Help needed with Columbian bench vise-post restoration

[Jtoddaz]

With the help from many pages of vise restorations, I set out to restore an old Columbian 503 I had. It went through a process of disassembling, degreasing, electrolysis, prime, and paint. Other than a little touch up, it's pretty much complete.

One question is finding another model similar so I can attach a date to the vise. I have never seen one with a spindle like this. The ends are a very heavy knurled design. Any help would be much appreciated.

 

[WWIIjeep]

I have never seen one with a spindle like this. The ends are a very heavy knurled design. Any help would be much appreciated.

Are those knurled ends screwed on? I'm betting that handle isn't OEM and someone made it as a replacement for a damaged original with ball ends.

 

[balane]

I agree. It would stun me to learn that the ends of the handle are OEM to your vise.

 

[Jtoddaz]

One end is connected to the rod, and the other screws off. Is that not traditionally how the spindles are designed?

The heft/size of the spindle ends is actually what drew me most towards the vise when I purchased it.


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[autopts]

One end is connected to the rod, and the other screws off. Is that not traditionally how the spindles are designed?

The heft/size of the spindle ends is actually what drew me most towards the vise when I purchased it.



I would consider finger savers on the handle. A good pinch could draw blood!

 

[Catalyze]

Greetings!
I think that your handle is a replacement. All the Columbian catalogs and vises that I have seen from the early "teens" up through present, never had a handle shaped like that or knurled. The end of the lead screw where your handle passes through is also not like any stock Columbian that I have seen. The "nose" is longer and the hole for the handle is closer to the vise than normal. I think that somebody replaced your lead screw and handle somewhere in the vises life. It's not a bad thing, just an observation. As long as the vise works, it doesn't matter a bit. For reference, here is a side shot of an old Columbian 505 1/2 vise. Grats on a nice Columbian...they are sort of unsung heroes of the vise world.
Craig
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Sorry.....forgot to answer your question! Is the Columbian logo on the other side curved or is it straight? If it is curved, then it's probably pre WWII....if it is straight, then it is probably from WWII up to late 50's. Those with good minds can narrow it better.

 

[Jtoddaz]

Thanks for info. The Columbian is straight on the other side. Here are a couple pics after I touched up some of the paint. The color is Rustoleum metallic bronze.




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[Catalyze]

Looks perfect! You might think about a couple of rubber washers like Autopts suggested. I let a Reed handle slip on me last year and it pinched a big blister.
Craig

 

[Jtoddaz]

I was going to look into "fingers savers" to see what he was referring to. Would they be on the handle on either side of the spindle?


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[RivennHewn]

Ya know, they kinda look like those weights that joggers use.

Spandex anyone?

 

[Catalyze]

Look down toward the ball end of the handle. They look like thick O Rings and just about any rubber ring will work. It's just to keep the handle ends from slamming down onto your fingers or the web between thumb and forefinger. As a plus, if you have your vise in your bedroom, if you let go of the handle it won't wake the wife.
Craig
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[RivennHewn]

69 Lbs?

Are those steel toed slippers?

 

[kald]

I just restored a 604 1/2. I used some insualtion for 4/0 welding cable for the finger savers and it works very well. Somethin like 10/4 AC SOW wire would work well too. I post some pics tommorow. I think that is a aftermarket lead screw as well. Mine looks like Catalyse's except it's not a pretty pink.

 

[transittech]

I concur on aftermarket. My Columbian isn't that nosy.