Boogerman
Well-known member
Picked up a new Columbian 504 1/2 vise today in excellent condition. Is is sacrilegeous to switch it in for the Wilton on my worktable? I like the Columbian much better.
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Is it sacrilege to switch out these two vises?
- Thread starter Boogerman
- Start date
Provincial
Well-known member
I like the heavier Columbians. Even the consumer-grade Columbians are pretty good.
The professional-grade Columbians are made of Malleable Iron, which is strong and ductile. Probably better for this application than steel. You can't go wrong with the Columbian.
The professional-grade Columbians are made of Malleable Iron, which is strong and ductile. Probably better for this application than steel. You can't go wrong with the Columbian.
crguy
Well-known member
Why would you have to ask random strangers which vise you should use?
PugetDude
ALLIANCE MEMBER
The answer is obvious.
Mount the Columbian and send the Wilton to me.
Mount the Columbian and send the Wilton to me.
Something to talk about as an alternative to "New HF copy of SO ratchet" or "Why do they make 12 point sockets when 6 point are better anyway".
I legitimately like the Columbians better than the Wiltons, and I know that's not a usual preference. Thought maybe some facts/opinions/thoughts would be offered up. Maybe a fatal flaw that I've overlooked in the Columbians will be revealed to me.
Black300zx
Well-known member
For someone who actually uses their tools (instead of admiring them), there's never any sacrilege in choosing the tool that works better.
Pick which works best for you, period. Now if you were talking about throwing the outgoing wilton in the scrap heap, that would be different
Pick which works best for you, period. Now if you were talking about throwing the outgoing wilton in the scrap heap, that would be different
FJ 432
Well-known member
The answer is yes.
d42jeep
Well-known member
I have a couple of user vises in the garage. This one belonged to Grandpa Al and was bolted to the workbench when we got the house. It gets used and beat on most every day.
The Wilton is too pretty to use and sits on display in the basement.
Use the one you like!
-Don
The Wilton is too pretty to use and sits on display in the basement.
Use the one you like!
-Don
tool_scrounge
Well-known member
Columbian vises are under appreciated among folks who like the heaviest vise they can buy. But the Columbian metallurgy is first rate allowing for a lower weight vise for a given size. I like my Columbian 506 vises a lot. This one was only $80 and cleaned up nicely.
retDAC
Well-known member
I notice the OP's Columbian has a much deeper throat. While I love the look of the "bullets", a deeper throat is much more appreciated at times.
PugetDude
ALLIANCE MEMBER
Why yes, yes it is.
Fretters
Well-known member
For general use, I'd go with the standard style of vice.
Beerhippie
Well-known member
I saw that movie!
OP: The Wilton is kind of like a Greyhound or Thoroughbred race horse. It's beautiful and very good at the specific task for which it was made--but it isn't a "whale away on it" vise. I'd pick the Columbo over it for a user any day. IIRC, the Wiltons have hollow jaw towers.
You could clean the Wilton up and sell it for enough to buy several Columbos.
toolmiser
Well-known member
I did something similar, my "new" vice is unnamed but larger. I did keep the Wilton though. I like larger vices.
Shiftless
Well-known member
I agree with the consensus: use the vises you like.
Wilton bullets are pretty and they operate nicely, but I'll take a vintage Reed or Columbian any day.
At my old work (oil refinery) the shops had 1950s Reeds, used hard daily with no signs of ever wearing out.
Early 2000's they added some shop space w/new Wilton mechanic's vises (not bullets). Not even in the same league.
I've also used vintage Columbians and they seem comparable to the Reeds.
Working elsewhere now and we have an older 8" Wilton bullet, smooth as silk but not as heavy duty as Reeds/Columbians.
At home I have a several brands of vintage vises, but all my users are Reeds.
I've only ever bought one Wilton, a baby bullet, and I'd trade it for a 2" Reed in a heartbeat.
Wilton bullets are pretty and they operate nicely, but I'll take a vintage Reed or Columbian any day.
At my old work (oil refinery) the shops had 1950s Reeds, used hard daily with no signs of ever wearing out.
Early 2000's they added some shop space w/new Wilton mechanic's vises (not bullets). Not even in the same league.
I've also used vintage Columbians and they seem comparable to the Reeds.
Working elsewhere now and we have an older 8" Wilton bullet, smooth as silk but not as heavy duty as Reeds/Columbians.
At home I have a several brands of vintage vises, but all my users are Reeds.
I've only ever bought one Wilton, a baby bullet, and I'd trade it for a 2" Reed in a heartbeat.