Grandpa's Vise: Littlestown 450

[mikeinri]

In the basement of my grandparents' old house is this Littlestown 450 vise. My Dad lives there now, but is moving out in May, so I need to decide whether to take this with me.

I don't know the exact age or origin (my grandfather passed away last month), but I remember seeing and using this thing well over 35-40 years ago. Not sure if it came with the house, or if he brought it with him (grandmother bought the house in the 60s, my grandfather moved in when they got married in the 70s).

Anyway, here are some pics. I know it's not particularly strong or valuable, based on comments I've read here. Doesn't have a ton of sentimental value, and isn't in great shape, but might be worth keeping and cleaning up.

Mike

 

[Roberts210]

Absolutely keep it. It was your grandpa's. Did he have a welder? Looks like somebody did some welding using the vise to clamp parts together.

 

[exmaxima1]

It’s actually a LITTLESTOWN, and very popular vise of that era. Decent quality, and you should certainly keep & use it if you are in need of a utility grade vise.

 

[steaks&anvils]

Keep it, and if it is on a workbench, try to keep that too.

 

[DFB]

I have a 400 it's very similar I like it It's a nice vise one of the rarer ones, says New York, New York and not Pennsylvania.

Clean that one up, straighten the handle and maybe some new paint

 

[PCustoms]

Doesn't that say Littlestown?

 

[mikeinri]

Whoops, typo in the thread title, can a Moderator fix it?

I noticed the welder slag, too. Don't believe he welded, will keep looking around.

The workbench looks homemade, and is not very sturdy.

Mike

 

[mikeinri]

I brought it home today. The vise, not the workbench. That thing's staying right where it is. My grandfather was no carpenter, LOL...

No sign of any welding equipment (spent 5.5 hours cleaning out the workbench area of the basement today). Never saw him use one, either.

This vise has a LOT of slop in the dynamic jaw. Is that normal? If not, can it be fixed?

BTW, can an Administrator please fix the title of this thread (should say Littlestown, not Lewistown). Thanks in advance.

Mike

 

[DFB]

This vise has a LOT of slop in the dynamic jaw. Is that normal? If not, can it be fixed?


Mike

Ya some do have a movement and really its just the type of vise design

but is it the whole jaw (slide bar) or the just the loose screw your concerned with? The screws can be very sloppy and you can usually fit up a bushing/washer combo behind the handle and in to the bore on the dynamic jaw. My Littlestown 140 was like that, (the 400 is loose at the handle screw too, though I haven't looked that over one yet but thinking it's the same size screw)

And so I used a one piece shouldered wheel bushing from a MTD lawn tractor wheel. Fit like a glove, their are both plastic nylon or soft bronze metal ones to be found

 

[mikeinri]

Thanks for the quick follow up!

Honestly, I haven't looked at it too closely. The whole jaw was moving, I think I assumed that since it appears to be one cast piece (jaw and bar), the bar is loose in the main body of the vise.

Is there a way to take out the slack if the bar is loose?

Mike

 

[DFB]

Thanks for the quick follow up!

Honestly, I haven't looked at it too closely. The whole jaw was moving, I think I assumed that since it appears to be one cast piece (jaw and bar), the bar is loose in the main body of the vise.

Is there a way to take out the slack if the bar is loose?

Mike

Not that I'm aware of. Generally once the jaws are tightened down is really should be a non issue

 

[mikeinri]

Ok, thanks again. The slop does go away when it's tight. Almost need a third hand, though (one to hold the item being placed into the vise, one to turn the handle, one to hold the dynamic jaw straight).

Mike

 

[steaks&anvils]

Just brain storming here.

Do you think you could affix some flat spring steel to both sides of the slide? to center it? maybe rivet it to the slide?

Like a shim?

I suppose you could attach copper or brass sheet to do the same thing. With time and wear they would stop looking "new" and blend in as "old" to match the vintage look of your vise.

 

[mikeinri]

Whoops, typo in the thread title, can a Moderator fix it?

I edited the thread title to the correct MFG spelling.

Other than that, the vise is still waiting for me to restore it. Really just need to make some decisions regarding workbenches. That might not be a short-term item, LOL.

Mike

 

[Shiftless]

It’s great that you now have your grandpa’s old vise. He probably got it from a guy who used to weld. Or maybe he salvaged it after it was discarded.
Its had a tough life but still works so you can honor your gramps memory by using it or just displaying it.
In case you didn’t notice, the jaw plates don’t match and part of the shelf that supports the jaw plate (yellow arrow) has broken off. This won’t affect the operation for lightweight use.
Go ahead and do whatever you want with that vise. It’s certainly not a rare valuable museum candidate and wouldn’t bring much at all if you tried to sell it.

 

[mikeinri]

Good eye!!! I didn't even catch that (of course, I haven't been looking at it seriously yet).

Knowing my grandfather, he got this from work. But for all I know, it came with the house (my grandmother originally bought the house after a divorce on the 60s, and remarried in the late 70s).

Some of the damage on it is probably from me (I rented an apartment in this duplex from them for 7 years in the 90s-00s, and used this vise occasionally). Never liked the thing due to all of the slop.

Mike

 

[bonneyman]

Never liked the thing due to all of the slop.

I'm from the 60's and got alot of slop....but the wife keeps me around!

 

[mikeinri]

HA!!! Me too...

Mike

 

[bubinga]

That's a nice looking vise! Keep it! Restore it too for your Grandfather!!