Vise Info Thread

[KMScott]

Columbian #70. 2" jaws.

 

[KMScott]

Hollands #50. 5-1/8 wide jaws that opens to 8" and weights 100lbs.

 

[KMScott]

Littlestown # 19. 3-1/2" jaws that opens to 5". No confirmed weight yet.

 

[Shiftless]

My latest clean up
As far as I know this is the smallest of the series.
Thanks to Fierljeppen for the catalog page.

Franklin #2
2 inch wide jaws
Opens 1 1/2 inches
Weighs in at 5 pounds 10 ounces.

 

[PghJKB]

Unmarked Vise

Believe this is a Williamson Vise based on patent No. 711607 issued to Eli S. Williamson and Benjamin L. Williamson. Patent was issued 21 Oct 1902. Rotates and swivels.

Specs:
Jaws Size 2.75 inches
Jaw Opening 2.75 inches (a bit difficult to determine due to design.
Weight 22 lbs.
Replaceable Jaws No
Swivel Base

JKB

 

[Zrxrunner]

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[KMScott]

Unmarked Vise

Believe this is a Williamson Vise based on patent No. 711607 issued to Eli S. Williamson and Benjamin L. Williamson. Patent was issued 21 Oct 1902. Rotates and swivels.

Specs:
Jaws Size 2.75 inches
Jaw Opening 2.75 inches (a bit difficult to determine due to design.
Weight 22 lbs.
Replaceable Jaws No
Swivel Base
[/IMG]


JKB

JKB, That is a nice vise in excellent condition. Great addition to the spreadsheet. I would love to find one similar.

 

[Andy FitzGibbon]

1920s Sanborn fire insurance maps of Yost, Reed, Erie, and Hollands manufacturing facilities. Reed is still at the same location.

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[bagged89s10]

1920s Sanborn fire insurance maps of Yost, Reed, Erie, and Hollands manufacturing facilities. Reed is still at the same location.

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Very cool maps!

 

[gearhead1960]

I've had this vise for at least 30 years. I can't even remember where I got it. Since I've been following this thread, it got me curious about what model Wilton it is. Not finding it on the Vise Info Spreadsheet. It looks like to me the model is 1 UX and the manufacture date is 12/10/72. Any help or direction is always appreciated.....

 

[Fierljeppen]

I've had this vise for at least 30 years. I can't even remember where I got it. Since I've been following this thread, it got me curious about what model Wilton it is. Not finding it on the Vise Info Spreadsheet. It looks like to me the model is 1 UX and the manufacture date is 12/10/72. Any help or direction is always appreciated.....

It's a Wilton Home Vise no-540. This model replaced the venerable "Scout" model and was mfg. from about (1970-1980's).

The number you referenced as a date code is actually just a casting part #. I don't believe there is a date code on that vise.

<hr>

 

[gearhead1960]

Thanks Fierljeppen!

 

[FMC1959]

Thanks Fierljeppen!

Ad you can see gearhead, FJ wakes up early (6:30 am) and has both guns loaded!

He (FJ), KMS, PghJKB and the other knowledgeable contributors to this thread, it will take a heck of a question to take these guys down

 

[gearhead1960]

Ad you can see gearhead, FJ wakes up early (6:30 am) and has both guns loaded!

He (FJ), KMS, PghJKB and the other knowledgeable contributors to this thread, it will take a heck of a question to take these guys down

That's why I like this forum!

 

[ejot]

Just picked this up, don't see it in the spreadsheet, though I have seen a catalog page posted.
H.B. Smith No 2,A.
61lbs with swivel base and wingnut, missing pipe jaws
3-7/8" jaws open to 5"

Also saw an ad with some specs listed for No. 3,A (not mine)

 

[Shiftless]

I just finished rehabbing my Craftsman 5242.
This will provide another reference pic for the spreadsheet.

Jaws: 3 1/2 niches wide
Capacity: 2 inches before the slide is no longer completely outside the vise body
Weight: 20 pounds

 

[KMScott]

Boller Vise #1. Waiting on spec:s.

 

[KMScott]

Acco #9. 3-3/8 Jaws

 

[KMScott]

Acco #20. 4" jaws that opens to 5" and weights 55lbs.

 

[KMScott]

American Scale/ Red Seal # 55. 5" jaws that opens to 8" and weights 76lbs. This is one I restored several years ago.

 

[KMScott]

American Scale/ Red Seal #53. 4" jaws that opens to 6" and weights 49lbs. Another one I restored.

 

[FMC1959]

American Scale/ Red Seal # 55. 5" jaws that opens to 8" and weights 76lbs. This is one I restored several years ago.

American Scale/ Red Seal #53. 4" jaws that opens to 6" and weights 49lbs. Another one I restored.

Absolute beauties...even if you had not mentioned it, it can clearly be seen that they went through the KMS treatment

 

[Vise]

Oh....






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[Fierljeppen]

Oh....

So, what's the back story on this Hall's no.98 patent vise? This is the first "coachmakers" model I've seen of these vises.

<hr>


Hall's no.98 "Sudden Grip" coachmakers vise.

jaw width.......4"
jaw opening....7-3/4"
weight...........48 lbs.
manufacturer...Charles Parker Co., Meriden CT
patent...........US-140,269 (June 24, 1873)
discontinued...1919

 

[Vise]

So, what's the back story on this Hall's no.98 patent vise? This is the first "coachmakers" model I've seen of these vises.

<hr>


Hall's no.98 "Sudden Grip" coachmakers vise.

jaw width.......4"
jaw opening....7-3/4"
weight...........48 lbs.
manufacturer...Charles Parker Co., Meriden CT
patent...........US-140,269 (June 24, 1873)
discontinued...1919

Thanks for the info! Apparently the story is that it just sold at auction for $1300 and change, which is IMO a bargain.

 

[Fierljeppen]

I was doing some research on the Dropfo vises to keep my vise points validated, when I came across the craziest vise ad I've ever seen.

Many vise manufactures have advertised how strong their vises were and some even illustrated it in their ads, but they never encouraged the customer to abuse the vise once purchased.

Dropfo's ad not only makes claim to have a tough vise, but encourages the strongest person in the shop to put a 3-foot pipe on the end of the handle and tighten it with all of their might.

I'm not sure how long The Fulton Drop Forge Co. lasted, but if many of their customers were taking on this challenge, I can't see very many of those vises being around for us to collect today.

<hr>
Dropfo vise no.4-1/2

jaw width.........4-1/2"
jaw opening......7"
weight.............45 lbs.
manufacturer....Fulton Drop Forge Co., Canal Fulton, Ohio
circa...............(1925-?)
<hr>

 

[GForceJunky]

I was doing some research on the Dropfo vises to keep my vise points validated, when I came across the craziest vise ad I've ever seen.

Many vise manufactures have advertised how strong their vises were and some even illustrated it in their ads, but they never encouraged the customer to abuse the vise once purchased.

Dropfo's ad not only makes claim to have a tough vise, but encourages the strongest person in the shop to put a 3-foot pipe on the end of the handle and tighten it with all of their might.

I'm not sure how long The Fulton Drop Forge Co. lasted, but if many of their customers were taking on this challenge, I can't see very many of those vises being around for us to collect today.

<hr>
Dropfo vise no.4-1/2

jaw width.........4-1/2"
jaw opening......7"
weight.............45 lbs.
manufacturer....Fulton Drop Forge Co., Canal Fulton, Ohio
circa...............(1925-?)
<hr>

Looking at that one picture of the cylindrical mass that sits in the swivel base makes it clear why my DropFo vise has zero slop in the swivel. Talk about stout! I won't be taking a 3' pipe to mine though...as tempting as it is

 

[jerry1]

This post is awesome

 

[KMScott]

LH&F Co. 3-1/4 jaws that opens 3" and weights 7lbs.

 

[davethorik]

Fierljeppen - thanks for sharing that ad. Very cool! It does state the 5" heavy duty vise was used. I dont know if anyone has ever positively identified the 5" heavy duty vs. Light duty.
That 4-1/2" is a beaut.

 

[PierceA]

Dave: I think I have a Dropfo 5" Heavy Duty: It is shown and discussed on one of the major vise threads on GJ. I think about 3-4 weeks ago. I posted quite a few photos.

I have a Dropfo 4", it has the normal split in the large 'peg' that slides into the three-cornered base. The large 'peg' has a slit down the middle, and when the swivel handle is tightened, or when the jaws snug down on something and the main screw is pulling the NUT forward, the slit is pried open which then locks it in the base.

The Dropfo 5" I have does NOT have the slit in the 'peg'. The peg is firmly pressed into the three-eared base. The tapered main screw nut is held not by the swivel lock handle like in my 4", but held by a forged! bolt keeping the nut from backing out of the back of the vise when opening the slide..

I've compared the weight of my 5" to the weight of the 'Heavy Duty' version in the Dropfo ad, and they are within an ounce or two. On my scale, my 4" matches the ad's advertised weight.

So the Dropfo 4-1/2" is a new one for me.. as well as that amazing Parker No98 lever vise.. I have the 3" normal jaw'd No 92 lever vise.. But had not noticed that a pattern maker's version was ever made. Rare as hen's teeth !! I wonder what auction it showed up at? Not Ebay I think, I'd hopefully not have missed it on ebay..

PierceA

 

[KMScott]

Reed 203-1/2. 3-1/2" jaws that opens to 5 inches and weights 38lbs.

 

[Vise]

Here’s a cool Prentiss catalog dated 1948, which was shortly after Parker acquired Prentiss. You’ll see they were announcing the new model numbers and how they matched up with the old Prentiss models. Also notice the badge on the vises now say “Meriden Conn.” instead of “New York.”

Has anyone seen a catalog that shows the old Prentiss 98? I speculate the 98’s were only around for a short period of time.








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[davethorik]

James Smart Mfg. Co. of Brockville, Ontario, Canada
#8 'coach maker's vice'

Has very unique lines to it.
4" jaws, opens 7-1/2", weight 40 lbs.

 

[va.grouseman]

That darn near qualifies as a UNICORN, Dave.

 

[Fierljeppen]

James Smart Mfg. Co. of Brockville, Ontario, Canada
#8 'coach maker's vice'

Has very unique lines to it.
4" jaws, opens 7-1/2", weight 40 lbs.

Wow, another really nice rare and interesting vise from a company with rich history. I'm really impressed with your selection of vise purchases!

 

[FMC1959]

James Smart Mfg. Co. of Brockville, Ontario, Canada
#8 'coach maker's vice'

Has very unique lines to it.
4" jaws, opens 7-1/2", weight 40 lbs.

That darn near qualifies as a UNICORN, Dave.

Wow, another really nice rare and interesting vise from a company with rich history. I'm really impressed with your selection of vise purchases!

I agree with VA & FJ, another beauty and quite unique. I have a couple of small open screw vises from Smart, and thought they were similar to Littlestown vises in the selection of what they had. Like VA said, this qualifies as a unicorn

 

[davethorik]

Thanks guys! Not many examples around. The G in a diamond dates the vise to ca. 1886-1912, so it's pretty old, too.

 

[KMScott]

Columbian # 32. 3" jaws

 

[PSCo1867]

I don't find this 7" jawed, swivel-jawed, stationary base Yost listed as a model # on the spreadsheet. I'll get more info on it (jaw opening, etc).