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The VISES of Garage Journal

colmal

Well-known member
Joined
Sep 8, 2021
Messages
452
Location
Australia
The DP vise seems to have had the same PO as my Speed Vise:

54418385294_118d2fbf91_o.jpg

The Goodwill is unspeakably cool! Just wondering what it was meant for with those shallow jaws?
Ah to be honest I've just admired and lusted over it, never got to the why's of it.

Would be interested to see one sell too, reckon my $2500 bid would be doubled at least thou (it's just money in the bank, you'd always be able to get your money back on it if needed)

2 vids on it, the guy with the original also has some Waldown DP vices and machinery, in the second one a guy made one from scratch using original plans - gave up on ever seeing one I think. - will post if I ever find it again, really well done.

 
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colmal

Well-known member
Joined
Sep 8, 2021
Messages
452
Location
Australia
Ah to be honest I've just admired and lusted over it, never got to the why's of it.

Would be interested to see one sell too, reckon my $2500 bid would be doubled at least thou (it's just money in the bank, you'd always be able to get your money back on it if needed)

2 vids on it, the guy with the original also has some Waldown DP vices and machinery, in the second one a guy made one from scratch using original plans - gave up on ever seeing one I think. - will post if I ever find it again, really well done.

I had to watch it again, picked up something I've never seen on another vice as well- the jaw ends taper into the jaw mounts- say 4 1/2" jaws on 4" mounting pad.
 

SquirrelsTools

Well-known member
Joined
Oct 5, 2023
Messages
140
Location
Flint Michigan
I use this little guy quite a bit to hold shims for filing and delicate parts (I even made magnetic soft jaws for it). Couldn't get a good picture of the fed number. Wouldn't trade it for anything.
 

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Jim1932

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Joined
Mar 2, 2014
Messages
157
Helping out a neighbor. As far as I can tell this is a Charles Parker 279X vise. Big as hell. Is this a case of leave it alone as is? Or sandblast it and restore it. Looks like it has been inside all it's life. Any photos of the colors when it was original?

IMG_9192.JPEG
 

Outlawmws

Well-known member
Joined
Aug 9, 2011
Messages
39,279
Location
The Badlands
Helping out a neighbor. As far as I can tell this is a Charles Parker 279X vise. Big as hell. Is this a case of leave it alone as is?

Is this now your vise, or still his? Whoever the owner is decides...

If you want a "wall hanger" restore (but do not ever sand blast tools - it changes the patina of the metal surface), but if its a user, see what is left of the original finish

For bare steel parts, or to strip, wire brush or even a wire wheel on castings works fine, Electrolysis if you are dealing with rust, for that one I'd start with a strong wash with Greaz-Off, and a stiff nylon brush and see where you land.
 

Beerhippie

Well-known member
Joined
Oct 13, 2023
Messages
9,881
Location
Far NE Oregon
I was expecting a "so, it's been bubba'd' from you. :)

And yes, seems like the same operator, did have a think about restoring it the way you did with acrylic fill (think it was you, maybe a metal fill) but -yeah I don't think I'd get it to a state I'd be happy with, my solution was to glue the jaws together so the damage could never be seen, but, yeah I could find a cheaper paperweight
Pardon me.

"It's been Bubba'd."

I won't forget again.

PS: Epoxy filler was my answer. The plate isn't really structural at that point, and the design of the Speed Vise keeps me from really cranking down anyway.
 

Beerhippie

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Joined
Oct 13, 2023
Messages
9,881
Location
Far NE Oregon
I was expecting a "so, it's been bubba'd' from you. :)

And yes, seems like the same operator, did have a think about restoring it the way you did with acrylic fill (think it was you, maybe a metal fill) but -yeah I don't think I'd get it to a state I'd be happy with, my solution was to glue the jaws together so the damage could never be seen, but, yeah I could find a cheaper paperweight
Running low on edits for the night.

Just how do you say "Bubba" in 'Strine?

Enquiring minds want to know.....
 

Maui

Well-known member
Joined
Sep 16, 2012
Messages
2,872
Location
Upstate NY
If anybody here is restoring a Prentiss No. 53 vise with the script lettering, I just posted an ad in the classifieds for a parts vise. Just letting you know.
 

Jim1932

Well-known member
Joined
Mar 2, 2014
Messages
157
It does not belong to me, but I am sure his daughter would give it to me if I asked. Her dad raided some machine shop back in the day. Bridgeport, lever press and some other heavy duty items. I just pointed it out as something to not go on the scrap heap. where do you look up values on these? Yeah I know a bunch of people on here will pop up and offer to take it for scrap value :)
 

hyenaz

Member
Joined
Apr 16, 2024
Messages
14
Location
Los Angeles, CA
Long time reader/lurker, first time posting. I recently received an early Wilton C1 from my Grandfather to bring back to life. I’ve spent quite a bit of time searching for information here & other sites regarding replacement parts, most importantly replacement jaws but I keep hitting a dead end. I will attach photos below for reference. Thank you in advance for any information!IMG_6242.jpegIMG_6285.jpegphoto.jpeg
 

Patrickm82

Well-known member
Joined
Feb 27, 2021
Messages
811
Location
Massachusetts
Long time reader/lurker, first time posting. I recently received an early Wilton C1 from my Grandfather to bring back to life. I’ve spent quite a bit of time searching for information here & other sites regarding replacement parts, most importantly replacement jaws but I keep hitting a dead end. I will attach photos below for reference. Thank you in advance for any information!IMG_6242.jpegIMG_6285.jpegphoto.jpeg
That doesn’t look like it needs anything other than a good scrubbing. Very nice unit.
 

fishwatcher

Well-known member
Joined
Jan 26, 2023
Messages
758
Long time reader/lurker, first time posting. I recently received an early Wilton C1 from my Grandfather to bring back to life. I’ve spent quite a bit of time searching for information here & other sites regarding replacement parts, most importantly replacement jaws but I keep hitting a dead end. I will attach photos below for reference. Thank you in advance for any information!IMG_6242.jpegIMG_6285.jpegphoto.jpeg
Looks like a fantastic Wilton C1!

What improvement are you looking for in new jaws? From the limited view in the picture.. they look great and would clean up easily.

Copper or brass jaws, or maybe serrated or flat vs what you have might be a good reason for a change.

I would start with a good cleaning, partial disassembly, wire wheel and optionally polish the bare metal parts and jaws.

Then decide how you want to tackle the paint. Scrub loose paint and rust off, Evaporust or other rust treatment, and then decide if you want to completely strip the old paint.

It’ll be nice whatever you do to it. Just don’t paint blast everything. A lot of the vise fans here, me included, prefer to keep the bare metal parts paint free.
 

merkyworks

Well-known member
Joined
Nov 11, 2016
Messages
587
Location
Texas
Long time reader/lurker, first time posting. I recently received an early Wilton C1 from my Grandfather to bring back to life. I’ve spent quite a bit of time searching for information here & other sites regarding replacement parts, most importantly replacement jaws but I keep hitting a dead end. I will attach photos below for reference. Thank you in advance for any information!IMG_6242.jpeg

This eBay seller is a member on here if not mistake, either way here are a new set of jaws.

Older C1 Jaws
 

hyenaz

Member
Joined
Apr 16, 2024
Messages
14
Location
Los Angeles, CA
Looks like a fantastic Wilton C1!

What improvement are you looking for in new jaws? From the limited view in the picture.. they look great and would clean up easily.

Copper or brass jaws, or maybe serrated or flat vs what you have might be a good reason for a change.

I would start with a good cleaning, partial disassembly, wire wheel and optionally polish the bare metal parts and jaws.

Then decide how you want to tackle the paint. Scrub loose paint and rust off, Evaporust or other rust treatment, and then decide if you want to completely strip the old paint.

It’ll be nice whatever you do to it. Just don’t paint blast everything. A lot of the vise fans here, me included, prefer to keep the bare metal parts paint free.
That picture I took of the vise makes it look much better than it is unfortunately lol I am just looking for a similar style to the original jaws + hardware.. I have already started the tear down & plan on going for a bare metal finish. IMG_6304.jpeg
 

fishwatcher

Well-known member
Joined
Jan 26, 2023
Messages
758
That picture I took of the vise makes it look much better than it is unfortunately lol I am just looking for a similar style to the original jaws + hardware.. I have already started the tear down & plan on going for a bare metal finish. IMG_6304.jpeg
Ah yes. Those are worn down pretty good. While I personally have not bought from him, I have heard great things about:

https://www.antiquevises.com/.
Logan Kendrick

Search on his name here and you’ll see plenty of posts that recommend his work.
 
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Dig Doug

Well-known member
Joined
Apr 16, 2018
Messages
1,111
All sand blasted and ready for paint.

IMG_9319.JPG

Was considering powder coating but cost was too much, so going for enamel spray. Opted to get funky and it'll be yellow. This vise will be an outdoor one (on that workbench actually) so it will see some weather, but I'm in SoCal so not too bad and it'll be covered when not being used.
Post pics after your painted up

Please
 

682bear

Well-known member
Joined
May 20, 2024
Messages
237
Location
West GA
A few weeks ago I found a 3" Wilton bullet with an attached table at a yard sale...

20250809_204013.jpg

Last week, I disassembled it... mostly... I didn't remove the rear part of the body casting or the threaded inner nut. I soaked it in degreaser for a couple of days, then left it in a bucket of Rust911 for 3 days or so... It came out fairly clean...

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Most of the remaining paint came off, also... it appeared to dissolve in the 911 just like latex paint does...

I dried it out pretty well with compressed air, and this morning I throwed some paint at it...

20250924_140829.jpg

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It will need a second coat... maybe tomorrow.

-Bear
 

PeterPeter

Well-known member
Joined
Apr 30, 2019
Messages
176
Location
Newburyport
PeterPeter: That one is a dead ringer for a Brainard vise. Brainard, Backus, Union, and even Millers Falls all got tangled together. Mister Brainard's item explains a lot.

Yet another Backus/Union/Millers Falls for the record. Looks like a super fine casting. Unfortunately, it also appears to be welded to a plate. IMG_1787.jpeg
Peter, peter hates pumpkin spice, loves the pumpkin.
 
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