Vise Info Thread

[bargainhuntingking]

Curious, what’s the purpose of the offset?

 

[Fierljeppen]

Curious, what’s the purpose of the offset?

 

[va.grouseman]

KM, how are you finding all these unicorns?

 

[davethorik]

KM, how are you finding all these unicorns?

Facebook vise groups. You should sign up! Those guys would love to see your collection.

 

[KMScott]

KM, how are you finding all these unicorns?

Facebook vise groups. You should sign up! Those guys would love to see your collection.

Instagram, CL, E-bay, Marketplace along with what Dave mentioned. The Spreadsheet additions keep me busy. Sure appreciate additions like Dave and others have added.

 

[ejot]

Reed 932. Stationary Combination.

Guessing that 931, 932,... are stationary version of 31, 32,... respectively.
Only spec I have is the jaw width in the pic ~4-1/4"
Seems like not many of these out there.
.

 

[ejot]

Oswego/Sawyer Tool 14/14B
4" nominal, 3-7/8" actual jaw width
opens to 5-7/8"
43lbs.

Prentiss 941
4.5" jaw opens to ~8.5"

Athol 624 (a different Athol 624, or...?)
2.5" (verified) swivel jaw, no other specs
This one is kind of messing with my head.
The pattern of 640-series swivel jaw model numbers would suggest this "should" be a 642-1/2. Wonder if two digits in the mold typeset were reversed.

 

[KMScott]

ejot, nice stuff. I will post the Athol as a 624 until I am corrected. I am the same thoughts as you on the numbering but shucks missing it by that much is questionable. Thanks for your contributions and nice vises.

 

[Fierljeppen]

Athol 624 (a different Athol 624, or...?)
2.5" (verified) swivel jaw, no other specs

This one is kind of messing with my head.
The pattern of 640-series swivel jaw model numbers would suggest this "should" be a 642-1/2.

Wonder if two digits in the mold typeset were reversed.

ejot...Excellent find! Around 1915, Athol adjusted some of their vise models, and indeed the Athol no.624 was a 2-1/2" swivel jaw, swivel base vise. In the early 1920's, Athol changed some of their model numbers again, which remained the same into the 1970's.

Since the casting on the vise reads "Athol Mach. Co." this vise can be dated from (1915-1921). In 1921, the Athol Machine Co. became the Athol Machine & Foundry Co.

 

[ejot]

Fierljeppen, wow! That uncovers a whole range of early swivel jaws that have only barely begun to surface from the wild. Now I really regret not going for that one despite the damage, I thought the new owner might be the one to post it, but it was a couple months back now. Thanks for posting that catalog and memo/appendix, what a goldmine.

 

[FMC1959]

ejot...Excellent find! Around 1915, Athol adjusted some of their vise models, and indeed the Athol no.624 was a 2-1/2" swivel jaw, swivel base vise. In the early 1920's, Athol changed some of their model numbers again, which remained the same into the 1970's.

Since the casting on the vise reads "Athol Mach. Co." this vise can be dated from (1915-1921). In 1921, the Athol Machine Co. became the Athol Machine & Foundry Co.

I thinks going forward we should simply refer to Fierljeppen as the Professor.

 

[KMScott]

I thinks going forward we should simply refer to Fierljeppen as the Professor.

I agree.


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[PierceA]

I purchased the broken Athol 624. What Ejot's photos didn't show was that the pivot pin on the rear jaw was badly broken as well as the side of the base blown out.

I have successfully repaired the pivot pin and am now working on fabricating a replacement piece to weld into the base. BUT it would be MUCH easier if I could find a base of appropriate size to use, or a broken base of appropriate size/shape to use for the repair.. So if someone has a broken/orphan base to sell, please contact me.

I don't have a photo of the repaired pin, I'll get one when I next work on this project.
The base is roughly 3.5" OD at the top swivel surface, and roughly 1" high.

This is a pretty rare vise, and I'm glad to have it, damaged or not.. The repairs will be essentially not visible without a disassembly of the vise, and even then won't be easily noticed..

PierceA

 

[454ragtop]

Pierce, I thought I might be able to help, but looking closer at your pics, I guess not. I have an Athol 630 4" swivel jaw swivel base vise which also has a broken swivel jaw. Really sour on these Athol swivel jaw vises, this is the second one I bought only to find the swivel jaw broken upon disassembly. Which is strange, as I like Athol vises other than the swivel jaws. Anyway, the swivel base (which has been repaired by someone in the past) only measures 6" outer diameter where the vise sits on it, quite a bit smaller than yours, weird.

 

[KMScott]

I purchased the broken Athol 624. What Ejot's photos didn't show was that the pivot pin on the rear jaw was badly broken as well as the side of the base blown out.

I have successfully repaired the pivot pin and am now working on fabricating a replacement piece to weld into the base. BUT it would be MUCH easier if I could find a base of appropriate size to use, or a broken base of appropriate size/shape to use for the repair.. So if someone has a broken/orphan base to sell, please contact me.

I don't have a photo of the repaired pin, I'll get one when I next work on this project.
The base is roughly 3.5" OD at the top swivel surface, and roughly 1" high.

This is a pretty rare vise, and I'm glad to have it, damaged or not.. The repairs will be essentially not visible without a disassembly of the vise, and even then won't be easily noticed..

PierceA

Love to see how you fixed yours, here is how I fixed one of mine. Always enjoy seeing others repair work and learning something new.

 

[PierceA]

454Ragtop, take a look at the measuring tape image again. It's a metric and inches tape and unfortunately when I took the photo the tape was twisted a bit and reading the inches side is a bit difficult. The OD of my base at the contact ring is about 3-1/2".

Post a photo of the broken swivel jaw. Maybe there is a fairly simple repair.?

PierceA.

 

[PierceA]

Hi Kevin, your repair of the pivot pin is much more extensive than my repair on my Athol 624 pivot pin.
I built up the missing side of the pin with weld and machined it to fit.

Your pivot pin was much more extensively damaged. I like the method you used, it's quite elegant in it's simplicity: just remove the broken 'cap' beyond the retaining pin groove, and machine a new cap. Fasten it on with several cap screws.. and done..
VERY Nice..

I'll dig out the vise in a few days or weeks,, i'm up to my ears in putting a 1929 Pierce Arrow straight-eight engine back together.. it's a long tedious job..

PierceA

 

[454ragtop]

454Ragtop, take a look at the measuring tape image again. It's a metric and inches tape and unfortunately when I took the photo the tape was twisted a bit and reading the inches side is a bit difficult. The OD of my base at the contact ring is about 3-1/2".

Post a photo of the broken swivel jaw. Maybe there is a fairly simple repair.?

PierceA.

Pierce, I despise those inch/metric tape measures, inch side is always on the wrong side. My base is larger than yours I guess, not smaller. I've lost interest in repairing the Athol, pics here https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?p=7095039&highlight=Athol#post7095039 of the other swivel jaw I repaired, only to have the quick set main screw nut not hold. Like I said, I'm done with these swivel jaw Athol's. Have swivel jaw Prentiss, Parker, Morgan, Reed, Columbian, etc. with no swivel jaw issues.

 

[PierceA]

454: I have to laugh, the ONLY time I like the metric/SAE tapes is when someone from Canada or Europe keeps babbling in metric measurements. I have to dig out a tape to do quick conversions..
Funny too that I worked for years turning wrenches on VW's and other metric cars.. but my brain still thinks SAE/US measurements.. One that is impossible for me to use is the square meters instead of square footage in a house or building or square meters instead of Acres of land.. My head just won't do it.. LOL.

Km/hour,, now that one I can work with a bit.. I have been on the Autobahn a few times in a fast rental.. and have seen an indicated 220km/hr.. somewhere around 140mph. I think.. lol.

I sent you a PM.

PierceA

 

[Dlavallee22]

Hey guys, recently found a Leavens Jersey vise no.22 and managed to luckily stumble across a Leavens Jersey vise no.46! Wanted to show you guys the amazing shape this 46 is in with 95% of its original brown japanning still intact after 110+ years. It’s also interesting to see the patent stamped on the static jaw and not the anvil like others. It has 2 1/4” jaws, max opening of 2 1/4”, and weighs 4 lbs.

 

[akasrick]

Hey guys, recently found a Leavens Jersey vise no.22 and managed to luckily stumble across a Leavens Jersey vise no.46! Wanted to show you guys the amazing shape this 46 is in with 95% of its original brown japanning still intact after 110+ years. It’s also interesting to see the patent stamped on the static jaw and not the anvil like others. It has 2 1/4” jaws, max opening of 2 1/4”, and weighs 4 lbs.

Congrats! Quite a handsome vise! I like that the vise numbers on the anvils aren't centered. Here is an adv. with your vise on it.

akasrick

 

[Outlawmws]

Ricks' ad cleaned up a bit I hope:

 

[akasrick]

Ricks' ad cleaned up a bit I hope:

Thx. Outlaw! My ads. are as bad as my pictures.

akasrick

 

[PierceA]

A large Colton !

At an estate auction on last Saturday, I purchased one of my 'Unicorns': a Parker 436.
It can be seen on the corner of the pallet of vises at the auction. And later at home, on the tailgate of my truck.

But also, I purchased a vise I don't think is in the spreadsheet yet: a 4-1/2" Colton Mechanic's vise. It has what appears to be the original mounting swivel plate, washer and huge wing-nut. The vise appears to be virtually unused.

I have two other Coltons: both with 1" jaws. One a hand vise, and one a screw to the bench type. They look absurdly tiny next to the 4-1/2" Colton.

PierceA

 

[rusty65]

Congrats on the find pierce that line was added when Phoenix from homer New York took over the mfg of the Colton patent. 1895-1920 period. I’ve got a 3in fixed base model that I really like. The model number will be stamped on the front of the main screw knob.




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[Fierljeppen]

Those Jersey and Colton are some really nice smaller vises. I've got a little more information to add to the Leavens vise, one that's seriously grown on me.

Although the Leavens Mfg. Co. had been around for a while, they finally incorporated in New Jersey on Jan. 7, 1907. The vise is a 1908, Joseph G. Baker patent vise, and one of the witnesses was none other than Philip J. Leavens.

I'm assuming the "Jersey" vise is a takeoff from "New Jersey". Well, by 1912, the Stanley Rule & Level Co. had taken over the Jersey vise line and it is unclear to me what became of the Leaven Mfg. Co.

What's interesting to me is that the Leavens Mfg. Co. never had more than 12 employees during that time span according to the Industrial Directory of New Jersey.

There was a really interesting vise display stand that actually rotated on a wheel. I'm not going to lie, if I find one at an auction, I'm going to dig deep to get it.

Here's a couple of 1910 catalog ads for Dlavallee22's no.46 and no.22 vise. It's a very interesting line of vises that has stood the test of time.

 

[va.grouseman]

That is a beauty Pierce.---A keeper for sure.---And a first for me.---Congrats.

 

[akasrick]

Those Jersey and Colton are some really nice smaller vises. I've got a little more information to add to the Leavens vise, one that's seriously grown on me.

Although the Leavens Mfg. Co. had been around for a while, they finally incorporated in New Jersey on Jan. 7, 1907. The vise is a 1908, Joseph G. Baker patent vise, and one of the witnesses was none other than Philip J. Leavens.



I'm assuming the "Jersey" vise is a takeoff from "New Jersey". Well, by 1912, the Stanley Rule & Level Co. had taken over the Jersey vise line and it is unclear to me what became of the Leaven Mfg. Co.

What's interesting to me is that the Leavens Mfg. Co. never had more than 12 employees during that time span according to the Industrial Directory of New Jersey.

There was a really interesting vise display stand that actually rotated on a wheel. I'm not going to lie, if I find one at an auction, I'm going to dig deep to get it.

Here's a couple of 1910 catalog ads for Dlavallee22's no.46 and no.22 vise. It's a very interesting line of vises that has stood the test of time.

​

I have seen a cast iron household novelty manufactured later then their vises that was made in NJ. EBay listing link of course is expired. What is coming up now is belt buckles in Mass.

Another 1910 adv. Don't know who's though.

akasrick​

 

[KMScott]

Nice stuff guys. Thanks for all your help. PierceA, max opening when you get time on the Colton 40. Nice find and real nice auction you was at.

I think I have the Athol 600 series fixed on the spreadsheet. Let me know if it makes sense. I'll be watching for pics and try to fill the empty cells. Thanks again guys.

 

[PierceA]

Hi Kevin, The Max opening is roughly 6".

Regarding the Athol 600 series. I acquired three Athol 615's a month or so ago. Two have a more or less triangle base with three mounting bolts. But the third one has the more common three-tabs protruding from the sides and rear of the static. So I believe it to be an older design..
Do you want a photo or two of the two base types for the spreadsheet?

Thank you again for all the work you do on the spreadsheet. It is an invaluable resource of information !!

PierceA

 

[Dlavallee22]

Thank you so much Akasrick for the ad as it’s not easy to find info! Outlaw - well done with that clean up! I’m impressed, thank you

Fierljeppen - man you are good! Can’t thank you enough for those catalog scans and the info on the company. That’s pretty cool the company never had more than 12 employees. Do you know how long they were around before being incorporated?

 

[Fierljeppen]

Dlavallee22...I've attached my references for the companies existence and number of employees. I'm wondering if I misinterpreted what the State of New Jersey means with regard to existence?

 

[Fierljeppen]

Hollands Mfg vise no.8-1/2

Jaw Width.......2-1/2"
Jaw Opening....3-1/2"
Weight............12 lbs.
Circa..............(1890's-1910) upgraded swivel base throughout the years.

 

[PierceA]

I picked up a trio of Athol 615 vises from a business-closing auction. Two are a newer design, with a flat, three-cornered base. I think it is a design like the later Reed and Yost vises use that allows for the customer can purchase a swivel base after the sale and convert their fixed base to swivel base..
The other of the trio has the typical fixed base with three large ears protruding from the base, and the large front 'LuG' under the static jaw. Which requires cutting a notch in the workbench the vise is bolted to.
All three vises use the Athol spring-loaded collar to take up and endplay due to wear on the thrust surfaces on the screw and dynamic jaw. The jaws open 8-1/4"

The newer model static jaw is about 1/2" taller from bench top to top of jaw. Otherwise just additional raised cast in lettering on the side of the static and dynamic.

These are very tough, heavy vises. But the castings are pretty rough, and could stand some 'dressing up' with a flap wheel or grinder.

Note that in spite of the redesign of the static and it's mounting surface, Athol retained the older style [my favorite style] hub on the mainscrew.

PierceA

 

[davethorik]

Hollands Mfg vise no.8-1/2

Jaw Width.......2-1/2"
Jaw Opening....3-1/2"
Weight............12 lbs.
Circa..............(1890's-1910) upgraded swivel base throughout the years.

That is superb!!! Great find.

 

[Fierljeppen]

davethorik...Unfortunately I just missed this one. I was mulling the price and then it was gone.

I posted it because of it's rarity from a major vise mfg. and to fill an empty spot in the vise spreadsheet.

 

[KMScott]

Fulton # 14 Coachmakers vise. 6” jaws that opens to 10” and weights 135 lbs.

 

[PierceA]

Kevin: I don't know if you want to add a couple of non-swiveling DropFo vise photos into the spreadsheet, they do not have different model numbers.
Also, on the spreadsheet, DaveThorik has his 5" as the photo example and he says it weighs 48#. The spreadsheet shows 54#..Which from reading as much as I can find on the Dropfo 5", the Heavy Duty version weighs 54, the standard one 48.
My 5" non-swivel version weighs 54#, so I'm assuming it is the Heavy Duty version.

Recently, a few weeks ago, I acquired a 3" Dropfo vise.. So I'm hoping to find a 4-1/2" version to complete the product line..

I really like their advertising showing the workman with a 3' cheater on the handle, implying that the vise could and would take that type of abuse..

Below find images of my 3", 4" and 5".
From reading the ads found and posted here and there, I thought ALL Dropfo vises were swivel-enabled. BUT now I own a non swiveling 3" and a non-swiveling 5" Heavy Duty. And the method of retaining the mainscrew nut is different in each of my versions.

On the 3" vise, the nut is apparently the same as the ones on the larger vises, but since this one is a non-swiveling version, the nut is pressed into the base, and there are 4 large peened-over edges overlapping the end of the nut, keeping it in place.

The 4" version has the split machined in the static jaw peg or spigot, and is held in place by the smaller swivel-lock screw, under the mainscrew.

The 5" HD has the same type nut as the 4", but the static does not have the machined slot, instead the static is pressed into the base and will not rotate, like the 3"one. The nut has a square-headed forged bolt inserted under the mainscrew just like the swiveling base version. By removing this bolt, the wedge-shaped nut can be backed out of the static for cleaning.
Since the standard duty 5" is listed on advertising as weighing 48#, and my 5" weighs 54# which is what the HeavyDuty version is advertised to weigh, I'm assuming mine is a Heavy Duty version.. There is an obscured imprinting of more info on the back of the static jaw tower, but I can't make it out..

PierceA

 

[KMScott]

Charles Parker 364. 3-1/2" jaws. The owner mentions that the model number is 364-1/2 but I did not see it in the pics.

 

[ejot]

^I'm reading that as 984. It compares to the linked pic in spreadsheet for that model.

A few more I've seen posted, not mine:

Fulton (Star) 54. 4" swivel jaw opens to 6-1/2", 63lbs
Meadville No2. 4-1/8" combo jaw open to 4-3/8", 54lbs
Sawyer Oswego 64. 4" combo jaw, 70lbs
Sawyer Oswego 26. edit- already on sheet, but fills in a pic
Prentiss 183B. Anyone familiar with the letter suffix? Cannot figure out if or how it differs from 183.
.