Athol Vise Restoration

[BanjoSavesTheDay]

Here is my latest restoration project. I got this on ebay for $30.00, so you can't beat that. According to the the seller, L.S. Starett and Co. bought Athol MFG in the early 1900's, so it must be in the vicinity of 100 years old. It weighs 28 pounds and has 4" jaws. All things considered, it is in very good condition and the handle is straight as the day it was made.

This is a work in progress, so I will add more pictures as I do stuff to it. I hit it with a wire wheel after the pictures and it's still got a lot of old black paint on it, so it's going to take a trip to the radiator shop tomorrow.

So without further ado, here are the before pictures:

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/45099362@N02/4356671131/" title="IMG_3164 by BanjoSavesTheDay, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4043/4356671131_bfcaabe1d0.jpg" width="500" height="333" alt="IMG_3164" /></a>

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/45099362@N02/4356672923/" title="IMG_3165 by BanjoSavesTheDay, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2677/4356672923_912f1d189c.jpg" width="500" height="333" alt="IMG_3165" /></a>

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/45099362@N02/4356675131/" title="IMG_3167 by BanjoSavesTheDay, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4057/4356675131_70ba684717.jpg" width="500" height="333" alt="IMG_3167" /></a>

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/45099362@N02/4356678087/" title="IMG_3166 by BanjoSavesTheDay, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4029/4356678087_b8d3234681.jpg" width="500" height="333" alt="IMG_3166" /></a>

It's pretty beefy for no bigger than it is. It's neat to see the quality of workmanship from 100 years ago. I think it will be a very nice vise for me once it's finished. I'm thinking this one will be...orange with black letters. Maybe.

 

[tonydanzah]

Looks like a very built vice with a great price, but i personally would never give a vice that didn't swivel a second look.

 

[bushhawg73]

Looks like a very built vice with a great price, but i personally would never give a vice that didn't swivel a second look.

I agree with the swivel assesment however sometimes the deal is too good to pass up. I was given (FREE) a Columbian 505 that does not swivel. I said thank you many time and took the non swivel 50 pound vise home. I would not have passed on the Athol vise because I like old stuff. If I was paying good money I would get a swivel Wilton 765 and be done. Just my take.

Nice Athol Vise

 

[Mickey O]

How often are you guys swiveling your vises?

Nice Athol (say it six times quick while holding your tongue).

 

[FoMoCoPower]

I passed on a non-swiveling vise friday. A Columbian.

 

[tonydanzah]

How often are you guys swiveling your vises?

Everytime i use mine. I keep it turned away from the end of the bench so its not sticking out. Then spin it out to use it.

 

[old salvage]

Nice. The thing I like about Athol vises is the extra thickness of the slides support. Originally the vise was probably black or dark green.

 

[Hiball]

Different strokes for different folks but my go to vise is stationary and my backup which does have a swivel has never moved.

 

[caper]

Looks like a very built vice with a great price, but i personally would never give a vice that didn't swivel a second look.

Funny,the only vise I have with a swivel base is one my father gave me.All of my others are stationary.I would never buy one that swivels.I work in a heavy truck environment and have never had a shop with a swivel vise that would stay still when you were really twisting on something.In fact I can't remember the last time I worked at a shop that had a swivel vise.Never had a need for one in the twenty years I've been turning wrenches.Don't see a point to them myself.

 

[tonydanzah]

Funny,the only vise I have with a swivel base is one my father gave me.All of my others are stationary.I would never buy one that swivels.I work in a heavy truck environment and have never had a shop with a swivel vise that would stay still when you were really twisting on something.In fact I can't remember the last time I worked at a shop that had a swivel vise.Never had a need for one in the twenty years I've been turning wrenches.Don't see a point to them myself.

I feel the exact opposite, and every shop I've worked at always had more swivels than not.

 

[Mickey O]

I passed on a non-swiveling vise friday. A Columbian.

The one in Riverside for $14 or $15?

 

[BanjoSavesTheDay]

Personally, I prefer non-swivelling vises because they're more solid and have less moving pieces to break. However, I can see how a swivel base could potentially be handy in the right circumstances.

Anyway, I found something else pretty interesting. The jaws are cast into the vise, like many Reeds. I didn't know that Athol did the same thing.

You have to look closely and I didn't notice until I used the wire wheel, but you can see pretty clearly here that the jaws are cast right in there.

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/45099362@N02/4356711411/" title="IMG_3185 by BanjoSavesTheDay, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4031/4356711411_b3b1f70675.jpg" width="500" height="333" alt="IMG_3185" /></a>

Here you can see where the jaw stops and the vise begins by the way the light reflects off the two.

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/45099362@N02/4356714395/" title="IMG_3192 by BanjoSavesTheDay, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2765/4356714395_b710285c7f.jpg" width="500" height="333" alt="IMG_3192" /></a>

The line between vise and jaw is wavy if you look super duper close. It may not even be possible to see it with this picture. Try clicking on the picture and then viewing the large size at flickr.

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/45099362@N02/4357460504/" title="IMG_3188 by BanjoSavesTheDay, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4029/4357460504_997bf53e2d.jpg" width="500" height="333" alt="IMG_3188" /></a>

How in the world did they do that? From what I've read, it seems as though they really shouldn't have been able to. If they put the jaws in the mold and then poured the molten iron in, wouldn't it take the temper out of the jaws?

 

[evintho]

Excellent score! Athol is a quality vise. I agree, swivel is nice but in reality I don't think I've ever moved any of my vises from their original positions!

 

[Scout Driver]

Really cool vise!! I would have grabbed it for $30 too. And....no, I don't swivel my vise.

Scott

 

[eddyyy302]

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/45099362@N02/4357460504/" title="IMG_3188 by BanjoSavesTheDay, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4029/4357460504_997bf53e2d.jpg" width="500" height="333" alt="IMG_3188" /></a>

How in the world did they do that? From what I've read, it seems as though they really shouldn't have been able to. If they put the jaws in the mold and then poured the molten iron in, wouldn't it take the temper out of the jaws?

I was told by a machinist that the jaws are formed by stamping the vise while it is still molten during the casting process. I do not know this to be true, but it is what I was told.

Dan

 

[FoMoCoPower]

The one in Riverside for $14 or $15?

YUP! That was it.

 

[BanjoSavesTheDay]

I was told by a machinist that the jaws are formed by stamping the vise while it is still molten during the casting process. I do not know this to be true, but it is what I was told.

Interesting! That makes more sense than anything else I've heard.

 

[BanjoSavesTheDay]

Here is a small update. I finally took it to the local radiotor shop to dip it in the hot tank, and it came out looking very nice. The only problem is that the guy was trying to do something nice for me and sprayed the whole thing with oil right after he took it out so that it wouldn't rust. I wonder what the best way to completely get all the oil off is? Its funny that the reason I take stuff there is for degreasing/paint removal and now it has come back covered in oil. Next week, though, I should have it painted and finished!

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/45099362@N02/4436886794/" title="IMG_3314 by BanjoSavesTheDay, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4046/4436886794_7b3e8f6719.jpg" width="500" height="333" alt="IMG_3314" /></a>

I don't know why it looks brown in the picture. It is not.

 

[ZRX61]

The only problem is that the guy was trying to do something nice for me and sprayed the whole thing with oil right after he took it out so that it wouldn't rust. I wonder what the best way to completely get all the oil off is?

If the wife is out throw it in the dishwasher, failing that use laquer thinner

 

[old salvage]

If the wife is out throw it in the dishwasher,...

and post a pic of it sitting inside.
Also after, run the dishwasher again empty but with soap. Cant be too carefull.

 

[mjozefow]

I'd go w/ a dark color. It seems to look more original.

Or just put a good coat of paste wax on it and use it like that.

 

[bgott]

Wash it down with laquer thinner or brake cleaner.

 

[BanjoSavesTheDay]

If the wife is out throw it in the dishwasher, failing that use laquer thinner

and post a pic of it sitting inside.
Also after, run the dishwasher again empty but with soap. Cant be too carefull.

Don't tempt me! That sounds way too funny NOT to do.

Thanks for the suggestions!

 

[Displaced Hokie]

Brake cleaner will do it...keep us posted!

 

[BanjoSavesTheDay]

Will brake cleaner leave a residue that would prevent the paint from sticking?

 

[fatfillup]

That is a great vise!!

As far as swivel vs. nonswivel, the swivel base is one more place to break, especially for a big vise. An argument can be made for both.

As far as deoiling, either soak with degreaser and hit with a hot water pressure washer or use a can or 2 of brake clean. Maybe lacquer thinner would work.

 

[fatfillup]

I don't think brake cleaner will leave a residue if you use plenty.

 

[notquitegto]

Any Updates??

I inherited my grandfather's Athol Swivel-base and I'm eager to see how it turns out once restored!!

Mike

 

[Lump]

Will brake cleaner leave a residue that would prevent the paint from sticking?

Last year I stumbled onto a case of the old, original chlorinated brake cleaner. That stuff is WAY better than the new brake cleaners on the market. I love using it on anything that I don't want to leave any residue upon.

 

[autopts71045]

That Athol was a very nice find.. Its very possible that vise will be around long after you are taking your dirt nap!

 

[Stuart in MN]

I had forgotten I have an Athol vise until the other day when I quite literally tripped over it out in the garage. Here's a couple pictures, it's a model 614.

I picked it up at a swap meet some years ago, if I remember correctly I paid around $10 for it. I haven't weighed it, but this thing is heavy - it must be 50 or 60 pounds.

One of these days I'll get around to putting it into use, but I already have a Morgan swivel vise on my workbench just like the one in this thread: http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=39594

 

[arkangel06]

Looks good so far dude!

 

[BanjoSavesTheDay]

Hey I didn't know there had been anymore chatter about this after my last comment. Thanks guys!

I ended up taking it to the car wash and using the engine degreaser. Worked like a charm. Yesterday, I got the jaws, slide, and handle all purdy and then masked everything off and primed it. I will be painting it on Thursday evening, so I will have another update then!

BTW, this one will be red with black letters, like that Wilton I did a few months ago for a friend.

 

[gwis2]

I'm partial to cleaning oily and greasy metal with brake cleaner, then wiping it down with acetone just to be sure before painting...

Nice Vise!

 

[BanjoSavesTheDay]

I'm waiting very impatiently for the paint to cure now. As soon as I can put it back together, I'll post some pics of it. It came out purdy good.

 

[BanjoSavesTheDay]

Finally got around to taking some pictures! I haven't been on the puter much at all for the last couple weeks as I'm doing stuff for my upcoming wedding (July 31). This thing came out looking pretty good, although it would have been better if I hadn't gotten in a hurry on the last coat of paint.

The obligatory before picture:

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/45099362@N02/4356671131/" title="IMG_3164 by BanjoSavesTheDay, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4043/4356671131_bfcaabe1d0_b.jpg" width="1024" height="683" alt="IMG_3164" /></a>

And now for your viewing pleasure, the main attraction:

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/45099362@N02/4786284351/" title="IMG_4714 by BanjoSavesTheDay, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4099/4786284351_10506c6ebb_b.jpg" width="1024" height="683" alt="IMG_4714" /></a>

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/45099362@N02/4786919294/" title="IMG_4718 by BanjoSavesTheDay, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4122/4786919294_edfaaf2d45_b.jpg" width="1024" height="683" alt="IMG_4718" /></a>

Here's what I had to work with on those letters. They are teeny tiny and pretty mangled.

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/45099362@N02/4786323435/" title="IMG_3166 by BanjoSavesTheDay, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4082/4786323435_70673ee5a6_b.jpg" width="1024" height="683" alt="IMG_3166" /></a>

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/45099362@N02/4786916194/" title="IMG_4716 by BanjoSavesTheDay, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4137/4786916194_7ca16f6f40_b.jpg" width="1024" height="683" alt="IMG_4716" /></a>

Thanks to those who have followed this thread for the last five months!! It's nice to see her all cleaned up and ready for another 100 years of service.

 

[Slip_Kid]

That look like new again, too pretty to use maybe.
Nice job

 

[mjozefow]

OK Kole, what is your method to getting the letters to look that good?

 

[v7guy]

wow, that looks real nice.
I'm with mjozefow, how'd you do those letters?

 

[BanjoSavesTheDay]

OK Kole, what is your method to getting the letters to look that good?

Patience with a very large and capitalized P.

I just use the cheap little paint brushes you can buy in a 6 pack for a dollar or whatever at Michael's. Then I carefully paint the letters on by hand, making sure to do them in an order that keeps my palm away from the painted ones. No special secrets, unfortunately. It does take a long time but its definitely worth it in the end.

Thanks for the nice comments!

On a side note, I just realized in my signature that I put "uncomplete" instead of "incomplete". Baffling....