The VISES of Garage Journal

[Recoil Rob]

Re: Need some help on a vise...

I was back in town at my parents and found a very old vise, looks to be an old swivel jaw prentiss, swivel base. 5" jaws. ~60-70 lbs. Decent shape. Only problem is: 1) the swivel jaw lockbolt is missing 2) one of the mounting ears broke off!

I haven't ditched the idea of buying it. I was considering buying it and scrapping the swivel base, and just hard mounting it with two bolts on the main body flange that mounts to the swivel, or searching until I get a base off someone else.

The place (antique shop) wants $115. I was thinking if I could get it to $80 or $85 to jump on it. Does this seem smart?

Should I do it????? Anyone convert a swivel to fixed base?

Here is a pic:

There seem to be enough old vises around to spend that much on one that no longer functions as intended. $50 OK, otherwise I wouldn't. then again I'm new here... also, 60-70lbs seems a bit light for an old 5" vise.

 

[PCO6]

Re: Need some help on a vise...

... also, 60-70lbs seems a bit light for an old 5" vise.

If this helps for comparison, I have a few Record vices and the jaw widths and weights are as follows ...

Record ...
No.1 - 3" ... 10 lbs.
No.3 - 4" ... 33 lbs
No.4 - 4.5" ... 42 lbs
No.6 - 6" ... ? (bolted to my bench - my guess is about 65 lbs)
No.8 - 8" ... 82 lbs

 

[Steven67fr]

Did mine metallic blue

And a can of the cheapest beer to boot...

 

[dayid]

Re: Need some help on a vise...

[...]also, 60-70lbs seems a bit light for an old 5" vise.

The 5" Reed here states 73lbs, so that's not too far off:

 

[Recoil Rob]

OK, guess it's in the ballpark...my mistake.

 

[demographic]

Re: Need some help on a vise...

If this helps for comparison, I have a few Record vices and the jaw widths and weights are as follows ...

Record ...
No.1 - 3" ... 10 lbs.
No.3 - 4" ... 33 lbs
No.4 - 4.5" ... 42 lbs
No.6 - 6" ... ? (bolted to my bench - my guess is about 65 lbs)
No.8 - 8" ... 82 lbs

One point worth remembering about the quick action Records is that the buttress thread they use for the lead screw is a good deal stronger than the acme thread on many other vice's.

 

[PCO6]

Re: Need some help on a vise...

One point worth remembering about the quick action Records is that the buttress thread they use for the lead screw is a good deal stronger than the acme thread on many other vice's.

I have 5 Record bench vices but none of them have the quick action feature. Do you know if there is a difference between the lead screw on the more common standard Record vice and the ones with a quick action? I recently bought a quick action Record No. 53 1/2 wood vice and it's a nice feature.

 

[Nightshift]

Re: Need some help on a vise...

If this helps for comparison, I have a few Record vices and the jaw widths and weights are as follows ...

Record ...
No.1 - 3" ... 10 lbs.
No.3 - 4" ... 33 lbs
No.4 - 4.5" ... 42 lbs
No.6 - 6" ... ? (bolted to my bench - my guess is about 65 lbs)
No.8 - 8" ... 82 lbs

PC, to fill your gap here, just weighed my Record #6 ... 70 lbs. There's no quick-action on this one. Cheers, Bill

 

[PCO6]

Thanks Bill. You just saved me a bit of work!

Stew

 

[demographic]

Thanks Bill. You just saved me a bit of work!

Stew

And me as I also have a number 6 Record, amongst others.

 

[Nightshift]

And me as I also have a number 6 Record, amongst others.

Thanks Bill. You just saved me a bit of work!

Stew

No problem guys ... but I wouldn't lift that big slug down off the shelf to weigh it just for anyone you know ...

 

[PCO6]

No problem guys ... but I wouldn't lift that big slug down off the shelf to weigh it just for anyone you know ...

Good one ...

 

[bluebolt]

Re: Need some help on a vise...

I was back in town at my parents and found a very old vise, looks to be an old swivel jaw prentiss, swivel base. 5" jaws. ~60-70 lbs. Decent shape. Only problem is: 1) the swivel jaw lockbolt is missing 2) one of the mounting ears broke off!

I haven't ditched the idea of buying it. I was considering buying it and scrapping the swivel base, and just hard mounting it with two bolts on the main body flange that mounts to the swivel, or searching until I get a base off someone else.

The place (antique shop) wants $115. I was thinking if I could get it to $80 or $85 to jump on it. Does this seem smart?

Should I do it????? Anyone convert a swivel to fixed base?

Here is a pic:

That's a bit high for a vise with two problems, especially that broken mount. Did you look at the vise nut carefully? Unscrew it all the way way and look at the nut and the screw itself. Anyway to get us more pics? I might consider paying $60 for it only because I don't have a Prentiss or any swivel jaw vise. I have enough projects to do without fixing something broken.

 

[SweetD]

Re: Need some help on a vise...

That's a bit high for a vise with two problems, especially that broken mount. Did you look at the vise nut carefully? Unscrew it all the way way and look at the nut and the screw itself. Anyway to get us more pics? I might consider paying $60 for it only because I don't have a Prentiss or any swivel jaw vise. I have enough projects to do without fixing something broken.

I agree here. A swivel-base / swivel-jaw Prentiss is certainly a cool, and relatively rare, vise.

But this one looks like a project. If that's what you want to get into, go for it. But I think with a little patience you can find something much better for your money.

Disclaimer - I am a BIG Prentiss guy (I own six)...and I would pass on this one...

Dave

 

[jeffmoss26]

This is the vise on the bench at the hardware store I work. Not sure of the age but it's pretty cool.

 

[Glen_63]

Figure I'm not a part of GJ till I post a vise. Its a reed #34 from 1905. 6" jaws, don't have the swivel base. Old flyers listed it at 178lbs with the base. Had a brass jaws put on because the old ones didn't exist anymore.

 

[Outlawmws]

Figure I'm not a part of GJ till I post a vise. Its a reed #34 from 1905. 6" jaws, don't have the swivel base. Old flyers listed it at 178lbs with the base. Had a brass jaws put on because the old ones didn't exist anymore.

The cast in Pat. date says day before Xmas 1919, so I don't think you have the age correct, however to a vise that big and heavy!

The brass colors on the stationary jaw; braze fill?

 

[porphyre]

Figure I'm not a part of GJ till I post a vise. Its a reed #34 from 1905. 6" jaws, don't have the swivel base. Old flyers listed it at 178lbs with the base. Had a brass jaws put on because the old ones didn't exist anymore.

Kick-***!

We now have a complete set.

#31 owned by kblazer87
#32 owned by myself
#33 owned by brats.n.harleys
#34 owned by you

Yours is a little worse for wear, but it'll still get the job done with those nice new jaws. As Outlaw mentioned, my research shows these guys were produced between WWI and around 1935-1940-ish. I personally think it's closer to '35. Either way, damn thing's nearly 100 years old.

Not very many folks have these old original Reed combo vises. Welcome.

 

[Glen_63]

The cast in Pat. date says day before Xmas 1919, so I don't think you have the age correct, however to a vise that big and heavy!

The brass colors on the stationary jaw; braze fill?

Sounds good to me, good info thanks! There brass bar stock.
Really wish I had the pipe jaws And its definitely been been abused, I had to weld the slide as it had a crack at the back off it. I've cranked down with this thing and no issues.
Did not have a good experience dealing with reed thou, they're terrible.

 

[BobsurUncle]

Just arrived. Littlestown No.112. 3 1/4" jaws. Looks like original paint. Needs a good cleaning. Other than new jaws, I think I'm going to let it be.

 

[zoomieport]

WOW, I AM in the right place... You guys know your vises!!! I've got two for you guys to teach me all about.... Here we go!

The first is a Wilton Bullet Vise I found on Craigs List. The guy was advertising a "Metal Work Bench" for $75 and said he would "throw in the vise for free"...
1) It says "11-46" on the key, no other letters or numbers.
2) The jaws are 4" wide.
3) One one side is says "HD 9400" near the jaw. In large letters in the body it says "Wilton Chicago USA"
4) On the other side it just says "Wilton Chicago USA"
5) I cant find anything about a patent number or anything that says patent pending...
6) Other than surface rust, it is CLEAN... the jaws are 99% untouched!

Here are some pictures...

 

[zoomieport]

The Second one is a H.B Smith Combination Vise, I picked it up at an estate sale for $25...
1) The Jaws are 4" wide
2) It has to be 50+ Lbs
3) On one side it says "H.B. Smith Co. Westfild Mass"
4) On the it says "No. 2. A. Patented Aug. 1, 1865"...Let me know what you guys say it is... Thanks!

 

[bl00]

The Second one is a H.B Smith Combination Vise

Post up some pictures when you can. We like looking at them.


The patent is for the pipe jaws. Here's a little info on it:

 

[RedVise]

Black Friday = Black Wilton

Picked up a nice Wilton just now. 4" jaws, 2 swivel locks, 4 bolt base, marked Schiller Park Illinois. Jaws open to 7". No model number, looked under the dynamic jaw. Any idea on the moel or age ? Bent handle painted in place, other than that seems to be in good shape. My kind of Black Friday deal! $50.

Also bought a big Record 52 1/2 wood working vise at a good price.

Brian L.

 

[ZRX61]

Just arrived. Littlestown No.112. 3 1/4" jaws. Looks like original paint. Needs a good cleaning. Other than new jaws, I think I'm going to let it be.

Mine......& yes, I know the cotter pin is missing...

& I found this one recently for.......... $2...

 

[tool_scrounge]

Any thoughts on who made this vise? It was in a jeweler's workshop and they want $40 for it. The only catch is that it is in Brooklyn, NY and needs to be picked up Sunday morning before it (and all the other machinery) is sold for scrap They also have an Oswego (?) 23 1/2 vise with swivel vise as shown (same price).

 

[Outlawmws]

Any thoughts on who made this vise? It was in a jeweler's workshop and they want $40 for it. The only catch is that it is in Brooklyn, NY and needs to be picked up Sunday morning before it (and all the other machinery) is sold for scrap They also have an Oswego (?) 23 1/2 vise with swivel vise as shown (same price).

The Osewgo might be worth it (if not broken in some way) the little one is little. That appears to be a one by it is sitting on.... Maybe $5 or $10?

 

[Outlawmws]

& I found this one recently for.......... $2...

Perfect candidate for an electrolysis bath!

 

[Catalyze]

Holy Cow!!
I leave for just a few months and look at all the gorgeous work that you all have done. I can't name all the vises that are incredible but the effort is really great. Everything from the unrestored finds to the fabulous refreshes make me want to get out into the shop again and start up a new Vise Bouquet! LOL

Then what to my eyes should appear? Kole is BACK!!! I read everything that he posted and wanted to move next door to him. Back he comes with a Reed 9" monster. Nothing like making a grand entrace and that Reed is grand indeed. I am figuring that maybe I should move Vise Bouquet corporate headquarters to the Kansas Vise Farm......what a display photo! Forget Miss America.....I like his lineup much better (and in this case....heavier is just fine).
Craig

 

[Catalyze]

Just so that you all don't think that the old Cat has been resting and dreaming about his retirement (which is now here), this is a nice second generation swivel base Prentiss 22. I once posted about a "guy" that I know. The "guy" that we should all be lucky enough to know. Well, I found this vise in another time zone for $75. He picked it up for me and shipped it to me. I like this "guy" a lot.

Maybe I will post up a thread on the refresh but here is before and after. This Prentiss has the second type of swivel lock and I can say without hesitation that this one is perfect. One finger lift versus the "button" pull up type (bring a prybar men).

View media item 13432
View media item 13441
View media item 13442
170 pounds with 6" swiveling jaws and grafitti lettering. Love is in the air........
Craig

 

[autopts]

Are you talking about my wife? And her tattos? I'll trade you straight up for that beauty!! I bet you can blind a person when you shine your leather shoes! Good for ******* peeks!!

 

[Catalyze]

autopts.....you're a sick puppy in need of serious help.....and I love you like a brother!
Craig

 

[pingman08]

my parker vice

 

[Catalyze]

Hey Pingman!
What you have is the quintessential Parker vise. The 950 (stationary) and the 970 (swivel base) series are the ones that seem to be the most plentiful and survived. That is a great model to have and will outlast most of us.
Craig

 

[kythri]

I can finally put mine up!

 

[Mark in Indiana]

I hope everyone had a Happy Thanksgiving. Among all that we have to be thankful for, we have our vintage tools and our forums.
Here's my latest restoration:
Morgan 10A woodworking vise = $5.00
Rattle cans of paint laying around in a cabinet = $0
Satisfaction = Priceless!

 

[wxm]

Here are a couple of addition:

(1) Parker 204. Big and heavy

(2) Sawyer - nice details!

(3) Rock Island 571 - only 2.5" jaw width but tall and heavy; used by a shop

(4) Finally, a "Big D" vise still much unknown to me. Information is needed. (See discussion here: http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=126947)

 

[Catalyze]

Kythri - very nice Craftsman.....and I love the "photo booth"...LOL

WXM - very nice array of classic vises....the Oswego vise is not too common, I saw a huge Oswego combo vise on Fleabay months ago but it was a Mass. only local pickup, I do want you to know that I Lust after that 22X Parker you redid.....yes I do
Craig

 

[Catalyze]

Forgot to mention ....Mark......that Morgan looks perfectly new....good use of the rattle cans!
Craig

 

[DynoDale]

Prentiss #5. 6" jaws. A few problems: bolt for handle, missing jaw, missing pin. The swivel jaw has been repaired. Restoration is in process.