Need help identifying my vise

[BreeStephany]

I picked this old vise up a couple of years ago and am curious if anyone here might be able to identify it. It has a nameplate on it, but everything is completely gone on the plate.

It looks to be covered in bondo or something similar. I am not sure if this was done in the factory to hide casting marks or if this is someone's restoration attempt to give it a smooth finish.

Its been a great vise for me, and though it isn't a Wilton, it does everything I need it for.

I have been considering restoring it, but wanted to figure out what it was before I put a lot of work or money into it.

 

[drivesitfar]

it looks like an import and maybe Olympia or a Larin that someone put their own badge on. i know a lot of guys really love the ones they have that are similar and if you don't use it as a press or an anvil it most likely will last you for years.

I've seen a lot of these broken because of mis use and the owner's would weld, bolt or tape them back together and keep using them.

it's not worth a lot, but if you like it then grease it up and use it. paint any color you like if you want to.

there are old US versions of these that are rare because the old guys really abused their vises, but if you do find one of those they are valuable. I've also seen one member restore i his that might have been English made.

 

[BreeStephany]

I just looked and found an Olympia that looks exactly like it. Thanks for the quick help.

All things considered, it actually hasn't been that abused. Its been used as an anvil a few times (by the previous owner), but isn't bent, cracked or otherwise majorly damaged and turns freely.

I don't think its worth restoring to me, but its good to know what it is. I picked it up for $50.00 a couple of years back.

 

[454ragtop]

Am I the only one who finds it very amusing that 9 out of 10 of these "ID my vise" threads are that rotating head import vise?
Jim

 

[Zeke]

I have one. They are handy. They also don't cost much. 60 bucks new, I think.

 

[Outlawmws]

DON"T try to "restore" that vise. Someone else striped one to bare metal and the underlying castings are frightening. Bondo, painters putty and extra thick paint provide the "finish"...

If you must pretty it up, wire wheel the bare metal and lightly sand the existing finish and rattle can some forgiving paint like hammertone on it.

Link to the thread where one of those was striped:

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?p=3553473#post3553473