DOC-BA
Well-known member
I'm having trouble getting any information on this vise. Anyone familiar with these?
Vise Identification?
- Thread starter DOC-BA
- Start date
EC Simmons Co. was huge hardware distributor from approx 1880-1920, based initially in St. Louis. It had numerous in house brands, nearly all made by other companies. Its most famous brand was Keen Kutter; Oak Leaf was one of its tool brands.
We'll likely need more pics to determine who made that vise; its general form was used by numerous makers of that era.
A couple links to some EC Simmons info:
http://www.collectorsweekly.com/tools-and-hardware/keen-kutter
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Simmons_Hardware_Company
We'll likely need more pics to determine who made that vise; its general form was used by numerous makers of that era.
A couple links to some EC Simmons info:
http://www.collectorsweekly.com/tools-and-hardware/keen-kutter
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Simmons_Hardware_Company
kwoswalt99
Well-known member
I'm guessing it was made by Yost.
That has elements of Yost and Prentiss, and even a little Hollands to it. If you haven't already, i wouldn't buy it. The dynamic support broke/cracked and has a huge weld holding it in place.
drivesitfar
Well-known member
Doc: great looking old vise. how about pictures from all 4 sides and top and bottom? are the jaws 5 inches wide? how much does it weigh? is that a huge weld at the base of the static? nice looking old vise and thanks for starting a thread on it.
LOB: so Simmons was the early version of SEARS type marketing/sales? first time i think i've heard of them.
thanks again for bringing some of us up to speed with these old vise companies. if you have any catalog pages you might want to post we started a vise history thread a while back that CRS and other members have been filling with old catalog vise pics.
LOB: so Simmons was the early version of SEARS type marketing/sales? first time i think i've heard of them.
thanks again for bringing some of us up to speed with these old vise companies. if you have any catalog pages you might want to post we started a vise history thread a while back that CRS and other members have been filling with old catalog vise pics.
drivesitfar: I got it, and a leg vise this afternoon from a co-worker. I'll have to take pictures and measurements this evening.
I saw the weld(s) there's another one on the other side, and they have both shaken loose. It looks like they probably didn't pre/post-heat the part and I'm betting that's not a high nickel rod they used.
I'll get some pictures of the leg vise posted if yall are interested.
I saw the weld(s) there's another one on the other side, and they have both shaken loose. It looks like they probably didn't pre/post-heat the part and I'm betting that's not a high nickel rod they used.
I'll get some pictures of the leg vise posted if yall are interested.
Shiftless
Well-known member
I think Bcom has it right as a Prentiss.
The general shape and especially the split slide are the clues.
Doc:
Unless you are a skilled welder and are just doing it for the challenge, that vise looks too far gone to make back into a user. Maybe just display if that's your thing.
Other members have made such vises into bookends. I have yet to do that but am on the lookout for a great looking vise with such (almost) incurable faults.
The general shape and especially the split slide are the clues.
Doc:
Unless you are a skilled welder and are just doing it for the challenge, that vise looks too far gone to make back into a user. Maybe just display if that's your thing.
Other members have made such vises into bookends. I have yet to do that but am on the lookout for a great looking vise with such (almost) incurable faults.
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Shiftless
Well-known member
I have a 2 y.o. grandson and I have the same schedule.
Our old vises no matter how beat up they are will still be major league finger squishers for toddlers.
I love your site already!!
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I'm not a super experienced welder, but I've had good luck using Crown Alloys Royal 260 and Royal 290 on vises. I welded small sections at a time (1-2"), and then penned each bead before letting it cool for a few minutes.
KMScott here has done a lot of TIG welding on vises, and that's clearly the way to go. I just bought a TIG machine, and haven't tried it on cast yet, but plan to do so soon.
Thanks....I feel the same about your avatar!
kwoswalt99
Well-known member
Definitely a Yost, not a Prentiss.
At first i did agree with you until i looked at the dynamic neckline. Looks just like a Monarch which was made by Prentiss.
cajunfirehawk
Well-known member
Love the vise site Chris, Dude where do you find the time for all of that?
Shiftless
Well-known member
G-man:
I just finished reading all your descriptions and fascinating stories.
Not to mention the beautiful photos.
Great work!
I just finished reading all your descriptions and fascinating stories.
Not to mention the beautiful photos.
Great work!
Alright I think I've got a close match champion vise company. Look at the lead screw and the slide support. I believe it's just the swivel base version of the fixed version they have on the stand.
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But did they actually make vises or were they just a name?
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I've seen a few examples of there vises. Of the ones I've seen the exposed screw versions seem to be much more common.
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kwoswalt99
Well-known member
It shares an even closer resemblance with a Yost 80X Gem. I'm guessing it's an 805.
BTW, I would bet my bottom dollar the Champion vise in the ad is a rebranded Prentiss.