Vise Info Thread

[KMScott]

Emco 13. 3" jaws on this Clamp-on. Missing the clamp.

 

[KMScott]

Rock Island 446. 2-1/2" jaws that opens to 5". Missing swivel base.

 

[Dave600]

Atlas 2-1/2 I-beam Clamp-on vise. 2-1/2" jaws.

Kevin,
did Atlas make this vise? I know their name is listed for Rock Islands as a distributor with their name in the casting. Is it possible that this vise was made by Bonney and put their name on it? I think it could be a Bonney model 02-1/2. Here is a catalog page from them from 1923. Just a thought.

 

[KMScott]

Great point Dave. Well it sure looks like the same castings are used in the Bonney models. I can't answer your question. Working in the Mold Making field back in the 90's I remember building tools with replaceable inserts for logos. This practice I'm sure goes way back since even in the early 70's when I built four wheel drive hubs, Sears, Wards and Selectro all used our product with their name on the Zinc rotating in and out handle. Someone might have information.

 

[skmbabon]

Arcade Manufacturing, Freeport Illinois
Common style of amateur vise.

 

[skmbabon]

A. L. Swett Iron Works. Medina, New York
One of many makers of near identical combination anvil and vise.

 

[KMScott]

American Scale No 9. 3" jaws.

 

[KMScott]

Ridgid 35F-CPN. 3-1/2" jaws on this Columbian made Combination vise. Edit, (Thanks Fierljeppen)

 

[Outlawmws]

American Scale No 9. 3" jaws.

That thing looks like a brute for a 3 incher!

 

[Fierljeppen]

Ridgid 35 FSPN. 3-1/2" jaws on this Columbian made Combination vise.

I'm pretty sure it's a Ridgid 35F-CPN combination vise, as seen in the catalog scan below. You'll notice it doesn't have the "T" jaws, which was the main difference vs. the previous version. Circa for this jaw style was (1987-1997).

 

[dmharris]

Mr. Scott can you direct me where to go for a 4-46 Wilton 3” bullet jaw clamp replacement.

 

[KMScott]

Mr. Scott can you direct me where to go for a 4-46 Wilton 3” bullet jaw clamp replacement.

Those early Wiltons used a 1/2” carriage bolt with a 1/2:13 Acorn nut. They put the lockdown holes too close to the side to accept a swivel handle lock down. The #3 on the spreadsheet was done by me but I made a custom lockdown where the handle buried in the swivel body so the handle would not touch the vise body.

 

[dmharris]

Please excuse my lack of information. I am looking to replace a jaw piece that is missing. This model is a direct mount -no swivel option.

 

[Outlawmws]

Please excuse my lack of information. I am looking to replace a jaw piece that is missing. This model is a direct mount -no swivel option.

Make model and Pics needed if you are looking for parts. The Vise Spreadsheet is approaching 5000 entries, and its still far from a complete list of all vises...

 

[dmharris]

Wilton 830, 3” jaw pads needed. Date stamped 4-46. I understand is mfg date 4-42.

It has a lot of patina but seems to have an off white base color. Is that a factory finish?

I’ve had it over 30 yrs.

 

[KMScott]

Oswego 24-1/2. 4-1/2" jaws.

 

[KMScott]

Hollands 701 Combination vise. 4-1/2" jaws that weights 65lbs? Assuming with pipe jaws and swivel base plates. This one is missing the dynamic slide support.

 

[Mr. Wonderful]

Oswego 24-1/2. 4-1/2" jaws.

Mr.Scott, is there a variant with out the “B” on these? I recently found one and I was curious. I did a search of GJ and couldn’t find anything.

Thanks!

 

[KMScott]

Mr.Scott, is there a variant with out the “B” on these? I recently found one and I was curious. I did a search of GJ and couldn’t find anything.

Thanks!

I made the assumption that the dynamic showing 24-1/2 A and the Static showed 24-1/2 B was casting ID numbers. It's always been a question for me should I list it as a B or A after the model number.

 

[Mr. Wonderful]

I made the assumption that the dynamic showing 24-1/2 A and the Static showed 24-1/2 B was casting ID numbers. It's always been a question for me should I list it as a B or A after the model number.

Interesting. I didn’t even realize mine had that cast into it! Thanks!

 

[Fierljeppen]

Mr.Scott, is there a variant with out the “B” on these? I recently found one and I was curious. I did a search of GJ and couldn’t find anything.

Thanks!

I made the assumption that the dynamic showing 24-1/2 A and the Static showed 24-1/2 B was casting ID numbers. It's always been a question for me should I list it as a B or A after the model number.

No variants on the model numbers for the "Oswego / Sawyer Tool" machinist vises that I'm aware of. All of those particular vises, stationary or swivel base, had the casting "A" (dynamic-jaw) and "B" (static-jaw), as suspected by @KMScott .






Here's the Oswego Tool Co. catalog scans with the model nos. for the machinist vises. I believe they used the same model numbers throughout the life-cycle of those vises.



The "Oswego Tool Co." has always been one of my favorite reads, since collecting vise data. The rich history of that region dates back much farther than I'm used running across in my vise searches. I'll leave you with what I consider to be the most significant historical feature for the "Town of Oswego", the Oswego River / Canal leading to Lake Ontario and all of her borders.

 

[Mr. Wonderful]

No variants on the "Oswego / Sawyer Tool" machinists vises that I'm aware of. All of those particular vises, stationary or swivel base, had the casting "A" (dynamic-jaw) and "B" (static-jaw), as suspected by @KMScott .






Here's the Oswego Tool Co. catalog scans with the model nos. for the machinist vises. I believe they used the same model numbers throughout the life-cycle of those vises.



The "Oswego Tool Co." has always been one of my favorite reads, since collecting vise data. The rich history of that region dates back much farther than I'm used running across in my vise searches. I'll leave you with what I consider to be the most significant historical feature for the "Town of Oswego", the Oswego River / Canal leading to Lake Ontario and all of her borders.

Impressive! But what do the code words mean??!?! I’ve never seen that either.

 

[Fierljeppen]

Impressive! But what do the code words mean??!?! I’ve never seen that either.

The "code word" was a unique word affiliated with each specific vise model / size and used in the ordering process. While this was not common practice for most of the vise manufacturers, it was used by a few of them, including an early Wilton Tool Co.



Great question!

 

[RTM]

The "code word" was a unique word affiliated with each specific vise model / size and used in the ordering process. While this was not common practice for most of the vise manufacturers, it was used by a few of them, including an early Wilton Tool Co.

Lots of different old hardware catalogs had code words like that, I believe they were considered Telex code words so that you could send a four or five letter word instead of a long string description to make sure you got the right product.

Nowadays we use item numbers. Will add examples here from Buffalo Forge

1892 Illustrated General Catalogue of the Buffalo Forge Co. : Buffalo Forge Company : Free Download, Borrow, and Streaming : Internet Archive

292 p., illus., 22.6 cm, trade catalog

archive.org

 

[CRSINMICH]

PORTO-VISE
from a 1952 ad
​

It seems like this could be classified somewhere between 'toy' and 'cheap tool'. It probably had its uses and, for someone, it may have been just the thing needed.

 

[Outlawmws]

could be classified somewhere between 'toy' and 'cheap tool'.

Looks like a slightly smaller version than the early versions of the Stanley 700 that was cast iron, not the fat bulky aluminum body versions. Champion also made one; likely others too.

I think they were really intended for carpenters/framers of houses to supplement the saw horses.

 

[CRSINMICH]

Outlaw: I thought the same thing about carpenters. Your comment jogged my mind and I remembered something from 50 or so years ago. I grew up in a post-war housing boom house. One day in the early 70's I got talking to an old guy (who was probably 10 years younger than I am now). It turned out that he had framed in my house. He told me about how they used assembly line techniques to put up so many houses so quickly. After the foundations were ready, gangs of framers would work their way down the block. I forget now how many he said they were able to do per day but I remember being astonished. I don't think those guys took the time to fool with vises. For someone who only was framing one or two structures, a vise like the Porto-Vise could be very helpful.

Thanks for the memory.

 

[Outlawmws]

For someone who only was framing one or two structures, a vise like the Porto-Vise could be very helpful.

Yep starting in the late 50's fast framing was key, but this was made in the prewar years, think craftsman or storybook houses, the kind that scream workmanship... that framing is not factory line...

 

[neophyte]

PORTO-VISE
from a 1952 ad
​

It seems like this could be classified somewhere between 'toy' and 'cheap tool'. It probably had its uses and, for someone, it may have been just the thing needed.

Most professional vise manufacturers who made woodworking vises used to offer those, and many still do.
Sometimes the vises clamped on, and other times were meant to be screwed to a bench or table.
Milwaukee Morgan still has a version in their catalog.
Wilton, Columbian, etc.
Dolex of France still has a version in their catalog, and Dolex is an Industrial vise manufacturer.

 

[KMScott]

Lewis and Lure Jeweler's vise. I'll get the spec:s soon.

From the owner:
I’m the new proud owner of a super rare piece, The Lewis and Lure Jewelers vise, Patented on July 25 1893, 130 years ago!!
HUGE thanks to my boy XXXXXXX for working with me on this piece of history in the vise world, only example known so far! The vise was printed on the cover of The dictionary of American hand tools, it is the most interesting vise I have ever seen very special design even in the swivel base, utilizing thumb screws for the swivel locks and a pull mechanism to adjust the angle of the vise,

 

[KMScott]

Rock Island 591. 3" jaws that opens to 4" and weights 22 lbs.

 

[CRSINMICH]

KMS: More information about the Lurie patent vise. This 1895 article refers to it as a "Greene and Tweed Universal Vise".

CORRECTION: The article said that Greene and Tweed was offering the vise. At the end of the article it said that the vise was, "made by Lewis & Lurie Mfg. Company"

 

[skmbabon]

Season's Greetings to everyone!

Enjoy the holidays!


​

 

[KMScott]

Rock Island 603. 3" jaws that opens to 3-1/2" and weights 12 lbs.

 

[KMScott]

Rock Island 503A. 3" jaws.

 

[Outlawmws]

Rock Island 603. 3" jaws that opens to 3-1/2" and weights 18 lbs.

Wow, I'm a bit shocked at the weight on that homeowners vise; RI or no...

 

[KMScott]

Wow, I'm a bit shocked at the weight on that homeowners vise; RI or no...

Went back and checked and you are right. Ended being 12lbs Not 18. Good catch. You got one? Thanks for catching it.

 

[Outlawmws]

No, but I know the heaviest exposed screw "homeowner's" vise I have is a 3-1/2" Wilton Shop king at 17 lbs, and most are 10-13 lbs. 12 would be expected.

 

[KMScott]

Rock Island 131. 3" jaws.

 

[KMScott]

Athol 635. No Spec:s on this swivel jaw except 79 lbs.