The VISES of Garage Journal

Catalyze · Sep 8, 2012

Hello Cecil......the Parker 273 is a 5" width jaw vise. It is in the early Parker line of swivel jaw vises. I have a model 272 and here is a link to an article about freshening one up.
http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=98279&highlight=Parker

The U bracket was used on a lot of vises that had cracks in the main body to keep the pressure from the jaws pushing back and upward and widening the split. Yours might have been to keep pressure from pushing up on the swivel jaw in case it had some play in it or you may have a piece broken from the swivel jaw where it fits in the main body.

The Parker company had a pretty slick way of holding the swivel jaw in place.
1. Remove the U bolt
2. Remove the stuck jaw pin that sticks out the top of the swivel jaw
3. Remove the cross pin....this is the pin that has a round head on one side and fits flush in the body on the other...it runs across the main body just under the swivel jaw near the jaw face end of the main body..in this photo it is the polished round head pin sticking out the side of the body
View media item 8906You remove it by pounding on the other flat end of the pin

4. Once that pin is out...you remove the swivel jaw by lifting it straight up...there is a hole machined out of the center of the main body and that jaw drops straight down into it....the cross pin locks it in place...hopefully these photos will help you visualize it
View media item 8899 View media item 8897
The Parker company is the only one that I have seen that put this much machining into a swivel jaw. It is a wonderfully tight and secure method but once it rusts into place.....the key word becomes "tight" and "secure"...LOL
Best of luck!!
Craig

Catalyze · Sep 8, 2012

CS - great looking Columbian!!
That company is an unsung hero of vises. They built the workhorse vise for companies and individuals in every configuration imagineable. They sold them at a very competative price level just like Ford and Chevy did with cars. I think a lot of us have at least one Columbian vise in one form or another. Heck, I even have their 8 pound anvil too.

It looks like somebody got goofy on the tail end of your slide in one spot. For some reason folks think there is a Pound on Me Here target on vise slides.
Craig

JWC07 · Sep 8, 2012

"My" Columbian (I recently inherited it and all my dad's tools.) This ain't no trailer queen, Pop beat, pulled, squeezed, and everything you can think of with it for the last 40+ years.

439A871B-533F-4ADB-A626-53136813A10C-1274-00000300E8500807.jpg

I saw all yall's pretty hunks of metal so I thought I'd paint it the other day. I figure I'll let the new paint wear til it looks like above and my son inherits it. Not the best paint job but I'm just gonna abuse it some more.

A28D60DA-F23F-4C44-8003-CDFECAD484D9-1274-0000030101E5EFC5.jpg

CecilTheTurtle · Sep 9, 2012

bigcaddy said:
Ill bet you 100.00 right now that when you pull out that swivel pin and knock out the side pin, holding the swivel jaw in place, you are going to find a chunk missing from the underside of the swivel jaw.

Thanks for the info, guys. I won't be taking your bet, BigCaddy!

Hoping that the u-bolt was preventative. Going to set up an electrolysis bath for it tomorrow and see what happens. Probably have to sacrifice a cheap screwdriver to get the cross pin out, since I only have short punches.

If the swivel jaw is broken, how likely am I to find a replacement? Need a handle for the swivel base too, but my trashed Bonney ratchet fits perfectly so that'll work for now.

Outlawmws · Sep 9, 2012

Odds of finding a replacement jaw are probably not good, but cross that bridge when you get to to it...

flashman · Sep 9, 2012

I got more completed on my Wilton 400. Cleaned all the hardware, handle and dynamic jaw. Pics of the handle and jaw are included. I did a little different and left the side of the jaw unpainted to flow into the teeth. I will see if it looks too weird once it is put back together. The pain comes tomorrow with cleaning the static jaw. I dont have a blast cabinet and I am having to do it all by hand with my 6" grinder and now my corded drill.

Sent from my DROID RAZR using Tapatalk 2

demographic · Sep 9, 2012

Catalyze said:
Hello Cecil......the Parker 273 is a 5" width jaw vise. It is in the early Parker line of swivel jaw vises. I have a model 272 and here is a link to an article about freshening one up.
http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=98279&highlight=Parker

The U bracket was used on a lot of vises that had cracks in the main body to keep the pressure from the jaws pushing back and upward and widening the split. Yours might have been to keep pressure from pushing up on the swivel jaw in case it had some play in it or you may have a piece broken from the swivel jaw where it fits in the main body.

The Parker company had a pretty slick way of holding the swivel jaw in place.
1. Remove the U bolt
2. Remove the stuck jaw pin that sticks out the top of the swivel jaw
3. Remove the cross pin....this is the pin that has a round head on one side and fits flush in the body on the other...it runs across the main body just under the swivel jaw near the jaw face end of the main body..in this photo it is the polished round head pin sticking out the side of the body
View media item 8906You remove it by pounding on the other flat end of the pin

4. Once that pin is out...you remove the swivel jaw by lifting it straight up...there is a hole machined out of the center of the main body and that jaw drops straight down into it....the cross pin locks it in place...hopefully these photos will help you visualize it
View media item 8899 View media item 8897
The Parker company is the only one that I have seen that put this much machining into a swivel jaw. It is a wonderfully tight and secure method but once it rusts into place.....the key word becomes "tight" and "secure"...LOL
Best of luck!!
Craig

Great pictures and description, it all makes perfect sense. They put a lot of work onto those Parkers.

vatrogasac031 · Sep 9, 2012

Today I been on flea market and saw this big vise, with 20cm (8") jaws in very good shape. When i asked how much he didn't know how much ask for so he said 115$, I guess he would agree for 85$. It may seems inexpensive for you guys in USA, but over here it's not. He probably won't sell it soon. There was also 5" records vise for 25$ and some NOS vises for 35$. I bought this little one for 7$ made in USSR (with 4cm jaws).

north · Sep 9, 2012

Wouldn't mind a Record vise in good condition for $25. :rocker:

What would you have to pay for a new quality vise around 4"-5" in Croatia?

Dig your 'pocket' vise.

Olinrj · Sep 9, 2012

Here are my two:

The Craftsman is a 5-1/2", stamped Made in Japan on the base. The P/N is 391.5187. I get this one from my father, but I believe his friend used it until he moved to Arizona a while back.
The one on the left has a plate:
I have not been able to find any more information about the manufacturer or their history. Anyone have any ideas? It has jaw inserts for holding angle iron and possible breaking small sheetmetal.
I have this one mounted, temporarily on the bench and probably will wait on the CM vise until we move to our new house (planning to sell next spring and move into a larger house so the family can grow.

Thanks,
Bob

CecilTheTurtle · Sep 9, 2012

Well, got my Parker 273 pulled apart this morning. Didn't actually take too much work. The cross pin came out no problem and I just tapped on the swivel jaw with my 3# brass sledge until it slid out. Once that was apart two smacks from the underside and the swivel pin popped right out.

Looks like I should have taken that bet, BigCaddy! No cracks that I can see, but there is a small area of wear right where the cross pin comes through. I can't see how that little wear would allow the jaw to tilt up (considering how tight the machining is on the swivel) so I can only assume that the u-bolt was for preventative measures. I was going to toss it, but guess I'll have to clean that up and restore it too. I've got an email in to the PO to see if I can get more of the history of the vise. Now it's off to the electrolysis bath!

Here you can see the wear on the swivel and where the second set of holes were drilled for the 4" jaw hack.

CecilTheTurtle · Sep 9, 2012

Catalyze, any chance you can give me some dimensions on your swivel handle so I can get a new one machined up someplace local? TIA!

View media item 8906

Outlawmws · Sep 9, 2012

vatrogasac031 said:
Today I been on flea market and saw this big vise, with 20cm (8") jaws in very good shape. When i asked how much he didn't know how much ask for so he said 115$, I guess he would agree for 85$. It may seems inexpensive for you guys in USA, but over here it's not. He probably won't sell it soon. There was also 5" records vise for 25$ and some NOS vises for 35$. I bought this little one for 7$ made in USSR (with 4cm jaws).

I can't tell in the pic, is the big vise an Asian import? if so I would walk away, if it is a quality vise, then OK,

the small Russian vise is interesting, it is an exact knock off of a vise made by several companies in the US, from probably the late 30's or so on... (My son has a Millers Falls version...)

vatrogasac031 · Sep 9, 2012

It looks similar like Croatian vise Rapid (which is decent quality as I hear), or maybe like some east European. I just looked prices of new vises (also rapid), 5" new 150$, 8" new 240$.
I would buy record if I have my own garage and if I really need it and have space for it, than it is not lots of money. It looks cool. But if it you just collect them hm. You can get wasted in nice bar for that kind of money :beer2:

I don't understand too much in the vises, only what I read here.
I don't do too much with the tools, just for hobby and little house repairs, and
before I came to this forum, it was just a tool

mazak mark · Sep 9, 2012

Here is a link to a big *** vise on ebay!
http://www.ebay.com/itm/120982520223?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2649

Low Friction · Sep 9, 2012

mazak mark said:
Here is a link to a big *** vise on ebay!
http://www.ebay.com/itm/120982520223?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2649

This vise was listed about a month ago but failed to reach the "Reserve" threshold. It's probably North of $1500 somewhere. I'd like to have a Hollands 18 but not for that kind of dough.

Harvey Melvin Richards · Sep 9, 2012

Olinrj said:
Here are my two:

I have not been able to find any more information about the manufacturer or their history. Anyone have any ideas? It has jaw inserts for holding angle iron and possible breaking small sheetmetal.

[/URL][/IMG]

Thanks,
Bob

Yours is a Metal Former. I've posted photos of mine and some of the attachments in this thread somewhere. I believe someone had posted photos of one before me. All the ones I've seen (maybe 3 or 4) have all been similar, but none identical.

Outlawmws · Sep 9, 2012

Olinrj said:
Here are my two:
SNIP
The one on the left has a plate:

I have not been able to find any more information about the manufacturer or their history. Anyone have any ideas? It has jaw inserts for holding angle iron and possible breaking small sheetmetal.

[/URL][/IMG]
I have this one mounted, temporarily on the bench and probably will wait on the CM vise until we move to our new house (planning to sell next spring and move into a larger house so the family can grow.

Thanks,
Bob

That bench mounted one is interesting. I found references to it being for light wrought iron work, and it could also be used to hold round/irregular objects using three "pins".

If you have the tooling, please post pics, But please, load them directly as you image host tried to bombard my computer with popups.

Here is how:

flashman · Sep 9, 2012

Finished my Wilton just now. I am happy with how it turned out. Before and after pictures below.

Sent from my DROID RAZR using Tapatalk 2

Harvey Melvin Richards · Sep 9, 2012

Olinrj said:
The one on the left has a plate:

I have not been able to find any more information about the manufacturer or their history. Anyone have any ideas? It has jaw inserts for holding angle iron and possible breaking small sheetmetal.

[/URL]

Thanks,
Bob

Here are the previously posted photos of my Metal Former.

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showpost.php?p=1596238&postcount=2506

zoomieport · Sep 9, 2012

Here is a Parker I was given by the Grandson of a horder who is going through one of his Grandfathers properties. It has never been mounted or used... It's absolutly perfect other than surface rust...

Olinrj · Sep 9, 2012

Sorry about the pop-ups, Outlaw. Unfortunately I only have the Vee top jaw attachments, not any of the wheels. I'll try to post the pics based on your how-to.

north · Sep 9, 2012

@ zoomieport:

Nice! You ****. A lot.

BJ42LX · Sep 9, 2012

Anyone have the link to the eBay auction with the large vise holding the anvil?

Harvey Melvin Richards · Sep 9, 2012

BJ42LX said:
Anyone have the link to the eBay auction with the large vise holding the anvil?

Post # 5779

north · Sep 9, 2012

Big Holland vise.

Provincial · Sep 9, 2012

zoomieport said:
Here is a Parker I was given by the Grandson of a horder who is going through one of his Grandfathers properties. It has never been mounted or used... It's absolutly perfect other than surface rust...

Zoomie YOU ****! ****! ****! ****! ****! ****! ****! ****! ****!

Now, tell us the exact paint the factory used and if the lettering was highlighted with paint and if so, which paint, and all the other details!

zoomieport · Sep 9, 2012

Provincial said:
Zoomie YOU ****! ****! ****! ****! ****! ****! ****! ****! ****!

Now, tell us the exact paint the factory used and if the lettering was highlighted with paint and if so, which paint, and all the other details!

Looks like flat Black with Yellow lettering... He also gave me a 3-1/2" Bullet (Unused) and a Shop King (unused also)...

CAOS · Sep 9, 2012

zoomieport said:
Looks like flat Black with Yellow lettering... He also gave me a 3-1/2" Bullet (Unused) and a Shop King (unused also)...

You ****!

On a better note, I just saved a bunch on my car insurance.

You ****!

Outlawmws · Sep 9, 2012

zoomieport said:
Here is a Parker I was given by the Grandson of a horder who is going through one of his Grandfathers properties. It has never been mounted or used... It's absolutly perfect other than surface rust...

Zoomie, you ****!

Outlawmws · Sep 9, 2012

zoomieport said:
Looks like flat Black with Yellow lettering... He also gave me a 3-1/2" Bullet (Unused) and a Shop King (unused also)...

Is the yellow gloss or flat?

zoomieport · Sep 9, 2012

Outlawmws said:
Is the yellow gloss or flat?

Flat...

EOC_Jason · Sep 9, 2012

@ Zoomie..... You ****! *sigh* :beer:

@ Others... I have to confess, I did bid on that Hollands early on after it was listed on eBay. I think my heard skipped a beat when I saw it @ ~$450 this morning... I wonder how much they want for it!??! I mean, it's nice but seriously... :wtf:

If they want major $$$ they should just list it as a BIN for 30 days rather than a 7 day auction hoping to find the right buyer randomly.

Still kicking myself for not bidding on that 5" Reed that went for sale not too long ago. I think it sold for like $75? Looked in very good shape too.

SweetD · Sep 9, 2012

EOC_Jason said:
If they want major $$$ they should just list it as a BIN for 30 days rather than a 7 day auction hoping to find the right buyer randomly.

That seller sells a lot on eBay. He has cool stuff, but prices are usually quite high and unrealistic, I think. But I guess he must sell stuff!

He always has great anvils...

:beer:

Dave

Bret888 · Sep 9, 2012

You guys come up with some interesting stuff, and Zoomie, that is incredible, getting 3 unused vices, and one of them a Parker!
I got this little Athol 88 off of Ebay, and wondered if WWIIJeep or anyone has a catalog with this model? It is just a cool little vise, made with the same design and quality, that the big ones have.
I figured I might as well take a picture of the Reed 1C I got at a flea market last week. It was covered in weld spatter, one hold down handle bent, one missing. I ground off the spatter, made a new handle, and flipped the jaws to a clean edge, smooth face up.

nine4gmc · Sep 9, 2012

Im not real into stationary vises but that Athol 88 has nice lines and design!!

Zoomie, one word...damn

EOC_Jason · Sep 9, 2012

Bret888 said:
I figured I might as well take a picture of the Reed 1C I got at a flea market last week. It was covered in weld spatter, one hold down handle bent, one missing. I ground off the spatter, made a new handle, and flipped the jaws to a clean edge, smooth face up.

Since that 4C below is missing the base, I'll be happy to take it off your hands... You don't want that piece of junk! :willy_nil

Harvey Melvin Richards · Sep 9, 2012

SweetD said:
That seller sells a lot on eBay. He has cool stuff, but prices are usually quite high and unrealistic, I think. But I guess he must sell stuff!

He always has great anvils...

Dave

His prices may seem unrealistic, but most of his items have multiple bids on them.

samg430 · Sep 9, 2012

Saw this on craigslist yesterday for $25 and picked it up today. Athol 624
http://garagejournal.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=207512&stc=1&d=1347230458
http://garagejournal.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=207513&stc=1&d=1347230458

Bret888 · Sep 9, 2012

EOC_Jason said:
Since that 4C below is missing the base, I'll be happy to take it off your hands... You don't want that piece of junk!

Thanks Jason, but I figured I would pedestal mount that one. I very seldom swivel one anyway, I just go to a different vise that's facing the way I want....

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