Italian engraving vise

[sam]

I bought this vise in Italy in 1984. It was rusted tight after my workshop flooded many years ago, but I got it restored to working condition. I don't see many of these vises...in fact I don't recall ever seeing one in America. I wonder if the Italians still use them?

 

[tundratrekers@mtaonline.n]

Thats the same one Joseph used.
I believe his is in the museum in wyoming.
michael

 

[Phil Coggan]

The Italians still use them Sam, I also bought one exactly the same from a guy at Giovanelli's in 1984....still have it! I think I paid 6,00000,0000000,000 Lira for mine :biggrin:

Phil

 

[sam]

The Italians still use them Sam, I also bought one exactly the same from a guy at Giovanelli's in 1984....still have it! I think I paid 6,00000,0000000,000 Lira for mine :biggrin:

Phil

Phil: I bought mine directly from the factory. It was a Sunday and it was closed, but either Fracassi or my interpreter knew who to call so the guy met me there and sold me the vise. Mine was also 6-trillion lira or a couple hundred $USD
The brand name is Cuter.

 

[Christian DeCamillis]

I bought one in 2000 and brought it back. A few years back we stopped at the supply store there in the valley they still have them. Along with hammers graver blanks and lots of gun parts. Their not cheap anymore. I think they are around 500 USD. I don't recall what I paid for mine but it was millions of lira.

Chris

 

[Southern Custom]

I would imagine these are of the lock down and cut variety for standing, or hammer and chisel work? Lacking smooth bearing surfaces? Nice to have around the shop for sure. I've been meaning to set up a bench for cutting muzzle loading barrels and something similar would fill the bill.
Thanks,
Layne

 

[Roger Bleile]

This Wilton vise from Enco has self centering jaws like the Italian vise but the throat depth is too shallow for some gun parts.
http://www.use-enco.com/CGI/INSRIT?PMAKA=890-8814&PMPXNO=3463220&PARTPG=INSRHI

 

[Ron Spokovich]

I've seen these in the older books I have. Looks as if rebuilding these would be straightforward when the time comes, as there wouldn't be a problem in making a new screw, and bronze nuts for the vice part. The guide rods, and fitting up bushings, would be easier. Also, the pivot wouldn't be a problem. Looks as if the designer thought this one out, and saw ahead. A lot of vices are products designed for the landfill, not longevity, but this one looks like a decent one.

 

[monk]

thanks for showing that, roger. from the looks of it, i dont think it would take too much in the way of modification to allow doing deeper parts. one could simply remove the original jaw plates, and replace with larger jaws of oak or whatever.

sam: that's a beauty of a vise. how much does it weigh-- have any idea ?

 

[silverchip]

I would love to have one of these to put on my 65lb. bowling ball vice.

 

[leo]

I have seen them In a lot of the engravers travel picture mister hand showed us a lot of pics in Italy and you could see them in the background my question for Sam and the people that have them do you need to order it directly from a friend in Italy and send them the money or are there distributors that distribute in the USA and if there is cans you please tell us thank you I been looking for one to make a hammer and chisel bench

 

[mrthe]

Thank you for the Pic Sam, i'm just in Italy now i will look for one.

 

[Mike Fennell]

Phil, I think you left out a couple zeros, but I can't be certain. I lost count.

 

[Mike Fennell]

Roger, I drilled the top of my machinist vise to accept the GRS jaw extensions and those Gregg made so I could use it for hammer and chisel work.

I also believe that Chris Decamillis considered importing the Italian vises at one time. I wonder if there is sufficient demand to make that worth doing.

 

[SamW]

Here is a Ray Viramontez vice from the late '70s if I remember right. I added a cheap Harbor Ft. X-Y base and automotive wheel bearings for the rotation. Never been in a flood but has withstood my use and abuse for some 35+ years.

 

[Phil Coggan]

Phil, I think you left out a couple zeros, but I can't be certain. I lost count.

Whoops! 000000000 :biggrin:

 

[dimovengraving]

Good symmetrical construction

 

[Gonza]

samlease tell me what is the width of the jaws and what is the vice weight. And please you can put picture swivel base. Is there a bearing?
Thank you

 

[LVVP]

Very comfortable to work with Italian vice, distance from base to jaws is very suitable for holding guns' parts. Just my opinion, thanks

 

[JOEYS CARVED ART]

Nice sturdy vise, I have watched a few videos of some gun engravers that use the hammer and chisel method and all three engravers were using this type of vise. NICE!!