Prentiss Vs. Parker Machinist Vises Tips 570 tubalcain

This is a comparison of PARKER & PRENTISS bench vises.
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[@nunyabussiness4054]

Mr. Pete is a man who refuses to give up his vises.

[@jimhumphrey]

There is a local man selling a Chas Parker 976 vise for $500. I offered $250 last week and he said no. I checked a few min. ago and he has lowered his price to $300. Parkers are very good vises but nowhere near as collectible as a Wilton. Also, my doctor has told me to stay off ladders, I told him to forget it. Later during a visit from my wife he told her that I'm a stubborn old man.

[@mhoover]

I still have my dad's old Prentiss which I learned my shop skills on in the '50s. The beam was split and welded up. My dad loved getting broken stuff for free and fixing it up.

[@mrpete222]

👍

[@elsdp-4560]

THANK YOU...for sharing. Very much enjoyed.

[@davelewis2174]

Can't find any used vises, Mr Pete has hem all ! love your videos

[@paulcurtis9852]

I love those old vices too, Mr Pete... and you know what, I bet Keith Rucker would just love to restore that old Prentiss vice for you. ;)

[@huge-nhuge-n]

great reenactment, made me chuckle

[@bugkiller5293]

I hate the swivle base also. They always swivel when you don't want them to. That lock pin design looks like some thing I need to rework into my vise!! It is a Wilton but the screw swivel never holds

[@minskmade]

Everyone stole all my "one liners" so i have nothing witty to say. Great video as usual mr. pete.

[@yambo59]

I love old school heavy duty vises, the vises they sell in hardware stores now are 99% chinese pot metal junk. That Parker is a wonderfully heavy duty beast, ive seen a few in railroad engine shops years ago when we used to go to RR museums. Its amazing how many people dont know the difference between the words "Vise" and "Vice" or how to use them in a sentence - this video is about bench Vises, but Vices are bad traits, habits, bad behavior, excess smoking or drinking etc. But sometimes a vice is just being hooked on collecting old vises-! lol

[@cadwerks3277]

Mr. Pete, An Awesome Teacher with Many Vises.

[@mrpete222]

lol

[@wyattsdad8561]

I this video came up again on my page lol but it’s cool because it’s fun to rewatch stuff incase I messed something. I just watched a video two nights ago where the guy had this same situation where the back was cracked and he welded the crack. He got it to close and come out eventually but he had a hell of a time. He actually welded the crack, did a complete restore of his vise and it came out like new. He used a grinder and V’d out the crack. I think originally he just cleaned out the crack with something like acetone and tack welded it, if I remember correctly. But then he decided to V it out and make a channel, which I think was a better idea too. He knew what he was doing and knew how to weld cast iron so it was pretty cool to see it all

[@mrpete222]

👍👍👍

[@RRINTHESHOP]

Nothing like having a few vices to choose from, some good and some bad. Nice overview of the vise's. Cutting those internal dovetails perfect job for a shaper.

[@Eliasjaderlund]

Your videos are not repetitive and always great sir

[@cruisingaboveblue848]

Beautiful vise. I have a 956 that I discovered in an abandon shed on a property I purchased 38 years ago, its been in storage ever since. Nearly wiped out my back moving the monster vise recently. Its in great condition. I plan a light cleaning, then I think I'll put it up for sale so it can go to someone who could really use and enjoy it. Thanks for your information on this video. Very helpful.

[@mrpete222]

👍👍

[@davidkroth]

"A vise that's too big." I don't understand what that means. I Googled that and got no results.

[@llapmsp]

Always a joy to watch your videos.

[@rhodysweet]

Thanks for the great video Mr. Pete. I have a "vise vice" myself, an affliction I love. My personal favorites have always been the Prentiss models. As you point out in your video, the lines on a Prentiss vise are just artwork - at least to my mind's eye. I think I have 9 or so Prentiss vises ranging in size from the smallest, to 5" jaw size, including the coveted "jeweler's swivel vise". Parker ended up buying the Prentiss company, and manufacturing the last few years of the Prentiss line, probably in the 1950s. I could go on, but suffice it to say I appreciate your great content and keep on keepin' on! Dave in RI.

[@mrpete222]

Thank you for the historical information

[@markkolmorgan7728]

Hello Mr,Pete, check the tiny flat head set screw in your Parker's "meatball", possibly it's a tad tight, or the brass spring cup is lost to time. Your handle didn't look bent enough to jam up, tinkering with the handle stop screw may be the fix. Fingers crossed. Every Parker I've seen the pin holding the main nut has been bent forward to engage any free play in the main nut, I have yet to see a straight one. Great video, keep em comin'

[@wktodd]

the 3tpi screw on the Parker explains the bent handle. Parker has compromised the grip by making it fast to open to 10"

[@curtisvonepp4335]

Lyle the badly damaged vice can be Tig welded and remachined it's no biggie .😎

[@tralfazy]

Curtis, I recently tried to TIG weld a broken out hole in a piece of steel and then re-drill and tap it. That weld metal was so hard that my drills and files would not touch it. Is there a softer welding rod that you would use when you need to work the weld steel afterwards?

[@christophernewton2579]

@@tralfazy Yes there are fillers that are softer you can use mild steel wire like bailing wire

[@tralfazy]

@@christophernewton2579 Thanks. I'm going to experiment with that. Could be useful.

[@tralfazy]

@John Chrysostom Filler rods, 70S-2 and 70S-6

[@MaturePatriot]

Great video. Not only strong, but aesthetically pleasing. Classy. Not built that way anymore!

[@waynekwoods2799]

I have a Parker P4 and the front base broke out . Put it in the BBQ 500 to 600 degrees took it out and arc welded the base together , cooled overnight in a bucket of sand and still working great after 10 years. Mine is from somewhere around 1970 . Nice meeting you at the Bash.

[@mrpete222]

Nice repair

[@wyattsdad8561]

I like that Parker! I’ve seen that other type of Vice before that was in working order and it’s pretty neat how they designed it. That yoke they use on it is very cool. That Vice seems like it would be a German engineered product, because of how it’s engineered but I obviously don’t know who designed it. I think it’s nice having an oversized Vice in a workshop. I’ve got a decent size 6 inch Vice that rotates and has pipe jaws. It’s modern Vice made in Chyna but they use ductile steel so it’s supposed to be a good vise that isn’t as brittle as a regular cast iron vise. It always looks huge to me, but I know I can put most anything I need in it. Been enjoying ur vids sir! Love em, good stuff.

[@mrpete222]

👍👍👍

[@stevewilliams587]

I like the "lip" on the base of the Charlie Parker vice. In my shop the worst vice possible is one that moves on the bench. I use "Resin Fix" around the bolts and it works well. Resin Fix is the Chemical Anchor stuff used to fix threaded bar into brickwork etc. in place of expansion type fixings.

[@mrpete222]

Thank you, never used it

[@literoadie3502]

I love that orange paint! I have a Parkinson's brand vise (made in England) that I want to paint that kind of orange, and maybe half orange and half gray. I found it locally on the online adds for about $25. It's really a gorgeous piece! It's a Parkinson's Model F No.7 and the casting has some really lovely (and strong!) radii and contours. The jaws are bolted from the outside which makes replacement very simple (and removal after 70 yrs of sitting around).

[@mrpete222]

👍

[@flhusa1]

always fasten your workbench to the wall studs. so it becomes part of the structure

[@johnstrange6799]

I like the swivel base spring pin idea. I recently found a Wilton tilting vise which is kind of cool.

[@mrpete222]

Thanks

[@bcbloc02]

I like the looks of the Parker.

[@lathammarx1458]

Grwat video Tubalcain, the Prentiss vise has such beautiful curves, a shame it was attacked by a "Hammer Man"

[@hermannstraub3743]

Knowledge about Vises is Visdom.

[@SHAD0WZOMBIE]

Never owned a Prentiss, But i own a Yost 204 and 203 1/2 and they are superb. I also own a Simplex Ridge tool co no.43 4 1/2 deep throat vice. Definitely my favorite! A 70lb Reed 105 should be arriving tomorrow followed by a 110lb chas. parker 805. Very excited to check them out. Stll looking for that 8 incher lol. Ps. I have fixed many cracked slides, drill out/grind out, clamp/measure and weld with them cast rods.. slowly cool.

[@larrymoody9183]

knobulated... it's an industry term. Love ya mr pete

[@arthurowen3]

Lyle, I own a Charles Parker No. 976, very similar to yours. The hub where the handle goes through has a spring it that prevents the handle from sliding from end to end while turning. I use this feature every day. By putting the sliding handle in the middle and having it secured by the spring the handle becomes a flywheel. I can move the 75 lb. dynamic jaw (correct term) by spinning the handle with one finger. The handle does get sticky and has to be lubricated at least once a week , if not more. Once you get used to using the handle as a flywheel it gets to be second nature.

[@mrpete222]

I will have to check and see if mine has that feature

[@paulhunt598]

I just salvaged an unmarked Prentiss 5". Or at least I think that it is Prentiss. I found some online indication that they made unmarked vises. It was a swivel jaw, but it was broken and welded before I got it 30 years ago. The hardened jaws appear to have been smooth and are forged into the vise casting. The jaws were misaligned vertically by +.100" due to the weld repair and all squared jaw corners were rounded by +.200". I rebuilt it from ground up just to see if I could save it. The handle was missing. I milled the jaws parallel to almost full cleanup. I milled the top of the jaws parallel and made a handle. The jaws must have been 5.25" wide and I have been tempted to mill off about .250" on each side of the jaws to get total jaw face sides square and parallel. The weld repair completely eliminated any hope of restoring the swivel jaw function. The beam, beam pocket, screw and nut are still in fine shape. The jaw face match up after milling is spot on repeatable. More jaw cleanup continues to remove hardened jaw material prompting me to say it is as good as I can get it and still have a viable big heavy vise. My swivel base is pinned with the original spring loaded pin and swivel rock is negligible, even with heavy rotational loading. I cannot imagine what they did to round over the hardened jaws so radically, but they also busted the entire swivel jaw function. They welded every original gap of the swivel jaw with impressively deep penetration. I probably shouldn't have wasted much effort on the old girl, but she sat so unloved for so long in my shed that I wanted to see if I could viably bring her back to new life. Frankly, I think that I was successful.

[@mrpete222]

Sounds like you did a great job. You wonder how these vises Get in that bad of shape

[@PhillyRacer121]

Never seen a prentiss before but that parker really is a nice hunk of iron. Itd be a gem in any home shop for certain.

[@thedetective8150]

Both vices are beasts. I prefer the Parker vice but they command a premium price depending where you live in the USA.

[@mrpete222]

Yes

[@57WillysCJ]

A friend and I were just talking about his Prentiss number 23. That is a two strong men to lift vise. I think I read they went out of business in 1940. He also has a small bench top made at the Nakoosha Foundry for the Wisconsin Rapids Tech school. Foundry closed in 1985 and this might have been made for the school in the 1950's or 1960's. Somehow it made it's way north 188 miles.

[@honest8bob]

I have a Prentiss vise like that one. Its in good shape, picked it up at a flea market for $45!

[@mrpete222]

👍

[@christurley391]

Thanks for the video.

[@N.Cognito]

I have a Chas Parker 974 1/2 vise. I hope to pass it to my grandchildren.

[@wildtimbrown]

I love Charles Parker vises. A year ago I owned two. Now I think I have...7 or 8! I "might" have a vise vice!

[@mrpete222]

👍👍👍

[@alansmith4734]

Miami Vice from the 80's was my favorite!

[@mohabatkhanmalak1161]

It didn't have strong jaws. Lol.

[@abywater]

Knobulated... lol! Great video as always...

[@stxrynn]

I am impressed. You couldn't even bring yourself to hit a destroyed vice!! I was wondering.....

[@behrouzsalehi3246]

in design of a quality bench vise ,many other factors such as metal tensile , case hardened jaws and slide, , witch is very important how a vise can be used , Wilton has vise with 30000 psi -60000 psi cast iron , colombian had it up to 75000psi and maybe the material of 2 vises in video was the reason for jaw depth

[@materialsguy2002]

I really enjoy these vice videos. Seems Bubba was at work on the Prentiss.

[@mrpete222]

Yes

[@danedewaard8215]

Thank you for buying the Parker (I meant Prentiss)!!! I'm sure Bubba would have thrown it over the fence into my yard if you hadn't!!!

[@mrpete222]

Yes

[@StreuB1]

I picked up a decent Charlie 49X from a guy over by Brookfield. The screw to "knob" intersection is cracked actually....likely someone reefing on it or dropped it. Need to weld it up and remachine the mating face. Might do that today actually...

[@mrpete222]

Yes

[@geckoproductions4128]

Knobulated indeed........well said Mr. Pete

[@OldtimeIronman]

Sad to see the Prentiss vise so abused. Mine has 6" fixed jaws and fixed base no swivel anywhere. In VGC and still in use since the Navy bought it in 1942, it has military stamped markings for ordnance repair on a frigate. When I mounted it on my bench, I had to lag the bench into the wall, it really should be on a stump like an anvil.

[@michaelcoceski5442]

Mr. Pete.....The gent on the ladder you showed,- he may be your brother but he ain't no fool.

[@matthewrose6221]

Mr. Pete, why not a restoration on the prentice vise? It looks easily doable with a bit o brazing, sanding and a good paint job

[@markkoons7488]

Thoughtful of you to mute the squealing air tools. Is there any reasonable way to re-checker the Parker's jaws?

[@RaptorMachineToolCo]

Lyle, dont be tempting fate on that ladder !!! I only have one bench vise.. Chas Parker 956 lil smaller than yours.. had it since i was a kid... teeth are a lil too aggressive so may have to get some of those bronze covers... thanks for another good video !! ps how bout some paint on that thing... i would be happy to send you some cans... just LMK what color 😝 ( tho i do like that orange )

[@WilliamTMusil]

Lol, "Not for sale" My guess is nearly everybody is asking, lol. That Parker sure is a keeper.

[@flhusa1]

if you use a square steel mounting plate under your vise then you will always have a pounding and a small welding area.

[@mrpete222]

Good idea

[@chrislee7817]

Hi Can you do a strip down on a drill press by any chance? I have an old Kerry drill and need to replace the bearings in the quill. It's interesting in that it has a reduction gear in the belt drive head. However the bearing for this is weak I feel! Unsure how to strip and rebuild this without causing damage.

[@PaulSteMarie]

Weird that the base has two missing positions. Any idea why they didn't put holes there? Is it possible to clamp the end of that slide together to close the crack and then braze it? I suppose that would be a waste of time, unfortunately. When I set up my workbench, I used lag screws to fasten it into the studs of the wall. It isn't going anywhere! Oh, and I bet that Keith Fenner could straighten out that vise handle. I've seen him do amazing things with just strategically heating with a torch.

[@mrpete222]

Thanks

[@CajunGreenMan]

A-pprentice vise. I would like to echo that the Prentiss Vise can be repaired.

[@barryfields2964]

Just because something isn’t made anymore, doesn’t make it obsolete.

[@williamshorter559]

I have always wondered why mechanics and especially young machine shop apprentices can never apprciate the fact that bench vices are castings and cannot take abuse of any kind,i learnt that early in my career. What i would like if possible, is to show a blacksmith's leg vice and it's good points.

[@theodoredugranrut8201]

Thanks mr. Pete we have a Prentiss Vise is a Prentiss Bulldog so it says, it's older than me and I'm 56 it says number 92?. We also have a very large vise no name on it I will try and send you a picture it's about three to four hundred pounds

[@DRising-de8zl]

Mr Pete, Interested in your Vise rank in quality and usage be. Dave Letterman Top 5 vises or so and grails. Curious what you and perhaps viewers think.

[@mrpete222]

I thought I did a video on that yeart ago

[@DRising-de8zl]

Oh great, I will look for it. Thank you! @@mrpete222

[@MultiArrie]

Would like a to see a review of a Heuer front vice.

[@RockingJOffroad]

Hasn’t your doctor told you to give up your Vices? I like both of those two vises, I would have to think seriously about brazing up the damage on the Prentise vise and machining it to specs. I understand why you wouldn’t.

[@barryfields2964]

That red vise still has a lot of life in it. For non-per season work, there is nothing wrong with that vise.

[@surveywaters]

The Parker has a lot of spacers and still has play, should it be a bearing?

[@russelallen5342]

That Bubba sure gets around!

[@mrpete222]

He is everywhere

[@phooesnax]

You and Adam ought to collaborate and fix that damaged vise up

[@joemccarthywascorrect6240]

Just by the typeface on the side I would hazard that is pre-WWI

[@mikenixon9164]

Good video. I see a fool every time I shave. LOL

[@PaulSteMarie]

This is part of why I haven't shaved in 20 years.

[@JamesDedmon]

Enjoyed the video. Too bad about that other vice

[@arthurowen3]

I might add the handle is 0.82" diameter x 14" long, so it has significant weight

[@johnshoureas1629]

"Never beat on a vice". Hey, has anyone seen the latest Diresta video ?

[@nathanhershey7897]

He beat the absolute crap out of it then had to file down the mushrooming he created on the slide...we have 3 vintage vises at work that are broken from people doing what Diresta does. Surprised he's never broken one of his.

[@johnshoureas1629]

@@nathanhershey7897 It was broken under the jaw.

[@nathanhershey7897]

@@johnshoureas1629 I was speaking about how he beats and shapes things on vises. Yes the one in his latest was broken previously and to his credit he made very nice jaws. Just wish he hadn't beaten the vise with a ball peen hammer. A rubber / leather mallet would have been better. Plus he didnt use and penetrating oil. He applied some oil after it was derusted but when he was trying to get thd slide out the sludge hammer and hammering was alittle harsh..

[@gordbaker896]

I'd take the Parker.

[@mohabatkhanmalak1161]

As long as Bubba doesn't get Charlie, it should last a hundred years. Lol.

[@peterkolovos3079]

The Parker begs to be restored.

[@bluetoad2001]

do you suppose the Prentiss could be repaired, welded?

[@altonriggs2352]

My name is Mr.Pete...I'm a Viceoholic.

[@andyZ3500s]

Has anybody else not been able to get into tips # 577 going to a school auction?

[@timothydaniel53]

If you made a video at night would Tommy have to get headlights for his mower?

[@mrpete222]

lol

[@TheDisorderly1]

The Prentiss vice is too cool to throw away. Why not do a repair video on it?

[@williamlee1429]

I love it this vice is completely junk. Not for sale lol

[@mikemorgan5015]

Love old vices.. How about "refreshing" those jaws on the mill or shaper? That'd be a good video.

[@kejay74]

@Mike Morgan Yeah, I 'LOVE' those old 'vices' also.... I only (sort of) 'like' old VISES! LOL!!! Ken

[@mikemorgan5015]

@@kejay74 Freudian typo perhaps? Nice catch. I didn't realize I'd done that. It's one of my better puns. Too bad it was unintentional.

[@thecynic807]

I'm pretty sure the year prentiss was made would be on the swivel. I'm guessing it was made around 1915. And they are the best

[@erik61801]

hahahaha..bubba was here.

[@cdyblu]

I think it was Primitive Pete

[@flhusa1]

not a fair comparison. get a prentiss bulldog edge mount like the parker and it will crush the parker in it's jaws. prentiss is the toughest vise you can get.never get a swivel vise they are weaker by design.

[@bro.weaver1282]

What happened to your "school surplus auction" video, were you too angry about that silly vice they would not part?

[@mrpete222]

Yes

[@dizzolve]

I wanna big vise

[@davidpidgeon7320]

I think Prentiss Vises were taken over by Parker Vises in the 1950 ????

[@bruno640]

Oh no! Tell me it ain't so! You actually went and bought a NEW-tub of machine-grease, to replace the old, time-tested Shell-branded metal can! {sigh) Well, even the fullest of us must eventually be all used up...but, I'll bet you saved the can like I do, for that "sentimental-value", even if it just catches the bugs that crash off the shop lights...! ☺

[@mrpete222]

I still have the old one

[@bruno640]

@@mrpete222 Yeah, I knew ya' wouldn't part with it! They just don't make lube like that anymore...let alone, put it in an actual-metal-can! ☺

[@mattyal9347]

I see you dont sell your stuff. Do you trade?

[@mrpete222]

No

[@mattyal9347]

Understood. I have a prentiss vise that has a few issues but I dont want to start something I can't finish. You been around the block, can you point me to someone?

[@aceroadholder2185]

Junk, but not for sale! Really, it's not for sale!! I know a welder who is an artisan with Nickle rod on cast Iron... he would have that Prentiss vice done up so that after paint, a little machine work, and polish you'd never see what he had done. If you can find a welder who is good on cast Iron, write his number on the wall...He can be a lifesaver if you break something.

[@bigcountry1165]

Up late Mr. Pete....ha

[@MrBuck295]

So how long till this one is fixed ?

[@quirty864]

Haha you and I both know he wants to do it, he just doesn't know that we know he wants to do it! But he will do it, he can't not do it in fact. He is an addict...

[@MrBuck295]

@@quirty864 Yeah lol you can hear it in his voice he`s jonesing to fix it prob having withdraw (just kidding Mr. Pete)

[@quirty864]

@@MrBuck295 Oh heck yeah, he is teasing us! Treats us like a bunch of High School kids! Lol, no offense...

[@chuckbailey6835]

not someone, bubba drilled and tapped it

[@R2.0]

For repairing the crack, I would drill the end of the crack to stop it from propagating, braze it, and then use a flycutter to bring the spread end into dimension. As for Mr. Pete not selling it, he doesn't want to. No one gets to tell someone else what the should want it don't want. Except maybe Mrs. Mr. Pete.

[@HolzMichel]

Mr. Pete, i love your videos and your channel. but i'm always shocked at what you always refer to as junk. all i can say is that you have really led a life of extreme excesses and luxury. i used to live in a remote part of central idaho where items such as that prentiss vise would be restored and put back into service. if it weren't for the insane amount of money it would take to have something like that shipped i would gladly take it off your hands and do a full restore on it. vises like that are already hard to come by and getting one in any condition would be a stroke of sheer luck....

[@tropifiori]

Lyle, Ok. Don’t paint the vise. How about plating it? F