Vise Info Thread

[KMScott]

Athol 615-1/2. 5-1/2” jaws that opens to 8”.

 

[skmbabon]

Teco 3.5"
Sold by Eatons (Canada) 1956, 1958
Made by Wabeco (West Germany)


Crop and enlarge by @Shiftless

The T. Eaton Company Limited (hence the TECO brand) was the largest Canadian department store through most of its existence. Eaton's, as it was more familiarly known, had purchasing offices all over the world (many more than the Wikipedia article mentions) in order to provide Canadians with better selection and value than was available solely from domestic manufacturers. I've been researching Canadian vise manufacturers, some of which supplied Eaton's at times, and it's fascinating to go through the catalogs and see how Eaton's product mix in this category changed over time.

This particular vise intrigued me because of the unique horizontal ribs on the slide sides, and the apparently limited time it was available. It appears in the 1956 and 1958 Christmas catalogs. I don't have 1953-55 or 1957; it wasn't offered in 1959. Might have been a special Christmas offering. Also, it doesn't look like any Canadian, American, or British vise I've seen. I asked about it in Dec 2023, no leads resulted.
After finding some additional catalogs on-line I renewed the search with help from @Dave600. Still nothing.


1956 and 1958 Eaton's catalogs showing the mystery vise

Today I spotted a Webeco (sic) clamp-on vise for sale in New Brunswick. Sounded familiar but couldn't place it, so checked the vise spreadsheet. Hmm, an entry for Teco/Webeco, what's that about...?


3-1/2" Eaton's TECO vise by Wabeco, with crown logo decal

Mystery solved! More pics of this vise in the June 2021 post by @FMC1959.

The twist to this puzzle? I had the post bookmarked with the keyword TECO but failed to check for that - I'd already found the answer before I had the question

Will post about Wabeco soon.

 

[skmbabon]

Wabeco
Germany
Maschinenmanufaktur seit 1885

A follow-up to my previous post about the Eaton's TECO 3-1/2" mechanics vise, which was made by Wabeco around 1956-1958.

The company still exists. The web site shows a range of tools including vises. Some products are still made in Germany; the vises don't seem to be.

Some other vintage Wabeco vises have turned up in N. America.


Wabeco 3 in 1, 100mm, posted by @duke74


Left: posted by @ltwhiskey. Right: 125 mm Wabeco made of "Simalit 70" posted by @bastel


2-1/2" clamp-on, seller claims it's by Wabeco

 

[ranger08]

Wabeco
Germany
Maschinenmanufaktur seit 1885

A follow-up to my previous post about the Eaton's TECO 3-1/2" mechanics vise, which was made by Wabeco around 1956-1958.

The company still exists. The web site shows a range of tools including vises. Some products are still made in Germany; the vises don't seem to be.

Some other vintage Wabeco vises have turned up in N. America.


Wabeco 3 in 1, 100mm, posted by @duke74


Left: posted by @ltwhiskey. Right: 125 mm Wabeco made of "Simalit 70" posted by @bastel


2-1/2" clamp-on, seller claims it's by Wabeco

i see those bottom clamp ons all the time, they look euro but have never been able to find out who made them, ie the diamond logo is very common

 

[skmbabon]

the diamond logo is very common

They are, and I've seen enough variations of the diamond shape and the character in it that I suspect it was a style used by more than one maker. There does seem to be a lot of attribution to Germany, though not much actual evidence that I've seen.

 

[bastel]

Everyone and their mother made these clampers (and not only small ones), don't bother with them.
WABECO "optimized" the vise design over the years for "simpler design, less money" and invented the made-of-bent-and-welded-together-steel-plates vise in 1984 (actually patented the jaw insert and especially the "pipe jaws"). They look ugly but there were some very beefy variants in the beginning where you could really hammer on the back plate. Nowadays these are made by many and are everywhere but the steel plates of these knockoffs are getting thinner and thinner...

 

[skmbabon]

Western Auto Supply Co.
Kansas City, MO
Wizard 4H4838

4" swivel base. Doesn't appear in the catalog pages @CRSINMICH posted.


I like the blocky look.

 

[Dave600]

Western Auto Supply Co.
Kansas City, MO
Wizard 4H4838

4" swivel base. Doesn't appear in the catalog pages @CRSINMICH posted.


I like the blocky look.

I think this is made by Milwaukee Tool and Equipment Co. Look on the spread sheet for 807 under Milwaukee. The model number on the label does not match the VXX marking on the vise.

 

[12vx2]

Western Auto Supply Co.
Kansas City, MO
Wizard 4H4838

4" swivel base. Doesn't appear in the catalog pages @CRSINMICH posted.


I like the blocky look.

I have a vise that I think looks identical. When I get home I will find it. I believe I had found the manufacturer, and had pictures of it and similar. My computer will not let me open my vise pictures. Everything has been converted to a Last file and says it no longer exists.

 

[skmbabon]

Thanks @Dave600. That sure looks identical.
Hope you can recover your files @12vx2!

 

[Pressbrake1]

Lambco MK1. 10" jaws that possibly weights 490 lbs. (edited)

That’s my mk1 that weighs 400lb
Mk 2 of only two made is 490lb
And I’m making two 1118 vices and I haven’t weighed them yet!

For interest I made some cigar trays to celebrate my stupidity in making vices!

 

[CRSINMICH]

HOOSIER HANDY COMBINATION VISE
HOOSIER JACK and COMBINATION TOOL
Enterprise Foundry and Fence of Indianapolis, Ind.​

Their offerings changed a lot from April, 1907 to June, 1907.
The vise jaws are 4" wide but the "rack bar" allows the vise to be opened to a full 9".
Amazingly, the screw of the vise is only 2" long. It appears it could be called a 'covered screw'.

 

[CRSINMICH]

LIGHTNING VISE
Neverslip Tin Cover Company, Watertown, NY
​

In 1906, Prentiss made this same vise but called it a "Yankee Vise". Two 1902 journals had items about the Lightning Vise, one in April and one in May. Interestingly, it was patented in November, 1902 although the patent was applied for in March, 1902.

 

[skmbabon]

Beat up swivel jaw vise, unknown make. What's the contraption on the dynamic jaw above the spindle?



Edit: Almost slipped past me!
It's a James Smart No. 9 Coachmakers' or Woodworkers' vise. The protrusion at the front is a substantial collar to hold the screw in place. No mention of a quick release mechanism in any of the catalog listings for this line.
Previously covered here:
James Smart Coach Maker's Vices

 

[Outlawmws]

Possibly a Quick Release?

It's a filers vise (steep angle clearance), but also a swivel jaw. (Has that been welded?)

Has the D jaw been broken and welded?

 

[skmbabon]

I don't have any additional info @Outlawmws. QR is my best guess too but that implies the half-nut would likely be above the screw - have never seen anything like that.
It's being auctioned now, but too far away for me to check it out.

 

[skmbabon]

No info for this one either. "C" inside a triangle marking. Check the jaw plate design.

 

[PghJKB]

No info for this one either. "C" inside a triangle marking. Check the jaw plate design.

Think this is a very early Columbian

JKB

 

[PghJKB]

Beat up swivel jaw vise, unknown make. What's the contraption on the dynamic jaw above the spindle?

Looks like the entire front jaw was broken off and welded (very poorly) back on.

Has a collar like Parker, Desmond Stephens, etc. Where is FJ when we need him. CRS should be able to help.

 

[skmbabon]

Lowville Machine & Vise Co.
Lowville, NY
No 12-1/2

This 5" vise (no other specs) sold for $250 at an auction in Ontario last summer. Someone knew what they were getting.
Thanks to @Fierljeppen and @CRSINMICH, I learned that Lowville was the successor to Fulton, succeeded by American Chain Co., and is tied to Oswego and International NuTyp.

This is the first M. & V. Co. entry for the spreadsheet.

 

[Woods_Wanderer]

If you look for L.M. & V. you'll see a few others, but they do not seem to be very common! This No. 21 is mine, 4 1/2" jaws, opens to 6 3/4".

 

[skmbabon]

That's sharp looking, @Woods_Wanderer! Thanks for the pics, I'll add to the spreadsheet. Would it be possible to get the weight?
The 21 clearly has removable jaws. I can't tell on the 12-1/2 pics.

 

[skmbabon]

Updated my post above about the beat up swivel jaw vise. Uncommon model - such a shame.
Go to post

 

[CRSINMICH]

SMITH & O'LEARY VISE/
Arthur J. O'Leary & Son
​

By 1903 the company was renamed Arthur J. O'Leary and Son. The 1911 ad shows that they were still making vises but nothing about vises appears after that.

 

[Woods_Wanderer]

That's sharp looking, @Woods_Wanderer! Thanks for the pics, I'll add to the spreadsheet. Would it be possible to get the weight?
The 21 clearly has removable jaws. I can't tell on the 12-1/2 pics.

I weighed it today, 65lbs. I'll try and get pictures tomorrow as well for a Rock Island 144A, I see it listed on the spreadsheet but no photos.

 

[KMScott]

Record? #2 Clamp-on. Anyone seen one like this. Owner says it's a Record.

From the owner.
Has anybody seen this swivel base record before with an early patent number?

 

[KMScott]

Columbian # 33-1/2. No Spec:s

 

[KMScott]

Swivel bottom attachment for Prentiss’ “Rapid Transit” vise line. Fit's the 72-73 and 76 models. None of these are pictured on the Spreadsheet. Any out there?

From the owner.

A rarity for you Prentiss folks out there - the elusive swivel bottom attachment for Prentiss’ “Rapid Transit” vise line, specifically for machinist vises № 72 (4¼”), 73 (4¾”) and coachmaker vise № 76 (4¼”).
This base AND the pre-1911 № 72 Rapid Transit vise (currently in cleanup) came from an old house in Santa Fe, NM. A layer of rust topped with several coats of grey paint prevented me from preserving any remnant of the original finish, so I went with wire wheeling and an oil finish. The only defect is a small chip missing on the passenger side lip near the foot (see third picture). While it did come with most of the original mounting hardware, it’s missing the wing nut that secures the base from the underside of the workbench. That said, I’m in touch with the seller in the hopes that it’s still somewhere in the rubble of the Santa Fe home where it was found.

 

[neophyte]

Record? #2 Clamp-on. Anyone seen one like this. Owner says it's a Record.

From the owner.
Has anybody seen this swivel base record before with an early patent number?

It’s a Parkinson’s vice according to the model number.
A later one based on the rectangular design of the vice screw handle attachment.
There were different base options available.

 

[Mr. Wonderful]

Swivel bottom attachment for Prentiss’ “Rapid Transit” vise line. Fit's the 72-73 and 76 models. None of these are pictured on the Spreadsheet. Any out there?

From the owner.

A rarity for you Prentiss folks out there - the elusive swivel bottom attachment for Prentiss’ “Rapid Transit” vise line, specifically for machinist vises № 72 (4¼”), 73 (4¾”) and coachmaker vise № 76 (4¼”).
This base AND the pre-1911 № 72 Rapid Transit vise (currently in cleanup) came from an old house in Santa Fe, NM. A layer of rust topped with several coats of grey paint prevented me from preserving any remnant of the original finish, so I went with wire wheeling and an oil finish. The only defect is a small chip missing on the passenger side lip near the foot (see third picture). While it did come with most of the original mounting hardware, it’s missing the wing nut that secures the base from the underside of the workbench. That said, I’m in touch with the seller in the hopes that it’s still somewhere in the rubble of the Santa Fe home where it was found.

WOW! Need one of those for me 75. I am hoping to have it finished this month. How did you even find something like that??

 

[KMScott]

Thanks neophyte. I'll change the Spreadsheet and the post.

 

[KMScott]

WOW! Need one of those for me 75. I am hoping to have it finished this month. How did you even find something like that??

Posted by another GJ member in Facebook. Not impossible to make.

 

[RTM]

Record? #2 Clamp-on. Anyone seen one like this. Owner says it's a Record.

From the owner.
Has anybody seen this swivel base record before with an early patent number?

Patent was assigned to Parkinson & Son, manufacturer was J. Parkinson & Son (Shipley) York, on April 8, 1926.

Find it at DATAMP by adding GB in front of the number.

Was used on the Parkinson "Handy" vise.

Here is the espacenet link

Espacenet – search results

Espacenet: free access to millions of patent documents. Find out if your invention is unique or if other inventors have filed patent applications that are considered to be prior art.

worldwide.espacenet.com

 

[CRSINMICH]

KMS: From a 1959 Columbian catalog - Specs for D33 1/2 and D63 1/2 HOMESHOP Vises.

 

[KMScott]

Little Giant. 5498. No Spec:s.

 

[RTM]

Hey all, stumbled across a couple of Velox vise model numbers in an Oswego catalog which aren’t in the sheet.

Oswego Tools : Catalog No. 29 [Excerpts] : Oswego Tool Co. : Free Download, Borrow, and Streaming : Internet Archive

7 p., illus., 23.5 cm, trade catalog

archive.org

 

[KMScott]

Prentiss 264-1/2. 4-1/2” jaws that opens to 7” and weights 63lbs. This one I restored.

 

[CRSINMICH]

1913 "REX" UNIVERSAL BALL VISE
Adolph Muchlmatt Company, Cincinnatti, Ohio
(A picture of the vise is at the bottom of the 1913 clip)
​

All the specs you could ever wish for, e.g. right and left hand 1/2" 10 pitch Acme screw and phosphor-bronze bushing.

Mr. Muchlmatt also made a Horizontal Broaching Machine, a Sensitive Drilling Machine, and, a Sensitive Tapping Machine.

He should be in the machinists'/machinery hall of fame.

 

[StanF]

Who made this vise and what is it used for?

 

[Outlawmws]

Looks similar to a Cole. Plumbing/pipe mostly