The VISES of Garage Journal

Fretters · Jan 2, 2018

gman007 said:
Well the great man across the pond said “the United States and Britain are two nations separated by a common language” but I think he meant to say they are separated by vises (with swivel bases) and vices (stationary)
Ps
Fret, what the heck are you doing at 3:20 am , do the English never sleep either?

Nodded off earlier in front of the fire, so I'm wide awake now.

DIF: Cool they might be, but my back would likely disagree.

I'd hate to be building the bench which had to support one of those too.

Saying that though, the stuff I've already shoved on the new bench will be beyond that already, and there's plenty more weight to be added yet.

Fretters · Jan 2, 2018

jonshonda said:
I am unclear as to why one would choose a stationary vise when a swivel is available?

As Gman' says, probably an English thing.

Older vices rarely were supplied with a swivel as standard. It was usually an optional accessory, and one not oft ordered, judging by how few are knocking about. Rarely will you see a swivel vice mounted in a workshop, garage etc. over here.

When you look at the European style vices too, (the ones with the sliding rear jaw), they're not a design destined for swivelling either.

The good thing about stationary vices is that you know, (provided you've mounted it correctly), that you literally can hang off of them without them moving. A lot of swivel designs would have you on your **** sharpish when you start getting heavy handed with them.

lwlobo · Jan 2, 2018

If anyone is interested there is a Reed 124 1/2 pattern makers vise that is a similar style to the coach makers vise above listed on FB in the Denver area (not mine). He is asking $225, not sure if that's a good price.

oldldh · Jan 3, 2018

Since I know all you "fanatics"...

Have been saving up for years... :thumbup:

To get the first Bugatti... :beer:

Bad News!!!!

Save some more... :evil:

www.tula-bug.co.uk/vices/

Big'un ---- 6,000 Pounds Sterling + 20% Value Added Tax...7,200 Pounds or $ 9,576.32!!!! :sad:

Baby ---- 1,600 Pounds Sterling + 20% VAT...1,920 Pounds or $ 2,553.06!!! :sad:

Or...

$ 12,129.60 !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

PLUS FREIGHT!!!!

OUCH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Anytime you feel that your state's/county's/city's sates taxes are too high ---- Our English friends pay 20%!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

wout · Jan 3, 2018

A few I have:

Sorry for the poor condition most are

gr
Wout

akasrick · Jan 3, 2018

wout said:
A few I have:

Sorry for the poor condition most are

gr
Wout

Poor condition? Where?

Looks like you can still hitch a horse to the leg vise.

akasrick

ftb · Jan 3, 2018

Outlawmws said:
How many Englishmen does it take to use an 8" vise?

None ;they don't have any...

I'm sure you were jesting... in case you weren't... Record 114 if 8" was about the jaws width :beer:

BMR24 · Jan 3, 2018

lwlobo said:
If anyone is interested there is a Reed 124 1/2 pattern makers vise that is a similar style to the coach makers vise above listed on FB in the Denver area (not mine). He is asking $225, not sure if that's a good price.

I couldn't find the add, but unless it's mint I think that price is too high.

drivesitfar · Jan 3, 2018

Wout: thanks for sharing and i think i saw a few of your HAZET toolmobiles in some of those pictures too!!

Jon: i'm starting to lean to the direction of NON SWIVELERS TOO cause even though there are a few of those swivel bases that do lock down nicely without having to put a hole in your thumb the non swivelers are just so solid.

if you want 180 degree access on a NON SWIVELER you could mount it to a plate like this and make a sort of hitch mount on your bench. or like you say make a nice stand for it with 360 degree access. or install a hitch mount on each side of your workbench.

gman007 · Jan 3, 2018

Good Morning All
Does anyone have any information on this vise? There seems to be some kind of marking on one of the faces but it is impossible to read.

Thanks
G7

wout · Jan 3, 2018

drivesitfar said:
Wout: thanks for sharing and i think i saw a few of your HAZET toolmobiles in some of those pictures too!!

Indeed, the 2 smaller ones are bolted on Assistents. The Heuer is original imo, the other one not I think.

gr
Wout

GETRIDAONE · Jan 3, 2018

gman, they are a poor vise at best. Very sloppy and loose. I guess you used what you had back in the old days.There is no name only the patent date.

gman007 · Jan 3, 2018

oldldh said:
Since I know all you "fanatics"...

Have been saving up for years...

To get the first Bugatti...

Bad News!!!!

Save some more...

www.tula-bug.co.uk/vices/

Big'un ---- 6,000 Pounds Sterling + 20% Value Added Tax...7,200 Pounds or $ 9,576.32!!!!

Baby ---- 1,600 Pounds Sterling + 20% VAT...1,920 Pounds or $ 2,553.06!!!

Or...

$ 12,129.60 !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

PLUS FREIGHT!!!!

OUCH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Anytime you feel that your state's/county's/city's sates taxes are too high ---- Our English friends pay 20%!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Oldie
Thanks for the information, I have been looking high and low where to buy a few of these babes. Since you are planning to order a few , please sign me up for at least a dozen :lol:

By the way you do not have go far to pay that kind of sales taxes, the Canadian cousins up north pay between 13%-15% HST (harmonized Tax, I always have liked the word harmonized) which is a combined Provincial and Federal sales Tax. To boot, at least when previously they had PST and GST, the PST was calculated on top of GST so it was taxing the tax (eg for a $1 item you first paid the 7% GST so now the item was 1.07 and then you paid say 8% PST on the 1.07). But then again they have much nicer roads and maintain them through bitter winters a lot better than at least in Michigan (which has the dubious distinction of having the worst roads in the nation - I suppose it is better to be known for something, even if it is bad than not)

G7

drivesitfar · Jan 3, 2018

Wout: the first vise you posted can you maybe take a few more pictures of it to post and what are the #'s and words it has on it? any idea who makes it.

yep the Wilton or Craftsman on your German made Hazet probably was put on by some old US guy that found his way to that side of the pond.

007: with the scalloped tops it has the look of old Oswego and Rock Islands and Sawyers. that one looks like it's mounting ears are not busted off like most are and it looks like it actually might hold something. that said those are not a great vise and even a worse anvil, but they look pretty good sitting on a shelf or vintage bench. yours??

gman007 · Jan 3, 2018

GETRIDAONE said:
gman, they are a poor vise at best. Very sloppy and loose. I guess you used what you had back in the old days.There is no name only the patent date.

Get and Drives
Thanks for the info. Even from the photo they do look clunky and not very functional but I suppose have some novelty factor.

Drives
No it is not mine, someone is selling one for $65 but it is a good 2.5 hr drive up north and the way this darn winter is going this year it is not fun driving (we are buried with snow every day and temps are running in range of 1-5 F during day and -ve at night). Tomorrow we are going to get another 12-16"!

G7

GETRIDAONE · Jan 3, 2018

I looked back in my vise list and found I had added the name Shields . I guess I found an old ad somewhere or maybe the patent date info.

CrotalusAtrox · Jan 3, 2018

oldldh said:
Since I know all you "fanatics"...

Have been saving up for years...

To get the first Bugatti...

Bad News!!!!

Save some more...

www.tula-bug.co.uk/vices/

Big'un ---- 6,000 Pounds Sterling + 20% Value Added Tax...7,200 Pounds or $ 9,576.32!!!!

Baby ---- 1,600 Pounds Sterling + 20% VAT...1,920 Pounds or $ 2,553.06!!!

Or...

$ 12,129.60 !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

PLUS FREIGHT!!!!

OUCH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Anytime you feel that your state's/county's/city's sates taxes are too high ---- Our English friends pay 20%!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Sweet

jonshonda · Jan 3, 2018

drivesitfar said:
Jon: i'm starting to lean to the direction of NON SWIVELERS TOO cause even though there are a few of those swivel bases that do lock down nicely without having to put a hole in your thumb the non swivelers are just so solid.

if you want 180 degree access on a NON SWIVELER you could mount it to a plate like this and make a sort of hitch mount on your bench. or like you say make a nice stand for it with 360 degree access. or install a hitch mount on each side of your workbench.

I'm concerned that my Prentiss had issues with the swivel staying tight based on the condition of the lever. It showed signs of some pretty harsh abuse with a hammer or other object. But the seller did say his grandfather used this vise in ship yard applications...so I'm guessing there were some large objects clamped in her!

I have found it is very nice to be able to adjust the location of the object I am working on rather then me adjusting to the objects location.

drivesitfar · Jan 3, 2018

JON: the old guys would put pipes or wrenches on those little handles to keep from pushing them through their thumbs hence a lot of bending of them. a lot of swivel bases weren't designed for HEAVY USE and some had their teeth worn down from not using correctly.

i agree a swivel is handy hence maybe having two vises on a bench or several in your shop for different uses.

your old bulldog is a worker as well as a collectible to good luck

wout · Jan 3, 2018

drivesitfar said:
Wout: the first vise you posted can you maybe take a few more pictures of it to post and what are the #'s and words it has on it? any idea who makes it.

yep the Wilton or Craftsman on your German made Hazet probably was put on by some old US guy that found his way to that side of the pond.

Don't know about that black litle vise but think it's some cheap knock-of, the Heuer is German quality that's for sure .

Took some pictures of the 'Ideal' vise, it's in fact the one on my workbench so often used. Not that happy with it cause it has quite some 'slack'. Already took it apart in the past but couldn't find anything then.

gr
Wout

gman007 · Jan 3, 2018

wout said:
drivesitfar said:

Wout: the first vise you posted can you maybe take a few more pictures of it to post and what are the #'s and words it has on it? any idea who makes it.

yep the Wilton or Craftsman on your German made Hazet probably was put on by some old US guy that found his way to that side of the pond.

Don't know about that black litle vise but think it's some cheap knock-of, the Heuer is German quality that's for sure .

Took some pictures of the 'Ideal' vise, it's in fact the one on my workbench so often used. Not that happy with it cause it has quite some 'slack'. Already took it apart in the past but couldn't find anything then.

gr
Wout

Click to expand...

Wout
Lest someone over here gets confused (and freak out at the 12.5 size of the jaws) that jaw width in the photo is in CM and 12.5 cm=5" right?

How much does this 'Ideal' vise weigh?
Cheers
G7

wout · Jan 3, 2018

Sorry in cm

for us European it's obvious. Don’t know how much it is sorry. It’s bolted to my workbench so...

Gr
Wout

drivesitfar · Jan 3, 2018

007 & Wout: 125 mm is equal to 4.92126 inches. i don't have many vises that have the MM # on their sides, but i'm always perking up when i hear that there is a 150 MM for sale in my area. Leinen and Bison vises might be my favorite European, but i do like the quick release old Records and would love to find an old Parkinson.

CRSINMICH · Jan 3, 2018

I just posted this on the Vise Repair thread. I might as well put it here too.

DON'T SMOKE IN YOUR SHOP

My neighbor did and he never had any trouble - until last week. Luckily no one was hurt due to the speed and efficiency of our local FD.

(In case any of you are freaking out - CALM DOWN!! The neighbor did NOT collect vises.)

va.grouseman · Jan 3, 2018

CRS, vise collectors wouldn't get tensed up over that, cause the vises would be one of the only things to survive, minus a coat of BLO of course.---The tragedy is the loss of the mans good shop, with an up-stairs even.---And if he had of been a collector, his treasures would now be at the mercy of thieves, scum, and bottom feeders. :bigun2:

mikeswrenches · Jan 3, 2018

gman007 said:
Good Morning All
Does anyone have any information on this vise? There seems to be some kind of marking on one of the faces but it is impossible to read.

Thanks
G7

Google patent link below

https://patentimages.storage.googleapis.com/pdfs/US1111103.pdf

Manufactured by Rock Island Manufacturing

Mike

Outlawmws · Jan 3, 2018

ftb said:
I'm sure you were jesting... in case you weren't... Record 114 if 8" was about the jaws width

Of course I was. Fret and I like to toss the occasional rock at each other! :beer:

eddieK · Jan 3, 2018

Picked up two vises today $15.00 out of pocket (for both)

Pattern maker? No number to speak of the only one I see does not look like a model no (121079) EDIT : This is a gunsmith vise, missing the pipe jaws

First Grand vise I've heard of or come across...

CRSINMICH · Jan 3, 2018

va: My neighbor did have a collection that he kept in the loft. He collected 33's and 45's.

KMScott · Jan 3, 2018

Here is a small Athol # 4 I finished last week. You might have seen these before as a clamp-on vise. Just because they are clamp-ons doesn't mean they are a cheaply made vise's. This little guy has Buttress threads and built pretty tight. I cut out the hard cast in jaws and built the smallest jaws I ever made at 1-9/16 wide. I made a smooth and serrated set. The swivel base is a copy of a Parker design and works very well, even made a small 1/4 hex wrench. It was fun building, I also built three others from Stanley clamp-ons that I might have posted earlier.

Private Lugnutz · Jan 3, 2018

eddieK said:
First Grand vise I've heard of or come across...

There have been plenty of Grand (Specialties Company, in Chicago) vises posted here, eddie, and several 3" clamp type jobbies called "QUIKCET" (not a spelling mistake), if you want to see others.

If you search the thread on 'Grand Master' or 'Grand QUIKCET', they should come up. 'Grand' will result in every post with the words Grandkids, Grand Prairie, Grand rapids, etc in it, so don't bother.

Yours is special though, and different. It is a military version of the regular 3" clamp types without the quick-set and quick-release lever they are named for. The brand side is marked the same as the others. The flip side is not. The others are marked "QUIKCET MADE OF ALLOY STEEL PAT PENDING". The "41-V-104" on yours is a Federal Stock Number used from the late 1930's through 1953. "41" is the category - hand tools. "V" is for vises. 104 is that type of vise's specific stock number. "J5" is a reference to the US Army Ordnance Dept specifications category for all "Lifting, Holding, Forming Tools (Vises, Clamps, etc)".

As a WWII collector, I am EXTREMELY jealous. I would love to find one. There is one on eBait right now, but I am loathe to buy it for the price and the shipping. Congrats.

gman007 · Jan 3, 2018

mikeswrenches said:
Google patent link below

https://patentimages.storage.googleapis.com/pdfs/US1111103.pdf

Manufactured by Rock Island Manufacturing

Mike

Mike
Thanks much for the link and info.
Cheers
G7

va.grouseman · Jan 3, 2018

CRS, I hate that for your neighbor.---Those vinyl's would have flashed like gasoline.---5 seconds, their gone.---And hard to get compensated for something like that to.

autopts · Jan 3, 2018

KMScott said:
Here is a small Athol # 4 I finished last week. You might have seen these before as a clamp-on vise. Just because they are clamp-ons doesn't mean they are a cheaply made vise's. This little guy has Buttress threads and built pretty tight. I cut out the hard cast in jaws and built the smallest jaws I ever made at 1-9/16 wide. I made a smooth and serrated set. The swivel base is a copy of a Parker design and works very well, even made a small 1/4 hex wrench. It was fun building, I also built three others from Stanley clamp-ons that I might have posted earlier.

Kevin, I had to sign on just to reply to this awesome No. 4 you beautiful customized. Its priceless. You really set the bar for all of us. Its flawless and obviously one of a kind now with that handmade Parker base. Great piece.

Jimithing616 · Jan 3, 2018

Wow.... you guys are making me drool with these vises.... as a hobby tool restorer myself, I've done lots of hand planes, chisels (turning new handles on the lathe), disston handsaws, and other woodworking tools.... I love seeing these amazing vises brought back to life... has anyone here ever restored a "saw vise" ? I've got a few....

Anyway, I am in need of a vice, and I was going to just go buy a HF special 5" but... that's just not the way I Roll... I really love old Americana .....

What should I look for in terms of a 5" or about that size vise that has maybe a small anvil area for banging out bowed saw plates and then other than that just general vise uses... I getting more into metal work, welding, restoration, etc... so I need something other than the 2 woodworking vises on my woodworking bench.... or the drill press vice, which is decent, but not adequate.

Any suggestions? Should I just make a new thread? Lemme know...

va.grouseman · Jan 3, 2018

KMS, that is just awesome.---You made a one of a kind, and better than Athol could have.---Oh, but I wished you had of found a #4 with the clamp already broken off.---The amputation makes me squeamish. :sad:

Eddeik, you did very well on your purchases.---I have 3 Wilton Swivel/tilt vises, and 5 Grand Quickcet with the Quick release, and I didn't get that kind of deal on any of them.

There is a Quickcet with the Quick release on page 312, post 6240.

Private Lugnutz · Jan 3, 2018

Another one with the quick-release lever and the alternate spelling (QUIKCET) can be found clicking here, eddie. You can do a side by side comparison and readily see the physical similarities and very few distinctions. I just keep drooling over the beautiful patina on that wartime OD green paint. Please don't strip it and repaint it!

va.grouseman · Jan 3, 2018

Jimthing, here is a few that you should keep your eyes peeled for.---Not these, but ones like them and a whole lot cheaper.

Again I say, not these, but just use these as guides.---And as far as the anvil on the vise to beat on goes, well most of us kind of frown on using any part of a vise as an anvil.---Best thing to do is go to the scrap yard and get a real thick slab of plate, like 1 inch thick, and just whamp away on it.---Vises just aren't really cast sufficient to be anvils.---The ones that have anvils were just cast that way for a selling gimmick.---The old post vises can take more of a beating than any of the conventional vises.---But it will be yours, so yours to beat on as you see fit. :thumbup:

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Reed-206R-bench-vise/112717959704?hash=item1a3e839218:g:lbEAAOSwySVaRXLs

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Antique-19...810278?hash=item2849cc3026:g:N5wAAOSwZapZvZOr

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Starrett-A...539763?hash=item4668894eb3:g:bdUAAOSwq1NZgKrp

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Huge-Wilto...832637?hash=item440fbd2ebd:g:cJwAAOSwpDdValfp

https://www.ebay.com/itm/WILTON-VIS...380272?hash=item56a0c3e570:g:O8EAAOSwtFtZg2g9

BMR24 · Jan 3, 2018

Jimthing to put things in perspective, even a vintage 3" vise will be well more suited for any task thrown at it than any of those box store 5+" models. They will likely weigh 2 or 3 times as much too. Most industrial fab shops use only 4" vises and find them sufficient.

jrobb316 · Jan 4, 2018

In my opinion a 4.5" or 5" jaw is perfect for a home user and weigh in between 70 and 100 lbs. Look for names like Reed, Morgan, Parker, Athol, or Rock Island and you won't go wrong, and not necessarily in that order.

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