Log In
Register
Home
Topic RSS
12:55 pm
October 21, 2011
Offline
Hello
I already have a post vise of a lighter caliber, (4" jaws/#40 range) and it's worked fine for knives and smaller stuff, but it's been flailed on heavily and repaired in a hasty fashion by it's previous owners. As I'm trying new things and experimenting with slightly heavier stock
I'm beginning to realize it's limitations.
I haven't used a whole lot of post vises, but my gut tells me that something with 5" jaws in the 75 lb range would suit my purposes for quite some time.
I live in Portland, and am willing to travel a bit to pick up the right vise for a fair price.
Give me a shout if you have anything
Thanks,
Iain
2:15 pm
February 25, 2011
Offline
Last time I looked an antique store near here had five post vises, that if memory serves me well, were all over 4". But I don't think that south-central Pennsylvania is within driving distance, and the owner is asking EBay prices for his stuff. He has two small Fisher anvils about 100 to 120 pounds each for $500 each, and a firepot, tuyer and blower combination, with the blower missing its top, sitting outside under the overhang rusting for $179.
Author of book titled, "Civil War Blacksmithing", available on Amazon.com
11:10 pm
April 21, 2010
Offline
Get in touch w/ Larry Langdon. He generally has some bigger ones lying around.
11:34 pm
NWBA Member
July 9, 2010
Offline
NWBA member Bill Apple is also a good resource for all of your Blacksmithing Tool vices.
My son is the Blacksmith
1:35 am
NWBA Member
January 9, 2011
Offline3:30 am
March 22, 2010
Offline
The only ones I have are BIG BIG... I have a 215lb 9" and a 185lb 8" Both are big money as well as big vises
Whatever you are, be a good one.
Abraham Lincoln
3:31 am
March 22, 2010
Offline
That columbian does not look like a bad deal at $175... Thats right close to my digs.. If you want I could go gather that thing up for you and hold it till you where able to come up
Whatever you are, be a good one.
Abraham Lincoln
6:00 pm
October 21, 2011
Offline
Wow....Larry, that's very nice of you, and is very tempting.
To be honest, I was anticipating responses to the effect of "I have the vise you want sitting in the corner of my shop collecting dust, but I'm not sure I want to sell it."
It *looks* like a good vise, and since you've bought and sold so much blacksmith gear, you'd probably be able to talk the guy down a bit.
Hmmmm....My wife won't like it, but I'll probably be giving you a call before too long to discuss the particulars.
1:00 am
NWBA Member
August 8, 2010
Offline
Larry, what size, weight and prices? I am outgrowing my 5 inch-
Dave
Dave
No one really listens to anyone else, and if you try it for a while you'll see why.
- Mignon McLaughlin
4:32 am
March 22, 2010
Offline
Ok Iain..
I picked up that post vise for you tonight... Got it for $100 Its in pretty good shape, screw and box and tight, Its only a 4.5" but its a heavy 4.5"
I hope you like it :cloud9:
Whatever you are, be a good one.
Abraham Lincoln
3:29 pm
October 21, 2011
Offline
Ha ha..that's freakin' awesome!
Having you go over there to check it out is better than me going there myself.
Thanks a bunch!
I'll be calling later on to ask what type of beer to get you 🙂
4:15 am
August 14, 2010
Offline
Nice score, my first (and still main) vise has 4.5 inch jaws. I didn't realize how nice it was until I started seeing vises with bigger jaws and smaller legs. Overall weight and construction are much more telling than mere jaw width.
7:24 pm
October 21, 2011
Offline
Yep.....one of you veteran metal-heads made the comment to the effect of placing emphasis on the weight of the vise as opposed to jaw width.
When I bought it, I was of the opinion that my current vise was up to whatever job I needed it to do. I was working mostly small stuff and it was fine until I tried upsetting the end of a 2" tool steel hammer blank at an orange heat. It kept moving around even after I used all my weight to close the jaws.
It was then that I decided that I needed a better vise.
The post vise I have now will be a major improvement over my current Chinese cast iron $20 bench vise that I use for woodworking and holding my polish and sharpening stones.
3:00 am
NWBA Member
August 7, 2010
Offline
Good Morning,
Upsetting 2" Tool Steel Hammer Blank and post vice, don't seem to go together. Swage Block and Sledge hammers would do that job. Electric Hydraulic Press would be the quietest and the easiest.
I made a special swage/die that replaces my bottom die in the Kuhn power hammer. It makes upsetting Hammer Heads into a cross/straight pein real easy.
As long as we are above our shoes, We know where we are.:happy:
8:32 pm
October 21, 2011
Offline
Ahh....to clarify, I had already upset one end of my hammer blank on the anvil, and clamped the piece in my vise, attempting to flare the sides out and dome/round the face....
and now that I think about it, the stock was closer to 1.25" or 1.50" and the upset end went to around 2" At the time I didn't have any swages, but have since purchased a nice sized swage block.
I was actually more interested in experimenting with techniques I read about so many times but never tried, and using one of my new pairs of tongs. Producing a usable hammer was secondary at the time.
Thanks to everyone for your help. I'm still waiting on Larry to return my phone message 🙂
Most Users Ever Online: 668
Currently Online:
31 Guest(s)
Currently Browsing this Page:
1 Guest(s)
Top Posters:
Larry L: 1566
Grant: 1420
Bruce Macmillan: 625
Lee Cordochorea: 595
Lynn Gledhill: 572
JNewman: 520
Gene C: 504
J Wilson: 426
Eric Sprado: 383
Tom Allyn: 340
Member Stats:
Guest Posters: 22
Members: 8725
Moderators: 4
Admins: 1
Forum Stats:
Groups: 23
Forums: 97
Topics: 3538
Posts: 20289
Newest Members:
churndashmaven, cameliacity, fred.f.chopin, RuoYi, rodeoneerer, NWBABjorn, mddangelo, Nevillberger, Crusty Veteran, redwoodforgeoaklandModerators: Steve McGrew: 77, N.W.B.A.: 72, webmaster: 0, bluehost: 0
Administrators: admin: 540
Usage Policy