Prentiss vise Does anyone recognize

[seasnarf]

Hi, I've had this vise for a long time and always wondered what it's intended trade was. It is a bit different than any I've seen. It has 4 1/2" wide jaws and 1" screw diameter. I also wanted to try posting pictures.

 

[Outlawmws]

That has a quick release mechanism doesn't it? I'd think in a production shop environment whee getting a part in and out quickly, possibly different sized parts, was at a premium.

Cool Vise!

 

[SweetD]

I do not recognize it, but I like it! What is the deal with that swivel lock mechanism? How does it work?

Very cool!

Dave

 

[seasnarf]

It is not a quick action . It threads in and out like most vises. The neat little knob on the side is a cam that lifts a tapered pin that locks the swivel base in several different positions. Thanks for the input.

 

[Catalyze]

Sea - welcome to the Journal and a very fine posting. That is a very old Prentiss from the turn of the century. I would guess it to be from 1910 area. It has the mounting loops on the side of the base and not the older center post mounting. I can't tell you that it is an *** vise from the year 19XX or anything....but here is another Prentiss that is in the same vein.
View media item 21858
It is a very early attempt at a combo vise by Prentiss and this one is a 6" jaw width monster. It is a Model 183.....the number got reused much later still as a combination vise but the more normal looking one. This old beast is a center post mount swivel base Prentiss. Thanks for the posting and a very big Grats on an unusual Prentiss. Make sure to post your photos of it over in the Vises of Garage Journal thread. That way it will be in a "living" thread that a lot of folks use for researching these old vises.
Craig

 

[seasnarf]

Catalyze thanks for the response. Anybody know what " LEWIS PAT. " means ?

 

[bigcaddy]

Lewis Pat refers to one of the many patent holders within the Prentiss Vise Co. I did some digging and was able to come up with a Mortimer G. Lewis, previous head of Lewis Tool Co. and was credited with a "wagon brake lever", such as the one on your vise.

He was also a witness to many other patent applications within the Prentiss Vise co.

 

[bl00]

Here's the Lewis version from 1904 with a fixed base. I like the wheel adjuster on yours. That's cool!

 

[Outlawmws]

Wow, with that open slide I'd have expected the added access to be good for a quick release...

Neat vise regardless!

 

[Catalyze]

b100 - you are the shiznits!! Two slices of vise pie for you tonight. Bigcaddy....you are the bloodhound detective too. Nothing escapes you two.
Craig

 

[bczygan]

Here's the patent for the vise with the lever to index the vise in the base plate:

http://www.google.com/patents/US514012?printsec=drawing&dq=Mortimer+G.+Lewis+lever&ei=grwEUODsNYajrQHpwJjoCA#v=onepage&q=Mortimer%20G.%20Lewis%20lever&f=false

 

[seasnarf]

WOW I'm impressed. You guys are good. I thought I had made a pretty good effort looking for info on this vise but found very little. Now I'm wondering if I should continue using this vise. I'm not rough on them but ... My Reed 104 sees the most use. It really surprises me how often I use that vise every day.
Thanks again for the research and information. I will post the pics on " Vises of Garage Journal " as suggested by Catalyze.

 

[Catalyze]

bczygan - good effort!! I didn't go back far enough in my patent search. I started at 1900 and I blew it by 6 years. Gots to love this forum and its members.
Craig

 

[bigcaddy]

WOW I'm impressed. You guys are good. I thought I had made a pretty good effort looking for info on this vise but found very little. Now I'm wondering if I should continue using this vise. I'm not rough on them but ... My Reed 104 sees the most use. It really surprises me how often I use that vise every day.
Thanks again for the research and information. I will post the pics on " Vises of Garage Journal " as suggested by Catalyze.

Since i've become a member on here, i've acquired a taste for Prentiss vises. I've looked far a wide for them and only have 5 in my collection so far. If you look at all of the old print ads that list different models you will see the variety in their production lines but they are all quite rare.

I would suggest you retire that vise and find another suitable replacement. Its already a senior citizen and in extremely good shape. You will be kicking yourself in the *** if you happen to break some part because a replacement will be impossible to find.

Save it for your kids or someone else that will give it the respect that it deserves.