What is this "vise"?
 

This "thing" is in an estate sale near me that starts tomorrow (Thursday; 2/5/26). I'm wondering if I should go try to buy it. I've never seen anything like it.

This is posted in the 32-53 section. I'll be putting it in the Model A section also, as I have the Model A in my avatar and a '48 F-1 panel truck.

Re: What is this "vise"?
 

Even if you have not a clue as to what this contraption does, why would you not buy it? It is a wonderful piece of intriguing history,

Re: What is this "vise"?
 

Buy it!! What is written on it?

Re: What is this "vise"?
 

Re: What is this "vise"?
 

Very clever, yes, buy it. Get there early. There are serious vise collectors out there with multiple rows of different brands, sizes and configirations bolted down to long workbenches. I was gonna make a remark like "Im not sure why", but then I look back on my phases of collecting things and keep my mouth shut. I'm thinking that's a very rare vise. Let us know if you get it. Thanks!

Re: What is this "vise"?
 

Buy it!

It will be a great conversation piece once it takes up residence at your place. Even better if you learn what it is and can keep your friends guessing.

Re: What is this "vise"?
 

I think that wolfhawk73, over on the Garage Journal nailed it:

Stowell Combination Vise

Thank you all for looking, considering, and responding. I'll let you know if I get it.

Re: What is this "vise"?
 

So, it originally sold for $6. Offer them 5.

Re: What is this "vise"?
 

...uh; right...

(I get it)

Re: What is this "vise"?
 

Well, heck if you get that you can get rid of your drill press! make more room in the shop!

Re: What is this "vise"?
 

I agree, I'd want that.

Re: What is this "vise"?
 

I agree with everybody……I would try to not let that get away…….Mark

Re: What is this "vise"?
 

looks similar to the fourth one down

Re: What is this "vise"?
 

It is a multi jaw vice. You simply lift out the jaws and slip in the ones you need. I can see the standard flat face and pipe jaw sets. The crank on the mushroom does have wondering though. Tim

Re: What is this "vise"?
 

Re: What is this "vise"?
 

As a collectable, it is certainly unique and desirable.
As for usefulness, seriously compromised.
Rule of thumb for any tool is: "Do one thing and do it well".

Re: What is this "vise"?
 

I got it!

I paid twice what I wanted to but half of what I figured it would be priced at.

I bought it strictly as a conversation/display piece. It will NEVER get used in my shop or house. Some pieces ae missing and yes, one piece s broken. Doesn't affect my purpose or desire one iota. Watch the video in response 7 and you'll see a lot more information.

Now I'm torn between leaving it alone "as-is" or welding the one piece, sandblasting the whole shebang, and painting it. Any thoughts?

More pix:

Re: What is this "vise"?
 

Note: as it's only a display piece and I'll never try to sell it as an antique I don't think it will bother me to ruin the patina by cleaning/welding/painting. If I do that I'll have to fabricate a wooden handle for the drill press as it's obviously missing.

None-the-less; I'm still interested in your opinions.

Re: What is this "vise"?
 

As a tool guy myself, I'd think a simple wire-brushed oiled rag finish would be more appropriate than paint, and certainly easier prep work. A neatly done weld can show it's had a useful life with a competent owner. you might do a test weld on the bottom to prove weldability. You don't want a funky looking weld to start.

Re: What is this "vise"?
 

Alan,

I agree 100% with what you say. My quandary arrives when I start thinking about what to do with the broken piece. If I really do chamfer the pieces and weld/grind it, I don't know if I'd be happy with that look. Thus, the consideration of paint. I've been thinking about leaving the "outside" of the broken pieces alone and grinding out the "interior" of the break. Think Dremel tool or die grinder or similar. Then JB Welding it back together in order to preserve the existing "exterior" look. If JB will hold it together that might be the way I go. Remember that I'll never actually use this thing or put any stress on that broken piece whatsoever. It's strictly a conversation/display piece for me.

In the video it mentions that these were made of "gray iron." I had never heard that term so I called the best welder that I know (certified for nuclear plant welding) and asked Steve. He wasn't sure but thought that this just another way of saying cast iron. Google says "gray iron" is just one specific variation of cast iron. Specifically it says it "is a type of cast iron that has a graphitic microstructure." That being the case a good welder (not me but Steve, for instance) could weld it back together and be structurally sound. If I do that what would you suggest I do with the exterior? Grind it and leave it? "Age" it with vinegar or acid? Other? (assuming that I decide against paint)

I've seriously considered clamping the two pieces together and drilling up through the narrow end. If I did that I could tap the larger piece with threads. Cut the head off of a bolt and thread it into the larger piece. Slide the small piece over the bolt which would be cut off so that it doesn't reach the end of the hole in the small piece. Then weld the bolt to the small piece inside the hole. When the piece is mounted on the main body the small end of that piece would be down and no one would ever see it. This wouldn't actually be structural but would "do" for what I want.

Anyone got other ideas.

Re: What is this "vise"?
 

My thought.............I look at all the KR Wilson tools out there. Most have been repainted red.

But, it is yours and whether you display it in a place for all to see, or on a back shelf -- that could also determine how you should finish it.

Re: What is this "vise"?
 

Atch, for display only, your idea of JB Weld can produce excellent results. Choose the particular product with care about color for any left visible. Ensure that no burrs prevent a tight fit, groove out two narrow internal trenches on the opposing pieces and lay in JB in conservative beads to allow a full tight fit, each to have small exit ports to the surface to expel excess Epoxy. You’ll know you got it right when you see the expelled product squeeze out from each port.
As for paint if you go that route, consider Rustmort, a one step brush-on that chemically converts rust to iron oxide, while appearing as the color of Red Lead, a perfect choice. Importantly for any paint choice, leave the business end working surfaces totally free of paint.

Re: What is this "vise"?
 

If you drill and tap the parts for yor special bolts, Then grind out your recesses for epoxy, you might get the best of both worlds. Belt AND suspenders.... Then hit the repair with a cheap Harbor freight needle scaler. Should you opt to weld and grind it flush, the needle scaler makes a very convincing 'sand cast' appearance upon the weld. Then buff lightly and oil it.

Re: What is this "vise"?
 

I was wondering about needle scaling. I don't have one and never used one but I imagine that one or more of my friends have one I can borrow.

I probably wouldn't have thought of the "belt and suspenders" approach.

I also hadn't thought about grooves for the JB. I was thinking about hollowing out both pieces slightly first. Thanks for the tip about leaving a place for the excess epoxy to escape.

Re: What is this "vise"?
 

I also liked the grooves for the JB. Kinda like a keyway and far more gluing surface. And the escape hole was an excellent addition. In my 20's I did some side work with pattern making for a small bronze foundry. There I was introduced to sprues and risers. Of course the JB needs an escape path. I like threads like this I love to learn, improvise and innovate. I wonder if anyone has ever threaded in a zerk on a big repair and loaded up a cheap grease gun with JB and pumped away? And don't forget the escape hole! ( Is that the sprue or the riser? been about 50 yrs) :)

Re: What is this "vise"?
 

Gary, You'd have to consider the escape holes to be risers, their dual functions being to ensure there are no voids, and no captive product expansion separating the two halves. I've never worked in a foundry, but have been fortunate to have toured foundries and seen the processes from pattern making through sand and investment castings. It's the same basic tech for everything from jewelry to engine blocks. I would have loved to have been an apprentice under Henry ford's Cast Iron Charlie!
Your idea of pumping through a zerk is useful here, and can be done easily not with a zerk, but simply to use a disposable syringe butted up against one of the holes, which would then function as a sprue.

Re: What is this "vise"?
 

Pleased that it will survive, in what ever presentation you select. I digress .... This reminds me of my German- born immigrant grandfather who worked in NY and NYS foundaries 1905 to 1945 and started his own brass foundary in the 1930's. Before "OHSA" the "oven" was often open to the main work area. Fumes penetrated everywhere. He died of lung cancer at age 65.