Lever vise

[Woodtick]

I received this lever action vise for Christmas from my brother.I think I have seen similar vises in the vise thread, but my Google Fu is letting me down.I'm wondering if anyone might know the manufacturer.There is no identification of any kind on this.It has 4 1/2" jaws.I don't have a scale to weigh it, but I can tell you it's a beast.Definately the heaviest gift under the tree this year!

It appears to be complete.I had to adjust a flat spring in the mechanism and now it clamps just fine.The dynamic jaw is in the electrolysis bucket right now and the static jaw and lever got a good scrub down with degreaser.I can tell that the lever action will be pretty sweet once I get everything cleaned up and lubed.

Thanks for any help in ID ing this one.

Rich

 

[SweetD]

Can't help you with the ID, but I like it!

Keep us updated on your restoration...or really, just your "cleaning it up" since it seems to be in really great shape to start with. Great gift, you owe your brother an extra - !!

Dave

 

[gregthor]

Start reading on page 319 of the " vises of garage journal" thread I think your vise is a stephens parrallel vise. Mine is shown on post 6379
Cool vise by the way.
These vises have shown up several times on vises of GJ and each time a little more info comes out but I don't know the other post numbers
Greg

 

[Woodtick]

Thanks Guys,
I agree...it looks like a Stephens.Which, is cool as that's my last name.

 

[wrenchguy]

nice.
where r u ? i saw 1 at a sale 2 months back. couldn't stay 4 it.

 

[drivesitfar]

I agree with everybody that you have a very unique and useful vise. any idea of the age? is it about 50 pounds? I also agree that you owe your brother a good gift next year.

 

[Krr1967]

I picked one up like yours only mine is a 2 " one , its about the size of a 2 ' baby wilton vise

 

[454ragtop]

I picked one up like yours only mine is a 2 " one , its about the size of a 2 ' baby wilton vise

Wow, that is way cool. Looks like it has a raised block for the anvil area, just like some of the baby Wiltons, mine included.
Jim

 

[zoomieport]

Here is the patent link for your vise...

http://www.datamp.org/patents/search/advance.php?pn=42236&id=15459&set=2

Take care!
ZOOM

 

[Woodtick]

I finally got the resto on this one done.I started right after Christmas, but then the Polar Vortex set in and I didn't feel like being outside to wire brush. It' seen on the back burner ever since.

I ended up going with basic black and a slightly none traditional paint job on the lever.It won't be for everybody, but it works for me so it'll be a keeper. I had two dismal failures at pinstriping this vise.Funny how something that looks so good in your head can look so bad in real life. Basically I violated the less is more rule.But,it was good practice as it was my first attempt striping a 3-d object.

All mating / none painted surfaces are lubed with Fluid Film, a product I have seen recommended on these forums. I am pleased with the way that went on and how it performs.The dynamic jaw slides and clamps very smoothly.

http://www.fluid-film.com

This will be for display only, not a user. I have played with it a bit and have a couple of observations to share.It seems like you almost need 2 1/2 hands to operate this thing.One to hold your work piece, one to run the lever, and a part of one to push the dynamic jaw snug so it can be locked down. I just doesn't seem to be as practical to use on a daily basis as a screw vise. Also, there is only so much pressure to be generated once the lever cams over.I was able to twist a board in the jaws once it was clamped as tight as possible.....unlike a screw vise that I could have generated some additional umpph with.

All in all I'm pleased with the way this turned out. I think it's a pretty amazing piece of engineering and a unique solution to the problem.

Rich

 

[PFSard]

Rich

Nice job. Thanks for following up on this. I had never seen a vise with that configuration.

Paul