I inherited my Grampa's vise. Don't know anything about it, but one thing just puzzles me. If you look at the one picture, it shows the back jaw that looks removable, except for the fact that it has grooves, rabbets, channels running longitudinally, but also across the back has another channel running cross-wise. How the heck did they get that piece in there? Does anyone know anything about this type of vise? Thanks

Greetings John, 

If you pull the pin ( sometimes they are rusted in and jamed but will come out) the rear jaw will pivot for odd shaped clamping ... Very handy at times .. Well worth spending some time restoring.. 

Forge on and make beautiful things

Jim

Thanks Jim. So the cylindrical post on the top behind the back jaw pulls up and out? What other parts generally wear out that I'd be looking to fix up in restoring it?

A little time with wire brushes, some oil and maybe paint should put that beauty back in fine working condition for a couple more generations. She's a beauty.

Frosty The Lucky.

That Prentiss is a DANDY!

Greetings John,

Great vises... Just clean it up and put it to work.

Forge on and make beautiful things

Jim

So that's how the back jaw works. Thanks! I'll get to brushing and oiling and maybe a little painting. Does anyone know what the original color might have been on a vise like this? I'm seeing green spots and red bits under the gray.

I like the vise, and the little yellow tubular thing in the background of the 2nd and 3rd pictures.  looks like fun there too.

neat on the twisting jaw. I have never seen one like it before.

Very cool vise. Pattern Maker vices have movable jaws like that to allow clamping of tapers and shapes. Might have something to do with the original intent. Can't beat some of those old tools.....they don't make 'em like that anymore.

Thanks Paul. That's my kid's buggy. Bought it, it was in bad shape. Took it all apart, cleaned it down to bare metal, repainted, repaired, replaced, improved and now it's a lot of fun.

If you own a go kart, you'll be a go kart mechanic in no time.

                                                                                                     Littleblacksmith

Too true! They always seem to need a little fiddling with.

I finally got a stand built for this vise and got it up off the floor. It's hard to use a vise that's on the floor, and hard to use a vise that isn't anchored down somehow.

Now I just have to figure out what to do about the 1/2" base plate I warped welding the post and gussets on to it. Doh!

Greetings John,

Just put a rubber mat under it .. I use thick rubber that is for horse stalls. It will work just fine and won't skid on the concrete.  Enjoy your new vise. 

Forge in and make beautiful things 

Jim

Now that's a great idea. Can that rubber mat be found at the local feed store or Tractor Supply?

I was busy pondering ways I could bend the warp out of the 1/2" plate, and not coming up with anything using the tools at hand.

tractor supply handles those rubber mats. use a pair of vise grips to move them. they make great handles. ask me how i know

Thanks Dick. I'll take a look at Tractor Supply, and keep the vise grips in mind!