Vise Info Thread
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KMScott
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I recently picked up an old Rock Island Vise/Anvil Combo Vise. It is only marked with the patent date: SEPT 22 – 1914, which was patent #1,111,103 granted to Carl E. Shields who co-founded Rock Island Manufacturing Co. in 1906. He was also its President at the time this patent was issued. The jaws are 3.5" wide and it is 21" long (closed) and weighs 43 lbs. There are 8 holes in the slide, so it opens 8" (approx. 1" of screw play at each hole stop) and has a 3/4" hardie hole too.
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Arman4461
Member
Folks,
I recently found this forum while trying to find info related to my Chas. Parker #104 vise. I found it in the garage of a house that we bought in Monroe, Michigan. It was mounted to a sturdy bench. The bench, with vise attached, has been relocated to Texas for 10 years, and is now in North Carolina. I would like to have the jaws, whose cross-hatching has been worn mostly smooth, refurbished. Any ideas? Thanks!
Arman4461
I recently found this forum while trying to find info related to my Chas. Parker #104 vise. I found it in the garage of a house that we bought in Monroe, Michigan. It was mounted to a sturdy bench. The bench, with vise attached, has been relocated to Texas for 10 years, and is now in North Carolina. I would like to have the jaws, whose cross-hatching has been worn mostly smooth, refurbished. Any ideas? Thanks!
Arman4461
KMScott
Well-known member
Arman
I bet the jaw steel is soft, use a small triangle file and take your time and hand file the new serrations. The only way I know to serrate Parker jaws once they are installed. I always serrated the steel before machining the undercuts fitting new jaws for a Parker. I have retired and no longer build Parker jaws. Good luck. Kevin
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KMScott
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davethorik
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Is that supposed to be 175 lbs?
KMScott
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Arman4461
Member
Thanks Kevin! I enjoyed the pics of your work. I was wondering how the jaws were installed and kept in place. Initially they looked like a form of tongue and groove to me, looked at from the side. I'll take some time working on the serrations, as the vise is quite capable even now. Wonder how do you tell the age of a 104?
va.grouseman
Well-known member
I wasn't going to say anything cause mine is just a plain #25 combo, not a Red Seal #25.---Bought it from Autopts about 5 years ago and it's around 175 lbs..---I figured there must be some variance because of the Red Seal distinction, so I didn't ask.
Never seen one of these before....Clark. Being sold in my are, most made in Canada vises I see are a copy of the classic Record mechanics vise. This one looks to have more American traits than English.
The only info I have is from the add which has it as 4 1/2" jays and 8 1/2" opening.
The only info I have is from the add which has it as 4 1/2" jays and 8 1/2" opening.
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Here's another add in my area, a Henry # 5. I see a non swivel base on the spreadsheet, but not a swivel. Specs from the vendor are 5" jaws and weighs 68 lbs.
This vise you can see how it in many ways resembles a Record vise, like many of the made in Canada vises I see, but unlike the previous post I made with the Clark.
This vise you can see how it in many ways resembles a Record vise, like many of the made in Canada vises I see, but unlike the previous post I made with the Clark.
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Fierljeppen
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Is there anyway you could get a bigger photo? Your photo is the 1st Clark Machine Co. vise I've seen, but it's too small to really appreciate.
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wrenchguy
Well-known member
Usually a lot of boring made in China or plenty of Records for sale in my area. Last couple of days a few new ads that are not your typical vises.
Here's what looks like an Emmert # 47, which I saw is not on the spreadsheet. Unfortunately, other than these pics, the only info I have is the seller stating that it opens 12". But if you look at the 4th pic, it looks like the max opening is in the 9 1/2"-10", looking at the tape measure. The seller probably has it open hanging on to the last thread on the screw.
Here's what looks like an Emmert # 47, which I saw is not on the spreadsheet. Unfortunately, other than these pics, the only info I have is the seller stating that it opens 12". But if you look at the 4th pic, it looks like the max opening is in the 9 1/2"-10", looking at the tape measure. The seller probably has it open hanging on to the last thread on the screw.
KMScott
Well-known member
Ain't gonna sneak daybreak past this rooster.
Yea shucks, I try to do my best. I depend on what I am told and what is written. I'll keep plugging away.
wrenchguy
Well-known member
KMScott
Well-known member
They are pinned, note the one picture with the knurled pins. It is to hard for me to match the existing holes so I just drill and ream new holes. I use a 10" Sine Plate to tilt the vise at the right angle. I will note that the pins are drilled at a angle.
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davethorik
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Didn't mean to step on any toes! I have a 4.5" American Scale combo and it weighs 87 lbs, figured a 1 just got left off the 75.
KMScott
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KMScott
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KMScott
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KMScott
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KMScott
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va.grouseman
Well-known member
KMS, until today I never knew that there was anything but the 63 1/2 in that style of Charles Parker.---Which makes me ask, how many different models were made in that style?
VA, i know of a 93 1/2 as a 3rd model like this (link from spreadsheet)
https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showpost.php?p=6979068&postcount=253
Not sure, but their may have been a 4th model of this type.
https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showpost.php?p=6979068&postcount=253
Not sure, but their may have been a 4th model of this type.
KMScott
Well-known member
Like what FMC mentioned there is a couple lighter duty Parker anvil vises out there. I look at so many vises I forget what I have seen before. I am now curious if there is 4" models of these Mechanic grade anvil vises that Parker made. Maybe they were keeping up with the times and had their own retro models.
va.grouseman
Well-known member
FM and KM, I learn something new every day.---Never seen anything but a 63 1/2 before today and now I see 3 more in just one day.---Odd the way things happen sometimes.
Now if I could just learn 1 new thing every day and only forget 1 thing every other day, I could gain some ground.
Now if I could just learn 1 new thing every day and only forget 1 thing every other day, I could gain some ground.
KMScott
Well-known member
A couple of ads I saw that the vises were not on the spreadsheet.
First off, an ATCO Rapid 80. Doesn't look Chinese, and with the seller stating it has 3" jaws, and the model being "80", almost positive it is European. Unless it works like the Athol's where you lift the spindle to "quick release", I see no levers or anything to depict the Rapid in the name as being a quick release.
Cool and different looking vise.
First off, an ATCO Rapid 80. Doesn't look Chinese, and with the seller stating it has 3" jaws, and the model being "80", almost positive it is European. Unless it works like the Athol's where you lift the spindle to "quick release", I see no levers or anything to depict the Rapid in the name as being a quick release.
Cool and different looking vise.
Then saw this ad for a Record 2100, very clean. I do not recall the GJ member from across the pond that said it, but IIRC, this is a later model Record made to be more competitive and thus was a so-so quality model.
With the open slits for where the bolt hold down goes & also the "Sheffield England" moniker vs "Made in England", could very well be an Irwin made in China model.
With the open slits for where the bolt hold down goes & also the "Sheffield England" moniker vs "Made in England", could very well be an Irwin made in China model.
KMScott
Well-known member
Hey FMC, thanks for sharing. It looks Asian to me but you never know. 80mm equals a little over 3-1/8. I added it to the Spreadsheet since it looks pretty beefy and better quality then what you see in Harbor Freight. Hope you are doing well.
PghJKB
Well-known member
A couple of ads I saw that the vises were not on the spreadsheet.
First off, an ATCO Rapid 80. Doesn't look Chinese, and with the seller stating it has 3" jaws, and the model being "80", almost positive it is European. Unless it works like the Athol's where you lift the spindle to "quick release", I see no levers or anything to depict the Rapid in the name as being a quick release.
Cool and different looking vise.
FMC1959, KMScott
From my research:
The ATCO Rapid Vises
Rapid vises are based on the British Record/Woden pattern and produced by Bison/Bial of Poland. This pattern has a movable front jaw and fixed rear jaw. The front jaw moves along a broached way and has a slide were the top has shoulders wider than the skirt. The rear jaw is part of the main casting. The screw is fully covered on three sides with a forward spring mechanism to compensate for wear.
The Rapids are produced with both swivel base model and fixed base models. The 1250/1255 models share the same main casting, the swivel base is a bolt on addition. The 125X main casting (which includes the rear jaw) has three factory drilled holes: two that serve the dual purpose of a passage for the swivel lock bolts or mounting screw/bolt, and the third which is for the rear mounting screw/bolt. Jaw sizes are metric and measure 63, 80, 100, 125 and 150mm.
They are not quick-release vises. Not sure where "Rapid" comes from, looks like "rapid" in Polish translates to "rapid" in American English.
125X identifying Marks
By far, the definitive marking for a 125X series is the Bison decal. Many of the 125X series have a cast-in depression in the shape of the outline of the decal.
Another identifier is the embossed "RAPID" on both sides of the slide tunnel.
As with the zolws, the tops of the jaw towers, next to the top of the jaws, are often stamped with the model number, and/or jaw size, and/or month/year of manufacture, or "MADE IN POLAND". Some have no visible stampings, but usually some elbow grease and wire brush/steel wool will bring out something.
Other Markings and characteristics:
The Nose: Some 125Xs are stamped "POLAND" or "MADE IN POLAND". Another marking, Polish equivalent of a trademark(?), that is stamped into the nose is the number 1 inside of a circle that is inside of an equilateral triangle with rounded tips. The jaw size is mark on the slide tunnel.
Seems that earlier models have no stamping on the nose, These vises were imported by ATCO, Hi-Test, Fowler and others.
Will add some images of the stampings and decals once my camera "gets better".
PghJKB
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KMScott
Well-known member
Thanks PghJKB. Great explanation. Look forward to the pictures when your camera is repaired.
Incredible explanation...I am sure if I called the company asking for some info, no one there would have a tenth the information you have.
There are a lot of GREAT contributors on this thread and of course the main vise thread. Not to disregard any of the many excellent contributors, but yourself (PghJKB) and FJ (Fierljeppen) have a wealth of information that is invaluable
Cheers
