The VISES of Garage Journal

[Rusty Musket]

http://books.google.com/books?id=T7jmAAAAMAAJ&pg=PT329&lpg=PT329&dq=fuller+foot+vise&source=bl&ots=fd0sJmIh5r&sig=Mi7WTfXhZ0ffd3LX-GHkB1hG2pY&hl=en&sa=X&ei=RjPjUJvpK6mw2gWY5IHICA&ved=0CDgQ6AEwAQ#v=onepage&q=fuller%20foot%20vise&f=false

Thanks Andy & Wrenchguy! Google works so much better when you know what words to type in the little box

 

[larry4406]

Oh, it's been on and working since the restoration ~ 1 year ago. I think the issue was as I tightened the set screw, the collar would 'angle' some and cause the screw to bind at a certain point of the rotation. I took it apart last night and put a fender washer between the collar and dynamic jaw surface and tightened the set screw. This allowed for enough clearance so there isn't any binding- or so it appears. I'll hold tight for now and see how it reacts. If it still causes issues, I will make a new retaining ring.

I used washers for bushings for this same reason when I used the set screw collar.

 

[BFBOB]

I just picked up this cute little vise- and I do mean little: 1 7/16"! It caught my eye because of the cylindrical slide. It made me think of Wilton. Tried to look up some info on it, but really couldn't find anything beyond what's on it: Patented June 16, 1885 H&B. It's not particularly valuable, but I like it. It was originally black, but I'm thinking more brick red. It's cleaning and derusting nicely, and has all its pieces. Isn't that just the most precious tiny anvil you ever saw?
The only H&B I know of is Hillerich and Bradsby, the baseball bat folks. Anybody know anything about the vise H&B?
I tried looking up the patent by issue date, but got over 500 hits. No way to avoid looking at them all, because adding the search term "vise" got no hits. Maybe I'll go through them some day, but at about a minute to look at each one...

 

[454ragtop]

Bob, that's a Colton patent vise, there's a few of them on here. I posted a couple myself last week (damn, this thread moves fast).
Jim

Edit, one of mine looks like the exact same one http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?p=3554942#post3554942

 

[BFBOB]

Colton, okay, another name to search for. Is that the patent holder?
I looked at yours, and it's not quite identical to mine. Yours has an extra web on each side right below the nut where it sits on the front stiffening strut of the clamp bracket. Ya get that? Mmm maybe a picture...
If you don't mind saying, how much did you pay for yours? Mine was $25 shipped.

 

[Outlawmws]

George A. Colton, patent holder; No. 320,224. Patented June 16, 1885. H&B, Inmarks and unmarked examples exist.

 

[Outlawmws]

I paid $9 for my 2-1/2" and $12 for my 1-1/2"

 

[BFBOB]

Outlaw strikes again! Well, if I'd ever seen one at a garage sale, I'd have grabbed it. First I saw was on evilBay, and it was worth $25 to me . So there!

Interestingly, the patent drawing shows a swivel jaw arrangement too, with the swivel being on the dynamic jaw, unlike most I've seen. Is one of yours like that? None of the patent drawings are exactly like mine or 454ragtop's.

 

[mattysdaddy]

I posted this over in the general tool discussion and a member suggested that I post here also. I just joined GJ hoping to gain a little more information from some of you guys regarding my Wilton bullet vise I recently acquired. I have exhausted my research efforts and have determined that it is to the best of my knowledge an oddity. It is "Chicago" marked and also marked "Pat. Pend.", this leads me to believe that it was made in 1941. It must weigh 100 pounds.

I traded a fellow a Yost 33C for the Wilton because I have had an infatuation with these bullet vises for several years now and I finally have one. I would appreciate your comments.

The left side of the vise is marked "Wilton Tool Corp" "Chicago" and the right side is marked "Wilton Vise No 60" "Pat Pend Made in USA".

Of course, it's good to be here guys. I appreciate your knowledge. I can take more pics if there is anything you would like to see. My wife is less than pleased with it sitting on the kitchen counter… I told her I would move it after I take a few more pics. Truth is, I'm fairly intrigued by it and am now wanting to learn as much about it as I can. What say you guys?

 

[KMScott]

Matty, Nice vise you have there, has not been abused in the 50+ years it has been around. Is the jaw width 6 inches wide? kind of curious to see the swivel jaw workings. Did they bolt down the swivel back then? I have seen Wilton swivel jaws with a taper pin and even made a couple (1-1/4 degrees / side) Everyone would love to see a picture of the swivel jaw workings. Maybe your wife will not mind. Nice vise you have, a good trade indeed.

 

[autopts]

I posted this over in the general tool discussion and a member suggested that I post here also. I just joined GJ hoping to gain a little more information from some of you guys regarding my Wilton bullet vise I recently acquired. I have exhausted my research efforts and have determined that it is to the best of my knowledge an oddity. It is "Chicago" marked and also marked "Pat. Pend.", this leads me to believe that it was made in 1941. It must weigh 100 pounds.

I traded a fellow a Yost 33C for the Wilton because I have had an infatuation with these bullet vises for several years now and I finally have one. I would appreciate your comments.

The left side of the vise is marked "Wilton Tool Corp" "Chicago" and the right side is marked "Wilton Vise No 60" "Pat Pend Made in USA".

That is a very nice 1st generation 40's Wilton 1st production 6" as in as nice of condition as I have ever seen and to top it off, its Wilton's earliest swivel back. You sir have a collector's Wilton. Do not touch, use or paint it. Its that nice. I don't mean to imply that its worth a ton of money but its collectable no doubt. Thanks for adding it to this thread.

 

[Outlawmws]

Outlaw strikes again! Well, if I'd ever seen one at a garage sale, I'd have grabbed it. First I saw was on evilBay, and it was worth $25 to me . So there!

Interestingly, the patent drawing shows a swivel jaw arrangement too, with the swivel being on the dynamic jaw, unlike most I've seen. Is one of yours like that? None of the patent drawings are exactly like mine or 454ragtop's.

Bob, I'm not sure that part of the patent ever saw production. I'd love to find one if it did though!

 

[Outlawmws]

on what Autopts said, at least as to keeping it in good shape. I'd still use it, but infidelity not abuse it!

 

[mattysdaddy]

Wow, thanks for the info. There is truly a wealth of knowledge here. I have 14 more high res pics to post but will do that tomorrow after work. I would like to drop them in a separate thread. Maybe I will put them in the original thread I posted over in GD. I am humbled to own it even though I am not quite sure what I am going to do with the behemoth…

 

[drivesitfar]

I for one can't wait to see the pictures of your big Wilton's swivel off and in it's place turned either here or in your thread you started with the other pictures. thank your wife from all of us for giving up her counter in the kitchen another night so you can keep Mr. Wilton there to take a few more pictures.

 

[oldldh]

" Mattysdaddy"---Your 6" ancient swivel back Wilton is causing several members of this forum to have shortness of breath, heart palpitations, sweaty palms, loss of vision, fainting spells, and massive attacks of vise lust!!!

Like the folks said, "Leave it like it is, gingerly use it, and preserve it for the future generation of vise lovers..."

Your vise is like a classic car, you don't really "own" a 1963 Ferrari GTO, even if you did pay $35,000,000.00 for it...You're it's custodian, it's caretaker, looking after it's welfare and health---you don't own it---you're keeping it for the future, then passing it on to it's next caretaker...

Gorgeous piece of iron...

The fact the you have it, and I don't, is moving you way up the "I hate him list"....

Take care of her, she deserves it!!!

 

[Mark in Indiana]

I posted this over in the general tool discussion and a member suggested that I post here also. I just joined GJ hoping to gain a little more information from some of you guys regarding my Wilton bullet vise I recently acquired. I have exhausted my research efforts and have determined that it is to the best of my knowledge an oddity. It is "Chicago" marked and also marked "Pat. Pend.", this leads me to believe that it was made in 1941. It must weigh 100 pounds.

I traded a fellow a Yost 33C for the Wilton because I have had an infatuation with these bullet vises for several years now and I finally have one. I would appreciate your comments.

The left side of the vise is marked "Wilton Tool Corp" "Chicago" and the right side is marked "Wilton Vise No 60" "Pat Pend Made in USA".

Of course, it's good to be here guys. I appreciate your knowledge. I can take more pics if there is anything you would like to see. My wife is less than pleased with it sitting on the kitchen counter… I told her I would move it after I take a few more pics. Truth is, I'm fairly intrigued by it and am now wanting to learn as much about it as I can. What say you guys?

Looks like with that one vise, you belong to the "Cool Kids With Wilton Vises and Pivot Jaw Vises". Very nice

 

[95riosnake]

Thought I'd share my project, it's a Wilton 1760. Currently it's disassembled and stripped. I'm going to go with Verde Green on it. The jaws are in good shape so I'm just going to flip them over to hide the few scars the tops of the jaws had. I was thinking of putting it in the Bridgeport and shaving a thin layer off the anvil area to clean it up...thoughts on that idea? The anvil won't be seeing another hammer as long as I own it...I have a separate anvil for hammering/forming.

Also, given my newfound awareness of vises thanks to GJ, I noticed we have some cool vises around the shop at work and figured I'd share some pics with you guys.

The first is kind of sad, it's a huge Reed that has been abused and neglected since before I started working there. Someone was pretty reckless with a grinder over the years and the lead screw is definitely trashed. My guess is the screw is missing threads or something because you often have to turn the handle a few times then pull the dynamic jaw toward you to open it. Although it does still clamp down...not sure what the problem is. The handle is also no stranger to hammer blows.

On the other end of the welding table from the Reed is what appears to be a newer Wilton

Then in the wood shop we have this vise...it doesn't have any markings that I could find so I'm puzzled as to what it is. It looks a lot like a Wilton but like I said there are no markings or even any indents on the sides where a foil decal might have been...

 

[BFBOB]

Hi, 95riosnake
On your Wilton restore, I would not mill the "anvil" face. (They call it an anvil, but we all know you shouldn't be beating on it!). You'd get a more authentic look by smoothing it with a belt sander. I'm not a Wilton expert, but on the vises I've paid that much attention to the flattened surface are ground, not milled. Unless you have a surface grinder, a belt sander works fine. If you just love milling things, go ahead and then take the mill marks out with a touch of the sander. 120 grit gives a good appearance, to me.

The one exception I've made is when A_pmech made a pair of custom jaws for my dp vise. They are such works of art I'm leaving the mill marks proudly displayed!

 

[EOC_Jason]

It looks like the collar is missing in the front of the dynamic where the leadscrew goes in. You can see how it is cocked to one side. Something there ain't right...

The first is kind of sad, it's a huge Reed that has been abused and neglected since before I started working there. Someone was pretty reckless with a grinder over the years and the lead screw is definitely trashed. My guess is the screw is missing threads or something because you often have to turn the handle a few times then pull the dynamic jaw toward you to open it. Although it does still clamp down...not sure what the problem is. The handle is also no stranger to hammer blows.

 

[95riosnake]

Hi, 95riosnake
On your Wilton restore, I would not mill the "anvil" face. (They call it an anvil, but we all know you shouldn't be beating on it!). You'd get a more authentic look by smoothing it with a belt sander. I'm not a Wilton expert, but on the vises I've paid that much attention to the flattened surface are ground, not milled. Unless you have a surface grinder, a belt sander works fine. If you just love milling things, go ahead and then take the mill marks out with a touch of the sander. 120 grit gives a good appearance, to me.

The one exception I've made is when A_pmech made a pair of custom jaws for my dp vise. They are such works of art I'm leaving the mill marks proudly displayed!

Oh ok good call, I'll just use a belt sander then. Like I said I don't plan to use the "anvil" at all...I have an anvil for that! This vise will be used only for holding things...so basically, for what it was intended for

It looks like the collar is missing in the front of the dynamic where the leadscrew goes in. You can see how it is cocked to one side. Something there ain't right...

Now that you mention it, you're probably right. I'll bring it to someone's attention that they need to order a new collar. The hammering of the handle might be the cause of the messed up collar...possibly too many hard hits broke it? Every time I walk past it, I'm sad for that poor Reed.

EDIT: Just went and looked at it, there's definitely some damage to the collar...I'm not sure if Reeds have a plate in that location like my Wilton does, but if so it's long gone and whatever collar is around the lead screw is cracked in multiple places.

 

[Provincial]

It looks like the collar is missing in the front of the dynamic where the leadscrew goes in. You can see how it is cocked to one side. Something there ain't right...

THe dynamic jaw appears to have been broken and welded where it meets the slide. The area where the screw fits the dynamic jaw is wallowed out, and it looks like the screw is bent, perhaps when the jaw broke.

It is a shame to see a nice piece of machinery abused. (insert weeping smilie here)

 

[shooting4life]

Here is my newest vise, a wilton 1745 picked it up yesterday. Paid a little too much for t used ($200) but the used market here in the bay area is full of really over priced smaller vises.

 

[sector9]

Got a kick out of this "like new" Wilton listed on local CL. I mean, it's in decent shape and obviously a newer model, but my definition of "like new" is a little different...

 

[KaiserM715]

Craftsman 391-5188 Made in Japan. It's 4 inches (I think, it's in the shed now, could be 4.5 inches).

It was free, as it came with the house. I'd like to add a Wilton torpedo vise in the future, but they can be expensive.

I have seen some of these for sale in the neighborhood of $35-$50. They need some work - is that a decent price for these?

 

[mattysdaddy]

OK folks, here's what you have been asking for… Sorry for the sheer volume of photos… Enjoy! Joe

 

[bluebolt]

I have seen some of these for sale in the neighborhood of $35-$50. They need some work - is that a decent price for these?

Not if they need work other than just cleanup in my opinion!

 

[bigcaddy]

Mattysdaddy,

Welcome to the board. Thats a great find but you set the bar kinda high for yourself on acquiring the next vise in your collection. If you don't think its going to happen, think again.


Did you pick that up in Augusta or did it travel in with your friend from out of town. I could think of a number of reasons to get back to Augusta, (Broad St., Nationals Course, the weather this time of year, Aiken, SC. a few miles away) but a mint condition Wilton 6" SJ vise is worth dropping everything by itself for a redeye ticket to Georgia any day.


Thanks for sharing the pictures

 

[mattysdaddy]

One last bit of information… We just sat it on the scales and it weighs 109.2#

 

[Robert Haas]

this is a vice that has been in my family for over 75 years. My dad used it for its first 40 years and I have had it for the last 30 +. It has sat bolted to a bench in the back of the shop for ever, in fact I can not remember when I used it last. I kind of forgot I even had that bench to be honest.

Anyway one of my best friends is a younger guy, and he has started to set up his own garage and I have been kinda mentoring him on the rules.
1.
Never buy a tool twice. Buy the correct tool of the highest quality the first time. (It should last you all your life)
2.
Don't be a snob about tools. There are plenty of damn good stuff that did not get to your shop from that big white truck
3.
Don't give up on a tool because it has some age on it. .....and that is where the old vise come in. He mentioned he wanted a vice and was shopping around and it occurred to me that I had several laying around in the shop so I decided to restore this one.

So here it is as it looked when I cleared out the back bench.



So I wrestled it off the bench and here it is ready to be cleaned up

 

[Robert Haas]

tore it down, no easy task as it has been pretty much ignored and dried out for decades.

lots of wire brush work, a ton of torch and hammers pounding and only broke the bolts that held the jaws on, however once I drilled the heads off I was able to just spin the studs out once the jaws were off. so here it is all ready for paint.

 

[Robert Haas]

So here is the before and after shots. The new Jaws will be ready this Friday and I will be able to give this to my buddy for Christmas






I left the original hammer scarred main handle in original condition, afterall this is a user tool not just bench candy

 

[KMScott]

One last bit of information… We just sat it on the scales and it weighs 109.2#

Matty
Thanks again for the pictures, I was very curious to how they built your swivel jaw. Wilton sure spent some time building this vise. Even adding more text to the castings. I was looking at a few pictures of Greg's 4" swivel and noted all the changes they did. They changed the way the large swivel pin was attached, actually machined it into the static jaw, and gave more support by adding a larger step and more beef in the casting. I like how your taper pin has a nut on it to help pull it. Really nice vise. A true collector's vise.

 

[oldldh]

Brother Haas---

Ya Dun Gud, Bubba...

 

[Robert Haas]

Brother Haas---

Ya Dun Gud, Bubba...

Thanks kindly

 

[Outlawmws]

SNIP

Also, given my newfound awareness of vises thanks to GJ, I noticed we have some cool vises around the shop at work and figured I'd share some pics with you guys.

The first is kind of sad, it's a huge Reed that has been abused and neglected since before I started working there. Someone was pretty reckless with a grinder over the years and the lead screw is definitely trashed. My guess is the screw is missing threads or something because you often have to turn the handle a few times then pull the dynamic jaw toward you to open it. Although it does still clamp down...not sure what the problem is. The handle is also no stranger to hammer blows.

There is a retainer collar or clip the holder the main screw in the "head" portion of the dynamic jaw. wheel the whole jaw out and flip it over. inspect the screw for a groove, (on discover the collar and its missing/loose setscrews) and adjust; then reassemble...

 

[pieceofwork]

300 Wilton, date stamp 9/46 and still has some original decals, very little use in it's life. Cleaned, greased and sprayed with Boeshield and ready to be used.

 

[bl00]

My neighbor asked me to find him a small vise for his work cart. This one has been sitting in a drawer for at least two years in my garage. I declared it surplus property, cleaned it up, and gave it to him. It's a Geo. Diener with a 3" jaw and a cool rounded slide.

The before pic is from about 2 years ago because I forgot to take one. It took a severe bludgeoning to get the nut out. The project moved to the paint booth and finally the quality control station.

 

[autopts]

Fred, that's a unusual little beauty. A excellent size for a tool cart. He's a lucky guy.

 

[Outlawmws]

B100, that Geo. Diener looks a LOT like a vise recently posted in the " the Craftsman vises ID thread." late 40's to late 50's Think their is a link there?

Nice job! Great gift! (Assuming it's a gift)