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Alright vise experts, what did I find?

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CoogarXR

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Jan 11, 2016
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Location
Ohio
So I have been looking for a "big" vise like I used to have back in the day (I left my old biggin' when I moved years ago before I knew any better). Anyhow, an older lady friend of mine has me fix things for her sometimes. I never charge her because she's so nice, and has had a rough life. She's moving soon, and when I pulled up, I noticed that her barn was open, and I could see a workbench in there with a vise on it. Hmmm...

After I fixed her TV, I told her that I noticed the door was open on the barn, and I wondered if she was taking that vise with her when she moved. She said that vise had been there forever, and nobody has used it in ages. And no, she wasn't taking it with her... And if I wanted it, to load it up! And load it up I did.

Obviously, it's seen better days. But it's a Parker No 205 4 1/2, and it's pretty big. It does have a chip out of the screw-tube, but it doesn't seem like it effects anything. It moves in and out smoothly. Also, the handle has been replaced with a big bolt, lol.

I just want to ask the Vise Gurus:

-Is this a good vise, worthy of a restore?
-What was the original color?
-The jaws are smooth- are they supposed to be, or are they really worn?

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lazer50

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606
Location
east central indiana
lazer50 said:
Nice vice,ive got the big brother i believe on the floor in front of my box right now

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I said big brother,i was wrong.i looked at it,mine is stamped(embossed) c. Parker co. Meridien. 4X

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ganymede

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Nov 29, 2012
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Location
New England
Yea I agree, that poor vise was bossed around unfairly.
Notice also some one broke the chin off.
If it were me I'd still use anyway. I'd make a new handle for main screw, a handle for the swivel lock , paint it and use it.
 
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jimreed2160

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Aug 7, 2016
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Location
Tallahassee FL
That's a nice vise and in better shape than some around my shop. The original color was probably black. Most of the vises made before WWII were finished with asphaltum, aka japan finish, like the old Model T (any color you want as long as it is black) Fords. Even when you find one painted a different color you will probably find asphaltum beneath the old color in some of the cracks.
 
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CoogarXR

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Ohio
I know the patent date says 1910, but I assume that's not the manufacture date. Or is it? Any idea how old it is?
 
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meatsis

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Apr 1, 2010
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Hudson Valley NY
lazer50 said:
I said big brother,i was wrong.i looked at it,mine is stamped(embossed) c. Parker co. Meridien. 4X

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You were right the first time. A parker 4X is almost twice the size of his #205. The parker 4X has 5 1/2" jaws and weighs almost 120 lbs. The 205 had 4 1/2" jaws and probably weighs 60-70 lbs.
 
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lazer50

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east central indiana
Well mine is on the floor so i really didnt measure it.but its a hoss! I also have another good old vise,even tho its japanese.it swivels and pivots.i use it on my weld table on the tig end.off hand cant remember the name,but its got an american tag,but made in japan.good vise

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bobscars

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Oct 21, 2011
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Location
Florence, Alabama
what did I find?

What is the red vice, and what is the approx value?
The big Morgan Chicago 160, weight and value? Thanks, Bob
 

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CoogarXR

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I know I am replying to my own post from 6 months ago, lol... But, I have got to use this vise as-is several times since bringing it home. I do like it, but sometimes the jaws not lining up top-to-bottom (visible in pics above) can be annoying. How do I adjust/fix the alignment?
 
T

Teenager with old tools

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Jun 3, 2015
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Location
riverside california
CoogarXR said:
I know I am replying to my own post from 6 months ago, lol... But, I have got to use this vise as-is several times since bringing it home. I do like it, but sometimes the jaws not lining up top-to-bottom (visible in pics above) can be annoying. How do I adjust/fix the alignment?
Click to expand...
It appears the shelf or whatever it's called is broken off that supports the jaw that moves

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454ragtop

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Mar 24, 2008
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Carver, MA
Well, it's already broken the way I look at it, so you might try to fab a support "tongue" and drill and tap the vise body and bolt it on. What have you got to lose? Course you could try welding/brazing something on, but that raises the degree of difficulty with cast iron. Best fix would be to find an intact static jaw, probably easier said than done.
 
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