How many vises do you own? 2015

Shiftless · Oct 17, 2015

How many vises do you own? Include machinist or mechanic type bench vises, blacksmith or post vises and drill press vises, mill vises, and even woodworking bench vises. Include in your count not only the ones you use from time to time but all of your project vises no matter how rusty, broken or incomplete. Don't be embarrassed at having too few or too many (weird concept, huh?) After all, this is GJ.

Edit: If you happen to have exactly one hundred vises, please select the last option. I should have entered "hundred or more" However, I strongly suspect that collectors with such large accumulations don't actually know the exact number of vises in their possession anyway.

General Geoff · Oct 17, 2015

Re: How many vises do you own?

Just two: a little HF hobbyist suction cup vise, and a beautiful old Starrett-Athol 324-1/2 that I restored earlier this year.

Wouldn't mind having one more, but I'm pretty set in what I need for now.

Shiftless · Oct 17, 2015

Re: How many vises do you own?

General:
That is a stunningly beautiful restoration job. One of my project vises is an Athol 614

General Geoff · Oct 17, 2015

Re: How many vises do you own?

Shiftless said:
General:
That is a stunningly beautiful restoration job. One of my project vises is an Athol 614

Thank you! It was the first vise restoration I did on my own. This is what it looked like when I got it.

(the other vise in the background there was a big Columbian that I gave to my father a couple years ago, hence why I only have two including the little HF guy now)

Outlander · Oct 17, 2015

Re: How many vises do you own?

One of each of the two benches in the Can-Am garage, plus a drill press vise. One from my Dad (RAE made in Canada like this one) in my home basement workshop. I would like a small multi position model for electronics work - maybe a PanaVise?

On my bucket list is to restore and nice old vise!

bobcatdan · Oct 17, 2015

Re: How many vises do you own?

I have one on each side of my main bench. One is a Columbian 503 1/2 I got from Pa. This one is my main go to vise. On the other end is a Parker 289 1/2. Mainly use that when I need a larger vise or when welding as the welder is next to it. Unmounted I have a Morgan 6" that I plan on building a pedestal for and will someday be on the opposite wall as my other two. I don't have a great picture of the bench saved on my phone, but here are my two main vises waiting to be mounted before I built the bench.

torqueman2002 · Oct 17, 2015

Re: How many vises do you own?

I guesstimated 6-10. :headscrat

I'm cleaning up the garage to make room to pull in the cars, before the snow flies. I don't have much time, upper MI reported 2" already.

Anyway, I've moved the grinders to the basement for further work, and I keep spotting vise handles peeking out of dark corners.

Here's a few pictures of some of mine, oh - I'm babysitting some for a GJ in the NW territories of our lower 48. :lol_hitti

Obligatory Wiltons - 9450 (now my 'daily driver') and 9300

C Parker 52

This Sheldon was my dad's father's vise. It's now in CNY with my brother, but I feel it's mine. :bounce:

Starret/Athol 624_5

Reed 32

Monarch 229

vertguy · Oct 17, 2015

Re: How many vises do you own?

2 "real" vises as the third is a POS import that required an upgrade as soon as joined GJ

3.5 inch Wilton and a Reed 104-1/2

dutchgray · Oct 17, 2015

Re: How many vises do you own?

I chose 21 to 30 but if I actually went and counted them all it may be more, if I was including drill press and hobby vices etc.

Super Sport · Oct 17, 2015

Re: How many vises do you own?

I think I have a total of 14 right now. Two are drill press vises, the rest are bench vises ranging from a little Wilton Shop King up to an 8" tradesman bullet. Ideally I'd like to be down to about 5 bench vises, but add one more drill press vise and one wood working bench vise. Here is a picture of some of the collection.

06 DIESEL · Oct 17, 2015

Re: How many vises do you own?

I only have 1, a Rock Island 577.

Jawn · Oct 17, 2015

Re: How many vises do you own?

06 DIESEL said:
I only have 1, a Rock Island 577.

Well if you're only going to have one, that's a good'un! I have a 571.

In addition, I have a 4.5" Craftsman, a 3.5" Columbian, a cheap but decent 4" mill vise, a crappy drill press vise, some kind of rusty old tiny clamp-on vise, and a Panavise.

RRmech · Oct 17, 2015

Re: How many vises do you own?

Four...................................................................................

4" Simplex (Ohio)

3" Littleton (Pa)

3" Dunlap (USA)

2 1/2" Stanley (USA) adj. table mount

Steve

Fretters · Oct 17, 2015

Re: How many vises do you own?

It'd likely be better to phrase the question in a more specific manner, and ask how many vices people own which they're planning on keeping. Some of the chaps on here will have a rather large amount, but may not be keeping some or a lot of them.

Maui · Oct 17, 2015

Re: How many vises do you own?

When I voted I selected the 31-40 range. But when I actually looked around I realized that this count is low. Including my blacksmith post-leg vises (6), bench vises (at least 26), pipe vises (4 that I can think of), milling vises (at least 4), and a lot of drill press vises that I have scattered around I am easily in the 41-50 range.

Shiftless, can you change my vote in the poll from 31-40 to 41-50?

Maui

Trey T · Oct 17, 2015

Re: How many vises do you own?

^lol

toolmutt · Oct 17, 2015

Re: How many vises do you own?

Two bench vises (one 5" Craftsman and one 4" el cheapo), one 2" hobbyist vise, and one on the drill press. I have a spot for one more bench vise when I find the right one to attempt my first restoration.

Shiftless · Oct 17, 2015

Re: How many vises do you own?

Maui said:
When I voted I selected the 31-40 range. But when I actually looked around I realized that this count is low. Including my blacksmith post-leg vises (6), bench vises (at least 26), pipe vises (4 that I can think of), milling vises (at least 4), and a lot of drill press vises that I have scattered around I am easily in the 41-50 range.

Shiftless, can you change my vote in the poll from 31-40 to 41-50?

Maui

I don't believe that polls can be edited. Somebody correct me if I'm wrong.

BTW, as of 9:30 Saturday morning it is interesting to note that the same number of guys have zero vises as have over 30 of them!

drivesitfar · Oct 17, 2015

Re: How many vises do you own?

All: not sure if i own them or they own me. Probably a few

Shiftless · Oct 17, 2015

Re: How many vises do you own?

drivesitfar said:
All: not sure if i own them or they own me. Probably a few

Well said Drives!

I personally am in the middle of the pack right now with just 10

CwazyWabbit · Oct 17, 2015

Re: How many vises do you own?

Quite surprised that there's only 6 of us claiming more than 20 vices :-/ Perhaps this hasn't been by some of the regular haunters of the Vise thread?

Shiftless · Oct 17, 2015

Re: How many vises do you own?

CwazyWabbit said:
Quite surprised that there's only 6 of us claiming more than 20 vices :-/ Perhaps this hasn't been by some of the regular haunters of the Vise thread?

My thoughts exactly :beer:

General Geoff · Oct 17, 2015

Re: How many vises do you own?

Correction, now I have three. :bounce:

Fretters · Oct 17, 2015

Re: How many vises do you own?

CwazyWabbit said:
Quite surprised that there's only 6 of us claiming more than 20 vices :-/ Perhaps this hasn't been by some of the regular haunters of the Vise thread?

I haven't voted yet. I think I'm going to go with Dutch's approach, and err on the side of caution, (or sanity?

).

Edit: Mind you, even admitting to only 21+ would hardly be seen as sane by some.

balane · Oct 17, 2015

Re: How many vises do you own?

At any given time I have a few but these are just passing through. Only one is a keeper, a 6" Parker.

.

Shiftless · Oct 17, 2015

Re: How many vises do you own?

balane said:
At any given time I have a few but these are just passing through. Only one is a keeper, a 6" Parker.

.

balane:

So many remarkable examples pass through your hands and you always seem to perform such fine restorations I am amazed that you have the will power to keep only one. But that being said, what a keeper you selected!

2oolhound · Oct 17, 2015

Re: How many vises do you own?

8 bench vises (2" up to 6")
2 tiny clamp on types
3 pipe vises
3 DP vises

Most of them are mounted on bayonet mounts and can be put into service at a moment's notice. I have receivers for the bayonet mounts on 3 benches, the motorcycle lift, a mobile pedestal and my lathe stand. It is quite common for me to be using 2 at a time in a 8' area.

balane · Oct 17, 2015

Re: How many vises do you own?

Shiftless said:
balane:

So many remarkable examples pass through your hands and you always seem to perform such fine restorations I am amazed that you have the will power to keep only one. But that being said, what a keeper you selected!

Thank you.

When a I get a sub 4" vise that's beat to heck I'll get it working well and mount that somewhere. I'd love to run across a 3"-3.5" cast slide Columbian at an estate sale for a few bucks. I like them and they don't sell well so it's a good combination for a second keeper.

Alan Douglas · Oct 17, 2015

Re: How many vises do you own?

Seems to be two of everything here: two bench vises (one pictured), two mill vises, two woodworking vises, two drill-press vises. But only one Disston saw vise.

KMScott · Oct 17, 2015

Re: How many vises do you own?

I might be exempt from this poll since vises are my livelihood, I collect them for fitting and practice custom built jaws and swivel base work. I counted 88 vises with one on the way.

Having a small machine shop involves having machine vises that might not count but they are my favorites meaning I can not give any up. My Herman Schmidt grinding is my #1 vise, it makes my projects so flat and square. My Kurt 4" Double Angle Lock is my favorite Jaw building vise. My other 5 Kurt's each have special uses. Then my working bench vise which is on my list of restorations is a 6" American Standard # 524.

Machining Vises - 9
Clamp On Vises - 10
Bench Vises - 69
(1)-8-1/2"
(2) 7" vises
(6) 6" vises
(1) 6" vice. For you English friends.

dutchgray · Oct 17, 2015

Re: How many vises do you own?

Fretters said:
I haven't voted yet. I think I'm going to go with Dutch's approach, and err on the side of caution, (or sanity? ).

Edit: Mind you, even admitting to only 21+ would hardly be seen as sane by some.

I went and had a count, 36 and a pipe vice on the way, unless I missed any.

SweetD · Oct 17, 2015

Re: How many vises do you own?

I think 17 right now, but a lot of them are small...

Dave

Alchymist · Oct 17, 2015

Re: How many vises do you own?

Took a swag at 6-10, may be more. Problem is I still don't have all what I need. GJ is such an enabler. Oh, and I didn't count the pipe vise. :headscrat

Shiftless · Oct 17, 2015

Re: How many vises do you own?

KMScott said:
I might be exempt from this poll since vises are my livelihood, I collect them for fitting and practice custom built jaws and swivel base work. I counted 88 vises with one on the way.

Having a small machine shop involves having machine vises that might not count but they are my favorites meaning I can not give any up. My Herman Schmidt grinding is my #1 vise, it makes my projects so flat and square. My Kurt 4" Double Angle Lock is my favorite Jaw building vise. My other 5 Kurt's each have special uses. Then my working bench vise which is on my list of restorations is a 6" American Standard # 524.

Machining Vises - 9
Clamp On Vises - 10
Bench Vises - 69
(1)-8-1/2"
(2) 7" vises
(6) 6" vises
(1) 6" vice. For you English friends.

Thanks for the details. We can all see how you baby that big American Scale

Here is a story about another big A.S. vise.

Right after WWII was over, my FIL was working at a shop where the owner has just purchased a small trailer full of war surplus used bench vises for a dollar apiece. The owner offered to sell them to his workers for $5 each. Unfortunately he didn't know that my FIL knew what he had paid. After a few words were exchanged my FIL brought home a big American Scale on a swivel base for the princely sum of one dollar. Can a guy get a posthumous you ****?
One of the other son-in-laws didn't have a bench vise so I told him to take it home when we cleared out Dad's basement after he died. But the warning was to never sell it! It is earmarked for his great grandson whom he never met.

davethorik · Oct 17, 2015

Re: How many vises do you own?

-Stanley Handyman H1207 clamp-on vise, 1-9/16" jaws
-Reed No. 23-1/2 swivel base utility vise, 3.5" jaws
-Prentiss No. 19-1/2 swivel base swivel jaw vise, 4" jaws
-Reed 204-1/2 swivel base vise, 4.5" jaws
-Columbian 505-M2 fixed base vise, 5" jaws
-no name precision grinding/milling vise, 2.5" jaws (adapted to work on my Atlas bench top horizontal mill)

So 6 for me

All good vises, with different uses. Plus I don't have a lot invested. The milling vise and Columbian were freebies. The Stanley was $1 at a yard sale. Reed 23-1/2 was $20. Reed 204-1/2 was $10. Prentiss was $40.

Shiftless · Oct 17, 2015

Re: How many vises do you own?

davethorik said:
-Stanley Handyman H1207 clamp-on vise, 1-9/16" jaws
-Reed No. 23-1/2 swivel base utility vise, 3.5" jaws
-Prentiss No. 19-1/2 swivel base swivel jaw vise, 4" jaws
-Reed 204-1/2 swivel base vise, 4.5" jaws
-Columbian 505-M2 fixed base vise, 5" jaws
-no name precision grinding/milling vise, 2.5" jaws (adapted to work on my Atlas bench top horizontal mill)

So 6 for me

All good vises, with different uses. Plus I don't have a lot invested. The milling vise and Columbian were freebies. The Stanley was $1 at a yard sale. Reed 23-1/2 was $20. Reed 204-1/2 was $10. Prentiss was $40.

Wait a minute...you got a 5 inch Columbian free and paid 10 bucks for a 4 1/2 inch Reed ?

You ****!

The others were great deals too BTW

drivesitfar · Oct 17, 2015

Re: How many vises do you own?

Im like a few others that havent put a number in the poll yet. I have 8 workbenches and 3 cast iron stands and a lot of ideas to have multiple vises for each bench with trailer hitch type mounting when i learn to weld. Id guess i have a few more than most of you and probably a few less than some.

I listed my top 20 in the vise thread a few months ago and a few more keepers have showed up that i had to buy since then and a few have found new homes too. Ive also sold a few to a few GJ members that needed a particular vise ( vice) that i could live without.

Shift: looks like a fun thread/poll so far and one of these days ill make a count and try to remember how many i have on hold elsewhere. Also when my skills match some of the talented members ill post a few more pics.

Cheers

Mark in Indiana · Oct 17, 2015

Re: How many vises do you own?

I believe that I have 25 vises. 10 of them are keepers. the rest are ones that will be restored to be sold or ones that will be made into folk art pieces. They have been very rare this year in my area.

jrobb316 · Oct 17, 2015

Re: How many vises do you own?

Let see if I can get them all.

Reed 1C, 2C, 4C
Parker 973 1/2, 974, 974 1/2, 426, 235 "big bear", 40 (coachmakers)
Athol/Starrett 613 1/2X, 924, 924 w/swivel base
Prentiss: 20 x 3 (swivel base swivel jaw), 92, 56
Morgan Chicago 45, 145, 150, Morgan Milw. 150
Rock Island 94, 192, 231
Fulton Machine & Vise Co 13

So thats 25. With one big-un on the way. Next year, since the nice weather is quickly disappearing, I will be hopefully consolidating down to about half. Going to be real tough deciding who stays and who goes.

uart · Oct 17, 2015

Re: How many vises do you own?

Looks like I'm in the most common group (2 to 5) here with just 4 vises. Two bench vises, one drill press vise and one small hobby vise.

It's kinda amusing that more people have over 40 vises here than have zero. Gotta love GJ.

How many vises do you own? 2015

How many vises do you own?

None

Just one

2-5

6-10

11-20

21-30

31-40

41-50

51-99

over a hundred

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