Unusual Vise - help me identify

[Kid B]

Just picked up this unusual vise. There are no markings or signifiers anywhere. I'm wondering if anyone has any more info on this. Fully extended it's about 24 inches long. Really solid vise.

 

[Shiftless]

You definitely have an unusual vise there. The only vise I have with that big nut in the back is an ACCO but the shape is completely different. Let’s wait for a serious authority to chime in with more information and maybe even a catalog page.

 

[Kid B]

I have only found 1 other one similar. It's a person selling on Ebay, and they know as much about it as I do.

 

[nutjob]

It could be a Millers Falls oval slide vise.

Kevin

 

[Kid B]

It could be a Millers Falls oval slide vise.

That looks exactly like it! Do you know what year that catalog is from?

 

[Shiftless]

I’d say nutjob nailed it. Good work!

 

[RTM]

The spreadsheet has 46 entries for Oval Vise, from the following

Adams - Diamond - no anvil
Charles Parker - nope, removable jaws
Empire
Erie Tool Works
Farmers - no anvil
Hollands - never mind, swivel
Phoenix - nope - replaceable jaws
Rock Island nope - replaceable jaws
Stearns
Yankee

MF in the spreadsheet aren't listed as oval slides, and the links don't show any

This Stearns catalog (1924) looks surprisingly like NutJob's MF vise. Maybe both made by the same contract forge? Maybe even a big name maker?

https://archive.org/details/ECStearnsCatalogueOfHardware1924/page/n26/mode/1up

 

[Kid B]

This Stearns catalog (1924) looks surprisingly like NutJob's MF vise. Maybe both made by the same contract forge? Maybe even a big name maker?

https://archive.org/details/ECStearnsCatalogueOfHardware1924/page/n26/mode/1up

The only thing about the Stearns is that the holes for the bolts are on top. The one I found has them on the front pointing backward. The MF vise in the catalog is the only one I have seen with that distinction.

 

[nutjob]

I don't remember much about this vise but I think the oval slide vise was in a few different catalogs with slight changes.

Post this up in the vise thread, lots of folks smarter than me will fill you in with more info.

https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=44782&page=4110

 

[antman213]

I picked up a similar vise today. Different from the above but very similar. Only info is a "1" and some unidentified letter on the collar.

 

[RTM]

I see 11.22.44? on the collar in your angled picture. 1844 was a Friday, 1944 was a Wednesday, so not a patent date stamped, unless a date filed.

 

[Al Borland]

I see 11.22.44? on the collar in your angled picture. 1844 was a Friday, 1944 was a Wednesday, so not a patent date stamped, unless a date filed.

Twice 11 is 22, and twice 22 is 44.
Should be good for some conspiracy theories.

 

[RTM]

Looks very similar to this Athol 64 in shape, and location of the numbers. But the spreadsheet lists an Athol #1 as a clamp on.

The VISES of Garage Journal

I just today found what I think is a steal of a vise, it was so cheap I had to buy it. It it a Monarch 223. but I think its going to need some work if it is save able at all. The back of the slide is splitting, Can it be fixed and is this common? Sorry Im not a computer person so when I...

www.garagejournal.com

 

[RTM]

Hmm, the vise spreadsheet has a Farmers #1 vise with an oval slide, 3" wide jaws, 17#. (what does yours weight?) Unfortunately no links to any pix. Couple of higher numbered 30s Farmers here.

 

[ElBrooklyn]

It could be a Millers Falls oval slide vise.

Kevin

Hey NutJob. Sorry to tag you on a zombie post, but can you tell me what catalog that bottom image is from? I think I’ve got whatever Fig. 3793 is. From lots of small details I’ve ruled out Millers Falls, Chas. Parker, Athol, Yost and Stearns. Would love to be able to see that whole page.

 

[nutjob]

Hey NutJob. Sorry to tag you on a zombie post, but can you tell me what catalog that bottom image is from?

I do remember that I had bacon and eggs for breakfast today but where that image came from? Sorry that image is the only one I found on my PC. I guess you can try Google image search or Vintage Machinery and look though Miller Falls catalogs.
Sorry I can't be more help

Kevin

 

[ElBrooklyn]

I do remember that I had bacon and eggs for breakfast today but where that image came from? Sorry that image is the only one I found on my PC. I guess you can try Google image search or Vintage Machinery and look though Miller Falls catalogs.
Sorry I can't be more help

Kevin

No worries. I appreciate the quick reply. I did try image search and that didn’t work. I’ll try more of a deep dive and see if I can turn something up.

 

[ElBrooklyn]

No worries. I appreciate the quick reply. I did try image search and that didn’t work. I’ll try more of a deep dive and see if I can turn something up.

Aha. I found it! 1902 Manning Maxwell & Moore catalog. And that is the right vise, down to the 26-pound weight. Now I’ve just got to figure out which Farmer’s/Oval Slide vise it is.

 

[Cageyglenn]

Just picked up this unusual vise. There are no markings or signifiers anywhere. I'm wondering if anyone has any more info on this. Fully extended it's about 24 inches long. Really solid vise.

I think I also have one. Could you post a picture of the back of the vise where the nut is, please? Mine has been modified, and I would like to compare it to an original. Thanks!