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Thread: Mystery vice

  1. #1
    Join Date
    May 2012
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    Oakleigh, Victoria
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    55

    Default Mystery vice

    I got offered what seems to be a mill vice.

    Only trouble is it's enormous. I don't think my bed would take the weight.

    I declined the offer so it's still looking for a home if anyone is interested I can put you in touch with the owner.

    It probably weighs over 60kg, two strong men struggle to lift this thing.

    I'm kind of curious as to what it is. Perhaps someone here might have an idea.

    I'm wondering if it might have come off a big shaper rather than a mill.

    There's a rotating base plate and the moving jaw is a design I've not seen before.

    There's no makers marks that I was able to find, only the chevrons near the fixed jaw.

    Here' it is. If nothing else it's a curious thing to behold.
































  2. #2
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    May 2011
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    Murray Bridge S Aust.
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    Default

    That certainly is some vise, it's bigger than my mini mill.

  3. #3
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    Sep 2012
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    York, North Yorkshire UK
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    Default

    That is some hunk of iron. Ten inch jaws, I'll bet its come off a shaper.
    Best Regards:
    Baron J.

  4. #4
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    Default

    I would have to say shaper but it could have come off the mother of all power hacksaws.
    Nah, I still reckon shaper (maybe).
    That's my non committal answer

    Phil

  5. #5
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    Either way it ain't going to let go of whatever you put in them there jaws very easily.
    Best Regards:
    Baron J.

  6. #6
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    Norwood-ish, Adelaide
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    I'm voting shaper too - Shaper vices seem to have 4 holes for securing them but mill vices usually only have the two. Was it Karl who bought a wackin' great shaper recently?

    Michael

  7. #7
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    Default

    Possibly a drill vice.

  8. #8
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    Nov 2008
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    Perth WA
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    The vice has "retiring jaw plates" and the Parkinson XL non swivel version shown in the McPhersons' catalogues I have, was for use on planers, shapers, mills and drills. Here are some photos from Buck and Ryan's 1964 and McPherson's 1966 catalogues.

    Bob.
    Attached Images Attached Images

  9. #9
    Join Date
    Oct 2004
    Location
    Southern Highlands NSW
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    Default

    Shaper vices are often made so that the screw pulls the jaws together, rather than the more usual push.
    I don't know why that's so, maybe more secure for when the thrust is against the movable jaw?
    But, this big beauty should be beefy enough to cope with most duties!

    Here's an Atlas shaper vice:
    http://www.practicalmachinist.com/vb...haper-vise.jpg

    Jordan

  10. #10
    Join Date
    Dec 2007
    Location
    Melbourne
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    Default

    I LOVE that!! It's fantastic!!!!! I'd put it in my shop any day.

    I would also say shaper due to the good condition, no mice have been making swiss cheese out of it!
    …..Live a Quiet Life & Work with your Hands

  11. #11
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    Jun 2008
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    Victoria, Australia
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    I had one almost identical, it was from an Australian made Shaper.. AUS?? something, my memory is fading fast. (EDIT: it was an AUSTOLITE) I sold it to a fellow forum member (Shedhappens) who has the same brand of shaper.



    Originally I got it from Peter Hart, and in between times, I managed to find another shaper vise for the Varnamo, and sold this one.

    Heavy sucker...

    Ray
    Attached Images Attached Images

  12. #12
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    Jun 2008
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    Here's another view of that vise.. alongside the one I ended up keeping for the Varnamo, with a standard metrology reference in the center foreground.



    Here is a picture of the vise mounted.


    Picture from lathes.co.uk the Austolite shaper was made in Melbourne during WW2

    Ray

  13. #13
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    At least you wouldn't have to worry some mongrel's going to walk off with it . If they did, just go to the hospital and look for someone with a popped hernia or busted back..
    Kryn

  14. #14
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    Tennant Creek, Aust
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    Quote Originally Posted by KBs PensNmore View Post
    At least you wouldn't have to worry some mongrel's going to walk off with it . If they did, just go to the hospital and look for someone with a popped hernia or busted back..
    Kryn


    Ratty 05/2004 -05/07/2010 COOPER 01/08/1998-31/01/2012

  15. #15
    Join Date
    May 2012
    Location
    Oakleigh, Victoria
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    Default

    Thanks for the feedback everyone.

    I'd love to turn this thing into a little resto project, clean it up and paint it but it's just too big.

    I'd have to build a bench just to put it on. I don't thing there's a single surface in my workshop that could support it other than the concrete floor.

    Again, if anyone with superhuman strength want to take on a project it's located out in Beaconsfield and the owner's willing to negotiate.

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