Oswego Tool Co. 24B Bench Vise

Here is another simple restoration which boiled down to some elbow grease and a new coat of paint.  I had been looking for a quality vintage Bench Vise for some time before I pulled the trigger on this one for $90.  The main attraction to this vise was the Oswego Tool brand as my parents met at SUNY Oswego and I've spent some time there.  Not to mention I've not seen this brand too often.  The price may seem high for a used Bench Vise but let me assure you that the quality is top notch and even at this age the condition of this vise will match most units you could purchase new.  One of the things I learned when investigating Bench Vise is that there is two distinct categories you'll see.  The first made of cheap cast (gray) iron which is brittle while the second is made from ductile iron and has quality vise jaws.  This vise falls into the later category and the jaws and movement were in exceptional condition for a vise of this age.

The Oswego Tool Co. was established in Oswego, NY in the early 1890s and I've found some patents from the owners for Stillson Pipe wrenches.  The 24B model is a Machinist swivel vise with 4" forged jaws, 5" opening, and a 3.5" throat.  This vise most closely matches a Chase Parker models and from what I've read may simply be a rebranded version of this vise. 

Simple tear down, paint, and mount.  As will all my cleanups I use general engine degreaser with a stiff brush and then soak the parts in a hot water bath with Tide clothes detergent.  Jaws were in excellent shape and clamp well on even thin sections on extreme edge of jaws.  Below is a slideshow of the process and results.