The Morgan #87 Vise Resto Thread
- Thread starter ZRX61
- Start date
Outlawmws
Well-known member
Well, mine is gray, not sure if it is original or has been repainted, but the way the old gent took care of things, it could be original...
Thanks!
BajaScout
Well-known member
Ok, I'm shocked!
I know this Morgan No 87 is a old vise, and yet the company not only has ALL the parts for them, but still sell the Vise!
I know its been around a long time because I have one I bought over 30 years ago from the estate of one of my long time neighbors (I'd known him 10-15 years, and he was a retired machinist when I met him (in the 5th grade.) and I'm pretty certain he had this thing for decades himself.
I've never actually mounted and used it, it was too pristine for the abuse I knew I would heap on it.
The PO was at least late 70's when he passed, and I considered myself lucky to have been allowed to buy a couple of his old tools (I also have his 2 ft (cherry?) wood level (Henry Disston & Sons, Pat. 1912),
When I got it it came with a wood Kraft cheese box with the pipe jaws in it (The Box was painted the same gloss tool gray as the Vise, so I'm semi certain the vise had been painted) as well as some copper jaw covers for the jaws.
My guess was this vise was mid-late 30's to maybe 40's, now I'm not so sure. (Until I saw this thread, I'd never seen another Morgan vise)
So how long have they been making the No 87, and can you tell when it was made?
Attached is a Morgan Chicago vise I have had for 20+ years. Been sitting in my garage. It has Morgan Chicago on one side. On the other side is a star with the number 4. Has 4 inch jaws. My dad and I got the vise with a bench we bought from General Dynamics/Convair when they close up shop here in San Diego around 1995. It is missing the swivel plate and the lock down components. The jaws are also missing. Wouldn't mind restoring it if I could find the parts I need to put it back together. Anyone have a lead on where to get parts for these vises? Is it possible this is a fixed base vise?
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Outlawmws
Well-known member
Well, keeping in mind this thread is over 5 years old; the company is still in business. Jaws for one that old may not be available any longer, but: http://www.milwtool.com/v_swiv.htm
If Morgan can't help, contact Dr Scott; (he posts regularly in the Main Vises of GJ thread
If Morgan can't help, contact Dr Scott; (he posts regularly in the Main Vises of GJ thread
Outlawmws
Well-known member
Wow, the Star vise is still made: http://www.milwtool.com/v_star.htm
Note that the current jaw is the "T" type and yours is a "C" type - Be sure to ask which is actually available.
Note that the current jaw is the "T" type and yours is a "C" type - Be sure to ask which is actually available.
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BajaScout
Well-known member
Thank you. I will be contacting them tomorrow. Looking at the pictures, I assume I have the stationary base.
krcoomer
Well-known member
I picked up this Morgan Chicago star 4 1/2" vise a couple of weeks ago off CL. It is a smooth sliding beast. It is missing a couple of jaw screws so thanks to the contact info in this thread I emailed the company and got this response:
"Chicago Morgan vises were manufactured sometime between 1929 through 1957. Old style screws are no longer available. The screw is a standard 5/16" x 18 thread. You have a couple of options, first you could purchase new face jaws that include new screws (1104557, $63.10 per pair), or grind your own screws to fit. The face jaws are hardened so you wont be able to change the countersink taper. We accept Master Card, Visa, and Amex as payment options. See the attached parts list."
I will probably be grinding some screws. My question is about paint color. If I took all the remaining blue paint and put it together it would almost cover a dime. Does anyone have an approximate color that it matches? I usually prefer flatter paint and the only Ford engine or tractor paint I can find is glossy.
"Chicago Morgan vises were manufactured sometime between 1929 through 1957. Old style screws are no longer available. The screw is a standard 5/16" x 18 thread. You have a couple of options, first you could purchase new face jaws that include new screws (1104557, $63.10 per pair), or grind your own screws to fit. The face jaws are hardened so you wont be able to change the countersink taper. We accept Master Card, Visa, and Amex as payment options. See the attached parts list."
I will probably be grinding some screws. My question is about paint color. If I took all the remaining blue paint and put it together it would almost cover a dime. Does anyone have an approximate color that it matches? I usually prefer flatter paint and the only Ford engine or tractor paint I can find is glossy.
