Parker/ Union Bench Vise

[Tom Santoli]

I've had a 4.5 inch wide machinist style vise that has;
"Parker Vise Div., Union Manufacturing, New Britain, CT" cast in relief into the side of the static jaw/ body.

Is this a Charles Parker vise or some company simply branding there vise with the Parker name.

The vise is stout and well made but differs from other Parker vises I have and have seen, it also seems quite a bit newer than any actual Parker vise could be.

I can post a picture tomorrow if this is helpful.

Thanks;

Tom

 

[littletoes]

Welcome aboard Tom!

Pictures always help!

 

[Tom Santoli]

Sorry, too lazy to search the archives before posting with questions; a brief search and I found plenty on the Union/ Parkers.

I'll get a picture up in the morning and do my homework next time.

 

[autopts]

I've had a 4.5 inch wide machinist style vise that has;
"Parker Vise Div., Union Manufacturing, New Britain, CT" cast in relief into the side of the static jaw/ body.

Is this a Charles Parker vise or some company simply branding there vise with the Parker name.

The vise is stout and well made but differs from other Parker vises I have and have seen, it also seems quite a bit newer than any actual Parker vise could be.

I can post a picture tomorrow if this is helpful.

Thanks;

Tom

When Parker vise decided to close, legend has it that Union Tool Co. bought the Parker name and what was left of their surplus parts and equipment and continued to make the Parker vise into the 60's. They did not show the 1930 Pat on the side and they added a letter after the number. The 974 became the 974B, 434 was 434A. Union Tool, also a 100 yr old company put that same Parker quality into those vises.

 

[Tom Santoli]

Thanks.

A few pictures of the Union made Parker vise are attached; I assume this is a relatively later version?

Nice vise even though this one has been pounded on an has a damaged former repair on the perch that the jaw insert rests on.

Thanks again;

Tom

 

[Packard V8]

The Parker/Union has some design similarities to the Reed and the Rock Island vises. But then most vises look similar to most other vises, don' they?

jack vines

 

[LCconvert]

Thanks.

A few pictures of the Union made Parker vise are attached; I assume this is a relatively later version?

Nice vise even though this one has been pounded on an has a damaged former repair on the perch that the jaw insert rests on.

Thanks again;

Tom

I just found a 4.5" union vise just like this with the shaking hands logo and no mention of "Parker". What does the collar on yours look like? The one I am looking at has a square collar. I thought maybe it could be a replacement?

 

[b.well]

Nothing like finding an old thread to help you out.

Here is a "Parker" I am looking at. Logo has the handshake. "Parker Vise Div". Union MFG. Seller says, "Made by Parker Vise Division, Union Mfg. Co." The Model number appears to be "974 A U". 974 plus a letter as was mentioned above. U for Union?

Do we agree this is a good quality USA Vise?

This ones appears to have paint spray on it and needs some cosmetic TLC.

Thank you!!!

 

[tool_scrounge]

How about a picture of the whole vise? I ask because Union bought the designs, molds and parts. So the early ones looked more like original Parkers. It appears that over time they changed from original designed parts to lower cost ones. So to start the Parker Union vises has a cast iron lead screw retainers like the original. Later they went to a thick sheet metal version. After that they went to the more common internal set screwed collar. Same with Jaws. Early ones had wrap around jaws pinned in place. Later ones had standard rectangular ones that screwed in place. I am not sure they ran out off original parts and substituted lower cost ones. Or were the original designed parts too expensive to continue making and they changed them. I find the castings of the original Parkers a little less rough. But I have owned several Union made vises and they certainly are tough vises that will give years of service.

 

[b.well]

Thank for your response. Here are the full side pictures. Do they help?

 

[b.well]

How about a picture of the whole vise? I ask because Union bought the designs, molds and parts. So the early ones looked more like original Parkers. It appears that over time they changed from original designed parts to lower cost ones. So to start the Parker Union vises has a cast iron lead screw retainers like the original. Later they went to a thick sheet metal version. After that they went to the more common internal set screwed collar. Same with Jaws. Early ones had wrap around jaws pinned in place. Later ones had standard rectangular ones that screwed in place. I am not sure they ran out off original parts and substituted lower cost ones. Or were the original designed parts too expensive to continue making and they changed them. I find the castings of the original Parkers a little less rough. But I have owned several Union made vises and they certainly are tough vises that will give years of service.

Based on your description this would be an earlier one. It has the pins for the jaws not screws. Not sure about the lead screw retainers.

 

[tool_scrounge]

Looks like an earlier one with the cast iron leadscrew retainer.

 

[b.well]

Looks like an earlier one with the cast iron leadscrew retainer.

Sounds good. Thanks!

 

[Maurer]

Hey I just picked up a parker vise like this one that I would like to know the value of it.