A man needs vises. Let's see 'em!

Here is a Littco #112 before and after some work.

Great looking vice.

I have a 4" Wilton that spent 37 years on an aircraft carrier. No pics handy though.

Parker And Wilton

have found a half dozen around here,my real find has been the anvils.

It is funny that you start this post now. I was trying to work on a trap this past weekend and my junker China vise was not working. I looked at new ones and it seemed like anything that appeared to be good was crazy $$ and even then they had some bad reviews. I went on e-bay and was overwhelmed with all the options but ended up buying a Wilton. Not a beast like MGGC has but I figured it will work. It came up as Buy It Now and was cheaper than all the ones I saw with bids so it is on the way too me. It is a tilt model instead of swivel but I figure that should me okay. What do you guys think for $42.50 shipped to me?

I use a 6" hundred some year old post vice. Built like a tank.

Lets see, I chase women, drink too much, spend money........ Oh sorry wrong vises!!!

Brad

Got that same Wilton.

Love vises, use them even when i would'nt have to. Lets just say i "have my share".

The ones with exposed threads i bugger up so i make sure the treads are protected. I work with metal so that's a weak area in them for for me.

Nice restore job tho!

I have a Columbian and a Crapsmen that is a junker for the money but then I beat on them a lot like when doing U joint!

LOL, you and I both Lawdog. Only way i ever knew to put a u-joint in.

I have bench mounted, portable bench mounted and loose ones on the floor for heavy things i weld.

Don't remember the name on mine, but it's some kind of plumbers/rigger vise. Head swivels 360 along with the base. one side has regular jaws, the other for round stock.

Very nice job, oleboot.
oleboot, I just gave nephew Littco #112 (as pictured). He bought his first house and it's work bench needed a vice.
When weather warms, he will return vice to me for a 'make over', 'restore job'.

I use several vices. But own more (like hippie, I have my share)

I know when most folks talk Vice, they think the steel jaw kind. Here's one of my favorites-

Columbian Carpenter's Vice




Another...
Wilton Carpenter's Vice

Where did u get that Litttco?

I'm green with envy

Nowadays they want a fortune for a heavy piece of poorly made junk!

Can you guys that know about these list some of the name brands to look for?

I'm guessing older USA are the best?

Another Wilton and a REALLY old Blacksmith Vise

Wilton 1644 is what I use. It has been in the family since the '60s. I'm sure it will outlast me.

Brian

I personally like Littco (Littlestown, Pa), as it is local. Will look for Reed (Erie, Pa) if the price is right. I like pulling them apart and restoring them. I just finished with a Wilton and will post some pics tomorrow. They seem to be quality.

Hern, just picked up a Littco #198 carpenter's vise last week and plan plan on cleaning it up and using it to work on axes primarily. Like to see how folks mount them, thanks for the pics.

Like those "torpedo" vises. They look sharp.

Here's a Wilton I just finished. Forgot to take a "before" pic

Here you go, lol. I'm not redoing mine. I use it too much.

Been keeping busy. Can't get enough of the LITTCOs

Those are nice

This is a patternmakers vise I've had for twenty years. Both jaws swivel and can be locked in place so you can hold about anything regardless of shape.

I took this picture about ten years ago in my garage to show the clutter. At the time I had a rifle stock and a bunch of box calls in the works.

Pete

I can't show mine, they are Menards specials.

Trapping is my vise......jk

I got my first carpenter's vise last year. Added another one. . . .

Before



After



I use mine to rehandle axes, but plan on using this one for putting up fur.

I've spent most of my money on women and alcohol. The rest I just wasted....

oneoldboot, Nice job. They are beauties.

Is the carpenter's vice mounted low for a reason?

Here's my Columbian I use in the little Smithy in my shop.

Crap, the rotating button didn't work! Sorry about that.

Is a 4 1/2" vise considered big? Found a Littco that side for $40.
Also a blacksmith vise and anvil for $375.

4 1/2 would be in the middle of the road. It may be the Littco No.450, as it has that jaw size and weighs 39 lbs. That is a good size for doing a lot of work. Most "household" vises are <20lbs and have smaller jaws.

If the jaws close evenly, is missing no parts, has no cracks, and the base is there, I would feel okay pulling the trigger on a 450 for that price. The last one i picked up was $35. Restored, I would put a price of about $55-60. Even that is pushing it. . . I can't compete with harbor freight.

Hern : if I was to be honest, it's because I am lazy and didn't feel like doing the extra work.

J Morse I haven't come across an affordable blacksmith vise, but enjoy the pursuit. I have no experience with anvils, but know they are getting expensive!

I know where there's an old blacksmith vise in a shed...didn't know what it was until now!!!

Picked up this vise from Nittany Lion at the PTA rondezvous. One of my favorites!




An advertisement for this vise I found online:



After

Another awesome job!

Wow!

I can't imagine a work bench without a vice!
Jim

Two more I just finished. No before pics.



I like restoring these pipe vises even more than the bench. . .

Found one the other day, made me think of you. Jordan No4 special. Seems it HAD a swivel base that's missing. I painted it with used trans fluid as it is just a little bit stuck.

Great job. I like the colors.

Last one for awhile. Need to spending some time on trap preps hanging a few axes.

Just had to pull this back up....augh.....of all the old vices that I have tripped over in rural Saskatchewan farmsteads.

I have a few but this is my favorite

Wow awesome vices and work guys!

This was my granddad's vice. He was a farrier by trade. I can't find any markings on it other than the number 11.

oneoldboot, You brought that back to life. You made that hunk of rust look beautiful. Good work.

Or an anvil

I have an old Wilburt that my neighbor who was a gunsmith gave me when I was about 15. It is pretty cool - the jaws can be horizontal or verticle.

Oneoldboot, you sure do beautiful resto work. Question: do you try to paint the original color, or just pick a color? I noticed you turned that Rigid pipe vise orange.
Vises are one of those things I’d certainly rather buy at an old barn sale than a retail store.

Would you be willing to sell it back to me?

My vicesare female.

So you restore and sell them one old boot ?..

Last week, I replace jaws on Carpenters Vice. Plumb & level to bench top.
12" Oak jaws





I put spacers behind fixed jaw for a solid bite...




For giggles and detail that no one will notice...I book cased the end grain...even a Vice needs some pride...lol

.

X2

I’ve got 4 1/2” craftsman, a 4 1/2 Wilton, and a 5” wilton or fuller.... can’t remember which.

Those are a real nice ones!

Thanks for the kind words. Sometimes I return it back to the original color, but most of the time not. Most original colors are red, green, or black. I want to make it pop. I also lIke to paint the lettering and lines like on the parker that was posted.

Rustoleum has a "hammered" line of spray paint that really looks good. I my have some pics of other color schemes I have tried.

Sure, but for more than I paid for it!

Yes i do sell. Some I keep. I collect Littlestown, Pa vises and some from Erie, PA (Holland, Erie Tool, Reed). I am beginning to lean towards pipe vises. They are more fun to restore.

Which size of your workbench should you mount your bench Vice?
Left side for Righty's, Right side for Lefty's is what I was told.
Which is correct?

I am a lefty and mount vises on the right about 4” - 6” from the right side and so the rear jaw is beyond the front of the bench.

Here are a few that I did last year. . .

Reed 204, 51 lbs, 4 inch jaw. The handle was "U" shaped and the main screw was bent from over tightening and abuse that followed. I no longer have this one.




This was me experimenting with color. . .



Vises used for sharpening saw blades are common. The John Deere colored one is the largest I have come across. I am not certain what type of blade the other is used on.





I am not good about taking before and after, but I did get this one, a Littlestown 450

oneoldboot, you do great work.

I never really considered a vise as something to be restored and be a thing of beauty . I'm mistaken.

Here are the pictures-

Here is Vulcan #2 chain vise. I haven't decided what do next.

Finished this one up:

Picked this from Hern at the District 8 meeting




The handle had more pitting than I suspected. The rest came out well.

Just found this one in the shop , under a pile of stuff


, forgot I even had it. I gotta clean my shop!

Love pipe vises. They are my favorite to work on. I will finish a Reed No.3 tomorrow and post. You will find uses for that vise if you mount it.

Hokey Smokes! They look great!
Good job. You do nice work.

Hey Old Boot, do you know who the maker is on the pipe vise I just posted?

These are 4 of the more interesting ones out of 7 that I have mounted and use in various places around my basement and garage. I don't know a lot about them only that I never paid much for any of them. For example: the blacksmith's (post- No name that I can see) vise I got at a garage sale last summer for 3 bucks. I know it should have pretty good value but don't know how much. Can anyone shed light on any of these as far as value? Thanks.

It's a small cheap vise I have had for years. Beat it to death and still keeps going...


A bench vise I made out of a bar clamp


Made this vise out of vise grips


My real vise is food...




And pie!

I will see what I can find out.

I was going thru stuff in the garage this morning and found the same vise. It is made by Dunlap.

Here is a Reed No. 3. Way over built these Reeds. I belive this about 26 lbs. 1930s.lighting ain't so good.

This was my dad's. Rescued it after their house burned many years ago. Still working like it should. Dad always preached to buy good tools and you would be money ahead in the long run.

Yard Sale fine this morning...

SARGENT & Co.
No. 100
Hand Saw Vice

Nice find Hern!

Here is a Cole I just finished. The jaws rotate. I forgot to get a picture of that.






Weighs in about 69 lbs.

You can never go wrong with a Reed!

Great restoration job, oneoldboot.
I like lettering color compared to 'white' lettering. Classy work.

I cleaned up & painted the ole saw vise...

[quote=MnMan]These are 4 of the more interesting ones out of 7 that I have mounted and use in various places around my basement and garage. I don't know a lot about them only that I never paid much for any of them. For example: the blacksmith's (post- No name that I can see) vise I got at a garage sale last summer for 3 bucks. I know it should have pretty good value but don't know how much. Can anyone shed light on any of these as far as value? Thanks.



MnMan, the post vise looks very similar to the one I have, but it has the two-pin type locking deal that attaches the vise to the table base. Mine is a Columbian of newer construction (1950's?). I paid $125 for mine.

I just got my new 5 1/2" jaw indian chief cleaned up, got at a farm auction last weekend

That's a beauty outdoorsjd.
Good Job.

I got this vice in on a trade for some weld repair. I know Pete restores these old vices, so I worked out a trade with him, and here is the final product. The craftsmanship in this vice is incredible.

Many thanks rednecktrapper. Here is a before and after





This was a fun project. First time I ever put paw prints on a vise!

Here's a cool Wilton I just finished. No before pics. This rotates 90 degrees so it can hold horizontal & vertical. Super cool!




I may be selling this at the PTA D8 two weekends from now, but I am starting to like it. The jaws remove easily so wood inserts can be put in so your work isn't marred.

I have that same vise. It currently looks similar to your before picture. Hopefully, in the near future, it will look something like your after picture.

Picked up (and stole the picture) from the auction where I bought this step vise. It was made by Boyce in Ohio with a patent of 1886. I have only seen one other one in person and that was in a museum. I already have about 10-12 leg vises but this is the one I am most proud of. You step on the footpiece to close the jaws.

Moosetrot

Thanks for the above posts. Never seen that Moose.

I have decided I am a "pipe vise guy." I haven't restored to many this summer, but got to the wilton and this one this weekend, interesting design.

I just found this, forgot I had it. Don't know anything about it but used it years ago.

Can't find any markings on it.

Catch 22-Clean that thing up and it will be a beautiful vise! Been looking for a complete one like that.

Moosetrot

I have one similar to that, made for montgomery ward. It is on my bench to restore. Some time soon.

You might find something once the rust is removed.

Moosey, if you lived close I'd give it to ya.

Oneoldboot, the vises that you do look amazing!!!

Hay, catch ,next time your in south east ky. bring that vise and look me up.

Yeah, wish you were closer. Would love to get that one.

Moosetrot

Oneoldboot, you are amazing at restoring those old beauties. Saving a lot of cool history.

I bought two old vises from a good guy. Unfortunately I have been so busy with work and different responsibilities that I have not even opened the box. It is sitting on the floor next to my work bench. I look forward to using them.

Forgot to take before pic. Didn't like this red paint.

oneoldboot, that looks great. I like the Red/Grey combo.

Got this from a neighbor recently-

Columbian 504

You have nice neighbors

traps on sale!!!