Show off your old exposed thread bench vises

[Outlawmws]

To those who might ask “Why waste your time on such a crappy vise?”
How should I answer?

Hmm, let's think about this...

• Dirty look that they then need a shower from.
• Why do you spend time on (a fave but basically useless hobby of theirs - Golf comes to mind...)?
• You didn't know this is one of the rarest vises on the planet? (or other pure BS, but you get the idea).
• I sell these and most go to Thailand (Pick other obscure country) for good $$!
• The Yuppies are buying the for good $$; but only if they can take it from the box to display shelf.

Etc...

 

[Shiftless]

Hmm, let's think about this...

• Dirty look that they then need a shower from.
• Why do you spend time on (a fave but basically useless hobby of theirs - Golf comes to mind...)?
• You didn't know this is one of the rarest vises on the planet? (or other pure BS, but you get the idea).
• I sell these and most go to Thailand (Pick other obscure country) for good $$!
• The Yuppies are buying the for good $$; but only if they can take it from the box to display shelf.

Etc...

Good answers so far…

Anybody else have some good suggestions?

 

[d42jeep]

Because you enjoy the process.
-Don

 

[Shiftless]

Because you enjoy the process.
-Don

That’s my favorite answer so far, although the suggestions from outlaw might be more appropriate depending on the a$$hole person accusing me of wasting my time.

 

[fishwatcher]

So, what makes it a crappy vise and to who?

Will it fall apart if you do something it’s expected to do? Not everybody needs a heavy duty or over-built vise. Even if one has a heavy duty vise, it’s often handy to have another pair of “hands” to hold or squeeze things that don’t require a lot of space.

Restoring is artful, fun to do, and if it helps fund more vises that you want or enjoy restoring.. that’s a win win.

Of course the acquisition cost and the amount time you spend plays into this.. but if I know you @Shiftless .. this is a hobby that you enjoy and you’re making pay for itself.

You often give me tips on vise buys and restore projects that I’m interested in. I know I’m not the only one that benefits from your guidance (as well as from many others here).

Thank you for caring about big, little, and even “crappy” exposed screw vises.

 

[Shiftless]

Thanks for the kind words, fishwatcher.

 

[RTM]

You are in the witness protection program, and can’t have the real job you want, “_________”

 

[Oregon rock crusher]

Here is Record 773 open screw vice. I think these are fairly rare here in the states. A substantial work holding tool for a clamp on. With the nut hanging out the *** like that the screw is at least well protected there. Ed.

 

[KMScott]

Here is a Reed 134-1/2. Really liked this model.

 

[Outlawmws]

Here is a Reed 134-1/2. Really liked this model.

That looks beefy Dr Scott! 4-1/2" jaws? what does it tip the scales at?

 

[KMScott]

That looks beefy Dr Scott! 4-1/2" jaws? what does it tip the scales at?

4-1/2” jaws that opens to 6” and weights 75 lbs. Had fun fitting those jaws. Hardly any room for the pins. Had to drill and ream to match the original holes. Guys that buy vises with damaged jaw supports without a mill are asking for a headache. Even tho these jaws look easy to make they weren’t.

 

[gleman]

Dads old Wilton.



Replaced with a flea market find Shop King.



My Adjustable Clamp Company 4 x 10.

 

[mas1]

deleted

 

[Outlawmws]

While reading this thread this morning, I remembered that there was an old vise attached to a workbench that was in an old shed located on my property that I bought a few years back. Never thought much about it until today. Took a walk with the dogs this morning and this is what I found. Merry Christmas to me, the other is an old Oliver that was given to me about 10 years ago. Great vise. And of course this cute little Wilton.

You need to be in the "vises of GJ" thread for two of those. This is the Exposed Thread Vises thread.

2" baby Wilton in the last pic? Athol in the first?

 

[d42jeep]

Here is a recent estate sale pick up. I can’t find any markings but the screw is certainly exposed. I think the original owner used it for making jewelry.
-Don

 

[Outlawmws]

That's a cool little design!

 

[CRSINMICH]

I just added this ECLIPSE exposed screw vise today.


3" jaws - aint it cute?​

It looks like all I have to do is give it a light cleaning and lube; perhaps freshen up the inevitable white paint splatters too.

 

[Outlawmws]

Nice Eclipse! Seems to have a slightly longer slide as well.

 

[tool_scrounge]

On The small side of 3” vises, the very well built but diminutive British made Woden X260 vise. It weight 4.75 lbs

 

[tool_scrounge]

On the larger side, we have the US made Cole Mfg. Vise. It has 3.25” wide jaws and weighs 57 lbs. I have the matching NOS hand drill that goes with it.



Link to Cole Tool Mfg brochure

 

[Shiftless]

I love it when vises like that Titan show up.

Calling a vise that weighs less than 5 pounds a TITAN appeals to my love of words.

Similar to the LITTLE GIANT vise I posted at the beginning of this thread.

 

[Mr. Wonderful]

Here’s a few more of mine…

 

[tombell572]

This was my father's vise and I always remember it bolted to is workbench. My guess is late 1930's, early 1940's before he was drafted into WWII. It was bolted to my bench for many years. My son recently bought a house and is setting up workshop. The vise will soon be relocating there for its next assignment.

Tom B.

 

[jetlag]

I have a couple just like this little Columbian. They are common around here, I bought this one at a thrift store, the other one was a garage sale find. I don't think I paid more than 20 bucks for either of them. I use this one a lot, it's on the back side of the table that my little arbor press is mounted to. I may clean it up and paint it if I get around to it. Or not....

 

[jetlag]

Really? I am shocked that anyone on GJ would have suggested that was a "waste of time".

There are tons of YouTube vids of vise restoration, it appears to be a popular hobby. I tend to use mine as I find them after cleaning and lubrication, but I certainly can admire a nicely painted one.

To those who might ask “Why waste your time on such a crappy vise?”
How should I answer?

 

[CRSINMICH]

ATHOL A31/2S
Here's one I did waste my time on. The catalog cut is from an undated Athol Catalog #45

​

 

[drivesitfar]

Shift: great idea for a thread to itemize the vast types of vises. i'm not a huge fan of the open screw vises, but as I started collecting them they sort of grew on me. one of my favorites is the Versa vise and of course if you want to beat on something the old blacksmith vises set up correctly is the right tool for that job.

All: when I get time i'll snap and post up a few pics of some of my small vises and from Blacksmith late 1800's to maybe the largest bench mounted ones (Vanderman late 1800's and early 1900's steamfitter vises that get up to 150 pounds or maybe bigger).

for any of you that take these apart and put them back together after cleaning and repairs if you'd like to post up pics and tips on how to I bet more than a few of us would appreciate that too.

here's another favorite of mine. the Grand quick release clamp on vise with maybe a 2.5 inch wide jaw.

 

[Shiftless]

Drives:
Thanks for chiming in and posting pics of such a “grand” vise.

 

[Patrickm82]

Shift: great idea for a thread to itemize the vast types of vises. i'm not a huge fan of the open screw vises, but as I started collecting them they sort of grew on me. one of my favorites is the Versa vise and of course if you want to beat on something the old blacksmith vises set up correctly is the right tool for that job.

All: when I get time i'll snap and post up a few pics of some of my small vises and from Blacksmith late 1800's to maybe the largest bench mounted ones (Vanderman late 1800's and early 1900's steamfitter vises that get up to 150 pounds or maybe bigger).

for any of you that take these apart and put them back together after cleaning and repairs if you'd like to post up pics and tips on how to I bet more than a few of us would appreciate that too.

here's another favorite of mine. the Grand quick release clamp on vise with maybe a 2.5 inch wide jaw.

Thats a beauty drivesitfar!

 

[d42jeep]

Here is a vise that has been sitting around in my garage. I’m not sure how it came into my possession. No brand markings that I could find.
-Don

 

[d42jeep]

Here are two Dunlap vises I’ve had for quite a while.
This one is newer but still 1960 or earlier.
-Don

 

[Outlawmws]

Picked up another exposed screw vise today:

Apparently bought, set on a bench in a shed, never bolted down, and used a few time,s like that.

As found:





Even the underside - rust from damp environment, bt the swivel was never used:




After a quick wipe with Dawn ultra, and a cleanup of the jaws, and a small hand wire brush on the "anvil" surface. it stil needs soem "detailed cleaning with a brush:





It has the obligatory drips of white paint, but I popped those off right after the photos with the point of a pocket knife:

 

[Shiftless]

Picked up another exposed screw vise today:

Apparently bought, set on a bench in a shed, never bolted down, and used a few time,s like that.

As found:



Even the underside - rust from damp environment, bt the swivel was never used:


After a quick wipe with Dawn ultra, and a cleanup of the jaws, and a small hand wire brush on the "anvil" surface. it stil needs soem "detailed cleaning with a brush:


It has the obligatory drips of white paint, but I popped those off right after the photos with the point of a pocket knife:

Very nice “barn find” you found there, Outlaw!

 

[Maui]

Here are some photos of my Wilton Shop King. This vise came out of a commercial automotive shop where it spent over 50 years in service. Most Shop Kings I've run across have 3 1/2" wide jaws; mine are 5" across. The tops of the jaws have been carefully polished. In one of the photos you can see the reflection from the siding of my house. In another one you can see part of my face and the leaves on some of the trees in my yard in the reflection. It is surprisingly smooth in operation.

 

[drivesitfar]

Maui: that’s some restoration and you turned the top of your steel jaws into a mirror!! I’m guessing you used a power sander and super fine grit or do tell?

All: I just saw an open screw vintage wood open screw vise on the big vise t thread that deserves a spot on this thread. If I was any good at cutting and pasting I’d post pics or maybe the poster or some other member can post it here. I think it was pasted in the the last week.

Hope you all had a good weekend!!

 

[Shiftless]

Maui:

Drives said it first…

That is one heck of a thorough job in shining up those jaw inserts.

As O.P. and self proclaimed moderator of this thread (that has, BTW, taken off fairly well) I hereby give you this award

 

[bb29510]

i bought a yost last year, it wasnt cheap but no over high, I think $250 but i dont remember. all i can say, worst piece of chit i ever had. if your belly touch the handle, it will unload and what ever was clamp is now on the floor, just the slightest touch and it unloads

 

[Maui]

Shiftless, this is my first award here. I am humbled, and speechless! Thank you!!

Drives, no power sander was used. I wet ground the jaw tops by hand using ever finer grits of sandpaper on a rotating wheel. I have decades of experience doing this, and it requires a careful touch to get it right. The final polish was achieved by hand lapping with a diamond slurry. These jaws were relatively easy for me to polish. The much harder ones were the jaws on my Craftsman 5163 vise because the tops of the jaws on that vise are not flat. They're curved. And accurately matching that curve when grinding and polishing them by hand can be challenging.

 

[CRSINMICH]

Is there any way to sneak this 1951 Hartmann onto this thread?
Okay, it doesn't have threads but it is exposed.

​

 

[Shiftless]

CRS:
That‘s a rare and interesting vise. Thanks for posting.