plain ol Bill Posted March 20, 2013 Share Posted March 20, 2013 Hi guys - had a customer drop in to pick up an item a couple of weeks ago and he noticed my vises in the shop. He mentioned he had one he got at a garage sale a long time ago but it didn't work well. I told him next time he headed this direction to put it in the truck and drop it off and I'd look at it. He brought it by yesterday and I would like to ID it for him. Jaws are 5 1/2" wide, both jaws have a 0 marked under the jaws and there are traces of orange paint on it. Screw and box are in good shape, jaws are great - parallel and even. Mounted to an old truck rim - I don't care for that but then it's not my vise either. No spring but that is easily fixed, so I took it all down to clean, lube and get a spring into it by mounting a little table to the back of the fixed leg w/ a square U bolt to hold the spring in place. Got any idea who made this vise and when? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
doc Posted March 20, 2013 Share Posted March 20, 2013 IT'S a leg vise! The majority of this type of vise were never marked by their makers until the middle to end of the 19th century. It looks like it's in good shape, don't worry about it's heritage. Set it up and put it to work. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frank Turley Posted March 20, 2013 Share Posted March 20, 2013 Looks like a Columbian. Plain Ol, FYI, "Just Plain Bill, Barber of Hartville" was a radio soap opera in the 1940's. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
plain ol Bill Posted March 21, 2013 Author Share Posted March 21, 2013 Thanks Frank - I knew about Just Plain Bill - but he wasn't old :) . My first thought was Columbian but thought I'd ask the forum too. I'd like to keep this one - but then I don't have room for another one. It will go to a new home and it will work well when he comes to pick it too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThomasPowers Posted March 21, 2013 Share Posted March 21, 2013 Columbian with beveled legs? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MLMartin Posted March 21, 2013 Share Posted March 21, 2013 I think Illinois Iron and Bolt Company made vices marked "Indian Chief, the box looks spot on for a copy of the one I have. Also the champers in the legs looks about the same. Mackenzie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frank Turley Posted March 21, 2013 Share Posted March 21, 2013 Yes, some Columbians had chamfered legs and pivot beams. I've owned a couple like that. The Indian Chiefs look just like Columbians, which makes me think they were made by Columbian. Anyone know for sure? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.