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dannysheff
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I'd say most likely a Parkinsons' Handy of an earlyish version, between about 1870 and 1910 - for some reason, they did not usually cast in the name on the Handy series.
There were two versions of this type - one as you show and a patented version with an anvil to the rear, some had a size number (eg, 0, 1 etc) cast in, some not. They were superceded in early C20th with the 'improved' Handy with a single casting for the static side, and fewer bolt holes.
The very earliest small models of your type usually were held together with square head bolts, not hex, but I think the bigger ones always had hex.
The spoiler is that Parkinson complained of blatant copying of his vices as a reason for later patents.
Apart from the paint job, yours looks to be in fine condition for a vice of maybe 140 years solid use, ready for a refurb, and its next century. Looks like the earliest paint might be pale green?
25.4_mechanic
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What's also odd about the rear jaw retaining bolts, besides the hex heads, is that they go through the bottom where the mounting plate is supposed to be:
So either they are too long and not original anyway or there are missing washers - but I have never seen washers in that place.
Otherwise as Danny says: Amazingly good condition for the long time.
Use paint stripper to strip the areas except the old dark green and try to get a green like that back (not for the meatball!) -
- should look really steep!
Good luck
Carsten
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The retaining bolts, screw into the base plate which has threaded holes, the hex look cast, will show photo tomorrow
the paint black over pale grey primer, the primer was very thick or was it the original colour?
the only mark I found was a “0” stamped on the inside of the base plate by a “letter punch”
thick crud revealed black over grey
Degreased shows what I think was original black paint in the recessed areas
All degreased and even the jaw screws came out easily although they will need retapping
i Will try and find photos of original examples for paint schemes or I might even just bees wax the exterior
the paint black over pale grey primer, the primer was very thick or was it the original colour?
the only mark I found was a “0” stamped on the inside of the base plate by a “letter punch”
thick crud revealed black over grey
Degreased shows what I think was original black paint in the recessed areas
All degreased and even the jaw screws came out easily although they will need retapping
i Will try and find photos of original examples for paint schemes or I might even just bees wax the exterior
MattF
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there was a shim under one of the feet of the top rear jaw that didnt cast as well as the others and was not milled
bolt heads s look cast to me
the only marking a "0" or a "o"
do i repair the hacksaw marks with weld or leave as is??
25.4_mechanic
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Good question!
I can't wait to read what the others say as I've the same decision to make right now - I'm thinking of TIG with a de-mantled electrode for cast as material to add, but I'm the hell not sure ...
The irregularities I have to take care of are a bit bigger in area then yours btw.
Carsten
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25.4_mechanic
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Matt,on smaller individual scars, I'm inclined to agree with you to leave them as they are as a sign of real work and life.
One knows anyway that I'm more of a proponent of doing little and with @ranger08 's example above, you could actually keep it that way, those are "nice" scars.
In the rare cases in which I want to make a vise really nice, as with the Leinen-new-acquisition and there are two really ugly remnants of grinder work, then I look for other options.
Almost everything else I am willing to leave, but that must go.
There are restorers I also watch like "my mechanics" who deliver really great, almost perfect restorations and I find most of them great - but in these places they would work with putty, which I don't want in any case!
Whatever I make nice again should work and never becomes an exhibit, so putty is out of the question - a small hammer blow would be enough ....
So how do I fill this damage solid again?
Thanks!
Carsten
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Arc Tourist
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I had several small defects on a vice face. Just tiny pockets that didn't fill out in the casting process. I resolved the issue by hammering in bits of lead, then filing and sanding smooth. It worked a treat, and although I painted the vice afterward, I would think that if unpainted, the lead filler would soon oxidise and blend in with the colour of the bare metal.
on smaller individual scars, I'm inclined to agree with you to leave them as they are as a sign of real work and life.
One knows anyway that I'm more of a proponent of doing little and with @ranger08 's example above, you could actually keep it that way, those are "nice" scars.
In the rare cases in which I want to make a vise really nice, as with the Leinen-new-acquisition and there are two really ugly remnants of grinder work, then I look for other options.
View attachment 337768
Almost everything else I am willing to leave, but that must go.
There are restorers I also watch like "my mechanics" who deliver really great, almost perfect restorations and I find most of them great - but in these places they would work with putty, which I don't want in any case!
Whatever I make nice again should work and never becomes an exhibit, so putty is out of the question - a small hammer blow would be enough ....
So how do I fill this damage solid again?
Thanks!
Carsten
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i would stick weld those and grind back flat, its a great vice that needs to function and take the hits. those wounds are too big and are in a sensitive area so "no" to putty
on smaller individual scars, I'm inclined to agree with you to leave them as they are as a sign of real work and life.
One knows anyway that I'm more of a proponent of doing little and with @ranger08 's example above, you could actually keep it that way, those are "nice" scars.
In the rare cases in which I want to make a vise really nice, as with the Leinen-new-acquisition and there are two really ugly remnants of grinder work, then I look for other options.
View attachment 337768
Almost everything else I am willing to leave, but that must go.
There are restorers I also watch like "my mechanics" who deliver really great, almost perfect restorations and I find most of them great - but in these places they would work with putty, which I don't want in any case!
Whatever I make nice again should work and never becomes an exhibit, so putty is out of the question - a small hammer blow would be enough ....
So how do I fill this damage solid again?
Thanks!
Carsten
--
i dont like painting older vices i think they should be left in a bare metal finish if possible so i may clean up some of the bigger scares with weld,
Arc T i will try lead as have a lot of it, not sure how it would stay in place however i like trying new things, ive seen car restoration shows that use lead on the body work, i might try applying melted lead?
Arc Tourist
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If you were to use a small burr to undercut a defect on an angle, hammering the lead into the void would key it in to prevent falling out. Little undercut keys are are a method of how engravers apply raised gold adornments on firearms and such.
Dieselman 63
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An old guy I know finished all the metalwork projects at school and they said you can do whatever you like as long as it’s metalwork, so he designed a dividing head for his Myford, did the drawings and made a pattern to be cast. The school ok’d it and he still has it, really cool. This would have been 40-50 years ago though, but that vice looks of that age
SteveB58
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There's a currently a couple of these 'restored' beauties on a well known auction site.I also see very, very many vices and sometimes I get nauseous, what some advertises as refurbished, restored or in good condition ....
I have created a directory with the name cabinet of horrors, from which I will occasionally show something.
Would you like a sample?
Sensitive natures may please wear eye protection:
View attachment 337491View attachment 337492View attachment 337493View attachment 337494View attachment 337495
Only my good upbringing and the concern about my rating status on the ad portal let me refrain from writing one or the other line to these "restaurateurs" about their defilements ....
Have a good start into a nice week,
Carsten
25.4_mechanic
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Then I guess it's about time that I offer one of the cream pieces from my creepy cabinet again.The vice that is underneath has once started as a "Climax" and the degree of "refurbishment" is also in a class of its own.
Attention:
And this one also seems to be a replica of the famous Eikar patent by Breitenfeld & Scholz from 1920 and with about 150mm no small vice either .... once perhaps a proud piece of mechanics.
What I can't get my head around is that the guy obviously has enough sense and technical background to show many pictures and some important measurements, but on the other hand is not too shy to offer such a "work of art" in all seriousness.
Have a nice day all
Carsten
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SteveB58
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If you look on YouTube you can even see some of these creative geniuses at work sharing their skills with the world. Fortunately, these artists don't limit their talents to vices, but armed with a can of WD40, a rotary wire brush, a 50mm paint brush and a tin of thick gloss they can restore almost anything.
The vice that is underneath has once started as a "Climax" and the degree of "refurbishment" is also in a class of its own.
Attention:
View attachment 337807
View attachment 337808
And this one also seems to be a replica of the famous Eikar patent by Breitenfeld & Scholz from 1920 and with about 150mm no small vice either .... once perhaps a proud piece of mechanics.
View attachment 337809
What I can't get my head around is that the guy obviously has enough sense and technical background to show many pictures and some important measurements, but on the other hand is not too shy to offer such a "work of art" in all seriousness.
Have a nice day all
Carsten
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the same seller also had this beauty
"The vice has been rust removed, oiled and painted" I thought my offer of £10 was generous but it was ignored.
25.4_mechanic
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has this one even a crack?
"How many times do I have to tell you: Apply the paint thicker!!!" 
btw: Did you even sufficiently appreciate the unique brush stroke of the master at the Climax? I also discovered such a yt-artist once and asked myself desperately why I could still want to show such frightening botches of mine to the world ....
Carsten
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SteveB58
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Never underestimate the lack of conceit of some people. or the height of the bar in others. No matter how bad someone will always post, 'Great restro mate.'has this one even a crack?
View attachment 337830
I also discovered such a yt-artist once and asked myself desperately why I could still want to show such frightening botches of mine to the world ....
Carsten
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The top one has a you tube channel, he’s a tool collector I watch it sometimes it’s a bit of a hoot, he loves his colour pens to highlight lettering, well at least it’s just one of records cheapies
this letter highlighting goes back to meine mechanics, he has a lot to answer for!
however I can’t be such a hypocrite I refer to my post #6209 and my embellishment of my 74’s
