Vise Info Thread

[Fierljeppen]

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.

I believe ejot is correct and it's a re-numbered Charles Parker "Big Bear" no.984 vise from the (1950's-1960's). It was originally introduced as the "Hercules" in 1925. Then, in 1926, they added a swivel base wrench and started calling it the "Big Bear". I'm not sure about the 3-1/2" jaws, since all the advertisements only list the sizes as 4" or 5" jaw models.

The Charles Parker Co. sure liked to jack around with their model numbers a lot.

<hr>

 

[ejot]

^Thanks! Those are pretty neat. There's a 995 in my area I've been keeping an eye on.

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

Somehow I'd totally overlooked this reply and the followups about the repairs till now. Very happy to see that vise found a GREAT home. Congrats and thank you for sharing.

 

[KMScott]

^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.
.

Thanks ejot, filled in several cells. Straightened me up on the Parker Big Bear too.

I believe ejot is correct and it's a re-numbered Charles Parker "Big Bear" no.984 vise from the (1950's-1960's). It was originally introduced as the "Hercules" in 1925. Then, in 1926, they added a swivel base wrench and started calling it the "Big Bear". I'm not sure about the 3-1/2" jaws, since all the advertisements only list the sizes as 4" or 5" jaw models.

The Charles Parker Co. sure liked to jack around with their model numbers a lot.

This Big Bear is on e-bay and been there for quit some time. Defiantly missed labeled. I know these are sought after. Thanks again Fierljeppen.

 

[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.

Confirmed here. Fills in some specs for 931-934.

 

[KMScott]

Acco #10. 3-7/8 Jaw width that opens to 5-5/8 and weights 46lbs

 

[lucasd2002]

Wanted to post this here because I saw it online and couldn't find it anywhere here on GJ or on the vise spreadsheet.

Craftsman 5233 - it's a fixed base with replaceable jaws. Looks like a Rock Island to me. Unfortunately no info available from the seller. It's on facebook in Nevada if anyone is interested.

Y'all probably already know about this model, but since I couldn't find it here, I wanted to post pictures just in case.

 

[Fierljeppen]

lucasd2002...Nice find! That's a really rare Craftsman m# 5233 machinist vise mfg. by the Rock Island Mfg. Co.

That model was only offered briefly in the mid-1930's and is the first one I've seen, thanks for sharing.

 

[ncgun99]

Wanted to post this here because I saw it online and couldn't find it anywhere here on GJ or on the vise spreadsheet.

Craftsman 5233 - it's a fixed base with replaceable jaws. Looks like a Rock Island to me. Unfortunately no info available from the seller. It's on facebook in Nevada if anyone is interested.

Y'all probably already know about this model, but since I couldn't find it here, I wanted to post pictures just in case.

Lucas,
Where in Nevada is it? Could you PM me the link to the post?

 

[lucasd2002]

Lucas,
Where in Nevada is it? Could you PM me the link to the post?

PM sent.

Good luck!

 

[KMScott]

Reed 32. 4-1/2" Combination vise that weights 72lbs and opens 5". First generation 2C vise that the swivel releases from under the bench.

 

[Mark Stansbury]

National A4-1/2 - "National Tool" per ebay listing
62.3lb per scale pictured in listing
Jaw width not mentioned, assume 4-1/2"
quick release

Interesting vise, the dynamic jaw/quick release housing occupies the space where a typical protruding slide support would be. Combined with a quite long slide, I bet not many of these survived intact.

Anyone familiar with the manufacturer? Quick search, this seems like it could be a match.
.

This vise is by National Metal Products Co. and is pictured in their 1920 ad. The one in the ad is No. B2-1/2.

 

[Outlawmws]

Dr Scott, I think this is one for the spreadsheet:

American Scale No. 61 - 3" Jaws, 6" opening, 44-45 Lbs (Bathroom Scale)

My second Red Seal

 

[Fierljeppen]

This is an addendum to a "Parko" steamfitter's vise posted recently by joe.striper on the big vise thread. It's believed to have been mfg. by the Athol Machine & Foundry Co. and really sparked my interest. Being a new to me vise, I decided to do a little vise investigation...go figure.

I couldn't find anything specifically on a "Parko" vise, so I went down the trail of the Athol Steamfitter vise no.1115, which became a much more fruitful search. First off, the comparison of the two vises showed their obvious similarities.

The Athol vise no.1115 was first introduced in 1935, as seen in the article below, as well as many other periodicals of that time. It continued to be offered in all of the Athol catalogs into the early 1960's.

According to a 1936 article, the vise was designed for railroad shops.

<hr>

1936 Railway Locomotives and Cars-Volume 110-Page 507

Heavy Duty Steamfitters Vise​

"The Athol Machine & Foundry Company, Athol, Mass., has recently developed a pipe vise especially adapted to meet the requirements of heavy-duty pipe fitting in railroad shops . This model, developed in consultation with engineers of a large Eastern firm of piping contractors. The base and jaws are extra-heavy semi-steel castings correctly proportioned to withstand the strains of steamfitters work.

Note that the front jaw is fixed, and the back jaw moves, a feature that allows long pieces of pipe to rest upon the bench. There is no need for blocking or special supports as is the case when a movable front jaw brings the pipe out beyond the edge of the bench."
<hr>

This was all very interesting to me, but when I stumbled on a 1937 Air Conditioning Heating and Cooling article, things got even more interesting. At the end of the article, it stated that the vise was mfg. by the Athol Machine & Foundry Co. at 621 S. Kolmar Ave, Chicago IL.

What? That wasn't their address.

Well, it turns out that it was the address of the Hannifin Mfg. Co., who in fact manufactured machine vises as well as many other items. It is this company that I believe not only was the mfg. of the very robust Athol Steamfitter's vise, but also the seldom seen "Parko" vise.

The history of American vises continues to amaze and enlighten me. Outside of the GarageJournal, I've found it's better for me to keep that to myself.

 

[Outlawmws]

Wow, some GREAT detective work there!

Now since Starrett squired Athol, did they also acquire Hannifin Mfg. Co.? That would be the next Q since they also kept the Athol name...

 

[Fierljeppen]

Outlawmws...It appears to me that the Athol Machine & Foundry Co. developed the design of their steamfitter's vise and outsourced the manufacturing to the Hannifin Mfg. Co. in Chicago. The two companies appear to be completely independent of each other with regard to ownership.

Here's a link to VintageMachinery.org, where Mark Stansbury has some established historical information about the Hannifin Manufacturing Co.

http://vintagemachinery.org/mfgindex/detail.aspx?id=11415

Good stuff Mark Stansbury!

 

[FMC1959]

Here's a link to VintageMachinery.org, where Mark Stansbury has some established historical information about the Hannifin Manufacturing Co.

http://vintagemachinery.org/mfgindex/detail.aspx?id=11415

Good stuff Mark Stansbury!

It looks like Mark Stanbury is a man of few words (joined 2013 & 55 Posts), but when he has something, it is worth listening to

 

[KMScott]

Nice stuff guys, I am on the road and will add these vises to the spreadsheet next week. Gotta love those Pipe Fitters vises.


Sent from my iPad using Garage Journal

 

[davethorik]

Holliston Machine Works Inc.
Holliston, Mass.
"4 Way Vise" no. 1, w/ orig. box

Neat little vise I found. It is very well made for the small size.
1-3/8" jaws, opens 2-1/8", weight 3 lbs. Fully closed 8-1/8".

You can swivel the static jaw up and rotate the jaw to 1 of 4 different faces. The arms are stamped PAT APL'D FOR, no other markings I can see.

 

[KMScott]

Samson 5175. 3-1/2" jaws.

 

[va.grouseman]

That's a really nice Samson, KM.---Looks like it's had an easy life.

 

[ed4banger]

That's a really nice Samson, KM.---Looks like it's had an easy life.​

Yup its nice, will look great on a shelf with the others There were actually 8 517x samson vises made by RI, 4 swivel, 4 fixed.

 

[ejot]

Jackson Vise and Tool Co - Model 31 (?), no stats unfortunately
Bit of info from VintageMachinery...

Jackson Vise & Tool Co. - History | VintageMachinery.org

 

[KMScott]

Hey guys, I am in the Colorado mountains for the Summer, please be patient since I do not have internet connection to add vises to the Spreadsheet. I will head down the mountain every two to three weeks and get caught up so keep posting the vises not on the Spreadsheet. Thanks for all your your help. Kevin


Sent from my iPhone using The Garage Journal mobile app

 

[gearhead1960]

Hey guys, I am in the Colorado mountains for the Summer, please be patient since I do not have internet connection to add vises to the Spreadsheet. I will head down the mountain every two to three weeks and get caught up so keep posting the vises not on the Spreadsheet. Thanks for all your your help. Kevin


Sent from my iPhone using The Garage Journal mobile app

Enjoy your time away from civilization!

 

[ejot]

^Indeed. That sounds

Thought this one was pretty neat...
Parker HH. 4-1/2" jaws, verified. Coachmakers. Swivel release under bench. No other measured specs, but from catalog 71lb opens 9.5".

 

[KMScott]

Jacobson Universal Friction Vise. Model 167/168? 1-1/2" jaws that opens to 2" and weights a whopping 3lbs. Awesome vise Erik Padilla.

 

[FMC1959]

Some oddball vises I saw for sale.

This first one, the first pic you can barely make out ERBCO on the side, not sure if it is the name. It almost looks homemade, but just a little too good to be homemade. The 2nd pic is a killer, is that a 5 gal bucket! Look how much of the slide is still sticking out! The only specs are 6" jaws and opens to 15". In pic 3, you can't see the back where the slide would stick out. But if you look at pic 2 & 3, how much much more slide there is that is missing paint, doesn't look anywhere near as much as what you see sticking out of the back on pic 2, gives me the impression it opens even more.

Of course why wouldn't the guy show more, so maybe just an optical illusion on my part. Still, crazy vise.

 

[FMC1959]

Oddball vise #2....well not that oddball looking, just never heard or seen one quite like this.

Listing states "Vintage 3 1/2 inch Wabeco Made in Germany Machinist Bench Vise"

 

[FMC1959]

Oddball vise #3, this one is odd

At first I thought the big letters were Russian, but then understood that it is an < with M-H and another>. But there is that big dot on top of the hyphen, between the M-H. Anyway Pat Pending is definitely in English and Nikon below the M-H. The whole look and functionality is not very typical; is that some kind of a pipe bender hanging off the back of the stationary?

Kind of cool, would love to see it in person, but not anywhere near where I am.

This looks like serious homework for the professor (FJ)!

 

[FMC1959]

Last of the oddballs. Not super odd, this one looks almost homemade or a school project. It does have similarities to other vises I have seen, just can't put my finger on which ones. No specs, just says "solid vise"

 

[KMScott]

FMC, those were interesting. Recorded a couple on the spreadsheet. Thanks for sharing.

 

[ejot]

Some oddball vises I saw for sale.

This first one, the first pic you can barely make out ERBCO on the side, not sure if it is the name. It almost looks homemade, but just a little too good to be homemade. The 2nd pic is a killer, is that a 5 gal bucket! Look how much of the slide is still sticking out! The only specs are 6" jaws and opens to 15". In pic 3, you can't see the back where the slide would stick out. But if you look at pic 2 & 3, how much much more slide there is that is missing paint, doesn't look anywhere near as much as what you see sticking out of the back on pic 2, gives me the impression it opens even more.

Of course why wouldn't the guy show more, so maybe just an optical illusion on my part. Still, crazy vise.

I think this is likely a homemade recreation of the shop-built Fireball Tool vise, with an even more exaggerated opening depth.

That video is worth a watch. I was skeptical for much of it but he ends up with a very well thought out and finely crafted tool that meets his particular needs. He builds the vise after finding the opening depth of his Starrett 924-1/2 too limiting.

 

[FMC1959]

I think this is likely a homemade recreation of the shop-built Fireball Tool vise, with an even more exaggerated opening depth.

That video is worth a watch. I was skeptical for much of it but he ends up with a very well thought out and finely crafted tool that meets his particular needs. He builds the vise after finding the opening depth of his Starrett 924-1/2 too limiting.

I think you nailed it, aside from the color, pretty much identical

 

[PSCo1867]

This Merrill 6 doesn't appear to be in the spreadsheet. I'll get some better pics.

 

[davethorik]

Oddball vise #3, this one is odd

At first I thought the big letters were Russian, but then understood that it is an < with M-H and another>. But there is that big dot on top of the hyphen, between the M-H. Anyway Pat Pending is definitely in English and Nikon below the M-H. The whole look and functionality is not very typical; is that some kind of a pipe bender hanging off the back of the stationary?

Kind of cool, would love to see it in person, but not anywhere near where I am.

This looks like serious homework for the professor (FJ)!

I believe that is a Massey-Harris vise.

 

[KMScott]

I believe that is a Massey-Harris vise.

I can add the vise as a Massy-Harris if confirmed. Hate to miss out recording a vise on the Spreadsheet. Seems pretty rare.

 

[KMScott]

Hollands #73 Off set vise. 4-1/2" jaws that opens to 7" and weights 65lbs.

 

[KMScott]

Reed 308. 8" swivel jaw that weights 273 lbs.

Reed 304. 4" jaws that opens to 4-1/2" and weights 50lbs.

 

[MattGavriloff]

Jumping into the vise info thread with an addition for the spreadsheet. But first, an apology. I normally hang out in the repair 101 thread, but I just spent the last few days reading/browsing this thread, and there a more than a couple posts with newly aquired vises (in about the last 15 months) that I may have helped the buyer pay more on the bay...lol. So, a none-specific, and about 50% sincere, "Sorry brah"...lol to at least a couple of you....Alls fair in love and vises right?

Anyway, here's a Lakeside Deluxe 4 "script logo" that I think belongs to the same "series" as the 25/26/27. Jaws-4 1/8", Max Safe Open-4 1/2", Weighs 28lbs 12oz. My first restore Last year so no laughing please...lol

I know these are a Montgomery Wards brand (I have quite a few Lakeside tools), but I've never successfully found any catalog scans or ads for anything but the "Block logo" Lakeside vises. I also dont think I've seen anywhere posted here where the identify of who made them was clearly shown. Any help?

 

[MattGavriloff]

And Kevin, not to question those with way more vises and experience than I, but I think your numbers on the Parker 69 and 69F, may be a little mixed up?

This is my recently acquired No. 69,
Jaws exactly 5 1/2",
Max Safe Open with the slide at the back of the body 9.5" (And the screw still has almost an inch left through the nut at that point)
Body-55lbs
Slide-54lbs
Screw-13lbs
=122lbs


I believe all the catalog scans I've seen show it at either 110, or 125, depending on age, so my 122, and your 124 for the 69F (if missplaced and actually for the 69) make sense.

I think you may have the weights of them reversed as the 69F with 6" jaws makes more sense at 140? My taller jawed 5X with 6 1/4" jaws weighs 149, so those numbers make more sense to me. Just thought I'd mention it. But my No 69's jaws and opening don't quite match your numbers either. Maybe just manufacturing differences? Seems a bit too big a variance though to me.