The VISES of Garage Journal

Shiftless · Oct 12, 2019

Nice one you found there, Smitty!

None of my Chicago era bullets have “WE” cast into them. I wonder if that was some internal inventory control mark to designate where or who was responsible for the cast parts. :dunno:

Smitty · Oct 12, 2019

Thanks shift, I also find it odd that the 9450 is an inventory tag style marking with screws holding it on.

Old Radar · Oct 12, 2019

I thought I would post my abused little 3-1/2 inch Craftsman. It can't hang with the big boys but I couldn't pass it up for $2 at an estate sale.

Post vinegar bath, pre prime & paint:

wrenchguy · Oct 12, 2019

A few years ago i posted this 4 1/2"er for a id. I forgot to mark it and now wondering its make. If i member right its a bonney or millers falls. Please help agin with id.

bastel · Oct 12, 2019

va.grouseman said:
Bastel, I really do like those Zeus vises.---I wished some of those would cross the pond.

Getting vises across the pond is expensive. 10 kg cost 55, up to 20 kg cost 75 and up to 31.5 kg cost 105 Euros. Gotta add this to the vise price.
Example vises: an interesting economic design little 3", which is 6kg, so it's 15 euro + 55.. a nice vintage LES 4": 14 kg. 25 + 75.
I guess maybe a 5" would be shippable, but maybe not. Not all are cast equal.
A VS4 Zeus would be two parcels, maybe 135 euro but probably 160 euro shipping. A smaller will fit in one. Even a VS6 can be shipped for 2*105. But then a Zeus is like 100 Euro+ unless it's that deal of the decade like I missed, VS6 for 35 euro.
Gotta really want it to justify it.
(Fedex and UPS prices worse. Way worse.)

rusty65 · Oct 12, 2019

If some one had one of those really small ones I’m
Sure I wouldn’t blink an eye for shipping costs.

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Smitty · Oct 12, 2019

Good old fashioned paint stripper, works every time.

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chrisnazzy · Oct 12, 2019

I don't generally buy vises to flip or sell them. I'm sure I'm not the only one who has brought a vise home though, only to ultimately decide during the refurbish process not to add it to the collection.

I got this well used and incredibly crusty Athol 624 1/2 @ a local estate sale last year. I had it media blasted shortly after getting it and worked on it once in awhile. Put in quite a bit of work on resurfacing and filing the jaw towers and did a little sanding and filing of some of the rougher areas too. Due to a small chip out of the static jaw face and some well worn jaws, I was contemplating having my local machine shop grind off the cast in jaws and machine it for a new set of replaceable jaws that I figured I would source from Dr. Scott.

Well, I guess it could be because I have 2 other really nice Athol vises or because I've got a bunch of really nice vises in general, that I ultimately decided to finish this one up and put it up for a local sale. I painted it Rustoleum Hammered Light Blue and my daughter did the lettering in a metallic Teal.
Here are some before and after pics.

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Mark in Indiana · Oct 12, 2019

Old Radar said:
I thought I would post my abused little 3-1/2 inch Craftsman. It can't hang with the big boys but I couldn't pass it up for $2 at an estate sale.

Post vinegar bath, pre prime & paint:

Very nice.
How did you do the lettering? Paint or bare metal polish?

Smitty · Oct 12, 2019

Chris
Beautiful job, what a transformation. The blue on blue color scheme really suits the vise.

va.grouseman · Oct 12, 2019

bastel said:
Getting vises across the pond is expensive. 10 kg cost 55, up to 20 kg cost 75 and up to 31.5 kg cost 105 Euros. Gotta add this to the vise price.
Example vises: an interesting economic design little 3", which is 6kg, so it's 15 euro + 55.. a nice vintage LES 4": 14 kg. 25 + 75.
I guess maybe a 5" would be shippable, but maybe not. Not all are cast equal.
A VS4 Zeus would be two parcels, maybe 135 euro but probably 160 euro shipping. A smaller will fit in one. Even a VS6 can be shipped for 2*105. But then a Zeus is like 100 Euro+ unless it's that deal of the decade like I missed, VS6 for 35 euro.
Gotta really want it to justify it.
(Fedex and UPS prices worse. Way worse.)

Yea Bastel, the shipping would defiantly be a bear.---I just meant that I wished some of those Zeus were already on this side of the pond and eligible for purchase.

Vise · Oct 12, 2019

Another day another bullet. The life and times of Smitty. Nice score.

Nice restore on the Athol Chris. I like the light blue.

And Serrat- I now know what you have there and you are a very lucky man.

I ended up switching to a hammered paint on the Prentiss 58. This is a Rustoleum color called “Burnished Amber.” Will let it cure for a week and then clear coat. (And yes, the jaws are still taped off).

mike_paxton · Oct 12, 2019

W. C. Toles woodworking vise came my way at a yard sale, but this was a bit unusual. First it is a No. 10 FD Junior. That particular woodworking vise was targeted for Elementary and Junior high school students in the 1930's.

Normally on these vises and other Toles models, they show the initials of W.C. and then last name of Toles on front jaw casting. On this particular one, it just says Toles Co.

Second odd thing is that normally Toles are listed for Chicago IL. However, this one was listed as Woodstock, IL

When got vise, it had the front brass dog. However, it was stuck tight. Used a Dremel and opened a small slit on top of each side of dog. Put vise into Evaporust and over time, was eventually able to get the dog to wiggle. Once got dog out, it didn't have a spring in the hollow bottom portion of it. So, added a new spring and also needed a set screw used to lock the dog in down/up position.

Mike

Smitty · Oct 12, 2019

Vise
It goes well with the fall leaves.

Vise · Oct 12, 2019

Smitty said:
Vise
It goes well with the fall leaves.

Much thanks. Gotta pick out a stand for it.

trijeff · Oct 12, 2019

Vise said:
(And yes, the jaws are still taped off).

LOL! Looking fabuloso, Vise - great work!!

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honza.vosalik · Oct 12, 2019

So this Rock island was given to me by a family member. I'm still very confused about the jaws, but looks like they might be welded in. The swivel jaw sure is a nice feature.

jmhinkle · Oct 12, 2019

My posts tend to get overlooked by much more interesting stuff so I'll post again in hopes someone can help.

Can someone enlighten me as to what model Columbian this is? Doesn't match up to anything in the database between model numbers and sizes.

Vise · Oct 12, 2019

trijeff said:
LOL! Looking fabuloso, Vise - great work!!

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Thanks Jeff.

pyrostick1 · Oct 13, 2019

Just picked this bad boy up!

Chas Parker 436. Everything seems to be in okay shape. It's a shame the base got welded on the feet, I'll be sorting that out shortly.

The swivel nut is also quite stuck, going to give it lots of penetrating oil and patience.

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Smitty · Oct 13, 2019

Nice find, that thing is a beast. The original wrench and pipe jaws are icing on the cake.

davethorik · Oct 13, 2019

jmhinkle said:
My posts tend to get overlooked by much more interesting stuff so I'll post again in hopes someone can help.

Can someone enlighten me as to what model Columbian this is? Doesn't match up to anything in the database between model numbers and sizes.

Jm, just a guess here but 603 (3" swivel base). With a seriously messed up stamp lol

jmhinkle · Oct 13, 2019

davethorik said:
Jm, just a guess here but 603 (3" swivel base). With a seriously messed up stamp lol

Thank you. That makes the most sense I guess. There is only a 603M in the database with that different body style so I wasn't sure if there was a 603. That clean 9 strike in the middle really threw me off on possibilities.

KMScott · Oct 13, 2019

jmhinkle said:
Thank you. That makes the most sense I guess. There is only a 603M in the database with that different body style so I wasn't sure if there was a 603. That clean 9 strike in the middle really threw me off on possibilities.

jmhinkle
How about giving spec:s. Jaw width, weight, max opening and maybe someone will has a catalog page. I would be happy to add your vise to the spreadsheet.

jmhinkle · Oct 13, 2019

KMScott said:
jmhinkle
How about giving spec:s. Jaw width, weight max opening and maybe someone has a catalog page. I would be happy to ad your vise to the spreadsheet.

Not mine at least not yet. It's one that is up for sale attached to an awful stand I have no use for. I was trying to decipher the picture to see if I should investigate more. If it comes home with me at some point, I'll give all the details I can help with.

pyrostick1 · Oct 13, 2019

Smitty said:
Nice find, that thing is a beast. The original wrench and pipe jaws are icing on the cake.

For sure icing on the cake! I don't think the pipe jaws had ever been used, and the wrench id on amazing shape.

Right now I am in a second floor apartment until my house is done in a month. I will say carrying an 185 pound vise, even in two peices is a treat!

I can't wait to get it apart and working like new!

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Old Radar · Oct 13, 2019

Mark in Indiana said:
Very nice.
How did you do the lettering? Paint or bare metal polish?

Thanks! Rust-Oleum Hammered Gray

kenc184 · Oct 13, 2019

honza.vosalik said:
So this Rock island was given to me by a family member. I'm still very confused about the jaws, but looks like they might be welded in. The swivel jaw sure is a nice feature.

Swivel jaw Rock Islands's don't grow on trees, thaat's for sure.

Smitty · Oct 13, 2019

When it rains it pours Parker’s, the one in back is pretty rare.

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Loydski29 · Oct 13, 2019

Smitty said:
When it rains it pours Parker’s, the one in back is pretty rare.

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Real nice...

Smitty · Oct 13, 2019

Thanks loydski, I was in your area today.

Loydski29 · Oct 13, 2019

Smitty said:
Thanks loydski, I was in your area today.

I know

Smitty · Oct 13, 2019

Then you know what I paid for the black one. He said he had another vise so I was surprised wen it was another Parker. I’m cleaning them both up right now and will post pics. I want them to look their best for the spreadsheet.

Vise · Oct 13, 2019

Smitty said:
When it rains it pours Parker’s, the one in back is pretty rare.

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What’s the one in the back?

Fierljeppen · Oct 13, 2019

I'm guessing a Parker combo vise no. 8-1/2 or no. 9-1/2?

kenc184 · Oct 13, 2019

LOL, some guy just posted this "works like new", "excellent" condition 3-1/2" Parker combo vise for the modest sm of $200.
He "refurbished" it himself apparently.

Hmm, let me see...... there's a chunk missing out of the back of the slide, the collar's been replaced with half a washer, the tommy bar is missing from the swivel base adjuster, and at least one of the pipe jaws is missing.

"Excellent" is in the eye of the beholder I guess?

https://sfbay.craigslist.org/scz/tls/d/santa-cruz-1910-charles-parker-vise/6998803343.html

kenc184 · Oct 13, 2019

Smitty

For the tenth time......"How do you do it"?

va.grouseman · Oct 13, 2019

The terms "Works great", "Mint Condition", ''Excellent Condition", ''Works like new", ''Very Rare", Etc., Etc., are always subject to interpretation, and that usually hinges on whether you're the buyer or the seller.

Smitty · Oct 13, 2019

Here’s something you don’t see every day.
This is a Charles Parker vise no. 8 1/2, the vise has 4 3/4” jaws and weighs in at 75 lbs. The jaws are cast in and the spindle doesn’t need a collar. I got this for $25 this morning.

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Smitty · Oct 13, 2019

Smitty said:
Here’s a bench Pic

Jeppen nailed it btw

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