The VISES of Garage Journal

[Outlawmws]

Couple of small vise bases today! one from EPrey, the other from a HS Flea:


I was not certain what this was for, but I suspected it wasfor a small vise base. Why did I think that? the mounting surfaces both screamed vise to me.. For $5 I'd find a good use for it regardless.

and I was right! see below!

Research was quick! its for a Stanley No. 400 miter vise:

And the EPrey buy was from 5 days ago. It came in today for the clamp on base only - all the blue parts I had, but those suction cup bases only work on a really smooth surface, Glass, at least 6X6 glazed smooth tile, Formica in good shape. not a lot of that handy!


The black clamp-on base is from a Wisler Western Arms Double Jaw Rotating Gunsmith Vise Base. I made inquiries and the rotatng sleeve clamp matched the Taiwanese vises well enough! I'll get a 3/16 X 1-1/4" ID O-ring for the end gap, if only to keep grit out of the rotating sleeve. otherwise, perfect fit!


I had one of these vises from about the 5th or 6th grade til I busted the main nut over-tighteng it. I think I was trying to bend metal in my room...


I decades later reacquired both of these blue ones separately but don't particularly like the suction bass - Yes, they **** - the bad way!


Still need to clean it up a bit but I'm liking it! This will become a portable "travel vise" for the most part.

1959 Catalog page - I got a good guess where the Asians stole the design from!:

 

[colmal]

Couple of small vise bases today! one from EPrey, the other from a HS Flea:


I was not certain what this was for, but I suspected it wasfor a small vise base. Why did I think that? the mounting surfaces both screamed vise to me.. For $5 I'd find a good use for it regardless.

and I was right! see below!

Research was quick! its for a Stanley No. 400 miter vise:

And the EPrey buy was from 5 days ago. It came in today for the clamp on base only - all the blue parts I had, but those suction cup bases only work on a really smooth surface, Glass, at least 6X6 glazed smooth tile, Formica in good shape. not a lot of that handy!


The black clamp-on base is from a Wisler Western Arms Double Jaw Rotating Gunsmith Vise Base. I made inquiries and the rotatng sleeve clamp matched the Taiwanese vises well enough! I'll get a 3/16 X 1-1/4" ID O-ring for the end gap, if only to keep grit out of the rotating sleeve. otherwise, perfect fit!


I had one of these vises from about the 5th or 6th grade til I busted the main nut over-tighteng it. I think I was trying to bend metal in my room...


I decades later reacquired both of these blue ones separately but don't particularly like the suction bass - Yes, they **** - the bad way!


Still need to clean it up a bit but I'm liking it! This will become a portable "travel vise" for the most part.

1959 Catalog page - I got a good guess where the Asians stole the design from!:

I got one a few months ago as I was curious about the vacuum base, but to be honest just liked the box.

 

[Outlawmws]

to be honest just liked the box.

Yeah lots of really good [/sarcasm] mounting positions - you can lose it overboard, piss off the Sig other on the coffee table; and piss off yourself for effing up the hood of your car!

 

[colmal]

Yeah lots of really good [/sarcasm] mounting positions - you can lose it overboard, piss off the Sig other on the coffee table; and piss off yourself for effing up the hood of your car!

I got it cheap as it wasn't working, no probs I was happy to pay the price for the box and figured I could fix it, a bush from the back with a spring clip thru the broken shaft maybe, but not really fussed just wanted the box and see how the vacuum works,
Not sure I'd trust the excellent quality of the vice as a user, or maybe your very gentle.

 

[Outlawmws]

That was exactly how I busted the one I had as a kid..

Not sure what the thread is for the screw but If I bust one of these, I'll make a new collar and threaded nut, and if needed make a mating main screw.

Is that one Japan, Taiwan, or "other"?

 

[colmal]

That was exactly how I busted the one I had as a kid..

Not sure what the thread is for the screw but If I bust one of these, I'll make a new collar and threaded nut, and if needed make a mating main screw.

Is that one Japan, Taiwan, or "other"?

Doesn't say on the box, I'm assuming it's Taiwanese as the price tag is a 70/80's Coles ($5.98) - pre chinese cheapies and hmmm from a supermarket selling food ?

 

[Outlawmws]

Doesn't say on the box, I'm assuming it's Taiwanese as the price tag is a 70/80's Coles ($5.98) - pre chinese cheapies and hmmm from a supermarket selling food ?

Mine are cast into the base on top as Taiwan; IIR the one I had as a kid was Japan. that was early 60's

 

[John Hall]

I kind of worked through it as I was writing. Thanks for the confirmation!

This design of vice is simply used to hold objects of irregular shapes

 

[TheRealZeus]

Doesn't say on the box, I'm assuming it's Taiwanese as the price tag is a 70/80's Coles ($5.98) - pre chinese cheapies and hmmm from a supermarket selling food ?

Whelp! I hit the grocery stores pretty earlier. Did not get a dang thing…

except a psych eval at one store…. And French bread.. no Vises.

 

[682bear]

Whelp! I hit the grocery stores pretty earlier. Did not get a dang thing…

except a psych eval at one store…. And French bread.. no Vises.

I suppose french bread could be considered a vice...

-Bear

 

[SRU1436]

I’ve had this Chas Parker for about 10 years and it just been sitting in the garage the entire time. I wasn’t sure where I wanted to mount it, but finally decided to move it to the outside work bench. Oiled it up and wiped it down. I have my grandfathers Rock Island in the garage and don’t want it outside, even those this area where the Chas Parker is covered. I also have the No. 3 wrench for it. I hunted for one for quite a while, finally came across one on eBay a few years ago.

 

[INSP380]

Started on a newly acquired Wilton 333-1/2 Shop King. Vise was in pretty decent shape minus the saw marks on the top & sides of the jaws. Fortunate that this one came with the pipe jaw inserts as well. I pulled it apart to take inventory and assess the saw damage. Looks like it’s base was trashed and replaced with a machined version at some point. Somebody did a nice job. A quick polish highlighted the damage and then I could get to work. A big honken IR grinder with a 60 grit pad lifted most of the sins. Dressed it back down with a file then on to the 3M wheel followed by a trip back into the glass bead booth. Jaws are real nice with the exception of one mark on the edge of the static jaw. So be it for now…If it ever warms up, a nice coat of Cherry Red will be applied.

Steve

 

[colmal]

I don't really like buying with missing parts, but overall better than most I've seen, a third of the price to others, so added it to the above Vacuum vice to halve postage costs- must have been having a inquisitive day.
Maybe a Boker or Peter Wright 100yr old English I'm presuming and a bonus, found a Ad to a similar vice- hmmm no clamp handle-excellent don't have to do anything about that now.

2" jaws



And while I'm here does this ring a bell with anyone ?

 

[ArmyVW_GuyInTX]

Couple of small vise bases today! one from EPrey, the other from a HS Flea:


I was not certain what this was for, but I suspected it wasfor a small vise base. Why did I think that? the mounting surfaces both screamed vise to me.. For $5 I'd find a good use for it regardless.

and I was right! see below!

Research was quick! its for a Stanley No. 400 miter vise:

And the EPrey buy was from 5 days ago. It came in today for the clamp on base only - all the blue parts I had, but those suction cup bases only work on a really smooth surface, Glass, at least 6X6 glazed smooth tile, Formica in good shape. not a lot of that handy!


The black clamp-on base is from a Wisler Western Arms Double Jaw Rotating Gunsmith Vise Base. I made inquiries and the rotatng sleeve clamp matched the Taiwanese vises well enough! I'll get a 3/16 X 1-1/4" ID O-ring for the end gap, if only to keep grit out of the rotating sleeve. otherwise, perfect fit!


I had one of these vises from about the 5th or 6th grade til I busted the main nut over-tighteng it. I think I was trying to bend metal in my room...


I decades later reacquired both of these blue ones separately but don't particularly like the suction bass - Yes, they **** - the bad way!


Still need to clean it up a bit but I'm liking it! This will become a portable "travel vise" for the most part.

1959 Catalog page - I got a good guess where the Asians stole the design from!:

I have a small herd of the Stanley #400 at work. I use them often, this morning in fact! The fawcet handle versions are my preference.

 

[fullthrottle24]

Started on a newly acquired Wilton 333-1/2 Shop King. Vise was in pretty decent shape minus the saw marks on the top & sides of the jaws. Fortunate that this one came with the pipe jaw inserts as well. I pulled it apart to take inventory and assess the saw damage. Looks like it’s base was trashed and replaced with a machined version at some point. Somebody did a nice job. A quick polish highlighted the damage and then I could get to work. A big honken IR grinder with a 60 grit pad lifted most of the sins. Dressed it back down with a file then on to the 3M wheel followed by a trip back into the glass bead booth. Jaws are real nice with the exception of one mark on the edge of the static jaw. So be it for now…If it ever warms up, a nice coat of Cherry Red will be applied.

Steve

Cherry red is nice and all, but these scream for a nice two tone appearance.

 

[INSP380]

Cherry red is nice and all, but these scream for a nice two tone appearance.

Well that’s ****!! Nice work…

Steve

 

[Outlawmws]

Cherry red is nice and all, but these scream for a nice two tone appearance.

Technically three, but looks great!

 

[1Bad55Chevy]

Cherry red is nice and all, but these scream for a nice two tone appearance.

What size jaws were those made in? I think I need one thats painted to match my 55!

 

[RTM]

What size jaws were those made in? I think I need one thats painted to match my 55!

Wilton Vises : Condensed Catalog No. 699 : Wilton Tool Manufacturing Co. : Free Download, Borrow, and Streaming : Internet Archive

4 p., illus., 27.9 cm, trade catalog

archive.org

Mine is a 635 with 5” jaws

3.5, 4, 5, 5-3/4” jaws

 

[micahd1997]

What’s the strangest, coolest, or rarest Prentiss vise you’ve ever seen?

 

[Andy FitzGibbon]

From the 1941 catalog of the Baldwin Supply Co., Charleston, WV. Figured the prices might be a fun reference.

 

[kams1973]

Here’s a few I have plans to use/renew.

 

[Hooterville]

I have a Wilton C3 that is a train wreck ...my new year's resolution is to restore it and if unsuccessful then sell it!

Vise history: I acquired this from a friend who said it was in a barn fire and it is frozen from rust and/or the fire. It is missing the pipe jaws and the inner ring for swivel, and has a broken ear on the outer ring. I removed the spindle assembly but I am struggling to remove the pins in the end cap assembly (I think it has two pins, one from each side). I tried drilling out the pin#1 but unfortunately I broke the HSS drill bit in the process (tip of the drill bit is buried in the hole).

My next step: use a carbide bit and drill from the other side to remove pin#2. If successful removing both pins, I will continue to restore the vise and try to break it loose with heat and many tons of force. However, if unsuccessful on removing the pins then I will likely throw in the towel and sell this behemoth of a vise!

Hmmm, replying to my own post! A month has gone by and I tried drilling out the pins holding the nut (and I think the pins go through the end cap also). I decided to throw in the towel and let someone else deal with it. Today I wire-wheeled the vise and applied 1 coat of Penetrol to prevent more rust, and now it is ready to post on Craigslist. I was thinking $350 since it is frozen, missing the swivel inner ring and swivel lock nut, missing pipe jaws, outer ring has 1 broken ear, and it looks like the dynamic jaw may have been welded on one side.

Request: let me know $350 is overpriced, underpriced, or about right.

 

[four.cycle]

Picking this up tomorrow. Hope it isn't broken or cracked. Probably paid too much. Probably Chinese. Meh.
I know a guy who used to sell used cars.
He told me "There's an *** for every seat."

Shouldn't have any problem flippin' it if I don't like it, right?

 

[Hooterville]

Hi all- first post here. I joined looking for info on bench vises as I was in search of a new one for my shop. Yesterday I picked up this Starrett/Athol off of Facebook Marketplace. Probably paid a little too much, but it’s in really good, unrestored condition. I’m planning to service it and then build a new pedestal base. I don’t see a date code on it, anyone know where Athol vises are stamped or have an estimated date for it?

I don't think the Athol/Starrett vises have a date stamp. My usual method/source is searching catalogs in Vintage Machinery.com and finding the oldest catalog with the vise model listed. Unfortunately Vintage Machinery only has 2 catalogs listed! However the 925 is in the 1982 catalog. That said, I suspect this was introduced in the '70's.

 

[Shiftless]

Picking this up tomorrow. Hope it isn't broken or cracked. Probably paid too much. Probably Chinese. Meh.
I know a guy who used to sell used cars.
He told me "There's an *** for every seat."

Shouldn't have any problem flippin' it if I don't like it, right?

Looks to me like a Yost. Many were made in the USA but like many manufacturers, they moved most or all of their production overseas. I think 5 or so years ago was the big move.

If you paid like maybe $50 for it you should be able to get your money back if you don’t like it. Keep your expectations low and you shouldn’t have a problem. There are older, better USA made vises out there if you’re looking for a user. But you probably already know that.

 

[four.cycle]

$38.61 all in with tax. Have to drive over to the east side to pick it up though, so that will cost me more money because there will be more stuff to buy, and I'll have to make an obligatory stop at the Asian markets on the way back home and grab something for dinner.

 

[four.cycle]

no-name made in Taiwan 4 inch bench vise 01/27/26 - actually in amazingly good condition - no saw marks, no bent handles, no cracks $38.61 all in for this piece.
Maybe we'll mount it on the rear bumper of my buddy's rig.

 

[Outlawmws]

Maybe we'll mount it on the rear bumper of my buddy's rig.

Get it well coated in BLO if you do: inside and out.

 

[Shiftless]

Get it well coated in BLO if you do: inside and out.

I wouldn’t use BLO on the slide or screw. BLO hardens into a sticky varnish like substance that will not play well with close tolerances. I don’t have outdoor vises but my guess would be that Fluid Film would be better.

Outlaw is right about coating the outside with BLO. IMHO, it’s better than paint because it’s so easy to reapply. Every once in a while during dry weather just brush on another coat and wipe off the excess.
( Remember that BLO soaked rags can spontaneously combust so spread out the rags and let them dry or harden up before tossing in the trash,)

 

[Outlawmws]

If BLO is sticky, it's not fully cured. Bake it...

That slide should not be a problem as those Asian vises don't have the slide tolerances of many of the older machinists vises.

I'll agree with the screw being better off with Fluid Film or similar.

 

[Beerhippie]

I wouldn’t use BLO on the slide or screw. BLO hardens into a sticky varnish like substance that will not play well with close tolerances. I don’t have outdoor vises but my guess would be that Fluid Film would be better.

Outlaw is right about coating the outside with BLO. IMHO, it’s better than paint because it’s so easy to reapply. Every once in a while during dry weather just brush on another coat and wipe off the excess.
( Remember that BLO soaked rags can spontaneously combust so spread out the rags and let them dry or harden up before tossing in the trash,)

BLO won't stick to anything well greased. If you grease the places that want grease first, you could just dip the whole damned thing in BLO. Once it sets, the first time you run the vise through its paces the BLO will fall off the greasy parts.

 

[Shiftless]

BLO won't stick to anything well greased. If you grease the places that want grease first, you could just dip the whole damned thing in BLO. Once it sets, the first time you run the vise through its paces the BLO will fall off the greasy parts.

That’s good to know… thanks!

 

[four.cycle]

Remember that BLO soaked rags can spontaneously combust so spread out the rags and let them dry or harden up before tossing in the trash,)

^ We learned that in second grade.
Seriously.
Any rag or paper towel that I've used for any solvent, paint thinner, BLO, stain - anything volatile - gets tossed on the gravel in back until trash day. Then I go out, pick it up off the ground, and toss it into the can before I roll it out to the alley. If it catches fire out there, no problem - the city will bring me a new can.

There's a paper towel soaked with BLO that's been out there for several days now.

 

[rocksnstumps]

^^^ that's the nice thing of having a wood stove in your shop, even in the summer. Toss all the oily and potential fire hazard rags in the stove and collect them until you fill up then toss in a match.

Been keeping my eye out for one of those semi decent but cheapo asian vises for a weld table. Good score there. And no I'm not cheap, I'm frugal

 

[four.cycle]

as those Asian vises don't have the slide tolerances of many of the older machinists vises

This one is an excellent example of just that - nothing at all like my Parker.

 

[Outlawmws]

This one is an excellent example of just that - nothing at all like my Parker.

Yeah, it was pretty obvious:

 

[T411]

I have another new Yost 34C that I’m about to pull out of storage. I’ll post when I dust off the cobwebs.

My latest antique store find. Yes it was made in China, but for $40, I couldn't pass up its versatility. It looks as though it has had very little use, if any; the anvil has no marks, and the jaws are pristine - opens, closes smoothly - spins & locks down freely - jaws spin 360 deg smoothly & locks down when jaws are tight.
-

 

[Beerhippie]

My latest antique store find. Yes it was made in China, but for $40, I couldn't pass up its versatility. It looks as though it has had very little use, if any; the anvil has no marks, and the jaws are pristine - opens, closes smoothly - spins & locks down freely - jaws spin 360 deg smoothly & locks down when jaws are tight.
-

Those Asian vises seem to be hit-or-miss. I have a Roughneck brand mounted up in the shop and have been beating the hell out of it for about thirty years. A buddy picked up another Roughneck last year. First time he tried to beat a bracket straight in it, the base shattered into a dozen pieces.

 

[T411]

Those Asian vises seem to be hit-or-miss. I have a Roughneck brand mounted up in the shop and have been beating the hell out of it for about thirty years. A buddy picked up another Roughneck last year. First time he tried to beat a bracket straight in it, the base shattered into a dozen pieces.

Ouch! We shall see - if it breaks I’ll post up the damage here.