The VISES of Garage Journal

[noisenormajean]

Noise: I read your post last night and I was about to respond but I decided that I needed to take time to consider what I wanted to say and how I wanted to say it.

This brings me to the real reason for my reply. Were you able to pull it off without hurt feelings?

And now, back to regular vise comments: Return a brand new Wilton 450S ??? WTF???

so does anyone on here have a new wilton vise that they have purchased. I really like the old ones but wondering if there are any new purchases

CRS: I was very appreciative indeed. No need to tip-toe.

It helps that we're both engineers - objectivity and logic are ubiquitous in the relationship and, together, quickly neutralize any issues.

She wanted me to be happy. I told her I'd be happier with vertical knee, bridgeport-type mill rather than a new Wilton 450S (a new 6" Kurt machining vise isn't cheap either). I pick and choose my battles wisely.

Plus, I just landed a Wilton C3 very recently. I really don't need the 450S. She agrees.

She did venture into tool-buying territory and survived. Kudos to her. I say kudos to me for picking her.

And to make sure we're staying on topic, here are a few pictures of the new Wilton 450S (Sorry about the low-quality indoor lighting...It's flooding down in Texas).

 

[xxaler]

**: nice purchase especially with some of us talking about it while it was still for sale. Does it weigh 150 pounds because it looked as big as my 577's? Also for what you paid for it i would probably paid that much or more for just the cool stand. Since you have the hadle off do the balls screw on or was it cut off?

Vintage: bookends for an old open screw vise that has maybe too many issues or too small to use?

NJ: id keep the brand new 450 and thank God i have a great gal and maybe sell the C3. The swivel bases on the C 3's are a weak point so be carefull how you use it if you keep it. Ive seen more than a few broken or repaired bases.

Scale chimes in at 155lbs. Stand weighs 167lbs.

He has a very old Charles Parker "No.G" (Yes, I know G isn't a number..) with 5" jaws that weighs quite a bit more I imagine, just from looking at it. It's the same size, if not a bit bigger than the C3 right next to it.

 

[xxaler]

No.G

 

[CRSINMICH]

CRS: I was very appreciative indeed. No need to tip-toe.

It helps that we're both engineers - objectivity and logic are ubiquitous in the relationship and, together, quickly neutralize any issues.

She wanted me to be happy.

Like I said, you are one lucky guy! If the rain lets up before you go to sleep tonight, look out the window and count your lucky stars.

 

[trever]

I have been needing a vise for some time for my garage, I have a new wilton 1765 that came on my work truck but using it isn't always convenient. I skimmed over the vise threads but all of the info can be a little overwhelming. After seeing several vises at the swap meet I bought a wilton 1760 last week for $55 I knew it was a quality unit because I already had the 1765. During the week I disassembled, stripped, and cleaned the 1760. I got it put back together with fresh grease and ordered some new pipe jaws. Don't think paint will last long as I will use the vise while welding so I just left it raw and wiped it down with pb blaster. Today at the swap meet I found a littlestown 112 for $7. It's the perfect size for my 7 year old son, we're gonna put it in the e tank this afternoon. After it's all cleaned up we'll paint it green his favorite color.

 

[Fretters]

Picked this up today. It was one of my Ebay specials, (I'll learn to stop doing this one day. Honest ). Placed an initial, token bid on it so I could find it easily in my bid list, (rather than trawling through my watchlist), thinking that if I decided to bid more than the token amount later on, it's easy enough to find. I'd decided not to raise my bid thinking that I could do without doing nigh on a 100 mile round trip to collect it, but no-one else bid on it, so it's mine. Hence, a 100 mile or so round trip today, and I ended up spending more on the wife at a garden centre we passed whilst we were out, than I spent on this.

CW thinks it may be an American one. At first, I wasn't sure, but seeing it in the flesh, I'm now inclined to agree. So, wondering if any of you chaps may recognise the style. No makers marks which I can see.

Next becomes evident the part which caught my eye and interest as much as the vice itself.

Two castors/wheels underneath.

The stand is cast iron throughout. Even though the top appears to have been drilled a few times, the top front cutout/design etc. does seem to fit this vice perfectly, so I'm not sure whether it's an original pairing or not, or from a different manufacturer and drilled to fit this vice on.

 

[CRSINMICH]

Noise: Damn it. Now I've got that Stevie Ray song stuck in my head.

 

[drivesitfar]

**: those jaws on the G vise dont look like normal parker jaws. Interesting and pretty big vise too. Thanks for the scoop on the 5166 and now another vise on my list to buy. I do like the rock island vises they made for craftsman almost as much as the 519x series vises.

Fretters: so you managed to get your bride to take a drive with you to pick up a vice? Nevermind the expense just think of it as a win because not all the wives agree with our addictions.

Also cool stand. I posted a similar vise like that last month that i didnt end up buying and nobody had anything to post about it. It does look like old US made though.

 

[CRSINMICH]

Fretters: It bears some resemblance to a vise on CL near here. I actually eyeballed this vise when I was looking at some others he has for sale. He said it was an Athol, but no markings so no sale. It's still listed months later. If you'd like to box yours up and send it to me I'll run it over to him for an accurate comparison. You could throw the stand/cart in too, just in case.

 

[Fretters]

Fretters: so you managed to get your bride to take a drive with you to pick up a vice? Nevermind the expense just think of it as a win because not all the wives agree with our addictions.

It can work against one too on occasion though. If I had a quid for everytime she's said to me that the only time I take her anywhere is when I'm collecting some rusty old tat....

Also cool stand.

That probably took my fancy even more than the vice. It's not oft the proper vice tables/trolleys appear, and they're usually way too far away from me to be a feasible buy.

I posted a similar vise like that last month that i didnt end up buying and nobody had anything to post about it. It does look like old US made though.

I'll be intrigued to see if anyone can possibly identify it. Styling is somewhat similar to that Mathieson/Saracen one I got recently, which is why I wasn't sure to start with, but seeing it, it does appear possibly more American than English, as CW suggested.

 

[Fretters]

Fretters: It bears some resemblance to a vise on CL near here. I actually eyeballed this vise when I was looking at some others he has for sale. He said it was an Athol, but no markings so no sale. It's still listed months later. If you'd like to box yours up and send it to me I'll run it over to him for an accurate comparison. You could throw the stand/cart in too, just in case.

This one is the same on the markings front. I haven't wound the slide fully out yet, but a few turns of the handle didn't reveal any markings on the slide. Didn't want to wind it out fully as it's a bit tight/graunchy at the moment, and seeing as I've plonked it in the living room for the night, I'm sure the wife wouldn't appreciate me lathering it with oil in there. It has the biggest handle ball that I've seen on any vice so far. It's huge in relation to the rest.

 

[trever]

The littlestown is in the e tank. How do you explain electrolysis to a 7yo?

 

[drivesitfar]

Trever: are you using a copper bucket for your E tank? i'd say that isn't a great idea, but those that do the E tank all the time might be able to tell you why better than i can.

Fretters: we can't keep them happy all the time nor they can't keep us happy all the time and all we can do is try and hope they like some of the things we do.

so now we know you bought a vise with big balls so it has to be US made.

 

[Mr_P]

I have been needing a vise for some time for my garage, I have a new wilton 1765 that came on my work truck but using it isn't always convenient. I skimmed over the vise threads but all of the info can be a little overwhelming. After seeing several vises at the swap meet I bought a wilton 1760 last week for $55 I knew it was a quality unit because I already had the 1765. During the week I disassembled, stripped, and cleaned the 1760. I got it put back together with fresh grease and ordered some new pipe jaws. Don't think paint will last long as I will use the vise while welding so I just left it raw and wiped it down with pb blaster. Today at the swap meet I found a littlestown 112 for $7. It's the perfect size for my 7 year old son, we're gonna put it in the e tank this afternoon. After it's all cleaned up we'll paint it green his favorite color.

Here's a sneak peak at what Green could look like.

 

[trever]

The e tank is a stainless steel mop bucket. I showed him the pic of the green vise he wants to paint his right away.

 

[drivesitfar]

Trever: stainless might actually be worse because you are creating a toxic soup. maybe the other guys here that know their chemistry better will tell you why or check out the homemade electrolysis thread and post a question there if you don't find the answers. we talk about stainless, nickel, copper and other issues on that thread.

 

[noisenormajean]

Drives: Interesting, I've never heard of Wilton C3 having a weak base. I'll assume that to mean weak outer ring/mounting tabs (?). What's more interesting is that it uses the same outer ring as the king-sized-big-boy-pants Wilton 800S, which is heavier (800S ~230 lbm vs. C3 ~210 lbm).

Perhaps anyone who could confirm would care to comment?

Autopts?
Shiftless?
Reverend Scott?
Balane?

Disclaimer: I do not suggest, convey, nor imply that the 800S is the biggest vise in recorded human history. It follows that any implications or correlation of ruggedness, durability, or quality with respect to mass, although probable, are notwithstanding.


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[noisenormajean]

The littlestown is in the e tank. How do you explain electrolysis to a 7yo?

Drives is right. I believe the concern with stainless steel in electrolysis is the production and release of hexavalent chromium, a known carcinogen.

https://www.osha.gov/SLTC/hexavalentchromium/


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[drivesitfar]

NJ: until Rev or one of the other guys chimes in the bar across the middle of the base tends to break. i haven't seen mounting tabs break which is odd that one would break without the other one doing so too.

i don't think i have any pictures saved of broken C3 bases, but i know there are several listed in the thread if you care to do a search or maybe read the entire thread.

i'm not saying the C3 is a bad vise by any means and just saying your 4.5 inch new Wilton bullet will do about 90% of any job in your shop and the C3 will fetch you some serious funds for some other toys in your shop.

thanks for mentioning the technical words to Trever

 

[bagged89s10]

Finished up his 1947 Wilton 930 today in hammerite light blue. Came out pretty good for first time spraying hammerite. I don't have the spraying technique down as good as I can spray rustoleum or krylon. I kept almost all the usage marks, except on the jaws inserts. I went with a brushed finish on the jaw towers and on the anvil surface.

 

[trever]

Thanks for the concern. I have researched electrolsys and I am ok with using stainless steel for a vise . The larger trash can tank (in the pic) I use old motor grader edges on. That tank is for cast iron cookware and I didn't want the grease and paint from the vise in it.

 

[GETRIDAONE]

Bagged nice job I like the last picture where the brushed side of the jaw is picking up the blue reflection color. It looks like a brushed blue finished. Nice shine on the end cap and jaws !

 

[Nuts]

Noise: Damn it. Now I've got that Stevie Ray song stuck in my head.

Much better than, When I Think About You I Touch My Self by The Dyvinals.




Nuts

 

[exmaxima1]

i'm not saying the C3 is a bad vise by any means and just saying your 4.5 inch new Wilton bullet will do about 90% of any job in your shop and the C3 will fetch you some serious funds for some other toys in your shop.

+1
I had a C1 and sold it off very promptly. I was afraid I would break it. I would rather have a 450s as a daily user.

 

[dutchgray]

Fretters
That is a great find and something that is going to be rare as well.

 

[va.grouseman]

Really think electrolysis tanks should be plastic.---something neutral.

Two threads on the subject are (1). Electrolosis with Graphite.---And (2). My take on an electrolysis tank!---And Outlaw's diagram of an Electrolysis Bath on page 193, post 3851.

If no one is interested, then please disregard.

 

[Hemi49]

Finished up his 1947 Wilton 930 today in hammerite light blue. Came out pretty good for first time spraying hammerite. I don't have the spraying technique down as good as I can spray rustoleum or krylon. I kept almost all the usage marks, except on the jaws inserts. I went with a brushed finish on the jaw towers and on the anvil surface.

BAGGED
Beautiful job!....

 

[Thrumcap]

And a moment of levity from Halloween



The 827 claims a victim... This one was a little easier to do than the original thought of carving a vise from a pumpkin. Do that next year.

Thrumcap

 

[CRSINMICH]

Thrum: The pile of guts was a nice touch.

 

[bagged89s10]

Bagged nice job I like the last picture where the brushed side of the jaw is picking up the blue reflection color. It looks like a brushed blue finished. Nice shine on the end cap and jaws !

Thanks. The end cap looks better in the pictures than it really is. I polished it, but it is all pitted. I didn't want to open up a can of worms trying to sand the pits out on a thin piece.

BAGGED

Beautiful job!....

Thanks. The color looks better than I expected.

 

[KMScott]

Drives: Interesting, I've never heard of Wilton C3 having a weak base. I'll assume that to mean weak outer ring/mounting tabs (?). What's more interesting is that it uses the same outer ring as the king-sized-big-boy-pants Wilton 800S, which is heavier (800S ~230 lbm vs. C3 ~210 lbm).

Perhaps anyone who could confirm would care to comment?

Autopts?
Shiftless?
Reverend Scott?
Balane?

All I can say is I would not use a stock inner ring when I restored my 600S. The reason was it is cast way to thin walled, to be honest I was not happy with the thin wall outer ring either but I did not want to make one of those. This 600 I bought in Wyoming did not have a original base and Autopts was kind enough to send me the outer base and inner ring which broke very easy. You really do not have a choice in the matter since you are stuck with what Wilton gives you unless you have access to a metal cutting machine and ambition to make your own.

 

[McBrownie]

All I can say is I would not use a stock inner ring when I restored my 600S. The reason was it is cast way to thin walled, to be honest I was not happy with the thin wall outer ring either but I did not want to make one of those. This 600 I bought in Wyoming did not have a original base and Autopts was kind enough to send me the outer base and inner ring which broke very easy. You really do not have a choice in the matter since you are stuck with what Wilton gives you unless you have access to a metal cutting machine and ambition to make your own.

It doesn't have to be a big Wilton to have problems Take a look at my 3" 9300. This was made before they started using serrated lock downs and a previous owner had cranked it down hard enough to crack it. I replaced it with a steel one similar to what Kevin did, except it was easier due to the lack of serrations.

View media item 39374

 

[va.grouseman]

And a moment of levity from Halloween



The 827 claims a victim... This one was a little easier to do than the original thought of carving a vise from a pumpkin. Do that next year.

Thrumcap

Thrump,---There is a rock band that should have that as an album cover.

 

[bagged89s10]

It doesn't have to be a big Wilton to have problems Take a look at my 3" 9300. This was made before they started using serrated lock downs and a previous owner had cranked it down hard enough to crack it. I replaced it with a steel one similar to what Kevin did, except it was easier due to the lack of serrations.



View media item 39374

I agree that Wilton swivels were not made very well.

 

[Nuts]

Does not Wilton have a warranty?

 

[Shiftless]

Does not Wilton have a warranty?

Yeah, of course!
The warranty on my 4 inch bullet expired in 1962

 

[Shiftless]

Thanks for the concern. I have researched electrolsys and I am ok with using stainless steel for a vise . The larger trash can tank (in the pic) I use old motor grader edges on. That tank is for cast iron cookware and I didn't want the grease and paint from the vise in it.

Interesting...
Do you remember the sources you researched?
Did one of them calculate the total amount of hexavalent chromium released from stainless steel electrodes and minimized the toxic effects?
There are lots of deadly poisons and radiation in our environment, but if the quantities are small enough, I guess we can live with them.

 

[Nuts]

http://www.ebay.com/itm/ANTIQUE-JUM...437953?hash=item419f2d9181:g:pE4AAOSwA4dWM7gD


So what is it for?


Nuts

 

[Fretters]

Interesting...
Do you remember the sources you researched?
Did one of them calculate the total amount of hexavalent chromium released from stainless steel electrodes and minimized the toxic effects?
There are lots of deadly poisons and radiation in our environment, but if the quantities are small enough, I guess we can live with them.

As far as I recall, the part about stainless and hex. release is unproven. It's a commonly mentioned thing, but as I recall, the actual requirements for it to occur are outside the scope of simple degradation within an electrolysis setup; i.e: using stainless is no less safe than owt else, but it's merely avoided as a precaution.

 

[Fretters]

http://www.ebay.com/itm/ANTIQUE-JUM...437953?hash=item419f2d9181:g:pE4AAOSwA4dWM7gD


So what is it for?


Nuts

My guess would be pipe or metal cable.