Arker Meridian vise?

[darkk]

I found a large vise on CL for $20. I called the guy and he has it listed as an Arker meridian vise. I asked if it said Parker and he said if it is, the *P* is missing. For $20. I'm going to look at it. Only about 40 minutes drive. Says it's really old, big and in good condition. Any thoughts???

 

[SweetD]

The "Meridian" is probably Meriden, CT, where it was made. If it's in decent shape you could have a super-score on your hands. Good luck!

Dave

 

[zmf]

Definitely worth a look, though I would think that the missing P and the good condition don't really go together.... I drove 3 hours and paid $50 for a broken Parker, so what do I know?

 

[darkk]

Either way I'm going to look at it. Maybe the P is in a spot that had something or many somethings continually rub on it and wore it off. The vise could still be in good shape. Hopefully...

 

[Catalyze]

I would be willing to wager autopts paycheck that the "P" is filled with crud and just isn't showing up. Here is a photo of a Prentiss Model 19 1/2 that was coated with the usual dirt/grime to the point that you can't read anything below the New York lettering. Once I cleaned it up, out popped the lettering "Model 19 1/2". I was just gambling from the seller's photos that the lettering hadn't been ground off. So your Charles Arker vise will most likely be fine....unless the Animal that used my big Columbian vise used yours. In that case, look for slobber marks and bannana peels. LOL
Craig
View media item 9258

 

[darkk]

I looked at it and it is a Parker. The P appears to have been ground off. The vise is no where near good condition. It is hammered to snots. It is about 3" jaws, the front lower flange is broken off and the main square part that is threaded inside has part of the rear corner broke off also. The bottom swivel flange is missing and there is a big bolt with a giant cast washer/flange with a nut on it. left it there and said thanks...The only thing old and big about it was the guy that owned it.

 

[Packard V8]

Bummer! Just keep looking. Parker, Reed, Athol, Hudson et al made millions of vises. There's a good one out there with your name on it.

jack vines

 

[SweetD]

Where are you located?

 

[darkk]

Eastern Ct. Willimantic actually...not too far from you. I have a line a large Paramo used in a fabrication shop. The guy says it has a welding mark on it. I asked if it was repaired or just used to check if the welders hot, but he doesn't know. Going to get pics and and model number to send to me...

 

[whelenfan]

let us know how that search turns out.

 

[darkk]

Glad the guy with the Paramo vise was willing to take pictures and send them to me. The vise was a BIG vise. If I had driven an hour and forty five minutes one way to see this I would have snapped. His little welding marks turned out to be a major repair. The repair is about 3" wide from top to bottom of the front jaw on both sides and about 1/4" thick.
It looks like they broke the entire front jaw off the vise and welded it back on. He only wanted $50 bucks for it but still. I talked to the guy for 15 minutes on the phone with him telling me what a great vise this is etc. Why do people have to lie some much? Or are they really that stupid? I really wanted it to be nice....oh well........no reasonbly priced vise for me I guess. sigh!

**UPDATE** got a Wilton 9540 Vise FREE!!! link to post http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?p=1642029#post1642029