Old Tools Brought Back to Life

[-db-]

Tired of running out to the garage every time I needed to trim a grip screw or something like that, I'm putting together a work area in my den and decided I wanted a small vise to clamp on an old Steelcase work table I have. At less than the price of a Chinese import from Harbor Fright, I found this old guy on eBay the other day:

The seller listed it as working but with the jaws a bit misaligned. Figuring that's no big deal (these are light duty vises, thus the jaws aren't hardened and can easily be brought back to square), I decided to go for it.

I didn't want to remove or damage the cool old Mercury logo at all, so an overnight soak in mineral spirits, a light going-over with a bronze brush and the jaws filed true was all I did. Oiled it up and I'm in business. Dig the patina.

I'm not sure but I'd guess this one dates to the '40s. Doing a little online research, these Mercurys are somewhat scarce and a big hit with the guys into the hot rod/garage/vintage tools scene.

 

[Penmon]

Very nice, good job!

 

[snubbyfan]

Looks good. Thanks for not taking a wire wheel to it and destroying the patina. I have a collection of old tools and it drives me nuts when people destroy an original finish and think they're restoring something.

 

[Hack]

It really is true: "They don't make 'em like that anymore."

If inanimate objects could talk, I wonder what tales this would tell???

 

[Nframecollector]

Very cool vintage tool! I have some old Blue Point box wrenches from the 30's and a few old planes from various manufacturers.

 

[EugeneNine]

I need to clean mine up

 

[-db-]

I need to clean mine up

I'll bite- what is it? I mean, I see it's a wrench but is there a story?

 

[handejector]

Model T wrench?
or
Tractor wrench?

 

[30-30remchester]

GREAT job. It is great to see someone admire honest use on a tool or gun. My tools and guns have scars from use and I am proud of every defect. Mine have been there and done that.

 

[snubbyfan]

Model T wrench?
or
Tractor wrench?

Doesn't look like any kind of wrench I've seen connected with a model T. I'm goin' with tractor wrench.

 

[pawncop]

Well done, I will bet the vise took and deep breath and said "Finally, some one that cares."

 

[shouldazagged]

Well done, I will bet the vise took and deep breath and said "Finally, some one that cares."

And can spell "vise"!

That's a beauty--fine patina. I have a weakness for old, well-made and well-worn stuff like that.

 

[kozmic]

I told my wife I wanted to talk to her about bringing an old tool back to life and she said "I thought you signed the do not resuscitate paperwork"?

 

[timn8er]

I told my wife I wanted to talk to her about bringing an old tool back to life and she said "I thought you signed the do not resuscitate paperwork"?

Man! Lurch is busy tonight!

 

[RobbW]

Nice job on the restoration! Well done and saved the honest patina.

Looks good. Thanks for not taking a wire wheel to it and destroying the patina. I have a collection of old tools and it drives me nuts when people destroy an original finish and think they're restoring something.

I hear that referred to as "Kentucky Mint" in the pocketknife world. Lots of fraud at the antique malls, and shiny antiques brings in the suckers. lol

 

[quneur]

I have a similar vice but most of the logo is gone. I suspect mine is newer because I can read a 'JA' for Japan. Although there is a standard screw in the upper jaw which tightens the turning stile. Didn't Japan commonly used philips head?

I also have a perfect handle screwdriver I need to fix; half of the handle is broken off. I find a lot of old tools at the local Goodwill - Goodwill Outlet store. All the stuff they can't sell goes to the outlet store and sold by the pound. Found some awesome stuff there.

 

[EugeneNine]

Doesn't look like any kind of wrench I've seen connected with a model T. I'm goin' with tractor wrench.

All our tractors had hex head bolts, we had a horse drawn hay tedder and dump rake (that had been converted to tractor pulled), those all had square head bolts so I bet it went with one of those.
It was an an old barn my dad and I rebuilt part of when I was a kid, barn still stands on our farm.

 

[pineappleshooter]

Thought this was a viagra post - my bad!

 

[gaucho1]

Man! Lurch is busy tonight!

Does Secretary Kerry post here?

 

[Frank46]

I have an old stanley wood bodied wood plane. Guess my dad never used it much but reworked the wooded body, had to find some longer wood screws as the origional holes were worn out and resharpened the plane blade. Don't know how old it is but now when using it the blades makes shavings you can almost see through. Frank