The VISES of Garage Journal

FMC1959 · May 22, 2015

drivesitfar said:
FMC: thanks for the correction on the model #. are you 100% sure it's a 106S? does the big Reed logo indicate the age and any idea how old this vise is?

No, not positive

Outlawmws said:
Looks like a 3 ft base, so mid thirties?

Didn't think of the 3 ft base. Looking at the shape, this has the scrunched handle instead of the meatball, and it has the shape of when they had added the oil hole. Then the oval logo, I would have thought this to be late 50's to early 70's.

Again, not 100% just my guess. Where's Jason lately, he could tell you everything including which foundry it was cast in!

bigcaddy · May 22, 2015

Lu-Max said:
Drives: It's quite a drive for me. Yeah, I also saw the welds and the lack of a swivel screw. Didn't know he's had it on their that long. Mostly I was curious what the value was, I've only seen that oval logo a couple of times.

The oval logo is more modern and used on their vises today. I would say that's a 70s or newer vise. It also has replaceable T-jaws unlike the older versions which were cast in place

Just inspect the base carefully. I can see at least 3 big weld puddles holding that vise to the stand. Make sure the upper portion is free and not mated to the base with a huge weld bead!

torqueman2002 · May 22, 2015

I am sure I missed some good posts, excuse me for posting my latest find before I comment on the previous posts.

I don't remember see one like it posted, sorry if this is a repeat.

I don't know what it is, but it's Baby Blue (seller repaint), 6" wide jaws, heavy (I questimate 50+ #s), and opens to 7.5". Oh, dynamic jaw is the rear jaw.

Original paint looks like Wilton Gray-Green.

The knurling is nice and sharp and both jaws.

Does this look like a Smiley Face to anyone else?

A piece of casting is missing from the bottom.

Close-up of logo.

There maybe more identifying markings under the paint, some are partially evident on the front/fixed jaw.

Thanks for looking.

bigcaddy · May 22, 2015

drivesitfar said:
Lu: that seller has had that vise for sale for maybe 6 months to a year and it was at $500. he just dropped to $250 so not sure how long he'll stick at that price. i'm guessing it's a Reed 206 and it's tack welded to that old fork lift tire. it's a good looking vise from what i can see and that one handle ball looks like it was buried in the dirt as much pitting as it has because it looks like a golf ball.

what do you think it's worth? is it close to you?

Fireman: nice looking 6 inch Wiilton Bullet. while i like that color you picked i really liked the brown color you painted the block grinder you own. how about the block sitting next to this Wilton when you finish the vise? also since it doesn't have a swivel are you going to mount it to a bench or build a nice stand for it to have 360 degree access?

BC: are you actually able to email while you are on the plane? how expensive is that? very cool and did you see the vises heading towards Joe's home as you flew over from the huge magnet he owns?

Oh yeah, I was surfing GJ the whole time I was in the air. It's not too mush and was worth every penny on a 5 hour flight. :scared:

jreb10 · May 22, 2015

Last Sunday I picked up this Craftsman 5191 and its stand:

I finished up its facelift yesterday with a fresh coat of paint. The more I work on these 51xx vises the more I appreciate their quality. Pretty impressive of Sears at that time to own a design that was not a straight rebadge of a vise manufacturer model.

bigcaddy · May 22, 2015

Torqueman,

It's a Bison FPU. Polish made and an interesting vise. They were sold stateside under the name Fowler or at least is was a near exact clone.

1967M-715 · May 22, 2015

Organizing garage, going through all the junk. Funny how there is a story with each one. The twin Prentiss's were purchased in the teens by one guy at a local hardware store. He was ticked off when he couldn't get two exactly the same. Ended up with old generation and new at the time. Both are heavy chipping vises, the new one only has a few markings but know for sure a Prentiss from the supporting story and saw the receipt. Both are 8.5" and slightly over 300lbs were both privately used by one guy that had a couple bulldozers. Of course sold by a grandson. Rock Island 8.5", 305 lbs from another grandfather / grandson that got it out of a train / WWII tank manufacturing facility in Berwick, PA unknown years ago. Another Prentiss 8.5" out of an Altoona train manufacturing facility, (300+ lb vises are really trying to move around whole). Morgan 8" 80 (not that old but with a unique base) was traded in a bar in Detroit for $50 and a six pack. Reed 8" 208 out of a steel mill in Youngstown, OH. Really lucky in no repairs, cracks chips or damage. Only a little minor handle straitening over the years. Chas Parker 956, Colombian 606 (out of a mill in Cleveland OH) was bummed when I got it home to find a cracked nut...a little digging contacted an obviously from the voice alone old gun in KC MO who knew immediately exactly what I had and needed. He asked how many do I want...of course I bought 2 who wouldn't for 20 bucks each. Hollands 26H, 54H and a reed 205.5. I only included the 8"+ stuff. 5 and 6" stuff is nice, practical but also plentiful for the most part. Even though I still can't ever seem to pass a good one up. There is something very American/patriotic about this old junk.

oldldh · May 22, 2015

1967M-715.....

HOLY SHEEP DIP!!!

YOU WIN!!!

Best first post.... :eyecrazy:

Ever!!!!

highdesignfool · May 22, 2015

Any idea who made this vise? The only markings is the number 5163
It was in grandpas garage and covered in black grease. I had it media blasted and painted it, but just wondering the maker.

SAATR · May 22, 2015

I thought I would jump into this thread as it is what drew me to GJ. I've been doing a lot of reading and marveling at the variety of vises that I never knew existed. I'm a professional mechanic and have never heard of most of these brands! Anyway, on to the real story. I work for a heavy equipment dealer and we recently had our shop expanded and a lot of new tooling purchased. Consequently, a lot of the old, damaged, unused stuff was sold or scrapped. I managed to snag these two jewels.

Top is what I believe to be a Wilton 400S, dated 1978. Bottom is an 800N, and I couldn't find the date code on the key. Oil bottle, well, since I don't have the usuals for scale

. Both are missing their horseshoe washers, which I intend to replace shortly. Being in a heavy equipment shop, they've seen welding, torches, and LOTS of hammer time. I'm sure a bad strike with a large sledge caused this:

The main body is broken right around the locating pin. I imagine it could be brazed back together, but I will probably use some block repair epoxy from work.

The pedestal for the 800 is made of 1" plate for the base and vise mount, and what could be the barrel of an old hydraulic cylinder or high pressure pipe, as the wall is around 3/4" thick. I had to load it with a forklift and unload it with my engine hoist. Once I out some concrete anchors down, it won't be going anywhere. The bolts attaching the vise to the base are actually bolts from what appears to be an old Cat D3 or D4 bulldozer:

They're a cool touch, given my line of work. Anyway, gotta love free iron!

drivesitfar · May 22, 2015

1967: that is some serious iron. are they all yours? each one should have a post with 7 pictures of it. also welcome to garage journal and obviously you are a vise guy so welcome to our group too.

FMC: i agree that the Reed is newer and probably 70's and i really like that style and that big logo. if it is a 6 inch vise would it be a 106S?

Doc Block (TM): i would have told you not to buy that for yourself and for me because it's one of my favorites. i have the 3 inch version with it's original paint so you can see what it might have looked like in silver. Bison (FPU) the Polish vice company also painted their vises a light green. how do you like the static moving backwards??

BC: once i get the kids out of the house and we fly a bit more i'll have to find out about that service you found flying across the US. are you sleeping in Canada or Iceland tonight?

1967M-715 · May 22, 2015

I know they aren't vises proper but they belong in a similar category. A Wilton Demanders X Y table Swiss made and a classic screw no hydraulics old school cool ****** jack. Some people complain about them not being quite at the right angle or what ever. I think mainly they're just jealous they don't have one. I can tell you its still going strong after a bunch of years. Wonder why simple stuff like this faded away. I know cost... probably some green weinie pinched his finger in one years back...

I have 2 Wilton X Y tables a Gen I and II if anyone may be interested in one. One is enough...but was in the usual heat of the moment when I found them together. I looked for one for a few years.

1967M-715 · May 22, 2015

...yes...issues...I know. Just was computer messing and thought I'd share. I like reading all the stories as well. It really is about the hunt and the next one. Always like vises that could hold a transmission. Got my first blood blister in a 6" Yost, my friends dad's when I was a squirt. That was the biggest vise in the whole world then...

oldldh · May 22, 2015

SAATR---

A Free Wilton 800N???

An 8" Vise first post???

May I say it first...

Your vise *****, and YOU DO, TOO!!!

Welcome to the club!!!

Wow, a bunch of 8"'ers---and first posts, too!!! :bowdown:

drivesitfar · May 22, 2015

SAA: check out the vise repair 101 thread for some posts by some of our members restoring and repairing their Wiltons if you might need a little help. the link is in my signature if you haven't already read it. also welcome to our group and you have some serious iron there because most vises wouldn't be able to hole a quart of oil much less dwarf it.

HDF: most likely a Prentiss vise and it looks decent. any idea of the width of the jaws? also welcome to the group

bl00 · May 22, 2015

highdesignfool said:
Any idea who made this vise? The only markings is the number 5163

Rock Island, although it was probably sold by Sears at a Craftsman or Sampson.

drivesitfar · May 22, 2015

Bl00: i was thinking that Rock Island could be a possibility too, but don't they all have some sort of number or name cast on both sides? i own several Prentiss vises that have nothing on their sides like the red one, but i'll listen if you know for sure.

bigcaddy · May 22, 2015

bl00 said:
Rock Island, although it was probably sold by Sears at a Craftsman or Sampson.

Most definitely a Rock Island.

Look for a small "x" impressed into the cheek of the dynamic jaw. Go look, it's there...

If you are looking at the vise on the bench, it will be on the right side, lower corner towards the front.

firemanast · May 22, 2015

drivesitfar said:
Lu: that seller has had that vise for sale for maybe 6 months to a year and it was at $500. he just dropped to $250 so not sure how long he'll stick at that price. i'm guessing it's a Reed 206 and it's tack welded to that old fork lift tire. it's a good looking vise from what i can see and that one handle ball looks like it was buried in the dirt as much pitting as it has because it looks like a golf ball.

what do you think it's worth? is it close to you?

Fireman: nice looking 6 inch Wiilton Bullet. while i like that color you picked i really liked the brown color you painted the block grinder you own. how about the block sitting next to this Wilton when you finish the vise? also since it doesn't have a swivel are you going to mount it to a bench or build a nice stand for it to have 360 degree access?

BC: are you actually able to email while you are on the plane? how expensive is that? very cool and did you see the vises heading towards Joe's home as you flew over from the huge magnet he owns?

I will take the picture of the grinder and wilton together when finished and yes I will be building a stand for this vise also.

bigcaddy · May 22, 2015

drivesitfar said:
1967: that is some serious iron. are they all yours? each one should have a post with 7 pictures of it. also welcome to garage journal and obviously you are a vise guy so welcome to our group too.

FMC: i agree that the Reed is newer and probably 70's and i really like that style and that big logo. if it is a 6 inch vise would it be a 106S?

Doc Block (TM): i would have told you not to buy that for yourself and for me because it's one of my favorites. i have the 3 inch version with it's original paint so you can see what it might have looked like in silver. Bison (FPU) the Polish vice company also painted their vises a light green. how do you like the static moving backwards??

BC: once i get the kids out of the house and we fly a bit more i'll have to find out about that service you found flying across the US. are you sleeping in Canada or Iceland tonight?

I'm in St. Johns, Newfoundland.

drivesitfar · May 22, 2015

BC: stopping there or heading to China, Russia, South Africa or ??? sounds like fun especially if you have an international phone plan. stay safe

i'm guessing you are saying the X on the dynamic jaw is on the side of the vise we can't see in the picture??

oldldh · May 22, 2015

jreb10 said:
The more I work on these 51xx vises the more I appreciate their quality. Pretty impressive of Sears at that time to own a design that was not a straight rebadge of a vise manufacturer model.

Welcome the the 519X Fan Club...

Big Caddy is the Guru...

Outlaw is in charge of Craftsman Minutia...

And, in case you missed them...

BC's 519X collection, and the catalog page from Outlaw's catalog collection...

tedsters · May 22, 2015

torqueman

thats a Bison vise polish made, and they are a very nice vise and yours appears to be in very nice shape two of my buddies got the exact same vise, kind of neat with the adjustable gibs on the
v ways. I would not hesitate to buy one if the price is right i have actually been looking for one, Great find.

JasonJ · May 22, 2015

I will never tire of seeing that picture of all the 519x's lined up. I'm happy with my 5197 but man.... I want another 519x for no practical reason.

tedsters · May 22, 2015

JasonJ said:
I will never tire of seeing that picture of all the 519x's lined up. I'm happy with my 5197 but man.... I want another 519x for no practical reason.

they are addicting

torqueman2002 · May 22, 2015

drivesitfar said:
....
Doc Block (TM): i would have told you not to buy that for yourself and for me because it's one of my favorites. i have the 3 inch version with it's original paint so you can see what it might have looked like in silver. Bison (FPU) the Polish vice company also painted their vises a light green. how do you like the static moving backwards??
....

tedsters said:
torqueman

thats a Bison vise polish made, and they are a very nice vise and yours appears to be in very nice shape two of my buddies got the exact same vise, kind of neat with the adjustable gibs on the
v ways. I would not hesitate to buy one if the price is right i have actually been looking for one, Great find.

Thanks guys.

Drives, I'm puzzled why the 'static' jaw movsg backwards. I can't see the benefit. I've always mounted vises so long pieces could be clamped and hang over the edge of the bench.

This design doesn't allow that.

I bought it because it is 6" and seemed well cared for. The seller used it to restore golf clubs.

KMScott · May 22, 2015

Plenty of nice vise's being showed tonight, thought I would add my Parker 954-1/2 I wrapped up this week. This vise was coated with 3/8 thick syrup of some kind, missing a collar and some one clamped on a round object and squashed the serrations.

<a href="http://visejaws.smugmug.com/Restored-Vises/i-cvwsKrg/A" title="Photo & Video Sharing by SmugMug"><img src="http://visejaws.smugmug.com/Restored-Vises/i-cvwsKrg/0/S/Parker%20954-500%20before%20restoring%20%281%29-S.jpg" title="Photo & Video Sharing by SmugMug" alt="Photo & Video Sharing by SmugMug"></a>

<a href="http://visejaws.smugmug.com/Restored-Vises/i-QSRp8M2/A" title="Photo & Video Sharing by SmugMug"><img src="http://visejaws.smugmug.com/Restored-Vises/i-QSRp8M2/0/M/Parker%20954-500%2005-2015%20%283%29-M.jpg" title="Photo & Video Sharing by SmugMug" alt="Photo & Video Sharing by SmugMug"></a>

<a href="http://visejaws.smugmug.com/Restored-Vises/i-8DZktD5/A" title="Photo & Video Sharing by SmugMug"><img src="http://visejaws.smugmug.com/Restored-Vises/i-8DZktD5/0/M/Parker%20954-500%2005-2015%20%281%29-M.jpg" title="Photo & Video Sharing by SmugMug" alt="Photo & Video Sharing by SmugMug"></a>

fabricated a new set of jaws, tightened up the backlash and made a collar. It still needs some fitting, since it is a little tight yet.

<a href="http://visejaws.smugmug.com/Restored-Vises/i-tjMd77k/A" title="Photo & Video Sharing by SmugMug"><img src="http://visejaws.smugmug.com/Restored-Vises/i-tjMd77k/0/S/Parker%20954-500%2005-2015%20%284%29-S.jpg" title="Photo & Video Sharing by SmugMug" alt="Photo & Video Sharing by SmugMug"></a> <a href="http://visejaws.smugmug.com/Restored-Vises/i-qrCTrm2/A" title="Photo & Video Sharing by SmugMug"><img src="http://visejaws.smugmug.com/Restored-Vises/i-qrCTrm2/0/S/Parker%20954-500%2005-2015%20%285%29-S.jpg" title="Photo & Video Sharing by SmugMug" alt="Photo & Video Sharing by SmugMug"></a>

<a href="http://visejaws.smugmug.com/Restored-Vises/i-SwRNsW8/A" title="Photo & Video Sharing by SmugMug"><img src="http://visejaws.smugmug.com/Restored-Vises/i-SwRNsW8/0/S/Parker%20954-500%2005-2015%20%286%29-S.jpg" title="Photo & Video Sharing by SmugMug" alt="Photo & Video Sharing by SmugMug"></a> <a href="http://visejaws.smugmug.com/Restored-Vises/i-FxxnXP5/A" title="Photo & Video Sharing by SmugMug"><img src="http://visejaws.smugmug.com/Restored-Vises/i-FxxnXP5/0/S/Parker%20954-500%2005-2015%20%2810%29-S.jpg" title="Photo & Video Sharing by SmugMug" alt="Photo & Video Sharing by SmugMug"></a>

Got them jaws figured out, getting a little easier as I do more.

drivesitfar · May 22, 2015

TM/Doc: i'm not sure of the real reason why some of the European vices have their static jaws moving backwards, but since garages tend to be a lot smaller over there maybe a vice moving into the walking or parking areas wasn't an option.

so it sounds like that vise should be mine and sorry for not posting these pictures of my little 3 inch Bison on my first post. maybe because one of our new members and several other new members started posting some huge vises tonight.

nice find

JeremyBurke · May 22, 2015

jreb10 said:
.....I finished up its facelift yesterday with a fresh coat of paint. The more I work on these 51xx vises the more I appreciate their quality. Pretty impressive of Sears at that time to own a design that was not a straight rebadge of a vise manufacturer model.

That looks great can I get some more details on the paint? I'm working on a 5196 and would like some options.

tedsters · May 22, 2015

kevin

that parker looks sweet, whats the color you put on that. i wish the parkers i have had jaws of that quality on them, they would be lifers

KMScott · May 22, 2015

tedsters said:
kevin

that parker looks sweet, whats the color you put on that. i wish the parkers i have had jaws of that quality on them, they would be lifers

Ted, paint is Satin Olive the same paint Balane uses. This vise has many more years left in it. It was a fun project. Thanks Ted.

veltex · May 22, 2015

Just thought I would share a little, picked this up last week, pretty plain No. 4 (3-47). I think I prefer an original finish instead of restored but this thing was painted kind of a John Deere green and not very well, everything was painted- everything! So a little bit of clean up and early color, a rookie job for sure but it will do. I am thinking of "distressing" it a little so the look is more to my liking, or maybe just use it while.

drivesitfar · May 22, 2015

Kevin: i always like your work and i really like the multy colored jaws from your heat treating too. are you ever going to keep one of those someday to replace your Wiltons?

Veltex: very nice looking old Wilton bullet.

oldldh · May 23, 2015

Reverend Scott...

You've done it...

Again!!!

Beautimuss!!!...

Ya Dun Gud, Bubba!!!

balane · May 23, 2015

Very, very nice Kevin. Did you have to mill the bottom smooth on that Parker?

Outlawmws · May 23, 2015

1967, can you post a more full up shot of pic 2 in your first post of the vise and stand? the stand looks interesting.

Great first posts!

tool_scrounge · May 23, 2015

bigcaddy said:
Torqueman,

It's a Bison FPU. Polish made and an interesting vise. They were sold stateside under the name Fowler or at least is was a near exact clone.

Also sold under the Hi-Test brand. Look on the top of the jaw plates for the date of mfg (looks painted over).

Link to thread regarding:

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?p=1188689

tedsters · May 23, 2015

http://www.ebay.com/itm/301634498903 nice parker 6in. i didn't know they made a 6in parker that weighed 195# must be semi steel or a miastake in the print, i thought more like 165#
is this a GJ Member

balane · May 23, 2015

That's joe striper's vise, he posted about it earlier in this thread but it could be a hundred pages back by now. I can't comment on the weight of his vise but my 976A 6" Parker with swivel base weighs the 165 pounds you mentioned.

tedsters · May 23, 2015

he doe's a nice job on his vises, i thought he went by his name on ebay. I knew it had to be a member, I don't get on here as much as i use to been busy with the grand kids ball games

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