Some months ago I posted some pictures of two small Stephens quick adjust vise's that could have been jewelers vise's. At the time this was the only size I had seen.  Then this July at Martin Donnelly's auction, I ran across two more. One was in the auction and I would have bid on it except that the knob was broken off the handle I knew I would never find a handle so I let it go(how anyone could have broken this is beyond me, as it was at least 1 1/4 in. in diameter).

Then while wandering around outside looking at what some of the M-MTCA guys had, I found another one that was complete, although a bit smaller than the broken one.  I knew I'd kick myself if I didn't buy it so it wound up coming home with me.

This one weighs 32 1/2 lbs.  The jaws are 3 1/2 in. wide and open to right at 5 in. These are excellent vises but were quite expensive back in the day,which probably explains there relative scarcity.

If anyone is interested, there is currently one of the small jewelers types on feebay.

Mike

This vise has a nice look about it.   What holds the sliding jaw when the lever is pushed back?   How tight will it hold,  for instance  could one clamp 30-40 lbs in the jaw?  I have not seen on in the wild, possibly due to that high intial cost..    Glad you got one

I'd have to own that if I saw it at a sale. First I've seen . Clever design.
Thanks for sharing.

Here is the link to my original post on the small vise.  It will make it easier to understand how they worked.

John, I will have to get it out and see if it will clamp tight enuff to hold 30-40 lbs.  My guess is that it would be no problem.

http://www.papawswrench.com/vboard/index.php?topic=7925.msg50046#msg50046

Mike

I picked up one of the small ones recently. I think for a fair price, otherwise it wouldn't be part of my collection. I had to re-string the spring that closes the jaws and add a coat of oil and it was ready for one of my cabinets. No pictures yet but maybe this weekend I can add some.

I'm looking forward to the pictures.  There were several variations of the small ones.  I'm curious to see which one you have.

Mike

Jaws are 1 15/16 inches wide. They open to more than 2 inches.

Two more pictures.

The shape and form of that vise catches my eye.  Does the lever operate a cam to lock the jaws, and when released, is the front jaw free to slide forward?  Very interesting.  Ralph

Les, I'm pretty sure that is like one of my small ones only in better condition.  Mine has a small chip on a jaw corner.  If I remember correctly from the Tower & Lyon catalog, the spring and the anvil were both options.

Art, click on the link in one of my posts above.  I think it will explain everything.


Mike

When the locking lever is pushed in parallel to the body of the vice it releases a block that that engages the fine rack machined on the side of the moveable jaw arm. Pull the front jaw out and allow the spring to pull the jaw against the item. Pull the lever out and it engages the block into the rack, as you continue to pull the lever it also tightens the jaws against the piece.