Massive Charles Parker Railroad Vise

[William Davis]

Scroll through the video to about 13:00. Wow that’s a vise. Another at 14:30 almost as big.


https://youtu.be/_gqn6EBwPFk


William

[Robin Lewis]

Way cool, I grew up in an area in PA where I saw a lot of those old machines at work. They were old then and still in use in the mills. Since then, I always enjoy seeing things like this. The Smithsonian has a building that houses machines from centuries past that is just fascinating. THANKS fro the link!

[Rick Losey]

collecting railway vises - now there is a hobby that can get out of hand real quick

[William Davis]

He has 700 vises equal number of Anvils. Abom79 has a great UTube channel. Heavy machining at work and his home shop. Excursions to other interesting spots like this one. Abom is a serious Starrett enthusiast

William

[Rick Losey]

I think we have found the real cause of human made global warming - he is causing the planet to tilt towards the sun :corn:

[edgarspencer]

I love old machines, and found the video interesting, however I think he's over estimating the weight of the vise, as the heaviest vise made by Parker was 254 pounds. The heavy base was probably made by Athol Foundry, but certainly not by Parker, as Parker only poured with shank ladles, carried in a bale by two men.
Their cupola was very small, and probably didn't have more than a one ton per hour capacity. My grandfather ran that foundry for many years.

[Richard Flanders]

I have a couple of completely hand forged leg vises, one he'd certainly appreciate. I found it sticking out of the tundra north of Nome. 75#. Even the teeth on the jaw faces are hand cut and it's stamped with a date of 1899, the year when the Nome gold rush started. It seems to not have been used much as the teeth are pristine. I've given all sorts of blacksmithing equipment away, including recently a 150+lb anvil, but I'm keeping the leg vises for now.

[edgarspencer]

Many many years ago, the 'resident blacksmith' came down to the foundry from Old Sturbridge Village, with a "curator"type person, and wanted us to cast them a new anvil, as the 'curator' type person felt that they shouldn't be beating on a 150 year old anvil. The blacksmith had tried to explain that the old anvil was in no danger of sudden demise, but the curator prevailed, and insisted it be cast from the same chemical content. Since it wouldn't fit in our spectrometer, I told them to drill a hole with a new 3/8" drill in the bottom and bring me the (chips) swarf, which I would have our lab perform a wet analysis from.
The new anvil was delivered a few weeks later, and not a week passed before the curator called to complain the the new anvil didn't 'ring' quite like the old one. I told him to beat on it for a few years and get back to me.

[allen newell]

Edgar, you have a wonderful wry sense of humor. Most appreciated. Merry Christmas

[charlie cleveland]

a good storey and laugh....charlie

[Dennis E. Jones]

Parker vises like their shotguns are not all that common here in Central Oregon. I own the only Parker vise I've ever seen, it's marked (974). It looked nearly new when I got it. I had to pay up for it, a whopping $40.00. I bought it about five years ago from a friend who found it at a yard sale.

[edgarspencer]

Dennis, you got one of their most versatile vises ( and stole it too). The 93X and 94X are the best of the swivel bases general purpose vises they made.
The 97X series were made in 3, 3 1/2, 4, & 5”.

[William Davis]

Edgar I have 9 mounted vises in my shop another on a pedestal outside. Depending on how you count another half dozen or so specialty vises either clamped in one of the bench vises or clamped with large bar clamps directly to a bench for special jobs.

And not a single Parker Vise, guess I need to start watching Eabay, will use your guide to the 97 series while looking

William

[Bill Murphy]

I thought about selling off some vises until I saw this video. Instead of selling, I think I'll go shopping. I have dug for some footers for a new building in preparation. I don't think it will be big enough.

[edgarspencer]

William, don’t pass up a sound Athol vise as they are very high quality. So are Reed, Prentice, and Reed & Prentice.
I’ve been looking for a Versa Vise, but the sellers of any I see believe to be solid gold.

[Robin Lewis]

Edgar, how many vices do you have? :rolleyes:

[Rick Losey]

I’ve been looking for a Versa Vise, but the sellers of any I see believe to be solid gold.

i know its just a China knockoff - but I have a couple of the Parrot versions - one has the gunmaker's modification so the back jaw swivels - they have held up well for me.

http://parkerguns.org/forums/picture.php?albumid=588&pictureid=11410

[Rick Losey]

hmm -- just did a search for the heck of it and found this

http://www.willburtversavise.com/

[edgarspencer]

Edgar, how many vices do you have? :rolleyes:

I only have eyes for my wife, and I gave up the pipe 6 years ago. So, if you don’t call excessive whisky consumption, swearing, playing the bagpipes poorly, and coveting Purtill’s 28ga. DHE, none that I can think of.

[edgarspencer]

hmm -- just did a search for the heck of it and found this

http://www.willburtversavise.com/

Thank you, Rick. I will print that and leave it conspicuously on my wife’s pillow.

[William Davis]

Edgar good tips on the other brands. I have a original Versa Vise in Top condition. Mounted to a T shaped oak base out of 3 inch stock. Use it clamped into a big Blacksmiths Leg vise on my “mechanics” bench. Don’t use it for heavy work very well suited for detail cutting and filing.

If I bought the right Parker Vise would replace the bench mounted Leg Vise and move the Leg outside. Nice Parker or it’s equal that swivels would do most of what the two do now & could still mount the Versa when needed.

William

[Mike Hunter]

I have a soft spot in my heart for old vises, especially Reeds... They were built like tanks. Quality and durability that is no longer appreciated.

I have a 4 inch Parker vise in my collection. Figured any company that can build guns and vises can't be bad :)

[Bill Holcombe]

Here is a big ole pipe vise my neighbor has. His father got it from the railroad.

[Craig Budgeon]

For members looking for high quality American made vises, attend the farm shows in the rural areas near you. I counted 6 Parker vises at the Canandaigua farm show several years ago.