Does anyone have clear knowledge on the use of cast iron in the construction of these vises? I am trying to determine if there was an era where forged components gave way to cast components / construction?

I would be pleased to hear any comments that may help piece together something of an evolution of the construction material used to make these sturdy vises. Regards, tim

I have seen many post vises I have never seen one made from cast iron. I doubt a cast iron leg vise would be strong enough to not break at the hole where the screw passed thru. In later vises the mounting bracket and the box were made from cast iron. Those were the only parts that I know of that were cast. I am sure people tried because it would have been a cost savings over forged vices. My guess is that the machinist vise may have evolved partly because desire to make a cast iron vise that was cheaper being that the leg vise was a more labor intensive and used more expensive wrought iron and steel in its construction.

On December 26, 2011 at 10:53 PM, Timothy Miller said:

In later vises the mounting bracket and the box were made from cast iron.

My guess would be cast steel.

 

 

I don't doubt they used both.

The only exception is probably the FISHER double screw vises. They are cast, with steel jaws. The screws are steel. The thread box is machined into the cast iron. Their mounting plate is part of the casting.

I do have a few traditional vises with cast iron mounting plates, usually with the manufacturers name cast in. That is the only part that is cast. The rest is forged.

ISTR from the adds that Columbian made some ductile iron vises for their cheap line; but would need to double check on that. Regular cast iron is right out for a post vise---might as well make it from glass!

On December 27, 2011 at 5:49 AM, njanvilman said:

The only exception is probably the FISHER double screw vises. They are cast, with steel jaws. The screws are steel. The thread box is machined into the cast iron. Their mounting plate is part of the casting. I do have a few traditional vises with cast iron mounting plates, usually with the manufacturers name cast in. That is the only part that is cast. The rest is forged.

If some one started making the Fisher vices again but used ductile iron instead of cast iron it sure would be slick! Have the pattens run out of the vices? Do you think maybe one of these folks that cast the ductile swage blocks might give it a try?

 

Iron City cast their boxes, as least the ones manufactured in the 20th century. I don't have information on the material, but I suspect some were of ductile iron or perhaps "semisteel," the latter made by adding measured amounts of steel scrap to the charge in the cupola.

Perhaps a patent search of blacksmith's vises would yield some info on this topic.

First I would like to say "Thanks" for all the reply's.

A recent search referencing "Peter Wright's Solid Screw Box Patent" came away with a online book printed in 1853 titled "Official catalogue of the New-York exhibition of the industry of all nations" within it mentioned Peter Wrights solid screw box .........

What that means, I'm not sure (smile) guess at least anyone able to use his patent or willing to infringe was using a solid box by that point in time. I am going to spend some time looking at reproduced advertisements n see if there any dots to connect. Cheers, tim
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It's alive....that is this thread and a cast post vise!

I picked this up today off of CL.  While inspecting jaw alignment and the screw box, it didn't occur to me to check for mold lines! Also, check out the integrated pipe clamp below the jaws.  

The only marking I could find on it was the 50 and something on the loose collar that may or may not have been original equipment.  

 

What makes you say it's cast?

The mold line is the tell tale sign.  THis doesn't appear to be the result of a fullering die.  Also it was discretely put on the inside of the back leg.  I'm sure I could find more if I looked more.  

 

 

Could be a drop forge parting line,

Looks like a closed die flash line. The mounting bracket is cast and maybe the pipe jaws but I doubt strongly the rest is. Is there any lettering, trademark, etc. cast proud?

Frosty The Lucky.

Duh, of course I wasn't thinking drop forged but there you go.  I think y'all are right!  No other markings that I could discern.  

I've seen only open die forged post vices it just didn't occur to me.  

I have 4 or 5 like that.  I think they are Eco line columbians.   

Not hard to test for cast iron...

Right, easy enough with a spark test. 

Bottom of the foot wouldn't even show the mark.