Palmgren Machinist Vise Info.

[dwall174]

I'm looking for information that might help me figure out the approximate age of an old Palmgren Machinist Vise. Judging by information found on VintageMachinery.org I'm pretty sure it was made before 1959, But I haven't been able to find any other information that may help me figure out a possible manufactured date.

My best guess on it's age would be somewhere prior to the 1950's & the introduction of CNC machines which made machining curved parts more common, Like the current 3-axis style vises.

The bottom swivel plate has a part # 725-1349
The second swivel & tilt section has a part # 7425-1348
The only number on the main vise is small # 176.9 & it's on the top of the moving jaws casting.

Doug

 

[joe.striper]

I'm looking for information that might help me figure out the approximate age of an old Palmgren Machinist Vise. Judging by information found on VintageMachinery.org I'm pretty sure it was made before 1959, But I haven't been able to find any other information that may help me figure out a possible manufactured date.

My best guess on it's age would be somewhere prior to the 1950's & the introduction of CNC machines which made machining curved parts more common, Like the current 3-axis style vises.

The bottom swivel plate has a part # 725-1349
The second swivel & tilt section has a part # 7425-1348
The only number on the main vise is small # 176.9 & it's on the top of the moving jaws casting.

Doug

Doug, I've got one of these in my shop as we speak. I'll check it out. And let you know what I find.

 

[dwall174]

Doug, I've got one of these in my shop as we speak.

Out of all my searches for info. (including the big vise thread) Yours is the only other one I've seen or heard about!

I bought this vise several years ago & just recently cleaned it all up & repainted it.

First 3 pic's are the way I got it, Second 3 are of it stripped-down before primer & paint.

Doug

 

[KMScott]

I can not help with any age or any identity of your Palmgren Compound Vise but to mention that this 8" Palmgren mounted on a cross slide is for sale in a Auction in Denver. The Compound Vises you two have are pretty slick and the first time I have seen one. Joe you have quite a collection. Nice job on the restoration dwall174.

 

[dwall174]

Nice job on the restoration dwall174.

Thanks for the complement!

As for the cross-slide, I got that covered with a matching Palmgren cross slide table. The dual swivel & tilting vise on top of the cross slide is a little taller than I like, Normally I just use the the vise & lower swivel section (without the center swivel & tilt section) on the cross-slide.

Just getting ready to mount the set-up onto my latest drill press project!
Here's some pic's of the set-up on a 17" Delta I'm almost finished with. First 3 pic's are with the second swivel/tilt section, And the last 3 pic's are how I plan to use it most of the time without the added center swivel/tilt section.

Doug

 

[drivesitfar]

Dwall: sorry I can't tell you how old your vise is, but even if it isn't vintage it is very cool and wish i owned one. nice work on the restoration and your shop looks very well set up too.

 

[dwall174]

nice work on the restoration

Thanks for the complement!

your shop looks very well set up too.

More like partially organized clutter!

I currently have have about four machines disassembled & sitting on my work bench or saw horses, Waiting on parts or machining to be reassembled.

Doug

 

[Mark in Indiana]

Doug,
That's one of the coolest looking mill/drill vises that I've seen. I also wish I could help you with any information. It seems that there's not much information from Google or the tool forums. I haven't found anything about mine either.

 

[dwall174]

I haven't found anything about mine either.

Here's a link to Vintage Machinery that has a PDF download of a 1959 Palmgren catalog.
Looks like your vise is on page 5
http://www.vintagemachinery.org/pubs/detail.aspx?id=4514

Doug

 

[Mark in Indiana]

Thanks Doug.
Isn't that a great site to spend hours on?

 

[dwall174]

Isn't that a great site to spend hours on?

Yeah they got some cool old machines on that site.
It's a good thing I only have a two car garage, Some of those old machines are quite big.

Doug

 

[OldeTimeEtc]

Here's mine in my shop in case you decide to do a restore ....the paint job is the way I got it over 20 years ago. Can't tell if its factory or not.

 

[dwall174]

the paint job is the way I got it over 20 years ago. Can't tell if its factory or not.

I would guess that it was repainted before judging by the way the bottom of the degree ring is also painted a little? Also with having done hundreds of searches looking for info on my vise, I haven't seen another red Palmgren.

Doug