Columbian 4" bench vise-welded not cast

[Dtraster]

I have a Columbian bench vise that is welded together, not cast. I don't know whether it's something special or a waste of perfectly good metal. Anyone know what this is? Sorry the photos are upside down. Can't get them flipped.

 

[Jeremy77]

My Ridgid 5 1/2” vise is forged steel that is welded. Definitely not a waste of good metal. I don’t know about that Columbian, but would say that it’s a quality vise by the pics you posted.

 

[ALLFAST]

I thought someone posted a picture here recently of a restored sage green-ish version of this very type vise. Maybe do a.search of your model number and it will pull the photos up. It was gorgeous and nicely displayed for the picture. I thought it was on pinterest.

 

[ALLFAST]

Like this ? The green one I saw looked more robust like yours does. I just found this red guy looking for the green one.

 

[Musicinabottle]

That top piece on both halves (or bottom) in the last photo sure looks like just plate steel, not cast. Myself, I would just use it and smile all day long. I had a Columbian vice I scored from an old mine we were getting ready to bring on line again after sitting abandoned since 1973 when MSHA was formed. It swiveled and was old as in 1930s. I brought it home and set it on the concrete floor, and attempted to use it before I even clamped it to the bench and it split in two! I was so disappointed.

 

[ALLFAST]

At least the price was right!

 

[ALLFAST]

This red one has the overhang of material and Dtraster's looks like a different brew altogether. Will you strip it down and see if it looks modified over original or ?????

It's a cool piece.

Shawn

 

[jakemac]

That vise is a Columbian #804.
The only info I've found on it is a 1949 ad.
It was only made in the 4" size, and apparently only for a short time (possibly only one year).
It was made from welded plate steel w/ cast jaw towers.
I think that the one in the OP may be the ninth one ever posted on GJ.
These are rare, but not necessarily valuable.

My grandfather bought his used in the late 50's, and it sat on his bench until I got it 2yrs ago. It took me YEARS of searching to finally stumble upon another one in the wild.

The 804 is a surprisingly sturdy, medium duty, vise despite its appearance.

 

[notlob]

I've had one of those columbian 804's sitting on a shelf for a few years. I've never mounted it, because I have plenty of other larger machinists vises. It's in good shape; if anyone might want it send me a PM and I'll take a couple pics.

Here's a nicely restored example (not mine):

There are a few pics of an 804 on Tool Archives (scroll down):

http://toolarchives.com/taxonomy/term/1901

This GJ thread includes a green #804:

https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=156741

Another GJ link to a post in the encyclopedic Vises of GJ thread. The poster (rusty65) states he believes the ad is pre-1936.:

https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showpost.php?p=4187038&postcount=19517

And finally, another GJ link with a 1949 ad for the #804 (upper right of below ad):

https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showpost.php?p=4786740&postcount=28183

 

[jakemac]

Given that the first ad posted has a similar price and essentially the same image as the 1949 ad, I now highly doubt the supposition that the first ad is from the 1930's.

I remember the conversation when the first ad was posted, and agreed at the time that it might have been possible, but when the second ad was found (I now own the original hard copy of the '49 ad), all original theories about this vise went out the window.

The 804 is clearly a post war creation. For what reason? Unknown.
A study of steel availability after the war might help, but I suspect it wouldn't explain the short availability of this model. A steel shortage during the war and immediately after might explain using plate steel, but by '48/'49, the supply should have stabilized enough for cast steel to resume in vise production.

I've been fascinated by this vise my entire life, as I watched it sit on my grandfather's bench. I'd love to know it's full story, but we may never get a clear picture. The real story may be lost to time.

 

[ALLFAST]

Notlob,

That red one is sweet. The green 804 is the very one I was referring to earlier. A definite odd duck this welded version.

 

[Dtraster]

Interesting thanks for the info.

 

[bbirder]

I have one like that also.

 

[jakemac]

Congratulations, that may be #10.
I love seeing the 804 crawling out of the shadows after so long.

 

[sgoodwin410]

I think I have No. 11 on Garage Journal...

I have a Columbian Vise in my possession. I have had this vise sitting in the bottom of a trunk in my garage for the past fifteen (15) years. Prior to that, it sat in the bottom of the same trunk sitting in my parents garage for the past twenty-five (25) plus years. the vise is welded together, not cast molded. The one side is stamped:

Columbian
PATS PENDING

there is a number on the inner housing of the bolt:

84-4

below that number there is a "c" inslide of a circle.

Also, the main bolt to secure the vise to the swivel base has a "c" cast on it.

I cannot find anything out about this vise. My mother believes the vice belonged to her father (my grandfather). He was born in 1905 in NE Ohio. Columbian Vises were manufactured out of Cleveland Ohio at that time.

I have pictures to share.

If anyone knows more about where this vise came from, year it was made, model number, original paint color. I would greatly appreciate it.

4" Jaw width, opens to about 8" in length.

 

[notlob]

A read of the prior posts in this thread should answer most of your questions.

 

[Huntcast]

Just bought one today. $20.
Found the forum while researching what the heck this vise was lol

 

[454ragtop]

I have one as well, pics posted in the vise mega thread.

 

[zkling]

I have on too, picked it up a few years ago, hope to paint it up nice one day. Now it has just been wire wheeled clean.

I find fabricated (welded together from steel) vises very interesting and wonder why they didn't catch on much.

 

[TSR9215]

I just picked one of these up today at an estate sale for $15. Bolted to a workbench in a run down work shack near the doorway (no doors) exposed to the elements. (Not uncommon in Texas). I found this thread while trying to determine the model. After reading these threads and seeing the pics, it is definitely an 804. It needs some TLC and I will give it.

 

[thehorse13]

I see an 804 every so often but I've never jumped on one. I have an unreasonable dislike for welds on a bench vise, even if the welding is original to the build process. I'm fully aware that the 804 is a quality vise and the welds on it are not weak.

Around here, 804s range between 20-40 dollars whenever one surfaces.

 

[GMMTC]

I have also stumbled upon this thread while trying to figure out what I had. Acquired while cleaning out a grandparent’s garage a few years ago.

Mine is the Pats Pending version. Has all the same 84-4 and C markings that were described earlier in thread. I can confirm mine was originally red before it was repainted yellow at some point.

 

[GMMTC]

Cleaned it up and shot some primer on it for now. Still deciding on colour choice.

 

[2oolhound]

I have one like that also.

Thanks for your photo, it really shows how the cast jaws mentioned by jakemac are welded into the vise.

[Quote:jakemac] "It was made from welded plate steel w/ cast jaw towers."

Also it's great seeing the photos. If everyone who has one of these vises posted photos of theirs it would be good for the thread and wouldn't be redundant. (since there are only about a dozen know to exist here on GJ).

 

[bargainhuntingking]

Columbian 4" bench vise-welded not cast

Did someone say Columbian 804?

Mine’s a daily workhorse mounted on my main workbench. It’s a beast!

 

[Shiftless]

B.H.K. That’s an amazing coincidence you posting that picture.

Here is mine. Even the beat up paint looks almost identical. Amazing!

As long as we’re talking welded steel plate vises, don’t forget the Milhoff. 4 1/2 inch steel jaws. Here is mine.

Does anybody else have an 804? Is your (original) paint similarly battered compared to BHK and mine?



.

 

[bargainhuntingking]

B.H.K. That’s an amazing coincidence you posting that picture.

Here is mine. Even the beat up paint looks almost identical. Amazing!
.

If you had posted your pic first, I would have gone downstairs to make sure my vise was still mounted to my workbench.

 

[Shiftless]

If you had posted your pic first, I would have gone downstairs to make sure my vise was still mounted to my workbench.

Funny, that’s exactly what I thought! How weird is that?

 

[TSR9215]

I opted for a refurbishment, in lieu of restoration, as this is not meant for a museum. I did the electrolysis thing, that I picked up on from reading GJ. I was shocked at how well it worked. Cleaned it right up. Then primed, painted and lubed, ready to rock. Don't judge me for my color selection, I guarantee I'm the only kid on the block with an 804 in purple.

 

[nadogail]

All those vises look great.

 

[Renttis]

I just acquired an 804 as part of a package deal. Was going after a Parker that turned out to be a #123 1/2. Very happy to own these two “odd ducks”.

 

[454ragtop]

Picked up another 804 a couple weeks ago, strangely at the same flea market as my first one, which was back in 2017.

 

[AKV]

I have one of these Columbian 804 vises as well. Mine was originally red and the previous owner painted it black.

I’m disassembling it to clean and repaint. I cannot figure out how to remove the ring/ lock washer ring looking thing that is holding the screw/ handle to the vise?

I also could not find anything online. Maybe my Google FU is just bad.

 

[Xipetotec76]

Found this thread when I was trying to figure out what I bought . I seriously appreciate all the information . Had to give it a little love

 

[TheRealZeus]

804 got one here fixing up for someone. Pretty interesting.

 

[Tinkerer2]

I have a pair of die cut labels that I had printed for the 804. PM me if interested. See my post of my finished vise here:
My 804 Vise

 

[WAS Jr]

I don’t know if anyone has mentioned it, but in 1950, when the Korean War started and about the time we realized we were going to have to fight a Cold War against the Russians and Communist Chinese, there were major steel and material shortages to as we rearmed . They ended in a few years, but perhaps this vise, made of steel, was a casualty.
Bill S.

 

[Tinkerer2]

I believe the 804's were only made in 1949.

Here is where I posted before & after photos: Before & after restoration

 

[LNKMK8]

I finally got around to cleaning up the 804 that I bought a few years ago. I'm please with how it turned out. I wasn't sure on the decals as the catalog only shows one on the side and the remains on the vise itself were only on the front. I decided to go with the side and front.

 

[Tinkerer2]

Yes. One on the side and smaller one on front.