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Vise Info Thread

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CRSINMICH

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More Simplex/Ridgid information which might help identify dates of manufacture

Between 1952 and 1964 swivel bases and jaw designs were changed

1952 1964 Simplex vise bases and jaws.jpg


It looks like steel slide construction stayed the same but the 1964 information is more complete
(Note that slides and dynamic jaws were pinned and cast to each other)

1952 1964 Simplex vise slides.jpg
 

CRSINMICH

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Simplex becomes Desmond Stephan
See post #4520 about Desmond Stephan becoming Rigid
The Simplex Tool Company was incorporated in 1917. By 1924, they began to offer vises which already had all of the main features associated with their vise lines. In 1929, they introduced a Combination vise and a Swivel Jaw vise and, in June 1931, a Foot Operated vise.

In September, 1931, Simplex Tool Co. changed it's name to Simplex Corporation which didn't last long because in January, 1932 Desmond Stephan 'succeeded' Simplex Corporation and transferred production to Urbana, Ohio


Simplex to Desmond Stephan.jpg

Key parts of this information came from Keith Rucker's Vintage Machinery

 

KMScott

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C43 Desmond Stephen Combination Vise. 4-5/8 jaws that opens to 7” and weights 83 lbs.
 

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KMScott

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bronze screw coller?
Yes, they wear better. Used a lot of Bronze in Plastic Injection Molds. Adding a small percentage of aluminum really makes it tuff. Heavy slides never wore out the Bronze plates. We called it Wearite. Pretty amazing stuff. Brass is the opposite, it wears very fast.
 

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CRSINMICH

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KMS: Both of those Desmond Stephan Combination vises have the old style jaw faces so they're pre-1967.

I wonder if the pipe jaws on the CP43 would fit the CP33. If so, a talented machinist could use them as a pattern to make a replacement set for the CP33.

Just saying...
 

KMScott

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Here is a Reed 41 combination vise. 3-3/4 jaw width. Weights 46 lbs.
 

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CRSINMICH

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KMS: I found several 1905 journal items about Reed combination vises in which number 41 was clearly visible on the vise - like the one on the left below. I included the item from March, 1905 because it has a bit more information even though no number is visible. No specs in either one.

1905 Reed Combination items.jpg

This 1907 catalog cut of Reed Combination vises has the same drawing but the numbers run from 31 to 34. I haven't found anything about Reed #41's after that. There likely was a number change. If you have the jaw width of that #41 you posted, it might match one of these.

1907 Reed Combination vise.jpg
 
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CRSINMICH

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KMS: That's great. That catalog page turned out to be a goldmine. There seems to have been a difference between the 31, 32, and 33 Combination vises and the 41, 42 , and 43 Combination vises. The 30's had "solid pipe jaws" and the 40's had "sectional jaws".

Oh, by the way, I don't know if you noticed or not but that Fairbanks page also showed 6 different sizes of Barrett Combination Pipe Vises. None of them are on the Spreadsheet.
 

KMScott

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Electric Vise #10. 5” jaws that opens to 10” and weights 57 lbs. A very nice Coachman’s vise that has a quick release. Very rare.
 

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CRSINMICH

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HENDRY'S IMPROVED VISE
Manufactured by Alexander Hendry, Fayetteville, Arkansas


The patent was granted in August of 1881. The first item from Carpentry and Building was August 1882. The item from the September 1882 issue of the same journal is a letter from Mr. Hendry responding to a reader of the magazine who requested a sketch of a cabinet makers' bench. Mr. Hendry submitted a "rough drawing of my portable bench, on which I use the vise patented by me".

That phrasing is, perhaps, weak confirmation that the vise was indeed produced.


1881 Hendry vise items.jpg
 
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KMScott

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CRS I bet A.Hendry was talking about his prototype model.

Mr Wonderful. Thanks for the post, I added it earlier this month when you posted it in the big vise thread but without the spec:s. Again thanks.
 
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CRSINMICH

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KMS: I'm sorry. I sometimes (frequently) edit items I post so that they are easier to read. An example is the Hendry post about his cabinet makers' bench. In the original, the drawing shows the entire bench and the description is longer. I did the same thing with his patent drawing. I condensed it for clarity. Here is the entire top of the first page of the patent. The circled part is what I left out. I should have left it in.

This did bring up a question though. Does anyone know what happens to models that are submitted with a patent application? Do they revert to the patentee? Are they put into storage? Destroyed?

1881 Hendry patent snippet.jpg

There might be one of these patent items laying around somewhere

1879 S o L patent.jpg
 

Outlawmws

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This did bring up a question though. Does anyone know what happens to models that are submitted with a patent application? Do they revert to the patentee? Are they put into storage? Destroyed?

IIR they used to be kept by the patent office. I think I heard most older things were destroyed in a fire. I think they quit keeping things, but no clue what they do now.
 
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Beerhippie

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IIR they used to be kept by the patent office. I think I head most older tings were destroyed in a fire. I think they quit keeping things, but no clue what the do now.
They used to have a pretty amazing museum collection of old pattern models on display. I hope that isn't what burned up.
 

Outlawmws

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@Dr Scott! @KMScott:

I believe a guy on the Coleman site I'm on has uncovered an unknown Parker vise; I have been unable to find this model in this thread, the main vise thread, catalogs I have (so far), or google searches...:

Based on the 1867 patent it has to be prior to 1885.

Model: 0.210 (hows that for an odd model No.? - Yes, a leading 0)
Marked: C.PARKER MERIDIAN CT. on the opposite side
Collar Mark: Pat. Nov 26, 1867 (Patent No 71498 for the collar)
jaw width: 3-1/4"
Weight: - TBD
Max opening: - TBD

Working on the TBD's...

It is amazingly complete and it great condition om what I see! The best is he plans to use it! (hes a wood worker, both professionally and in his own projects., so should see light use.

Pics:


Moses Parker-Vise 1.jpg

Moses Parker-Vise 2.jpg

Moses Parker-Vise 5 Collar patent.jpg

Moses Parker-Vise 6 Collar.jpg

Moses Parker-Vise 3.jpg

Moses Parker-Vise 4.jpg
 

jreb10

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I spoke too soon.
This 1907 item in The Iron Age clearly states that The Steel Yoke Vises were manufactured by JL Ware.
Plus, it adds some details not mentioned in other ads

1907 Ware item.jpg

These journal items from 1910 and 1912 show that Ware was very much invested in manufacturing

1910 & 1912 Ware factory items.jpg

One of these vises appeared in the Minneapolis CL recently. The lister was asking for information about who made it. I responded with a link to this page. And here is a photo or two from the listing:

00p0p_gIDaZ29Z9OP_0t20CI_600x450.jpg

00X0X_jUDe2BXDFOE_0t20CI_600x450.jpg
 

DCRUTT

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Thanks CRS. I’ll try to get ahold of the owner and get more info. It’s rare for sure and looks like a heavy big vise.

Got it.
IMG_2925.jpeg
KMS: I'm told this is a 42 due to the 4.5" jaws. I always thought it was a 32.
No pipe jaws and no swivel base, but now because of that 41 you posted I know what "sectional" pipe jaws look like.
Anyone have pics of an early 30 or 40 series swivel base that doesn't have the 3 mounting lugs? That 41 has that style base but a few more pics of the base only would be very helpful. Thanks.
 

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KMScott

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DC, I might have a 31 or 32 I could take pics of. Thought I seen one in this pic of my collection out in my shed. I’ll get back to you. Oh BTW thanks for the 42 pics.

Kevin
 

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