RivennHewn
Well-known member
How about one with no casting marks other than 'Wilton' ,' Chicago'. 'USA' and 'HD' on the vise.
The keyway is stamped 5-945
The keyway is stamped 5-945
The VISES of Garage Journal
- Thread starter mjozefow
- Start date
zoomieport
Well-known member
That one was made May 9th 1945.
RivennHewn
Well-known member
bigcaddy
Well-known member
Even if the numbers were not there, the Chicago gives it away. Wilton started out in Chicago around 1941 and moved to Schiller Park sometime in the mid to late 1950s. You can get the exact date of their website but its a quick way to determine the date of a vise without taking a super close look.
Another way, if you are not in a real big hurry, would be to take a piece of paper, rub on the side of the vise, and then mail it to Autopts, our resident Wilton vise expert. He should be able to sniff the paper and tell you everything you need to know about your vise.
He's got to be the most knowledgeable person i've meet when it comes to Wiltons, or any vise for that matter.
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Another way, if you are not in a real big hurry, would be to take a piece of paper, rub on the side of the vise, and then mail it to Autopts, our resident Wilton vise expert. He should be able to sniff the paper and tell you everything you need to know about your vise.
Bigcaddy, I had to come out of lurking on that one!! HAHaHa!!! I always thought Wilton had 4 generations of vises but I believe we lost a generation in the 80's somewhere. When I get more facts I'll hit the Wilton History thread.
Catalyze
Well-known member
Speaking of Wiltons.....or writing of Wiltons......How about celebrating the birthday of a Wilton built on June 1, 1962? If I had asked for this vise on my sixth birthday instead of a bicycle.....okay maybe the bicycle was a better idea. Happy 50th to 9A450SJ!
View media item 20741View media item 20742
And just in case you ever wonder if newer Wiltons are still well made, here is a 1962 and a 1993.
View media item 20743Craig
View media item 20741View media item 20742
And just in case you ever wonder if newer Wiltons are still well made, here is a 1962 and a 1993.
View media item 20743Craig
SuDZ
Well-known member
It is a Wilton machinist vise with swivel base (can't tell the jaw width from the picture). The machinist series went through a few different model numbers Can't remember what the earliest model numbering was, then 9450, and now the modern equivalent is Wilton 350S or 450S (one of the few Wilton series still made in the US). It's a nice vise, worth some $ and definitely worth using as is or refurbing for another 50 years or so of service.
Since it is cast with "Chicago" instead of "Schiller Park", I believe it was cast before 1958. But evidently they continued to sell "new old-stock" of the Chicago castings for many years after that, with the date of sale (instead of the date of manufacture) stamped on the dynamic jaw, but I don't think that many of the 4.5" machinists fell into that category.
Here is one of mine. A similar vise in 4.5". Same design, but now stamped Schiller Park with some new part numbers as well as old part numbers, stamped as a 1970 production.
Here is the older 9450 compared to the newer 450. A big part of the apparent size difference is the lack of the swivel base on the 450. They came with and without the swivel...
All of this has been posted before, but it is so long now it is virtually impossible to go through the entire thread!
(by the way, credit to Autopts, whom I've learned much of what I know about Wilton's from!)
I took a look underneath at it was stamped 2-52. I'm taking that to mean February of 52 was either the build date or the warrantee date?
Any idea of what the vice would run pricewise?
bigcaddy
Well-known member
Suds,
Your Wilton would run somewhere in the 175.00-200.00 range if you sold it on ebay. I just sold a very nice Schiller Park made, 4" stationary base for 140.00. The swivel base and being a Chicago made vise will command a slightly higher price.
You should take the time to strip it down and repaint it the original light grey. It will serve you well for many more years.
Your Wilton would run somewhere in the 175.00-200.00 range if you sold it on ebay. I just sold a very nice Schiller Park made, 4" stationary base for 140.00. The swivel base and being a Chicago made vise will command a slightly higher price.
You should take the time to strip it down and repaint it the original light grey. It will serve you well for many more years.
Jarhead0408
Well-known member
Got to get an old Wilton....
Putting it on the "Must Have" list.
Putting it on the "Must Have" list.
bigcaddy
Well-known member
I think this might be the best place to ask this question, considering all the vise lovers on here, but are any members on here located in the Northern NJ/ New York area?
I found a guy that has a large pile of good vises for sale. I saw 2 parkers, 1 Wilton 400, possibly a Prentiss and a Cheney anvil vise.
It looks like he liquidates tools for a living so it might be a good place to find a fresh supply of vises for sale.
I found a guy that has a large pile of good vises for sale. I saw 2 parkers, 1 Wilton 400, possibly a Prentiss and a Cheney anvil vise.
It looks like he liquidates tools for a living so it might be a good place to find a fresh supply of vises for sale.
Esse,
Nobody restores like you do. Lets change flowers on the vise bouquet and bring it on!!
I dont live there but travel there from time to time for business. Is there a site or just an email?
SuDZ
Well-known member
It was more of a curiosity. I don't really plan on selling it anyhow. Plus, I already drilled the holes in my bench hehe.
Mark in Indiana
Well-known member
Thanks for the info guys. Good guess on the COO Outlaw, the other side is stamped Made in Japan.
I figure this vise will work for a while, but I eventually want to replace it with something bigger. I didn't think I needed a Wilton before I found the Garage Journal, but I can see one in my future...
zoomieport
Well-known member
HEY AUTOPTS,
That is a sweet 4" Bullet you've got on ebay, check this out guys...!
http://www.ebay.com/itm/WILTON-VISE...9?pt=BI_Tool_Work_Holding&hash=item231e9a1437
Well Done Sir!
ZOOM
That is a sweet 4" Bullet you've got on ebay, check this out guys...!
http://www.ebay.com/itm/WILTON-VISE...9?pt=BI_Tool_Work_Holding&hash=item231e9a1437
Well Done Sir!
ZOOM
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Catalyze
Well-known member
Autopts is the Wilton Factory Outlet that nobody knows about. I tried to get into it one time and got turned away. I didn't know the password: Dog the Bounty Hunter. Rumor has it that the Army has Wiltons stored in his basement in case of zombie attack. They may eat our brains but they won't get our Wiltons!
Craig
Craig
zoomieport
Well-known member
I actually USE my WILTONS, they can have the BRAIN!
I guess when you live in a Mars type climate one's thoughts start stretching...Man..thsts some heavy stuff! heheheh
Zoom had over an 80 vise collection and probably dozens more Wiltons then I have. Send your vise zombies over by him. HA!
zoomieport
Well-known member
Oh AUTOPTS... if i could whittle the number down to 80, I would be able to actually walk in my basement!!!!
bigcaddy
Well-known member
Nick,
I take it you don't encounter too many desert people in Illinois
Just take the most serious Coast to Coast listeners and give them a really good suntan. Something about the heat/sun combo that gets to them.
Catalyze, your thoughts may seem strange to some but your refinished vises are second to none. The picture you posted of that Prentiss Gipsy inspired me to actually do a somewhat wild paint job on mine and it came out great.
Ill post some pictures on here in just a few minutes.
bigcaddy
Well-known member
My Prentiss No. 65 Gipsy. I was going to go with the traditional black but on a whim i decided to go with Rustoleum Metallic Red. I think it came out pretty nice, especially on such a small vise. The flake is pretty small and the sun washes it out but it really does have a sparkle to it. Not bad for something out of a rattle can
It has 2.5" jaws and can't weigh over 12 lbs.
It has 2.5" jaws and can't weigh over 12 lbs.
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Catalyze
Well-known member
Wonderful work Bigcaddy! That Gipsy design is so simple that it is scary and yours came out great. I am glad to see any Prentiss get some TLC.
Craig (still waiting adoption papers from Bigcaddy or Autopts)
Craig (still waiting adoption papers from Bigcaddy or Autopts)
CAOS
Well-known member
Hey everyone,
I finished the stand for my 6" Record restoration earlier today. The base is a repurposed 18 3/4" disc'er blade that I pulled off old equipment at the farm. I welded a 1/2" plate to the bottom of it. The 1/2" plate has three 3/4" holes tapped into the bottom with 3/4"x1" bolts to account for an uneven surface. The base is filled with 100lbs. of steel shot. There is plenty of weight at the bottom end and it is very sturdy. I didn't want to have a fancy paint job on the stand, I just wire wheeled all of the rust off and took a blending wheel too add a bit of "bling", then clear coated it to prevent any rust.
I finished the stand for my 6" Record restoration earlier today. The base is a repurposed 18 3/4" disc'er blade that I pulled off old equipment at the farm. I welded a 1/2" plate to the bottom of it. The 1/2" plate has three 3/4" holes tapped into the bottom with 3/4"x1" bolts to account for an uneven surface. The base is filled with 100lbs. of steel shot. There is plenty of weight at the bottom end and it is very sturdy. I didn't want to have a fancy paint job on the stand, I just wire wheeled all of the rust off and took a blending wheel too add a bit of "bling", then clear coated it to prevent any rust.
littletoes
Well-known member
Looks like 3" pipe as the riser, and the vise-base plate fit looks awesome! Nice Job!
Outlawmws
Well-known member
I like that little vise! Is there supposed to be some sort of sliding mount for it?
Outlawmws
Well-known member
Hey everyone,
I finished the stand for my 6" Record restoration earlier today. The base is a repurposed 18 3/4" disc'er blade that I pulled off old equipment at the farm. I welded a 1/2" plate to the bottom of it. The 1/2" plate has three 3/4" holes tapped into the bottom with 3/4"x1" bolts to account for an uneven surface. The base is filled with 100lbs. of steel shot. There is plenty of weight at the bottom end and it is very sturdy. I didn't want to have a fancy paint job on the stand, I just wire wheeled all of the rust off and took a blending wheel too add a bit of "bling", then clear coated it to prevent any rust.
Nice job on the vise and the Stand!
PCO6
Well-known member
CAOS - Identical to the one on my bench. Great job on the restoration and I really like how you made your stand.
C.BRAXMAIER
Well-known member
- Joined
- Apr 17, 2012
- Messages
- 160
1st up we have 2 a Desmond Stphan MFG CO. 2 we have a Wilton 300 almost mint condition.3 We have 2 milling or drilling vise 4'' and a 3''... 4 we have a screwless vise for milling 3'' then the last these are the most used in my shop every body should have them....i'll clean em up and post later.. OH does anybody have a anvil for sale LOL... inside joke Zoom........these were all picked up yesterday..
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Nightshift
Well-known member
Absolutely stunning! BillHey everyone,
I finished the stand for my 6" Record restoration earlier today. The base is a repurposed 18 3/4" disc'er blade that I pulled off old equipment at the farm. I welded a 1/2" plate to the bottom of it. The 1/2" plate has three 3/4" holes tapped into the bottom with 3/4"x1" bolts to account for an uneven surface. The base is filled with 100lbs. of steel shot. There is plenty of weight at the bottom end and it is very sturdy. I didn't want to have a fancy paint job on the stand, I just wire wheeled all of the rust off and took a blending wheel too add a bit of "bling", then clear coated it to prevent any rust.
toomanytoyzz
Well-known member
Just got it today at a yard sale with a MAC 3/8 ratchet for $20. Gonna use it as the red-headed stepchild at the shop (keeping it in as-is condition for obvious reasons
). I'm not a big fan of the swivel style vises, but if it's gonna do it why not go 360 degrees around
.
). I'm not a big fan of the swivel style vises, but if it's gonna do it why not go 360 degrees around.Attachments
alan camby
Well-known member
Just got it today at a yard sale with a MAC 3/8 ratchet for $20. Gonna use it as the red-headed stepchild at the shop (keeping it in as-is condition for obvious reasons
Why not remove the swivel base.
zoomieport
Well-known member
NICE stuff! If you need an anvil to true up the those brass jaws, I know a guy... HAHAHAH!
zoomieport
Well-known member
And send it to me!!!!!!!!!!!!Why not remove the swivel base.
alan camby
Well-known member
Hey everyone,
I finished the stand for my 6" Record restoration earlier today. The base is a repurposed 18 3/4" disc'er blade that I pulled off old equipment at the farm. I welded a 1/2" plate to the bottom of it. The 1/2" plate has three 3/4" holes tapped into the bottom with 3/4"x1" bolts to account for an uneven surface. The base is filled with 100lbs. of steel shot. There is plenty of weight at the bottom end and it is very sturdy. I didn't want to have a fancy paint job on the stand, I just wire wheeled all of the rust off and took a blending wheel too add a bit of "bling", then clear coated it to prevent any rust.
Very nice job
. How did you cut out the triangle mounting plate for the vise, torch, plasma??? How thick is this plate? looks around 1/2".kas_rustndust
Active member
In response to your burning desire to see a regular image, which I did not provide because I was focussed on features. Here is a PDF from the company. They make about 100 at a time when orders build up. They are Out of Stock at the moment. See my edited comments above regarding the steel used. Thanks for your observation and my apologies for not showing first things first. kas
kas_rustndust
Active member
re: ALLSTEEL VISE, My edited comments didn't work and my pdf did not load. Will try to convert to jpeg and reload.
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kas_rustndust
Active member
re:ALLSTEEL VISE, Talked to the secretary this week, who was kind enough to send a pdf of their brochure and the retail price ($499.95) Brochure mentions availability of soft steel jaws and brass. Also mentioned is the option to buy a second base so that you can move the guts of the vise from your shop to your truck or other location. Talked to the owner of the business yesterday who gave me the patent date: February 14, 1956. Newer vises will have a new address of Burnsville, MN after 2001. I am in error on the steel. The boss told me it is all A36 mild steel. Rounds are hot rolled and flats are cold. Jaws and fasteners are all heat treated.