Vise Info Thread

[KMScott]

Monarch (Prentiss) #226. 6-1/2" jaws on this under the bench swivel base.

 

[Kirk T]

This vice is advertised as “Reed Scale Co. Number 104R Vise Number 50” I do not find a 104R that looks anything like it. I do not find a Reed #50 anywhere on the web. Can anyone tell me anything about this vise? This is the only picture I have until tomorrow. Thanks Kirk T

 

[FMC1959]

This vice is advertised as “Reed Scale Co. Number 104R Vise Number 50” I do not find a 104R that looks anything like it. I do not find a Reed #50 anywhere on the web. Can anyone tell me anything about this vise? This is the only picture I have until tomorrow. Thanks Kirk T

Reed is not an uncommon name, my guess is that the Reed Scale Co is a separate non related company to the Reed Vises we are most familiar with.

There are many companies that back in the day started making products that have no relation to what they later became famous for (like Coleco, the electronics and gaming company was actually the Connecticut Leather Company at inception. I forget which, but one vise company started by making coffee, C Parker started with rifles...and so on)

From what I know, Reed was always a vise company. (though they started with pipe vises...I think).

So the Reed Scale Co probably has nothing to do with Reed vises.

 

[davethorik]

This vice is advertised as “Reed Scale Co. Number 104R Vise Number 50” I do not find a 104R that looks anything like it. I do not find a Reed #50 anywhere on the web. Can anyone tell me anything about this vise? This is the only picture I have until tomorrow. Thanks Kirk T

Whoever is advertising it either can't read or got confused. I'm guessing it is an American Scale vise, not a Reed. I would pass regardless.

 

[Fierljeppen]

Whoever is advertising it either can't read or got confused. I'm guessing it is an American Scale vise, not a Reed. I would pass regardless.

+1

 

[sqyards]

Hey GJ how would you suggest I straighten the slide out I didn't notice when I bought it a couple weeks ago, I would have bought anyways was 10 bucks, I cleaned it up and went to put back together and - @#&* didn't know if I should use heat and bang it or just bang it. Let me know best way before I break it by accident.. thanks

 

[KMScott]

Prentiss #937 twin beam. 3-1/2" jaws that opens to 5-1/4 and weights 26lbs.

 

[KMScott]

Fulton Model: Peerless No. 25. 3-1/2" jaws that opens to 4" and weights 24lbs

 

[KMScott]

Hollands. Open screw vise but with no model number. 3" jaws that opens around 3" and weights 12lbs. Anyone seen one of these before?

 

[Fierljeppen]

I've seen a handful here at the GarageJournal. This one is mine with the same specs. I've never seen this Hollands vise in any catalog or advertisement and don't have any idea when it was mfg.

Hopefully someone else chimes in with some details.

 

[Kirk T]

Whoever is advertising it either can't read or got confused. I'm guessing it is an American Scale vise, not a Reed. I would pass regardless.

Well I am glad I went and looked. Ad should have read, Two Vise’s For Sale, Reed 104R and American Scale #50, $50 for the pair

 

[KMScott]

I've seen a handful here at the GarageJournal. This one is mine with the same specs. I've never seen this Hollands vise in any catalog or advertisement and don't have any idea when it was mfg.

Hopefully someone else chimes in with some details.

Thanks for the comment Fierljeppen, I knew you would have something to say. I will relate to the vise owner what was said about his vise. I am no vise historian but can help with the Spreadsheet which is pretty handy.

 

[KMScott]

Columbian 143. 3" jaws that opens to 3-1/2" and weights 13lbs. Might be heavier since this one is missing the swivel base that releases from under the bench

 

[KMScott]

Merrill Brothers 6-1/2. 6-1/2" open screw vise that opens to 10" and weights 125lbs.

 

[Vise]

I've seen a handful here at the GarageJournal. This one is mine with the same specs. I've never seen this Hollands vise in any catalog or advertisement and don't have any idea when it was mfg.

Hopefully someone else chimes in with some details.

There was one on eBay about 6 months ago. Seems to be steel construction (at least in part). But haven't seen a catalogue page.

 

[Vise]

I noticed there wasn’t a picture of a Prentiss 35 on the spreadsheet. This vise has 1 3/4” wide jaws, opens 1 3/16”, and weighs 2lbs.






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[Fierljeppen]

The Franklin Tool Co. vise no.2-1/2

jaws........2-1/2"
opening....2-1/4"
weight.....7 lbs.

When I acquired this vise, I really knew nothing about The Franklin Tool Co., but I suspected they were some how related to The Clipper Tool Co. of Buffalo, New York. Some tough research confirmed what ended up being a contentious relationship between the two Buffalo companies.

Frank E. Parr, owner and founder of the Clipper Tool Co. died suddenly on July 5, 1921. He left a struggling company to his right-hand man, George Parr, his 21-year-old son. As the financials got thin, George reached out to a local lending institution for some loans to cover the ever growing business expenses. As time went on, the business continued to struggle and in June of 1923, George Parr was asked to resign from the Clipper Tool Co. or his loans would be called. It wasn't soon after this, the Clipper Tool Co. was reorganized into the Franklin Tool Co. with new officers and stockholders.

By 1925, under the new leadership of Francis S. Holtz, The Franklin Tool Co. started advertising the same Clipper Tool products under the new company name. They continued to use the legacy of Frank Parr's former co. to promote their hardware items. The Franklin Tool Co. continued to do business, at least into the mid 1940's.

*Please note that although the catalog scan shown is directly from The Franklin Tool Co., the model specs. are inaccurate and reflects the disorganization of the company in 1925, when the catalog was printed.

This is the condensed version of a much longer story.

references:
1925 Franklin Tool Co. catalog
1927 Supreme Court of New York Edith E. Parr vs. The Marine Trust Co.
1928 Engineers pg.272
1932 Directory of New York State Mfg.
1932 Hardware Age V.129_pg.56
1943 Hardware Age pg.767

 

[KMScott]

Thanks Vise and Fierljeppen, both awesome vises and what a description Fierljeppen.

 

[KMScott]

Stanley 653. 2" jaws and weights 4 lbs.

 

[Smitty]

Here’s something you don’t see everyday. This is a Rock Island no. 1 with nickel plating. The vise has 1 1/2” jaws a bit of the plating left. The only markings on the vise is 804 that is cast in the underside of the base. Although the slide has been broken off in the back I felt it was worth posting.


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[KMScott]

Wow Smitty, nice vise. I am jealous.

 

[Smitty]

Thanks KMS, it’s still a great piece of history.

 

[va.grouseman]

Smitty, is that an auto-lock base?---It sure looks to be.---Very rare, that size.

 

[akasrick]

Here’s something you don’t see everyday. This is a Rock Island no. 1 with nickel plating. The vise has 1 1/2” jaws a bit of the plating left. The only markings on the vise is 804 that is cast in the underside of the base. Although the slide has been broken off in the back I felt it was worth posting.

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A little something to go along with it. Nice find.

akasrick

 

[royce]

Here’s something you don’t see everyday. This is a Rock Island no. 1 with nickel plating. The vise has 1 1/2” jaws a bit of the plating left. The only markings on the vise is 804 that is cast in the underside of the base. Although the slide has been broken off in the back I felt it was worth posting.

That's a beauty Smitty,
Have you had a peak at the swivel locking mechanism?
Would be curious to know how it functions.

Royce

 

[Smitty]

The vise is indeed an auto lock swivel base model and it still functions. I haven’t taken it apart yet but I’ll post pics when I do. Thanks for the scan Rick.

 

[akasrick]

The vise is indeed an auto lock swivel base model and it still functions. I haven’t taken it apart yet but I’ll post pics when I do. Thanks for the scan Rick.

Not a problem Smitty. Happend to find that the other day and allmost passed on the save, live and learn.
From the spreadsheet looks like exmaxima1 is looking for info on them, he has a disassembled view. https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showpost.php?p=4925490&postcount=31875

Now Ye Old Visemaker, Royce, https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showpost.php?p=7127177&postcount=1
is curious,
I'm guessing the nut when tightened contacts the inner sleave top front and bottom back of the base and creates a lock.
Looks to be good enough to be used on a bruiser (8" jaws)
Thanks for the look, see and share

akasrick

 

[Fierljeppen]

Smitty's Rock Island vise is very rare in that size.

Here's a breakdown of my Rock Island Tool Co. no.5 vise as found with a broken slide and paint coats of many colors. It reminded me of the Partridge Family bus for some reason, so I'm leaving it as is for now.

The nut is welded to an adapter that drops thru the stationary jaw side and into the base. The mating surfaces have almost a polished feel to them, which seems dumb. I continued that trend by coating the surfaces with anti-seize.

The vise remains swivel-able until the jaws are tightened, which magically lock the swivel mechanism as well. I'm curious to see if Smitty's vise has the same setup.

 

[Smitty]

Jeppen, mine has the same design but the nut appears to be bronze. I find it odd that the vise can simply be pulled off of the base when loose. Rusty did mention to me that these vises were mounted on model T type vehicles to do repairs on the road. The base could stay mounted and the body would go in the trunk.


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[tool_scrounge]

I see this in the spreadsheet but the details are missing and the picture links are dead

Eron 75 swivel machinist vise
3" wide jaws
Opens to 3.2"
Weight: 12.3 lbs

 

[royce]

Jeppen, mine has the same design but the nut appears to be bronze. I find it odd that the vise can simply be pulled off of the base when loose. Rusty did mention to me that these vises were mounted on model T type vehicles to do repairs on the road. The base could stay mounted and the body would go in the trunk.


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Beautiful simplicity
Wonderful piece
Thanks Smitty
Royce

 

[Vise]

Here is an 8 page Starrett Vise Catalog I picked up with a bunch of other salesman materials. The catalog is dated October 1, 1964 (good eye Fierljeppen!). I especially like the chart on the last page comparing vise models by different manufacturers.











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[va.grouseman]

I have a question fellows.---I need a swivel base for a Yost #6 stationary and Yost sells the base kit that fits the 105, 106, 205, and 206.---My question, is the #6 which is about 30 years old the same as the model 106 currently?---Mine just has the number 6 on the side.---I really need to know before I commit.---Thanks for any help you can give.

 

[tool_scrounge]

I have a question fellows.---I need a swivel base for a Yost #6 stationary and Yost sells the base kit that fits the 105, 106, 205, and 206.---My question, is the #6 which is about 30 years old the same as the model 106 currently?---Mine just has the number 6 on the side.---I really need to know before I commit.---Thanks for any help you can give.

N Base Kit for vise model #: 105, 106, 205, 206, 33C, 80C, 133C, 880-DI

I have a 33C. Looks like the same base. The the swivel base mounting surface to the vise has an outside diameter of 7.8". The center to center distance of the two swivel clamps is about 5.75". The clamp threads are 1/2" in diameter. So the two holes in the vise base should be 1/2" clearance.

 

[Vise]

I have a question fellows.---I need a swivel base for a Yost #6 stationary and Yost sells the base kit that fits the 105, 106, 205, and 206.---My question, is the #6 which is about 30 years old the same as the model 106 currently?---Mine just has the number 6 on the side.---I really need to know before I commit.---Thanks for any help you can give.

VA - call them up. I’ve found the people in the US to be helpful. Also, here’s a chart I got from the MORGAN people on their bases (which are still available for purchase). Not Yost, but one of these might also fit your vise. Good luck.




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[va.grouseman]

Thanks fellows.

 

[Fierljeppen]

Vise...Is that a date code on the bottom LH side of the last page of the Starrett brochure?

 

[Vise]

Vise...Is that a date code on the bottom LH side of the last page of the Starrett brochure?

Wow, great eye! Yes, it’s “10-1-64.“ will edit my post above, which I’ve linked to the spreadsheet in the catalogues section.

 

[Fred Knox]

I have some pictures for one on the spreadsheet. It’s the Columbian #602 1/2, which has 2 1/2” jaws, opens 3 1/2”, and weighs 15 lbs.

 

[Hobb]

I was suggested this thread and thought id post my own.
I saved this reed 404r swivel jaw vise from a scrap bin at work. tore it apart and figured out the shoulder bolt was missing in the base. Used a 7/8 in fine thread bolt and some scrap steel for a bushing to be a stand in. Did a boil linseed oil treatment after that and put her back together. Just waiting on a trip for bolts to secure her to my benchtop.