by Carl Matthews updated 08/31/05

Calling All Emmert Owners

I would like your help with this study.

This study would not be possible without the help of so many FOYBEVOs. That is an OldTools acronym for Emmert Owner. It stands for Fraternal Order of Yuppie B*stard Emmert Vise Owners (I didn't make it up). A lot of tool collectors and galoots have contributed and I am very thankful. While there is a lot of Emmert information here, I am far from being complete. I'm discovering new information all the time. I'm asking for your help and contributions in three main areas.

Photos: A major part of any Type Study is observation. This is not easy since I live in Houston, Texas. Its difficult to convince a fellow Emmert owner to ship their vise to me for photos and measurements. I don't see many at garage sales or flee markets. Aside from eBay photos and the few purchases I've made, I rely on observations, comments and photos from you, the Emmert owners and users.    

Here is what I would like. First, a good photo of the complete front jaw, head on. Rotate the handle so that most of the lettering shows. Next, close up photo(s) which show the cover if its a turtleback and the collar if its a "new improved" K1 vise. Additionally, photos of the mounting angle, tilt adjustment mechanism, unusual parts, and serial number if available. Note any differences (or similarities) from the Types listed below. Please send them to me, Carl Matthews.

I'm missing a additional photos of the Type T1, T3, U1, U2 and U3. Please note that unless you state to the contrary,  I assume that I have your permission to use, enhance, manipulate and post your photos.

Serial Numbers: If you have a Turtleback vise, particularly Type T1, Type T2, Type T3, then you may have one with a serial number. Click Here for more information and location..

Dating: No, not what your teenager is doing. I'm talking about dates of manufacture and sales information. It is very difficult to determine production dates for the different patternmaker's vises. For a while, the Turtleback and the "new improved" Universal vise were sold at the same time. Unlike Millers Falls or Stanley which printed a new catalogs almost every year, Emmert Mfg. Co. used the same drawings and literature for years. Most of the tool catalogs show the same Emmert sales literature that might be 5 or 10 years old. Your help in this area would great. This could be by dated copies of sales literature, tool catalogs or by the testimony of patternmakers and woodworkers who purchased and used them. I will gladly make reasonable purchases of Emmert catalogs and literature to further the research.