I have an old Versa that I love as well. I totally enjoyed seeing all the others you have too. What I like about vintage vices is they have so many unique features and are built to last lifetimes.
Dare I say that you have a vise vise? I started my work career in a farm shop, and we all were guilty of vise abuse! The most common recipient was mounted just below waist height on a 8 inch thick walled pipe set around six feet deep in the concrete floor of the shop floor. My recollection is six inch jaws, and a piece of pipe around three feet in length was at hand to assist in snugging up the victim of its pressure. They definitely don’t make them like that anymore. You continue to amaze me with your variety of work holding apparatus that has been assembled to make life easier. Gotta hit the confuser to source a couple before the word gets out and the prices get to the point where one needs to mortgage the farm to buy old rusty cast iron with a screw in the middle!
Yeah, the TWINNJAW is a brilliant design by a couple of brothers who ran a shop near my old plant. For a variety of terrible reasons, they were unable to penetrate the market, and gave up. Good luck with your search, but I don't think anyone would be foolish enough to sell one, maybe an estate sale?
@@kenparkerarchtoppery9440 I have a couple Kurts hanging around. I'm going to study them a bit and see if I can weld them together and machine a back jaw to span them... It would be worth the time considering the benefit... We run a couple CNC mills and I could see a setup where you could run parts back and forth between jaw sets... Genius stuff.
Ken, great video on vises! I have several VersaVises and I love them too. I also have arbor presses and a large hydraulic press. I have taught my sons to use presses for pressing in bearings instead of ruining good vises through abuse. I gifted one of my VersaVises to a nephew who was trained to build guitars and violins. So I really enjoyed your shop. Thank you!
I appreciate that I’ve now been watching a lot of your videos out of sequence (and belatedly) but if you recall our exchange Ken about my Dad stupidly giving away all his tools to some neighbour he didn’t even know very well (when he was going through a bad time) … Well, this now reminds me that all those tools I should have inherited would have included his massive Record vise which was about the size of the ‘behemoth vice’ you don’t yet have installed! It weighed an absolute ton and he had it permanently fixed to a thick steel plate bench he’d welded together when I was very, very small. So it would have to be one hell of a nice cake you suggested I take round there 😂 😂 😂
Cake, or maybe even stronger medicine? On the other hand, it isn't everyone of us who needs and appreciates such a device, maybe have a go at it? If not, a really nice similar piece of vise might not really cost much more than scrap value if you're patient and get a bit lucky! Keep looking!
Ken, thanks for spelling "vise" correctly. Everyone has a pet peeve and the "vise/vice" problem is mine. A pretty common one, too, based on the comments.
I have moved on from many, if not all of the vices of my youth, whereas I appreciate the help that vises lend more as youth recedes. OK, really, all of them. What a relief! "Too soon old, too late smart.", as the Germans have it.
The price of these just went through the roof on eBay. I have found that they are commonly referred to as Parrot Vises. You have assembled a great collection of the originals!
I just checked Ebay, and it looks like you can get an unmolested original vise in either the horizontal or now discontinued vertical style for $100 - $200, maybe less if you get lucky. Just don't buy an abused one with deep saw and file marks on the jaws, it'll make you sad. Nothing wrong with a new one, this seems very cheap to me, www.maxtool.com/products/shop-fox-d3125-3-1-2-x-2-1-8-inch-jaws-360-degree-capacity-swivel-parrot-vise It's not really a collection, they're in use all over the shop, and just gathered for your amusement. Plus, it's always nice to have an extra one, they make great gifts.
Another great video with a ton of information. We are getting to the point, however, where every time I watch one of your videos it costs me money. Hahaha! I'm now looking into getting a couple of those Versa Vises. Seriously thank you for sharing your knowledge and experience.
Not this particular video, but just a few weeks ago I was able to employ your advice about oiling the truss rod nut and flexing the neck to free up a stuck truss rod on a Moll archtop. It had been in the case for several years. That info was a lifesaver - I had no idea what was going on - I had run out of relief adjustment even on light strings -11-47. The closest qualified repairman is probably 2 hrs away. Thanks!
I got me one of those parrot vises from a seller for around $25-$30 in that color of red. It came with an accessory arm and from the looks of it, probably purchased originally from Garrett Wade. Pretty versatile.
oh by the way, it seems you are Ken Parker himself, can't believe it, didn't know you have a UA-cam channel, subscribing right now, thank you very much for sharing your work and wisdom.
Sure have. I made a shaving horse eons ago, but wasn't able to find enough uses for it. Foot vises can be great, and I've tried some modern styles that certainly work perfectly, but again, not enough potential application in my workshop to make me get one.
Good point! There are three chucks to fit our lathe, 3,4, and 6 jaw. Occasionally they come in handy for holding or squishing things without using the lathe at all.
Very cool shop Sir. People! For the love of all... if you're gonna make vise, vice, advise (adv-eyes) or advice (adv-ice) jokes please spell it correctly. Kinda loses the kick when ya don't. No my spelling is 100% but I'm not making jokes based on it. K thx Getting back to the vises, Sir could you post the model number of that Parker coachmakers (or filers) vise please? I have the same one but the meatball is different, just curious if the model #'s match. Thanks.
My vise says "C. Parker Co. Meridan CT. No. H H" I always figured that Charlie Parker must have been the design engineer, plus, Meridan CT was my family residence at birth, so really, it's family! It has a swivel base, and is quite robust. It can be frustrating trying to find an unmolested vise like this one, as most of them have been roughly used, with hammer and grinding bruises to prove it. This one wasn't too badly marred, but I'll admit to having spent an embarrassing amount of time making parts for it and blueprinting it in my milling machine many years ago. I sure am glad I "bothered", it's a fantastic piece of gear!
I have an old Versa that I love as well. I totally enjoyed seeing all the others you have too. What I like about vintage vices is they have so many unique features and are built to last lifetimes.
Awesome! Thank you!
@@kenparkerarchtoppery9440can you share some information on how to make your own pin (base) for the versa vise?
Dare I say that you have a vise vise? I started my work career in a farm shop, and we all were guilty of vise abuse! The most common recipient was mounted just below waist height on a 8 inch thick walled pipe set around six feet deep in the concrete floor of the shop floor. My recollection is six inch jaws, and a piece of pipe around three feet in length was at hand to assist in snugging up the victim of its pressure. They definitely don’t make them like that anymore. You continue to amaze me with your variety of work holding apparatus that has been assembled to make life easier. Gotta hit the confuser to source a couple before the word gets out and the prices get to the point where one needs to mortgage the farm to buy old rusty cast iron with a screw in the middle!
Sounds like MightyVise!
That twin vice is to die for!!! I've never seen that type of setup. I agree, there are endless uses for it that outstrip side by side Kurts.
Yeah, the TWINNJAW is a brilliant design by a couple of brothers who ran a shop near my old plant. For a variety of terrible reasons, they were unable to penetrate the market, and gave up. Good luck with your search, but I don't think anyone would be foolish enough to sell one, maybe an estate sale?
@@kenparkerarchtoppery9440 I have a couple Kurts hanging around. I'm going to study them a bit and see if I can weld them together and machine a back jaw to span them... It would be worth the time considering the benefit... We run a couple CNC mills and I could see a setup where you could run parts back and forth between jaw sets... Genius stuff.
Ken, great video on vises! I have several VersaVises and I love them too. I also have arbor presses and a large hydraulic press. I have taught my sons to use presses for pressing in bearings instead of ruining good vises through abuse. I gifted one of my VersaVises to a nephew who was trained to build guitars and violins. So I really enjoyed your shop. Thank you!
Good onya! Versa vises so rule!
Love this tour. Thank you Ken.
Glad you enjoyed it!
Plato wanted the "Ideal State - you want the ideal tools and the ideal acoustic sounding archtop. Chapeau. Greetings from Vienna : )
Thanks, D F, that's about the size of it. Turns out the quest is a whole lot of fun!
Oh boy! New content ...er 'Ken'-tent ; )
Thank you.
Ha! You're welcome, as always.
Phil Keaggy once did a whole album of songs on the Parker Fly. It would be so interesting to find out what he could do with your arch top.
Have him call me!
I appreciate that I’ve now been watching a lot of your videos out of sequence (and belatedly) but if you recall our exchange Ken about my Dad stupidly giving away all his tools to some neighbour he didn’t even know very well (when he was going through a bad time) … Well, this now reminds me that all those tools I should have inherited would have included his massive Record vise which was about the size of the ‘behemoth vice’ you don’t yet have installed! It weighed an absolute ton and he had it permanently fixed to a thick steel plate bench he’d welded together when I was very, very small. So it would have to be one hell of a nice cake you suggested I take round there 😂 😂 😂
Cake, or maybe even stronger medicine? On the other hand, it isn't everyone of us who needs and appreciates such a device, maybe have a go at it? If not, a really nice similar piece of vise might not really cost much more than scrap value if you're patient and get a bit lucky! Keep looking!
Ken, thanks for spelling "vise" correctly. Everyone has a pet peeve and the "vise/vice" problem is mine. A pretty common one, too, based on the comments.
I have moved on from many, if not all of the vices of my youth, whereas I appreciate the help that vises lend more as youth recedes. OK, really, all of them. What a relief!
"Too soon old, too late smart.", as the Germans have it.
Well... I have vice envy now! Thanks Ken!
Go get some!
Just one more vice I need now.
The price of these just went through the roof on eBay. I have found that they are commonly referred to as Parrot Vises. You have assembled a great collection of the originals!
I just checked Ebay, and it looks like you can get an unmolested original vise in either the horizontal or now discontinued vertical style for $100 - $200, maybe less if you get lucky. Just don't buy an abused one with deep saw and file marks on the jaws, it'll make you sad.
Nothing wrong with a new one, this seems very cheap to me,
www.maxtool.com/products/shop-fox-d3125-3-1-2-x-2-1-8-inch-jaws-360-degree-capacity-swivel-parrot-vise
It's not really a collection, they're in use all over the shop, and just gathered for your amusement.
Plus, it's always nice to have an extra one, they make great gifts.
Another great video with a ton of information. We are getting to the point, however, where every time I watch one of your videos it costs me money. Hahaha! I'm now looking into getting a couple of those Versa Vises. Seriously thank you for sharing your knowledge and experience.
What is money for if you can't trade it for tools and materials???
@@kenparkerarchtoppery9440 You are absolutely right and I keep using it for that exact purpose.
Not this particular video, but just a few weeks ago I was able to employ your advice about oiling the truss rod nut and flexing the neck to free up a stuck truss rod on a Moll archtop. It had been in the case for several years. That info was a lifesaver - I had no idea what was going on - I had run out of relief adjustment even on light strings -11-47. The closest qualified repairman is probably 2 hrs away. Thanks!
Great job!
I got me one of those parrot vises from a seller for around $25-$30 in that color of red. It came with an accessory arm and from the looks of it, probably purchased originally from Garrett Wade. Pretty versatile.
It's a very well designed tool. Every day buddy around here. It's great that you can screw-adjust the jaw angle to suit the force you use.
Very Interesting thanks Ken
Go get it.
Congratulations!
Thank you!
great advise....sorry couldn't help myself
Harmless. We forgive you.
Your radiused block for clamping guitar necks is amazing, and I am going to shamelessly steal it, you have been warned 😊
oh by the way, it seems you are Ken Parker himself, can't believe it, didn't know you have a UA-cam channel, subscribing right now, thank you very much for sharing your work and wisdom.
Excellent! Don't forget some thick cowhide.
Sorry, sloppy me. comment went astray
Excellent! Don't forget some thick cowhide
Ever used a foot-vice or shave horse Ken? Great fun...
Sure have. I made a shaving horse eons ago, but wasn't able to find enough uses for it.
Foot vises can be great, and I've tried some modern styles that certainly work perfectly, but again, not enough potential application in my workshop to make me get one.
The chuck on the lathe would have also qualified as a work holding vise
Good point! There are three chucks to fit our lathe, 3,4, and 6 jaw. Occasionally they come in handy for holding or squishing things without using the lathe at all.
Very cool shop Sir.
People! For the love of all... if you're gonna make vise, vice, advise (adv-eyes) or advice (adv-ice) jokes please spell it correctly. Kinda loses the kick when ya don't. No my spelling is 100% but I'm not making jokes based on it. K thx
Getting back to the vises, Sir could you post the model number of that Parker coachmakers (or filers) vise please? I have the same one but the meatball is different, just curious if the model #'s match. Thanks.
My vise says "C. Parker Co. Meridan CT. No. H H"
I always figured that Charlie Parker must have been the design engineer, plus, Meridan CT was my family residence at birth, so really, it's family!
It has a swivel base, and is quite robust.
It can be frustrating trying to find an unmolested vise like this one, as most of them have been roughly used, with hammer and grinding bruises to prove it.
This one wasn't too badly marred, but I'll admit to having spent an embarrassing amount of time making parts for it and blueprinting it in my milling machine many years ago.
I sure am glad I "bothered", it's a fantastic piece of gear!