Such a treasure ! Thank you for sharing! You put so much into each video and clearly narrate them. I watch them over and over while awaiting the next one. Stay well, and keep them coming.
Thanks! I use this vise more than any other vise in my shop. It's mounted next to my Oxy/Ace torch so it naturally gets used for anything I am using the torch for. Great vise!
Looks similar to a Columbian Vise company Trenton Original. I picked one up recently and it had Trenton Original stamped on the front vise jaw and 1902 year of manufacture and is a 65 pounder . You have a lovely piece of preserved and now refurbished history. Thanks Steve
Man oh man that is one big vise!!!! I just purchased an Indian Chief blacksmith vise a couple days ago but it's only got 4.5" jaws and weighs in around 60lbs. I haven't mounted it up yet to any kind of stand as I still need to clean it up but I plan to sometime in the very near future. Great video and a great find there sir!
That is a big boy! I have 2 post vice exactly the same as and exactly half the size, acquired by me in almost the exact condition as you have just restored. I love mine, use both almost daily and they can take a beating! Have not seen one that size since I was an apprentice!
Thank you. It was very difficult to move even the parts of this one around because of it's weight. I just finished a mounting bracket so stay tuned for that.
Very very nice vise and right way to restore it. I have allmost same size leg vise waiting for to cleaning. It's weight 95,5 kg (allmost 200 pound?) 🎅🏻👍🏻🗜🇫🇮🇫🇮🇫🇮
This was a very nice video. Great info and nice seeing such a work of beauty coming back in action. I just bought one and waiting for it to be delivered. I think it's as big as yours or at least as tall. It was in the other end of the country and with very little info on it, but looked to be in very good condition and I talked the guy down to about 80 dollars. Seems like a steal to me :D
@@karankapoor001 He actually told us there is a decent sized anvil in there but we could not find it. Just too much debris. I am suppose to go back in or around May so I'll look again.
An absolute monster. Im about to restore a leg vise. Would you be up for making a video on general recommendations and procedures. Why you use or dont use different methods/materials
Tat's a great idea to add some variety to the videos. I'll certainly do that on my next post vise. Heck I may do that on my next bench vise as well. Thanks for your comments! I use this vise nearly everyday and often times I use it several times daily!
Awesome vise! Just got a 8” leg vise my self. I can hardly move this thing. Must be nearly 300 lbs.the arm and leg and stuff are all like 3” thick stock
Yep that was the trouble I had. The vise outweighs me so it kinda dictates how you attack the thing! I use mine all the time next to my Oxy/Acet tanks.
@@shopdoc Hi, I am restoring a leg vise as well. I used the BLO but my vise hasn't had any color change. I was hoping to get that blackened look like yours. Is there a secret to it?
I used some 40 grit sandpaper to stamp/ rough up my smooth grind areas by placing over smooth areas and hitting with hammer.. rust it, Then spray coat with Loctite Rust Converter. Then BLO. Rust converter turns the old and new rust black and the 40 grit blends it all to look old/ original. Try it on your next restoration.
Not at all. If you apply it warm then let it sit a while then wipe off the excess it'll be good to go. If you don't wipe off the excess it will have a tacky kinda feel to it.....not desirable.
@@shopdoc Thank you so much for your advice! I'm restoring a John Brooks 6" leg vice, and i don't want to paint it, because I love the way the forged steel looks.
The trick with linseed oil is simple! Apply thin coats and let dry. If you apply thick, it skins over and the oil underneath will never dry and it’s sticky when you grab it. Also you can bake it on at 425f until it’s dry. Then apply multiple coats to get the protection your looking for. Never thick then wipe off. Think thin coats!
Ive never seen a blacksmiths vice that big. Im from australia biggest ive seen is a 150mm. Thats so awesome id love own it. Wow you are lucky could you tell me what kind of metal files they are? Id like to buy a set but theres so many types. Just want to remove metal like you did and id also like to know what size your belt grinder is. Have an awesome day. From australia
I used ER70S-6 filler rod on DC yes. Thanks for watching! If you like big vises, I just restored a Wilton 600S (155lbs). Not quite as big as this one but still a super vise.
That is a very special vise. I have had a handful of people wanting to buy mine. Post a short video showing it's for sale and I am sure you'll have it sold. They are significantly more valuable than the traditional 4-6in vise.
Just curious if you ever checked the weight of this vise? These old vises are judged more by their weight rather than jaw size. I find if you open the jaws up they will usually balance themselves on a bathroom scale.
I’ve got a big columbian that’s I think 7 inches, it weighs over 220# and is marked very obviously Columbian, it’s short leg is slightly different than yours. I can get some pics and measurements tomorrow and send them if you want to help with your vise ID .
I think there at the end you went around the front of it and the light shined enough to see a faint logo or what’s left of the logo as Indian Chief didn’t have a deep stamped logo, they were a brand made in Columbus Ohio and had the Columbian style mounting bracket except no logo that said Columbian on the mounting bracket like on actual Columbian’s
@@shopdoc it’s only a partial logo, they weren’t stamped deep to begin with and between a hundred years of use corrosion and then the wire wheel it’s not complete. That logo is a Native American in a headdress but recently I heard someone describe it as a bird in one of the facebook groups that was trying to ID the vise he had acquired, like I said they never stamped it very deep like other brands
Actually I have never attempted to sell nor do I have any plans to do so. My neighbor was actually happy with the $100 he sold it for. It was, after all, just sitting in a big barn full of old tractors and many thousands of parts!
@@shopdoc I know how it is. There's an old woman down the street that has several old Corvette's in a barn. I've about got her talked into selling me one for $50. I told here I would never sell it. 😉
I believe 8in is as big as they get but that may not be correct. Others may chime in. European vises may have been bigger but I am less familiar with them.
Do you really think so? I have been leaning that way also but am not sure. Starting to feel more confident in it being a Columbian with a few posters now saying the same. Thanks for your comments!
Such a treasure ! Thank you for sharing! You put so much into each video and clearly narrate them. I watch them over and over while awaiting the next one. Stay well, and keep them coming.
Wow! That was some pretty high praise, thank you very much for the encouragement!
I now have a vise exactly like this one. I love it!!
Wow! This is a pretty rare vise. I have never seen another like it.....Kudos to you Sir!
WOW. I love that vise. I have four different ones but my biggest is a 6 inch. You found a true piece of art. Great video !
Thanks! I use this vise all the time in my shop…..and love it!
Great practical repair and restoration to get this old vise back in service.
Thanks! I use this vise more than any other vise in my shop. It's mounted next to my Oxy/Ace torch so it naturally gets used for anything I am using the torch for. Great vise!
Looks similar to a Columbian Vise company Trenton Original. I picked one up recently and it had Trenton Original stamped on the front vise jaw and 1902 year of manufacture and is a 65 pounder . You have a lovely piece of preserved and now refurbished history. Thanks Steve
I think you are right….I’ve had a few suggest it was a Columbian.
She's a big one, l love all the old tools and nicely done
Thank you Marce!
Man oh man that is one big vise!!!! I just purchased an Indian Chief blacksmith vise a couple days ago but it's only got 4.5" jaws and weighs in around 60lbs. I haven't mounted it up yet to any kind of stand as I still need to clean it up but I plan to sometime in the very near future. Great video and a great find there sir!
Hà nội việt nam thanhs you. Vâng xin cám ơn em nhiều
Wow what a find, Must be an amazing addition to your shop!
I love it and use it almost daily! Used it today!
That is a big boy! I have 2 post vice exactly the same as and exactly half the size, acquired by me in almost the exact condition as you have just restored. I love mine, use both almost daily and they can take a beating! Have not seen one that size since I was an apprentice!
I use mine multiple times daily and I love it. I am amazed at how often having right next to my Oxy/Acet torch has been sooooo convenient!
c'est une pièce magnifique !
Jolie atelier aussi, merci pour la vidéo =]
Excellent job on this one
Thank you. It was very difficult to move even the parts of this one around because of it's weight. I just finished a mounting bracket so stay tuned for that.
Very very nice vise and right way to restore it. I have allmost same size leg vise waiting for to cleaning. It's weight 95,5 kg (allmost 200 pound?) 🎅🏻👍🏻🗜🇫🇮🇫🇮🇫🇮
Nicely done 👍
This was a very nice video. Great info and nice seeing such a work of beauty coming back in action. I just bought one and waiting for it to be delivered. I think it's as big as yours or at least as tall. It was in the other end of the country and with very little info on it, but looked to be in very good condition and I talked the guy down to about 80 dollars. Seems like a steal to me :D
Very nice!
Lovely,,love to owe 1 like this one.
Thanks Karan! Yes not too many of these big vises running around. Buy it if you find one.
@@shopdoc sir,I m sure ,you check that barn again,there must be a big anvil sit there waiting for resurrect🧐
@@karankapoor001 He actually told us there is a decent sized anvil in there but we could not find it. Just too much debris. I am suppose to go back in or around May so I'll look again.
An absolute monster. Im about to restore a leg vise. Would you be up for making a video on general recommendations and procedures. Why you use or dont use different methods/materials
Tat's a great idea to add some variety to the videos. I'll certainly do that on my next post vise. Heck I may do that on my next bench vise as well. Thanks for your comments! I use this vise nearly everyday and often times I use it several times daily!
Awesome vise!
Just got a 8” leg vise my self. I can hardly move this thing. Must be nearly 300 lbs.the arm and leg and stuff are all like 3” thick stock
Yep that was the trouble I had. The vise outweighs me so it kinda dictates how you attack the thing! I use mine all the time next to my Oxy/Acet tanks.
@@shopdoc perfect for beating on! Mines going to replace a 6.5” leg vise in my blacksmith shop
Great Vise! You did it justice. Great video. When you say you Bettina'd it, is that just the boiled linseed oil?
@@donvancleve yes I “patina’d” it with the BLO. Thanks for the kind words. Still love this vise and use it all the time.
@@shopdoc Hi, I am restoring a leg vise as well. I used the BLO but my vise hasn't had any color change. I was hoping to get that blackened look like yours. Is there a secret to it?
@@donvancleve try using some cold blue. It works great! Then use BLO after darkening.
@@shopdoc Thank you!
I used some 40 grit sandpaper to stamp/ rough up my smooth grind areas by placing over smooth areas and hitting with hammer.. rust it, Then spray coat with Loctite Rust Converter. Then BLO. Rust converter turns the old and new rust black and the 40 grit blends it all to look old/ original. Try it on your next restoration.
Wow! Fantastic!
I have a 7" Iron City vise I'm about to restore, 140 pounds of vise so it should be fun! Hope to find an even bigger one like your Columbian some day.
Awesome! A 7in vise is definitely something you can be proud to own!
Great job!!! Thank you for sharing! I have a question about the linseed oil, it get sticky with the time?
Not at all. If you apply it warm then let it sit a while then wipe off the excess it'll be good to go. If you don't wipe off the excess it will have a tacky kinda feel to it.....not desirable.
@@shopdoc Thank you so much for your advice! I'm restoring a John Brooks 6" leg vice, and i don't want to paint it, because I love the way the forged steel looks.
The trick with linseed oil is simple! Apply thin coats and let dry. If you apply thick, it skins over and the oil underneath will never dry and it’s sticky when you grab it. Also you can bake it on at 425f until it’s dry. Then apply multiple coats to get the protection your looking for.
Never thick then wipe off. Think thin coats!
Ive never seen a blacksmiths vice that big. Im from australia biggest ive seen is a 150mm. Thats so awesome id love own it. Wow you are lucky could you tell me what kind of metal files they are? Id like to buy a set but theres so many types. Just want to remove metal like you did and id also like to know what size your belt grinder is.
Have an awesome day. From australia
My belt grinder is an Ameribrade 2in x 72in. My hand files are Nicholson. I assume you are referring to those. Good day mate! HaHA!
I read the comments and didn't see this asked. What filler metal did you use for tig welding? I assume D/C current.
I used ER70S-6 filler rod on DC yes. Thanks for watching! If you like big vises, I just restored a Wilton 600S (155lbs). Not quite as big as this one but still a super vise.
I've got an 8 inch like this that says Indiana Chief on the mount plate. Not sure what I'm going to do with it.
That is a very special vise. I have had a handful of people wanting to buy mine. Post a short video showing it's for sale and I am sure you'll have it sold. They are significantly more valuable than the traditional 4-6in vise.
Just curious if you ever checked the weight of this vise? These old vises are judged more by their weight rather than jaw size. I find if you open the jaws up they will usually balance themselves on a bathroom scale.
Weight was approx 200lbs on a bathroom scale.
I've got a 6" post vise with nearly identical frog and wedge design... It has casting name on it "Indian chief"
So maybe it's a Indian Chief! Well I was just starting to get comfortable calling it a Columbian! HahA!
What type of grease did you use for the screw?
I prefer mixing gear oil and grease today. I used just lithium grease on this vise however.
I’ve got a big columbian that’s I think 7 inches, it weighs over 220# and is marked very obviously Columbian, it’s short leg is slightly different than yours. I can get some pics and measurements tomorrow and send them if you want to help with your vise ID .
I was told by another viewer he felt certain it was Columbian as well.
I think there at the end you went around the front of it and the light shined enough to see a faint logo or what’s left of the logo as Indian Chief didn’t have a deep stamped logo, they were a brand made in Columbus Ohio and had the Columbian style mounting bracket except no logo that said Columbian on the mounting bracket like on actual Columbian’s
Thanks! I’ll have to review the footage and see if I can find it. I still use the vise regularly so I may try using a light at angles as well!
@@shopdoc it’s only a partial logo, they weren’t stamped deep to begin with and between a hundred years of use corrosion and then the wire wheel it’s not complete. That logo is a Native American in a headdress but recently I heard someone describe it as a bird in one of the facebook groups that was trying to ID the vise he had acquired, like I said they never stamped it very deep like other brands
The number 7 may be the mark of the foundryman who cast it. If they were paid on piecework, it tracks his work.
I'll be that old man was happy to get the thousand dollars that vise is worth huh? (yeah, before restoration)
Actually I have never attempted to sell nor do I have any plans to do so. My neighbor was actually happy with the $100 he sold it for. It was, after all, just sitting in a big barn full of old tractors and many thousands of parts!
@@shopdoc I know how it is. There's an old woman down the street that has several old Corvette's in a barn. I've about got her talked into selling me one for $50. I told here I would never sell it. 😉
what is the biggist blacksmith vice build,does anybobdy know,8,9,10,11,12
I believe 8in is as big as they get but that may not be correct. Others may chime in. European vises may have been bigger but I am less familiar with them.
Luck box. Probably beat that old man out of this vise for $50 bucks
HaHA! No, I paid $100 and he was very willing to part with it as it was just in the old barn not being used. I use this many times a week.
Definitely a Columbian
Do you really think so? I have been leaning that way also but am not sure. Starting to feel more confident in it being a Columbian with a few posters now saying the same. Thanks for your comments!
Id say columbian.
That is the direction I am leaning to as well. Thanks for your input!
86 the music, it's terrible and unnecessary.
Yep I 100% agree and have since eliminated the music in my videos. Thank you for confirming this decesion.