Wilton Tradesman 1765 vs 1780A

[schurtjl]

I have an opportunity to buy either a Wilton Tradesman 1765 or an 1780A. Both are brand new, and both are Made in the USA, not the latest Taiwanese made ones. $395 for the 1765 or $595 for the 1780A. This is for my personal shop that I'm almost finished with, that I'm slowly outfitting. General use, including fabricating, working on vehicles, etc. Any recommendations on whether the 6.5" 1765 would be sufficient, or would it be worth the extra $200 for the 8" 1780A? I don't currently have a mounted vice, so I don't have much to go on from personal experience.

 

[meatsis]

I have an opportunity to buy either a Wilton Tradesman 1765 or an 1780A. Both are brand new, and both are Made in the USA, not the latest Taiwanese made ones. $395 for the 1765 or $595 for the 1780A. This is for my personal shop that I'm almost finished with, that I'm slowly outfitting. General use, including fabricating, working on vehicles, etc. Any recommendations on whether the 6.5" 1765 would be sufficient, or would it be worth the extra $200 for the 8" 1780A? I don't currently have a mounted vice, so I don't have much to go on from personal experience.

I wouldn’t buy either of them. They’re garbage. Find an older vise at a fraction of the price.

 

[Tattedhank]

The 1765 is pretty big already, I don’t see any need for the 8” 1780. I have a 1765 in my garage and anything larger would be too big. In terms opening depths of each vise, the 1765 opens 6.5” wide and the 1780 opens 7” wide, so you only gain 1/2” opening depth on the 1780. So, do you think you will ever need that extra 1/2” opening depth? Will you be working on projects that need the extra 2” jaw width to hold something that big or heavy that the 1765 won’t be sufficient. If not, I would go with the 1765. It’s a great vise and soon there won’t be any made in USA ones left.

 

[1982fxr]

I have a 1780. It's a really big vise. Cheapest I saw the new Asian import version was around $1,000

 

[M6erfan]

I have a 1765, big enough for my needs. Definitely not garbage

 

[AngryBeaver]

I had a 1780 for years and it was too big and bulky for normal day to day use. the 1765 is the same physical size of a 4.5" machinist vise with a tad taller jaw tower and of course the wider jaws themselves.

 

[Grant Gunderson]

I have an older 1765 and love it. I was originally looking for the 8” but went with the 1765 when I found a used USA one for $75. After mounting it to my bench I’m glad I didn’t get the 8”. It would have been too tall for me where as the 6.5 is the perfect height. So maybe take into account the height of your bench / stand.

 

[Grant Gunderson]

I wouldn’t buy either of them. They’re garbage. Find an older vise at a fraction of the price.

You clearly have no clue. All of the USA ones are solid and they have not made any significant changes to the usa ones in decades. So a new stock USA tradesmen is just as good as an older one except for maybe the price if you are lucky enough to find a deal on an old one.

 

[AngryBeaver]

You clearly have no clue. All of the USA ones are solid and they have not made any significant changes to the usa ones in decades. So a new stock USA tradesmen is just as good as an older one except for maybe the price if you are lucky enough to find a deal on an old one.

no. he's saying the tradesman series vises are ****. they weigh half what an older similar jaw size vise would. when i only owned my 1780 i thought it was big and heavy duty until I got a 5" vise that dwarfed it.

they are great general purpose shop vises. they are not heavy duty beater type vises.

 

[schurtjl]

Couldn’t decide, so I bought both sizes and will get them on Sunday. Figure I can always sell one if I don’t like one of them. Or just mount both of them. A place in Auburn, WA bought the whole last run of the USA made 1765’s and 1780A’s and is selling them at 10% over his cost. I think he said he has around 200 of them. Equipment Sales and Service. Neil is who I dealt with.

https://seattle.craigslist.org/skc/tld/d/wilton-8-tradesman-vise-swivel-base/6966099981.html

https://seattle.craigslist.org/skc/tld/d/wilton-65-tradesman-vise-swivel-base/6961004364.html

 

[1982fxr]

Couldn’t decide, so I bought both sizes and will get them on Sunday. Figure I can always sell one if I don’t like one of them. Or just mount both of them. A place in Auburn, WA bought the whole last run of the USA made 1765’s and 1780A’s and is selling them at 10% over his cost. I think he said he has around 200 of them. Equipment Sales and Service. Neil is who I dealt with.

https://seattle.craigslist.org/skc/tld/d/wilton-8-tradesman-vise-swivel-base/6966099981.html

https://seattle.craigslist.org/skc/tld/d/wilton-65-tradesman-vise-swivel-base/6961004364.html

I wonder how they stumbled into that find?

 

[schurtjl]

I wonder how they stumbled into that find?

He apparently knew someone at Wilton, the offer or mention was thrown out there about the final run of US made Trademan’s, so they jumped on it and purchased all they had left.

 

[meatsis]

no. he's saying the tradesman series vises are ****. they weigh half what an older similar jaw size vise would. when i only owned my 1780 i thought it was big and heavy duty until I got a 5" vise that dwarfed it.

they are great general purpose shop vises. they are not heavy duty beater type vises.

Exactly

 

[1982fxr]

By that rationale every vise ever made besides the 695 pound Pittsburgh railroad vise is garbage.

 

[Duster346]

I likey would've bought them both also.

Not sure why the hate for the tradesman vises around here, but we have a USA made 1780 in a medium duty shop that has had the crud beat out of it for close to a decade and it's not broken?

Just because it isn't 70 years old, doesnt mean it's junk.

 

[meatsis]

I likey would've bought them both also.

Not sure why the hate for the tradesman vises around here, but we have a USA made 1780 in a medium duty shop that has had the crud beat out of it for close to a decade and it's not broken?

Just because it isn't 70 years old, doesnt mean it's junk.

Age has nothing to do with it buddy

 

[gman007]

I likey would've bought them both also.

Not sure why the hate for the tradesman vises around here, but we have a USA made 1780 in a medium duty shop that has had the crud beat out of it for close to a decade and it's not broken?

Just because it isn't 70 years old, doesnt mean it's junk.

Age has nothing to do with it buddy

Duster
I believe it is not so much that some of the members here are stating their hate for the tradesman because of age or otherwise but rather that depending on ones needs for the same amount of money there might be better alternatives.

AngryBeaver already summarized the relevant facts very well. And as he pointed out to start with as compared to other US made vises (with the same jaw size) including the REAL Wilton bullet series vises, tradesman are light weight and are not as sturdy.

Take the following example and staying with the Wilton theme, a 6" Wilton Bullet 600s weighs 156 lb where the 6.5" tradesman 1765 weighs 71 lb. Moreover I believe tradesman are not made from the same high strength material as the bullets.

For the record I have had only one Tradesman but was not too impressed (as compared to several other vises that I have which include Reeds, Parkers, Wilton bullets,Prentiss, and Columbians) with quality and in particular with the jaws (main jaw inserts and pipe jaws) as they are made from powder steel (not solid tool steel) and therefore have a propensity to break.

The attached photos are from my Tradesman. As you can see the busted pipe jaw texture is very grainy and porous (for some reason it always reminds me of texture of a Kit Kat )

Personally for the kind of money that Schurtjl is willing to spend, I would look for other 4"-6" machinist vises (Reed, Rock Island, Athol, Yost, Hollands, Chas Parker, Columbian, Wilton bullets, etc) in decent shape. But but hey that's just me and to each his own

 

[1982fxr]

The Wilton tradesman line is not an early 1900's line of machinist vises. Nor does anyone claim it is. Apples and oranges.

Me: I like my mini van. Reliable, parts availability, hauling capacity...

Not me: It's garbage. In 1970 Buick made a Stage 1 with a 455 that's way faster.

 

[meatsis]

The Wilton tradesman line is not an early 1900's line of machinist vises. Nor does anyone claim it is. Apples and oranges.

Me: I like my mini van. Reliable, parts availability, hauling capacity...

Not me: It's garbage. In 1970 Buick made a Stage 1 with a 455 that's way faster.

Wtf are you talking about? Your last 2 posts make no sense at all. Do we really need to explain this to you AGAIN????

 

[meatsis]

It was only a matter of time before the Wilton weenies chimed in. For some reason these guys take it personal.
OP it’s your choice and your money. You can do what you want with it. What I’m trying to say is that $1000 is a lot of money to spend on 2 vises. Especially those light duty tradesman vises. Like angrybeaver said, I have 5” vises that weigh more than the 1780. And open up much further.
I’ve bought 8” vises (real 8” vises. That weigh over 250 lbs.) for $50. Deals are out there if you’re patient. I know most people don’t need a 250 lb vise. But if I was you I would find a used 6” Parker, Reed, Athol, Starrett, rock island, just to name a few. That would crush either of those dainty tradesman vises. At a fraction of the price. You’ll spend way less money, and have a much better vise that will last several lifetimes.

 

[1982fxr]

Op is in Oregon. If it's anything like the southwest those 8 inchers basically don't exist. Pretty much the same for the 6 inchers. Even 4-5's are kind of rare.

I'll see if I can change my screen name to Wilton weenie. Since I dared argue that a 1780 is not garbage.

 

[meatsis]

Op is in Oregon. If it's anything like the southwest those 8 inchers basically don't exist. Pretty much the same for the 6 inchers. Even 4-5's are kind of rare.

I'll see if I can change my screen name to Wilton weenie. Since I dared argue that a 1780 is not garbage.

I understand it’s not easy finding the big ones. Even here in the NE it’s gotten a lot harder. That’s why I said be patient. A quick look on Portland CL already found a few Parker’s, a nice 5.5” monarch. All under $150. They’re out there.

And you really should look into changing your screen name. You’re usually the first one to respond any time someone disagrees with your take on Wilton vises.

 

[1982fxr]

I wouldn't slam a 1780 and then point to a monarch. They are cool as hell but c'mon they ain't heavy duty like the top top level old iron (at least none I've seen). I like Parker's too. It's possible the tradesman vises are what suits the op's needs. It's also possible he will regret his decision. The 1765 and 1780 offer a lot that other older and heavier vises don't.

Maybe someday I'll come around and view the tradesman line as a complete travesty. Until then I'll keep using them, as will thousands upon thousands of others, along with any other old iron I come across.

For the record my favorites are Reed and Rock Island.

 

[Couch Potato]

I understand it’s not easy finding the big ones. Even here in the NE it’s gotten a lot harder. That’s why I said be patient. A quick look on Portland CL already found a few Parker’s, a nice 5.5” monarch. All under $150. They’re out there.

And you really should look into changing your screen name. You’re usually the first one to respond any time someone disagrees with your take on Wilton vises.

I know this thread is dead, but i got a 1780 for 40$ recently, wouldn't say it's garbage or anything close to it.
Made in USA, although I wouldn't mind selling it and getting a C2 which is what I would really want to own.
As for the weight it's a decent 110 pounds, as for finding a good heavy duty and heavy weight vise for 50$ nowadays is almost unheard of, everyone is trying to sell their beat up rusted hunks of junk for hundreds and hundreds of dollars.

Duster
I believe it is not so much that some of the members here are stating their hate for the tradesman because of age or otherwise but rather that depending on ones needs for the same amount of money there might be better alternatives.

AngryBeaver already summarized the relevant facts very well. And as he pointed out to start with as compared to other US made vises (with the same jaw size) including the REAL Wilton bullet series vises, tradesman are light weight and are not as sturdy.

Take the following example and staying with the Wilton theme, a 6" Wilton Bullet 600s weighs 156 lb where the 6.5" tradesman 1765 weighs 71 lb. Moreover I believe tradesman are not made from the same high strength material as the bullets.

For the record I have had only one Tradesman but was not too impressed (as compared to several other vises that I have which include Reeds, Parkers, Wilton bullets,Prentiss, and Columbians) with quality and in particular with the jaws (main jaw inserts and pipe jaws) as they are made from powder steel (not solid tool steel) and therefore have a propensity to break.

The attached photos are from my Tradesman. As you can see the busted pipe jaw texture is very grainy and porous (for some reason it always reminds me of texture of a Kit Kat )

Personally for the kind of money that Schurtjl is willing to spend, I would look for other 4"-6" machinist vises (Reed, Rock Island, Athol, Yost, Hollands, Chas Parker, Columbian, Wilton bullets, etc) in decent shape. But but hey that's just me and to each his own

Actually tradesman are made out of 60,000 psi ductile iron just like any other Wilton bullets, Wilton Machinist vises out there. 1780 weighs 110 pounds which is about 10 pounds more then a c2. The only Wilton vise version I know which is not made from 60k psi but instead 30k psi, but still has the enclosed spindle which resembles the bullet vises, would be the mechanics vise, not sure about the pro mechanic, but the 745 I have is still ductile iron, even though it's a lower grade: 30k psi.