Old Bench Vise

Discussion in 'Tool & Shop Talk' started by rthomas771, May 26, 2013.

  1. rthomas771

    rthomas771 Member

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    I bought this vise a couple weeks ago off Craigslist and just now found the time to bolt it to the work bench. It's a Parker vise made back in the 50's. I've gone through 2 department store type bench vises in the last 7 years. This one should last me the rest of my life. I thought about painting it but decided to keep it looking original.

    [​IMG]
     
  2. BKelley

    BKelley Comet Enthusiast

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    Looks good! and worked great without being bolted down..:biglaugh:
     
  3. Jamie Miles

    Jamie Miles the road warrior

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    If you do ever need another, get a Wilton brand vice. They're expensive, but nearly indestructible.
     
  4. John Holden

    John Holden Member

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    I've got space problems in my garage I have a very small steel bench that my cut off saw sits on. I have a nice old vice similar to yours that I would love to bolt to the bench but it would get in the way when using the cutoff saw. I've been considering taking an old steel milk jug that I have and digging a hole outside my garage, filling the hole and jug with rebar and cement and mounting the vice on top of that. Just a thought and it would be kind of decorative too.
     
  5. darren

    darren Member

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    Very nice. We just snapped a vise in half here at work. Junk!!!
     
  6. ESampson

    ESampson Member

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    nice! i got one years ago from my grandpa..looks the same and i've put the thing through some serious tests..he has a few of them just sitting at his place now hes retired & shut down his business/sold most the stuff.

    if it doesn't last...i'd really want to know what your doing to it!
     
  7. jmgford

    jmgford Member

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    Good find! You can't beat the old stuff. I have trashed a couple of newer vises with somewhat light use.
     
  8. injectedmav

    injectedmav Member

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    Nice! You just can't beat good quality shop equipment.

    I have an old bench vise that I obtained from an old 50's era dealer that closed down. The jaws are strong as he'll and it opens very wide compared to the newer ones you can buy now.
     
  9. mrmalina99

    mrmalina99 Member

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    I have a vise I picked up from Biglots 6 years ago (I know but price was right) and its holding up great after lots of abuse. New things are never built as good as old equipment that goes for most anything though.
     
  10. blugene

    blugene Senior member Supporting Member

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  11. junrai

    junrai Member

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    thats when things were made to last forever not for now.
     
  12. John Holden

    John Holden Member

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    Or just until the warranty is over!
     
  13. simple man

    simple man Member

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    I have two old Wilton vices. One I am using, the other has the lower front area broken off, so the internal thread block just slides out the front. God knows how they broke this, but I think I can fix it by drilling a 7/16" hole through the sides and block and putting a pin through to hold the thread block. Both these vices have 5" wide jaws and open to 7" ( leaving 1" of thread on the screw ). Handiest thing in the world is a good vise!!! I lucked out and got both of them years ago for $20 at a yard sale! :)
     

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