The VISES of Garage Journal

GForceJunky · Jan 25, 2021

Vise, Smitty, Veeps...those are some amazing collections. SERIOUSLY JEALOUS! :drool:

PierceA said:
Vise: your video is nice, thanks for taking the time to make it and post it. I like the bases you have found for many of your collection.
I have several bases that I've purchased to put some of my collection on, But right now floor space is very limited.. I really need to do a purge!! So the bases have not been put under any vises yet. I do have 6 large grinders or polisher/buffers though. Several bought just for the base, but ended up using them for the grinder/buffer mounts.. I've found that de-burring wheels are a godsend for cleaning up the handles, meatballs and slides on these neglected vises.

Below is an 8" Reed on a working stand that showed up on Craigslist near me and was sold the next morning. I think I was the 4th caller on it.
Ya can't buy 'em all !!

Vise: what do you use to move around the big 275#-300#+ vises? To put them on the racks or shelves? Do you separate them so they are the static and dynamic and move them then reassemble them? I have an electric baby forklift but no floorspace right now to maneuver it in.. and you look like you too are getting limited on floor space.

PierceA

Pierce, I'm in Detroit. I'd be happy to help purge some stuff to my garage

I've actually been looking for a quality, big ol' grinder (or two) for the shop. Shoot me a message if you're looking to part with something. Would also be happy just to see another member's cool collection! As for moving heavy stuff - I use an engine hoist for anything I prefer not to carry too far on my own (i.e. >200 lbs). Or 'phone a friend'!

dannyr · Jan 25, 2021

Vise said:
Hey guys- I made a short video tour of my 8 inch vises (11 in total). I probably should have cleaned up a little bit first, but the link is below if you’re interested.

So you've tidied that Parkinson - nice job.

What a collection of 8in vises.

Is the Parkinsons Perfect the oldest of these 8ins?

Oh and is that QR lever original? - interesting if so, differs from later, but that's a big beast, might have needed something a little beefier than the usual.

Vise · Jan 25, 2021

ncgun99 said:
I was #47. Impressive collection.

Sent from my iPhone using Garage Journal

Thanks very much!

Charles Waugh said:
V I S E ,
That video might get flagged for being VISE ****.

My grumpy, jealous side says: "Do you ever USE any of them?!" (Other than for holding another vise while you work on it)

: - )

Lovely collection of iron, engineering, manufacturing, and . . . COLLECTING!

Thanks much! The ones on stands get light use, the ones on the shelves are just biding their time.

PierceA said:
Vise: your video is nice, thanks for taking the time to make it and post it. I like the bases you have found for many of your collection.
I have several bases that I've purchased to put some of my collection on, But right now floor space is very limited.. I really need to do a purge!! So the bases have not been put under any vises yet. I do have 6 large grinders or polisher/buffers though. Several bought just for the base, but ended up using them for the grinder/buffer mounts.. I've found that de-burring wheels are a godsend for cleaning up the handles, meatballs and slides on these neglected vises.

Below is an 8" Reed on a working stand that showed up on Craigslist near me and was sold the next morning. I think I was the 4th caller on it.
Ya can't buy 'em all !!

Vise: what do you use to move around the big 275#-300#+ vises? To put them on the racks or shelves? Do you separate them so they are the static and dynamic and move them then reassemble them? I have an electric baby forklift but no floorspace right now to maneuver it in.. and you look like you too are getting limited on floor space.

PierceA

That's a nice Reed. I move mine around on lift carts. Have also used engine hoists. Or, as you noted, I remove the dynamic and move them in pieces. A forklift would be useful....as would more space.

GForceJunky said:
Vise, Smitty, Veeps...those are some amazing collections. SERIOUSLY JEALOUS!

Appreciate it!

dannyr said:
So you've tidied that Parkinson - nice job.

What a collection of 8in vises.

Is the Parkinsons Perfect the oldest of these 8ins?

Oh and is that QR lever original? - interesting if so, differs from later, but that's a big beast, might have needed something a little beefier than the usual.

Thank you. The Parkinsons is the oldest and I believe the QR lever is original. I plan to disassemble it at some point. I got the front plate off, but that pin at the back of the slide is being stubborn. Will take pics when I do.

Woods_Wanderer · Jan 25, 2021

Hey folks, there are some real amazing collections in here! I just bought my first vice and was hoping someone might know the model. It's a 4" Wilton with a 2-piece slide/sliding jaw. This vice was welded on pretty badly but for $40 I figured it was worth restoring.

Woods_Wanderer · Jan 25, 2021

Apparently I was a post shy of the requirement for image posting, so let's try again:
View media item 109911 View media item 109910 View media item 109912 View media item 109913

va.grouseman · Jan 25, 2021

W W, being welding on and being welding up are 2 different things.---You can get that spatter off, no biggie.

Shiftless · Jan 26, 2021

va.grouseman said:
W W, being welding on and being welding up are 2 different things.---You can get that spatter off, no biggie.

Absolutely!
I have used a hammer and cold chisel. One or 2 taps and the boogers fly right off.

krc328ic · Jan 26, 2021

My humble contribution to the thread....

Vono · Jan 26, 2021

Vise said:
Hey guys- I made a short video tour of my 8 inch vises (11 in total). I probably should have cleaned up a little bit first, but the link is below if you’re interested.

Superb collection (that huge Parkinson is just uber cool). Great video, I really enjoyed it, thanks for posting it

FTG-05 · Jan 26, 2021

Vise said:
Thanks very much!

Thanks much! The ones on stands get light use, the ones on the shelves are just biding their time.

That's a nice Reed. I move mine around on lift carts. Have also used engine hoists. Or, as you noted, I remove the dynamic and move them in pieces. A forklift would be useful....as would more space.

Appreciate it!

Thank you. The Parkinsons is the oldest and I believe the QR lever is original. I plan to disassemble it at some point. I got the front plate off, but that pin at the back of the slide is being stubborn. Will take pics when I do.

Loved the video! :rocker:

Smitty · Jan 26, 2021

I found an nice Wilton C2 yesterday on a custom made stand, it’s a bit low but I have a plan for it. The highlight of the pick was an old Oliver 182 15” disc sander. The guard is missing but other than that all of the functions work perfectly. It has the original motor and badge, I can’t wait to clean it up. It must weigh at least 350 lbs.

Sent from my iPad using The Garage Journal mobile app

ncgun99 · Jan 26, 2021

Smitty said:
I found an nice Wilton C2 yesterday on a custom made stand, it’s a bit low but I have a plan for it. The highlight of the pick was an old Oliver 182 15” disc sander. The guard is missing but other than that all of the functions work perfectly. It has the original motor and badge, I can’t wait to clean it up. It must weigh at least 350 lbs.

Sent from my iPad using The Garage Journal mobile app

The old machines are great. I’ve been looking for an old cast base for a while. Can’t go wrong with a C2.
Good snag!

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Smitty · Jan 26, 2021

Ncgun99
Thanks. It seems like they really put a lot of thought and effort into their machinery designs back in the day. I was really happy to find this old sander.

Private Lugnutz · Jan 26, 2021

Vise said:
Hey guys- I made a short video tour of my 8 inch vises...

Impressive collection.

I remember seeing several photos of a large building with 1,000+ vises in this thread. I don't recall if it was a barn or a large outbuilding, but there was nothing else inside. Just vises. From blacksmith to bench, big and small. They were everywhere. And 1,000+ might be a low estimate. I've been attributing the collection to you, but I didnt save those posts, and couldn't find them again. Was that your place?

Vise · Jan 26, 2021

Vono said:
Superb collection (that huge Parkinson is just uber cool). Great video, I really enjoyed it, thanks for posting it

Appreciate that! Glad you enjoyed it.

FTG-05 said:
Loved the video!

Much thanks! I’ll try to make another one at some point.

Smitty said:
I found an nice Wilton C2 yesterday on a custom made stand, it’s a bit low but I have a plan for it. The highlight of the pick was an old Oliver 182 15” disc sander. The guard is missing but other than that all of the functions work perfectly. It has the original motor and badge, I can’t wait to clean it up. It must weigh at least 350 lbs.

Sent from my iPad using The Garage Journal mobile app

Great haul Smitty! That’s a good day.

Private Lugnutz said:
Impressive collection.

I remember seeing several photos of a large building with 1,000+ vises in this thread. I don't recall if it was a barn or a large outbuilding, but there was nothing else inside. Just vises. From blacksmith to bench, big and small. They were everywhere. And 1,000+ might be a low estimate. I've been attributing the collection to you, but I didnt save those posts, and couldn't find them again. Was that your place?

Thank you. I think the guy with the large outbuilding is username: viseS. He has a really spectacular collection.

B17E1943 · Jan 26, 2021

Chicago Hand Tools vise in upcoming estate sale

I'm no vise expert nor do they particularly excite me :shocking:

, but this one is interesting.

Any info?

Don't know why the site shrank it so small.

Old Radar · Jan 26, 2021

Smitty said:
I found an nice Wilton C2 yesterday on a custom made stand, it’s a bit low but I have a plan for it. The highlight of the pick was an old Oliver 182 15” disc sander. The guard is missing but other than that all of the functions work perfectly. It has the original motor and badge, I can’t wait to clean it up. It must weigh at least 350 lbs.

Impressive--but you're not going to find sanding disks for that baby at Home Depot!!

davethorik · Jan 26, 2021

Re: Chicago Hand Tools vise in upcoming estate sale

B17E1943 said:
I'm no vise expert nor do they particularly excite me, but this one is interesting.

Any info?

Don't know why the site shrank it so small.

Because its a screen shot. That is a low quality asian import.

Smitty · Jan 26, 2021

B17e1943
Troll much?
Old Radar
Lol, luckily I have a specialty hardware stores nearby. You’re right, it doesn’t seem like a common size.

B17E1943 · Jan 27, 2021

Smitty said:
B17e1943
Troll much?
Old Radar
Lol, luckily I have a specialty hardware stores nearby. You’re right, it doesn’t seem like a common size.

Not sure who you think you are, but GFY. :thefinger

It was an honest question.

Shiftless · Jan 27, 2021

Smitty:
That disc sander will be great for cleaning up the sides of jaw towers that have suffered grinder marks. To the tops of jaws that have been hit too many times with a hack saw. Classic machine! Useable for cabinet work too, right???

B17E1943 · Jan 27, 2021

Re: Chicago Hand Tools vise in upcoming estate sale

davethorik said:
Because its a screen shot. That is a low quality asian import.

Looks neither 'low quality' nor 'Asian' to me.

Note the logo.

dannyr · Jan 27, 2021

Smitty said:
I found an nice Wilton C2 yesterday on a custom made stand, it’s a bit low but I have a plan for it. The highlight of the pick was an old Oliver 182 15” disc sander. The guard is missing but other than that all of the functions work perfectly. It has the original motor and badge, I can’t wait to clean it up. It must weigh at least 350 lbs.

Sent from my iPad using The Garage Journal mobile app

nice sander & stand -- did Oliver also make vises? They had a manufacturing site in UK (Liverpool, I think) and a rare vise or two was made there (certainly woodworking-type, maybe other)

davethorik · Jan 27, 2021

Re: Chicago Hand Tools vise in upcoming estate sale

B17E1943 said:
Looks neither 'low quality' nor 'Asian' to me.

Note the logo.

Yeah i see the logo, still a low quality asian vise.

Andy FitzGibbon · Jan 27, 2021

Re: Chicago Hand Tools vise in upcoming estate sale

B17E1943 said:
Looks neither 'low quality' nor 'Asian' to me.

Note the logo.

It is indeed an Asian import... they are a kinda-sorta copy of an English "Record" vise. I've seen them with no logo as well. Anyone can name their imported tool line after a US city to up their credibility. Harbor Freight's "Chicago Electric Power Tools" and "Pittsburgh Forge" are both good examples.

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Andy FitzGibbon · Jan 27, 2021

Smitty said:
B17e1943
Troll much?
Old Radar
Lol, luckily I have a specialty hardware stores nearby. You’re right, it doesn’t seem like a common size.

Places like Industrial Abrasives (there are many others out there, but we use them at work) will cut you discs out of whatever grit and media you want. Check the SFM of the disc, as a lot of those units run on the slow side for metal cutting. It'll still work fine, just won't be running at optimum efficiency.

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Andy FitzGibbon · Jan 27, 2021

I just fixed the swivel on my Reed 406. Someone lost or damaged the original 1"-12 shoulder bolt, and crammed a 1"-8 bolt and a black pipe "bushing" in its place. Fortunately, they didn't cram it in very far, so the majority of the original threads survived.

Instead of making a new shoulder bolt, I modified a 1"-12 bolt I had kicking around and made an appropriate bushing from scrap. Saved me from having to cut threads, and setting up to mill a hex.

Sent from my SM-G950U using Tapatalk

Private Lugnutz · Jan 27, 2021

Smitty,
I know Dave (B17e1943) from other interactions on the Vintage Board here at GJ and from G503. He doesn't post often, but he's been posting for a long time. If by "troll" you were implying he was either trying to sell his own vise, or just messing with the thread, you're wrong. Just a case of a general collector not well-versed in vises as a niche running into a big vise with interesting markings for the first time. This thread isn't reserved for experts only and should politely accommodate uninformed newcomers. The opposite would be a bunch of elitist insular jerks, which I, for one, refuse to be, and I'm barely past newbie.

Dave,
They don't always have a logo, but that pattern and the overly large cast number (you will see a lot of "4" inch vises, too) are indeed Chinese import tells. As for quality, some are junk. Some are actually decent and robust users that can last for years, and because they are usually infinitely more affordable than US made vises of the same size, some guys do buy and use them. I would pass.

Private Lugnutz · Jan 27, 2021

Vise said:
I think the guy with the large outbuilding is username: viseS. He has a really spectacular collection.

Thanks! That might help me find those photos. Collections like that are helpful when trying to show Mrs. Lugz that hoarding is on a spectrum and I am still on the low frequency end. :lol:

TOTO · Jan 27, 2021

Lugz,

Try post # 57907 in the Vise thread.

Andy FitzGibbon · Jan 27, 2021

Private Lugnutz said:
This thread isn't reserved for experts only and should politely accommodate uninformed newcomers. The opposite would be a bunch of elitist insular jerks, which I, for one, refuse to be, and I'm barely past newbie.

Well said.

Sent from my SM-G950U using Tapatalk

Private Lugnutz · Jan 27, 2021

TOTO said:
Try post # 57907 in the Vise thread.

That's the one! Thank you, sir. Page 2896. In looking at it again, I may have hyperbolized on the number through sheer amazement. But those are the most vises I have ever seen in one place.

wrenchguy · Jan 27, 2021

B17E1943 said:
Not sure who you think you are, but GFY.

It was an honest question.

Nice 1! We regulars really deserve this, shortly no questions will be answered and the thread will turn to mush.

tool_scrounge · Jan 27, 2021

Private Lugnutz said:
Thanks! That might help me find those photos. Collections like that are helpful when trying to show Mrs. Lugz that hoarding is on a spectrum and I am still on the low frequency end.

You know that can backfire. I once took my significant other to a garage sale where the multi million dollar house was condemned by the fire department due to his extreme tool collection. Said significant other took this as to what my future would look like. Tread carefully!

GForceJunky · Jan 27, 2021

Private Lugnutz said:
That's the one! Thank you, sir. Page 2896. In looking at it again, I may have hyperbolized on the number through sheer amazement. But those are the most vises I have ever seen in one place.

Thanks for the page #. Damn, that is a collection for sure and he said 'here are SOME of my vises". Wow.

Smitty · Jan 27, 2021

B17E1943 said:
Not sure who you think you are, but GFY.

It was an honest question.

You come to a vise thread to tell us how you don’t really like vises and then ask for advice on a cheap imported model. I called you out on your attention grab and you tell me to GFY? Lol

Smitty · Jan 27, 2021

Thanks shift, I plan on putting the sander to work.

Thanks Andy, I’ll contact them about getting discs cut.

Shiftless · Jan 27, 2021

How about gluing Velcro to the disc and then using Velcro to attach the sandpaper discs? For many uses I would guess that standard 12 inch diameter discs would be adequate. That would of course make it easy to change grits for different jobs.

Xrayman1875 · Jan 27, 2021

Old Craftsman Vise, How old is this?

Can anyone identify this vice and tell me more about it? It has one raised badge that says Craftsman. The only number I can find on it is inside the vise when taken apart, see pic, (3V7815S)

Shiftless · Jan 27, 2021

Xrayman:
That’s a Craftsman 5197. Probably from the 1950’s

If you carefully clean up the front of the nose, where the handle goes through, you should be able to see stamped in numbers 5197. Those are high quality vises and very much in demand on the collector market.

If you own that vise, congrats. :beer:

If it’s for sale and you are thinking about getting it, leave now with the cash. :3gears:

Here is a picture of my 5197 to show you what the ID numbers look like.

Yours should have a date marking on the top of the slide if it’s not worn off. Mine is dated 1951.
.

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