The VISES of Garage Journal

[richeyc2000]

Hey Lads,
Picked up a Record 21. cwazy gave me some great advice on what to look for on it and thanks for that.

While I was picking up the Record I saw the following vice. Can ye shed some light on it for me. No visible markings what so ever. Approx. 4 inch jaws. Handle was around 16 inches and over all in length was nearly 28 inches. Images below. I'd say it some sort of blacksmith vice. That's a pure guess. [emoji3]

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[jakemac]

Craigslist, in Middleton Mass.. wish it was a little closer.. about an hour and a half from me. Small vise, but that's cheap. Any clue about what year these are?

VINTAGE LITTLESTOWN #3 bench vise - $25 (middleton)

http://boston.craigslist.org/nos/tls/5218415742.html

Another in Middleton, MA (maybe the same guy)

VINTAGE CRAFTSMAN 3 1/2" swivel bench vise - $30 (middleton)

Yes, those are from the same seller. He's not far from me. Nice guy. Last year I picked up a vise from him for another member and we passed it along through GJ members until it got to where it needed to be.

The Littlestown is an ok vise, but you'll get more work out of the Craftsman.
The Craftsman is a medium duty vise made by Columbian. The Littlestown would be a light duty vise.

If you have your heart set on one of them I can pick it up for you after you pay for it, and then we can work out how to get it to you.

 

[exmaxima1]

EX: I'm not positive on the specs on that little open screw vise, but 25 pounds seems a bit high, but not as high as the asking price. probably about half that is about right and $10-20 for a YS price.

I have no interest in it, and already have several similar vises that I will absolutely never use. I usually wait until I get a bundle of them and sell it as a lot. I was just surprised at the weight & price. It will probably be on CL for a long time until the seller finally opts to sell it on auction for 1/2 the price.

 

[bagged89s10]

Nicely done. That BLO really gives them a slightly darker and rich looking finish. I will have to try that someday.

Yeah I got the idea from fretters and outlaw I think. It's good because you don't have to worry about removing the finish if you decide to paint the vise. And it keeps freshly e-tank derusted metal from flash rusting. The Heuer will be painted. Undecided on the Reed but I'll just keep it as is for now. and use it.

 

[bagged89s10]

Whoa! Nice work, Bags [emoji106]

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I like how you painted the white zebra stripes on the side of it!



(kidding)



looks good!

Thanks. Hoping to button up the vise by the weekend so the buyer can pick it up.

 

[timdp]

Anyone interested in a wagon tongue (clamp on portable!) blacksmith's vise?

http://sfbay.craigslist.org/nby/atq/5224479694.html

T

 

[Spn1025]

Yes, those are from the same seller. He's not far from me. Nice guy. Last year I picked up a vise from him for another member and we passed it along through GJ members until it got to where it needed to be.

The Littlestown is an ok vise, but you'll get more work out of the Craftsman.
The Craftsman is a medium duty vise made by Columbian. The Littlestown would be a light duty vise.

If you have your heart set on one of them I can pick it up for you after you pay for it, and then we can work out how to get it to you.

I was just posting because they seem like awesome deals for someone in the area. I have my heart set on a Millers Falls anvil vise, even if it takes a year to find one.

 

[jakemac]

Nicely done. That BLO really gives them a slightly darker and rich looking finish. I will have to try that someday.

Yeah I got the idea from fretters and outlaw I think. It's good because you don't have to worry about removing the finish if you decide to paint the vise. And it keeps freshly e-tank derusted metal from flash rusting. The Heuer will be painted. Undecided on the Reed but I'll just keep it as is for now. and use it.

One of the things we used to do to finish metal when I was in a blacksmith's shop is burn the BLO while it was still wet. It would give a black finish.
(CAUTION - big fire hazard)

You might be able to get the same effect by using a torch. (In a well ventilated area - preferably outside - with fire suppression nearby.)

 

[WarDamnEagle]

I tried to search this thread for Wilton C2 but the C2 is too short a search string. There is a local one for sale. Here is the info:

New never used Wilton bench vise with full length ball bearing spindle, plus swivel base with two turn clamps. Unit is 17" long +/- has 4" wide replaceable serrated jaws that open up to over 7" with a clamping depth of 3-1/2". I bought this vise new for a specific purpose and just sitting on one of our shelves for over 36 years and for some unknown reason we never used it and therefore it never got mounted as planed. Unit has a coating of light patina rust on part of it from just sitting and a little of a wire wheel or FOZZ and a can of paint, it will look new. Vise weighs about 68#.

When I google the C2 it comes up with 5 inch jaws?? Anyway, just wondering opinions on this vise. Is it more or less equivalent to their current Tradesman vise?

Here is the only photo from the ad.

 

[joe.striper]

EX:

Joe: as much as i like those stands $550 to have one shipped is more than i would spend on them. i'm not sure i'd pay $350, but they must be nicer in person if you think they are a good deal. good luck and hope you don't get mugged on the way to pick them up.
.

Drivesitfar, 450 plus shipping, not 550. I only want 50 for the aggravation of palletizing it and delivery to the shipper. And yes they are very nice in person and the vises, while a little rusty, are in EXCELLENT condition. Oh and no one will mug me, trust me

 

[joe.striper]

[/SIZE]

I tried to search this thread for Wilton C2 but the C2 is too short a search string. There is a local one for sale. Here is the info:

New never used Wilton bench vise with full length ball bearing spindle, plus swivel base with two turn clamps. Unit is 17" long +/- has 4" wide replaceable serrated jaws that open up to over 7" with a clamping depth of 3-1/2". I bought this vise new for a specific purpose and just sitting on one of our shelves for over 36 years and for some unknown reason we never used it and therefore it never got mounted as planed. Unit has a coating of light patina rust on part of it from just sitting and a little of a wire wheel or FOZZ and a can of paint, it will look new. Vise weighs about 68#.

When I google the C2 it comes up with 5 inch jaws?? Anyway, just wondering opinions on this vise. Is it more or less equivalent to their current Tradesman vise?

Here is the only photo from the ad.

it looks like C1 on the side in the picture

 

[drivesitfar]

Joe: i was thinking the shipping would be around $100 so added that to your # to come up with a total cost for a stand. not saying you don't deserve at least $50 for picking them up and putting them on a pallet and shipping them at all.

Eagle: if it's a Wilton C2 it's probably the best vise Wilton makes. it's a 5 inch wide jaw and they weigh about 110 pounds. you better have a nice bench and maybe bolt it to the floor or wall if you buy that vise. if it's a C1 it's still a great vise, but only 4.5 inch wide jaws and about 70 pounds if i remember correctly.

Ex: i didn't think you needed that vise, but thought you might like an answer. do you still have the Reed 2C and is that your main vise?

Bagged: not saying Outlaw or Fretters didn't mention BLO, but i'm one of the few here that doesn't paint a vise and preaches that. you putting it in the smoker really made that finish pop. nice work and do you like it as well as some of your painted ones?

 

[WarDamnEagle]

It looks like a C2 when I blow the photo up but the dimensions are more in line with a C1. I have emailed the seller to confirm.

Thanks!

 

[CRSINMICH]

rmalkow: This is right in your neighborhood. Look just to the right of center. Might be Chiwanese but it's worth a call.

https://annarbor.craigslist.org/pts/5207583776.html

 

[CRSINMICH]

Look at this finish. I'm very happy with it!

I'd be very happy with it too. What did you do to smooth out the casting so that it would shine like that?

 

[rmalkow2]

rmalkow: This is right in your neighborhood. Look just to the right of center. Might be Chiwanese but it's worth a call.

https://annarbor.craigslist.org/pts/5207583776.html

Thanks for the tip. It looks like a pretty big vise and by the handle and base shape possible USA. I actually like the cabinets as well. I'll contact him and see if anything is left for sale.

 

[bagged89s10]

Joe: i was thinking the shipping would be around $100 so added that to your # to come up with a total cost for a stand. not saying you don't deserve at least $50 for picking them up and putting them on a pallet and shipping them at all.



Eagle: if it's a Wilton C2 it's probably the best vise Wilton makes. it's a 5 inch wide jaw and they weigh about 110 pounds. you better have a nice bench and maybe bolt it to the floor or wall if you buy that vise. if it's a C1 it's still a great vise, but only 4.5 inch wide jaws and about 70 pounds if i remember correctly.



Ex: i didn't think you needed that vise, but thought you might like an answer. do you still have the Reed 2C and is that your main vise?



Bagged: not saying Outlaw or Fretters didn't mention BLO, but i'm one of the few here that doesn't paint a vise and preaches that. you putting it in the smoker really made that finish pop. nice work and do you like it as well as some of your painted ones?

Sorry if I didn't give you credit. What I meant was I got the idea from them on the electrolysis thread. And I didn't know you can paint right over a BLO finish until I read it in that thread.

These 2 I did not bake in the oven yet. I really just coated them to stop the rust until I can paint them. I'm painting at least the Heuer.

I do like the look of the BLO on the Reed, although I was thinking of dunking the Reed in the e-tank one more time. The vises that I keep might just get the BLO treatment.
Maybe BLO and clear coat on top?

 

[bagged89s10]

I'd be very happy with it too. What did you do to smooth out the casting so that it would shine like that?

I didn't do any metal work to the casting. Just electrolysis, BLO to protect it from flash rust, then paint, and clear.

 

[CRSINMICH]

Thanks for the tip. It looks like a pretty big vise and by the handle and base shape possible USA. I actually like the cabinets as well. I'll contact him and see if anything is left for sale.

I hope it pans out for you. We'll discuss my finder's fee after you pick it up.

 

[bagged89s10]

rmalkow: This is right in your neighborhood. Look just to the right of center. Might be Chiwanese but it's worth a call.



https://annarbor.craigslist.org/pts/5207583776.html

Looks like a Wilton tradesman.

 

[drivesitfar]

Bagged: i was sort of teasing you because it seems some of the guys want me to paint a vise. Fretters was the one that did all the work with the BLO and paint and even though he uses a different kind of paint and brushes it on i'm pretty sure it will work for rattle can. Outlaw and he go back and forth on the electrolysis thread about the chemical emissions and by products from different metals and he might have tried a BLO before paining too, but i don't remember him doing so.

is the shiny swivel base on your smoker's rack that shiny from paint or BLO?

Eagle: good luck and in case you didn't know a Wilton C2 is maybe $1100 to $1400 new so it sounds like you might be getting yours for a lot less. about the only thing on that vise that tends to fail under normal use is the swivel bases so turn it over to see if welded or cracked. i like to unscrew the dynamic jaw out all the way to do a little better inspection and with a vise that heavy it's easier to carry to the car in two pieces or make 2 trips. when you go to put the dynamic jaw back in the vise i'd remove the 3 screws on the horseshoe then slip the dynamic jaw in and then the screw and then install the horseshoe piece.

good luck

 

[bagged89s10]

Bagged: i was sort of teasing you because it seems some of the guys want me to paint a vise. Fretters was the one that did all the work with the BLO and paint and even though he uses a different kind of paint and brushes it on i'm pretty sure it will work for rattle can. Outlaw and he go back and forth on the electrolysis thread about the chemical emissions and by products from different metals and he might have tried a BLO before paining too, but i don't remember him doing so.

is the shiny swivel base on your smoker's rack that shiny from paint or BLO?

Eagle: good luck and in case you didn't know a Wilton C2 is maybe $1100 to $1400 new so it sounds like you might be getting yours for a lot less. about the only thing on that vise that tends to fail under normal use is the swivel bases so turn it over to see if welded or cracked. i like to unscrew the dynamic jaw out all the way to do a little better inspection and with a vise that heavy it's easier to carry to the car in two pieces or make 2 trips. when you go to put the dynamic jaw back in the vise i'd remove the 3 screws on the horseshoe then slip the dynamic jaw in and then the screw and then install the horseshoe piece.

good luck

The base is painted. Electrolysis, BLO, rustoleusm hammered black, then clear coat. That's why it's shiny.
Here is the collar and vise wrench. It's painted and clear coated a

 

[drivesitfar]

Bagged: in case i buy a smoker and decide to sell a few vises painted are you putting the painted pieces in right away. how long at what temperature are you cooking them? what brand of paint is the clear coat? looks great and with the right lighting you might be able to use them as a mirror.

 

[CRSINMICH]

richey: I'm sorry I can't give you any information about that vise. I've posted a few times about how I like vices that look like they've rolled up their sleeves and are ready to get to work. Yours looks like it ripped its shirt off and grabbed a hammer and wrench from someone's hands. I dig it!

EDIT: I got a little carried away there. I merely meant that it is a no nonsense, no frills tool. It looks like it was used frequently and recently. I think you may be correct about its being a blacksmith's vise. It certainly looks like it was beaten on regularly. A very nice find.

 

[bagged89s10]

Bagged: in case i buy a smoker and decide to sell a few vises painted are you putting the painted pieces in right away. how long at what temperature are you cooking them? what brand of paint is the clear coat? looks great and with the right lighting you might be able to use them as a mirror.

Drives, i pretty much put the pieces in the oven right away. Sometimes I wait a little. I don't really have a set way to do it yet and one been experimenting. I've used rustoleum clear and am happy with it thus far. I've been using 200-250 degrees for about 30 min or so.

 

[bagged89s10]

Who on here lives near Atlanta, Georgia? Decent Wilton with big stand.

http://www.ebay.com/ulk/itm/281801644708

 

[Craptain]

[/SIZE]

it looks like C1 on the side in the picture

No. Clear as a bell. C2. At least to my eyes.

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[Dusty-NZ]

I got sucked in with this wee vice , advertised as 3 1/4" , I thought it looked interesting in the pics.

But the seller had measured the overall size , not the jaw width.

Jaws less than 1".

Cute , eh.

 

[Spn1025]

Who on here lives near Atlanta, Georgia? Decent Wilton with big stand.

http://www.ebay.com/ulk/itm/281801644708

I looked at that earlier and I could have sworn it was cheaper, like around $50 or $60... And that's not an auction listing

 

[bluebolt]

I only have a screw and collar off my Parker 22x but they are very rough. The screw needs some work. The collar is chewed up.not sure if they will fit and how much work you want to do to make them clean.

I have too many projects LOL. My screw just needs a new handle which is less work than trying to fix that one. Don't know if that collar will fit either does anyone else know?

 

[CRSINMICH]

I got sucked in with this wee vice , advertised as 3 1/4" , I thought it looked interesting in the pics.

But the seller had measured the overall size , not the jaw width.

Jaws less than 1".

Cute , eh.

Dusty: It is a cute little booger. The jaws are tiny. I wonder what it's intended use was.

 

[GETRIDAONE]

Who on here lives near Atlanta, Georgia? Decent Wilton with big stand.

http://www.ebay.com/ulk/itm/281801644708

It is on Atlanta CL for $165 That guy runs some type of charity organization and gets tools every once and awhile. I like the Baldor grinder next to the vise but @ $585 I'll keep grinding with what I have.

 

[Dusty-NZ]

CRSINMICH When I first handled it , I thought is was just an advertising model , but after stripping and oiling it , I find it works really smooth , so the quality is quite good , maybe it is for model making ??, I've got it clamped onto my window sill for lack of somewhere else to display it

 

[GETRIDAONE]

CRSINMICH When I first handled it , I thought is was just an advertising model , but after stripping and oiling it , I find it works really smooth , so the quality is quite good , maybe it is for model making ??

There were made to sit and collect dust.

 

[WarDamnEagle]

Eagle: good luck and in case you didn't know a Wilton C2 is maybe $1100 to $1400 new so it sounds like you might be getting yours for a lot less. about the only thing on that vise that tends to fail under normal use is the swivel bases so turn it over to see if welded or cracked. i like to unscrew the dynamic jaw out all the way to do a little better inspection and with a vise that heavy it's easier to carry to the car in two pieces or make 2 trips. when you go to put the dynamic jaw back in the vise i'd remove the 3 screws on the horseshoe then slip the dynamic jaw in and then the screw and then install the horseshoe piece.

good luck

Thanks for the advice. The seller confessed that the posted pic wasn't the actual vise........just what he could find that was "close". Something about a broken camera. It is a Wilton but I don't know what kind; possibly a Tradesman. He did confirm it was not a C1 or C2. People!

 

[dimwittedmoose51]

I was wondering if the vice gurus could help me identify this 61# 6" Vise with regards to who made it. It has a recess on the side of it for presumably a logo or decal, but the only casting in there is a "1646" one both the dynamic and static jaw. On the bottom lip surface of the base, the numbers "101334" are stamped, but not sure if that's relevant to serial # ID or just some shop's method of inventory.

IT also hastwin clamps for locking the pivoting base down and perhaps the view of the bottom and its uique casting design will give a clue or two. The jaws are held in by standasrd allen head cap screws, but not sure if they are factory or not.


Thanks for any help you can give me.


TIA

DM&FS

 

[GETRIDAONE]

That's a Wilton vice but I'm not sure of the model number that's all the help I can give you, sorry. It would have a foil sticker in the recess .

 

[CRSINMICH]

That's a Wilton vice but I'm not sure of the model number that's all the help I can give you, sorry. It would have a foil sticker in the recess .

MOOSE: I have one like that. It had been given a quick coat of paint. I gently removed enough paint that I could read most of the sticker. It reads Mechanics Vise Schiller Park. It's next on my resto list.

To all: Does anyone have suggestions about how to remove the sticker (it's already peeling off) and then strip the rest of paint off it without mangling it too much or taking off the original paint?

 

[bagged89s10]

I have one like that. It had been given a quick coat of paint. I gently removed enough paint that I could read most of the sticker. It reads Wilton Mechanics vise Schiller Park. It's next on my resto list.



To all: Does anyone have suggestions about how to remove the sticker (it's already peeling off) and then strip the rest of paint off it without mangling it too much or taking off the original paint?

Heat from a hair dryer should probably soften up the glue enough to remove the sticker. A heat gun might get too hot.

 

[drivesitfar]

Eagle: Wilton Tradesman vises are great vises and just not quite as well made or valuable or as the Wilton C series vises. good luck in your search and now you know a little bit more about Wilton vises i guess which is a good thing.

Moose: i would guess Wilton too because they have 6 digit part #'s on their vises. maybe it's a 646 model, but not sure. it's probably made around 1960's. the space for a sticker usually has Wilton there, but some of the guys use Snap on stickers because Wilton made and maybe still makes Snap On vises.

Get: looks like you need to make more shelving. did you take that picture from the ceiling or are you 7 foot tall?

how's your week back to work after retiring?