Finally found a vise

[mkirkpatrick]

Got this at a estate sale a couple weeks ago, didn't get a pic up because having problems with computer. The jaws are in great shape, cleaned it up and plan on using. It's a 3 1/2 inch jaw and weights about 46 lbs. I don't think I was hurt for 30.00

 

[autopts71045]

That vise, my friend, was an excellent score. From 1 to 10 on condition, I give it a 9 1/2..

 

[Dale B]

I always like to figure out the OEM .... Do the jaw inserts tell the tale ?

 

[spongerich]

I love the styling of the 50's Craftsman stuff. The detailing is just beautiful.

I have a '54 Jointer that I just love. I'm thinking about replacing some of my modern machinery with some more vintage Craftsman machines. Aside from looking awesome, they're well made and often sell dirt cheap.


There's been a vise almost identical to that one for sale not terribly far from here. It looks like it's in perfect condition, but he wants $90 for it. I'm hoping it'll sit long enough for me to make him a lowball offer.

 

[v7guy]

That looks like a real nice score, real good lookin vise.

 

[ZRX61]

I always like to figure out the OEM .... Do the jaw inserts tell the tale ?

From what I've seen, most old Craftsman vises appear to be Reeds.

 

[mjozefow]

From what I've seen, most old Craftsman vises appear to be Reeds.

Looks kinda like a Reed doesn't it. They are the only one I know of that does the oil holes.

 

[mkirkpatrick]

When I got to the estate sale it was a saturday and it started on a friday. When I went into the shop the outfit doing the sale only had a couple lights on, so it was really dim. Most everything that looked worth a **** had sold signs. The vise was bolted to a welding table. Checked it out as much as I could and then figured whats 30 bucks. So I unbolted it with the adjustable wrenches they where trying to sell and bought it. After I got it and cleaned up I am pretty happy with it. I was going to do electrolisis, (even found a old battery charger for a power source) and paint it, but I like it the way it is.

 

[mkirkpatrick]

Looks kinda like a Reed doesn't it. They are the only one I know of that does the oil holes.

I read somewhere that Reed used to make vises for Craftsman, but the cut off date was through 39, so I am not sure. In a old thread on GJ Uncle Buck said something about Columbian making some of the old craftsman vises with the t jaws between late 49 to mid 50s. If you have more info that would be great.

Thanks Mike

 

[Indy_500]

Nice i love the old logo!

 

[mkirkpatrick]

Yeah, I am really happy with the vise, the logo was in real good shape until I tagged it with the wire wheel on the grinder. That is when I decided not to worry about the old paint and use it the way it is.

 

[toolchaser]

I pulled the same vise out of a dumpster at work. Its missing the fixed jaw insert, and the swivel pivot is brazed so its a fixed position vise now. I think mine is later model than yours, the indent for the logo is oval without the bar