Massive Barrett Machine Tool 8.5" vise

[sevensandeights]

I think he owes me - what do you guys think?

Here's the story:

My brother collects vises so I give him a heads up on a craigslist vise near me. I am in Erie, PA and my brother is up near Boston, MA. My brother contacts the guy and makes a cash offer then informs me that I have to go pick it up (and front him the cash).

This is no ordinary vise - it weighs 264 lbs!

Standard size tube of Liquid Nails for reference:

This is my cute little 4" YOST #204 for refence:

 

[moronmountain]

That is pretty friggin sweet!

 

[Gtamazing]

that thing is a beast

 

[SweetD]

Holy ****.

 

[kingston]

Thanks for picking it up for me. I'll have to post pictures of the T-30 that I picked up for you. It is gray too. I'm going to have to fix that paint job...

 

[sevensandeights]

Thanks for picking it up for me. I'll have to post pictures of the C-30 that I picked up for you. It is gray too. I'm going to have to fix that paint job...

"C-30" - did you really buy me a Volvo?

http://www.volvocars.com/intl/all-cars/volvo-c30/Pages/default.aspx

 

[kingston]

"C-30" - did you really buy me a Volvo?

http://www.volvocars.com/intl/all-cars/volvo-c30/Pages/default.aspx

No a 1971 Chevy C30 4x4 SRW straight off of the farm in eastern Oregon...

 

[mrholeshot]

Thats a vice!

 

[bmwpower]

Ok, unless someone knows of another make, that's the biggest (widest jaw) vise I've seen. Jeesh.

 

[kingston]

I'm going to mount it in my little shop. I've got a piece of 6" x 18" x24" steel billet that I might fab a base on top of using a big single acting hydraulic cylinder to make an adjustable height pedestal.

 

[TheGrooveking]

That'll crack some walnuts.

TheGrooveking

 

[bl00]

Here's some possible background on the company. I looked it up the other day when I saw the vise on Craigs. Not sure if the second Meadville is the same as the first.

Here's what it says in case the print is too small to read:
1905 - The The Meadville Vise Co. , Meadville, I'n., manufacturers of the Barrett horizontal cyclinder boring machines and vises, have changed their name to the Barrett Machine Tool Co.

1910 - The G.M. Yost Co., of Meadville, PA., recently purchased the entire plant and equipment of the Meadville Vise Co., of the same city. This addition to their factory will mean a greatly increased output. Readers who are interested in the puchase of a vise might do well to write them for particulars and prices.

 

[v7guy]

Wow, that thing is cool

 

[DavidB]

That vise is huge!!!

 

[kingston]

bl00,
Thanks for the info. I've not found too much on Barrett Machine Tool with the exception of the following:

Cliff White - 1890 - Steam engineering; description of the Improved Barrett vise.

The Barrett Improved Vise
With
ADJUSTABLE JAW AND SWIVEL BOTTOM.
WARRANTED SUPERIOR TO ALL OTHERS IN
CONVENIENCE, DURABILITY, STRENGTH, And WORKMANSHIP.

The leading feature of The improved Barrett Vise is its Adjustable 'Jaw, by which tapering work, of almost any angle, can be gripped as firmly as straight work,

The manner by which this is accomplished is at once novel, simple, and effective. The body of the Vise is bored, and fitted with a flange nut which is free to revolve in same; the front jaw passes over this flange nut, consequently it is the front jaw that is adjustable to the tapering work, leaving the back jaw solid and rigid, capable of Harrying the heaviest class of xoorlc and resisting the severest stiock of chipping. This construction also gives to the operator perfect control of the swinging of the jaw while he is tightening upon the teorfc.

The New Patent Swivel Bottom permits the Vise to be instantly adjusted to the right or left at any angle at will of operator. Being quickly fastened by a friction plate, the Vise is rendered as solid and firm as if stationary, at any desired angle.

The front jaw of this vise is adjustable, leaving the back jaw solid and rigid, and of great strength, capable of resisting the heaviest chipping blows. The operator also has perfect control of the swinging of the jaw at the same time he is tightening upon the work.

The jaws are faced with the best tool cast steel, welded on, file-cut, properly hardened, and the jaws are of convenient shape for the workman to get near his work equally well for filing or chipping.

The heads of the screws are | forged and set up close to the bar I of the Vise. All parts of tin- Vise are interchangeable, and broken or worn ont parts can be furnish- SHOWING JAWS ADJUSTED FOR

ed quickly and at small cost. TAPERING WORK.

The nut in which the screw works is set in center of the flange, which has a large bearing, both top and bottom, thereby always giving direel! strain through the center of the bar in whatever position the vise may be.

Every machinist and Engineer should examine this Vise before purchasing any other. Ask your dealer for them, or send for further information to the sole manufacturer,

Tk Meadlville Vice Co.
_____________________________________________________________
Patents
286,990 Oct. 23, 1883 J.O. Barrett Bench Vise bench vises
418,637 Dec. 31, 1889 J.O. Barrett Vise bench vises
444,326 Jan. 06, 1891 J.O. Barrett Vise bench vises
453,793 Jun. 09, 1891 J.O. Barrett Bench Vise bench vises

 

[Catalyze]

Wowzers! That is the biggest vise that I have seen...by 1/2" or so.
Really nice photo with the Yost too. It sort of puts things in perspective.
Craig

 

[kingston]

I've also found some interesting vise reading in "A book of tools: being a catalogue of tools, supplies, machinery, and ..."
By Chas. A. Strelinger & Company

Pages 161-166.

Google books

 

[ZRX61]

Ok, unless someone knows of another make, that's the biggest (widest jaw) vise I've seen. Jeesh.

 

[HoosierBuddy]

Schweet!!!

 

[jabberwoki]

Wow mate that thing`s a muckin fonster!!

 

[porphyre]

I wonder what that Barrett vise looks like under all the paint. There were a couple recent posts here with guys smoothing out their vises with body filler before painting them.

I mean, whoever painted that thing obviously didn't know what they were doing AND put a lot of work into it. Painting the slide, the handle, the entire lead screw, and do I see paint INSIDE the main nut??

 

[bmwpower]

I should have prefaced...BENCH vise, haha.

 

[kingston]

I should have prefaced...BENCH vise, haha.

I like the mobility kit.

 

[ecotec]

"Listen to me Anthony. I got your head in a ****in' vise. I'll squash your head like a ****in' grapefruit if you don't give me a name. Don't make me have to do this, please. Don't make me be a bad guy, come on. "

 

[mikevango]

I seen that on cl. It is huge. Good score.

 

[wornoutoldman]

What did ya give for that? Inquiring minds want to know!

 

[FJ 432]

"Listen to me Anthony. I got your head in a ****in' vise. I'll squash your head like a ****in' grapefruit if you don't give me a name. Don't make me have to do this, please. Don't make me be a bad guy, come on. "

"Casino" gave Vises a bad rep.

If you outlaw vises, only outlaws will have vises.