Parkinson ball base vice

[GraemeVW]

We're they always red originally do you think?

 

[CwazyWabbit]

The dark blue one was 'restored' by an idiot. It needs major work to bring it back to anything resembling decent condition.
The jaws on that are just mild steel, they have ground away a lot of the top surface of the vice as well as changing it so the screws holding them on now come from the outside and are threaded into the jaw plates. The holes they have drilled for the screws are way oversize and leave hardly any cast iron between the edge of the hole and the top of the vice.
They also chose to remove the spring from the main screw and replace it with a bronze bush, this wouldn't be too bad except it looks like it was done by a kid with no measuring tools......

Needless to say I wouldn't take too much 'inspiration' from the blue one, it needs some serious time with the grinder, welder, and lathe to make it useful once more.

The vice second row on the left has aluminium jaws, the other three have original jaws.

 

[CwazyWabbit]

We're they always red originally do you think?

I think so, the two that haven't been repainted were definitely red.

 

[GraemeVW]

The dark blue one was 'restored' by an idiot. It needs major work to bring it back to anything resembling decent condition.
The jaws on that are just mild steel, they have ground away a lot of the top surface of the vice as well as changing it so the screws holding them on now come from the outside and are threaded into the jaw plates. The holes they have drilled for the screws are way oversize and leave hardly any cast iron between the edge of the hole and the top of the vice.
They also chose to remove the spring from the main screw and replace it with a bronze bush, this wouldn't be too bad except it looks like it was done by a kid with no measuring tools......

Needless to say I wouldn't take too much 'inspiration' from the blue one, it needs some serious time with the grinder, welder, and lathe to make it useful once more.

The vice second row on the left has aluminium jaws, the other three have original jaws.

Wow!
I guess the previous owner did what they had to, within their skill level, to keep it working.

 

[GraemeVW]

I think so, the two that haven't been repainted were definitely red.

I'm buying some paint today, so I'll stick with tradition I guess then.

 

[CwazyWabbit]

I've had a look and I can see the Ball Base Vise in the B&H catalogues from 1930 through to 1964 and in all the adverts they use the same picture that just says 'Ball Base Vise' on the side.

Even the Parkinsons catalogue that we've got hold of only shows 'Ball Base Vise'

Adverts from 1951 and 1961 again show 'Ball Base Vise'

However! An advert from 1956 shows 'Size A Ball Base Vise' on it.


I have never seen any other size whether it be a photograph, an advert, or even just written text. Has anyone else?
Also IIRC there is a fourth design of locking lever, the two bar through hole types with slightly differing ends, the pivoting round bar type shown in one of my earlier pictures (and the adverts up till 1951), and finally a flat bar version of the pivoting type (unless I'm having a false memory now)

 

[GraemeVW]

I had wondered about the size thing. I guess they had notions of making other sizes, but didn't bother.

Your early one with the lever style is nice!

 

[CwazyWabbit]

Based off the patent number it looks like these started in 1919 (application date for patent)

Interestingly the original design seems to have used a tapered pin instead of the cam that was used in the production versions, and also a pin to lock it in the upright position. https://worldwide.espacenet.com/patent/search/family/010241199/publication/GB155084A?q=pn=GB155084A

 

[GraemeVW]

That tapered pin would have jammed up regularly I think!

 

[CwazyWabbit]

There seems to be a ridge on the screw so it looks like it could push the jammed pin back again, he does make mention in the patent that a cam could also be used.

 

[GraemeVW]

Need to clean up the tape residue, remove the dents from the handles and polish them, and probably pick the letters out (white or silver?)
But it's looking ace!
Wasn't sure what shade red to pick, but think this looks just right.

Happy with the jaw repair, have to keep reminding myself which side was broken!

Jaws are proving to be a struggle.
Only bar stock I can find in even remotely the right size is aluminium in 5/8 x 3/8.
Might have to use standard countersunk screws too, and hex head at that!

 

[CwazyWabbit]

Dead impressed with the repair

 

[MattF]

Nice work. That repair is excellent.

 

[GraemeVW]

Thanks folks

Half the reason i bought it was to see if I could repair it.

I'm thinking white for the lettering.

 

[Arc Tourist]

A metal marker pen works well. I used gold for a couple of refurbishment. A bit difficult to see in the second photo, but it seems to work well with red.

 

[GraemeVW]

A metal marker pen works well. I used gold for a couple of refurbishment. A bit difficult to see in the second photo, but it seems to work well with red.

View attachment 390080 View attachment 390081

Looks great!

Using what I have, sat in the living room using the light from the fish tank.
Tiny brush and some tamiya white lacquer paint

 

[RichardM]

Jaws are proving to be a struggle.
Only bar stock I can find in even remotely the right size is aluminium in 5/8 x 3/8.
Might have to use standard countersunk screws too, and hex head at that!

What size aluminium do you need?

 

[GraemeVW]

What size aluminium do you need?

8mm x 15mm.

If it comes to it, I'll buy bigger and set too with a file, but machined bar at the right size would be alot neater!

 

[RichardM]

How long, 4"?

 

[GraemeVW]

How long, 4"?

Yep, x2

Cwazywabbit measure them at 100mm long, but my vice is deffinately 4".