Chas Parker Vise

[BeakDoctor]

Hello Everyone,

I recently purchased a Chas Parker 973 1/2-A vice on ebay which I will be restoring (picture is attached). However this is a swivel vise and the purchased item does not come with the swivel base itself (I don't really need the swivel functionality anyway)

Is it safe and OK to mount the vice on my bench without the swivel base? Can I just bolt it to the bench through the three holes that are on the vise itself?

---> Also I would appreciate any advice or tips you might have with regards to restoring this vise because this will be my first time restoring an item like this.

Thanks,
Beak Doctor

 

[ganymede]

Yes, you're fine mounting it without the base. That model was made later in Parkers history and by that time some models had the same body for swivel and non swivel.
Later Columbian and Starrett brand are the same.

 

[BeakDoctor]

Yes, you're fine mounting it without the base. That model was made later in Parkers history and by that time some models had the same body for swivel and non swivel.
Later Columbian and Starrett brand are the same.

Thank you for the information ganymede. Do you know roughly when this vise was made? Is there a catalog or something similar that I can refer to so I can find out more about the vise?

Also did these later Parker vises have any known issues, or were they just as good as the earlier models?

Thanks,
BeakDoctor

 

[McBrownie]

Thank you for the information ganymede. Do you know roughly when this vise was made? Is there a catalog or something similar that I can refer to so I can find out more about the vise?

Also did these later Parker vises have any known issues, or were they just as good as the earlier models?

Thanks,
BeakDoctor

Some people like the Union Parkers better than the originals. According to the old documentation, Union Manufacturing bought Chas Parker around 1957. I think they made vises into the 1960's. The Union Parkers usually have a letter after the number like 973 1/2 A, B, C, etc... as they were produced. I don't know if the letter meant the year, or were model numbers. Hopefully, that helps give you an idea of the age. I think the 973 ad 973 1/2 are great size vises.

You might want to make sure that the bottom is fairly smooth before you crank it down to your bench. If there are casting irregularities, you run the risk of breaking off a mounting "ear".

 

[BeakDoctor]

Some people like the Union Parkers better than the originals. According to the old documentation, Union Manufacturing bought Chas Parker around 1957. I think they made vises into the 1960's. The Union Parkers usually have a letter after the number like 973 1/2 A, B, C, etc... as they were produced. I don't know if the letter meant the year, or were model numbers. Hopefully, that helps give you an idea of the age. I think the 973 ad 973 1/2 are great size vises.

You might want to make sure that the bottom is fairly smooth before you crank it down to your bench. If there are casting irregularities, you run the risk of breaking off a mounting "ear".

Thanks. I will check the bottom before mounting it on the bench. I'm not experienced at restoring vises but I will do the best I can and post before and after photos in case anyone is interested.

BeakDoctor

 

[BeakDoctor]

As promised, here are some pics of the restoration process. It was painted over rust and in rough shape initially but it cleaned up pretty well

Edit: Forgot to mention, the exact model number is 973 1/2 A

 

[thehorse13]

Nice job. Your vise cleaned up well. It will outlast you now.

 

[WWShop]

I love restoring vises. Great job! What was your method of removing the old paint and rust?

 

[McBrownie]

As promised, here are some pics of the restoration process. It was painted over rust and in rough shape initially but it cleaned up pretty well

Edit: Forgot to mention, the exact model number is 973 1/2 A

Nice job on the refinish. The "A" denotes the first Union Parker model/version, so probably late 1950's or maybe very early 1960's. That vise will outperform anything you could buy at a big box store today. You can buy a better new vise today, but they are expensive. Good job and now, put it to work!

 

[BeakDoctor]

What was your method of removing the old paint and rust?

First I covered it with paint stripper, then I cleaned it up with a steel wire brush attachment for my corded drill....And lots of elbow grease because this thing was HARD to clean up. Totally worth it though

 

[BeakDoctor]

That vise will outperform anything you could buy at a big box store today.

I know.. that is why I put in all the effort, time and energy to restore it Thanks again for all the detailed info on the vise!