Chas Parker no. 955

[honza.vosalik]

I recently got this big vise.
Original color was black. Am considering repainting it black again.

 

[disston]

Nice looking vise. What's it look like inside?

If black is what you want. I'm not a stickler for "original" colors. But I don't like some of the gaudy or dazely colors I see. It's your vise after all.

 

[honza.vosalik]

I will take a couple pictures of the inside next week when I work on it. The main screw was broken in half where the thread starts when I got it. A local shop in Diamond Springs, CA welded it back together. Hopefully it will last. I don't do any big projects.

This vise is supposed to have 82 pounds. Can't wait to get a proper workbench for it.

 

[CNGsaves]

Nice score on a big Parker vise.

Now. . . . let's be clear . . . you're not just repainting it . . .
. . . . . . you are RESTORING it . . . . right !!!!

See the Vise Repair 101 thread for lots of tips/tricks for great restore.

What did you give for the vise ??? You might be due YS award.

 

[honza.vosalik]

So far I paid $10 for the vise and $25 for the main screw welding. I also had to buy a new screw to hold the Parker aluminum cover.

What is the vise worth at all?

 

[CNGsaves]

Dayuum . . . $35 is great score on that Parker . . . YOU **** !!

Value will depend on what kind of RESTORE job you do. I'd recommend full teardown and restoration on that lifetime keeper vise.

Here's some more examples of Parker 955 vises on GJ.
http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=109961

 

[honza.vosalik]

This is the inside of it.

 

[honza.vosalik]

I ended up painting it with a clear coat. I cleaned it up first and it gives it kinda an industrial look. I lubricated it after the paint and it goes pretty smooth now.

The jaws are pretty much flat. not sure if this was from the factory or someone did it later.

 

[honza.vosalik]

Some pictures from before taken by the seller.

 

[zkling]

Looks like not only the screw snapped, but the nut was sheared off and then brazed back on. Probably at the same time the handle was bent.

 

[honza.vosalik]

Yeah, I think the vise was fixed at least once before.

 

[CNGsaves]

^ ^ ^ Looks pretty good . . . . NAKED . . . with just oil/clear !!!

That vise is either . . . VERY HUGE . . . . or that is your kid's John Deere !!

Welcome to GJ vise-a-holics. . .

UPDATE GJ Profile with a Location.

 

[honza.vosalik]

Yep, that's the little guy's tractor