Wilton Vise History

[Steve Vincent]

I have uploaded 4 additional photos to my Ebay listing for this vise.

If you would like to see any other details, please let me know.

Steve Vincent

 

[super-bee_ski]

autopts:
That is an amazing photo of the "Wilton's" all lined up!
My short story to you all?
I moved to Edwards AFB CA May 1994. I had a "BIG" Starrett vice. Gorgeous but it got stolen. Now I'm restoring a 70 Hemi Superbee and I need a vice. I found a Wilton vice, Bullett Machinist, bought it for $20. Weighs about 90 lBs. It has no attachable jaw grip that fits on the Static Jaw. Also, the screws for the "static" jaw were "ground in" to the jaw itself. I'll send pics. But anyway;
autopts, you have some nice Vices all lined up their!
I'm having vice envy!
mark

 

[Garyss.smith]

Mark

If you need parts autopts probably has them New and used for most wiltons

I just got a old Wilton 450s and he had all the missing parts I needed.

Now mine is de-rusted and primered and waiting for me to have a nice day so I can paint it.

Gary

 

[autopts]

autopts:
That is an amazing photo of the "Wilton's" all lined up!
It has no attachable jaw grip that fits on the Static Jaw. Also, the screws for the "static" jaw were "ground in" to the jaw itself. I'll send pics. But anyway;
autopts, you have some nice Vices all lined up their!
I'm having vice envy!
mark

Thanks for the compliment Mark. !st, those broken screws are not hard to get out. Is the jaw support that the jaw rests on is still there or is it busted off? 2nd, you will need another vise (bolted down) to hold that body by the ends of the jaw towers so that the face with the broken screws are facing up. Center punching the centers of the broken screws are important, get yourself a sharp HHS 1/8" and drill slowly. High speed will burn the tip and also it will grab better, follow with a 3/16 bit. Its a piece of cake. If you need a nice used jaw, let me know.

 

[pat82]

So I'm setting up my garage in a new place and a friend gave me an old Wilton #4 vise. It is pretty beat up but in working order other than a broken base. Do any of you Wilton vise experts know where i could get a base for one of these?

 

[autopts]

If its the "Wilton Tool Co. No 4, you may not find a base. They quit making that vise in the early 40's. That was the 1st generation of Wiltons and I would keep it away from heavy duty holding. Decent for a collection though.

 

[Lump]

Mark,
I can't help you with Wilton parts, but if you need sheet metal for that Super Bee, I have connections.
Cheers.

 

[pat82]

If its the "Wilton Tool Co. No 4, you may not find a base. They quit making that vise in the early 40's. That was the 1st generation of Wiltons and I would keep it away from heavy duty holding. Decent for a collection though.

I'm guessing this means that the base on the newer models will not fit the Wilton Tool Co. No 4?

 

[autopts]

I'm guessing this means that the base on the newer models will not fit the Wilton Tool Co. No 4?

I don't think there is a whole lot of parts that are interchangable with the Wiltons from the early 40's. Wilton swivel bases in general are very hard to find used anyway. Its not to say that No. 4 is worthless. Clean, paint, lube and mount it. It will look cool. It will be like a Wilton lowrider sitting low as it does. It certainly won't take up alot of space and you may find out your using it more then you thought you would.

 

[gregok]

I have been reading some of the posts on the dates stamped on the key ways of wilton vises. I just bought one that is stamped 7-945. The vise is a 4 1/2 size and came from the shop my dad worked at for almost forty years. Anyone have a Wilton bullet marked like this?

 

[autopts]

I have been reading some of the posts on the dates stamped on the key ways of wilton vises. I just bought one that is stamped 7-945. The vise is a 4 1/2 size and came from the shop my dad worked at for almost forty years. Anyone have a Wilton bullet marked like this?

Hi, where is the stamping? on the key underneath or on the side under the jaw? it is stamped "Chicago" on the casting?

 

[gregok]

It is stamped Chicago on the sides and 7-945 is stamped on the bottom of the key.

 

[autopts]

It is stamped Chicago on the sides and 7-945 is stamped on the bottom of the key.

They didn't always put the (-) dash in the right place. Best guess is July 9th, 1945. New replacement jaws are cheap. Get the Wilton 2904110 jaws. They are 5" and you can trim them down to 4 1/2". They should fit perfect.

 

[jeffmoss26]

I just found this post. Apparently Columbian/Warren/Wilton had a plant here in Cleveland. I never knew that!

 

[kc-steve]

Jeff, being in Cleveland you could probably tell us if the old factory is still in existence. (I can't seem to locate the address at the moment.) If so, that would be the original Columbian Vise Company factory. The same as you see cast in the older Columbian vises.

Steve

 

[jeffmoss26]

I looked up the address but it's not a great area of town.
Google street view does show a sign that says 'Wilton Tool Group, Ohio Operations, Columbian Vise Plant'

 

[kc-steve]

Ah okay, I found the address. 9021 Bessemer Avenue, Cleveland, Cuyahoga County

Steve

 

[kc-steve]

Ah okay, I found the address. 9021 Bessemer Avenue, Cleveland, Cuyahoga County

For those interested here's a screenshot of Google's street view. Yup, it's still there!

Steve

 

[autopts]

For those interested here's a screenshot of Google's street view. Yup, it's still there!

Steve

Steve, I think you missed your call in life. You would have made a great crime detective! If anybody can find things given a clue, you can. Happy New Year!

 

[jeffmoss26]

It could be an old picture though

 

[OUTRIGGER]

I would like to ask RobRace10 a couple of questions :-

1. What is the possibility of finding any Wilton vice in the UK ? I don't recall seeing any US manufactured vice , possibly a Ridgid - but that could be a UK firm.

The model I would like would be a Machinists Bullet but obviously any would have to be considered.

2. Did Wilton export to any counties in the world ?

Having been reading up about all these US manufactured Classic / Cult vices - I feel there needs to be a few / odd person this side of the pond keeping a look out for artifacts for their private museum.

 

[demographic]

I would like to ask RobRace10 a couple of questions :-

1. What is the possibility of finding any Wilton vice in the UK ? I don't recall seeing any US manufactured vice , possibly a Ridgid - but that could be a UK firm.

The model I would like would be a Machinists Bullet but obviously any would have to be considered.

2. Did Wilton export to any counties in the world ?

Having been reading up about all these US manufactured Classic / Cult vices - I feel there needs to be a few / odd person this side of the pond keeping a look out for artifacts for their private museum.

1, I know for a fact that there's someone with a fairly big Wilton (5" wide jaws) bullet vice in the UK cos I bid against him on Ebay and also cos he goes on a motorcycle forum I frequent.

2, I don't know how many countries the Wiltons were exported to and I don't know of anyone this side of the pond that is busy even now getting hold of odd and interesting vice's, nope, no siree. Nobody.
Ahem...












Where's that whistling innocently smilie then?

 

[OUTRIGGER]

Interesting ,,, then I will bide my time & play cool & keep searching on eBay for old / vintage vices. Somehow I think far fewer US vices came to UK than went to the USA. I am now up to page 124 of the BIG vice thread , seems to be a lot of Record mechanics vices made it to USA , BUT I don't think I have seen a Engineers or Fitters QR mentioned. One of my firm fav. the Paramo HI-Duty - they seem to have been exported over , IMHO a far better vice than the Record Mechanics although I do have a small No. 1 Record and it is solid base cast.

Strange - we both know there are probably such people around in UK , I had already worked out that if somebody put a US "Classic" vice , there may be sfa interest.

Slept in on a nice older & rare Paramo a few weeks back , minta too , was going to snipe & did not have a showing interest bid & failed to see it in my watch list

============

ps - your :-

Where's that whistling innocently smilie then?

So I take it you will be my eBay counter-bidder LoL

 

[demographic]

Interesting ,,, then I will bide my time & play cool & keep searching on eBay for old / vintage vices. Somehow I think far fewer US vices came to UK than went to the USA. I am now up to page 124 of the BIG vice thread , seems to be a lot of Record mechanics vices made it to USA , BUT I don't think I have seen a Engineers or Fitters QR mentioned. One of my firm fav. the Paramo HI-Duty - they seem to have been exported over , IMHO a far better vice than the Record Mechanics although I do have a small No. 1 Record and it is solid base cast.

Strange - we both know there are probably such people around in UK , I had already worked out that if somebody put a US "Classic" vice , there may be sfa interest.

Slept in on a nice older & rare Paramo a few weeks back , minta too , was going to snipe & did not have a showing interest bid & failed to see it in my watch list

============

ps - your :-

Where's that whistling innocently smilie then?

So I take it you will be my eBay counter-bidder LoL

Not many US vises (if they are made in the US I call em a vise and made in the UK I call them a vice) for sale in the UK.
Over the last year or so I've seen a couple of Wiltons and a good looking Chas Parker and the rest of the good ones have been English.
As yet I don't ever remember seeing a Scottish vice yet There must be some but I just can't remember them.
I don't know just why the US doesn't seem to have quick release vices, plus they seem to stick with the weaker Acme thread over the buttress thread, just one of those things I suppose.
Another thing is that US vise's seem to be far heavier than UK ones, most of our quick release vice's are cast steel which might have something to do with it though.
As for bidding against each other? Well maybe but I'm not bidding on many, just every once in a while. Plus I don't really mind being outbid by someone who values what they win as opposed to someone who doesn't have a clue what they get and abuses it.

Good luck

 

[Monte]

2. Did Wilton export to any counties in the world ?

to the UK for example if you can live with a new vice:
http://www.carver.co.uk/wilton4pp.pdf

 

[OUTRIGGER]

QUOTE.

Not many US vises (if they are made in the US I call em a vise and made in the UK I call them a vice) for sale in the UK.
Over the last year or so I've seen a couple of Wiltons and a good looking Chas Parker and the rest of the good ones have been English.
As yet I don't ever remember seeing a Scottish vice yet There must be some but I just can't remember them.

Yes, I should get in the habbit of Vise for US manufacture , I knew about Tire but until very recently become aware of Vise , thought Vise Grip was just a trade mark play on spelling.

I am of reiver stock - still go north of the border for plunder , younger son just this weekend announced his engagement to the Edinburgh lass he has lived in tally with since they left university (fell on his feet, she has just finished GP training).

Get to the odd Scottish auction etc. my stamping ground for eBay plunder anywhere north (cheaper than going south).

Retired 6 years ago , used to get into loads of garages, distilleries and factories. Not looking at old vices then

 

[OUTRIGGER]

to the UK for example if you can live with a new vice:
http://www.carver.co.uk/wilton4pp.pdf

============

Thanks for the link Monte , I don't have a Carver but know they are very good as I have used them at places I worked in the past.

So - it does seem there was some importation of US manuf. vises , just a matter of watching eBay for something interesting and in not showing any bad damage

 

[Steve Vincent]

I have listed another Wilton 800N on Ebay for those who may be interested.

Steve Vincent

 

[djkeev]

I recently acquired an old Wilton Vise. It was out of my Mothers house, she at the young age of 94 packed up and moved to Oregon and got rid of what was in her home. Her 2nd husband owned a Flying "A" Station for many decades in Eatontown NJ. He retired back in the 70's and this Vise most likely moved to his home garage from the repair shop he had there.
It is a Wilton VC1 with the pipe jaws in it. A hefty 68 pounds of weight. It has been pounded up and welded upon and had a life of active use. I've not seen many photos of these vices on any Wilton Pages or pages of Vises for that matter!
I plan to simply clean it up, lubricate it and continue to use it as God meant it to be used. It's got 69 years of Patina on it and I'm going let it stay! It is missing a pin for the pipe jaw so I'll need to source a hardened rod to insert in there.

The stamp on the bottom is 9-48 which as I understand it makes this a 1943 vise.

It will replace the 1968 Era Craftsman that I've been using since my Dad passed away almost 30 years ago. It's sad to put it aside but really? How can you NOT use a vise like this?!?!

Enjoy the photos,
Hopefully the photos will embed, if not I'll try it another way!

Dave

And.... Does anyone know what this symbol is on the movable Jaw??

 

[autopts]

I recently acquired an old Wilton Vise. It was out of my Mothers house, she at the young age of 94 packed up and moved to Oregon and got rid of what was in her home. Her 2nd husband owned a Flying "A" Station for many decades in Eatontown NJ. He retired back in the 70's and this Vise most likely moved to his home garage from the repair shop he had there.
It is a Wilton VC1 with the pipe jaws in it. A hefty 68 pounds of weight. It has been pounded up and welded upon and had a life of active use. I've not seen many photos of these vices on any Wilton Pages or pages of Vises for that matter!
I plan to simply clean it up, lubricate it and continue to use it as God meant it to be used. It's got 69 years of Patina on it and I'm going let it stay! It is missing a pin for the pipe jaw so I'll need to source a hardened rod to insert in there.

The stamp on the bottom is 9-48 which as I understand it makes this a 1943 vise.

It will replace the 1968 Era Craftsman that I've been using since my Dad passed away almost 30 years ago. It's sad to put it aside but really? How can you NOT use a vise like this?!?!

Enjoy the photos,
Hopefully the photos will embed, if not I'll try it another way!

Dave

And.... Does anyone know what this symbol is on the movable Jaw??

Dave, thats a beautiful relic! I believe that Wilton was made in 48. A small length of 3/8" rod could serve as a pin. Don't abuse it. Its served its time.

 

[bigcaddy]

Really?! My Wilton is stamped 4-46. So that means it was made in 1941 - their first year? Does anyone have an earlier stamp?

My earliest stamp is a 2" baby bullet vise with a date of 7-41. I've only seen more current dates then that. It could be the first year of production and they started doing the warranty exp. with date later on.

 

[Danny304]

About 15 years ago my dad gave me a vise. It has been sitting on a bottom shelf in the shed for along time. Decided I needed to clean it up. Took some pictures if you guys are interested. It was nailed to a couple of 1" boards, almost rusted shut, believe it is a Wilton Shop King.

 

[MXER]

Hello, I am new to this fourm. Whet a great thread on wilton vises. I am currently restoring a pat. pending No. 4 Wilton and was wondering if anyone knows some of the orginal colors. I scraped down to what looks like a hunter green. Any info would greatly apprecatied. I have 3 other wiltons and still looking for more.

 

[kc-steve]

QUOTE.

Not many US vises (if they are made in the US I call em a vise and made in the UK I call them a vice) for sale in the UK. . . .

Good point so I added "vice" to the thread search tags. Another example of that is in the USA "defense" is "defence" in the UK. We are the same countries divided by a common language.

Steve

 

[kc-steve]

Hello, I am new to this fourm. Whet a great thread on wilton vises. I am currently restoring a pat. pending No. 4 Wilton and was wondering if anyone knows some of the orginal colors. I scraped down to what looks like a hunter green. Any info would greatly apprecatied. I have 3 other wiltons and still looking for more.

Autpts knows more than I about that but I think the older Wiltons were machine gray. I'm not sure what you mean by "hunter green" though. I have purchased the Rustoleum hammered "Verde Green" as a close color match to newer versions of Wilton vises. (see photos below)

Welcome to the forum!

Steve

 

[zekers59]

Here is 9300n and 9400 side by side;

9300
11-63
No Guarantee Date
Original Paint


9400
Guarantee Exp Date 12-31-62
Some rust but still smooth.....a little WD 40 on it. Appears to be Black paint.......is this another color Wilton Used for a short time? Or has this been painted?

Wilton moved to their new plant in Schiller Park in 1955.......so these markings verify.


Very pleased with both vises.......the 9400 has quite a bit more beef. Special kudos to Autopts and mjozefow for their input!
I think I'll wire wheel strip and give them a fresh coat of paint!

 

[bgott]

Originally Posted by MXER
Hello, I am new to this fourm. Whet a great thread on wilton vises. I am currently restoring a pat. pending No. 4 Wilton and was wondering if anyone knows some of the orginal colors. I scraped down to what looks like a hunter green. Any info would greatly apprecatied. I have 3 other wiltons and still looking for more.

Autpts knows more than I about that but I think the older Wiltons were machine gray. I'm not sure what you mean by "hunter green" though. I have purchased the Rustoleum hammered "Verde Green" as a close color match to newer versions of Wilton vises. (see photos below)

This is the original green. It looks like a hospital or avacado green. The slide is stamped 5-50, just to give you a time frame.

 

[autopts]

This is the original green. It looks like a hospital or avacado green. The slide is stamped 5-50, just to give you a time frame.

Just a suggestion, don't paint that vise! What paint thats left, plus the sticker over the top is really what makes that vise valueable just the way it is.

 

[gatewaysysop]

Just a suggestion, don't paint that vise! What paint thats left, plus the sticker over the top is really what makes that vise valueable just the way it is.

Seconded! Original paint FTW.

 

[bgott]

Don't worry, I'm not painting it! That would be like the guy who was so proud of his gold medal that he had it bronzed!