This beautiful vise comes out of Meriden, Conn, the "Silver City." One of the Charles Parker factory buildings still stands in functionality in Meriden today, as, you guessed it- apartment lofts. I live about 5 miles away from the building. Great job per usual Scout!!
John, leave it as is as it has become a thing of beauty. I remember visiting my son in law on board HMS Defender and on the flight deck was an area where the helicopters were serviced. A new top of the line Record vice was available for the crew and I almost cried that some clown had put a pipe on the handle of a £750 vice and bent it out of shape. Son in law had a smaller vice in his work area (which looked after everything else apart from the aircraft or engines) and I beamed that it was used but had been greased and looked after. Lovely restoration as always and can you send some of the good weather to us in the UK.
vises, anvils ...to me are works of art ... sculptures that are testaments to the craftsman who abilities are reflected in those processes that create such pieces...e.g. the foundry molds, the molten steel etc...i always like your insights and caveats on care and proper use of these instruments that made America
I have a 974 in great condition sitting in my basement. I wire wheeled it over a year ago and just left it on my bench. I'll probably finish restoring it and put it into service once I sell a couple other vises in my collection. They really are great vises.
Looks great as it is. I have a Parker 955 fixed base I picked up for $40 on Craigslist that I will be restoring at some point. I think I might leave it unpainted as well!
Just realized it would be my Grandmother's 103 Birthday today.........She had a Beat to Hell Shotgun (Busted Stock Wrapped in Electrical Tape & Just an Overall Patina Delight) that I inherited, that was one of my earlier restorations.......I'm still rather proud of the way it turned out.........Funny thing is, she had it as long as I could remember but when I ask her children (Dad, Aunt, Uncle) none of them had a clue where it came from......Winchester Model 37, 12 Gauge Single Shot.
I remember years back I was upstate and a guy was having a yard sale, underneath a big oak tree leaning on the trunk was a shotgun and next to it was a box of shells to go with it... Coming from NYC that was like seeing a UFO! 😂
The weather has been extremely nice! I We were able to see the International Space Station pass overhead the past two nights. That vice looks perfect cleaned up and protected. I'd leave it as is.
Out here in the west, at least for me, it's pretty rare to run into these classic vises like your Parker - so this was really eye candy. I've restored a 5" Wilton Mechanic's bullet vise - beautiful but had to sell it - too big for the workbench (replaced it with a 4" Wilton bullet). I'm with you buddy, vises are my favorite tool to restore. The bigger they get, the more physically demanding they become, but they are such satisfying projects! Nicely done as usual!!
You are a mind reader my friend! I just visited my Dad and he gave me my grandfather's larger vice he used to use. This video is just in time. The tip using the marker ad the file was one I would not have thought of. This one weighs a ton and is a Reed Manufacturing from Erie, PA. I want to get to it soon. Excellent tips and video👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻
Absolutely beautiful, both the vise and how you refurbished it. I would love to have such a beautiful Parker vise. Tool knowledge and proper tool use are reasons why it's always a good day when a Scoutcrafter video loads. Banishing patina was never more justified than for this vise. It's an heirloom quality tool. Big thumbs up from the intermountain west.
Scoutcrafter I love what you did to this Charles Parker 974 vice. I just bought one from my neighbor for $50. It was as rusty as yours, but a little banged up. I am glad you mention that screw in the front and the spring. I thought it was for a grease fitting, but it didn't seem like it originally had on. Thanks again and I think I'm going to keep mine natural also
That is one substantial vice. Imagine the work that has been carried out on it and yet it still is in such great shape. Someone has taken care of it during it's life so far and now it looks brand new again. Great job. 🏴
That would have to be the Rolls Royce of vises. I like it the way it is or maybe a wrinkle finish black. Great work as usual Scout. Cheers Stuart and Lea 🇦🇺
But But the Patina..... I have got one a Parker 434 1/2 in the shed I need to sell, way too heavy for my back to carry. The 1/2 sizes are such a odd ball numbering!
Hey John, Don't know if you remember, but you were kind enough to make a collar bolt for my vintage Parker 973 a couple of years ago. Thanks for introducing me to the classics! Plus, I love the natural look you gave yours, that's the way I left mine. Take care.
Fantastic purchase at $50. That must have been some walk back to the car lugging a 60# vise! How about some glossy black lettering, and leave it at that? Thanks
I had a large REED vise for over 40 years. I always took good care of it and never damaged it in any way. As I got older I didn't use it much any more, so two years ago I sold it for 2-1/2 times what I paid for it and I have had sellers remorse ever since.
Noah- Reed made some really nice big Vises! For 90% of the work I do a small to medium vise is plenty big- With a huge vise you can lose the feel of what you are doing. 😃👍
I am one that likes the look of clean cast iron. I even painted the cast iron cylinders on my 82 Sportster using High Heat cast iron color paint. That spring loaded screw on the vise screw handle is a nice precision detail.
Leave it for sure!! Those “Chas. Parker” vises are amazing! When union purchased them is that when they started marking them just as “Parker Vise” ? I think that’s correct but I’m not sure to be honest. Great tool!!! Amazing resto!!!
And another great vid. You got a smoking hot deal with the vise. Super job. It looks great the way it is in my opinion. Stay safe and enjoy your weather. 👍
Lovely Restoration Crafter👌 That’s a high Quality vice.. here in the U.K. the Vintage Record Brand are amongst the best ones, we don’t get the variety you guys get unfortunately.. keep up the good work! Cheers!
Beautiful work my man! I'm getting ready to do an old Reed vise that's frozen also. I personally like the raw steel, but I know if you did paint it I'd like it that way too. Didn't you do one of these a few years ago where you had to buy a large socket to disassemble the base? Thanks for sharing.
I love that vise it came out really nice. A steal at $50, or the original $60. I knew Parker were good quality vises, but did not know about the unique swivel lock, so thanks for explaining. I learned something. The vise looks terrific as is. Perhaps just some paint on the lettering to make is ScoutCrafter special. Dave.
ScoutCrafter, My I make a recommendation, you need a shield/insulator between the Aluminum shim and cast metal. You will eventually get Galvanic Corrosion from dissimilar metals in contact. If the shim was in an enclosed area with no humidity it will be fine, however it is exposed. It will take a few years but it will eventually start to corrode. Paint will work or a thin piece of plastic 1-2 mils is all you need. I teach corrosion protection to the local body shops, now with more aluminum in vehicles Galvanic Corrosion is an issue. Good work, keep it bare metal...
Phillip- It’s So Funny you mentioned that because The shim was just a few thou too thin so I covered the shim with blue electrical tape on one side and trimmed off the excess... the side facing the vise! 😃👍
Jimmy- Matthew is spot on- The reason I use regular 91% alcohol first is because it’s cheap (or was before Covid) and is a good cleaner. However it does have 9% water so I use the denatured alcohol as a fast wipe to remove anything I might of missed and it evaporates really fast- just like lacquer thinner!!! 😃👍🇺🇸
I like the natural color. It looks good but maybe a little ScoutCrafter Red accent on the lettering or logo. Thanks for sharing this great restoration.
Great job as always I have a folding cart I take to the flea market makes hauling heavy things a lot easier. By the way my wife tells me that I have to many vices too
I have a Chas parker 973 1/2 it was giving to me by my friend's wife and he passed away on 911 at the world trade buildings. Your teaching is amazing step by step thank you for your video it help me a lot. Thank you very much 😊
Fannie's your Aunt!! How about some Gold letters, or this guy I watch uses a lot of Red, I don't know why. Nice clear skies you have. Mine are totally devoid of clouds, and it's only 110, with 4% humidity. Pretty overwhelming. It's funny to be out in a parking lot with people on days when it's ONLY 104 and the conversation is how mild the temp. is. I think you could do a great job if someone brought you the shop vise off the Lusitania, straight from the bottom of the Irish Sea, yesterday.
I have that same vice, got it for free from an old mill that was cleaned out, in Lewiston Maine, it has been used and abused but I mounted it and am adding to the character every time I use it., love it.
That looks awesome John! 🚀🚀 I have an old Chas Parker that was my grandfathers. It is an amazing vise! Great choice with no paint. There is nothing to hide on that vise. 💥👏😃
I bought the exact same vise. Paid about the same. I also did a complete resto on it and it came out great. I have 2 Parkers and a Reed that I fell in love with as well. Painted fire engine red with yellow lettering. Really enjoyed the video Scout! Thank you
G’Day. Just found your channel. Have watched a couple of videos and really liked them. You’re a natural presenter. Have been looking for things to watch during the current travel restrictions here in Australia (love getting out in to the bush). Am going to binge watch all your videos. By the way, am really glad you didn’t paint the vice. Looks brilliant in its natural state. By the way, how long have you been on RU-vid?. Only ask as the moderators quite often remove older vids. Cheers mate.
Hello Raymond! Welcome! We have a few great subscribers from Australia! I have been on RU-vid 11 years now but the last couple years have been devoted to tool restoration. Nothing crazy just a bunch of us cleaning up old tools that are of little value and having fun in the shop! Thanks again!!!!
Cool! I came looking for anything on these vises, because I have had one for somewhere around 40 years. Have not disassembled it like you do in this video, but I may. Making it look really nice seems like a great idea. Just one problem: It is missing the "horseshoe" which is screwed to the moveable jaw, and pulls open the vise. Seen clearly at 2:02, held by the single slot-head screw, and must be removed in order to pull out the main clamping force shaft. Removed and set aside at 2:12 in your edit, identified specifically at 2:45 I have a makeshift device which works, and am going to construct a better one. But I thought I should ask, Is there anywhere I might be able to obtain an original? I won't mind having to shim it... 😊
I enjoy your restoration videos. I recently cleaned & painted a 4” Columbian bench vise that I purchased 40+ years ago. I decided to cold blue the front of the spindle (where the cross bar slides thru). I just wanted your thoughts (good or bad) on the bluing option.
NICE vise but the red lettering is up to you! The foam cannon worked FINE and the BLUE sky will knock your eyes out. That Parker reminded me that my old Columbia needs a good cleaning. It still has the chips where I made 7 file handles out of a poplar limb. I think it's Japanned or maybe painted black. Can't beat those old jobs. Thanks John CS! GBWYou!
That Parker is in beautiful shape, especially the jaws!! Looks NOS. Great score!! Getting that ring clip off for the wrench is a real bear, right? Love the handle screw as it keeps your hand from being pinched. I like the shellaced look but you definitely should paint it.
Only paint I would do is the lettering. Never know if it was factory but had old look like the rest of the vice. Maybe go with your red or back to gold.
It turned out great. A good vise restoration is always needed. Blue skies are always the best. Being from Texas I'm ready for winter haha. Be safe and take care out there Scout and everyone.
Fantastic video scout don’t touch it love it the way it is Man what a sweeeet vice a lot of work to get right but Once you set them up pure heaven to use god bless take care 👏🙏🇺🇸👍🇳🇿🪓🗽
$50? Heck of a deal for that level condition. Good job. I'm one of those in the club of leave it natural if it looks good that way. A lot of vice vids on yt. Most are decent some are great some over the top. Yours is like the GOLDILOCKS story,"Just Right" Just clean 'em up and make sure they operate properly. Also applaud your minimalist use of lubricant(s). You're absolutely correct about dirt and debris attraction. I mostly don't use wet lubricants on my tools I like graphite. If you do paint it, I see CAT yellow as a good choice.💁 🙂✌️❤ P.S. From now on maybe carry a dolly with you on your tool hunts. Can't hurt.😁 Ha! Just noticed the age of this video.
I wouldn't paint it, that vise is in such good shape that I would leave it as is. I have a old Parker vise that I paid $20 for back in the mid 70s at a tag sale that I painted Rust-oleum black. It has nicks and should be redone but it's still works great. I'll tell you I abused the hell out of it and even used used pipes to tighten it (back when I didn't know better) After watching this I guess I have to redo it now. Thanks for the extra work bud. Later
HI ScoutCrafter, Do you recall the Parker remodel where you created a bronze screw to tighten the handle? I can't seem to find that video. I just came into a Parker 974 and doing a basic back into service and it is missing that screw so handle does not bang around. Do you know the thread size u used. Sure I wont find a spring so thinking a replacement screw. Any ideas? Much appreciated.
Wow that’s one really heck of a nice vice there now, I’ve been reading lots of the comments and it seems most people prefer to leave it that way but it sure would look great painted too but since I really can’t decide I’d suggest you leave that one like it is and get another one sometimetime down the road and paint that one because you sure can’t go wrong with two of these beauties
My preference has always been for things that are either unrestored, assuming they’re still in reasonably good shape, or restored to original condition. Probably because I used to hang around my uncle Art who collected antique cars, and worked for his friend Ralph who collected really old cars. While I can appreciate the work that goes into a hot rod or a custom motorcycle, I like to see things as they came from the factory. As for your vise, it looks great as is. However, since it had painted lettering when you got it, it might be nice to see some ScoutCrafter red on the letters, and maybe around the letters on the wrench.
@@ScoutCrafter “You can have any color you want as long as it’s ScoutCrafter red” I got a vise from my father-in-law, Lou, years ago. Never really looked for who made it, just bolted it to the bench and used it. Later, I was given a bigger vise from Lou’s golfing buddy, Don. Again, I didn’t really look it over except to make sure it worked. After watching your vise restorations I decided to see what kind mine were. Lo and behold the one from Lou is a Parker 202-3, and the one in the garage is its big brother, a Parker 204.
Personally, I love that bare metal, industrial look. Have you ever tried using Fluid Film on the bare metal? I have had wonderful results with it and it avoids any of the problems with shellac, like chipping or shiny spots. Thanks and stay well.
I bought a 5" Craftsman (Columbian) vise which had the original red C-man factory finish overlain by a gray paint which had become patchy. Rather than add a third coat of paint, I took it all off (angle grinder + ropy wire wheel, then Dremel). At that point, as I was considering what color to use, it struck me that the bare-metal industrial look has a lot going for it. In the end, as you did, I cleaned & degreased it then gave it a "temporary" shellac job. Maybe someday it'll get painted, but probably not! .