Versa Vise Restoration

[Dick Mahany]

I was looking for a small universal type vise and learned about the Versa Vise. I hadn't seen one before and found an early production model. Now I need to make a few dog hole mounts for my work bench and MFT3 tables. I think it will be very handy for woodworking tasks. The dynamic jaw presses on a cam pivot when tightened and locks its position on the post mount. A nice feature of this vise is the flat faced tall jaws which will help reduce marring the work.

Are there any vise experts here who might know the years of manufacture for these original tall jaw versions ?

Versa Vise before.
415988

Disassembled, de-rusted, and cleaned.
415989

Reassembled and restored.
415990

415991

[Tom Bender]

Very nice restoration Dick. You could make leather jaw mittens for it.

[Andrew Pitonyak]

Nice. I always enjoy seeing the before and after photos.

[Patrick Kane]

Agreed, nice littler restoration. I would cover the jaws with something, or else you will mark up your work piece. I installed an emmert's vise a month ago and just bought a second one yesterday, and i need to line the jaws. Exerting the pressure you need to firmly hold a workpiece means you are denting the workpiece--generally.

[Dick Mahany]

Thanks for the suggestions folks. I do need to line the jaws. The leather is a great idea and I have also seen some rubberized cork for the same purpose, so that will be the next order of business. This vise is simply the handiest little vise and at 16 lbs, I can mount it just about anywhere.

[glenn bradley]

Sweet looking restoration. I find pivoting jaws work well for me in the ways that I use this vise (mine is a short-jaw knock-off from Garret Wade).

416463416462416465416464

The little magnet keeps the jaws from escaping during repositioning.

[Dick Mahany]

Sweet looking restoration. I find pivoting jaws work well for me in the ways that I use this vise (mine is a short-jaw knock-off from Garret Wade).

416463416462416465416464

The little magnet keeps the jaws from escaping during repositioning.

I like those pivoting jaws ! I've seen some available online, but yours possibly custom built ? Looks like I have another project coming up, many thanks. I also appreciate the in-use pics showing the versatility of this little gem.