Hi all. I was wondering if someone could point me in the right direction for finding more information on this vise. My dad was cleaning out his garage and gave it to me. He's a bit of a "collector" and couldn't remember where he got it. On the side of the vise it says "CAT. NO. 235 - THE COLUMBIAN HOWE CO. - CLEVELAND, O. - U.S.A.". It stands 11" tall, opens 7" and it's jaws are 5.25" wide. The thing is an absolute monster. I put it on our bathroom scale and it reads 80 pounds! I've been googling info and pictures but can't find anything. I'm really curious as to what this was originally used for. I'm guessing something industrial but who knows. Thanks!
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Columbian Howe vise #235
- Thread starter jeff03064
- Start date
Hi, Jeff,
Your vise is an early, maybe 1915-ish vintage, maybe earlier, so-called 'combination' machinists' and pipe vise, with the pipe jaws now missing, as is most commonly found these days.
The lettering is 'Columbian Hdwe', with the 'Hdwe' being an abbreviation for 'Hardware'.
cheers
Carla
Your vise is an early, maybe 1915-ish vintage, maybe earlier, so-called 'combination' machinists' and pipe vise, with the pipe jaws now missing, as is most commonly found these days.
The lettering is 'Columbian Hdwe', with the 'Hdwe' being an abbreviation for 'Hardware'.
cheers
Carla
Wow! I had no idea that it was so old! I figured it may have been from the 50's or 60's but not 100 years old. That's pretty cool. This isn't some kind of rare antique or anything is it? I had planned on just mounting it to my bench and using it. It's way bigger, stronger, bad-*** than the little one I currently use. (Not that I really NEED something that big, but that's beside that point.)
Thanks for the clarification on the lettering too. It looked like 'Howe' to me... I figured it was some guys name. 'Hdwe' for 'Hardware' makes much more sense.
Thanks for the clarification on the lettering too. It looked like 'Howe' to me... I figured it was some guys name. 'Hdwe' for 'Hardware' makes much more sense.
thehorse13
Well-known member
It was built to be used. Clean it up and use it for the rest of your natural life.
I've cleaned up and use about half dozen different vises that date back about 100 years. They work far better than the majority of the garbage tools sold today.
I've cleaned up and use about half dozen different vises that date back about 100 years. They work far better than the majority of the garbage tools sold today.