The VISES of Garage Journal

1NRO · Jul 8, 2020

Underside of main body

1NRO · Jul 8, 2020

A picture I found on a Google image search of French jewelry vice shows the correct handles but I can't seem to post it here.

Private Lugnutz · Jul 8, 2020

If they had mushroom caps, Fierljeppen posted photos of what appears to be a stationary base model version of yours on page 4007.

I remember seeing a drawing here, either from a patent or an ad, of a swiveling vise like this, with a very similar if not identical halfmoon rail design, but I can't remember the Mfgr. I think Fierljeppen may have posted it.

Fierljeppen · Jul 8, 2020

1NRO...Here's a couple more different photo's of your vise. I really don't have any other meaningful information about your vise at this time.

b.well · Jul 8, 2020

Originally Posted by va.grouseman View Post B.well said:
b.well said:

Thanks. I just noticed the Parker is fixed. I really feel I need swivel. If I can get a good price it'd be hard to pass it up though.

Click to expand...

Just coming full circle on that possible Parker you helped me identify. I realized they were accepting presales and called the company. The "Parker" is selling for $45 and already has two takers. Nice to know the price.

The place had alot of old tools. Maybe could see 20+ wooden handles sticking out of here and there. The company said they have multiple offers to buy "ALL" the tools. How common is that?

Attached a few of the pics.

RTM · Jul 8, 2020

b.well said:
The company said they have multiple offers to buy "ALL" the tools. How common is that?.

I know a guy out here who was a professional WW tool reseller, and I know he’s done it a few times. I have been to a few sales where someone has bought “the whole garage” Prior to opening day, but don’t know if it was him.

DavidR8 · Jul 8, 2020

Picked up this minty Record #3 yesterday. Very happy, it will be a good companion to my 34P.

Shiftless · Jul 8, 2020

Z3K3Y said:
My biggest problem is finding a machinist willing to make them. I would be happy with any material. aluminum, copper, hardened steel. i would order a pair of sets to make it worth the setup. If you have any links other then KMScott please let me know.

I have no idea how 3d printers work. but im wondering if i could get some jaws printed that i could easily sand down to fit, then just use a copper or aluminum covers. i think that would work fine for what i do. i have other vises to really crank on stuff if need be

The reason I suggested HDPE (plastic) jaws is that you could probably DIY a set with ordinary tools. To work with steel, you not only need a mill but you also need a lot of skill to make nice jaws.

Outlawmws · Jul 8, 2020

Shiftless said:
Consider making jaws from HDPE (high density poly ethylene)

I think that would be more durable than wood which would tend to splinter.

You could also try aluminum.

.

Actually, the HDPE idea has promise, as you can chop up a bunch old milk jugs, and the like, and heat it, and Press it into shape into the mating faces.

Aryan· · Jul 8, 2020

Recently sold these two vises.
Kind of a bummer to sell such items but I'm starting to trip over vises here so have to thin the collection a bit.

Record No.23

Record No.34 steel

This Record No.84 steel is probably next to go. I've got another one in better shape so worth letting go of for the space. Yeah I know, ''It's only a small vise, it'll fit in that corner just nicely''...Next thing you know you have 5 vises sitting in a pile and no more corner! :lol:

va.grouseman · Jul 8, 2020

Z3K3Y, Micarta makes good durable jaw inserts also.---It's real hard but workable.---Same stuff as knife handle material.

RTM · Jul 8, 2020

Shiftless said:
The reason I suggested HDPE (plastic) jaws is that you could probably DIY a set with ordinary tools.

Most can be cut with woodworking or metal working tools. The trick is not get it too hot, it can deform / melt. Old cutting boards, or even new cutting boards can be great source material. Delrin, UHMW plastic, all good stuff.

Aryan· · Jul 8, 2020

I think it would be awesome to have a set of smooth HSS (high speed steel) jaws with wire EDM cut screw holes. HSS would make a super durable set of smooth steel jaws for machine shop type work.

KMScott · Jul 8, 2020

Aryan· said:
I think it would be awesome to have a set of smooth HSS (high speed steel) jaws with wire EDM cut screw holes. HSS would make a super durable set of smooth steel jaws for machine shop type work.

Just use A2, it's easy to buy on e-bay and is easy to heat treat, in fact you could heat treat it at home with a torch if you wrap it with stainless steel foil. High Speed Steel is to brittle. Just my opinion.

Shiftless · Jul 9, 2020

Things are slowing down a bit on the vise pages so I thought I’d post a pic of that Craftsman clamp on I posted about a few days ago. Ruby Red metallic with black lettering.
I got it in broken condition from my cousin’s husband and KMScott graciously agreed to braze it back together. It is going to be a surprise gift to the young man whose great grandfather originally owned the little vise and used it on his farm.

KMScott · Jul 9, 2020

Shiftless said:
Things are slowing down a bit on the vise pages so I thought I’d post a pic of that Craftsman clamp on I posted about a few days ago. Ruby Red metallic with black lettering.
I got it in broken condition from my cousin’s husband and KMScott graciously agreed to braze it back together. It is going to be a surprise gift to the young man whose great grandfather originally owned the little vise and used it on his farm.

Looks great Shift, don't tighten it to much, I would hate to see it broke again. I don't remember doing it and hope I added at least one dowel pin for strength.

Shiftless · Jul 9, 2020

KMScott said:
Looks great Shift, don't tighten it to much, I would hate to see it broke again. I don't remember doing it and hope I added at least one dowel pin for strength.

Thanks
I’ll forward that warning to the new owner.

Shiftless · Jul 10, 2020

I finished that Prentiss I bought a few weeks ago. Thank you Smitty for encouraging me. I’m lucky that he is 400 miles away or otherwise it would be sitting on HIS shelf!

This is an unusual model with a brass medallion finished in black Japanning.
It wasn’t all that bad when I picked it up.

Anniversary model?

Smitty · Jul 10, 2020

Shift
I must say you did a beautiful job restoring the vise, I saved the photo to files. Don’t forget, I cast a pretty wide net.

Sent from my iPad using The Garage Journal mobile app

Shiftless · Jul 10, 2020

Thanks Smitty
I forgot all about that “casts a wide net” bit I posted way back when. Cracks me up!

Smitty · Jul 10, 2020

Yeah, you made the pic a while back. It’s one of my favorites.

Shiftless · Jul 10, 2020

Fine vise (Craftsman 5191) horribly abused for sale near me...asking $125
Anybody up for a big project? Not me. (I already have a nice 5191)

.

davethorik · Jul 11, 2020

Found another big one today
Sawyer Tool Co. Oswego no. 16
6" fixed base
Opens 10", weighs 145 lbs.
That is 15 lbs heavier and has 1" more opening than my Yost 106.

This one needs jaws but otherwise very clean.
I paid less than 30 cents a pound for it, which makes up for not having jaws. :rocker:

oh, and the ugly spot. Looks like it was burnt or exposed to acidic fumes for a long period of time. The vise had been in storage taken apart, why there is no rust on the slide.

Bottlecapdigger · Jul 11, 2020

Got one of these couple of weeks ago, 6" ridgid with the pipe jaws and the pipe jaws aren't even missing. These don't ever come up for sale around here. Pretty excited to get it. Haven't weighed it but must be close to 200lbs. BCD

1NRO · Jul 11, 2020

Another unusual clamp on vise. No name again. Must be for something specific, maybe leather work?

tool_scrounge · Jul 11, 2020

Bottlecapdigger said:
Got one of these couple of weeks ago, 6" ridgid with the pipe jaws and the pipe jaws aren't even missing. These don't ever come up for sale around here. Pretty excited to get it. Haven't weighed it but must be close to 200lbs. BCD

Very nice vise!

Shiftless · Jul 11, 2020

dave:
Great score! I bet it will clean up OK. As long as you are able to fab up some new jaws, that should be a great vise for you or for the next user. Keep it or flip it?

BCD:
That Rigid is a monster! Under the surface rust, it looks almost brand new. No dings on the back of the slide? Almost unheard of! I vaguely remember another member painting one up in John Deere colors. Maybe I’m dreaming. :dunno:

1NRO:
I’ve seen a lot of unusual vises over the years but never one like that. You might be right about leather working tool. I don’t suppose you got any clues from the person who sold it to you, right?

.

1NRO · Jul 11, 2020

It didn't come with any provenance, just one that slipped through eBay with no real description.

Shiftless · Jul 11, 2020

1NRO said:
It didn't come with any provenance, just one that slipped through eBay with no real description.

It might be just a waste of time, but you could message the seller through eBay and ask for any background info. Was the seller a small time operator with just a few listings or one of those with hundreds or thousands of listings running simultaneously?

steaks&anvils · Jul 11, 2020

Shiftless said:
It might be just a waste of time, but you could message the seller through eBay and ask for any background info. Was the seller a small time operator with just a few listings or one of those with hundreds or thousands of listings running simultaneously?

New investigative field: Vise Forensics

I might joke about it, but this forum is truly the a great source and repository of vise information.

Thanks everyone!

mikeswrenches · Jul 11, 2020

1NRO said:
Another unusual clamp on vise. No name again. Must be for something specific, maybe leather work?

A guy brought one of those to me at the Flywheelers show last year to see if I knew what it was for. Unfortunately I didn’t. Yours is the second I've seen…and I still don’t know.

tjpavlov · Jul 11, 2020

I will start by saying I haven’t read this entire thread. At 1000 pages, it’s a little intimidating!

My wife’s family was cleaning out her grandfather’s old home this weekend and I was given a great old vise. It’s an Athol 614 and seems like it’s in great—but dirty—condition.

Here’s my questions:

1. Can anybody help me with a date on this? This is just more of a curiosity.
2. What is everyone’s recommendation on restoration? I’ve got some evaporust but this just seems dirty. I’ve never done electrolysis. I’m not even sure how to take it apart. But I would love to get it cleaned up and back into service. I think I’ll have to build a much better workbench to hold this beast.

Outlawmws · Jul 11, 2020

Your wife's grandfather had gret tast in tools!

Athol was an independent vise co. back in the day. later Starrett acquired them and kept the name for some time.

That looks like mostly factory paint? I've clean it with Grez-Off then de-rust the painted parts with Evaporust, and the machined parts with a wire wheel.

Grease the main screw and call it a day. Let Grandpa's use show.

jeffm360 · Jul 12, 2020

My Starrett

jeffm360 · Jul 12, 2020

More pics

Aldochina · Jul 12, 2020

tjpavlov said:
I will start by saying I haven’t read this entire thread. At 1000 pages, it’s a little intimidating!

My wife’s family was cleaning out her grandfather’s old home this weekend and I was given a great old vise. It’s an Athol 614 and seems like it’s in great—but dirty—condition.

Here’s my questions:

1. Can anybody help me with a date on this? This is just more of a curiosity.
2. What is everyone’s recommendation on restoration? I’ve got some evaporust but this just seems dirty. I’ve never done electrolysis. I’m not even sure how to take it apart. But I would love to get it cleaned up and back into service. I think I’ll have to build a much better workbench to hold this beast.

The electolysis is surprisingly easy to set up. Wish I would have done it sooner! Have my vintage Reed working in there now. Alot worse than yours to start though

Aldochina · Jul 12, 2020

Heres a few others from the shop. New Wilton, most likely made in China, no one uses it as you can see. The other is an unbranded bullet look alike. Has a bunch of codes stamped, but no brand, anyone know who made these, and if they are USA made. I'd say it's an early to mid 90's vise. It gets beat on pretty good.

Vise · Jul 12, 2020

Jeff - 326 looks great. Is that the one that was painted black a long time ago?

steaks&anvils · Jul 12, 2020

Aldochina said:
The electrolysis is surprisingly easy to set up. Wish I would have done it sooner! Have my vintage Reed working in there now. Alot worse than yours to start though

Question:

Are those all thread anodes plated? zinc? I thought that bare metal was best? or am I confusing chrome plated?

Ridjobradi · Jul 12, 2020

I use bare steel. I don't think zinc will work very well. My first attempt was with small Harding tool room lathe parts. I used tie-wire, which worked very well. I would use larger pieces of bare plate or rod for a vise.

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