Vise Info Thread

[FMC1959]

Karas Electric Co. Model 2-1/2. Radial slide and square slide version. 2-1/2" jaws that opens 3". Gonna say a stationary model until I am corrected. They also had a clamp on version.

They do have that base that looks like it could have been made to be used as stationary or with an optional swivel base. Similar to Record's, certain Columbian's and a few others.

The "oval" slide Karas, I remember years back, guys on the main vise thread saying they were made by Holland, specifically their Keystone models.

 

[KMScott]

Littlestone # 700. 6-1/2" jaws that opens to 7" and weights 70 lbs. Big open screw vise.

 

[TOTO]

Littlestone # 700. 6-1/2" jaws that opens to 7" and weights 70 lbs. Big open screw vise.

I think I see some pipe jaws lurking under the main jaws. ( The spreadsheet has "No" for pipe jaws )

 

[KMScott]

I think I see some pipe jaws lurking under the main jaws. ( The spreadsheet has "No" for pipe jaws )

OOPS, I made a mistake. Thanks.

 

[KMScott]

Columbian 503. 3" jaws that opens to 4" and weights 17 lbs

 

[ranger08]

the second is a Gen Fire Ext Co vise. It's marked 223-2 on the right side of the moveable jaw and '3' on the left side of the static. 5" replaceable jaws, 125 lbs, opens 5 1/4" and is a solidly built s.o.b.. The main nut looks to be part of the static jaw and the draw bar is solid except for the hole in the middle that runs its entire length.
Bottom is threaded for a bench through with a pin further back at the tail of the base. Also has holes on either side of the base for additional mounting bolts.

that is the coolest

 

[KMScott]

Reed 215 Filers vise. 5" jaws that opens to 7-1/2" and weights 93 lbs.

 

[KMScott]

Acco 180. 6" jaws that opens to 9" and weights 184 lbs.

 

[KMScott]

Athol 324A. 4" jaws that opens 5-5/8" and weights 53 lbs.

 

[pachypod]

Athol/Starrett 923 1/2. 3.5" jaws that open to 5". Weighs 41 lbs. Pictures for spreadsheet.

 

[KMScott]

Electric Vise # 15. 4" jaws and weights 50 lbs.

Quote from the owner.
ELECTRIC LIGHTNING VISE
J.J. Cowell vise. Pat Dec 27 1892
THE ELECTRIC VISE !!By Capital
Machine tool Co.Weedsport NY, this is a super rare late 1800s vise

 

[mikeinri]

That's incredible looking. Are you buying it? If not, where is it being sold?

Mike

 

[KMScott]

That's incredible looking. Are you buying it? If not, where is it being sold?

Mike

You couldn’t pry this vise from the owners grip. Very rare vise.

 

[Fierljeppen]

Electric Vise # 15. 4" jaws and weights 50 lbs.

Quote from the owner.
ELECTRIC LIGHTNING VISE
J.J. Cowell vise. Pat Dec 27 1892
THE ELECTRIC VISE !!By Capital
Machine tool Co.Weedsport NY, this is a super rare late 1800s vise

Absolutely stunning! By far, the most ornate vise I've ever seen. I know the owner isn't interested in selling, but I'd trade 1/2 of my vise collection, including -3- rare Wilton "Baby" vises for that single "Electric Vise".

 

[KMScott]

Absolutely stunning! By far, the most ornate vise I've ever seen. I know the owner isn't interested in selling, but I'd trade 1/2 of my vise collection, including -3- rare Wilton "Baby" vises for that single "Electric Vise".

He also picked up two Bugatti vises in the last month. He is quite a collector.

 

[mikeinri]

Woe, that's amazing!

Mike

 

[CRSINMICH]

PENFIELD PATENT DOUBLE JAW VISE
from 1875 Edward (not Charles) Parker patent
Photos from Middletown Tool Makers​

 

[wtn1271]

Greetings All,

Looking to identify this Wilton vise I recently acquired. Google image searches have lead me to some eBay listings which claim it is from the 1940's but that doesn't seem correct to me, especially with the Schiller Park marking. I checked a few catalog archives but can't find it there either. Also looked some on the spreadsheet using my phone, but that was a bit maddening. Casting numbers on the static jaw 111092, dynamic jaw 111093, 4" jaws, 46lbs., no pipe jaws or anvil. I cannot find a date stamp on the square tube slide. It appears to have seen limited use and looks to have originally been Wilton blue/green color but has since been covered by a layer of red followed by its current coat of light grey. Is there a specific model number or series for this vise and what time period were they offered? It looks 1970's to me. Thanks for your help.

EDIT: see post #1695 of this thread,
seems this vise is a bit of a mystery and may possibly have been offered through other companies like Snap On or Mac.

 

[KMScott]

Prentiss 803. 2" jaws that opens to 2" and weights 5-1/2 lbs.

 

[FMC1959]

Greetings All,

Looking to identify this Wilton vise I recently acquired. Google image searches have lead me to some eBay listings which claim it is from the 1940's but that doesn't seem correct to me, especially with the Schiller Park marking. I checked a few catalog archives but can't find it there either. Also looked some on the spreadsheet using my phone, but that was a bit maddening. Casting numbers on the static jaw 111092, dynamic jaw 111093, 4" jaws, 46lbs., no pipe jaws or anvil. I cannot find a date stamp on the square tube slide. It appears to have seen limited use and looks to have originally been Wilton blue/green color but has since been covered by a layer of red followed by its current coat of light grey. Is there a specific model number or series for this vise and what time period were they offered? It looks 1970's to me. Thanks for your help.

Seems this one is a bit of a mystery and may possibly haven been offered through other companies like Snap On or Mac.

Also see post # 1695 of this thread.

This looks like a Wilton Mechanics vise. Not sure of the age but my guess would be 60's or 70's, maybe more recent. Unless if it was made in the last 15-20 years, it should be a made in USA vise. This is all speculation on my part; if you post it in the main vise thread, you will get many more views, and probably someone will know for sure.

Main vise thread

The VISES of Garage Journal

Can probably start with this catalog and using your dimensions get close, then start looking at features like handle and pop up dog. https://archive.org/details/wilton-catalog-115/page/14/mode/2up Thank you. Looks like the catalog number is 61A based on measurements & options.

www.garagejournal.com

 

[Fierljeppen]

This looks like a Wilton Mechanics vise. Not sure of the age but my guess would be 60's or 70's, maybe more recent. Unless if it was made in the last 15-20 years, it should be a made in USA vise. This is all speculation on my part; if you post it in the main vise thread, you will get many more views, and probably someone will know for sure.

Main vise thread

The VISES of Garage Journal

Can probably start with this catalog and using your dimensions get close, then start looking at features like handle and pop up dog. https://archive.org/details/wilton-catalog-115/page/14/mode/2up Thank you. Looks like the catalog number is 61A based on measurements & options.

www.garagejournal.com

I'm curious why you would advise someone with a vise question to seek help from a different thread? @KMScott has done a magnificent job hosting and managing your thread, including attracting regular contributors from all over the world who would be in the best position to answer the question about the Wilton "Mystery vise".

 

[FMC1959]

I'm curious why you would advise someone with a vise question to seek help from a different thread? @KMScott has done a magnificent job hosting and managing your thread, including attracting regular contributors from all over the world who would be in the best position to answer the question about the Wilton "Mystery vise".

Sorry, I did not mean to imply anything against Kevin, as you say, who has done a fantastic job.

GJ is a very busy forum, much more than other forums on the internet. The main vise thread has more views and replies than any other thread on GJ. I just figured more views and such a high volume of traffic, it would get more replies.

 

[FMC1959]

Also wanted to add that, yes, there have been many contributors. I don't like naming people because then I always leave someone out but PghJKB, CRSINMICH, skmbabon, bl00, Dave600, Outlaw, and so many others, have been knowledgeable contributors...and of course yourself, FJ, a walking vise encyclopedia.

When I first started this, it was to not clutter up the main vise thread as I posted pics, brochures and specs, to work in conjunction with the spreadsheet, and leave most of the commentary for the main thread. What it has evolved into is because of Kevin, yourself and all of the other contributors.

I could be wrong, but everyone that posts or follows this thread also follows the main vise thread. So I had no intent to slight Kevin or any one on this thread. I just believe that hi volume on the main thread has more likelihood of being seen and recognized.

(BTW, before responding to the Wilton post, I should have checked the main thread. Then I would have seen that wtn1271 had already posted the question there )

 

[KMScott]

I have another mystery vise with a horn. No markings from the builder. Has anyone seen one like it? 4" jaws that opens to 5-1/2" and weights 60lbs.

Added new jaws, built a new meatball and Silver Soldered it to a newer spindle. Made a handle and new lockdown. Tightened the nut and welded some wear points underneath the Dynamic slide area. Works like a new vise.

 

[Outlawmws]

Nothing jumps out to me for that one. Nice restore Dr Scott! Is that going to be a keeper, or sold/selling?

 

[CRSINMICH]

KMS: Your vise is neither a Rock Island nor is it a Parker but, judging by this 1917 catalog cut, it's probably some manufacturer's version of an Autovise.

 

[KMScott]

Thanks CRS and Outlaw. It does look similar to a Parker but the jaws I noticed did not match a Rock Island spec:s. The casting did match the softness of a Rock Island similar o the 574 model. I will get this vise back to work again and sell it locally. Savannah and Charleston area has a vise drought.

 

[bluebolt]

Barrett Machine Tool Co. 303 1/2 vise. Not currently on spreadsheet. Jaws 3 1/2" wide , weight 31 pounds, opens 5 1/2", overall length 15 1/2".

 

[autopts]

I'm no expert on Ridge/Simplex vises. Here is a 3 1/2" Ridge # 33 , 3 1/2"Jaws opens just short of 5" Stands 8" high, 15" long, and had "T" style jaws and weighs 36 lbs. The tag is hard to read but I think it's stamped 6N. I also think one lockdown was added at a later date. #33 in on the inside on the front collar also.

 

[CRSINMICH]

autopots: Here's a page from a 1967 catalog. It looks like the number was changed to 33 SN at that time.
EDIT: I added another page showing the features of the vise. It mentions that larger size vises had "twin locks".

 

[KMScott]

Charles Parker #6. 8-1/8 Jaws that weights 237 lbs.

 

[CRSINMICH]

KMS: Jeeze! That one is a brute! It must be one of Parker's Railway Vises.

 

[KMScott]

Yes I believe you’re right. Joe is going to have fun getting it unstuck. Been laying outside for a long time.

 

[Firstram]

Acco 180. 6" jaws that opens to 9" and weights 184 lbs.

Like the vise, Love the Z!

 

[CRSINMICH]

KMS: I couldn't find information about a Parker No.6 and not much about their Railway vises. The No.600 in this 1903 catalog cut is likely the same vise. You might want to tell Joe that it was probably originally green.

 

[akasrick]

Charles Parker #6. 8-1/8 Jaws that weights 237 lbs.

S. D. KIMBARK'S CATALOGUE went to print 1876.
Jaw "length", weight and price.


akasrick

 

[mikeinri]

Charles Parker #6. 8-1/8 Jaws that weights 237 lbs.

S. D. KIMBARK'S CATALOGUE went to print 1876.
Jaw "length", weight and price.


akasrick

Wow, that's a monster! I think the weight of it just hit me!

Hope it can be saved and put back to work after sitting out on the elements for so long.

Mike

 

[CRSINMICH]

akasrick: Thanks for posting that 1876 Kimbark cut. I looked into it a little closer and found an 1870 Hall, Kimbark, & Co. catalog with this cut showing a Parker #6. It's the same drawing as in the 1876 SD Kimbark catalog you posted except that TARBELL & SANFORD is written under the vise. I assume that is the name of the company that produced the illustration. Notice that Kimbark forgot to enter the information for the #6. By 1903 SD Kimbark doesn't have an entry for #6; instead it has the Railway vises I posted. So, sometime between 1870 and 1876 Hall & Kimbark became SD Kimbark and sometime between 1876 and 1903 (see EDIT below) Parker discontinued #6 vises.

On the nose of the #6 vises in both the 1870 and 1876 illustrations is the word PATENTED. I think that it refers to this 1867 patent which is a familiar feature of Parker vises.

EDIT: The timeline for production of #6 vises can be refined a bit with this cut from an 1883 Cooke & Co. catalog. Also, Tarbell & Sanford was an engraving firm in Meriden, Ct.

 

[akasrick]

akasrick: Thanks for posting that 1876 Kimbark cut. I looked into it a little closer and found an 1870 Hall, Kimbark, & Co. catalog with this cut showing a Parker #6. It's the same drawing as in the 1876 SD Kimbark catalog you posted except that TARBELL & SANFORD is written under the vise. I assume that is the name of the company that produced the illustration. Notice that Kimbark forgot to enter the information for the #6. By 1903 SD Kimbark doesn't have an entry for #6; instead it has the Railway vises I posted. So, sometime between 1870 and 1876 Hall & Kimbark became SD Kimbark and sometime between 1876 and 1903 (see EDIT below) Parker discontinued #6 vises.

On the nose of the #6 vises in both the 1870 and 1876 illustrations is the word PATENTED. I think that it refers to this 1867 patent which is a familiar feature of Parker vises.

EDIT: The timeline for production of #6 vises can be refined a bit with this cut from an 1883 Cooke & Co. catalog. Also, Tarbell & Sanford was an engraving firm in Meriden, Ct.

Looks as if it says the collar is patented also.
With the June patent on the side 'datamp.org' gets a little traffic from me at least.

akasrick

 

[CRSINMICH]

Okay, so that's two patents on the front end of the spindle alone.