Prentiss vise need info

RAYJAY · Oct 12, 2012

Hi picked up this Prentiss vise, non replaceable jaws rear jaw is movable no swivel

have not seen jaws like this on to many vices ?? can read the prentiss name but not the number

any ideas ???? :headscrat

cmandp · Oct 12, 2012

It's a sheet metal vise and is used just as the name implies. Also it goes without saying, not for heavy duty use.

woody 73 · Oct 12, 2012

My memory is somewhat fuzzy but several months ago someone posted a chart listing all the prentiss vises and their cost at the time of manufacture. That is indeed a sheet metal vise; maybe someone remembers that old post on the GJ and they can locate that vise information for the op.

bigcaddy · Oct 12, 2012

It's a number 10 I have the the same one. GreAt looking vise

WWIIjeep · Oct 12, 2012

cmandp said:
It's a sheet metal vise and is used just as the name implies.

It's not a sheet metal vise. Sheet metal vises generally had taller, thinner, jaws than that, and didn't need to have a swivel jaw, because sheet metal is flat.

It's a woodworkers' vise, also called a carriage makers' or coachmakers' vise back in the day.

1904 Prentiss vise catalog listing:

If the jaws are 4-1/2" wide, it's a Prentiss No. 10 as bigcaddy said.

If the jaws are 3-1/2" wide, it's a Prentiss No. 12.

cmandp · Oct 12, 2012

WWIIjeep said:
It's not a sheet metal vise. Sheet metal vises generally had taller, thinner, jaws than that, and didn't need to have a swivel jaw, because sheet metal is flat.

It's a woodworkers' vise, also called a carriage makers' or coachmakers' vise back in the day.

My mistake.

If I learned anything today this is it. Putting this one in the mental library. Thanks for the gained knowledge.

EOC_Jason · Oct 12, 2012

That sure is a beauty... please don't abuse it, those are a little more rare than the average machinist / mechanics vises....

RAYJAY · Oct 12, 2012

WWIIjeep said:
It's not a sheet metal vise. Sheet metal vises generally had taller, thinner, jaws than that, and didn't need to have a swivel jaw, because sheet metal is flat.

It's a woodworkers' vise, also called a carriage makers' or coachmakers' vise back in the day.

1904 Prentiss vise catalog listing:

If the jaws are 4-1/2" wide, it's a Prentiss No. 10 as bigcaddy said.

If the jaws are 3-1/2" wide, it's a Prentiss No. 12.

#10 it is..... might be selling it i really don't do wood working :headscrat

if i do a restore on it what would be the original color ??

RAYJAY · Oct 12, 2012

woody 73 said:
My memory is somewhat fuzzy but several months ago someone posted a chart listing all the prentiss vises and their cost at the time of manufacture. That is indeed a sheet metal vise; maybe someone remembers that old post on the GJ and they can locate that vise information for the op.

thanks for the pm

here is the link that vise is not even listed on there

http://dayid.org/mediawiki/index.php/Prentiss_Vise

woody 73 · Oct 12, 2012

I learn something new everyday woodworking who would have thunk it...

Outlawmws · Oct 13, 2012

RAYJAY said:
#10 it is..... might be selling it i really don't do wood working

if i do a restore on it what would be the original color ??

IIR from past discussions (No, I was actually alive back then

), it's semi gloss black.

Bluplanet · Mar 28, 2013

I have an almost identical vise. Except mine has a swivel base as well.
Details:
67.8 lbs.
No markings on the castings, but based on the information from the old catalog posted above, its a Prentiss No. 26
Same high/thin 4 1/2" jaws.
Swivel base with spring-loaded plunger position lock that locks at discrete positions.
Swivel rear jaw (If I could get the pin free)
Jaws open at 10" when the end of the slide is flush with the rear of the base.
Screw disengages at 11".

ZRX61 · Mar 28, 2013

Dang, I WANT that, but not at this distance

Prentiss vise need info

RAYJAY

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cmandp

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woody 73

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bigcaddy

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WWIIjeep

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cmandp

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EOC_Jason

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RAYJAY

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RAYJAY

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woody 73

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Outlawmws

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ZRX61

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