Vintage Vise Production Question...

[Filson]

I've seen a lot of the old pamphlets which show the old models of vises that were made by various manufacturers. While they're extremely helpful in identifying what a specific vise model may be, and explain a bit about it's specs - I haven't been able to find the information I'm looking for yet, and was wondering if any of you more knowledgeable viseaholics might know.

Is there any place on the net or otherwise that has information listed about how many vises were produced for specific models? I.e. - How many Reed 208's were ever made? The 209? I realize some vises were and are really common, but was wondering if anyone had a database going of such info on any of the vintage makes/models?

 

[oldldh]

They made one Craftsman 5198 vise, and it's under Outlaw's workbench...

He's saving it...

 

[autopts]

My guess is back in the day, if a fire didn't destroy the factory, the records went later with the destruction of the building. it wasn't necessary to keep records of a defunct company. Who knew back then eh? Even as new to the market as Wilton is, nobody knows what went on at 841 W. Wrightwood. If you didn't know better, these old timers were sworn to a code of secrecy. haha

 

[Filson]

That's what I was worried about lol. I doubt there's much info out there, but we'll see if someone turns something up.

Jason - I'm looking at you for Reed info man! Lol

-Bill

 

[neophyte]

Local historical societies sometimes have records from defunct companies, especially if they were important in their field for some reason, or connected to someone important. If you find the records you would likely need to sort thru a lot of data though.

 

[jjjrmx5]

Unless you can get ahold of yearly production numbers from an old book-keepers volume or some sort of production figures kept on hte production floor, there is no way to gauge quantity made.

There is no serial number tracking (and not any now) for vices but the computer based records for current production are kept just like back then. And just as hard to access.

Mass prodution has changed so much from decade to decade here in the US that volume of any given tool would be hard to quantify unless some type of serial number and # off the line was attached, stamped or cast in.

No way to know unless you find the secret book of production flow. Every factory had one or more. But book-keepers/accountants do tend to be ... "bookish."

 

[Outlawmws]

They made one Craftsman 5198 vise, and it's under Outlaw's workbench...

He's saving it...

No, but when I find it, thats damn straight where it's going!