Oswego Tool Company Vise No.87

kinggrandpa · Nov 2, 2012

Hello all, I've been a casual member and used this site to look up some things and learned a great deal. However, I'm stumped! I picked up an Oswego Tool Co. Vise #87 and I cannot find out about it. There is very little on line that I have seen. Anything anyone can tell me about it?

daveroy · Nov 2, 2012

All I can say is I have been to Oswego!..
Sorry.

Outlawmws · Nov 2, 2012

The The Oswego Tool Company (Now known as OTC) was founded in Oswego, New York in the early 1890s. (Per AA)

I would venture to guess that vise is no newer than maybe the 20's, and probably earlier, based on the early version of a swivel vise mount it sports...

Too bad that corner is broke off.

WWIIjeep · Nov 3, 2012

Outlawmws said:
The The Oswego Tool Company (Now known as OTC) was founded in Oswego, New York in the early 1890s. (Per AA)

I think you've got your Oswego and your Owatonna mixed up, Outlawmws.

OTC is Owatonna Tool Company, founded, and still based in Owatonna, Minnesota. I'm pretty sure Oswego Tool Company in NY never went by the name of OTC, even though they had a stylized O and T trademark

OTC website:

http://www.otctools.com/about.php

OTC page from AA:

http://home.comcast.net/~alloy-artifacts/owatonna-tool-company.html

Oswego entry from AA:

http://home.comcast.net/~alloy-artifacts/other-makers-p2.html#oswego

Outlawmws · Nov 3, 2012

OOPS!
your right... :withstupi

(At least I got the rest right...)

Glacial_Speed · Nov 3, 2012

Interesting looking jaws.....and front clip......and that little curve detail on the back of the static jaw base....and the lower handle.....very Parker like.

Would that happen to have a 3.5" jaw width? Kind of like a Parker Combination Pipe Vise number 87? Morgan used 87 for it's numbering, too, but it doesn't have jaws like that....well maybe pipe jaws.

I'm guessing there was a contract or something between Parker and Oswego for that vise.......too many similar details to be chance.

scottv · Nov 3, 2012

live about 30 mins. from Oswego Ill have to keep my eyes open I never knew they mad tool in Oswego NY. I did know they made them in Syracuse NY. Scott

kinggrandpa · Nov 3, 2012

Thanks for all the answers Gentlemen (ladies?) The jaws are indeed 3 1/2" wide. There are some nice details about this vise. This vise weighs in at 35 pounds and is 16" long x 10" wide x 6" tall. I'm attaching more photos for a different look. Does anyone have an idea of its rarity or worth? I plan on selling this one.

Glacial_Speed · Nov 3, 2012

It appears Oswego Tool Company manufactured other companies designs or patterns for different types of vises.

From an online 1915 Engineering directory it lists bench vises with a "Jarecki Pattern" being made by Oswego Tool. Under combination vises it lists "Parker pattern" as being made by Oswego Tool along with "Smith Pattern" also by Oswego Tool (I'm guessing that's HB Smith).

If you plan on selling this, I would say it is a "Parker 87 combination Vise manufactured by Oswego Tool". That broken off corner will potentially kill the price though.

Sijackson · Aug 8, 2014

I just acquired the exact same vice and was trying to find out more information. I registered with this forum so I could view the pictures. Much to my surprise/amazement my vice has the exact damage, right down to the shape of the break. I'm now wondering if is actually damaged or if for some reason it was casted this way.(?)

Outlawmws · Aug 8, 2014

No it was not cast that way, and if it is an exact match, possibly it is the same vise since the OP was planing to sell his.

59apachegail · Oct 5, 2014

I took a gamble on a yard sale vise. Did some digging and found this thread, I guess there is at least one more around. Mine is missing the pipe vise parts, has a little surface rust and missing the bottom swivel parts.

When I first picked it up it was rusted stuck. I forced a little before buying it and though it was still sticking it moved free. I brought it home and sprayed it down with some PB blaster and it is moving freely will little effort. Guess I am going to check the Vise resto thread and get this old thing in fighting shape again.

Oswego Tool Company Vise No.87

kinggrandpa

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