The VISES of Garage Journal

Graham7707 · Jun 15, 2019

Any idea in the maker of this? The only marking on it is 135

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trijeff · Jun 15, 2019

Nice 978 Vise

Anyone have any idea what the patent is for on these Reed jaw caps?

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Vise · Jun 15, 2019

kenc184 said:
Vise: That monster looks in mint condition. Another member of the giant vise club!

Thanks very much. I think it’s as mint as they come. Now the debate about restoration methods...

Outlawmws said:
Nice Parker! Is it a 7" or 8"?

It’s an 8” and thank you!

trijeff said:
Nice 978 Vise

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Appreciate that, especially coming from the guy with both a 978 and it’s Prentiss cousin. :beer:

Smitty · Jun 15, 2019

I just got this little blacksmith vise and it’s pretty cool I must say. There are patent dates on it so it tells me it was a production piece. Jeppen, have you ever seen anything like this?

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Fierljeppen · Jun 15, 2019

Smitty...That's a piece of art! To me, that's a stunning example of early blacksmith craftsmanship. To be honest, I thought that style of vises were all hand forged.

What are the patent dates?

Vise...That's the cleanest Parker 978 I've seen, much nicer than mine.

Fierljeppen · Jun 15, 2019

Graham7707 said:
Any idea in the maker of this? The only marking on it is 135.

Graham7707...I believe that is a very old Rock Island vise, possibly pre-1910 Rock Island Tool era. I've attached a couple of other examples of vises with a casting # on the tail. One is unmarked like yours, while the other is definitely a Rock Island Tool vise.

Would love to get some other GJ members opinion on your vise.

Smitty · Jun 15, 2019

Fierljeppen said:
Smitty...That's a piece of art! To me, that's a stunning example of early blacksmith craftsmanship. To be honest, I thought that style of vises were all hand forged.

What are the patent dates?

Vise...That's the cleanest Parker 978 I've seen, much nicer than mine.

The patent dates are a bit hard to read

Patent
Dec 1885
May 18_ _

The vise has a post vise style wedge that when tapped out separates the vise from the bench mount. I’m still trying to figure out what the loop on the bottom is for.

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Fierljeppen · Jun 15, 2019

Smitty said:
The patent dates are a bit hard to read

Patent
Dec 1885
May 18_ _

Close enough, found your patents.

Smitty · Jun 15, 2019

Fierljeppen said:
Close enough, found your patents.

My hats off to you jeppen, you do not disappoint. It seems like an interesting piece of vise history to have. Thanks again for sharing your skill and knowledge.

Edit: Your new avi suits you to a T

kenc184 · Jun 15, 2019

Smitty,

you must take your Rolex off and put on that Citizen before you go out to haggle over vise prices, good plan! :bounce:

Smitty · Jun 15, 2019

kenc184 said:
Smitty,

you must take your Rolex off and put on that Citizen before you go out to haggle over vise prices, good plan!

Umm...yeah, my Rolex. I’ll post a pic some time (cough)

Vise · Jun 15, 2019

Fierljeppen said:
Vise...That's the cleanest Parker 978 I've seen, much nicer than mine.

Thanks very much! That’s high praise.

AngryBeaver said:
its a very late model with replaceable jaws.....
1965ish or newer imo

Well spotted. Cleaned the 4C up today and it’s dated December 1967. Was it the patent number or the jaws that helped you date it?

Smitty - that’s another fantastic blacksmith’s vise. Your streak continues!

Outlawmws · Jun 15, 2019

He means this one Smitty!

Cool find! The loop on the bottom is for hitching your horse! :lol:

Seriously, it could have bee for strapping it to a saddle, or so it didn't fall off a wagon...

Smitty · Jun 15, 2019

Vise:
I don’t mean to push but I’m dying to see some 978 pics. It’s a top three wish list vise for me.

Smitty · Jun 15, 2019

Outlawmws said:
He means this one Smitty!

Cool find! The loop on the bottom is for hitching your horse!

Seriously, it could have bee for strapping it to a saddle, or so it didn't fall off a wagon...

I just spit Bud Light all over my iPad. Who’s going to pay for this?

Graham7707 · Jun 15, 2019

Fierljeppen said:
Graham7707...I believe that is a very old Rock Island vise, possibly pre-1910 Rock Island Tool era. I've attached a couple of other examples of vises with a casting # on the tail. One is unmarked like yours, while the other is definitely a Rock Island Tool vise.

Would love to get some other GJ members opinion on your vise.

it also has this 25 stamped in it

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Vise · Jun 15, 2019

Smitty said:
Vise:
I don’t mean to push but I’m dying to see some 978 pics. It’s a top three wish list vise for me.

Smitty - I posted a link to a video of the 978 a few posts back. You can see it here:

I’ll get some still pics tomorrow and will post them up.

Smitty · Jun 15, 2019

yeah, I saw it this morning. The video only left me wanting more, I was hoping for some side shots.

Vise · Jun 15, 2019

Smitty said:
yeah, I saw it this morning. The video only left me wanting more, I was hoping for some side shots.

Fair enough. :beer:

Here are a few with a gallon of paint for size reference. I’ll need to reassemble tomorrow for some full shots.

Smitty · Jun 15, 2019

I didn’t mean to rush you, thanks for the sneak peek. The third photo really illustrates how big the slide is. You got a 978 and a 4c in the same weekend, pretty impressive.

ken w. · Jun 15, 2019

I picked this USA made Craftsman No. 51871 swivel base vise today at an estate sale. There wasn't much for tools , but I spotted this under a work bench. The woman said her husband went to get lunch , but she would sell it for $ 20.00. So I took it home. It's 5 1/2" x 7". Who do you think made this for sears ?

rusty65 · Jun 15, 2019

Vise said:
Fair enough. Here are a few with a gallon of paint for size reference. I’ll need to reassemble tomorrow for some full shots.

Weird question but did that one happen to come from Illinois? Also random vise picture to stay on topic.

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Vise · Jun 15, 2019

Smitty said:
I didn’t mean to rush you, thanks for the sneak peek. The third photo really illustrates how big the slide is. You got a 978 and a 4c in the same weekend, pretty impressive.

Any time. I already had these pics of it disassembled and was, admittedly, holding out on you.

Much thanks for the kind words. The 4C cleaned up pretty good today. Still a little more work to do on it.

rusty65 said:
Weird question but did that one happen to come from Illinois? Also random vise picture to stay on topic.

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No, this one came from a factory out west. Why do you ask?

rusty65 · Jun 15, 2019

Vise said:
Any time. I already had these pics of it disassembled and was, admittedly, holding out on you. Much thanks for the kind words. The 4C cleaned up pretty good today. Still a little more work to do on it.

No, this one came from a factory out west. Why do you ask?

There was a Parker 978 that sold from a caterpillar tractor factory near me in a online auction. I was just curious that’s all as it looked similar to yours and I see yours got shipped.

Smitty · Jun 15, 2019

Vise said:
Any time. I already had these pics of it disassembled and was, admittedly, holding out on you. Much thanks for the kind words. The 4C cleaned up pretty good today. Still a little more work to do on it.

No, this one came from a factory out west. Why do you ask?

If it’s from Oxnard I’m the guy you were bidding against.

Vise · Jun 15, 2019

Smitty said:
If it’s from Oxnard I’m the guy you were bidding against.

The one from Oxnard had a patch on it, didn’t it? :beer:

Smitty · Jun 15, 2019

This patch? I was cursing you out that day but I’m happy it went to a member here. Congrats

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Vise · Jun 15, 2019

Thanks.

toolfool1994 · Jun 16, 2019

My old Wilton No. 4 that was saved from being scrapped. A friend gave it to me because he thought it was junk. The jaws were welded on, the horseshoe collar was welded on, the original handle was gone and replaced with all-thread ground smooth, and the front was very pitted. I had never restored a vise before but decided it would be a fun challenge. So I probably put 20-25 man hours in but only around $15 in to get to where it is now. I made a new horseshoe collar and handle and re-used everything else except the jaw screws. It’s far from perfect but it’s doing much better today than when I got it

akasrick · Jun 16, 2019

toolfool1994 said:
My old Wilton No. 4 that was saved from being scrapped.

I'm impressed!

akasrick

matt_i · Jun 16, 2019

Good job, ToolFool! That thing looks like it was nose-down in the saltwater for quite awhile

Mark in Indiana · Jun 16, 2019

toolfool1994 said:
My old Wilton No. 4 that was saved from being scrapped. A friend gave it to me because he thought it was junk. The jaws were welded on, the horseshoe collar was welded on, the original handle was gone and replaced with all-thread ground smooth, and the front was very pitted. I had never restored a vise before but decided it would be a fun challenge. So I probably put 20-25 man hours in but only around $15 in to get to where it is now. I made a new horseshoe collar and handle and re-used everything else except the jaw screws. It’s far from perfect but it’s doing much better today than when I got it

Well done sir! Your restoration is inspirational.

KMScott · Jun 16, 2019

Nice work Toolfool and welcome to GJ.

Vise · Jun 16, 2019

Toolfool- you really brought that vise back from the dead. Great work!

Outlawmws · Jun 16, 2019

Nice job resurrection that! Needs to be named Zombie!

That stripped D jaw looks like some of the castings out of china! :lol:

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?p=3553473#post3553473

honza.vosalik · Jun 16, 2019

Anyone from the Redmond OR area here who would be willing to help me pick up a vise? Please send me a pm if so. Thank you!

toolfool1994 · Jun 16, 2019

Outlawmws I never thought about calling it Zombie, but I like it! Thanks

toolfool1994 · Jun 16, 2019

matt_i said:
Good job, ToolFool! That thing looks like it was nose-down in the saltwater for quite awhile

It was literally stuck in the ground with the rear end sticking straight up when it was found by my buddy

Shiftless · Jun 16, 2019

Toolfool:
Nice save... :beer:

..that project gets my vote for the most extreme “back from the dead” save. Do we need a thread of Zombie rescues?

dimwittedmoose51 · Jun 16, 2019

I have like 50 or so vises including my 4th Wilton Bullet from yesterday's auction.
This Holland's 4" seems to have little info on it so I ask the gurus of this thread what they know of it. Apparently the company bailed on vise making around the Vietnam war when making bomb parts were more profitable than vises.

I think this is a 4H

model, but haven't cleaned it down to the bone yet to be sure.

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