Shiftless
Well-known member
Thanks Smitty.
Those buggered up hold down clamps will be difficult to bring back to acceptable function and appearance.
If anybody has a pair with 3/4 inch threads and nice handles please let me know.
The VISES of Garage Journal
- Thread starter mjozefow
- Start date
Thanks Smitty.
Those buggered up hold down clamps will be difficult to bring back to acceptable function and appearance.
If anybody has a pair with 3/4 inch threads and nice handles please let me know.
KMScott
Well-known member
Shift, I got a pair, have to pound a handle on one. Send a PM. 1" hex x 2-1/2" tall with a 3/8 handle 5-1/2" long.
Just a note guys. I am retiring today, done with making vise parts. Gonna start showing some repaired and restored vises since I'll have time now to work on them. Been a fun ride. Sold over 7,000 vise parts and had ball making them. On my way to Florida on Christmas day for a couple weeks of rest and relaxation. Merry Christmas everyone.
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GETRIDAONE
Well-known member
Congratulations !!!!!!
Are you still looking at a move to NC ?
Are you still looking at a move to NC ?
KMScott
Well-known member
Gonna sell the house and move somewhere, Get we are flying into Atlanta day after Christmas then going to St Augustine FL so the wife can see it's history then traveling up to Georgia and see if we like it. I liked Beaufort SC on our trip last March, will look some more.
Zkling, Next year I will try to sell the complete buiness with machines, if that don't happen maybe I can find a shop that would buy the websites and all my jigs and fixtures. Wilton has let their customers down and have sent customers to me where it was to much. It's a money maker but gotta have the right person to run it, need to know vises. If the Columbian jaws were added then oh boy, a whole new website just for them. Get calls and e-mails everyday for Columbian jaws. OH, I bought a Bridgeport for my new home, can't be without a mill and welder.
Zkling, Next year I will try to sell the complete buiness with machines, if that don't happen maybe I can find a shop that would buy the websites and all my jigs and fixtures. Wilton has let their customers down and have sent customers to me where it was to much. It's a money maker but gotta have the right person to run it, need to know vises. If the Columbian jaws were added then oh boy, a whole new website just for them. Get calls and e-mails everyday for Columbian jaws. OH, I bought a Bridgeport for my new home, can't be without a mill and welder.
Roadsterdom
New member
Started writing a individual thread for this but thought it would probably be better placed here,
Picked this 1941 wilton No 60 vice up earlier in the year. Here in England they are quite a rare thing you'r far more likely to find the York counterpart . A few people have imported them but they don't really show up for sale very often. It has some really interesting features like where the 0 has been knocked out the plug before casting leaving just a ghost impression. But what’s really cool is the story about how this huge Wilton vice ended up here in England .
The farther of the man I bought it from was an America who came over for the war as a mechanic and was stationed at the American military base at Poddington Northamptonshire , which is now modern day Santa pod raceway . With it being a 1941 casting it’s safe to say it probably came over with the 15th Bomber squadron in 1942 (the first American forces to use poddington) and it almost certainly was used to keep the a-20 Havoc’s (Boston's as they are known in England) of 15th air worthy and ultimately help keep axis forces at bay. During his time here He met a fine English girl and decided to stay this vice followed him home from work one day and has spent the past 70+ years in his home garage.
He unfortunately passed and now its founds its way into my care where it'll be put to work with my collection of pre war American cars.
I was looking for a nice cast pedestal stand to put it on but 4 months of searching have turned up nothing so I've water cut a matching flange and base plate and have made my own (its currently in need of paint) .
Picked this 1941 wilton No 60 vice up earlier in the year. Here in England they are quite a rare thing you'r far more likely to find the York counterpart . A few people have imported them but they don't really show up for sale very often. It has some really interesting features like where the 0 has been knocked out the plug before casting leaving just a ghost impression. But what’s really cool is the story about how this huge Wilton vice ended up here in England .
The farther of the man I bought it from was an America who came over for the war as a mechanic and was stationed at the American military base at Poddington Northamptonshire , which is now modern day Santa pod raceway . With it being a 1941 casting it’s safe to say it probably came over with the 15th Bomber squadron in 1942 (the first American forces to use poddington) and it almost certainly was used to keep the a-20 Havoc’s (Boston's as they are known in England) of 15th air worthy and ultimately help keep axis forces at bay. During his time here He met a fine English girl and decided to stay this vice followed him home from work one day and has spent the past 70+ years in his home garage.
He unfortunately passed and now its founds its way into my care where it'll be put to work with my collection of pre war American cars.
I was looking for a nice cast pedestal stand to put it on but 4 months of searching have turned up nothing so I've water cut a matching flange and base plate and have made my own (its currently in need of paint) .
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Shiftless
Well-known member
Kevin:
Best wishes for a happy retirement wherever you land.
(PM sent for those parts)
Roadsterdom:
Welcome to the group and a super thumbs up
for that vise and stand. I love it!
.
.
Best wishes for a happy retirement wherever you land.
(PM sent for those parts)
Roadsterdom:
Welcome to the group and a super thumbs up
for that vise and stand. I love it!.
.
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AngryBeaver
Well-known member
Welcome. I’ll be the debbie downer and tell you it’s more than likely not a 1941. All vises from 41-45 were not marked as most were made for the war with no warranty. Especially if they didn’t move in until 42 and get set up for a year...
Regardless, nice vise. Early model 60’s aren’t seen that often
Roadsterdom
New member
That’s Shiftless , I’ve lurked for a very long time but never had much to share or say.
Not a Debbie downer at all Angry Beaver , it’s not date stamped in the normal places (or what I’ve read to be the normal Place this is my first dealing with one ) I dated it at 41 based on the fact it doesn’t have a pattern number in the casting
The 15th squadron arrived on the 13th May 1942 and started flying active service at the end of July so it’s not too impossible for the dates to line up.
Happy to be educated other wise
Not a Debbie downer at all Angry Beaver , it’s not date stamped in the normal places (or what I’ve read to be the normal Place this is my first dealing with one ) I dated it at 41 based on the fact it doesn’t have a pattern number in the casting
The 15th squadron arrived on the 13th May 1942 and started flying active service at the end of July so it’s not too impossible for the dates to line up.
Happy to be educated other wise
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thin_concrete
Well-known member
Outlawmws
Well-known member
Congrats on the retirement Dr Scott! Your hand at the wheel making parts and fixing vises will be missed!
va.grouseman
Well-known member
.---What Outlaw said Kevin.---You will leave a large vacuum.---But you are going to love retirement.---I've been retired for 10 years and it's the best job I've ever had.---Stay safe on the road and have really blessed Christmas.EDIT.---Kevin, thank you so much for the many hours you've spent on the Vise Info Thread.---It's just invaluable and I refer to it almost every day.---It's like the Gun Traders Guide for vises.
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cretedog
ALLIANCE MEMBER
damon18
ALLIANCE MEMBER
So your vise helped win the "Battle Of Britain"! I'm sure the Army Air Corps mechanics would have loved your stand too.
Welcome to the GJ.
ncgun99
Well-known member
Team. I am trying to find some more information on my vise. Year, model, parts location, etc. I know there is a ton of threads on this but this one was the most current and relevant. Any information is appreciated!
Cheers!
Sent from my iPhone using Garage Journal
Cheers!
Sent from my iPhone using Garage Journal
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Productbob
Well-known member
Mr. Scott, congratulations on your retirement and thanks for all your great work & insights! Your new career (retiree) is gonna be one of the best jobs you're ever gonna have 
royce
Well-known member
Congratulations Kevin,
My sincerest thanks for all that you have contributed to the craft.
On a personal note, I have learned a gob from you, with your generosity of sharing all you know.
I treasure the projects we have worked on and with a little luck we can squeeze in a few more.
Thanks again my good friend
Royce
Kevin, I would like to know more details about your plans for phasing out and selling your business. When you have more details to share please PM me.
txlonghorn1989
Well-known member
- Joined
- Feb 27, 2017
- Messages
- 2,786
I've enjoyed your posts and the outstanding work you do since I joined and caught the vise bug. Now get out there and enjoy yourself. Also, let us know when you figure out how you ever found time to work!
Received this 8” jaw Wilton 800 bullet vise in the mail yesterday. Thanks USPS! Have a swivel base assembly on the way from Nick C and plan to put it on this 180lb rounded cast iron stand, which I think will be functional and look great with the big bullet.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
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Shiftless
Well-known member
Vise:
Looks like you scored the Big Bullet!
You said that it was delivered via USPS. You mean the postman dropped that off??
I thought the weight limit was 70 pounds.
You evidently have a WAY more liberal weight limit where you live.
.
.
Looks like you scored the Big Bullet!
You said that it was delivered via USPS. You mean the postman dropped that off??
I thought the weight limit was 70 pounds.
You evidently have a WAY more liberal weight limit where you live.
.
.
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Private Lugnutz
Well-known member
Roadsterdom:
You may want to post that beauty on the 'Wilton Dating' thread. Bluebolt (and a few others) have a good handle on early Wilton Bullets without a date stamp. If you want to read about the history of that early period, go to page 28 in that thread and read through page 31 or so.
Edit: Quickie summary... Wilton was established in late 1941. The design patent (shamelessly appropriating the York that Vogl was selling at the time) was filed in August 1941 and granted in March 1942. In Vogl's testimony to the US Senate (small business council) after the war he says that they went into production "after the prioritization system" was in effect, a reference to the WPB Supply Priotities Allocation Board, established August 28, 1941. So, late 1941. The earliest reference to a Wilton vise, in a January 1942 trade journal, confirms that. So, it's possible.
The Wilton history pages re-states another part of his testimony saying that all production was US Government sales, but that's not true. His definition included vises sold to other OEM's making aircraft and motor vehicle parts in their stateside factories for the US Government. I haven't actually found any record of Wilton selling vises directly to the US Government (US Army Air Corps, Ordnance Dept, QMC, etc), records that include several other vise mfgrs.
Which is why the provenance of your vise - purportedly approriated from a USAAF base during the war - is very intriguing to me. Thanks for posting.
You may want to post that beauty on the 'Wilton Dating' thread. Bluebolt (and a few others) have a good handle on early Wilton Bullets without a date stamp. If you want to read about the history of that early period, go to page 28 in that thread and read through page 31 or so.
Edit: Quickie summary... Wilton was established in late 1941. The design patent (shamelessly appropriating the York that Vogl was selling at the time) was filed in August 1941 and granted in March 1942. In Vogl's testimony to the US Senate (small business council) after the war he says that they went into production "after the prioritization system" was in effect, a reference to the WPB Supply Priotities Allocation Board, established August 28, 1941. So, late 1941. The earliest reference to a Wilton vise, in a January 1942 trade journal, confirms that. So, it's possible.
The Wilton history pages re-states another part of his testimony saying that all production was US Government sales, but that's not true. His definition included vises sold to other OEM's making aircraft and motor vehicle parts in their stateside factories for the US Government. I haven't actually found any record of Wilton selling vises directly to the US Government (US Army Air Corps, Ordnance Dept, QMC, etc), records that include several other vise mfgrs.
Which is why the provenance of your vise - purportedly approriated from a USAAF base during the war - is very intriguing to me. Thanks for posting.
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AngryBeaver
Well-known member
Thank you Kevin. It was a pleasure meeting you. I wish you the best in retirement. I apologize for constantly pestering you. I was fortunate enough to get in a big order to finish up a bunch of my projects.
the community is going to miss your quality parts and I hope you still stick around here!
thanks again brother!
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Got me a nice ~5" blacksmith bench vise. Loving it. Always thought they were made by some blacksmith, cutting of the lower part of a post vise or so. But they are factory made, I guess. Dunno who or where from.
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Vise:
Looks like you scored the Big Bullet!
You said that it was delivered via USPS. You mean the postman dropped that off??
I thought the weight limit was 70 pounds.
You evidently have a WAY more liberal weight limit where you live.
.
.
Much thanks! I was just joshing about USPS. This arrived via Fastenal.
Thank you Smitty. This is my second Wilton. That’s about how many you have, right?
Thank you Kevin. It was a pleasure meeting you. I wish you the best in retirement. I apologize for constantly pestering you. I was fortunate enough to get in a big order to finish up a bunch of my projects.
the community is going to miss your quality parts and I hope you still stick around here!
thanks again brother!
Now THATS a KMScott haul! Nice pick ups.
va.grouseman
Well-known member
That's a pile of GOLD BARS that are made of STEEL.---Pretty work KM.
KMScott
Well-known member
Thanks to all you guys on here, this last year has been a busy one with record sales. I will be able to contribute more especially in the repairs.
OH, here is what I am working on now and I will have time to finish a project both Royce and I worked on together. But first time for fishing in the Ocean and riding some waves and leaving this cold weather behind for a couple weeks.
OH, here is what I am working on now and I will have time to finish a project both Royce and I worked on together. But first time for fishing in the Ocean and riding some waves and leaving this cold weather behind for a couple weeks.
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Figures. Right when I get near needing an item it goes off the market.
Seriously though, congrats and thanks KMS.
Merry Christmas!
2 days before Christmas I took a little trip to Berlin, nice 500km total (40€ gas money probably, did a lot of slipstreaming to save some). Wanted to get a few vises. That didn't work out except for the main deal for 40 bucks (gave the Brit, who brought it over from the UK and now resides in some old train switch station another 5€ helping me carry it to the car):
There is some markings there, haven't cleaned it up add all yet. Quite sure I got my hands on a Peter Wright bench vise. 6" monster. If not, a very near close to the original "Peter Wright Pattern" vise
There is some markings there, haven't cleaned it up add all yet. Quite sure I got my hands on a Peter Wright bench vise. 6" monster. If not, a very near close to the original "Peter Wright Pattern" vise
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Old Radar
Well-known member
Figures. Right when I get near needing an item it goes off the market.
Seriously though, congrats and thanks KMS.
Merry Christmas!
I'm with you on that! Although, for me it may be irrelevant. I got this heavily used and abused Columbian 505 at an industrial shop estate sale on the 50% off day. I knew it was abused and pointed out some of the issues to show it was not worth (at least to me) the $100 asking price--much less the $200 original price. I almost walked away but he came down to $25 and threw in a Vise Grip and old wooden plane as sweeteners.
Once I got it home and wire-wheeled the grime off, I could see I probably overpaid by about $20!
The upper parts of both jaws are broken and brazed back together. The repair on the dynamic jaw is loose and has a couple of small bolts going through the jaw pin holes holding it on. (Industrial shop--industrially expedient repair...) BTW, the jaw inserts are almost worn smooth.
My question for the experts here is: Can this damage be repaired--and if so, is it really worth doing? I know another Columbian will eventually come along for me, so there are no hopes or dreams pinned to this one. The handle is straight, so maybe I should just offer it up and scrap the rest.
Opinions?
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va.grouseman
Well-known member
Figures. Right when I get near needing an item it goes off the market.
Seriously though, congrats and thanks KMS.
Merry Christmas!
Idaho, I feel your pain.---Every time I find a product that I like, that really works, be it made of wood, metal, or a food product, a tool, a car part, type of furniture, appliance, and even a medication, as soon as I get settled in to relying on that brand or product, they discontinue it.---I told my wife that I think our house is bugged by marketers that use me as criteria for product valuation.---The criteria is, if Larry likes it, yank it like starting a lawn mower.---I'm going to start saying that I absolutely hate this stuff every time I find something I like.
In this situation though, it's KMS.---A lot of people are going to feel your pain on this one.
Spent the day getting organized. These are all Prentiss vises, the top three rows are all three inch class.
Sent from my iPad using The Garage Journal mobile app
Sent from my iPad using The Garage Journal mobile app
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damon18
ALLIANCE MEMBER
Wow! You should sell the rights to those pictures to the steel shelf manufacturer. Serious load test.Spent the day getting organized. These are all Prentiss vises, the top three rows are all three inch class.
Sent from my iPad using The Garage Journal mobile app
Sent from my SM-G973U using Tapatalk
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Shiftless
Well-known member
Lookin good Smitty