Identify bench vise Athol vise model 424 1/2 X

[orchidlane]

Hello All, looking for some help on a Athol bench vise I picked up at a swap meet, its model 424 1/2 X the jaws are shaped like a duckbill and cant find any info on year and the purpose for the jaws shape. thanks.

 

[ganymede]

Looks like a coach makers vise or a sheet metal vise.

 

[oldldh]

Coach makers/Sheet metal vise

Orchidlane---

You, my son, are just showing off!!!

 

[bluebolt]

Does it have the quick opening feature?

 

[EOC_Jason]

All my docs are on my other computer, if I find any old catalog stuff I'll post it tomorrow.

But as others have said, it looks like either a sheet metal OR filer's vise... The filer's had the arched profile, but just not as high as the sheet metal / coachmaker versions.

 

[Mohawk Dave]

I would absolutely love to have that for filing. Because of the steep angle of the jaws, you can really get a steep angle on your file to hit the work piece. I'll trade you for a 424 1/2 if you want????

 

[orchidlane]

Does it have the quick opening feature?

Hi, No quick opening feature I can see. thanks.

 

[orchidlane]

Coach makers/Sheet metal vise

Orchidlane---

You, my son, are just showing off!!!

Not really showing off as much as Show And Tell, I love my vises and when I find a special vise I never seen before even better

 

[orchidlane]

All my docs are on my other computer, if I find any old catalog stuff I'll post it tomorrow.

But as others have said, it looks like either a sheet metal OR filer's vise... The filer's had the arched profile, but just not as high as the sheet metal / coachmaker versions.

Thanks for the reply, when you have time please post your old catalog docs, cant wait to see them..

thanks all

 

[bigcaddy]

Did everybody notice the non standard dynamic jaw support? They usually have a more curved appearance where yours just abruptly ends. Never seen that before...

 

[orchidlane]

Did everybody notice the non standard dynamic jaw support? They usually have a more curved appearance where yours just abruptly ends. Never seen that before...

I been trying to find a picture of a sheet metal OR filer's vise but havent had any luck, I would like to see the difference between the 2 vises, heres a few pictures of the inside of the vise.

 

[gatewaysysop]

All my docs are on my other computer, if I find any old catalog stuff I'll post it tomorrow.

But as others have said, it looks like either a sheet metal OR filer's vise... The filer's had the arched profile, but just not as high as the sheet metal / coachmaker versions.

Agreed. I dug out an old Athol catalog, this 42x series is listed as a Woodworker's vise.

Did everybody notice the non standard dynamic jaw support? They usually have a more curved appearance where yours just abruptly ends. Never seen that before...

Also checked for this, and the pronounced difference in the "tongue" support under the slide is evident in the catalog drawings. Hadn't even seen that the first time. Good eye!

At least in the catalog I have, this was also the largest model they made, in terms of jaw width. A nice piece, to be sure.

 

[davethorik]

another thing I have noticed about this style vise is that they open further than normal machinist types. No pics but at a flea market I saw a vise of this type, but the rear jaw was a swivel jaw...swivel base. It was 4" jaw, and I did not see any markings on it anywhere. I wish I would have taken a picture. they were asking $150 iirc

I could have bought it but being 400 miles away from home, didn't wanna strap 80 lbs of rust onto the back of my motorcycle.

 

[1982fxr]

nice score dude!

 

[orchidlane]

Hey, hows it going ? any anvils for sale or trade ?

 

[1982fxr]

another thing I have noticed about this style vise is that they open further than normal machinist types. No pics but at a flea market I saw a vise of this type, but the rear jaw was a swivel jaw...swivel base. It was 4" jaw, and I did not see any markings on it anywhere. I wish I would have taken a picture. they were asking $150 iirc

I could have bought it but being 400 miles away from home, didn't wanna strap 80 lbs of rust onto the back of my motorcycle.

had a guy bring me a 150 pound anvil strapped to the back seat of his Softail once. no ****.

 

[1982fxr]

all i could find...

http://www.practicalmachinist.com/vb/antique-machinery-history/athol-vise-112406/