Need help with Parker vise offered to me

[Lump]

Last weekend I went with my sons and set up at a flea mkt in Southern Ohio. My display included about 6 or 8 old US vises that I had for sale. A guy was looking at them, and then asked me if I also BUY old vises. I said sure, if they are unbroken, not welded or repaired, and are USA made. He then asked if I would be interested in a really big old vise, in near perfect condition.

Now, we've all been on those wild goose chases...me more than most folks, I think. Anyway, he is about a 3-4 hour drive away from me, and I am wondering whether to go look at it. He told me that it is marked on the side with: "The Chas Parker Co, Meriden Ct, USA, No. 806, Semi-solid Steel." But he wasn't sure of the exact jaw size or weight. He just said it is really big.

I have lots of old tool and hardware catalogs, dating back to the 1920's with Parker vise pictures and model numbers...but could not find a "No. 806". I tried to look it up on Garage Journal postings, but after about an hour of searching so far, I still haven't found that model number described.

The guy swears it is in really great shape, no cracks, dents, welds, nor bent handle. And he says it is "really big." He said if I could sell it for him for $200, he would give me $25. So that clearly means that he would accept $175...and probably a little less. Hmmm....

So, like they said in the first Star Wars movie...."Help me, Obi-Wan Vise Gurus! You're my only hope!" Does anyone know the size and style of a No. 806 Chas. Parker vise?

 

[bl00]

I have Parker ads going back to 1890 and can't find anything close to 806. They seemed to start marketing the "semi-steel" around 1906 or at least I can't find a reference prior to that.

Get him to send you some pics and measurements (and then post them up!)


If that three-four hour drive is towards the east, send me his address and I'll go check it out for you

 

[bas157]

See if he can send you some pics, might save you the drive, and make sure it includes something to base the size, if not a ruler, a soda can or something.

 

[bczygan]

806 is a 6" wide jaw, 9 1/2" opening #154 Parkers Superior Machinist Vise with fixed jaw and swivel base.

Lower right corner of the ad:

I'd give him a hundred in good condition and not missing any parts with well checkered jaws. Got my 6" for $50. Make sure it has the garter with the Parker name just behind the handle. Ask if it has the wrench for tightening the base:

 

[Even 11]

I would have to agree with Bczygan, although I would probably go up to $150. With a big old monster like that one, I'd have a real hard time re-selling it though. I have more vises than I care to admit, and a 6" Parker would still be the crown jewel of my collection. Looking forward to the pics!

-Dane

 

[bczygan]

I would have to agree with Bczygan, although I would probably go up to $150. With a big old monster like that one, I'd have a real hard time re-selling it though. I have more vises than I care to admit, and a 6" Parker would still be the crown jewel of my collection. Looking forward to the pics!

-Dane

Don't tell anyone, but if I didn't already have two 6" Parkers and some other sizes, I'd probably go $150 to get one too. Now, if you can find me an 8" one........

 

[slip knot]

I'd be all over that. Good older american made vises bring a premium around here.

$150 would be a good price if you needed a good vise but there may not be much profit potential if resale is your gig.

 

[Simple Sam]

A six inch, 159 lb vise in good shape for $200? I'd barely cross the street for a four inch vise but how many six inch vises do you come across?

The three or four hour drive is tough though; you can't get him to e-mail photos? You could tell him that if you were going to drive that far, he's have to do better on the price. He's offering you $25 to sell a vise that you have to go three to four hours to get?

 

[Lump]

Wow, thanks for the help, guys. I KNEW the Garage Journal crew would come through on this problem!

Don't worry too much about the profit motive... I would never pay $150-175 for a vise that I planned to resell!

Right now I have a great workbench with three FAIRLY big vises sitting unmounted on it, including a 5" Craftsman, a 6" Paramo (No. 6, like new), and a 4.5" Rock Island. But so far none of them have satisfied me enough to bolt them down (I hate to drill holes, only to need different holes later for a different vise). Yet I DO need a solidly-mounted vise to work with now and then, so I want to find a vise that really "floats my boat" and mount it permanently.

The problem is that I have recently contracted the dreaded "BFVF" disease With that in mind, I haven't been satisfied with anything yet.

My workbench is purposely built taller than most, at 41.5", due to back pain issues that are associated with bending over. Obviously, a tall workbench does not lend itself to a tall vise; yet I really want a BIG vise. So I keep hoping that I will find just the right one, someday soon.

Also, I LOVE to hunt for bargains on tools and shop equipment, and don't want to just step up and pay full top-dollar retail price for anything. These factors keep me looking for a fabulous bargain on a low-profile MONSTER old USA-made vise.

That may be too much to hope for. I'll probably never get the vise of my dreams. Sigh. Yet, maybe this one is at least worth going to look at? Sounds like a fun trip anyway.

 

[Provincial]

[QUOTE
My workbench is purposely built taller than most, at 41.5", due to back pain issues that are associated with bending over. Obviously, a tall workbench does not lend itself to a tall vise; yet I really want a BIG vise. So I keep hoping that I will find just the right one, someday soon. QUOTE]

If the structure of your workbench permits, mount a sturdy piece of steel under the workbench, extending out far enough to mount the vise. This will put the jaw area lower, but hopefully still above the top surface of the bench.

My bench is a glulam beam eight inches thick, which is why I thought of this. I think a piece of heavy U-channel or heavy truck frame would be very sturdy for this application, with the u's facing down.

 

[bczygan]

Parker is my favorite vise (Along with Wilton). Elegant design. Sturdy and massive. In the bigger weights like this one, you will have a great bench monster that is worthy of hole drilling. When you do drill, remember to put the face of the rear jaw past the edge of the bench. You could also mount it on it's own pedestal.

 

[bczygan]

OOOps........I screwed up. It's a #159 vise and a stationary base. Actually stationary base is a more rigid mount.

 

[Lookin4'67Galaxieconv]

Now, we've all been on those wild goose chases...me more than most folks, I think. Anyway, he is about a 3-4 hour drive away from me, and I am wondering whether to go look at it. He told me that it is marked on the side with: "The Chas Parker Co, Meriden Ct, USA, No. 806, Semi-solid Steel." But he wasn't sure of the exact jaw size or weight. He just said it is really big.

I wouldn't make that trip without at least seeing pictures of it first.