Need help with chas Parker vise
- Thread starter to16go
- Start date
bczygan
Well-known member
It's original. If you set the tension of the screw in the end of it correctly, the spring tension will let you leave the handle in any position without it slipping down.
Look here:
http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=188021
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FMC1959
Well-known member
A few more pics can help others give you some info, I think the "A" is from Parker's last builds before being labelled Union, and might have been already owned by Union when those models were made.
drivesitfar
Well-known member
keep trying on the pictures. so far for a 60+- year old vise it looks almost new and all I've seen is a upside down and sideways half the vise pictures so far.
as FMC said it's probably on the end of Parker's vise making days, but looks like you have the Parker main nut holder that they changed to a flat no name one when Union put their name on Parkers in the late 50's.
in fact it looks so nice i would be tempted not to touch it other than maybe a little new grease and some oil before i mounted it and started using it.
as FMC said it's probably on the end of Parker's vise making days, but looks like you have the Parker main nut holder that they changed to a flat no name one when Union put their name on Parkers in the late 50's.
in fact it looks so nice i would be tempted not to touch it other than maybe a little new grease and some oil before i mounted it and started using it.
Thanks for the info everyone,I did think the vise was in pretty good shape and when I saw it I thought it was original paint.does anyone know if that is the original color,did they come in different colors from the factory? I will try to post more pics,I don't know why they are upside down.
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Sorry to16go . . . . . that vise is not worth keeping . . . .
. . . . . . . . . I'll cover shipping and anything you spent to take it off your hands.
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Just Kidding !!
That is terrific lifetime keeper vise.
Tell us what you paid, and you may be covered with YS awards.
. . . . . . . . . I'll cover shipping and anything you spent to take it off your hands.
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Just Kidding !!
That is terrific lifetime keeper vise.Tell us what you paid, and you may be covered with YS awards.
CNG,I fell into this one: I replied to a craigslist ad for a workbench with a 4" thick maple top 72"x28".spoke to the guy Saturday morning and since it was a rainy day we planed on me picking it up Sunday morning. He wanted 60.00 for the workbench.Later that day I received a text from the guy that he had a vise that had chas parker on it with a picture for 30.00.I told him I might be interested.Since I never heard of chas parker I did a quick check on e bay and GJ and was surprised at what I saw in a good way.
I went to pickup workbench,when I saw the vise I couldn't believe what good shape it was in and I never saw a vise like that before.I offered him 80.00 for both and he took it.we loaded the workbench(the top turned out to be an old bowling lane an had to weigh at least 125-150 lbs) in the bed of my truck and the vise rode up front with me.The vise and I were grinning the entire ride home.
I went to pickup workbench,when I saw the vise I couldn't believe what good shape it was in and I never saw a vise like that before.I offered him 80.00 for both and he took it.we loaded the workbench(the top turned out to be an old bowling lane an had to weigh at least 125-150 lbs) in the bed of my truck and the vise rode up front with me.The vise and I were grinning the entire ride home.
bczygan
Well-known member
On man!
I just noticed it's a swivel jaw with the pin!
For that price....
You just plain ****!
I just noticed it's a swivel jaw with the pin!
For that price....
You just plain ****!
Thanks for the help,not sure about its dark green paint whether it's the original or not. Was wondering if the pin that locks the swivel is original and what the diameter of the pin is that holds the swivel down.a 5/16 drill bit is loose and don't have size bit that fits right.
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drivesitfar
Well-known member
Can60: post up a few pics if you want a better answer. That said if there are no cracks or welds and you can get an old Parker for that price most likely it’s a great deal.
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drivesitfar
Well-known member
Do you own it already? Besides the missing swivel base it’s jaws are not original and is the main screw holder loose or are you in process of taking it apart? I don’t need a vise but if that was near me for $60 I’m positive I’d own it if I had a chance to. Old swivel jaw vises are not cheap or easily found especially with the original pin and the jaw not rusted together. If the screw holder can be attached which I’m guessing it can be you could mount it as a non swivel vise on your bench or make a stand for it and use it. Or just put it up on a shelf to admire over 100 year old working tool.
I have not gone to pick it up yet. i only have the pictures at this point.
Hey, I wanted to put an update to get your opinion. It is a far drive for me to pick up, so the guy disclosed to me that, prior to driving out there, he wanted me to be aware of one area of concern on the bottom of the swivel jaw. Would you please look at these pictures and tell me what you think—would it affect performance or would it make the vise no longer worth buying or using? Thanks a lot.
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drivesitfar
Well-known member
Can: to me that would be a parts vise but only because it’s swivel jaw old Parker. I have more than a few great vises now but always looking to add another one if unique. When I posted on the big vise thread daily it was pretty well known that Parker vises weren’t my favorites. Mostly because the ones I found in my area were abused worse than the one you’re looking at. If you need a good old vise to use wait and find another one and maybe save up a bit to find one in better condition. Since I still actively look for vises all over the USA and mostly just in my PNW area I doubt you’d ask me about one I’m interested in so feel free to email me if you have questions. Or if you’re close to me and just need a good working vise maybe I have one to get you started while you look for the one you really want. I love Reed, rock islands and the old craftsman vises but there are brands like Parker, Prentiss, hollands, Columbian and some of the old European ones are amazing too. Good luck.
Shiftless
Well-known member
Another flaw I noticed was the non factory “horseshoe” that retains the main screw, the original part Is thick cast iron embossed with PARKER lettering. The replacement piece that some previous user installed is a lot thinner which will result in a lot of free play of the handle when opening and closing the vise.
Missing swivel base, non original jaw inserts, steel washer replacement for the original screw retainer… it’s probably still worth $60 for a user. A swivel jaw vise can come in really handy in certain circumstances. And like Drives said, they are rare.
edit: drivesitfar gave you a good list of brands to look out for. I’m sure he would have added Hollands to the list if he had a chance to enlarge the list. Like him, if you were close to me, I’d set you up with a nice old vise for a reasonable price.
Missing swivel base, non original jaw inserts, steel washer replacement for the original screw retainer… it’s probably still worth $60 for a user. A swivel jaw vise can come in really handy in certain circumstances. And like Drives said, they are rare.
edit: drivesitfar gave you a good list of brands to look out for. I’m sure he would have added Hollands to the list if he had a chance to enlarge the list. Like him, if you were close to me, I’d set you up with a nice old vise for a reasonable price.
drivesitfar
Well-known member
Shift: Funny you should mention the odd looking Parker retainer that was loose in the first bunch of pics. Second bunch looks like it actually has the original Parker retainer so not sure what is up with that. I did mention hollands in my post cause they were built stout and with that look I like. That said I’m sure I missed a lot of good brands that he might find that would make him and us smile.
Shiftless
Well-known member
Thanks for correcting my error of overlooking that detail. I need to slow down my reading of posts.
Here is the favorite Hollands from my collection.
Shiftless
Well-known member
On my screen, the second group of 3 pics shows only the details of the cracked off sections of the rear jaw swivel. I don’t see the cast iron retainer at all in those pics. Am I missing something?
drivesitfar
Well-known member
Shift: I’m not sure where the pic went of the cast iron Parker holder but I did see it in one pic. I’m with you on maybe advising Can20 to keep looking for a more functional vise cause even as cool as yours and my swivel jaw vises are they do have limited uses using that awesome feature.