Vise Info Thread

[KMScott]

Rock Island 176A. No spec:s. Looks old and might have the cast in jaws.

 

[Smitty]

Some dimension photos

The vise has a Prentiss style brow over the meatball.


Sent from my iPad using The Garage Journal mobile app

 

[Smitty]

The three screws got me fooled. Only Rock Island uses three screws on their 577 544B models. A-Scale uses 4 screws on their 6" models. Curious too Smitty.

The jaws are 1/2” x 1 1/8 x 7 1/8

 

[Smitty]

I think I figured it out. This vise is listed as a Columbian 607, The vise doesn’t have a swivel base so it could be a 507. That would make mine a Columbian 607.


Sent from my iPad using The Garage Journal mobile app

 

[KMScott]

Got it Smitty. Thanks. Just does not have the Columbian look on the Dynamic but pretty sure you nailed it.

 

[rusty65]

I think I figured it out. This vise is listed as a Columbian 607, The vise doesn’t have a swivel base so it could be a 507. That would make mine a Columbian 607.


Sent from my iPad using The Garage Journal mobile app

I’d definitely agree Columbian as the maker. Have you checked the main nut for markings?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Smitty]

I’m going to go through it this weekend to see what I can find. I’d like to see a scan if anybody has one.

 

[rusty65]

I’m going to go through it this weekend to see what I can find. I’d like to see a scan if anybody has one.

Went for a deep dive and found this one hidden in the stash. A little newer lead screw style but definitely should be the same casting era.



Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Fierljeppen]

I concur about Smitty's vise being a Columbian. I found a 1913 catalog scan that make's it look like the Columbian model is a no. 607 with a missing swivel base. It sounds like it was accurately listed, go figure. All of the specs match while the style of the jaws and meatball are also accurate.

It's a real nice 1st gen Columbian vise pickup!

 

[Smitty]

Went for a deep dive and found this one hidden in the stash. A little newer lead screw style but definitely should be the same casting era.



Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Thanks for the help Rusty, saved to files.

 

[Smitty]

I concur about Smitty's vise being a Columbian. I found a 1913 catalog scan that make's it look like the Columbian model is a no. 607 with a missing swivel base. It sounds like it was accurately listed, go figure. All of the specs match while the style of the jaws and meatball are also accurate.

It's a real nice 1st gen Columbian vise pickup!

Thanks Jeppen, I was wondering when Columbian stopped using meatball shaped spindles. I will say the the malleable iron part of the ad is true, Columbian vises rarely crack. I’ve got a feeling my scale might be off by a bit, it’s seen some heavy use.

 

[KMScott]

Charles Parker 269X. 5-1/2" jaws that opens to 9" and weights 151lbs.

 

[KMScott]

Craftsman 5166 built by Rock Island. 6" jaws weights 147lbs and opens to 10".

 

[KMScott]

Columbian 502-1/2. 2-1/2" jaws weights 13lbs and opens to 3-1/2". Tee style jaws seem rather large. Stationary base?

 

[va.grouseman]

KM, I wished I knew what the Japan 5199s weighed if the 5166s weigh 147lbs., but Gatewaysysop don't give the weight or any other specs.

His post is on Page 330, Post 6582.

 

[KMScott]

Charles Parker 104. 4" jaws that opens to 6-1/2" and weights 43lbs.

 

[Smitty]

Prentiss Vise no. 263
3” jaws
28 lbs



Sent from my iPad using The Garage Journal mobile app

 

[trijeff]

Dang that's clean. Nice, real nice, Smitty

Sent from my Moto G (5) Plus using Tapatalk

 

[Smitty]

Thanks Jeff. The vise was covered in faded orange paint when I got it. I knew the vise was in good condition but was pleasantly surprised how well it cleaned up.

 

[CallumRD1]

Does anyone know offhand roughly what diameter and thread pitch the lead screws are in these large, old vises, roughy 4-1/2" jaw size? (Speaking generally, I don't have a specific model in mind.) I'm curious how it compares to some modern vises that I've had to work on lately.

 

[KMScott]

Does anyone know offhand roughly what diameter and thread pitch the lead screws are in these large, old vises, roughy 4-1/2" jaw size? (Speaking generally, I don't have a specific model in mind.) I'm curious how it compares to some modern vises that I've had to work on lately.

If you are close to me in Estes Park, come on up and see for your self. I have plenty of vises to measure. Some are 5/8 some are 3/4, the pitch and thread type change too. P.M. me for address. Kevin

 

[KMScott]

Sawyer 63-1/2. 3-1/2" jaws. All the spec:s I have on this rather large 3-1/2" vise.

 

[KMScott]

Union and Backus sold by Miller Falls. 2-1/2" jaws, weights 22lbs, considered a Heavy Chipping vise sold with a swivel base or not.

 

[KMScott]

Wilton 125-OS Offset Vise. 5" Jaws, 6-1/4" Jaw opening. Stationary base. Made in?

 

[va.grouseman]

KMS, I think Dawn was contracted to make those for Wilton.---Made in Australia I think.---There was one on eBay 2 years ago, priced at $1400.00.---Can't remember if it sold or not.

 

[KMScott]

KMS, I think Dawn was contracted to make those for Wilton.---Made in Australia I think.---There was one on eBay 2 years ago, priced at $1400.00.---Can't remember if it sold or not.

Thanks va, I looked on the box pretty good but no mention of where it was made.

 

[KMScott]

Yost 107. 7" jaws that opens to 12" and weights 214 lbs. These jaws are not original, normally has cast in jaws.

 

[Smitty]

Charles Parker no. 8 1/2


Sent from my iPad using The Garage Journal mobile app

 

[Smitty]

Charles Parker vise no. 205-4 1/2


Sent from my iPad using The Garage Journal mobile app

 

[Fierljeppen]

Nice pickups Smitty! You get extra points when you get a vise into the spreadsheet.

 

[Fierljeppen]

Sawyer 63-1/2. 3-1/2" jaws. All the spec:s I have on this rather large 3-1/2" vise.

KMScott...It's the same model as the Oswego Ontario vise, just a later casting by the Sawyer Foundry and Machine Co.

You already have the specs on the Ontario vise in the spreadsheet.

 

[Smitty]

Thanks Jeppen. Always happy to contribute to the spreadsheet.

 

[chopsaw84]

Howdy,

First time posting..., actually first time looking at this site.

Oh geez Louise, I could spend so many hours that I don't have the time for just looking at all those beautiful vises. You are my people...


AnyWays.... I got here because I picked up a Wilton Cadet 9135 3.5" vise at an auction. I collect vises just cause I like them and don't have a brand preference as long as they are quality vintage ones. I do admit that Wilton is one of my favorites though...

This Wilton Cadet 9135 was rattle-canned light gray by someone in the past, I knew that wasn't the original color so when I started cleaning it I found it was orange underneath. I researched and did find that some came orange but the info is limited.

I know I could probably muck around the internet and find the info I need but I have enough stuff on my plate that if some of you guys could please point me in the right direction I would really appreciate it.

The date on the key is 12/57 and it's a Chicago not a Schiller Park.

So my question is, why did Wilton paint some of their vises orange, was it supposed to mean something like they considered it lower quality or maybe the orange was used by the military, I don't know, hopefully someone does.

I assume it's a simple reason, I just haven't found out why...

Thanks everyone for a great site, I feel like I might regret coming across it...

--Chopsaw

 

[rusty65]

Orange was used as a bright color to stand out on a display as the cadet was more likely to be sold at a hardware store then a industrial warehouse like the full machinist series.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Fierljeppen]

Orange was used as a bright color to stand out on a display as the cadet was more likely to be sold at a hardware store then a industrial warehouse like the full machinist series.

+1

 

[KMScott]

Chopsaw, here is a image of a catalog page with your Cadet.

Nice stuff Smitty and Fierljeppen. Happy to add these vises to the Spreadsheet.

 

[va.grouseman]

Welcome Chop.---You will regret this site but love it at the same time, guaranteed.

Check out the main vise thread if you haven't already.

https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=44782&highlight=vises+garage+journal&page=1896

 

[chopsaw84]

Thanks everyone for the info!

Guess now I have another question...

I just lucked upon this vise and started to take it apart to strip and repaint. After I cleaned off most of the gray rattle-can spray paint the orange started coming through and now it has a nice patina. I think I'll just give it a shot of matte clear-coat and let it be.

My question is, is this vise rare at all? I didn't see any 3.5" cadet vises on E-bay to compare with and all the other cadets were 4" Schiller ones while this one is a Chicago... Is there a production data set for Wilton vises that show how many were made year by year?

I had planned on putting it down in the old tractor shed but if it's sorta rare then I might re-think it but I'll probably still put it down there.

Nothing quite feels like an old Wilton...

I shiver when I walk past some of the vises in the hardware stores that they now slap the Wilton name on. What a shame...



Thanks again, you guys are great!

I tried to upload a pic but not sure if it will make it, not used to messaging and stuff.

--Chopsaw84

 

[chopsaw84]

Howdy,

Got a message that I was asking in the wrong forum, I apologize...

Still finding my way around here so I will re-post in the general vise forum.

Appreciate all the info so far though so thanks to everyone.

Chopsaw84

 

[rusty65]

Grand master vise model 103s. Weighs 17lbs
3 1/2in jaws opening 3 1/2, over all length 10 1/2in. Made by grand specialties corporation in Chicago. Patent was submitted in 1945 granted in 1950 US2546906A. I’m not sure when exactly this model was produced and don’t have very much info on the company as a whole.



Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk