Wilton 4" Machinist Vise

[Todd.Brock]

Is this puppy worth 90 bucks? I know a guy who has two of them. This is a picture for reference only. It is the same model, serial number. He described them as exc. cond., like new jaws and original paint. I have been looking for a good USA vise to restore in the larger than 4" category and under 50 bucks category. I would end up spending close to 90 or whatever I could get it for in time spent cleaning blasting/painting/replacing parts etc with a crusty one..

 

[rhastings80]

Hi Todd,

I would say 90 is a great deal. These seem to go for about 150-200 on Ebay with shipping. I just picked up a 4.5 inch 450 model. One thing to keep in mind is parts are vary scarce. About the only part Wilton has for my 450 is the horseshoe collar part. You can find a breakdown at Grainger and then go to Winton's website to look up if they carry the parts. Wilton's website ***** in my opinion and you need the part number. Also a new pair of jaws will cost you more then 90 bucks.

http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&sour...+parts&usg=AFQjCNEsBXObDetj2qktNGk25AxFqigAMg

http://parts.maam.waltermeier.com/Parts.aspx

You may also want to check out this thread as I'm working on my vise now too.
http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=44245

Rob

 

[georgiadave]

It looks like a nice one. It is not a swivel, if that is important to you. It is well worth $90.

 

[Uncle Buck]

Yup, worth it to me.

 

[scottg1952]

Yup, worth it to me.

Ditto
You can live without swivel easy enough,
but a Wilton bullet in a 4" jaw opens as wide as most 6" vises.
90 is a steal, jump all over it.

If the guy also has a 0 or double zero size in the back??
call me
yours Scott

 

[Todd.Brock]

Thanks for all the replys guys! I am still on the fence about the swivel part. I would mount it on the end of a bench so the swivel may not be all that necessary. The markings are 101157 and WF1 on the vise. I googled those and found an auction site that had that picture I put up along with those numbers in the description. I will let you all know how I make out with the actual vise.

 

[Uncle Buck]

Thanks for all the replys guys! I am still on the fence about the swivel part. I would mount it on the end of a bench so the swivel may not be all that necessary. The markings are 101157 and WF1 on the vise. I googled those and found an auction site that had that picture I put up along with those numbers in the description. I will let you all know how I make out with the actual vise.

So buy this one, mount at the corner of the bench, and just wait and see if anything better ever comes along. You could always get all, or most of your money back out of that one if you ever needed to. In the mean time you will have a great vise to use. Who knows, in time you might even decide the swivel is not really that critical to your needs.

 

[Todd.Brock]

Good Point UB. I emailed the seller the same pic I posted. He just replied back and said that it was just like that except it swiveled! I will check in with him tomorrow to firm things up. Anybody want the other one?

 

[kblazer87]

Sent you a PM about the other vise.

 

[Todd.Brock]

OK, Here are the actual pics.. They need a paint job or they have lots of character... The flash from the camera doesnt help either. Nice teeth though! Dont ask how they both followed me home
There are date stamped into the vise handle. One is 12-92 and the other is 6-93. They are out of the Delphi GM plant that shut down here in Ohio. One will be staying with me and the other is possibly spoken for.. See above post...

 

[Uncle Buck]

Please whatever you do, for pity sakes, mount the damned thing on the corner of the bench when you mount it. Do it in such a way that the free space in front of the stationary jaw will allow for clamping stuff so that tall stuff from the floor can extend up through the clamped jaws of the vise. So many seem scared to mount the vise close to the edge of the bench, but it will work. If you have to, mount a steel plate 1/8" thick under the vise to the top of the bench if it makes you feel better.

Great looking find. Lucky SCHMUCK!

 

[rhastings80]

Wow, those look to be in great shape. Good score.

 

[bmwpower]

Nice. I thought you said they weren't swivel? Maybe I missed an update.

I wouldn't paint them. I like the patina.

Wonder how/what they were used for in the plant.

 

[evintho]

Both of those for $90? Excellent score!! Those jaws look brand new!

 

[JohnK007]

Those are two great vises!! I wouldn't paint them either. I think they look just fine the way they are. Also, follow UB's advice. Mount them so the inner jaw extends just beyond the bench. You'll be grateful later when you clamp something vertically.

 

[Uncle Buck]

Nice. I thought you said they weren't swivel? Maybe I missed an update.

I wouldn't paint them. I like the patina.

Wonder how/what they were used for in the plant.

Those are two great vises!! I wouldn't paint them either. I think they look just fine the way they are. Also, follow UB's advice. Mount them so the inner jaw extends just beyond the bench. You'll be grateful later when you clamp something vertically.

Plus another, very bad mistake to paint them! NO NO!

 

[Todd.Brock]

They were actually 85 a piece. I knew that I could get my money back on the second one so I wasnt worried about it. I need to reinforce the bottom of the bench a little bit with some extra 2x4 around the post so there is something to bite into. UB's idea of a steel plate is a good idea. I just set them up there to take pics.. I wont paint them. Thanks for the comments all! The guy I bought them from had a 5" Starrett mechanics vise, an OLD c-man 4" bench vise, a Columbian (USA) 3" mechanics vise a couple of pipe vises and a Wilton versa vice equivalent. I just stuck to what I was there for (plus the 2nd vise) and left. The guy I bought from does nothing but go to auctions and yard sales. The deals this guy has in his garage that he found are enough to make any of us jealous. Saylor Beale 80 gallon for $200 from a garage sale, Snap on 1/2" 10-27mm 6pt new for $20 at yard sale, etc.. Doesnt compare to whoever snagged/stole/raped/pillaged/plundered the Exmark for $40....

 

[WarDamnEagle]

Old thread but the closest I could find by searching for WF2. I found this vise locally with the only other information that it has 4" jaws and an 8" opening.

It looks to be in good shape and more or less similar to their modern machinist vice. Perhaps a very early model?

If I don't get any info here I will repost in the vice thread.

Thanks.

 

[rlitman]

Doesn't look that old to me. Nice vise.

 

[bluebolt]

Looks like late 70's or later.

 

[bczygan]

Beautiful vise in great condition. What did you give for it?

And please put your location in your profile.

Bill

 

[Lassen Forge]

I have a non-swivel 400, I thought I couldn't live without a swivel, but it's not a big deal. But it's mounted at the edge of the bench, and bolted through a double layer of 2x4's. I don't think it's going anywhere.

Sadly, tho, it was ridden hard, or at least abused - the paint had been stripped (sacriledge!) and repainted hideous light purple (what were people thinking??), and the brass jaws (yes, brass) were so bad they wouldn't even match up.

I repainted it (Forgive me, my brethren, for I have sinned grievously, but at least it needs not suffer the scorn of LIGHT purple? Yeech!) and dressed down the jaws so they at least will work again... but the question I have - are these jaws OEM or something someone made? This is the first, no, only one I've seen with the brass plates instead of the normal toothy/smooth steel ones...

 

[CNGsaves]

Old thread but the closest I could find by searching for WF2. I found this vise locally with the only other information that it has 4" jaws and an 8" opening.

It looks to be in good shape and more or less similar to their modern machinist vice. Perhaps a very early model?

If I don't get any info here I will repost in the vice thread.

Thanks.

^ ^ ^ ^ Looks like a vise that should be in WarEagle shop . . . gosh Damn it !!

Hope you get it. Let us know the price so you can get your YS awards.

 

[WarDamnEagle]

I haven't even contacted the seller because I was having trouble finding any information on a "WF2" Wilton. They are asking $400 which is pretty far from a you **** price. I'm going to repost in the vice thread just to see if anyone has any additional information but I do appreciate everyone's input. Thanks!