The VISES of Garage Journal

va.grouseman · Aug 22, 2019

Mslund1, I'd match a steel rod with the diameter of the grooves, split it down the middle the length of the grooves, saw one half off, drill 2 holes through the half round stock and right up through the static bottom, and then thread the holes in the static bottom.---Recess the holes so you can use 2 counter sunk screws.---Or else get some 7018 welding rods or nickel rods and run 4 or 5 passes on top of each other till it's as high as your groove is deep.

Smitty · Aug 22, 2019

Thanks guys for the kind words.

VA, I’ve got a couple of little ones hitting the door tomorrow, I’ll post up.

Bcamos · Aug 22, 2019

meatsis said:
That’s a rare vise. Dig deep in those pockets

How deep is deep? I can't seem to find any information on them.

rtdgfd · Aug 22, 2019

Did one company make most of the heavy cast iron bases? I have one with a Reed 108 vise. It came from the ATSF shops in Topeka. Looks similar to your photo. Thanks, Norm

KMScott · Aug 22, 2019

Bcamos said:
There's so much information in this thread that it's pretty difficult to sort through. With that said, I hope you guys don't mind me asking...what could I expect to pay for a Chas Parker 972 1/2?

Thanks!!
Justin

I would love to see a picture or two of that vise. It would be a great start of your vise collections.

va.grouseman · Aug 23, 2019

Bcamos said:
How deep is deep? I can't seem to find any information on them.

Pretty deep if the seller knows what he has.

MacMcMacmac · Aug 23, 2019

MayerMR said:
Dave, it sounds like the PO's of both our Reed 405s went to the same "Dun-know-how-use-tool-in-gooder-ways" school of thinking. Sounds like you have yours back up to snuff already, I've not even had a chance to look at mine yet due to competing priorities

Like FJ, I was just perusing through the thread, catching up when I saw Mac's post. I stopped what I was doing and walked out to my garage to check my Craftsman 5170 - no Made in England ANYWHERE that I could see (at least without taking it apart).

I find that Made in England stamp to be exceedingly interesting and would *really* love to learn the backstory on that vise. Maybe it was a licensed build by an English vise maker for export to Europe? Maybe that one just made its way across the pond somehow? Just a thought. For some reason I feel like I've seen other half-round slide 51xx vises (variants of the one I posted) with "Made in USA" on them before.

Is it just me or does the casting seem kind of smooth there, like maybe it was sanded?

Perhaps Sears was afraid of the not-made-here syndrome. I can see this not being as much of an issue north of the border. I notice a lot of British industrial equipment here in any installation from the 50s. It's almost as if we were trying to help rebuild England after the war by purchasing their industrial machinery. My workplace has lots of English Electic motors and switchgear, and the 12000hp turbocompressor at the wind tunnel I used to work at was built by Fraser and Chalmers out of Erith, Kent, England. They were a subsidiary of GEC. It was an amazingly well designed and built machine. Lots of our smaller shop compressors were Reavells, and we had a lot of Wadkin Bursgreen woodworking tools, before some safety engineers came through and condemned them all for insufficient guarding. It was all replaced with cheap Chinese **** with a few extra plastic bits. Same with the sturdy Powermatic drill presses and Dean Smith and Grace lathes...out the door....

I remember going through a generating station built in the late 50s and all the stuff was Metropolitan Vickers, GEC, Howden etc.

I picked up the Craftsman vise and disassembled, bead blasted, primed and painted it a nice light gray. It was in very good condition and will be a good, useful tool. No manufacturers marks, but the static jaw was stamped 04/56, so an oldie but a goodie.

Fierljeppen · Aug 23, 2019

Bcamos said:
There's so much information in this thread that it's pretty difficult to sort through. With that said, I hope you guys don't mind me asking...what could I expect to pay for a Chas Parker 972 1/2?

meatsis said:
That’s a rare vise. Dig deep in those pockets

Bcamos said:
How deep is deep? I can't seem to find any information on them.

Bcamos...Are you the seller? Sorry, but the last -2- newbies that GJ members helped with questions like yours ended up using the information for their listing on eBay.

va.grouseman · Aug 23, 2019

Bcamos, it does sound a little like you are the seller, not the buyer.---But here's a few pics for size reference if you are the buyer.---A little taller than the 2000s, but the smallest in the 97 series.---If you are the seller, harvesting info for profit is kind-of frowned upon on this thread.---Try the classifieds thread.

Bcamos · Aug 23, 2019

Fierljeppen said:
Bcamos...Are you the seller? Sorry, but the last -2- newbies that GJ members helped with questions like yours ended up using the information for their listing on eBay.

Full disclosure - I'm not a seller, but I do have one. I've had it for years and never had any idea what I had. I just assumed it was an old vise (which it is) but I never would have thought that it had any kind of value. I have a couple of larger newer vises that I use so this one just kind of sat in the corner of my garage until I randomly decided to Google the words on the side of it yesterday.

va.grouseman · Aug 23, 2019

Bcamos, we still need pics when you can.---And a back story to go along.---And congrats, you don't see many of those.

Bcamos · Aug 23, 2019

va.grouseman said:
Bcamos, we still need pics when you can.---And a back story to go along.---And congrats, you don't see many of those.

I posted pictures in the reply above. I can see them, but it may be because I linked them from another forum. I'll see if I can upload them directly to here.

jmhinkle · Aug 23, 2019

Bcamos said:
I posted pictures in the reply above. I can see them, but it may be because I linked them from another forum. I'll see if I can upload them directly to here.

We can't see them. Make sure to remove the "s" if the link is "https"

Bcamos · Aug 23, 2019

jmhinkle said:
We can't see them. Make sure to remove the "s" if the link is "https"

Ah that could be it. I figured out how to attach them directly to the post though so they should show up now.

jmhinkle · Aug 23, 2019

Bcamos said:
Ah that could be it. I figured out how to attach them directly to the post though so they should show up now.

They are showing now. Nice to see those old Parkers in good shape and with the wrench still around.

Bcamos · Aug 23, 2019

va.grouseman said:
Bcamos, we still need pics when you can.---And a back story to go along.---And congrats, you don't see many of those.

As far as the back story, I wish it were cooler than it actually is haha. I don't remember where/when I got it. I just know that I've had it for a long time.

Over the last 5 years I've lived in New Hampshire, North Carolina and now Texas. I've had it at least that long because I remember loading it into the moving truck each time and thinking to myself "Why do I keep dragging this thing with me if I don't even use it?"

I'm not a collector of things, but I do have a hard time throwing away anything useful, especially tools. We just moved in at our new property here in Texas and my wife wants to have a yard sale to get rid of some things. I said, "Okay I guess it's time I finally get rid of this old vise that I don't use" and I added it to the pile. Then a few minutes later something in my brain told me to just do a quick Google search on the markings. That search brought me here!

I'm still undecided on if I want to sell it or hang onto it. Hell, I've had it for this long! I don't see myself diving into the vise collecting hobby, as long range rifles, horses and 3 kids already take up most of my time lol. But if I do keep it, it'll get a nice cleaning with a touch of oil and placed on the shelf.

I really appreciate all of the replies and information that you guys have provided. I can make you this promise though - If I do decide to sell it, it won't be on Ebay for the price of gold. I'd rather pass it on to someone that appreciates it that might otherwise never have the opportunity to own one.

Vise · Aug 23, 2019

Nice Parker Bcamos. Be ready for some PMs asking you to sell it.

Bcamos · Aug 23, 2019

jmhinkle said:
They are showing now. Nice to see those old Parkers in good shape and with the wrench still around.

I noticed that! I noticed that in all of the pictures I've found online, most don't actually have that wrench on the side.

Maui · Aug 23, 2019

Bcamos, whatever you do don’t sell that vise. It is very rare. Cleaned up it would probably look fantastic. I just completed the restoration of my York 150 Vise this morning. Here are some before and after photos. It was not very pretty when I got it, but it cleaned up nicely.

Maui

MayerMR · Aug 23, 2019

gman007 said:
Mayer
If I had found one, I would be tickled pink too! Great score

KMScott said:
Nice Emmert MayerMR. That is a rare one. Very nice repair too.

Productbob said:
Mayer -great little pickup!

Thanks fellas, I'm thinking this one may get a bit of a bump in the order of priority for getting worked on.

MacMcMacmac said:
Is it just me or does the casting seem kind of smooth there, like maybe it was sanded?

I haven't inspected it extremely closely, but I don't *think* that is the case with this vise - I'll take a closer look when I get home. I would assume, if anything, there was a different casting for vises exported to the USA vs Canada or Europe maybe?

va.grouseman · Aug 23, 2019

I don't know why but the pics of the 972 1/2 never came through on my pc.---?

KMScott · Aug 23, 2019

Shucks va, I just added your pic:s to the spreadsheet, I have been waiting a long time for pic's for the 972-1/2. Awesome collection you have, some day I have to visit you, I do have family in Virginia and getting things rolling for my move to South Carolina for the Winter.

Vise · Aug 23, 2019

MayerMR said:
Thanks fellas, I'm thinking this one may get a bit of a bump in the order of priority for getting worked on.

I haven't inspected it extremely closely, but I don't *think* that is the case with this vise - I'll take a closer look when I get home. I would assume, if anything, there was a different casting for vises exported to the USA vs Canada or Europe maybe?

Mayer - somehow missed your Emmert. Fantastic find. That is one repair that adds some character. Great pick up!

zoomieport · Aug 23, 2019

trijeff said:
Wow, great pickups both Mayer and gman.

So I showed my wife Zoomie's loaded garage and trailer (which I am certain is not even close to all he has) in an effort to say "look, I don't have a vise problem" and the first words out of her mouth were "is that guy married?" Touche, well played.

Sent from my Moto G (5) Plus using Tapatalk

Mr. Wonderful said:
Is it weird that the same EXACT conversation happened to me?????

My girlfriend doesn't mind at all, she thinks it's "cute", LOL!
Yes, we live together... :beer:

va.grouseman · Aug 23, 2019

Come on KMS, I'll take you on a tour from one pile to the next.---And I mean that literally. :lol2:

va.grouseman · Aug 23, 2019

Zoomie, by now she has done some GOOLING, and she knows you are setting on a gold mine. :thumbup:

peterp · Aug 23, 2019

Maui said:
Bcamos, whatever you do don’t sell that vise. It is very rare. Cleaned up it would probably look fantastic. I just completed the restoration of my York 150 Vise this morning. Here are some before and after photos. It was not very pretty when I got it, but it cleaned up nicely.

My vote goes to "after"

. Looks awesome! What paint did you use?

Maui · Aug 23, 2019

Thanks Peter. I used Rustoleum Cobalt Blue Metallic. After the paint had cured I applied two separate coats of clear gloss and let it sit for about a month. The photos really don’t do it justice - in direct sunlight this paint looks amazing!

Maui

zoomieport · Aug 23, 2019

va.grouseman said:
Zoomie, by now she has done some GOOLING, and she knows you are setting on a gold mine.

She would like her side of the garage back though... :lol_hitti

Smitty · Aug 23, 2019

Cone mandrels, swage blocks and tons of anvils. What more could a guy want. I’m not sure I’ve ever seen that many anvil stands in one place, they’re super rare in my neck of the woods.

gman007 · Aug 23, 2019

Smitty said:
Cone mandrels, swage blocks and tons of anvils. What more could a guy want. I’m not sure I’ve ever seen that many anvil stands in one place, they’re super rare in my neck of the woods.

Smitty
Check this out :beer:

https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showpost.php?p=6570745&postcount=56237

gman007 · Aug 23, 2019

zoomieport said:
She would like her side of the garage back though...

Zoom
So now I know why there is not a single anvil left to be found in MI !!! :bounce:

Smitty · Aug 23, 2019

gman007 said:
Smitty
Check this out

https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showpost.php?p=6570745&postcount=56237

Yeah, I’ve drooled over that pic before. My first thought is that they must not have earthquakes there.

Smitty · Aug 23, 2019

I just realized it’s a video and watched it, no wonder why anvils are so rare.

Sent from my iPad using The Garage Journal mobile app

Smitty · Aug 23, 2019

Here’s something you don’t see everyday. This is a Prentiss jewelers vise no. 39, It has 2” jaws and opens 2”. The vise still has about 90% of the original oxblood paint on it and is in great condition for its age. This is listed in the spreadsheet but there’s no photo.

Sent from my iPad using The Garage Journal mobile app

Outlawmws · Aug 23, 2019

Sell all those anvils in one go and the anvil market would collapse!

zoomieport · Aug 23, 2019

Here are some baby Prentiss’s.

gman007 · Aug 23, 2019

Smitty said:
Here’s something you don’t see everyday. This is a Prentiss jewelers vise no. 39, It has 2” jaws and opens 2”. The vise still has about 90% of the original oxblood paint on it and is in great condition for its age. This is listed in the spreadsheet but there’s no photo.

Smitty
Fantastic score! man you just keep raising the bar :beer:

gman007 · Aug 23, 2019

zoomieport said:
Here are some baby Prentiss’s.

Honestly, all I can muster to say is Hoooooooooolly craaaaaaaaaaaaaap :bowdown:

Vise · Aug 23, 2019

Smitty cool 2 incher in fantastic shape!
Zoomwhat model is that big Prentiss in the anvil pic? Impressive collection.

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