yt12

none of my beeswax-------but im gonna add a coupla 3 things----good friend and beekeeper gave me about 3 pounds of the dirty stuff--had done a preliminary clean up-----but this wax was un-usable as was---took a large roasting pan----lined it w foil ( yes---wax clean up is a bear)------added 1 inch water-----on top ----a sheet of chicken wire mesh----mine had 1/ 4 inch mesh-----push center down slightly for a concave slope ( slight dip) cover w a single layer of paper towel add dirty wax in a flat layer and into 200 oven------once wax melts , take pan out to cool----slab of pristine wax on surface !!------plus-----the dirty paper cut into strips is the best firestarter !!

"tube tester"--------oh my--------feeling my grey hair.........what few i have left.

vulcan........

I just cleared out the truck------please send location for me to pick up my apes------I NEED at least a pair !!!!!

followed me home from an estate sale----day one sold all the big equipment----this was day 3 and im guessing it was either overlooked or unwanted as im sure they went with the lathe/mill/shaper---4 wooden crates w apx 100 blocks, spacers, forms, parts n pieces-----i was the only bidder !----- my machinist blocks go to 2/4/24!!-----tried to get buyers name from auctioneer to perhaps set up a "private sale"-----no luck so ive got a pile !!

on my never never list to loan out----chainsaws,guns.scuba gear ----doors too wide for disaster. i do have to say,still shaking my head from YEARS ago, one of the cheapest/insignificant loans------but------neighbor (didnt know real well---but nice enough) was doing a brake job, asked if i had a c-clamp for the calipers-----had one handy----harbor freight 6 inch i know i didnt pay more than a buck or two for-----use it in good health !-----a week later he drops it off on my porch--------the frame bend a good 2 inches askew (i would have put money on those clamps breaking before bending), the screw was bent 2 inches off the other direction and the pad was missing. you couldnt have destroyed a clamp more had it been your plan. havent spoken with him much since.

a coupla 3 things-----great vise !! I think I now need one too......Roebling and son---worth tracking down a copy of David McCulloughs---THE GREAT BRIDGE------one of my favorite reads---PBR !!!!-----on my shopping list......

Nice !!!-----good clean up----looks great !!

i do believe Wilkinsons are all solid ------i should probably start a new thread and post a photo ----- see if anyone has any hits or misses doing a horn rebuild job----Malleous,didnt mean to hijack your forum-------

Thats one of the options i thought of-----would be curious-----im sure a number of options have been tested---a prosthetic welded on, built up weld, grind a new profile----wonder how the restorers felt about their fix........

I like the question----anecdotal answers are often much more helpful. fwiw----my wilkinson had a good 3 inches of its horn lopped off-----frankly been afraid to ask for "anecdotal" responses as to what others would do with it and a possible nose job.

an excellent question----however, my input will be limited---almost all my experience is almost exclusive to US makers---I do have an old Hill and a Wilkinson-----both need a bit of TLC and havent seen much use.

Nice !!----anvil....swage......mandrel........I need one !!

Will do on the photo------your pic-----I need one !!!!!!

nodebt----I think you nailed it,this came from a retired career railman---along w/ the 2 mega bottle jacks. I put one of the jacks to work last weekend----helped a friend set a post jack in their basement to support the joists-----had the distinct feeling that one too many pumps was gonna lift the whole house off the foundation-----over-kill is a good thing !!

This followed me home with the 2 uber-over-kill bottle jacks------soon to be the vise stand----this thing is HEAVY ......

A tale 25 years in the making !! Goes back to my first ventures with on-line auctions---the best kind...2 blocks away and no other bidders, so it was mine for next to nothing. Also a rarity----the poster was honest about the repairs---uber ugly but the vise worked. My plan was to clean up the repair and do a basic clean up,but as sometimes happens-----2 weeks later I came across an old Reed vise about the same size,nearly unused and even better price--free!!--so the old Parker was bound for the "project pile"----flash ahead to today-----came across the project,and been noticing that prices on "old big" vises is getting as nutty as anvil prices around here----thought it was time to make a go of it. For grins, my first look on the bay----a nearly pristine Parker 974 1/2 front jaw---price not too bad !! (more than I paid for the vise)-------now the project begins again !!!----photos to follow.

Neighbor and good friends father in law was a lifetime railworker---one of those guys who could do just about anything----sent these my way (the 2 jacks,not the beer). Range may not be the best--and not the fastest, but uber over-kill (a good thing).I see a press of some sort in the future. There is also the mother of all vise stands,photo to follow.

Great find---Great buy !!!---Sorry about the back, BELIEVE ME ,I feel your pain. I would use as is,plenty of good work space, but I would have to remove the damaged area first ( mostly aesthetics,but thats me)----Also a GREAT example of why you dont grind faces ----dont often see such an example of how thin the face plate can be----yours has a lifetime of work left, but would not take much to grind it away to a state of ASO. Best to you yt

I am working on a few ideas of an "artistic vein"------and to a lesser degree-----(under the umbrella of TMI )------I have a bit of the RA in the hands and fingers and have use the smaller sizes for flexibility--gotta up the ante...

TWISTED------ Thanks for putting me on the path----it IS appreciated !! Nothing illegal ----or immoral !!

TWISTEDWILLOW----- Been looking for a few of those !! up to 4 inch if do-able---- Any chance you can send me the Tx info ? Thanks in advance

Supa---- Some minds wiser than mine beat me to the punch--if--IF --your biggest concern is "damaging" your new buy----get a hunk-0-junk-piece-o-scrap to ease into things. However at the risk of ruffling a few feathers (i seem to have a habit)-----dont over think it---if you can afford the real deal and want one----BUYIT!!!---the things are made of steel ----most damage can be avoided as you learn---missed blows--missed blows on the edge--windmilling a huge sledge----GO FOR IT !!

fwiw------well, a kind soul and 974 owner elsewhere was able to put tape to metal-----the 974 base has an inner rail that mates to the vise body and weighs in at 7 inches----the 974 1/2 is 7 1/2-----so a no-go for a match-----oh well,I can live with the wonky repair till I find a match-----now to find the screw collar..........

Glenn----thanks again----looks like weve been on the same paths----Ive seen a bunch of pics and read a bunch of resto tales----none confirming compatibility------YET. Thanks