Wilton Vise History

[PghJKB]

I have a wilton with the J-C cast also did you find what it is?

Pictures, pictures, pictures



JKB

 

[SWA Guy]

Can anyone help date this vise? Is this one of the older versions not best suited for every day use/abuse?


Cooper, yes that is an early version. "Chicago" vs Shiller park, Acorn nuts for the swivel, indentation into the main body next to the acorn nuts, etc.

As someone else mentioned, the real method to date these is to check the date stamp on the key on the bottom of the moveable jaw. Let us know what the date is already! Lol

I'm not sure what you mean by the older vises not being suitable for every day use. Sounds like someone has sold you an old wive's tale. Yours is likely over 60 years old! Seems to have held up just fine.

If it's not "heavy duty" enough for you, please let me know when you have it boxed up and I'll provide my shipping address. Haha

Very nice vise!

 

[partsproduction]

I have a Wilton 150 OS, which is clearly a rebadged Dawn 150mm Offset vise from Australia....

In Email from Dawn a couple of years ago, the association was clearly less than happy.

I wanted to buy a second one from Dawn..... they had exactly zero interest in exporting to the US and had no trouble saying so.

I have a Wilton 150 OS vise, it has two messages cast into the sides, "Made in Australia" on one side, and "Wilton 150 OS" on the other.
I draw from that that the vise is sold in America under the Wilton brand, because otherwise someone in Australia is also casting and machining the vise in opposition to Dawn, and that is harder to believe than the under license concept. BTW, it is a wonderful vise!
parts

 

[drivesitfar]

PP: can you post up a few pictures because i can't say i've seen a Wilton with that in their cast? also can you tell us and maybe post a few pictures of the date on the slide?

 

[partsproduction]

Drives, I may have to eat my words, but here is what was within an ebay ad about the same vise;

"“The Offset feature provides the facility for holding long vertical work with the full width of the jaws without obstruction from the main body of the vice.”

“The Super Grade Offset Vices are the jewel in the crown of vices produced by Dawn. They provide positive grip without springing and are ideal for heavy-duty applications. This world class vice which is unique to Dawn is simply the best vice a tradesman can own.”

(from the Dawn website)


This was made for Wilton in Australia.


Jaw opening = 7 ¾” Weight = 128 lbs.

(see information on box)


-----This is from an email from Dawn:-----

We ceased manufacture for Wilton in 2002 as I believe at that time their company was undergoing major restructuring and changes culminating in their ceasing this product line.

Jurek Witkowski

General Manager

Dawn Tools & Vices Pty Ltd"

After looking over the photos in the ad I'm wondering if I only saw the sticker in the ad, which says "Made in Australia".

 

[drivesitfar]

PP: there will be no word eating on my watch.

that is one very cool vise (vice). I knew Dawn (Made in Australia) vices had the offset version and i'm still hoping to add one to my vice family one day because the Dawn i have that is just a bench vise is pretty stout and looks like it took a beating and still is in decent shape.

thanks for the picture and i saved it to my laptop for further admiring.

cheers

 

[partsproduction]

Drive,
That's not mine, though it is identical. Those photo's are from a recently ended ebay auction, the asking start price was $1500.
I looked mine over well and it did not have "Made in Australia" cast on it, the "Wilton 150 OS" was cast in two places.
I don't want to show the URL because ebay auctions are like dead fish, they only last a short while.

 

[Redboy]

WOOT! I'm in the Wilton club!

Restoration thread to follow...

 

[Redboy]

...and all cleaned up!

Thread is here.

 

[devonhubb]

I picked up a "yard ornament" yesterday at a house I was working at. It was half buried in a flower bed. I offered $60 & the owner promptly accepted. 6" jaws. Rusty. All moving parts still move except for one of the swivel locks is froze.



Edit - Date stamped 5-79. After soaking in penetrating oil last night, I was able to free the stuck swivel lock. The vise appears to have been originally painted a funky shade of green.

 

[devonhubb]

Here is a pic of the swivel base. It weighs approximately 160 pounds on bathroom scales.

 

[bluebolt]

Devonhubb you ****! Wish I could find a C3 in a flowerbed!

 

[moparmagic'00]

Guys maybe you can help? Just bought a vice and on the bottom of the base it had a number of 101089. I'm new to vices but sometimes need one. I'd like some more info so I Googled that number and wound up here. Need some help identifing what I have and a good source for parts. Thanks in advance

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[SWA Guy]

A pic or three would go a long way in helping you identify your vice.


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[moparmagic'00]

Hope that'll work it's the only pic I have right now...

 

[catfishblues]

Hello, GJ folks. I've been referring to this thread for a few years now, learning things about the Wiltons I've owned. I'm currently the proud owner of a 5" machinist's that I traded a 55 gallon saltwater setup for. I threw my back out moving the tank, but it was worth it! I don't see a lot of Wiltons pop up around here, but I came across a 400s yesterday for $50 attached to a homemade hitch mount. It has lived a hard life, but I plan on giving her a makeover and putting her back into use. I can't date it yet, but I don't think it's particularly old. The retainer ring had been welded to the front of the dynamic jaw because a screw had broken at some point. The endcap is missing, as are the original dowel pins for the nut. It had one roll pin in it when I got it. All that is small potatoes, though.

Here's my big question: Does anyone know if you can get the key for the slide and where? When I got this one, there was a lot of rotational slop in the dynamic jaw. When I got it apart, the key was in the keyway for the fixed jaw, and it was loose. It was at some point welded to the dynamic keyway, but the welds had long since broken and the key is damaged from being used like this. Hopefully the keyways aren't damaged, as I don't know how I could restore the accuracy of the vise if they're out of spec.

Alternatively, does anyone have dimensions for the factory key? If somebody has one apart and could throw a caliper on it, that would be very helpful. Worst case, I'll make one. Thanks, all. I'll get some pictures in here eventually, if y'all really like that kinda thing!

 

[SkyPuncher]

This has been a great thread to read! Thanks to all that has contributed what they know about Wilton and their great products. But I need some more info that I have not been able to find.... This week I picked up a vice. It is a 3 1/2 with Made In USA stamped on it. Other than that it just has parts numbers on it. BUT, it looks like a Wilton Shop King and even shares the same parts numbers! Any idea of what, where, why this is so??

 

[Roberts210]

Calling RobRace10. Can you tell me anything about the history of the Wilton Snap-On vices? When were they first re-badged as S.O.'s?

 

[cajunfirehawk]

Drives, I may have to eat my words, but here is what was within an ebay ad about the same vise;

"“The Offset feature provides the facility for holding long vertical work with the full width of the jaws without obstruction from the main body of the vice.”

“The Super Grade Offset Vices are the jewel in the crown of vices produced by Dawn. They provide positive grip without springing and are ideal for heavy-duty applications. This world class vice which is unique to Dawn is simply the best vice a tradesman can own.”

(from the Dawn website)


This was made for Wilton in Australia.


Jaw opening = 7 ¾” Weight = 128 lbs.

(see information on box)


-----This is from an email from Dawn:-----

We ceased manufacture for Wilton in 2002 as I believe at that time their company was undergoing major restructuring and changes culminating in their ceasing this product line.

Jurek Witkowski

General Manager

Dawn Tools & Vices Pty Ltd"

After looking over the photos in the ad I'm wondering if I only saw the sticker in the ad, which says "Made in Australia".

At least one on ebay, see item eBay item number: 282318627891

 

[autopts]

I picked up a "yard ornament" yesterday at a house I was working at. It was half buried in a flower bed. I offered $60 & the owner promptly accepted. 6" jaws. Rusty. All moving parts still move except for one of the swivel locks is froze.



Edit - Date stamped 5-79. After soaking in penetrating oil last night, I was able to free the stuck swivel lock. The vise appears to have been originally painted a funky shade of green.

That's a great find! That is the only Wilton model that the Dynamic assy is so heavy, the base and weight of the static cannot prevent it not from tilting forward. Fantastic shape!

 

[sonoronos]

does anyone know when wilton started using ductile iron in their combo and machinist vises?

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[RobRace10]

This sat on my desk for many years, was the only one I knew of, it was used to show how they were made:

 

[RobRace10]

I should have bought this one on Ebay many many years ago, I think it was a promo vise.

At one point there were about 8-10 full chrome Snap-on 1750 vises made as a sales promotion for the top dealers got one. Someday one will appear.

 

[Roberts210]

Thanks RobRace for replying. I bet at least a few of those chrome S-O 1750's are still out there somewhere, greasy, dirty but still working in some old guy's shop.

RodRace, too bad that cut-away vice didn't accidentally end up in your garage after you left Wilton.

 

[RCsGarage]

Can some Wilton aficionados help me out with my 450S?

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=358094

 

[jimbo8v92]

I picked up a monster of a vice made by Wilton a while ago and haven't really paid much attention to it because it's to damn heavy to mess with lol. Will get some pictures possibly this afternoon and some measurements. From what I've read so far it is possibly a 800s but not 100%as I haven't really looked at it that close. All I know is that it's heavy as s#!t lol I barely got it out of my car and I'm pretty sure it's what caused the rear wheel bearing to go on my car as it only had 50k miles at the time (should have used my truck but didn't have it with me). Hopefully you guys can give me more insight to what it is

 

[Hexen]

Just saw a relevant thread get bumped that it doesn't have a link in this thread yet...

Wilton Vise & Clamping Tools Catalog #131 - pictures of every page in a Wilton catalog from the late 1960s

 

[PDoyle]

Nice find!

 

[90roadster]

Picked up this super early 335 yesterday. Stamped 10-45.

Really interesting is that this vise has pin at the to of the casting holding in the nut housing (and only 1 on the side), while all others have 2 on the sides. I thought this was a repair but see same thing posted by member kc-steve on his '46.

Anyways here are pictures of the vise, notice the original paint! I'm considering only mechanical refresh and cleanup, leaving the paint as is.

 

[nscavo]

I just picked up a old dirty Wilton from a old shop.

It had been sitting on the floor collecting dust and rust for years!!!

I decided to clean it a little last night, It's completely chrome (or nickel) plated!!! and it looks like it has never been used (like a display for conventions or something?)

Any idea what I have??

 

[trents99]

Picked up this no. 4 a few days ago, stamped 8-46 with no other markings. Static jaw rest was damaged so I milled it flat and made new inserts. Handle was bent in the shape of an S so I made a fresh one. Should make for a good worker.

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[exmaxima1]

I just picked up a old dirty Wilton from a old shop.

It had been sitting on the floor collecting dust and rust for years!!!

I decided to clean it a little last night, It's completely chrome (or nickel) plated!!! and it looks like it has never been used (like a display for conventions or something?)

Any idea what I have??

I met an ex-product manager from Wilton a few years ago and he had the same model chrome-plated 450S. He said it was made for Kraft Foods, and they only made about a dozen of them. He wanted $1500 for his, so I took his pic and never saw him again.

 

[exmaxima1]

does anyone know when wilton started using ductile iron in their combo and machinist vises?

Wilton makes note of ductile iron (used in stressed areas) in their '71-'72 catalog. I interpret it to mean it was not used until that version of their Machinist vises. This makes sense as Columbian started making ductile iron "unbreakable" vises around that era as well.

https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=261627

Before that time, it was very common to see broken Wilton vises like the one for sale locally for $200!!! Seller claims "It doesn’t really mater does not hurt the strength of the vise at all"

 

[Ti44]

Estate sale vice purchase

I recently stopped in at an estate sale that I was passing buy and one of the things they had for sale was a new in box Wilton Flip Grip 2 4” vise, model number 594-2. I was interested in buying it but didn’t know much about it, so I did a little research on wether the price they were asking was good or not, and after seeing that used ones were being sold for more than what they were asking for this new one, I decided to buy it. Fast forward to this morning, and I stumbled across this thread while trying to do more research on the vise. After reading through this thread, I think I have come to the conclusion I bought a good vice, especially since I bought it for $40! (Hope I did at least lol!). Here are some pictures of the box unopened and still banded:

 

[Ti44]

 

[TampaCraftsman]

I believe I may have blown the warranty date theory or the production run startup/company inception slap out of the pool, because I have just opened up a 5" 1750 by way of hours of heat, pressure, and sweat... and a few weeks of PB Blaster to the joints daily to warm her up. Got her down to just the static and motive jaws locked tightly, but those parts are known from the outside, so I feel right getting to the funner part. So per my usual methodology, I immediately applied WD40 with a cheap paint brush to all surfaces, and began the task of finding paint without destroying what's left. I have damn near every abrasive stripping method at my disposal, but this is archaeological in nature, and must be completed with several stiff brushes and the pleasing certainty that I will return this fine machine to service after I take her clothes off to peel away her secrets. Below is her bio:

Base: 101193
Motive Jaw: 111052
Static Jaw: 111051
Dynamic Jaw: three distinct marks: 101018 / 7-40 / 6

The drive screw nor its handle or the set plate had numbers, but the head of each swivel base control screw appears to have a script "W" laid in solder on it.

Oops, forgot to mention something??? 7-40. That's not possible, right???

I'm excited right now. I took this out of a friends house, huffing and puffing, thinking I was gonna blow out a nut carrying this thing to my vehicle en route to a hot $1 reward from the scrap yard. Something told me to keep it, so I did, and here we are. Got about 10 hours in it. Needs about 40 more to be new old stock, but I kind of like the mottling of the "original" paint, so I may just repair and clear seal and hit it with grease let her fly.

I am attaching pics for reference. I hope you enjoyed reading this. If anyone is interested, I engage in this work purely for my enjoyment, and I do it full time. A very lucky and hardworking scoundrel, am I! I live by trading in tools and working on anything industrial, mechanical, or old. I'll never be wealthy, but I have enough tools to buy myself out of an unwanted pregnancy and still get work. My fiancee demands such a credit line as a condition of marriage. Yeah, she is a good woman. And if you want to own this vise as it sits at the time of purchase or in tastefully restored condition (most things I'll make a baby poo green doily weight out of, you give me enough money to offset my emotional distress, but this has historical significance, end of that discussion), you need only contact me via my email account here, and we can talk.

Im a passionate historian of arts and crafts... and I have the scars to prove it. Having lurked on many GJ boards for years, I know yall do too. Keep the shop lights on, because I'm working til I die smiling.

 

[exmaxima1]

I believe I may have blown the warranty date theory or the production run startup/company inception slap out of the pool, because I have just opened up a 5" 1750 by way of hours of heat, pressure, and sweat... :

Dynamic Jaw: three distinct marks: 101018 / 7-40 / 6

Looks like a casting number to me, not a date stamp. And AFAIK the 1750 models didn't come out until the 70's or later.

 

[kapster]

Picked up this Wilton C1 yesterday, was looking at some industrial equipment and saw this for a good deal. Date code is 04, I don't think it was hardly used. The jaws and pipe jaws look like new, post is like new, handle is straight.

I'm guessing it was painted which is weird with as little of use as it has. Did they paint them black in that era?

I didn't need another Wilton but can't help myself!

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[exmaxima1]

I'm guessing it was painted which is weird with as little of use as it has. Did they paint them black in that era?

I've seen promotional models painted black, mostly the 1755 packaged with the BASH hammer. Very possible they made a special edition C1 as well.

 

[AngryBeaver]

Wilton makes note of ductile iron (used in stressed areas) in their 60's catalog. I interpret it to mean it was not used until that version of their Machinist vises. This makes sense as Columbian started making ductile iron "unbreakable" vises around that era as well.

columbian "unbreakable" and sledge tested logos were used 40+ years before the 60's.