Identifying small foreign-made vice

[toolcollector109]

Hi, I’m in the process of fixing up this old foreign-made (I’m thinking Japan or Korea) copy of the small Stanley and Millers Falls style “jewelers” vices, the kinds with the swivel bases and the c-clamp style bench attachments.

This vice is smaller than my MF No. 18 and nowhere near as well made. However, I have plans to mount it to a thicker (but portable) steel base for solder or similar work where a fixed extra set of fingers are needed.

There are no markings anywhere on the vice or the removable base which is not pictured. There is one small circle like divot on the side where the swivel adjuster is, but I can’t tell if that’s a flaw from the casting or one of those old circle style Japanese proof marks.

The threads used in all the bolts are standard 3/8 5/16, etc, not metric.

I know this isn’t worth anything as a collectible but when it’s all cleaned up, maybe painted or coated and on a new base it will come in handy.

 

[nadogail]

Looks like a vise I bought at PEP BOYS in 1979.

 

[toolcollector109]

Looks like a vise I bought at PEP BOYS in 1979.

What color was yours? I think this one and others I’ve seen like it on eBay were blue and red or black and red, copying the older American ones.

 

[toolcollector109]

Well I finally completed what I wanted to do to this vice. The idea was to take it to bare steel, clean up and polish the jaws and other surfaces as much as (reasonably) possible, and fix it to a solid wood and steel base (made from 1/2” steel and quarter sawn oak) so it could be moved anywhere for light work. I also riveted a seven lobed brass leaf that I made a while back , which is sort of my maker’s mark.

Overall, this was overkill for a cheap Japanese or Korean vice, but it will come in handy for soldering and similar work. A fun project indeed.

 

[toolcollector109]

A few more shots… this vice will come in handy for soldering, one of the main things I had in mind when I thought through it.

Has anyone ever seen a freestanding mini vice on a weighted base? If not maybe I should apply for a patent.

 

[Stevettt]

I commend you on your very cool transformation of a basic vise into a thing of beauty.
I especially like the incorporation of wood into the design.
The weighted base is a cool idea as well, take the vise to the work.
Frankly. I find it more interesting than another baby bullet or whatever.
Nicely done and thanks for sharing!

 

[Private Lugnutz]

on everything @Stevettt said.

I admire the maker's mark, too, the idea of one, and the way the brass leaf stands out. Also the way it matches the nut on the spindle. That's a nice touch.

Did you make the screw? Or was it not shown in post #1?

I see that you removed the handle for the swivel lockdown. Since it no longer swivels, what is that knurled hex bolt doing?