Wilton 6A Vise - Is this a 746?

[JadeMonkey]

Looking for a decent vise to use in the garage I came across a 6" Wilton Mechanics vise. I don't know much about vises but from what I've been able to find this looks like a Wilton 746 (21500) but the casting on the static jaw only says 6A. From the pictures it appears that other numbers could have been ground off but the paint looks a little too consistent for that and I'm not thinking it was repainted.

Any thoughts on what exactly this is? What about value? Don't have a lot of extra $ at the moment but I'd like to get something that will serve me well for a long while. Any insight is much appreciated!

 

[G-ManBart]

Yep, that's a 746. I don't know why, but even Wilton's website only shows "6A" on the side. The other numbers you can see aren't raised and often pretty shallow, so you can't always read them clearly once paint is over them.

It looks to be all original, and not abused, so it should last a long time.

 

[JadeMonkey]

Yep, that's a 746. I don't know why, but even Wilton's website only shows "6A" on the side. The other numbers you can see aren't raised and often pretty shallow, so you can't always read them clearly once paint is over them.

It looks to be all original, and not abused, so it should last a long time.

Thanks very much for the quick reply! I just rechecked Wilton's site and saw the same thing with the pictures only showing the 6A. Odd that on a reseller's site I had looked at the picture showed the full model #.

Sounds like this is something worth checking out then; any thoughts on a fair price? I'd love to keep an eye out for a Wilton bullet or something else classic with some style (and possibly better build quality) but could really use a decent vise and don't see much pop up around here.

 

[G-ManBart]

Thanks very much for the quick reply! I just rechecked Wilton's site and saw the same thing with the pictures only showing the 6A. Odd that on a reseller's site I had looked at the picture showed the full model #.

Sounds like this is something worth checking out then; any thoughts on a fair price? I'd love to keep an eye out for a Wilton bullet or something else classic with some style (and possibly better build quality) but could really use a decent vise and don't see much pop up around here.

Value is always subjective, but I'd say definitely under $100. Right now you can still find Wilton 75th Anniversary editions of this vise for $179.99 on eBay, and used models go for less.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Wilton-Spec...406831?hash=item4d4794a96f:g:~rAAAOSw8gVX~Kvk

Depending on the area of the country you are in, there's a decent chance one of the GJ vise geeks is nearby, or would be willing to ship you one for a fair price.

 

[JadeMonkey]

Thanks. Ad has it listed for about $100 so perhaps I'll see how much flexibility the seller has. Really appreciate you taking the time to respond Bart; I'm definitely a newbie when it comes to vises. I've been checking out your website and you do some excellent work. Have me drooling over your projects.

I'm in Fort Collins, Colorado. Should someone out there happen to read this and have a vise for sale please let me know!

 

[Teenager with old tools]

Define value. If buying that vise for the name on it $80-100. If buying that vise for its usefulness personally I wouldn't pay more than $50 for one the same size. Not trying to force opinions just giving you my perspective. 6 inch jaws on a vise of that size you'll or atleast I would never know the difference between 6 or 4 inch jaws. To me it doesn't open far enough for the larger jaw to make a difference. For $100 you can get a smaller vise like that with 6 inch jaws or a large vise like an athol 614 1/2. I paid $80 for mine. I get it not everyone needs a vise that big. You look at getting bigger anyway and are looking at about $100 right now. Do you plan any large work. Do you even foresee possibility in next two years of that vise not opening far enough. I bought my athol for $80 and it will probably be enough but you plan upgrade anyway you could get large vise with narrower jaws but big opening and have it suit better as you look for your dream vise. I'd love one that opens even farther than my athol and has 6 inch jaws so I knew large opening meant more than large jaws.


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[kwoswalt99]

Is it just me, or does it look like the jaws don't line up properly?

 

[matt_i]

Its a pretty nice vise, I have its predecessor in style and has been plenty tough for workshop activities. Its jaw alignment isnt quite as precise as the bullet/machinist vise but no problems holding anything solidly.

 

[JadeMonkey]

Is it just me, or does it look like the jaws don't line up properly?

Good eye. I actually asked about this and apparently the slide is somewhat misaligned so the jaws do not meet properly.

Not sure how big of an issue that is but since the price is already at the top of the range that was suggested I'm thinking I will probably pass on this one.

 

[JadeMonkey]

Define value.

I don't want to drastically overpay for something. I realize that I don't know much about vises and honestly don't know my exact needs for the upcoming let alone far future. I do basic stuff around the house, like to work on cars/motorcycles, and do a good bit of homebrewing. I'd really like to learn to weld in the future and possibly get into some light woodworking. A 6" vise is not a must have for me but I don't know how large or small is too much or not enough for either jaw size or opening distance. Trying to get something that will serve me, my family, and my friends well. If it doesn't work out or things change and I decide I need something different I'd like to be able to have a good chance at getting my money back if possible. I don't care about the name on the side but I do care about the quality.

Does that help? I know that value is relative and depends on individual needs. Unfortunately without knowing exactly what my needs are or will be it's hard to define a value to me personally so I'm trying to see if there's a general consensus out there for this. That will most likely define what I pay anyway, so I thought I'd ask.

Again, appreciate everyone's feedback. Thanks all!