The VISES of Garage Journal

mlisac · Aug 10, 2017

Bcom said:
Found this odd oddball today. Its like the ******* child of a Milhoff and a Schum put together. Its pretty cruddy but I couldn't pass up its oddness. Unknown brand

I passed up one like it a few weeks ago. No name on it. Ever since then, I wish I'd got it, just because it's different. I saw it again last night, and the one who "bought" it still hasn't picked it up. I'm hoping I can snag it.

gman007 · Aug 10, 2017

Metal Basher said:
Hello there. They are cast Spheroidal Graphite or Ductile Iron. Not sure about the exact specs. I have been hammering and abusing Dawns for decades. They are tough buggers but a bold unbreakable guarantee claim nonetheless. Here is Dawn's website. http://www.dawntools.com.au/vices/Engineers-Vices-Cast

I have 7 Dawns. Three are offsets. One of them an 8" fabricated example.

Metal Basher
These are interesting looking vises but as you said the unbreakable guarantee for any vise might be a stretch. As the saying goes "it is impossible to make anything foolproof as fools are an ingenious bunch." Some fool will find a way to apply enough force/torque to break any vise (but some will break easier than others).

By the way when I saw your first post, since personally I had never heard of Dawn vises before (but then again I am a vise newbie), I was wondering where is it made. I then noticed that you are from the land down under, which also explained why the photo was upside down

(I am just kidding :beer:

, I am guessing that the photos were taken by iphone)
007

redvalkyrie · Aug 10, 2017

WittHay said:
Here is a picture of a vise that came off a welding truck. They get a layer of dust, oil and rust on them, that helps protect them from the elements. Recently i got a new Wilton 6 1/2" tradesman for the back of a service truck, not much bare metal is exposed on them

Thank you sir! The vise on the left looks a lot like my Eron Japan vise. Thing is a beast.

Bcom · Aug 10, 2017

mlisac said:
I passed up one like it a few weeks ago. No name on it. Ever since then, I wish I'd got it, just because it's different. I saw it again last night, and the one who "bought" it still hasn't picked it up. I'm hoping I can snag it.

Its a neat vise to have. There's lots of variations of it. Most of them look like a Milhoff vise but there are differences that say they are another brand. I have a real Milhoff here and the slide is different as well as some other things. Probably not a high dollar vise but its welded steel and cool to have. Go grab it and post some pics.

A Schum variation

My Milhoff

Bcom · Aug 10, 2017

I thought id post some pics of the new jaws and pipe jaws I got for my friends 1740. Also got some new lockdowns and jaws for my 1750. All courtesy of (autopts). So whomever needs good OEM Wilton parts, give Nick(autopts) a call. He's the man!

Coaster Mech · Aug 10, 2017

WittHay said:
They get a layer of dust, oil and rust on them, that helps protect them from the elements.

in no way does a layer of rust help protect metal from the elements... Ever!

WittHay · Aug 10, 2017

Coaster Mech said:
in no way does a layer of rust help protect metal from the elements... Ever!

I wasn't talking about a vise being unused, sitting out behind the shed for years.

I find that once metal develops a fine layer of rust, just leave it alone and use the vise. It's not going to get pitted or rust away to nothing. It's when you try to wire brush or emery cloth things constantly to clean up the rust, that the metal deteriorates.

FMC1959 · Aug 10, 2017

schor said:
Are all vises salvageable? I think so.

Let's turn this...

Into this

Very nice restoration, you brought that one back to life :thumbup:

KMScott · Aug 10, 2017

FMC1959 said:
Very nice restoration, you brought that one back to life

I agree, looks ready for another go around. I like the color and text. Great job schor.

Bcom · Aug 10, 2017

schor said:
Are all vises salvageable? I think so.

Let's turn this...

Into this

That's amazing man. Please tell us the color combination you used. Nice work!

eddieK · Aug 10, 2017

schor said:
Are all vises salvageable? I think so.

Let's turn this...

Into this

Nice resurrection...

Bcom · Aug 10, 2017

Thought this was kinda cool to post. Just got all my SnapOn vise emblems in the mail today

Private Lugnutz · Aug 10, 2017

redvalkyrie said:
I picked up an "American" USAAF massive non-swivel vise today...The USAAF tag is riveted on the side and looks original which would put the vise between 1941 and 1947.

This is very good to know, redvalkyrie, as I have not been able to verify American Scale in the War Production Board wartime contract records that I have. (The records have a $50,000 contract minimum, so it's not unheard of to find exceptions.) If you don't mind, please post a close-up of the USAAF data tag, or transcribe the part number that appears to be stamped into it. EDIT: And please tell me this isn't one of the vises you plan to keep outside in the elements!

Bellaireroad · Aug 10, 2017

Metal Basher said:
Have acquired a number of vices and this one will receive a decent clean up and tweak. It's a Dawn 150 mm (6") SG (Super Grade). These are guaranteed unbreakable. Have taken out the jaw plates already to wire brush the gum out of the grip faces.

Whoops the image is upside down. Will have to change that.

It's what happens when you're down under

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

AngryBeaver · Aug 10, 2017

Finally after five different shades of gray I got the ridgid 45FCPN (Columbian 204-1/2 M3) close to factory color. Still need to polish up the handle and swivel lock but it's getting there.

bluebolt · Aug 10, 2017

There's a really weird, likely 1800's vise over in the vintage tool section if anyone wants to try to identify it! https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=367501

87Pomona · Aug 10, 2017

Bcom said:
Thought this was kinda cool to post. Just got all my SnapOn vise emblems in the mail today

Where did you get those from?

Joefriday · Aug 10, 2017

schor said:
Are all vises salvageable? I think so.

Let's turn this...

Into this

Awesome save! Looks great.

Best,
Rob

G-ManBart · Aug 10, 2017

87Pomona said:
Where did you get those from?

You can get them direct from Wilton (JPW) when they have them in stock....for free. If not, call Snap On and buy them for $1.75 each...PN WIL9141401

And now for the rush of "forged" Snap On vises we'll see on eBay....lol

BrettJ74 · Aug 10, 2017

Just saw this "vice" on Facebook marketplace up near Seattle a $25 Chas Parker it looks to have a chunk missing out of the rear of the slide but for $25 you probably can't go wrong. I would possibly make the trip but I have plans this weekend

G-ManBart · Aug 10, 2017

Is it okay to get a little weepy over a vise? I have a picker friend who calls me when he gets nice vises. Often the first thing I get is a text with the picture. Tonight was one of those times....I take a look and think "Oh yeah baby, he's got a good one for me" and then the phone rings. He was dropping off something to a frequent customer when he noticed the vise on the floor. The guy doesn't really want to sell it, but was curious about it, and what it might be worth...hence the text with the pic and phone call.

I was honest, and told him it was nearly worthless...okay, I didn't do that. There's a slight chance he'll decide to sell, and I get first shot, but I'm not going to get my hopes up.

Here it is (yes, those are just jaw protectors):

Shiftless · Aug 10, 2017

Do my eyes deceive me or is that a 408R?

G-ManBart · Aug 10, 2017

Shiftless said:
Do my eyes deceive me or is that a 408R?

Not quite...406R. If it was a 408R I would be curled up in the fetal position right now crying

eddieK · Aug 10, 2017

Bcom said:
Thought this was kinda cool to post. Just got all my SnapOn vise emblems in the mail today

I looked for those and could not find them...can you help a guy out and tell me where you found them?

eddieK · Aug 10, 2017

G-ManBart said:
You can get them direct from Wilton (JPW) when they have them in stock....for free. If not, call Snap On and buy them for $1.75 each...PN WIL9141401

And now for the rush of "forged" Snap On vises we'll see on eBay....lol

My 1750 was / is a Snap on...sir

Z3K3Y · Aug 10, 2017

Picked up this Athol 624 1/2 tonite. got lots of paint on it to get off. i took a quick look at the jaws and cant see any screws... is there pins in these jaws? or are the screws and jaws worn down so far that the screw head is gone?

CrotalusAtrox · Aug 10, 2017

2nd post vise I have ever had. This is a smaller one a 3 inch Indian Chief. It is in pretty good condition and price was right.

Bcom · Aug 11, 2017

G-ManBart said:
You can get them direct from Wilton (JPW) when they have them in stock....for free. If not, call Snap On and buy them for $1.75 each...PN WIL9141401

And now for the rush of "forged" Snap On vises we'll see on eBay....lol

What really makes a Snapon vise a Snapon vise? Some red paint and a sticker. I wouldn't really consider it forged. Seems a bit drastic to even think that. Figure its like putting a Chevrolet logo on a GMC. Same vehicle different logo.

EddieK--- You can send me a pm if you have problems finding them. Sometimes they're available at Wilton and sometimes they're available at Snapon. Depends on stock.

GETRIDAONE · Aug 11, 2017

Z3K3Y said:
Picked up this Athol 624 1/2 tonite. got lots of paint on it to get off. i took a quick look at the jaws and cant see any screws... is there pins in these jaws? or are the screws and jaws worn down so far that the screw head is gone?

The jaws are not removable on that old Athol. They will have a light checkered pattern, almost smooth. I have had some that looked completely smooth but after a good cleaning the pattern appeared with just slight wear on the jaws.
Good Luck on your project and post some pictures when done.

Z3K3Y · Aug 11, 2017

GETRIDAONE said:
The jaws are not removable on that old Athol. They will have a light checkered pattern, almost smooth. I have had some that looked completely smooth but after a good cleaning the pattern appeared with just slight wear on the jaws.
Good Luck on your project and post some pictures when done.

ah darn. i was looking on the vise spreadsheet on google docs and was reading they are replaceable.. not sure who edits that document.. but it should be noted... thanks for your reply. ill be sure to post pictures when its done

Shiftless · Aug 11, 2017

Z3K3Y said:
ah darn. i was looking on the vise spreadsheet on google docs and was reading they are replaceable.. not sure who edits that document.. but it should be noted... thanks for your reply. ill be sure to post pictures when its done

As a general rule, you have to research not only the manufacturer but the model number and maybe even the vintage to be sure of such details. My small collection has 2 Athol vises. The early one has almost smooth forged in place and the later one has replaceable jaw faces.

re: forgeries...
I am with Bcom on that. We all know that SnapOn buys Wiltons and glues on their logo plates, so what's the difference? Some fraudulent sellers might re-label HF vises with those labels and try to pass them off as more than they really are. Hopefully nobody would fall for that.
(I bet there is more than one HF 44 inch box with a Snappy logo)

G-ManBart · Aug 11, 2017

Bcom said:
What really makes a Snapon vise a Snapon vise? Some red paint and a sticker. I wouldn't really consider it forged. Seems a bit drastic to even think that. Figure its like putting a Chevrolet logo on a GMC. Same vehicle different logo?

I used quotes for a reason. It's not really a forgery, but it's not really being completely honest either.

We all know that if someone planning to resell takes a Wilton Tradesman, strips it, paints it a Snap On color and puts a Snap On badge they're going to charge more for it that if it was just a standard Wilton, and it won't be just the difference in the price of the paint

Put one on eBay showing it in original Snap On markings, then restored. Do the same with one originally in Wilton markings rebadged to Snap On, and see which goes for more money. People will pay more to say "It came off a Snap On truck"....whether it makes sense or not.

Even if the item is the same, not disclosing you've rebadged something isn't being completely honest with a buyer.

G-ManBart · Aug 11, 2017

Picked up a 6" Iron City post vise this morning...right at 100lbs on the scale. Second stop was for the 130lb Lakeside Hay Budden. Third stop is coming up...put the magnet back to Wilton.

FMC1959 · Aug 11, 2017

bluebolt said:
There's a really weird, likely 1800's vise over in the vintage tool section if anyone wants to try to identify it! https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=367501

Hopefully B100 will chime in, his knowledge is among the best at identifying these old vises....and probably has an ad brochure to go with it.

G-ManBart said:
You can get them direct from Wilton (JPW) when they have them in stock....for free. If not, call Snap On and buy them for $1.75 each...PN WIL9141401

And now for the rush of "forged" Snap On vises we'll see on eBay....lol

Not just vises......if those stickers get in the wrong hands, I can see BBQ's, TV's, lawnmowers, washer & dryer's, computers.....all on eBay as "genuine" Snap On products :lol_hitti

JimNC · Aug 11, 2017

schor said:
Are all vises salvageable? I think so.

Left the picture in because it looks soooo gooood!

Can you share a little about what you did to clean up the anvil? Weld it up and mill it flat?

Bcom · Aug 11, 2017

FMC1959 said:
Hopefully B100 will chime in, his knowledge is among the best at identifying these old vises....and probably has an ad brochure to go with it.

Not just vises......if those stickers get in the wrong hands, I can see BBQ's, TV's, lawnmowers, washer & dryer's, computers.....all on eBay as "genuine" Snap On products

Are you kidding?!? My lawn mower is already a SnapOn and so is my coffee maker and my new birdhouse. All genuine SnapOn

Provincial · Aug 11, 2017

I went to a garage sale today and saw this large blacksmith vise. It had no makers marks that I could find, and was in rough, but complete shape. What a long screw!

mlisac · Aug 11, 2017

Parker 473 1/2 for $135. Worth it? It does have smooth action.

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G-ManBart · Aug 11, 2017

mlisac said:
Parker 473 1/2 for $135. Worth it? It does have smooth action.

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RUN, don't walk to buy that!

Bcom · Aug 11, 2017

mlisac said:
Parker 473 1/2 for $135. Worth it? It does have smooth action.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Nope not worth it. Just leave it there and tell me where it's at.

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