AMAZING VERSA-VISE RESTORATION

[@KennethPoston]

Thanks Mr. Pete! You've inspired me to dig out and repair the old Versa-Vise that I saved from the dumpster at the wood pattern shop I worked at some twenty years ago. Every pattern maker had one on the corner of their workbench and they were very useful.

[@mrpete222]

I’m glad you are bringing it back to life!

[@NBCRGraphicDesign]

I have 3 of these vises-- all long jaw models. Two of my vises didn't have bases, so they were almost useless. Then I found that these vises are still being made in Ohio, just a few miles from Orville. The company also sells parts, so for $25, I was able to purchase another three footed base. Match-up is perfect! A Google search will get you there. I also purchased the cross-bar mount, but that replacement is aluminum, so I'm sure it will not be very durable... BTW.... None of my long jawed models are drilled for the rear locking screw.

[@mrpete222]

👍👍👍 I am beginning to think that Bubba put the screw in

[@paulhunt598]

I am impressed too! I have never seen one, but I want one now!

[@sloprun]

Yes. Me too.

[@StuartsShed]

Very nice restoration! Don't concern yourself with the lost video - it does not detract from the quality of the information provided. Each section is kept to very sensible time amounts and it's a joy to watch. Cheers!

[@mrpete222]

Thank you very much!

[@davidlakatosh9456]

They are great tools, I use mine for gun work. Beware of the new copies, the screw strips out of them. you can still find the vintage ones that will still be around after the new blue ones are scrapped

[@mrpete222]

👍👍

[@rexmyers991]

Amazing vice - amazing restoration. Thanks, Mr Pete.

[@phillipgodwin6639]

Sir, I inherited my dad's versa vice and use it often. He got it in the early 50s and I remember watching him use it. Thank you for some very good memories!!!

[@rlewis1946]

Same here! My Dad’s Versa•Vise was purchased in the early 1960’s and came to me after his passing. I will see if I can submit a picture to show the steel plate on which the base was mounted; the plate was attached to his woodworking bench. Roy Lewis Buffalo, NY

[@daleburrell6273]

1:52...NOBODY'S INFALLIBLE...(!)

[@eugenerobertconner7193]

Mr Pete, Thank you for featuring the VersaVise! I have quite a few of them and given some away as gifts to family. They are very handy and like you mentioned gunsmiths love them. Guitar makers too!

[@mrpete222]

👍👍

[@alecmaxwell7945]

Hi Mr. Pete, thank you for some memories. My Grandfather had one of the versua vice.He built his last house in 1953 which is when I arrived. I don't remember exactly when he bought it but I remember him showing it to me. He was some proud of it and taught me all about it. He taught me more than anybody else and I spent an awful lot of time in his shop when I was just alittle kid. He had the pipe jaws but I don't remember any other accessories. BTW I have a mallet just like yours that came with a 1961 MG I had. It was for the knock off hubs, was made in England by Thor. I also have a Bernard pliers for doing clockwork. Thanks again.

[@mrpete222]

👍👍👍

[@tom87pate]

I've never heard of a Versa-Vise, but I'd also never heard of Bernard pliers until watching one of Mr. Pete's older videos. Now, I have seven or eight pairs of them (just got another set yesterday) and I love those little S.O.B.s! Hopefully I have a Versa-Vise in my near future.

[@mrpete222]

I’m glad you realize the value of those pliers

[@johnmolnar2957]

neat vice . surprising that the base swivel didn't go missing over the years , lucky to have it . thanks for sharing

[@mrpete222]

You and me both!

[@bcbloc02]

Looks like the perfect item from an old Sears and Roebuck catalog. 🙂

[@ralston48]

The original 2 1/2 inch jaw design was discontinued because the web of the fixed jaw was not strong enough resulting in frequent cracks about at the anvil level. (or it was just frequent abuse). This was one of the reasons Wil-Burt went out of business. I still have and use one of the original tall design, and several of the shorter 3 1/2 inch wide jaws. Several companies made vises of this design, the China made ones were sold by Brownells, Midway, Grizzley, Woodworkers Supply, Garret Wade and probably others. Some later models had replaceable jaws. It is important to adjust the screw so the swivel function locks at the same time the vice closes.

[@mrpete222]

👍👍👍

[@markcampbell6711]

❤ I have 2 of these on my stock making bench. Love them. But now I have to find 2 of the angle adapters, didn't know about them. Probably seen 20 over the years and had no clue what there were. I love the dare at the end, glad it wasn't a Triple DOG Dare. 😊 Thanks for your time Mr. Pete

[@mrpete222]

👍👍

[@chrischapel9165]

As a gunsmith who specializes in gunstock work (making, fixing or, refinishing etc) this vise would be great to have.

[@keithschwartz7318]

NEVER seen such a vice other than an engraver’s block. Thanks for the video.

[@rogertaylor1589]

I bought the Versa vise for $45 in perfect shape several years ago. It is a great third hand clamp for welding.

[@mrpete222]

Good to know!

[@duron700r]

Oh wow. What a neat vice. We all have our vices... Very well worth each moment!

[@llapmsp]

Great video on an awesome tool. Happy Fathers Day to you, and have a great day.

[@tonypike5785]

You always have the best videos, that vice looks brand new. Thanks Mr. Pete

[@johnmccrane1660]

great re-build on the vise. Flush mount or side mount is easy, longer tube and mount the surface mount under the bench. For side mount, design a side mounted tube for the longer tube, and mount it at the edge of work bench. I’m on the look out for a vise like this now. Thanks Mrpete222.

[@mrpete222]

Thanks for the tips!

[@lindsaybrown7357]

Vice versa and versa vice. They were clever engineers and marketers.

[@edsmachine93]

Nice restoration Mr.Pete. I have never seen one. Now I want to have one.👍👍🇺🇸 Happy Fathers day.

[@feathers352]

Be careful for the vice squad will be coming for you. Neat little vice. Orville is just down the road from me. So I now I need to do a little research. Since this from an area from Amish country, this company probably had a good market with the handcrafting of the Amish workers and farmers.

[@mrpete222]

👍😄

[@HammerSeven-k2u]

Very nice vice Mr.Pete. I am a sucker for old vises.

[@danbreyfogle8486]

I gladly give you the original purchase price of $10.95 for that vice. The inflation calculator tell me that is a $141 in todays money. Beautiful job Mr. Pete.

[@mrpete222]

Thank you very much

[@strongandco]

Every man has his vice but Mr Pete has many.

[@Fucknuts4u]

It's a VISE, spelled with an S.

[@marvinpybus4599]

Happy Father's day, Lyle. First time that I have seen a Versa Vise. Always learn from your videos. You are a gifted teacher, and I am so glad that I found your channel. Thank you.

[@mrpete222]

Thank you very much! I’m glad you found my channel

[@garthbutton699]

You're excused,thanks for the video nice paint job is what my former boss would call a Sherwin Williams overhaul🤗😎🤗😎

[@randyvilleneuve4907]

Nice vice. You know we think of old tools that were made in the USA but there are now old tools that were imported that were great quality that today you have a hard time finding something in reasonable price of comparable quality. In late 70's I bought a Vice, bench grinder, and drill press from harbor freight (well before they had retail stores). They were made in China and Taiwan. I use them every day and recently went to their store to buy another vice and was very disappointed in the quality so I left with out a vice. I actually bough one from Vevor based on reviews. Well see how it does.

[@dlancello]

Nice vise. I’m a gunsmith and after trying one of the cheap Chinese knockoffs and breaking it, I got a Wilbert and rebuilt it. I also got a gyro ( also a Wilbert) vise and rebuilt it. I’ve used them everyday for 10 years and still working great!

[@mrpete222]

👍👍👍

[@stumccabe]

An ingenious design!

[@davehiggins5903]

This would really be valuable in gun smithing. Never seen such a vise, thank you mr. Pete.

[@Mad-Duk_Machine_Werkes]

I have a Wil-Burt Versa Vise but the next size smaller than yours, I was always told they were GUNSMITHING vises? Mine is a nice Hammered Light blue metallic color - Restoration Decals are still very much available from eBay - is where I bought mine

[@mrpete222]

Thank you, I did not realize they made them in two sizes

[@marko.3531]

My father purchased the tall jaw version before i was born. I inherited it and still use it today. Recently i added a set of leather soft jaws.

[@mrpete222]

👍👍👍

[@billwentworth3108]

I have a Versa Vice identical to the one in the brochure that you showed. I always suspected that they were for woodworking but this is the first time I have seen a video highlighting this amazing tool. Thanks!

[@mrpete222]

👍👍👍

[@MrGrimm1911]

Just got a similar one at auction, with tall, narrow jaws. As soon as I saw it, I knew I had to have it. Fantastic for leather stitching.

[@mrpete222]

Very nice! Those tall jaws will be perfect for working with saddle leather

[@ellieprice363]

Love the cute little versatile vise. Screw looks pretty skinny but it’s probably strong enough.

[@waldo3023]

Great video Mr. Pete thanks.

[@AmateurRedneckWorkshop]

You have me convinced that it is indeed a versatile vise. First one I have seen. Thanks for the video keep on keeping on.

[@mrpete222]

Happy Father’s Day, Randy

[@edl5074]

Wish I had one when I did more wood working .nice job Mr pete .

[@ohmbug10]

That's a nice vise. It really looks great after your restoration, Mr. Pete.

[@danielrapoza8468]

Wow, that vise looks great. Very nicely done Mr Pete !!!

[@theseldomseenkid6251]

Vises always seem to go for a premium at auction. However, they are a lot cheaper in the long run than vices.

[@mrpete222]

Lol

[@greatvaluewalmart]

Dang it Mr Pete, you cantankerous old man. You help me imagine my pappaw who taught me how to sharpen axes with an old homemade grinder and who had his same tools from the time he came back from the war and started a family. You are a gem Mr Pete.

[@mrpete222]

Thank you very much

[@jondavidmcnabb]

Damn, now I want one. That is a handy little vise.

[@machinist1176]

I inherited one from my father. I used this vise and had it around since I can remember. Great little vise. I loose stuff all the time.

[@dougw2787]

Keep up the great work. I am a huge fan of vintage tools and refer to you often. Thx!

[@mrpete222]

Awesome, thank you!

[@ckvasnic1]

Yet another very nice video! I’m curious about your new de-rusting process. All the Best. Chuck.

[@RustyInventions-wz6ir]

Beautiful vice mr Pete

[@andrewd.1113]

Mr. Pete, thank you for another GREAT VIDEO! Over the years at Farm Auctions, these have come up, and I've always been out bid. Keep your Videos coming!

[@paulberkuta4965]

I got two of them which were purchased in the early - mid 80's for $49.xx each. They are a light to medium duty vise. They are handy.

[@mrpete222]

As I said, strictly for woodworking

[@ggreenlee19]

That is a cool vice!

[@bobeastrise]

I have one and use it infrequently, but when its needed it does a good job, didn't realize it goes that far back, I ended up mounting to a block of 4x6 which I then tighten up in my Record woodworking vice

[@johnquinn3899]

What a neat project.

[@aerogfs]

Now... This is one interesting vise. Well done, looks beautiful!

[@JohnsonBuck]

I have one of these with the short jaws. Mine does not have the extra set screw on the back side. Branded as a Columbian Gyro-Vise No. 73 1/2.

[@mrpete222]

Thank you

[@carrollprice1213]

Everything's perfect, including the color. Thanks.

[@mrpete222]

The awesome vice handle came today. Thank you very much.

[@evil16v1]

A relief groove around the mounting posts with dognose bolts to lock it down with would be really nice.

[@mrpete222]

Good idea, I should have done that although it would be very difficult to hold in a chuck

[@evil16v1]

@@mrpete222 i was thinking about that too.

[@josephwatts925]

Great video, sir, as are many of you others. I always enjoy your channel. I have two Versa Vice. I have the tall flat jaws that I assumed were for woodworking and the shorter jaws which I thought were metalworking jaws. I have a base mounted on top of my bench and one mounted on the side. Love this tool.

[@mrpete222]

👍👍👍

[@icbtech01]

Great vise. Would be a good addition to any woodworker's shop, I wish I had one. Nice job on the restoration, too. Thanks Mr. Pete for all the info on where you can still get these.

[@herbholmberg4474]

I inherited one dad had after he passed. I have known about them for years. I have never seen the attachment you showed. I will be on the hunt for one of those. Sadly, i lack the bench space to mount mine. I really like your mention of mounting vises too far back from the edge of the bench. I am always amazed how often that is seen. Or, when swivel base vise are not closely mounted to the edges of the corner of a bench. Are you familiar with, or do you perhaps own a Cole vise? Another amazing and versatile vise, espcially with the drill attachment and crotch center. I have one of those too that i desperately want to see mounted.

[@EVILDR235]

It's good to see a man of your age still has some vices. Opps vises.

[@mrpete222]

I have way too many vises. I got plenty of vices as well.

[@MrEFHATCH1990]

that's a pretty nifty vise!

[@bobbob8229]

I bought one from Woodcraft and before I even used it-- I buffed the chrome plating on the screw -- then found out that the "cap"end needs to be re-fastened to the body. ended up with SIX 10 - 32 set screws radiley , to hold the tension.😢 (a Lot of BS).

[@fenech97]

A similar vise can be built using the table from an unused Pillar Drill table which is adjustable already. The vise can be bolted to it.

[@ericarachel55]

I bought one two years ago, great vise

[@yomama5785]

Great, now I need another vise.

[@joemion666]

The electrolysis process you use to de-rust the vise and other items can be used to electroplate items as well, by reversing the leads and using the appropriate plating solution you can silver plate and copper as well as nickel plate items. I silvered plated some pennies by using an acid and some old electrical contacts. Just a side note use cation.

[@herbholmberg4474]

Caution for sure! A lot of potential health hazards for amateur platers

[@joecolanjr.8149]

Beautiful vice Mr Pete!! Please don't be so hard on yourself...we all make mistakes in life...thats how we learn right?? Just laugh about it and move on...cya in the next one!!

[@mrpete222]

I don’t know why, but I have always and I mean all of us been hard on myself. I am also hard on other people. I mean, bad people, wiitch is 18% of the population.

[@randallthomas5207]

I was learned it to be called “parrot” vise. And it was used by stock makers to hold rifle and shotgun stocks for shaping, inletting, and checkering. It is also used by stringed instruments makers to hold instruments. There is a pretty broad selection of magnetic jaws available through luthiers and hunsmithing sources. If you run it through it’s paces you’ll see that it has all the motions of a pattern makers vise, in a smaller form factor, which is all above the bench. I have always assumed that some where back in the industrial revolution it was invented/manufactured by a person or company named Parrot, and the name stuck, similar to “Crescent” and Monkee wrenches. I always knew Crescent and Monkee wrenches were made by specific companies because Dad, and Grandpa both had the genuine article in there shops. 😊

[@steveparker8723]

Great job on the restoration. Neat vise. I didn't see the set screw in any of the catalog pictures. Happy Father's day MrPete.

[@mrpete222]

Happy Father’s Day. I think that screw was added by Bubba

[@johncloar1692]

Thanks Mr. Pete for the video. Sorry that you lost some of the video the painting part would have been good, I know how you like to paint. Thank again you video are all way good and educational.

[@mrpete222]

Thanks 👍

[@brucematthews6417]

I've always known these by another name. A "Parrot Vise". Not sure if that is already mentioned below but a quick scan of about 2/3's of the replies so far doesn't seem to show that anyone else already mentioned it. I've got one and yes, they are incredibly handy to wood working. Particularly when holding items for carving or shaping with a spoke shave. Looking at pictures of "Parrot vise" found online shows all of the standard blue versions with holes. I'm surprised that your version does not have these holes.

[@markstone6368]

That is a neat vise. Never heard of it before. Love to have one. MJ

[@joselrodriguez5999]

Great find and restoration!

[@mrpete222]

Thanks!

[@richardbrobeck2384]

What great vise it reminds me of of Panavise !

[@mrpete222]

True, I used to have a pan of ice Panavise

[@helfrie]

Happy Fathers Day Mr Pete. You sharing your video today made my Father's Day that much more pleasant. I have misplaced/lost more digital assets then I care to remember and I do tech for a living so I wouldn't worry about it. Enjoyed what you had left though.

[@mrpete222]

👍👍👍

[@charlesvanvalkenburg7592]

That is a very interesting tool. I wish I had one.

[@oldbowsaw9001]

I hate I missed the degreasing!!!!!!!!!!!!!!--thanks Mr. Pete--good videos

[@nutsmcflurry3737]

Hello Mr Pete Columbian Gyro-Vise was made at the same time as the Wil-Burt Verda-Vise, both had licenses from the inventor. Both companies built the tall and short jaw versions, so you have three more to complete the collection. I had to have the center pivot section built for mine. I have a small star knob with a brass tip for the lock instead of using an Allen wrench. I purchased replacement decals on ETSY.

[@mrpete222]

Thank you for that information

[@jimmunger8658]

Super nice. Never seen one before

[@HanaYumusaki]

It's ok Mr. Pete. I would be crying for losing the footage. Glad you still uploaded though. But I can't believe u restored it so well, especially the even paint job. But man, where are you getting all of those old tools?

[@P61guy61]

Thank you for posting this video.

[@rickhand8228]

I wanted one for years but they were bringing more money than I was wanting to pay so I bought one of the Parrot vise's quite a few years ago and I must say that the quality is quite good. I do not have the accessory that you have but might make one someday.

[@mrpete222]

👍👍

[@keithpattison6763]

Interesting vise Lyle, would be great for working on gun stocks. I used to use a normal swivel vice

[@4speed3pedals]

Lyle, A seller on Fleabay has the decals/stickers for the Versa Vice. I believe they are not originals from Will-Burt but reproductions made from vinyl. They look good. If there is a recess for them to fit into, I know nothing about the dimensions.

[@jimmymckay73]

Wow! Am I slow, studio "G" (garage) , studio "B" (basement). Awesome little vise.

[@davidphillips7321]

Evaporust thanks, Lyle...

[@fricknjeep]

hi there kind of neat . best to all john

[@scottjones7279]

That needs to be mounted on a pedestal

[@TT-qo9dv]

Common sense prevails if your mind is willing to accept it 😊 Thanks for the video!

[@seldendaniel8819]

After watching it move it through its range of motion, I consider it a precursor to modern assembly robots.

[@brentandrade5861]

Mr Pete, mite you sign the vice and sell it to one of us? That's a great vice for stock making and gunsmithing work.

[@mrpete222]

It will be for sale atArnfest next week

[@jasonhahn4470]

Always like your videos Mr.Pete 😊😊

[@mrpete222]

Glad you like them!

[@nomercadies]

Morning Lyle

[@disturbedmaynard3873]

Funny, I just bought a Parrot Vise. There was a rendition of the Versa Vise available, but it was twice the price, just for the added swivel attachment.

[@mrpete222]

👍👍

[@davetenney5800]

Nice job! I live in Orville OH, home of the Wil burt company that made those.

[@mrpete222]

👍👍

[@adnacraigo6590]

Very interesting.

[@aguycalledlucas]

That’s a fun vise