My new antique engraving vise

[Dale Hatfield]

EVO is fine they are using it on High dollar gun rigs. Saddles and Tack. Its easy to find. Wipe on and buff. Both are natural products that are rendered to the level that we buy at. I agree NFO has been the go to for the tack and saddle trade for many years. Do some research and make your own choice.
Beside is it Veg tanned oil or Chrome salts? I cant see from the pic.

 

[K Frei]

I Have a Vise very similar to that. i might get a picture and see if anyone can identify it... that's cool.

 

[golden forge]

Sam, here are some pictures of the vice that I mentioned earlier. It was given to me by one of my brothers as a gift, after they found it at a yard sale. I have not found any makers marks on it, and the base that came with it is the block of wood with a steel ring set into it, and a leather wear ring inside of the steel.
I put my old Victor next to it for size comparison. Does anyone have any ideas as to how old it may be, or if it is the same maker as Sam's?

 

[a.khaksari]

Nice vise! Both of them

 

[golden forge]

Thanks,
I feel a bit lucky to have them, the one was a gift and I paid $50.00 for the Victor.

 

[Gordon]

I have a few old vises and thisone is a bit similar to the above. I bought it about 25 years ago and it was in this condition when I bought it. It turns smooth as silk with no slop, however, the plating is coming off in sheets and shards, it also has surface rust. I would really like to recondition it as it's actually a nice vise to use for smaller items. I welcome any suggestions for restoring it to better cosmetic condition.

 

[DKanger]

I welcome any suggestions for restoring it to better cosmetic condition.

Gordon,
Go to your local auto parts store and buy a gallon of EvapoRust. Soak the parts in it and it will remove every last speck of rust. It only attacks rust and not metal. It's re-useable until depleted, non-toxic, water soluble, and you just pour it out when it's used up.

 

[mdengraver]

It may not be apparent in the photo, but the knurled part is brass. The old leather base is in fairly good shape but is pretty dry. I might apply some mink oil to it.

Sam have you tried to engrave with it yet?

 

[Archie Woodworth]

Here are more shots. The underside of the top part is concave, so only its outside edge contacts the bottom half. I see no bushing or bearing, but there's a single screw on the bottom of the ball. Not sure what that does...I'll have a closer look later.
The old thing is silky smooth and has obviously seen a lot of use at the bench.

I'll give olive a try for the leather ring.

View attachment 24328 View attachment 24329 View attachment 24330

Way Cool vise...
Any chance the stem pivoted on the screw (or a ball that was adjusted by the screw) in the bottom of the ball?

 

[JJ Roberts]

I collect the hand push engraver handles made for Ezra Bowman school in Lancaster Pa. J.J.

 

[KenB]

Found these adjustable gravers in a box of tools I bought from an old stationary engraver’s widow.

 

[edgrabow15]

I have a similar one here except its made by Steinman Jenks & Steinman. 1889 Patten # on it, It pulls apart just like yours and the little lever locks the rotation the key is usually off, it also has a built in catch tray as you can see. It was my 1st vise I bought it on E bay. The base is wood.It's for sale if anyone's interested, PM me.

 

[Dave London]

Gordon
Any nickel plating shop can strip and re finish, Mahovskysmetalife is one I have used and excellent work another is armaloy. MTC

 

[edgrabow15]

I have a few old vises and thisone is a bit similar to the above. I bought it about 25 years ago and it was in this condition when I bought it. It turns smooth as silk with no slop, however, the plating is coming off in sheets and shards, it also has surface rust. I would really like to recondition it as it's actuale the same ly a nice vise to use for smaller items. I welcome any suggestions for restoring it to better cosmetic condition.

Where do you live Gordon. I plate. Besides gold silver nickle and the usual stuff. I'd have fun redoing it. I have the same vise as that. Maybe I'll replace mine 1st and see if you like it. Yours is made by Steinman Jenks and Steinman by the way.

 

[Gordon]

Gordon
Any nickel plating shop can strip and re finish, Mahovskysmetalife is one I have used and excellent work another is armaloy. MTC

Thanks so much, Dave. On my bench I have several old blocks including an old Victor that's in much better cometic shape than the one I previously posted a photo of. (They both work fine.) I'd love to see the Victor electro-stripped, (as opposed to being buffed as I would hate to loose the machine turning marks on it). A nice, new, coating of nickel would be a beautiful thing. p.s... The 2X2" practice plate that's shown the was not cut "unsupported", I simply added it to show size/scale...before anyone "lands" on me, I mount my practice plates on hard steel blocks with cyanoacrylate gluebefore I cut.

 

[Gordon]

Thanks so much, Dave. On my bench I have several old blocks including an old Victor that's in much better cometic shape than the one I previously posted a photo of. (They both work fine.) I'd love to see the Victor electro-stripped, (as opposed to being buffed as I would hate to loose the machine turning marks on it). A nice, new, coating of nickel would be a beautiful thing. p.s... The 2X2" practice plate that's shown the was not cut "unsupported", I simply added it to show size/scale...before anyone "lands" on me, I mount my practice plates on hard steel blocks with cyanoacrylate gluebefore I cut.

 

[Gordon]

Where do you live Gordon. I plate. Besides gold silver nickle and the usual stuff. I'd have fun redoing it. I have the same vise as that. Maybe I'll replace mine 1st and see if you like it. Yours is made by Steinman Jenks and Steinman by the way.

Hi Ed, I'm in woodbury, Connecticut. I get over to Long Island every now and then. What do you think it would cost to re-plate the Victor? (A ball-park figure is OK.)

 

[Gordon]

Where do you live Gordon. I plate. Besides gold silver nickle and the usual stuff. I'd have fun redoing it. I have the same vise as that. Maybe I'll replace mine 1st and see if you like it. Yours is made by Steinman Jenks and Steinman by the way.

p.s. If you any info, ... I'd love to know more about Steinman Jenks and Steinman

 

[edgrabow15]

you pay for the shipping and ill do it for free just to see how she'll look ,It's not a big job.If you want to take the Ferry over its a lot faster and we can do it together if you want, couple hours of work,no biggie.

 

[Leland Davis]

I have one like Sam's in his original post from 6 years ago. Archie your right the screw on the bottom has a ball on it. It raises the post to reduce friction. I call it my Monk vise because that's who I bought it from.