Vise Squad

[kmbo]

Hi Folks,

Does anyone know anything about a Metro No. 4 swivel base bench vise? I'm trying to figure out the name of the manufacturer and if the vise was made in the U.S. My dad passed away and this vise is the one tool of his that I have managed to bring home. I would love to know more about it. He had it forever and I want to clean it up, and someday I'll give it to my son. Any information on the vise itself, how old it is, how best to mount it, or how to clean it up would be greatly appreciated!

A daddy's girl.

 

[bl00]

All my dad gave me was a receding hairline.

Anyway, it looks a lot like a Morgan, but the Metro name doesn't ring a bell. Can you take a pic from the other side also?

 

[jakemac]

All my dad gave me was a receding hairline.

I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but the "baldness gene" came from your maternal side. I guess it's just one more thing we can blame our mother's for.

 

[wrenchguy]

wasn't that vise on ebay, c-list??? i remember that metro name somehow.

 

[kmbo]

All my dad gave me was a receding hairline.

Anyway, it looks a lot like a Morgan, but the Metro name doesn't ring a bell. Can you take a pic from the other side also?

Hah! This was his vise, I'm trying not to inherit his vices!

I saw the one on ebay, too. It looked nice all cleaned up! But they didn't list the name of the manufacturer or origin in the ad.

 

[Filson]

Agreed on needing a pic of the other side, perhaps an up-close of any writing/numbers/etc.

For cleaning, you could take a wire wheel to it to clean it up a bit. An electrolysis bath is also an option though probably not really needed (imo) because it's fairly clean as it is.

As for a date, when we learn more about it we may be able to pin down a closer date for you, but I would throw it somewhere around 40's-50's. It could be a bit earlier, but I don't recall seeing many of the cylinder style handle knobs on the front of a vise from too early back.

Best way to mount it is basically the way it appears to be in the pic. Some strong bolts through a suitably heavy bench and your good to go.

Sorry to hear about your father passing away, but it's also nice to hear you managed to save something from him that you'll be able to pass down to your boy. Best of luck.

 

[drivesitfar]

KMBO: nice save on the vise and it is definitely good old US steel. probably in the pre WWII era. I'm sorry i haven't heard of Metro, but i'm guessing the 4 stands for 4 inch wide jaws. it looks a lot like Rock Island vises and several others of that generation.

some vise companies made vises for stores so maybe this was one of those that they made some with their name cast in them. in any case you have a great vise.

you shouldn't have to do much to use it if you don't want to do a total refurbish on it. i'd grab a rag and some Simple Green and just wipe off all the old dust and dirt. then maybe pull out the front half of the vise all the way and wipe down the screw and the female threads and re grease with a nice silicone one maybe Tri-Flow brand if you don't own any that is a little spendy, but great stuff.

you can take the swivel base apart too if you want to and give it a little cleaning and some grease. that way you can mount the swivel base on your bench without having the vise attached. best spot if it's your only vise is at the corner of the bench or the front if you have a tight space. have the back jaw's lip just barely hanging over the front of the bench so you can put long stuff in it vertical if needed and bolt it down.

good luck and it does look like a keeper and one of the others might have a little more information on the Metro part.

 

[kmbo]

Thanks so much fellas! I've been trying for three years to get this thing from Phoenix to Los Angeles. People might of thought I was a bit nuts to fuss over a big, old vise so your encouragement really means a lot!