The VISES of Garage Journal

[drivesitfar]

LIS: across a boarder and a ferry ride away, but you are not too far. GREAT LOOKING SHOP!!

how do you like your BurrKing grinder that caught my eye while admiring all that cool steel.

I also can't say i've seen a steel framed bench with anything close to that amount of wood used as it's bench top. i thought i overbuilt things and even though Royce does do some amazing work at his shop i don't think you have to hang your head at all.

take care and thanks for the pictures allowing all of us to enjoy!!

 

[AngryBeaver]

LIS: i bet you don't live close to me, but i'd love to compare your new Reed 4c's to my 1940's Reed 4c.!

It's the same as a Columbian 206. My 2c is twice as stout as the 204-1/2 (identical to the (2ca)

 

[lis2323]

*drivesitfar* I just found that BurrKing earlier this year on eBay. Needed a LOT of lovin' to get it into shape and had to build a pedestal. I would never be able to afford a new one...

Terry

 

[AngryBeaver]

Got to meet Kevin while I was out in Colorado. Awesome time and brought some jaws back with me to finish up some projects.

Great people and awesome jaws! Was a great trip out to his place.

Picked up a starrett 924 for a song too. Stout little booger in almost new shape. Slide and base had a bunch of cosmoline on/in it. Anyone know how old that might be? The collar for the screw is spring loaded. Were all the starretts made that way?

 

[chrisnazzy]

Got the Athol 624N back to Arizona tonight.

Sent from my SM-G930P using Tapatalk

 

[jrobb316]

Starrett 924 is 1970s-1990s. Top shelf for sure.

 

[gman007]

Hello Wilton experts

Does anyone know if the OEM Wilton power arms always came with baby (2") or toddler (2 1/2 ") bullet vises?

Someone (locally) is selling a "Wilton 303 hydraulic power arm and a bullet 9300 bullet vice" combination and I am not sure if a 3" bullet was ever meant to be mounted on a power arm (The power arm seems reasonable size and the number 303 is making me think that may be that is an OEM combo but I have no idea about Wilton power arm models and sizes).

Seller is asking $500 for the combo but also states "I prefer to not separate but if I do it will be $300 for the powrarm and $250 for the vice". I believe $250 is way too much for a 9300 with no swivel base (even by ebay standards), so based on that fact I am not sure if $300 for power arm is not also overpriced (again I have no idea about Wilton power arm sizes -if there are any different sizes in the first place- and prices etc).

Any input will be appreciated.
Thx
007

 

[drivesitfar]

007: i can't recall seeing any Wilton power arms like that before, but there maybe some posted. I know the 3 inch Wilton bullets are not that big, but they are a lot bigger than a baby. that power arm doesn't looked modified so maybe Wilton made a bigger power arm for the 3 inch bullets.

also looks like he has Columbian copper jaws on the Wilton and he tapped a couple holding screws in the vise to hold the jaws on in all positions which looks like it works ok.

depends if you have a specific use for it in mind, but if my 2 inch Baby on it's power arm can't handle the job I can use my versa vise or a ZYLISS aluminum one i've owned for 30 years and you can probably by a versa vise and Zyliss vise for a lot less than $500.

thanks for posting pictures and asking cause i'd like to hear what the others say and if they might have that power arm sitting around.

 

[CrotalusAtrox]

Got to meet Kevin while I was out in Colorado. Awesome time and brought some jaws back with me to finish up some projects.

Great people and awesome jaws! Was a great trip out to his place.

Picked up a starrett 924 for a song too. Stout little booger in almost new shape. Slide and base had a bunch of cosmoline on/in it. Anyone know how old that might be? The collar for the screw is spring loaded. Were all the starretts made that way?

I have that same 924 had to get some jaws for it but it is my everyday user and love it.

 

[Bcom]

Hello Wilton experts

Does anyone know if the OEM Wilton power arms always came with baby (2") or toddler (2 1/2 ") bullet vises?

Someone (locally) is selling a "Wilton 303 hydraulic power arm and a bullet 9300 bullet vice" combination and I am not sure if a 3" bullet was ever meant to be mounted on a power arm (The power arm seems reasonable size and the number 303 is making me think that may be that is an OEM combo but I have no idea about Wilton power arm models and sizes).

Seller is asking $500 for the combo but also states "I prefer to not separate but if I do it will be $300 for the powrarm and $250 for the vice". I believe $250 is way too much for a 9300 with no swivel base (even by ebay standards), so based on that fact I am not sure if $300 for power arm is not also overpriced (again I have no idea about Wilton power arm sizes -if there are any different sizes in the first place- and prices etc).

Any input will be appreciated.
Thx
007

Hey 007--- joe striper had a powr arm like that and from what I remember, they weren't cheap either. I think he mounted a larger vise on it as well. Maybe joe can give more info on it.

 

[gman007]

Drives and Bcom
Thanks for the info. It will be interesting if Joe or other Wilton experts can shed more light on this question as well as on the value of the power arm (specially if the arm is designed for 3" Wilton bullet- the color on both vise and arm sure looks like factory and matches).

Cheers
007

 

[trijeff]

Its a Wilton 303 hydraulic, quite a bit bigger than the jr pow-r-arm one usually sees with babies. 150lb working load limit. Just finished up one of these and will be sending to our favorite Canadian knofe maker, vintage nut. He's also going to use the toddler.

EDIT: for anyone rebuilding leaky seals, they have a newly designed piston/seal that you can order from the factory. Part number is 2900600-3.

 

[chrisnazzy]

I'm not a Wilton expert for the record, in fact I haven't even owned one yet but I did save this off here at some point for future reference.

Sent from my SM-G930P using Tapatalk

 

[drivesitfar]

Chris: thanks for posting those ads. nice to see them all advertised and as rare as my clamp is i'm surprised more didn't sell or are seen around. that other clamp looks similar to some i've left laying on benches, but since i only own one baby bullet and power arm maybe it wasn't a Wilton clamp i passed on.

TJ: are you coming up to deliver that Wilton to VN in person? it sure is a nice time of year for a road trip now through the PNW cause the leaves on the trees are crazy colors and we actually still get a few days of sunshine too. no PICS?

 

[gman007]

TJ and chris
Thanks much for the definitive answer on this. So here is the other ever open ended question, is the hydraulic 303 model then more "valuable" than other smaller (and non hydraulic ) models and therefore is $300 a GOOD price or is it just a reasonable price?

Thx again
007

 

[Bcom]

TJ and chris
Thanks much for the definitive answer on this. So here is the other ever open ended question, is the hydraulic 303 model then more "valuable" than other smaller (and non hydraulic ) models and therefore is $300 a GOOD price or is it just a reasonable price?

Thx again
007

As far as i know, Wilton still makes the 303 model and it costs around $400.

 

[drivesitfar]

007: i wouldn't say the 3 inch Wilton is high up on anybody's list as just a vise, but with the power arm it makes it a lot more handy.

so you are in a pretty nice area for finding Wilton vises, but you'll need to be quick and maybe borrow Gman's wilton magnet to snag one.

price depends on your needs cause i doubt you could buy that new for that even if you wanted a new one over a vintage one, but since you probably don't need a vise you might let it go to those with deep pockets that need one and keep looking.

thanks again for posting it cause it brought out Chris' wilton catalog pages i hadn't seen.

 

[gman007]

As far as i know, Wilton still makes the 303 model and it costs around $400.

Bcom
Thanks for the info, you are correct, after I saw your post, I did a quick search and indeed $400 is the going price for a new one. So I guess this is not much of a deal.
007

 

[gman007]

007: i wouldn't say the 3 inch Wilton is high up on anybody's list as just a vise, but with the power arm it makes it a lot more handy.

so you are in a pretty nice area for finding Wilton vises, but you'll need to be quick and maybe borrow Gman's wilton magnet to snag one.

price depends on your needs cause i doubt you could buy that new for that even if you wanted a new one over a vintage one, but since you probably don't need a vise you might let it go to those with deep pockets that need one and keep looking.

thanks again for posting it cause it brought out Chris' wilton catalog pages i hadn't seen.

drives
Here is the thing about my vise affliction, it is not only about being able or not being able to afford a given vise at full retail price, but even more so the thrill of hunt for great deal for a vise (for record I only buy and have never sold vises). And I think this might apply to varying degree to some other folks here too. Who does not want a great deal?

Now, I am about 2 hours drive west of Gman (Wilton Magnet) and here it is very seldom to see a Wilton in the wild. In any case even if I was in the same area, as good and as fast as Wilton Magnet is, the best I could do would probably be finding the dust trail he left several days (not hours but days) after he had captured a Wilton.

Finally chris's catalog page was great and more vise education for me as it is every day at GJ. And that is thanks to all the great, helpful and knowledgeable folks, such as yourself, here.

007

 

[va.grouseman]

Gman, here's a NH 303 on EBay.---You can find new ones and used ones most any time on EBay.---Check the link.


https://www.ebay.com/itm/Wilton-303...339697&hash=item5b17f412e8:g:-9kAAOSwyQtV5H2-

 

[wrenchr]

I picked up a desmond simplex 33S yesterday, it was just rusty and would not adjust. The vendor I bought it from said it had a broken spring...I took it apart and it was just missing a roll pin to lock the nut for the spindle and needed cleaning. Paid $10.00. Will post a pic in a little while.

 

[gman007]

Gman, here's a NH 303 on EBay.---You can find new ones and used ones most any time on EBay.---Check the link.


https://www.ebay.com/itm/Wilton-303...339697&hash=item5b17f412e8:g:-9kAAOSwyQtV5H2-

Va
Thanks for the link, will check it out.
007

 

[Zeppelin1021]

Aluminum? Wilton 935 Chicago Bullet Vice
Hello all, I am new to the site and trying to find some info on one of my vises.
It is 935 Wilton Bullet with what appears to be a aluminum body. The jaws, handle, screw and acorn nuts and bolts are steel. It is lightweight and magnet will not stick to body. I’ve had this vise for over ten years and have never been able to find any info on it. I posted on the Wilton date stamp thread where I have had some helpful members give me some informative info.
It has the curved Wilton logo over Chicago USA on both sides, notched body with acorn nuts for swivel base. No date stamp on key.
I’m getting info that this may have been Government issue, 1946 or earlier, for a no spark environment. Vise is in great condition, used but not abused, jaws are close to perfect and it is buttery smooth.
Does anyone know this vise or have info on it? Up to this point I have never been able to find any information, I know it’s rare but it can’t be the only one.
I was told if I can’t find info here I won’t find it anywhere.
Thanks in advance!

 

[Zeppelin1021]

More pics of Aluminum? Wilton 935 Bullet vise
Not sure why pics are coming out sideways?

 

[va.grouseman]

Zep, that is an old one because Hugh W. Vogl had not yet transitioned his jaw inserts on the first Wiltons, from the York lateral grips to the later standard serrated grips.

 

[va.grouseman]

Zep, you asked about the other nonmagnetic vises.---Here is 2 bronze Columbians.---NO SPARKS.


Here's a before and after of the one I've finished.

 

[drivesitfar]

Zep: you mentioned that the nuts are steel or cast iron so wondering if the slide is too or is it made out of the same material the rest of your Wilton bullet is?

i suppose if you can weigh it that might help us determine what it's made of or at least we'd know some materials to eliminate.

thanks for taking the time to post up all the pictures.

VA: i'll never get tired of looking at some of your cool vises. have you built some stout shelving for the chain gang or the SPECIAL ONES yet?

 

[va.grouseman]

Here's both of them together, and the latest by itself and the material it will take to refurbish it.

 

[drivesitfar]

LIS: did you pick up all those newer Reed 4Ca's in Langley or did you buy them new from REED VISE COMPANY?

how much does one weigh if you have time to weigh one?

VA: how did you know the second one was a bronze Columbian or maybe you just got lucky and thought it might be after finding one that was?

 

[lis2323]

LIS: did you pick up all those newer Reed 4Ca's in Langley or did you buy them new from REED VISE COMPANY?



how much does one weigh if you have time to weigh one?



VA: how did you know the second one was a bronze Columbian or maybe you just got lucky and thought it might be after finding one that was?

Langley. I only weighed the first one. 155#.

 

[mlisac]

Here's both of them together, and the latest by itself and the material it will take to refurbish it.

Does it sound bad to call a vise "pretty"? Must be the change in metal that does it for me.

 

[gman007]

Does it sound bad to call a vise "pretty"? Must be the change in metal that does it for me.

"pretty" comes across as too effeminate for any US made self respecting vise, "ruggedly handsome" might be more appropriate

 

[mlisac]

"pretty" comes across as too effeminate for any US made self respecting vise, "ruggedly handsome" might be more appropriate

The Cary Grant of vises.

 

[tool_scrounge]

TJ and chris
Thanks much for the definitive answer on this. So here is the other ever open ended question, is the hydraulic 303 model then more "valuable" than other smaller (and non hydraulic ) models and therefore is $300 a GOOD price or is it just a reasonable price?

Thx again
007

I had reliability problems with 303 models at work that stopped functioning. This was in a clean environment with minimal usage. We replaced it with the non-hydraulic units.

 

[gman007]

I had reliability problems with 303 models at work that stopped functioning. This was in a clean environment with minimal usage. We replaced it with the non-hydraulic units.

Thx for the heads up
007

 

[gman007]

Does anyone know what is the exact model of this Columbian. These are the the only photos and there is no details about model, jaw size etc. The faint number on the tag might be 505 M2 or could it be 506 M2 (based on the 4" size of the power outlet below the vise which seems to be the same width as the dynamic jaw "neck" and the jaw protruding possibly 1" from each side of the "neck" ?)
Thx
007

 

[Shiftless]

"pretty" comes across as too effeminate for any US made self respecting vise, "ruggedly handsome" might be more appropriate

Here is a pretty in pink vise that spn1025 posted last year

 

[drivesitfar]

LIS: thanks for the 411 on the weight of your newer Reed 4c's.

007: I'd be buying that bench and working on getting the vise thrown in the deal if it were me. sorry even though i might own 10 Columbian vises i still don't know all their #'s cause they don't have the CARY GRANT appeal to me like Rock Islands and Reeds do.

Bcom: sorry i don't have a current picture of a few of my vises, but here's one from a few months ago of some sitting in my little 550 pound Lyon Cabinet.

thanks for the PM asking and one day i'll GET and BE ORGANIZED, but i'm still a little afraid what my bride would say OR DO if she saw all my vises in one spot.

JOE: speaking of having all your vises ORGANIZED i recall seeing you were selling off a bunch of yours. are you slimming the heard ESTATE SALE style or do tell?

 

[va.grouseman]

Previously posted by Drivesitfar.

VA: how did you know the second one was a bronze Columbian or maybe you just got lucky and thought it might be after finding one that was?
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


Drive, I bought the second one off EBay and the description said all brass Columbian.---So it wasn't near the gamble as the first one, cause I knew when it arrived it better be brass or it's going back.---The first one was a roll of the dice.---I was just taking a man's word for it.---The Craigslist AD link was posted here by a GJ member, and I can't remember who it was, but I would have never known about it otherwise.---Anyway I called and listened to the guy's description of it and his back story of how his father had the vise for 30 years and how it came off a WWII US Mine Sweeper.---I wasn't sold but he wasn't asking an arm and a leg no way so I took the gamble that he wasn't a CL scammer.---I asked if anybody else had called about it and he said just one other person and he didn't believe me.

 

[gman007]

Here is a pretty in pink vise that spn1025 posted last year

shift,
This reminds me of the Johnny Cash's "A Boy Named Sue", a vise has to be very tough and secure about himself to wear pink
007