The VISES of Garage Journal

[Smitty]

I was restoring a Wilton C1 a couple of weeks ago and couldn’t wait to bust open my six pack of Verde Green from Home Depot. As soon as I got the first coat on I knew this wasn’t the color for me. I promptly opened my six pack of light blue and switched colors for the second coat. The light blue seemed like silver with a hint of blue. So my search began.


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[Smitty]

Here’s a couple of automotive lacquers that I’ve tried but they don’t seem to capture the blue-green tones that were used on Wilton’s in the 70’s-90’s


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[Shiftless]

Very nice shift, but I think you have a bunch of biggees you're not showing us!

I sold off my 4C, my 3C and most recently, my 406r

My biggest one still here is my Wilton 500N, a 5 1/2 inch Columbian from the Richmond Kaiser WWII shipyards, and my user vise, a Wilton C1.

 

[chrisnazzy]

Maui

You may already know this but the Reed you picked up was the predecessor to the "C" series vises that are so sought after today.

Shift's 31 would be equivalent at least in jaw width to a 1C. Your 33 would be a 3C.

Here are catalog scans I have saved of both styles.


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[davethorik]

I sold off my 4C, my 3C and most recently, my 406r

My biggest one still here is my Wilton 500N, a 5 1/2 inch Columbian from the Richmond Kaiser WWII shipyards, and my user vise, a Wilton C1.

Big vises are, of course, awesome. But there is something to be said about collecting things you can easily carry.

 

[Smitty]

Big vises are, of course, awesome. But there is something to be said about collecting things you can easily carry.

I hear what you’re saying. I find myself gravitating to smaller vises.

 

[Mr. Wonderful]

It looks like there might be some of the original gray there on the bottom of the dynamic jaw. I thought they only ever came in gray, verde green color, and that light green sage color?????? I vote repaint. Just my preference.

 

[Smitty]

I special ordered in a spray can that looks like it could be a good match for Wilton vises. To my surprise this color seems to capture the blue-green color of Wilton vises through the 70’s on.
The color is a bit light on the swatches due to straight down lighting but the cap color matches the swatches perfectly.


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[mike_paxton]

I'm not an anvil collector, but if that is the actual price forged into the base, and doesn't mean something esoteric to anvils that I am unaware of (it can't be weight), it would definitely help you with time period. I would guess mid to late 1800's at the latest.

I love that entire marking. Good eye.

Private Lugnutz:

Thanks for info on both the Wilton Cadet being Mfg around 1954 and on the Handy $2-1/2 anvil.

Can't take credit for finding anvil, as bought it thinking it was a rail made to look like anvil. After started cleaning off rust, it was then discovered the information on the side.

Mike

 

[Smitty]

Here’s a more representative image of the color. On the left is a Wilton with the original paint that’s dated 7/00. On the right is a Wilton that I painted Verde Green. The swatches (that are painted on steel) are from left to right Rustoleum light blue...Hammerite...Rustoleum Verde Green.
As Wilton colors go I will say that the C2 is a shade or two darker than most.


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[Shiftless]

Smitty:
Thanks again for posting the results of your color investigation and trials.

 

[Smitty]

My pleasure.

 

[Maui]

Maui

You may already know this but the Reed you picked up was the predecessor to the "C" series vises that are so sought after today.

Shift's 31 would be equivalent at least in jaw width to a 1C. Your 33 would be a 3C.

Here are catalog scans I have saved of both styles.


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Chris, I didn’t know that. Thanks for sharing this information! I have a later model Reed 2C that I am restoring now that literally took me years to find, and I never thought that I would run across a 3C. This website is a treasure trove of great info.

Maui

 

[mdkcal]

Shiftless, thanks! This is the first through-the-bench style vise that I’ve bought, and it looks like everything is there with the exception of the pipe jaws. I’ve attached a close-up of the wing nut. Do you think it looks original? The vise is a number 33 if I read it correctly. I’ve never heard of this model before.

Like those shelves! I’ve got to figure out something similar for my basement.

Maui

That is the original wing nut. The swivel base, prior to 1917, was attached to the bench with 4 screws in the center. 1917 and onward, they added tabs to bolt the swivel base down. The blue vise pictured is a Reed 32 from about 1910.

 

[gloy]

I special ordered in a spray can that looks like it could be a good match for Wilton vises. To my surprise this color seems to capture the blue-green color of Wilton vises through the 70’s on.
The color is a bit light on the swatches due to straight down lighting but the cap color matches the swatches perfectly.


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What color is the Hammerite called and where did you buy it? Is it this one:

https://www.acehardware.com/departments/paint-and-supplies/spray-paint/hobby/1493303

Thanks!

 

[Smitty]

Gloy:
Yes, it’s the light blue color. I special ordered it through a automotive paint store.

 

[AngryBeaver]

don't freak yourself out too much smitty. I've been saying the same thing for years now. you will not find a spray that matches the newer wilton blue, or the older wilton green.

 

[Maui]

That is the original wing nut. The swivel base, prior to 1917, was attached to the bench with 4 screws in the center. 1917 and onward, they added tabs to bolt the swivel base down. The blue vise pictured is a Reed 32 from about 1910.

Mdkcal,

I can machine that base quite easily. Time to get to work. Thanks!

Maui

 

[txlonghorn1989]

Private Lugnutz:

Thanks for info on both the Wilton Cadet being Mfg around 1954 and on the Handy $2-1/2 anvil.

Can't take credit for finding anvil, as bought it thinking it was a rail made to look like anvil. After started cleaning off rust, it was then discovered the information on the side.

Mike

That anvil is REALLY cool! Would love to have one like that. Nice find! I'd hope you find out some info on who made it and when. Let us know.

 

[trijeff]

Not sure if this Handi-Vil is related, made by Miracle Mfg Corp. 5" length and about 5 pound weight.

Plus a baby Bison holding a Soviet jeweler's anvil just to keep it vise related

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[ed4banger]

Finishing up this RI 851, 3.5" dated 1952.

 

[Fierljeppen]

ed4banger...Mighty nice stuff you've got displayed there! I especially like the Rock Island Tool Co. vise.

 

[ed4banger]

ed4banger...Mighty nice stuff you've got displayed there! I especially like the Rock Island Tool Co. vise.

Thanks, Love my automatics........

 

[Smitty]

Saturday R&R. I just finished the restoration on this Wilton C1. The vise has 4 1/2” jaws and weighs 70 lbs. This is the vise with the unmachined table from the factory. The color is Hammerite Light Blue. The date stamp on this vise is 10/76.


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[Shiftless]

Fantastic job on the resto Smitty

All of your trial and error on paint color paid off.
How did you get the big dings out of the handle?

Nice job on the jaw inserts. Did you use a stationary belt sander or ???

I see that you painted the anvil area. I bet it was too pitted up to do otherwise.

I assume this is going to be a keeper.

 

[Smitty]

Thanks Shift
I’m really happy with the color and it fisheyes better than Rustoleum.

The handle still has a few dings, I usually twist to best angle

Good call with the jaws, the stationary sander works wonders

The anvil or table never got machined at the factory, it still has the sand casting finish. It’s kind of a rarity.

 

[Smitty]

Here’s a before and after pic.


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[gman007]

Here’s a before and after pic.

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Smitty
Looks Fantastic!

Like Shift said the excellent final result was definitely worth the time and effort that you spend on the paint choice.

By the way I just had a few minutes before my flight to take a quick peak here to catch-up a bit as unfortunately these days I can not spend much time here. Currently I am kind of in your neck of the woods (well at last I am in California) but wish was closer and could meet you in person and have a beer or two . It would have been great to also see your growing collection of fine vises.

 

[Fierljeppen]

Smitty...You nailed it with that color and paint! It looks like it's fresh from the Wilton factory. Before and after photo says it all.

 

[Smitty]

Thanks Gman
It’s a shame you’re not closer, you’re are always welcome. It’s definately beer drinking weather out here.

 

[dct55]

There was a Reed 206R with stand posted on Houston Facebook this morning for $200. Too far away for me. It quickly disappeared, and just as quickly posted by someone else for $325.

 

[kenc184]

There was a Reed 206R with stand posted on Houston Facebook this morning for $200. Too far away for me. It quickly disappeared, and just as quickly posted by someone else for $325.

Wow, some people are pretty brazen. You'd think they would've at least waited a week before reposting!

 

[Mslund1]

Got the little craftsman 5169 I picked up off marketplace a few days ago cleaned up and oiled.

A hot bath and quick dunk in the ultrasonic machine yielded most of the original paint intact

Oiled and lubed it up, wire wheeled the handled, screw and hardware and it’s ready for service again.

Something about it couldn’t let me do a resto on it.

Still have to make a set of soft jaws up for it eventually but for now this is how it will sit.





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[Smitty]

Smitty...You nailed it with that color and paint! It looks like it's fresh from the Wilton factory. Before and after photo says it all.

Thanks Jeppen
To me it seems like Wilton changed their paint colors every couple of years from the 70’s to the 90’s. It seems like the common thread was blue with a touch of green. This color seems to capture the spirit of Wilton vises during that era. Have you ever seen how they wipe clean baseballs with Mississippi mud before each game? That’s what I want to do to this vise with some grimey oil change hands, it looks to glossy for a machine shop.

 

[Fierljeppen]

Thanks Jeppen
To me it seems like Wilton changed their paint colors every couple of years from the 70’s to the 90’s. It seems like the common thread was blue with a touch of green. This color seems to capture the spirit of Wilton vises during that era. Have you ever seen how they wipe clean baseballs with Mississippi mud before each game? That’s what I want to do to this vise with some grimey oil change hands, it looks to glossy for a machine shop.

I found Wilton's trademark color in their 1998 catalog. Pantone PMS 286. It's #15 on the catalog scan. I couldn't find any earlier color information though.

I like your color blue enough, that I think I'm gonna paint my much older Wilton "Chicago" era C2 that color. It's my go to combo and it gets used pretty hard and regularly, so I'm sure I won't have to rub any Mississippi mud on it to look used.

 

[Smitty]

As a cabinet maker I’ve sprayed hundreds of gallons of lacquer over the years through cup guns and pressure pots. I wouldn’t be opposed to getting a gallon mixed up to try. My understanding is that they add minute aluminum shavings to the paint to get the fisheye or hammered look. I’m not sure how that would be accounted for in the formula. Although my C1 is destined to be a shelf dweller I still like that worn in look. I might burnish it with a little pit grease.

 

[mgmlvks]

Nice no-name machinist vice from local garage sale. Any insight as to maker or age?

 

[Outlawmws]

Get the paint off the sides and you will likely find faint makers parks (Its actually a DP vise)

It is missing the plates for holding it up at an angle - Hinges on the lower hole; hads a slot for the top for adjustment

 

[Shiftless]

Outlaw is right.
That drill press vise looks like an excellent candidate for a hot Simple green bath. That will remove the paint but leave surface detail intact. Wire wheeling often removes critical detail.

 

[Stevie-Ray]

Here's mine, a cheapie 6" from Gibralter Trade Center. It was $6.95, 37 years ago, and I've never needed more.