Help me Identify this Swivel Jaw Vise

[jreb10]

This vise is in an online auction not to far from me. I can't figure out the maker. It looks a lot like a Prentiss, but does not have the little "eyebrow" above where the handle inserts into the dynamic jaw. It may have some writing on the side, or my eyes may be playing tricks on me.





Sorry for the photo quality but they are what they are.

 

[drivesitfar]

Jreb: pretty sure it's a Prentiss. do you know the jaw width size? i can help you with a model # if you do. here's my Prentiss #4 that has a 5 inch wide jaw that is also unmarked and mine weighs 100 pounds so i'm guessing yours is probably a bit smaller.

on the one you posted pictures of there is a crack on the back of the dynamic slide which shouldn't keep it from working, but if you want to resell it you'll need to spend money brazing it if it can be fixed.

 

[rusty65]

That is a early prentiss vise the name should be right behind the tail end of the swivel jaw. If not its a contract production prentiss which would have had a decal or something originally.

 

[jreb10]

Thanks Drive and Rusty. I am sure you are right. I find there is always more to learn about vises and vise makers.

I don't know the jaw width, but would estimate it to be no more than 4 inches. That may mean it is a Prentiss # 2 or #2&1/2. I doubt they would put anything heavier on that table.

Right now there have been 10 bids, with the price at $45. There are still 3 days to go, so I doubt I can pick this one up within my definition of "reasonable" price. Especially given Drive's sharp eyes picking out the crack in the slide.

I'll continue to watch it.

 

[devoncoolman]

Pentiss. Sure of it. The little eyebrow looks like it may be broken off.

 

[wild cowboy]

why do all the great auctions with the great vise deals always seem to be in Minnesota, North Dakota, etc. ?

 

[bareass172]

I found a Prentiss swivel awhile back and posted some pics with a tape, they might help you identify it:
http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=236512

 

[SweetD]

Prentiss. Sure of it. The little eyebrow looks like it may be broken off.

^ What he (and others) said:

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=254987



Dave

 

[jreb10]

why do all the great auctions with the great vise deals always seem to be in Minnesota, North Dakota, etc. ?

Actually I find this area to be pretty sparse as far as vise deals go. I have not seen even a slight CL deal in months, and I check several times a day. In the last year there have been only 4 decent CL deals that I remember.

So I try auctions, both live and online. Yesterday I was standing in snow in a cold field waiting for a well-used Prentiss 69X to come up to bid. I didn't need it, but I was willing to go $100 if that would take it home. It eventually sold for $160, which is not bad since I later discovered it weighs about 120 pounds.

Persistence and patience are needed around here to score a vise at a good price. I'm thinking this Prentiss will get at least $160 if not more. I'll try to report the auction result in a few days.

 

[jreb10]

Well, I was wrong, as the vise went for $88. You just never know in this neck of the woods.

 

[wild cowboy]

if there was a crack or a weld type repair anywhere on the vise, you didn't want it even for $20, repairing ductile iron correctly would cost more than the vise is worth, if even possible.