Columbian 208 Vise

[Maui]

I have a chance to purchase a Columbian vise from a couple that are in the process of downsizing. I have not seen it yet. I only caught a glimpse of part of it in a photograph that I saw recently. Based on the size of the other items in the picture, this vise looks huge. But I have been able to find ZERO information about it. Is anyone here familiar with the specifications of this vise? If you are, could you share it? I'm just looking for basic specs: weight, jaw width (which I assume is 8" based on the number), whether or not it is a swivel base, etc. Any insight that you could provide would be appreciated. Thanks.

Maui

 

[shiftdrift]

No picture?

 

[Maui]

I haven't even seen a complete picture of the actual vise myself yet. I've only seen the handle a part of the jaws.

 

[bl00]

Columbian made two version of an 8" vise. The 508 was the regular duty and weighed 180-190 lbs or so. The 108 was the heavy chipping vise and weighed in the neighborhood of 260-270 lbs. I've never seen a 208, but it would make sense that it could be a swivel version of the 108. That would put it in the 300 lb range. It could also be some other random model I'm not familiar with. Certainly worth a look.

 

[EOC_Jason]

The 200 series was for their combination models, those only went up to 6"...

500 = Stationary
600 = Swivel Base

400 = Swivel Back Jaw

Check the link in my signature on the Ridgid 80SN... It's basically a re-branded Colombian 8" swivel base... I haven't weighed it yet but yeah somewhere around 175-185lbs seems reasonable.

 

[Maui]

I had him measure the jaws and they are 6" across, so it's a 206. It's in very good condition. The jaws look pristine and there are no cracks or repairs. He's asking $80. I'll pick it up this weekend and then post some pictures if anyone is interested.

Maui

 

[balane]

I had him measure the jaws and they are 6" across, so it's a 206. It's in very good condition. The jaws look pristine and there are no cracks or repairs. He's asking $80. I'll pick it up this weekend and then post some pictures if anyone is interested.

Maui

That's quite a score there. One of the best deals I've ever heard of on a huge vise like this.

 

[EOC_Jason]

If it's what you say it is, then YOU ****!

 

[Filson]

You ****!!! Nice score bro!

 

[Maui]

Apparently it belonged to the guy's father-in-law. In 47 years the son-in-law said that he never saw him use it even once. It really is in great shape. Here's the photos that I promised. This thing is huge and HEAVY. It was a 4 hour round trip to get it, but it was worth the drive.

Maui

 

[Maui]

OK. Let's try uploading those photos again.

 

[Filson]

Not sure of specific model - but I'm sure someone will chime in here soon. It looks a little later model due to the cylinder style front opposed to the old school knob. Knowing little about Columbians - I would guess 50's-60's. Well done!

 

[kc-steve]

Not sure of specific model - but I'm sure someone will chime in here soon. It looks a little later model due to the cylinder style front opposed to the old school knob. Knowing little about Columbians - I would guess 50's-60's. Well done!

Yeah, I would also say 50's to 60's based upon the photos. It does show the model being a 208 or possibly a 206. Anything made 1973 and after was made by Warren Tool also of Ohio, until the mid-1990s when Wilton started making them.

Steve

 

[Filson]

It does show the model being a 208 though.

Steve

Shows how much I catch.

 

[87Pomona]

Yeah, I would also say 50's to 60's based upon the photos. It does show the model being a 208 or possibly a 206. Anything made 1973 and after was made by Warren Tool also of Ohio, until the mid-1990s when Wilton started making them.

Steve

It's a 206....looks like the 6 might be smashed a bit making it look like an 8.

 

[kc-steve]

I had him measure the jaws and they are 6" across, so it's a 206. It's in very good condition. The jaws look pristine and there are no cracks or repairs. He's asking $80. I'll pick it up this weekend and then post some pictures if anyone is interested.

Maui

That "6" sure looked like an "8" in the photo but since you measured it I would say that pretty much nails it as a 206.

Steve

 

[Maui]

I cleaned the numbers up a bit with a wire brush. Here's a close-up, and it does look like it says 208 and not 206. But the jaws are 6" wide. Does anyone know if they ever made a 208?

Maui

 

[EOC_Jason]

Never saw or heard of a 208. It's either just crud built up on the side or maybe a futz in the casting, it should be a 6....

With the "T" jaws yeah that would be 50's-60's probably, it's a M2... The later models (M3) has the jaws held in with screws.

Good Find. You can still get pipe jaws for it if you *really* want...

http://www.viseparts.com/206_M3_Machinist_Vise_Repair_Parts_s/29.htm

 

[Maui]

Jason, where could the pipe jaws be purchased?

 

[jabberwoki]

Just like mine mate and I got an extra pipe jaw from viseparts.com

 

[autopts]

6 or 8 in my world isn't the puzzling problem. Why the hell do users remove the pipe jaws. They are clear from the top jaws.

 

[CNGsaves]

OP . . . great score on the vise. Now for sure it's a Columbian 208 with 6" jaws. How about the weight . . what does she weigh??

Care to share what you had to pay for the ole girl?? You pay the $80 or your gift of persuasion get it for less??

You going to wirewheel it clean, or rig up electrolysis??

 

[EOC_Jason]

Jason, where could the pipe jaws be purchased?

http://www.viseparts.com/206_M3_Machinist_Vise_Repair_Parts_s/29.htm

I posted it in my previous link...

Unfortunately they are $30 each (I think)... Maybe call and see if they can give you a discount of 3 of them... You might be able to get a local machine shop to do cheaper...

 

[Maui]

Now that I have the outline for the pipe jaws I can make them myself. Thanks Jason.

@CNGsaves, I'd like to do electrolysis, but I've never attempted it before. I do have a battery charger that goes up to 10 amps, and I've got a plastic tub that I could soak the parts in. But I don't know what to use for an electrolyte, what ratios to mix with water, what to use for electrodes, how much current to pump in, etc. Any guidance on the details of how to do this properly? And how do you dispose of the fluid when it's used up? Is there a safe way to do this? Do you soak the pieces one at a time, or just throw them all in together?

Maui

 

[Maui]

Oh, and he originally wanted $100 for it. I got him down to $80 before I made the drive to pick it up.

 

[CNGsaves]

Know that girls don't like getting on scales . . . but what does that vise weigh??

RE electrolysis, I'm greenhorn so the vise guru's will need to chime in, or Search prior GJ threads.

 

[Maui]

It weighs 151 lbs. And my back got tweaked a little bit from lifting it to put it on the scale to make that measurement.

 

[EOC_Jason]

It weighs 151 lbs. And my back got tweaked a little bit from lifting it to put it on the scale to make that measurement.

I could of told you that...

 

[Maui]

THAT'S what I was looking for! So the swivel base models went as large as a 9" jaw. Wow! I'd love to see that monster.

 

[EOC_Jason]

THAT'S what I was looking for! So the swivel base models went as large as a 9" jaw. Wow! I'd love to see that monster.

That first column is Reed vises. I don't know if Columbian ever made a 9" vise. Usually 8" was the largest standard order size, 9" were special order for railroad & ship yards...

Oh yeah, here's also how much you ****. Here's a CL for a Columbian 206 like yours... They want $775 OBO...

http://sanmarcos.craigslist.org/grd/4014251273.html

 

[Maui]

They're asking almost 10 times what I paid. Nice!

 

[oldldh]

You really ****!!!

(Don't brag, though, very bad form...)

 

[Maui]

OK - my bad.

 

[CNGsaves]

Wow, $80 for that awesome vise at 151 lbs . . . Amazing Score!!

You most definitely . . . . . **** !!!

Sorry for the backpain is moving/weighing the monster. That behemoth deserves a dolly and cherry picker !! LOL . .

 

[kc-steve]

Now that I have the outline for the pipe jaws I can make them myself. Thanks Jason.

@CNGsaves, I'd like to do electrolysis, but I've never attempted it before. I do have a battery charger that goes up to 10 amps, and I've got a plastic tub that I could soak the parts in. But I don't know what to use for an electrolyte, what ratios to mix with water, what to use for electrodes, how much current to pump in, etc. Any guidance on the details of how to do this properly? And how do you dispose of the fluid when it's used up? Is there a safe way to do this? Do you soak the pieces one at a time, or just throw them all in together?

Maui

It's probably best to do a Google search for "electrolysis instruction garage journal" and read several so you can decide what is best. It is very easy actually. You'll need a plastic container to submerge the piece, a battery charger that doesn't require to be connected to a battery, some wire or anything metal like coat hangers so you can hang electrodes on the side of the container, water, and Arm and Hammer LAUNDRY SODA. About a tablespoon of soda per gallon if I recall. I used about a cup in 10 gallons or so. And lots of time.

You will be creating positive and negative sides so rust moves from positive to negative electrodes (anything made of steel, ie cut rebar). Or it could be the other way around, I forget. BTW, current is self-limiting and usually runs high at first then falls low. The 10 amp charger is fine if it can be used w/o a battery, otherwise, hookup a car battery in parallel.

IMPORTANT: Set it up outside so gases don't build up and possibly cause problems.

Steve

 

[FarmhouseWI]

I found one of these Columbian 208's and the casting is crisp and clear. It's definitely a 208. No futz on the casting.

 

[Maui]

Could you provide some photos of it?

 

[ImminentOne]

I've got a Columbian 206M2 swivel base vice with pipe jaws in mint condition if anyone is interested in purchasing one..