kind of "breaking it down" and thought I should do some reasearch, and thats what led me here (and has also led me to buy 11 more vises!!!)... What I got was a Wilton Bullet, 4" Jaws, on one side it says... HD 9400 (could "possibly" say "8400" but me and 10 of my drunkest friends think it "almost fer sher" says "9400 and one will testify) - WILTON - Chicago - USA, on the other side its says, simply... WILTON - Chicago - USA, now I have read many theories on the perfectly sensible "Wilton Numbering System" which I believe automatically earns you a degree at MIT if you can help me... I believe Wilton applied for the Patent for the "Bullet" in August of '41 and were "Granted" the Patent in March of '42 (I think??? don't kill me???).
I also after many years of arduous study at MIT (no degree, don't tell mom) I came to the conclusion that the "answer lies beneath" and I "believe" (see pleading above)in the "early" years you basically took the date code on the "key" ( in this case 11-46 ) and Subtract? 5 years ( 11-46 - 5 years = 11-41 or 3 months after they "registered" for the Patent and 4 months before it was "granted"...) could this be why it has no "markings" that say anything about "Pat. Pend." or a "Pat. Date"... I can't start the restoration until I know exactly what I am going to possibly ruin (THE HELL I WILL!!!)... so help me out all you Wilton Junkies (beats being a her**n junkie from what I hear...) WHAT IS THIS?

Any and all help is appreciated... Yes I have the base and everything that is supposed to be there, I think...

...and like my daddy always told me...
... "Boy... You may not be GOOD, but you sure are SLOW"

Mike Dillon

gregthor · Dec 25, 2011

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!

Merry Christmas to all the guys & gals at GJ, especially those on "The Vises of Garage Jounal". We are having a "viseful" Christmas this year. I have 3 sons all in there 20's and each is getting a vise for Christmas. In an earlier post someone asked "what do you do with these vises? Well I had to wait until today to answer that question. (because it might spoil the surprise if I answered it before Christmas) The answer is: restore them and give them away for Christmas presents!.
Thanks again for all the mountians of info I have learned about vises from all of you on "The Vises of Garage Journal. I wish you all a Merry Christmas!

Greg

julesthegreat · Dec 25, 2011

Here is an American Scale Co,no 79 vise I cleaned up for my younger brother. Weighs around 190# and can open around 12"

The first picture is the vise when I got it sitting behind my ridgid vise with its amazing which release.

A nice hammered finnish, the thicker you put on three paint the better the effect.

vintage tools rule · Dec 25, 2011

gregthor said:
MERRY CHRISTMAS!!

Merry Christmas to all the guys & gals at GJ, especially those on "The Vises of Garage Jounal". We are having a "viseful" Christmas this year. I have 3 sons all in there 20's and each is getting a vise for Christmas. In an earlier post someone asked "what do you do with these vises? Well I had to wait until today to answer that question. (because it might spoil the surprise if I answered it before Christmas) The answer is: restore them and give them away for Christmas presents!.
Thanks again for all the mountians of info I have learned about vises from all of you on "The Vises of Garage Journal. I wish you all a Merry Christmas!

Greg

Dude, you did an unbelievable job restoring these!
What young man wouldn't love to have one of those! Especially with the time
and labor of love you've invested.
Anyone can buy cheap Chinese **** from a store. This is a really special gift!
Merry Christmas!

Pupuhd · Dec 25, 2011

gregthor said:
MERRY CHRISTMAS!!

Merry Christmas to all the guys & gals at GJ, especially those on "The Vises of Garage Jounal". We are having a "viseful" Christmas this year. I have 3 sons all in there 20's and each is getting a vise for Christmas. In an earlier post someone asked "what do you do with these vises? Well I had to wait until today to answer that question. (because it might spoil the surprise if I answered it before Christmas) The answer is: restore them and give them away for Christmas presents!.
Thanks again for all the mountians of info I have learned about vises from all of you on "The Vises of Garage Journal. I wish you all a Merry Christmas!

Greg

NICE, VERY NICE. WANT TO ADOPT ANOTHER SON? :bounce:

Merry Christmas.

Gary Indiana · Dec 25, 2011

gregthor said:
MERRY CHRISTMAS!!

Merry Christmas to all the guys & gals at GJ, especially those on "The Vises of Garage Jounal". We are having a "viseful" Christmas this year. I have 3 sons all in there 20's and each is getting a vise for Christmas. In an earlier post someone asked "what do you do with these vises? Well I had to wait until today to answer that question. (because it might spoil the surprise if I answered it before Christmas) The answer is: restore them and give them away for Christmas presents!.
Thanks again for all the mountians of info I have learned about vises from all of you on "The Vises of Garage Journal. I wish you all a Merry Christmas!

Greg

Greg,
Merry Christmas to you and yours!
You did AMAZING job restoring those classic beauties, and I would have hard time to pick which I'd prefer the best. They are all three lovely.

autopts · Dec 25, 2011

gregthor said:
MERRY CHRISTMAS!!

Merry Christmas to all the guys & gals at GJ, especially those on "The Vises of Garage Jounal". We are having a "viseful" Christmas this year. I have 3 sons all in there 20's and each is getting a vise for Christmas.
Thanks again for all the mountians of info I have learned about vises from all of you on "The Vises of Garage Journal. I wish you all a Merry Christmas!

Greg

Greg, three beautiul vises. I would hate to be the one using it for the first time.

Jules, that American Scale looks perfect! Big and Beautiful!!
Mike, that Wilton was made in 46. Their 5 yr. Warranty didn't come until years later. That is a very early 9400 with the 3/4" high jaws. It will clean up beautifully.
Merry Christmas everybody!!
Nick

Mark in Indiana · Dec 25, 2011

gregthor said:
MERRY CHRISTMAS!!

Merry Christmas to all the guys & gals at GJ, especially those on "The Vises of Garage Jounal". We are having a "viseful" Christmas this year. I have 3 sons all in there 20's and each is getting a vise for Christmas. In an earlier post someone asked "what do you do with these vises? Well I had to wait until today to answer that question. (because it might spoil the surprise if I answered it before Christmas) The answer is: restore them and give them away for Christmas presents!.
Thanks again for all the mountians of info I have learned about vises from all of you on "The Vises of Garage Journal. I wish you all a Merry Christmas!

Greg

http://i1193.photobucket.com/albums/aa359/gregthor/100_5791.jpg[/IM
G][/QUOTE]

You are giving your sons great heirlooms. I hope they appreciate them and pass them down in their families.

Merry Christmas.

demoman · Dec 25, 2011

gregthor said:
MERRY CHRISTMAS!!

Merry Christmas to all the guys & gals at GJ, especially those on "The Vises of Garage Jounal". We are having a "viseful" Christmas this year. I have 3 sons all in there 20's and each is getting a vise for Christmas. In an earlier post someone asked "what do you do with these vises? Well I had to wait until today to answer that question. (because it might spoil the surprise if I answered it before Christmas) The answer is: restore them and give them away for Christmas presents!.
Thanks again for all the mountians of info I have learned about vises from all of you on "The Vises of Garage Journal. I wish you all a Merry Christmas!

Greg

Greg - What a nice gift to give anyone. It would be a treasured gift of their shop. I actually gave a Reed 3cA to my sister in law for her garage. Yes she really did want a vise as she works on her own cars.
I would have to have the Reed 205 if I were to have one of the three.
Merry Christmas.
Brad

demoman · Dec 25, 2011

julesthegreat said:
Here is an American Scale Co,no 79 vise I cleaned up for my younger brother. Weighs around 190# and can open around 12"

The first picture is the vise when I got it sitting behind my ridgid vise with its amazing which release.

A nice hammered finnish, the thicker you put on three paint the better the effect.

Tell us where you found the American Scale vise. Nice big one with the swivel jaw. That paint job is a perfect match. I have seen one other big American sell about a year ago but it was beat to death and broke. Hard to find.
Brad

zoomieport · Dec 25, 2011

autopts said:
gregthor said:

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!

Merry Christmas to all the guys & gals at GJ, especially those on "The Vises of Garage Jounal". We are having a "viseful" Christmas this year. I have 3 sons all in there 20's and each is getting a vise for Christmas.
Thanks again for all the mountians of info I have learned about vises from all of you on "The Vises of Garage Journal. I wish you all a Merry Christmas!

Greg

Greg, three beautiul vises. I would hate to be the one using it for the first time.

Jules, that American Scale looks perfect! Big and Beautiful!!
Mike, that Wilton was made in 46. Their 5 yr. Warranty didn't come until years later. That is a very early 9400 with the 3/4" high jaws. It will clean up beautifully.
Merry Christmas everybody!!
Nick

Click to expand...

Thanks (St.) Nick!! Merry Christmas to you too!!!

oeyniman · Dec 25, 2011

A vise for each one of your sons.
That's it, I've had it!
Please put me on your adoption list.

julesthegreat · Dec 25, 2011

I actually saw it on craigslist, I do not have the picture he had in the add but he had a scale in front of it. I emailed him to ask if the divisions were in inches or cm as I could count about 28 divisions. He also said it weighed a ton. He replied and said they were inches and due to the add saying he only wanted $75 I was on the road to get it. I live in CT he had the vise in Rhode Island. He commented that he must have listed it too low as he had allot of emails about it, so I gave him $80 for it.

This all came about because last year I had broken the little record you see on the big vise pre painting, as it was my birthday my Dad and brothers got together and bought me the sweet ridgid vise. They were searching for an old American vise, but I said I wanted a steel vise with quick release. While searching for a vise they had browsed this forum. My younger brother saw the pic of the big vise holding a five gallon pail and he has been searching for a big vise ever since but they normally go for too much. Just coincidence that the vise I got him is the exact same model as the one holding the pail like he wanted!

Jules

autopts · Dec 25, 2011

julesthegreat said:
I actually saw it on craigslist, I do not have the picture he had in the add but he had a scale in front of it. I emailed him to ask if the divisions were in inches or cm as I could count about 28 divisions. He also said it weighed a ton. He replied and said they were inches and due to the add saying he only wanted $75 I was on the road to get it. I live in CT he had the vise in Rhode Island. He commented that he must have listed it too low as he had allot of emails about it, so I gave him $80 for it.

This all came about because last year I had broken the little record you see on the big vise pre painting, as it was my birthday my Dad and brothers got together and bought me the sweet ridgid vise. They were searching for an old American vise, but I said I wanted a steel vise with quick release. While searching for a vise they had browsed this forum. My younger brother saw the pic of the big vise holding a five gallon pail and he has been searching for a big vise ever since but they normally go for too much. Just coincidence that the vise I got him is the exact same model as the one holding the pail like he wanted!

Jules

Jules, great story. I hauled in this A.S sometime ago. Its on a 18" X 27" die cart.

zoomieport · Dec 26, 2011

Hollands 25???

Does any one have any "size" or other info on this this vise??

Any help would be apreciated, thank you!

Mike

bl00 · Dec 26, 2011

Re: Hollands 25???

zoomieport said:
Does any one have any "size" or other info on this this vise??

I believe it is a fixed base standard style bench vise with 4" jaw.

zoomieport · Dec 29, 2011

Re: Hollands 25???

bl00 said:
I believe it is a fixed base standard style bench vise with 4" jaw.

Well... I "picked her up" (she's a pretty big one)... actually a swivel (I think the part # starting with a 2 means swivel... 1 meaning fixed...?) and then the "5" must be jaw width, 'cause it's got 5" jaws... (insert your own joke here)...

Thanks though, this site never ceases to amaze me with the "helping hand attitude" everyone on here has... It is enjoyable to talk with people that are helpful and polite... Thanks!

Mike :beer:

JeremyManning · Dec 30, 2011

Overview - It was in the scrap pile at the dump, someone tried to paint it but painted the screw so much that it was seized, also the jaw screws (2 missing, 2 stripped) I re-tapped and installed new. pics below

Question 1 - Should the spring cause tension (need to be compressed to install)
Question 2 - How do you reinstall the pin that holds the screw easily is there a trick, I have tried magnetized pick to pull through and fishing line, may need to shorten the new pin to make it easier.

demoman · Dec 30, 2011

Drive the pin into the screw. Hold the spring with vise grips. Clamp them on the front of the spring close to the handle. Now turn the handle and the pin will screw itself out of the spring, Presto.
Brad

cbacres · Dec 31, 2011

Heres a vice I didnt know I had. It is Columbian 504 1/2. I bought this vise over 25 years ago when I didn't know vises had names. It's been sitting in the shop behind my parents house ( just a nice building that doesn't get used).

I left it there for my brother & dad to use when I moved.

Perfect vise for a restore, its in great shape. I 'm sure I didnt pay more than $ 20.00 back then.

It'll be a little brother for my big vise.

zoomieport · Jan 1, 2012

Simplex (Desmond) 43S

Yesterday I picked up this Simplex 43S (Desmond Stephan MFG. CO. Urbana, Oh). It's a pretty darn nice candidate for a restoration... 4-3/4" wide jaws, opens 7", 19-1/2"overall (closed) and weighs in right at 70Lbs... well... 75Lbs if you count all the paint I have to get off of it... on the bottom (removed swivel base) is a "Part #" 43 and a "Date Code" of 11-38... I love this stuff!!! Don't you??? :rocker:

autopts · Jan 1, 2012

Re: Simplex (Desmond) 43S

cbacres said:
Heres a vice I didnt know I had. It is Columbian 504 1/2.
Perfect vise for a restore, its in great shape. I 'm sure I didnt pay more than $ 20.00 back then.

Columbian vises may not have the density of some other but they can sure handle heavy usage well.

zoomieport said:

Yesterday I picked up this Simplex 43S (Desmond Stephan MFG. CO. Urbana, Oh). It's a pretty darn nice candidate for a restoration... 4-3/4" wide jaws, opens 7", 19-1/2"overall (closed) and weighs in right at 70Lbs... well... 75Lbs if you count all the paint I have to get off of it... on the bottom (removed swivel base) is a "Part #" 43 and a "Date Code" of 11-38... I love this stuff!!! Don't you???

Click to expand...

Another excellent find! That one will restore well.

napaAl · Jan 1, 2012

New guy here. Haven't seen any Babco. We see plenty of old ones around here.

autopts · Jan 1, 2012

napaAl said:
New guy here. Haven't seen any Babco. We see plenty of old ones around here.

Welcome Al . Where do you live around?
Nick

RedVise · Jan 1, 2012

View media item 14262
Thanks for posting this pic, will be using the jaws brace idea tomorrow when crating up a 46 lbs Prentiss. Just crated up a Record wood vise, it may not be pretty, but should arrive at buyers home in good shape. 60 lbs for that one.

Brian L.

gregthor · Jan 2, 2012

Zoomieport - Good to see another Desmond Stephen around. I am almost finished with mine. I need to cut down the new aluminum jaws I made for it and then it is finished. (Actually in the picture the front jaw is on the back and visa virsa, they look better when they are on correct) This has been a fill in project that has been going on for months so I hope to get it done soon. It is a model 41S so smaller than your 43S. Mine weighs in at 48lbs. These are really nice vises. I have never seen a main screw machined as nice as the one in this vise. Good luck on the restoration.
Greg

Jim85IROC · Jan 2, 2012

cbacres said:
Heres a vice I didnt know I had. It is Columbian 504 1/2. I bought this vise over 25 years ago when I didn't know vises had names. It's been sitting in the shop behind my parents house ( just a nice building that doesn't get used).

I left it there for my brother & dad to use when I moved.

Perfect vise for a restore, its in great shape. I 'm sure I didnt pay more than $ 20.00 back then.

It'll be a little brother for my big vise.

My father has the same, or very similar Columbian in his body shop. He's been using it for ~40 years. It's a great vice.

Coolabah · Jan 3, 2012

Here is my first "serious" vice restoration ie a bit more than soaking the Mother in a 44 gal drum of light machine oil for a week , ( actually - works OK LOL ) then using it....

it is a Dawn 100mm ( 4" ) offset vice, a bit of an Aussie icon. I have been looking for the 6" version for AGES but they are really hard to get for any sort of good deal- very close to new price ... :sad:

anyway picked this Four inch, 63 pound beast for a song -it was so rusted no-one wanted it except me

. It has been exceptionally abused - the handle has been hammered to buggery, but actually the vice is in pretty good nick - go figure I reckon these beasts will survive past the cockroaches next nuclear holocaust !!!!!!

Anyway , this was a rust bucket , did the whole electrolysis thing lucky I had the chemicals in the shed so zero cost , the only expense was electricity then of course typical of me I got carried away with matching original paint - cost me a bundle but on the bright side I can restore the next 400 Dawn vices I find for no extra paint cost :lol_hitti

, (btw thanks GJ- will find the link and PM the helpful writer of that electrolysis post)....undercoated in kill rust grey enamel then topcoated in as close to original color as I could find. I like it , it has already done some good work so the photo was its best day .... LOL

Coolabah · Jan 3, 2012

err mucked up the before photos...

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