Hello there,
Up for sale today I have a very nice example of an Emmert Improved Universal Paternmaker's vise, type U5. This particular one is a bit unique, due to the brass Navy inventory tag riveted onto its front. Research turns up vises stamped with USN for Navy markings, but I reached out to a few people in the know, and none have seen one with a tag such as this.
The tag indicates that this vise came out of the Naval Industrial Reserve (Aircraft) Plant in Columbus Ohio. The base was originally built in 1941 AS AFP85, but it didn't become the NIRAP until 1950. In 1982 the plant was transferred to the Air Force, and was re-named AFP85. So this vise would have been in service somewhere in those 32 years.
I broke this vise completely apart, and cleaned the years of crud and paint off of it. There are still a few patches of paint in hard to clean nooks in the castings, but all the mechanical surfaces were thoroughly cleaned. The metal was treated with boiled linseed oil to help prevent corrosion, while letting the natural beauty of the metal show through. Moving parts were oiled, and the entire thing was reassembled. The only thing that didn't come off was the pivoting main mounting plate. Due to the way it is manufactured, this would have been quite difficult to disassemble without damaging the vise.
The tilt-adjust bracket was missing when I purchased the vise, so I fabricated a new one for it. It is mechanically distinct, but functions very similar to the original. About 1/3 of a turn of the lever firmly locks the bar.
Otherwise, to the best of my knowledge the vise is complete, and in good working order. The threads on the lead screw are immaculate, and all moving surfaces show little to no wear. Aside from a small casting flaw, the faces of the jaws are smooth and straight.
I'm looking to get $650 for this vise. I'd prefer local pickup, near Iron, MN 55751. I am willing to ship, but we'll have to discuss how to do so if that's what you want to do. I will consider trades for blacksmithing tools, or accessories for a metal lathe, but I basically spent the money I expect to make off this on my lathe in the first place, so money is preferable :P
Thanks for looking, and please feel free to ask any questions.
(I'll get some pictures tacked on when I can, for now you can see pictures here:
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