The VISES of Garage Journal

PeterPeter · Apr 27, 2026

micahd1997 said:
100% a Dropfo. That one looks to be in great condition. Here’s a write up I did a while back on one I used to own:

Very little is known about The Fulton Drop Forge Co. Let’s talk about what we DO know.

Per the October 1st, 1913 edition of the Akron Beacon Journal, the Fulton Drop Forge Co. was incorporated in Akron Ohio in 1913. The ABJ reports the initial capital invested as $10k. However, on the same day the Cincinnati Enquirer reports an initial capital of…$100k. Zeros matter, folks. According to the 1922 Ohio Industrial Directory, the company was generically categorized as being in the business of “Forgings (all kinds), Upsetting, Pipe-Bending, Forming, Wrenches, etc. (Mfgrs)”. However, their “Dropfo” vise is the only product of which examples and advertisements have survived to the present day. The only other present indication of non-vise products manufactured by the business comes from the 1915 issue of the Iron Age, Volume 95, referencing a military contract with The Fulton Drop Forge Co. to produce drop-forged commissary wagon hubs for the WW1 war effort. Also of note, the Akron Evening Times reported on Dec 6, 1915 that the business would be adding 4 new hammers and 2 new boilers to its shop, followed by the news that a “Mrs. Ortin Mathie suffered the loss of two fingers in a steel cutting-sheer” while at the plant and that “Dr. H. Dissinger dressed the injury”. The last known reference of the company is in a 1927 issue of The Chillicothe Gazette, reporting that the shop sadly burned to the ground.

Thank you for the background. I just saw four .pdf posted on Vintage Machinery with this same information. Had to look up in the database to see what they look like, and suddenly those miles don’t seem so long…
Into the Wild.
Peterpeter
…and out of the Wild:

Dropfo 4,

Walworth 5

Reed 2C
I think I bagged the limit.

lwgana · Apr 28, 2026

Prentiss Bulldog 512/522 vise I’m cleaning up—-Anyone wanna take a stab at interpreting this date code? I’m scratching my head over this one. Thanks in advance.

PeterPeter · Apr 28, 2026

Can you unwelded cast iron?
This 2C followed me home today. It’s in overall good shape, having sat outside for a couple seasons. But the real damage was done purposely, as you can see, the swivel base no longer swivels.

thanks in advance, Peterpeter

Beerhippie · Apr 28, 2026

PeterPeter said:
Can you unwelded cast iron?
This 2C followed me home today. It’s in overall good shape, having sat outside for a couple seasons. But the real damage was done purposely, as you can see, the swivel base no longer swivels.

thanks in advance, Peterpeter

Grrrr....

An angle grinder, cut-off wheels (you'll need a few) and fiber disks will probably be the best bet, but it'll never look like it did before Bubba "fixed" it.

micahd1997 · Apr 28, 2026

lwgana said:
Prentiss Bulldog 512/522 vise I’m cleaning up—-Anyone wanna take a stab at interpreting this date code? I’m scratching my head over this one. Thanks in advance.

Very, very few manufacturers actually stamped their vises with dates, and Prentiss wasn’t one of them. The hand-stamped numbers on Prentiss vises were used internally by Bagley & Sewall (the company that actually manufactured Prentiss’ vises). They likely indicate the batch it was cast in or some other such number.

There are other features that can help identify the age of a Prentiss vise though. If you can post more pictures, I can help narrow it down

PeterPeter · Apr 28, 2026

Beerhippie said:
Grrrr....

An angle grinder, cut-off wheels (you'll need a few) and fiber disks will probably be the best bet, but it'll never look like it did before Bubba "fixed" it.

On the way home, I was thinking more like:

but it was a long drive, and my mind wandered.
I am not skilled with an angle grinder. In my hands, it might as well be a sawzall.
I have a Foredom die grinder I can give that a try. Worst case scenario, is it’s not a swivel, and I bet there’s a Reed/ Columbian vise owner out there that would love to have that special toothed head lock bolt.
peter
peter

Shiftless · Apr 28, 2026

That’s not the first swivel base all welded up so it wouldn’t swivel. Here is a Reed 4C that another Bubba “fixed” I sold it off still all welded up. I never found a way to undo welds like this without making things even worse. I bought it rusty, stuck, missing handle and cheap.

INSP380 · Apr 28, 2026

More in process of the 303 PowRarm… Went machine Gray and going to mount up a metallic Blue baby to it…

Steve

PeterPeter · Apr 28, 2026

Shiftless said:
That’s not the first swivel base all welded up so it wouldn’t swivel. Here is a Reed 4C that another Bubba “fixed” I sold it off still all welded up. I never found a way to undo welds like this without making things even worse. I bought it rusty, stuck, missing handle and cheap.

Yeah. That’s what figured. It was only a $100 investment. It will go nicely on a stand. No need for a swivel, then.
peter

INSP380 · Apr 28, 2026

I’d attack that with a chalk line and a cut off wheel. Once separate, you can fine tune it….

Steve

Shiftless · Apr 28, 2026

PeterPeter said:
Yeah. That’s what figured. It was only a $100 investment. It will go nicely on a stand. No need for a swivel, then.
peter

$100 for a 2C is a great deal. On a stand, of course it doesn’t have to swivel.

M.Brane · Apr 29, 2026

Shiftless said:
That’s not the first swivel base all welded up so it wouldn’t swivel. Here is a Reed 4C that another Bubba “fixed” I sold it off still all welded up. I never found a way to undo welds like this without making things even worse. I bought it rusty, stuck, missing handle and cheap.

Nice choice of beverage!

lwgana · Apr 29, 2026

micahd1997 said:
Very, very few manufacturers actually stamped their vises with dates, and Prentiss wasn’t one of them. The hand-stamped numbers on Prentiss vises were used internally by Bagley & Sewall (the company that actually manufactured Prentiss’ vises). They likely indicate the batch it was cast in or some other such number.

There are other features that can help identify the age of a Prentiss vise though. If you can post more pictures, I can help narrow it down

Thank you Micah—I’m posting additional pics

dannyr · Apr 29, 2026

Made in England 1 3/4in jaw width Picard & Frere vise (stamped trademark P in ace of spades) - in their watch/clock/jewellers London supply store catalog from about 1900-50 - made in larger sizes and clamp-on/swivel similar to German/Swiss Boley-Leinen

CRSINMICH · Apr 29, 2026

Excerpts from a 1910 dentistry supply catalogue
of Henri Picard & Frere

dannyr · Apr 29, 2026

CRSINMICH said:
Excerpts from a 1910 dentistry supply catalogue
of Henri Picard & Frere

great - - ((I see that the 'Viotel' trademark says 'English Manufacture' ))

also see 'incassable' -- ie unbreakable - malleable cast iron?

lwgana · Apr 30, 2026

micahd1997 said:
Very, very few manufacturers actually stamped their vises with dates, and Prentiss wasn’t one of them. The hand-stamped numbers on Prentiss vises were used internally by Bagley & Sewall (the company that actually manufactured Prentiss’ vises). They likely indicate the batch it was cast in or some other such number.

There are other features that can help identify the age of a Prentiss vise though. If you can post more pictures, I can help narrow it down

Here are some more pics of my Prentiss 512/522 3” swivel vise—I included another with numbers on the top of the slide…if you can see em thru the chisel marks

micahd1997 · Apr 30, 2026

lwgana said:
Here are some more pics of my Prentiss 512/522 3” swivel vise—I included another with numbers on the top of the slide…if you can see em thru the chisel marks

Apologies for the delay, and thanks for the extra pictures! Your vise is a model № 522. Prentiss used the dynamic jaws interchangeably with both the swivel base (№ 522) and the stationary base version (№ 512) of these vises, and so they cast the dynamic jaws with both models present.

This style was introduced in 1936 and continued production after the Prentiss Vise Company was purchased by Charles Parker in late 1947. However, your vise still bears the “New York” location in the casting, so it was most certainly made between 1936-late 1947. The other numbers stamped on the slide appear to be after-market. I’ve attached a picture of your vise in Prentiss’ 1936 catalog.

lwgana · Apr 30, 2026

micahd1997 said:
Apologies for the delay, and thanks for the extra pictures! Your vise is a model № 522. Prentiss used the dynamic jaws interchangeably with both the swivel base (№ 522) and the stationary base version (№ 512) of these vises, and so they cast the dynamic jaws with both models present.

This style was introduced in 1936 and continued production after the Prentiss Vise Company was purchased by Charles Parker in late 1947. However, your vise still bears the “New York” location in the casting, so it was most certainly made between 1936-late 1947. The other numbers stamped on the slide appear to be after-market. I’ve attached a picture of your vise in Prentiss’ 1936 catalog.

Thank you Micah,,,,I appreciate the reply and info!

thehorse13 · Apr 30, 2026

A friend of mine pulled up with this today. If you know what this is, then you know why it's posted here.

Mark Stansbury · Apr 30, 2026

Here is a new scan of Western Tool & Manufacturing Co. Catalog No. 19, 1922. Vises begin on page 80.
Archive.org
and
Vintage Machinery

Scan of their Catalog No. 17 also available.

Outlawmws · Apr 30, 2026

thehorse13 said:
A friend of mine pulled up with this today. If you know what this is, then you know why it's posted here.

Dang, you effing ****!

Shiftless · Apr 30, 2026

thehorse13 said:
A friend of mine pulled up with this today. If you know what this is, then you know why it's posted here.

Amazing! Parker 439
Does this friend scout out vises for you? Was this a gift? Did he do you a solid by letting you buy it from him for some small fraction of its worth?

thehorse13 · May 1, 2026

Shiftless said:
Amazing! Parker 439
Does this friend scout out vises for you? Was this a gift? Did he do you a solid by letting you buy it from him for some small fraction of its worth?

He's an early Ford guy and a childhood best friend so while he is out sniffing for Ford parts, he comes across a lot of vintage tools. He has a list of what to look for and we horse trade so to say.

In this case, we had a buyer and seller who had no idea what this vise is all about. Because of this, the sale price would make most of you pass out. It was less than 20 dollars as part of a bundle deal.

When he showed up, the exchange went like this:

"Hey, do you want this vise that I found today?"
Absolutely!

"Awesome, lug it out of my trunk and it's yours."

I explained what it is and what it's worth. He didn't bat an eye simply because I've handed him a lot of Ford parts and porcelain signs that carry similar value. Both of us love old junk and that's all this is about for us.

Shiftless · May 1, 2026

horse:

Long ago I passed on a damaged 439 priced at $200. That is one of my few regrets in 12 year history of vise collecting.

KMScott · May 1, 2026

Mark Stansbury said:
Here is a new scan of Western Tool & Manufacturing Co. Catalog No. 19, 1922. Vises begin on page 80.
Archive.org
and
Vintage Machinery

Scan of their Catalog No. 17 also available.

Thanks Mark.

Need pic’s of your Western vise’s guys. Can’t imagine seeing a 9” Western vise. They supposedly made several.

PeterPeter · May 2, 2026

Shiftless said:
horse:

Long ago I passed on a damaged 439 priced at $200. That is one of my few regrets in 12 year history of vise collecting.

Thats funny, because I bought a damaged 439 for $250 a couple years ago, and it is one of my few regrets. The dynamic jaw pad is welded, the screw collar and decorative ball head bolt that fills the other swivel lock hole are MIA; but the worst of it is barrel of the body is bent so I have to pry the lock tabs apart to release it. If I ever locate the missing parts, I will have to thread the upper ear of the barrel lock, then cut the bolt off of a lock handle, and replace with a bolt to match the new threads. Lastly, I’ll block the lower ear of the lock with a piece of the old bolt.
So, even if I ever locate the parts, and do the work, it’ll still be a rather sad example. Hence the regret. Kind of. Because every vise a learning adventure nonetheless.

No Regerts, PeterPeter

micahd1997 · May 2, 2026

Received from a friend yesterday - 1920 Yost Catalog № 9

Patrickm82 · May 3, 2026

Picked up a couple vises this weekend. 1 at a yard sale the other at the flea market. From the market, I paid $15 bucks for an Athol no. 88 with 2-1/2” jaws in very good condition, light surface rust. It will clean up nice. Then for $5 a small made in USA 2-1/2” clamp on vise. Also in great condition, just a few saw/grinder scars on the jaws.

Private Lugnutz · May 3, 2026

No vises to report, but I did find another Parker Vise Wrench at the flea market this morning. A No. 4 (1/1-8" hex opening) this time. Shown with my No. 1 (5/8") and No. 2 (13/16"), also found at the flea market.

Somewhere out there in the old, weird, industrial state of NJ there is a musty garage or a basement, and in that garage or basement there is a neglected and forlorn toolbox, and inside that toolbox is a swivel base lock-down nut "Parker Vise Wrench No. 3" that some old timer was using as a single box end wrench, the vise long gone, just waiting for someone's grandson to bring it to the flea market so that I can complete my collection. It's only a matter of time!

These three (3) only took me [checks old posts...] 9 years, 7 months, and 14 days to find. That's an average of one Parker Vise Wrench found in the wild about every three years. I can wait.

Outlawmws · May 3, 2026

Well done Lugz! you have three! Its officially a collection! :rocker:

MushCreek · May 6, 2026

Well, this is my first 'collectible' vise. I have several others that are just tools, but I couldn't resist getting this beast. American Scale Red Seal No 25. 6" jaws, 25" long, 16" tall, and nearly 200 lbs. I stripped it all down to refurbish. The hardest part was getting the special tapered jaw screws out. The new jaws I make will just use socket head cap screws. So far, very little wear anywhere. The screw and slide were covered in ancient grease. On jaw insert is damaged, so I'll make a new pair. Once it's clean, I'll paint it up, mount it to a bench, and put it to work!

Josh Dekubber · May 10, 2026

I wish I could grab this Parker but it's a bit out of my driving range.

(Edit)
I just talked to the sellers wife and he is a truck driver and may be able to meet me somewhere for purchase and pick up.

Facebook

www.facebook.com

GatorEd · May 10, 2026

American Iron said:
Oldest vise for me so far. Found this old war horse of a vise that's been around. Weekend estate sale find. $10. It's a Columbian Hardware Co of Cleveland Oh. Model 402 1/2. Narrowest jaws I've seen on a vise this big. (2 1/2") It has a swivel pin but looking at the jaw it looks only to slide forward not side to side. I don't see cut outs to pivot right or left. I guess this old vise is approx 100 years old. Action is smooth and it closes tight though the jaw plates need work. Unfortunately the swivel base has a crack underneath. The swivel pin is stuck firm. I can't seem much info on this model of vise. This years summer project. Too cold in winter in my shop..

Picked up a Columbian 404-1/2 today and it swivels nicely!

GatorEd · May 10, 2026

Also picked up a Littlestown 400 to restore and gift to someone that has no vise!

harleyrider · May 11, 2026

Picked up another Reed 204 1/2 R vise yesterday off of FB MP. It’s in great shape except for the overapplied, peeling bright red paint. Very clean example with minimal light surface rust on the unpainted surfaces. 15 minute disassembly with only the adjuster screw in spindle nut split pin being kinda stuck from the red paint. A little soak and it will pop out. All the parts are there in super shape. Vise doesn’t look like it was beaten on at all (slide looks lazer straight, and the spindle handle is as well) and should clean up nicely. Under the red paint is remnants of a pretty, light olive paint that might be the original color? If I repaint this one, that’ll be the color I choose to use. There’s too much of the globbed on red paint to see any dates codes yet.

Not too bad for $90 I think. Some picts below along with some other vises in various stages of cleanup

HR

micahd1997 · May 11, 2026

My Prentiss № 511 is missing its brass badge. Please send me a message if you have an extra Prentiss brass badge to sell. They made the same size for all sizes of their vises.

Thanks!

GatorEd · May 11, 2026

Just received by FedEx today a cool looking Parker 63-1/2 vise. It's missing the pritchell tool and the swivel handle is made from a round head machinist's bolt. The neatest thing is the thick brass jaw protectors! I'm looking forward to cleaning this one up for one of my sons!

GatorEd · May 11, 2026

harleyrider said:
Picked up another Reed 204 1/2 R vise yesterday off of FB MP. It’s in great shape except for the overapplied, peeling bright red paint. Very clean example with minimal light surface rust on the unpainted surfaces. 15 minute disassembly with only the adjuster screw in spindle nut split pin being kinda stuck from the red paint. A little soak and it will pop out. All the parts are there in super shape. Vise doesn’t look like it was beaten on at all (slide looks lazer straight, and the spindle handle is as well) and should clean up nicely. Under the red paint is remnants of a pretty, light olive paint that might be the original color? If I repaint this one, that’ll be the color I choose to use. There’s too much of the globbed on red paint to see any dates codes yet.

Not too bad for $90 I think. Some picts below along with some other vises in various stages of cleanup

HR

I just posted about a vise I received today that has brass jaw protectors very similar the ones shown on your other vise.

harleyrider · May 11, 2026

GatorEd said:
I just posted about a vise I received today that has brass jaw protectors very similar the ones shown on your other vise.

I saw your post. The ones I have were a lucky snag. I had bought a nice Reed 204 1/2 R on FB MP a couple months ago, and before I could even go pick it up, I saw an eBay auction for a common modern 4” vise with these Reed brand 4 1/2” copper jaw covers on it. I contacted the seller and they agreed to end the auction early and let me buy the jaw covers. They’re really nice & heavy and should outlast me.

HR

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