Vise Info Thread

[KMScott]

Great stuff Fierljeppen, Filled in more empty spots on the Spreadsheet and learned a few things about Prentiss vises.

 

[KMScott]

Howard Iron Works #2. 4" jaws that weights 45lbs. I wonder if there is a connection to Charles Parker. Jaws are a little different and collar is way thicker.

 

[GETRIDAONE]

Howard vise ad from 1877, I like that unique under bench clamp handle. 1877 makes you wonder if Parker copied the jaws from Howard ?

 

[KMScott]

Charles Parker #88, early model combo vise. 4" jaws that opens to 6". No weight on this one. Parker has two model #88 vises, this one is the underneath the bench swivel compared to the later #88 model that has the newer swivel base.

 

[va.grouseman]

KMS, I know you know of course that the big nut is upside down on that #88.---The spanner would never stay in in that position.---And those spanners are getting scarcer.

 

[KMScott]

Yes I seen that, the owner boasts that he fabricated an aluminum plate but maybe forgot how everything goes back together. The owner maybe does not know that the handle is missing.

 

[KMScott]

Rock Island #5A Automatic Swivel Vise. 4" jaws that opens to 6" and weights 57lbs.

 

[Unruh]

I found this vise for sale. I don’t see anything but 403 on the side. Any help?

 

[Fierljeppen]

I found this vise for sale. I don’t see anything but 403 on the side. Any help?

That's a very early Prentiss "Monarch" combination vise, before the lion's head version. Someone has added a Parker style collar to the front of the spindle, which is not original. It's also missing the pipe jaws and swivel hardware. Otherwise, it's a real classic and very collectible vise. At that price, I'd grab it!

Here's a link to a Monarch 403 in the spreadsheet.

https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showpost.php?p=7370015&postcount=590

 

[davethorik]

Got a little scale today. It was cheap, but the readings it is getting are consistent with some catalog data.

Best part? 1948 Prentiss cat is wrong for my model 456, which I expected. It lists 168 lbs, which I believe is the weight of the old no. 22.

I have 2 examples of the 456 (6" swivel jaw, swivel base).
View media item 84957Blue scales at 182

View media item 90915Black scales at 184

So I guess I'll go with 183 average
What brutes!

Also weighed some other vises
Reed no. 205R swivel base 5" - 92 lbs
Hollands no. 44 double swiveler 4" - 64 lbs
Reed no. 23-1/2 light duty utility vise 3.5" - 17 lbs
Starrett no. 923 fixed base vise 3" - 21 lbs
"Pinch Bug" vise - 8 lbs
Miller's Falls no. 18 clamp on swivel base vise NOS in orig box, 2.5" - 6 lbs
Ridgid no. 39 clamp-on pipe vise - 15 lbs
Stanley Rule & Level no. 743 clamp-on Victor pattern vise 2" - 3.5 lbs
Oliver no. 153 wood working vise - 50 lbs

 

[Productbob]

Dave nice looking pair of 456's! would make a great set of "bookends" on a workbench.

 

[davethorik]

Haha bob, smitty talked me out of selling one and doing that exact thing.

I've been corresponding with getridaone. He has a no. 356 which is the new style Prentiss marked meriden ct. 6" combo pipe vise. His weighs 200 lbs and in the 48 Prentiss cat that Fierljeppen was nice enough to find, is listed as 185#. So that gave me the hunch mine might be about 15 lbs heavier than the listed weight, and the average 183 is exactly 15 lbs so that's cool.

 

[Fierljeppen]

Excellent detective work davethorik! I did a little investigation and you're correct. Prentiss didn't change any of their catalog weights since their 1st model.

I guess they didn't consider the future needs of "vise collectors".

 

[davethorik]

Even when Parker bought them and re-designed the vises. That was another clue the weight might be off...Parker totally redesigned the Prentiss vises and they're the same weight? Doubtful. Thankfully Parker brought some beef.

 

[KMScott]

Thanks Dave, the Starrett 923 Stationary vise is not on the Spreadsheet, if you have pic's please post when you get time. Thanks for the weights of the vises.

 

[Productbob]

picked up an Oswego 25 yesterday that's in good shape but is missing the base. other than what i can measure (75 lbs without base and 5" jaws) not finding any info or pics on this vise. can anyone shed any light on this one or point me to a resource ? thanks

 

[Kayakranger76]

Looking for info on Holland’s vises. This was my grandfathers, he was a tool and die maker. He passed in 1955 so I know it’s at least that old. It’s markerd 23 1/2 .thanks for any help

 

[davethorik]

Looking for info on Holland’s vises. This was my grandfathers, he was a tool and die maker. He passed in 1955 so I know it’s at least that old. It’s markerd 23 1/2 .thanks for any help

I'm not sure on Hollands vise production dates, however your model number is simple to decode. The 2 means swivel base, 3-1/2 indicates jaw width in inches. They do not enjoy strong name recognition in the aftermarket (Wilton) and can be overlooked, and also don't seem to be a hot collecting commodity, but are good solid USA vises.

Kmscott, here is a poor photo of my 923. 3" jaws, only 2.5" of slide stickout however I've had it open another inch to clamp 2x4s. I'm fairly certain that these newer Starretts had a modular swivel base that could be added to a fixed base vise, like the N model Reeds or Wilton bullets. As it sits, it has 3 mounting holes (one under rear slide).

 

[davethorik]

Here are some better pics of the Starrett.

 

[Fierljeppen]

picked up an Oswego 25 yesterday that's in good shape but is missing the base. other than what i can measure (75 lbs without base and 5" jaws) not finding any info or pics on this vise. can anyone shed any light on this one or point me to a resource ? thanks

Oswego vises are some of my very favorite. I think a lot of it has to do with the history and location of the town. Lying on the banks of Lake Ontario, with the Oswego canal running thru the center of town and of course the one and only E.W. Fulton having great influence with the design and manufacturing of the vises.

I don't have the time right now to go into all of the details I've learned about your vise and its company, but the Sawyer casting tells me that it was manufactured after Sept. of 1930 and as late as 1958. Whether you're able to find a swivel base and the wrench for it is inconsequential in my opinion. It's a great addition to any vise collectors collection.

 

[Productbob]

Fierljeppen was very happy to pick this Oswego up (first one), it's a good looking vise, pretty hefty and I like the 5" size. Thanks for the information and whole heartedly agree that Oswego is indeed a beautiful city! Going to try and pick up a couple more of these as well as keep an eye out for the base. bob

 

[Smitty]

Stanley Victor #752 1 3/4” jaws , opens 1 1/2, 3 1/4 lbs.

This is the first #752 that I’ve seen.


Sent from my iPad using The Garage Journal mobile app

 

[KMScott]

Reed 103-1/2, Stationary base model. 3-1/2" jaws that opens to 5" and weights 29lbs.

 

[KMScott]

Athol 644 Swivel jaw. 4" Jaws.

 

[va.grouseman]

That's a beauty KM.

 

[KMScott]

VA, it's for sale up in Nicks area. Wish I had a couple more picks.

 

[Productbob]

KM very sharp Athol. where is it for sale?

 

[KMScott]

KM very sharp Athol. where is it for sale?

In Chicago area.

https://chicago.craigslist.org/nwc/tls/d/glenview-machinist-vise/6913196957.html

 

[Productbob]

In Chicago area.

https://chicago.craigslist.org/nwc/tls/d/glenview-machinist-vise/6913196957.html

thanks

 

[KMScott]

Athol #28. 2-1/2" jaws that opes to 2-3/4" and weights 9lbs.

 

[KMScott]

Athol 709. 3" Ratchet Handle that opens to 3-1/2" and weights over 16lbs.

 

[KMScott]

Rock Island 152. 4-1/2 jaws that opens to 11" and weights 60lbs.

 

[KMScott]

Charles Parker 371-1/2. 4" jaws that opens to 5" and weights 41lbs.

 

[SkyPuncher]

Desmond Stephan 41 FS Filers Vise with the ratcheting side handle back on page 49 post #974 appears to be up for sale

https://detroit.craigslist.org/okl/tls/d/oxford-vintage-and-rare-simplex-41-fs/6925654552.html

 

[KMScott]

Hollands V. 5" Jaws. Another Hollands with a model number using lettering.

 

[66HertzClone]

Since I removed my Monarch from the bench in order to move I thought it would be a good time to clean it up and give it a coat of paint. I took it apart on Sunday and have it soaking in a few gallons of vinegar, it had a little bit of rust not any heavy corrosion. What paint would you recommend I use for this, I'd prefer a spray paint just for ease of application. I've seen pictures of Monarchs where the lions head has been touched with gold, I have a gold paint pen, would that be suitable for this? I don't remember the number on mine but I will check when I get home this afternoon. The jaws are in good shape,

I tried to loosen the attaching screws with a screwdriver by hand, not a chance. I have drivers with the wrench bolster so I could go that route or use the impact driver.

 

[Fierljeppen]

Hollands V. 5" Jaws. Another Hollands with a model number using lettering.

KMScott...It appears that most of the early Hollands Keystone models were "Letters".

I've been looking for a model "B" for a while now. Your featured model "V" is the first I've seen.

 

[davethorik]

The Ridge Tool Co. Simplex steel slide no. 43SN
4.5" jaws, opens 7.25", weighs 65 lbs.

Ridge Tool bought the Simplex line of vises from Desmond Stephan in 1964, and made them in-house for some time.

This vise doesn't say "Ridgid" on it anywhere, not sure if it means that it is early production or what. You can see the remnants of what I think is a blue or blue-grey paint.

 

[Fierljeppen]

davethorik..."Ridgid" is a tradename for The Ridge Tool Co., just like "Simplex". So you won't ever see a Ridgid casting on a Simplex vise.

In 1980, Columbian started making the vises for The Ridge Tool Co., and the Ridgid trademark was cast on those vises.

 

[davethorik]

davethorik..."Ridgid" is a tradename for The Ridge Tool Co., just like "Simplex". So you won't ever see a Ridgid casting on a Simplex vise.

In 1980, Columbian started making the vises for The Ridge Tool Co., and the Ridgid trademark was cast on those vises.

I have seen the Desmond style vises marked Ridgid, like attached (not mine). However you are right, it does not say Simplex.