
Where is the versa vise made?
The higher up the jaws apply pressure, the tighter the dog presses against the post, eliminating unwanted rotation of the vise. The Versa Vise is now being manufactured by Jon-Mar Gear and Machine of Canal Fulton, Ohio.
Why would you want a versa vise?
Those brass armatures could be very complex with very odd shapes, and the Versa Vise had a nearly unlimited range of motion to accommodate working on them. I liked the vise so much that I soon bought one for my own shop.
How do you use a vise vise on plywood?
With the vise set on its side over the post, the jaws can hold a board on edge for working with a plane or a router. With the vise on its side and its jaws facing outward, a sheet of plywood, resting on edge on the floor, can be held upright.

Who invented the Versa Vise?
Will Tschantz with Carpenter's Vise - later rebranded as the Versa-Vise. Equipment patented by Burt Cope to off-load Model T's from rail cars. Offloading a Model T with Burt Cop e's invention. February 8, 2018. 1920 was the year that Burt Cope landed the first big job for his new company.
What was Will Burt's manufacturing division?
Will-Burt’s manufacturing division continued to produce heating products throughout the 1960’s. The company made a strategic decision to expand its contract manufacturing and OEM work which consisted of high-quality fabrication, welding and painting. Will-Burt manufactured alarmed drive-thru teller drawers for Diebold, produced meat processing equipment for The Biro Manufacturing Company and fabricated parts for Hi-Lo scaffolding. Will-Burt also continued to machine parts for local companies including Hyco of Ashland, AMF Bowling of Shelby and Flo-Tork of Orrville.
What was Will Burt doing in the 1970s?
Will-Burt developed new contract manufacturing and OEM relationships with many large, well-known companies throughout the 1970’s. Fabrication work was performed for White Trucks which later became Volvo White. Additionally, work for Diebold became more complex as Will-Burt took on installation of wiring harnesses and electronics, along with welding of teller window assemblies. The company also established a long-lasting partnership with Caterpillar; welding, fabricating and painting components for heavy equipment. This business relationship endures to this day.
What products did Will Burt make?
Both products were derivatives of heating and transmission technology that Will-Burt had developed for the core stoker and heating product line.
What was Bill's passion for flying?
Flying was a passion of Bill’s as demonstrated by the company purchase of an airplane to transport sales and service people around the country.
What is Will Burt's tobacco curer?
Will-Burt’s tobacco curer was said to create better quality tobacco that could sell for 25% more than the going rate per pound. The secret was better heat circulation from a Will-Burt stoker-fired heating plant rather than traditional heaters of the time.
Where did the name "Will Burt" come from?
Many people have wondered where the name “Will-Burt” originated – here is the definitive answer as told by our founder, Burton Cope, to a reporter for The Daily Record Newspaper in 1942: “There’s a little story about that,” explained Mr. Cope. “After we had sold the Cyclone Drill company in 1914, Will Tschantz and I wanted to do a little experimenting. We had to order some material and I asked Will in what name should we order the material. He was doing some painting at the time, and he had a paint brush in his hand. He stepped to the side of the building and painted the name ‘Will-Burt’ on the wall. We ordered the material in the name of the Will-Burt Company and I have been doing business in that name ever since.”
Why is a vise special?
The vise is special only partly because I walked or drove past that factory nearly every day for years, but mostly because of its design. Like many other workbench vises, it swivels to allow you to efficiently position whatever you’re clamping so that you can easily work on it.
Does the Versa Vise lock the blade?
But unlike other vises, which have a secondary clamp to lock it in place after swiveling, the main gear on the Versa-Vise not only tightens the jaws around the mower blade you need to sharpen, but it also locks the vise so that it no longer swivels.
Can a vise be lifted horizontally?
Another clever element of the design is that the vise swivels on a round metal shaft — from which the vise can easily be lifted and placed either vertically or horizontally, depending on which is most advantageous for the work at hand.
Who invented the Versa Vise?
The Versa Vise was invented by John R. Long of Springfield, Ohio, and was granted Patent #667,151 in 1901. While the patent has expired, the name, Versa Vise, is still a protected trademark. There are several knock-offs on the market under other names: caveat emptor.
When did Harry Bryan buy the Versa Vise?
Harry Bryan (who wrote about small-boat seating in our January 2015 issue) reviewed the Versa Vise for WoodenBoat in 1996. He had purchased a Versa Vise in 1971 and liked it so much that he bought four more for his kids, and then 10 more that he sold to his friends.
What is a swivel base adapter?
The swivel base adapter gives the vise additional ranges of motion.
How wide is a Versa vise?
The jaws of the vise open to 4-7/8″ and have smooth, flat faces 3-1/2″ wide and 2-1/4″ high. With that wide area of contact and the absence of knurling common to the jaws of other vises, the Versa Vise won’t mar wood or metal. On the body of the vise, behind the fixed jaw, there is a 1-3/4″ square anvil surface.
What can a vise hold?
With the vise set on its side over the post, the jaws can hold a board on edge for working with a plane or a router.
Where are Gaydash vises made?
Later, he purchased one in 1995 and received one in 1996 for the WoodenBoat review. All of the vises were made by Gaydash Industries of Uniontown, Ohio, but the two newer models didn’t grip the base’s post as firmly and would pivot when they shouldn’t.
How many holes are in a vise?
The vise sits on a base with three legs and a 1-1/2″-diameter post and can swivel freely around it. There are two matching 1-1/2″ holes in the vise, one on the bottom to hold it in a normal upright position and the other on the side for a horizontal orientation.
