The new vise turned out pretty nice...

[brianpgriset]

I said I'd get pics up when it was all finished, well here it is. My new Columbian 204 1/2. Gave it a good degreasing, wire wheel, and mineral spirits bath. Then masked it and painted it. It seems most Columbians came from the factory red, but the new ones online were all gray. I liker gray better anyways. After the paint had time to setup I greased it all up and put it back together. All in all its in good shape. Someone did weld nuts onto the ends of the handle. Who knows what happened to the original ball ends. It has a few bruises here and there but nothing significant. Some also welded the letter "R" into the front of the handle, but I ground that off. Jaws are in remarkably good shape. I'm going to bend up some protectors out of thick gauge aluminum in a few days.

By chance and of you vise experts could put an approximate date on this thing. It has an "M" cast into the side of it. It also has the number 604 1/2 cast into the base... at least I think thats the number. Thats the only identifying marks, other than the name in the pic below.

First pic is it all freshley put togther.
Second pic is the name cast into the side.
Third pic, you can see what its replacing... small size difference. Funny thing is the Columbian cost me $10 less than the little Kobalt.

 

[brianpgriset]

By the way, this is what it started like. This is the pic from the craigslist add. I gambled hoping it would be an American made vise... looks I won this time.

 

[Merkava_4]

Is that the Rustolium Hard Hat paint in the tall can?

It looks very nice.

 

[wilbilt]

Nice! Gray is good!

 

[DavidtheDuke]

Nice job man. Made in USA and REDID in USA! Makes me want to build my own computer chair instead of just buying a new one since my is taking a ****.

 

[eschoendorff]

Man, Brain, you did a number on that vise... it' almost too pretty to use!

 

[Stuey]

Wow, that looks great!

 

[gotmud13613]

Looks good, Nice restoration job !!!

 

[brianpgriset]

Thanks for the nice comments. It will definetly hurt the first time I use it and scratch up that nice paint. Oh well, its made to be used!

As for the paint, thats just el cheapo Valspar gray rattle can paint. I don't think I saw the Hard Hat paint your talking about. Do they have it at Lowes? I'm assuming it has good chip/wear resistance? Surprisingly I've found cheap spray paint can do a really good job if your meticulous about prepping the surface.

 

[OldCarGuy]

That's one fine Columbian Vise!

 

[bmwpower]

It looks nice, but I think it needs some handle rubber washers/cushions.

 

[wilbilt]

It looks nice, but I think it needs some handle rubber washers/cushions.

Yes, you don't want to risk getting "The Pinch". Especially by a lug nut.

Some garden hose washers stretched over the ends couldn't hurt.

No reference to previous threads intended.

 

[brianpgriset]

No reference to previous threads intended.

You know, I almost titled the thread "I've cleaned her, but have yet to mount her".

 

[wilbilt]

You know, I almost titled the thread "I've cleaned her, but have yet to mount her".

...Which would make me think you are into taxidermy...

 

[bmwpower]

You know, I almost titled the thread "I've cleaned her, but have yet to mount her".

You and I think alike:

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=9877

 

[Uncle Buck]

By chance and of you vise experts could put an approximate date on this thing. It has an "M" cast into the side of it. It also has the number 604 1/2 cast into the base... at least I think thats the number. Thats the only identifying marks, other than the name in the pic below.

Obviously it is older, and no I cannot tell the exact age, but I can shed a little light for you. It has the T shaped jaw inserts; they are secured by pins that are driven through small holes and flush fitted on the top of the vise. I hope your inserts are in great shape because you can no longer buy those inserts, or so I was told when I contacted Columbian about that jawset for my old vise. When last available replacement jaws cost most of $80.00 if memory serves. My Columbian is the same size but was not the model equipped with the pipe jaw inserts yours has. I can say that mine has more damage and lived a harder life than yours. I had to buy a replacement swivel base for mine when I got it, that cost about $100.00. I have never regretted it though! BTW You did a great job of cleaning her up!

 

[russlaferrera]

Did a great refinishing job. All thats left is to use it.

 

[the intimidator]

Wow looks good why can't I ever find deals at least not when I have the money lol My poor vise is in a world of hurt right now, I would not even feel worthy of posting a pic of it Has served a good life though cost 24$ at canadian tire on sale for a 6" swivel vise was not bad weighs around 15-20 pounds. going to see how good their lifetime warranty is though even though the swivel is broken welding marks all over has almost no paint left (well original paint anyways got bored and painted it black with no prep) http://www.canadiantire.ca/browse/p...older_id=1408474396672985&bmUID=1202005406428
There is a link to it anyways say's limited lifetime warranty lol I did however aquire a older 3.5" or so vise I believe it said record on it not quite sure though, and it seem's pretty strong Thought it would look good next to a monster vise

 

[eschoendorff]

Wow looks good why can't I ever find deals at least not when I have the money lol My poor vise is in a world of hurt right now, I would not even feel worthy of posting a pic of it Has served a good life though cost 24$ at canadian tire on sale for a 6" swivel vise was not bad weighs around 15-20 pounds. going to see how good their lifetime warranty is though even though the swivel is broken welding marks all over has almost no paint left (well original paint anyways got bored and painted it black with no prep) http://www.canadiantire.ca/browse/p...older_id=1408474396672985&bmUID=1202005406428
There is a link to it anyways say's limited lifetime warranty lol I did however aquire a older 3.5" or so vise I believe it said record on it not quite sure though, and it seem's pretty strong Thought it would look good next to a monster vise

That's the thing about Canadian Tore... they always want a postal code before you can check out their website. What's the postal code for, say, Windsor, Ontario?

 

[the intimidator]

ahh just put in l9w4b4 that's mine so no stalking now hahaha

 

[caper]

Ive returned vises to canada trsh before and had no problems.The important thing to remember is that several years ago their catalog stated "all mastercraft hand tools carry a lifetime no questions asked warranty".When some pimple faced kid tries to argue about things i quote him that line and they usually give up.They'll even take chrome sockets used on an impact.When they say was this used on an air gun i say"no questions asked warranty".