Is this a York 100 vise?

[Imazagi]

Hi all,

I have a lead on the attached vise here in Europe, which looks like a Czech York, the father of the Wilton bullet design. No pictures from the other side so far, but the seller states there's nothing written on it.

All York 100 I find on Google have the number within an embossed oval, this one looks more crude. Any ideas about this from the collective?

 

[Imazagi]

Got more pics from the seller. No signs of a maker's mark, but the pin locations still look like a York from the little I read here.

 

[Fierljeppen]

Looks like a York, but can't say for sure though. I'm used to seeing them red, with the York casting. I believe the model was stamped on top as well.

Check out an old posting about the York vice for some really interesting and informative information that may be helpful to you.

https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=111502

 

[Roberts210]

If he's not asking too much I'd buy it just for the cool factor.

 

[Oldtuleguy]

Yes York or not it's a cool vise

 

[Imazagi]

Thanks, that was what I was thinking too. I read the York threads here, I started searching for "Wilton-styled vise" and learned about the Yorks.

The seller offered reasonable shipping so I bought it and hope to get it this week. It's a bit of a gamble with the non-original handle, but we'll see. I need a small swivel vise and this one should go along nicely with my Polish FPU.


I'll report as soon as I know more.

 

[454ragtop]

As swivel vises go, the Yorks leave something to be desired. Note there is no center bolt, or anything else to center the vise over the swivel for that matter. I ended up drilling and installing a couple roll pins to kind of keep it centered. Not the best setup, but better than nothing.

 

[Imazagi]

Got it and disassembled it, but the question still isn't answered.

No markings anywhere except the very crude "100" casting. There are grind marks where the "YORK" casting should be, but I don't think they removed it. No "made in CZ" or similar marks on the base.
The vise looks very coarse overall, but the design is great and even dry and dirty, it's a one finger operation. Sadly, the non original handle ground off some metal where the spindle enters the body, but it should be a great worker.
I stripped the paint and wire-wheeled it.

I've sent a mail to York and asked them if they can tell me anything. I think this may either be a very early model or something built in bad times - during Nazi occupation or soon after the war under Soviet occupation.

 

[rmsg0040]

I have taken apart a York 100 and a 150, looks legit to me

 

[Retroman]

Thats a great find, I hope you can get the story behind it. Very interesting.

 

[Imazagi]

Cleaned her up.

This may be one of the cases when it may have been better to keep the vise naked than "restore" it (i.e. drop a bucket of paint over it). But stripping the paint is the easy bit, so it's quickly reversible should I reconsider.

I painted it with Peugeot red I had from when I touched up my mom's side mirrors and some white highlights.

It isn't as smooth as my FPU (in the background), which is also a 10cm vise, but a lot bigger, yet is still a one finger operation.

And just for silliness, it kinda goes well with the Miata.

 

[Imazagi]

Robert from York answered first thing Monday morning and confirmed my theory:

It is in fact a York, built between 1934 and 1956!

 

[drivesitfar]

Imaz: nice work and nice to know the unmarked vise is a YORK. I also love the FPU Polish made Bison vices too.

in case nobody mentioned it yet welcome to the forum and glad to have another vintage European join our group.

I admire the hammers you use too!!

 

[Imazagi]

Thank you, drivesitfar. Here's more about the FPU, my first proper vise:

https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?p=5811852#post5811852

Now in good use for 2 years.

 

[drivesitfar]

I own at least 2 FPU Bison Polish made vises and I LOVE THEM. keep an eye open for a BIG UN like this Reed 4c I just picked up that needs a little love. or the Reed 2c that's sitting next to my restored Reed 4c so you'll really have all the vises you'll ever need.

cheers